The Stagecoach

by KRH

Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.

JD hated this part of the job. Other parts of the job were okay. Bustin' up fights in the saloon; arresting drunkards; riding as fast as you can chasing outlaws. Hell even walking the deserted streets in the middle of the night was better than this.

He hated to tell anyone that a friend, family member or loved one was dead. No one, not the authors who wrote all the books nor the judge who hired him, had told him about this part of the job. Shaking his head JD snorted. They didn't tell him about the long hours spent being bored either.

He always knew someone had to tell the ones left behind how their brother, husband, sister or mother had died. But he never thought that he would be the one to have to do it.

Especially not now. Not with this name.

Walking down the boardwalk, JD once again scanned the telegram. What a way to start a Monday. Deep in his own thoughts and staring blindly at the paper in his hand, JD didn't realize he was about to walk into someone else until a shadow fell across him. Stopping short and mumbling an apology, JD look up into the faces of Vin and Chris.

Putting out a hand to steady the still off balanced sheriff, Vin could tell something was wrong by the cloudiness of JD's eyes. "Mornin' Sheriff. Trouble?" he asked the young man.

Dropping his eyes once again to the paper in his hand, JD looked up at the two men he tried so much to be like. Thrusting the wire out, he clarified. "Not trouble, but bad news."

Taking it, Chris straightened the paper and held it so both he and Vin could read it. Scanning it quickly, they shared a grim look.

"Any idea how this guy was related?" Chris asked of Vin.

"Nope. She ain't never spoke of him."

Seeing JD tense and shift positions nervously, Vin and Chris turned to see what had caught his attention. Scanning the street, they quickly spotted the source — Mary Travis and Nettie Wells walking out of the general store together, laughing at something one of them had said.

"Either of you seen Casey?" Vin asked, while folding the piece of paper he had just taken from Chris and stuffing it into his coat pocket.

JD knew the answer. "She's down at the livery. Was going to take a horse out for a run."

"Better go get her. Don't say anything about this. Just tell her Nettie needs to see her." Chris instructed him.

JD visibly relaxed with the unspoken intentions of these words. He wasn't going to have to break the bad news after all. A pang of guilt flashed through him. It wasn't going to be easy for any of them but he was still relieved is wouldn't have to be him. Nodding, he headed towards the livery to find the young woman who he was attracted to yet who also scared him to death.

Turning to the gunslinger beside him, Vin silently asked him with a look if he was coming with him. Receiving a silent nod in response, the two men stepped off the walk to meet the women conversing with each other on the other side of the street.

"Mrs. Travis. Ma'am." Vin greeted the women as he and Chris approached.

Returning the greeting Nettie scanned the men's stone faces. "You two look like you got something on your mind."

Glancing at Chris, Vin looked at the ground and shuffled positions while trying to find the words to relay the bad news. Before Vin could say anything, Chris made up his mind that the street was not the place. Moving to place a hand on the lower back of each woman, he started them down the boardwalk. "Why don't we go to the Clarion to talk about it."

Neither man said another word until they had reached the building and all were inside. It was finally Mary who broke the silence. "Would one of you gentlemen mind telling us what all of this is about."

"Got a wire from the sheriff in Dodge City. Said there had been a gunfight and a dark hair man, early twenties, was killed." Turning to the woman who reminded him of his own mother, Vin continued. "Sheriff also said he found an envelope in his things with your name on it."

"Did the sheriff say who this man was?" Mary asked curiously.

Before either man could answer, a whisper came from the older woman. "Nicholas Wells."

Turning to look at her friend, Mary was struck by the change that had occurred in her. Minutes before, a relatively young, strong-willed woman, had been standing in the spring morning sun. Now, a white-faced, frail, stooped shoulder old woman was before her.

Alarmed, Mary moved closer and called Nettie's name at the same time as Vin. Guiding her to a nearby chair, Mary sat down beside her. "Nettie? Who is Nicholas Wells?"

Instead of answering Mary, Nettie looked beseechingly at the man crouched in front of her. "He didn't suffer did he?"

"No ma'am. Don't think he did." Vin said, not knowing but trying to offer some measure of comfort to his friend.

"Nettie, who's Nicholas Wells?" Mary once again asked.

Before she received an answer, the four were interrupted by the sound of JD's and Casey's steps on the boardwalk outside. As they neared the door, the group could hear the two bickering as usual.

Moving to catch JD's attention so he would know where they had gone, Chris could see that Casey wasn't happy about being delayed from her ride. JD was 'helping' her along with a strong grip on her upper arm.

