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azombiewritesTitle: Quest for Survival
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Main Characters: Ezra
Summary: Ezra is on his way back to Four Corners when a group of men rob him of his possessions and leave him for dead.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Spoilers: None
Status: Complete
Total Word Count: 22,732
When darkness came, he wanted to join it. He wanted the pain to leave him. He knew he wouldn't be able to take much more. The only thing that kept him going was Wade and the fact that Four Corners was within sight. He could see the fires burning in the distance but he knew it would still take an hour or so to get there.
Wade stopped him from turning and walking away from the town he wanted to call home. He now knew that Chris Larabee wouldn't allow him to stay. He decided that he would have to approach one of the others first. Maybe they could hide him from the angry man until he was strong enough to defend himself.
He continued to walk, the town would have closed down by the time he arrived. The only thing open would be the saloon. The townsfolk would be sleeping in their beds. The local ranch hands would be drinking, the businessmen were probably playing poker. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.
He listened as Wade continued to talk to him. He spoke about how things could be if he allowed it to happen. The men had tried to be his friend, even Chris. If he didn't accept their friendship then there would be nothing to stay in town for. He needed the men in his life even if he hadn't known it. He accepted what Wade had said, he even admitted it out loud that he needed them. If they allowed him to stay, he would also tell them.
It took more than an hour for Ezra to reach Four Corners. He stopped at the edge of town, the fires were no longer burning. The main street was dark and silent. A dog barked somewhere in the distance. His body flinched. He looked at the dark windows expecting to see a pair of eyes staring back at him. There wasn't. He turned at the sound of footsteps. There was nothing but darkness. His fear grew once more as he realised his dream was becoming real. He couldn't stop now, he wasn't going to walk away, he'd come too close. He had to find out if they were going to allow him to stay and accept his reason for not returning sooner.
He looked at Wade who stood beside him. Just looking at him gave him the confidence he needed to continue. He began to walk down the middle of the main street. His green eyes darted to the left and right as he limped towards his fate. When he reached the clinic, he stopped again. The rooms were dark. Nathan was either asleep or somewhere else. He didn't even contemplate walking up the stairs, he didn't want to suffer the pain the exertion would cause him. His only other hope was the saloon.
He could see a man standing on the boardwalk in front of the saloon. The man's head was bowed so he was unable to recognise him. He knew by the man's clothing that he wasn't Chris Larabee. He kept moving, he refused to listen to his body’s complaints or feel the pain that had become worse since that morning. The man that stood before him was his only hope. The man turned away from him.
Ezra's heart sunk. The man must have seen him and refused to help him. Maybe he could ask for Nathan, if the man could at least tell him where Nathan was then he could get the help he needed. There was nothing left for him to do. It was not his only choice.
"Nathan?"
Josiah stood on the boardwalk in front of the saloon, a cup of coffee was held in his left hand. He had forgotten about the hot liquid that was now as cold as the night that tried to surround him, but the light from the saloon filtered out around his still form. If you could see into the grey blue eyes that were hidden under his large hat, you would see the unshed tears. His heart was filled with sorrow at the death of their brother. It was the only explanation.
They all knew, even Chris, that Ezra wouldn't leave the group of men who were now like family without a reason. And there wasn't one. He may have been angry at Chris' reaction to that bitter night nearly two weeks ago. The Southerner knew he had a home here, the remaining six men were his friends, they believed he would come back. He hadn't, he had to be dead and his body was lying in a ditch somewhere. He lowered his head as the first tear finally escaped. He wanted to cry for his lost friend, he couldn't, he was the one that was holding the group together.
Ezra had been due back six days ago, they had searched for him. Telegrams had been sent to nearby towns but no one had remembered seeing a red-coated gambler. Chris Larabee had suffered more than the others. They had been torn apart. JD still cried at the loss of his friend, he was still young enough to show the feelings the rest of the men held back. Josiah knew they wouldn't cry, they were use to death, it was a part of life, but they hid their anger and feelings of loss from each other.
Chris felt guilty, there was no sadness yet, he wouldn't allow it. He had sent Ezra out to patrol a cattle ranch, which was a four days ride from Four Corners. Normally Ezra wouldn't have argued, the prospect of playing poker with the ranch hands would have gotten him moving before Chris finished giving him his orders. The ranch though was deserted. A complaint had been made to Judge Travis that someone was using the private property to graze their cattle. He wanted it checked out. None of the men wanted to go. Chris believed Ezra gave him an excuse to send him on the job alone. He was told to watch the place for a few days then come back, he wasn't to approach anyone, and just watch then come back. He didn't come back and they knew it wasn't by choice, something stopped him from coming back to them.
Now Chris regretted it, especially now that he really knew what had happened that night. He blamed Ezra when it wasn't the gambler's fault. Ezra died thinking they were angry with him for something that he didn't do. Another tear fell from Josiah's left eye. He knew that he needed to morn, he had to accept his friend's fate. There was nothing they could do except continue to search for his body.
His mind thought about everything Ezra could have been if given the chance and opportunity. The man had a good heart and intelligent mind. He had a quick sense of humor that drew people to him, his smile and laugh was contagious; had been Josiah corrected himself. The man had a lot to live for but now that life was over. The other men had been willing to work hard at pulling him into the family. It was hard work because Ezra rejected any sort of friendship or human contact. He showed no emotion and it took a lot to cause him to lose his temper and when he did, he was deadly with a cold glare that would equal Chris Larabee.
He looked over his shoulder into the brightly lit saloon. Five men sat at one table cloaked in a shroud of silence, sorrow, despair and guilt. Josiah had tried talking to them but none of the words he used comforted them. He couldn't even comfort himself. They hadn't eaten or slept much during the last six days. None of them had expected the Southerner's death to hit them so hard. They cared about him, considered him to be part of the family but somehow they thought they would be able to deal with his passing. This was something different, one of the men blamed themselves for his death. They were no body, nothing to tell them how he died. They didn't know if his death was quick or slow. It was the not knowing that made it harder for all of them.
"He's not dead yet." Josiah angrily spoke to himself.
They had given up too easily, he knew it and they knew it but what other explanation was there. He hadn't returned. The only thing that would have stopped him coming back was a physical barrier. They knew it wasn't an accident, they would have found his body and his horse.
"Nathan?"
Josiah dropped the cup he was holding, he failed to notice that the coffee splashed onto his trousers. He turned slowly fearing that the voice he heard was part of his imagination, his hope that the gambler was still alive. His eyes filled with tears at the sight of the blood and dirt covered figure before him. The man's sweat soaked hair clung to his scalp. Dry blood covered half of his face and shirt. His hands were tied in front of him. He favoured his left leg and his feet were bare. He looked like death walking.
"Nathan. I need Nathan's help." Ezra croaked as he struggled to continue standing.
"Ezra?" Josiah stared at him in disbelief.
"Where's Nathan?"
"NATHAN!" Josiah yelled as loud as he could. "NATHAN!!"
He rushed forward and grabbed Ezra's arms. The badly battered form before him looked as though he was about to collapse at any moment.
"I need Nathan." Ezra leaned heavily into the man that was now supporting his weight.
"He's coming Ezra, he's coming." He heard the rush of feet behind him.
Nathan didn't hesitate at the sight of his injured friend, he had to act quickly. "Josiah! Pick him up and bring him to the clinic." Nathan was still moving, he knew Josiah would follow his orders and carry Ezra to his rooms. The others would also follow them.
