“Where’smyrifle!” The words were weak and slurred, but held blind determination.

Alex stumbled backwards, propelled by a shove from a man who simply shouldn’t have the strength. “Getoutofmyway! Where’smyrifle!”

Nathan rushed to his side, stunned to find Vin struggling to sit. “Drink some water, Vin. Come on.”

Buck filled the doorway. “He’s conscious?” Chris turned and nodded. “Whoohoo!” Wilmington spun toward the street. “HE’S AWAKE!”

Vin blinked up at Nathan, confused by his weakness and what was going on around him.

“Ezra, I need some broth,” Alex ordered. “We have to get food into him.”

Standish left the room swiftly.

Chris stood frozen a few feet back from the bed watching as the doctors lifted Vin’s head and coaxed him to swallow some water.

“Good, Vin. Good. I’m going to get some more.” Nathan rushed back to the basin.

The thunder of revolvers and rifles filled the street. Chris strode out to investigate. A large crowd had collected below, shooting in the air to celebrate the wonderful news.

Buck beamed at Chris. Behind them, they heard a clatter and then a thud.

Alex’s head was just poking above the mattress. He was on his backside on the other side of the bed. Collapsed on the wooden floorboards on this side, and trying to rise, was Vin Tanner.

“Vin!” Chris dashed inside. He and Nathan lifted Tanner and lowered him back to the bed.

“Easy, easy.” Chris soothed. Vin collapsed against the mattress, the adrenalin spent, but still he struggled weakly.

“Buck, stop them shooting,” Chris barked.

Silence descended outside almost instantly.

Vin continued blinking, fighting against the fog that refused to lift. Alex reappeared with some water. Carefully, Nathan raised Tanner’s head. “Drink Vin.”

“Drink,” Chris encouraged.

Vin took a few halting swallows.

“Now close your eyes and rest for a few minutes,” Alex ordered. “We’ll get him to drink more in a moment.”

Chris checked with Nathan who nodded. “Vin, rest. It’s okay.”

The injured man flicked his hooded gaze to Chris and his eyes closed.

Larabee squeezed his friend’s hand and Vin’s fingers flexed a little in response.

Alex looked from Vin to Chris and back again. “I have seen some amazing things in my life, but that was incredible.”

“I told you he was a fighter,” Nathan stated proudly.

“Nathan?” Chris demanded.

Jackson and Brooks exchanged a glance. “I need to check for any damage to his brain. I’ll let him rest for a few minutes and then I’ll…we’ll,” Brooks corrected, “run some tests.”

“And?” Chris pressed, impatiently.

“With a lot of rest, some water and wholesome food, and a good deal of care, there is a every chance that he will recover without any ill-effects, but it won’t happen overnight.”

At that moment, the whirlwind that was Nettie Wells rushed into the room. “He’s awake!”

Nathan smiled and guided her to the side of the bed. “He was pretty groggy and weak but was conscious. Sleeping now.”

Nettie placed her hand on the side of Vin’s face. Her tears fell in a cascade. Leaning forward, she kissed Vin on the cheek. “Love you, boy.”

With that, she nodded to Nathan, gripped Chris’ arm briefly and then turned and started for the door.

“Did you want to stay for a while, Miss Nettie?”

“I’ll only be in the way and you have got enough trouble gettin’ around Chris, ‘cause I’m guessing you won’t get him out of here in a hurry.”

Chris watched the woman go and then looked down at Vin. She was right. He had no intention of going anywhere.

**********

Ten minutes later, Alex patted Vin’s arm. “Mr Tanner... Mr Tanner?”

Vin didn’t respond.

“Vin,” Nathan urged.

Nothing.

Ezra reappeared at that moment, carrying a steaming jug of broth.

“Vin,” Chris whispered.

“You don’t need it,” Chris assured softly.

“What about thosedamnminers?”

“Now, now, Mr Tanner. I will not have a bad word said against those two dozen delightful individuals.”

Chris glanced at Ezra and smiled, a smile from his soul. “You’re worth your weight in gold.”

Ezra’s heart soared and he gave his friend a two-finger salute.

“What’s goingon?

“Just settle down and I’ll explain.”

“The miners?”

“The boys have dealt with it.”

Deep lines etched themselves around Vin’s mouth and eyes.

“You in pain?”

“You were hit with a bottle.”

