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azombiewritesTitle: Cave-In
Twelth story in 'The Continuing Ezra Standish Saga'
Rating: PG
Warnings: Bad writing ahead!
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Genre: Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Chris, Vin and Ezra are returning to Four Corners when they are caught in a rainstorm. They take refuge in an old mine but there is a cave in and they become trapped.
Main Characters: Ezra, and the rest of the seven.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Beta: Not betaed – written in the early days when I didn’t know what the words grammar and edit meant. *is ashamed but no longer care*
Notes: Twelth story in the ‘Continuing Ezra Standish Saga’.
Spoilers: None.
Total Word Count: 15,288
Part Two
It was no longer raining in Four Corners and the sun had come out to begin its job of drying out the main street. The day was already warm and the condensation was rising into the air from the ground. The street was already beginning to become busy with people as they went about their everyday business. Buck walked down the main street ignoring the greetings that were made to him, he didn't want to stop until he reached the saloon. He walked in through the doors to find Josiah, Nathan and JD sitting at a table eating their breakfast. He walked to the table and sat down.
"I'm worried about the others," he told the table, as he wouldn't look up at them. He didn't usually have a nagging feeling like this, as it was usually Vin and Chris that got them. He thought that the others might ignore his feeling that something was wrong.
"They should be back in a couple of hours Buck." Josiah said between a mouthfuls of scrambled eggs. They knew that they would have stayed out over night under some sort of cover and did not expect to see them ride into town for another couple of hours at least.
"I want to go and look for them now." He told them hoping that they would not try to talk him out of it.
"Now. You don't want to wait until we have at least finished eating." JD spoke with a mouthful of food.
"I want to go now." He said harshly.
"Okay Buck. Calm down. Let's go and get the horses and then we'll ride out." Josiah tried to tell him.
"Can we hurry and Nathan can you bring all of your stuff just in case." The concern had also begun to show in his voice.
"Sure Buck." Nathan nodded. "But if you’re wrong . ."
"Yeah I know but I don't think that I am." He hurried them out of their chairs.
They all left the table with their plates still half filled with food and headed out of the saloon. Nathan went to his clinic to get his bag and some extra things while the others went and saddled the horses. Fifteen minutes later, they rode out of town.
***
Chris was watching Ezra carefully as his breathing had become shallow and ragged. He still hadn't lost consciousness and therefore was given no relief from the pain. His body had stopped shivering but the pain continued to explode throughout his body but instead of screaming out when this happened Ezra's body shook. This had caused Chris and Vin to worry even more.
Chris flinched each time Ezra's body did this as though he felt the pain with him. He couldn't stand to watch Ezra like this and yet he couldn't pull his eyes away from him either. He hadn't reset Ezra's bones, as he did not have the heart to do it while he was still awake.
"Stay with us Ezra, you hear me?" Chris told him. Ezra did not respond to his statement so he put his hand back on Ezra's forehead, he didn't care anymore how he responded to it. He wasn't just going to sit there and do nothing. Ezra didn't try to turn his head away from him. He felt Ezra spasm again and heard him moan. He could also feel the fever as it continued to burn within Ezra's body. "Ezra can you hear me?" Chris asked again.
Vin was also watching Ezra closely. He watched as Ezra's face changed into a grimace each time the pain flared up at the movement when his body jerked. He looked up at Chris when he spoke to Ezra. He could see the worry on his face especially when Ezra did not respond to his question.
"Maybe he's unconscious again." Vin told him.
"I don't think so." Chris responded. "Ezra answer me if you’re still awake." He was beginning to think that Vin was right.
"I'm . . . here." Ezra's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Hold on Ezra. Nathan will be here soon." Chris waited again for Ezra to answer him. "Can you do that for us?"
"I'm tired." Ezra groaned. They both had to strain their ears to hear him.
"Fight it Ezra. It won't be much longer. Nathan will give you something for the pain as soon as he gets here." Vin added.
"Will . . . you shut . . . up." Ezra muttered as the darkness finally took him. But it did not welcome him as he continued to feel the pain.
Chris and Vin smiled at this but then frowned as Ezra's face became slack and his head fell to his shoulder. "Now he is." Vin commented. But even while Ezra was unconscious, his face still showed the pain he was feeling and his body continued to spasm. Vin picked up Ezra's hand again and held it knowing that Ezra would not be able to pull it away.
***
"We should have met up with them by now if they were on the way back." Buck told the group. They had ridden for two hours without sighting either of the other members of the group.
"Maybe they had trouble waking Ezra up." JD hoped.
"Maybe." Nathan didn't think as though as they were all worried about their friends now.
They had been checking the area surrounding the road hoping to see anything to indicate that they had sleeked some sort of cover from the storm. Josiah had been looking to his left when he saw the horses at the base of the hill. He turned his own horse and urged it into a gallop. The others didn't ask any questions, they just followed him as they had also seen the horses. He pulled his mount to a halt in front of the mines entrance and ran into it but stopped abruptly when he saw the rocks that had piled up blocking off any entrance to the mine.
"Chris!" He yelled out hoping that he would not hear an answer come back to him from within the mine but he did.
***
Chris had not taken his eyes off Ezra's pale face. He listened as each ragged breath left his body and then as he struggled to take in another. He had used his hand to continue to wipe the hair away from Ezra's forehead, his hair had not fallen back onto it but Chris kept wiping it anyway. He wanted to give Ezra that human touch that he had come to despise so much. If he wouldn't allow him to do it while he was awake then he would do now when he wasn't. He was still listening to Ezra's breathing when he thought he heard horses outside the mine. He looked up at Vin who nodded at him to confirm that he had also heard them. Chris stayed with Ezra while Vin went to rock wall. He could see Josiah as he jumped off his horse and run into the mine and then call Chris's name.
"Where's Nathan?" It was the only thing that Vin wanted to say or could say.
Nathan and the others followed Josiah into the mine just in time to hear Vin asking for Nathan. This told them that either Chris or Ezra was injured and they expected it to be Ezra. They quickly looked over the rock wall that separated them from their friends. They would be able to get them out but it was going to take a bit of time. Nathan moved towards the sound of Vin's voice and saw him through the small gap in the rocks.
