TRAGIC MISTAKE

by doc

Part 51

Accepting that the peacekeepers left in town were a worrying bunch, and that they'd visit the shack whenever they could to assure themselves that the healer had everything he needed and that Vin's condition was improving, Nathan became used to their frequent comings and goings, so he wasn't concerned when he heard a horse ride up, although Buck had already been out that morning.
Glancing through the window, the normally unruffled man was stunned to see Chris Larabee tethering Pony to a hitching rail. Nathan was taken aback not only at seeing the man who had been so markedly absent but also at the man's condition.
Even from a distance, Nathan could see the dark circles under the gunman's eyes, the ruffled hair and clothes that looked like they'd been slept in many nights.
Nathan watched as the notorious gunfighter turned toward the cabin and stared at the door as if he were searching for something... A sign of welcome? thought the healer. As he watched, Larabee took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, all the time staring at the cabin as if he'd never seen it before, Hmm.. Or maybe he's just gatherin' his nerve. Nathan figured he'd find out soon enough, as Chris began walking slowly toward the porch
The wait for Larabee to actually enter the cabin seemed interminable to the dark-skinned man, but as much as he wanted to go out and greet his friend, he knew that Chris had to take this step on his own. He could only imagine how difficult it was for Chris Larabee to face Vin Tanner after all that had transpired. Have to give the man credit for confrontin' this head on and not hiding in a bottle. Nathan sighed to himself.
After what seemed like an hour, the door slowly swung open and Chris stepped inside. His appearance close up was even worse. The usually piercing green eyes were dull and sunken, his whole attitude one of uncertainty. This was so unlike the usually self-assured, controlled gunfighter Nathan was used to that it took the healer a few moments to find his voice.
"Hey Chris, we been wondering where you got to. You alright?" inquired Nathan, trying to sound casual.
"Fine." came the terse reply, "How's Vin?" Chris asked more gently, unable to tear his gaze from the sleeping man.
"Gettin' better. Body's healin' pretty good." Nathan turned his brown eyes away from the man in black to quietly study his sleeping friend. "Soul's a different matter."
Larabee's eyes shot toward Nathan, "What the hell does that mean?" he hissed sharply.
"Let's step outside, he don't need to be hearin' this if he wakes up." Taking the black-clad arm, Nathan guided the unresisting gunfighter back out the door.
"Alright we're where he can't hear us! Now tell me what the hell you meant by that?!" Chris demanded, impatiently.
"He's lettin' me tend to his wounds but other than that, he ain't there." Nathan replied quietly. "Don't acknowledge when I talk to him, just lays there, starin' at nothing." The healer shook his head, "I just don't know how to git through to him."
"I can see why he'd be damn mad, but closin' up? Not talkin'? Don't sound like Vin." Larabee replied confused.
"Hell Chris, he ain't closed up 'cause he's mad, he's hurtin, scared and eat up with guilt. He's curled up in on himself, tryin' to hide from me. I tried apologizin' to him and tell 'im over and over that we all know there was mistake. I don't think the words even got through to him. Think he's blamin' himself somehow so I even tried tellin' him we forgive him. For what I ain't sure but you know Vin and how he's harder on himself than anyone else could ever be... Nothin' seems to work. He lets me do what I need to, never so much as a moan when I know I'm hurtin' him like hell!" Nathan shook his head, his eyes sad. "I jus' don't know what to do with 'im."
Chris Larabee was stunned by Nathan's words, he'd known Vin wouldn't just ignore what had happened but he never thought the tracker would respond by shutting them out. God... He thought, his heart sinking. What have I done?
"Chris, you 'n Vin're closer than any two men I ever seen. Maybe if you talk to 'im..."
"I just don’t know, Nate." Chris ran his fingers through his disheveled blonde hair.
"Ya gotta try Chris.." insisted the healer, his voice pleading for the gunman to take the chance - the only chance that may help the heart-sick tracker return to them.
With a deep sigh, Larabee turned back to the cabin and slowly entered the dimly lit room. He could see Vin curled on his side, back pressed protectively to the wall, looking for all the world like he was trying to disappear.
Chris quietly placed a chair beside the still form, with the tracker so pulled away, Larabee couldn't even tell if Vin knew he was there or not, so he decided to just take his chances.
"Hey Pard," he said tentatively, unsure of the reaction the best friend he had so betrayed would have to him.
Vin knew someone had entered the cabin but he thought it was Nathan and his mind drifted to the colored healer, Damn Nate, reckon yer jus' tryin' to do what ya think is right, but I wish ya'd jus' let me be... he thought, not for the first time. Tanner didn't understand the healer's need to be forever poking at him, the devastated man just wanted to be left in peace to float in a nether-world where he could ignore the terrible pain in his soul that vastly overshadowed any physical injury.
At the unexpected sound of Larabee's voice, Vin's throat tightened and, in spite of the fever that still lingered, he broke into a cold sweat. His noticeable flinch away from Larabee was not lost on the man in black.
