This was my first attempt at fanfic and I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful betas Linda B and Lacy.

I also had a lot of help from Lisa Paris when it came to medical matters.

Rated PG13 for violence although this is towards the end of the story.

Feedback welcome to chzaks@yahoo.co.uk

 

KILLING TIME

 

Scott Lancer sighed and settled comfortably into the armchair with his book and a glass of Murdoch’s best whiskey.

He was alone at the hacienda for the night and was determined to make the most of the peace and quiet.  Although he enjoyed having his family around him he also treasured the rare opportunities for solitude.

Murdoch and Teresa were in Stockton and Johnny had left that morning to check some of the line shacks.  They had tossed for that job and Johnny had left still accusing Scott of cheating.

Scott had sent Maria home and had told her that he would fend for himself in the morning.

He smiled slightly as he thought about his dark-haired younger brother.  He would bet that Johnny would find some way to pay him back for having to spend the night in an uncomfortable line shack while Scott enjoyed all the comforts of home.

 

*****

 

Six riders pulled their mounts to a halt on a ridge overlooking the house.  Orders were given and the men moved out to their appointed places.

 

*****

Scott dozed and then startled awake as he heard horses approaching the house.  He stood up, stretched the kinks out of his back, laid his book on the table and walked to the main door.

Two men were dismounting outside the house.  Scott did not recognise either of them and, fleetingly, wished that he had put on his gun belt before opening the door.

“Can I help you?”  He asked.

The older of the men approached Scott.  He was well dressed although his clothes were dusty and he looked tired.  He looked Scott up and down in an appraising manner before speaking.

“My name is Mitchell.  I am looking for Johnny Madrid.”

Scott stiffened at the name Madrid but kept his voice pleasant.  “Then I am afraid, Mr Mitchell, that you have had a wasted trip.  My brother, Johnny Lancer” he emphasised the surname “ is not here.”

“We’ll see.”

“No, Mr Mitchell, you won’t see.  You are trespassing and I would like you to leave.”  Scott was becoming annoyed by the man’s attitude.

Hearing a sound behind him Scott started to turn only to feel a gun barrel pressing into the base of his spine.

“In the house.” Mitchell ordered.

Scott was spun around and marched back into the house.  He was shaken to discover half a dozen men had invaded his home.

He was pushed onto a chair where he sat under the watchful glares of two of the armed men.

“There is no-one else here Boss.” One of the men reported.

Mitchell walked over and sat down opposite Scott.  “Well, Mr Lancer, it appears you were telling the truth.  Where is Madrid?”

Scott looked the man in the eye but said nothing.  He knew he was playing a dangerous game but had no intention of revealing Johnny’s whereabouts.

Looking down at his hands Mitchell sighed.

“When you said Madrid was your brother I did not believe you.  Now I can see the family resemblance – you both have a powerful strong death wish.”

Smiling slightly Scott replied “We just don’t appreciate anyone messing with our family.”  Mitchell noted that the smile did not reach his prisoner’s eyes.

“Look, boy, I want to know where he is and when he’s getting back.  You can either tell me or have it beaten out of you.”

 

*****

 

Bruised, sore and bloody Scott lay on the floor.  He consoled himself with the fact that he had said nothing about his brother’s movements.

Mitchell had stopped the beating when it had begun to look as if it could prove fatal.  He wanted Madrid’s brother alive.

Although frustrated by Madrid’s absence, the acquisition of a hostage was a bonus.  It was obvious that Lancer would do anything to protect his brother.  Hopefully Madrid felt the same.

He poked Scott with his foot and was rewarded with a moan of pain.  Calling over two of his men he instructed them to clean Scott up.  He sent another of his men out to the horses to get some rope.

Scott was barely conscious by the time he was heaved onto one of the heavy dining chairs and securely bound.

Mitchell bent down and tilted Scott’s face up.  “You sure are a mess boy.”  Scott spat in his face and was backhanded for his trouble.  “You had better hope your brother turns up tomorrow or my men are going to have to get creative.”

 

***** 

 

It was a long night.  Scott drifted into and out of consciousness.    At intervals water was forced into him reinforcing the belief that he was more valuable alive.  In some ways that was not a comforting thought.

During his lucid moments he realised Johnny would be walking into a trap.  Mitchell had not said what he wanted but it was clearly not a social call.

By morning Scott was still  sore but his head was clearing.  He was untied and  taken outside to see to his needs.  Escorted into the kitchen he was given some food and coffee.  His mouth was tender and his stomach unsettled but he ate and drank what he was given.

Mitchell watched Scott and had to admire his courage.

“What do you want with my brother?”

“If you’re still alive when he gets here you’ll find out.”

Scott was taken back to the Great Room.  He found the chair he had spent the night in had been positioned so as to be visible to anyone coming in the main door.

He walked over to it without a word and sat down.  He grimaced with pain as his arms were pulled behind him.  His wrists were tied together and to the chair.  Ropes secured his ankles to the front legs of the chair.

After ensuring that Scott was secure Mitchell went outside.  Scott’s gaze swung briefly to the clock before settling on his two, ever present, guards.  Given the way he was tied up their presence seemed somewhat unnecessary.

He knew Johnny would be home soon.  They had planned on riding into Green River that afternoon to get supplies and have a few beers while their father was away.

Mitchell came back in and dropped a couple of bandanas on the table.  Scott looked at them and then at Mitchell with a question in his eyes.

His captor grinned nastily.  “We can’t have you calling out and spoiling the surprise now can we?”

 

*****    

 

Johnny Lancer rode towards home looking forward to spending a few hours in town with his brother.

Murdoch had been working them hard the last couple of weeks and had left them with a long list of chores to be completed while he was away.

The boys had worked to get through them in order to have some time to themselves.  Scott had said he would bring the books up to date that morning.  Collecting the supplies was the last item on Murdoch’s list.

Johnny had slept well despite the less than comfortable conditions.  He still had the knack of sleeping almost anywhere.  There had been a time, not so long ago, when having a roof – any roof – over his head and a bed had been a luxury.

Still, the thought of spending the next night in his own bed was attractive.

He rode under the Lancer arch and towards the hacienda without a care in the world.

 

*****  

 

“Someone’s coming Mr Mitchell.” Gomez called out from his post by the window.  “It looks like Madrid.”

Despite Scott’s best efforts he had acquired a couple of new bruises and had been efficiently gagged before Mitchell signalled his men to move out of sight.

“There is a gun pointed at your head boy.  If your brother tries anything foolish you are dead.”

Johnny pushed his hat off his dark hair and swung down off Barranca.  He patted the horse’s neck.  “You just wait there while I go get Scott.”

He pushed open the heavy front door yelling for his brother.  “Hey Scott, where are you?”

He stopped dead when he saw his brother who was frantically trying to get free of the ropes binding him to the chair.

He took in Scott’s battered and bruised appearance and the panic in Scott’s eyes as he tried to shout a warning.

Johnny’s gun appeared in his hand almost without conscious thought and he scanned the room.  Every nerve in his body was on high alert as he moved quickly to Scott’s side and yanked the gag out of his brother’s mouth.

“It’s a trap” Scott yelled.  “Get out of here.”

The sound of rifles being cocked told both brothers that it was too late.

Gomez stepped into view.  “Drop the gun Madrid or your brother is a dead man.”

“How many are there?” Johnny asked.

“Six.”  Scott’s tone was bitter.

Johnny nodded slightly and tossed the gun onto a nearby chair.

Mitchell and two more of his men stepped into view and Scott watched his brother go completely still.

“Hello Johnny.  Nice to see you again.”

 

*****  

 

Scott was untied from the chair but his wrists were retied in front of him.  He was pushed down onto a sofa next to Johnny who was similarly restrained.

Gomez, Petrie and Martin were spread around the room keeping a watchful eye on the brothers.

Mitchell was helping himself to a drink.

Johnny turned slightly to regard his blond sibling.  “What happened to you?”

“Misguided loyalty.  He wouldn’t tell me where you were.”

Johnny was angry but only Scott could see it.

“So you beat him half to death?  No-one messes with my family.” 

“That is precisely what your brother said right before my men got to work on him.” Mitchell sneered.

“You son of a bitch.” Johnny shouted jumping to his feet.

“Sit down unless you want him to get more of the same.”

Breathing heavily Johnny brought himself under control.  “What do you want?”

“I need you to kill someone for me.”

There was complete silence in the room.  Johnny looked down at the floor, his thoughts racing.  Scott found he was holding his breath as he watched his brother.

“I don’t hire out anymore,” came the quiet reply.

Mitchell looked over at Petrie and gestured towards Scott.  Petrie grabbed a handful of Scott’s blond hair, pulled his head back and pressed his gun barrel to Scott’s right temple.

The sudden movement jarred Scott’s bruised ribs and he hissed in pain.

A hard hand on his shoulder prevented Johnny from moving to help his brother.

“Maybe not,” Mitchell conceded “but would you kill to save your brother’s life?”

“Johnny – no.” Scott gasped as the pressure on his hair increased.

“Who?” Johnny asked not looking at his brother.

Petrie and Martin backed off much to Scott’s relief.

Mitchell answered Johnny’s question with one of his own.  “You remember my son?”

Johnny’s face brightened.  “Sure I do.  You want me to kill him? I’d do that for free.”

Scott groaned.  Mitchell glowered.  “Don’t get smart with me Madrid.”

Johnny decided it was time for Scott to know what they were dealing with.

“I worked for this low-life for a while not long before I came back to Lancer.  He has a spread down near the border.  His son, Clem, is about my age.  He has a nasty temper and was always getting into trouble.

“His father, here, decided to get him some protection and so he hired me.  The pay was good and it was safer than most jobs.”  Johnny paused.

“So you were this kid’s bodyguard.” Scott asked.

“Yeah something like that.  One night he got away from me.  I found him in the saloon beating up one of the girls – almost killed her.”

Johnny’s eyes were unfocused as he remembered the rage he had felt that night.  “I took him outside and told him I would blow his brains out if he ever tried that again.  Then I packed up and left.  Soon after I got involved in that little revolution in Mexico before winding up here.”

Scott watched his brother drag his thoughts back to the present.  It still saddened him to hear Johnny talk about his past, particularly “that little revolution in Mexico.”  The thought of his brother in front of that firing squad left him cold.

Two pairs of very different blue eyes looked across at Mitchell.

“Clem’s in jail in Green River on a murder charge.  There’s only one witness against him.  With that witness dead the charge will have to be dropped.”

“Who is he supposed to have killed?” Scott asked.

“Some two-bit whore.”

“Did he?”  Scott was watching his brother for any reaction but Johnny Madrid was firmly in place.

Mitchell got up and paced around the room.  “What does it matter?”  His face was red and angry.  “He’s my son and I won’t see him hanged for the likes of her.”

“If you know who the witness is and where to find ‘em why not get one of your hired hands to do the killing?” Johnny enquired.

“The witness is in protective custody at the Hotel.  He’s being looked after by your friend, Sheriff Crawford.  None of my men can get near him but you can.  You will get him out onto the street so that he can be taken care of.”

“Who is it?”  Johnny was pretty sure he wasn’t going to like the answer.

“Well Johnny I am afraid it’s another one of your friends – Doctor Jenkins.”

“Sam!”  Johnny’s voice had dropped to a whisper.

“He treated the girl before she died.  Claims she named my son as her attacker.

