Sitting outside of the saloon, toying with the coffee cup under his hand, Chris Larabee covertly watched the hustle and bustle on the street before him. Things had finally settled down in the little town of Four Corners. The past several months had been quite eventful with Nathan's trial, almost dying trying to transport Darwin Jones to trial and they still hadn't been able to find out who was impersonating Mary Travis. It would be nice if they could just sit back and take it easy for awhile.

But, in Four Corners, that was seldom the case. "Telegram for you, Mr. Larabee," Jessie Martin said, holding the paper toward the gunslinger. Easing a dime from his pocket with this right hand as he accepted the paper in his left, Chris flipped the coin in the air towards the young man waiting. Chris liked the young boy, who was trying to earn a little money to help his mom feed him and his siblings. Jessie's father had been killed in a railroad accident over a year ago. Since then, everyone in town had the eleven year old do odd jobs for them.

"Thanks, Jessie," Chris murmured quietly, watching the glee in the boy's eyes at the token.

"Thank you, Mr. Larabee," Jessie said excitedly, before spinning and running off. The dime was a fortune to the youngster.

Turning his attention back to the paper in his hand, Chris' blue eyes ran over the letters carefully printed there. 'TRIAL OF CATHERINE GAINES BEGINS NEXT TUESDAY. MAY NEED YOU TO TESTIFY. BE PREPARED TO COME TO FALL RIVERS. JUDGE ORRIN TRAVIS.'

Staring at the same words on a similar piece of paper, Mary Travis felt her throat constrict. So, they had finally found her - the woman who had helped to kidnap Billy over a year ago. Although she knew this day would eventually come, it still took her by surprise. So much had happened since then. So much had changed

Looking up, Mary gazed out the window. Across the street, she could see Jessie handing Chris a telegram. No doubt, he was getting the same message. Afterall, Chris' past had been an integral part of the crime. It was only natural that he be summoned. Dropping her gaze back to the sheet of paper, Mary couldn't help but wonder why it had to happen now. Why did the events of a year ago have to come back now and bring with them all of the painful memories that were associated with that time? Easing herself onto the stool, Mary felt a loud sigh pass her lips. Suddenly, in her mind, it was as if time had somehow run backwards and she was once again standing in the General Store

Four Corners, a year prior....

"Mary!"

Halting at the sound of Gloria Potter calling her name, Mary Travis turned in the doorway of the general store to see what her friend needed.

"Mary," Gloria said again, coming around the counter, holding an envelope in her hand. "I almost forgot. This came for Mr. Larabee, care of the Clarion. Could you give it to him?"

"Certainly," Mary answered, accepting the mail. "I'm on my way home now. I saw that he was sitting outside, enjoying the sunshine."

"How's he doing?" Gloria asked, lowering her voice so that others would not hear her question. It had been a couple days since the peacekeeper had been brought back to town, a bullet deep in his side.

"Fine," Mary answered, a small tight smile on her face. "Nathan said that in another day or so, he would be strong enough to resume some of his duties."

"What do you think?" Gloria asked, knowing from experience that the seven who protected the town didn't allow themselves to heal sufficiently before they were back at it.

"I'm...," Mary replied hesitantly. The reality was that Mary had not been around the gunfighter much for several weeks. He had left town, been brought back drunk, and put in jail to sober up. Then he had left with that woman, who had arrived in town looking for him, Ella Gaines.

The only time Mary had really talked to him was when he and the others were getting ready to leave. Even then, she had noticed how reserved he was, silently telling her to keep her distance.

She had seen him reserved before, but never like that. It was like he was trying to drive everyone around him away. Still, she had wanted to talk to him, but the other regulators had advised against it.

It had been a hard couple of weeks. Mary found that she had been feeling his absence in her life a great deal. She had become more accustomed to the time they had been spending together than she had realized. Now, she was hoping things could get back to normal.

'And the perfect way to begin that process is to take this letter to him,' Mary thought. Realizing that Gloria was waiting for her to finish her thought, Mary smiled. "I'm sure he's doing fine," she assured the older woman before picking up her skirt and taking her leave.

Pausing at the doorway, Mary looked at the man sitting in front of her home. Wrapped in a patchwork quilt and without his hat, he was staring down the street at some unseen image. Watching him, Mary couldn't help but wonder again what had happened to him when he had been gone.

Oh, she knew he had been shot. Still, that didn't explain the quiet determination that seemed to radiate off of him as he sat there. It was as if he had found a new reason for living.

Moving out of the way of the couple wanting to enter the store, Mary caught a glimpse of the handwriting on the front of the envelope. Curiosity got the best of her. Holding it up, she read the scribbling. 'Chris Larabee, c/o Clarion News Paper.

For some reason, the writing disturbed her. The flowing script was a woman's handwriting. Her instinct told her it had to be from the same woman who had paid to have him brought back from Purgatory, only to have him leave town and come back injured. Now what did she want from him?

On legs that seemed to be too heavy to move, Mary began a slow progress across the street. As she neared him, she tried to stop the tremor in her hands and butterflies in her stomach.

Slowing as she neared him, Mary drew in a deep breath. "I have a letter for you," she said, holding the mail out to Chris.

Anxious about what the letter may hold in store, Mary couldn't help herself and watched as he opened the envelop. When he retrieved the insert that fluttered from it, Mary gasped at the photo glaring at her.

It was Chris in a suit, posing beside that woman. Mary's heart stopped. Had he gotten married when he was gone? Did that explain the change in him?

'Or, perhaps he had been married to her for awhile. That would explain why he had been so ready to leave with her,' Mary reasoned. But if that was so, where did that leave her?

An ache settled in Mary's chest and soul. 'Either way, it means there is no hope for us to be together?.

Moving to escape the photo and all of the implications it held for her, Mary was stopped by Chris calling her name. Spinning, Mary allowed her hurt and anger to be reflected in her countenance. Every inch of her body screamed that there was nothing she wanted to hear nor was there anything he could say to make this better. The facts were too obvious.

Not trying to hide the feeling that she had been betrayed, Mary fled inside firmly shutting the door behind her. Leaning against the door, a single choked sob escaped as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Folding the letter and sliding it and the picture back in the envelope, Chris glanced again at the retreating form of Vin Tanner. The ex-bounty hunter had been tracking Ella Gaines for several days with no luck. Chris had assured him that someday they would meet up with the woman who had been responsible for Sarah and Adam's death. Of that, Chris was positive. For the first time, he knew who had killed his wife and son, and why.

That knowledge had given him a new sense of determination. A new reason to fight the demons that had once again overtaken him for the past several weeks. It just seemed easier to believe the little voices that screamed that he was the reason for all the pain. Those same voices had begun to convince him that any attempts to resume a normal life would only bring more pain - to himself and those he cared for.

It had been simple to believe his friends would not miss him. Likewise, with Mary. It was for her own good that he was leaving. She would only be hurt if they were to continue the courtship that had begun between them. That belief had made it easy to 1eave with Ella Gaines and to stay with her. She was after all, a working girl, so there were no ties that went with it; no danger of being hurt.

Then the truth had come out.

It had been Ella who had arranged for Sarah's and Adam's death. It had been Ella who had lured him and the others into a trap to once again strip him of all he held dear.

