Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" TV series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
"What are you going to do without me for a week?" Mary asked as the stagecoach driver started loading her luggage and that of her travelling companions on top of the carriage. The time towards her trip to Denver had hurtled by so fast that Mary could not believe that it was only a few days ago that she had sat at Alex's kitchen table and made the decision to leave Four Corners. She fought the urge to act responsibly; ignoring the practical voice in her head that said this entire expedition was a lesson in frivolity. She had duties to fulfil a newspaper to get out and yet despite all those very good reasons, the one that gave her reason to pause the most was this black garbed gunslinger before her.
Chris showed no signs of being disturbed by her impending absence, while wearing that usual dispassionate mask over his handsome face as he saw her to the stagecoach that would soon be ready to depart. He was accustomed to her leaving town on occasion whether to see Billy or visit friends. Most of the seven had turned up to bid the ladies good-bye, although only Chris Larabee and Vin Tanner has more personal reasons for doing so.
"I reckon I'll get some peace and quiet." He replied nonplussed.
In truth, he would miss her terribly; especially at night. Chris had become accustomed to falling asleep with the soft warmth of her body in his arms. How many times had he drifted into pleasant dreams amidst a shimmer of gold hair in breath's reach?
"Liar." Mary declared, perfectly aware that she would be missed because she could not deny feeling the same loss that came over her whenever they were forced to put distance between them. They had endured much together over the years since they had come into each other's lives. Chris and Mary had become so much apart of each other's existence even before acknowledging how they felt, that it was impossible to imagine the absence of either.
A faint smile penetrated his indifferent mask at that point when their eyes met, dispelling that steely gaze that intimidated so many people and put the fear of god into enemies. "Try not to get into any trouble." He remarked, saying it just to annoy her.
Mary let out a frustrated groan. "How many times are you going to give me that warning?" She looked at him critically because that was a staple of their conversations during the days preceding this journey. For some reason he managed to work that in no matter what they were discussing and his ability to remind her of this during their most intimate moments made Mary wonder if Chris thought she was some kind of lightning rod for discourse. It was only after consideration of just how many times that he had actually come to her rescue because of some hot headed; impulsive act that Mary had to admit he might possibly be justified in his concerns. After all, she had burned down a house, enflamed a bunch of lunatic cultists to pursue her and that was just the highlights.
"As many as it takes." Chris stated firmly, enjoying the red flush of annoyance creeping into Mary's face.
"I'll have you know that this is just going to be a nice, simple trip." She said with utter innocence in her eyes that he did not believe for a second.
"Uh huh." He looked at her skeptically because with Mary, that was how these things usually started, with the words nice and simple.
"I promise you," she repeated herself haughtily. "I will not get into any trouble while I'm away from you. Besides, even if I do get into it, how do you know I can't get myself out of it?"
Even as she asked that, she could see the sarcasm that shot straight into his face as soon as the words had left her lips. "On second thought.' Mary interrupted quickly before Chris could open his mouth to respond. "Nevermind."
The smug look on Chris face was enough to make her blood boil but Mary could not help laugh as she leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips. Mary knew he was just teasing her and she enjoyed it when he dropped his guard down long enough to display the dry wit that lay hidden behind his sombre expression. Once these occasions were rare but of late, they were starting to increase the more he became used to having her in his life.
"I'm going to miss you." She whispered in his ear.
"I'll probably miss you too." Chris responded once she had parted from him.
"Probably?" Mary looked at him in mock outrage and slapped him on the arm.
"Likely." He tried again, still teasing her with his eyes and his slight smile.
"Likely?" She shook her head in disbelief. "You're not very good at this are you?" She eyed him mischievously.
"Not very." Chris chuckled not about to let her in on just how much he would miss her. Mary had rekindled his soul the way nothing had since Sarah and Adam. The months following their initial declaration of love had been heady ones. Even with tragedy intermingled; Chris would not have traded those moments with her for anything. Of course he would miss her. She had brought hope into his despairing soul and had all but given him a new lease of life with her smile.
"That's what he says." Buck Wilmington snorted, announcing his presence as he walked past the couple and the stage while making a beeline towards Inez. "He'll probably be drowning in whisky like a sick puppy before you're even out of town."
Chris rolled his eyes before flashing Buck a filthy glare that said volumes. "Buck, remind me to your kick your ass when the women are gone."
"You can try Chris." Buck said gleefully, always amusing himself at Chris' expense. It was so good to see Chris slowly returning to the person that he was before Sarah died that sometimes, Buck could not resist but help the process along.
"I can stand to see that now Chris." JD urged as he stood next to Inez, wishing the sultry barmaid farewell on her trip to the big city.
Although he would not miss Inez the way Chris would miss Mrs Travis, JD knew that he would not be happy until Inez had returned to Four Corners. Ever since her arrival in town and her business partnership with Ezra, Inez had paid special attention to him because of his youth whenever he came into the saloon. She always made sure that he was eating right and last summer when he had a case of the fever, she had sat by his bedside and cooled his brow at the height of his delirium. JD had gone to sleep feeling her soft hand on his forehead and her voice lulling him to sleep with some Spanish tune that had no words he could understand but felt soothed nonetheless. It almost reminded him of how his ma had taken care of him when he was a boy.
However, Inez was more than just that to JD. She was the only other person other than Chris Larabee who was capable of taking down Buck a peg or two. They often indulged in playing some awful practical jokes on Buck when the man sorely deserved it. Despite the farcical torture they forced Buck to endure, JD knew that there was something between Buck and Inez that was not spoken of or revealed to anyone. Even though they argued and fought publicly, JD believed that there was more to them then any of them had suspected. More than anything, JD would love to see Inez and Buck together, even though he sometimes thought that he might be a little in love with her himself. It would be hard not too for she was so wonderful in ways he was never capable of explaining.
"Remember Josiah," Inez stared at the preacher. "I'm trusting you to see to it that Ezra does not let things go to hell before I get back."