Nathan's fear ran wild, Ezra looked close to death, and he didn't know how the younger man was still standing. Yes, he did, it was the Southerner's stubbornness and refusal to allow anything to beat him that got him home. He just hoped that it wasn't too late for Ezra. He ran up the stairs and opened the door, he rushed to the bed and pulled the covers back knowing that more would be needed to get him warm. He turned to the door and took a few seconds to look at the protesting form in Josiah's arms. Ezra was arguing with him.
"We have to wait for Wade." Ezra spoke into Josiah's face. He had lost sight of Wade when Josiah forcibly lifted him off his feet and rushed him to the clinic. "Wade said he wouldn't leave me." Ezra looked around for his friend, his efforts were becoming frantic.
"I'll send one of the guys out to look for him. Okay." Josiah told him as he tried to lie him down on the bed. The Southerner continued to struggle against him. The larger man was surprised by his friend's strength. "What does he look like Ezra?"
"My Grandfather." Was all Ezra would say.
Josiah turned to look at the stunned faces that were trying to grasp the reality that Ezra was still alive.
"I'll go." Buck told him. He would look for a stranger. Someone that hadn't been in town earlier that day or week. He also had another reason for volunteering; he couldn't face seeing Ezra in the state that he was in. He was shocked and happy to see him but once he got a closer look at him his heart had fallen back into the pit of despair it had been released from, if only for a few seconds. He left quickly and shut the door quietly behind him.
"JD, boil some water for me please, we're going to need a lot of it." Nathan ordered the youngest member of the group. "Josiah, cut those ropes off his hands then help me with his clothes."
Nathan was about to undo the first button on Ezra's trousers when he felt damp hands grip his weakly. He turned and looked into Ezra's glazed eyes.
"Nathan, I need your help. I won't argue with you. I'll do everything that you tell me to do. I need your help Nathan. Help me. Please." Ezra pleaded with him.
Nathan only just managed to understand Ezra's muttered words. The man was terrified that he wouldn't help him.
"I'll help you Ezra." He squeezed the hands that held his then kept them still so Josiah could cut the ropes.
Once it was done, he removed the rope from the flesh of Ezra's wrists. It was difficult due to the skin that had stuck to the rope. Nathan had to pull gently, this caused the skin to tear from the flesh of Ezra's wrists. He heard an intake of breath but no voiced complaints.
"I'll be more careful Ezra." Nathan told him.
"Do what you have to do Nathan. I won't refuse your help. I need you. I need all of you."
"He's delirious." Josiah smiled down at him but it was a forced physical emotion.
Nathan looked up at the preacher. Josiah knew his spoken words were truthful. He had felt the fever that burned through Ezra's damp clothes. The heat had caused him to begin sweating by the time he reached the clinic with his burden and the night was cold. He couldn't understand how Ezra had survived for so long without anything to protect him from the late winter's chill. Maybe Wade could explain. He wanted to know who Wade was.
"Ezra." He looked into the emerald orbs that were watching Nathan. Ezra didn't look at him. "Who's Wade?"
"A friend." Ezra whispered.
"Did he do this to you?"
"NO!" Ezra yelled at him. "Wade's my friend. He would never do anything to hurt me." Ezra began to struggle against the two men who held him. "Wade!" he looked around the room, he ignored the men who stood to the side watching him. "Wade!"
"I'm here Ezra."
"Wade." Ezra relaxed and turned his head to smile at his friend. The gesture was returned.
"Let them help you Ezra. That's what you want, remember."
"Josiah thinks you did this to me." Ezra told him then turned to glare at Josiah.
"He has a right to think that Ezra, he's worried about you, they all are. They're your friends."
Ezra nodded in acceptance, his friend was correct. "Sorry Josiah. Wade helped me to get back home."
Josiah smiled at the use of the word 'home'. Ezra wouldn't use that term when he was in a healthy condition. "Is he here now?"
"Yes." Ezra frowned in confusion, why ask such a question, surely he could see Wade standing next to the bed.
Nathan and Josiah didn't say anything. They knew he was delirious. It had happened before when a gunshot wound that Vin had received during a failed attempt by some men to rob the bank had become badly infected. He had thought that his mother was in the room with him. The others followed the two men's example of silence as they watched their friend's blood covered face.
When they removed Ezra’s, dirty clothing they stood back and appraised the damage. Ezra was unaware of their scrutiny, he was mumbling to an unknown person standing beside him. They hid their shock and fear from the men in the room. Nathan's heart broke once more. They had lost the gambler once already, now he feared they would lose him a second time. He wasn't willing to ask the others to leave the clinic, he didn't know if Ezra would have much time left. Once he assessed his injuries, he would know more.
"Ezra." Nathan gave him a serious look. "I'm going to have to clean you from head to toe and scrub your wounds clean." he hesitated a moment and saw the understanding in the gambler's green eyes. "It's going to hurt Ezra. A lot."
"I need you to help me Nathan."
"I'll try and be as quick as I can Ezra." He pulled a blanket up to cover Ezra's lower body.
He had seen the head wound and knew there was a bad injury under the dry blood and dirt on Ezra's right cheek. There was a deep cut along his side that would require stitches. He was also covered with smaller abrasions and bruising.
"JD, is that water ready yet?"
"Just about Nathan." Everyone could hear the sadness in JD's voice. He felt the same as the rest of the men in the room. They knew their friend could die again.
"If you want you can go and find Buck. Let him know that Wade is here with Ezra." Nathan told him.
The youngster eagerly agreed with the healer and after giving Ezra a reassuring smile, even though he didn't feel confident about Ezra's recovery, he quickly left the clinic. He was afraid to stay.
Nathan turned back to Ezra. "You ready Ezra?"
Ezra turned his fearful gaze to Wade who nodded. He then looked for Josiah's hand and gripped it with the little strength he had remaining in his body. He felt Josiah return his grip. He nodded at Nathan to indicate that he was ready. He didn't want to suffer any more pain but knew that he didn't have a choice. His eyes moved slowly towards Josiah who smiled back at him and he jerked back at a memory that surfaced in his mind and pulled his hand from Josiah's. These men had beaten him when he returned home. They then demanded that he leave. They didn't accept his reason for not returning home on time.
"Ezra? What's wrong?" Josiah asked him.
"I . . . "
"It was a dream Ezra."
"A dream?" Ezra turned to look at his friend. "It didn't happen."
"No Ezra."
"A dream." Ezra thought his short statement would explain everything to Josiah. He didn't see the confusion in the preacher's face. He took his hand once more when he felt the first bolt of agony hit him when Nathan began to clean his face.
"Nathan! Aren't you going to give him something for the pain?" Vin stepped towards the bed.
He had stayed with Chris knowing that his friend needed his support. The sight of Ezra's injuries would be tearing him apart. His shoulders had slumped under the weight of the guilt. But Chris wasn't the only one feeling guilty. None of them had volunteered to go with Ezra, they allowed him to go on his own. They were all responsible for what happened to him.
"No." Nathan didn't stop in his administrations on Ezra. "It would take at least twenty minutes for it to work. I'm not waiting that long."
"But you’re hurting him Nathan!" Vin could hear the whimpers of pain that escaped Ezra.
"I don't have a choice Vin. If you don't agree with what I'm doing then you can leave." The healer growled at him.
"Nathan . . . "
"Vin!" Josiah's voiced boomed through the small room. He felt Ezra's hand loosen at the sound of his anger but he grip it tighter and pulled it towards him. "It's okay Ezra, I'm not angry at you. I'm your friend, I want to help you."
Ezra looked towards the source of the larger man's anger. Vin was glaring at Nathan. The anger in the sharpshooter's eyes terrified him, he thought it was aimed at him, that the usually quite man just wouldn't look at him. His clouded green eyes searched for Wade. He found him standing next to Chris Larabee.
