Back in Four Corners, Chris, Vin and Josiah were sitting at their usual table in the saloon."Well it looks like Ezra and JD should be back soon," announced Josiah.
"Why's that?" frowned Vin.
"A wire just came in saying that two of the cutthroat gang had been captured up in Fort Campbell. Now that they have the evidence they should be back soon."
"Afternoon," said Judge Travis as he came in and sat down at the table.
"We just heard the good news," greeted Vin.
"Good news? About what?"
"Ezra and JD getting the goods on the cutthroat gang," frowned Chris.
"You must be mistaken. I haven't heard anything from them and I gave them strict instructs to notify me when there had been an arrest."
"Well Ezra don't listen too good sometimes," smiled Vin.
"No, but JD does," said Chris.
"Do you think they could be in trouble?"
"With those two, I can pretty much guarantee it."
"Now this might be nothing," warned Josiah.
"But it won't hurt to check," added the Judge. "It's very important that I get these men behind bars and this may be my last chance."
"We'll ride up and look around," decided Chris, getting up.
"Try to be discreet."
"Don't worry we know how to handle this," nodded Vin as he finished his shot of whiskey. The judge remained at the table watching as they headed out.
+ + + + + + +
Back at the Fort Campbell jailhouse it was past noontime. Ezra was still stretched out on the bunk as JD paced nervously back and forth across the cell.
"JD, will you stop that infuriating movement."
"Sorry," mumbled JD as he came to a stop. "Well on an upside at least the cell is bigger then the safe."
"We are truly moving up in the world," replied Ezra sarcastically.
"Well somebody's grouchy," JD commented as he climbed up on the other bench to look out the small barred window.
"Has it occurred to you that the sheriff should have returned by now?"
"I'm sure he'll be back any second now," assured JD as he watched the movement outside. "Wow it sure is busy for such a small town."
"What could there possibly be to do in this insignificant spot on the map?" Ezra sighed, only half listening to JD.
"I don't know but they seem real excited about what ever it is. Maybe they're going to have a dance. There are families with picnic baskets and everybody's going to the center of town. I don't remember anything being there do you?"
"No, nothing. Well except the..." Ezra trailed off as realization hit him. Getting off the bunk he crossed the room and joined JD on the bench. Looking out the window, the movements only confirmed his suspicions.
"Except the what?"
"The quaint gallows they had set up."
"Gallows as in..."
"I do believe we are about to be hung."
"But they can't hang us," protested JD as Ezra got down off the bench. "We're innocent. Judge Travis will tell them...."
"You're assuming that the good sheriff even bothered to contact the judge."
"Well why wouldn't he?"
"People are motivated by many forces, not all of them honorable."
"We have to do something."
"I didn't intend to be passively led to my death. Be assured that I am currently trying to concoct a means of escape even as we speak."
"Afternoon boys," the sheriff called out cheerfully as he came in followed by two well-armed guards. Taking the keys off the ring on the wall, the sheriff started to unlock the cell door.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" demanded JD as he rushed towards the door. The guards quickly responded by cocking their weapons and taking aim.
"The guards are instructed to use deadly force if they think it's necessary. Don't try anything stupid," warned the sheriff as he opened the door. Tossing the keys to one side he grabbed some pieces of rope and tied JD's hands together.
"Thanks for the warning, I would hate to miss out on the experience of being hung," Ezra replied dryly as his hands were bound.
"Well then you won't be disappointed." The sheriff smiled as the guards led them out.
"How can you do this?" demanded JD. "You're the sheriff. You're supposed to uphold the law. You know we're telling the truth."
"JD, I suggest you save you're breath. You're simply wasting it on him and you're going to need it shortly, advised Ezra as they made their way down the street to the center of town. Turning the corner they saw that the entire town had turned out to watch the event. Picnics were spread out on the ground, people were talking and laughing and merchants were selling their goods. At the front of the commotion was the gallows. It was nothing fancy. It could only handle one hanging at a time and was probably constructed by one the town's people. As they were led up to the front people become quiet as their attention was turned to them.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," announced the sheriff as he stood on the small platform. "You have all come here today for a common purpose. To see ruthless criminals get what they deserve. These two men are members of the Clear Water Cutthroat gang that has caused so much death and destruction. May they burn in hell for what they've done." As he finished the crowd went wild clapping and cheering. A few people booed and threw fruit from their picnics at Ezra and JD.