"I do resent the implication that you feel I cannot be trusted Miss Rossillos." Ezra grumbled, as he heard Inez give Josiah instructions about the saloon that should have come to him. For reasons he could not possibly fathom, his partner seemed to think that he was completely untrustworthy. It was not like he had burnt the place down or anything although, she had never left the saloon in his charge long enough for such a catastrophe to happen. Nevertheless, Ezra knew he was justified in feeling slightly perturbed that Inez had asked Josiah to supervise his attempts to run the saloon in her absence.
"The lady is wise as she is beautiful." Josiah said with a smile. It was nice to know that he was the only one that Inez trusted with the saloon.. Since assuming partnership intersts in the saloon, Inez had always come to him when she was required to leave town. While Ezra may be part owner of the business, she knew that he had no taste for any kind of work or 'menial labor' as he put it. Left to his own devices, the gambler would idle away the profits in front of a card table. Josiah was good at motivating people by gnawing at their conscience and for some reason the preacher had a particularly strong effect on Ezra.
"You would said that." Ezra retorted. "Am I to assume that I am to tolerate Mr Sanchez's supervision for the entire time that you are away in the city?"
Inez looked at him and smiled sweetly. "You can because I would like there to be a saloon when I get back."
"Gentlemen," Buck interrupted their conversation over the sound of their chatter at his arrival. He was wearing an expression on his face that seemed to border on the serious. Although with Buck it was difficult to tell. They so rarely saw him serious to tell the difference "May I have a moment with the lady?"
Inez's mood darkened, not wishing to get into any kind of deep discussion with Buck about their nonexistent relationship. After their last encounter, this was more or less a permanent state of affairs. Why did he have to confront her about this now? She did not want to talk and felt some dismay when she saw JD, Ezra and Josiah starting to step away. The rest of the seven were aware of the tension between Inez and Buck over the past few days and while Ezra had made some attempt to ask her about it, Inez had largely discussed with no one except Mary and Alex.
"Have a good trip." Josiah said tipping his hat at her as he withdrew.
"Spare a thought for those of us languishing in this arcane place when you are indulging yourself in the excesses of high urban living." Ezra sighed, kissing her hand in that continental way that sent many female hearts a flutter throughout Four Corners.
"Don't worry, I'll fill this shopping list of yours to ease the pain." Inez replied, remembering the list he had produced when he had learnt she was going to Denver. Apparently, she was going to spend at least one day there shopping for men clothing, toiletries and haberdashery. According to Ezra, it took work to look as good as he did.
"You are a Goddess." He grinned.
"Shopping list?" JD asked as he followed Ezra away to afford Buck the privacy he desired with Inez.
"I shall see that I will just have to educate in some of the finer things in life... " Inez heard Ezra say as he led JD away.
She turned around to face Buck impatiently, wishing not to discuss this subject because she was confused about the whole issue of their 'relationship'. Buck dispelled the look of good humor he wore for everyone's benefit and met her gaze with the closest thing to thoughtfulness that she had seen in them in recent months. Sometimes, she could become lost into that gaze because she could tell that there was more going on behind those blue eyes. Buck Wilmington had touched her heart from that first moment but she was a proud woman who felt her love needed to be earned not given about freely. She had run from Don Paulo because he had wanted to take her when he could not earn it. Buck had earned her love but he did not earn her trust and Inez had come to realise that the two things were vital to each other's survival.
"What is it Buck?" She asked curtly.
"Inez I don't want you going way like this." He said quietly.
"Like what?" She stared wondering if he thought she was going to run or something. "I'm going to Denver for a few days with Mary and Alex. That is all there is to this."
"There's a lot of things between us that need saying." He struggled to say, finding difficulty in reaching in the dark well within where he kept his innermost thoughts. "I don't want you to go without at least trying to make some effort to try."
He had to tell her something. Since their conversation in the kitchen, he had this terrible aching inside his stomach that would not go away for anything. It lingered there, whispering possibilities in his mind, such as having Inez walk out of his life and never come back. She had been so unexpected that he had not known what hit him the first time he saw her in the saloon. Buck did not know much but he knew he could not bear her leaving him.
"Buck," she replied sharper that she would have liked her voice to be. "There is nothing to say. You are what you and that is the way it is. I do not expect you to change."
"But... "
"I've got to go," Inez turned away and kept walking. Buck did not follow her, she did not expect him to. He was too proud for that especially when it came to her. A part of her felt guilty because he was trying so hard to explain himself and yet she refused to hear him out. Inez knew if she listened to his promises and oaths, she would only be swept up in another tidal wave only to watch it crush her hopes later. Inez climbed into the stage that was almost completed loaded with their luggage only since no other passengers were travelling today and waited patiently for Mary and Alex.
Buck gazed at her in silent ache as Inez disappeared into the carriage, wishing that there were something he could say to her to reassure her that his feelings for her were real. They were very real indeed. He loved her only while all the other women were merely company. While he understood her reservations, Buck could not make that final sacrifice that would seal the breach that was now widening between them past the point of no return. Turning away because he felt impotent at being helpless to resolve this situation, Buck turned around and saw Alexandra Styles imparting an almost as complete series of instructions to Nathan as Inez had done earlier to Josiah.
"These are all the names that you can keep an eye out for. Mr Baker will be back regularly for his treatment, Janet Lowing looks to be getting some sort of an ulcer and Noah Kelly's bandages will need to be changed tomorrow. I'd keep a close eye on that one if I were you. He hurt the arm while out on the trail during that wet patch a few days ago. I'm worried it might turn gangrene if we're not careful." She said all this in one breath much to Nathan and Vin's disbelief.
Nevertheless, the healer nodded patiently as he listened to her speak. Vin was not so that accommodating and chuckled quietly to himself as he heard Alex run off a hundred orders to Nathan.
"Don't worry Miss Alex, I'll handle things." Nathan said trying to pacify her and then remembering that he had given her a similar list when he had left town last, so really he was in no position to be annoyed. They both felt passionately about their skill and patients, enough so that leaving them were like severing some unseen umbilical cord. It was a source of great pride to Nathan that Alex respected him and his skills so much to allow him access to her patients. Other doctors would not be so trusting. "Quit nagging the man." Vin drawled, pulling Alex away from Nathan to take a minute alone with her before she had to leave.
