**********

Chris shifted uncomfortably. Larabee was not inherently a sentimental man. He had not allowed himself to be since the death of his wife and child, but he and his six companions had established something of worth. They had become so much more than just seven men hired to protect the town. As a result, Josiah’s crows had flown away. Nathan had found acceptance. J.D. had found family. Buck had found someone who needed him. Ezra had found the joy of dependability. Vin had found an element of security and Chris... Chris had discovered that his life still had value. They were seven strangers who had discovered in one another, friendship, hope, purpose, and Chris had to admit, a form of security.

The gunfighter glanced across the open livery. Peso was still in his stall, so Vin hadn’t left town. No doubt he intended to. If Chris knew anything about his friend, it was the fact that Vin would need to come to terms with what had happened earlier and that inevitably meant he would disappear out into the wilderness for a short period of time.

It was not long before Larabee’s patience was rewarded. Vin strode into the stable, his face set in a frown. The moment he entered, his head snapped to the right, his eyes searching the shadows for what he had sensed. Chris stepped forward. Vin’s head bobbed once and then he continued on toward his saddle hanging on a rail.

“So you riding out?”

“Yep.”

“Ezra still wants the photograph of us.” To this, there was no reply. “It’s important to him.”

“Reckon so. Five dollars worth of importance or is it as high as ten?” Vin didn’t turn. He collected his saddle and moved toward his horse’s stall.

“It started as a bet, but... it’s important to him.”

Vin grunted.

“I’m not having my picture taken with any of ya, Larabee. Not for Ezra, not for you, not for no one.” Vin flung his saddle on Peso’s back.

“It’s just a photograph.”

“Yep.”

Chris shook his head and grunted. “So that‘s it?”

Vin stopped. He took a long deep breath and then turned to face his friend. “Chris, if it was really, really important to Ezra that I ran down the street butt naked, you know I’d do it, but... I can’t have my picture taken with the boys.” Tanner’s voice was soft, sincere and pained.

“It’s just a photograph, Vin.”

“No it ain’t!” the tracker exploded. He was frustrated that Chris didn’t understand. “I got a bounty on my head, Larabee!”

“That‘s not something I‘m likely to forget!” It was one of two things that haunted the gunfighter. He had let his wife and child down when they had needed him the most... and he had destroyed Vin’s hope of ever being free of the hangman’s noose when he had shot and killed Eli Joe. Chris would always carry the guilt with him. In a lot of ways, he was responsible for Vin’s predicament. He knew Vin didn’t see it that way, but Chris felt he was to blame.

Sorry. It was a silent apology on Vin’s part. He hadn’t meant to make Chris feel guilty. The bounty was a fact of life and so was the reality that Chris had shot Eli Joe to save him and in doing so had destroyed any hope of clearing his name. However, Vin knew there was little sense clearing his name if he was dead. Chris had done what he had had too and Vin was grateful.

Chris acknowledged the apology with a nod. Their friendship was so easy on both of them. Few words were ever needed to communicate their feelings.

Vin sighed and shook his head in frustration.

The older man could feel his best friend’s distress as if it were his own.

“The others will understand. It’s just a damn photograph. It isn’t that important.”

“It is to Ezra,” Vin muttered.

“He’ll understand,” Chris repeated.

Vin cursed softly.

The gunfighter knew there was more behind all of this than his companion was able to express. More than just the bounty. He and Vin could read each other with an accuracy that was uncanny. Neither knew why. Neither had ever found the unusual sensation of ‘knowing’ disconcerting. It was just something that they shared. Something both of them valued more than almost anything else.

“Chris, it ain’t the bounty itself. Couldn’t give a rat’s ass about that. But I’ve got bounty hunters looking for me. Some real sons of bitches. I know, I’ve met a lot of them. Do you have any idea what they’d do to the likes of J.D. if they found he had a photograph of him and me together? Do you know what they would do to him - just to get information about me so they could get their filthy hands on the five hundred dollars?!”

The pain, anger and concern on Vin’s face caused Chris to grimace. His hatred of Eli Joe continued to grow and fester. Hating a living person was easy for there was always the chance of revenge and justice, but Eli Joe was dead. There was nothing Chris could do to protect his young friend from the bastard.

“Tell the boys I’m sorry, but I ain’t gonna be responsible for one of them gettin’ hurt ‘cause some mongrel wants the bounty.” With that, Vin turned back to his horse, strapped the saddle in place and mounted.

“Be back tomorrow.” Vin tipped his hat.

Vin nodded and then spurred Peso out of the livery and toward the peace and nothingness he was longing for.

**********

Ezra paused as he was dealing. The other men turned to see what had captured his attention. Chris pushed through the batwing doors and made his way to his companion’s table.

