Mexican Standoff
By: Rhicy
Tuesday, Late afternoon - Four Corners, Inez's kitchen:
The Pie
Thud.
"Argh!"
Thud.
"ARGGGHHHHH!"
Thud, thud thud thud thud thud thud!!
"Josiah?"
"WHAT!"
"Why don't you let Nathan take over for a while, pard. You've been stuck in here for hours."
Thud.
"No Buck, I'm fine!" Thud.
"You keep hitting your head like that Preacher, and you'll break something Nate can't fix. Just put down the rolling pin and let Nathan take over."
THUD!
"Fine. Fine."
Josiah stormed out of the kitchen and Buck could swear that he heard Josiah mutter, "Damn pie-crust!"
The patrons of the saloon, far fewer than usual, scattered as the flour-covered Preacher stomped his way out.
Sunset, Tuesday:
Love Bites
Vin didn't even need to look to know that Chris was waiting at the tree up ahead. Instead he kept a careful eye on the trail behind him. With the setting sun casting shadows across the landscape, he wanted to make sure no one slipped in behind them unseen.
His horse was exhausted after carrying two people all day and Vin didn't have the heart to push him any faster. Helena was dozing behind him, her head resting on his back, her arms limp around his waist. They hadn't spoken much during the ride, Helena sensing that Vin needed to remain focused while they rode. She did tell him however about Alvin Turner and his little gang of cut-throats. So Vin kept a watchful eye and ear out for either Don Diego or Turner, careful to follow rarely used trails and even cutting across country a few times.
He wasn't approaching the lone tree from the usual direction, instead coming down from the northeast. The tree's unique position made it impossible for anybody to sneak up on it and Vin knew that soon Chris or Ezra would spot them.
Sure enough, five minutes later, Vin saw a lone figure stand up, silhouetted in the sunlight. The lean frame was unmistakable, and it was soon joined by a shorter man and a figure in full skirts. It seemed that Inez too had utilised the time to change out of her manly outfit.
As they drew nearer, Chris' black picked up his head and whickered at their approach. Vin's horse answered, lifting his hooves a little more, eager to stop and rest. The sun setting behind Vin momentarily blinded the trio watching him approach and Chris had to turn away slightly to save his sight. The hot dry day had resulted in a lot of dust and as Vin approached the dust stirred from the trail lifted up to form a golden haze in the air. As Vin dismounted, his figure cut a silhouette in the hazy air, and somehow Chris wasn't surprised to see Helena as a passenger behind him.
Inez didn't seem to know what to do, and for a moment she hovered undecided behind Ezra. The moment Vin lifted Helena down from his horse, Inez rushed forward and embraced her. Both women held the embrace for several heartbeats before Inez broke away and immediately began scolding Helena in rapid Spanish. Initially Helena just stood there and took it but soon joined in, exclaiming dramatically and waving her hands in the air. Judging by Vin's smile he had no trouble in following the fast conversation but Chris and Ezra were at a loss.
Chris moved next to Vin and muttered under his breath, "What happened to 'What does no bueno mean?' " The lean young man just grinned impishly.
"Ladies, ladies!" Ezra moved in smoothly as he ducked the gesturing hands and pointing fingers, "I may speak sufficient Spanish to survive a violent encounter with angry Mexicans but really - you are leaving us poor 'gringos' behind. Please, if you are going to insist on behaving like a pair of fishwives on market day, at least do it in a language we can understand. Otherwise - how may we be the judge of who the winner is?"
Silence fell as two pairs of dark sparking eyes bored into Ezra who smiled disarmingly, "Oh no, don't stop - it was such a spectacular display."
Inez frowned fiercely at Ezra and muttered something in Spanish under her breath to Helena, who replied as quietly. Soon the cousins were happily discussing the faults of men and gringos alike, slowly enough for Ezra to understand them completely.
Sighing dramatically Ezra turned to his companions and said, "It's just not the same - there's no fire, no passion, no 'je ne sais quoi'!"
"I'd quit while you're ahead Ez - no telling what they might decide to do," Vin drawled.
"Quite, Mr Tanner, quite," Ezra said brightly before turning to the cousins, "My dear fiery Spanish ladies, forgive my impertinence. Allow me to draw these fine gentlemen away so that you may enjoy the privacy such a reunion deserves and Mr Tanner can fill us in on the details of Ms Demarco's arrival."
Inez lifted her skirts and curtsied politely, playing along with Ezra courtly tone, "Gracias Senor, your eloquence knows no bounds - it is just a pity the same cannot be said for your intelligence."