And it would be Ella who would die.

Looking back over the past several weeks, Chris understood why he had done the things he had. Still, that did not ease the guilt he felt at betraying his friends. He knew he had hurt them. What could he say to any of them to make everything all right again? More importantly, what could he ever say to Mary to take her pain away?

Mentally cringing, Chris remembered how she had looked a few minutes earlier. She was the last person in the world to deserve the hurt he had brought her. Yet, it had happened.

"Time for you to be gettin' some rest now," Nathan Jackson said, coming up behind Chris. "Easy there," the healer soothed, seeing Chris jump at the sound of his voice. It was evident to Nathan that whatever Chris had been thinking about had taken him someplace where he didn't hear Nathan's approach. "Don't want to be breakin' them stitches now," the healer murmured, slipping a hand under Chris' elbow to help him rise.

Sliding the last of the items she was taking with her into a satchel, Mary took one last look around the small living quarters to make sure everything was in order. Gloria and Nettie had promised to look in a couple times to make sure nothing was being disturbed. 'Plus, Vin and others will be here,' Mary thought.

Spotting her wedding picture, Mary walked over and picked it up. Running her fingers across the small frame, she debated on whether or not she should take it with her. Straightening her shoulders, she quickly set it back down. After all, she wasn't leaving permanently. This was her home. She would be back when....

'When I've figured out a way to be around Chris without it ripping at my heart and soul.'

"Mama!" Billy Travis yelled, running through the front of the Clarion into the living area. "The stage is coming."

Smiling tightly at her son, Mary turned back to the bed and quickly tied the bag closed. "Did you tell everybody goodbye?" Mary asked.

Nodding, Billy's head dropped. "Everybody that you told me to. Why do we gotta leave and how come we can't wait for Chris to come back?"

Biting on her lower lip, Mary had to take several deep breaths. The misery in his voice was only adding to her own. Forcing a smile back on her face, Mary looked at her son. "We'll be back. And you can see Chris then. Okay?" Not waiting for an answer, Mary put on her shawl and picked up her bag. "Grab your bag now and let's go. We don't want to miss the stage," she instructed in a voice filled with forced levity.

Pulling the door firmly shut behind her, Mary followed her son towards the waiting stage. Ignoring the stunned looks coming her way from several of the townsfolk witnessing her progress, Mary handed her bag to the stagehand and lifted Billy into the carriage before turning back to meet the well-dressed man rapidly approaching from the saloon. She had prepared herself for this moment. She knew Ezra was the only peacekeeper in town as the others had gone out to Chris' place or were on patrol. That was why she had chosen this particular day to leave.

"Mr. Standish."

"Mrs. Travis," Ezra Standish greeted the newspaper woman with a hint of confusion in his voice. "Has something happened that necessitates this unexpected trip?" In the past, the seven who guarded the town knew days, if not weeks, in advance when the lovely widow would be out of town. As far as he knew, no such trip had been planned.

"I would appreciate it if you and the others could keep an eye on the Clarion while I'm gone," Mary said, ignoring Ezra's question. "Nettie and Gloria have said they would help, too." Pulling on her gloves for an excuse not to look at Ezra, Mary continued. "Please tell Mr. Larabee that I have arranged for all telegrams from the Judge to be delivered directly to him."

"How long will you be gone?" Ezra asked quietly, his alarm continuing to rise. He knew the past month had been difficult on her. Chris' blatant disregard for her feelings when he had taken off to Purgatory and then with Ella Gaines had been evident to everyone. Then, something unknown to him or the others had happened between her and Chris that had driven the widow into near seclusion for the past week. Now, she was leaving town on an unscheduled trip. All of these events left Ezra with the uneasy feeling that Mary was leaving for good.

Finally looking at him, Mary forced a small smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not quite sure. You will give the others my regards, won't you?"

Seeing the hidden pain behind her smile, Ezra took a step closer and laid a hand on her arm. "Mary...."

"Please don't," Mary choked out softly, knowing that any sign of caring from him would cause her carefully crafted mask to crumble. Pulling away from his touch, she sent him a silent apology with her eyes before turning and climbing into the stage. In a few minutes, it lurched forward, taking her far from Four Corners.

Holding open one swinging door, Chris allowed his eyes to adjust to the change in lighting as he swept the room. Seeing no one unusual, he followed Vin Tanner and Buck Wilmington as they wove their way through the tables. Signaling to Inez as he passed the bar, Chris eased into a chair. Although his gunshot wound was healed enough for Nathan to take out the stitches earlier in the day, it was still tender.

Leaning back, so as to not impede the delivery of a bottle of whiskey and several glasses, Chris raised an eyebrow at the manner in which the bottle was slammed on the table before him.

"Something wrong, Inez?" Buck asked, also stunned by the uncharacteristic delivery.

"Wrong?" Inez Rocillos snapped icily, her eyes never leaving the black clad man. "Why should anything be wrong?" she retorted mockingly, before spinning and marching back to the bar, muttering in Spanish under her breath.

Catching Vin's and Buck's eyes, Chris shook his head as if to say he was unsure of what he had done to rile the resident bar keeper. Shifting his gaze, he noticed for the first time another set of eyes drilling into him from the next table. They belonged to Ezra Standish, who was expertly shuffling and fanning the worn set of cards in his hands without ever looking at them.

Narrowing his eyes, Chris tried to read what he was seeing in the set of the Southerner's shoulders and the steady emerald gaze. Whatever had riled Inez, had affected the gambler similarly.

Setting the bottle down after pouring a round of drinks, Vin settled back in his chair. "What's got you so riled up, Ezra?" he called out curiously, having noticed the barbed stare from the southerner toward Chris.

"I am in a quandary, Mr. Tanner," Ezra replied sharply, finally ceasing the shuffling movement of his hands and tucking the cards into his vest pocket.

"A what?" Buck asked.

"A quandary," Ezra snapped, finally taking his eyes off Chris long enough to glare at Wilmington. "A dilemma."

"'Bout what?" Chris asked quietly, continuing to peer intently at Ezra from under the edge of his hat.

"On whether I should settle for punching you in the face or just shoot you and save all of us more grief," Standish snarled, coming to his feet.

Launching upright to intercept the oncoming gambler, Buck planted himself in Ezra's path. "Whoa, there pard. You wanna explain what brought this on?"

"Did any of you gentlemen notice anything unusual as you passed through the town tonight?" Ezra asked tautly, running his eyes between their faces before again settling them on Chris. "No? Well, perhaps, it is to be expected as you have treated her like a... a... common working girl. No," Ezra immediately retracted, holding his hand in the air, "Allow me to correct myself. LESS than a common working girl. If she had been a working girl, you would of at least left a few coins on the dresser before you discarded her."

Coming upright at the insult, Chris' eyes reflected the coldness that had settled on him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"What? I am astounded. Did the great Mister Larabee fail to notice that a certain business has been closed until further notice due to the unexpected departure of its owner?" Ezra continued mockingly, seeing the deadly ire in Larabee's face and not caring what might happened if he kept going.