"I'm here Vin. Who's hurt and what's happened?" He asked him.
"Chris and I are fine but Ezra's in a bad way. He's in a lot of pain Nathan." Vin explained as he tried to hide the emotions from his voice but they had all heard it and it caused them all to worry.
"How bad?" Nathan needed to know.
"Real bad Nathan. Could you make something so we can give it to him?" Vin asked. He didn't want to spend any time telling them Ezra's injuries or what had happened. He turned around and looked at Chris then Ezra who was beginning to shiver again. "Also some blankets to keep him warm."
"Just give me a minute Vin." Nathan went back to his horse and removed his bag and gathered a couple of bedrolls off the horses. He went back to the mine and placed his bag on the floor. He then squeezed the blankets through to Vin and watched as he went back towards the others hoping that he would get a glimpse of Ezra. But he couldn't adjust his eyes to the darkness in the mine. While Nathan waited for him to come back, he began to mix some herbs that would help ease some of the pain that Vin said Ezra was in. The others had also begun the task of removing the rocks from the wall. They did not need to clear the whole thing, all that was required was enough room at the top for them to crawl through.
Vin quickly helped Chris remove the coats that they had covered Ezra with the day before and then place the blankets over him drawing them up to his chin. Chris stayed with Ezra while Vin went back to wall that blocked their exit. Ezra still continued to tremor under the blankets and he was now also voicing his pain even in his unconscious state.
"Is he conscious Vin?" Nathan asked as he passed the small tin cup through to him.
"No he isn't but he's still feeling the pain." He answered him.
"Try and wake him up before you give it to him. If he doesn't then pinch, his nose and do it that way. Then come back and tell me his injuries so I'll know what to get ready." He was speaking to Vin's back as he hadn't waited for him to finish.
Vin could see Chris trying to keep Ezra still, his shivering was becoming bad again. "Nathan said that we should try and wake him up first." Vin told him.
Chris nodded in understanding and placed his hand against Ezra's face to see if he tried to move away from it. He did.
"He must be coming around." He gently slapped Ezra's cheek and heard him groan in protest. "Ezra wake up. The others are here and Nathan has made something to help ease the pain." Ezra's head moved to the side again to try to remove Chris's hand but he did not respond in any other way. Chris slapped him again. "Ezra wake up." He watched as Ezra's face contorted with the pain. "Come on Ezra, that's the way."
Ezra could hear Chris calling him, telling him to wake up. He had said that the others were here. That meant Nathan as well. He tried to open his eyes but it was hard. He felt someone's hand hit him and decided that he was going to have to talk to them about that when he was feeling less pain. He forced his eyes open and could barely make out Chris leaning over him.
"Don't . . . hit . . . me." Ezra grimaced.
"Anything you say Ezra." He smiled and gently lifted his head so he could drink all of the contents of the cup. He then laid Ezra's head back onto the saddlebag.
"That's . . ." Ezra didn't finish the sentence because he screamed as the violent tremor ripped through his body.
The four gunmen who were outside the mine all stopped what they were doing as they heard Ezra scream. They brought themselves out of the shock and continued the work of making enough room in the wall so the others could get out. Nathan could hear the pain in Ezra's voice as he screamed.
"Vin, what's going on?" Nathan yelled into the mine.
"Just a minute." Vin called back. He held Ezra's shoulder's down while Chris took his legs as they waited for the tremor to ease. Ezra was shaking now and he couldn't stop, the pain was clear on his face. His eyes were closed tight and his teeth clenched to stop another scream from escaping. It was another five minutes before the shaking eased and Ezra's face began to relax. Chris wiped the damp hair off his face.
"Vin!" Nathan tried to be patient but he needed to know what was happening, they all did.
"Sorry Nathan. He keeps shaking badly and it's causing him a hell of a lot of pain." Vin informed him as he got back to the entrance.
"What are his injuries?" Nathan asked him.
Vin took a deep breath. "He was sitting under the area that caved in, he was practically covered by the rocks. His left leg is broken, the shin. Both bones in his right forearm are broken, five ribs on his left side are broken and there are many bruises. There's a deep cut on his left upper arm and a head wound but he doesn't have a concussion because he doesn't feel sick. He has a bad fever and he is in a lot of pain." He could hear Nathan let out the breath that he had been holding.
"Okay Vin, you go back to him and I'll get what I need to take care of him for now." He turned around and saw everyone watching him. He ignored them and went to look for something that he could use as splints. The others went back to work, it wouldn't be much longer until they were able to get in.
Ezra was still shaking but not as badly. His eyes were still open but he was staring at the roof of the mine. Vin sat down next to him and patted his shoulder. "Nathan will be in here soon Ezra. Not much longer."
"You . . . keep saying . . . that." Ezra whispered. He didn't look at Vin but kept staring at something that they couldn't see. They waited quietly listening to Ezra's moans of pain and the noise of the rocks falling to the ground. Sometimes the noise was unexpected and it caused Ezra to flinch. Each time a rock fell to the ground Chris and Vin looked towards the wall hoping to see Nathan climbing through but they didn't. They continued to wait while Ezra lay between them shaking and grimacing at the pain that continued to flow through him.
It was another thirty minutes before they saw Nathan crawling through the large space that they had cleared in the wall. No one had followed him in just in case the wall collapsed again. Nathan waited a moment for his eyes to adjust and then moved over to where Ezra was lying. The first thing he saw was Ezra's pale complexion, he couldn't help but not notice it, as he was so white in the darkened mine.
"Has the pain eased at all do you know?" Nathan asked Chris and Vin as he sat down next to Ezra and placed his hand on his forehead. He felt the fever that was burning in his body.
"No." Ezra moaned as he tried to move his head away from Nathan.
"I'll give you some more then because you’re going to need it." He saw Ezra's eyes open and look at him. Nathan could see the pain that already filled them. "I'm going to have to set and splint your broken bones." He told him.
"No." Ezra repeated. "I . . . can't take . . . anymore." He gasped.