Gathering her cousin's arm in her own, Inez guided Helena away from the slack-jawed Standish and laughing Larabee and Tanner. "Well I never - such -" Ezra spluttered for awhile before facing Chris and Vin who were still smiling, "Mr Larabee I pray we are leaving immediately as I cannot bear the thought of prolonging this ordeal any longer than absolutely necessary!"
Remarkably straight-faced, Chris seemed to think about Ezra's suggestion, "What do you think Vin? Camp here for the night?"
Tanner also seemed to think about the question seriously, "Maybe, it's been a long couple of days, the horses could do with a rest."
But Ezra knew his friends too well and could see the mischief in both of their eyes as they strung him along. Exasperated, Standish cut Chris off as he was about to suggest that they look for some firewood, "Mr Larabee, I realise that both you and Mr Tanner enjoy the woodsy outdoors - in fact I believe Mr Tanner thrives out here. But I, as a gentleman of refined tastes and sensibilities, enjoy the comforts of civilization. Although the little hamlet we protect may not be New Orleans, nor even San Francisco, it does not even remotely compare to the apparent status of Denver as a city. However!" Ezra fixed a pointed glare on the now-grinning friends, "I am not designed, bred, inclined NOR desirous to spend a night out in this dusty wilderness - especially since my feather bed is only FOUR hours away!"
"Is he telling us he can't sleep on the ground? Cos' it's not like this is the first time we've camped out," Vin asked Chris, mock-puzzlement furrowing his brow.
"Could be. Maybe Ez just holds out until we get back to town - remarkable ability - depriving yourself of sleep like that. Could explain why he sleeps so much in town," Chris mused, ignoring Ezra who was getting redder and redder.
"Got a point there cowboy, should we ask him?"
"Enough!" Ezra exploded, "I am quite capable of sleeping outdoors - that is not the point! I do not have to tonight - home is only four hours away and we will make it home in time. If we leave now!"
"Well Ez - that all depends on what ya'll decide after I tell you what happened, alright?" Vin asked.
Ezra deflated a little. "Of course, my dear Mr Tanner - expound away."
Tanner nodded and said, "Seems Helena is in more than a little trouble with the Don. I trailed her in the back hills near Giant Falls and found her 'parleying' with a few 'miscreants'."
Ezra rolled his eyes at Vin's exaggerated vocabulary and couldn't stop himself from comment, "Mr Tanner, while your attempts to utilise proper English is admirable, I would hesitate to endorse such elucidations at this moment in time, especially considering that time is a mitigating factor in my early retirement."
"Now you know how annoying it is," Chris deadpanned, more than happy to indulge in baiting Ezra. "Using ten words when one will do."
Ezra was about to comment when he took Chris' advice and snapped, "Indeed."
Unable to keep the smile out of his voice, Vin said in his usual abruptness, "Helena stole a land deed from the Don and sold it to a guy named Turner in order to buy a fare to Denver."
"What's in Denver?" Chris asked.
"Her fiancé," Vin said a little softly. Ezra considered the information and muttered, "I'm afraid to ask, but there is usually more to the story."
Vin nodded, "Yip, found Turner and his boys corralling Helena, this fat tick of a man trying to get his hands on her, and as soon as I shot him, the Don turned up, chased Turner away and started on Helena straight after." Frowning Chris checked Helena again, but he couldn't see any bruises or cuts. Vin noted his friends look and said, "Managed to get her out before the Don could anything more than scare her."
His own eyes hard with anger, Ezra said, "So I imagine that we now have an angry Don still on Helena's trail, after my elaborate efforts to whisk her away to safety."
"Yep."
"Think they'll be able to follow you?" Chris asked and Vin shrugged as if to say anything was possible. "Helena reckons Turner might try to find her as well."
Pursing his lips in thought Chris sighed, "So we better get Helena outta sight fast and hide her until the Don leaves the area. The man has a legitimate grievance - just don't like his methods." Ezra found himself nodding with Chris and saying, "For once I agree Mr Larabee, and I suggest that if necessary we point the Don in Mr Turner's direction and ensure Helena's whereabouts remain a mystery."
Chris turned to look at Vin and saw his friend staring at Helena, a strange look on his face. "Vin," Chris said and Tanner tore his gaze away from Helena, a little reluctantly and stared at the tall gunfighter. "Why don't you trail behind us, making sure there aren't any unfriendly Dons or Turners behind us. We'll meet up with you in Four Corners."
For a moment Vin blinked at Chris, as if deciding something and for a moment Chris thought that Vin was going to look at Helena again. But Tanner fought the visible urge to do so and said, "Sure thing cowboy." Rather than draw out the moment any longer, Vin turned and strode towards Unalii, and Helena.
"Mr Larabee?"
Chris answered Ezra a little distractedly, "Hmm?"
