Title: Yankee Blue

By: Jo Ann

Chapter 1

Josiah and Nathan sat in front of the jail enjoying the unusually quiet afternoon, but that peace was quickly shattered as a wagon came racing into town.

"Is there a doctor in town?" the driver of the wagon asked as he came to a stop in front of the two men.

"No doctor, but Nathan here's a healer," Josiah explained as he stepped closer.

When there were no objections Nathan walked around to the end of the wagon and asked, "What happened?"

"Horse was spooked by a rattler," said a voice from the back of the wagon with a distinct southern accent. Seeing the black man hesitate the man continued, "Can you help him?"

Nathan shrugged his shoulders and climbed onto the wagon, "I'll do my best."

"That's all we ask Mister," the Southerner assured him.

Josiah pointed the driver toward Nathan's clinic and then hurried across the street and held the door open so that the others could enter. It was only as men passed that Josiah noticed that they were wearing Calvary uniforms.

"I don't think it's broken, but it swelled up so badly that I couldn't really tell," the southerner said.

Nathan nodded his head and gingerly touched the grossly swollen leg. "What's your name?"

"C..captain Jacob Hutson," the wounded soldier said.

"Captain Hutson, my name's Nathan and I don't want to hurt you, but I'm gonna have ta check this leg out," the healer explained.

The young captain clenched his teeth to keep from crying out. Gripping the bed covers tightly in his hands, Jacob tried to ride out the pain.

"You can relax now Captain it's over," the healer told him and patted him on the arm. "Drink this it'll help with the pain," Nathan said picking up a cup with some herbs in it.

Captain Hutson pushed the cup away and rose up on shaky elbows and asked, "Will it make me sleepy?"

"Yes, sir."

Shaking his head the Captain said, "Sargent you'll need to w..wire Ft. Laramie and tell them s..situation."

"Yes Sir," the Sargent replied then turned to the other soldier. "You stay with the Captain. I'll be back as soon as I can," he said heading for the door.

Seeing that the captain's strength was waning Nathan held the cup up to him again and saw to it that he drank every drop.

Heading for the telegraph office Sargent Stanley Johnson stopped dead in the street as he thought he saw a person from his past walk into the saloon. Nah, it couldn't be, he told himself and continued on his way.

The Sargent sent the message and was now waiting on a reply. He got lost in his thoughts as he looked out the window of the telegraph office.

"Excuse me, Sargent this message just came in," the clerk said and handed it over.

After quickly reading it he mumbled a, "Thank you." Then headed back to the clinic.

Private Tim Rains stood at attention as his Sargent walked in.

Sargent Johnson looked from his sleeping Captain to the telegram in his hand and then turned to the private. "Go back to the camp and inform the Corporal of the situation and tell him he's in charge until my return. Then get back here as soon as you can . . . and bring back my mount," he told him and then watched as he left. "How long will be off his feet?"

"A week or two. Maybe longer," Nathan told him to which the Sargent nodded his head. "I'm gonna go and see about getting you fellas some food. I'll be back in a little while."

"I'll help you," Josiah said and followed him.

The two peacekeepers met Chris and Vin on the boardwalk and Nathan quickly explained about the soldiers.

"Reckon there's gonna be trouble?" Chris asked Vin.

"Always is when there's soldiers involved," Vin replied matter-of-factly.

"Gentlemen," Judge Travis called as he stepped out of the newspaper office. "Mr. Jackson I understand you have a Calvary Captain under your care." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes sir. Knee's twisted up pretty bad," Nathan explained.

"I just received a telegram from Fort Laramie and we have a situation. Let's go back to your clinic and we'll discuss it further there," he said and began to walk away leaving the others to follow.

The Sargent got to his feet as the door opened and moved closer to his Captain.

"Relax Sargent. I'm Judge Orrin Travis," the Judge said holding out his hand. Once the introductions were over the judge turned to the soldier and replied, "Sargent I just received a telegram from Colonel Madison at Ft. Laramie and he wants me to assist you on your mission."