Wade was looking at Chris who was staring at Ezra. The Southerner hesitantly returned the look. There was no anger on his leader's face. This surprised the gambler. He expected to see anger and hate. But instead, he saw guilt and sorrow. He turned back to Nathan as more pain assaulted him. He didn't think it was going to be this bad.
"Wade!" Ezra's pain sounded in his voice.
"I'm here Ezra."
"I can't fight . . . anymore . . . I can't . . . Wade . . . "
Josiah and Nathan could see the fight leaving Ezra's clouded eyes.
"Stay with us Ezra!" Josiah growled at him and began to wipe the damp hair off his forehead.
"I . . . can't . . . "
"EZRA!" Josiah was now terrified that he was dying. " I won't let you go. Ezra, stay here with us. Please. You have to fight it."
" I can't . . . it hurts . . . too much . . . too . . . long . . . can't."
"Ezra."
Ezra turned his head and felt someone grip his chin and pull his head back. "Ezra!" Josiah tried to get his attention while Nathan continued to work on him. He could hear Vin pacing the room behind him.
"Ezra."
He could hear Wade calling him but the hand that held his face in a gentle grip wouldn't let him go and he didn't have the strength to pull away from him.
"You need to rest Ezra. Close your eyes and go to sleep. You don't have to fight anymore. Your friends will look after you now. We'll be here when you come back to us."
Ezra didn't argue, he was tired, too tired. He closed his eyes and let the darkness take him away.
________________________________________
Ezra drifted in and out of consciousness. He never opened his eyes or spoke. He had fought for too long and could no longer do it. It was someone else's turn. The fever was still burning within his body. There were times he didn't know where he was, the voices that he heard were unrecognisable. His nightmares caused him to toss and turn in his darkened state. When he was lucid, he could feel the damp cloth that constantly wiped his face and body. Gentle voices tried to sooth him. It's what he wanted. His friends were taking care of him.
He could hear voices now. Buck and JD were talking to him. He rolled his head towards the sound of Buck's voice. His eyes stayed closed, it would take too much effort to open them.
"Ezra? You with us?" Buck spoke softly into the Southerner's ear.
"Buck . . . "
Buck had to place his right ear close to Ezra's mouth so he could hear him. He could feel the gambler's hot breath as it caressed his cheek.
"Yeah it's me Ezra." Buck looked over his shoulder at JD. "Can you get some of that tea Nathan made for Ezra."
"Wade?"
"He's here Ezra." Buck waited for Ezra to say something else but there was only silence coming from the injured man.
"Ezra, I'm going to sit you up so you can drink some of this tea. Nathan said it would help ease the pain."
There was no protest, verbal or physical when Buck gently sat him up. He allowed Ezra to lean against him so he could take all of his weight. He took the cup from JD and placed it against Ezra's healing lips. They opened slightly to allow the fluid to flow into his mouth and down his throat.
"You drink as much as you can Ezra. Stop when you've had enough." Buck told him.
After a few more sips of the luke warm tea Ezra closed his mouth to indicate that he didn't want anymore.
"That's okay Ezra, don't drink if you don't want it." Buck carefully laid Ezra back down onto the bed and pulled the fallen covers back up to his chin. "Better?"
There was no response from the sick form in the bed. Buck continued to talk to him like he had been doing for the past three days. He held the gambler's hand and wiped his face with a damp cloth. He was careful not to touch the deep wound on his face. Nathan had told him that it could leave a faint scar, it was going to depend on how well it healed.
"Nathan fixed you up real good Ezra. Got all the dirt off you, your nice and clean now. We know how you like to be clean. He fixed your injuries and Josiah gave you a shave. You had quite a beard growing there, never seen you with that much hair on your face. Not going to let you forget it either when you get better. And we've all been taking turns to sit with you and take care of you." He felt JD give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "So you don't have to do the fighting anymore Ezra. We'll look after you, make sure you get better no matter how long it takes. You hear me Ezra?"
"Thank . . . you . . . "
"That's okay Ezra. It's what friends are for."
"Friends?"
"Yeah Ezra, friends."
________________________________________
Someone was washing his fevered skin. The cool water felt good on his skin. The sound of dripping water helped him to relax. He wanted to open his eyes to see who was with him but his eyelids were too heavy. His next attempt was to try to raise his hand. The person with him gripped it gently and placed it back down at his side.
"Take it easy Ezra." Chris told him.
The voice of the man Ezra thought would be angry at him caused him to flinch away from his touch. "Didn't . . . run out!"
"I know Ezra . . . I know." Chris put the damp cloth away. It was time to talk. "None of us suspected you of running out. Not even me. We knew something had happened to you. We looked for you for six days but couldn't find you, we didn't even find your horse. We sent telegrams out to different towns but no one had seen you."
"Didn't run . . . out . . . " Ezra repeated.
"I know you didn't Ezra."
"Didn't . . . run out."
"You didn't run out on us Ezra." Chris wiped the damp hair from Ezra's face. "A man doesn't run out on his friends."
________________________________________
This time he was able to open his eyes, the image before him was out of focus. He blinked his eyes a few times and after each time the image became clearer. It was Josiah.
"How are you feelin' Ezra?" Josiah sat back down. He had just finished shaving the younger man when he noticed the movements of a man that was waking up.
"Terri . . . ble."
"Nathan says your getting better. Your fever has come down some and the infections in your wounds are clearing
up." Josiah smiled down at Ezra. "You'll be playing poker again before you know it."
"Was . . . Chris . . . "
"Chris, he was here yesterday. We're taking it in shifts to stay with you. You haven't been left alone since you came back Ezra."
Ezra managed to smile and winced as the healing scab on his cheek cracked in a few places.
"Careful there Ezra. We're going to have to make sure that no one tries to make you laugh. Nathan wouldn't be too happy if you opened up the cut on your cheek."
"Where's . . .
"Nathan will be here later. He checks in on you every couple of hours. He hasn't been getting much sleep. But he doesn't mind. With you not arguing with him is making him enjoy looking after you. He knows it won't last." He placed his hand over Ezra's mouth. "Don't laugh."
"Thank you . . . Josiah."
"You're welcome Ezra." Josiah picked up one of Ezra's favorite books. "Want me to read to you?"
"Please."
________________________________________
Ezra jerked awake and found himself in a darkened room. It took a few moments for him to recognise his surroundings. He was in Nathan's room. He allowed himself to relax. He could hear someone breathing and turned his head towards the sound. He could see Vin sitting in a chair next to the bed. He was watching the door, he was protecting his friend. Ezra smiled and felt his cheek break again. He had to remember that.
"Vin." His voice croaked in the silent room.
"Ezra!" Vin jumped out of his chair and sat on the bed next to the gambler. "You feeling any better?"
"Bit."
"Good. You know you scared the hell out of us for a while there pal."
"Sorry."
"Not your fault Ezra." Vin told him. "Do you remember what happened to you?"
Ezra frowned in concentration. "Fell . . . "
"Don't worry if you can't remember, there's plenty of time for that." Vin waited a moment and looked into his friend's eyes. They weren't as clouded as they had been. "Want something to drink?"
Ezra nodded his head, he was thirsty. "Water." He didn't want any of the foul tea Nathan had made. The pain was bearable now. He would have some next time.
"Where's Wade?" Ezra asked after he'd drunk some water.
"Stepped out for a minute Ezra." Nathan had explained to them to go along with Ezra when he talked about Wade.