"You having trouble breathing Ezra? Don't talk. Just nod your head for me." He watched as Ezra nodded and grimace at the pain that he was feeling. "I have to set them Ezra, it has to be done."
"Please . . . don't." Ezra pleaded.
"Couldn't you do it later?" Asked Chris.
"Do you want to carry him out of here with them not set? It will be a lot worse than what it would be if I set them now." He challenged him.
Chris nodded. He knew how much Ezra had gone through and it had been hard watching him suffer, he didn't want to see it anymore but Nathan was right. It would only be worse for him later if they didn't do it now.
"Please . . . no." Ezra moaned.
"I'm sorry Ezra." Nathan took a moment to mix some more herbs for Ezra and this time he added something for the fever. He helped as Ezra tried to drink it. He then moved down towards his broken leg first.
"Nathan . . . don't." Ezra tried to lift his head as he watched Nathan move to his leg, he knew what he was going to do and knew what it would cause him. He was already in too much pain and did not want anymore. Chris placed his hand against his forehead and easily forced him back down. "Chris . . . please."
Chris ignored him because if he listened to the pleading in his voice and looked at the pain in his eyes he would have stopped Nathan. He noticed that Vin was also not listening to him. He watched as Nathan carefully cut through Ezra's trouser leg revealing the large swollen area. Nathan had to also cut Ezra's boot to get it off as the swelling made it difficult to remove.
"Hold him down." Nathan gripped Ezra's ankle with one hand and then his knee with the other and waited for Chris and Vin to take their positions.
"Nathan . . . don't." There was no pleading in Ezra's voice anymore, it was now full of anger.
Nathan ignored him and pulled with all his strength. He winced as Ezra's scream reached his ears. He felt him tense up and looked up into his face. He quickly looked away not wanting to see what was there. The veins were standing out on Ezra's neck, his lips pulled back revealing his clenched teeth and his eyes were squeezed shut. Chris was wiping his forehead with his hand.
"Vin bring me those sticks and bandages please." When Vin came to his side, he had him hold Ezra's leg while he placed the thick branches on either side of the leg and then tie the top and bottom with bandages. He then tied a few more around the splits making sure that they were tight enough for the bone not to move. Once he was sure, it would be okay he moved to Ezra's right arm. Chris moved to Ezra's other side so Nathan could do his work.
"Still with us Ezra?"
"You’re . . . going to . . . wish . . . I wasn't!" Ezra growled at him.
Nathan nodded at Chris. He cut through Ezra's jacket and shirt pulling them away from the arm. He knew that the arm was going to be harder to set, as there were two broken bones. He didn't hesitate at Ezra's words and pulled the arm waiting to hear the two bones move back into place. It was difficult though as Ezra's scream cut through the silence but it was cut short as he finally lost consciousness. Nathan used his hand to feel the bones moving back into place as he pulled. Once they were there, he quickly and efficiently placed the splints on his arm.
"Let's get him out of here while he is unconscious." Nathan removed the blankets and stood up. He watched as Chris also stood up with Ezra in his arms. He placed Ezra's broken arm across his stomach and then headed towards their escape. "Were coming out. Ezra first so someone grab him on the way through." Nathan yelled to the other side. He heard Josiah yell back saying they were ready.
It was a struggle but they finally managed to get Ezra up to the gap that was large enough for a man to get through. Josiah was waiting at the top and almost fell back down as he saw Ezra's face as he came through the opening. He quickly leaned Ezra's head against his chest and put his hands under his shoulders. Buck was also there and he made sure that his broken arm stayed on his stomach. Once he saw his hips coming through he placed his arms around his thighs and took the weight from Nathan who was on the other side. They then carefully made their way back to the ground and once there laid Ezra on the ground making him as comfortable as they could.
Nathan, Chris and Vin soon followed Ezra through the opening and were quickly at Ezra's side. Nathan began to undo Ezra's upper clothing so he could wrap his broken ribs. He opened the shirt and saw the large dark bruises that were already forming on his chest and sides. As he wrapped the ribs, he felt the tremor that went through Ezra's body and listened as he moaned at the pain. He also took note of the rattle that was in his chest as he took each breath.
"Let's get him back home." Nathan said to everyone. Chris came forward again intending to take Ezra with him. "No Chris, you won't be able to carry him for two hours, let Josiah take him again."
Chris was about to argue but he knew Nathan was right. He was tired and he didn't want Ezra to fall from the horse because he did not have the strength to carry him. He watched as Buck and Nathan wrapped Ezra in a blanket and then lift him into Josiah's arms and place his broken leg and arm in a comfortable position. He watched as Nathan came towards him Vin.
"You guys okay?" He asked them.
"Yeah." They both answered him.
JD brought their horses to them. They mounted them and began to follow the others back home both grateful to be far enough away from Ezra to not see his body shaking or hear the moans of pain that he continued to voice.
It was a long ride back to Four Corners for all of them. Nathan rode along side of Josiah so he could keep an eye on Ezra. The sweat continued to run down his face, the tremors still tore through his body and he voiced his pain each time this happened. They understood why Chris and Vin rode behind them. It was obviously hard for them to watch and listen to Ezra going through this. They had done that since yesterday and had not been able to do anything for him and there still wasn't anything that they could do.
He looked across at Josiah and saw that he too had difficulty dealing with the pain that Ezra was going through, he saw him wince each time Ezra's body shook with the tremors. He was able feel the heat of Ezra's fever through the blanket that was wrapped around his body. Josiah had tried to comfort Ezra with his words but it did not seem to help him, it had only made him worse and he couldn't understand why. Because his words hadn't helped him Josiah silently prayed for Ezra instead.
It was dark when they finally reached town and the main street was quite so none of the townsfolk had seen them ride in. They made their way to Nathan's clinic and once there they removed Ezra from Josiah's arms and carried him up to the room as they had done so many times over the last nine months. They did as they always did and that was to place Ezra on the bed and then step back.