"Something the matter?"
"I don't think so…" But it was obvious that Chris was unsettled by Vin's distraction. Ezra found himself watching the tracker mount up and leave the temporary camp and was able to see Vin's lingering look at Helena. Remembering Vin's infatuation with Charlotte, Ezra was a little surprised to see the tracker so smitten. And judging by Chris' puzzled expression, the gunfighter didn't know what to make of it either. Vin sure knew how to choose 'em.
Tuesday evening, Four Corners - the Saloon:
"Some things aren't meant to be…"
Buck and JD were handling the bar as the evening crowd flowed in. Buck would have preferred to make time with a few of the saloon girls, but he had promised Inez to help out while she was away. And since he had managed to avoid doing most of the work all day, Buck decided it was time to put in a few hours - otherwise the others would have ample reason to tell Inez how 'helpful' he had been.
JD seemed to be in his element - in the middle of everything and Buck mostly passed orders to Nathan in the kitchen and poured the occasional shot of whiskey. A tall glass filled with liquor from Ezra's private stock sat at his elbow and Buck truly found himself enjoying the evening, despite the absence of any female company. He knew most of the men gathered in the saloon and exchanged pleasantries with them as they came to the bar to get re-fills. Sam Hiller, a rancher from near Eagle Bend kept on giving Buck a strange look though. Hiller was sitting at the end of the bar, closer to JD than Buck, but he kept his gaze fixed on the ladies man, whenever he thought Buck wasn't looking. Buck caught the gaze a few times and carefully tried to remember if Hiller had any reason to be sore at him.
As far as Buck could recall Hiller wasn't married, didn't have any daughters nor a sweetheart near Four Corners. And Buck sure as hell didn't remember him from anywhere else. Feeling his good mood disappearing as Hiller continued to stare at him, Buck scooted past JD and leant on the bar near Hiller.
"Something I can help you with Sam?"
Sam Hiller shook his head and took a long sip from his beer. "Nope."
Undeterred Buck pressed on, "You seem awful interested in something or someone. You sure?"
Hiller seemed to think about it for a minute and finally leant closer to Buck and whispered, "I'se jus' thinking on something is all. Didn't mean no offense to ya."
His curiosity piqued, Buck whispered back, "Thinking about what exactly?" Hiller squirmed in his seat a little, reluctant to tell Buck. But he had the air of a desperate man about him and he obviously wanted to tell someone - something. Taking on the traditional role of the barman, listener of woes and provider of advice, Buck smiled and said, "Shoot Sam, whatever it is it can't be that bad."
Still squirming and now looking embarrassed Sam leant even closer to Buck, his unshaven face barely inches away from Buck's. An odd sort of smell wafted from Sam, a kind of sickly sweet smell and it was mingled unpleasantly with the odours of beer and sweat. Pulling back just a little, Buck waited for Hiller to spill the beans.
"Well you see Buck, I got this small problem - a medical sorta problem."
"Uh huh."
Sam tried to lean even closer but couldn't get any higher off the bar short of standing up. He whispered quietly, "I got trouble see … with uhm … doing you-know-what." Buck's eyebrows immediately shot high up, nearly into his hairline and he selflessly closed the gap between Hiller and himself. Buck's lips barely moved as he hissed, "You mean…" and his eyes drifted south.
Hiller's eyes also drifted south and a look of confusion creased his face, until finally comprehension dawned and he blushed bright red. He instantly sat up straight and succeeded in knocking heads with Buck who was a little slow in reacting to the sudden movement. "Hell no!" he shouted rubbing his head vigorously.
Buck backed off a little, raising his hands in surrender trying to calm Sam down. But Hiller refused to keep quiet and shouted, "There is nothing wrong down there! You got it!"
Buck nodded, trying to keep as much distance from Hiller as possible from behind the bar. Sam Hiller shook his fist at Buck and screamed, "I'm just constipated, you nitwit!"
Silence fell over the bar and everyone turned to stare at Sam. Suddenly aware that he was making a spectacle of himself, Sam's momentum faded a little and he grabbed his hat from the bar and stormed out, trying to preserve what dignity he had left. But before he pushed through the saloon doors, he turned and hissed at Buck, "I'll get you for this Wilmington," and then viciously shoved the doors open and strode out.
JD sidled up to Buck who was still standing stock still at the bar and whispered, "What happened Buck?"
"Nothing kid," Buck said woodenly still trying to work out how his friendly bar-tender conversation had turned so wrong so suddenly.
"That ain't nothing Buck," JD would have continued but the bar was getting rowdy again now that the entertainment was over. "I'll talk to you later."
"Sure kid, " Buck sighed, "sure."
