An Even Dozen by WolfPyre

Title: Family Life: An Even Dozen

Author: Wolf Pyre

Rated: PG…some bad language…nothing serious

Disclaimer: Not mine…just borrowing them

Pairing: None

Status: I would like to keep the AU closed for now.

Warning: This has only been checked with Spell check and Grammar check through Word. All mistakes are mine.

Warning: This story contains reference to spanking children as discipline. If that’s not something you like to read please do not continue.

Note: This is the next part of my story Family Life.

This is an AU story set in the years after the series ended. I often wondered what happened to the seven. I wanted some of the characters closer in age to my OC’s, so the timeline for this story will not follow the timeline from the series. Don’t worry…it will still make sense! The list of characters, other that the seven, are below:

Emily Tanner: Vin’s wife

Jessica Lynn Tanner: Vin’s and Emily’s 9-year-old daughter (she prefers Jesse) Logan Christopher Tanner: Vin and Emily’s 6-year-old son

Mary Travis Larabee: Chris’s wife

Billy Travis Larabee: Mary’s son from her 1^st marriage. He is 12-years-old in this story (this is where the timeline doesn’t fit <grin>)

Jacob Vin Larabee: Chris and Mary’s 9-year-old son. He and Jesse are best friends Riley Elizabeth Larabee: Chris and Mary’s 7-year-old daughter

Alyssa Standish: Ezra’s Wife

Jared Thomas Standish: Ezra and Alyssa’s 7-year-old son (twin of Connor)

Connor James Standish: Ezra and Alyssa’s 7-year-old son (twin of Jared)

Inez Wilmington: Buck’s Wife

Adam Michael Wilmington: Buck and Inez’s 8-year-old son

Kiley Ann Wilmington: Buck and Inez’s 6-year-old daughter

Maria Sanchez: Josiah’s Wife

Abigail Nicole Sanchez: Josiah and Maria’s 6-year-old daughter

Rain Jackson: Nathan’s Wife

Jacey Skye Jackson: Nathan and Rain’s 7-year-old daughter

Joshua Daniel Jackson: Nathan and Rain’s 6-year-old son

Casey Dunne: JD’s Wife

Haley Michelle Dunne: JD and Casey’s 5-year-old daughter

Nettie Wells: Casey’s aunt and Vin’s ‘foster mom’

This story will mostly revolve around the children and how the seven deal with their antics and adventures. If this is not something you would enjoy, please do not continue to read.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Stage is here," Buck said as it rolled past the saloon. Mary, Alyssa, Emily, Inez, Maria, and Rain turned and walked toward the stage.

"I never thought this day would come" Mary said.

"Yeah, I know. I never thought we’d get a new school teacher after the way the last one run off" Rain replied.

"Would you have stayed?" Aylssa asked. "I mean, after all the pranks our children pulled on her, the last one probably was the proverbial ‘straw that broke the camels back’"

"I would say so. If I was the one who was locked in the school house all night with that bunch of mice the children put in there I’d have run too." Inez chimed in.

"After the way our men responded I don’t think they’ll be trying something like that again. I know Jesse didn’t sit comfortably for a few days." Emily said.

"Neither did Billy, Jake or Riley. You know, this year may be worse." Mary agreed.

"What do you mean by that?" Alyssa asked.

"Think about it. Last year there were only 8 of them. This year Logan, Kiley, Abby, and Josh all turned 6. So now there will be 12 of them to contend with." Mary answered.

"Oh Lord, I never thought of that. Now I really feel bad for the new teacher." Inez said with a laugh.

"That’s why I thought inviting the new school teacher to our picnic tomorrow would be a good idea. She will get a chance to meet the majority of her students." Maria said.

"It will also give the men a chance to sit ALL the kids down and go over what is and isn’t proper behavior in the classroom." Emily added.

"More like it will give them a chance to scare the children into behaving. I know Nathan told Jacey that the punishment would be worse this year if she acted up." Rain injected.

All the women laughed. They reached the stage and waited for the new schoolteacher to get off.

When Gabrielle Strong stepped out of the stage, she immediately noticed the group of women.

"Hello," Gabrielle said. "I am Gabrielle Strong, the new school teacher. I assume one of you is Mary Larabee."

