Four o'clock the next afternoon found six tense men sick of waiting. The morning had gone quickly enough. The trial had started promptly at 10:00 and by 11:30 Jess Miller was sentenced to death. Judge Travis had scheduled the hanging for tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. The unstable young man had ranted and screamed all the way back to the jail. It took both Josiah and Nathan to control him. It had wisely been decided to keep Buck as far as possible from the insane killer. Chris was glad the Judge had chosen the early time. Buck and Vin planned to ride out right after the hanging.

The waiting was starting to get on everyone's nerves, especially Buck and Vin's. Chris wasn't sure what Buck would do if Miller didn't show soon. Right now the dark haired man was sitting in front of the jail, nursing his rifle and watching the street. Vin crouched near him, a constant shadow the guilt at abandoning the search eating at him. Add in Nathan and Ezra's strange behavior and Chris felt like he was sitting on a powder keg. Something had to break. Chris watched Nathan walk toward the church. He and Ezra sure seemed to be spending a lot of time there the last couple of days.

*******************************

As Nathan opened the church door a gust of wind blew up, tearing it out of his hands to bang against the wall. Stepping inside he was a bit startled to find Ezra's derringer pointed at him. The southerner lowered his weapon an embarrassed look on his face, quickly replaced with his normal poker face.

"Ezra, you …" Nathan cut the words off and stood there.

"My apologies, I seem to be .. I thought …" Ezra let the sentence trail off, the embarrassed look back. "I, I think I'll go over to the saloon for a drink." He brushed past his head down. Nathan turned to watch him noticing how tense he looked.

"Looking for me?" Josiah's voice boomed in his ear, causing Nathan to jump. Turning he gave the other man a dirty look. Josiah gave him an unholy grin and started back toward the front of the church.

"What's wrong with him?" Nathan jerked his head back toward the door. Josiah's inquiring look prompted him to add, "Ezra, he's been acting strange lately even for him."

"I think he's getting too much sleep."

Nathan decided to ignore that. Sometimes he thought Josiah came up with this stuff just to drive him crazy. Still he couldn't help worrying about the other man. After all if Ezra was getting sick it was his job to help him. "Maybe I should check on him?"

"I wouldn't worry." Josiah offered. "He'll be fine in three days."

"Now how can you know that?" Nathan asked in an exasperated tone. "If he's sick…" The healer cut the rest of the sentence off. "You mean to tell me not shuffling cards is doing this to him?"

Josiah picked up a board turning it in his hands. Looking at Nathan he smiled "Gotta get this board back in the window before it falls apart. Some times the smallest things are what holds everything together."

Whatever Nathan was going to say was cut off when Vin stuck his head in the door. "Looks like Miller's here." Both men hurried to follow him outside and take their positions.

*******************************

Jed Miller and Clint Wilkes rode side by side down the center of the street. Clint kept shooting glances at his boss. He knew the man beside him had just seen his entire world destroyed in the space of a half hour. That's how long it had taken for the parents of the girl Jess murdered to tell their story. The two parties ran into each other a few miles out of town. The Texans had stopped to water their horses and found the Edwards were already there, resting before continuing home. One look at JD and Mrs. Edwards had started screaming. She'd thought at first he was Jess intending to kill them all. JD had been horrified at her reaction. Clint sent him to water the horses and then, with his boss listening, had slowly coaxed the story out. By the time the Edwards were ready to continue their journey, Jed Miller had every horrifying detail etched in his brain. He hadn't told the couple who he was and he knew they had no reason to lie to a stranger. He'd been numb ever since, only speaking long enough to tell the others to wait outside of town. Clint was afraid the shock of finding out about his son had sent the man over the edge.

Now as they rode toward the jail, Clint wished he had a feel for his boss' state of mind. He'd noticed the sharpshooter on the roof across from the jail and the man in black sitting outside. He hoped this wasn't going to become a suicide mission.

Chris watched the two men approach from under the brim of his hat. Where were the other four men Vin has said to expect? Was Miller planning some sort of diversion, hoping to free his son during? Chris stood up as the two men dismounted. Making sure to stay out of Vin's line of fire he stepped closer. He too the measure of the two men standing in front of him, noticing how beaten and tired the one man looked. The other man reminded him of a hawk, checking everything out with sharp eyes that missed little. Of the two Chris figured he was the most dangerous and if it came to a fight, the one he'd need to take out.