"Don't see why this couldn't have waited. Aunt Nettie knew where I was goin.' Iffin' she needed me she would have come herself!"

"Not this time" JD said exasperated. "I told you, she sent me to get you. Got something she needs to tell you" he finished as he stopped their progress in front of Chris on the sidewalk.

"Inside." Chris said as he moved out of the doorway.

Casey yanked her arm from JD's grasp as they entered the building. Still angry, she spun to ask Nettie what had been so important when she was stopped by the obvious grief that had settled on the older woman.

Alarmed, Casey dropped into the space just vacated by Vin. Fear for her aunt was evident when she spoke. "Aunt Nettie? What's wrong? You not feelin' good? You want me to go get Mr. Jackson?"

Not receiving an immediate response, Casey explored the faces around her trying to determine what had disturbed the woman she loved so much. Unsure of what she saw, she once again turned to her aunt for understanding. "Aunt Nettie?"

Struggling to find some measure of composure, Nettie slowly raised her hand to place it on her niece's shoulder. When she spoke, her voice was subdued with emotion.

"It's Nicholas. Got a wire saying he's been killed."

Shock visibly ran through the young girl She had lost so many people already in her life. Now, one more. Biting her lip and struggling to hold back the tears, Casey tried to deny what she had just heard.

"No. Not Nick. Can't be." Casey stuttered, shaking her head to emphasis the words. "We had it all planned... He was comin' back in a couple of months... to surprise you for your birthday. Said he was goin' make it all up to you."

With the same beseeching plea on her face as Nettie had used on Vin, Casey stood and once again looked at the faces around her. Not seeing the confirmation she longed for, Casey yelled "No!" and bolted past the men out of the building.

"Casey!" Nettie called in concern trying to stop her headlong flight.

"JD. Better go after her" Chris said to the young man who was obviously concerned by the events in front of him. Moving outside, JD jogged down the street hoping to catch Casey before she made it to her saddled horse.

Looking at the sympathetic faces around her, Nettie knew they were confused by the telegram and what had just happened. Turning to Mary, she gripped the young woman's hand. "To answer your question, Nicholas Wells is..." a pained looked flashed across her face as she corrected herself "...was Casey's cousin... and my son."

Straightening her shoulders, Nettie tried to tap further into herself looking for the well of strength that had gotten her through the rough times before. Not quite finding it, a solemn sigh passed her lips. Turning to the man she wished had been her son, she began to make plans.

"Would appreciate it if you could check on my place while I'm gone."

"Gone? Gone where?"

"To Dodge City. Casey and I will be heading out before nightfall."

"Don't think that be a good idea Ma'am." Vin said uneasily, not liking the idea. "Be better if you waited a few days for the others to get back and I can go with you."

"Can't. I need to go bury my son. Besides, it won't be the first time I ever took a long trip by myself."

"Nettie. Be reasonable. If nothing else, at least wait until tomorrow and take the stage instead. You can leave at noon, stop overnight at Rock Station and still get to Dodge City by Wednesday evening" Mary chimed in. Seeing the hesitation on her face, Mary added "I could also go with you then."

Nettie did not having the strength to argue with them. Running a hand over her face, Nettie conceded. "Would appreciate the company. No one should have to bury their own by themselves."

"Vin, why don't you take Nettie home. She could use some rest." Chris spoke softly.

Helping her rise, Vin tucked his hand under Nettie's arm and started towards the door. Nettie stopped their progress however as they came next to Chris.

"A parent's not meant to outlive their children are they Mr. Larabee."

Dropping his eyes briefly to hide his own flash of pain, Chris finally locked stares with the speaker wishing he could do something to ease the sorrow reflected there. But that wasn't possible. "No ma'am, they're not."

Grateful for the unspoken message in his eyes, Nettie reached out and patted his arm before indicating to Vin she was now ready.

As Vin and Nettie passed through the door, Mary moved to stand beside the gunslinger. Looking at her and seeing overwhelming sadness for their friend, Chris put his arm around Mary and drew her close.

Swaying with the motion of the coach, Mary stifled a yawn and then laid her head back to try to rest. The coach ride yesterday had been a long somber affair. After a yet unexplained scene with JD as they were boarding the stage, Casey had spent the afternoon staring out at the passing scenery. She would only speak when Mary or Nettie pointedly asked her something and then only to answer their question. After each response, she would resolutely turn her face back away from them.