Johnny was in shock.  He shook his head from side to side.  “No.  I won’t be a part of this.”

“You would rather watch your brother die?  Face it, Madrid, you have no choice.”

Scott opened his mouth to speak but stopped as Mitchell drew his gun and pointed it at him.  “Keep quiet.”  He swung the gun down so that it was pointed at Scott’s left arm and pulled the trigger.

Scott jerked once and cried out as the bullet grazed his arm.  Johnny reached over to him with his bound hands and applied pressure to the wound.  He mumbled reassurances in a mixture of English and Spanish.

“I think your brother needs a doctor.”  Mitchell smirked before taking a step back at the look of hate in Johnny’s eyes.

“You’ve made your point.  Now get one of your thugs over here to look after Scott.”

 

 

Johnny was in the kitchen washing Scott’s blood from his hands.  Mitchell was watching him from a healthy distance.  He had concluded, quite rightly, that Johnny would kill him with his bare hands given the chance.

Petrie was stripping the ammunition from Johnny’s gun belt having already emptied his gun.

“You know what you have to do?” Mitchell asked.

“Yeah I know.  I want to check on Scott before I leave.”

Johnny buckled on his gun belt, accepted his empty gun and looked at it thoughtfully.  After a moment he settled it in its holster.

Scott was now lying on the sofa propped up with pillows.  The wound to his arm was painful but not, in itself, serious.  It had been cleaned and bandaged.  However, the blood loss coupled with the beating of the night before was making him feel ill.  He had been untied and did not look like much of a threat to anyone.

Hunkering down by his brother’s side Johnny asked how he was feeling.

“I’ll be fine.”  Scott grabbed Johnny’s arm.  “Be careful.  You know Mitchell can’t afford to leave either of us alive.  When they go after Sam you will be in the firing line as well.”

“It won’t be the first time.  Trust me, big brother.  When have I ever let you down?”

“Never, little brother.”  Scott smiled.  “but this time there are other people to consider.  Whatever happens you get Sam out of this alive.”

Johnny nodded and got up to leave.  “Just don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone like getting yourself killed.”  Looking straight at Petrie and Martin he announced “Let’s go.”

 

*****  

Riding Barranca at an easy pace towards town Johnny was flanked by Petrie and Martin.  He knew both of them from his time working for Mitchell.  They were both good with their guns and their fists and he was not going to make the mistake of under-estimating them.

Martin was the better shot of the two with a rifle and Johnny guessed that he would be the one to take up the position outside the Hotel.

He went over the lay-out of the street in his mind and settled on the likely spot for Martin’s ambush.  He knew that he could take both men if he could get his hands on a gun.  He also knew that he could not take any chances prior to their arrival in town.  He had to make them believe that the threat to Scott would keep him co-operative.

He had a plan – not one that he liked – but the only one he could come up with that had the chance of getting everyone he cared about out alive.

Despite the turmoil of his thoughts he knew he looked perfectly relaxed.  This was making his companions uneasy as they had a lot of respect for the young gun fighter.  Johnny caught their furtive glances and grinned.

 

***** 

 

At the outskirts of town Petrie called a halt.

“Listen up Madrid.  This is how it it’s going to be.  I will be right behind you when you go into the Hotel.  If I see anything I don’t like you get a bullet in the back then I ride back to that fancy house of yours and gut shoot your brother.”

It took all of Johnny’s self control not to react to that threat.

“Once you go upstairs you have ten minutes to get your doctor friend out onto the street.  Don’t keep us waiting.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Martin rode off to get into position and, a few minutes later, Johnny and Petrie rode up to the Hotel.

Tying Barranca up Johnny unobtrusively scanned the street.  He had pulled his hat down to shadow his eyes – a trick that he had learnt early on – and Petrie had not seen the quick appraisal.

There was a quick flash of light from the roof of the building opposite the Hotel and Johnny was satisfied that he knew where Martin was waiting.

In the lobby Johnny spotted one of Val’s deputies, Dave Jepson, sitting by the foot of the stairs with his rifle resting across his knees.

“I need to speak to Val.  Is he here?”  Johnny asked.

Dave hesitated but he knew that Johnny and Val were good friends and could see no reason to be concerned.

“He sure is Johnny.  Room 10.  Go on up,”

Johnny glanced at Petrie who was standing by the front desk before mounting the stairs.

 

***** 

 

The room was at the far end of the hallway.  Another deputy, Jimmy Morrison, was stationed outside the door.

“I’m here to see Val.”

“Val.”  Jimmy shouted.  “Johnny’s out here.  Wants to see you.”

Johnny could hear Val muttering to himself as he unlocked the door.  Stepping out into the hallway the Sheriff looked tired and, if possible, even scruffier than usual.

Val was a good law man but Johnny despaired of ever getting him to look tidy.  The one time he had tried, when Val was up for re-election had been a spectacular failure and Scott had still not forgiven him for ruining so many of his clothes.

“What’re you doing here?” Val greeted him.  “Now’s not a good time.”

“I know but, “ Johnny hesitated “Scott’s been hurt.  I need Sam to come and take a look at him.”

“Sam ain’t going anywhere.”

The bedroom door opened and Sam gestured for Val and Johnny to join him in the room.

“I told you this wouldn’t work Val.  I’m not going to hide here and abandon my patients.”

“And who is going to look after them if you get shot?” Val enquired sarcastically.

“Doc please – we have to hurry.”  Johnny begged wondering how much time he had left.

“Send someone to get my buggy.” Sam ordered Val.  “Now, Johnny, settle down and tell me what’s wrong with Scott.”

Val left to speak to his deputies and Johnny, shame faced, ducked his head down.  “He fell.  He was still unconscious when I left him.”  The lie made Johnny feel ill.

“Is someone with him?” Sam asked as he checked his medical bag.

“Yes.”  Johnny was able to answer that question with complete honesty.

When Val came back to say that everything was ready the three men headed downstairs.  Val took the lead with Sam behind him and Johnny bringing up the rear.

Once back in the lobby Johnny was not surprised to note that Petrie was no longer there.  He had figured that Petrie would be out on the street as back up.

He manoeuvred himself into a position on Val’s right hand side.  Val’s two deputies were already outside with their rifles at the ready.

They stepped out into the sunshine.  Moving quickly Johnny pushed Sam to the ground and grabbed Val’s gun out of its holster.  “Stay down,” he called as a bullet hit the dirt close to where Sam had landed.

Johnny swung his gun up and fired.  The bullet found its target and Martin fell from the opposite roof top.

A pain in his shoulder told Johnny that he had been hit.  He turned smoothly and fired again.  He saw Petrie stagger before landing on his back in the street.

As suddenly as it had started it was all over.  Taking a deep breath Johnny felt himself losing the battle to stay upright.

Val caught him as he slid to the ground.

 

***** 

 

“What the hell just happened” Val yelled.

Johnny ignored him.  “Doc are you ok?”

“I’m fine but you’re not young man.  Let me look at you.”

“There’s no time.  I need to help Scott.  Val get me some ammunition.”

Struggling to follow events Val asked why.  “Because my gun is empty.  Why do you think I had to take yours?”

Johnny struggled to get up but Sam prevented him.  “You can explain later but right now I need to check your shoulder and, until I do, you are not going anywhere.”

 

***** 

The stage pulled round the corner and pulled up outside the hotel.  Murdoch Lancer was the first out.  He was tired, his muscles were cramping and he was in a foul mood.  The deal he had gone to Stockton to finalise had fallen apart and he had insisted to Teresa that they should return home early.

Teresa was unhappy as she had been looking forward to a few days away from the ranch but there was nothing she could say to change his mind.  The trip home had been accomplished in almost total silence.

Murdoch glanced round as he prepared to help Teresa from the stage.  His eyes fell on his youngest son who was propped up against a post and bleeding.  “JOHNNY.”

Hearing his father’s bellow Johnny closed his eyes wearily and wondered if this day could get any worse.

“What is it?”  Teresa asked from inside the stage but Murdoch had already hurried over to look down at his son.

His temper, already on a short fuse, blew up.  “What have you done this time?  Can’t I leave you alone for five minutes without you getting into trouble?”

 

*****

 

Soon after Johnny left Scott succumbed to his physical and mental exhaustion and fell asleep.

Mitchell instructed Gomez to keep a watch on the blond while he went to check on his other two men.  Satisfied that they were alert he went into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee.

He was tired but content that everything was going according to plan.  The doctor would soon be dead as would Madrid.  He had given Petrie and Martin very specific instructions on that point.  Madrid had threatened his son with violence and would find that violence visited upon him instead.

His thoughts turned to Scott Lancer.  He had assumed the slender young man would be an easy target and was surprised how wrong he had been.  He felt a moment of regret for what would have to happen but he was not about to leave any loose ends.

 

*****

 

Scott was startled awake by a piercing scream.  He could not, at first, identify what had woken him.  All he knew was that every part of his body hurt like hell.

The second scream was followed by a vaguely metallic sound and he leapt to his feet.  His progress to the kitchen was impeded by a gun pointed at his face.  He took a step back and raised his hands slightly.

“That is our cook, Maria.  Please you have to let me go to her.  I promise I won’t try anything.  Please” he begged.

Gomez relented and indicated that Scott should precede him.  He kept his gun trained steadily on Scott’s back.

Entering the kitchen both men stopped and stared open mouthed at the scene that greeted them.

Maria was standing in the middle of the room wielding a large metal pan as if it were a club.  One of Mitchell’s men lay on the floor at her feet having obviously been felled by the irate woman.  He was deeply unconscious.

Mitchell and his remaining man were standing a safe distance away listening in amazement as Maria berated them in rapid and furious Spanish.  Scott could identify some of the insults from what he had learned from his brother and he smiled slightly.

For all her small stature Maria was a force to be reckoned with.

As Mitchell’s man drew his gun, however, Scott realized that the situation was rapidly losing its humor.

“Maria, por favor, put down the pan.”  Scott called.  Still yelling at the men Maria turned towards Scott and the fury faded from her face as she saw he was hurt.  She dropped the pan and moved rapidly towards him.

“Senor Scott – what has happened to you?”

“Mitchell, let her go.  You don’t need her and she is no threat to you.” Scott pleaded.

“She stays.”

Scott kept his voice even.  “How many more innocent people have to suffer for your worthless son?”

The look on Mitchell’s face showed him that he had made a bad mistake.  He braced himself for the inevitable retribution.  When it came, in the form of a blow to the head, he ended up lying in considerable pain on the floor.

“Get them back in there.”  Mitchell indicated the Great Room.  “Tie him up again and if he says one more word put the gag back.”

 

*****

 

“Murdoch Lancer you should be ashamed of yourself.”  Sam glared up at the tall rancher.  Val looked shocked by Murdoch’s outburst and even Teresa had a look of disgust on her face.  “Your boy just saved my life.”

Murdoch’s anger drained out of him.  “I’m sorry, son, but when I saw you there I thought …”

“I know what you thought,” Johnny interrupted sadly. 

Sam had unbuttoned Johnny’s shirt and had eased the material away from the injured shoulder.  He was relieved to note that the bullet had passed clean through.  His brush with death had left him very shaken and he was not convinced that he could have removed a bullet right then.

He began issuing orders.  “Teresa, go into the hotel.  Make sure they send hot water and clean towels to room 10.  Val, Murdoch, help me get him inside.”