Ezra had gotten quite upset when he thought Josiah had accused Wade of hurting him but then they found out that Wade wasn't real. He was real to Ezra though. "Said he would come back for a chat later." Ezra seemed to accept this. "Why don't you go back to sleep Ezra."
It only took a few minutes for the gambler to go back into a peaceful slumber. His nightmares had stopped a few days ago.
________________________________________
"Ezra." Nathan used a gentle voice at first. He knew he was waking. "Ezra, wake up." He gently shook the gambler's shoulder. "Ezra."
"Hmm . . . "
"I've got some soup for you."
"Uck . . . "
"Are you arguing with me Ezra Standish, 'cause if you are, it's good to have you back." The gentle healer looked over his shoulder and smiled at Chris.
"Noooo . . . " Ezra groaned in defeat.
"Then wake up, I want you to eat something." Nathan ordered him.
"'Kay . . . "
Nathan heard Chris' chuckle. He was glad the gunslinger's guilt had eased. "Hurry up then Ezra, I haven't got all day."
"I do . . . " Ezra told him.
"Ezra!" Nathan growled at him.
"Sorry." Ezra forced his eyes open and looked up at Nathan. "Nathan."
"Morning Ezra." Nathan smiled down at him. "I'll help you sit up." Nathan put a strong arm under the Southerner's back and lifted him up. He heard Ezra's grunt of pain. He shifted some pillows behind him then adjusted the one under his knee. "There's not a lot here Ezra so it won't take you long, then we'll have a talk." Ezra nodded and screwed his face up when he smelt the soup. "Just a sip to start with to make sure your stomach can handle it."
Ezra took his time eating the soup, which was fine with Nathan, it gave him the opportunity to study his patient. He could see the improvement he made every day. They all could. He checked the wound on Ezra's face, it was healing nicely. He would examine the rest of his injuries after the gambler finished eating. It took a few more minutes before Ezra claimed he couldn't eat anymore. Nathan believed him.
"You did fine Ezra." Nathan placed the bowl on the side table then turned back to his friend. "You up to me checking your wounds?"
"Think so . . . " Ezra yawned.
Nathan pulled Ezra's head forward. "The wound on your head was nasty, it would have given you a serious concussion. The one on your face is healing, it became infected like the rest of your wounds but there clear now. The bullet wound on your arm was just a scratch. It wasn’t infected, it was the only one though. You got back to us just in time Ezra. Another day and you wouldn't have made it."
"Wade helped me."
"Wade did a good job Ezra."
Ezra looked over at Wade and smiled. "Yeah he did."
"I'm going to look at your stomach now Ezra." Nathan saw the confusion on his face. "There was a deep cut along your side, I had to stitch it."
"I didn't know . . . "
"That's alright Ezra." Nathan lifted the nightshirt and began to remove the bandages. "You had a couple of broken ribs too Ezra." Once the bandages were gone, he carefully checked the wound. It too was healing well. Next were the ribs. He could see that Ezra's teeth were clenched against the pain. "There all fine Ezra." He pulled the blankets back to reveal the swollen knee. "No bones broken Ezra, the swelling is already coming down but you won't be walking on it for a while though. Guess you'll have to sit all day playing poker." Nathan pulled his nightshirt back down and covered him with the blankets. "I'll help you lie down then Chris wants a word."
Ezra yawned again. "Am I going to be alright Nathan?"
"You're going to be fine Ezra. It was touch and go for a while. You had a bad fever because of the infection, it hasn't gone yet. A few more days and it should be, then you'll just need plenty of rest, you can do that in your own room."
"Thank you Nathan."
"Any time Ezra." Nathan patted his shoulder then moved away from the bed.
Ezra watched as Chris came forward. He remembered that he'd been here before but not what the conversation was about. He pushed himself back into the bed and ignored the pain. All he saw on Chris' face was a look of reassurance, there was no anger.
"Ezra." Chris pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. It creaked under his weight. "The first thing I want to say is that we know that you didn't run out on us. I know you didn't run out on us Ezra."
"I didn't . . . "
"I know Ezra. We looked for you, but we couldn't find you."
"You looked for me?" Ezra was stunned, he'd thought they'd believe he'd run out on them and that they wouldn't allow him to come back. But Wade had been right, they were his friends, they had been looking after him like friends do.
"Yeah. We thought you were dead Ezra. We knew that there wasn't any reason for you not wanting to come back and besides that's not you. If you were going to leave, you would tell us first. The only explanation was that something happened to you. Do you remember what that was Ezra?" Chris could see the memory flash across Ezra's face.
"Some men robbed me, threw me over a cliff. Wade was there when I woke up, he wasn't one of those guys. He helped me get home, if it wasn't for him I'd still be there." Ezra explained.
"Did you get a look at them Ezra."
"No, it was raining . . . I fell off my horse . . . hit my head."
"We'll telegram the towns around the area, ask the sheriff to keep an eye out."
"They took my grandfather's watch Chris. It was the only thing I had. He gave it to my father who gave it to me."
"I'm sorry Ezra. You know if we could get it back we would." Chris told him.
Ezra nodded. "I thought that you wouldn't allow me to come back, that you thought I'd run out on you."
"You thought wrong then Ezra." Chris knew the Southerner was insecure about his position in the group. He hoped this unwelcomed incident would make him feel a part of the group.
________________________________________
Ezra was finally at home with his friends. They were taking care of him. It was the way he wanted it to be. They accepted him back. They never believed for a moment that he'd run out on them. Not even Chris. He thought the man would hate him, he didn't. Nathan had taken care of him, he was helping him to recover from his wounds. Buck and JD spent all their time talking to him. They couldn't help but make him laugh. Nathan constantly yelled at them for causing the gambler extra pain. Ezra didn't mind. Vin sat with him, he was a silent companion but just having him there helped Ezra a lot. Josiah read to him, and shaved him every morning. He was grateful to the older man for thinking of his physical appearance. Chris sat and shared his dinners with him, they also talked about the friendship that now existed between Ezra and the rest of the men. Ezra finally admitted to needing them.
"Ezra."
Ezra turned towards the voice that spoke to him. "Wade?"
"You okay Ezra?"
"I'm fine Wade."
"You were wrong weren't you Ezra."
"Very wrong Wade."
"You going to be okay?"
"Yeah I am. I have my friends and a home now." Ezra knew that Wade wanted to say something.
"I have to go now Ezra."
"Couldn't you stay a bit longer."
"No Ezra. I'm not part of this world. I have to leave."
Ezra watched as Wade moved towards him and place a hand against his cheek. He felt a tingling feeling. It flowed through him. He felt a tear escape from his left eye.
"Grandfather?"
"Yes Ezra."
"I thought you weren't real." Ezra was shocked.
"You needed someone that could be tough on you Ezra, if you knew who I was you would have argued with me."
"But . . . " The sensation was gone, his grandfather had removed his hand.
"It wasn't your time Ezra. You needed help."
"They took your watch grandfather."
"The watch isn't important Ezra. You are. Life has plans for you, you’re a good person Ezra, and you need to let that
side of you come out. Stop living your mother's life and live your own."
"She wouldn't let me see you again."
"She only let you see me because I was dying."
"You were dying?"
"I would have told you but she didn't give me a chance Ezra."
"That's my mother."
"But I got a chance to help you and I took it. I got to know my grandson and I'm proud of you Ezra."
Ezra smiled. "Will I see you again?"
"Not for a while Ezra. I'll come for you when it's your time. Good bye Ezra."
"Good bye Wade." Ezra forced himself to smile at his grandfather. He watched as he slowly disappeared from his sight. "Good bye."
