Buck Wilmington had always loved holidays. His mother had made them special to him, no matter what. She would give him candy on Valentine's Day, she would help him shoot fireworks on the 4th of July, she would always make him a costume on All Hallow's Eve, but what Buck loved most was when she would decorate a scrawny tree in their room on Christmas.

It was never a big tree, or fancy ornaments, but it was theirs'. He remembered those times as happy and complete with he and his ma. A day of belonging, not only to the father above, but to a special person on Earth. The one day Buck never felt lonely, well, that was until now.

Christmas was about to descend on Four Corners, not that this was the first one he'd experienced since he came to the town. Far from it. This was actually his third. And that was hard to believe to the gunslinger. Three years since he stepped back into the life of his best friend, three long years since he adopted a greenhorn from the East as his kid brother, and three glorious years since he had become a part of a family again.

But, this year seemed somehow different to the man. Here he sat in the saloon the day before Christmas Eve and was feeling such an overwhelming wealth of loneliness it was beginning to suffocate him. The mood had hit a couple of days ago, but he just tacked it up to the holiday emotions flying around him, that was, until today. He had awoke to find himself alone in bed and the town as quiet as a church on Saturday.

No people were stirring, not even his friends. It was as if time had stopped moving. The thought and feeling had drove the gunslinger to the brink of insanity. He had quickly jumped into his clothes, grabbed his boots and ran at breakneck speed to the one place he was positive he would find them. The saloon. But here he sat, alone.

Inez had brought him coffee and some breakfast when he arrived earlier, but now she too had disappeared, leaving Wilmington to stare forlornly at the batwing doors in front of him. You're just overreactin' Buck, they'll be back. Exactly. They've all probably gone to do chores. So, Buck settled in to wait.

"You think Buck will like it, Chris?" JD Dunne kept glancing over his shoulder at the object being pulled by his horse. He, Chris Larabee, and the others of the seven, minus Wilmington, had left before dawn that morning on a mission. A mission of love, as JD had told them.

"I'm certain he'll love it, JD." Chris gave the sheriff a tolerable smile, for that had been the tenth time he had answered that question since the sun had risen.

"So, have you decided where you will put it, JD?" Nathan Jackson was riding back and to the right of Dunne and his cargo, staring happily at the package.

"Well, I was thinking that I could put it up in the church, if that's alright with you Josiah? I figure it would be the last place Buck would see it until I was ready." Dunne broke into a huge grin, which was followed by a baritone laughter.

"You may be right about that, Brother JD, and I would be honored to guard it at the church for you." Josiah Sanchez was riding slowly beside Larabee toward the front of the group, enjoying the quiet and companionship. He had glanced back to check on JD and what he saw had him pulling his mount to a stop. "Something wrong, son?"

Chris heard the concern in the ex-preacher's voice and also pulled to a stop. He turned to look at the sheriff and immediately saw Sanchez's reason for worry. The youth's face had contorted to one of immense pain, emotionally, not physically.

"Well," JD paused to clear his throat and then looked at each of his friends'. "I was just thinking how none of us even told Buck we was leaving. I mean, yeah, we left him word with Mrs. Potter if he should come looking or need us for anything, but still, I feel kinda bad we didn't even say goodbye." Dunne dropped his head at the thought of not telling his best friend he was leaving.

"And why does that upset you so much, Mr. Dunne? You are acquiring a gift of great importance for Mr. Wilmington and we are now on our way back to him, are we not?" Ezra Standish had pulled his mount to a stop beside the youth.

JD raised his head and glanced at the conman. "Yeah, I guess you're right, Ez, but I was just thinking about how quick things can change. My ma got sick quick and died. I shot and killed Annie and that changed me something fierce. I was just thinking of how fast something could happen to Buck or us and I didn't even tell him goodbye." The anguish radiating from the hazel eye's of Dunne had each man thinking hard on what he had said.