This wasn't like her. There was only person Mary knew who could be that uncommunicative and stubborn. And that person was Chris Larabee. Shaking off the comparison, Mary justified the young girl's behavior as being her way of handling grief. Maybe she just needs a little more time she had even told Nettie during one stop when Nettie mentioned how bizarre Casey was acting.

So it wasn't until the coach had stopped for the night that Nettie and Mary had a chance to talk. After eating, Mary went to look for Nettie and found her on the porch rocking slowly. Pulling up a chair and sitting down next to her friend, Mary waited for Nettie to indicate if she wanted to tell her about Nicholas.

Rocking in rhythm with her words, Nettie began slowly. "Nicholas was a late surprise for my husband and me. Had plum given up on havin' children. Thought I had passed the time when it was possible when one day I realized God had finally given us a child. Maybe things would have been different if his father had been around longer. Oh, don't get me wrong, he was a good boy. Looking back I don't know what happened."

"No, that isn't really true. Nicholas inherited his father's hatred of this land. The lifestyle required to make it out here. He couldn't wait to leave. I wanted him to stay of course. And he tried. I know he did. But that last year, he kept pulling further away from me. Last couple months were the worse. He would leave and be gone for days. Sometimes he would come home with lots of money. Other times none. I knew he was gambling. When I confronted him on it, he just shrugged his shoulders and said he only sat in on a game or two every now and then, but I knew different."

After pausing for a few minutes, Nettie took a deep breath. "After a couple trips of coming back empty handed, he seemed to have changed. Threw himself heart and soul into ranchin.' Thought he was goin' to make it too until Casey and I went to town one day and when I got back he was nowhere to be found. Worse, I discovered some of my mother's jewelry was missing. Three days later he came strollin' in like nothing ever happened. I'd made up my mind I couldn't live like this any longer and I told him so. Told him he had to make a choice. Casey and me or gambling. He couldn't have both. That's when he left."

Squeezing Mary's hand, Nettie blinked back the tears. "Casey didn't know about Nicholas "hobby." Least wise I don't think she did. She took his leavin' hard. Was afraid she was goin' to try to go with him for awhile. But she came back and we never really talked about Nicholas. Didn't want to stir up the hurt caused by his leavin."

"Guess that's why I reacted so strongly against that gambler man, Ezra Standish. Knew he had to be a gambler the day he just was layin' around in his fancy clothes moaning about the heat and dust while the others worked. Blamed his kind for taking my son away from me. Thought none of them thought of anyone but themselves and what they could get out of others. But then that con man saved my ranch. He made me question what I had come to believe. Slowly I had to face the facts that no one took Nicholas away. He chose to leave."

"Did you ever hear from him?" Mary gently asked.

"Once. Letter came around Christmas three years ago. Didn't really say much. Only that he was alive and happy. Said he had been down in Mexico for awhile but was coming back north in the spring. Promised to stop by for a visit the next time he was in the area. But he never came."

Nettie fell silent... still gently rocking... still gripping Mary's hand. The two sat there like that for the rest of the evening. It was late when Mary finally convinced Nettie that it was time for her to go to bed and rest for the coming trip.

It had been a short night for Mary too. Even after going to bed, she laid there a long time thinking about Casey, Nettie and Nicholas, as well as her own son, Billy. The morning had come too quickly. Like yesterday, Casey was still withdrawn and reserved. Mary was comforted, however, by a slight change in Nettie. Even though she looked tired, some of her old fire was beginning to once again shine through.

Relaxed by the swaying of the coach, Mary contemplated taking a short nap. They were still more than four hours from Dodge City. She was startled upright when a loud clap of thunder sounded outside of the carriage.

Raising the window flap so both could see outside, Nettie observed "Storm's brewing. Looks like it'll be a strong one from the ways those trees are bending over."

Mary realized that she had indeed slept for a while. The coach was no longer just gently swaying with the ride. Now it was also rocking in the wind. Rain began to fall and then pound on the top of the carriage and be driven it by the wind. Moving quickly, the women tried to tie down the flaps in a vain attempt to stay dry.

Feeling the rig pull to a stop, one of the doors suddenly opened. The coachman was standing outside of it fighting the wind for possession of it. Behind him in the dim light, the others could see the ground drop off into a deep canyon.

Yelling to be heard over the weather, the man explained why they had stopped. "Storm getting too strong to go through this next pass. Gonna wait here a little bit so it can blow over some."

As he began to push the door shut, Casey bolted upright. "Wind's pushin' us towards the edge!" she exclaimed as she moved instinctively to the other side of the cabin.