Vin blinked, puzzled.

“It’s okay. Your memory will come back when it’s ready,” Nathan assured.

“You were in the saloon,” Ezra explained. “A brawl erupted. A mongrel I regret not shooting, hit you with a bottle.”

“Relax,” Nathan instructed. “Tell me what you do remember.”

Nathan looked at Chris in wonderment. How the hell had Chris known that?

“You were unconscious for two days,” Alex stated.

“A doctor.”

Nathan Jackson’s soul blushed.

“Nathan just wanted a second opinion. He was doing all the right things.”

“Always does,” Chris stated quietly.

Alex picked up Vin’s free hand and reached for the one Chris held. “It’s alright. I just need to check his reflexes,” the doctor explained.

Chris passed Vin’s hand over.

“I want you to squeeze my hands.”

Vin, still groggy and a little confused, continued to look at Nathan.

“It’s okay, Vin. Follow his instructions.”

“Squeeze my hands,” Alex repeated. “Is that as hard as you can squeeze?”

Vin frowned. His Adam’s apple bobbed. His brow furrowed with deep concern.

Chris gripped his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” Alex assured. “You are very weak. That is normal after such a traumatic head wound. Your strength will return with time.” The doctor lowered Vin’s left hand to the bed and passed the right one back to Chris. “Now, I want you to look at my finger and see if you can follow it.”

Alex started moving his finger but slowed it down to match the speed Vin was able to cope with. “His brain function is slow, but that is to be expected. He is processing what he’s being told. I want you to raise your knees by sliding your feet toward you.”

“As Dr Brooks said, you’re injured.”

“You were hit hard, Vin. Rattled your brain,” Chris explained.

“I know you’re tired. I need you to drink some water and some broth and then you can rest again,” Brooks stated.

Chris Larabee burst out laughing. It exploded out of him, filled the room and floated down to the street. Those passing below stopped and lifted their eyes skyward.

Nathan and Ezra beamed at each other. Never had there been a more beautiful sound.

*********

Vin slept on and off until lunchtime, the doctors forcing water and broth into him.

Placing the half empty mug of broth on the side table, Chris checked the blanket and then joined Alex and Nathan on the landing as Vin drifted off to sleep again.

“Nathan?”

“He’s going to be okay,” Jackson declared. “His kidneys are working fine and that was one thing we were worried about.”

“Not something he was happy about, though” Alex chuckled, recalling Vin’s feeble but relentless protests about relieving himself in a pan.

“He’s so weak and finding it difficult to move,” Chris pointed out. “Still seems easily confused.”

“I assure you, that is normal,” Alex stated. “The fact that he is showing signs of humour is positive. He is an incredibly determined young man.”

“Yep,” Nathan agreed. “Keeping him in that bed is not going to be easy as he regains his strength.”

“How long before he will?”

“A week or two,” Alex predicted.

“That long?” Chris murmured.

“Less,” Nathan chuckled. “If I know Vin, it will be less.”

The three men stood together, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the knowledge that Vin looked like he would make a full recovery.

“I am told there is a stage leaving tomorrow morning. I think it is time I resumed my journey. I am certainly not needed here. Vin already has a doctor… a doctor he has complete faith in.”

“You don’t have to go, yet.”

“Yes, I believe I do. The people of Bottlewood are expecting me. It is time for me to be the doctor my patients deserve.

“I really appreciate all of your help,” Nathan stated sincerely.

“And I appreciate the clarity you have given me. Every patient has family, and every family deserves the best effort of their doctor. I will not forget those words, Nathan. Thank you.” The pair shook hands. “North and South. Change is possible if you want it badly enough. I am quoting directly from a colleague I know and respect.”

Jackson smiled.

Alex turned to go into the clinic but paused to look at Chris. “You and Vin share something remarkable.”

“Josiah describes it as a spiritual bond,” Nathan murmured.

“I do not know what it is, but I would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself.”

Chris offered his hand. “Thank you.”

“I did very little. The people of this town are very fortunate to have Nathan.”

“We know.”

********

Vin’s chest rose and fell rhythmically. Chris glanced at him and noted that despite the purple and blue bruising, his underlying colour had improved significantly in the few short hours since he’d regained consciousness.