"What's closed?" Buck asked, pushing back on Ezra to keep him from getting any closer to Chris. Rapidly running the possibilities through his mind, he came to the conclusion that only one business would get such a rise out of the southerner. "Mary's gone?"

"Ah, give Mr. Wilmington the prize," Ezra retorted sarcastically, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the shocked, distressed expression that flashed briefly over Chris' face at the news.

"Where'd she go, Ezra?" Vin asked quietly, not shocked at the news. He had noticed Mary's withdrawal from the town and her avoidance of Chris over the past week.

"I have no idea," Ezra said exasperatedly, his own anger beginning to dissipate. "She bought a ticket to Falls River, but the porter said she was asking when the train would be leaving there."

"She say how long she'd be gone?" Buck asked, shocked by the news. Oh, he knew that Mary was unhappy. He just didn't think she'd sneak off when they were all out of town.

Shaking his head slowly in response to the question, Ezra looked at the black clad man who had slowly sunk back into the chair. He was shocked at how pale Chris had gotten.

Ezra was further stunned when Chris rose to his feet as if a heavy burden hindered his movements and moved slowly out the door, without saying a word.

"Mary?"

Starting, Mary turned confused eyes toward the auburn hair woman who had called her name. Recognition and realization that she had once again allowed her mind to wonder far away caused her to blush. "I'm sorry, Rose. Did you say something?"

Allowing a tender, knowing smile to appear on her face, Rose Nivens nodded her head slowly. "I said it was time to close for the day," she repeated gently. "You know, if you talk about it, it might help," she added encouragingly, hoping the blonde woman might begin to trust her enough to begin to share the obvious burden she was carrying. In the weeks that Mary had been working at the store, she had seen glimpses of sorrow and pain reflected on her face on more than one occasion.

Shaking her head, Mary looked down self consciously. "I'm all right," she replied, hoping Rose wouldn't call her on the obvious lie. Closing the ledger she had been staring at unseeingly, Mary stacked it on top of the others on the back of the desk. "Well, I think I am about done with that," she said briskly, hoping to divert Rose so that she could escape. "Another couple days and you should be caught up."

Taking the cue, Rose diverted her eyes to the books under Mary's hand. "I don't know what I would of done if you hadn't showed up," Rose said appreciatively. Looking down at the arm tied close to her small frame, she added, "Only two more weeks and then the doctor said he'll unwrap my arm and see if the bone is healed." Sighing, she added, "Well, maybe it'll teach me to not try to carry so many things as I go down stairs."

"You would have managed," Mary said offhandedly, wrapping her shawl over her shoulders. "Well then, I better go. Billy will be waiting for me." She was almost to the door when a question stopped her.

"Who's Chris?"

Hearing a sharp intake of breath and seeing the panicked expression thrown at her, Rose knew she had guessed correctly. Whatever had hurt her new friend had something to do with a person named Chris.

Knowing all the blood had drained from her features, Mary tried to calm the fluttering in the pit of her stomach. "Why do you ask?" she finally managed to say, fighting the urge to run.

"At lunch, I overheard Billy asking when he would see Chris again," Rose said evenly, not wishing to push or spook Mary more than she had already. "I don't mean to pry. It's just that every time Billy mentions him, you seem to have your mind on other things for the rest of day."

Staring hard at Rose to judge if that was the only reason behind the question, Mary finally decided she could read no hidden agenda in her countenance. Slowly nodding as if to acknowledge the truth of Rose's statement, she replied, "Someone I use to know. He and I...," Drawing a sharp breath at what had almost tumbled out, she altered what she was going to say. "He use to take Billy fishing," she finished, pulling her shawl tighter around her as if it could protect her from any further intrusion.

"I see," Rose said non-committedly. Injecting a lightness in her voice, she continued. "I'll see you in the morning? Give that darling boy of yours a hug good night for me."

Escaping out the door, Mary walked quickly away from the General Store as fast as she dared without drawing attention to herself. Reaching the side street leading to the boarding house that she and Billy now called home, Mary darted around the corner and pressed herself against the side of the building in the shadows. Drawing several deep breaths, she tried to stop the trembling of her hands.

Leaning her head back, she winced at the pain in her chest caused by the unexpected questioning about Chris and the subsequent blunder she had almost made. 'He and I were in love,' had almost escaped her. Mentally, Mary chided herself. 'No, I was in love with him. HE was in love with someone else.' Mary drew another deep breath and blinked rapidly to suppress the tears that had sprung into her eyes at the thought. She reminded herself of her vow that she wouldn't break down anymore over him. Straightening her shoulders, she slowly moved out of the shadows to continue on her way.

Reaching the boarding house, Mary could hear the sound of Billy's voice as she opened the door. Silently closing the door behind her, she removed her shawl before plastering a smile on her face and moving to the doorway of the parlor.

"And Miss Gaines said that if it was all right with Ma, I could stay and help her feed 'em tomorrow," the young blonde haired boy said excitedly to the various occupants of the room.

"Feed what, Billy?" Mary asked, bracing herself for the rush she knew was about to happen.

"Mama!" Billy squealed, launching himself towards her. Wrapping his arms around her neck, he hugged her tightly before pulling back. "Kitties," he finally answered, a huge grin on his face.

Standing back upright, she allowed herself to be pulled further into the room, nodding greetings to the four other occupants of the boarding house.

"Kitties?" she repeated, false astonishment in her voice. "Where are you going to feed kitties?"

"At the schoolhouse. We found three of 'em in the grass. Teacher says something must of happened to their mamma and they're not big enough to find their own food so we gotta use a bottle and feed 'em," Billy explained. "And if you say I can, I getta stay after school tomorrow and hold the bottle."

Flinching, Mary realized that she had not heard that level of excitement in her son's voice since they had left Four Corners. Hiding her feelings, she raised one hand and tapped her cheek, feigning deep thought. Caving to the plea in Billy's eyes, Mary broke into a large smile. Billy's answering whoop of joy told her he could see that she was going to allow it. "But only if it doesn't inconvenience Mrs. Jenkins to pick you up later," Mary added, interrupting the celebration.

"Oh, I think that can be arranged," Ida Jenkins, the owner of the boarding house, said from the doorway, smiling in amusement at the antics of her youngest guest. "Now, who is ready for supper?" she queried, dropping her apron after drying her hands on it.

"Me!" Billy exclaimed, squeezing past the large innkeeper to dash towards the dining room.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Jenkins," Mary began, wishing to apologize for her son's exuberant behavior.

"Whatever in the world for?" Mrs. Jenkins exclaimed, patting Mary's arm. "That boy has brought more joy into this house than has been here for years," she added, before turning to lead the adults to the dining area.

Smiling at Rose, who was approaching her desk, Mary straightened the papers she had been working on. "Is it time already?" she asked lightly.

Nodding, Rose watched as Mary stood and retrieved her wrap. "As excited as you said Billy was last night, you are going to have quite a time getting him to settle down tonight now that he fed the kittens."

"I know," Mary sighed, not relishing the challenge that lay before her.

The sound of the door chime drew both women's attention. Stepping forward, Mary called to the new arrival. "Mrs. Jenkins, is something wrong?" she asked, surprised at seeing the boarding house owner.

"Is Billy here?" Mrs. Jenkins asked haltingly, a deep frown pulling at her mouth and forehead.