"Vin, we need to talk. We got a lot of air to clear."
No response.
"Dammit Tanner! Will you at least look at me?" Larabee ordered, frustration and regret making his voice harsh.
Pain filled blue eyes, set in a face devoid of color except for the fading bruises and a slight fever flush still showing high on his cheeks, slowly rose to meet the gunman's face.
"God Vin, get that hopelessness outta your eyes. Everything got screwed up... but we're gonna get past it." sighed Chris.
"Cain't undo what's done." came the uncompromising reply. "Failed at th' most important thing I's ever needed t'do... Ain't no gettin' past that." Vin gave a slight, sad shake of his head, "Can't do this.. Just leave me be." he pleaded as he withdrew back into himself.
Chris stared at his friend, confusion plain on his face. "You failed? Failed at what? What the hell are you talking about?"
"VIN! Answer me! Tell me what you failed at?! I'm not leaving until you tell me!!"
The injured man drew a deep, shuddering breath and turned his devastated gaze back to the blond. "Why you makin' me do this? Ya need me to say it? Ok, I screwed up! I let Mary die!! That make ya happy ta hear? Now leave me be!"
Larabee jerked back in his chair, shock stealing his voice. Can this get any worse? He thinks Mary's dead and it's his fault.. Oh God...
"Hell Vin, Mary's not dead! Where'd you get that idea?"
For a moment hope flashed across the agonized, bruised face before grief appeared, "I..I. saw her... couldn't git to her in time.. he..." a sob choked off Vin's voice, he swallowed hard, "Noo..." he moaned and turned away again.
"Vin, Mary is not dead. She had a minor concussion but she's fine now." Chris demanded that his friend believe him, dismay sweeping over him.
Raising heartbroken eyes to Larabee's flushed face, Vin forced words out as if every syllable was dragging the last of his strength with it, "No.. Yer lyin'... she weren't at Nate's, nobody's talked 'bout her... I ain't that stupid! Y'all's right ta hate me... So just leave me be!!"
"Goddammit Vin! Listen to me! She's not dead!" Larabee thundered, frustration at not being able to convince Vin quickly pushing him into an exasperated outrage. The raised voice quickly drew Nathan into the room.
"Whoa now! What're ya doin' Chris? I wanted ya to talk to Vin, not scream at 'im!!" Nathan exclaimed, looking from the irate gunfighter to the withdrawn man on the cot.
"Goddamn stubborn bastard!" Larabee turned and stormed out of the shack, determined steps taking him to Pony and escape from the anger, frustration and dismay threatening to explode from him.
The healer caught the black clad arm as Larabee crossed the yard, "What happened?"
"Damn fool thinks Mary's dead and won't listen to me when I tell him she's not! Stubborn bastard!" retorted the enraged man. "I can't make him listen to reason. "Stubborn bastard!"
"Hell, that explains a lot. Boy thinks he failed us and let Mary die. Damn." Nathan shook his head, trying to figure a way to get through to Vin and then remembering the scene he'd just witnessed. "Don't explain yer yellin' at him though! Boy's hurt, don't need you unloading both Larabee barrels on him!"
Any rationalization the gunman may have offered was cut off by the sound of hooves pounding toward the ranch.
+ + + + + + +
Another two days had passed quietly in Four Corners. With no new attacks since an aborted attempt on Becky Jacobs, the townspeople had settled into their normal routines once again. The young woman had been on her way home from a visit to her aunt on the other end of town when someone had grabbed her as she walked past the mouth of an alley. Fortunately, she'd managed to scream and deliver a good kick to her attacker's leg. The combination of him loosening his grip to clutch at his bruised shin, and the raised voices of people who had heard the scream, allowed the terrified young woman to escape.
While the excitement had been a welcome diversion from their otherwise dull lives, no one in town could honestly say that they weren't happy with the return to normalcy and the feeling that they once more had control of their streets.
The arrival of the afternoon stage caused just a small ripple in the town; idle curiosity about who might be on board brought a few members of the community out to watch the passengers exit the well worn coach.
The ripple of interest quickly grew to a surge when the beautiful blond woman stepped down, her young son's hand clasped tightly in hers. Mary Travis barely noticed the intense interest in her arrival; she was too concerned with keeping Billy from jarring his splinted arm. J.D. Dunne intercepted her as she reached her free hand out for her grip, "Let me get that, Miz. Travis," said the young man helpfully, taking the suitcase from the boot of the coach.
"Thank you, J.D." Mary smiled, leading Billy toward the Clarion Office. "Seems the town’s quieted down some...?"
"Well, I wouldn't say quiet was the right word," replied J.D. "Been a right busy few days."
"Oh dear... I need to get Billy settled, his arm's still pretty sore, why don't you come in and have a cup of tea and tell me what's been happening?"
Secretly pleased to be the one to share the dramatic events of the past week with the newspaper woman, J.D. pulled the Clarion door closed behind him.
Only then did the stunned residents of Four Corners burst into action. Each trying to be the first to tell the other that they'd been wrong - Mary Travis really did leave to take care of her injured son; and that they personally had known all along that Vin Tanner might be innocent!