Clint saw the way the other man's eyes, sized him up. He didn't bother to hide an amused grin. He knew gunfighters, wasn't slow himself, but this man would kill him at the first sign of trouble. He was fast enough to take the other man with him he thought, but he hoped he wouldn't have to find out. His eyes flickered to the mustached man standing nearby in the shadows then back. Yep if it came to a fight, he was a dead man.

"Can I help you?" Chris just wanted all this to be over with so they could go find JD. He directed his comment to Clint and was a bit surprised when the other man answered instead.

"I'm Jed Miller, I understand you have my boy in jail?" Jed forced the words out. A part of him was still praying that it wouldn't be Jess in there. "I'd like to see him."

"You'll have to leave your guns here and be searched." Chris was a bit surprised by Miller's easy compliance. Stripping off his gunbelt he handed it to the other man telling him to wait outside. Chris quickly patted him down before opening the door and waving him in. He then turned his attention back to the other man who was leaning against the rail and rolling a cigarette. Josiah and Nathan were inside with Miller. A quick glance confirmed that Ezra was across the street watching.

Clint lit his cigarette eyeing the other man through the smoke. "Clint Wilkes." Clint wanted to know who this black clad man was.

"Chris Larabee."

Clint smiled, he could almost read Larabee's mind. Where were the rest of his men? Was this a trap, an elaborate ruse? This man reminded him of the boss, hard, tough and didn't know the meaning of quit. Taking a deep draw of tobacco he waved the cigarette at the jail. "Always knew that boy would hang. Even as a kid he had a mean streak." Clint paused to take another puff. "Blame myself some, if'n I'd a forced the boss to see it, well maybe he could have done something."

Chris shook his head, "Doubt it."

Clint gave a heavy sigh, "S'pect your right, sure glad his momma didn't live to see this day. Finding out the truth's, damn near killed his pa."

"Staying for the hanging?" Chris was still expecting a trap.

"Reckon that'll be up to the boss."

Blasted Texans, Chris thought.

The jail door opened ending the conversation. Miller walked straight to his horse a grim defeated look on his face. Mounting up he looked down at Chris. "My men and I are headed back to Texas. I left money with the man inside to see my son buried." Jerking his horse around he kicked it into a lope. Clint tipped his hat and followed leaving two very confused gunslingers.

"That is a troubled man."

Chris turned to look at Josiah. "What did he say in there?"

"We couldn't hear much." Nathan was shaking his head sadly, "Whatever it was sure set the boy off. You can still hear him screaming."

It was true, Jess was making an unholy racket, rattling his bars and screaming obscenities.

"Do you think he meant it?" Buck asked Chris, referring to Miller's statement. If he had then there was no reason to delay looking for JD.

Chris didn't answer at first as he watched the two riders disappear. "Josiah, did he leave any money?"

"Fifty dollars, told me to bury his son and give the rest to the church."

"What'd he say pard?" Vin had joined the group, Ezra right behind him.

Chris looked at the group. He knew Buck and Vin, if asked, would wait, but if Miller told the truth then they'd be wasting time. Turning a feral smile on the waiting men he made his decision. "Buck, Vin we can handle this, you go hunting."

The group broke apart, Josiah staying with the prisoner. Nathan went to pack some bandages and herbs while Ezra went to Potter's for supplies. Chris followed Buck and Vin down to the livery for some last minute planning. Twenty minutes later the two men galloped out of town. Vin figured they could make it back to where he'd left JD's tracks by nightfall. They would start tracking from there in the morning.

The two hard riding men didn't bother to follow the road. If they had they would have met up with Miller and JD as the Texas party started home. Nor did Miller follow the same route home, Clint convinced him to take an easier way with more water. It would take longer, but time wasn't a factor now.

*******************************

JD could feel Mr. Miller's eyes on him again. It was beginning to make him uncomfortable the way the other man kept watching him. He wished he knew what was going on. That afternoon the boss and Clint had left for about an hour. When they returned instead of camping for the night they had started back towards Texas. Miller had seemed driven, riding until it was almost to dark to see. JD's head hurt and he was tired. The last couple of days were starting to catch up with him. Questions and voices kept running through his head. When he tried to sleep faces of people he'd never seen danced in his dreams. It was all so confusing and thinking about it gave him a headache. With a sigh he turned his back to the fire and closed his eyes. Hopefully tomorrow would be a better day.