They got Johnny precisely as far as his feet before he pulled away.  “We have to go now.”  He turned to Val.  “Mitchell is holding Scott hostage at the ranch.  If we don’t do something soon he is going to kill him.”

“Mitchell?  As in Clem Mitchell’s father?” Val asked as the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place.

“What is going on?” demanded Murdoch.

“Johnny you can’t go anywhere until I get this wound cleaned and bandaged.  Come inside for a few minutes.”  Sam begged.

About to refuse Johnny found himself being practically carried inside by his father.

Once settled on the bed with Teresa sitting beside him Johnny took a deep breath and prepared to disappoint not only his father but also Sam.

Val had excused himself to check on the jail and to round up some men.

“The only reason you left this room was because I lied to you.  I knew that there were men out there waiting to kill you.  I took a chance with your life in order to save Scott.”

“If I had warned you or Val or taken the time to explain what was going on one of those men would have gone back to the ranch and killed him.”

Murdoch could not believe what he was hearing.  “You put Sam’s life at risk?  What were you thinking?”

“That I didn’t want to lose my brother.  I’m sorry Sam.”  Johnny could not look either man in the eye.

Sam looked down at the distraught young man.  “You may have lied to me but you also saved my life at the risk of your own.  I don’t think you have given yourself enough credit, Johnny.”

Teresa put her hand on Johnny’s uninjured shoulder and he accepted the comfort she was offering.  He risked a glance at his father.  Murdoch’s expression made it clear that the discussion was far from over.

Sam finished bandaging the wound.  “You know you should not be riding.  In fact you should be in bed.”  Seeing that Johnny was about to say something he carried on.  “I know you have had worse and that nothing will stop you going to get Scott but I just want you to be careful.”

“Murdoch” Sam continued.  “Would you go and get some whiskey.”

“You know I prefer tequila.”  Johnny stated.

“It’s not for you, Johnny.  You will need a clear head.  It’s for me.”  Sam sank back into a chair.  “Send someone back for Teresa and I once Scott is safe.  You will need stitches in that wound.  Have they hurt Scott?”

Johnny sneaked a look at Teresa.  “They beat him up some and he has a bullet wound to the arm.”  When he heard Teresa gasp he added quickly “but it’s not serious.”

 

*****

 

Murdoch came back with the whiskey accompanied by Val who reported that they were ready to leave any time Johnny was ready.

“There is only one way to do this and you are not gonna like it” he informed his father.

 

*****

“You’re right about one thing, Johnny, I don’t like it.  It is a foolhardy idea.”  Murdoch was blocking Johnny’s route to the street and looked quite prepared to stay there all day if necessary.

Johnny was tired and sore.  He did not want to fight with his father but he knew he was right and was not about to back down.

With as much patience as he could muster he got ready to argue.  It was not an argument he was prepared to lose – Scott’s life depended on it.

He did wonder, briefly, how he was going to get past his father if it came down to it.  Murdoch could pretty much hold him off with one hand if he had a mind.

“I know the man Murdoch, you don’t.  We won’t get close to the house without being spotted and he will kill Scott.

“Doing nothing isn’t an option either.  Mitchell isn’t going to just ride away and leave Scott alive.

“The only way for you, Val and the others to get in unseen is for me to provide a diversion.”

“So you riding up to the front door with a bullet hole in your shoulder and, I would guess, a pretty useless right arm, is the best diversion you can come up with?” Murdoch roared.

“Yes.”

“I have a good mind to take you back upstairs, put you to bed and get Sam to drug you unconscious.  I will not trade one son’s life for the other.”

“We’re wasting time.  Mitchell won’t shoot me out of hand – he’ll want to know what’s  happened.  I can keep him occupied long enough for you to take out his men and rescue Scott.

“After that it’s between me and him and I have had plenty of practice using my gun in my left hand.”

Murdoch knew that he could physically prevent Johnny from leaving.  He also knew that if he did, and anything happened to Scott, he would lose Johnny for good.

He stepped aside.

 

*****

Gomez practically had to drag Scott from the kitchen before throwing him down onto the sofa.  He went to get some rope, rolled Scott onto his stomach and tied his hands behind his back.

Jerking Scott into a sitting position he reminded the young man of the consequences of speaking out of turn again.

Scott concentrated as best he could but he was finding it hard to keep his eyes open.  He was fairly sure that he now had a concussion to add to his list of problems.

Maria sat beside him, quiet now and very frightened.

Scott slipped gratefully into unconsciousness and away from the pain.

Maria noticed that the way Scott was leaning away from her meant that his bound hands were pointed in her direction.  She shifted position slightly to hide what she was doing and began to work on the knots.

 

***** 

 

Sam and Teresa walked to Sam’s office to collect the supplies they were going to need and to wait for news.

Once inside the office Teresa started to cry.  “I’m scared.”

Sam reached out to her and hugged her close.  “I know honey but Murdoch won’t let anything happen to them.”

“He was awfully mad at Johnny when they left.”

“He’s been mad at Johnny before and they have sorted it out.  Once this is over and they have a chance to talk everything will be ok.”  Sam wished he felt as confident as he sounded.

Murdoch had a highly developed moral code as did Johnny.  The problem was that it was not always the same code.

Sam knew that the events of the last few hours had torn Johnny up inside.  He would need his father’s love and support to heal.

 

***** 

The slight tugging at his wrists brought Scott back to awareness.  He kept his eyes closed and his body relaxed as he realised what Maria was trying to do.

The knots were tight and the rope was biting into his skin.  His heart beat faster as he realised the risk she was taking.  If Mitchell or Gomez saw what she was doing they would not hesitate to hurt or even kill her.

Cautiously opening his eyes Scott scanned as much of the room as he could.  He spotted Gomez looking out the window towards the Lancer arch.  Mitchell was pacing back and forth.

Neither man seemed concerned about the prisoners.

Scott decided that it was safe enough for Maria to continue her efforts to free him.

He moved his fingers, which were now unpleasantly numb, to show Maria that he was awake and aware of what she was trying to do.

 

***** 

Johnny split off from the main party some distance from the hacienda.  He had provided his father with as much information as he could about Mitchell, his remaining men and Scott’s condition.

He had reloaded his gun with more difficulty than he would admit and it now lay nestled in his waist band in the small of his back.

As he rode he flexed the muscles of his left hand and hoped that he was not too out of practice.

The arch came into view and he offered up a quick prayer that Scott was ok and that he could get his brother out alive.

 

***** 

Mitchell caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and spun to look suspiciously at Scott and Maria.

“What are you doing?” he growled as he moved towards them.

Scott pushed himself into an upright position.  “Nothing.  Just trying to get more comfortable.”

“I wonder.  I think I had better check those ropes.”

Scott groaned inwardly.  Maria had managed to loosen the ropes and feeling was returning to his hands.  Given a few more minutes he thought he could get free.

“Rider coming.”  Gomez shouted.

Forgetting about Scott, Mitchell crossed to the window.  He could not believe what he was seeing.

“Madrid!”

Scott closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.  He had never doubted that Johnny would come back for him – he just hoped his brother was not coming alone.

 

***** 

Halting Barranca by the hitching rail Johnny dismounted with less than his usual grace.

His right shoulder was on fire and he kept his right arm protectively close to his body.  From long, and unwelcome experience, he knew that he was developing a fever.

No-one came to stop him so he walked into the house.

He was dismayed to see Maria.  She gasped “Juanito!” before her hands flew to her mouth in horror.

Scott looked far worse than he had earlier in the day and, Johnny noted, he had been tied up again.

Scott took in his brother’s condition and knew that he had to get free sooner rather than later.

Gomez, gun drawn, stood near Scott.  Mitchell watched Johnny with something like shock in his eyes.

As Mitchell realised that Johnny was hurt his look of shock was replaced by a smile of pure pleasure.

“I am surprised to see you again Johnny.  You really don’t look well.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Oh I am not disappointed.  This way I get to kill you myself.”

“Give it up Mitchell.  Petrie and Martin are dead.  Sam’s alive and well and your son’s  gonna hang.   Kill any of us and you’ll join him on the scaffold.”

“I would say I don’t have much to lose then.  Maybe I’ll just kill you and make a run for the border with your brother there as my hostage.”

Scott felt the ropes loosen further and pulled his right wrist fee.  He launched himself at Gomez and sent the man flying.

 

***** 

Murdoch, Val and their companions had abandoned their horses out of sight of the hacienda.  They worked their way round to the kitchen entrance on foot.

The man left on patrol outside rounded a corner of the building and walked into Murdoch’s fist.  He crumpled to the ground without a sound.  Two of Val’s deputies hauled him away.

Murdoch and Val entered the kitchen to find the man who had been felled by Maria sitting at the table, groaning slightly, and fingering a very painful looking bruise on his forehead.

He looked up and opened his mouth to call out but the two guns pointed right at him made him reconsider his options.

Moving silently through the house Murdoch and Val arrived at the Great Room just as Scott exploded into action. 

Having been knocked to the ground Gomez found himself being dragged up by the collar to face an irate Murdoch.

Scott’s sudden movement had caused Mitchell to take his eyes off Johnny for a split second.  When he turned back he found himself looking down the barrel of Johnny’s gun.

Handing Gomez off to Val, Murdoch hurried to Scott.  His eldest son was lying on the floor barely conscious and breathing heavily.   Carefully, he lifted him and put him back on the sofa.

“Murdoch is he ok?”  Johnny demanded to know.

“He will be, son.  You did a fine job.  Now let Val handle things.”

 

***** 

Gomez had been removed from the room and Val was standing with Maria awkwardly patting her shoulder as she trembled uncontrollably.

Unknown to Murdoch, Val had already decided that he could live with whatever decision Johnny made regarding Mitchell.

“Val” Johnny called.  “What would happen to him if I turned him over to you?”

Val scratched his chin.  “Well he would be charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and assault.  Sure fire convictions.  Probably get life with no chance of parole.”

“Hardly seems enough of a punishment,” Johnny replied as his finger tightened on the trigger.

Concerned for Johnny’s state of mind Murdoch tried again.  “Johnny Madrid might have solved his problems with a gun but Johnny Lancer doesn’t have to.”

Johnny almost laughed out loud.  “This has nothing to do with Madrid.  He didn’t have a family to protect.  This is all about Lancer and Lancer takes care of its own.  Isn’t that right Murdoch?”

“It’s over Johnny – it has to be.”

“Take a good look at Scott and tell me again it’s over, Old Man.”

“You should do what your daddy says, boy, although I can’t imagine why he would be bothered with a half-breed gun hawk like you.” Mitchell sneered.

“You know what Mitchell?  You’re not worth it,” Johnny said wearily.  “Val, take him in.”

Val disarmed Mitchell and snapped on the handcuffs.

Moving quickly, Murdoch caught Johnny as his son’s strength finally gave out.

 

*****

 

Murdoch carried Johnny over to Scott knowing the boys would need the comfort of each other’s company.

He settled Johnny with his head resting against Scott’s right shoulder.  Scott reached out and grabbed his brother’s hand before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep again.

Standing looking down at his sons, Murdoch was not sure who to be most concerned about.

Scott’s face was badly bruised.  His lethargy suggested that at some time during his ordeal he had suffered a concussion.  His shirt was torn and Murdoch caught glimpses of livid bruises on his chest and stomach.