Next time Inez needed someone to watch the saloon, no matter how much it put him in her good books, Buck was staying on the other side of the bar, period.
Late Tuesday night:
Four Corners was peacefully quiet as Chris, Ezra, Inez and Helena rode into town. Chris had been eager to get back to home territory where the rest of the boys could provide back-up and now that they were finally home, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
There was still the worry for Vin who was doing what he did best, watching their backs and Chris knew he wouldn't be completely at ease until Vin rode in - which wouldn't be until morning. It had taken longer than expected to return to Four Corners - much to Ezra's disgust. The horses were tired, as were their riders, from using the rarely travelled path from the north, which wandered in deep turns down from the mountains.
Helena was seated behind Inez and the cousins hadn't stopped talking the entire journey. It seemed that they had patched up any misunderstanding and Inez had promised to help her cousin, despite the theft of the deed. Inez had taken a room above the saloon, and it had a separate entrance to the street below. A narrow staircase rose up to the room, a small landing offering the occupant a view of the alley below.
"Once Vin gets back, we'll call a meeting and try and figure something out. In the mean time - let's get some rest," Chris said, as Helena and Inez dismounted.
Dismounting as well, Ezra said "I will see to your mount, Ms Recillios and it would be best to ensure that only the seven of us knew of Ms Demarco's presence in town, so you need to remain secluded for a while, my dear."
Her legs were aching after riding behind Vin and then Inez for so long, but Helena still managed to summon up a winning smile for Chris and Ezra. "Thank you so much Senors. You have been so kind to me - more than I deserve after what I have done - gracias." She gave Ezra a tight hug and would have hugged Chris but decided against it as he was still mounted. She settled for grasping his hand tightly and patting his leg. A little unsettled by Helena's display of affection, Chris just tipped his hat and rode towards the livery.
"Ladies," Ezra drawled smoothly and stayed to watch as they climbed the stairs to Inez's room. Once they were safely inside, he followed Chris, "At last - my bed awaits."
Early Wednesday Morning: Four Corners.
"Well I never …"
Chris had only been able to catch a few hours of sleep, when he suddenly found himself wide awake. Unable to return to his rest, Larabee had shrugged off the bedcovers and quickly dressed. As it was still early, he quietly made his way out of the boarding house.
It was going to be a hot day, no clouds were present in the softly lit sky above and the sun hadn't even tipped the horizon. The town was quiet, bathed in shadows and only one or two windows had lights in them. Chris idly noted that Mary Travis was one of the early risers, her kitchen window illuminated from within.
Deciding to check on Inez and Helena, Chris walked slowly towards the saloon, his eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. The few natural sights and sounds that would still occur in a pre-dawn town were present, a cat returning from a night's hunting, pigeons stirring in their roosts, the occasional whickers from a horse in the livery as Tiny prepared to feed them. Nothing seemed out of place, only the hushed peacefulness of the day beginning to break. His boots and spurs barely made a sound as he climbed the stairs behind the saloon, but he made sure he knocked loud enough to warn the ladies he was a friend.
Helena cracked the door open, her hair sleep-tousled but her eyes bright and awake. "Senor Larabee! Is anything wrong?"
Shaking his head, Chris pushed the door open a little more to see into the room and said, "Nope. Jus' checking that you're alright."
"Oh I am Senor, I am. Thanks to you and Senor Vin and Ezra. Gracias again." Before Chris could stop her, Helena had thrown her arms around his shoulders and was hugging him as tightly as she had hugged Ezra the previous night. The sensation was far from unpleasant and it wasn't one he had felt in a long time. A woman pressed against him, her arms comfortably tight. He gently patted her back, but didn't really return the hug with any warmth and Helena soon realised she was holding on a little longer than appropriate. Breaking away, she blushed in the grey dawn light, "Ai senor, I am sorry - I didn't mean …it's just…"
Smiling gently, Chris said softly, "You're welcome ma'am - I'll check on you later." Without another word, Chris turned and walked down the stairs, leaving Helena to stare at his retreating back. "You are a strange gringo, Chris Larabee - I like you, but you are strange," she said to herself.
Neither of them noticed a pale figure on the boardwalk, and Mary Travis quickly hid as Chris passed by her to patrol the town. She had seen everything - she just couldn't believe what she had seen.
Inez hugging Chris - passionately.
Wednesday Morning, trail into Four Corners:
Vin rubbed his eyes, fighting back a yawn and returned to studying the horizon with his spy glass. The tracker was lying flat on his stomach, hidden from any watchful eyes by rock and bush, methodically checking for any signs of pursuit. The immediate trails north and west were clear, but then, Vin didn't expect Don Diego De la Vega to use well-travelled trails.