"Yeah, I see what you mean, JD." Vin Tanner was perched on his horse about 5 feet in front of the others. "No matter what the intentions, it's always better to have things settled in case you never get the chance to clear them up later." Vin gave Larabee a passing glance, noticing the hard set of the jaw and deep lines of thought along the gunslinger's face. "Well, I suggest we quit lolligaggin around here and get back to Buck before he decides to take a jaunt of his own." Tanner quickly turned his horse and set off at a trot, with the others following close behind.

"Hello there, Mr. Wilmington. How are you today?" Mrs. Potter was sweeping her front porch when she noticed the slouching gunslinger crossing the street.

Buck stopped and tipped his hat. "Morning, ma'am. I'm doing well and yourself?" The politeness and the voice was the same, but the lady quickly noticed the twinkle was gone from the ladies' man's eyes.

"I'm as right as rain, thank you for asking." She smiled, hoping to drag the other man into a smile of his own. However, Wilmington wasn't even looking at the woman. "Mr. Wilmington, are you sure you are alright? You seem kinda sad." Mrs. Potter stepped off the porch and came to stand next to Buck.

The peacekeeper glanced down at the general store owner, trying to give her one of his best smiles. "I'll be fine ma'am. I'm just feeling a bit out of sorts with the boys gone is all." Buck hoped the woman would leave it lie, but that thought was destroyed easily.

"Well, I can understand that. Once you've had somebody around you enough, you begin to forget that they had once never been there. It can be a hard thing to stomach when that somebody suddenly vanishes from your life. But don't you worry none, them boys will back here by lunch time and you'll be fit as a fiddle." Mrs. Potter patted his arm and then went back into her store.

I'm afraid it won't be that easy, ma'am. I'm really afraid it won't be that easy. Buck resumed his course toward the jailhouse, not even noticing the six riders headed back into town.

"JD, you and Josiah head on over to the church and start getting it set up, and the rest of us will take care of the horses and keep an eye on Buck." Chris gave the package one last look and then followed the other three toward the livery, glancing back once to see Dunne and Sanchez carrying the gift into the church.

The four men got their horses settled quickly and then went in search of the wayward gunslinger.

"Inez, my dear," Ezra pushed through the batwing doors with the other three close behind. "I was wondering if you may know the whereabouts of Mr. Wilmington?" The four peacekeepers' stopped at the bar and waited for Inez to acknowledge the question.

"Si, I know where Senor Buck is." The lady barkeep resumed her cleaning of the glasses, never giving any more information.

Larabee exchanged a puzzled look with Tanner before turning back to Inez. "Then, where is he?" Chris raised an eyebrow at the unusual actions of the woman.

Inez slammed the beer mug onto the countertop, causing all four men to involuntarily step back a pace. "I am not sure I want to tell you. Madre Dios! I know I am not always tolerant of Senor Buck, but I do not like it when he is sad. What have you done to him?" The lady was now pointing her finger first at Chris, then one by one the others.

Nathan cleared his throat and then took a cautious step forward. "We haven't done anything to him, ma'am. We just left for a bit to go grab him a Christmas present. Is he feeling poorly or something?" Jackson, always the healer.

"He was not Senor Buck. He did not once flirt with me. The whole time he was here, he was sitting there, staring at those stupid doors waiting for the six of you to return. He finally got tired of waiting and left and went to the jail." Inez could see the genuine concern on their faces, so knew they had not done anything intentional to Wilmington. "He was very sad." She gave them one more stern glare and then went to the back of the tavern, leaving the four to stare confused at their reflections in the mirror.

"What could be bothering, Bucklin?" Vin turned to Larabee, hoping the gunslinger's oldest friend would be able to shed some light on the subject.

Chris looked toward Tanner. "I have no idea. Sad and Buck have never really gone together. Come to think of it, I've never seen him truly sad before." The leader shook his head bewildered.

"Do you think something happened while we were gone?" Vin turned and looked through the windows at the jailhouse.

"That could be possible, Vin, however, all our speculations are for nothing if we do not seek out Buck and just ask him." Standish pulled down his sleeves as he too turned toward the doors.

"Ezra, I think that is the first time since I have known you, I actually agree with you." Nathan gave the conman a small smile.

