“Coming in.” The group around the fire lowered their weapons when they heard Buck’s very familiar voice. Moments later, riders appeared out of the darkness.

“I reckon we should belt the crap out of them,” Robbins snarled eyeing the three men tied to their horses. The other four were across their saddles.

“No one’s touching them,” Larabee stated in a hushed tone. “Buck, J.D., tie them to those rocks. Josiah, take the corpses out of camp a little way.” Larabee’s men carried out his instructions without question.

The gunfighter handed his reins to one of the Field brothers and moved across the camp to stand above Vin. “How’s the arm?”

“Hurtin’ like hell. And I‘m wrapped up so tight I can‘t damn well move!”

Larabee smiled. “Nathan?”

“Wound’s clean. I’ll watch for infection over the next few days. He should be fine. Like he said, he didn’t lose a lot of blood.”

“Reckon I’ll bed down,” Vin stated. Help me up. Now that Chris was back, he felt comfortable enough to shut his eyes. Larabee would watch his back. Chris assisted Vin to his feet. “Just gonna go and get my bedroll, Cowboy.”

“I’ll get it for you,” Nathan offered. The healer returned with Tanner’s blankets and proceeded to lay them out near the fire.

“Ezra, here are your blankets,” Vin offered, unwrapping himself.

“Keep them.”

“I don’t want the damn things.”

“You will freeze.”

“I won’t.”

“You lost some blood and...”

“I’m fine! Look, Ezra. I’m used to sleepin’ out in the cold. You and the rest of the boys aren’t. Keep yer blankets. We’re all gonna need to be ready to ride tomorrow. Can’t afford for anyone to be sick and you fellas will get sick if yer cold tonight.”

Reluctantly, Ezra accepted his blankets. What Vin said made sense. Nine nights out of ten Tanner slept outside in his wagon. He had acclimatised to the cold.

With Chris’ help, Vin settled on his blankets, his mare’s leg within easy reach.

“What time do you want to leave in the morning?” Larabee asked his companion.

“Dawn. We’ll get more information out of them fellas and then head off.” Vin sighed and closed his eyes. It had been a long, long day. His companions were collected around him, so he could sleep peacefully. Larabee would post a watch.

“We’re back. Vin okay?” J.D. asked as he and Buck reappeared.

“The bandits?”

“They’re not going anywhere unless they’re learned to travel fast tied to a boulder,” Buck chuckled.

“Vin okay?”

“Cranky, but fine,” Nathan whispered.

“I heard that,” Tanner muttered without opening his eyes.

“So Buck, I’ve told you about how I spent Christmas when I was a kid, now it’s your turn,” J.D. prompted as he sat down and wrapped himself up in a blanket. “Man it’s cold!”

“Well,” Buck stated thoughtfully, covering himself with his blanket, “I thought that Christmas was about me.”

“About you?” Josiah asked curiously as he reappeared. The preacher nodded to Chris - a silent signal that the four bandits had been taken care of.

“Yeah. You see, Christmas day was always a quiet one for my mother.” Buck eyed his companions. They knew his mother had been a ‘working girl’. Buck wasn’t ashamed of that fact. His mother had done what she had to to survive. As soon as she was able, she had got out of the business. “Most people went home to spend Christmas with family and friends so my Ma and I, and the rest of the girls, were the only ones at the boarding house. I was the only child and they all made a fuss of me. Hell, up until I was twelve, I thought Christmas was like a special birthday party for me.”

...”Come here, young man. I have a present for you,” Annie stated.

Buck raced across to the young woman. Annie handed him a small package. The ten-year-old boy opened it slowly. “It’s a whittling knife!”

Joanna Wilmington smiled. It was Christmas day and she could not have been happier. She and the other six girls had decorated the main room at ‘Pleasure House’ with a Christmas tree and streamers. Buck had been the centre of everyone’s attention, but then, that wasn’t completely unusual. The little boy had been receiving gifts all morning. He was the only child and all of the women loved him. Buck had given them all someone to dote on and doting they were.

“Okay, everyone. I have a cherry pie,” Missy announced appearing out of the kitchen. “Come here, Buck and I’ll cut you an extra large slice.”