Vin had covered their back-trail expertly, leaving nothing behind to give away their passage but the Don had unusual resources at his disposal. Well, at least there was no gang of angry Mexicans tearing down the trail towards Four Corners. Yet.
Sighing slightly Vin snapped his spy-glass closed and rested his head for a minute on his folded arms. He could quite happily go to sleep right there, his exhausted body already relaxing into the soft sand. He didn't dare close his eyes though, in case his body betrayed him and he dozed off, so while he lay there Vin eyed the south-western trail in the distance.
As he gazed, unconsciously adopting his methodical system of checking and re-checking the horizon, a small rise of dust drew his attention. Wearily, Vin sat up and trained his spy-glass towards the dust cloud. What came into focus was not the Mexican gang Vin expected. Instead a rowdy trail herd of cowboys were raising up a storm of dust, yelling and shooting their guns in the air. From the amount of dust and the number of hats, the group numbered over twenty.
Cursing, Vin clambered to his feet and headed for his horse. The animal was borrowed from the livery as Unalii was still recuperating from the last couple of days of hard riding. Turning the bay's head, Vin spurred it on back to town, hoping that he would beat the trail hands home. That many cowpokes arriving at one time, in high spirits could only lead to trouble. As Vin felt the wind take his hat and whip it off his head, the chinstrap keeping it fluttering at his back, he looked again in the direction of the cowboys. It would take a stroke of luck for him to beat them to town, they were already ahead of him and had easier country to travel.
Those eggs again.
Ezra ambled through the back door of the saloon, straight into the kitchen. He had just delivered a few shirts and jackets to the laundry for cleaning and was feeling particularly rested after only a few hours sleep.
Inez was already busy making breakfast, her usual smooth efficiency absent today as pans and ingredients were thrown together haphazardly. Her face was set, a deep frown etching her beautiful face, as she vigorously beat some eggs.
"Inez dear - those are meant to be scrambled eggs, not 'strangled' eggs." Her face shot up at his voice and her frown instantly disappeared. "Oh Ezra - it's you."
"It is indeed - and may I ask why you are in such a - disarray this morning?"
Realising she still had a stranglehold on the fork in her hand, Inez set the bowl down and sighed, "If you mean why I am so loco this morning, I don't know." She set a frying pan over the stove and began to stir the eggs a little more gently, "Helena is safe - for the moment, but I can't help wondering where Don Diego is and this Turner!" Inez poured the eggs into the frying pan and began to stir furiously again.
Gently Ezra stepped closer to Inez and took the spoon from her hand. "Inez - it will all work out well in the end, never fear." Ezra gave her a dazzling smile, his gold tooth flashing. She was unable to stop her own smile from forming and she impulsively threw her arms around his neck and before either of them knew it - they were kissing.
A resounding crash broke the moment and they both turned to see a flummoxed Buck staring at them. JD was choking on his coffee and Nathan was staring at his egg-covered shirt but Buck was priceless. His mouth was opening and closing but no sound was emerging and eventually he shouted," You …. and HER!"
Neither of them could help it, Ezra smiled, Inez laughed and JD crashed to the floor he was laughing so hard. Buck slammed his hat on his head and stormed out of the saloon, leaving his plate of burnt eggs half-eaten.
"Oh dear," Ezra murmured. Inez was now mortified and stammered, "Oh Senor Standish, I am so sorry … I didn't … I just…"
Ever the gentleman, Standish smiled kindly and said, "Never fear my dear, heat of the moment and all." With that, he took her hand, bent slightly to brush her soft skin with a kiss and before Inez could stammer another apology, Ezra was out of the kitchen and sitting down next to a still chortling Nathan and JD, who was still rolling in the floor.
New arrivals
Following the eastern trail into Four Corners, a pair of travellers met up with another rider as the trails from Eagle Bend and Mission Bridge intersected. The pair of riders nodded at the younger man who was dressed very smartly, almost as if he worked in a bank back east. The picture of a respectable banker was ruined by his spilt lip and blackening eye.
"Where you headed to son?" the larger of the men asked.
"Council Bluff. Gonna stop over in Four Corners for a meal before I head out again. Any idea how much further it is to the town?"
The second man, his brown almost black eyes taking in the well-worn but well-cared for holster, shrugged and replied, "Reckon maybe about 10 minutes. Over that rise and we should see it."
The young man tipped his hat to the pair and said, "Then I'll hurry along. See ya in town." He took off in the cloud of dust and was soon out of sight.
The first man wiped his blonde moustache thoughtfully, "That boy's more than he seems."