Three hours later found the entire camp sound asleep. Even the night guard had dropped off. No one saw the shadow creeping through the brush toward the horses. The figure was a young Indian boy who had run away from the reservation in search of the old glory. His plan was to steal a horse from the white men and ride it back to the reservation. Dreaming of the admiration that would soon be his he edged closer to the big dun horse on the end. He couldn't have picked a worse target. Never very friendly to strangers anyway, Clint's gelding laid back its ears and lunged at the boy, squealing its dislike. This other horses joined in, pulling on the tie rope and fussing. Abandoning his plan the youth turned to run, even as the Texans rolled out of their bedrolls, grabbing their guns. One of the hands raised his rifle intending to put a bullet into the back of the fleeing figure. JD didn't think just reacted. Lunging forward he shoved the rifle barrel up just as the other man fired.

"What the hell you think your doing boy?" Johnny Evers was only a couple of years older than JD, but he figured he knew more than any dude.

"You don't shoot nobody in the back!" JD had no idea how much he sounded like a certain blond gunslinger.

"It was just a stinking thief. He deserved it." was the snarled reply. "I'll shoot who I want, when I want."

"You won't shoot anybody in the back while I'm around." JD didn't know why this was important to him, but it was.

"You think you can stop me?" Johnny challenged. Stepping back he tightened his grip on the rifle.

JD didn't want a fight. He'd grabbed his pistol rolling out of bed, but wasn't sure how it would fare against the rifle. In the back of his mind he could hear a voice saying 'Don't matter how fast you are if you miss your shot.' He felt himself steady. He could do this if he had to.

Miller had been watching the scene intently. Jess would never have stopped Johnny unless he wanted the shot himself. The thoughts that had been hovering in the back of his mind all afternoon crystallized. This young man was everything he own son should have been. The sight of JD facing down Johnny helped him make the final decision. God had given him a son to replace the one he'd lost. A son any man would be proud to have. Miller stepped between the two young men. "Enough!" He barked, "Johnny I've warned you before about your reckless shooting. Pack your gear, Clint pay him off."

Johnny looked stunned then furious. The other hands exchanged relieved looks they had long ago grown tired of his hot temper. Clint took over, giving the ex-hand no chance to say anything more. He had one of the others saddle Johnny's horse while he paid him. JD watched, wondering why Miller would take his side against one of the established hands. Miller waited until Johnny disappeared then walked over and patted JD on the shoulder.

"You did right son, I'm proud of you. Better get some sleep now we have a long ride back to Texas." Tomorrow though, maybe you can ride with me for a time. I want to talk, get to know you better.

JD lay back down and stared up at the stars. He kept thinking about Mr. Miller's words. The man had pretty much ignored him till now. What had changed? He knew the words of praise should have made him feel good, but all he felt was empty. Empty and a little scared. The other man's eyes had glittered with a strange light. Closing his eyes he his last thoughts before falling asleep were troubled. As he slept he dreamed again, this time there was no gun battle, he was lost. He could feel someone else there but no matter how hard he tried he'd couldn't find him.

Several miles away Buck woke up. He'd been dreaming. In the dream he could hear JD calling his name but he couldn't find him anywhere. Turning over he whispered quietly to himself. "Hang on kid, I'm coming."

*******************************

Nathan stood in the doorway of his clinic watching the jail with troubled eyes. Ezra had the midnight watch and was sitting out front. The gambler seemed, well twitchy was the best word for it. Nathan had been watching him for ten minutes and in that time the gambler had changed positions in his chair at least 6 times. The healer knew that normally Ezra enjoyed the late watch. If weather permitted he would sit outside, shuffling his ever present deck of cards and enjoying the night. Ezra said he was always at his best after midnight. The other plus, Chris didn't care if he slept till noon the next day. Shaking his head Nathan stepped back and shut the door. He knew if he stayed out there much longer the urge to tell Ezra to put his jacket on would overwhelm him. He'd almost lost the bet earlier that day. He'd been on his way over to talk to Josiah. The sound of hammering drew him around to the west side of the church. He had expected to find Josiah repairing something on the roof. Instead he'd found Ezra, standing, not sitting mind you, on the roof hammering away. He'd been wearing those slick soled boots of his not even thinking about what might happen. Nathan had been hard pressed not to yell at the man. It had taken every ounce of self-discipline he had to walk away.