“Before we eat, let’s thank God for all that we have,” Joanna stated. All of the women and the little boy dropped their heads. “Loving father God, we thank you for guiding us through another hard year. We thank you for providing this meal we are about to share. We thank you for each other, but most of all we thank you for Christmas and for Buck, whose smile keeps us all going. Amen.”

So, you see, I thought Christmas was about thanking me for... well, for being born.”

J.D. was grinning from ear to ear. “You really thought that? Hell, Buck, you’re so funny.”

“I don’t see anything funny about it.” Buck smiled. The experiences he had shared at the “Pleasure House” had been hard at times, but he had been surrounded with more love than ten other children. At Christmas, his mother always said the same prayer. She thanked God for the year, for the food they were about to eat, for the friendship of others and she always thanked the Lord for Buck.

“I learned that Christmas was about love.” Buck glanced at Chris. “And about being with family.” Larabee nodded. It was true. Christmas was about being with family, but Chris no longer had one to share it with.

Beside Larabee, Vin half stirred. The gunfighter put his coffee down, and then reached out and placed his hand on Tanner’s chest. Vin’s eyes flickered open for a split second and then closed. Once Vin settled, Chris retrieved his mug.

Buck’s eyes narrowed. The gesture from Chris had been so relaxed - so natural. Buck hadn’t seen Chris lay his hand on anyone since the death of his family. Buck had tried to get close to his oldest friend, but Chris had kept even him at a distance. Larabee had been so free with his emotions before the tragedy. After it, Chris had locked the world out. He allowed no one close to him and in turn, did not enter the sphere of others. Buck smiled. For some reason, Chris had allowed Vin in.

“I wonder what Mary and everyone else is gonna do tomorrow night? It’s Christmas Eve,” J.D. pointed out.

“Well, you can rest assured they will not be freezing to death as we will likely be. Or as we are this evening.”

The other members of the group groaned.

“What, am I the only person with enough common sense to be cold?”

“No, you aren’t. We’re all cold, but we’re sick of hearing about it,” Nathan stated.

“I wonder what happened to the group from River Flats?”

Vin shivered. Larabee turned and frowned. The conversation around him continued, but the gunfighter tuned it out. He placed his hand on Vin’s exposed arm. The skin was cold. Without conscious thought, Chris took the blanket from his own shoulders and laid it on top of the shivering tracker.

Tanner’s eyes opened. “What ya doin’?”

“Shut-up. You’re cold.”

Vin cursed Chris under his breath, but the words were loud enough for Larabee to hear. “Stubborn bastard. You’re as bad as Ezra and Nathan.” Vin’s eyelids sank, the laudanum that Nathan had forced him to drink sending him back to sleep. As slumber took him, he considered how good it felt to have someone who cared. It had been a long time since Vin could remember having anyone truly care about him.

“Now, what do you think yer doin’, Chris? Put that damn thing back around you and I’ll go get Vin another blanket,” Buck chastised.

Chris Larabee stared across at his long time friend. The words took him back - back to a night when he had done exactly the same thing. He had removed his own blanket and given it to someone he cared for. It had been the simplest of gestures that spoke volumes about his love for his family. Larabee’s eyes dropped to Tanner. Vin wasn’t his family, but he was certainly someone Chris cared about. Actually, Vin was as near to family as anyone could possibly be, Larabee realized. He was the only person Chris had allowed to get close. Then again, it hadn’t been a conscious decision and Vin hadn’t forced himself in. Tanner had just been himself. That had been enough.

Chris’ brow furrowed. His thoughts turned to Buck... and to J.D., Ezra, Josiah and Nathan. Men he considered good friends. Men he would certainly put before himself if needed.

Chris found himself staring at the sleeping man beside him again. For the first time, he consciously realized that Vin Tanner was more than a friend. The quietly spoken tracker understood the gunfighter more completely than anyone. Chris knew he would have given his life for Sarah or Adam. After all, they were his family. As Larabee stared at the young tracker beside him, he realised he would give his life for Vin. He would give it gladly and without regret. Surely that made Vin family.