"Well, there are first times for everything Mr. Jackson, however, I would not hold your breath for it to happen again soon." Ezra smiled, allowing his gold tooth to shine.

Chris chuckled. "Let's go." The four men quickly left the saloon and cautiously made their way to the jail. But it seems Fate had her own agenda for the men.

Bullets began kicking up dust around the mens' feet, spurring each to hurriedly search for cover.

"Billy Joe Harris, murder. Dan Winston, robbery. Gary Wells, horse thief." Buck slammed the last poster down and glanced out into the street. Everything was still as quiet as it had been so he resumed the mundane task of searching through the wanted posters. Usually, it was Vin who would spend hours memorizing every face or slowly sounding out each name. But, Wilmington figured it was as good as any distraction from his melancholy thoughts. Aw, hell, Buck. Get a grip. So what if they left without telling you, it don't mean they don't want you around anymore. He sighed. Or does it?.

Buck grabbed another wanted poster and let his feelings of neglect pour into them.

"Somethings missin', Josiah." JD took a couple of steps back and looked over the work he and the preacher had just done. "What do you think?"

Sanchez also gave the object an eye of scrutiny. "I see what you mean, JD. It's missing a piece of us."

"Huh?" Dunne gave the older man a puzzled look.

"Well, JD, from the very first Christmas, something was given from one person to another. God gave us his son and so did Mary. The wise men and shepherds gave something to the new born King, so on and so forth. I figure we need something from each of us to add to our group gift. See what I mean?" Josiah placed a hand on the youth's shoulder and waited for him to understand.

JD pushed his hair out of his eyes and studied their project, thinking on what Sanchez had just said. A piece of us...... "Oh yeah, I get it now and I know just the things. Come on." Dunne grabbed the ex-preacher by the arm and all but dragged him to the front door, but just as they were about to go through them, the gunfire started.

"What the hell?" Buck jumped from his chair, not even noticing its crash to the floor. He quickly pulled his sidearm and crouched beside the jail window. He watched silently as the bullets seemed to be falling from the sky. Wilmington started to risk a peek outside, when he noticed four of his friends scrambling for cover.

"Damn." Buck stop thinking and began reacting. He had no idea who he was shooting at or why, he only knew his friends needed him. He pushed the door open halfway and began firing at the top of the boarding house, where he had spotted a gunman. He was rewarded with high pitched yelp, followed by a loud thump. Taking a second to check the progress of his friends and seeing they had each reached cover, he resumed his firing.

"Somebody wanna tell me where the hell those boys came from?" Chris yelled across the barrels, he had chosen as shelter, to Vin, who was crouched near the entrance to the alleyway.

"Well, I'm guessing, but I would say they're not Christmas angels." Tanner gave the black clad gunman a lopsided grin as he pumped a shell into his sawed off.

Larabee rolled his eyes, once again thinking why he got stuck with insane people as friends. "I kinda figured that one on my own, Tanner."

Vin shrugged and was about to come back with another answer when he was suddenly distracted by a gunman in the bell tower. The man seemed to be lining someone up in his cross hairs, the way he was methodically checking and rechecking his position. Tanner forgot the gunfight and conversation as he became engrossed in what the sniper was up too.

The tracker heard Chris calling his name, but he didn't have time to acknowledge him. Vin knew deep in his gut one of his friends had earned the gunman's interest.

Vin stood straight up and stepped from behind cover when he became aware of the sniper's target. "BUCK!!" Tanner ignored the bullets whizzing by and yell of his friends' as he began running toward Wilmington's position. Apparently, due to the gunfire, Buck hadn't heard the sharpshooter's yell, for he was still poised half in and half out of the jailhouse door, oblivious to the danger.

Tanner knew that there was only about 20 yards between him and Wilmington, but the closer he knew himself to be, the farther away it looked. Vin chanced a glance at the sniper and felt his heart stop and his breath catch. How many times had he not been in that exact same position at that very moment? His need to reach Buck escalated.