Murdoch’s anger surfaced.  His eldest son had been badly mistreated.  At that moment Murdoch felt he could shoot Mitchell himself.

He turned his eyes to Johnny. There was fresh blood staining the bandages around his shoulder.  His skin had felt hot and dry to the touch so he was running a fever.

Murdoch turned to take his first good look at the man responsible.  They were of a similar age, he guessed.  The cut of Mitchell’s clothes indicated that he was a well to do man.  He had a cruel face.

Mitchell sat quietly, his hands cuffed behind him, while Val issued instructions to his deputies.  He was not sure what had gone wrong but he was certain that it was all Madrid’s fault.  That brother of his was no better.

Mitchell cast a poisonous glare in their direction and was pleased to note that they both looked extremely unwell.

Looking up, he saw Murdoch Lancer approaching him.  Feeling disadvantaged, he stood up.

“I want to know what would drive a man to use such violence.”  Murdoch stated.

“The love of a father for his son,” snapped Mitchell.  “Perhaps, Mr Lancer, that is not something you are familiar with.  Johnny never had a good word to say for you when he worked for me.”

Val moved between the two men.  “Shut up,” he warned.  “I sent Jimmy into town to get Sam and Teresa.  It looks like you’re gonna need them.  We’ll get the prisoners out of here as soon as we can.

“Do you need any help getting those two to bed?  It sure don’t look as if they can make it on their own.”

“Thanks Val.  I would appreciate some help.”

“Alright, Mr Mitchell, lets get you outta here.  I’ll be right back Murdoch.”

Resisting the pull on his arm Mitchell caught Murdoch’s eye.  “If my son hangs I will get my revenge.”

“You are in no position to issue threats.”  Murdoch retorted, dismissing the man with a final glare.

 

*****  

 

Scott roused slightly as he felt his brother being moved.

“Johnny?” he called weakly.

“It’s alright, son.  We’re just moving Johnny to his bed and then we’ll get you settled in yours.”

“He’s so hot.”  Scott whispered.

“He’s running a fever but he’ll be ok.  How are you feeling?”

“Sore” Scott admitted “and thirsty.”

“Maria, can you get Scott some water while we put Johnny to bed?”  Murdoch asked.

“Si Senor.”

The cool water tasted wonderful to Scott and he was upset when Maria moved the cup away from his lips.  “Not too much” she scolded.  “You don’t want to be sick.”

She brushed the blond hair off his forehead.  “Those animals,” she hissed.

When Murdoch returned he asked Maria to go and sit with Johnny.  “Try and cool him down and get him to drink if he wakes up.

“Alright, Scott lets get you upstairs.”

 

*****   

It was several hours later and dark by the time Sam and Teresa arrived at the hacienda.  They knew both boys were hurt but alive.

Sam was pretty sure what Johnny’s condition would be given that he had ridden off with a bullet hole in him.  He decided to check on Scott first.

No one was in evidence downstairs so he and Teresa climbed the stairs to the upper floor.

“Teresa, would you do me a favour and check in on Johnny?  I’ll be there as soon as I can but come and get me if you need to.”

Teresa nodded, unable to speak.  Now that she was home she dreaded what she might find.

 

***** 

Sam entered Scott’s room to find Murdoch sitting by the side of the bed.  The curtains were closed and the lamps turned down low.

“Sam.”  Murdoch greeted the doctor with relief.

“How is he?”

Murdoch’s face darkened.  “He’s been badly beaten.  There are bruises on his chest, stomach and back.  There is a bullet graze to his left arm and a bump on the back of his head.”

“Let’s take a look.”  Sam went to turn up the lamp closest to the bed.

“He says the light hurts his eyes.” Murdoch warned.

Sam bent over the bed and gently shook Scott.  “Wake up son.”

Scott startled awake and looked at Sam in confusion.  “You’re ok?”

“I’m fine thanks to your brother.”

At the mention of his brother Scott became agitated.  He reached up to catch Sam’s sleeve.  “You need to go and look after him – he’s hurt.”

“So are you.  Right now I’m going to take care of you.  Teresa is with Johnny and she’ll call me if there are any problems. Now I need to turn the light up a bit so that I can take a look at you.”

Scott winced and turned his eyes away from the light.

Murdoch had stripped Scott down to his underwear and Sam began his examination.  He checked Scott’s ribs and was rewarded with a gasp of pain.  “I don’t think there is anything cracked or broken but they will need to be bandaged up for a day or two.  Murdoch, help turn him over, I want to look at his back.”

The large bruise over Scott’s right kidney concerned the doctor.  “I can’t tell how bad the damage is.  Keep an eye on it and let me know if he passes any blood.”

The wound on Scott’s arm was clean and superficial.  

There was a large bump on the back of Scott’s head and his symptoms confirmed that he had a concussion.  “Any nausea or dizziness?”

“Head hurts and I feel tired.”  Scott answered.

“I’m not surprised.  Tell someone if you feel sick or dizzy.  I’m going to give you some medicine to take the edge off the pain and then I’m going to bandage up those ribs.”

Scott started to object but was cut short by the doctor.  “I have your stubborn brother to see to next.  Don’t make me fight with you as well.”

Sam measured out a small dose of laudanum and told Murdoch to mix it with some water.  Murdoch supported Scott’s head while Sam held the glass to his lips.  Scott managed to get some of the foul tasting liquid down before clamping his lips shut and refusing the rest.

By the time Sam had finished Scott was sound asleep.  “He shouldn’t be left alone for the next 24 hours.  Make sure he drinks plenty.  I doubt if he’ll want to eat much.  I’m worried about the possibility of internal injury from the blow to his kidney.  If he’s bleeding inside we’ve got trouble.”

Seeing Murdoch’s concern Sam put his hand on his friend’s arm.  “He is a strong boy, a fighter.  If anyone can pull through, he can.  Now for the hard part – keep him in bed for the next couple of days.  There are to be no trips across the hall to see his brother.  He needs complete rest.”

Murdoch rolled his eyes and wondered how he was going achieve that miracle.

Sam packed up his bag.  “Time to go and see the less co-operative one.” 

*****

Had Johnny been awake he would have been mortified to find that Murdoch had also stripped him down to his underwear.  His modesty was protected only by a thin sheet.

To make matters worse he was being cared for by two women.

Teresa had joined Maria by the bed and both were running cool cloths over Johnny’s chest, arms and face.

Maria had told Teresa what had happened.  When she had finished Teresa threw her arms around the older woman and given her a big hug.  “You saved them.  How can I ever thank you?”

Maria’s face turned pink.  “They are my boys.  I would do anything for them.”

***** 

Johnny’s fever was rising.  He was in the grip of hallucinations and he thrashed around the bed.  Suddenly his eyes flew open, he sat bolt upright on the bed and yelled “Scott!”

“Easy son.”  Murdoch and Sam had entered the room.  “Scott’s safe.  He’s in his room.  Teresa, why don’t you and Maria go and sit with him?  Sam’s given him some laudanum and he’s asleep but he shouldn’t be left alone.”

Murdoch eased Johnny back onto the pillows and held him still so that Sam could check him over.

“His shoulder’s been bleeding again.  Well, I’m not surprised.   That boy needs to take more care of himself.” Sam muttered as he began to cut away the bandages.

Johnny heard voices and struggled to make sense of them.  Why was Sam here?  It wasn’t safe for him.  Mitchell would kill him.  He had to warn Sam – make him go away.

Johnny’s thoughts were chaotic.  He struggled to free himself from the hands holding him down.

“Johnny, stay put.  Sam needs to check your wound.”

“No – Sam – got to save Sam.  Can’t let Mitchell kill him.”

“Mitchell’s gone. Val arrested him.  Remember?”  Murdoch soothed his son.

But Johnny didn’t remember.  He remembered Scott looking pale and ill after Mitchell shot him.  He remembered getting shot himself and he remembered Murdoch yelling at him while he lay in the street bleeding.

Murdoch was angry with him and Johnny didn’t blame him.  He flinched away from his father’s touch and Murdoch stepped back from the bed with a worried look on his face.

“Let me get this wound cleaned out and stitched and then we’ll try and bring him round.  I doubt he knows where he is or who we are right now.”

Johnny tried to twist away from the pain in his shoulder as Sam dealt with his injury.  Murdoch held him fast while Sam stitched the entry and exit wounds.  Johnny cried out in pain.  All he could think of was that his father was hurting him and that, for some reason, he deserved it.

Sam and Murdoch were both exhausted by the time Sam had finished.  “The infection doesn’t look too bad, “ Sam reported.  “The fever should break soon but he’ll be very weak.  He took a lot out of himself today and he lost a lot of blood.  I think we should try and wake him up now.”

Murdoch shook Johnny gently and called his name.  When that had no effect he increased his efforts.

“Don’t touch me.”  Johnny stared at Murdoch with fear in his blue eyes.  Murdoch was so shocked he didn’t know what to say but he did pull his hands away from his son’s body.

“Johnny, nice to have you back with us.”  Sam spoke quietly so as not to startle him. “You’re home, in your own room.  Everything’s going to be fine.  You have nothing to worry about.”

“Sam – you’re ok?  What happened?”

“How much can you remember?”

Fragments of memory teased the corners of Johnny’s mind.  He shook his head miserably.  “I’m not sure.  What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re running a fever.  You do know you were shot?”  When Johnny nodded Sam continued.  “The fever is affecting your memory but once your temperature comes down everything should come back to you.”

Johnny looked around the room.  “Where’s Scott?” The panic in is voice was clear.  “They hurt him real bad.  I need to see him.”  His efforts to get out of bed were short lived.  He barely had the strength to lift his head off the pillow.

“Sam’s taking care of Scott.  He’s asleep.  He’ll have to stay in bed for a few days, as will you, young man.”

Johnny looked at his father.  He was almost afraid to ask his next question.  “Are you mad at me?” he asked in a small voice before lowering his eyes.

“We need to discuss what happened but that can wait until you are feeling better.   You should try and get some rest.”

Johnny accepted his father’s answer only because he didn’t have the energy to pursue the matter further.  After taking a long drink of water he turned on his left side and closed his eyes.

“Do you want something for the pain?” Sam asked hopefully.  He was not surprised when he only got a small shake of the head from his patient. 

*****   

Sam and Murdoch sat in the Great Room holding glasses of brandy.  Maria was with Johnny and Teresa was caring for Scott.

Murdoch had downed his first drink in one large swallow.  He knew that he had handled things badly with Johnny – again – and determined to put matters right when his son next woke up.

Sam was seething.  He had known Murdoch for years and they were good friends but sometimes he was too insensitive for his own good. 

“You didn’t answer Johnny’s question.  Are you mad at him?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Johnny took a calculated risk and it almost paid off.  What if he hadn’t gone along with Mitchell’s plan?  He and Scott would both be dead and Mitchell would have found another way to come after me.”

“You could have been killed!”

“I knew the risks when I agreed to testify.  Clem Mitchell made it quite clear that his daddy would not sit around and let him hang.  Your sons never asked to be involved. How do you think I would have felt if one or both of them had been killed because of me?”

Murdoch shook his head.  “Mitchell came here because of his history with Johnny Madrid.  That history almost got Scott killed -  might still if there are problems with his kidney.  When is his past going to leave us alone?”

Sam stood up.  “I’m going to check on my patients.  I suggest you think long and hard about what you’re going to say to your son.  He needs you right now and, if I know him, he’s going to be feeling real guilty about what happened.  You have always stood up for what you believe in, so does he.  He believes in his family and his friends.  It’s time you gave him credit for that.” 