"No," Mary answered, alarm building. "I thought you were going to pick him up."

"I was, but when I got to the school, no one was there. I've been looking all over town for him," the older woman explained, wringing her hands anxiously.

Moving quickly passed the older woman, Mary darted out the door and hurried towards the school. Running through the door, she stopped abruptly as her mind took in the empty surroundings. The muffled cry of kittens coming from a box in the corner seemed loud in the still air.

"It ain't right. Three weeks and not a word from Mary," JD Dunne exclaimed, turning away from the window and dropping into a chair. "Chris just sits out there, not saying a word to anyone," he continued, slumping dejectedly, the image of the black clad gunfighter sitting by himself in the mid-afternoon sun still fresh in his mind. "Hell, if you didn't know better, you'd swear Mary had died or something."

Not looking up from the game of solitaire in front of him, Ezra dryly remarked, "It does seem that Mr. Larabee is not enjoying a taste of his own medicine."

Seeing the blank stares being thrown at him, Ezra paused his game long enough to explain. "Leaving town for an undetermined length of time and sending no word, thus leaving those of us left behind to wonder indefinitely as to one's well-being."

"Yeah, but it's been three weeks since Mary and Billy left. I thought she'd least send a letter by now," Nathan countered.

"Guess she ain't ready to yet," Vin said dryly, raising his head to watch Chris cross the saloon, coming towards them.

"Judge wants us in Falls River by tomorrow," Chris announced quietly before turning away and heading back outside.

Looking at the others getting up to make their preparations for the trip, Buck broke the silence. "Ain't that where Mary headed?"

"Don't mean she's still there," Vin threw over his shoulder as he walked away.

Riding into Falls River in the late morning sun, six of the seven men were tired, dusty, and more than a little irritated with their leader. Chris had pushed them far into the night and then roused them before the crack of dawn. Finally reaching their destination, they just hoped that the reason for being summoned was worth the trip.

Pulling the group to a halt outside of the jail, Chris eased his lanky frame from the saddle and handed Vin the black's reins. "You boys wait here. I'll see where the Judge is at," he said, before stepping onto the boardwalk, his movements causing dust to fall from his clothing.

Glancing around, the ones who had been here before were surprised at how much the town had grown. Nodding at Buck's raised eyebrow, Josiah commented, "Take a look at the future, boys. When the railroad reaches Four Corners, it'll grow like this too."

Tipping his hat at the ladies passing on the boardwalk, Buck grinned at the comment. "Means more women will be comin' to town."

Snorting, Vin put the cap back on his canteen. "Too many people for me."

Straining in a vain attempt to look further down the street, JD sat back down and sighed. "I don't see her anywhere."

"See who?" Nathan asked, tucking his kerchief back in his coat after wiping some of the dust from his face.

"Mary," JD retorted exasperatedly. Seeing the amused smiles and shaking of heads, JD added defensively, "What? She could be here."

"Mrs. Travis will allow us to discover her whereabouts when she is ready to and not a minute before," Ezra said dryly.

Coming out of the jail, Chris stepped to the street and took the reins of his horse back. "Down the street," he said, pulling himself into the saddle and nudging the black.

Turning off of the main street, the seven walked their mounts down the street leading towards various houses. Pulling to a halt in front of the a large two story structure with a worn sign that said "Boarding House" in front of it, the men followed Chris' lead in dismounting and securing their mounts. Trooping up the short walk, the men tried to brush some of the dust from their clothing.

Knocking, Chris glanced around to see who was watching. By the time he had finished, the door in front of him opened to reveal an older woman with gray hair pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck.

"May I help you?" Ida Jenkins asked, running appraising eyes over the men at her doorstep. She wasn't sure they were the kind she wanted in her house.

"Ma'am," Chris said, tipping his hat. "A man at the jail said that Judge Travis was here."

"Oh, you're the men he's been waiting for," Mrs. Jenkins exclaimed. "Please, follow me," she said, her earlier reservations disappearing.

Following the motherly figure down the hallway, the men filed into the parlor at her urging. Nodding a greeting at the man rising to greet them, the seven were shocked to see Mary Travis with him.

"You boys made good time," Judge Orrin Travis said, stepping forward to greet the newcomers.

"Judge," Chris said, his eyes darting past the older man to look at Mary. He was struck at the pallor of her sunken cheeks and the dark shadows that loomed under her eyes. She had lost weight and was obviously troubled by something. "Mary," he greeted her, unsure how she would take his presence.

Not daring to speak, Mary tipped her head in greeting at the seven. While the biggest part of her was overjoyed that they were there, there was also a small part of her that knew it was too soon yet to see Chris again.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush," Orrin began, moving back beside Mary to lay a supporting hand on her shoulder. "Day before yesterday, somebody took Billy. I want you boys to find out who and bring my grandson back."

A ripple of alarm went through the peacekeepers.

"Where'd you see him last?" Chris asked, taking an instinctive step closer to Mary. No wonder she looked so haggard. Peering intently at her, he fought the urge to gather her in his arms.

"At the school," the Judge answered. "He was suppose to stay after to help the new school teacher bottle feed some kittens. When Mrs. Jenkins, the woman who showed you in," he clarified, "went to get him, nobody was there. Nobody has seen him since," he sighed, patting Mary's shoulder reassuredly.

"What about the school teacher?" JD asked. "What does she have to say?"

"No one's seen her either," the Judge said, knowing she was the most likely suspect.

"You said new teacher?" Josiah stated.

Nodding, Orrin moved back to the chair he was sitting in before the seven arrived. Easing himself down, he continued. "The other teacher suddenly left several weeks ago. Got word that her father was very ill so she went back east to be with him. The new teacher showed up two days ago and was hired to fill in until the regular teacher came back."

"What's her name?"

"Gaines. Miss Catherine Gaines. I've already wired several people to try to find out what I can about her," the Judge assured them, while watching the abrupt movement of Chris' head and the looked he shared with the others at the name. Frowning, he made a mental note to ask Chris about it later.

"There's been no ransom request?" Ezra queried, his mind whirling to try to understand why someone would take the young boy.

"None."

"What did this Gaines woman look like?" Buck asked, a hard edge to his tone. He was quite fond of Billy and the thought that someone may have hurt him made the easy going man bristle in anger.

When eight set of eyes looked expectantly at her, Mary whispered, "My height, dark hair." Distressed by the realization that she couldn't remember much about the school teacher, she shook her head helplessly.

Patting Mary's arm to try to calm the agitated woman, Orrin intoned softly, "I'm sure Mrs. Jenkins can help us," before turning and catching Vin's eye as he was the closest to the door. Slipping out, the tracker was back in a few seconds escorting the older woman.

"Ma'am," Josiah said stepping forward. "We were hoping you could tell us about the teacher, what she looks like or anything else that might help us find her."

"Well, let's see. She's about Mary's height, brown hair, and a big smile," Mrs. Jenkins began, trying to remember.

Catching Buck's eye, Chris could see his own suspicion reflected in his friend's eyes. "Ma'am," Chris said, stepping towards her. "Did she look something like this?" he asked, holding out a torn photograph.