Nathan carefully removed Ezra's clothing with Chris's help. He then cleaned, stitched and bandaged the cut that was on his upper left arm and the wound on his head. He checked the broken bones to make sure that they were still okay, they hadn't moved so he left the splints. He was grateful that he did not have to reset them again. After he had done that, he used a damp cloth to clean the dirt and sweat off Ezra making sure that he was careful of the bruises that covered his body. And all through this Ezra still continued to suffer from the tremors that caused him to groan. Nathan then pulled the blankets up over Ezra to keep him warm and placed his hand on his forehead to check his fever. Ezra tried to move his head away from the touch.
"He's coming round." Chris told him.
Ezra groaned and continued to try to move his head away from Nathan. Chris moved across to the bed and took Nathan's hand away from Ezra's forehead. Nathan looked up at Chris, a look of confusion on his face.
"I'll explain later." He told him
He watched as Ezra settled then they sat back and allowed Ezra to come around in his own time but they didn't have to wait long as a tremor went through his body and jerked him awake, his teeth clenched so he couldn't cry out. Ezra opened his eyes, the pain clearly showing in them. It took a few minutes for him to realise where he was and he looked around the room to find the other members of the close group watching him. Nathan came forward and sat down on the bed.
"How's the pain Ezra?" Nathan asked him.
Ezra looked at Nathan and remembered how he ignored him when he asked him not set his leg. Nathan would have known the pain that it was going to cause him and Ezra had asked him not to do it but Nathan did it anyway causing the excruciating pain to explode in his leg.
"Get away . . . from me . . . Nathan." Ezra was still having trouble breathing with the pain.
Nathan moved away from the bed to make something for Ezra's pain. He knew why he was angry and he probably would be for a few more days until the pain started to ease. He turned to find that Chris had taken his place on the bed so he handed the cup to him. Ezra allowed Chris to help him drink it.
"It'll help you sleep too Ezra." Nathan told him.
Ezra ignored him and closed his eyes and wished that the pain would go away. He waited for the sleep to take him but it took it's time and it was a while before he finally fell asleep. He didn't have an easy night though as the fever continued to cause the tremors and there were times that the pain was so bad that he was jerked awake. Each time this happened, he found Chris sitting with him. He had noticed at times that Vin and Nathan were also there. He always fell asleep before he was able to tell them to leave him alone.
When the morning finally came, he woke up long enough for Nathan to get him to drink some more water with herbs mixed into it. He felt his hand on his face again and asked him to remove it which Nathan did thinking that it was because Ezra was still angry. Chris and Vin were asleep themselves at the time so they were not able to tell him any different. Nathan had tried to get them to go back to their own rooms to get some sleep but they wouldn't listen, they wanted to stay with Ezra. The others had also kept checking in through the night to see how Ezra was doing and found him to be asleep each time they did check on him.
Ezra woke again a couple of hours later when the pain became too much. He found Nathan sitting on the bed with him but he didn't say anything to him. Nathan helped him drink some more water but this time it had caused him to cough and the pain tore through his chest. The coughing finally stopped but the pain didn't, it continued on.
"The pain is going to be bad for a another day or so Ezra." He explained to him. "You now have a slight chest infection as well."
"Oh great." Ezra muttered.
"Are you finding it any easier to breathe yet?"
"No, it still . . . hurts."
Ezra shivered and grimaced at the pain. Nathan felt his forehead to find his temperature and come down slightly but had still not broken. He took his hand away as Ezra moved his head to the side. Nathan thought that he was still angry.
"Nathan . . . I'm sorry about . . . what I said." Ezra apologised to him.
"That's okay Ezra, I understand. You’re in a lot of pain and I just caused more."
Ezra was going to say something else when Chris walked into the room. "How's he doing?" he asked Nathan. He had also notice Ezra frown at the question.
"Still in a lot of pain. Got a chest infection as well. His fever has come down a bit so his shivering should start to lesson which will help him." Nathan got up from the bed and moved away so Chris could sit down.
"Can I talk to him?" Chris sat down and looked into Ezra's eyes. He could see that they were still showing the pain that his body was in.
"Not for long, he'll only get short of breath and it will make his chest hurt more." Nathan told him.
Chris nodded in understanding. "That's okay as I am going to do most of the talking." He smiled at Ezra who wished that he was still asleep.
"What do . . . you want?" Ezra asked him.
"I thought we could talk about the difference between pity and concern." He watched as the confusion grew on Ezra's face. "You talked when you were semi-conscious. Remember, you talked about your mother and how she treated you when you were sick." Ezra's confusion grew even more. Nathan was listening from the other side of the room and turned to watch as he found what Chris said very interesting.
"I don't remember." Ezra lied.
Chris looked at him and tried to decide if he was lying or not but all he saw was pain. "You seem to think that the concern we show you is pity." Chris told him.
"No I don't." Ezra lied again. "I just . . . don't like . . . people fussing . . . over me." He was getting short of breath and his chest was beginning to hurt.
Chris knew that he was lying this time. "I can't force you to accept it as concern Ezra. Your mother has brought you up to believe it is pity and it is going to take a lot more than me telling you other wise to convince you." Ezra kept his poker face on. "But just so you know its concern and we are going to continue to show it, even when you’re not hurt."
Chris smiled at him but Ezra's facial expression did not change. "Isn't that right Nathan?"
"Yeah it is." He answered him even though he wasn't sure what Chris was talking about.
"Well, I'll leave you to think about it Ezra." Chris got up and left him with a genuine look of confusion on his face.
Ezra's fever did not break until the following day and then tremors had finally stopped. It was another couple of days until his chest infection started to clear up. He then slept for two days straight. Everyone took turns sitting with him watching him as he sleep. Chris had explained to everyone what had happened in the mine and they now all understood why Ezra was so stubborn when he was sick or injured. They would now be more tolerant with him. They all also looked forward to the next time Maude visited Four Corners.
A week later Ezra demanded to be allowed to return to his own room and Nathan agreed. Ezra was shocked as he expected an argument over it. But instead, Nathan agreed and handed him a crutch so he would be able to get around. But Ezra became angry when Nathan told him that he would help him to his room and that he would continue to check in on him. Ezra had become confused during that week about the concern they showed him. He was no longer sure if it was pity or not. He decided to go with pity until something showed him otherwise.