“Here,” Buck stated, thrusting a blanket at Chris.

“Where did you get it?” Larabee asked quietly.

“He pilfered it from me. Now I have only three!”

“What? Three? You mean you’ve been sitting there complaining all night about how cold you are and you’ve got four blankets and the rest of us only have two?! I ought to...” Robbins thundered. The thug started to get to his feet his eyes raging at Ezra. Seven guns snapped from holsters. Robbins froze. It was not wise to harass any one of the Seven for a man ended up facing all of them.

“Sit down, brother and enjoy your coffee.”

Robbins dropped back to the ground, his eyes popping with fear. One by one the Seven replaced their weapons.

Vin lay back, grimacing as he placed his mare’s leg back within easy reach.

“I thought you were asleep,” Chris muttered.

“I was.” Vin Tanner was a very light sleeper.

“Alright, bed down everyone. Josiah, you take first watch.”

“As always, Chris, I’ll wake Buck after an hour.”

**********

Vin struggled with his saddle. His arm had stiffened up over night. Nathan had been correct about the pain, too. The throbbing had made it difficult to sleep. Had it not been for the laudanum, the healer had forced him to drink, Tanner wouldn’t have had any relief.

“Allow me,” Josiah offered, taking the saddle from Tanner and slinging it over Peso.

“Thanks.”

“You should use the sling,” Nathan commented.

“Only gets in my way.”

“Vin.”

Tanner turned and nodded to Chris. Time to interrogate the prisoners.

“So which part do you want to play?” Larabee muttered as his friend approached.

“They already know I’m a bastard.”

“Me too.” Chris agreed. After their encounter yesterday, the three men knew how unforgiving both men were. Larabee glanced at Ezra. “Ezra, we could use a hand.”

“Oh?”

“We’re gonna play good cowboy, bad cowboy and worse cowboy. You get to be the goodie, goodie,” Vin informed his companion with a grin.

“I’m sorry, you have lost me.”

“Come on, you’ll catch on.”

The trio moved off to the right to where Buck and J.D. had secured the prisoners to a collection of small boulders.

“Time for you fellas to tell us where your friends are,” Vin stated without emotion.

“Go to hell!”

Chris reached down and grabbed the speaker, pulling him up against the ropes. The gunfighter said nothing but the Larabee glare rained down on the pitiful creature.

Ezra’s razor sharp mind had indeed caught on. “Gentlemen, gentlemen. There is no need for any unpleasantness. I am sure, that if given the appropriate opportunity, these fine men will be forthcoming with the information we seek.”

“If they’re not, I know some Indian ways that will have ‘em screaming their heads off and begging to talk to us,” Vin growled softly.

“Now, now, Mr. Tanner. You know how that turns my stomach. I really don’t think there will be need for such invigorating torture.”

“Don’t worry, Ezra. Ya don’t have to watch.” Tanner’s eyes had become cruel.

“For which I am grateful. Mr. Larabee? Mr. Larabee, perhaps if you released our friend he will be more able to speak. He appears to be going an odd colour.”

“Larabee?” one of the bandits asked, his eyes flashing with real fear. “Chris Larabee?”

Chris simply grinned, dropping the man he held. It was the most ruthless smile Ezra had ever seen.

“So you have heard of our leader?” The three men glanced at each other nervously.

“I’m askin’ again. Where the hell is the rest of your band?” Vin demanded.

One man turned to Ezra. “If we tell you, will you stop him?!” The trio was all eyeing Chris with a look of terror.

“I can guarantee that telling us what we want to know will improve Mr. Larabee’s mood no end.”

“They’re about four hours ride from here. Hiding out in some caves.”

Vin and Chris exchanged a look. It was just as the tracker had suspected.

“They’re leaving at lunch,” one of the other men muttered, wanting to ensure his own safety by providing some information. “Following the range right around to the west.”

Vin’s eyes enlarged. “Right around?”

“Gonna hit a town out there real late tonight.”

“Aww hell! They’re headed for Four Corners!”

“What? How can you be sure?” Chris demanded.

