Wade kept putting his arm back, trying to deter Sean from falling off the horse. Sean ignored him, reaching out to touch Mark's shoulder. Every touch was fleeting since Nathan's horse drifted away from Wade's on hills or to avoid bushes. Eventually, Nathan pulled away from them to keep Sean from leaning practically off the horse. They kept riding for a few hours, before Nathan backtracked to a mountain side. Nestling under a cliff edge with a nice view to see anyone coming around, they decided to rest. Wade checked out Sean to make sure he wasn't wounded. Which was difficult because Sean kept moving and trying to go see Mark. Nathan laid Mark down, checking him over with Bob and speaking in a voice too low for him to hear over Wade's frustration with him. The second Wade gave up and muttered that he must be ok, Sean rushed to Mark's side. Dropping to his knees beside Nathan, he listened as Nathan told Bob seriously. "I'm hoping that isn't the case... I can't fix that. He's breathing. That's a good sign, but... until he wakes up, I don't know what else to do. We could rush him to the doctor in the next town but that's the first place they will look..."

Bob sighed, asking Nathan nervously. "What about the natives in the area? Do you think one of them might have a doctor that could help?" Nathan winced, answering. "They have a medicine man... but you'll never convince him to work on an outsider. All I can do is see if Hawk-Eye is in the area." Bob nodded, then they both looked at Sean. While they had been talking, Sean used a wet cloth that Bob had brought over to clean the blood off Mark's face. He felt terrible. Bob moved away, leaving Nathan to tell Sean wearily. "Sean... You should know. If Mark has internal bleeding... we won't be able to help him. So... if he wakes up and his chest starts turning a dark purple color... We'll have to keep him from suffering. You understand, don't you?" Sean nodded but couldn't bring himself to say anything. Patting his back, Nathan got up and told him coolly. "I'll make us something to eat. Keep an eye on him." Sean nodded, adjusting better to clean more blood off of him. Nathan made soup with snake meat and they ate, but Mark still hadn't woken up. So, while the others gathered up for bed, Sean stayed awake.

Holding Mark's hand, Sean stroked his bruised knuckles and cut fingertips, telling him in a quiet voice. "Why did you do it... They were going to sell me... They won't have hurt me that badly." Pulling the blanket up a little higher over Mark's chest to keep him warm, Sean sniffled and told him in a weakened stern voice. "You owe me... you can't die." Running a hand down Mark's chest, Mark suddenly hissed and grabbed his wrist to stop him. Tensing, Sean shifted and placed his hands on Mark's cheeks gently. Whispering his name, he waited until Mark slowly opened his eyes. Giving him a smile, Sean rushed out eagerly. "Hey, you're ok. We're save. How are you feeling?" Mark groaned, his hand tugging at the blanket to get it off his chest. Feeling his relief fade, Sean reluctantly pulled the blanket down to his waist and hesitated. Part of him wanted to check his chest but he was afraid of what he'd find. So, he asked instead. "Mark? Does your chest hurt?" Mark nodded subtly, wincing out in a strained voice. "My chest hursts so bad... don't touch it."

Feeling shaky, Sean unbuttoned Mark's shirt and bit his lip with teary eyes. He didn't want to do this... but he had to check. Peeling the shirt open, Sean held his breath. The sight of Mark's torso made him swallow hard. Mark's hand reached up to touch his cheek, asking in a gruff dry voice. "How bad is it?" Sean sniffled, telling him honestly. "Hard to say. It's all bruised... Mark... I'm so sor-" Mark's hand grabbed his neck, pulling him down over him. Kissing Sean's neck, Mark told him seriously. "Don't. I did this for you. It was MY choice." Sean nuzzled Mark's neck, trying hard not to cry. Mark's fingers stroked up the back of Sean's neck and into his hair, trying to sooth him. While Sean tried to settle down, Mark whispered to him. "I think you might have to give me some time before I honor my debt." By Mark's ear, Sean mumbled out to him. "Just get better..." Mark let his hand slide down Sean's back, cooing out to him. "Have you slept yet?" Sean didn't answer. Smirking, Mark told him gently. "Sean. You should sleep. Staying up will only make you just at shadows and worry more."