“Mr. Larabee?” Ezra asked hopefully as Chris took a seat.

The gunfighter shook his head.

“Did he provide you with a reason?”

“The bounty.”

“I guess having your face on wanted posters all over the place would make you nervous about having your photograph taken,” J.D. agreed.

“It isn’t that.”

“Oh?”

“He’s worried about what would happen to one of us if a bounty hunter happened to see the picture,” the Seven’s leader explained.

The other men understood.

For some time, the group was plunged into silence as each man considered the burden that Vin carried around on his shoulders and the fact that each and every one of them had actually been looking forward to the photograph - though none of them would ever admit it.

“It was just a silly photograph anyway,” J.D. stated.

“Nothing lost,” Josiah agreed.

“Wouldn’t have known what to do with it anyway,” Nathan mused.

“The whole idea was stupid,” Buck claimed.

Chris listened to them and snorted. They were trying to convince themselves.

Abruptly, Ezra leapt to his feet.

“What?” Nathan asked.

Standish flashed his companions a smile of triumph. “It isn’t over until the fat lady sings... and she’s warming up. Meet me in front of the camera in five minutes.”

“We’ll be there!” Buck boomed with excitement.

**********

After checking on the prisoners in the jail, Chris strode across the street to the newspaper office where Jonathan Chester had set up his camera and other equipment. The gunfighter nodded a greeting to several locals before climbing the stairs and entering the room. His companions were already in place. Larabee’s eyes narrowed and then a smile filled his face.

“Standish, you’re amazing.”

“The fat lady is about to start her recital,” Ezra agreed.

**********

Buck‘s attention was drawn to the trail leading into Four Corners. The big man stood, stuck his head into the sheriff’s office and called to J.D. Together the pair stepped off the porch.

Vin Tanner brought Peso to a stop in front of his companions.

“Who are they?” Wilmington asked, referring to the three men Vin had tied to their saddles.

“The rustlers. Came across them this mornin’ tryin’ to steal some of Nettie’s herd. Better send for Nathan. I nicked one of them and he ain’t stopped whinin’ the whole trip home.”

“I’m bleeding!” the injured man whimpered.

“It’s little more than a scratch,” Tanner insisted dismounting.

“We’ll take care of them, Vin. You go on and wash up,” J.D. suggested.

Vin tipped his hat, took the reins of the four horses and led them toward the livery. Half an hour later, he had finished brushing the animals down and headed for his wagon for a towel and change of clothes. A bath didn’t sound like a bad idea. The thought of soaking in a tub sounded damn good, as a matter of fact.

Vin climbed up into his wagon and rummaged around for his towel. Something laying on his bedroll caught his eye. The young man turned and glanced down at the simple wooden frame. Vin picked up the photograph. He stared at it intently, his face colouring with emotion. Slowly the dusty tracker sank down onto his bedroll, his eyes fixed to the picture of the six men. Six men and one other thing. One thing that had always caused him to cringe in the past. The photograph he held was of his six friends - all looking serious. On the wall, as large as life, in the gap where Vin Tanner was supposed to stand, was a copy of the wanted poster that bore his image. Written below the photo, in Ezra’s sweeping handwriting, were three words that Vin was able to recognize thanks to Mary’s lessons. ‘All of Us.‘

Vin swallowed, his emotions consuming him. For many hours he sat there, staring at the captured image. An image Ezra and the rest of the boys had made sure he was a part of.

**********

Chris rounded the corner looking for his companion. Buck and J.D. had reported that Vin had ridden in almost five hours earlier, yet there had been no sign of the tracker. Chris was concerned. Vin was not the type of man who allowed his emotions to the surface. Experience was a harsh teacher and Tanner had learned that to protect himself he had to bury his feelings. However, Larabee had seen the raw emotion on his best friend’s face before he had ridden out. Vin had been hurting.

Larabee stopped several feet from Vin’s wagon. He could see his friend’s outline... sitting on his bedroll staring down at the photograph. Larabee backed away and left. From the look on his best friend’s face, Vin wanted to be alone.

**********

Mary cleared the table of the supper plates.

“Billy, it’s time you were off to bed.”

“Can’t I stay up a little longer?” Before his mother could reply, there was a soft knock on the front door. Mary looked up startled. Night had settled on Four Corners some hours earlier. Who would be calling this late?

“I’ll get it!” Billy cried.

“Billy wait!” Mary cried, following her son out through the newspaper office carrying a candle.

“Who is it?” Billy called, peering outside from behind the curtain. “It’s Vin, Mama.”

“Vin?!” Mary asked shocked, unlocking the door.