Part 52

Just after dusk, Buck and J.D., taking opposite sides of the main street, were making a quick patrol of the town when Buck heard strange noises coming from behind the livery. Thinking at first that the not quite human sounds were coming from a cat fight, he decided to investigate more closely. As he entered the dark alley leading to the back of the building, he cursed soundly as he struck his shin on a nail protruding from a wooden crate.
As the big man hopped on one foot, grabbing at the pain in his leg and cursing proficiently, he heard a loud crash and the pounding of boots on the hard packed dirt. Forgetting the throb of the torn skin, he sprinted behind the building in time to see a dark figure disappear into the shadows.
Buck had traveled only a few feet in pursuit when he was brought up short by the sound of a moan from the darkness beside the wall. The ladies man lit a match and, seeking out the source of the chilling sound found the semi-conscious form of Reba, the hotel maid. Even in the poor light, it was obvious that the young woman was in bad shape.
Scooping the slight form up in his arms, Buck headed for Nathan's clinic, calling for J.D. as he went.
The easterner caught up with Wilmington as he reached the steps leading up to the clinic and stopped dead in his tracks, a look of horror on his young face. "J.D., go fetch Josiah right away." Buck ordered without slowing his steps.
Without question, J.D. turned on his heel and rushed to the church where he knew the preacher was meditating.
The sudden entrance of the breathless J.D. shattered the quiet of the old building and drew the startled preacher to his feet. Before the older man could speak, J.D. exclaimed, "Josiah! You gotta come quick! Buck found Reba in an alley and she's hurt bad and he needs you in the clinic right away!"
"Calm down son." soothed Josiah, picking up his serape coat as he guided J.D. back out the door. Before the youngest of the seven realized it, Josiah, talking nonchalantly all the way, had led him back to the clinic and was getting Buck's account of what had occurred.
With Buck’s help, Josiah fought to keep the injured young woman alive, but as dawn broke, the big man finally admitted to himself that Reba needed better care than he was able to give.
Shaking his head sadly, the preacher turned his pale blue-eyed gaze on the ladies man, "Buck, she's hurt too bad for us to care for. We have to get Nathan back here."
Already knowing in his heart that they had to get the healer if the girl had a chance at surviving, Buck Wilmington nodded his head in agreement. Nathan was going to have to leave the injured sharpshooter and return to Four Corners.