Sean shook his head defiantly. Smiling to himself, Mark traced Sean's spine and asked him lovingly. "Any water? My throat is dry..." Sean sprang up, rushing to fetch a water skin. The sight of it made Mark want to laugh but his torso hurt too much to allow it. Rushing back, Sean leaned over to ease Mark's head up and tilted the waterskin for him. Mark drank heavily, then told Sean with less gravelly voice. "Much better." Retreating away to the embers of the firepit, Sean removed a little pot and poured soup into a bowl. Bringing it back, he helped Mark eat a few spoonful's. When he had all that his stomach could handle, he coaxed Sean to lay down beside him. Sean reluctantly did but refused to sleep. Every time Mark drifted off a bit, he noticed that Sean was fighting to stay awake. Even when Bob took over watch, Sean still forced himself to stay up. Forcing Mark to coax Sean to lay his head on his shoulder. Stroking Sean's back, Mark hummed a slow song until Sean began to snore softly. Grinning sleepily, Mark let Sean drape his arm over his chest and held his hand as he fell asleep.

As late afternoon came around, Mark awoke to Nathan chatting with Wade and Bob around a pot of coffee. Glancing at Sean, Mark couldn't stop himself from smiling. Sean was still snoring softly away. Even when Mark pet his head, Sean didn't stir. He was exhausted. Though it hurt like hell, Mark eased himself to sit up. Nathan looked at him, stating out seriously. "Mark, you shouldn't move. If you have internal-" Mark waved him off, grumbling out. "My chest hurts but not that badly. I'm stiff. I need to move." Nathan started to get up, but Mark told them to stay back. Easing up onto his feet, he limped and stretched around the little campsite. Then ventured over to a little fresh water pond and smeared some cold water over his heated skin to cool down. An hour or two passed, before Sean rolled over and jerked awake. Mark wasn't where he should be. Springing up, Sean winced at the bright sunlight and asked the others in a panic. "Where is he?! You didn't..." Bob chuckled, pointing to the little pond. Rolling over, Sean's heart calmed at the sight of Mark sitting on the bank with his legs in the water. Adjusting his hat over his head, Mark cooed out to him with a stunning smile. "Still here."

Sean bit his lip, his eyes wandering over Mark's muscular tanned and bruised torso. His pants hugging his lower half nicely as his legs hung knee deep into the water. Approaching him, Sean blushed out meekly. "You ok?" Mark nodded, telling him casually. "I'm sore... but I'm alright." Walking over to him, Sean couldn't help looking at all the bruises on Mark. His face was bruised, his torso was covered in dark bruises and his knuckles were raw. Mark followed his eyes to his chest, before telling him openly. "I feel pretty lucky all things considered." Sean scuffed a boot on the ground, glancing over to the others nervously. Mark followed his eyes there too, telling him coolly. "I'm pretty sure they know." Sean bowed his head, replying softly. "I'm sorry..." Mark shrugged, telling him nicely. "It's not your fault. I couldn't hide it forever. I knew that..." Sean inched closer to him, hugging himself when he asked him. "So... Do you want to keep hiding it?" Mark licked his lips, peering up from under his hat at him. Sean stared into those deep brown eyes, his cheeks flushing when Mark raised a hand to beckon to him with his index finger.

Approaching him, Sean sank to his knees. He wasn't sure what Mark planned to whisper to him but it made him nervous. Leaning in, he turned his head a little, but Mark's finger stopped him and kissed him. A soft squeal left Sean as Mark claimed his lips. They only stopped kissing when Mark winced and leaned back to reveal his split lip had opened again. Sean licked his lips, tasting Mark's blood on him. Reaching out, Sean held Mark's neck and kissed his temple. Mark enjoyed it but sighed out reluctantly. "Everything hurts. But the water helps." Sean kissed Mark's bare shoulder, then shyly looked at the others. Nathan didn't stare. He focused on his coffee, but Wade and Bob watched them with curious eyes. Wincing, Sean looked away, mumbling out. "They're staring at us." Mark glanced back over his shoulder, causing Bob and Wade to look away. Smiling, Mark whispered into Sean's ear. "Don't worry about them." Sean held back a moan as Mark's warm breath puffed over his ear. The sensation sent chills through him. Mark noticed his little shiver and whispered closer to his neck. "Are you cold?" Sean shook his head, swallowing hard.