Mary stepped forward. "Yes, I’m Mary Larabee" she said as she shook her hand. Mary introduced the others. The driver put all of Gabrielle’s things on the ground and left. Inez spied Buck and Ezra standing outside the saloon.

"Buck, Ezra, help Miss Strong with her things."

Buck looked at Ezra. "Man, I knew I should have stayed inside. Com’on," He said as he hit Ezra on the shoulder. "Inez looks like she’s getting a little impatient."

"Inez, honey. We’d be glad to help out." Buck said with a forced smile as he grabbed a couple bags and headed off towards the boarding house. Ezra rolled his eyes.

"Ma’am, unlike my associate, I was raised a gentleman. Ezra Standish at your service. I am pleased to make your acquaintance." He gently shook Gabrielle’s hand, picked up the rest of her things and followed Buck. The women couldn’t help but laugh at their antics.

"Miss Strong" Mary started.

"Please, call me Gabby." She interrupted.

"Gabby," Mary started again. "We are having a picnic tomorrow at the ranch. We’d like to invite you. It would give you a chance to meet the family…I mean, after all, the children fill about half of your class."

Gabrielle blanched. "Half?"

"Half." Emily answered with a smile.

"It’s not as overwhelming as it sounds" Alyssa said. "Once you meet them you’ll see it really isn’t that bad. Please say you’ll come."

Gabrielle stared at the women. She was taken aback by their friendliness and willingness to see she settled in as painless as possible. She could see the strength and acceptance in these women. She had a feeling she was going to get along just fine with them.

"Sure, I’d love to come. What time should I be there?"

They established a time, gave her directions, and bid her goodbye. "We’ll see you tomorrow."

+ + + + +

The children were running around playing when they heard a distinct whistle.

"Oh man," Jared said. "That’s Uncle Chris’s ‘come here now or else" whistle."

"Well then we better go." Connor replied.

The children ran to where their father’s were standing. Naturally, Chris took charge.

"All right, everyone sit down."

Jake turned to Jesse and said under his breath "Uh oh. Here comes the ‘appropriate school behavior’ speech."

"Did you have something to say, Jacob?"

Jacob started. He didn’t think he said it that loud. "Uh not really pa…I just said I couldn’t wait to meet the new teech"

His father gave him a glare that let him know he wasn’t fooled, and then continued. "In a few minutes, your new schoolteacher will be here. I want you all to be on your best behavior, today and in school. There will NOT be a repeat of last year. Do you all understand?"

An array of "Yes Sir" was heard, knowing that Chris spoke for all their fathers.

"Good, because this is the only warning you will get. If you get into any trouble you will be punished, no warnings, no second chances. Is that clear?"

Again he heard a chorus of "Yes, Sir."

"Okay, you can go." He dismissed them. "Remember, you have been warned." He added.

Vin laughed and turned to Chris. "Didn’t hear a word ya said."

"I know."

+ + + + +

Gabrielle pulled up to the house. The children saw her and drifted towards their parents. //Wow, look at them all. Well, this is what you wanted Gabby//she said to herself. Mary saw her and waved her over.

"Gabby, so glad you could make it. Please, let me introduce you to everyone."

Mary gestured to Chris. "This is my husband Chris and our children, Billy, Jacob and Riley."

"Over here is Emily’s husband Vin and their children Jessica…"

"Jesse," the little girls voice cut in indignantly. "My name is Je…" Vin cleared his throat. Jesse looked up. "Ummm…sorry."

"As I was saying Jesse and Logan."

"You have already met Alyssa’s husband Ezra. These are their children Connor and Jared.

Inez’s husband Buck and their children Adam and Kiley are next to them."

"Josiah, Maria’s husband, it standing with their daughter Abby, by the food table. The young couple next to them is JD and Casey Dunne and their little girl, Haley. The lap Haley is sitting in belongs to Nettie Wells, Casey’s aunt. Haley is the only one out of the bunch that wont be in school…you get her next year." Mary said with a laugh.

"The tour concluded with the Jackson’s. This is Rain’s husband Nathan, our resident doctor, and their children Jacey and Joshua."

"Pleased to meet you all. I’ll do my best to remember all that." She said with a smile.

"Ma’am, don’t worry about that. Buck here still gets confused." JD said humorously.