Ezra watched the door close out of the corner of his eye. He'd been beginning to think Nathan was going to watch him all night. <Probably trying to catch me out.> Ezra shook his head negatively as soon as the thought popped into it. No, Nathan wouldn't do something like that. Maybe in the beginning they hadn't trusted each other, but now. Ezra believed that the healer understood him enough now to know he wouldn't cheat on this. In a way Ezra wanted to thank the other man. When they had made the bet, he had thought it would be easy to put down his cards. It had taken only half a day for him to realize how mistaken he was. Perhaps if the peacekeepers had been busier he wouldn't have noticed. But except for the trial and watching the jail the town had been deadly quiet. Normally Ezra would have enjoyed the down time, spending it in the saloon, playing cards. Instead he'd almost gone stir crazy that first day. Sighing he shifted in the chair again. A cool breeze blew in off the desert, giving him a slight shiver. The gambler smiled slightly. He'd removed his coat when he noticed Nathan watching him. He'd been baiting the healer all day. Doing stupid, slightly dangerous things just to watch the other man's reaction. Ezra knew the hardest thing for Nathan was keeping quiet when he thought someone might get hurt. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he remembered the look on Nathan's face when he found Ezra on the church roof, nailing shingles. It had been worth the manual labor just to see Nathan's eyes widen. It hadn't produced the desired effect though. "Damn bet." Ezra said softly under his breath as he wiggled in the chair once more.

Neither man saw Josiah and Chris standing nearby in the shadows.

"Heard you got a talking to." Chris's tone was amused.

"Yes," Josiah chuckled. "Nathan was a mite upset I let Ezra up on the roof and near a saw."

"How many more days is this bet?"

"Too many brother, too many."

*******************************

"He camped here a couple of nights." Vin was squatted by the remains of JD's campfire. "First night he was alone, second he had company."

"How many?" Buck was scanning the surrounding area even as he told himself JD was long gone.

"Eight horses, but there were only five riders." Vin stood up and moved around the camp.

"Did they hurt him?" Buck had to ask even though he knew Vin wouldn't be so calm if there were signs of a struggle.

"Don't look like it. He rode out with em in the morning."

"Which way?"

Vin swung back up into his saddle. Gathering the reins he turned his horse back the way they'd come. "North." Kicking Peso into a lope he took off. Nine horses left an easy trail.

Buck followed silently praying to himself.

*******************************

Jess Miller went to his death kicking and screaming, as unpleasant in life as he had been in death. Chris couldn't relax his guard even after they cut the dead man down and hauled him off to the undertakers. He even followed the wagon out to the cemetery watching as it was lowered into the ground. Josiah was there and Chris briefly wondered what sort of words the ex-preacher would use to send a soul on when he knew it was going to Hell.

"As ye sow so shall ye reap." Josiah rode up and turned his horse to stand beside Chris'. Together they watched the undertaker and his helper shovel dirt into the grave. "It's a good thing you didn't make Buck stay for the hanging. Even thought I knew that wasn't JD, the resemblance made it hard."

Chris turned his horse back towards town. Josiah fell in beside him, "So, what do we do now?"

"We wait." Chris kicked his horse into a lope ending any chance for conversation.

*******************************

Ezra entered the saloon slowly. He was frustrated after spending the last hour looking for Nathan. Only two days remained to win the bet. With the trial and hanging over it was time to take extreme measures. He had a plan, now all he had to do was find Nathan. Looking around he groaned, there was Nathan sitting at the table Ezra usually used to conduct his poker games shuffling a deck of cards. The look on the healers face was contemplative. Ezra approached cautiously, watching Nathan's hands the entire time. Nathan waited until the gambler was standing beside the table before looking up.

"Ezra." Nathan nodded.

"Nathan." Ezra slid into a chair. "Lovely morning isn't it."

Nathan grinned at the obvious attempt at normalcy. Tapping the deck of cards on the table, he started shuffling again. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Ezra. Nathan could almost see the wheels turning as the other man tried to work out what was going on.