"Twister!" Nettie screamed as she was the first to spot the cyclone bearing straight for them.

Opening her eyes and looking into the darkness around her, the first thought to cross Mary's mind was a question. Why am I all wet? Rain. Its raining. Looking around her, she could barely see the rain moving, sheets of it being pushed by the wind.

Attempting to move, waves of pain radiated through her. Closing her eyes again, Mary moaned as she tried to shift to a more comfortable position. Memories of what had happened cascaded over her like the rain pouring down.

Wind causing the ride to sway more than usual. Rain being blown into the cab. Bright flash of lightening. Loud thunder. Smell of burnt wood. The sound of the horses neighing in fear. The feel of the coach lurching. Sliding. Tipping. Rolling. Screams. Yells. Snapping tree limbs. Cries of pain and fear. Moans. Mary's eyes popped open. Oh God...Nettie. Casey.

Ignoring the pain, Mary struggled to sit up. Using the flashes of lightening, Mary scanned the area for the others who had been on the coach with her. Spotting a form on the ground about 10 feet from her, Mary drug herself over to the body.

"Casey? Casey? Are you alright?"

As the young girl began to stir, Mary tore strips of cloth from her petticoat as she cautioned Casey against going too fast. "Easy. Your head's bleeding."

"Huh?" was the groggy response. "What happened?"

Flinching from Mary's efforts to wipe away the blood running down her face, Casey suddenly tensed and began to look around. "Aunt Nettie?"

Shaking her head, Mary said. "Haven't found her yet. Can you get up?" Watching the young girl rise until she was swaying unsteady but otherwise upright, she continued. "Help me up, and we'll find her."

Wrapping Mary's arm around her neck, Casey fought the pain throbbing in her head and the nausea that rose with each movement. Finally managing to get them both upright, the two women started towards the overturned stagecoach. They hadn't taken but a few steps when a bright flash of lightening illuminated the area, showing them the older women laying on the ground, her legs pinned under the coach.

"No!" Casey yelled as she released Mary and staggered over to her Aunt. Dropping to her knees beside her, Casey started to reach out to her only to stop and withdraw her hand. "Aunt Nettie." she whispered in fear and despair.

Having no choice but to ease herself onto the ground, Mary scooted over to the others. By the time she got there, Casey still could not bring herself to touch her aunt for fear of what she might find. It was Mary who finally confirmed "She's alive."

Mary knew the first thing she had to do was try to find some way to get Nettie warm. Straining to see as much as she could by the lightening flashes, Mary finally realized that if she could get Casey to help her, they might be able to use the luggage tarp from the coach to cover the older woman.

"Casey, I need you to help me" Mary spoke to the young girl still sitting beside her aunt as still as a statue. Receiving no response, Mary sharpened her voice. "Casey Wells snap out of it! I need your help now!"

Casey slowly raised her eyes to look at the widow. Hesitantly she nodded.

Watching her, Mary wasn't sure how much of Casey's behavior was due to shock and how much was because of the head injury. Either way, she knew the young girl was in as much danger as Nettie.

Speaking encouragingly, Mary relayed what she needed to do. "First come over here and help me up. Then I need you to climb onto that side of the stage and see if you can get that tarp loose. Don't worry about hurting Nettie. You don't weigh enough for that."

With a lot of prodding from Mary, Casey was finally able to pull herself upright and move as Mary had told her to do. Gritting her teeth to fight against the waves of stabbing pain radiating from her knee, Mary pulled herself beside the coach. Together, the two were successful in getting the already loosened tarp untied from the rig. Hauling the waterproof cover over the trapped woman's form, Mary hoped it would be enough to keep what little body warmth she had from escaping.

Shortly afterwards the rain mercifully stopped. However, it was still a long, miserable night for the already soaked women. At least for the one who was aware of it. Casey's condition steadily deteriorated until she finally slumped over unconscious. Mary shoved and pushed her still form until she too could be covered against the night air.

Nettie roused once for only a short time. During that brief time she didn't seem to know who Mary was and kept asking for her son Nicholas. Mary was afraid neither of them would make it through the night.

Mary would not allow herself to fall asleep. She was concerned that Nettie or Casey would wake up and need something. She was afraid of predators coming, drawn by the smell of the blood. And she was just plain miserable, soaking wet and covered in mud from having to drag herself around. Now, watching as the sun began to rise, Mary tried to take her mind off of the numbing cold that had settled into her body.