"Just keep it up boy! One of these days…"

Nettie cut off Buck’s threat. "Lunch is ready, come and get it."

"We continue this later." Buck said as he kicked JD in the rear.

Everyone sat down, bowls were passed and plates were loaded.

"Vin Tanner, don’t you even think about passing those peas without putting any on your plate" Nettie said.

"Nettie, I’s all grow’d up now, don’t need no damn motherin’. ‘Sides you’re not my ma"

"I’m the closest thing you’ve got to a mother. Now put some of those peas on your plate"

"Aw, Nettie…" Vin whined. He heard everyone snicker.

"Don’t you ‘Aw Nettie’ me young man. And don’t let me hear that language again or I’ll tan you hide. "

"Yeah Vin, you don’t want to miss your greens…you need them to grow big and strong." Chris teased.

"The same goes for you Chris. Peas." Nettie said sternly as she looked the both of them. She pointed to the bowl. "Now."

Chris dropped his eyes. "Yes, Ma’am." He replied as he dished out a helping on their plates.

The table erupted into laughter. "You know Nettie, you are the only one who can make Chris do something he doesn’t want to do." Mary stated with a laugh.

"It’s a gift, my dear. A gift." Nettie said with a smile.

+ + + + +

Chris was headed down for breakfast when he heard whispers and snickering coming from Riley’s room. He looked in and saw his children huddled up looking at something. //Oh, no. Not this year//Chris said to himself.

"What are you doing?" Chris asked in a deceptively calm voice. Jake’s head snapped up.

"Oh, Pa. You scared us." The kids closed rank, shielding what was behind them. " Don’t you know you can scare a body to death doing something like that? Good thing I’m still young…"

"Jake, enough. Answer the question."

"What question was that?"

Chris was losing his patience. "Jacob!"

"All right, all right. Sheese…ummm, we were just checking to see if we had all our school supplies."

Chris saw Billy and Riley nod in agreement. They were not fooling him. "Checking your school supplies? Well you better let me see them too, just in case you’re missing some."

"Uh, that’s not necessary pa. We have everything." Riley answered.

Chris stared at his children. They all dropped their eyes. //Gotcha.//

Billy took a chance and glanced up. He saw the clouds rolling in and new they better fess up or the storm was going to hit. Literally. He stepped aside. "Here pa. This is what we were looking at."

Chris walked over to the bed and saw an array of items. There was tacks, a small tube of glue, marbles, fake snake, a box with ants in it…you name they had it.

"Hand them over." Chris demanded. The children gathered everything up put them in their father’s outstretched hands. "Now, I am only going to say this once." He eyed the children.

"No pranks. No fighting. You will behave yourselves." He turned to Jake. "Especially you Jacob."

"Me?" Jake said innocently.

"Yes you. You will control that temper of yours … and you will leave the Peterson boy alone this year. He’s younger and smaller than you and I don’t want you bullying him.. You will behave. You go to school to learn, not fight and cause trouble. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir."

"That goes for you two also." He said to Billy and Riley.

"Yes, Sir"

"Go on, breakfast is ready." The kids made a mad dash to the kitchen.

++++++

"I can’t believe pa fell for that." Billy said.

"Why? As Uncle Ezra would say , it was ingenous."

"That ingenious, you idiot. And I have to say it was. I just glad he didn’t see us go into the barn and get the stuff we were really going to use."

"Yeah. We would be in big trouble."

"You guys, were going to be in big trouble once the pranks are played. He’ll know it was us." Riley said.

"How? He thinks we gave him everything."

"I don’t know. He’ll know it was us somehow, though. He always does."

"Well, it’s too late now. We better hurry or were gonna be late." Billy said.

Jesse and Logan met up with them a couple minutes later. "Did you bring the prank stuff?" She asked.

"Of course." Jake produced it with a flourish.

"So Uncle Chris fall for it?"

"Yep. Did Uncle Vin catch you?"

"Uh huh. Took all my stuff too, just like you said. I hid the real stuff in a hollow log though."

"Well, lets hope the rest managed to do the same." Billy said.

The met up with the others at the schoolyard. "Did it work?" Jake asked.

Everyone nodded. They knew what he was talking about. "Great!"

