I've been trying soooo hard to get this chapter up. LuvReading, you're always so faithful and kind to read my stories, and I know you like the Old West stories the best, so I really wanted to get this up. My work schedule is finally slowing down, so fingers crossed I can update more often. :)
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Chapter 25

"Which way?"

Vin scanned the hard packed ground in front of them without answering Buck. He held his horse's reins loosely in his right hand, leading the horse as he walked slowly, leading his mount.

There.

The tracks were faint, but they were there. Vin, Buck, JD, Ezra, and Nathan were still on the right track. Without a word, Vin swung back up on his gelding and nudged him forward. They needed to pick up their pace. Night had fallen and they still hadn't seen the gang, only traces of them.

Vin had hoped the gang would leave Mary and Billy on the side of the trail once they were clear of town, not wanting to be slowed by their hostages. The thought of why the gang could want to hold onto Billy and Mary made his gut churn.

Nathan brought his horse even with Vin's as they traveled. "We'll find them," Nathan said.

Vin nodded once. The alternative was too terrifying to consider.

"They'll have to stop soon. And we won't. Not until we find them," Nathan promised.

Another nod. Until they found them. Vin repeated the words to himself silently.

"Over there," Buck said.

Buck reined his horse in and Vin automatically followed suit. He looked to Buck, followed the finger Buck was pointing toward the distance.

A faint trail of smoke drifted to the sky, barely visible against the inky heavens and the first stars coming out.

"Pretty stupid of them to have a fire," JD said.

It was reckless. And reckless didn't bode well for Mary and Billy. Vin met Ezra's eyes and read the caution there. Ezra had the same thought as Vin.

Vin scanned the horizon. He wanted to go charging in there and get Mary, get her son, grab them and shoot whoever tried to stop him. But he knew that would end in bloodshed, and not just for the outlaws. He needed to keep his head on straight. He needed to think. To do whatever would guarantee the safety of the two hostages. The safety of the men he rode with.

"There's some good cover to the northeast," Buck said.

Vin looked at the hills and scrub brush. Buck was clearly able to look at this the way they needed to.

"What are you thinkin'?" he asked, relieved Buck seemed to be coming up with a plan.

Buck's gaze narrowed in thought. "Send JD and Nathan around to that scrub. I make my way in close with the tall grass covering me. You cover us from up on that hill."

Vin didn't like the thought of being removed from the action to provide cover.

"You're the best shot with a rifle," Buck said, reading Vin's thoughts correctly.

Vin nodded, no boasting, just accepting the plain fact of it. And he couldn't let his ego demand he be the one to go storming into the outlaw camp to save Mary. He had to go where he was most needed.

"And Ezra?" Vin asked.

Buck's expression barely shifted, but he looked over to Ezra with the slightest twitch of his mouth. "Well, since ol' Ezra can charm the scales off a snake, makes sense to have him saunter right onto camp and put his skills to use."

Ezra's brow lifted in question, but he didn't immediately refuse.

Buck continued. "He pretends to be some fancy city slicker who's lost. Distract them with tales of how worried he is someone will take his winnings. While they're lookin' at him as an easy mark, we get in there and snatch back Mary and her boy."

Vin nodded. It was a good plan. Better than them waiting for the outlaws to call it a night and then figure out how many guards they posted and make it past them.

"I'm not sure I appreciate Mr. Wilmington so casually offering to have all five outlaw guns trained on me," Ezra said.

"But, Ezra! It's for Mary and—" JD burst out.

"But for Mrs. Travis and her offspring, five guns seems a paltry number," Ezra finished.

Vin clapped a hand on Ezra's shoulder and gave it a squeeze, knowing any words he found would be inadequate.

"Alright then, that's it," Nathan said. "Let's ground tie the horses back here and get in place."

Vin hobbled his horse, making sure it was a knot he would be able to release quickly.

He took his rifle from the rifle boot, checked to make sure he had the ammunition needed, and then checked his holstered gun.

Buck gave him a nod. Vin returned the silent message. He headed the opposite direction as Nathan and JD, moving quickly. When he got to the hills, he would have to slow, make sure whoever may be standing guard at the outlaw's camp didn't see or hear anything that might make him suspicious.

When he got to the base of the hills, he crouched low and made his way up to the vantage point he had already chosen. He listened carefully to the sounds in the camp, trying to hear any change in the low voices, any sound of alarm.