"I am not nagging." She protested and threw Vin an irritated scowl of mock offence. "You're just saying that cause you're going to go to complete pieces without me." She smirked at him imperiously.
"You wish." Vin said with a smile, even though she was absolutely correct. Still he was not about to admit it to anyone, least of all her. "I'm going to rustle me up some trouble when you're gone. Maybe go do some hard drinking in the saloon and then go whoring with Buck." He replied sounding perfectly serious even though he was not.
"Oh wonderful," she said sarcastically. "Then I'll have to the get poison ivy story from you instead of Mr Baker."
"How do I know what you're getting up to in Denver with all those city men folk?" He turned an accusatory eye in her direction. "Might be I'm just getting in trouble before you do." He grinned.
"The only trouble I am going to have is when I have to give a speech." Alex replied firmly, her arms were folded now. A stance Vin was very familiar with, particularly when they were engaged in one of their verbal jousts. Those instances had not decreased, no matter how much they meant to one another now. Vin and Alex seemed to have volatile temperaments when they were together and even more fiery love making sessions when it was time to make up. "Then I'm coming straight back." She concluded.
"That just means you're the one whose going to be missing me." He pointed out. "I ain't too fussed when you get back." He remarked with a glint in his eyes full of little boy mischief.
"Well," she smiled sweetly. "We'll see who misses who when you have to sleep alone in your wagon tonight."
"Will you two cut it out!" Nathan finally groaned, having listened to this by play long enough. He had not meant to eavesdrop but the voices could be heard clearly form where he was. "Just kiss the woman goodbye Vin!" The healer grumbled. "Its like watching two alligators trying to mate."
"I'll have you know that's a vicious rumor started by someone who has seen us argue." Alex deadpanned before she met Vin's gaze and they both laughed softly. "He just doesn't understand us."
"I give up on the two of you." Nathan said throwing his hands up in a gesture of defeat.
Vin and Alex shared a few more seconds, chuckling at Nathan's confusion before Alex looked into Vin's blue eyes. "I will miss you cowboy." She smiled. "But I'm not going long."
"I may miss you too." Vin replied, never one to let her get away with anything or show weakness. However, he sealed his remark with a gentle kiss to the lips he would miss dearly while she was gone. "Have a good time, darlin." He said in that soft voice of his before adding in a louder tone. "And don't get into any trouble."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Alex retorted.
Sanderson knew he was in trouble.
The rendezvous to meet Seacourt had not gone well. He was at the appointed place and time waiting anxiously for the arrival of his contact when he saw them appear in the darkened alley where the meeting was to take place. Seeing them had caused him to flee because he knew it was imperative that he reached Seacourt before it was too late. In desperation, he had run straight to the train station and took the first outbound service from San Antonio, leaving his pursuers behind.
Or so he had believed.
He had disembarked at Eagle Bend believing the place to be small and obscure enough to wait out the time while he contacted Seacourt again to arrange another meeting. Pacing his hotel room like a caged animal, Sanderson kept close eye on the package that he had risk life and limb to acquire. He knew that it was the key to a heinous plan that could easily break the back of the country, should the men pursuing him get their hands on it. Fortunately Seacourt had come through and arranged a new rendezvous point.
He had spent the evening in Eagle Bend to terrified to leave his hotel room in case the enemy had tracked him down and were at this moment scouring the streets for him. Sanderson knew that if he could hold out until tomorrow to keep his appointment with Seacourt then his troubles would be over. Seacourt was one of the best of them, if not the best. He was a world away from Warren Sanderson who mostly played the part of courier, ferrying important sensitive material from one place to another.
The man who had given him the package was dead and in his last dying breath had imparted to Sanderson, its terrible purpose. Sanderson who was only meant to deliver the package back to Washington soon found himself the prey in a deadly hunt as assassins pursued him across the West. The next morning, following his clandestine entry into Eagle Bend, Sanderson prepared to leave the hotel for the train station once more. Seacourt should already be in town and would probably be making the same journey to keep their rendezvous if he was not already there.
He had no sooner left the hotel when suddenly, he saw the two people who had tracked him relentlessly no further than a few metres away when they turned up the boardwalk that would take them to the front steps of the hotel. Sanderson froze and tried to retreat but it was too late. They had seen him. He was barely thinking when he had started to run back into the hotel, disappearing through the front lobby past the surprised clerk and almost running straight into a bellboy carrying a handful of luggage.
The two assassins, the most notable a tall, blond man with long gold hair and a handle bar moustache pulled out his gun and would appear to have no trouble snapping him with his bare hands if required. He reminded Sanderson of the picture he had seen once of Viking conquerors. However, his companion was a raw boned female who wore man's suit and looked as lethal as her dead eyes implied. It was obvious that she was calling the shots between the two of them. Sanderson scrambled through the innards of the hotel, trying desperately in any way to keep them from narrowing the gap. He tipped shelves over and pushed people to the floor, he had even considered hiding but found little time or opportunity.
Finally, he broke through the kitchen and tipped a pot full of hot, bubbling concoction onto the floor. The meal splattered in all directions and rolled across the floor as its flow widened across the smooth surface. Sanderson ran through back door, mindful of the chef's who were screaming furiously at the sudden disruption of their kitchen and the destruction of a fine meal. He was hardly aware of them and looked over his shoulder long enough to see the huge man topple over by the slippery soup underfoot.
The two were relentless in their pursuit and Sanderson was unable to shake them no matter what he did. They dogged his steps all the way to the train station and it dawned upon the man that he might not be able to lose them at all. He knew that certain death awaited him if he fell into their hands and was prepared for this possibility. He could not function in this business without being aware that this was a possibility. However, he could not risk his death allowing the terrible secret he had uncovered to remain hidden. Somehow, Seacourt had to know what was transpiring but Sanderson had no idea whether the man was on the train or not.
He arrived at the Eagle Bend train station to see that the place was full of commuters preparing to board the train to Denver. He searched the faces and saw nothing of Seacourt among the passengers. With a sinking feeling, Sanderson realised that he would have to come up with a plan of his own. He could not see the duo hunting him but assumed they could not be far behind.