"Are you taking up gambling?" Ezra fired the first salvo.

"Nope, but this is a soothing activity." Nathan wasn't giving in that easily. "I'm beginning to see why you like it."

"Yes, well…" Ezra let the words trail off studying Nathan curiously.

"You know I've discovered something these last few days." Nathan started to deal a hand to himself and Ezra.

"What pray tell is that?" Ezra was eyeing the cards like they were going to bite him.

"I tend to speak sometimes before I think." Nathan set down the deck and picked up his hand.

"Indeed, well," Ezra cleared his throat reaching a tentative hand toward his cards.

Nathan saw his hesitation "Go ahead, bet was you can't shuffle, nothing about playing."

Ezra's gold tooth gleamed in the sunlight as he picked up the cards. Eyes intent on them he also offered an olive branch. "I also learned something."

"Yeah?" Nathan prompted.

"Yes." Ezra threw three cards down. "Three."

Nathan dealt the required cards and took one. The two men studied their cards in silence for a moment before Ezra cleared his throat again.

"I discovered that sometimes the manner others use to show their concern is by pointing out their faults. After all Jesus yelled the loudest at his apostles."

"Sounds like you've been talking to Josiah." Nathan was grinning. "He told me sometimes it's the smallest part of ourselves that holds everything together."

"Seems our esteemed comrade has been working on more than the church lately." Ezra locked his gaze with Nathan's and flashed another one of his trademark grins. "It would be a shame to ignore his efforts. I, for one, have no wish to attract his ire."

"Certainly don't want him going Old Testament on us." Nathan nodded. Both men laughed as Nathan spread his cards out. "Two pair."

Ezra turned his cards over to showing a lone pair. "Your hand." Reaching over he gathered up Nathan's cards adding them to the deck. Shuffling the deck a few times he reached into his pocket. Drawing out a dollar Ezra slid it across the table. "I believe this is yours. I find it will be more beneficial to my financial well being to concede this contest. Participation in our little game has kept me from engaging in my normal more profitable endeavors. Can I interest you in a few hands?"

Nathan picked up the coin and shook his head at the other man. "Might have known you'd come up with a reason to loose." The words were harsh, but the tone, like Ezra's has been, was teasing. Standing up Nathan held up the coin. "I'll put this toward the bandages your gonna need next time someone accuses you of cheating. Ezra grinned, tipping his hat slightly at the other man.

Nathan had barely cleared the saloon door before Ezra has his first customer of the day.

"You just shuffling gambler, or do you want to play?" A young man dressed in the clothes of a Texas trail hand stood by the table.

"Sit down sir, if it's a game you are after, I will be happy to oblige." Ezra's gold tooth winked in the sunlight. "Your name?"

"Johnny Evers." Johnny sat down his eyes intent on the cards already flying across the table.

"Ezra Standish at your service."

The two men settled into play.

*******************************

Vin sat on his horse at the edge of a familiar clearing and swore in English, Spanish, Commanche and Kiowa.

"What?" Buck couldn't figure out what had set the tracker off.

"This is the Texan's camp." Vin dismounted and started prowling around.

"So?" Buck still wasn't sure what was wrong.

"I stopped tracking JD cause of I found this camp and decided I needed to warn Chris."

"I know that Vin, don't blame you for it neither. They could have caused some serious damage if we hadn't been ready."

"Buck," Vin turned to look at the other man. "It's their tracks we've been following since yesterday. JD's with em. He was here, I was that close."

"WHAT?" Buck jumped off his gray. "Did they hurt him? Was he tied up?"

"Like I said, he's traveling with them cause he wants." Vin waved his hand around the clearing. "His tracks are all over the camp and he bedded down over by that rock. We'd better water the horses." Turning he started towards the creek, Buck on his heels. While the horses drank Vin prowled the banks. Stopping suddenly he motioned Buck over. Squatting down Vin pointed to some tracks. "See here, JD watered his horse and another at some point. He was alone, could have run if he'd wanted."

Buck stepped back and looked around. "What's going on Vin?" The words were soft and troubled.

"Not sure, but at least we know where they're headed. Let's start back, maybe they left JD in town."

"And if they didn't?" Buck mounted his horse turning it to face the tracker. His voice was as dark as his eyes.