Vin Tanner was shifting from one foot to the other when Mary opened the door.

The young man was just starting to have second thoughts. What the hell was he doing here?! “Mary.”

“Vin, what’s wrong?”

“Nothin’. I was just wonderin’ if...” He paused and began kneading the hat he held.

“Come in.”

“Thanks, Ma’am.”

The local newspaper woman watched her visitor step into the room, the young man’s movements more than just nervous. There was apprehension there too. “Billy, off to bed. I’ll be in shortly to tuck you in.”

“But Mama?”

“Now, Billy.”

“Good night, Vin.” Tanner nodded to the child and watched him go. Vin swallowed.

“Vin, is there something I can help you with?” Mary asked carefully.

“Well, I... you...” Vin shook his head and put his hat back on. “I’m sorry for disturbin’ you Ma’am.“ He started for the door.

“Vin, you didn’t come all the way over here just to apologise and leave.”

The apprehensive man froze, his face reflecting his inner turmoil.

“Did you want me to write something for you?” Mary asked. She was an intuitive woman. She had been teaching Vin to read and write for almost three weeks. He was a quick learner but very self-conscious about his secret... a secret Mary wasn’t certain that anyone else was privy to.

“I... would you mind? Writin‘ something down for me?”

Mary smiled. “Of course not. Just let me grab a pencil and some paper.” She collected the articles and then nodded to signal she was ready.

Vin dropped his face as he thought about what he was doing. For several seconds Mary waited. “Vin?”

“It’s for Ezra.”

“Okay. A letter?”

“No, not exactly. Just somethin’ I...” Vin shook his head again. He was regretting coming. What the hell had he been thinking?

“What’s the title?” Mary asked gently, taking a chance.

Vin glanced up at her, his eyes filling with gratitude. “More than a Photograph.”

Again Mary smiled. Vin nodded his thanks and then began to recite the words that were his way of expressing how he felt. Mary Travis stopped writing half way through the narration. She stared at the dusty man in front of her. He had no formal education except for the few lessons she had given him and yet he had a way with words that other men could only envy.

“Is that okay?” Vin asked as he finished.

Mary nodded, unable to find her voice at first. “It is very okay, Vin. Very okay, indeed.”

**********

Ezra yawned and struggled into an upright position. It was just after dawn he noted, glancing toward the window. What the hell had disturbed his slumber at this ungodly hour?

There was a light tap on the door. Instinctively, Ezra reached for his revolver.

“Yes?”

“Ezra?”

Standish leapt from his bed and unbolted the door. He had recognized the tentative voice immediately.

“Mr. Tanner?” Vin and Ezra studied at each other for several seconds. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. I’m just leavin’ to do the early morning patrol and...” Vin grabbed Ezra’s hand and thrust a folded piece of paper into it. He tipped his hat, turned and strode away without further comment.

Ezra watched him go. He had been wondering how Vin would react to the photograph he had left in his wagon. Perhaps this would tell him.

The gambler closed the door and walked back toward the bed, unfolding the note. As Ezra read, he slowly descended to his bed overcome by the sincerity of words. The piece of paper contained a handwritten poem.

Some men are born to wander through life without ties

They have a freedom that those fenced by commitment can’t buy

I had that freedom and believed it to be a most sacred prize

But at some stage I lost it and I don’t know how or why

It slipped away from me silently, without noise or fuss

I don’t mourn its loss, I welcome it as a must

For the freedom I had was lonely, that was my penalty

A false sense of security that left me feeling empty

But now I do have something - something I don’t understand

Something that has stolen my freedom and pulled my head from the sand

This something I have now is warm, safe and right

Once it frightened me and I fought it, with all of my might

However, a man can’t fight what he can’t touch or see

I had no choice but to accept this gift you six gave me

You offered it without thought, so freely did you deliver

I felt it, but could not see it and I feared it may wither

But now I have a photograph, no not one of men

It’s of something I can’t say, not with words or a pen

To some my photograph is flat, plain - just an image on a page

But for me its a symbol that marks my release, from loneliness’ cage.

Ezra Standish could not believe what he was reading. Vin was talking about himself and yet, it described Ezra’s deepest secret. He too had found safety in having no ties. It was only now that he realized how much that safety had been false and how the cage of loneliness had kept him captive for so long.

Abruptly, the gambler grabbed for his clothes and pulled them on. Racing down the stairs, he shot out into the street and searched for his companion. Spotting Vin ambling toward the livery, Ezra raced after him.

“Vin!” The tracker turned. Ezra jogged up to him, slowing as the distance between them diminished. The two men stared at each other, neither sure what to say, both knowing what the other was feeling.