His companion snorted, "Hell Charles, the kid's a scout. Go in, check out the town, report back to the boss. Don't think we should stay too long in Four Corners, a bank robbery and a bunch of riled up law-men ain't something we want."
"Yep. Keep your head down this time Dirk, I wanna actually finish my meal this time."
"Ah hell, Temple that sodbuster was asking for trouble. He just couldn't handle what he got," Dirk Henfer sneered at his partner.
"We can't be delayed Dirk, remember?" Charles Temple glared at his impulsive partner. "In and out - no fuss!"
Dirk Hefner, wanted in four states for murder and armed robbery, just laughed and spurred his horse onwards, following the dusty trail left by Josh Carpenter.
Midday Wednesday:
It's all included in the price of a beer
Buck stood beneath the jail's porch, worrying his hat as he turned it every-which way. Ezra had not emerged from the saloon yet, and Buck was getting tired of waiting - it had been hours. The ladies man was determined to corner the slippery gambler and get some answers - because he couldn't bend his mind around what 'may' have happened and Buck refused to believe that it 'had' happened.
JD had left a few minutes ago to meet Casey for a picnic. The young man had seen Buck hovering near the jail and burst out laughing again. Buck would have chased JD and given him what for, except Chris chose that particular moment to make a very noisy exit from the Clarion.
First was the sound of the door slamming so hard that the glass rattled in the door. Second, was the stream of curses that erupted from Larabee, easily audible to Buck standing on the opposite side of the street. Next was a blonde whirlwind that emerged behind Chris. Mary looked furious, her eyes ablaze and her mouth already or perhaps still running at full speed. The argument that followed was one of the strangest Buck had ever seen. Neither of them actually raised their voices, so Buck couldn't hear what it was all about, but their body language, gestures and overall tone was screaming a whopper of a fight. Buck had half contemplated going over to try and soothe the troubled waters - and find out what was potting. But the argument didn't last long with Mary storming back into her office and Chris stalking off down the street. The townsfolk, well used to Larabee's moods, got out of his way and Chris disappeared into the saloon.
Buck initially hoped that a foul-tempered Chris would somehow chase Ezra from the saloon, but there was no flurry of coat-tails or ten-dollar words. Now Buck was faced with a decision. He could stay out here all day until the whole town heard about the 'incident' or he could pre-empt any fuss over his fine self and shift the focus on Ezra. Either way, he had to question the gambler.
Buck was so pre-occupied, he only noticed the arrival of the trail herd cowboys as they charged past him. Flapping his hat to clear the air from all the dust, Buck watched as twenty-odd trail-hands poured into the saloon, already sounding very drunk and noisy.
Buck smiled because here was his excuse to go into the saloon, it was only a matter of time before a fight broke out. Fifteen minutes later as Buck made his way to the Saloon, he saw Vin ride in, looking particularly dusty. Tanner tied up his horse near the cowboys' horses and strode into the saloon with a quick glance in Buck's direction. Well, if Tanner was worried enough to race back into town, Buck decided he had better get his butt over to the saloon.
Although only midday, the cowboys' arrival had transformed the saloon into one with a rowdy atmosphere. The few working girls that were awake had made their way down to take advantage of some early business. Inez and Ezra were plying the men with drinks and knowing Ezra, the whiskey was well-watered. A few regulars were present and two other strangers sat at a corner table. Chris was hunkered down in the back as usual, Vin making his way over to him. Larabee looked like he would eviscerate the first idiot stupid enough to talk to him and that had kept the cattle drivers an uncomfortable distance away from his table.
Vin, undeterred by Larabee's mood as usual, was halfway through the crowd when his eyes fell on the two strangers. Vin had noticed the pair as he had walked in, but both had had their backs to him at the time. One of them turned to look at the rapid rise of noise in the saloon and Vin stared straight at Dirk Hefner. Unable to hide the flash of recognition, Tanner saw Dirk motion to his companion and as that man turned to see who had recognised Dirk, Vin's heart plummeted. Charles Temple stared over the crowd at Vin, his blue eyes flat and cold.
It was in that moment that a big steer puncher threw a fist at one of his friends who had 'stolen' his new girl. The rest of the trail herders, eager for some fun, immediately joined in and launched themselves onto each other and the locals. An especially boisterous range-hand ploughed into Vin, knocking him off his feet. From the floor Vin saw Chris rise like some dark spectre, eager to vent his anger and entered the brawl, already swinging. Buck charged in from the doorway, sending a couple of cowboys into each other. Ezra vaulted over the bar and leapt on the back of a large man, trying for a chokehold. The burly man reached back over his shoulder and easily tossed Ezra off his back, straight into Buck.
Picking Ezra off the floor, Buck shouted over the noise, "You and me gotta talk, Ez!"
