"I'm in the kitchen Buck. Come ahead through." Chris had been staring out the window when he'd spotted the familiar car, and driving style, in the distance. Knowing his team as he did he hit the switch for another pot of coffee. By the time Buck's Rover had turned into his lane and pulled to a stop next to Vin's weathered and abused-looking jeep, he had already taken the mugs from the shelf. The slamming of 4 doors confirmed his suspicion that the vehicle had been fully loaded. He called out his directions as soon as he heard the front door open. Buck led the parade of men into the kitchen.

"Well, at least we know why Vin wasn't home." Josiah observed as he approached Chris. "When did he get here?"

"Few hours ago. He's mucking out the stables."

Buck grinned. "What did he do wrong?" He got the expected icy glare from Chris. He would have been disappointed with any other response.

"He says I didn't do a good enough job yesterday."

Nathan gave Chris his own glare. "Don't tell me you were out cleaning the stalls? Damn it Chris. You aren't healed up enough for that kind of exertion."

"It's been weeks Nathan. I'm fine. Anyway, not an issue because as it turns out, I didn't do the cleaning. It was Buck." He grinned at the expression on his long-time friend's face. Buck couldn't decide whether to let the insult pass, or to dispute it, which would mean heading out to challenge Vin, and no doubt get roped into helping with the work. Chris decided to spare him the decision. "He's really just looking for something to keep himself busy with."

"Well, we can help with that. Setting up a search party for Ezra. He's not answering his phone - house or cell. Car is at his place, but no answer when we went up."

"JD, tell me you didn't break in." Chris was pretty sure he knew the answer.

The young man smiled with far more confidence than he felt. "Of course we didn't break in. We had keys."

"After the past few weeks, don't you think he's entitled to some alone time?"

"It's because of the past few weeks we're worried." Josiah answered. "Bad enough he's been on his own, being off work and all. You don't think he might just need to know we're here for him right now?"

"You really think he doesn't know that? Has there been a day since we got back from New York that at least a couple of you haven't called him or dropped in?"

"He's hardly left his place since the day he scattered Maude's ashes. That's not good for him." Nathan replied.

"So you should be pleased he's out now."

Buck had further concerns. "How can we be sure he doesn't still have some of that damned family of his out to get him?"

Chris turned back from the fridge, putting the cream on the counter. "We can't. But with Dylan and William both dead and his boys in jail, that's 5 down. Jacob's kids all seem to be either uninvolved, or keeping their distance. I would guess that with most high enough on various most wanted lists, they have other priorities at the moment. JD, you still have eyes on Simon's brood?"

"Tracking them as best possible. They seem to have decided running is their best bet. One of them is out of the country as well, with the rest back east. I think Simon is in Alaska, but need to confirm that to be certain. I've put their names on Federal watch lists to track everyone."

"How did you get into Homeland secur-…" Chris paused. "Never mind – I don't want to know."

"Do you think Ezra is going to want to contact any of his less troublesome siblings?" Josiah wondered.

Buck snorted. "Given the experience he's had, I'm guessing he won't be hosting a family reunion any time soon. None of this helps us figure out where he is."

"He's here." Chris answered, as he began pouring out coffee. "Vin brought him out this morning."

"What's wrong?"

"He just needed a lift. Said he didn't feel up to driving."

"Arm still bothering him?" Nathan asked immediately.

Chris shrugged. "Maybe a little. Looks a bit tired, but I think he's getting back on track. Vin said they stopped for breakfast - Ezra's idea."

That brought a look of relief to the team 'nursemaid'. "Well, I guess that's something. So, where is he?"

Another shrug as response. "Not sure. He headed out almost as soon as he arrived."

"But you said he was here?" JD asked.

Josiah figured it out first. "Took Chaucer out - didn't he?"

Vin opened the back door in time to hear the question. "Don't recall ever seeing that horse so excited. I think he figured Ezra had plum forgot about him."

"If he can't drive, he shouldn't be riding." Nathan was less than pleased that they had done nothing to stop the activity.

Buck laughed off that concern. "Ezra needs his hands on the wheel to drive. With Chaucer, all he has to do is talk to him."

"Doesn't even have to do that most of the time." Josiah handed Vin a coffee before continuing. "I swear that animal can read his mind. How long have they been gone?"

Vin looked up at the antique clock on the wall. "Just shy of 3 hours now."

Buck looked up in wonder at the time. "It's barely noon. If he went out at 9, after driving and having breakfast - damn, what time did you get him up?"

"He asked me if 7 was too early to pick him up."

"7 o'clock in the MORNING? Ezra asked for that? You sure he's okay?"

"I doubt it's going to be a habit." Vin grinned, thinking about the mumbling Ezra had done on the drive out. Something about the ungodly brightness of the sun, and the observation of how noisy birds could be.

The team wandered out to the patio, sitting quietly for a few minutes before JD couldn't handle the silence. "Three hours? Where to do you think he went?"

Chris paused for a moment, debating the possibilities in his mind. "Nowhere. Everywhere. I think he just went out JD. No specific plan in mind."