“That range leads straight to the town. That’s the way I always go. If ya follow it, you miss Eagle Bend and Squirrel Pass.”

Ezra grabbed the nearest man, his eyes every bit as severe as Larabee’s ever could be. “Four Corners?! Is that where they are going to attack?!”

“We don’t know. All he said was that we was gonna follow the range and attack the town at the end late tonight.”

Vin, Ezra and Chris spun on their heals. “Boys. Mount up! They’re going to attack Four Corners tonight!”

“What?!”

“Oh, no!”

“Vin?”

“We’ll get there on dark if we ride like hell!”

Chris turned to the six men who had joined the Seven’s posse. “Bring the prisoners in.”

“Some of us could ride with you!” Robbins argued.

“No!” Larabee shouted as he sent his horse off in the direction of Four Corners.

**********

The thundering of hoofs shattered the peaceful evening in Four Corners. People raced outside amidst Christmas preparations to discover the return on their regulators.

“Everyone inside and bolt the doors!” Larabee shouted as he dismounted and handed the reins of his horse to Buck. “Stable these horses! Tie down anything loose.”

“Ezra!”

Standish turned and smiled. He left his horse and strode across to the speaker. “Mother.” Without restraint he hugged her. He didn’t care who was watching. “I knew you’d come.”

“Of course I came, honey. It’s Christmas.” Ezra released his mother and two smiled at each other, the love they felt for one another radiating out of them.

“It’s good to see you. You had better head inside. We’re expecting trouble.”

“Mr. Larabee?” Mary asked.

“The bandits are headed this way.”

“Are you sure?”

Larabee nodded. “Go on inside and stay there. All of you! Go on!”

The people on the street rushed to carry out their protector’s orders. Moments later, the rest of the Seven reappeared and collected around their leader.

“They said they‘ll be attacking late, so it probably won‘t be for a few hours. Get something to eat and then relax for a while. Josiah.”

“I’ll keep watch, my friend.”

“As soon as you hear Josiah’s signal, get into position.”

“Vin, you need anything for the pain?” Nathan asked. His friend had ridden twelve hours in the saddle with his arm jostling around. It had to be aching.

“Reckon I could,” the tracker conceded quietly. Larabee brushed Vin’s arm as he turned to leave. A silent form of support. Vin’s head bobbed once in thanks.

The next few hours passed slowly, the Seven’s nerves on edge as they waited for the attack they knew was imminent.

Vin and Chris had been walking up and down the street for the past few minutes. It was almost midnight and both were expecting the attack at any moment.

Josiah had settled on top of the church, ready to alert his companions the moment the bandits appeared on the horizon.

J.D. and Buck were standing together on the porch of the sheriff’s office.

Buck noted the grin on J.D.’s face.

“Now what the hell have you got to grin about, boy?”

“We’re gonna be home for Christmas, Buck.” The full moon was lighting the Christmas tree in all its glory. It looked absolutely radiant - as if it somehow knew that it was the centre of attention.

Wilmington smiled. “Yep, Kid.”

J.D. swallowed. “My ma ain’t gonna be here.” For the first time, that fact hit him hard. Tears welled in his eyes.

Buck patted the boys‘ arm. “She’s here, Kid,” the big man claimed, placing his hand over J.D.’s heart. “Right there.”

Across the street, Ezra and Nathan were leaning against a pile of barrels.

“Must be getting close.”

“Yes,” Ezra agreed quietly.

Vin and Chris started walking toward each other. Chris opened his mouth to comment when a noise from the saloon drew his attention. He and Tanner turned and watched as the hand on the grandfather clock fell into place signalling midnight. A new day was beginning - not just any day.

Buck slipped his arm across J.D.’s shoulder. “Merry Christmas, J.D.”

J.D. glanced at his best friend. He realized how right his mother had been. Christmas wasn’t about gifts and trees. It was about being thankful for what you had and J.D. Dunne had all he could ever want. Everything was as it had always been. He was spending Christmas with those he loved.

“Merry Christmas, Buck.”