"We get the others and go after them." Vin pushed his horse into a lope as soon as he was in the saddle. He was eager to get back to town. If JD wasn't there Vin wanted Chris around when Buck found out. People said Chris was scary. Vin figured they had never seen Buck when someone he cared about was in danger.

*******************************

"Did you watch the hanging?" Johnny was concentrating on his cards so missed Ezra's curious glance.

"I was present." Ezra offered noncommittally.

"Bet ole Jess kicked and screamed all the way." Johnny looked up his eyes gloating. When Ezra didn't offer any immediate information he continued. "Did he? Jess was always bragging about how bad he was, but I always figured he was nothing but a coward." Throwing down a couple of cards he waited for Ezra to deal the replacements before continuing. "I would have paid money to see the look on his face when Daddy left him in jail. Course he didn't know the old man had already found new son."

"A new son?" Ezra prompted his eyes suddenly sharp. "You were with Mr. Miller?

"Yep I came up from Texas with him. We found some milk-faced dude wandering around lost a couple of days ride from here. Boss took a real liking to him. Hell he even looked like Jess." Johnny looked up.

"How interesting." Ezra folded his hand. "I believe the pot is yours." Gathering up the cards the gambler continued in a prompting tone of voice. "This gentleman looked like Jess Miller?"

*******************************

"I see Ezra's back at the tables." Chris propped one foot on the bottom step of the church. "He win or Nathan?"

Josiah smiled from his seat on the top step. "Nathan says Ezra won, Ezra says Nathan did."

Chris chuckled. "Can't those two agree on anything?"

"Senor Chris, you must come to the saloon now." Josiah's response was interrupted by Inez' arrival. The lovely saloon manager's face was marred by the worried expression it currently sported. Her hair was tangled and it was obvious she had run all the way from the saloon.

"What's wrong?" Chris stepped forward.

"Ezra pulled a gun on the young man he's playing poker with. He told me to run for you." Inez tugged on Chris' arm. "Please hurry, Ezra, it is muy malo, very bad."

Chris and Josiah entered the saloon at a run sliding to a stop at the scene in front of them. Ezra had a young man draped face down over the rail that ran beside his table. Everyone else in the room stood frozen in place. Seeing the two new men, the stranger yelled. "Get him off me."

"Ezra," Chris stepped forward "want to tell me what's going on?"

"Chris." Ezra poked the man in front of him with his gun. "Meet Mr. Evers, he has an interesting tale to tell. I know you will find it as engrossing as I did."

"Well?" Chris turned his attention to Johnny.

"I don't know what he's talking about." Johnny shouted. "We were just playing poker, then he went crazy. Get him off me!"

"Ezra?" Chris looked at the gambler.

"He knows where JD is." Ezra growled the words a deadly look on his face. "He tried to kill him last night."

Chris' reaction was swift. Grabbing Johnny off the rail he got right in the terrified man's face. "We're going over to the jail. Then you, him" Chris pointed his head at Ezra." And him," this time he directed attention to Josiah who was wearing his 'am I or am I not sane' look. "are gonna talk."

*******************************

Vin and Buck tore into town heading for the livery. They found the rest of the seven already there getting ready to ride out.

"JD's with Miller and his men." Buck yelled as soon as he spotted Chris.

"We know." Chris shouted, pulling his black around to face Buck. "You're just in time to join the party."

Nathan and Yosemite hurried to saddle fresh horses for Buck and Vin. Chris introduced a pale, scared Johnny and outlined what they knew. Vin knew the route the Texans were taking and was able to offer a shortcut. Dropping down on one knee he drew a map in the dirt with a stick. Tapping the rough sketch the tracker outlined the route.

"We can cut through the hills here. It'll be rough, but with luck it'll shave about a day off their lead."

"Probably about a day and a half ahead of us." Chris mused.

"If Mr. Evers is correct they'll be traveling slow." Ezra chimed in directing a glance at Johnny who nodded eagerly.

"They probably stop at the river for a day or so to rest the horses." Johnny'd gestured to the map. "I heard Clint talkin to the boss."

"Let's go then." Buck was impatient. He wasn't sure he believed Johnny's fervent assurance of JD's health.

"What about me?" Johnny yelped. Directing his attention to Chris he pleaded. "I tole you all I know, you got to let me go."