"So what are we going to do first?" Adam asked.

"Is Miss Strong here yet?"

"Nope."

"Good." Jake said and disappeared into the classroom.

+ + + + +

"Good Morning class, my name is Miss Strong. I am you’re new teacher." Gabby looked around the room and tried to make eye contact with each child as she was taught. "To begin, I’d like to have everyone stand up and tell me their name so I can write it down in my lesson book." She pointed to the first child in the row. "We’ll start with you."

Each child stood and gave the requested information. "Thank you class. Now I would like to give you each a test. This test is to determine what grade you belong in. You will have 1 hour to complete it." She handed the tests out. "You may begin."

Gabby went back to her desk and started to put her things away. The middle drawer was stuck so she put her hand in it to try to see what was holding it up. When she pulled her hand back out it was covered in ink.

"Okay, who did this?" She asked the class sternly while wiping the ink off with a handkerchief.

The children all looked up and started laughing. "Class, settle down!" She yelled. "I ask again. Who did this?"

Nothing.

"Okay, since the person who did it wont confess, then you all will be punished. Everyone will remain after school for ½ hour."

A chorus of "no fairs" and "it wasn’t me" echoed through the room. "Now, get back to your tests."

She sat down in her chair, only to jump up with a scream. "Aaaiiieee" She pulled the small nails out her backside and swept up the surviving ones left.

"That’s it! I want to know who did this, and I want to know now!" The children all stopped laughing and stared at their teacher. //Boy is she mad// Kiley thought to herself.

"Well?" Gabby asked again. She was met with silence.

"They you will all remain after class until your parents realize your not home and come get you."

The cousins (after all they were family) all looked at each other. They knew if their fathers had to come get them on the 1^st day of school they were going to be in BIG trouble. They were unsure what to do. The decision was taken out of their hands when they heard "I know who did it Miss Strong".

The kids looked up and saw Tommy Peterson addressing the teacher.

"It was Jake Larabee. I saw him come into the schoolhouse before you got here. He did the same thing last year."

Jake was ready to explode. If Jesse didn’t have her hand on his shoulder to hold him down, he would have launched himself at Tommy kicked the crap out of him.

"Jacob, is that true? Did you play these pranks?"

Jake wasn’t sure if he should try to lie. He knew if he denied it, all of them would be punished. If he confessed, he would probably the only one to get spanked. The rest of them would probably be let off with a lecture. Unless they found we lied to them this morning when we told them they had all our ‘prank stuff’.

"Jacob, I asked you as question?"

Jake decided to confess and give his cousins a chance to keep out of trouble. "Yes, Ma’am. It was only a joke." he said lamely.

"Are there anymore?"

"No, ma’am."

"Good. You will remain after class until your father comes to get you. We are going to discuss your behavior. I will not tolerate it."

"Yes, Ma’am." Jake replied dejectedly. //I am in so much trouble//.

"Now, everyone get back to your tests."

Jake stared at Tommy. //Just you wait, I’m going to get you for this// he said to himself.

+++++

"Okay, class. You are dismissed for the day."

The children happily filed out of the room, grateful to be able to get outside. Jake managed to escape undetected and made a beeline for Tommy Peterson. He had almost reached him when he felt someone grab his arms. He turned. Billy had his one arm, Jesse had the other.

"Jake, don’t do this. You are already in enough trouble." Billy said.

"Hell, if I’m going to get punished, then I might as make the best of it. I mean pa’s already gonna tan my hide. Might as well kick Tommy’s ass and kill two birds with one stone." Jake broke their hold and continued toward Tommy.

Jake was taller and stronger that most kids his age. He wasn’t big, but he had a natural strength. It came in handy when he needed it to. Now was one of those times. He kicked Tommy’s foot to get his attention. Tommy looked up, saw who it was and smiled.

"You’re in trouble, you’re in trouble." He teased. "Your pa is gonna whip you good. Such a shame."

That was all it took. Jake’s legendary temper flew into gear. He grabbed Tommy by the front of his shirt and pulled him to his feet. Tommy’s eyes went wide with fear.

"Uh, oh" Jesse said to the others. They’ve seen him like this before. At this point, he was unstoppable. The cousins ran over to where Tommy and Jake were.