Taking the picture, Mrs. Jenkins nodded excitedly. "Yes, only younger."

Flinching at the aborted explicative that had started to come out of Chris' mouth at the identification, Mary raised out of her seat. "Chris? Who is it?" she pleaded huskily. "Who has my son?"

"It's Ella's sister, Catherine Gaines. And if Catherine's involved, Ella can't be far away," he said flatly, as he shoved the picture back in his coat and abruptly moved to the window, turning his back to the other occupants. He couldn't allow them to see the fear that had exploded in him at the memory of Ella's vow to kill anyone who came between them. If she had found out about Chris' affection for the boy, she might have taken him to do just that.

Interrupting the muttered oaths cascading around the room, Mary's voice shook wildly. "But why? Why would she take Billy?"

Darting his eyes between Chris' back and Mary, Buck reluctantly said, "To get Chris back."

"Or to lure us into another trap," Vin snapped, his anger at Ella Gaines flaring once again. The woman had not only tried to kill all of them once before, she had come way too close to succeeding with Chris. Now she had taken an innocent little boy from his mama for no reason.

Tearing her eyes away from Vin's apparent anger, Mary swallowed hard as she took several steps closer to Chris. "Chris?" she called again, wanting to know why this woman who had already caused her so much pain had now taken her son. When her call again went unanswered, her anguish erupted in a hiss of fury. "Damn you, Chris Larabee," she spat, grabbing his arm and pulling him around to face her. "You tell me why."

"She's got a right to know, Chris," Josiah said, his voice cutting the silence that had descended.

Raising his eyes from the hand that was gripping his sleeve, Chris glanced at the ex-preacher and conceded the point. Mary did have a right to know that he was the cause of her son's disappearance and, perhaps, death. Nodding his head once, he looked back at Mary but spoke to the others. "Nathan, Ezra, JD, find out where she was staying and who she's talked to. Somebody might know where she went. Buck, you, Josiah and Vin check the countryside for any sign of them," he intoned quietly, his voice easily carrying around the room. Still not making any attempt to free himself from Mary's talon sharp grip or gaze, he heard the regulators shuffling out of the room.

"Mrs. Jenkins, perhaps I could have a cup of coffee," Orrin said calmly, taking the hint that Chris wished to speak to Mary alone. Herding the older woman out the door, he paused long enough to glance back at the couple still frozen in the throes of their respective misery. Grimacing at the sight, he left the room and slowly pulled the door closed behind him, hoping their relationship was strong enough to survive this storm.

Prying Mary's fingers from his arm, Chris began to back the woman toward her chair. "Sit down," he urged, guiding her into the seat. When she was seated, he pulled the chair that Orrin had been sitting in a little closer and put himself into it. Taking his hat off, he ran his hand through his short blonde hair, trying to find the way to explain his relationship with Ella.

"A long time ago, there was a working girl that I would," Chris paused, uncomfortable with the topic and struggling to find the right words. "Visit occasionally," he settled for.

"Ella," Mary clarified, having guessed this much of the story. Despite the fact that Ella had been introduced as a ranch owner when she had been in Four Corners a month ago, Mary had guessed her prior profession long before now.

Nodding Chris confirmed her identity. "I didn't think much of it. We would have a good time, she'd get her money and I'd be on my way. Then I met Sarah and I stopped my carousing. I didn't want anyone but her. We married and had Adam and I never thought twice about Ella or any of the other working girls I'd been with in my life."

Seeing the stoic, disapproving look on Mary's face, Chris stood up and moved back to the window. He couldn't expect her to be happy about the situation, but it was the truth.

"I hadn't seen or heard of Ella until she showed up last month. She hadn't changed a bit. Still wild and crazy as ever," Chris said, an ironic twist to his voice. Sighing, he turned to look at Mary. "The day I got drunk, tore down the hitching posts and took off to Purgatory, it had been three years since Sarah and Adam's deaths. I was hurting and wanted to lash out - to forget it had ever happened and to find some way to make sure I never felt that kind of pain again. So, when Ella showed up, it was easy to take off with her."

"And marry her," Mary stated matter of factly, daring him to deny the charge.

"What?" Chris started, the shock on his face quickly replaced by comprehension. "The picture." He looked her directly in the eye, hoping she would read the truth of his words. "I never married her. She had me get all gussied up for dinner one night and had a photographer waiting at the bottom of the stairs."

Staring deep into Chris' soul, Mary weighed the validity of his claim. No matter how much she wished to accept the explanation at its face value, she refused to walk blindly into it. She had been hurt too much for that.

After a few minutes, Chris saw a subtle change in Mary's posture and countenance. Relieved, he realized that she had accepted the simple truth that had been laid before her.

Mary pulled her eyes from his, allowing him to once again slip the shield to his soul back in place. After a few minutes of silence, she glanced back at him. "That still doesn't explain why she took Billy."

Nodding, Chris drew a shaky breath. Now came the tough part. "When I was at Ella's, I found out that she was the one who had hired Fowler to kill Sarah and Adam. Said she couldn't live without me and would kill anyone who came between us." Chris sighed, sitting back down by Mary. "She even went so far as to try to have Buck and the others killed. That's how I got shot, trying to help them."

Mary's already pale features seemed to whiten further as the implications of what Chris was saying sank in. "Billy?" she managed, not able to form the words she was afraid to say.

"I don't know. She may be using him as bait to draw me or the others into something," Chris said honestly. Reaching out to pick up Mary's cold, clenched fingers, he wished there was some way to avoid the rest of the painful truth, but he had come too far now to back down. "Or she may have already killed him."

Shaking her head in denial, it was Mary's turn to get up and move away. Stopping halfway across the room, she took in several deep breaths and made a vain attempt to swallow the lump in her throat. It couldn't be. She couldn't lose her son. It was too much to ask of her. Feeling Chris' hands on her shoulders, she allowed herself to be turned around.

"I'll find him, Mary," Chris vowed softly, cupping her face and brushing his thumb across her cheek. "I'll bring him back to you and I'll make her pay," he pledged fervently. Looking in her eyes and seeing the turbulent emotions in them, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. "It'll be okay," he whispered in her ear.

Pressing her face into Chris' neck, Mary wrapped her fingers into his shirt and coat. Captured next to him, she listened to the words of comfort he murmured in her hair and prayed that he was right.

Because if he wasn't, she wasn't sure she could ever forgive him.

A murmur of voices roused the sleeping child. "Mama?" Billy Travis called out, his voice weak and confused. Struggling to fight through the haze that demanded for him to go back to sleep, he made it far enough awake to realize he was in a small closet. Pushing futilely at the wooden door beside him, he leaned against the rough grain and whimpered for his mother again before going back into the darkness.

Stepping onto the boardwalk, Chris and the Judge greeted the two men waiting for him. "Anything?" Chris asked, coming to a halt in front of them.

Shaking his head in regret, Nathan sighed. "Nobody seems to know anything. How's Mary?"

Not saying anything, Chris looked evenly at the healer to tell him she was hanging on - barely.

"What do we do now?" JD asked pensively, scanning the street for any sign of the others returning.

"Anyone seen Ezra?"