The End
Part One | Part Two | Part Three
Master Fan Fiction List
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Main Characters: Ezra
Summary: Ezra is on his way back to Four Corners when a group of men rob him of his possessions and leave him for dead.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Spoilers: None
Status: Complete
Total Word Count: 22,732
When darkness came, he wanted to join it. He wanted the pain to leave him. He knew he wouldn't be able to take much more. The only thing that kept him going was Wade and the fact that Four Corners was within sight. He could see the fires burning in the distance but he knew it would still take an hour or so to get there.
Wade stopped him from turning and walking away from the town he wanted to call home. He now knew that Chris Larabee wouldn't allow him to stay. He decided that he would have to approach one of the others first. Maybe they could hide him from the angry man until he was strong enough to defend himself.
He continued to walk, the town would have closed down by the time he arrived. The only thing open would be the saloon. The townsfolk would be sleeping in their beds. The local ranch hands would be drinking, the businessmen were probably playing poker. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.
He listened as Wade continued to talk to him. He spoke about how things could be if he allowed it to happen. The men had tried to be his friend, even Chris. If he didn't accept their friendship then there would be nothing to stay in town for. He needed the men in his life even if he hadn't known it. He accepted what Wade had said, he even admitted it out loud that he needed them. If they allowed him to stay, he would also tell them.
It took more than an hour for Ezra to reach Four Corners. He stopped at the edge of town, the fires were no longer burning. The main street was dark and silent. A dog barked somewhere in the distance. His body flinched. He looked at the dark windows expecting to see a pair of eyes staring back at him. There wasn't. He turned at the sound of footsteps. There was nothing but darkness. His fear grew once more as he realised his dream was becoming real. He couldn't stop now, he wasn't going to walk away, he'd come too close. He had to find out if they were going to allow him to stay and accept his reason for not returning sooner.
He looked at Wade who stood beside him. Just looking at him gave him the confidence he needed to continue. He began to walk down the middle of the main street. His green eyes darted to the left and right as he limped towards his fate. When he reached the clinic, he stopped again. The rooms were dark. Nathan was either asleep or somewhere else. He didn't even contemplate walking up the stairs, he didn't want to suffer the pain the exertion would cause him. His only other hope was the saloon.
He could see a man standing on the boardwalk in front of the saloon. The man's head was bowed so he was unable to recognise him. He knew by the man's clothing that he wasn't Chris Larabee. He kept moving, he refused to listen to his body’s complaints or feel the pain that had become worse since that morning. The man that stood before him was his only hope. The man turned away from him.
Ezra's heart sunk. The man must have seen him and refused to help him. Maybe he could ask for Nathan, if the man could at least tell him where Nathan was then he could get the help he needed. There was nothing left for him to do. It was not his only choice.
"Nathan?"
Josiah stood on the boardwalk in front of the saloon, a cup of coffee was held in his left hand. He had forgotten about the hot liquid that was now as cold as the night that tried to surround him, but the light from the saloon filtered out around his still form. If you could see into the grey blue eyes that were hidden under his large hat, you would see the unshed tears. His heart was filled with sorrow at the death of their brother. It was the only explanation.
They all knew, even Chris, that Ezra wouldn't leave the group of men who were now like family without a reason. And there wasn't one. He may have been angry at Chris' reaction to that bitter night nearly two weeks ago. The Southerner knew he had a home here, the remaining six men were his friends, they believed he would come back. He hadn't, he had to be dead and his body was lying in a ditch somewhere. He lowered his head as the first tear finally escaped. He wanted to cry for his lost friend, he couldn't, he was the one that was holding the group together.
Ezra had been due back six days ago, they had searched for him. Telegrams had been sent to nearby towns but no one had remembered seeing a red-coated gambler. Chris Larabee had suffered more than the others. They had been torn apart. JD still cried at the loss of his friend, he was still young enough to show the feelings the rest of the men held back. Josiah knew they wouldn't cry, they were use to death, it was a part of life, but they hid their anger and feelings of loss from each other.
Chris felt guilty, there was no sadness yet, he wouldn't allow it. He had sent Ezra out to patrol a cattle ranch, which was a four days ride from Four Corners. Normally Ezra wouldn't have argued, the prospect of playing poker with the ranch hands would have gotten him moving before Chris finished giving him his orders. The ranch though was deserted. A complaint had been made to Judge Travis that someone was using the private property to graze their cattle. He wanted it checked out. None of the men wanted to go. Chris believed Ezra gave him an excuse to send him on the job alone. He was told to watch the place for a few days then come back, he wasn't to approach anyone, and just watch then come back. He didn't come back and they knew it wasn't by choice, something stopped him from coming back to them.
Now Chris regretted it, especially now that he really knew what had happened that night. He blamed Ezra when it wasn't the gambler's fault. Ezra died thinking they were angry with him for something that he didn't do. Another tear fell from Josiah's left eye. He knew that he needed to morn, he had to accept his friend's fate. There was nothing they could do except continue to search for his body.
His mind thought about everything Ezra could have been if given the chance and opportunity. The man had a good heart and intelligent mind. He had a quick sense of humor that drew people to him, his smile and laugh was contagious; had been Josiah corrected himself. The man had a lot to live for but now that life was over. The other men had been willing to work hard at pulling him into the family. It was hard work because Ezra rejected any sort of friendship or human contact. He showed no emotion and it took a lot to cause him to lose his temper and when he did, he was deadly with a cold glare that would equal Chris Larabee.
He looked over his shoulder into the brightly lit saloon. Five men sat at one table cloaked in a shroud of silence, sorrow, despair and guilt. Josiah had tried talking to them but none of the words he used comforted them. He couldn't even comfort himself. They hadn't eaten or slept much during the last six days. None of them had expected the Southerner's death to hit them so hard. They cared about him, considered him to be part of the family but somehow they thought they would be able to deal with his passing. This was something different, one of the men blamed themselves for his death. They were no body, nothing to tell them how he died. They didn't know if his death was quick or slow. It was the not knowing that made it harder for all of them.
"He's not dead yet." Josiah angrily spoke to himself.
They had given up too easily, he knew it and they knew it but what other explanation was there. He hadn't returned. The only thing that would have stopped him coming back was a physical barrier. They knew it wasn't an accident, they would have found his body and his horse.
"Nathan?"
Josiah dropped the cup he was holding, he failed to notice that the coffee splashed onto his trousers. He turned slowly fearing that the voice he heard was part of his imagination, his hope that the gambler was still alive. His eyes filled with tears at the sight of the blood and dirt covered figure before him. The man's sweat soaked hair clung to his scalp. Dry blood covered half of his face and shirt. His hands were tied in front of him. He favoured his left leg and his feet were bare. He looked like death walking.
"Nathan. I need Nathan's help." Ezra croaked as he struggled to continue standing.
"Ezra?" Josiah stared at him in disbelief.
"Where's Nathan?"
"NATHAN!" Josiah yelled as loud as he could. "NATHAN!!"
He rushed forward and grabbed Ezra's arms. The badly battered form before him looked as though he was about to collapse at any moment.
"I need Nathan." Ezra leaned heavily into the man that was now supporting his weight.
"He's coming Ezra, he's coming." He heard the rush of feet behind him.
Nathan didn't hesitate at the sight of his injured friend, he had to act quickly. "Josiah! Pick him up and bring him to the clinic." Nathan was still moving, he knew Josiah would follow his orders and carry Ezra to his rooms. The others would also follow them.