"What did you think you were doing, tattletale." Jake said and pushed Tommy to the ground. He picked him up again. "Did you think I wouldn’t kick your ass? Think the new teacher was gonna save you?" He taunted and pushed him to the ground again. He pulled him up once more.

"Huh?" Jake punched Tommy in the stomach and pushed him again. He jumped on him and began to beat the living crap out of the boy. Gabby looked out the window and saw the group of kids standing together in a circle. That could only mean one thing. She ran outside.

"Boys! Stop fighting this instant!" She yelled. Billy, Jesse, and Adam saw her coming and pulled Jake off Tommy.

"What’s the meaning of this?" Gabby asked. She saw Tommy laying on the ground in a ball. He wasn’t moving.

"Oh my!" She said. She crouched down to get a better look at him. There was a gash over his eye and his nose was bleeding. "Jacey, go get your father. Now! Hurry!"

Jacey heard the concern in Miss Strong’s voice and ran to the clinic. //I didn’t think Jake hurt him that bad.// she thought to herself as she burst through the clinic door.

"Jacey, what are you doing here? School out already?" Nathan asked checking his timepiece.

"Pa, come quick. Jake beat up Tommy Peterson pretty bad and Miss Strong told me to come get you." Jacey said breathlessly.

Nathan grabbed his medical case and took off for the schoolhouse. //Jacob, boy…you must have a death wish//He thought grimly.

Nathan reached Tommy in a matter of minutes. Miss Strong managed to get him to sit up and was holding a cloth over his eye.

"Miss Strong." Nathan acknowledged. He immediately turned to Tommy.

"Tommy, I need to take a look at your face. It might hurt a bit." Nathan pulled the cloth away from his eye. After examining him, he turned to Gabby. "Ma’am, we need to get Tommy to the clinic. He’s got a bloody nose and will need stitches in that cut. And I think he might have bruised his ribs. He’ll also have a nice shiner to match, but he’ll be okay. Jacey, please go to the Petersons and tell them to come to the clinic. Billy, you go home and tell you pa to meet me at the clinic."

Nathan scooped up the boy and started for the clinic. As he passed Jake, he saw the look of satisfaction on his face and paused. "Boy, you come with me." He said once Jake looked up and continued to the clinic.

Jake looked at his cousins and sighed in resignation. They knew enough not to follow. None of them wanted to be around when Uncle Chris found out.

Ezra stepped out of the saloon for some air. He scanned the street as he usually did to make sure there wasn’t any trouble brewing. His gazed landed on Nathan carrying a small child. He hurried over to his side. "Nathan?"

"Ezra, I’m glad you’re here. Jake beat up Tommy here pretty badly. I sent Jacey to get Mrs. Peterson. I would appreciate it if you would take Jacob to your office above the saloon. I don’t want him around when she gets here. Billy is sending Chris to the clinic. We’ll be over once I finish getting Tommy stitched up."

Ezra’s angry gaze fell on Jake. "It would be my pleasure." He grabbed Jake roughly by the arm. "Come with me young man."

+++++

As Billy and Riley approached the house they saw their pa just coming out of the barn. They were not looking forward to telling him what happened. Chris saw them coming and noticed Jake wasn’t with them. //So help me, if that boy got into trouble…I’m gonna kill’em// He thought.

"Where’s Jake?" He asked Billy.

"Well pa, umm…there was a little problem today. Ummm…Uncle Nathan wants you to meet him at the clinic."

"The clinic?! Why?"

"Well ya see, Jake sorta beat up Tommy Peterson. Uncle Nathan had to come and take Tommy to the clinic to get stitched up. He wants you to meet him there."

"I’m gonna kill’em" Chris said under his breath. He sighed. "Okay, go tell you ma I’ll be home once I get everything straightened out."

Chris saddled his horse and headed to town. He pulled up the clinic at the same time Mrs. Peterson did. They both entered.

"Oh my Tommy, are you okay? Is he gonna be okay Doc Jackson?" Mrs. Peterson said the minute she saw her son.

"Yes, ma’am. I just had to put a few stitches in that cut over his eye. His nose and ribs are gonna be a little sore but he should be fine. I want you to keep him home tomorrow and let him rest. He’s had quite a few bumps."