Ezra ducked a punch and fended off the returning fist before yelling, "Now is not a good time Buck!"
Buck slammed his fist into a whooping cowboy who was trying to clamber up onto a table, "I ain't taking no for an answer!" Ezra rolled his eyes at ladies' man, side-stepping a reeling cowboy who Buck promptly knocked out. The regulators were having a difficult time containing the brawl and Chris wasn't helping either, laying into anybody who came close enough. Josiah and Nathan arrived together and quickly set to work, trying to break up the fight.
Vin, unable to force his way to Dirk and Charles, retreated onto the bar as three wrestling cowboys charged towards him. From his vantage point, Vin could see Hefner and Temple fighting their way to the door. Josiah, unaware of them, was right in the middle of the brawl now, his hefty fists quickly discouraging anybody from continued violence. Nathan was pulling the unconscious and dazed from the brawl, adding an occasional punch to keep some stirring brawlers unconscious. Vin tried to catch Chris' attention, but the gunslinger was happily venting and oblivious to anything else for now.
Dirk shouldered his way past a pair trading blows, scanning the crowd for the man who had recognised him. Looking up, he saw Tanner standing on the bar, staring right at him. Flicking Vin an insolent grin, Dirk continued his push forward, nearly to the door. Charles was behind him somewhere, 'discussing' his displeasure with the cowboy who had interrupted their meal. Dirk's smile faded as a mountain of a man waded past with a pair of young cow-hands under each arm. Sanchez? 'What the hell is he doing here?'
Dirk quickly snuck a look back to see if Charles had noticed his brother-in-law but Temple was still occupied with mercilessly pounding his opponent's face into a table. Dirk knew that if Temple saw Sanchez, they would have to stay and indulge in his obsession with finding Hannah. Dirk was tired of pandering to Charles' ongoing quest for his imaginary inheritance and decided to end it once and for all. Slipping behind the large man who was leaving a wake of groaning bodies behind him, Dirk drew out his knife and stepped towards Josiah.
Josiah sent another man to the floor and watched as Chris knocked a cowboy flying. Taking a breath to orient himself, Josiah noticed a stranger pounding relentlessly on a trail hand. The unconscious cowboy's face was a bloody mess and yet his attacker was still punching him. As if aware that he was being watched, the vicious man looked up and instantly Josiah recognised him.
"Temple!" Josiah roared, but his voice was drowned out by the noise from the brawl. Realising that Temple hadn't seen him, Josiah shoved a bigger man out of his way and tried to part the flaying arms and legs before him so that he could reach Charles Temple. A sharp, stabbing pain in his lower back, that raced down his left leg, stopped him in his tracks and Josiah gasped as he felt the blade slide free.
Vin watched as Dirk stalked Josiah and finally got Chris' attention. Indicating the danger to Sanchez, Vin dived off the bar and tried to force his way through to Hefner. Buck and Ezra were occupied with several trail hands and although Ezra had seen the signal, he wasn't in a position to help. Chris elbowed a man in the face, breaking his nose and reached Josiah just in time to see Hefner reach back to stab the preacher again. Snarling, Chris drew his gun and fired at this man who dared attack a friend. Unfortunately a cowboy staggered into Chris, knocking his shot upwards. The shot went into the roof but Dirk heard the close report and saw a black-clad man bearing down on him, smoking gun in hand. Another man, dressed in a bright red coat was also nearly on him, so Hefner abandoned his attempt, pulling away from Josiah.
Chris caught Josiah as he sank to his knees, clutching at the wound, the big man's face pale. Ezra indicated that he would go after Hefner. Temple finally finished with his victim, located Dirk just as Josiah collapsed. All Temple saw was Ezra hot on Dirk's heels. Shoving his way through the tangled mess of bodies, Charles cleared a passage through with sharp punches to anything that impeded him. Coming up behind Ezra, Charles tripped the gambler by swiping his feet out from under him. Stepping on Standish to make good his own escape, Temple finally cleared the brawl to see Hefner struggling with a single drunk cowboy at the doorway.
Fighting inside the crowd, Vin cursed as he saw the pair reach the saloon doors, Temple joining Hefner who was beating up a drunk. Changing tactics, Vin again vaulted onto the bar and over it, having made no head way. He raced towards the back door, hoping to reach the front before Hefner and Temple got away.
Temple dealt with the drunk quickly, knocking him out and pulling Hefner through the doorway. "Enough Dirk. We gotta go!" Dirk regarded his fallen opponent, blade still in hand and turned to follow Charles through the doors. As he stepped through the swinging doors, he collided with a smaller body, his knife burying itself into the man in front of him. The young man they had met on the trail into town, stared up at Dirk, his wide brown eyes shocked. The young man stepped back, clutching the knife hilt protruding from his stomach. A small trickle of blood ran out of his mouth and then he collapsed onto the boardwalk. Temple stared at the body for a moment before dragging Hefner with him towards the livery stable.