The End
Part One | Part Two
Master Fan Fiction List
Twelth story in 'The Continuing Ezra Standish Saga'
Rating: PG
Warnings: Bad writing ahead!
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Genre: Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Chris, Vin and Ezra are returning to Four Corners when they are caught in a rainstorm. They take refuge in an old mine but there is a cave in and they become trapped.
Main Characters: Ezra, and the rest of the seven.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Beta: Not betaed – written in the early days when I didn’t know what the words grammar and edit meant. *is ashamed but no longer care*
Notes: Twelth story in the ‘Continuing Ezra Standish Saga’.
Spoilers: None.
Total Word Count: 15,288
Part Two
It was no longer raining in Four Corners and the sun had come out to begin its job of drying out the main street. The day was already warm and the condensation was rising into the air from the ground. The street was already beginning to become busy with people as they went about their everyday business. Buck walked down the main street ignoring the greetings that were made to him, he didn't want to stop until he reached the saloon. He walked in through the doors to find Josiah, Nathan and JD sitting at a table eating their breakfast. He walked to the table and sat down.
"I'm worried about the others," he told the table, as he wouldn't look up at them. He didn't usually have a nagging feeling like this, as it was usually Vin and Chris that got them. He thought that the others might ignore his feeling that something was wrong.
"They should be back in a couple of hours Buck." Josiah said between a mouthfuls of scrambled eggs. They knew that they would have stayed out over night under some sort of cover and did not expect to see them ride into town for another couple of hours at least.
"I want to go and look for them now." He told them hoping that they would not try to talk him out of it.
"Now. You don't want to wait until we have at least finished eating." JD spoke with a mouthful of food.
"I want to go now." He said harshly.
"Okay Buck. Calm down. Let's go and get the horses and then we'll ride out." Josiah tried to tell him.
"Can we hurry and Nathan can you bring all of your stuff just in case." The concern had also begun to show in his voice.
"Sure Buck." Nathan nodded. "But if you’re wrong . ."
"Yeah I know but I don't think that I am." He hurried them out of their chairs.
They all left the table with their plates still half filled with food and headed out of the saloon. Nathan went to his clinic to get his bag and some extra things while the others went and saddled the horses. Fifteen minutes later, they rode out of town.
***
Chris was watching Ezra carefully as his breathing had become shallow and ragged. He still hadn't lost consciousness and therefore was given no relief from the pain. His body had stopped shivering but the pain continued to explode throughout his body but instead of screaming out when this happened Ezra's body shook. This had caused Chris and Vin to worry even more.
Chris flinched each time Ezra's body did this as though he felt the pain with him. He couldn't stand to watch Ezra like this and yet he couldn't pull his eyes away from him either. He hadn't reset Ezra's bones, as he did not have the heart to do it while he was still awake.
"Stay with us Ezra, you hear me?" Chris told him. Ezra did not respond to his statement so he put his hand back on Ezra's forehead, he didn't care anymore how he responded to it. He wasn't just going to sit there and do nothing. Ezra didn't try to turn his head away from him. He felt Ezra spasm again and heard him moan. He could also feel the fever as it continued to burn within Ezra's body. "Ezra can you hear me?" Chris asked again.
Vin was also watching Ezra closely. He watched as Ezra's face changed into a grimace each time the pain flared up at the movement when his body jerked. He looked up at Chris when he spoke to Ezra. He could see the worry on his face especially when Ezra did not respond to his question.
"Maybe he's unconscious again." Vin told him.
"I don't think so." Chris responded. "Ezra answer me if you’re still awake." He was beginning to think that Vin was right.
"I'm . . . here." Ezra's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Hold on Ezra. Nathan will be here soon." Chris waited again for Ezra to answer him. "Can you do that for us?"
"I'm tired." Ezra groaned. They both had to strain their ears to hear him.
"Fight it Ezra. It won't be much longer. Nathan will give you something for the pain as soon as he gets here." Vin added.
"Will . . . you shut . . . up." Ezra muttered as the darkness finally took him. But it did not welcome him as he continued to feel the pain.
Chris and Vin smiled at this but then frowned as Ezra's face became slack and his head fell to his shoulder. "Now he is." Vin commented. But even while Ezra was unconscious, his face still showed the pain he was feeling and his body continued to spasm. Vin picked up Ezra's hand again and held it knowing that Ezra would not be able to pull it away.
***
"We should have met up with them by now if they were on the way back." Buck told the group. They had ridden for two hours without sighting either of the other members of the group.
"Maybe they had trouble waking Ezra up." JD hoped.
"Maybe." Nathan didn't think as though as they were all worried about their friends now.
They had been checking the area surrounding the road hoping to see anything to indicate that they had sleeked some sort of cover from the storm. Josiah had been looking to his left when he saw the horses at the base of the hill. He turned his own horse and urged it into a gallop. The others didn't ask any questions, they just followed him as they had also seen the horses. He pulled his mount to a halt in front of the mines entrance and ran into it but stopped abruptly when he saw the rocks that had piled up blocking off any entrance to the mine.
"Chris!" He yelled out hoping that he would not hear an answer come back to him from within the mine but he did.
***
Chris had not taken his eyes off Ezra's pale face. He listened as each ragged breath left his body and then as he struggled to take in another. He had used his hand to continue to wipe the hair away from Ezra's forehead, his hair had not fallen back onto it but Chris kept wiping it anyway. He wanted to give Ezra that human touch that he had come to despise so much. If he wouldn't allow him to do it while he was awake then he would do now when he wasn't. He was still listening to Ezra's breathing when he thought he heard horses outside the mine. He looked up at Vin who nodded at him to confirm that he had also heard them. Chris stayed with Ezra while Vin went to rock wall. He could see Josiah as he jumped off his horse and run into the mine and then call Chris's name.
"Where's Nathan?" It was the only thing that Vin wanted to say or could say.
Nathan and the others followed Josiah into the mine just in time to hear Vin asking for Nathan. This told them that either Chris or Ezra was injured and they expected it to be Ezra. They quickly looked over the rock wall that separated them from their friends. They would be able to get them out but it was going to take a bit of time. Nathan moved towards the sound of Vin's voice and saw him through the small gap in the rocks.