Nathan's fear ran wild, Ezra looked close to death, and he didn't know how the younger man was still standing. Yes, he did, it was the Southerner's stubbornness and refusal to allow anything to beat him that got him home. He just hoped that it wasn't too late for Ezra. He ran up the stairs and opened the door, he rushed to the bed and pulled the covers back knowing that more would be needed to get him warm. He turned to the door and took a few seconds to look at the protesting form in Josiah's arms. Ezra was arguing with him.
"We have to wait for Wade." Ezra spoke into Josiah's face. He had lost sight of Wade when Josiah forcibly lifted him off his feet and rushed him to the clinic. "Wade said he wouldn't leave me." Ezra looked around for his friend, his efforts were becoming frantic.
"I'll send one of the guys out to look for him. Okay." Josiah told him as he tried to lie him down on the bed. The Southerner continued to struggle against him. The larger man was surprised by his friend's strength. "What does he look like Ezra?"
"My Grandfather." Was all Ezra would say.
Josiah turned to look at the stunned faces that were trying to grasp the reality that Ezra was still alive.
"I'll go." Buck told him. He would look for a stranger. Someone that hadn't been in town earlier that day or week. He also had another reason for volunteering; he couldn't face seeing Ezra in the state that he was in. He was shocked and happy to see him but once he got a closer look at him his heart had fallen back into the pit of despair it had been released from, if only for a few seconds. He left quickly and shut the door quietly behind him.
"JD, boil some water for me please, we're going to need a lot of it." Nathan ordered the youngest member of the group. "Josiah, cut those ropes off his hands then help me with his clothes."
Nathan was about to undo the first button on Ezra's trousers when he felt damp hands grip his weakly. He turned and looked into Ezra's glazed eyes.
"Nathan, I need your help. I won't argue with you. I'll do everything that you tell me to do. I need your help Nathan. Help me. Please." Ezra pleaded with him.
Nathan only just managed to understand Ezra's muttered words. The man was terrified that he wouldn't help him.
"I'll help you Ezra." He squeezed the hands that held his then kept them still so Josiah could cut the ropes.
Once it was done, he removed the rope from the flesh of Ezra's wrists. It was difficult due to the skin that had stuck to the rope. Nathan had to pull gently, this caused the skin to tear from the flesh of Ezra's wrists. He heard an intake of breath but no voiced complaints.
"I'll be more careful Ezra." Nathan told him.
"Do what you have to do Nathan. I won't refuse your help. I need you. I need all of you."
"He's delirious." Josiah smiled down at him but it was a forced physical emotion.
Nathan looked up at the preacher. Josiah knew his spoken words were truthful. He had felt the fever that burned through Ezra's damp clothes. The heat had caused him to begin sweating by the time he reached the clinic with his burden and the night was cold. He couldn't understand how Ezra had survived for so long without anything to protect him from the late winter's chill. Maybe Wade could explain. He wanted to know who Wade was.
"Ezra." He looked into the emerald orbs that were watching Nathan. Ezra didn't look at him. "Who's Wade?"
"A friend." Ezra whispered.
"Did he do this to you?"
"NO!" Ezra yelled at him. "Wade's my friend. He would never do anything to hurt me." Ezra began to struggle against the two men who held him. "Wade!" he looked around the room, he ignored the men who stood to the side watching him. "Wade!"
"I'm here Ezra."
"Wade." Ezra relaxed and turned his head to smile at his friend. The gesture was returned.
"Let them help you Ezra. That's what you want, remember."
"Josiah thinks you did this to me." Ezra told him then turned to glare at Josiah.
"He has a right to think that Ezra, he's worried about you, they all are. They're your friends."
Ezra nodded in acceptance, his friend was correct. "Sorry Josiah. Wade helped me to get back home."
Josiah smiled at the use of the word 'home'. Ezra wouldn't use that term when he was in a healthy condition. "Is he here now?"
"Yes." Ezra frowned in confusion, why ask such a question, surely he could see Wade standing next to the bed.
Nathan and Josiah didn't say anything. They knew he was delirious. It had happened before when a gunshot wound that Vin had received during a failed attempt by some men to rob the bank had become badly infected. He had thought that his mother was in the room with him. The others followed the two men's example of silence as they watched their friend's blood covered face.
When they removed Ezra’s, dirty clothing they stood back and appraised the damage. Ezra was unaware of their scrutiny, he was mumbling to an unknown person standing beside him. They hid their shock and fear from the men in the room. Nathan's heart broke once more. They had lost the gambler once already, now he feared they would lose him a second time. He wasn't willing to ask the others to leave the clinic, he didn't know if Ezra would have much time left. Once he assessed his injuries, he would know more.
"Ezra." Nathan gave him a serious look. "I'm going to have to clean you from head to toe and scrub your wounds clean." he hesitated a moment and saw the understanding in the gambler's green eyes. "It's going to hurt Ezra. A lot."
"I need you to help me Nathan."
"I'll try and be as quick as I can Ezra." He pulled a blanket up to cover Ezra's lower body.
He had seen the head wound and knew there was a bad injury under the dry blood and dirt on Ezra's right cheek. There was a deep cut along his side that would require stitches. He was also covered with smaller abrasions and bruising.
"JD, is that water ready yet?"
"Just about Nathan." Everyone could hear the sadness in JD's voice. He felt the same as the rest of the men in the room. They knew their friend could die again.
"If you want you can go and find Buck. Let him know that Wade is here with Ezra." Nathan told him.
The youngster eagerly agreed with the healer and after giving Ezra a reassuring smile, even though he didn't feel confident about Ezra's recovery, he quickly left the clinic. He was afraid to stay.
Nathan turned back to Ezra. "You ready Ezra?"
Ezra turned his fearful gaze to Wade who nodded. He then looked for Josiah's hand and gripped it with the little strength he had remaining in his body. He felt Josiah return his grip. He nodded at Nathan to indicate that he was ready. He didn't want to suffer any more pain but knew that he didn't have a choice. His eyes moved slowly towards Josiah who smiled back at him and he jerked back at a memory that surfaced in his mind and pulled his hand from Josiah's. These men had beaten him when he returned home. They then demanded that he leave. They didn't accept his reason for not returning home on time.
"Ezra? What's wrong?" Josiah asked him.
"I . . . "
"It was a dream Ezra."
"A dream?" Ezra turned to look at his friend. "It didn't happen."
"No Ezra."
"A dream." Ezra thought his short statement would explain everything to Josiah. He didn't see the confusion in the preacher's face. He took his hand once more when he felt the first bolt of agony hit him when Nathan began to clean his face.
"Nathan! Aren't you going to give him something for the pain?" Vin stepped towards the bed.
He had stayed with Chris knowing that his friend needed his support. The sight of Ezra's injuries would be tearing him apart. His shoulders had slumped under the weight of the guilt. But Chris wasn't the only one feeling guilty. None of them had volunteered to go with Ezra, they allowed him to go on his own. They were all responsible for what happened to him.
"No." Nathan didn't stop in his administrations on Ezra. "It would take at least twenty minutes for it to work. I'm not waiting that long."
"But you’re hurting him Nathan!" Vin could hear the whimpers of pain that escaped Ezra.
"I don't have a choice Vin. If you don't agree with what I'm doing then you can leave." The healer growled at him.
"Nathan . . . "
"Vin!" Josiah's voiced boomed through the small room. He felt Ezra's hand loosen at the sound of his anger but he grip it tighter and pulled it towards him. "It's okay Ezra, I'm not angry at you. I'm your friend, I want to help you."
Ezra looked towards the source of the larger man's anger. Vin was glaring at Nathan. The anger in the sharpshooter's eyes terrified him, he thought it was aimed at him, that the usually quite man just wouldn't look at him. His clouded green eyes searched for Wade. He found him standing next to Chris Larabee.