As he advanced onto the platform, he searched the faces around him, wondering if he was being foolish by what he intended to do. He caught sight of her mostly because of the gold hair. You really could not miss the luxurious wave swinging down from her neck as she waited with two similarly stunning women as they lingered on the platform. However, it was the small carry basket she carried that captured his attention the most. Its design was open and allowed anything to be slipped into its depths if one felt so inclined to, which he did.
Sanderson looked over his shoulder and saw the duo appear on the platform. The man was crimson with rage and it appeared that they were dispensing with the formality of taking him discreetly. Breaking through the crowd rudely, they advanced towards him quickly and Sanderson knew he was out of time. Running forward, he ran straight into the woman, dislodging the basket from her grip and sending it and its contents tumbling to the floor.
"Oh Madam, I am sorry!" He quickly apologised.
Mary Travis looked at the man with annoyance as she saw her personal items strewn across the platform floor. "Really Sir," she huffed angrily as she bent over to pick up her bag. "You might watch where you are going."
Sanderson could feel the approaching footsteps of his pursuers and quickly picked up some of the items, using a little slight of hand to include in her belongings, the package that he had been carrying.
"Are you alright Mary?" The exotic looking woman behind her asked.
"I'm fine." She grumbled snatching her things from the ground and shoving them back into the basket.
"I am so clumsy." Sanderson declared feigning regret at his trespass and gestured to the objects he had in his hands that were ready to be returned to their rightful owner. Mary held the basket open with a scowl on her face as he deposited the items into it. She hardly noticed that she had been given something else. Once the package was safely hidden in his opinion, Sanderson looked frantically over his shoulder and saw the man and woman almost on top of him.
"I do apologise Madam," Sanderson said hastily, preparing to run and then almost as an afterthought added. "If you are ever in trouble, find Jeremy Seacourt."
With that bit of advice, which she received, with a look of bewilderment on her face, he started running past the three startled women.
Sanderson had no idea where he was going but decided the train would serve at this moment, he ran past the conductor, who barked at him in anger as he boarded without showing his ticket. The man had neither time to argue that when suddenly he saw two more intruders on the locomotive. The trio disappeared just as suddenly as they appeared, running down the length of the aisle between compartments. Sanderson ran through the empty carriages, hoping to find escape and knowing futilely that the best he could hope for at this point was to lead them away from the woman, whoever she was.
Finally, he arrived at the baggage car and found that there was no where to go. The wall of luggage inside the compartment was locked from the outside and the only way out was through the door in which he entered. Panicking, Sanderson tried to back track but it was too late. The two closing in and they knew he was cornered. Taking a deep breath, he reached for his gun but the woman had drawn hers before he had even slipped past his jacket to acquire it.
"You're given us quite a chase, Mr Sanderson." The woman said smoothly as she and her companion entered the baggage car and slid the heavy wooden door close with a loud thud. Sanderson swallowed thickly and retreated into the back of the car, almost tripping over the luggage that was stacked haphazardly about.
"I fail to see why." Sanderson replied, trying to sound brave but not quite managing it. He was not an impressive specimen of manhood, somewhat weedy looking with a pale completion and watery colored eyes. While she was breathtaking with her dark mahogany hair and her near rose red lips. Her eyes were blue like an ocean but devoid of anything that could be considered human. She wore the suit of a rich Mexican gentlemen the outfit hung of her in a way that was totally seductive and left little to the imagination. She stared at him beneath the brim of her hat with what could patience.
"You have something that belongs to my employer." She said coolly.
"Belongs?" Sanderson laughed at her choice of words. "He stole it!"
"Whatever," she dismissed the particular details of the issue. "We will have it back now."
"I don't have it." Sanderson replied, aware that the huge man behind him was glowering in anger. His clothes were covered in food stains from his spill earlier and obviously, he was wishing to return Sanderson the favor.
"Check him Burke." She ordered.
Burke said nothing but stepped forward without question. He put his huge hands on Sanderson who struggled meekly before the woman raised her gun at his face showing in no uncertain terms what would happened to him if he did not comply. Burke searched through his person and clothes for the package and looked up at her a moment later when he did not locate it.
"He's clean, Selena." He informed her dutifully.
"Where is it?" The woman who he now knew as Selena asked Sanderson.
"I gave it to Seacourt." Sanderson lied and hoped he was good enough at it to be believed.
"You have not had a chance to make contact with Seacourt." She retorted but Sanderson saw the uncertainty in her eyes.
"Nevertheless that's where it is." Sanderson repeated. He was sweating profusely but it had nothing to do with the heat. Selena stared at him with narrowed eyes, trying to determine if he was lying or not.
"Maybe we should look around and find Seacourt." The blond behemoth suggested.
"Yes, we should." she agreed. "However, I suspect that he is lying to us." She said glaring at Sanderson with a penetrating gaze meant to extract information. Sanderson tried not to flinch as he returned her stare wondering how such a lovely woman could be so markedly evil. "You ran into a woman earlier on didn't you?"
Sanderson tried to hide the reaction but could not. He blinked and swallowed, all but giving away what he had been trying so desperately to keep from her.
"Did you see her?" She looked at Burke.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I saw her."
"Well Mr Sanderson," Selena met his eyes once more. "That effectively ends your part in this matter. Whatever shall we do with you now?"
Sanderson could find no answer as he saw Burke advancing towards him... .
"What was all that about?" Mary Travis asked Inez and Alex perplexed as they resumed boarding of the train, in the wake of the strange encounter a moment ago. The other passengers were making the same exodus from the platform while being bid farewells from relatives and friends. Seeing all of them made Mary feel a twinge of longing that Chris had not opted to see her off from Eagle Bend. However, she could understand his reasoning against doing so. Four Corners required his presence.
"Who knows?" Inez shrugged. "He looked a little crazy to me anyway."
"Seacourt did he say?" Alex looked at Mary as they climbed up the steps one after the other, while handing their tickets to a conductor who promptly led them down the aisle, by passing other passengers for the private compartment they had secured themselves.