"And what mission would that be sir?" the Sargent questioned.

"The Indian Treaty," Judge Travis told him. "Now what I need from you is an idea of how me and my men can help you to complete that mission."

The Sargent looked at each of the men and then said, "Well now Judge the way I see all we need is someone to pose as our Captain until we get where we're going. We're merely making a delivery. The Captain won't be expected to do anything more."

"Why don't you do it?" Vin asked the obvious.

"What happened to your Lieutenant?" Chris asked before the Sargent could answer.

The Sargent smiled and shrugged his shoulders, "I got demoted." Pausing to run a hand through his hair he then continued, "They know me and most of the men," he told them. "The Captain's new and isn't readily known."

"He's got a point. One of us will have ta do it," Chris said. "Don't look at me," he warned as both the judge and Vin gave him pointed looks, "I have to be at that trial." Chris grinned as they realized he was right.

"Well don't look at me. I ani't cutting my hair," Vin vowed. "What about you, Josiah?"

Josiah grinned and shook his head. "Oh no, not me brother, I'm more of a follower than a leader. Besides I don't believe the Captain's uniform would fit."

"What about Buck?" Nathan asked. "Didn't he serve with you in the war?" he asked Chris.

Chris grinned and replied, "That he did, but Buck . . . has problems following through with things. He made one hell of a Sargent, but I don't think he'd make a very good captain."

"JD's to young and I'm not the right color," Nathan said with a shrug. "So that only leaves . . ." the healer trailed off and grinned and looked at the others.

"Ezra." Exchanging knowing looks between them they missed the shock that registered on the Sargent's face.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Vin told them with a frown.

"I agree with Vin. Maybe we could get the trial postponed so Chris can do it," Josiah put in.

"Why? Don't you think he could?" Judge Travis asked.

"Oh no, I know he can. Ezra can do anything he puts a mind to," Josiah told them with a touch of pride in his voice.

"So what's the problem?" Chris pushed.

"Ezra fought for the South during the war and ani't gonna wanta to wear that uniform," Vin explained and pointed to the Sargent.

Chapter 2

Ezra sat playing a game of solitaire and nursing a bottle of scotch when four shadows fell across the table making him look up. Seeing Chris, Vin and Judge Travis had Ezra racking his brains trying to remember if he did something to offend these men. "To what do I owe this . . ." his voice trailed off as he noticed the soldier standing behind the judge, "pleasure?"

"Ezra I have something I need you to do for me," the judge said as him and the others sat down.

"Care to play a hand?" Ezra asked as he dealt the cards.

"No Ezra I don't want to play cards," the judge told him and waved the cards away.

"Cards? Any fool can play cards, Judge. I play poker. It's completely different."

"Look Ezra I don't want to play cards . . . ok poker," he corrected at the look Ezra sent him. "We need to talk to you. It's very important."

"Then, please, proceed," he said and quickly drew his gun causing the Sargent to sit up in his chair. Grinning he causally laid it on the table.

"Damn Ezra you never change do you," Sargent Johnson remarked with a laugh.

"Did you really expect me to?"

"You two know each other?"

"Ezra was my Captain during the war."

"Still the Sargent I see."

"Well, hell, Ezra I made Lieutenant once, but then I got demoted."

"Some things never change," Ezra commented. "So what do you wish to speak with me about Judge?"

"Was he always like this?" Chris asked. Ezra could change subjects on a person in a blink of an eye.

The Sargent just smiled.

"Ezra I'm sure you are aware the upcoming meeting concerning the Treaty with the Indians," the Judge began in soft voice.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with me?"

"Sargent Johnson's Captain has been injured and . . ."

"What happened?" Ezra interrupted.

"To the Captain?" the Sargent asked.

"No, to you. Why were you demoted?" Ezra asked changing the subject once again.

"The usual reasons," the Sargent replied with a grin.

"Not the same reasons, I hope?"

"No. Drunk and disorderly."