Josiah wasn't in complete agreement. "I'd wager he has a plan. At least a final destination for the day."

"He hasn't been to the south ridge since he scattered her ashes there. You figure he was ready to go back?" Chris had found himself out there about a week after the small, private ceremony, much to his surprise. It hadn't been a conscious effort. He was just riding and found himself overlooking the hillside. He sat still, just absorbing the tranquility of the spot. "We're all keeping an eye on him Maude. He's doing better. Not ok yet, but better." The leaves and branches above him had rustled with an unexpected gust of wind, and he smiled as he rode back home that day. He'd been back again, and knew he'd be riding there more often. He just couldn't shake the feeling he needed to make an appearance.

Josiah looked toward the south before answering. "I think that's likely why he came today. He wasn't really ready to say goodbye before. It was all just too much, too fast. He's been, well, I guess you could call it adapting since then. And, if he called Vin to ask for a ride, I'd say that was as good a sign as any that the time was right."

"So, do we all just sit here waiting for him? Isn't that gonna be uncomfortable for him?" JD didn't think Ezra would be happy with a welcoming committee, no matter how well intentioned.

"No, not waiting. But there are a mess of chores I could use some help with."

The collective groans were not entirely serious. "Now come on Chris – I just cleaned out the stables yesterday. What more do you want from me?"

"You call that cleaning? I spent two hours in there fixing the mess." Vin teased back. The good-natured ribbing picked up and continued for the next couple of hours as they went about getting things in shape again. Josiah was the first to notice the stack of lumber next to the back garage.

"Finally going to get around to fixing this up?"

There was a moment of silence as Chris thought of what had almost happened there. "The roof. Don't want it leaking in there like it has been. Kinda defeats the purpose of having a garage."

Vin approached. He had the same contemplative look that Chris did. "What about the rest of the damage?"

Chris shook his head. "OK, I know this sound stupid, but I don't know that I want to fix all the rest. Those gaps, those assorted holes are what saved Ezra. Somehow doesn't feel right to repair that."

"Not stupid Chris. I admit to feeling the same way."

Josiah chuckled. "Glad I'm not the only one to get sentimental over rotten window casings. I'll get the ladder and we can start hauling this up top to work on the roof."

Before he could make good on the offer, JD called out loud enough for them to hear, but without the sound carrying. "He's headed in."

They all went back to chores, trying to look casual as they watched Ezra ride in slowly from the south end of the ranch. He was shaking his head, laughing lightly by the time he got to the stables.

"I take back any suggestions I have ever made that might encourage you men to delve further into undercover work. You all have the nonchalance and subtly of a platoon of tanks." He casually dismounted, laughing lightly again at the scrutiny Nathan gave him during the process. "I assure you, my arm is fine. The day I cannot mount and dismount one handed is the day I hand the reins to another."

"Maybe," Nathan reluctantly accepted, "but removing all that gear and brushing him down is another matter."

"I will concede, Vin had to assist in the preparation for the ride."

JD approached cautiously, know Chaucer could be extremely particular about having others handle him. "How about it fella? What do you say to letting me give Ezra a hand with getting you settled?" He was certain the animal was watching him with the same degree of scrutiny Nathan had leveled at Ezra a moment earlier. A soft whiney, and gentle nudge pushing his owner aside showed Chaucer had accepted the proposal.

"Well, I know when I am not longer needed." Ezra reached into his pocket to retrieve his few remaining peppermint treats and offered them to his ride. "Thank you for an excellent day my friend." He watched JD lead him away before turning back to the others. "Now, I shall proceed to the do the same process of cleaning up after my excursion, if you don't mind."

"Help yourself to whatever you need. We were just talking about throwing some steaks on the grill a little later on. Think you might want to stick around for that?" Chris left the invitation casual, not wanting to push Ezra into anything.

"That sounds tempting. I shall leave the decision in the hands of my chauffeur for the day."

"Well, I ain't stupid enough to turn down a steak dinner. If you're not too tired…"

"My day was not strenuous. Chaucer did most of the work, and I spent a couple of hours just sitting back, looking out over the valley to the south."

"Peaceful spot to relax." Josiah commented.

"It can be." Ezra took a few steps toward the house before turning back. "I am cognisant of the reality that none of you gentlemen appreciate overt demonstrations of sentiment, and it is outside our natures to be effusive or maudlin. But, I would be remiss, and less than honest if I did not take the opportunity to –" he paused, and then quietly laughed at himself.

"Listen to me. So full of myself, so conditioned, I seem to have forgotten how to state a simple fact. I would not have survived, physically, mentally or emotionally, all that I have had to in recent months without each and every one of you standing by me. There are no words, however meaningful – or pretentious –they may be, that can express my appreciation, my gratitude, for everything you have done. I know you will say it was nothing, that it was just what we do, but I assure you, it was not 'nothing' to me."

Josiah agreed. "No son, you're right. It is what we do, all of us, for each other. And being there for each other, no matter what, is most definitely not 'nothing'. It's everything."

The End

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