Chris looked at the frightened young man, considering. Caught in Chris' glare Johnny physically jumped when Josiah clapped a hand on his shoulder. Chris stepped forward grabbing a fistful of Johnny's shirt. "You can go, but if I find out you've lied to me…." He let the threat hang, turning to mount his black. Leaning down over the saddle he continued, "there won't be anywhere you can hide. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir." was the strangled reply.

"Good, don't be here when we get back." Chris straightened in the saddle and waved his hand. "Let's ride."

*******************************

JD pushed his hat back rubbing his forehead. The headache he'd had all day was getting worse.

"You okay son?"

JD looked to his right at the man riding there. Mr. Miller's behavior was really starting to bother him. Up until two days ago the man had hardly spoken to him. All that had changed after he'd stood up to Johnny. Now suddenly the other man wanted to know everything about him. Add in the constant 'Son' and JD was feeling extremely uncomfortable. Glancing left he caught Clint's worried look before the other man could mask it.

"Son?"

Sighing softly JD turned his attention back to the other man. "I'm fine sir. As a friend of mine would say, it's hot enough to fry the egg in the hen."

Clint chuckled. "Sounds like a wise man."

"Yeah." JD whispered under his breath. He could see the man in his mind, tall, with dark hair and a mustache, wearing clothing much like Clint's. This mystery man had been in his dreams the last two nights. The dreams were always the same theme, gunfights. The tall dark haired man was usually yelling at him to get down. There were other men as well, but only the one with the mustache really stuck in his mind.

"Sounds good to me, what do you think JD?"

"Uh what?" JD looked up, he'd been so lost in his own thoughts he'd missed most of the ongoing discussion. Mr. Miller was looking at him expectantly, another thing he found strange. The man wanted his input on all decisions.

"There's a river up ahead, thought we'd stop early and rest the horses for the rest of the day." Clint supplied helpfully.

"Oh, yeah, probably be a good idea." JD nodded noticing the pleased expression on Mr. Miller's face as if he'd just solved some huge problem.

*******************************

"I found their tracks." Vin rode up with the good news.

"Where and how old?" Chris asked.

The sun shone through the leaves of the trees where the others had been resting their horses. It was late afternoon the second day of travel. The shortcut had been a gamble, but it looked like it was about to pay off.

"Not to far from here. I'd say we're less than a half day behind now." Vin was grinning in relief as he swung off his horse.

"How far's the river?" Buck asked.

"Couple more hours." Vin pulled off his hat to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "We can maybe catch up to em by dark."

"Get us as close as possible without letting them know." Chris directed. "I want to wait until morning to ride in."

"Morning!" Buck turned to the other man ready to argue.

Chris cut him off, "Something is wrong here. JD would never have ridden off with these men willingly. Yet Vin says he could have gotten away from them a couple of time."

"And Evers said he didn't mention us at all." Josiah added. "Why?"

"Perhaps he wanted to ascertain if Miller was a danger to us." Ezra mused.

"Then why is he still with them?" Josiah looked thoughtful. "Does he think Miller is still up to something?"

"Could be something else all together." Nathan interrupted then stopped not sure how to continue.

"Nathan?" Chris prompted the healer.

"Could be he has amnesia." Nathan's voice was sad and worried. "Vin you said there were signs his horse fell."

"Yeah." Vin nodded.

"Amnesia?" Buck jumped on the word. "What's that?"

"If he hit his head he may not remember us." Nathan explained.

"Don't remember us?" Buck was shaking his head, there was no way JD wouldn't remember him. "What do you mean?"

"I saw some of it in the war." Nathan continued. "Men with head wounds who didn't know their own names."

"But JD remembers who he is." Josiah countered. "He gave Miller his name."

"It's possible to only forget parts of your life too." Nathan shrugged.

"Either way, we need to be careful how we approach this." Chris said. "I don't want to spook Miller and start a shooting match."

Six sober men rode out of the trees. Each was thinking about their missing friend. Had JD forgotten them or was it something else. Ezra couldn't help remembering the 'new son' comment. Had JD bargained himself for their safety? He hadn't know about Jess Miller, but.. Letting the thought trail off the gambler looked over at Buck. God help Miller if he some sort of hold on JD, cause Buck wouldn't.

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Comments: GinaD