Note: This story is currently in progress... stay tuned for the complete version, which will be posted as soon as it is finished and has been reviewed by my beta readers. For now, I've posted this little tidbit as a hint as to what will come.
"Forget it, Ezra," Chris growled. "You aren't going."
"I beg your pardon?" Ezra stared at him incredulously. "I wasn't asking, I was informing you of my plans."
"And I'm informing you that you ain't goin'," Chris snarled.
"I don't need your permission!" Ezra glared at the gunslinger. "I have as much right to spend a few days away from town as any of the rest of our little group."
"You have a job to do," Chris said dismissively.
"And the rest of you don't?" Ezra said sarcastically. "Why am I subject to different rules than everyone else?"
Nathan snorted from his seat next to Chris. "Don't have to worry about anybody else causin' trouble."
Ezra switched his glare to the dark healer, wincing inwardly at the chuckles coming from Buck and Vin. He clenched his fists at his side, struggling to keep his fury contained as he looked at each of his associates in turn. He wanted to argue, to rail against them and the double standard they continually employed with regards to him, but he knew it would be useless; they always ignored his arguments in situations like this. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the saloon.
JD watched the gambler's exit with a frown. Ezra had been moody lately, alternately brooding quietly and snapping at people for no reason. He had perked up yesterday when he heard about the poker tournament in XXX, smiling and talking excitedly about the opportunity to match his skills against other professional gamblers. JD had been glad to see the smile back on his friend's face.
It had been quiet in town recently and all of them had been suffering from the boredom brought about by the lack of activity. "Gettin' antsy", was how Vin had put it. They were men of action, uncomfortable with such lulls. It was understandable that they would wish to seek some relief.
"Why don't you want him to go, Chris?" JD asked. Buck shot him a look of warning, but JD didn't care. It didn't seem fair to him that the rest of them could take time out from their duties while Ezra couldn't. All of them had, in recent days, left town for some length of time. He himself had been spending a lot of time out at Nettie Wells' place, more as an excuse for seeing Casey as anything else, but he was grateful for the distraction. Ezra didn't have anything like that to occupy his time.
"'Cause Nathan's right," Chris said shortly. "The man always causes trouble."
"But, Chris..." JD began but was cut off by Buck's hand covering his mouth.
"He ain't goin'," Chris said, tossing back the last of his whiskey as he stood. He gave the kid a hard look then headed out the swinging doors.
"Not smart, kid," Buck said shaking his head.
"What?" JD said.
"Shouldn't question 'im," Vin stated. "'Specially when he's been drinkin'."
"Yeah, well it ain't fair," JD said firmly. "All of us have taken some time off lately, an' I figure Ez deserves the same chance as the rest of us to take a break."
Vin gave him an odd, almost surprised look, then nodded slowly. "Got a point there," he agreed quietly.
"Ez'll get over it," Buck said, shaking his head. "Hell, he can fleece people here as well as there, so I don't see what he's so pissed about."
"Probably lookin' for some new marks," Nathan said. "Everyone around here is wise to him and his cheatin' ways."
JD rolled his eyes in disgust and pushed away from the table. "I'm going to talk to him." He hurried out the door, determined to find the southerner and lend his support.
Vin watched him go, a thoughtful look on his face.
To be continued...
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