Near the top of the hill, he dropped to his stomach. Paused to really listen. He didn't hear anything besides the crackle of the fire and a couple men talking.

Sliding forward inch by inch, keeping to whatever shadow the overgrown grass provided, Vin made his way to a large boulder. It would provide enough cover for him, and a place to steady his rifle when he trained it on the camp.

He got himself situated and took in the camp for the first time.

Two men near the fire, flask being passed between them. Nearly empty judging by the way they were straining to get any last drops from it. Another man some distance from them with a canteen and a dark look on his face, the dancing light and shadows from the fire making his expression more menacing. And a younger man, hardly out of his teens, sitting near two smaller figures.

Vin clenched his teeth together to keep from any bigger movement. Mary's feet were bound, her hair spilling from her normally tidy style. Her wrists were bound, but she had managed to loop her arms around Billy and was holding him close to her side. Billy's feet weren't tied, but his wrists were. Vin could see Mary's eyes taking in the men. He had no doubt her sharp mind was going a mile a minute, trying to find a way to save her boy.

Vin took a breath and forced himself to find some distance. He couldn't let himself be rushed into an emotional response. Not when it would put Mary and Billy at risk. He looked across the camp and saw the faintest movement in the grass, then it stopped. He scanned until he saw the second movement. JD and Nathan were in place. He didn't see Buck, but that was good. Buck would be well concealed from the camp if Vin couldn't see him from his vantage point.

Vin brought his rifle to position. He waited.

#

Lucy struggled to help Chris sit. His breathing was ragged, uneven. He fought against her, mumbling something she couldn't understand. His skin scorched her fingers. His cheeks were a violent red, his lips chapped.

"Just a little more," she encouraged him, straining to get him a little closer to upright, hoping that would help his breathing. She could see the muscles in his chest working, fighting for every breath. "Please, Chris," she pleaded softly. "Breathe."

Every breath Chris drew in was a grunt, every exhale a wheeze. Lucy held back a sob at the terrible sounds.

She stuffed another pillow behind him, relieved to see she had managed to get him closer to sitting than lying. She took the pot of steaming water from his nightstand carefully and held it close to him. Chris' eyes didn't open, and he turned his head away.

Lucy carefully held the steam near him, keeping it in front of his face even when he turned away. She was out of ideas to help his breathing. The warm steam entering his lungs was the only thing she could think of.

Her arms ached with the weight and her awkward position of holding it. Chris' wheezes grew quieter.

Lucy held the pot until the steam stopped rising and it cooled. She set it back on the nightstand, and reached for the other bowl there, holding the mustard poultice.

With motions that had become second nature over the last two days, Lucy applied the poultice, then covered it with a warm towel. She cleaned her hands with the now cold water and made a half-hearted effort to dry them.

Chris didn't fight the poultice being applied anymore and that worried Lucy as much as his breathing. She pulled the chair alongside his bed closer and settled into it.

With a meow, Soot jumped up onto the bed. He padded across the sheet until he was settled between Chris and Lucy.

Lucy rested her fingertips on his soft fur, taking what comfort she could from the kitten. It was precious little as Chris struggled to breathe.

#

Ezra hated this.

It was one thing to be talked into being bait. But bait would be drawing someone out. Walking into the camp of five bank robbers who were holding hostages, well, that was being a walking bullseye. A target.

Ezra made sure he walked like some sort of fool who didn't know the dangers of the open range. Making plenty of noise to draw attention and alert the camp to his presence.

He heard the sharp click of a gun cocking before the man standing guard called out. "Who's there?"

"A weary traveler," Ezra answered, adding the drawl of fatigue to his voice for good measure. "Thank heavens I finally found someone."

He made sure to keep his hands in plain view. His gunbelt was with Buck. His small wrist derringer his only defense.

A second man joined the guard. They both eyed Ezra suspiciously.

Ezra gave them a tired smile. "I don't suppose you have a cup of coffee at your fire? And perhaps some directions to the nearest town?"

A third man, even more dour looking than the first two, stood, a rifle loosely held, ready to swing up and aim at the slightest provocation.

Ezra really, really hated being a distraction. At least he wasn't in a dress this time. That was the only up side he could see in this plan of Mr. Wilmington's.

Ezra made sure to keep his eyes fixed on the men's faces, not letting his gaze drift around to study the camp or Mary and Billy. He let his peripheral vision fill in the information.