"Yes," Mary nodded, still wondering what the man had intended when he made his offer of assistance. "Jeremy Seacourt." There had been some to be some measure of urgency in his voice and Mary's journalistic nose for a story immediately sensed that there was more to him then met the eye. She made a mental note to seek him out when the train was underway to Denver. Suddenly Chris' remark about staying out of trouble came to mind and Mary frowned slightly, telling herself that doing her job as an investigative journalist was not getting into trouble, it was providing a service to the greater community.
Yeah, try that line on him and see what he says. Mary thought to herself.
"You work fast," Alex teased. "You're not long from Four Corners and already you're getting men throwing themselves at you for assistance."
Mary rolled her eyes in sarcasm. "Oh that's what I need, another man in my life." She retorted. "Its not like the one I have doesn't make me tear my hair out as it is."
"Hey," the doctor laughed. "I'm just getting used to having one in my life."
"As opposed to none." Inez pointed out. "At least you don't have a philandering fool who thinks he may love you but not quite enough to give up that several dozen other women he has hanging around him!" There was a little more passion in her voice than she intended and her vehemence only brought a knowing smile to her companions' lips.
"Well I wouldn't know about a dozen," Alex sighed. "Just having Ezra do to it to me once was enough. I swear, it was the first time I had ever thought about taking a scalpel to anyone for purposes other than surgery." Even though she had more or less forgiven Ezra for that trespass opting to keep him as a friend, albeit never a close one, it still galled to think about that terrible day when the news of his infidelity was impressed upon her so prolifically.
"Look at this way," Mary reminded. "If Ezra had not been a two timing pig, you would not have discovered how wonderful Vin is."
"Exactly." Inez responded and was able to add further. "And he must be pretty wonderful, if that smile he's been wearing lately is anything to go by." She looked at Alex with a suggestive gleam in her eye.
"I refuse to comment." Alex laughed as the conductor showed them to the private compartment they had reserved for themselves. Since this journey to Denver had been an exercise in indulgence and Alex was the one more able to afford the luxury, she had decided to satisfied this particular whim for privacy during their journey.
However, upon entering the compartment, the three women to their shock found that they were not meant to be having complete privacy after all, with the presence of an unexpected guest.
"What are you doing here?" Alex exclaimed unhappily at the sight of Julia Pemberton already nestled comfortably in one of the seats waiting for their arrival.
"I had business in Denver and when I heard that you three were also making the trip, I knew you would not mind my company." Julia said making no move to leave her seat.
The conductor frowned at her and said sternly. "Ma'am, you ain't meant to be here. This is a private compartment."
"I'm sure my companions would not turn me out." She looked at the three surprised faces before her. Alex's expression was quickly descending into pure dislike, which was hardly surprising, because that's how the doctor always looked at her. Mary seemed to be debating at whether she should be allowed to remain while Inez merely shrugged her shoulders, in an indication that she would not get caught in anyone's crossfire.
"You thought wrong." Alex said curtly. "Out!"
Mary winced, not wishing to create a full-scale situation with the tension that existed between Alex and Julia. She could not understand what Julia Pemberton was doing on this train or why the woman was making the trip because she for a moment did not believe a word the Easterner had said about going to Denver on business. Still, Mary did not like Julia where she could not keep her eye on her and at some point, she and Alex were going to have to resolve this enmity between them.
"Alex," Mary spoke up. "Maybe it would be alright if she stayed a bit." She looked at the doctor with a look that pleaded Julia's case.
Alex groaned knowing that it was nasty to throw the woman out and had she not decided that she was ready to extend the woman some forgiveness after the incident with Randall? There were too many sins on Alexandra Styles conscience already. She did not need another and besides, if truth were told, Alex was far happier with Vin Tanner than she could ever be with Ezra Standish. If it was not for Julia Pemberton, Alex would never have gone to Vin and the bliss that followed their first coupling would never have been.
"Okay you can stay." Alex groaned in distaste. "But only because of Vin."
"Vin?" Julia looked at her in confusion. "I don't understand."
"You don't have to." Inez said abruptly, knowing what Alex meant. She was relieved that Alex had relented because she did not feel right about turning Julia out either. Despite her odious nature, there was something strangely likeable about this scheming witch. Inez could not understand why that was. Perhaps it was the way one admired a mountain lion for its inherent beauty even though it could tear your throat out any minute. "Just shut up and stay." She ordered.
"That's alright." Mary turned to the conductor. "We're fine with her being here."
He scowled slightly, still uncertain about allowing this and then realised that there was no reason to cause a fuss if the ladies were satisfied with this end. "Ticket please." He said to Julia, trying to recover some measure of control in this situation instead of feeling foolishly inadequate.
Julia handed it to him with a smug smile that only serve to infuriate him when she looked at him with those taunting emerald eyes of hers. He clipped the ticket and handed it back to her before departing from the compartment, unable to stand up to the scrutiny of that icy gaze.
"What are you doing here?" Mary asked again once the compartment door had slammed shut.
"I told you business." Julia repeated, knowing that she was probably not going to be believed but not particularly caring at this point. She had manipulated the situation well so far and she would not give up her intention to win these women so early in the game. "I thought it might be fun to join you."
"Fun?" Alex looked at her skeptically. "How could being in a train with you for the next five hundred miles be fun?"
"Now come on," Mary said sternly before this got out of hand as it was threatening to do so rather rapidly at the moment. Julia's presence was like a match to the powder keg that was Alexandra Styles' memory. It would not take very much to cause an explosion and produce a fiery death for all involved. "Let's not do this." Secretly, Mary was furious at Julia for provoking Alex like this.
"Are you still upset about that whole thing with Ezra?" Julia retorted never one to back down from a challenge or a warning for her own good. "Why do you care? I actually did you a favor."
"Excuse me?" Alex demanded, outraged by Julia's interpretation of events even though she was a little accurate. "Is that what you call it?"
"Julia, this is hardly the time to discuss this matter." Mary spoke up, sending daggers at the woman for a multitude of sins, the least of which was intruding on a trip she had no business being a part of and bringing up such a volatile subject.
"Why not?" Julia exclaimed, turning her eyes at Mary. "She's been stewing about this for ages when we all know that she most likely slept with Tanner while they were out there in the mountains together. Come on, you were missing for three days. Are you expecting us all to believe that nothing happened?"
