The usual hot sun seemed to be giving Four Corners a break for a change. In its place, dark clouds hung over the town, threatening to drop thunderstorms on the town at any minute. People rushed around town late that afternoon, trying not to get caught in the rain when it came. Josiah and Brian seemed oblivious to the hectic pace of the townsfolk around them. The two walked leisurely down the main road, talking calmly.
"So how much longer are you planning on staying?" Josiah was glad to see Brian after so long, but the conditions under which he was here made Josiah very on edge.
"Not much longer. I figure a day or so." Josiah turned and looked ahead just in time to see Vin come out of the sheriff's office. Brian saw him too, and the younger man stopped walking. Josiah stopped a stride in front of him and asked in an innocent voice.
"What's wrong?"
Brian tilted his head slightly. "That man, I recognize him from somewhere, but I can't place it…" his voice trailed off as he continued to stare at Vin. Suddenly he began walking again, brushing past Josiah. Cursing to himself, Josiah caught up to him and fell into step.
"You sure you know him?"
Brian nodded. Then it hit him. "Tanner!" The shout came at such a surprise to Josiah that he almost jumped. They were now only a few steps behind Vin, and he stopped and turned around slowly. Josiah placed a hand on Brian's arm.
"He's a friend Brian, he's innocent." Vin looked at Josiah and realized that this was the bounty hunter JD had told him about. His hand reflexively went to his gun.
Brian seemed torn. He stared at Vin, then back to Josiah. The preacher looked Brian in the eye. "You owe me a favor, consider this it."
"Aw Christ, Josiah." Brian stared up at the sky. He thought about this for a few seconds, then turned his gaze back to Vin. The buffalo hunter stared at him, his hand still on his gun. Only the fact that this man was a friend of Josiah's had kept him from shooting him down at first sight.
"Alright, Josiah, you win. Tanner, you're lucky. I won't tell anyone you're here if you don't tell anyone I let you go. For both of our sakes." Brian smiled mischievously.
A grin lit up Vin's face. "You got yourself a deal."
"Join us for a drink, Vin?" Josiah asked, glad no one was going to get shot.
"Sure thing." The three headed over to saloon as the sun was setting, with the soft sound of rain on the roof echoing louder as the clouds opened up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An hour after Brian, Josiah, and Vin sat down at a table in the back of the saloon, JD, Ezra, Nathan and Buck had all joined them. At first they had all been utterly confused to see Vin and Brian talking and laughing, but once Josiah explained the whole situation, they understood.
Buck couldn't stand it any longer. "So Brian," he started, "what did you say Chris Larabee was guilty of?"
JD stared at his whiskey glass, while Ezra brushed a spot of dust on his jacket. Nathan cleared his throat, and Vin downed the rest of his drink quickly. They were all trying to act nonchalant, but failing miserably.
Brian didn't seem to notice. "Murdered a woman and two kids in Oklahoma. He's wanted dead or alive, but the father of the family says he'll add on an extra $500 if he's brought in dead."
Trying not to duplicate the glass-breaking episode last time Brian had told them about why he was in Four Corners, Buck gripped his glass tightly.
"So, you all want in? I hear this is one tough guy, so I might need some help."
Josiah saved everyone from having to answer. "Unfortunately, we've already made an agreement with the Judge of the Territory to protect this place, so we've gotta stick around."
Brian nodded. "I can understand that." he swallowed the rest of the drink. "Well, gentlemen, thanks for the drink. I'm going to take a walk." The bounty hunter stood, tipped his hat, and walked out of the saloon.
As soon as Brian was past the swinging doors of the saloon, Chris walked inside. Making his way over to the table, he threw his black hat down on the table and sat in the chair that Brian had occupied only a minute before, next to Buck.
"Chris, I think you should lay low for a little while, till Brian moves on."
The gunslinger looked at his friend. "I ain't hiding Buck. I've never hid from anything in my life."
"Except happiness." Buck regretted the words as soon as they were out of his mouth, but he had no time to take them back. Chris reached over and grabbed the collar of Buck's shirt, and with a great show of force, lifted him out his chair and slammed him against the back wall. All sounds and movement in the saloon stopped. The normally noisy room was silent as people stared at Chris and Buck. The gunslinger looked Buck deep in the eyes, but said nothing. After what seemed like an eternity, Chris released his hold on his collar, and backed away. Buck straightened his shirt, and sat down again.
"I'll stay hid for one day, then I confront this guy." Chris grabbed his hat off the table and walked away from the table, people scattering to get out of his way as he walked to the door.
After several minuted of silence, JD broke the silence. "Hey Buck, do you like pissing him off, or is it just habit?"
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