Part 53

Chris Larabee and Nathan Jackson became instantly alert at the sound of hoof beats growing steadily closer to the sparse ranch. The two men turned in the direction of the approaching rider, first with suspicion and then with anxiety as they recognized J.D. pounding into view. The boy's whole demeanor cried out that something was wrong.
"Nathan!" hollered J.D. as he got within sight of the men standing outside the shack. The young man was so dead set on getting the healer that it wasn't until he was almost on top of the men that he realized Chris was also standing there.
"Chris?! What're you doing here?" Before Larabee could form the words to reply, J.D. continued in a rush, "Boy am I glad to see you! We got big trouble in town! There's been a killin' and two more attacks since you left - all women! The first was killed and the second one was just shook up and we thought everything had calmed down but I came to get Nathan 'cause last night, Reba, you know, the maid at the hotel? Dark hair - only been workin' there for a few months? Well anyway, he, the bad guy, got her last night and hurt her pretty bad. Buck found her, she's near dead, and he almost caught the guy but he got away... and he sent me for Josiah and he's been doin' what he can but he really thinks Nathan should come tend to her and so he sent me out here to get Nate and we were hope'n that, because it's been more'n a week since Vin was hurt and, well, Josiah and Buck hoped he'd be ok enough that you'd be able to leave him for a while and come to town and..."
"J.D.!" exclaimed Nathan, "Slow down, I cain't hardly understand you! How bad's Reba hurt?" seeing the boy take a breath and get ready to start again, the healer held up one hand to stop him, "I mean, what are her injuries?"
Before J.D. could respond, Chris stepped forward. The gunman's face was set in uncompromising lines and he drew J.D.'s total attention.
"Who was attacked? Tell me what's been happening and I want thefacts. Do you understand?" demanded the man, looking every bit as dangerous as his reputation indicated.
"Uh, yea Chris." said the shaken boy, "'Couple days after we brought Vin out here, that new barmaid, Jolene, was murdered out back of the general store. She was strangled and assaulted and then stabbed. Real messy. Josiah said it was like the murderer enjoyed the killin'. Then, couple nights after that, Miss Becky was grabbed but she got away. She wasn't hurt, just shook up, think somebody scared him away. Then, early this mornin', he got Reba. She ain't dead yet but she's in bad shape and that's why I'm here."
J.D. looked at Chris expectantly, hoping for an indication that he'd satisfied his hero.
"Any idea who's doin' it? " asked Chris, uneasiness tickling he back of his mind.
"Not really... thinkin’ is it's the same man that attacked Mary - 'cept we all thought he was dead..." replied J.D. thoughtfully, then, remembering his mission, the boy turned to Nathan, "Can you come?"
"Yea, but someone'll have to stay with Vin. I can't go off and leave him here alone."
Larabee had turned away, saying "I'll get our mounts." as he disappeared into the stable.
Surprise was written on J.D.'s young face as he glanced quickly after Chris. The man's stone-faced, tightly wound carriage warned him off asking why the gunman wasn't staying with his friend. Normally you couldn't pry the blonde away from the tracker's side...
"J.D., you gotta stay with Vin. Now mind, he ain't up fer much talkin' and he's still in plenty of pain so I just want you to sit with him. Try'n get him to drink somma that tea and maybe some broth I left on the pot belly. Understand?"
"Yea Nate, I'll look out for him." replied J.D., his tone leaving little doubt as to his concern for his friend.
Chris reappeared with both horses and he and Nathan mounted up and headed back to Four Corners at a brisk pace.
+ + + + + + +
As soon as Chris and Nathan walked out of the room, Vin pulled himself painfully out of the bed and grabbed his still dirty, bloodstained pants off the chair, his shirt was nowhere to be found so he snatched up one of the black shirts the cabin's owner was so partial to and pulled it on over the thick bandages surrounding his body. The tracker had no idea where he was going but he knew he had to leave here and avoid any further contact with Larabee. Seeing the gunman was too painful and the ramifications of his failure to save Mary Travis were crashing over him with a vengeance.
For although Chris wasn't willing to acknowledge it yet, Vin knew the gunmen's future had rested with the beautiful widow, And, Vin thought sadly, was put t' rest with her 'cause of me.
Having struggled into the clothes and then his boots, Vin was near collapse, only his consuming need to escape driving him forward.
Vin stumbled to the door and, opening it slowly, was frustrated to see the two men standing just off the porch, talking intently. As he tried to clear his muddled head, he heard the sound of a horse quickly approaching and ducked back behind the door to avoid being seen by the incoming rider.
The tracker had no trouble identifying J.D.'s loud voice, and bits and pieces of the discussion now taking place filtered into his clouded mind. ... barmaid... murdered... ... assaulted... stabbed... ...the killer enjoyed the killin'... same man… Mary...
Waves of guilt washed over Vin Tanner as the implications of what he'd just heard sunk in. Another woman had died because of his failure…