Ezra merely nodded his head. "Judge you never did tell me what the Treaty has to do with me?"

Judge Travis took a deep calming breath before continuing, "Like I said the Captain's been injured and. . . ."

"Judge Travis I'd appreciate it if you'd get to the point," Ezra said interrupting again. He then grinned as he saw Vin duck his head.

"They want you to pose as my Captain," Sargent Johnson put in with a grin.

"Are you mad?!" Ezra exclaimed and sat up in his chair.

"Ezra a lot of lives are riding on this . . ." Judge Travis began only to be interrupted. Again.

"Women and children, Ezra. Lots of children," the Sargent put in with a small knowing grin. "It won't be for long. We only have to go there and back."

"Have a safe trip."

"Ezra you're doing it," Chris said in a tight voice.

"I'll be damned if I will!" Ezra said gathering up his cards. "I suppose you'll want me to wear . . . Yankee blue," he said this as if it was something distasteful and actually shuddered. "Oh hell no!"

"I know it's ugly as hell, but you get used to it," Sargent Johnson replied with a grin clearly enjoying himself.

"I did my patriotic duty during the war and I don't wish to repeat it," he said picking up his gun and getting to his feet.

"Your duty was paid to the South Ezra not the North," Vin pointed out then grinned at the look Ezra sent him.

"Thank you so much for pointing that out Vin. However, seeing as we are now one and the same, the point is mute," Ezra explained.

"I'm sorry Ezra, but you don't have much choice in the matter," Judge Travis told him. "Your thirty days aren't up yet and I still have your pardon."

Ezra sat back down and cocked and uncocked his Remington several times in aggravation making the men sitting with him more than a little nervous. "What exactly would I have to do?"

"Get our men safely there to Fort William," the soldier told him.

"How many men?"

"Twenty."

"Twenty? Young or old?

"Some of both."

"Aww hell. And I'm to get them there safely. Correct?"

"Correct."

"Fine, I'll do it, but I want you to know that I'm going so under duress," Ezra said getting to his feet. "And furthermore, I do this my way or I won't do it at all. Pardon be damned."

Not having time to press the issue the Judge reluctantly agreed and excused himself.

The Sargent grinned as Ezra walked away. Then stepped outside and told his man to ride back out to the camp and bring back the Captain's extra uniform. But to his surprise the Sargent found that the soldier had taken the liberty of bringing the uniform in case the Captain needed it. After taking the uniform from the soldier the Sargent went back inside the saloon.

"Hey fellas," Buck said as him and JD pulled up a chair and sat down. "This Ezra's?" he asked indicating the bottle of scotch and poured himself a shot.

"Yeap, but I don't think he's through with it," Vin said and watched as Ezra descended the stairs and walked back to the table then without a word Ezra snatched the bottle away from Buck and turned back around.

Ezra halted as the Sargent stepped in front of him and holding a neatly folded uniform with a Captain's saber laying on top.

"Here ya go Cap'ain," was all he said.

Ezra shot him a deadly glare and snatched the items from him. Taking a step closer he said, "Enjoy yourself while you can Sargent because once I put this uniform on . . . I'm in charge. And remember," he paused and looked him directly in the eye, "payback's a bitch." Having said that Ezra continued on his way.

Sargent Johnson waited until Ezra was on the stair before allowing himself to laugh. The laughter quickly faded at the questioning looks he was receiving. He opened his to explain when he saw Nathan, Josiah, and the judge walk in. "Mr Jackson how is the Captain?"

"Some of the swelling has gone down, but he's still asleep," Nathan told him. "So did Ezra agree?"

"Not willingly," Chris said with a grin, "he had to be persuaded."

"You mean you threatened him," Josiah clarified with a knowing look.

"You fellas mind telling us what the hell's going on? And who the hell is he?" Buck asked.

"You knew Ezra during the war?" JD asked once the explanations were over.

"Yes, sir. I did," the Sargent replied.

"What was he like then?" Josiah wanted to know.

Vin watched as the Sargent's face tensed before answering. "Younger."