"I'm here Vin. Who's hurt and what's happened?" He asked him.
"Chris and I are fine but Ezra's in a bad way. He's in a lot of pain Nathan." Vin explained as he tried to hide the emotions from his voice but they had all heard it and it caused them all to worry.
"How bad?" Nathan needed to know.
"Real bad Nathan. Could you make something so we can give it to him?" Vin asked. He didn't want to spend any time telling them Ezra's injuries or what had happened. He turned around and looked at Chris then Ezra who was beginning to shiver again. "Also some blankets to keep him warm."
"Just give me a minute Vin." Nathan went back to his horse and removed his bag and gathered a couple of bedrolls off the horses. He went back to the mine and placed his bag on the floor. He then squeezed the blankets through to Vin and watched as he went back towards the others hoping that he would get a glimpse of Ezra. But he couldn't adjust his eyes to the darkness in the mine. While Nathan waited for him to come back, he began to mix some herbs that would help ease some of the pain that Vin said Ezra was in. The others had also begun the task of removing the rocks from the wall. They did not need to clear the whole thing, all that was required was enough room at the top for them to crawl through.
Vin quickly helped Chris remove the coats that they had covered Ezra with the day before and then place the blankets over him drawing them up to his chin. Chris stayed with Ezra while Vin went back to wall that blocked their exit. Ezra still continued to tremor under the blankets and he was now also voicing his pain even in his unconscious state.
"Is he conscious Vin?" Nathan asked as he passed the small tin cup through to him.
"No he isn't but he's still feeling the pain." He answered him.
"Try and wake him up before you give it to him. If he doesn't then pinch, his nose and do it that way. Then come back and tell me his injuries so I'll know what to get ready." He was speaking to Vin's back as he hadn't waited for him to finish.
Vin could see Chris trying to keep Ezra still, his shivering was becoming bad again. "Nathan said that we should try and wake him up first." Vin told him.
Chris nodded in understanding and placed his hand against Ezra's face to see if he tried to move away from it. He did.
"He must be coming around." He gently slapped Ezra's cheek and heard him groan in protest. "Ezra wake up. The others are here and Nathan has made something to help ease the pain." Ezra's head moved to the side again to try to remove Chris's hand but he did not respond in any other way. Chris slapped him again. "Ezra wake up." He watched as Ezra's face contorted with the pain. "Come on Ezra, that's the way."
Ezra could hear Chris calling him, telling him to wake up. He had said that the others were here. That meant Nathan as well. He tried to open his eyes but it was hard. He felt someone's hand hit him and decided that he was going to have to talk to them about that when he was feeling less pain. He forced his eyes open and could barely make out Chris leaning over him.
"Don't . . . hit . . . me." Ezra grimaced.
"Anything you say Ezra." He smiled and gently lifted his head so he could drink all of the contents of the cup. He then laid Ezra's head back onto the saddlebag.
"That's . . ." Ezra didn't finish the sentence because he screamed as the violent tremor ripped through his body.
The four gunmen who were outside the mine all stopped what they were doing as they heard Ezra scream. They brought themselves out of the shock and continued the work of making enough room in the wall so the others could get out. Nathan could hear the pain in Ezra's voice as he screamed.
"Vin, what's going on?" Nathan yelled into the mine.
"Just a minute." Vin called back. He held Ezra's shoulder's down while Chris took his legs as they waited for the tremor to ease. Ezra was shaking now and he couldn't stop, the pain was clear on his face. His eyes were closed tight and his teeth clenched to stop another scream from escaping. It was another five minutes before the shaking eased and Ezra's face began to relax. Chris wiped the damp hair off his face.
"Vin!" Nathan tried to be patient but he needed to know what was happening, they all did.
"Sorry Nathan. He keeps shaking badly and it's causing him a hell of a lot of pain." Vin informed him as he got back to the entrance.
"What are his injuries?" Nathan asked him.
Vin took a deep breath. "He was sitting under the area that caved in, he was practically covered by the rocks. His left leg is broken, the shin. Both bones in his right forearm are broken, five ribs on his left side are broken and there are many bruises. There's a deep cut on his left upper arm and a head wound but he doesn't have a concussion because he doesn't feel sick. He has a bad fever and he is in a lot of pain." He could hear Nathan let out the breath that he had been holding.
"Okay Vin, you go back to him and I'll get what I need to take care of him for now." He turned around and saw everyone watching him. He ignored them and went to look for something that he could use as splints. The others went back to work, it wouldn't be much longer until they were able to get in.
Ezra was still shaking but not as badly. His eyes were still open but he was staring at the roof of the mine. Vin sat down next to him and patted his shoulder. "Nathan will be in here soon Ezra. Not much longer."
"You . . . keep saying . . . that." Ezra whispered. He didn't look at Vin but kept staring at something that they couldn't see. They waited quietly listening to Ezra's moans of pain and the noise of the rocks falling to the ground. Sometimes the noise was unexpected and it caused Ezra to flinch. Each time a rock fell to the ground Chris and Vin looked towards the wall hoping to see Nathan climbing through but they didn't. They continued to wait while Ezra lay between them shaking and grimacing at the pain that continued to flow through him.
It was another thirty minutes before they saw Nathan crawling through the large space that they had cleared in the wall. No one had followed him in just in case the wall collapsed again. Nathan waited a moment for his eyes to adjust and then moved over to where Ezra was lying. The first thing he saw was Ezra's pale complexion, he couldn't help but not notice it, as he was so white in the darkened mine.
"Has the pain eased at all do you know?" Nathan asked Chris and Vin as he sat down next to Ezra and placed his hand on his forehead. He felt the fever that was burning in his body.
"No." Ezra moaned as he tried to move his head away from Nathan.
"I'll give you some more then because you’re going to need it." He saw Ezra's eyes open and look at him. Nathan could see the pain that already filled them. "I'm going to have to set and splint your broken bones." He told him.
"No." Ezra repeated. "I . . . can't take . . . anymore." He gasped.