Part 54

J.D. watched as the two men rode out and continued to stand and stare until they were well out of sight. Unsure of what he would find there, given the sharpshooter's condition the last time he'd seen him, the young man was putting off entering the cabin for as long as possible.
Finally, unable to delay the inevitable any longer and feeling guilty for not taking care of Vin like he promised Nathan, J.D. quickly untacked and stabled his horse and then turned toward the door. With a steadying breath, he began to ascend the three too-short steps to the porch and entered the dark cabin.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he was able to see a figure huddled under blankets on the cot. Stepping closer, he could see Vin's bruised features. At first he thought the man was sleeping but as he approached he could see that while Tanner appeared to be resting, he was in fact curled tight like a rattlesnake ready to strike, his back to the wall and his wary eyes watching J.D. closely.
"Hey Vin, How're ya doin'?" said J.D., trying to steady his voice and find some semblance of normalcy
"J.D." Vin replied quietly, his voice strained but otherwise giving nothing away.
"Uh... Chris and Nathan had to go into town for a while, so I'm gonna be stayin' here 'til they get back. Can I get you anything?" J.D. was embarrassed when the words came out in a rush, betraying his nervousness.
Vin continued to study J.D. as the boy's unease grew.
After what seemed an eternity to the young sheriff, Vin finally answered, "No thanks, kid. M'fine." With that, he closed his eyes and withdrew further against the wall.
While J.D. poked around the shack, stirring the coals in the stove and orienting himself to the supplies, Vin's mind raced behind his shuttered eyes. The tracker was desperately trying to form a plan for getting to town and finding the killer only he could recognize, because he knew without a doubt that the man who'd attacked Mary was back in Four Corners and that he was the only one who could end the murderous reign before more innocent women died.
+ + + + + + +
Josiah was doing his best to care for the seriously injured woman. Having gotten sick of falling over the two men, he'd chased Buck and Ezra out of the clinic and assigned them to watch for Nathan's arrival.

So it was that the ladies man and the gambler were pacing on the balcony outside the clinic door, scanning the road into town, when Chris and Nathan rode hard into Four Corners and pulled up at the livery.
With a shout, the two anxious men raced down the stairs, bumping and falling into each other. As Nathan leapt from his horse and threw the reigns at Larabee, knowing that the man would take care of his mount, Buck and Ezra dashed up to him, spooking the horses and both talking at once.
Ignoring the men, Nathan brushed past and took the stairs two at a time, rushing into the clinic to find a sweating Josiah struggling to tend to the unconscious woman.
Looking up as the door opened, relief washed over the preacher, "Brother, am I glad to see you!" he exclaimed thankfully, "I've done all I know to do, but this is beyond me."
"Tell me what you got," said Nathan as he stepped up to the bed and began assessing the visible injuries.
As the healer worked, Josiah explained how the young barmaid had been found unconscious in an alley. The girl was struggling to breath past the damage strong hands had done to her neck.
Nathan set about the work he'd fought so hard to learn, knowing that it would take all of his skill to save this young life.
+ + + + + + +
A dirt covered, non-descript man watched as Chris Larabee, leaving Ezra to take charge of the two lathered horses, strolled toward the saloon, his head tilted toward Buck as the ladies' man filled him in on the events of the last few days.
The stranger continued to lean casually against the wall of the telegraph office until the two men disappeared through the batwing doors then pushed himself upright and with an evil smile, strolled down the dark alley beside the wooden building.