Mrs. Peterson was relieved. It was then that she realized Chris was in the clinic. She turned to him, eyes blazing. "I suppose your son is responsible. I’m tired of your son bullying Tommy. After all the stuff he did to him last year…"she stopped abruptly, too angry to continue.

Chris understood her anger. He was feeling it himself. "Ma’am. I thought we had this taken care of. Apparently, Jake decided to ignore my warnings. Don’t worry, I WILL take care of this. I can guarantee once I’m through with him, he wont even go near your son."

He turned to Nathan. "I’ll pay for the visit. Just let me know how much it is." Mrs. Peterson seemed somewhat satisfied, grabbed Tommy and left.

"Where is he?" Chris asked in a dangerous tone.

"Ezra took him to his office. I told him we would be up once I was through with Tommy."

"Lets go."

Chris walked swiftly to the saloon. He didn’t even check to see if Nathan followed. The townspeople saw the dark look on his face and moved out of the way. He entered the saloon, went up the stairs and angrily strode into Ezra’s office. Nathan was right behind him.

"What the hell have you done?" Chris asked Jake in that same quiet dangerous tone.

Jake jumped at the sound of his voice. "Pa I…"

"I don’t want to hear excuses. I don’t want to hear any apologies. What I want to hear is what happened? NOW!" Chris cut in.

Jake was struck silent with fear. He had never seen his father this angry. Chris’s temper flared.

He reached around and swatted Jake 3 times on the backside…hard. The swats stung so bad they brought tears to Jake’s eyes.

"I asked you a question, young man."

"Well you see…" Jake told his father about the pranks and how Tommy told on him. He told him how he lost his temper when Tommy started to tease him. "But pa, you’ve gotta believe me. I didn’t mean to hurt him that bad. I just lost it and started to hit him."

"If you didn’t mean to hurt him then you wouldn’t have picked a fight with him. You’re much bigger than him. What did you think was going to happen when you hit him?"

"I don’t know pa. I know I shouldn’t of hit him. I’m sorry."

"Well, sorry isn’t gonna cut it this time. We’ll finish this discussion at home." He bid goodbye to Nathan and Ezra, then took Jake’s hand and left.

"Boy, I’d hate to be in his shoes now. Chris is gonna tan his hide but good." Nathan said.

"Most assuredly." Ezra replied.

+++++

The ride home was silent. Jake sat in front of his father on his horse. He could feel the anger radiating off him in waves. //I’m am so dead//He thought.

When they reached the yard, Mary came out of the house. Billy had told her everything and she knew how angry Chris was going to be. As they dismounted the horse, Chris gave Mary a slight nod to let her know he was calm enough to deal with their son. Mary returned the nod, gathered Billy and Riley, and went into the house.

"Jacob, come with me." Chris led the way into the barn. He stopped at one of the hay bales and turned to Jake.

"Look at me." Jake raised his head. "You know why were here, so I’m not going to go over it again. I told you what would happen if you caused trouble or got into a fight today. What I want to know is why you insist on disobeying me?"

"I don’t know pa. I was just trying to have a little fun. When I’m in the middle of things I forget your warnings, I guess."

"Well then, I’ll have to give you something to help you remember." Chris reached up and unbuckled his belt.

"Oh no pa…please not the belt…I promise I wont disobey you again…"

"I’m sorry Jacob, We’ve been through this too many times. Spanking you hasn’t been enough to help you remember, maybe this will. Drop you pants and bend over the hay bale."

Jake shakily undid his pants and leaned over. As soon as he was settled, he felt the first lash. Chris didn’t hold back. After 10 licks, he put his belt back on.

"All right, Jacob. Were through."

Jake slowly stood and carefully pulled his pants back up. His backside was on fire.

"Now, I want you to go to your room until dinner."

"Yes, Sir" Jake managed to say through his tears. Chris softened. He opened his arms.

"Come here." Jake launched himself into his father’s arms and sobbed out the pain. "It’s all right now Jake. Shhh..."Chris said as he rubbed Jake’s back. When the sobs finally subsided, Chris pulled Jake from his chest and looked him in the eyes.

"I never want to have to punish you like this again, but if you continue to disobey me and get into fights, I will. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Sir."