"Just younger? You mean he was always guarded?" Josiah pushed.

"A person grows up real fast during a war and Ezra was . . . well Ezra," he said with a shrug. "The war just added the finishing touches," he went on to explain.

"Was Ezra a good commander?" Judge Travis asked as he rejoined the men.

"Yes. Like most soldiers back then Ezra was field promoted. And as reluctant a leader as Ezra was, he handled the pressure with a dignity that belied his age. He never ordered us into to battle. Ezra lead us. He never once asked his men to do something that he wasn't able and willing to do himself," Sargent Johnson responded giving the men sitting with him something to think about.

An hour later Buck whistled as a dapper looking Ezra walked down the saloon stairs dressed in the Calvary uniform.

Ezra walked up to the table pulling on his collar and muttering under his breath.

JD looked up in awe and wondered about the saber Ezra was carrying and the one at his side. "What cha got there, Ezra?"

Seeing that JD was eyeing the saber in his hand Ezra tossed it on the table and said, "That gentlemen is nothing more than a glorified piece of polished tin." Then with a tug he pulled the one at his side out and held it up to the light and boasted, "This gentlemen . . . is a real saber." The gold saber gleamed in the sun light.

"Wow, Ezra where'd ya get that?" JD asked with wide eyes.

"This was mine during the war," he told them with a touch of pride.

"You kept it all these years," the Sargent said in disbelief.

"No small feat I assure you," he replied still eyeing the saber.

"I see no beauty in it. It's just another instrument of death," Nathan said with a shake of his head.

"I find that hard to believe coming from you Mr. Jackson," Ezra said putting it away and looking at him. "Considering that your own choice of weapons is a knife."

Vin grinned at Ezra's comment and nodded his head in agreement.

Ezra turned his attention to the young soldier just outside the swinging doors. "Private!" he called out to which had the soldier immediately stepping inside and saluting him. "What's your name soldier?"

"Private Tim Rains, Sir," the soldier snapped out still saluting the Captain.

"Private Rains I want you to ride out to the camp, gather the men, and bring them into town."

"Captain Standish I don't think that's such a good idea," Mary Travis said as she stepped into the saloon behind the soldier. The judge had told her what was going on and she wanted to see if she could find out a few more details. "We cannot allow all those soldiers to run loose in this town." When Ezra didn't retract the order Mary stepped closer to him and asked, "Did you hear me?"

"Yes ma'am I did. Rest assure Mrs. Travis that there is a method to my madness," was all he said and frowned at the still saluting soldier.

"And that would be?"

"A military matter that I am not at liberty to discuss," Ezra said hoping that would be the end of it.

"Captain . . ."

"Mrs. Travis your objections have been dully noted," he told her. Turning to the soldier he asked, "Private why are you still here? I gave you an order."

"He won't leave until you return his salute Cap'ain," the Sargent explained.

"Oh heavens," Ezra muttered under his breath and raised his hand and straightened his back and gave the private at sharp salute. "Now Private do as you're told."

"Mr. Larabee aren't you going to do something?" Mary asked him placing her hands on her hips.

"Yes ma'am I am," Chris said.

"And that would be?"

"Wait, of course. No use in borrowing trouble. We'll handle whatever happens, when it happens," he assured her.

"Judge are you going to let him do this?" the blond newspaper report asked.

"Yes Mary I am," the judge told her.

"You can't let him unlash all those young men on this town!" she exclaimed.

"He can and I will," Ezra told her with grinned and then tipped his hat before walking out to the boardwalk. Sitting down he propped his feet on the hitching rail and pulled his hat low on his face and awaited the arrival of his men.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~

"You know what you've done don't you?" Josiah suddenly asked with a knowing grin on his face.

"What?" Chris asked not at all liking the look in the ex-preacher's eyes.

Laughing Josiah told him, "You've given him power and a position to go with it. In other words you've created a monster."

Chris and the others groaned because they knew the older man was right.

Continued in YB3

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