Nathan glanced at Ezra and smiled. “Merry Christmas, Ezra.” Nathan had never celebrated Christmas in any real way. He had never received many gifts, but the words of John Raftery filled his mind. “The gift of friendship, support, loyalty and trust is the greatest gift a friend can give.” Nathan knew that to be true and for that reason Nathan Jackson felt very thankful. Six strangers who had become so much more than just friends had given him six such gifts.

Ezra glanced at Nathan and smiled. Christmas Day. His mother was here. Christmas was about being together and Ezra was celebrating with the people he cared about. “Merry Christmas, my friend.”

Chime, Chime.

Josiah lifted his eyes to the heavens. Love and forgiveness. “Merry Christmas, father. Merry Christmas, mother. In his mind’s eye he could see his sister. “Merry Christmas, Hannah.”

Chris turned from the clock and allowed his eyes to fall on Vin. Christmas was a time for being with family and Chris was. He couldn’t change his past - Sarah and Adam were gone. With that in mind, Vin Tanner’s unique friendship truly was the greatest gift he could ever be given. Larabee had seven men who now constituted his world... and one scruffy tracker who was certainly his family. “Merry Christmas, Vin.”

Vin turned to Chris and a grin touched his eyes. His and Larabee’s arms came together - a symbol of the brotherhood they shared. Chris lifted his other hand to Vin’s shoulder. The pair exchanged a look that sent a thousands words of thanks, happiness and friendship.

Vin hadn’t thought about Christmas for many years. He had spent it watching others celebrate. ‘The best part about Christmas is spending time with those you care about’. That is what his mother had told him. She had been right.

Vin smiled at the man standing across from him. Before he could express himself, the bell above the church clanged.

“They‘re about three minutes away!” Josiah yelled. “Looks like about eighteen of them.”

The members of the Seven separated and rushed to their designated positions without discussion. Each knew what he had to do. Rifles were checked and loaded. Nods of reassurance were exchanged. Time to fulfil the pledge they had made. The bandits were about to meet their match.

Shouting filled the air as the mob of rifle wielding thugs started hooting and shooting mindlessly in the air trying to evoke terror in the hearts of the defenceless residents. The thundering of their horses filled the town as they entered.

“Here they come!”

“Let’s give them a Christmas they ain’t gonna forget!”

“I’m with you, Buck!”

The night exploded with the barking of rifles. The bandits were completely taken by surprise. They had not heard of Four Corners’ peacekeepers and had selected the town because they knew it was largely unprotected. How wrong they had been.

The battle was over in only minutes. The wounded and dead lay in the middle of the street. Doors opened and the citizens of the small town emerged wide-eyed. Once again, they owed Larabee and his men their lives.

“Round them up and get them into the jailhouse, “ Chris ordered. “Nathan, help who you can.”

Slowly the street was cleared and the jail filled.

“Ya picked the wrong town this time,” J.D. announced with pride as he shoved the last of the group into one of the two crowded cells.

“That all of them?” Josiah asked.

Nathan nodded. “Vin’s just gone up to check and make sure they didn’t leave anyone behind for a second wave attack.”

“Ha! They’ll be long gone by now.”

“Probably.”

**********

Chris exited the sheriff’s office and stretched his back. Two days in the saddle and then a battle. His life certainly wasn’t dull these days. The gunfighter stepped off the porch and headed across the street.

“Chris.” Larabee turned. Vin jogged to catch up with his friend. “Horizon’s clear.”

“Thought it would be.”

“They all locked away?”

“Yeah. Buck and J.D. are taking first watch.” Tanner and Larabee looked over at the small building. A loud rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” met their ears.

Chris and Vin exchanged a grin. For several seconds the pair stared at each other.

“Let me buy you a drink,” Vin offered. The pair turned and headed toward the saloon. Chris placed his hand on Vin‘s shoulder as they passed the Christmas tree. A simple gesture that spoke volumes of what he was feeling.

Vin glanced at his best friend. A wave of emotion swept over him. It was Christmas day and this year he had a reason to celebrate - someone to share it with. “Merry Christmas, Cowboy.”

Christmas: A time for love, forgiveness, being together, family and appreciating the most significant gifts you have - each other.