He tried once more to get the gunslinger's attention, but the man still did not hear him. Dear God, please let me get there in time. Vin had realized from the first moment he had spotted the sniper that no one would be able to take him down before he got off a shot. If the sharpshooter'd had his rifle, then he wouldn't have been feeling this fear, but he didn't have his rifle and right now, all he had was one chance.

"Where are they, Josiah?" JD was crouched inside the church's doors, trying to gauge where the gunmen and his friends where.

"Our brothers seemed to be tucked away near or around the jail. The demons seem to have taken to the high ground." Sanchez raised up slightly and fired at a gunman, who was trying to get into a better position atop the general store. The man's cry told Josiah he had struck his target successfully.

"Damn, Josiah, how did we not notice them?" JD squeezed off two shots of his own, but was disappointed when neither struck their mark.

"I'd say we all have been slightly distracted today, brother, but I have faith we will triumph." Sanchez smiled at the youth and was happy when his grin was reciprocated.

JD turned and was about to fire again, when a movement near the alleyway beside the Clarion, caught his attention. "What the hell is Vin doing?"

Both became mesmerized by the action of the tracker. They watched in what seemed to be slow motion, as Tanner ran full out across the boardwalks, defying all realms of reality as the bullets seemed to go around him.

"I don't know what Brother Tanner is up too, JD, but I suggest we give him some cover." Josiah threw a quick prayer heavenward and returned fire once more.

Way to go Wilmington. You've been sulking around here all day letting some no good outlaws get into town. Good job. Buck's mental tirade continued as he reflexively kept firing and reloading. He was so lost in thought he hadn't heard the cry of warning or noticed the footsteps pounding behind him. The only thing occupying his mind was his stupidity.

Almost there. Vin put every ounce of strength, fear, and prayer into his run, but somehow he knew he wouldn't make it in time. No, God, please no. Tanner reached out, his hand no more then three feet from Buck's shoulder, but the shot and sudden jerk of Wilmington's body made him recoil. He slid to a stop, falling to his knees, reaching out once more to grab the gunslinger's body as it was slowly gravitating to the boardwalk. "Buck...." The soft, Texas whisper blocked out everything around the two men. The gunfire disappeared, as did the shouts and yells from their friends. All Vin knew was the blood seeping through his fingers as he held them over the bullet wound in Wilmington's upper chest. "Don't you dare die on me, Bucklin." The raspy voice held a note of anguish as another voice from earlier played through his mind: I was just thinking about how quick things can change. My ma got sick quick and died. I shot and killed Annie and that changed me something fierce. I was just thinking of how fast something could happen to Buck or us and I didn't even tell him goodbye. "At least let us say goodbye, pard."

Chris had given the tracker as much cover fire as he could, but knew the crazy Texan wasn't paying any damn attention to what was going on around him. He seemed fixated on Buck, but Larabee couldn't understand why. Wilmington was hiding inside the jail house door, surely Vin could see he wasn't in any danger. But, apparently, the sharpshooter's hawkeyes' were seeing something the others didn't, so Chris had continued firing.

He had glanced up the moment Vin had reached Buck and almost sighed with relief. Almost. His sigh quickly turned into a gasp of disbelief as he watched Wilmington's body spasm and then crumble into the arms' of Tanner. NO.

"Josiah, I'm gonna try and make a run for that wagon over there, cover me." JD had risen half way, when Sanchez's fingers crushed around the youth's upper arm. "Ow, let....." Dunne's cry was cut off when his eyes' followed the ex-preacher's line of sight.

JD choked back a scream, as he watched his best friend's body convulse and then fall into Vin's waiting arms. This can't be happening! Dunne began pulling against Josiah's grip, trying to run toward his friend, but Sanchez wasn't about to let the boy go.

"JD, son, listen to me." Josiah pulled the sheriff to his knees and grabbed him by the chin, jerking his face to look at Sanchez. "Listen to me. You won't do Buck any good by getting yourself killed. Vin's got him and he'll take good care of him until we can get there. You hear me?" Josiah shook the chin softly, satisfied when he saw the grim determination enter into them. "Good, now let's get back to work."