A lot had changed in those few hours. As a matter of fact, in the past three days, Chris’ entire perspective on life had altered. The only thing he’d thought about in the month before was setting up his ranch. Every spare moment, and there had been a lot of them recently, had been spent out there. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the ranch, his plans - all of it - had meant nothing. When he’d lost Sarah and Adam, he’d had a purpose; to find those responsible and it had kept him going. It had been different this time. This time, there had been no driving anger. Only soul-destroying despair.

The knife in Chris’ hand, which, with each slice had mutilated his being, now slid through the wood with a different purpose. Scenes were playing in his mind, but not the ones that had consumed him earlier.

Chris sat memorized by the shot of whiskey. He heard the approach of another. “Hey, Cowboy. Join ya?” Vin smirked and Chris smiled as Tanner sat down at the table.

Sitting on the hill discussing Purgatory. “A real hellhole.” - “Sounds like fun.” Vin had turned and smirked. “Well, we’re going to hell any way you look at it.” Chris smiled.

Standing in the middle of the street in Eagle Bend. “Oh, I think we can manage a fair fight. What do you say boys?” Vin smirked and Chris smiled.

Lowering the coffin into the open grave as they staged the Judge’s death. “It’s a coffin full of rocks, J.D.”

The look on Vin’s face had left Chris smiling that day. The memory of it caused him to smile now. Good memories. Memories that sat next to his failures. Memories that made his failures bearable. Memories that all included Vin Tanner.

Why?

There were things he wanted to say to Vin, but he had no idea how?

“Chris, we’re going to head out for an hour. You happy to stay?” Nathan asked as he and Alex strode toward the door.

“Yeah.”

“In about thirty minutes, wake him and get him to drink some water. If you need me, just shout.”

“Will do.”

Twenty minutes later, Chris was no closer to sorting out what he wished to voice.

Vin stirred. A low guttural moan was released as he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling above, his brow furrowed. Instantly, his hand came out from under the covers and in slow motion, clawed up under his pillow, searching for his revolver.

Chris placed his hand on the groggy man’s arm. “Easy. You’re in the clinic. I’ve got your back.”

“You’re head hurting?”

“He and Dr Brooks left a little while ago. How bad’s the head?”

Chris smiled. Not at the question, but at the fact the Vin’s speech was no longer slurred. “Long story. I’m supposed to get you to drink some water.”

He walked across the room and picked up the jug. For the first time since Vin had returned to the world of the living, they were alone. He could do it now. Buck was right. He’d prayed for a moment to tell Sarah and Adam messages from his heart and while he was certain they knew; he’d still wished he’d actually said the words to them. He’d give anything to have told Sarah how much he’d loved her.

Glancing over at the man in the bed, Chris frowned. Shaking himself of the thoughts, he poured water into a tin mug. As he started back towards the bed, he noted that Vin appeared to be trying to sit. “Hang on, I’ll help you.”

Chris placed the mug on the floor, leaned over Vin and sliding one arm under him and gripping his arm firmly, lifted. Vin shuffled a little but wasn’t much help. Chris then threaded his second arm around Vin to settle him against the headboard and… drew him in.

Vin stiffened, obviously confused. Then, recognising what was happening, lifted his lethargic arms to return the hug. Chris willed the words he wanted to say to form, but the very emotion he wanted to express caused a lump to swell in his throat making speech impossible.

The seconds ticked by.

Chris held Vin for a few more moments and then they released each other. Larabee’s face flushed with emotion as he crouched at eye level with Tanner. “Vin…”

Chris exhaled slowly. Determined to grasp the second chance he had been given, he opened his mouth, but still he was at a loss. Instead, he offered his hand.

Vin took it, his arm, that usually snapped along Chris’, took a little longer today, but eventually it locked in place.

Chris eyed him carefully. “What?”

Chris tightened the grip. He didn’t want an out, for that was Vin was trying to give him. In that moment, blue met green. Two haunted souls touched; just as they had the first time they had laid eyes on each other across the street of Four Corners. A nebulous connection, conveying loyalty, trust, respect and now, love.

Finally, they dropped the grasp of brotherhood, but the sense of warmth remained.

“You need to drink some water.” Chris handed Vin the mug of liquid, which Tanner sipped.

“You heard me.”

“Not sure how long before I would have...” He looked away and felt Vin’s hand on his arm.

A comfortable silence blanketed the pair for some time.

“Yeah, you are.”

Vin cursed with passion as Chris collected it.