*****

One minute Johnny felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cold river and the next his body was on fire.  He tossed and turned restlessly as his body dripped with sweat.

Concerned that his son might pull open his wound Murdoch held him gently as the fever reached crisis point and then broke.  As Johnny went limp in his arms Murdoch heaved a sigh of relief.

Working quickly Murdoch washed and dried his son, changed the bed linen and slipped Johnny into a clean night-shirt.

Returning from depositing the soiled bedding in the hallway he found that Johnny was awake and watching him.  Murdoch offered him some water and chuckled as Johnny regarded it with suspicion.

“It’s only water.  Here, let me help you.”

“I can manage.”  Johnny’s tone was neutral but the implication that he did not need his father’s help hurt Murdoch deeply.

Swallowing his pride Murdoch prepared to try and make peace with his son but Johnny spoke before he could get his thoughts in order.

“I want to see Scott.”

“You’re not well enough to be out of bed.  Wait ‘til morning.  Last time I checked he was asleep.”

“I need to see him.  I have to know he’s ok.”  Johnny struggled into a sitting position and pushed the covers off the bed.

“You’re not going anywhere, young man, and this time there’ll be no argument.”

Using every bit of strength he possessed Johnny managed to swing his legs over the side of the bed.  The wave of dizziness that hit him was almost more than he could handle. Clenching his fists he pushed himself to his feet, managed one step and then collapsed into his father’s waiting arms.

He found himself back in the bed a great deal quicker than he had just got out of it.

“I’ll go and tell Sam that you’re awake and find out how Scott is.  If you get a few hours sleep you can go and see him later.”

The frustration on Johnny’s face was clear but he nodded slightly and settled back down against the pillows.  Murdoch didn’t miss the grimace of pain as the movement aggravated the shoulder injury.  He wondered if Sam could be persuaded to slip Johnny something to make him sleep.  As the thought crossed his mind he realised that Johnny would be waiting for them to try just that.

 

***** 

Sam had been relieved by Murdoch’s news about Johnny’s condition but he was growing more and more concerned about Scott.

The effects of the laudanum were clearly wearing off and lines of pain were appearing on the sleeping man’s face.  Scott stirred restlessly before being woken by a sharp pain in his lower back. 

He was somewhat embarrassed to realise that he needed to relieve himself and that he was likely to require assistance.  Sam saw that he was awake and in pain.

“Sam – I –um I …”

Realising what Scott was struggling to say Sam helped him to his feet and pulled out the chamber pot.  Scott was not prepared for the burning pain the accompanied his efforts.  He caught his breath and tried not to cry out. 

He missed the look on Sam’s face as the doctor realised that the urine was stained with blood.

Settling Scott back in bed Sam kept his voice calm and even.  “I’ll just take care of this and then I’ll give you some morphine for the pain.”

***** 

Crossing to Johnny’s room Sam attracted Murdoch’s attention.  One look at Sam’s face told Murdoch that he was in for bad news.

“Tell me.”

“Scott’s bleeding internally.  It’s too early to say how bad it is or if it will stop on its own.

“He’s in a lot of pain which is likely to get worse.  I’ll try and control it with morphine.

“He’s already very weak so there is a risk that the blood loss will cause his body to go into shock.”  At that moment it looked as if Murdoch was the one going into shock.

“I can give him a drug called Arnica which should help reduce any inflammation.  He’ll need to be given a dose every three hours so I can’t keep him heavily sedated.

“It’ll be twelve hours or so before I’ll know if its been effective assuming there are no complications in the mean time.”

“What if it isn’t?”

“I’ll have no choice but to operate.  Depending upon what I find I might have to remove the kidney.”

 

*****  

Johnny had woken up to find himself alone.  His shoulder hurt and he still felt weak but he was determined to see his brother.

He made it to the door, rather unsteadily, just in time to hear Sam talking about removing Scott’s kidney.

Clinging to the door frame for support he felt as if he was going to be sick.  That feeling was quickly replaced by an overwhelming anger.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he yelled, startling both Sam and Murdoch.  “Didn’t I have a right to know?”

His breathing quickened as he struggled to stay on his feet.  Murdoch moved hesitantly towards him.

“We knew he might have an injury to his kidney but it wasn’t certain.  You aren’t well yourself – we didn’t want to worry you.”

“Why not?  This is all my fault anyway.”

“That is nonsense. You did everything you could to keep Scott out of harms way.”

“Keep telling yourself that, Murdoch.  Maybe one day you’ll believe it because I don’t.  Now get out of my way.”

 

*****  

Sam had insisted on putting Johnny’s arm in a sling to try and reduce the pressure on his injured shoulder.  Johnny had agreed only because to argue would have kept him away from Scott for longer.

It was still dark outside and the lamps in Scott’s room were turned down low.  Johnny did not get a good look at his brother until he reached the bed.  Scott was pale and there were dark smudges under his eyes. 

Climbing carefully onto the bed Johnny spoke softly, “Hey Scott.”

Scott regarded his younger sibling through pain filled eyes.  “What’re you doing here?  Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

“Sam said I could visit.”

Scott doubted that.  “No he didn’t.”

“No he didn’t,” Johnny agreed.  His face lit up with a wicked grin, “But I’m here now and I ain’t leaving.”

Scott’s answering grin was cut short by a severe spasm of pain.  He moaned and drew up his legs to try and relieve the pressure on his back.

Johnny wrapped his left arm around Scott and encouraged him with soft words to relax his tense muscles.  Gradually the pain faded to a dull ache.

Watching his sons from the door Murdoch felt a deep shame for the way he had been treating his youngest.   He wondered if he would have a chance to put things right. 

***** 

Sam mixed six drops of Arnica into some water.  “You need a teaspoonful of this every three hours,” he explained as he slipped the spoon into Scott’s mouth.  “I’m going to give you some morphine and Teresa is preparing a hot poultice which we’ll lay over the bruised area.  Murdoch will help you turn over onto your stomach.”

Murdoch helped Scott to get comfortable aware the whole time of Johnny’s unfriendly stare.  Scott reached for his brother’s hand.

“Don’t leave me.”

“There’s no chance of that, brother.”

Sam injected the morphine and Scott’s eyes closed.

Satisfied that Scott was no longer in pain, and completely ignoring the other two men in the room, Johnny curled up on the bed and fell asleep. 

*****

Almost six hours had passed and Johnny still refused to leave his brother’s side.  Other than that he had been unusually co-operative.

He had allowed Sam to check and rebandage his shoulder.  He was wearing a sling (and his nightshirt) without complaint and had even taken a small amount of laudanum to help with the pain.

Teresa had brought him some broth and biscuits followed later by freshly baked cookies.  Both times he thanked her with a sad smile and she left the room in tears.

Murdoch could see his son closing in on himself but nothing he said seemed to make any difference.  Johnny was polite, when he spoke at all, but distant and  was making it quite clear that he was not interested in talking to anyone.

 

*****  

Scott’s condition was worsening.  He could not remember ever having been in so much pain.  It had been bad enough when it was just in his back but now it had spread to his loins.  The morphine was no longer holding the pain at bay and he had developed a fever.

“M…make it go away,” he sobbed, all his composure gone.  “It h…hurts.”

“I know it does, Scott, but doc’ll give you something to take care of it.”

Johnny looked pleadingly at Sam but Sam shook his head.  “It’s too soon.”

 You’ve got to help him doc,” Johnny begged .  “He can’t take much more of this.”

“I know, son.  I need to talk to Murdoch.”

Johnny’s face hardened at the mention of his father.  He knew his anger had driven Murdoch away from Scott’s bedside but he refused to feel guilty.  When Scott was better, and Johnny had no doubt that he would recover, then he would worry about his relationship with his father. 

*****   

Sam found Murdoch sitting at his desk with the chair turned towards the window.

“Murdoch?”

“Before my boys came home this ranch was all I cared about.  I had been hurt too many times and I thought if I never let anyone into my heart again everything would be alright.

“But they were already there, I just didn’t realise it, and now I can’t imagine life without them.  If Scott doesn’t pull through I’m going to lose Johnny as well.  I’m afraid I’ll lose him anyway and Scott won’t stay here without his brother.

“What can I do?  How did it come to this?”

“You have to talk to him and, more importantly, listen to what he has to say.  Dammit, Murdoch, you are going to have to fight for him.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Then you’ll lose him for sure.”  Sam sat down heavily.

“Right now we have to decide what to do about Scott.  His heart rate is dropping.  I’m afraid that if I don’t operate soon it’ll be too late.  All his symptoms suggest that the bleeding has increased and that an infection has set in.”

“Why are you waiting?” Murdoch asked.

“Someone needs to convince Johnny that he can’t stay with Scott during the operation.  He’ll only get in the way.  This is a difficult and dangerous  procedure and I can’t afford any distractions.  Right now I’m afraid that if I try to get him to leave he’ll pull a gun on me.”  Sam was only half kidding.

Murdoch shook his head.  “He isn’t going to listen to me.”

“Make him.”

***** 

Scott was incapable of rational thought.  He was lost in a world of pain and fever.  His pulse was racing and his body was close to collapse.  His temperature spiked  and he stopped breathing.

“NO!”  Johnny’s anguished cry filled the house.

Johnny pulled his arm out of its sling and grabbed both of Scott’s shoulders, shaking him.  “Scott, wake up.  Please brother, don’t do this.  Scott, I need you,” tears were streaming down his face.

He felt hands on his arms pulling him back from the bed as Sam took his place.

“He’s had a seizure.  Come on Scott, breathe,” Sam urged.

Murdoch kept a loose grip on Johnny’s arms more to support than to restrain him.

Teresa and Maria stood huddled together in the doorway watching with wide eyes.

Scott’s body jerked once and he gasped for breath.  “He’s back but we’ve run out of time.  I need to operate right now.  Teresa, take my instruments and sterilise them.  Maria, I’m going to need your help with the operation.  Can you get the soap from my bag , hot water, towels and plenty of bandages?”

“Of course senor doctor.”

Sam turned to the Lancers.  Johnny was trembling violently in his father’s arms.  Sam regretted what he was about to say.  “Murdoch, get him out of here and keep him out.”

Johnny looked at Sam in horror.  “No, you can’t make me leave.”

“I can and I will.”

“Come on, son.”  Murdoch tightened his grip on his son and began pushing him towards the door.

Struggling to get away from his father Johnny cursed him in a steady flow of Spanish.  Nothing he said or did made any difference and he found himself in the hallway, the door to Scott’s room closing behind him.

*****  

Once in Johnny’s room Murdoch released his son.  Johnny was pale, partly due to pain and blood loss and partly due to extreme anger.

He had pulled the stitches in his shoulder and a trickle of fresh blood was staining both the bandages and his nightshirt.

Murdoch saw the bleeding and moved to help.  Johnny took a step back.  Murdoch sighed, “I’m sorry Johnny but you need to let Sam do his job.  He’s asked me to keep you out and I will.  You can either give me your word that you won’t interfere or I’ll lock this door.”

For a long moment Murdoch thought he was going to have to make good on his threat. Johnny was quivering with barely suppressed rage and his eyes were cold and hard.

“You win, Murdoch.  I’ll stay out but only ‘til the operation’s over.  After that I’m gonna  be with Scott whether you like it or not.”