Part 55

J.D. finally settled uncomfortably into a chair at the rough table in Chris's shack. The youngest member of the seven was normally a chatterer but now he just plain didn't know what to say to the injured tracker. He'd thought about bringing up the events in town, but somehow that just didn't seem right, given the recent conflict within their group. So, there he sat, twiddling with a fork.
Vin watched J.D. from under hooded eyes, willing himself the strength to put his newly devised plan into action.
Finally, deciding he wasn't going to get stronger soon and that time was the enemy, the tracker took a deep breath and spoke, his voice husky with pain, "J.D? 'm feelin' a mite hungry, c'n ya get me somma that broth Nathan left?"
J.D. was startled out of his study of the eating utensils and the fork fell from his fingers with a clatter.
"Uh.. Sure Vin," he said, glancing at the man still bundled in the bed, "I'll heat it up some... If that's ok?"
The boy's uneasiness was not lost on the perceptive tracker and knowing that things could never be the same hurt him to the core. Shaking off the wave of despair, he replied softly, "That's fine J.D. No rush."
As the young easterner turned his back to grab wood from the firebox, Vin crept quickly and silently from the bed and with one swift movement slammed his bent right elbow into the side of the young man's dark head. J.D. dropped without a sound and the tracker instinctively grabbed him before he hit the ground.
With a gasp of pain, Vin gently lowered the unconscious easterner to the floor, "Sorry, kid." he murmured, as he sucked in air and tried to ride out the agony his actions had caused.
+ + + + + + +
Chris and Buck sat at their habitual table in the saloon and sipped at the beer that had appeared in front of them.
"...so stud, that brings us to where we are today." Buck had given Larabee an unbiased, straightforward report of the recent events in Four Corners and as they sipped their beer he looked questioningly at the quiet leader.
"No idea who the bastard is?" asked Chris, glancing at Buck from under the brim of his black hat.
"None. He's real good at stalkin' the women and coverin' his tracks." replied the ladies man, thoughtfully, "We really could use Vin here to..." His voice trailed off as he saw Larabee flinch and he realized what effect his words were having on his old friend.
"Yea." said Chris, sliding his chair back and rising, the long black-clad legs carried him silently from the saloon and out into the growing dusk.
Damn. Buck cursed himself for the thoughtless words. He watched sadly as his old friend was swallowed up in the growing darkness, knowing that he was as close to loosing Chris Larabee today as he'd been three years ago.

Part 56

Clutching his nearly useless right arm tightly to his injured side, Vin stumbled from the cabin and toward the barn. The tracker hadn't given much thought to what he would do when he arrived there, hadn't considered how he would tack a horse, much less mount and get the animal to town. Sheer, stubborn determination got him across the beaten dirt and into the darkening building before the reality of what he needed to accomplish to just get to town sank in.
Frustration washed over him when he finally realized that it was going to be damn near impossible for him to saddle a horse... sonofabitch he growled, impatience at his injured body creating a driving anger. Grim stubbornness took hold and Vin grabbed the halter J.D. had so recently removed from his horse and headed for the tired animal.
Unlike the fight Peso would give, J.D.'s mount quietly accepted the bit. The throat latch was a bigger problem. Vin was forced to raise his right arm to buckle the strap, and as he did so, excruciating pain shot through his shoulder and chest. With a gasp, the tracker leaned heavily against the docile animal as the edges of consciousness faded to black around him. After several moments of clinging tightly to the thick mane, gasping against the agony, Vin was able to pull himself together and think clearly.
The tracker knew a saddle would be out of the question and resigned himself to riding bareback - again.
Leading the mount to stand beside a straw bale, Vin used the bale to mount the broad back. His right arm again clutched tightly to his side, trying desperately to stem the fire burning through him, Vin balanced himself on the horse and with a gentle pressure from his heals, turned the animal toward town.
+ + + + + + +
Chris Larabee leaned on a post outside the livery, a cheroot clenched tightly between his lips. The gunfighter was virtually oblivious to what was going on around him as he vividly relived the events of the past few days, desperate to understand how things had gone so bad - so fast.
A mistake, his heart cried, it was all a terrible tragic mistake... I should have trusted Vin, I should have known he wouldn't hurt Mary... Somehow knowing that the current situation was the result of a "mistake" just made the hurt worse. Such a simple thing - jumping to a conclusion without pausing to make sense of things...
Chris had survived as a gunfighter for the past three years by being able to quickly assess a situation and respond accurately. His uncanny ability to instantly take stock of events had prevented many gunfights and brought a quick, deadly end to many more.
But inconceivably, this time, his gut feeling had been all wrong. With horrible consequences.
Chris had only known the former buffalo hunter a short time but Vin was an example of how finely tuned Chris's intuition was - one look into the man's vivid blue eyes had told him all he needed to know - this was a man of integrity, a man who would die for what was right. And Vin's actions had proven this over and over again.
By the same token - Tanner was a cautious man who fiercely guarded his privacy. Nurtured by a devastating past, pieces of which the younger man had only ever hinted at, the tracker rarely lowered his defenses enough for anyone to get close. Chris understood that all too well. Allowing someone close meant offering yourself up for heartache and pain. How ironic that he was the one person Vin had let in, and with the deep understanding of what a privilege he had been offered by the former bounty hunter, Chris knew he was the one person who had the ability to hurt Vin the most - and he had.
And now, Chris had seen Mary Travis, healthy and smiling fondly at Billy as she helped him pick out a licorice stick at Mrs. Potter's store. The young boy had a splint on his arm but was otherwise his same happy self. In fact - everything in town had gone back to being the same as it had been before that awful night...
Even in the brief time Chris had been back in Four Corners, he could see how folks had settled back into their usual lives and while a few still mumbled about the "long haired tracker", a glance into the deadly green eyes of the man in black quickly erased any doubts they might have about the tracker's place in the town.
Yes, everything had gotten back to normal...
Everything except Vin Tanner.
Larabee pitched the cheroot to the dirt and ground it viciously under his heal, trying to unleash the anger and frustration burning his soul - the soul so recently released from its cold prison. The gunfighter looked out over the barren, dark main street which so matched his mood and, drawing himself up, tried to shake the heavy weight of guilt from his shoulders.
Seeking escape from the town and the thoughts tearing his heart to shreds, Chris strode purposefully down the boardwalk to the cold, vacant jail.
+ + + + + + +
Albert Savitch was thrilled! Not only was his original prey - Larabee - back in town but he'd also seen that blonde woman walking about, bold as you please! He really thought he'd lost her - the way she took off outta town - but there she was, leadin' her brat around like she didn't have a care in the world. Of course, she was only out during the day light, and she was keeping to the busy sidewalk and stores... but if Alby decided he wanted her - and he did - then he would have her. Just like he'd had all the others.
And then he would have Larabee.

