Title: Not Your Color

Not Your Color
by Kim

"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" came the question from a highly amused Ezra P. Standish as he sat outside the jail with two of his compatriots. From under the brims of their
trail-dust laden hats, Vin and Chris looked on in equal amusement; the dusty street in front of them filling with citizens of the small municipality known as Four Corners.

It wasn't so much the tumble-weed infested road, but what was staggering out from the bath house that caught the eyes of all the townsfolk. Women clasped their hands over their mouths as the men's eyes widened, and everything from soft giggles to loud guffaws sounded from the crowd as they watched the embarrassed figure try to keep what was left of his dignity.

Buck Wilmington, clothed in only a pink bathrobe with a white fuzzy hem that almost left nothing to the imagination, self-consciously made his way into the middle of Main street in front of all the sets of non-blinking eyes. His cheeks took on a bright rosey tint, something that most of the town's inhabitants thought they'd never see the day it'd happen; Buck, the ladies man, Wilmington, highly embarrassed.

"Where is he!? I'm gonna kill the little runt!" the pink clad gunslinger asked the ever-growing audience, trying to keep his face from exceeding the color of his outfit.

An unusual blast of cold wind blew its way through the street, causing a most unfortunate side effect. Some of the older women in the crowd clasped their hands over their mouths as they
turned their heads away from the sight, only to turn back and sneak glimpses ever so often. Buck hurriedly wrapped the robe around himself again until the fabric almost threatened to become one with his skin.

Grinning like a Cheshire, JD Dunne walked out of the jail and just stood on the boardwalk. In his hands he held the clothes that formally belonged to the seething lawman. They locked eyes,
but the kid just tipped his hat, that same cocky smirk still curving his lips upward.

"Uh, kid? You might wanna run," Vin grinned, watching as Buck tried haphazardly to keep the robe closed and run at the same time.

The fact that Buck had made it half way to the jail before JD could control his feet scared the young sheriff. However, always planning for ill-fated twists such as this, JD hurriedly jumped up
on his already saddled horse and took off at a full gallop out of town. Fortunately, his horse was quick to know when danger lurked, even if that particular danger was usually a friend.

Ezra leaned forward, his overcoat dangling loosely on the back of his chair, to get a better view of his partners antics. Buck ran as fast as he dared without giving the townsfolk another peek at Wilmington Jr. and swiped the coat from Ezra's chair. "Thanks Ez!" he called over his shoulder as he made his way to the livery.

"Aw hell…" Vin muttered, watching Ezra's eyes widen in horror, "… Buck?! Are you feelin' alright, pard?!" Even the tracker knew not to touch Ezra's favorite red coat, and anyone who did, well as Josiah would say; let God have mercy on their souls, because Armageddon was coming for them in the form of Ezra P. Standish.

Quicker than anyone had ever seen him move, Ezra ran down the boardwalk to catch up with Buck before he left the livery. Unfortunately for him, Buck knew when speed was needed, and he erupted out of the stables on his big grey, the flaps of the pink robe fluttering behind him, and the red waistcoat tugged tightly against his torso, just as Ezra ran up to the entrance.

Ezra hurried into the livery and saddled up his chestnut in record time. As he mounted he silently said a prayer for Buck's life, knowing that if his jacket was ruined, Buck wouldn't have time to utter one for himself. With a battle cry, he took off out of the stables to go bring his beloved jacket back to its rightful home.

*~*M7*~*

Buck rode for a full 15 minutes before he dared to look back, surprised that Ezra had been able to keep up with his speed. The kid was a good 100 meters ahead of him, but that would make no difference. Buck knew from experience that sooner or later, JD's horse would tire out and slow down a lot quicker than the grey. Unfortunately, the same went for Buck and Ezra, as Ezra's horse was used to riding fast for extended periods of time as they tried outrunning angry customers.

As JD's horse slowed down, Buck came up right along side him, the robe clutched tightly around his waist. "Kid, you're gonna end up deader than a beaver hat, and I mean that."

JD's eyes widen in surprise as he dug his heels into his horses flanks, but the animal was too tired to give him anymore speed.. They'd made it all the way to the river, a good 2 miles outside of town.

Just as Bucks free hand went to grab onto the kids' reins, a rattlesnake slithering into the open caused both horses to rear up, sending the two lawman splashing into the cold river below.

Buck howled as the bitter water soaked into his bare skin. Fortunately, he found the strength to quickly grab onto JD's collar before the kid could get away, and he pulled them face to face, "Are you happy now?"

"Well it was fun for me, not sure about the horse though," he frowned, watching over Buck's shoulder as the animal limped while walking in a circle near the riverbed.

"Kid, when we get back to town you're gonna pay for this… but right now, let's get out of here because if it gets any colder, my hair'll freeze off."

"That's probably not all that'd freeze off…wonder what the ladies would do if…" JD was dunked unceremoniously under the water before he could finish his thought.

"Don't you dare say that kid, I'd end up with a murder on my head," at JD's confused look he reiterated, "yours."

"Oh… sorry Buck," he frowned and watched as Ezra came to a sliding halt atop his chestnut.

"Mr. Wilmington, if you have in any way damaged my attire, I will return the favor to the only garment you are wearing on the ride back to town," he pointed to the bathrobe that bubbled up in the water.

Buck nodded understandingly before looking at JD, "This is all your fault kid."

"My fault?! If you hadn't chased me like I was tryin' to steal Ms. Millie, well you wouldn't be here would you?"

"That ain't the point, you *never* take a man's clothes when he's gettin' ready for… a… date…Sonofa…" he growled under his breath.
"Buck?"

"Nothin', let's just get back to town so I can go explain all this to Ms. Victoria."

The 2 drenched lawmen quickly made their way onto dry land. Ezra's jacket was returned to him, and he laid it over his horses neck to dry. Thankful that he always kept a spare set of clothes in his saddlebags, Buck hurriedly changed before mounting up, JD behind him as not to hurt his horse anymore. After everyone was settled, they mounted up and slowly trotted back home.

*~*M7*~*

The trio arrived back in town and noticed the hoopla about Buck's choice of fashion had died down. A few of the townsfolk giggled as they passed on their way to the Saloon, but nothing as
bad as Buck had thought. They tied the animals to the hitching post and walked into the almost empty establishment.

Vin and Chris sat in the corner of the Saloon and waved the three over to their table. The Texan relinquished his seat to the weary ladies man and he leaned up against the wall.

"You ok?" Chris leaned back in his chair and watched his oldest friend shift uncomfortably.

"Yeah, just fine, but you two seen Ms. Victoria around?"

"Yeah she said she was leaving town on an errand."

"Right," Buck sighed, depressed he'd missed out on an evening with one of the town's most beautiful women because JD had decided to play a little prank.

"Ya know Bucklin," Vin watched as Buck picked his head up, "pink really ain't yer color," Vin grinned, tipping his hat before quickly running out of the saloon, Buck hot on his heels.

"Normal day," Chris grinned before taking a sip of his beer. It was a normal day indeed.

*~*M7 - The End - M7*~*