Looking down at the mud caked, torn dress, she smiled derisively into the dark as she remember the last time she had worn it. It had been the day after the seven had returned to Four Corners from saving the Seminole village. She had been wearing it while delivering papers when that lovable scoundrel Buck Wilmington had taken the papers from her saying it would have been shame to 'get ink on that pretty dress.' Well, Mr. Wilmington I don't believe you would think this dress was so pretty now.

At the time, she knew Buck had been innocently flirting with her. She wasn't interested in him. Another had caught her eye. So, she had taken the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the man striding down the boardwalk in front her.

And gotten a verbal slap in the face for her efforts.

She had been livid with him. At that point if he would of ridden out of town and she'd never seen him again, it would have been fine with her. Then... he saved Orrin in the saloon, protected him after he had been shot, and ultimately, facilitated the town's biggest step towards decency when he brought Lucas back to town for trial.

Since that time there had been some big ups and down in their relationship. He was the most dangerous man she knew, but he could also be one of the gentlest. The compassion he had shown to her and his friends in their darkest hours proved that. Oh, he put up a good front — trying to make others believe he didn't care for anyone or anything.

At first even I believed it. Maybe back then it was true. Not anymore. Chris Larabee is not the same man who barged into the Clarion and told me he was "the bad element."

So, Mr. Larabee, any time you would like to show up would be fine with me. Smiling at the thought, Mary corrected herself. But that isn't likely to happen for a while so I am just going to have to fend for myself until he does.

By now the sun was in full view and its warmth billowed down on Mary like a thick feather-down comforter. For the first time, Mary could fully see the magnitude of the disaster around her. She briefly wondered if the driver or coachman had made it. As neither were anywhere to be seen, it wasn't likely.

A glint of metal a short distance away caught her eye. Struggling to stand up right, Mary painfully hobbled over to see what was flashing in the sunlight. Nearing the spot, she recognized the stock of a shotgun. Carefully balancing herself on one leg, Mary bent over to retrieve the gun from the mud. Standing back upright and placing the butt of the gun on the ground as a cane, she carefully made her way back beside the injured women and eased herself back down. At least she now had some means of protecting them — that is if she ever got the mud out of the trigger mechanism.

Turning herself and looking up at the descent they had tumbled down the previous night, Mary was amazed any of them were still alive. Feeling an overwhelming sense of dread trying to consume her, Mary shifted closer to check first on Casey and then Nettie. Neither awakened when she touched them. Silently she whispered for them to hang on.

It was a somber group in the saloon. Wednesday evenings were pretty slow on average. Tonight was just plain dead. It seemed that others in the town sensed the mood of the local peace keepers and decided to stay home.

Each of the seven were there but none of them really felt in the mood for any type of festivities. Five were at one table, half-heartedly playing a game of poker. JD was leaning on the bar apparently in deep thought. Chris was nearby at his usual table in the corner slowly nursing a beer and covertly watching the activity around him.

JD, Josiah and Nathan had spent the day working on the church. Josiah said it helped to keep busy. Gave the mind something to focus on rather than just sitting around worrying about something you couldn't do anything about. Taking his advice Buck, Chris and Vin had ridden out in the morning to feed Nettie's stock and make sure no one had bothered her place. Once they were out there, they began to putter around doing odds and ends. Replacing a broken banister on the porch, fixing a hinge on the door, repairing the corral, cleaning and filing the horse's hooves. It at least made the day pass quicker.

The source of their mood was simple — Nettie and Casey Wells.

The news of her son's death had devastated the older woman. When Vin and Nettie had left the Clarion two days early, Vin had to practically carry the older woman to the buckboard. It scared him so much that after he had gotten her up on the bench seat, and he had spotted Nathan, he let out a yell for the healer to come. Filling him in on the events of the past hour, Vin wanted Nathan to get his horse and follow them out to the homestead. Nathan quickly agreed, but wanted to pick up something from the clinic first. As the healer moved to gather his medical supplies, Vin called to him to make sure he brought enough for Casey also.

JD didn't catch Casey before she made it to the horse and had to ride like a bat out of hell to catch her. The only reason he did was that Casey hadn't been on her horse. For that, JD was thankful. This one wasn't as fast. Still it had taken awhile to catch her. When he did, she screamed at him to leave her alone. But JD knew that wasn't a good idea. Finally he pulled her from the horse. Although she fought him at first, Casey didn't have the strength to continue. Collapsing in his arms she sobbed uncontrollably.