Mary had recognized him. She sat a little straighter and Ezra caught the movement of her hand covering Billy's mouth as the lad lit up with recognition. She leaned down and whispered something to Billy.

"If you have something warm to drink, I can offer something to dress it up," he said. He moved slowly to pull open his jacket, allowing them to clearly see the flask he was removing.

The man near Mary and Billy stood at the sight of the flask, taking a step. Just enough to put Billy and Mary behind him.

Ezra saw movement in the brush behind Billy. He lifted the flask higher. "My mount came up lame just about a quarter mile back," he said. "But I have saddlebags carrying pure white lightning moonshine if you would be so considerate to lend me a hand."

An arm went around Billy and then he disappeared into the brush silently.

The man guarding them didn't notice. He was studying Ezra's flask. The last man at the fire shifted, looking like his attention was moving toward where Mary now sat alone.

"And of course I'll provide compensation for your help," Ezra said. He handed the flask over to the man who was eyeing it most eagerly and reached in his boot for his wad of cash with a silent vow to extract the entire sum from Mr. Wilmington's flesh if these bandits somehow made off with his savings.

It did the trick. The final man was looking at him now.

Another slight rustle and then Mary was removed from the ring of light from the campfire.

Ezra ducked down to tuck the cash back in his boot. He was about to straighten when he heard one of the men shout.

Ezra threw himself to the ground, as a rifle blast cut down the man who was lifting his rifle toward him. Another rifle report and another man was down. The third man near Ezra had his gun out, whirling toward the hill Ezra knew Vin was taking cover on. Ezra didn't give the man a chance to draw a bead on Vin. A flick of his arm and his derringer was in his hand, finger pulling the trigger, dropping the man before he fired on Vin.

Ezra could see Buck at the edge of the fire, blocking the escape route Billy and Mary had taken. The man closest to him drew, but Buck was faster and his gun was smoking before the robber had his gun clear of his holster.

The last man from the gang pulled his gun. Simultaneous shots from Buck and Vin jolted his body in two directions before he fell to the dirt.

Ezra looked at the three men laying near him. Not a one of them moved. The last two lay face up, blank eyes open.

Ezra dropped his head back in the dirt and closed his eyes. He drew in a long breath.

"You ok there, Pard?" Buck asked.

Ezra opened his eyes. Buck held out a hand to him.

Ezra carefully put his small gun back in the wrist holster and accepted the help up from the ground. Stepping away from Buck, he brushed at his jacket.

"The laundress is going to charge extra for the amount of filth on my jacket."

"Glad you're ok, Ez," Buck said with a grin.

"I'll be better when plans don't involve sending me in as a lamb to the slaughter."

Ezra was about to comment on how Buck would look in a dress the next time, but movement coming down the steep hillside stopped him.

Vin skidded down the hill, dust puffing in a trail behind him.

"Mary and Billy?" he asked, chest heaving. "I lost sight of 'em when Nathan and JD pulled 'em into the brush."

Ezra watched without comment as Buck pointed in the direction Nathan and JD had removed them from the gunfire. Vin didn't seem to register anything Buck was saying. His attention was fixed on the shadows ahead. Without a word, he headed that way.

It was none of Ezra's business. What was his concern was the large sum of money and gold the men had made off with from the bank. It was only the responsible thing to make sure someone found it and counted it.

#

Vin helped Mary up onto his horse. Peso stood patiently. Vin got Billy at the waist and was about to lift him to sit in front of his mother, but Billy stopped him.

"Vin?"

"Yeah?"

Billy took a deep breath. "Thanks for saving me and my mom." Vin could feel Billy's hands trembling where he had them on Vin's shoulders. Vin's chest tightened in response.

"Any time, pal. I'll always be there for you and your ma."

The shadows in Billy's eyes told Vin how much he needed to hear that. "Let's get you and your ma home," Vin said.

Billy nodded. But before he let go of Vin, he wrapped his arms around Vin's neck and hugged him for all he was worth.

Vin swallowed hard at the feel of those scrawny arms around his neck. He tried not to think of what it would be like to ride back to town without Billy or Mary. If the little boy was the one laying on the ground bleeding out instead of the men who had taken him.

Vin drew a deep breath, shoving aside the morbid what-ifs. He gave Billy a pat on his shoulder. When he handed him up to Mary, he met her eyes. She had the same shadows as Billy. But Vin could see the fears were the same unrealized ones he had. Then he noticed the welt blooming on her cheek. His jaw clenched.