"Right here," the southerner called out, coming up to the group. "I just had a very interesting conversation with several gentlemen," Ezra said, coming to a halt beside the black clad man. "Seems said gentlemen perchanced upon a house where several lovely women were residing. One of these lovely debutantes proclaimed to be a school teacher, but," Ezra paused and ran his thumb across his lower lip, chuckling. Peering back up, he allowed a grin to appear on his face as he finished. "She was not imparting the essentials of a grade school education."

"Where?" Chris snapped, afraid that Ella would learn of his arrival in town and flee the area.

"About a mile east of the Miller Creek road. House sits in a stand of trees," Ezra replied.

Turning to the older man beside him, Chris was stopped from speaking by the nod of Orrin's head. "Go. I'll tell the others when they get back."

"Mary?" Ida called softly, not wishing to startle the woman staring intently out the parlor window. When Mary looked blankly back at the older woman, she nodded down at the tray in her hands. "I brought you something to eat."

Turning to look back out the window, Mary did not respond to the invitation. She wasn't hungry. In fact, she knew that if she tried to eat anything, she would choke for the food would not get the past the lump of fear in her throat.

It wasn't that she didn't believe Chris when he promised her that he would bring Billy back to her - alive and well. If there was a way, Chris Larabee would do it. Of that, she was sure. It was just....

Sometimes, no matter how much a person tried, promises couldn't be kept.

And it was possible that this would be one of those times. If Ella Gaines really wanted Billy dead, she had had several days in which to do it.

"You're not going to do that young man of yours any good if you're down sick when he comes back," Mrs. Jenkins tried again, touching Mary's elbow. Turning her around, she gently pushed the younger woman toward the divan and the tray of tea and sandwiches sitting in front of it.

"Please, I don't want anything," Mary murmured, allowing herself to be directed to the seating area. "I don't think I could keep it down," she added halting the progress of the sandwiches towards her.

Looking appraisingly at Mary, Mrs. Jenkins pursed her lips. Finally conceding that the ashen woman was probably speaking the truth, she set the plate of sandwiches down and poured the hot tea. Putting two cubes of sugar in it, she handed the cup and saucer to Mary. "Then at least have some of this," she said. "It'll help settle your stomach."

Taking the offered beverage rather than continuing to argue with her hostess, Mary pretended to take several sips. Seeing the pleased look on Mrs. Jenkins face, Mary felt guilty at deceiving her. Setting the cup down, Mary thanked the older woman for her kindness.

"Think nothing of it, my dear," Mrs. Jenkins said, squeezing Mary's arm. "It's no more than I'd want if I was in your position."

Both set of eyes were drawn to the door opening. Stepping into the small setting area, Orrin smiled affectionately at his daughter-in-law. "They may have found him," he pronounced, coming further into the room. Staving off the questions that erupted from the women, Orrin lead both back to their seats. "In a farm house several miles south of here," he told them in response to the repeated question of "where".

Barely able to stay seated at the news, Mary only vaguely heard Orrin tell her that he was waiting for Vin, Buck and Josiah to return and then he would be heading out there with them. The pronouncement was quickly followed by the sound of horses in the street.

Moving quickly to the window, Orrin glanced out before heading for the door. "They're here," he said. Pausing only long enough to look encouragingly back at Mary one more time, he left.

Rushing to the window, Mary watched the excited exchange that occurred between the returning riders and the Judge. In a moment, all of the men were mounted and tearing out of town. Wringing her hands nervously, Mary's mind was racing. She couldn't sit here any longer.

"Mrs. Jenkins?" Mary said, moving back to the sitting area. "I wonder if I may impose on you to do me a favor?"

Surprised, but willing to help the young widow however she could, she said, "Anything, my dear."

"Rose has been so very concerned about Billy. I was wondering if you could tell her what has happened this morning," Mary said, sinking to the settee.

"Why, certainly," Mrs. Jenkins said. "In fact, it won't be a imposition at all seeing as I need to pick up a few things."

"Thank you so much," Mary said, a strained smile on her face. "I would do it myself, but I...."

Mary trailed off at Mrs. Jenkins waving her hand at the statement. "You just sit here and try to eat something. I'll look in on you when I get back," the innkeeper said, taking her leave.

Nervously pacing the room, Mary checked the street on each pass, waiting for the sight of the boarding house owner's departure. Finally spotting the older woman moving down the small path leading to the street, Mary dashed upstairs and grabbed her coat. Picking up the small gun on the bureau, she slid it into her pocket before darting back out of the room. Flying back downstairs, she slipped out the side door and ran through the alleys towards the livery.

Reaching it, she hastily paid the hostler to saddle a horse for her. Prancing in anticipation until he was finished, she yanked the reins from his hands and threw herself on the horse. Kicking the bay in the sides, Mary set the mare into a gallop and headed south.

Crouched in the tree line on the hill above the farmstead, Chris scanned the land before him. The two story faded white house had no obvious sign of life in it. The open barn door and the empty corral also spoke of a place that had been abandoned to the elements. Frowning, he looked towards the men beside him. "Josiah, you and Nate head that way," Chris said, nodding towards the north. "Buck, you and JD take the other."

Nodding their agreement, the four men dispersed silently into the trees while the remaining men waited nervously. Mentally ticking off the time, Chris glanced sideways at Vin. "If Ella gets past me...," he said quietly, his words for Vin's ears only. "You do what you got to do to make sure it ends here." Chris nodded in response to the oath in Vin's eyes that he would do just that.

Pulling her horse to a halt at the fork in the road that lead to Miller's Creek, Mary paused, unsure of which way to go. Trying to control the prancing horse under her, Mary looked down and tried to decipher the tracks in the road. Giving up after a few minutes, she fought the sense of helplessness that again threatened to over take her.

Looking down each of the roads that stretched out in front of her, she flipped a mental coin. Hoping she was making the right decision, she heeled the mare and took off down the road leading south to Miller Creek.

Easing himself against the side of the house, Chris held his breath and chanced a quick look through the window. Not seeing anyone inside, he took a longer look. The parlor and hallway that were visible were both void of life. Moving to the front of the house, he glanced around the corner. Spying Ezra on the other side of the building, he signaled for the southerner to join him at the front door.

Taking a deep breath, Chris nodded to Ezra that he was ready. Reaching out, Larabee turned the knob on the door and let it swing wide open as he pressed himself against the house as a shield from any gunfire that might erupt from within. When nothing happened, he eased himself into the house, his gun ready in front of him. Behind him, he heard the comforting sounds of Ezra's footfalls as the southerner mimicked his movements.

Acknowledging Ezra's signal that he was heading upstairs, Chris began to go through the first floor, looking for some sign that this was the house where Ella had been staying. Any doubt that this was the correct place was quickly crushed when Chris spotted an enveloped addressed to him propped against a coffee cup on the table in the kitchen.

Sliding his gun into its holster, he picked up the letter and slid his finger under the flap. Pulling the single sheet of paper out of it, he moved to the window to read it.

"My Darling,

I am sorry I could no longer wait for you, but your so-called friends will never understand the love we share. That love has now taken on a new life as our son is now with me. One day soon, you too shall be able to join us and then our life together can begin again.