When she was spent, JD sat for hours silently listening to her talk about her cousin and how he had been the one who helped her the most to get over the deaths of her parents. It had been Nicholas who taught her to ride, rope and throw a knife. He had been the one to first break through her walls and make her laugh. It was he who helped her survive in her darkest hours.

It wasn't a happy day when he left. He and his mother had been arguing for what seemed like forever. He had finally stormed out of the house swearing never to return. Casey had run after him and only returned home after extracting a promise that he would keep in touch with her. They even agreed on a "pen name" for him so that Nettie wouldn't find out. Every time a letter came, Casey would cross her fingers and hope Nettie didn't ask too many questions about the "friend" who lived with a traveling salesman father and who would periodically write to Casey about their travels.

This had been going on for five years. Casey had finally convinced him to come home for Nettie's birthday. She only did it after one night she had caught her aunt sitting on the porch with a tear in her eye and a picture of Nicholas in her hand. Nettie tried to hide it so Casey pretended she didn't see the picture or the aching sorrow on her aunt's face. Instead, Casey started to make plans and conjure arguments for Nick to come back. Finally, he had agreed after she said that he didn't have to stay at the homestead. He could stay anywhere he wanted just as long as he came.

Now, he was dead and she would not get to see if Aunt Nettie and Nick could work things out. Worse, she would never see him again.

It was late afternoon by the time JD rode up to the Well's house with Casey riding behind him, head on his shoulder blade, arms wrapped around his midsection, emotionally and physically spent. Vin and Nathan had waited for them at the house. While JD eased Casey into Vin's waiting arms, Nathan headed in the house to brew some tea to help Casey sleep.

The sun was beginning to slip behind the horizon before the three made it back to town. JD didn't tell the others most of what Casey had said. Matter of fact, JD hadn't said much of anything since he returned. Several times the others had caught him contemplating something with a deep frown on his face.

When Nettie and Casey had arrived in town to get on the stagecoach, all of the men where there to offer their condolences and to see the ladies off on their journey. Buck, Josiah and Ezra, who had been out of town when the telegram had arrived and only returned earlier in the day, were especially astonished by the change in Nettie and the taunt, withdrawn demeanor of the young girl who had become like a sister to them.

JD had pulled Casey aside and briefly spoke with her in a hushed tones. Although they could not hear what was said, JD appeared very adamant. Casey on the other hand just stood there looking at the ground. Finally Casey walked away from him. JD threw his hands up in the air in frustration but did catch her in time to help her into the stagecoach and doff his hat in deference to the older women.

JD stood a long time staring down the road even after the rig had disappeared. Watching him, Chris had wondered what had transpired between JD and Casey to effect the young sheriff so much. But gauging by the young man's stance in the street, Chris surmised he wasn't ready to talk about it yet.

Several times Buck had tried to get out of him what was bothering him but to no avail. JD would just give a half-hearted smile and say he was "just thinking" before switching the subject or walking away.

Now it was Wednesday evening and JD was standing at the bar by himself, still acting withdrawn and preoccupied by something. Several times Chris had caught Buck looking at the young friend with a worried look on his face. Chris knew that Buck was contemplating whether or not he should go get JD and make him tell him what was wrong. Each time, Chris would catch Buck's eye and silently shake his head "no."

If they just bided their time a little bit longer, JD would come to them. Chris knew he was close to that point. Several times during the past hour, Chris had caught the trouble youth staring at him and then back at the bar. Finally, JD stood up, swallowed the last of the whiskey he had been playing with all night, and walked over to Chris' table.

Looking up at his young "brother," Chris nodded a welcome to him and silently invited him to take the chair across from him. Chris pretended he didn't notice the fact that JD couldn't quite look him in the eye. To give JD a little time to get comfortable, Chris swallowed another swig of beer before speaking.

"Something on your mind JD?"

Tracing circles on the table with his fingertip, JD still wouldn't look at Chris directly. "Just something Casey said to me on Monday."

"Which was?"

Taking a deep breath, JD finally raised troubled eyes to Chris. "After I caught her, Casey talked about her cousin and the other people she had lost in her life — her ma, pa, Nettie's husband. She was so sad and said that you were right not to let anyone close to you and that she was going to do that too. Said the short amount of happiness you get ain't worth the pain when you loose `em. What I want to know is, if your both right, then what's the point of living if you have to go through life never letting anybody get too close lest you get hurt?"

Ah hell Chris thought as JD was speaking. Keeping as stone faced as he could, Chris looked deep into the anxious eyes of JD and then at Buck and Vin who were facing him at the other table. Chris knew all of them had heard what had been said by the expressions on their faces and the frozen postures of the other three — all waiting for Chris' answer.