Murdoch nodded.  “Let me check your shoulder, see if I can stop the bleeding.”

“It’s fine.  It’ll stop on its own.”

“Then at least sit down so we can talk,” Murdoch begged.

“There’s nothing to talk about.  I already know what you think of me.  I’ll be leaving soon as I know Scott’s going to be ok.”

“You don’t mean that!” Murdoch had raised his voice without meaning to.

“You know what, Murdoch, I can’t do this right now,” Johnny’s voice was tired.  “Leave me alone.” 

*****

 

“No.” Murdoch said, standing his ground.

The look he received from Johnny would have made a lesser man turn and run.

“There are things that need to be said.”

Johnny saw the pain and determination on his father’s face.  “I know, but not now.  Please, Murdoch, not now,” he begged.

Relieved that Johnny had at least admitted that they needed to talk Murdoch relented.  “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

Murdoch opened the door and then turned back to face Johnny.  “I love you, son.”

As the door closed behind Murdoch Johnny whispered, too low for his father to hear, “Te quiero tambien, papa.” (I love you too)

*****  

Having cleared everyone out of the room Sam prepared for the operation.  Given Scott’s condition he was almost certain that the kidney had been damaged beyond repair.  He would also have to find, and clear, the site of the infection.

If all went well Scott should make a full recovery but, in his weakened state, might succumb to the blood loss during the operation.

Teresa and Maria between them carried in the large pot of boiling water containing the sterilized instruments.

“Teresa, my dear, I need to you to go and get some rest.  I’ll be relying on you to care for Scott after the operation.”

“But I can help,” she protested.

“Not as much as you can help afterwards.  Go on, Maria and I can manage.”

Once Teresa had gone Sam and Maria scrubbed their hands clean and Sam prepared the ether cone.

Scott was restless but not truly conscious as Maria placed the cone over his mouth and nose.   It took several minutes for Sam to be satisfied that the ether had taken effect.

Maria had assisted him before and he knew he could trust her to ensure that Scott stayed unconscious.

He had decided to make the incision in Scott’s flank rather than his abdomen.  He rolled the blond carefully onto his left side.  Grasping his scalpel he prepared to make the first cut.

*****  

Johnny knew he could not stay indoors any longer.  He struggled into his clothes, further stressing his stitches.  Sam was not going to be happy with him!

More than anything he wanted to saddle Barranca and ride as fast and as far away as possible.  Only his need to stay close to his brother, and the fact that he doubted he could get to the end of the drive without falling off, stopped him.

He hesitated outside Scott’s room but he knew he could not break his promise to Murdoch.  Turning away he left the house by the back stairs and made his way to the barn.

He might not be able to ride Barranca but he could go and see him.

He wrapped his fingers around Barranca’s mane, bent his head, and wept.  He was so caught up in his own misery that he did not hear the sound behind him.  He jumped when he felt Teresa’s hand on his arm.

“I don’t want to be on my own.  Can I stay here with you?”  she asked through her own tears.

Johnny put his arms around her and hugged her close.  “Sure you can, miel.”

 

***** 

 

Sam sluiced out as much of the accumulated blood as he could and got his first good look at Scott’s kidney.  It was lacerated in several places.  With a deep sigh of regret Sam prepared to start cutting away the surrounding blood vessels and the tube leading to the bladder.

 

***** 

Murdoch had been sitting at his desk for hours.  It had grown dark but he didn’t have the heart to light any of the lamps.

Teresa had joined him some time before.  She had brought him a sandwich and a pot of coffee.  He had managed some of the coffee but had no interest in eating.

Not long ago Johnny had appeared.  He now sat huddled in a chair with his arms wrapped protectively around his body.  Murdoch had the thought that this would not be doing his shoulder any good but was afraid to speak in case it drove Johnny away.  It was comforting to have his youngest son close by.

***** 

Sam was exhausted.  He thanked Maria as she wiped his forehead with a rag before concentrating on suturing the last blood vessel.  He had drawn out as much of the infected urine as he could, washing the area with carbolic, and hoped that would be enough to stem the infection.

Scott was very pale, he had lost a lot of blood during the surgery.  His breathing was even and his heart rate better than Sam had a right to expect. 

Confident that his patient now stood a fighting chance Sam prepared to close the incision.

*****

“Let’s get things cleaned up and then we can stop the ether and bring him round.”  Sam instructed Maria.

Scott was not sure he wanted to wake up.  The darkness and freedom from pain were very comforting.  He heard someone calling to him, the voice was so insistent.  He released his hold on the darkness and opened his eyes.

His stomach immediately rebelled against the ether and he vomited into the bowl that Maria was holding under his chin in anticipation.  He groaned as the pain returned.

“Scott, can you hear me?”  Sam asked and was rewarded with a weak nod of the head.  “I’m going to give you something for the pain, it’ll help you to sleep.”

“Johnny?”

“He’ll be right here next time you wake up.”  Scott felt the needle enter his arm and drifted back into a deep and untroubled sleep.

***** 

Sam made his way downstairs and was surprised to find everything in darkness.  He made his way carefully into the Great Room.  Hearing his approach Teresa hurried to light some of the lamps.

“How is he?” Murdoch asked. “Did he …?”  his voice trailed off.

“He made it through the operation.  He’s asleep and I’m hopeful of a full recovery but he’s not out of the woods yet.  There is still the chance of an infection developing so his temperature will need taken every hour for the next twenty four hours and regularly after that for a few days.

“You need to check his urine for colour and amount.  I’ll stop by regularly so I need you to keep a record.

“Teresa, make sure he gets plenty of boiled water only for a day after which you can start to give him other fluids – beef tea and some watered down claret should do the trick.

“The poultices can be applied for the next few days over the abdomen.  They’ll make him feel more comfortable.”

With shaking hands Murdoch poured his friend a glass of brandy and pressed him down into a seat.  “You look like you could do with some sleep yourself.”

“Can I go and see him?”

“Yes, Johnny.  I promised him you would be there when he wakes up.”

“Thanks, doc.”  Johnny paused and looked at his father.  “Are you coming?”

“Yes, son, I am.”  This time when Murdoch approached him Johnny let him come and they left the room side by side. 

***** 

Scott was getting stronger with each passing day.  There had been no complications following the surgery and Sam was reducing his level of pain medication.

Johnny’s shoulder was healing although he was still not allowed to ride.  He had received the anticipated lecture from Sam together with a hefty dose of laudanum when he had to have his wound restitched.

Life was settling back to normal.

For the first time in days Scott felt clear headed.  He was also very hungry and had sent Johnny down to the kitchen to see if he could persuade Maria to provide something more substantial than broth.

Johnny returned with two bowls of stew and some bread.  He grinned as he passed Scott his food.  “Maria’ll do anything for me,” he boasted.

The brothers ate in companionable silence but Scott sensed, not for the first time, that something was bothering his brother.  Once they had finished Scott broached the subject.

“Something’s the matter, little brother, I want to know what it is.”

Johnny started to fiddle with the beads around his wrist and found that he couldn’t look at his sibling.  “Nothing.” He got down off the bed.  “Look, Scott, I’ve got some things to take care of.  I’ll be back later.”

Watching his brother’s hasty retreat Scott wondered if he would have more luck getting information from Teresa. 

*****   

When Johnny went downstairs he found Val sitting in the Great Room with Murdoch.

Val hadn’t seen Johnny since the day Mitchell was arrested and was pleased to see that his friend was looking better – at least physically.  There was a shadow in Johnny’s eyes and a tension in his body.

“Hey Val.  Good to see you.  How’re things in town?” Johnny enquired.

“That Mitchell character is one mean son of a bitch.  All he ever does is rant about you, Sam and anyone else who ever crossed him.  No wonder his son turned out like he did.  I’m having them moved to Stockton.  Green River can’t cope with so many prisoners and it’ll be weeks before the Judge gets here.

“A Federal Marshall’s due tomorrow.  Won’t be sorry to get them off my hands.” Val hesitated.  “I get the feeling Mitchell’s waiting for something.  Whatever it is I don’t want it happening here.”

*****  

The next time Scott woke up he was pleased to see Teresa sitting by his bed.  Seeing that he was awake she brought over some lemonade and a large slice of apple pie.  “Johnny said you were hungry” she explained.  “Just don’t tell Sam.”

Sam had left instructions that Scott should have a light diet until at least after his next check-up.

“Teresa, you are an angel.”  Scott attacked the pie with enthusiasm.

“Sam said he would stop by tomorrow.”

“Do you think he’ll let me get up?”  Scott asked hopefully.  Although not nearly as bad a patient as his little brother he was finding the inactivity wearing.

“I’m sure if you promise to be a good boy he’ll let you get up for a while” she teased.

“Teresa, what happened in town?  No-one will talk to me about it.”

“By no-one, you mean Murdoch and Johnny?”  Scott nodded.

Tears sprang to Teresa’s eyes.  “Oh Scott, it was awful.”  She hesitated, unsure about continuing.

“Well, go on.”  Scott encouraged her.

“Johnny had been shot and Murdoch yelled at him.”

“Yelled at him?”  Scott couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  “Why?”

“He thought that whatever had happened was Johnny’s fault.”  Seeing Scott’s expression darken, Teresa hurried to explain.  “He apologised as soon as he realised he was wrong but it hurt Johnny very much.

“Later he made it clear he didn’t agree with what Johnny had done but he did go along with his plan to rescue you.”

“Have they talked about this?”  Scott asked.

Teresa smiled slightly.  “I don’t know.  Before Sam operated on you all they did was shout at one another.  Things are better between them now but Johnny looks so sad when he thinks no-one’s watching.  Scott, I’m afraid he’s thinking of leaving us.”

Scott held out his arms and Teresa gratefully leant her head on his chest.  “We won’t let him,”  Scott promised.

***** 

When Johnny didn’t reappear Scott knew his brother was avoiding him.  He had just decided to get out of bed and damn well find him when Murdoch arrived.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine, sir,” was the short answer.

Murdoch frowned.  “Something the matter?”

Scott’s anger had been simmering all afternoon. He was convinced, not without reason, that Murdoch was at the root of whatever was wrong with his brother. “You tell me,” he snapped,  “Can’t you just once give Johnny the benefit of the doubt?”

Taken by surprise by Scott’s hostility Murdoch asked, “What has he said to you?”

“Nothing.  That’s the problem.”  Scott realised he was shouting and made a conscious effort to control his temper.  “Perhaps, sir, you can explain what happened and how you’re going to fix it.”

“There’s nothing to fix. I said and did things I regret and Johnny knows that but I still think Johnny was wrong.  He could, and should, have told Val and Sam what was going on.”

The implication of that statement hit Scott like a blow to the gut.  It took him several attempts before he could ask the obvious question, “And if he had told them, and Val had stopped Sam leaving the hotel, would you be blaming Johnny for my death?”

“That’s ridiculous, Scott.”

 “Is it? He couldn’t win, could he?  What else was he supposed to do?  He almost got killed in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Of course I noticed.  Don’t you think I’m grateful that you’re both still alive?”

“Have you told him that?”  Scott waited for an answer.  “You haven’t, have you?  You’d better make things right with him, Murdoch, or he won’t be the only son you lose.”

*****

“I know you’re upset son, but will you at least listen to me?  Murdoch asked.

Swallowing down his anger Scott gave a curt nod.