"Come on!"
Finally getting free of the brawl, Vin ran around the saloon and saw the body lying on the boardwalk. He quickly mounted the stairs and checked for a pulse. The young man grabbed at Vin's hand, mouthing soundlessly his teeth coloured red as more blood trickled out of his mouth. "Nathan! Hey kid, hang on, alright?"
As if hearing Vin speak was all it took, the young man sank back dead, his hand loosing its tight grip on Vin's arm. "Hell!" Vin closed the sightless eyes and yelled for Nathan again. Momentarily torn as far as what to do, Vin got up and ran towards the livery stable, determined to catch Hefner this time.
Vin slowed as he approached the livery stable doors, drawing out his gun, his ears straining for any sounds. Vin didn't hear anything, no sounds of horses being saddled or riders approaching the doors. He debated trying a side window first but didn't want to risk the pair escaping through the doors as he climbed inside. Hoping he could catch them still saddling up, he reached up and opened the door. The stable burst open as Temple and Hefner made their escape, spurring their horses to a gallop instantly. The combined force of stable doors and horse flesh, knocked Vin flying and he landed with a bruising thud, the breath knocked out of him.
Struggling to his feet, Vin watched as Temple and Hefner disappeared out of town, heading directly north. He could hear Buck and Ezra dispersing the cowboys - some were headed for Nathan's clinic, most for boarding houses nearby to lick their wounds. Vin turned to see Chris and Nathan helping Josiah to Nathan's rooms over the livery, the dark patch of blood visible on his back. Fingering his split lip, a memento of the brawl, Vin made his way to Nathan's. His eyes were drawn to the prone corpse on the saloon boardwalk, the young man's blood seeping into the wooden planks.
Even though Vin had no idea who the kid was, his death sent a burning sensation through his chest, and he couldn't stop the thought running through his mind, "Another one I failed."
Getting in the way of young love
The little picnic area was ideal for a pair of young lovers to spend a romantic day together. Tall, willowy trees provided shade next to the slow flowing brook, sunlight dappling the soft grass beneath the trees. It was isolated, picturesque and everything a couple could ask for.
Except JD and Casey. Somewhere along the ride to their picnic an argument had started. Buck teased JD that he spent more time arguing with Casey than any man in his right mind would, especially since he never seemed to take advantage of the making up portion of the row. Today's argument had started as most of the pair's did, with an ill-advised remark.
No matter how hard Casey tried, she couldn't bring herself to apologise after what JD had said. JD, whose face was still tinged an embarrassed red, refused to speak to Casey, until she apologised.
The picnic basket that Casey had packed, sat forgotten between the quarrelling pair. Casey sat herself under one of the tall trees up a ways from the water, while JD chose to remain at the stream, as far from Casey as he could get, short of leaving. Their horses however had no compunction about being near each other and the equine pair grazed happily side by side in the grassy meadow.
Casey was hungry, it had been hours since she had eaten breakfast and she had planned on having lunch straight away. But that had been before the argument. Now, she sat nibbling on a piece of grass, unknowingly turning her bottom lip green as she chewed on the tender stem. She really wanted this picnic to get back on track and was trying to think of some way to repair the damage to JD's ego - short of actually apologising though. Because, after all, it wasn't as if it weren't true, sort of.
JD was getting a little warm, sitting in the sun by the stream, his coat already tossed onto the grass beside him. He was also hungry and had been eyeing the picnic basket furtively, wondering what Casey had packed. 'Maybe one of Miss Nettie's pies.' JD positively drooled at the thought. If she would just apologise, then he could eat!
But the pair remained stubbornly silent and the minutes ticked by. When in unison, both JD's and Casey's stomachs growled, they shared an embarrassed smile.
"JD."
"Casey"
But before either of them could say anything more, the sound of a branch snapping behind them, brought them around.
Standing behind them were three men, all still mounted on their horses. JD didn't have to look through any wanted posters to know that they were trouble. Casey took a nervous step backwards, uncomfortably aware how far she was from JD at the moment. All three men drew their guns. Gulping, JD belatedly remembered his own guns, but he didn't reach for them - not yet.
"Well, didn't expect to find a pair of kids at our watering hole? Whadaya think Pete, should they pay a tax for using our water?"
Peter Dempsey smirked wickedly at his boss Alvin Turner and said, "Why sure Vin - I'm sure we can think of something they have that we want."