"You having trouble breathing Ezra? Don't talk. Just nod your head for me." He watched as Ezra nodded and grimace at the pain that he was feeling. "I have to set them Ezra, it has to be done."
"Please . . . don't." Ezra pleaded.
"Couldn't you do it later?" Asked Chris.
"Do you want to carry him out of here with them not set? It will be a lot worse than what it would be if I set them now." He challenged him.
Chris nodded. He knew how much Ezra had gone through and it had been hard watching him suffer, he didn't want to see it anymore but Nathan was right. It would only be worse for him later if they didn't do it now.
"Please . . . no." Ezra moaned.
"I'm sorry Ezra." Nathan took a moment to mix some more herbs for Ezra and this time he added something for the fever. He helped as Ezra tried to drink it. He then moved down towards his broken leg first.
"Nathan . . . don't." Ezra tried to lift his head as he watched Nathan move to his leg, he knew what he was going to do and knew what it would cause him. He was already in too much pain and did not want anymore. Chris placed his hand against his forehead and easily forced him back down. "Chris . . . please."
Chris ignored him because if he listened to the pleading in his voice and looked at the pain in his eyes he would have stopped Nathan. He noticed that Vin was also not listening to him. He watched as Nathan carefully cut through Ezra's trouser leg revealing the large swollen area. Nathan had to also cut Ezra's boot to get it off as the swelling made it difficult to remove.
"Hold him down." Nathan gripped Ezra's ankle with one hand and then his knee with the other and waited for Chris and Vin to take their positions.
"Nathan . . . don't." There was no pleading in Ezra's voice anymore, it was now full of anger.
Nathan ignored him and pulled with all his strength. He winced as Ezra's scream reached his ears. He felt him tense up and looked up into his face. He quickly looked away not wanting to see what was there. The veins were standing out on Ezra's neck, his lips pulled back revealing his clenched teeth and his eyes were squeezed shut. Chris was wiping his forehead with his hand.
"Vin bring me those sticks and bandages please." When Vin came to his side, he had him hold Ezra's leg while he placed the thick branches on either side of the leg and then tie the top and bottom with bandages. He then tied a few more around the splits making sure that they were tight enough for the bone not to move. Once he was sure, it would be okay he moved to Ezra's right arm. Chris moved to Ezra's other side so Nathan could do his work.
"Still with us Ezra?"
"You’re . . . going to . . . wish . . . I wasn't!" Ezra growled at him.
Nathan nodded at Chris. He cut through Ezra's jacket and shirt pulling them away from the arm. He knew that the arm was going to be harder to set, as there were two broken bones. He didn't hesitate at Ezra's words and pulled the arm waiting to hear the two bones move back into place. It was difficult though as Ezra's scream cut through the silence but it was cut short as he finally lost consciousness. Nathan used his hand to feel the bones moving back into place as he pulled. Once they were there, he quickly and efficiently placed the splints on his arm.
"Let's get him out of here while he is unconscious." Nathan removed the blankets and stood up. He watched as Chris also stood up with Ezra in his arms. He placed Ezra's broken arm across his stomach and then headed towards their escape. "Were coming out. Ezra first so someone grab him on the way through." Nathan yelled to the other side. He heard Josiah yell back saying they were ready.
It was a struggle but they finally managed to get Ezra up to the gap that was large enough for a man to get through. Josiah was waiting at the top and almost fell back down as he saw Ezra's face as he came through the opening. He quickly leaned Ezra's head against his chest and put his hands under his shoulders. Buck was also there and he made sure that his broken arm stayed on his stomach. Once he saw his hips coming through he placed his arms around his thighs and took the weight from Nathan who was on the other side. They then carefully made their way back to the ground and once there laid Ezra on the ground making him as comfortable as they could.
Nathan, Chris and Vin soon followed Ezra through the opening and were quickly at Ezra's side. Nathan began to undo Ezra's upper clothing so he could wrap his broken ribs. He opened the shirt and saw the large dark bruises that were already forming on his chest and sides. As he wrapped the ribs, he felt the tremor that went through Ezra's body and listened as he moaned at the pain. He also took note of the rattle that was in his chest as he took each breath.
"Let's get him back home." Nathan said to everyone. Chris came forward again intending to take Ezra with him. "No Chris, you won't be able to carry him for two hours, let Josiah take him again."
Chris was about to argue but he knew Nathan was right. He was tired and he didn't want Ezra to fall from the horse because he did not have the strength to carry him. He watched as Buck and Nathan wrapped Ezra in a blanket and then lift him into Josiah's arms and place his broken leg and arm in a comfortable position. He watched as Nathan came towards him Vin.
"You guys okay?" He asked them.
"Yeah." They both answered him.
JD brought their horses to them. They mounted them and began to follow the others back home both grateful to be far enough away from Ezra to not see his body shaking or hear the moans of pain that he continued to voice.
It was a long ride back to Four Corners for all of them. Nathan rode along side of Josiah so he could keep an eye on Ezra. The sweat continued to run down his face, the tremors still tore through his body and he voiced his pain each time this happened. They understood why Chris and Vin rode behind them. It was obviously hard for them to watch and listen to Ezra going through this. They had done that since yesterday and had not been able to do anything for him and there still wasn't anything that they could do.
He looked across at Josiah and saw that he too had difficulty dealing with the pain that Ezra was going through, he saw him wince each time Ezra's body shook with the tremors. He was able feel the heat of Ezra's fever through the blanket that was wrapped around his body. Josiah had tried to comfort Ezra with his words but it did not seem to help him, it had only made him worse and he couldn't understand why. Because his words hadn't helped him Josiah silently prayed for Ezra instead.
It was dark when they finally reached town and the main street was quite so none of the townsfolk had seen them ride in. They made their way to Nathan's clinic and once there they removed Ezra from Josiah's arms and carried him up to the room as they had done so many times over the last nine months. They did as they always did and that was to place Ezra on the bed and then step back.