"Charming people," muttered Ezra as he dodged a rotten apple.
"I don't mean to rush you Ezra but do you have that plan yet?"
"So which one of you want to meet you maker first?" asked the sheriff as he stepped down.
"I will," Ezra said suddenly stepping forward.
"Ezra!" gasped JD. "Not a good plan."
"Very well," nodded the sheriff as one of the guards grabbed Ezra's arm and led him up on the platform.
"No, don't!" JD yelled as he tried to intervene. But the second guard merely blocked him and knocked him to the ground. As Ezra got into position the crowd went silent with anticipation. Grabbing the noose, the guard slipped it over Ezra's head and made sure it was secure.
"Don't let them do this. It's a mistake. They're hanging an innocent man!" JD cried out into the crowd, hoping someone would help, but he was ignored. Up on the platform, Ezra couldn't help but let a small smile cross his face when he heard JD calling him innocent. Realizing that there was nothing that he could do to change the situation, Ezra closed his eyes and waited for the ground to disappear from under him. Hopefully, it would be quick and painless.
Watching from below JD felt tears fill his eyes as he realized there was nothing he could do to save Ezra. It wasn't fair. He couldn't lose Ezra now not after what they had just discovered between them. He let out a low anguished moan and dropped to his knees as the platform was moved and Ezra dropped down.
+ + + + + + +
It had only taken a couple minutes for Chris, Vin and Josiah to find Nathan and Buck and fill them in on the situation. After quickly preparing the horses they rode out to Fort Campbell. It would take them a few hours to reach the town and they rode in quiet determination. When they finally reached their destination, they were surprised to see the streets were empty.
"Are you sure this is Fort Campbell?" frowned Nathan. "It looks almost deserted."
"I'm sure," Chris nodded.
"I know it's a small town, but hell, there should be some people around here somewhere," added Buck. They were making their way up the street when one of the doors opened and a woman rushed out carrying a basket. She took a step back, surprised when she saw the five strangers.
"Ma'am," smiled Josiah with a tip of his hat. "Don't suppose you would know where everybody is?"
"They're at the show. That's where I'm heading now. I hope I'm not too late. It's not everyday that our small town gets such excitement."
"The show?" frowned Vin.
"Did you gentlemen come to see it as well?" smiled the woman becoming more at ease. "Those Clear Water Cutthroats must be more famous then I thought if outsiders are coming all the way in."
"Ma'am what exactly is this show?" asked Josiah tensely.
"Two of those outlaws got caught and are going to be hung in the main square," she started to explain but was cut off as the riders spurred their horses and set off for the main square. They knew they had reached it when they saw the excited crowd up ahead. They were cheering and their attention seemed to fixed on one thing.
"Shit!" Chris swore when he took in the scene. "Vin do you think you can make another one of those impossible shots?"
"Christ," muttered Buck as the other regulators turned their attention to where Chris was looking. Ezra was hanging at the end of a hangman's rope. Fortunately it didn't appear that his neck had broken since he was still weakly struggling for breath.
"I'll try," Vin said calmly as he grabbed his Winchester and took aim. The first shot grazed the side of the rope. At the sound of the gun shot the people gathered in the square started to panic. Most of them unarmed, they ran inside to seek shelter. Only a few stayed to figure out where the shot had come from. The guards immediately drew their guns. As they rode closer Buck was able to shoot the gun out of the hand of the first one and the second one quickly gave up. Vin took aim for his second shot. This one was on target and the rope split in two. Nathan immediately ran over to where Ezra had fallen. He quickly took the noose off and unbound his hands. Seeing that he wasn't moving Nathan tried to find a pulse.
"Is he ok?" yelled JD as he ran over.
"He's unconscious but he's still breathing. Another thirty seconds and we would have lost him," reported Nathan.
"But he'll be ok right?" JD asked anxiously.
"He'll be fine," nodded Nathan, slightly taken aback by how worried JD was.
"What about you kid? You all right?" asked Buck as he looked JD over for injuries.
"Huh? Yeah I'm fine," JD replied as Buck undid the ropes around his wrists.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" demanded the sheriff, annoyed that these gunslingers had messed up his plan. "These are criminals and they are being lawfully executed."