Wade was looking at Chris who was staring at Ezra. The Southerner hesitantly returned the look. There was no anger on his leader's face. This surprised the gambler. He expected to see anger and hate. But instead, he saw guilt and sorrow. He turned back to Nathan as more pain assaulted him. He didn't think it was going to be this bad.
"Wade!" Ezra's pain sounded in his voice.
"I'm here Ezra."
"I can't fight . . . anymore . . . I can't . . . Wade . . . "
Josiah and Nathan could see the fight leaving Ezra's clouded eyes.
"Stay with us Ezra!" Josiah growled at him and began to wipe the damp hair off his forehead.
"I . . . can't . . . "
"EZRA!" Josiah was now terrified that he was dying. " I won't let you go. Ezra, stay here with us. Please. You have to fight it."
" I can't . . . it hurts . . . too much . . . too . . . long . . . can't."
"Ezra."
Ezra turned his head and felt someone grip his chin and pull his head back. "Ezra!" Josiah tried to get his attention while Nathan continued to work on him. He could hear Vin pacing the room behind him.
"Ezra."
He could hear Wade calling him but the hand that held his face in a gentle grip wouldn't let him go and he didn't have the strength to pull away from him.
"You need to rest Ezra. Close your eyes and go to sleep. You don't have to fight anymore. Your friends will look after you now. We'll be here when you come back to us."
Ezra didn't argue, he was tired, too tired. He closed his eyes and let the darkness take him away.
________________________________________
Ezra drifted in and out of consciousness. He never opened his eyes or spoke. He had fought for too long and could no longer do it. It was someone else's turn. The fever was still burning within his body. There were times he didn't know where he was, the voices that he heard were unrecognisable. His nightmares caused him to toss and turn in his darkened state. When he was lucid, he could feel the damp cloth that constantly wiped his face and body. Gentle voices tried to sooth him. It's what he wanted. His friends were taking care of him.
He could hear voices now. Buck and JD were talking to him. He rolled his head towards the sound of Buck's voice. His eyes stayed closed, it would take too much effort to open them.
"Ezra? You with us?" Buck spoke softly into the Southerner's ear.
"Buck . . . "
Buck had to place his right ear close to Ezra's mouth so he could hear him. He could feel the gambler's hot breath as it caressed his cheek.
"Yeah it's me Ezra." Buck looked over his shoulder at JD. "Can you get some of that tea Nathan made for Ezra."
"Wade?"
"He's here Ezra." Buck waited for Ezra to say something else but there was only silence coming from the injured man.
"Ezra, I'm going to sit you up so you can drink some of this tea. Nathan said it would help ease the pain."
There was no protest, verbal or physical when Buck gently sat him up. He allowed Ezra to lean against him so he could take all of his weight. He took the cup from JD and placed it against Ezra's healing lips. They opened slightly to allow the fluid to flow into his mouth and down his throat.
"You drink as much as you can Ezra. Stop when you've had enough." Buck told him.
After a few more sips of the luke warm tea Ezra closed his mouth to indicate that he didn't want anymore.
"That's okay Ezra, don't drink if you don't want it." Buck carefully laid Ezra back down onto the bed and pulled the fallen covers back up to his chin. "Better?"
There was no response from the sick form in the bed. Buck continued to talk to him like he had been doing for the past three days. He held the gambler's hand and wiped his face with a damp cloth. He was careful not to touch the deep wound on his face. Nathan had told him that it could leave a faint scar, it was going to depend on how well it healed.
"Nathan fixed you up real good Ezra. Got all the dirt off you, your nice and clean now. We know how you like to be clean. He fixed your injuries and Josiah gave you a shave. You had quite a beard growing there, never seen you with that much hair on your face. Not going to let you forget it either when you get better. And we've all been taking turns to sit with you and take care of you." He felt JD give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "So you don't have to do the fighting anymore Ezra. We'll look after you, make sure you get better no matter how long it takes. You hear me Ezra?"
"Thank . . . you . . . "
"That's okay Ezra. It's what friends are for."
"Friends?"
"Yeah Ezra, friends."
________________________________________
Someone was washing his fevered skin. The cool water felt good on his skin. The sound of dripping water helped him to relax. He wanted to open his eyes to see who was with him but his eyelids were too heavy. His next attempt was to try to raise his hand. The person with him gripped it gently and placed it back down at his side.
"Take it easy Ezra." Chris told him.
The voice of the man Ezra thought would be angry at him caused him to flinch away from his touch. "Didn't . . . run out!"
"I know Ezra . . . I know." Chris put the damp cloth away. It was time to talk. "None of us suspected you of running out. Not even me. We knew something had happened to you. We looked for you for six days but couldn't find you, we didn't even find your horse. We sent telegrams out to different towns but no one had seen you."
"Didn't run . . . out . . . " Ezra repeated.
"I know you didn't Ezra."
"Didn't . . . run out."
"You didn't run out on us Ezra." Chris wiped the damp hair from Ezra's face. "A man doesn't run out on his friends."
________________________________________
This time he was able to open his eyes, the image before him was out of focus. He blinked his eyes a few times and after each time the image became clearer. It was Josiah.
"How are you feelin' Ezra?" Josiah sat back down. He had just finished shaving the younger man when he noticed the movements of a man that was waking up.
"Terri . . . ble."
"Nathan says your getting better. Your fever has come down some and the infections in your wounds are clearing
up." Josiah smiled down at Ezra. "You'll be playing poker again before you know it."
"Was . . . Chris . . . "
"Chris, he was here yesterday. We're taking it in shifts to stay with you. You haven't been left alone since you came back Ezra."
Ezra managed to smile and winced as the healing scab on his cheek cracked in a few places.
"Careful there Ezra. We're going to have to make sure that no one tries to make you laugh. Nathan wouldn't be too happy if you opened up the cut on your cheek."
"Where's . . .
"Nathan will be here later. He checks in on you every couple of hours. He hasn't been getting much sleep. But he doesn't mind. With you not arguing with him is making him enjoy looking after you. He knows it won't last." He placed his hand over Ezra's mouth. "Don't laugh."
"Thank you . . . Josiah."
"You're welcome Ezra." Josiah picked up one of Ezra's favorite books. "Want me to read to you?"
"Please."
________________________________________
Ezra jerked awake and found himself in a darkened room. It took a few moments for him to recognise his surroundings. He was in Nathan's room. He allowed himself to relax. He could hear someone breathing and turned his head towards the sound. He could see Vin sitting in a chair next to the bed. He was watching the door, he was protecting his friend. Ezra smiled and felt his cheek break again. He had to remember that.
"Vin." His voice croaked in the silent room.
"Ezra!" Vin jumped out of his chair and sat on the bed next to the gambler. "You feeling any better?"
"Bit."
"Good. You know you scared the hell out of us for a while there pal."
"Sorry."
"Not your fault Ezra." Vin told him. "Do you remember what happened to you?"
Ezra frowned in concentration. "Fell . . . "
"Don't worry if you can't remember, there's plenty of time for that." Vin waited a moment and looked into his friend's eyes. They weren't as clouded as they had been. "Want something to drink?"
Ezra nodded his head, he was thirsty. "Water." He didn't want any of the foul tea Nathan had made. The pain was bearable now. He would have some next time.
"Where's Wade?" Ezra asked after he'd drunk some water.
"Stepped out for a minute Ezra." Nathan had explained to them to go along with Ezra when he talked about Wade.