He kissed his son on the head. "Okay, go on in the house now and up to your room. I’ll call you when supper’s ready.

"Yes, Sir."

Mary heard Jake come into the house and go up to his room. She went out to the barn to see if Chris was okay.

"Chris?" Mary said. "Are you okay?"

"I hate having to do that." He replied quietly.

"I know."

Chris snorted. "Sometimes I wonder where he gets his temper from."

Mary looked at him. "Like father, like son" She said with a smile and went back into the house.

"Yeah , that’s what I’m afraid of." Chris said to the empty room.

+ + + + +

"What are we gonna do with it now?" Logan asked, referring to the ‘prank stuff’ they had in their pockets.

"For now, we’ll put it back into the log. I’m sure once Jake can sit comfortably again he’ll want us to use it." Jesse replied.

Logan and Jesse reached the house, changed out of their school clothes and started their chores. They had just completed everything when Emily called them.

"Jesse. Logan. Supper is almost ready." She looked at her two children and saw how dirty their clothes were. "I want you both to wash up and change. You both are filthy. Go on."

Jesse walked into her room and froze. She rubbed at her eyes, praying that she wasn’t seeing what she thought she saw. Damn. She walked over to the bed for a better look. //Yep. That’s everything we put in the log//Jesse said to herself.

"Missing something?"

Jesse spun around, startled. "Pa…what are you doing here? Where did you find these? I mean…where did …"

Vin cut Jesse off. "Since you were the one who hid ‘em, I guessin you know where I got ‘em. What I don’t know is why you even have ‘em. Jus this mornin you and Logan tol me I had everything you two had to play yer pranks with. ‘Magin my surprise when I found these." Vin said gesturing to the items on the bed.

"Now Pa, we didn’t say you had everything we had. All’s I said was you had everything on us."

"Which is the reason I knew you wasn’t tellin me everything. I knew you two were up t’ somethin so’s I watched ya. I saw ya put what ya had over in th’ log when you came home from school. Figured I’d just give you a hand and bring it on up to yer room for ya."

"Pa, I can explain. See, we, meaning the cousins, and me were just gonna play a few pranks on the new teech and we knew none of you wanted us to do that so’s we sorta made ya think you had all our stuff. Then we hid more stuff some where’s else so’s we’d have something to use later on."

"So you and Logan lied to me." Vin said dangerously.

"Now, pa. We didn’t get to use any of the stuff so we really didn’t lie…we just sorta…" Jesse hesitated. She couldn’t find the word she needed.

"Lied." Vin filled in, glaring at her sternly.

Jesse squirmed under Vin’s glare. One thing that really got her pa mad was lyin’. //How am I gonna get outta this? // She asked herself.

"I know we shouldn’t a lied. But don’t it count that we didn’t get t’ use any of the stuff? I mean, Jake did, but he got caught and then got into that fight with Tommy Peterson. Jake really kicked his butt. You shoulda seen it!"

Vin rolled his eyes. He knew what his daughter was trying to do. It didn’t work.

"The only butt that you should be worried about it yours, seein as how you ain't gonna be able to sit once I’m through with ya."

Jesse slipped her hands behind her to cover her backside and backed away. "But pa, we didn’t get into trouble or anything. All we did was…"

"Lie." Vin completed again. "Don’t matter that you didn’t get in t’ trouble. The only thing that matters is that you an Logan lied t’ me. Now I’m gonna tan both yer hides." Vin grabbed Jesse’s arm and pulled her over to the bed. " Drop yer britches and bend over the bed."

Jesse’s eye’s widened as she saw her pa pull his belt off. "But pa…"

"Now, Jessica Lynn."

//Uh.Oh. He’s using my whole name. I am so dead// Jesse undid her pants and bent over the bed.

After about 8 licks, Vin stopped. "All right, we’re done."

Jesse rose and pulled her pants over her stinging behind. Vin sat on the bed and pulled Jesse into an embrace. Once Jesse’s sobs stopped, Vin pulled her back to look her in the eyes.

"Don’t ever lie to me again, Sunshine. ‘Cause if’n ya do, I’ll make you cut a switch. Understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Now, go on an help your ma with supper. Tell her me an Logan will be down once were through."