“Your brother and I haven’t always seen eye to eye,” Murdoch held up his hand to forestall Scott’s threatened outburst, “but we have learnt to respect each other’s decisions.

“It hasn’t been easy.  When Johnny came back to Lancer he was a very angry young man.  Frankly I’m surprised he even gave me a chance given the lies he’d been told by his mother.

“I think, now, that we both tried to push the other to the limit to see if the bond between us was going to be strong enough to survive.”

“Is it?” Scott asked quietly.

“Yes, I think it is.”

“Then what’s wrong with him?  Teresa’s right, there is a sadness about him.”

“You’ve both been through a lot, physically and mentally.  My guess is he’s feeling guilty about what happened.  Give him time.”

Scott was feeling pretty guilty himself at that moment.  “Look, Murdoch, what I said before – I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”

“You wouldn’t be the first member of this family to do that.”  Murdoch smiled.  “You look tired.  Get some rest and I’ll bring you some supper later.”

 

*****  

Late that night Johnny crept quietly into Scott’s room.  He was relieved to find his brother fast asleep.  He watched him for a while and then whispered “Bye Scott.”

Returning to his own room Johnny buckled on his gun belt and picked up his saddle bags.  It took every ounce of courage he possessed to go and find his father – to tell him that he was leaving.

*****  

Murdoch was sitting in front of the fire.  He was bone tired but knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep.  He was on his second large glass of brandy.

He had been unsettled by his talk with his eldest.  He trusted Scott’s instincts where his brother was concerned.  If Scott was worried that Johnny was thinking of leaving he was not going to take that concern lightly.

Hearing a sound he looked up.  Johnny stood in the doorway.  Murdoch took in the saddlebags and the fact that his son was wearing his gun.  The glass slipped from his hand and shattered as it hit the ground.

Johnny made no move to enter the room.  In truth he wasn’t sure his legs would carry him any further.

“Why, Johnny?  There’s no reason for you to leave.  I thought you understood how sorry I am about the way I acted.”

“That’s not why I’m leaving.  I made a mistake coming here and a worse mistake allowing Scott to get close to me.  He almost died trying to protect me.”

“That’s what families do, son.  They look after each other.”  Murdoch moved slowly towards Johnny, aware that his son could bolt at any moment.  “Don’t forget you were prepared to risk your life to save Scott.”

“He had no right to put his life on the line for me.”

“You’re angry with him?” Murdoch asked.

Johnny was shaking now.  “Yeah, I’m angry with him.”

“If you leave it’ll tear the heart out of this family.”

Johnny flinched.  “Better that than watching my brother wind up dead next time my past comes looking for me.”

“Don’t we get any say in this?  Doesn’t Scott?”

Looking away from his father Johnny shook his head.  Murdoch could see that his son’s mind was made up and was at a loss as to what he could do or say to change that.

“Where will you go?  You’re not well enough to just ride off like this.”

“I figure I’ll stop at South Mesa tonight.  It’s best if you don’t know where I’m going after that.

“Don’t let Scott follow me and tell Teresa …” Johnny found he couldn’t continue and turned to leave.

“Take care of yourself, son.”

“Yeah, I will.”

Murdoch watched the door close and the realisation hit him that he had just lost his youngest for the second time.

*****  

Scott woke late the next morning with an uneasy feeling that something was wrong.  Unwilling to stay in bed any longer he got up and dressed.

Realising how weak he still was he sat on the bed for a while before venturing into the hallway.

He had reached the top of the stairs when he heard Sam arrive.  He briefly considered going back to his room but decided that Sam could examine him just as well downstairs.

His progress was slow and far from steady.  As he stopped to catch his breath at the bottom of the stairs he could hear Murdoch and Sam talking.

“Didn’t you try and stop him?”  Sam’s voice was raised.

“Of course I did but he’s a grown man and he knows his own mind.”

“I doubt that.”  Sam snapped at his friend.

Scott struggled to make sense of what was being said.

“Where did he go?  He shouldn’t even be on a horse yet.”

“He was heading for South Mesa, that’s all he would tell me.”

“Why did he go?”

Murdoch’s answer shattered Scott’s world.  It was his fault that Johnny had left!  Without a second thought Scott headed for the barn intent upon following his brother and bringing him home by whatever means necessary.

*****  

Sam spent some time trying, unsuccessfully, to persuade Murdoch to go after his son.  Eventually he gave up and went to check on Scott.

He had been pleased with the young man’s progress on his last visit.  He should be well enough now to get up for short periods so long as he took things easy.  Of course, once he found out about his brother, they would probably have to tie him to his bed to stop him from taking off.

Sam took a deep breath to compose himself and opened the door.

*****

Murdoch heard Sam shouting his name and took the stairs two at a time.  He looked in horror at the empty room before turning and running to the barn.

When Sam caught up with him Murdoch was standing looking at the empty stalls that had contained his sons’ horses.  “He must have heard us.  The damn fool has gone after his brother.”

Before Sam could reply they heard the thunder of hooves.

In the courtyard Val was dismounting at the head of a large group of men.  “Mitchell’s escaped.  There was an ambush on the road to Stockton.  The Marshall and his deputies were all killed.”

Murdoch stared a Val in disbelief.  “Why aren’t you after them?”

Val shuffled his feet uncomfortably.  “That’s just it, Murdoch.  What tracks we were able to find didn’t lead south, they were heading towards Lancer.” 

***** 

Clem Mitchell rode beside his father anticipating the pleasures to come when they caught up with Madrid.  Clem’s hatred had been festering since the night Johnny put a gun to his head.  Hearing how Johnny had been instrumental in ruining his father’s plans and getting him arrested had sent the boy over the edge.

He had never been subtle, preferring to talk with his fists, but over the last few days he had been getting downright inventive.  His father had encouraged him, of course.  He had even suggested that it would be a good idea to get their hands on Madrid’s brother again and finish what they started.

They had heard the deputies talking and knew that Scott had lost a kidney, and nearly his life, as a result of being beaten.  Clem was glad he had survived.  It opened up so many more possibilities.

Clem admired his father.  Even from jail he had made arrangements for their escape.  They now had nine men riding with them, his father having had the foresight to leave six of his men camped outside town when he made his ill-fated visit to the Lancer ranch.

One of those men had been keeping an eye on the hacienda for the last few days and, last night, had trailed Madrid to an isolated line shack.

Yes, it was going to be a good day.

*****

Johnny had reached the line shack in the early hours of the morning.  The long ride had taken more out of him than he had expected.  His shoulder was hurting again and he was feeling emotionally bruised from his encounter with his father.

He tossed restlessly on the narrow cot before eventually falling asleep just before dawn.

He was woken up by the door slamming back against the wall.  Before he could focus properly rough hands dragged him out of bed.  He looked around in confusion.  His eyes widened in shock as they settled on the grinning faces of Clem Mitchell and his father.

He shook his head in denial.  “You’re in jail.”

“We were in jail, thanks to you I might add.  Now it’s payback time.”  Mitchell was enjoying himself.

Clem wandered over to stare at Johnny.  “Pa says you were shot.”  He reached out towards Johnny’s right shoulder causing the dark haired young man to flinch and pull against his captors.  He gritted his teeth against the pain caused by his sudden movement.

“I reckon we should take a look and see how it’s healing” Clem continued drawing his knife.

He cut open Johnny’s shirt.  Johnny’s breathing quickened but he didn’t have the strength to pull away from the men gripping his arms.  Slowly Clem cut away the bandages to expose the healing wound.

Mitchell watched Johnny with fascination.  Apart from the erratic breathing he was giving nothing away.  It was going to be a pleasure to bring Madrid to his knees.

“I think it’s time to remove the stitches.  Hold him still.”  Clem leaned towards Johnny bringing the knife close to his shoulder.  Johnny brought his left leg round in a sweeping kick and knocked the boy off balance.  The knife went clattering away into a corner.

One of Mitchell’s men struck Johnny in the side causing him to gasp for breath. 

Clem scrambled after his knife.  He grabbed a handful of Johnny’s hair and looked him straight in the eye.  Without saying a word he drove the knife into Johnny’s injured shoulder.

Johnny’s scream was cut off as he fell into unconsciousness.

*****

Scott was beginning to doubt the wisdom of following his brother.  He was having some difficulty staying on his horse and, in his haste to leave, had forgotten to bring his hat or any water.  It was a very hot day. 

He was concentrating so hard on staying in the saddle that he did not hear the other riders until it was too late.  The three newcomers regarded him closely and decided that they didn’t need to draw their weapons.  Not only was Scott unarmed but he clearly was in no shape to put up a fight.

“You’re a tough one, Lancer, I’ll give you that.”  Gomez stated with a degree of admiration.

All the horror of his kidnapping came back to Scott and he looked around wildly for some means of escape.  “Tie him to his horse.” Gomez ordered. “Looks like that’s the only way he’s going to stay on it anyway.”

After binding Scott’s wrists to the saddle horn they took off at a gallop towards South Mesa.

 

*****

Mitchell was unhappy with his son who had, once again, let his temper get the better of him.  The newly opened wound in Johnny’s shoulder had been rebandaged.   It was not part of his plan to have Madrid bleed to death, at least not yet.

Johnny was awake now.  He was sitting against the wall, his arms bound behind him and his knees pulled up to his chest.  His shoulder was on fire and he was very thirsty.

“I heard about your brother.  How is he?”  Mitchell asked in mock concern.

“He’s fine,” Johnny snapped automatically.

“I do hope so.  It’s a long ride from the house.”

Realising what Mitchell was threatening Johnny struggled to his feet.  “You leave him alone.”

Mitchell laughed.  “I underestimated him, you know.  He caused me quite a lot of trouble in the end.  I don’t make the same mistake twice.”

Johnny gave up his battle to stay upright and slid back down into a sitting position.  “You won’t get near him, Murdoch’ll see to that.”

Johnny was angry with himself for rising to Mitchell’s bait.  Scott was safe at the hacienda and Johnny didn’t truly believe Mitchell could get to him.

“We’ll see.”

***** 

Scott was no longer aware of what was going on.  He was slumped across his horse’s neck.  Gomez had stopped a while back and tied Scott’s feet to his stirrups to make sure he stayed in the saddle.

As they approached the line shack Mitchell and Clem stepped outside.

Mitchell was surprised that his men were returning so soon.  There hadn’t been enough time for them to get to the ranch house and back and he wondered what had gone wrong.  His eyes lit up when he saw Scott.

“We found him trailing his brother.” Gomez reported.  “He’s pretty far gone.”

“Was he alone?”

“Yeah.”

“Cut him down and get him inside.  It’s time to start the party.”

 

***** 

Johnny didn’t bother looking up when the door opened again.  He had almost reached the point where he didn’t care what Mitchell did to him.  He was living in a nightmare and just wanted it to end.

“Madrid.”  Getting no response Mitchell crossed to his prisoner.  Taking hold of Johnny’s chin he forced his head up.

When he saw his brother slung over Gomez’s shoulder Johnny knew that the nightmare was not going to end any time soon.

 

*****

Murdoch looked at Val in disbelief before bellowing for someone to saddle his horse.

“I figure they’ll try and hit the estancia.  We should hole up here and wait,” Val advised.

“You don’t understand – my boys are out there.  Johnny left last night and Scott’s gone after him.”

“Left?” Val shook his head in confusion.