Part 57

Buck sat staring at his beer for what seemed like an eternity, trying to figure a way out of the mess everything had become. Chris had told him how Vin reacted to the gunman out at his cabin, how Vin had withdrawn into himself, refusing to believe that Mary Travis was alive.
The rogue knew how badly shaken Chris was, maybe knew better than his old friend did himself how the guilt of his actions toward his best friend had devastated the man. Buck understood the fear Chris was experiencing at the thought of losing Vin - he'd felt the same way about Chris after Sarah and Adam died. But he'd been lucky, it may have taken three long years, and then only thanks to a scruffy tracker, but he'd gotten his friend back.
Chris might not be so lucky. According to what he'd heard from Nathan during the healer's infrequent breaks from treating the seriously injured hotel maid, although Vin Tanner's wounds were severe, with time and careful tending, he would recover. But as bad as the physical injuries were, they were only a small part of the problem - there was immeasurable damage done to the young man that 'doctorin' couldn't heal. According to Chris and Nathan, Vin was convinced that he was responsible for Mary's "death" and he'd withdrawn from them completely, refusing to listen - especially to Chris Larabee. The return of the bond the two men had shared just a few days ago seemed almost hopeless.
Shaking off the thick melancholy descending on him, the ladies man downed the last of his beer and rose from the table. Slamming his hat on his head, the tall man headed out the batwing doors into the cold night. Scanning the street, Buck saw Chris standing in front of the livery. Even from a distance, Buck could tell from the man's stance that he was bending under the weight of the worries clearly bearing down on his broad shoulders.
Buck watched as his friend angrily ground out his cheroot and turned forceful steps down the boardwalk and into the jail, slamming the door behind him. With a sad shake of his head, Wilmington turned and headed for the hotel. It was unusual for the big man to go to his room without female companionship, but on this night, he wanted only to be alone with his thoughts.
+ + + + + + +
Darkness had taken a firm hold by the time a tired horse wandered slowly into town. The unfamiliar rider was giving the mount no direction so the animal had just walked quietly down the main road toward the livery where he knew food and comfort could be found.
Vin Tanner had drifted in and out of consciousness during the long ride back to Four Corners. Pain had dominated his existence shortly after he'd crawled onto the back of J.D.'s horse and had kept control of him throughout the excruciating ride. By the time the mount stopped, all the tracker could do was slide slowly from the animal's back to stand grasping desperately at the thick mane, trying to keep from sinking to the ground and, at the same time, regain some control of his traitorous senses.
Gasping against the agony in his ribs and shoulder, Vin took stock of himself. He knew he probably didn't have it in him to finish the task he'd set himself to - eliminating Alby Savitch - but he sure as hell was going to die trying, before some other innocent did.
The ghost of Mary's motionless body drifted through his muddled brain, adding a fierce resolve to the failing sharpshooter. No matter what the cost - Mary Travis would be avenged!
Wrapping his right arm tightly around his now bleeding side, Vin staggered along the wall of the livery, a familiar journey, so like the one he'd made just a short week ago. Only this time, the badly injured man wasn't trying to escape his nightmare - he was intent on tracking it down and destroying it.

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