"Yes, Sir." Jesse replied. Vin watched she went down the stairs rubbing her backside. He smiled when he heard her mutter to herself "I’m gonna git Jake for talkin me in t’ lyin...tol him it wasn’t a good idea."

+ + + + +

About 10 minutes later Vin and a very contrite Logan came down to the supper table. Logan and Jesse looked at each other then at their chairs.

"Sit."

They looked up at their pa then back to their chairs.

"Now."

They looked at each other again. Jesse shrugged and carefully sat down. Logan followed suit.

After supper was served, Vin turned to Jesse. "So, Jake beat up Tommy Peterson, did he?"

Jesse’s eyes lit up. She always preferred to talk about someone else being in trouble. "Yeah. Jake played some pranks on Miss Strong and Tommy tol on him. Man, I never seen Jake so mad. When school was let out, he went right for Tommy. Me, Billy and Adam tried to stop him, but you know how he is when his temper goes."

"Yeah, jus like his pa" Vin snorted.

"Yeah. He went up t’ Tommy and started pushin him. Then he tackled him and started t’ really give it to’im. Miss Strong came out and tol Jacey t’ get Uncle Nathan. He came and checked Tommy out. I heard him tell Miss Strong that Tommy needed stitched up and probably had his nose and ribs bruised. Then Uncle Nathan scooped up Tommy, tol Jake to come with him, and went t’ the clinic. I don’t know what happened after that… I’m wasn’t stupid enough t’ follow."

"I don’t think I would want to be around when Chris came to get him," Emily said.

"Nah. Me neither. But I don’t reckon were gonna have t’ worry about him fightin Tommy anymore" Vin said with a laugh. "But like that say, like father, like son."

+ + + + +

The next afternoon, Vin met up with the other six. He decided that he was going to have to tell them about their children’s deception. He knew if he didn’t, the kids would wreak havoc on their unsuspecting teacher.

"Hey fellas." Vin said. "I found out some interestin’ information last night. Seems our kids done lied to us."

"Lied to us? How?" Chris asked.

"Well, seems they had us believe that we had all th’ stuff they’s using for pranks. When in fact they hid more stuff somewhere on the way to school so’s they’d still be able to do stuff to Miss Strong."

"How’d you find this out, Vin?" Buck asked.

"I caught Jesse and Logan hiding their extra stuff in a ole log by th’ house. Jesse was mighty surprised t’ find all her stuff on her bed when she went t’ clean up for supper."

"What possesses our offspring to attempt their hand at obfuscation? Are they not conscious to the fact that we will eventually uncover the truth?"

"Obviously not, Brother Ezra." Josiah said. "I believe school is almost out. I think I’ll meet up with Abby and see if I can’t get to the bottom of this. Literally."

The others looked at each other. They noticed a wicked smile creep across Chris’s face. "I think we’ll all go with you Josiah. I’m sure Jesse gave them a heads up but I still want to see their faces when they see all of us standing there waiting for them."

Everyone laughed as they made their way over to the schoolhouse.

Connor and Jared walked out of the schoolhouse and froze. "Please don’t tell me they are standing over there waiting for us." Jared said.

"Who?" Josh said as he followed them.

"Them." Connor pointed over towards his pa and uncles.

"Uh. Oh." Riley said as she and the rest of her cousins came out.

"Damn. I didn’t think pa would get to them until later. He was supposed to be fixing the fence in the north field." Logan said.

"Damnit Jesse, why’d ya have to go an get caught?" Adam said.

"Hey, I didn’t do it on purpose. My pa’s gotta sixth sense when it comes t’ these things." Jesse replied heatedly.

"Everyone, that’s enough." Billy said. He looked over at his pa and uncles. "Look, we don’t have time for this. They’re getting angrier the longer we stand here. We best git over there and fess up, ‘else it’s gonna git a lot worse…especially for our hind ends."

Billy steeled himself, grabbed Jake and Riley and walked over to Chris. The others followed, their fate sealed.By the time the night was through, there were going to be 12 very uncomfortable children who were going to have trouble sitting in school the next day.

Gabrielle watched the proceedings from the schoolhouse window. "Ah yes," She said to herself. "Justice has prevailed. Perhaps I’ll get some pillows to aide in their comfort tomorrow…not!"