"Lawfully executed?" repeated Chris doubtfully turning his attention to the sheriff. "And you would be the law?"
"That's right. These men are working for the Clear Water Cutthroat gang."
"We told him all about Judge Travis and the plan," interrupted JD. "He knew we were telling the truth but he was going to hang us anyway."
"They're lying," protested the sheriff. "They never told me about anybody named Travis. In fact they confessed to their crimes. Who are you anyway?"
"Regulators from Four Corners. We work for Judge Travis," replied Chris coldly. Under Chris' hard stare the sheriff started to pale and shift uneasily.
"I... um... that is..."
"Shut up," said Chris in disgust.
"We're going to have to get him into a bed," Nathan spoke up. "At least until he wakes up."
"Where's you're hotel?"
"Over there." The sheriff pointed weakly.
"We're going to be taking a couple rooms and you're going to pay for it."
"Ok."
"Buck, help me with Ezra," Nathan requested. Between the two of them they managed to lift Ezra off the ground and they headed towards the hotel with JD following closely behind.
"If you'll excuse us, I'm going to have a little talk with the sheriff," smiled Chris as he dragged the terrified man towards the jailhouse.
"Well there doesn't seem that there's anything left for us to do," frowned Josiah.
"Doesn't look like it," Vin agreed.
"Saloon?"
"Good idea."
+ + + + + + +
After they had found a free room in the hotel, Nathan made sure Ezra was put carefully in the bed. Buck, seeing that the excitement was over, quickly lost interest and in a couple minutes left.
"How long till he wakes up?" frowned JD.
"Not long," replied Nathan. "He's going to have a sore neck and probably won't be in the best of moods when he does though. I think I'll stay till he wakes up just to make sure there isn't anything I missed."
"I'll stay with him. Why don't you go to the saloon? That's probably where the others went."
"No that's..."
"You could use a rest after the long ride you just had, and besides I can come and get you if something happens."
"Alright," nodded Nathan, realizing that for some reason JD didn't want to leave Ezra's side. "I'll be in the saloon if you need me."
"Okay," smiled JD as Nathan turned and left. He waited a couple of minutes to make sure Nathan wasn't going to change his mind before he got out of his chair and went over to the bed.
"Ezra," whispered JD as he got onto the bed. He trusted Nathan when he said that Ezra would be all right but JD wanted him to wake up and tell him that himself. Not liking the silence, JD curled up next to Ezra. He lay like that a couple minutes before he felt Ezra move beside him.
"Ezra," gasped JD as he sat up. Ezra's eyelids flickered showing that he was coming around. Not being able to contain his excitement JD let out a whoop before he leaned over and started kissing Ezra with all his energy. A couple of seconds later, Ezra had wrapped his arms around JD's waist and was kissing him back with equal force.
"Are we dead? Is this heaven?" frowned Ezra after the kiss ended. "I had the impression that it would be fancier then this," he added as he looked around the room.
"Ezra you ain't dead," laughed JD. "Neither of us is. The others showed up just in time. Vin shot the rope. You should have seen it, it was amazing."
"I was a little preoccupied at the time," replied Ezra as he rubbed the rope burn around his neck. "Where are we?"
"In one of the hotel rooms. Everybody else is down in the saloon."
"A strong drink would be perfect right now."
"Yeah."
"Is something troubling your mind?" frowned Ezra as he saw the downcast look on JD's face.
"It's just... before the guys got here... I though you were going to die and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I couldn't stand the thought of you dying before I could tell you how I feel... especially after the last couple days."
"And how do you feel?"
"I... I love you," whispered JD. "I'm sorry shouldn't I have said that?" JD asked alarmed when Ezra didn't say anything.
"No... no, it's just that nobody's ever said that to me before and actually meant it. I've been on my own for so long that... I love you too." Ezra finished as a flood of emotions crossed his face. Seeing the pain and hurt in Ezra's eyes all JD wanted was to make him feel better. As Ezra moved into a sitting position JD straddled his lap. Leaning forward they started kissing.
"I want to make you feel as great as you made me feel before," gasped JD. Smiling Ezra flipped JD over so that he was now on top, their legs tangled together.