"Nathan!!" Vin's sudden cry caused the other five men to cringe with despair. The usual control and smoothness of the drawl was gone, replaced by sheer panic.

Jackson raised from his spot near Vin's wagon and gazed toward the two men at the jail. He could see the blood dripping onto the boardwalk and caught the paleness in the tracker's face, knowing then it was bad. "Get him inside, Vin and keep pressure on that wound!" Nathan hoped the gunfight would soon be over, for he knew he was unable to do anything until it was safe for all of them.

The healer saw the slight nod of Tanner's head, followed by him slowly dragging Buck's unresponsive body inside the jail. Jackson had seen many horrors in his young life, but what he was witnessing now caused him more grief. Because this time, it was one of his family.

Ezra had cheated at cards, had cheated death a few times, and even cheated himself out of love a few times in life, but now, now he knew he was on the verge of being cheated out of the most precious gift God could have ever bestowed upon him and at Christmas no doubt. He was about to lose a brother.

"God, I know we have not been on speaking terms in quite some time, but at this moment, I am propelled to call upon you. You see, I know you are a man of forgiveness and mercy, otherwise I would not have found myself in the company of the six individuals I now call family. I also know you to be a giving man. For you gave your own son to save our souls many years ago and it is for this reason I am asking you to give me something. Give me the chance to make these men see what they truly mean to me and give me the strength to hang on to these brothers' you deemed me worthy enough for. For God, if you take one of us, you take a part of us all. So, I beseech you, spare Buck, not only for my sake, but for the sake of six souls. Amen."

Standish closed his eyes briefly to seal his prayer with the father and then once again regained his poker facade and resumed the fight.

Vin's hands shook from the exercion of hauling Wilmington inside the jail and from the adrenaline rush he could feel fading from his body. He left Buck's side for a moment, as he gathered scattered linens and bandannas around the room. He knew he would need all of them to help stop the bleeding.

He piled the materials behind the desk and then proceeded to drag Buck into the safe haven of the wooded structure. It was the only thing he could think of to help shield them from incoming fire.

After arranging the gunslinger into a comfortable position, he began applying bandage on top of bandage and then finally tying them tightly against the wound. Tanner knew his strength alone wouldn't be enough to control the blood loss, thus the tightly wrapping of one of the cot's sheets around Wilmington's chest.

"Okay, Bucklin, all you have to do is just rest and hang on until Nate gets in here to check you out, think you can do that?" Tanner knew he had to be rambling, but he couldn't stop himself. He had gotten comfortable these past three years with these men. He had grown to depend on them, not only for watching his back, but for the comfort of belonging to someone.

"I never should have let this happen. You all have gotten under my skin and that's dangerous, Buck. I've kept people at arm's length for a reason all these years, ya know. I should have figured the moment I laid eyes on that no good Larabee that I was in trouble. But, no, I kept telling myself I can handle it. I was just gonna stay and keep you boys safe until I felt it was time to move on." Vin swallowed suddenly. "Only now, I'm afraid I won't ever be able to move on without you boys beside me."

The tracker sat down heavily by Buck's side, placing his hand on top of the bandages. "I don't have a lot of good memories, pard. The ones I do have all happened in the past three years. Especially, the Christmas'. I always made a point of avoiding towns and people during that time. I never wanted to get in the way of their happiness. I just figured it was a day for families and the likes of me didn't belong." Vin glanced down, making sure the pulse was still throbbing against the gunslinger's neck, then returned his gaze to the window and the gunfight still raging outside. "But then, that first Christmas we all celebrated here in Four Corners made me realize I did belong. Especially, you. You somehow knew more then the rest what I felt about the holiday, but that didn't stop you. You came at me like a charging bull. Always swindlin' me into helping do this or helping do that, until I was so involved I didn't know how to get out. You sure had ole Chris running in circles. He still threatens to shoot you come Christmas time. I reckon he knew best that to fight you was impossible, that eventually you'd get what you wanted and we'd all be better off for it. Damn, Bucklin, I ain't talked this much in my lifetime. I guess what the kid said earlier really got to me. There's another example of a fine job you've done, pard. JD's turning out to be one hell of a man. He's got your heart and I'm sure as hell glad."