Alex dropped her jaw in outrage and said with controlled fury. "I did not sleep with Vin when we were out there! Just because you found it easy to seduce Ezra does not mean the rest of us has to do the same whenever we're alone with a man."
"We're not talking about me, we're talking about you and what the esteemed Mrs Travis will not voice is that we all wondered what happened during those three days and nights. Even if she is too gutless to admit it."
"I think no such thing!" Mary declared furious, feeling heat seeping into her cheeks in exasperation. She was now seriously regretting ever convincing Alex that she could stay.
"I'll have you know," Alex said hothly protesting her innocence. "That nothing happened between Vin and I when we went to find Agnes Doherty! He was a perfect gentleman at all times!"
"Not that perfect, since you were doing him less than six weeks after your heart was supposedly broken." Julia retaliated. "Let's face it, something happened between you two and would have happened any way, even if I had not come along."
"That's it!" Mary roared furiously before this conversation turned into a physical altercation. "You shut up and sit down." She glared at Julia with a glint of iron in her eyes, which was impossible to ignore by anyone including Chris Larabee when she exerted that much will upon them. Turning to Alex, she spoke with just as much intensity. "You calm down."
"Okay." Alex said starting to feel a little silly as she lowered herself down on the seat.
"I'm fine." Julia retorted.
"I said shut up." Mary repeated herself sharply, not wanting to hear another sound out of Julia. For awhile at least. Beyond the window of the compartment, the train had started moving slowly. Beneath their feet, they could hear the coming to life of enormous pistons that rolled the locomotive forward. Eagle Bend started moving past them, beginning them on a journey that in light of recent developments was no longer as entertaining.
"Oh wonderful." Inez sighed having been silent throughout most of the quarrel between Alex and Julia and was now unable to ignore the heavy pall of tension that filled the compartment in the wake of that argument. "This is going to be one long trip to Denver."
Selena and Burke had gone through the most of the train by the time the sun started to the set in the horizon and Eagle Bend was far behind them. They were still in the Territory and the country in this part of it was bare and flat, with nothing as far as the eye could see but desert and sand. The had searched the train as best they could trying to remain discreet as they sought the woman with the long gold hair with whom Sanderson had made contact with shortly after his demise.
Selena knew it was possible that Seacourt was on the train so her search had double intention. If Seacourt was here then they would have a real problem, for the man was known as being thorough and very good at what he did. Seacourt would not have missed much and if he had been on the train when Sanderson had run into the woman, he may have forgone the need to assist his colleague in favor of retrieving the package whose importance far outweighed the cost of one man.
Seacourt's type could make such distinctions for the cause, which was precisely why he was dangerous, and Selena was determined to end the threat he posed before he reached the woman. Unfortunately, neither Burke nor Selena had spotted either the blond woman and Seacourt and hoped as they moved into the more exclusive areas of the train that they would not remain out of sight for long. Her employer was not a patient man and a great deal was riding on the retrieval of the package in the woman's presence.
Selena moved through the aisle of the private compartments, studying the faces within through the glass panels on the door. Most of the compartments were occupied so Selena and Burke were treated to a wide assortment of people as they walked past nonchalantly like a couple taking a walk to stretch their legs. At this hour of the evening, people were snacking on meals either bought on the train or whatever they brought with them, as was the practice on such journeys. Children were curled up on the seats fast asleep; other people were burying their noses in books while some were merely passing the time away watching the scenery sweep past their window.
They were almost to the last car when Selena caught sight of four women inside a private compartment. The glimmer of gold hair caught her attention immediately for there was no way to mistake that cascade belonging to anyone else. Showing no signs of recognition as she walked past, Selena and Burke continued to the end of the carriage before pausing to discuss their next move.
"That's her." Burke said decisively.
"I know." Selena replied. "I don't think she'll pose too much of problem. We'll do this nice and quick." She smiled at the big man before leading him back to the compartment.
The tension in the compartment was so palpable it could almost be sliced through with a knife. Alex was in a filthy state of mind at the presence of Julia Pemberton and Mary was quietly watching both attempting to keep the peace from erupting to the fiery confrontation earlier. Julia seemed nonplussed by all the aggravation she was causing, oblivious to the dark mood that followed her arrival into their circle. Inez did not hold much hopes of it improving the closer they reached to Denver.
"Oh this is ridiculous." Inez declared sick and tired of this. "We were meant to be having fun on this trip." She pointed out to the other three women in the room with him.
"We as you, me and Mary. No one invited her." Alex glared at Julia with undisguised hostility. "Why did you come anyway?"
"Oh are you asking?" Julia replied. "I mean are you really interested in knowing why or are you just going to use it as another reason to blame me for Ezra?" She eyed Alex critically.
"Yes," Alex bit down any effort to be rude. "I would like to know."
"Alright then," Julia nodded allowing her gaze to sweep across their faces. "Because you didn't ask me."
"What?" Mary exclaimed, surprised enough to verbalise it. "Why would we? You have not exactly endeared yourself to us since arriving in town."
"That's putting it mildly." Alex grumbled before receiving a stern look for Inez to keep silent. Inez had a feeling that Julia was about to tell them something important and she for one, wanted to know the woman's reasoning for barging in on their vacation.
"I know," Julia sighed wondering if she really wanted to do this. She was never comfortable exposing her more sincere feelings and this instance was no exception. However, she knew if she wanted to win her friendship, it was going to require some measure of honesty on her part. "Maybe I felt a little badly about how I treated you Alex." Julia replied meeting her gaze. "I knew a simple apology was not going to be enough so I thought if I came with you on the trip, we might get to know each other."
"A simple apology would have done fine." Alex sighed, knowing she was being a little hard nosed even though she no longer felt any anger towards Ezra. She had more or less forgiven him even though he had more reason to be guilty than Julia did.
"I seriously doubt that." Julia deadpanned.
Alex found that she could not refute that statement no matter how much she may hate to admit it. She was about to respond when suddenly, the compartment door slid open.
A woman and a huge man stepped into the compartment. Mary noticed the woman first, mostly because she was clad in men's clothing although the cut of the material allowed no mistake to be made on her gender. Mary watched her in those clothes fascinated because she had never worn pants in her life and thought it looked convenient, especially when riding.