Forever yours,

Ella and Billy Larabee"

Folding up the sheet, Chris fought the nausea that had suddenly come upon him at the thought that Ella now believed that Billy was their son. It meant that she had become even more unstable since the last meeting.

And even more dangerous than before.

Cramming the envelope in his pocket, Chris spun to leave the room, yelling for Ezra when he reached the hallway.

I should of caught them by now,' Mary thought as she peered down the road in front of her. Sitting up in the saddle, she pulled back on the reins to stop the heated and blowing horse. Guilty, she realized that the mare was tired from the hard run. Forcefully, she stopped that train of thought. She had to find Billy.

Turning the bay around, she was about to dig in her heels again when the sound of running horses coming toward her caught her attention. Peering at the approaching cart, Mary realized there was at least one person in the small buggy. She couldn't decide if the bundle on the seat beside her was another person or simply cargo. 'Maybe they can tell me something,' she thought as the nudged the horse forward holding up her hand to indicate she wanted them to stop.

As the buggy got close enough to make out the people in it, Mary gasped. Pulling the gun from her pocket, she planted herself in the middle of the road.

Unconsciously gripping the pistol tighter, Mary yelled for Ella Gaines to stop. Having to quickly grab the reins, she fought the horse's natural instinct to move out of the way of the approaching wagon.

Just when Mary thought that she was going to have to let the horse have its head and move off the road, Ella pulled back hard on her horses. When the buggy came to a standstill, the noses of the horses drawing the small cart were only inches away from her leg. Mary could feel the air from their snorts on her leg as she warily watched the enemy before her.

Allowing her eyes to dart from Ella to the form of her son draped on the seat, Mary felt a strange calmness settle over her. The fear, anxiety and anger that had kept her going the past several days suddenly disappeared. In its place was the peace that came with the arrival of the inevitable. After days of waiting, she would finally learn whether or not her son was alive or dead. Fleetingly, she couldn't help but wonder if this was how Chris felt before a gunfight.

"Get out of the wagon. Keep your hands where I can see them," Mary ordered firmly, forcing all other thoughts from her mind and focusing her attention on Ella. If there was one thing she was sure of, this woman was dangerous and would think nothing of shooting her given half a chance.

Letting a cold smile cross her lips, Ella Gaines loosely draped the reins over the break and stood up. "You really should keep a closer eye on this one," she said lightly as she stepped down. "Little boys can be so... easily distracted," she said huskily, a tremor of amusement rumbling in her throat.

"Over there," Mary said, motioning Ella to move several feet away from the buggy and ignoring the obvious attempt to unsettle her. Waiting until the dark haired woman did as she was told, Mary pulled back on the reins of her horse backed the bay to the opposite side of the buggy so that she could check on Billy while keeping Ella in her sights.

"Now what?" Ella said mockingly, trying a different tack. "We wait for someone to come?" Laughing, she shifted her position. "You do realize that every minute we wait, you are letting his life slip away, don't you?" she said, inclining her head toward the small boy laying unmoving on the buggy.

"What did you do to him?" Mary snapped, leaning forward to lay one hand on her son. She could feel the coldness of his skin through his clothing. For a brief minute, a shard of fear stabbed through her when she didn't feel the rise or fall of his chest. Then she felt it, shallow and slow, but there. Forcing the fear back, Mary's eyes bored into Ella as she snapped the question again. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing that healer... what's his name... Nathan... couldn't fix... IF he gets to him in time," Ella drawled, glancing up coyly. Standing up straighter, she let a mirthless smile tug on her face as she could see the flicker of turmoil on Mary's face at the news. "Tell you what. You take the buggy and the boy, and I'll take your horse, and we go our separate ways. That way we both get what we want."

Mary's mind raced through the alternatives and possible consequences of each. If she let Ella go, neither she nor Billy would ever really be safe; yet, if she didn't, Billy might die. There was no way of knowing when or if Chris and the others would find them. And she wasn't sure how she could get Ella back to town - she didn't want her on a horse by herself, yet there was no way for all of them to fit in the buggy without giving Ella an opportunity to jump her. If she tied her to back of the buggy on foot, it would slow them down and it might take too long to get back to town. And as much as she hated this woman, she couldn't bring herself to gun her down in cold blood.

Torn, Mary chanced a quick glance down the road hoping for a miracle. Seeing none, she swallowed hard, knowing she really had no choice but to accept the inevitable.

Ella was going to get away again.

Swinging her foot over the stirrup, Mary paused long enough to reach back to reassure herself that there was no rifle in the scabbard before dropping off the horse into the buggy in silent agreement. Setting down, she unwrapped the reins. Before moving, however, she pinned Ella with a eyes of blue ice. "If you ever touch my son again, I'll kill you," she said coldly. Her tone left no doubt that she meant the threat she had just said. There would be no third chance.

Seeing the smile drain from the dark haired woman's face, Mary slapped the reins on the horses, lurching them forward. Putting the buggy in a wide turn, she kept a leering eye on Ella as she caught the loose horse and pulled herself up. Seeing Ella kick the mare and head south, Mary dropped the pistol into her lap and slapped the horses hard to speed them up, laying a steadying hand on her son. Now, she just needed to find Nathan and get back to town.

Pausing to brush some of the dirt from his boots, Chris raised a hand to knock on the door of the boarding house as the last rays of daylight were engulfed by the approaching darkness. Waiting for someone to respond, he wondered what he would find on the other side. When he and the other men had encountered Mary and Billy on the trail during their headlong flight into town, for the first time in a long time, he felt a particular type of fear.

The fear of losing something precious to you.

Billy was unmoving in the buggy and Mary had refused to look at him. Watching as Nathan examined the youngster, he had listened as Mary laid out the events that led to her finding her son in short breathless sentences. Equally abruptly, she had informed the group that she had let Ella go. Looking back on it now, Chris couldn't blame her. He would have done the same thing.

That hadn't stopped the flare of anger that had arisen in him at the knowledge that Ella Gaines was once again on the loose - unscathed. It had blinded him to anything but finding her. Demanding to know the direction the dark haired woman had ridden off in, Chris had spun his horse and raked his spurs across the black's sides to pursue her. Silently, five of the men followed to help.

Now, half a day later, they had returned to town depressed by their inability to find her. She had disappeared into the hills like smoke on the wind; gone without a trace.

"Ma'am," Chris said, removing his hat as the door before him opened and the boarding house owner greeted him. Stepping inside, he paused to allow her to proceed him down the hallway to the small parlor. Entering the room, he felt a sense of deja vu as Mary and the Judge were in virtually the same positions as before.

Nodding a greeting, Chris asked, "Any word?"

Shaking his head, Orrin rose to meet the younger man. "Nothing. I've sent wires to every town in a two hundred mile radius. I want her for setting up Billy as much as I want Ella Gaines for what she did."

"How is Billy?" Chris queried softly, sharing Travis' need to find the young woman.

"Better," Orrin said. "Nathan says the drug is slowly working its way out of his system. He's been able to get some water and broth down the boy."

"What'd she give him?" Chris queried, his hatred of Ella flaring again at the thought of her drugging a small child.

"Laudanum. From the looks of it, she kept him sedated the entire time," Orrin said, his voice indicating he too had no love for the woman who had endangered his grandson.