Taking another long drink of his beer — wishing it was something stronger — Chris contemplated how he should answer. For over three years, Chris had believed as Casey said. But then that slowly changed. Chris didn't know when it happened. One day he turned around and found he again wanted — no needed — people around him; people who cared whether he lived or died; people who in turn he could cared about. Without them, JD was right -- there wasn't any point in being. You don't live keeping everyone at bay. You merely exist.

Clearing his throat, Chris pursed his lips tightly. "As long as she really knows what she's giving up when she does it."

Before Chris could expand further on his comment, the telegraph operator came rushing into the saloon, shirt tales flapping and only one suspender strap over his shoulder. Stopping only long enough to locate the lawmen, he hurried to Chris' table.

"Mr. Larabee. Urgent telegram come for the sheriff but thought you better see it right away." he said as he thrust the yellow sheet in front of him.

It was almost midnight so Chris knew when he took it, it wasn't going to be good news. But this...

"What is it Chris?" Buck asked after seeing the color drain from the gunslinger's face.

"Stagecoach's missing. Didn't make it into Dodge City. Horses came runnin' in harnessed and dragging a broken hitch."

Shock ran through each of the men sitting down. JD was the only one close enough to see the flash of fear in Chris' eyes when he spoke. That scared him almost as much as the words that had just been spoken.

"So... what happened to it?" JD stuttered, breaking the silence that had descended.

"Doesn't say."

"But they'll look for it, right?" JD looked at the grim faces around him.

"Rough country up there. It'll take them several days to check every place a stagecoach could be" Josiah observed.

"If we head out, we could be at Rock Station by dawn" Vin quietly interjected.

Exchanging glances with each of the men, Chris took a silent poll. The six watched their leader, waiting for the results. They got their answer in two words. "Let's ride."

Moving quickly, the seven headed to gather their respective gear and horses. As Chris threw his saddle on the back of the black, he tried to ignore the bitting fear that threatened to grip at his soul. While packing and on the way over to the livery, several potential explanations for why the stagecoach was missing came to mind. None of them were good.

After riding for several hours, the fear had still not eased. From the tension running through the group, Chris knew he wasn't the only one feeling it. Pulling to a halt in a clearing at the foot of the hills, Chris watched the clouds drift across the moon as he waited for the others to come up beside him. Be a full moon tomorrow night he thought.

Sensing the others looking at him, he shook himself out of his referee. "Let's stop here for awhile and rest up before we start climbing." the gunslinger suggested.

Six of the seven readily dismounted, but the last one was more hesitant.

"You forget how to get off that horse JD?" Buck taunted the still mounted rider.

Not getting an immediate reply, Buck swaggered over to JD and reached for his boot. "Here... you take this leg..."

"Leave me alone Buck!" JD snarled to the older man.

Taken back by the viciousness of JD's response, Buck stepped back a few paces and raised his hands in the air. "Okay now. No cause to get so riled."

Jumping off of his horse, JD stuck his face into Buck's. "Just leave me alone." he reiterated before stomping off away from the others.

Watching JD move away from them, Josiah moved to stand beside a confused Buck.

Reaching into his saddlebag, Chris pulled out a bottle of whiskey. Uncapping it while watching JD pace around the area away from the group, he took a long drink.

Leaning forward to take the bottle offered to him, Vin softly spoke to the gunslinger. "JD keeps going like that and he won't have to ride anymore tonight. He'll have walked his way to Rock Station." Taking a swig, Vin passed it to Nathan.

Sipping the alcohol as he moved, Nathan pointed to JD with it before handing it to Ezra. "You been ridin' next to him. He say anything to you on the way out?"

Pulling his coat closer to keep out the cold night air, Ezra shook his head as he received the bottle. Swallowing some of it, he answered the question posed to him. "No my good sir. He has not. Furthermore, every time I tried to engage him in some conversation to pass the time, he rebuffed my attempts."

Taking the bottle from Ezra, Josiah downed a large drink. "The boy's just worried. Give him a little space and he'll be okay." he offered as he too passed the bottle on.

Taking it, Buck shook his head. "Not sure about that Josiah. Been acting strange ever since that telegram about Nettie's boy came in. Don't suppose he believes that stuff he said Casey said and decided to act like Chris for the rest of his life do ya?"

"Lord give us strength if he has."

About that time, the object of the discussion turned on his heal and marched back towards the group. Nearing them, he grabbed the bottle from Buck and guzzled it. Finally stopping, he stomped over to Chris and thrust it out to him. "Are you ready to go yet or are you guys going to waste more time standing around here drinking?"