Nathan carefully removed Ezra's clothing with Chris's help. He then cleaned, stitched and bandaged the cut that was on his upper left arm and the wound on his head. He checked the broken bones to make sure that they were still okay, they hadn't moved so he left the splints. He was grateful that he did not have to reset them again. After he had done that, he used a damp cloth to clean the dirt and sweat off Ezra making sure that he was careful of the bruises that covered his body. And all through this Ezra still continued to suffer from the tremors that caused him to groan. Nathan then pulled the blankets up over Ezra to keep him warm and placed his hand on his forehead to check his fever. Ezra tried to move his head away from the touch.
"He's coming round." Chris told him.
Ezra groaned and continued to try to move his head away from Nathan. Chris moved across to the bed and took Nathan's hand away from Ezra's forehead. Nathan looked up at Chris, a look of confusion on his face.
"I'll explain later." He told him
He watched as Ezra settled then they sat back and allowed Ezra to come around in his own time but they didn't have to wait long as a tremor went through his body and jerked him awake, his teeth clenched so he couldn't cry out. Ezra opened his eyes, the pain clearly showing in them. It took a few minutes for him to realise where he was and he looked around the room to find the other members of the close group watching him. Nathan came forward and sat down on the bed.
"How's the pain Ezra?" Nathan asked him.
Ezra looked at Nathan and remembered how he ignored him when he asked him not set his leg. Nathan would have known the pain that it was going to cause him and Ezra had asked him not to do it but Nathan did it anyway causing the excruciating pain to explode in his leg.
"Get away . . . from me . . . Nathan." Ezra was still having trouble breathing with the pain.
Nathan moved away from the bed to make something for Ezra's pain. He knew why he was angry and he probably would be for a few more days until the pain started to ease. He turned to find that Chris had taken his place on the bed so he handed the cup to him. Ezra allowed Chris to help him drink it.
"It'll help you sleep too Ezra." Nathan told him.
Ezra ignored him and closed his eyes and wished that the pain would go away. He waited for the sleep to take him but it took it's time and it was a while before he finally fell asleep. He didn't have an easy night though as the fever continued to cause the tremors and there were times that the pain was so bad that he was jerked awake. Each time this happened, he found Chris sitting with him. He had noticed at times that Vin and Nathan were also there. He always fell asleep before he was able to tell them to leave him alone.
When the morning finally came, he woke up long enough for Nathan to get him to drink some more water with herbs mixed into it. He felt his hand on his face again and asked him to remove it which Nathan did thinking that it was because Ezra was still angry. Chris and Vin were asleep themselves at the time so they were not able to tell him any different. Nathan had tried to get them to go back to their own rooms to get some sleep but they wouldn't listen, they wanted to stay with Ezra. The others had also kept checking in through the night to see how Ezra was doing and found him to be asleep each time they did check on him.
Ezra woke again a couple of hours later when the pain became too much. He found Nathan sitting on the bed with him but he didn't say anything to him. Nathan helped him drink some more water but this time it had caused him to cough and the pain tore through his chest. The coughing finally stopped but the pain didn't, it continued on.
"The pain is going to be bad for a another day or so Ezra." He explained to him. "You now have a slight chest infection as well."
"Oh great." Ezra muttered.
"Are you finding it any easier to breathe yet?"
"No, it still . . . hurts."
Ezra shivered and grimaced at the pain. Nathan felt his forehead to find his temperature and come down slightly but had still not broken. He took his hand away as Ezra moved his head to the side. Nathan thought that he was still angry.
"Nathan . . . I'm sorry about . . . what I said." Ezra apologised to him.
"That's okay Ezra, I understand. You’re in a lot of pain and I just caused more."
Ezra was going to say something else when Chris walked into the room. "How's he doing?" he asked Nathan. He had also notice Ezra frown at the question.
"Still in a lot of pain. Got a chest infection as well. His fever has come down a bit so his shivering should start to lesson which will help him." Nathan got up from the bed and moved away so Chris could sit down.
"Can I talk to him?" Chris sat down and looked into Ezra's eyes. He could see that they were still showing the pain that his body was in.
"Not for long, he'll only get short of breath and it will make his chest hurt more." Nathan told him.
Chris nodded in understanding. "That's okay as I am going to do most of the talking." He smiled at Ezra who wished that he was still asleep.
"What do . . . you want?" Ezra asked him.
"I thought we could talk about the difference between pity and concern." He watched as the confusion grew on Ezra's face. "You talked when you were semi-conscious. Remember, you talked about your mother and how she treated you when you were sick." Ezra's confusion grew even more. Nathan was listening from the other side of the room and turned to watch as he found what Chris said very interesting.
"I don't remember." Ezra lied.
Chris looked at him and tried to decide if he was lying or not but all he saw was pain. "You seem to think that the concern we show you is pity." Chris told him.
"No I don't." Ezra lied again. "I just . . . don't like . . . people fussing . . . over me." He was getting short of breath and his chest was beginning to hurt.
Chris knew that he was lying this time. "I can't force you to accept it as concern Ezra. Your mother has brought you up to believe it is pity and it is going to take a lot more than me telling you other wise to convince you." Ezra kept his poker face on. "But just so you know its concern and we are going to continue to show it, even when you’re not hurt."
Chris smiled at him but Ezra's facial expression did not change. "Isn't that right Nathan?"
"Yeah it is." He answered him even though he wasn't sure what Chris was talking about.
"Well, I'll leave you to think about it Ezra." Chris got up and left him with a genuine look of confusion on his face.
Ezra's fever did not break until the following day and then tremors had finally stopped. It was another couple of days until his chest infection started to clear up. He then slept for two days straight. Everyone took turns sitting with him watching him as he sleep. Chris had explained to everyone what had happened in the mine and they now all understood why Ezra was so stubborn when he was sick or injured. They would now be more tolerant with him. They all also looked forward to the next time Maude visited Four Corners.
A week later Ezra demanded to be allowed to return to his own room and Nathan agreed. Ezra was shocked as he expected an argument over it. But instead, Nathan agreed and handed him a crutch so he would be able to get around. But Ezra became angry when Nathan told him that he would help him to his room and that he would continue to check in on him. Ezra had become confused during that week about the concern they showed him. He was no longer sure if it was pity or not. He decided to go with pity until something showed him otherwise.
The End
Part One | Part Two
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