Shaking his head in disgust, Chris' eyes focused on the woman sitting placidly on the other side of the room. Catching the Judge's eye, he nodded slightly to query about her well being.

Pursing his lips, Orrin shook his head ever so slightly as if to say not well. Tipping his head, he indicated that Chris should talk to her before bending down to pick up his hat. "My dear, I'm going to step out to get a bit of fresh air. Can I bring you anything?"

Startled, Mary looked up. Reclaiming her lost composure, she forced a tight small smile on her face as she shook her head and tried to calm the panic settling into her chest.

She wasn't ready to be alone with Chris. How he must hate her now. How could he not? She had the person responsible for his pain and grief in her gun sight and then she let her go. How could he do anything less?

Nervously, she stood up and moved to the window as if to look into the darkened street that lay beyond it. In reality, she wanted to study Chris' face without him knowing it. In the glass reflection, she carefully perused his features and tried to decipher what she saw there.

Watching Mary's nervous movements with guarded eyes, Chris tried to find some way to tell her he was sorry for all the pain he had brought to her. If he had never stayed in Four Corners, then Ella Gaines would have never taken Billy as a way to get to him and Mary would not have had to suffer the absence of her child. Neither would he have hurt her by taking off with Ella.

The quiet that had settled in was finally broken by Mary. "I'm sorry," she said softly, turning her head slightly, but not daring to look at him directly.

Shaking his head, Chris raised his eyes from the hat in his hand. "Couldn't be helped," he replied firmly.

Surprised by his response, Mary turned to look at him. Meeting his eyes, she visibly relaxed. Stepping forward, she stuttered slightly as she asked, "What will you do now?" wondering how he would ever find Ella.

Pursing his lips, Chris let his eyes drop back to his hat. "Depends," he began, moving away from Mary. "Are you going back to Four Corners?" he asked turning back to look at her.

Pausing, Mary made up her mind. "Yes, as soon as Billy is well enough."

"Then I'll be moving on," Chris answered flatly, straightening up as if he had resigned himself to the inevitable.

"Moving on? I don't understand," Mary exclaimed.

Signing, Chris explained his thinking. "As long as you and Billy are around me, you're in danger. She won't stop."

"But Chris," Mary said, stepping closer to him, "we're still in danger away from you. The last couple days have shown that," she prodded gently. "If you are around, at least, there's a chance you'll be able to stop her before she can hurt Billy again."

"And if I can't?"

"I know you will do everything in your power to protect us," Mary said solemnly. Slipping her hand in the folds of the skirt, she pulled out a piece of paper. Fleetingly, she remembered a similar incident several weeks earlier in the streets of Four Corners. Squelching the memory, Mary stepped forward and held out her hand toward Chris. "I... I found this in Billy's clothes."

Accepting the folded note, Chris laid his hat down on the table to read it. Looking at the handwriting on the outside of the paper, he had no doubt as to the author of it.

"My Darling,

If you are reading this, then we have once again been torn apart. I do not know why the fates have decreed that we must delay our happiness. All I know is that you love me and that all other women are merely toys for your amusement. If any should make the mistake of trying to make you theirs, I will kill them for their treachery.

Know I am incomplete without you and will not stop finding some way for us to be together. Take care of our son until that day arrives.

Yours Always,

Ella Gaines Larabee."

Crumbling the note slowly in his hand, Chris took the top of the lamp off and held the paper in the open flame until it caught fire. Tossing it into the fireplace, he watched it quickly transform into ashes before he looked at the woman watching him.

"What did it say?" Mary queried, frightened by the look of hatred on Chris' face.

"That she'd be back," Chris said flatly, taking one more look at the dying sparks.

"And?"

Picking up his hat, Chris settled it on his head. "I'll be back in the morning to check on Billy," he said, not answering her question. As he neared the door, he was stopped by Mary calling to him.

Turning back to look at her, Chris saw uncertainty and a question in Mary's eyes: what about us? Retracing his steps, he stopped in front of her and brushed his fingers down her cheekbone as his eyes caressed her face. He had missed her. He couldn't deny it. He wanted her in his life. The painful loneliness of the past several weeks had illustrated that to him.

But he didn't want her in danger either.

"It'll be all right," Chris said softly. "I just need some time to sort all of this out." Seeing the fear leave her eyes, he dropped his hand from her face and sighed. "Get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

Falls River Present....

Stepping onto the boardwalk out of the mid-day sun, Ella Gaines paused to pull her gloves from her hands and to brush the dust from her skirt. While doing so, she scanned the street and nodded to the four men strategically placed in case she needed them. Setting her shoulders and plastering a neutral look on her face, Ella strolled into the jail.

"Sheriff," Ella drawled sweetly. "My name is Mrs. Jack Avery. I wonder if I could speak to you," she said, moving further into the room and opening her handbag. Stuffing her gloves into it, she gripped the small gun and readied herself to pull it out. "I understand you have a young woman by the name of Catherine Gaines here...."

"Mary? You okay?"

Jumping at the sound of her name, Mary stared at the person standing on the other side of the desk. After a few seconds, her mind realized that the room was now in shadows and the outside sky had taken on its evening colors. Recovering enough from the scare to finally answer, she laughed nervously. "Chris, you startled me."

"You okay?" the dark clad man asked again, setting the lamp shade back onto the now lighted base. The distant painful look on her face when he came in told him that she had been remembering something very troublesome.

"I'm fine," Mary said, showering him with a grateful smile. Standing up, she began to move the unfinished articles from the table, she added, "Is it supper time already? I lost track of time."

"That's not why I'm here," Chris replied, stilling Mary's hands. When she looked up at him in surprised, he continued softly. "Sheriff from Fall Rivers was killed a little while ago when someone broke Catherine Gaines out."

"Ella?" Mary whispered, fear lurking in her eyes.

Pursing his lips, Chris shifted before answering. "Probably."

"So... she's still close," Mary said, moving part way across the room and stopping. Her mind was having trouble coming to grips with the developments she had just heard.

"Yeah," Chris breathed, looking out the window and staring unseeingly down the street. "She's close." Deep in thought, Chris did not see the rider that tore across his field of vision.

"NATHAN!" Rain screamed breathlessly, as she reigned in the hot and blowing horse underneath her near the livery. The sound of her desperate cry brought the healer from the infirmary, Josiah from the church, and, Buck and JD from the jail on the run.

"Rain! What is it?" Jackson demanded, catching the agitated woman in his arms. His pleasure and surprise at seeing her was overshadowed by the urgency of her arrival.

"Nathan, you must come! The children of the village. . . they've fallen ill. Some of the adults too." Rain's eyes reflected her fear and hope that Nathan would be able to help.

Nathan nodded at Rain. "Let me get my bag." Glancing at his friends, Nathan added, "Tell Chris where I'm going."

"Want us to come with you?" Buck threw at the retreating form.

Pausing at the bottom of the steps, Nathan paused long enough to say, "I'll send for ya, if I need help."

"I'll go get his horse ready," JD murmured before hurrying inside the livery.

Exchanging worried glances with the man left beside him, Josiah let out a long sigh. "I got a feelin? this is gonna be bad."

The end