Ezra held out the poem and swallowed. “Me too,” he whispered, acknowledging Vin’s insight.

Tanner nodded. “I know.” Vin tipped his hat and turned to go.

“Your note?” Ezra asked.

“Keep it,” Vin breathed, before disappearing into the livery.

Ezra dropped his eyes to the insignificant looking piece of paper. He valued few things in his life. Until yesterday, he could count the list on one hand. His lucky red jacket. His lucky deck of cards. His horse. His derringer. His mother and his six friends. Now he could include a photograph and a plain piece of paper that contained the heart and soul of one of his friends - a piece of paper that contained his own heart and soul displayed in words.

“Morning, Ezra,” J.D. chirped.

The emotional man jumped. He had been so deep in thought that he had not heard the youth approach. “Mr. Dunne, you almost gave me a heart attack.”

“What have you got there?”

Ezra smiled and tucked the poem into his jacket. “Insight, my friend. Insight.”

**********

It was after lunch when Buck eased the carriage in beside the saloon. He leapt from it and dusted himself off. Chris, who was sitting on the veranda shook his head. He glanced at Vin beside him.

Tanner was grinning. “Attempt number two hundred and fifty-six,” the tracker drawled. Buck scowled.

Josiah stepped out of the church to watch, a beaming smile on his face. J.D. strode from the sheriff’s office not wanting to miss Buck bite the dust again. The youth whistled loudly.

Nathan appeared in the doorway of the clinic and nodded his thanks to the kid. “Here we go again. I‘ve got bandages ready,” the healer shouted.

Buck ignored the comment and swaggered into the saloon. His friends waited. Moments later, the big man backed out through the batwing doors.

“But Inez! I’ve got the carriage right here and...” Buck ducked as a full bottle of whisky was flung at him.

“Get it through your thick skull. No!” Inez shouted.

“I think she means it, Bucklin,” Vin chuckled. Not to be deterred, Buck re-entered the tavern determined to convince the lovely Mexican to accompany him on a carriage ride.

“Buck isn’t real good with ‘no’,” J.D. explained, stepping up onto the porch beside his two companions. The sound of smashing glass echoed from inside the building.

Buck flashed out into the street.

“So, how’s it going, Buck?” Chris asked.

Buck straightened his hat. “Her resolve is crumbling,” the big man claimed. His companions burst out laughing.

“Give it up, Buck. She ain’t gonna give in.”

“Buck Wilmington never says die!” Buck claimed with vigour.

Ezra shouldered his way out of the saloon, grinning broadly. He thrust his hand out and began clicking his fingers.

“What?” Buck demanded.

“The ten dollars you owe me.”

“I ain’t conceding yet,” Wilmington claimed.

“No, don’t you concede, brother,” Josiah stated, climbing the steps. “We would all miss the entertainment.”

Buck noted his friends smiling faces and finally he shrugged and grinned.

“Your animal magnetism don’t seem to be working, Buck.”

“Well, son. It seems to me that it doesn’t work on Mexican ladies and so, I guess it is time for me to forfeit.”

The other men nodded.

Vin rose to his feet. “I’m off, boys.” The young man smirked at Buck before heading off toward the livery. It was time for him to blow out a few cobwebs. He liked Four Corners, but he needed to leave the confines of the town in the afternoon. Chris had tried to convince him that it wasn’t wise for him to do the same thing daily. If a bounty hunter was watching him, they would have worked out that he left town alone about the same time every day. Tanner, however, was adamant that he could look after himself. Besides, he knew he’d go crazy if he didn’t get away every now and again.

“Suppose I better be heading off myself,” Buck muttered.

“Huh?” J.D. asked. “Where are you going?”

“I don’t have ten dollars, so I have to do Ezra’s patrol today.”

“No, that is okay, Mr. Wilmington,” Standish stated, stepping off the porch. “I think I will do my own patrol.” With that, Ezra set off for the livery.

“You reckon Ezra’s sick or something?” J.D. asked Chris grinning. They all knew how much Ezra hated doing any manual labour and that included patrols.

“No, brother,” Josiah stated, glancing at the two older men. “I dare say he is remarkably well.”

“Huh?”

Josiah slipped his arm across J.D.’s shoulders and inclined his head. The youth glanced up to the end of the street and watched as Vin and Ezra rode out side by side. Standish said something, to which Vin grinned and shook his head. Two unlikely friends. A well-educated card sharp and a tracker and ex-bounty hunter who had little if any schooling.

Buck glanced at Chris and then back at their two friends.

“It was a lot more than a photograph for both of them.”

Larabee watched the pair spur their horses into a canter. The hardened gunfighter nodded. “A lot more than a photograph for all of us, Buck,” he reflected.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”