"It's alright, Vin," Mary said in a low voice.

It wasn't. But they had to pretend it was for now. For Billy's sake. Hell, maybe even for his own sake just so he could get them back to town without losing the thin thread of control he had left.

Vin took the mount of one of the robbers and swung into the unfamiliar saddle. Ezra, JD and Buck would sling the bodies across the other mounts and lead them back to town at a slower pace. He and Nathan would see that Mary and Billy made it to their own home safely.

He looked over at Mary as they pointed their mounts toward town. She held the reins loosely, her free arm around Billy. Her fingers gripped at him like she didn't dare ever let him go.

Vin knew the feeling.

#

Lucy startled awake. Her heart thudded and her head pinched with tension. Disoriented, she tried to get her bearings. She was laying awkwardly. No, not laying. She was in a chair, but had fallen forward and her head was resting on her arms on an unfamiliar mattress.

She lifted her head. She was in Chris' room. She immediately looked over at Chris.

His face was flushed, a sheen of sweat on his skin. His bare chest was covered with another poultice, the second one tonight, after she had carefully applied one four times yesterday.

She shifted uncomfortably in the wooden chair in Chris' room and rubbed her hands over her face. She hadn't gone to her own bed last night. Not with the way Chris' breathing had sounded.

His breathing hadn't gotten worse, but his fever had.

"No…don't," Chris rasped out. His fingers gripped at the sheet around his waist.

Lucy hesitated, then laid a hand over his fingers, stilling their agitated motions.

"Sarah," Chris breathed.

Lucy stilled.

"Sarah…" he said again. Lucy didn't know anything about the man she was married to, Chris hadn't offered any information and she hadn't pried. She felt like she was invading his privacy when he groaned, saying the name again.

The way he said the name, Lucy could tell he loved Sarah, whoever she was. She could also hear the pain her name brought to Chris.

"I shouldn't have…Sarah…"

"It's alright," Lucy whispered, unable to watch his torment in silence. She reached for the washcloth in the basin of cool water on the nightstand. She wrung out the water and carefully washed his face, hoping to bring his fever down, wanting to free him from whatever these feverish memories were that tormented him.

"Sarah, the fire, you gotta get out. Get Adam out," Chris rasped out, his corded muscles bunching like he was ready to fight. "Get our boy out…"

Lucy's heart constricted in horror as she listened to the pain in Chris' voice, comprehended what he was saying.

"It's ok, Chris," she whispered. "It's ok." She took his hand in hers and held it gently, feeling the rough callouses of his palm, the way his fingers tightened and twitched.

Chris didn't respond, but his movements slowed. His breaths still came too fast, from the fever as much as the memories. Every breath he took had a rattle with the wheeze. His skin nearly seared her fingertips with the heat of his fever.

Lucy's hands shook as she dipped the rag in the basin again and squeezed the excess water from it. She dabbed at his face, his neck, his shoulders. The entire time, silently begging for the fever to break.

#

Flames.

That was all Chris could see. Flames. He could feel them on his skin. His skin felt tight, it was so hot and dry.

"Sarah!" he screamed. He had to get to her. Warn her. Pull her and Adam from the house before the flames overtook it. "Sarah! Get out of there!"

He tried to run to her. Tried to move, but his feet were rooted to the earth. "Get Adam out! Adam!" he screamed for his son. The harder he tried to move, the heavier his limbs got and the more uncooperative. The flames were swirling closer to him, dancing around him in delight, ready to claim him like they had his son and his wife. Punish him for failing them.

"Sarah!" he yelled again.

"It's alright."

Chris fought harder, desperate to get into the flames if that's what it took to get to Sarah and Adam.

"It's ok, Chris." There it was again. Chris slowed, straining to hear the words.

The voice was quiet. It barely carried over the crackle of the fire, the groaning of beams ready to break.

Chris was desperate to hear the voice again. The gentle assurance a comfort protecting him from the memories. Soothing the pain.

Something cool touched his skin, a welcome relief from the scorching heat.

"It's ok, Chris."

He wanted to go toward that voice. It was familiar, but he couldn't get to it. Not with the weight on his limbs and the fire burning his skin.

"It's ok."

Chris was too heavy to make any movement toward the voice. Everything in him wanted to, but he couldn't.

Instead he listened. Listened to the gentleness, let it comfort him.

It had been a long time since he had any comfort in this world.

#