"Good evening." The woman greeted.
"This is a private compartment." Mary reminded, wondering why these strangers were here.
"Yes I know it is," the woman retorted and suddenly produced a gun from nowhere. Behind her, the man produced a shotgun that had been sawn off. It looked a little like the Winchester that Vin Tanner carried but the similarities between the two ended there.
"What is this?" Alex demanded.
"Quiet." The woman said sharply. "I am not interested in the rest of you. Just her." She moved the barrel of the weapon in Mary's direction.
Mary's eyes widened as she saw the weapon aimed in her direction. "What do you want with me?" She asked trying not to let the fear get the better of her.
"You have something that belongs to my employer." The woman declared, her eyes running over Mary as if she had it hidden on her person.
Mary stared back at her completely puzzled. "I think there's been some mistake... .."
"No mistake." The woman retorted. "You had an encounter with a Mr Sanderson."
Mary did not recognise the name and still wore that blank look signifying that she had no idea what this woman was referring to. "I don't know a Mr Sanderson." She retorted trying to convince her that this was all some terrible mistake. She did not know anything about the mysterious object that this stranger alluded to be in her possession or somebody named Sanderson.
"The man who ran into you." Inez suddenly declared, the knowledge coming to her in a flash of insight. She knew there was something strange about that man and then realised what must have happened when he had collided into Mary. The memory of Mary's personal items scattering across the platform came to mind and Inez's eyes sought out the basket that was still lay hidden beneath Mary's seat.
"Mr Sanderson." The woman nodded, confirming Inez's guess.
"Why he hardly said anything to me." Mary implored. "He ran into me and cause me to drop half my belonging on the floor but we had no conversation and he certainly did not pass me anything that might belong to your employer."
The woman did not seemed convinced and kept her gun trained on the others when she looked over her shoulder and gestured at Burke to step forward. "Search her."
A faint sort of smile crossed his lips at that instruction as he gazed over Mary's form with a look that was not only savory but also very close to a salacious leer. Seeing the glimmer in his eyes made Mary recoil instantly, deciding there and then she would not let this man put his hands any where on her person.
"Don't touch me." She warned, feeling terribly vulnerable because she knew there was no way she was going to stop him if he did not relent.
"Don't worry," he smiled in a truly repulsive way. "I'll be gentle."
"Stop it!" Alex cried out and took a step forward only to be halted in place by the gun jammed into her side by the woman.
"This will be painless unless you give me trouble," she warned and gestured for Alex to return to her original place. The doctor's eyes clouded in anger but she knew that there was little she could do about it. Reluctantly, Alex withdrew, unable to stand seeing the fear in Mary's eyes as the man approached her and she was powerless to fend him off. He practically towered over the widow and any fight she put up would be more or less a gesture in futility. His strength along could overcome all of them.
Mary knew she was not going to let this man touch her. Where the hell was Chris when she needed him? Mary thought frantically as he put her hands on her shoulders and slid down her arms more slowly than was required. Clearly he was enjoying sliding his hands down the length of her arms while Mary had to bite down to keep from reacting violently and doing something that they would all regret. He enjoyed her helplessness and Mary swallowed hard when his hands dropped to waist and slid up. When he reached the curve of her breasts, he did not pause and allowed his hand to cup its rounded shape.
That did it.
Before she even knew that she was doing it, Mary brought her knee up sharply and felt her knee connect with the soft flesh in between his legs. He let out a strangled cry and doubled over in pain as his knees buckled underneath him. His face turned crimson with rage as he fell to the floor in genuine agony at her feet.
Julia saw the woman with the gun aim in Mary's direction after the widow had incapacitated her companion so completely with every intention of firing. Thinking quickly, Julia grabbed the emergency lever and yanked hard. A loud screech of metal grinding against metal tore through the air with an initially low whine that became deafening in a matter of seconds. The entire locomotive heaved in protest as pistons were locked into place and carriage cars shimmied like ripples through water. The train came to an abrupt halt with a powerful shudder than threw them all off their feet by the sudden stop. When she saw the woman fall, Julia reacted quickly, making an effort to snatch the gun away that gave her such an advantage over her captives. However, before Julia could retrieve it, she tightened her grip and refused to surrender the weapon.
"Help me!" Julia cried out for anyone as she struggled for the gun and was mildly surprised when she saw Alex's hand lash out and strike the woman across the face. The woman released her grip of the weapon and felt back as Julia took hold of it.
"Don't move!" Julia ordered and then decided that was not quite enough retribution in her opinion. Without warning, she struck the woman on the back of the head with the gun and sighed in relief when she slumped forward unconscious. Julia was still in a state of mild disbelief that she had attempted something so fool hardy but realised that there was not much she could do when her life was in jeopardy. However she could not resist one little indulgence when she glanced at Alex who was wincing in pain because her knuckles were not used to such labor. "What is it with you and faces?" Julia asked.
"I just picture yours and it comes naturally." Alex said sweetly and turned around to face Mary and Inez. "Is everyone okay?" The doctor in her searched for injuries and was grateful that there were none.
Outside, they could hear the confused voices of passengers who were trying to ascertain the reason for the locomotive's abrupt stop. Footsteps were running up and down the aisle outside along with the train conductor who was searching for some emergency that might warrant the disruption of the journey.
"Not him." Mary looked at the man who was still very much conscious. Even now he was struggling to rise and Mary did not want to face his wrath when that happened. "We've got to get out of here before he gets up."
"I'm going to cut your out your heart!" He snarled putting his point across with far more accuracy then she was able to convey to her companions.
"On that note," Mary stared at the others. "Can we please get out of here?"
"No arguments from me." Julia replied loudly, the gun still in her hand. For some reason, she felt a great deal more secure with it in her hand. The man's companion was still lying on the floor dazed and Julia did not anticipate it would take her long to recover.
"You go!" Inez ordered as she dropped to her knees and fished out Mary's basket from the shadows.
