All's Well that Ends Well
By Brate
Author's notes: This came about during a walk with Val - and her dogs. She has written two stories ["Cruel as the Grave" and "Manifest Destiny"] in which poor Vin has ended up down a well and injured. She even included Ezra down there in "Grave." I wondered aloud the psychological damage she did to Vin by placing him in that situation - twice! I should never wonder aloud with Val around...
Trying to fix up his "shack" by himself had turned into a fulltime job. Therefore, Chris Larabee recruited those of the Seven that were off duty to help.
Buck took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Vin," he called down from the roof, "can you get us some water from the well?"
Not bothering to turn from his job mending the fence, Vin answered, "Nope."
"What?" Buck asked in surprise.
"Ain't goin' near the well," Vin said. "Ask Ez."
"Ezra!" Buck shouted, bringing the Southerner outside.
"May I be of some assistance, Mr. Wilmington?"
"Yeah, could you draw us a bucket from the well?"
"I'm afraid I cannot." Ezra disappeared back into the shack.
"What the hell is wrong with those two?" Buck asked the others.
"Perhaps they are not in the 'fetch and carry' mood," suggested Josiah.
"Nah," argued Buck. "They're just bein' stubborn."
"I agree," said Chris. "Hey, Vin!" he called down.
"What?"
"We're gettin' thirsty up here," Larabee announced.
"You should drink somethin'," Vin responded.
"We'd like to"
"What's stoppin' ya?"
Chris snorted. "You."
"I ain't stoppin' ya," Vin called. "Yer more'n welcome to drink."
"But our water bucket is empty."
"You should fill it," Vin told him matter-of-factly.
"I'd like you to fill it," Chris answered, just as calm.
"I'd like you ta wear pink, but I don't think neither is gonna happen."
Hearing Buck's and Josiah's stifled laughter, Chris let his anger out. "Why are you being so goddamn stubborn?"
"Why're you bein' so plum stupid?" Vin threw down his hammer, whirling to face the men. "You coulda done got yer water and be back up by now." He stalked to the shack and went inside.
"Aargh," Chris growled in frustration.
"He does make sense, brother," offered Josiah.
"He does not! There are three of us working on the roof and two down below... with the well," Chris enunciated. "Why should we have to get down?"
"Because neither of them want to do it," Josiah said simply.
"This is ridiculous." Chris grabbed the bucket and descended the ladder. Stomping to the well, he filled the bucket with cool water, fuming the entire time. Passing a window on the way back to the ladder, he overheard Vin and Ezra talking.
"Two times stuck down there," Vin defended. "I've had my fill o' wells."
"I, too, do not wish to encounter another," Ezra agreed.
Backing away, Chris realized what was causing the conflict. Berating himself for not recognizing it earlier, he felt guilty about giving Vin a hard time - for about two seconds. Then he smiled, knowing the best way to get his men back on track.
"Hey, Vin, Ezra, could you come out here a sec?"
Grumbling, they stepped out onto the porch and waited. "What may we do for you now, Mr. Larabee?" Ezra asked.
Not saying a word, Chris flung the contents of the bucket at the two men, drenching them in the chilly water.
Shock rendered them motionless for a beat, water dripping from their hair down their bodies. Josiah and Buck let loose a gale of laughter from their perch on the roof.
Shaking out of his stupor, Vin sputtered, "What the hell was that fer?"
"I solved your problem," Chris answered with a wide grin. "Now you don't have to go near a well."