"And how would you purpose to do that?" teased Ezra as he kissed up JD's neck and started to suck on one of his earlobes.
"I'm kind of new at this," admitted JD, too happy to be embarrassed. "You have any ideas?"
"Make love to me," Ezra whispered into his ear.
"How?"
Slipping off JD, Ezra got off the bed. After making sure the door was securely locked he grabbed Nathan's medical bag that had been left in the room. Finally finding something that satisfied him Ezra came back to the bed.
"I think we are both entirely too overdressed," Ezra smiled as he slipped off JD's jacket.
"We can fix that," JD smiled back as he started to undress Ezra. "Lord how many layers are you wearing?" frowned JD after a couple minutes.
"Too damn many," replied Ezra as he helped speed up the process. As JD finally pulled off Ezra's last sock and threw it across the room they collapsed onto the bed. JD gasped as he felt Ezra's naked body pressing up against his own.
"I was wrong this is heaven," JD groaned as they explored each other's bodies.
"What is that?" JD asked as Ezra flipped open the bottle he had gotten from Nathan's bag.
"A cream for healing cuts I believe. It should serve the purpose.
"Purpose?" repeated JD confused. His eyes widened when he caught on.
"We don't have to do this if you don't feel comfortable..."
"No... I want to, I really do," assured JD as he pressed against Ezra to give him another long kiss.
"That's what I thought," Ezra smiled as he felt JD's erection pressing against his own. Dipping his fingers into the cream Ezra brought out a generous amount. Breaking the kiss he made enough room between them that he could start spreading cream over JD's penis.
"It's cold," JD giggled as he squirmed under Ezra's touch.
"My apologies, it couldn't be helped," replied Ezra as he handed JD the jar of cream. "Do you know what to do?"
"Yeah," nodded JD breathlessly as Ezra turned over to lie on his stomach. JD paused for a second to admire the view of Ezra's perfect ass. After running his finger through the cream JD leaned forward at started to slide his finger into Ezra.
"Are you alright?" JD asked alarmed as Ezra moaned into the pillow.
"Don't stop," Ezra managed to gasp back. JD moved his finger around inside Ezra until he was loose enough to take two fingers. When JD thought Ezra was ready he pulled his fingers out. Trying to control his ragged breathing JD got into position. Placing the head of his penis against Ezra's opening JD started to push forward slowly. He stopped when his entire member was inside Ezra.
"Oh God," groaned JD as he let the feeling of being inside Ezra wash over him.
"Now JD, now," gasped Ezra in response. Seeing that Ezra was ready to continue JD braced himself and started to slowly rock back and forth. After a few minutes that was no longer enough and JD started to thrust deeper and harder. Digging his fingers into Ezra's side JD tried to take as much of his lover as he could. Soon JD realized he couldn't tell where he ended and Ezra began. JD knew it wouldn't be long before he burst. Suddenly hearing the moans below him JD realized that Ezra had gone over the edge. Knowing that he had caused Ezra to react that way was enough to send JD over his breaking point. As he felt himself empty his juices deep inside Ezra JD collapsed forward onto his back. They stayed that way for a couple minutes before JD crawled off and snuggled against Ezra's chest.
"My God you have an enormous amount of energy," laughed Ezra as JD started to kiss his chest and neck. "Unfortunately we don't have time for anymore fun at the moment."
"Why not?" pouted JD.
"The others are no doubt not going to leave us here alone all day."
"I forgot about them," groaned JD in annoyance. "Maybe they'll just go away."
"A wonderful wish but it's unlikely to happen. We have some things to do before they return."
"Like what?"
"Well for starters we should probably redress and then we should do something about the bed sheets."
"They are a mess aren't they?" laughed JD as he looked down.
"We can strip them off the bed and throw them out. If anyone asks I was nauseous when I first woke up."
"Do we really have to get up?"
"Yes we do," replied Ezra, too happy to be stern. Running his fingers up and down JD's sides Ezra started to tickle him. Eventually JD was laughing so hard he fell off the side of the bed.
"That wasn't fair," JD protested between laughs.
"You may seek revenge upon me later. Now hasten and get dressed," smiled Ezra as he started to pick his various articles of clothes off the floor. JD remained on the floor for a couple seconds simply watching Ezra before he gave in and started to get dressed.
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