Predictably, Julia ran out first while Alex and Mary lingered behind long enough to ensure that Inez was going to be following them when they hurried out of the room into the aisle outside. The corridor was full of people peering out of their respective compartments, full of question at the sudden break in the journey. Conductors were trying to explain the situation as the women of Four Corners put as much distance between themselves and their would be attackers.
"Where are we going?" Alex cried out.
"Off this train.' Mary said without hesitation.
"Off the train?" Julia retorted. "We're in the middle of nowhere!"
"Would you rather stay and deal with that ape?" Inez returned as they reached the exit that would take them out of the carriage.
"Good point," Julia grumbled, realising that they really did not have a choice in the matter. She was the first to reach the exit way and hoped this was not a bad idea when she pulled open the door and let the night air sweep into the confining space. Outside, the night was clear and they could see across the terrain for some distance in the moonlight. With any luck, the train would be underway again before the their two assailants could guess where they had gone.
That is if luck was with them at all.
At the moment, Mary Travis was not entirely sure if it was.
Selena woke when the sound of the train chugging into motion roused her from her temporary blackout. Her head throbbed painfully and she looked up to see Burke still lying on the ground, clutching the portion of his anatomy that had suffered the crushing attack. He was struggling to get on his feet but his progress was slow. There were no sign of the women anyway in the compartment and Selena winced knowing that they were probably running to the conductor for assistance, for all the good that it would do them.
"Burke." She groaned.
"They got away." He grunted, pulling his enormous bulk onto the seat as Selena sat up from the floor.
"Obviously," she retorted, wincing as the room spun a little. Her head swam for a few minutes after shifting into her upright position. The quarry had fled leaving most of their belongings and that gave Selena some measure of hope in locating them. She reached for one of the bags near her and rifled through the belongings, finding little of interest that could aid them in their search. Her head still throbbed painfully but the discomfort was staring to become replacement by intense anger that these four women could have overcome Burke and herself.
She examined the objects in the bag, ignoring a purse full of money, some cosmetics and other incidentals that were common to any women travelling over a distance. However, it was a crisp open envelope that captured her attention. Selena pulled out the enveloped and studied the name written neatly across the front.
"Alexandra Styles." Selena responded out loud for Burke's benefit. "Of Four Corners."
"There's deep in the Territory," Burke recognised the town if somewhat vaguely. "I thinks its near Sweet Water."
"Well that's something." Selena said rising to her feet and noted with chagrin that her gun had been taken. "I'm going hurt the bitch that hit me." She hissed under her breath, feeling the sting of her head injury almost as profoundly as the bruising along her jaw. It gave her some satisfaction knowing it had taken tw of them to disarm her. Unfortunately, it was not that much satisfaction especially when she had to explain to their employer where his property had disappeared.
"I want the blond." Burke snarled angrily. "I want her and then I'll kill her."
"That's up to you," Selena shrugged, not wanting to contemplate in depth too much what Burke would have in mind for the woman. When properly inspired, her partner could be quite savage to say the least and it took quite a bit for him to make a personal request while they were undertaking such a contract. "After we've found what we're looking for."
Mary Travis watched the train disappear into the night while she and her companions lay crouched in the darkness, watching to see if anyone had come after them. The train had pulled away and continued onward to Denver, oblivious to the drama that was unfolding for the passengers left behind. She continued staring at the train as it drew further and further away, stealing the pinpricks of light escaping the windows of compartments along the carriages. Once it was far enough away, only the full moon above their heads offered any light in the pervading darkness of the terrain before them.
"Well we're safe." She sighed turning away from the locomotive now that it had disappeared completely into the horizon.
A coyote in the distance chose to make its presence known with a loud howl that tore through the night in one long note. While they could not see exactly where it was, they knew the animal was not when it finished it song, Julia quickly spoke up. "I beg to differ."
"Oh give it a rest." Inez retorted, not liking the situation any more than the Emporium owner did but it was not like they had a choice in the matter. "We had to get off the train. I don't know about you but I'm sure they killed that man who ran into you."
"You too?" Alex met her gaze in the darkness. "I had a feeling by the way he looked that there was something wrong."
"So what are we going to do now?" Julia asked, really unconcerned with why this had happened since that question was not as imperative to their survival as what they would do next. She was not good in the wilderness and detested being in any kind of outdoor situation. Looking around the sparse landscape, Julia felt her skin crawl at the realisation that this was as outside as one could get out here.
"I noticed a town a few miles back." Mary replied, recalling the collection of dusty buildings and dilapidated homes that looked like Four Corners when she had first arrived in town. The place was so small that it had not even warranted a stop by the train as it rumbled past. "If we start following the tracks, we're sure to run into it."
"I remember that town." Julia retorted thinking she had never seen a more odious place in her life and how the west seemed to be littered with such depressing communities. "If I recall it was a little more than a few miles back."
"We do not have a choice." Inez retorted as she started walking back towards the train tracks. She was glad that she was now wearing flat soled shoes because the trek back to civilisation was going to be anything but pleasant. At least they would be travelling by night, which meant being sparred the ordeal of traversing this terrain in the heat. "I seriously doubt that we are going to run into a stagecoach or wagon any time soon."
"I'm with her." Alex declared and started following Inez's lead. "I hate the outdoors!" Julia grumbled as she started after them.
They had not progressed very far when they realised that Mary was still rooted to the spot. The blond woman was staring in the direction of the train, her face unreadable as she breathed heavily.
"Mary?" Inez called out. "Are you okay?"
Mary almost laughed but could not quite manage it. She spun around to face the bartender with a dark expression on her face, which was somewhat of a feat considering she was surrounded by the unyielding blackness of the night. "I can just hear him now." She said with a hint of exasperation intermingled with frustration in her voice.
"Him?" Alex asked.
"Chris." Mary replied almost through gritted teeth. "All week before we left, he only had one thing to say to me. Just one thing!" The widow was working herself into a righteous state of anger at this unexpected turn of events that had occurred through almost no fault of her own.
"I know." Alex closed her eyes and grimaced realising that Vin had pretty much said the same thing.
"Stay out trouble, Mary." Mary muttered loud enough for them to hear as she picked up her skirts and started walking. "All he asked me to do was stay out of trouble... "