Vin paused, pressing his fingers against his closed eyelids. "I wish sometimes I had some of your heart, Buck, then I wouldn't be so damn scared of saying what I feel. I figure if I hide how I really fell, then it'll be less painful when I lose what I treasure most." Tanner sighed and pushed his hat off his head. "I want you to know one thing, pard. I cherish you as a friend and look up to you as a brother. I don't want to lose you." The tracker patted the bandage softly and then started to rise and rejoin the fight, but his hand was suddenly engulfed. Vin turned shocked eyes toward the man by his side. "Buck?" The gunslinger's eyes were open but drooping.

"Hey..par.d.." Wilmington forced as much of a smile as he could muster onto his face. "I don't....ever..go any...where...without saying....goodbye...and I...don't say it....often..." Buck squeezed the sharpshooter's hand and then let his eyes drift closed once more.

"I'll remember that." Vin returned the gesture and then with renewed strength, stepped out into the fight to help finally bring it to an end.

JD was as charged as a battalion advancing on Gettysburg. "Calm down, son, it's almost time." Josiah knew he wouldn't be able to hold onto the youth much longer and so prayed the fight was near an end.

"I've gotta get to Buck, now." Dunne didn't wait for Sanchez to get a hand on him, as he suddenly burst through the church doors, firing deliberately, as he made his way toward the jail house. He was happy when he heard the familiar boom of Vin's sawed off Winchester accompanying his guns. That has to mean Buck's okay. Vin would never left his side if he wasn't. This renewed the sheriff's adrenaline as he sprinted the last few feet and then flew through the jailhouse door.

"Hey Vin." JD panted loudly, being rewarded with a rare grin from the tracker.

"Nice of you to drop in, sheriff." Tanner shook his head, realizing there was no need to be angry with the young man. He would have pulled a similar stunt if it had been Chris laying here. "I think Buck needs you." The sharpshooter jerked his head toward the desk and didn't wait to see Dunne's next move, as the last three outlaws began firing with a vengeance.

"Buck?" JD dropped to his hands and knees beside the wounded man, fearful of touching him.

Wilmington heard the voice, almost couldn't believe it. "JD?" Buck blinked his eyes open slowly, grateful when he saw the youth's face. "Hey kid..." The gunslinger reached up, trying to take Dunne's hand.

JD grabbed the proffered hand and squeezed it hard. "I'm here Buck, you just rest. Nate'll be here any minute now." The sheriff paused, as the lump in his throat grew.

"Kid..." Wilmington heard the sudden hitch in the voice and got scared.

JD noticed the change and realized what had caused it. "I'm okay Buck, just needed to rest a minute. I kinda ran all the way from the church." Dunne smiled when he saw the set of Buck's jaw and the down slope of his eyebrows. He knew what was coming.

"You mean to tell me, you ran right into the middle of a gunfight????" Wilmington's wound was forgotten as the sheer fear of Dunne's body being riddled with bullets and lying in the street.

"Calm down, Buck. I'm fine. Besides, the boys was watching my back. Now, lie still or I'll let Chris get first crack at you." Whether it was the threat of Larabee, or the gunslinger's waning strength, JD didn't know, he was just satisfied when Buck lay back and seemed to drift into sleep. "I want you to know I'll never leave you again without saying goodbye, I promise." Dunne squeezed the hand once more and settled beside his best friend to wait for Jackson to come and heal them once more.

Christmas Day...

"What, do everyone of you lose all your thought processes at the same time. It wasn't bad enough, when bright ass Tanner went running across the boardwalks like some reincarnation of Jesus walking on water, no, the invisible man Dunne here decided to one up Tanner by running across the whole fucking courtyard. What are you boys trying to do, turn my hair as gray as Josiah's as fast as you can?" Larabee took a deep breath and glanced toward Sanchez. "No offense, Josiah."