Unable to help himself, Mark leaned a little closer, whispering to him. "You were really brave. And you saved my life... I think I owe you a little something more than a playful tumble in the grass." Sean met his eyes, asking a little breathlessly. "What more is there?" Mark brushed his lips over Sean's, whispering to him lovingly. "Tell me something you want." Sean kissed Mark briefly, before answering breathlessly. "I can think of anything with you so close." Mark chuckled, leaning back as he told him. "We you think of it, let me know." Sean nodded, then rested his head on his shoulder. After a few minutes, Nathan brought over cups of coffee for them and asked them curiously. "Here. Now that you're up. You wanna tell us what you were going to say in the gun store? Do you know what we have to do next?" Mark sipped his coffee, looking to Sean. Sean turned to face everyone better, informing them eagerly. "I think I know what the mayor is doing." When they all fell silent, Sean took a breath and told them. "He's buying fool's gold and loading the special shotguns with it." Wade blinked, blurting out. "Why would he do that? He's got real gold that he stole." Bob huffed, interjecting. "I'm a confused too. Why buy up cheap labor for those empty mines? For fool's gold?"

Mark lowered his cup, answering just as confidently as Sean had been. "Because the workers aren't digging in the mine. They are taking those guns into the mine and shooting fake gold into the mines. Then he can get rid of them without a lot of questions. Use the real gold to fix up the town... attract in prospectors that will stir up word about gold." Nathan slipped in then with a disgusted look. "People will flock in to dig up gold... Pouring money into his dying town. He gets rich... they go broke." Mark nodded, adding darkly. "It's a false gold rush that he's planning." Bob removed his hat to fan himself, asking flatly. "So, what do we do about it, Sheriff?" Mark winced as pain flared up on him but told them seriously. "I'm done for the count, boys... But... I think you should head back to Iron hills and scout out the mines. He's got everything. He'll be setting up soon and we need eyes out there." Nathan looked at the others, then said aloud. "Bob and Wade with ride out with me tomorrow. We'll head back and scout it out. Sean will stay with you." Sean opened his mouth but closed it.

Wade on the other hand, blurted out. "You're leaving Sean?" Nathan answered truthfully. "Sean won't be much good to us either. He'll worry about Mark the whole time. It's better if they travel on their own. We'll ride faster and get the information we need quicker. Then we'll meet up and plan our next step." Bob gave them a thumbs up, replying openly. "I agree with him. We can't leave Mark on his own and Sean will look out for him." Nathan nodded, patting the guys as he told them. "Pack up what you can. We leave tomorrow morning." Sean looked to Mark, asking nervously. "Should we be worried about being on our own... in your condition?" Mark shook his head, telling him honestly. "No. We'll be alright. We'll travel slow and we can hide easier with just us. I wanna stay here another day or two. I'm not ready to ride yet." Smirking, Sean trickled water down Mark's back, mumbling out. "I wouldn't let you ride yet." Mark ran a hand through Sean's hair, chuckling out. "You are a something else, Sean." Swatting his hand away, Sean told Mark softly. "I'll see what we got to eat. You should eat something to get your strength up."

As Sean slipped away, Nathan approached and crouched beside Mark to say cautiously. "Stick to the Indian trail. Hawk-Eye will keep an eye on you both from a distance. I'll meet up with you at Coyote Walk." Mark gave him a nod, keeping an eye on Sean when Nathan added in a low voice. "I didn't want to say anything in front of the kid... but word about you two is going to spread. They'll up both your bounties in the hopes of getting one of you to lure the other. You'll have religious bounty hunters on you now..." Mark turned to face Nathan, whispering back coolly. "I know, but there is nothing I can do about it now. I'll only slow you down and the Pinkertons are going to chase us for the higher bounty. So, just get the information before we bring the heat up that way." Nathan patted Mark's back, then got up to finish packing as Sean started toward them. Eyeing Nathan as he passed, Sean asked Mark. "What's going on?" Mark accepted the bowl of leftover soup, giving Sean a warm smile as he lied coolly. "Just wanted to see how I was feeling. Sit down and eat with me. I feel better when you're close." To Be Continued...