“I’m going after them.  Leave men to guard the house.  We need to get to South Mesa before Mitchell does.”

Teresa went white as she heard, in the most brutal way possible, that her “brothers” were gone and in danger.

She clung to Murdoch weeping inconsolably and begging him to bring them back safely.  Sam gently disentangled her from her guardian.

“They need to go now Teresa.  Come inside.  They’ll be back before you know it.  Come along, my dear.  There are things we need to get ready for when the boys get home.”

Sam looked over her head at Murdoch.  Neither man was convinced that, this time, Scott and Johnny would make it home.

 

*****

Mitchell had very specific plans for Scott and made it clear that Johnny was not going to be permitted to interfere.  After being tightly tied into a chair a cloth was shoved in Johnny’s mouth and bound in place.

Scott’s shirt had been removed displaying the numerous bruises caused by his earlier beating and the bandages still in place covering his surgical wound.

A rope was thrown over one of the support beams, one end tied around Scott’s wrists and the other tied off to hold him in an upright position.

Johnny watched with mounting concern as his brother was blindfolded.

Satisfied that all was in order Mitchell instructed one of his men to throw a bucketful of icy water over the blond.

Scott came instantly awake with a gasp.  Panic seized him when he realised that he couldn’t see and was restrained.  His futile struggles only increased the pain in his side and his feeling of weakness.  “J…Johnny?”

“Your brother isn’t here.” Mitchell said in his ear.  “You’re on your own.”

“W…where are we?” Scott managed to ask.

“I believe it’s called South Mesa.”

Scott stiffened and Mitchell laughed at his reaction.  “We found Madrid here this morning.  I’m afraid his smart mouth got the better of him.  He said some things my son didn’t like.”  Mitchell paused.  “Johnny’s dead. Clem killed him.”

“I d…don’t believe you,” Scott stammered.

“It doesn’t really matter whether you do or not.” Mitchell said dismissively. “It must be hard for you to accept, having come all this way to find him, that you won’t see your brother again.

“I’ll leave you to think about that for a while then I’ll introduce you to my son.”

A wave of nausea hit Scott and he retched miserably.

*****

Johnny watched helplessly as Scott’s head drooped lower and lower.  He was taking all his weight on his arms and didn’t look like he had the strength to stand any more.

Johnny had been fighting the ropes and the gag but had been unable to attract Scott’s attention.  His shoulder was bleeding again and he was growing weaker but he wasn’t going to let Mitchell get away with his mind games.

He caught his breath as he registered what Mitchell had said.  Scott had been on his way here when he was captured!  How could Murdoch have allowed that?  He wouldn’t, Johnny realised.  Which meant he was probably on his way here right now.

All they had to do was hold on until Murdoch arrived.

Johnny had no idea how many men Mitchell had with him.  There had been two with Clem and his father when he was taken and Gomez had turned up later with Scott.  Johnny suspected there must be others as someone had been responsible for springing Mitchell and his son from jail.

He hoped that Murdoch wasn’t coming alone.

***** 

Mitchell watched Johnny, satisfied that his treatment of Scott was having the desired effect.  He would take great pleasure in breaking both brothers before killing them.

Gomez stood behind Johnny’s chair.  Clem was pacing back and forth eager to begin.  The rest of the men were outside on the alert for any sign of pursuit.

Even knowing that it was only a matter of time before they were found Mitchell couldn’t bring himself to rush his revenge.

Scott’s breathing was laboured now and he was bitterly cold.  He no longer doubted that his brother was dead.

Although his heart was breaking he would not give Mitchell the satisfaction of knowing how deeply hurt he was. 

He heard a noise off to one side and struggled to stand straight.  He swallowed his grief and prepared to meet whatever was coming with as much courage as he could muster.

*****

The gun hawks recruited by Mitchll as back up, who had ambushed the Marshall and his deputies, were growing concerned.  Killing the lawmen was not a problem but they had expected to head immediately for the border and freedom.  They were well aware that if they were caught they would hang.

When they had been told of Mitchell’s plan to kill Madrid and his brother they had only been persuaded to stay because they were reassured that it would be done quickly and that they would be on their way long before any posse showed up.

As the day wore on with no sign of a move south they became restless to the point where they decided it was in their own best interests to move on.  Having developed a healthy respect for their employer they knew that they would get a bullet in the back if they told him they were leaving.  It was easier just to slip away.

The two remaining men who had been party to the initial raid on the hacienda had no idea that they were now alone and very vulnerable.

 

*****

As he had done earlier with Johnny, Clem cut away Scott’s bandages.  He ran a finger down the line of the incision and smiled when Scott attempted to pull away.

“’Aint it amazing that you can lose a part of yourself like that and still be alive,” he said to no-one in particular.  “’Course things’ll be different once I’ve finished with the other kidney.”

Johnny swore behind his gag and strained uselessly against the ropes holding him prisoner.

Clem drew his knife and ran the tip across Scott’s flat stomach, drawing a thin line of blood.  Switching the knife to his left hand he made a fist and struck Scott in the side just above his wound.

Scott cried out in pain unaware that his father, Val and the rest of the posse were close enough to hear. 

*****

Murdoch, Val and the others had met with little resistance from the two men left on guard outside. They had quickly established that Scott and Johnny were both in the shack with Mitchell, his son and Gomez for company.

Murdoch had insisted on going in the front door with Val entering from the rear.  Hearing his son’s scream had sent Murdoch hurtling through the door with his gun drawn.

He saw Clem draw back a horse whip to strike Scott’s back and fired without a second thought.  Mitchell watched in horror as his son fell to the ground.

Gomez drew his gun intent upon killing Johnny and went down to Val’s bullet.  Val moved to Johnny’s side and began cutting away the ropes.

Snatching up his son’s knife Mitchell moved to put Scott between himself and Murdoch.  He slashed the rope holding Scott up, threw an arm around the injured man’s chest and pressed the knife to his throat.  “Get out of the way, Lancer, and I might let your boy live.”

“Not this time,” Johnny said quietly from behind him.  The gunshot sounded loud in the sudden stillness and Mitchell fell to lie beside his son.

Scott managed one word, his brother’s name, before the darkness claimed him.

 

*****

Johnny dropped the gun and knelt by his brother’s side.  With trembling hands he removed the blindfold.  Scott’s eyes were closed, he was pale and his skin was icy to the touch.

Murdoch removed the ropes from Scott’s wrists before collecting some blankets from a storage chest.  He draped one around Johnny, resting his hands for a moment on his son’s shoulders.  Johnny gratefully accepted the offer of comfort.

Working quickly Murdoch removed Scott’s wet clothes, wrapped him in some blankets and carried him to the cot.

Johnny stayed where he was, staring at Mitchell and Clem.

“Come on, son.  Sit over here by your brother.”  Murdoch helped Johnny to stand and guided him over to a chair.  Johnny clutched the blanket around himself.

“Val, we need to get these boys warmed up.  Can you get a fire going and put on some coffee?” 

Murdoch looked dispassionately at the bodies of the men who had tried to destroy his family.  He went outside and began issuing instructions.  This was Lancer and he was in charge.

***** 

Johnny watched his brother, still unable to believe that Scott had risked so much to come and find him.  He sipped the sweetened coffee, the sugar not doing much to disguise the fact that Val really was no good at making it, and felt some warmth returning to his body.

Murdoch had been working to restore some warmth to Scott’s arms and legs.  As the cabin warmed up Scott’s tremors finally began to lessen and he opened his eyes.

He immediately looked for, and found, his brother.  “He t….told me you were dead.”

“I know.  He was an evil bastard who wanted you to give up and me to see it.”

“I b….believed him.”

Murdoch closed his eyes finally realising the depths Mitchell had gone to in order to hurt his sons.

Scott was unable to tolerate the coffee so Val warmed some water and stirred in several spoonfuls of sugar to help counteract the shock of his ordeal.

He only managed a couple of mouthfuls before sinking back into the pillows.

“You need to sleep now,” Murdoch advised.  “Sam’ll be here soon with the wagon and we’ll get you home.”

Scott continued to watch his brother.  “You’ll be here when I wake up?”

Johnny nodded. “Yeah, brother, I’ll be here.  Go to sleep.  We’ll talk later.”

***** 

Val stayed with the Lancers while his men took the bodies and the prisoners back to Green River.

Once Scott was asleep Murdoch insisted on checking Johnny’s shoulder.  The bleeding had slowed to a trickle but it was clear that he had lost a lot of blood. 

Both boys were going to find themselves back in bed for a good few days and Murdoch was determined that this time they would stay put.

By the time Sam arrived the brothers were both asleep.  A mattress and pillows had been placed in the bed of the wagon but Sam was not happy about moving them until he was sure they were in a stable condition.

“I don’t like waking them, Murdoch, but I need to check them over before we move them.”

He looked in horror at the angry wound in Johnny’s shoulder.  “That’ll need to be cleaned out and stitched again.  I’ll give him a shot of morphine.”

“No you won’t.  You ain’t putting me to sleep.”  Johnny said weakly, opening pain filled blue eyes.

“Stubborn boy,” Sam said but with affection in his voice.  “All right but you’ll at least need some laudanum.”

Johnny considered this.  “I need to look after Scott.”

“We can look after him now, son.  You need to concentrate on getting well.”

“Not too much,” was Johnny’s grudging concession.

 

***** 

By the time Sam had finished with Johnny Scott was awake.  Sam checked the cut on his stomach and was relieved to find it wasn’t much more than a flesh wound.

The stitches in Scott’s side had been pulled but were still holding.  The area around them was bruised and painful.  Sam applied fresh bandages and produced the bottle of morphine. Seeing that Scott was about to protest he said sternly, “There’ll be no argument from you young man.  I don’t recall giving you permission to get out of bed, let alone go riding all over the countryside.  You’re picking up far too many bad habits from that brother of yours.”

Realising that he couldn’t win Scott turned his attention to his brother.  “Johnny?  You coming home?”

Murdoch held his breath as he waited for his son’s answer.

Johnny smiled sleepily.  “I’m coming home.  Someone had to keep you out of trouble.  That’s ok, isn’t it Murdoch?”

“Yes, son, that’s ok.”

***** 

A week later the brothers sat in the afternoon sun watching the horses in the paddock.  Barranca was restless but not nearly as restless as his owner.

Johnny’s arm was still in a sling and Murdoch and Sam had threatened dire consequences if he took it off or even thought about trying to ride.

Scott was healing but was still very weak and this was the furthest he had been allowed to go since getting home.

So far they had not talked about their ordeal although both had been suffering nightmares.  Knowing his patients well Sam had warned Murdoch that it was unlikely either would ever discuss what had happened.

That afternoon, though, there was something Johnny wanted to know.  “Why’d you come after me?”

Scott smiled at his little brother.  “The same reason you left in the first place – you’re my brother and I love you.”

“I guess we were both pretty stupid.” Johnny replied.  He looked hopefully towards Barranca.  “D’you think Sam’ll let me ride tomorrow?”

“Not a chance,” Scott laughed at his brother.  “Unless you’re planning on sneaking off again.”

“No,” Johnny yawned lazily.  “I think this time I’ll stick around.”

When Murdoch went out later to check on his sons he found them both asleep with Scott’s head resting on Johnny’s shoulder.  He looked at them fondly for a moment before leaving them to sleep in peace.

 

The End 

Caroline

Jan 2000