"None taken, brother." The ex-preacher smiled, enjoying the reaming out Dunne and Tanner were getting, although, JD was the only one who seemed to be effected by the leader's tirade.

"Aw, ease off Chris. The kid made a mistake, he won't do it again, will ya kid?" Buck spoke, as he once again tried to get comfortable in the bed he had been imprisoned on in Nathan's clinic.

"And you," Larabee approached the man, who was now trying for all he was worth to disappear into the bed. "Don't even get me started on you. Why the hell did you ignore Vin's warning? You stupid bastard." Chris shook his head, trying to calm his temper. He knew he shouldn't be cursing on Jesus' birthday, but they just knew how to get on his last nerve.

"Hey, it's all over and today is Christmas. Why don't we chalk this up to another Magnificent Seven experience and enjoy the holiday." Ezra rubbed his hands together in anticipation, missing his almost demise by the team's leader. The conman was once again saved by the tracker's impeccable timing. "Good, how about we bring in our present, Mr. Sanchez, if, of course, that is fine by you, Mr. Jackson?" Standish looked to the healer, who was softly chuckling behind the gambler.

"By all means." Nathan bowed, sweeping his arms out to his sides.

"Thank you." Ezra raised an eyebrow at the healer's laughter, never seeing Chris' attempts at getting to the conman and the sharpshooter's swift reflexes saving Standish's life. "Well, Josiah, if you will."

JD helped Buck prop up against the backboard of the bed and then settled in beside his best friend. The six men kept their eyes riveted onto the door, awaiting Sanchez's return.

Dunne was becoming restless, bouncing his leg up and down at an increasing rate. "Kid, so help me, if you don't...." the rest of the gunslinger's words were swallowed as his eyes fell on the tree that Josiah had just placed at the foot of his bed.

Six of the men stared at the seventh, while Buck stared open mouthed at the most beautiful Christmas tree he had ever seen. The limbs were as green as Ezra's famed money and it was decorated so elegantly that the gunslinger felt tears welling up in his eyes.

"Merry Christmas, Buck." JD placed his hand on his friend's shoulder, not knowing what else to say or do.

"It's beautiful, but how...when?" Wilmington glanced from one friend to another until his gaze fell on Larabee.

"The day you were shot. JD had asked us the night before to join him the next morning in rounding up the perfect tree for Christmas. He wanted us all to go, so you would know we all agreed on just the right one for you." Chris stopped, when he felt the emotions building inside him. He cleared his throat and was thankful when the callused hand of his best friend fell onto his shoulder. "JD and Josiah were almost finished decorating it when the shooting started. Well, you know what happened after that, but last night, JD reminded us the tree was still lacking something, so we all went over after you fell asleep and finished it. Merry Christmas, pard." Chris reached out and took his oldest friend's hand, letting the simple handshake convey his true feelings.

"And as you will notice, Buck, this tree is a very special one." Ezra reached up and pointed to an object hanging from one of the branches. As Wilmington followed Standish's hand, he noticed a total of six very special objects hanging from the tree.

The first the gambler had pointed to was one of Nathan's scalpels', the next was a hand written bible verse by Josiah, then came one of Ezra's playing cards, the seven of spades, after that was JD's dime novel about Bat Masterson, again Ezra's finger pointed and this time Buck found himself staring at a wooden figurine of a horse carved by Chris and then finally, a piece of paper with what looked to be a poem printed on it.

Buck swallowed back the tears threatening to explode as he stared at the tree and then his friends. "I don't know what to say."

"Simple," Vin smiled. "Say, Merry Christmas, Buck."

Wilmington grinned. "Merry Christmas, Buck." The seven broke into an uproarious laughter, as they enjoyed another Christmas of being together. And as Buck glanced from one man to another, he realized he had been wrong earlier in the week. He had forgotten one very important thing he had been taught, that when you're feeling lonely or sad, all you need is to remember, you have friends, no matter where they are, they will always be in your heart when you need them.

The End