Ezra had gotten quite upset when he thought Josiah had accused Wade of hurting him but then they found out that Wade wasn't real. He was real to Ezra though. "Said he would come back for a chat later." Ezra seemed to accept this. "Why don't you go back to sleep Ezra."
It only took a few minutes for the gambler to go back into a peaceful slumber. His nightmares had stopped a few days ago.
________________________________________
"Ezra." Nathan used a gentle voice at first. He knew he was waking. "Ezra, wake up." He gently shook the gambler's shoulder. "Ezra."
"Hmm . . . "
"I've got some soup for you."
"Uck . . . "
"Are you arguing with me Ezra Standish, 'cause if you are, it's good to have you back." The gentle healer looked over his shoulder and smiled at Chris.
"Noooo . . . " Ezra groaned in defeat.
"Then wake up, I want you to eat something." Nathan ordered him.
"'Kay . . . "
Nathan heard Chris' chuckle. He was glad the gunslinger's guilt had eased. "Hurry up then Ezra, I haven't got all day."
"I do . . . " Ezra told him.
"Ezra!" Nathan growled at him.
"Sorry." Ezra forced his eyes open and looked up at Nathan. "Nathan."
"Morning Ezra." Nathan smiled down at him. "I'll help you sit up." Nathan put a strong arm under the Southerner's back and lifted him up. He heard Ezra's grunt of pain. He shifted some pillows behind him then adjusted the one under his knee. "There's not a lot here Ezra so it won't take you long, then we'll have a talk." Ezra nodded and screwed his face up when he smelt the soup. "Just a sip to start with to make sure your stomach can handle it."
Ezra took his time eating the soup, which was fine with Nathan, it gave him the opportunity to study his patient. He could see the improvement he made every day. They all could. He checked the wound on Ezra's face, it was healing nicely. He would examine the rest of his injuries after the gambler finished eating. It took a few more minutes before Ezra claimed he couldn't eat anymore. Nathan believed him.
"You did fine Ezra." Nathan placed the bowl on the side table then turned back to his friend. "You up to me checking your wounds?"
"Think so . . . " Ezra yawned.
Nathan pulled Ezra's head forward. "The wound on your head was nasty, it would have given you a serious concussion. The one on your face is healing, it became infected like the rest of your wounds but there clear now. The bullet wound on your arm was just a scratch. It wasn’t infected, it was the only one though. You got back to us just in time Ezra. Another day and you wouldn't have made it."
"Wade helped me."
"Wade did a good job Ezra."
Ezra looked over at Wade and smiled. "Yeah he did."
"I'm going to look at your stomach now Ezra." Nathan saw the confusion on his face. "There was a deep cut along your side, I had to stitch it."
"I didn't know . . . "
"That's alright Ezra." Nathan lifted the nightshirt and began to remove the bandages. "You had a couple of broken ribs too Ezra." Once the bandages were gone, he carefully checked the wound. It too was healing well. Next were the ribs. He could see that Ezra's teeth were clenched against the pain. "There all fine Ezra." He pulled the blankets back to reveal the swollen knee. "No bones broken Ezra, the swelling is already coming down but you won't be walking on it for a while though. Guess you'll have to sit all day playing poker." Nathan pulled his nightshirt back down and covered him with the blankets. "I'll help you lie down then Chris wants a word."
Ezra yawned again. "Am I going to be alright Nathan?"
"You're going to be fine Ezra. It was touch and go for a while. You had a bad fever because of the infection, it hasn't gone yet. A few more days and it should be, then you'll just need plenty of rest, you can do that in your own room."
"Thank you Nathan."
"Any time Ezra." Nathan patted his shoulder then moved away from the bed.
Ezra watched as Chris came forward. He remembered that he'd been here before but not what the conversation was about. He pushed himself back into the bed and ignored the pain. All he saw on Chris' face was a look of reassurance, there was no anger.
"Ezra." Chris pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. It creaked under his weight. "The first thing I want to say is that we know that you didn't run out on us. I know you didn't run out on us Ezra."
"I didn't . . . "
"I know Ezra. We looked for you, but we couldn't find you."
"You looked for me?" Ezra was stunned, he'd thought they'd believe he'd run out on them and that they wouldn't allow him to come back. But Wade had been right, they were his friends, they had been looking after him like friends do.
"Yeah. We thought you were dead Ezra. We knew that there wasn't any reason for you not wanting to come back and besides that's not you. If you were going to leave, you would tell us first. The only explanation was that something happened to you. Do you remember what that was Ezra?" Chris could see the memory flash across Ezra's face.
"Some men robbed me, threw me over a cliff. Wade was there when I woke up, he wasn't one of those guys. He helped me get home, if it wasn't for him I'd still be there." Ezra explained.
"Did you get a look at them Ezra."
"No, it was raining . . . I fell off my horse . . . hit my head."
"We'll telegram the towns around the area, ask the sheriff to keep an eye out."
"They took my grandfather's watch Chris. It was the only thing I had. He gave it to my father who gave it to me."
"I'm sorry Ezra. You know if we could get it back we would." Chris told him.
Ezra nodded. "I thought that you wouldn't allow me to come back, that you thought I'd run out on you."
"You thought wrong then Ezra." Chris knew the Southerner was insecure about his position in the group. He hoped this unwelcomed incident would make him feel a part of the group.
________________________________________
Ezra was finally at home with his friends. They were taking care of him. It was the way he wanted it to be. They accepted him back. They never believed for a moment that he'd run out on them. Not even Chris. He thought the man would hate him, he didn't. Nathan had taken care of him, he was helping him to recover from his wounds. Buck and JD spent all their time talking to him. They couldn't help but make him laugh. Nathan constantly yelled at them for causing the gambler extra pain. Ezra didn't mind. Vin sat with him, he was a silent companion but just having him there helped Ezra a lot. Josiah read to him, and shaved him every morning. He was grateful to the older man for thinking of his physical appearance. Chris sat and shared his dinners with him, they also talked about the friendship that now existed between Ezra and the rest of the men. Ezra finally admitted to needing them.
"Ezra."
Ezra turned towards the voice that spoke to him. "Wade?"
"You okay Ezra?"
"I'm fine Wade."
"You were wrong weren't you Ezra."
"Very wrong Wade."
"You going to be okay?"
"Yeah I am. I have my friends and a home now." Ezra knew that Wade wanted to say something.
"I have to go now Ezra."
"Couldn't you stay a bit longer."
"No Ezra. I'm not part of this world. I have to leave."
Ezra watched as Wade moved towards him and place a hand against his cheek. He felt a tingling feeling. It flowed through him. He felt a tear escape from his left eye.
"Grandfather?"
"Yes Ezra."
"I thought you weren't real." Ezra was shocked.
"You needed someone that could be tough on you Ezra, if you knew who I was you would have argued with me."
"But . . . " The sensation was gone, his grandfather had removed his hand.
"It wasn't your time Ezra. You needed help."
"They took your watch grandfather."
"The watch isn't important Ezra. You are. Life has plans for you, you’re a good person Ezra, and you need to let that
side of you come out. Stop living your mother's life and live your own."
"She wouldn't let me see you again."
"She only let you see me because I was dying."
"You were dying?"
"I would have told you but she didn't give me a chance Ezra."
"That's my mother."
"But I got a chance to help you and I took it. I got to know my grandson and I'm proud of you Ezra."
Ezra smiled. "Will I see you again?"
"Not for a while Ezra. I'll come for you when it's your time. Good bye Ezra."
"Good bye Wade." Ezra forced himself to smile at his grandfather. He watched as he slowly disappeared from his sight. "Good bye."
The End
Part One | Part Two | Part Three
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