JD had not even finished speaking before Buck and Vin scrambled to get between him and Chris. Pulling the young man back a step, Buck could tell JD was coiled like a rattlesnake waiting to launch an attack. Placing one hand on JD's arm and one on Chris' chest, Vin tried to contain the pressure straining to explode from each of them.

"Easy there JD. Chris. We'll still got plenty of time to get to the station before dawn."

"Seems to me we're already out of time." JD retorted. Trying to shrug the restraining hands off of him. "None of this would of been necessary if we would of just taken Nettie and Casey to Dodge City ourselves. Now, their lying out there with Mrs. Travis... hurt... probably dead and you're" jabbing a finger at Chris, "just standing around..."

Chris' voice cut through JD's tirade. "That's enough." Each word was as cold and jagged as chipped ice.

Fearing that JD had pushed the man too far, Ezra, Josiah and Nathan positioned themselves to jump on Chris to restrain him if necessary. It was Buck, however, who laid into JD.

Spinning him around, the big man shook the boy several times to get his attention. Anger, derision, and disappointment dripped from his voice as he spoke. "Now you hold on. Chris ain't to blame for none of this. We been ridin' all night and them horses needed to rest some before we started climbing up the side of that mountain."

JD tried to interrupt. "But if we would have..."

Buck raised his voice to drown him out. "If you remember Sheriff, Josiah, Ezra and I were out of town at that trial in Durango. You, Chris, Vin and Nathan had to stay in town to protect the gold shipment comin' through. No one knew we were goin' make it back two days early. Sides, from what I hear tell, Nettie wasn't plannin' on waitin' for anyone to go with her. It was Mary who made her at least see the sense of takin' the stage."

Feeling the tension drain from the sheriff, Buck eased his grip and stooped down to look closer into the face before him. Seeing the fight had gone from JD's face, Buck looked up and over at his old friend. Softening his voice into a more conjoling tone, he continued to speak to JD, but was sending a silent message to Chris. "Now, you best start thinkin' and stop talkin' out your feet before Chris here forgets you're his favorite sheriff."

Chris met Buck's eyes. Buck was silently asking him for old time sake to let JD off the hook. Chris could hear Buck's voice in his head "come on old buddy, he was just blowin' off steam... didn't really mean it... only worryin' about that little girl he's so crazy about... You know what he's goin' through bein' that Mary's out there too..."

Yes, he did know what JD was going through. It's not like JD didn't say anything you hadn't already said to yourself. Chris let out the breath he had been holding. With it, Vin relaxed and let his hand drop from his chest. Josiah, Ezra, and Nathan all sighed in relief and took two steps back each.

Nodding once to Buck and Vin to confirm for them it was okay to step back, Chris looked long and hard at JD. After several minutes, he silently stooped over, picked up the bottle dropped during the confrontation and walked away. Moving over to the black, he jammed the whiskey into his saddlebag before draping his arm over the saddle and looking into the night.

Watching him, Vin glanced at the three who had earlier positioned themselves behind Chris and raised an eyebrow. Sauntering over to stand beside him, Vin reached up to scratch the black's nose while giving its owner an appraising look.

"Thought for a little bit you were goin' go after him."

Signing and running a hand over his face, Chris glanced sideways at the tracker. "Was going to for a minute."

"What stopped ya?"

"Saw something in JD that I wasn't expecting."

"Which was?"

"Myself."

A small smile crept onto Vin's face as he moved back towards the others.

Dozing slightly, Mary was startled awake by the sound of snapping branches, crushed leaves, and scraping noises. Something was coming. Scared, she grabbed the gun lying beside her and aimed it in the direction of the approaching menace.

It had been a frustrating day for the seven. Since leaving Rock Station early in the morning, the riders had no choice but to go slow, making frequent stops to check every canyon, gully, brush pile, and stand of trees. The mud from the previous night's rain didn't help any either. As the day wore on though, thankfully that at least had for the most part dried up.

Taking the opportunity while Buck and Ezra looked into the latest canyon, Chris stood up in the stirrups to stretch his legs. His thighs and back screamed at him for being in the saddle for so long. Settling back down, he reached back to make sure he hadn't inadvertently shifted any of the supplies tied on the back. Vin, watching Chris' movements, took his own hat off and ran his hands through his hair before speaking.

"Quite a storm went through here last night." the tracker said as he pointed to the trees twisted and stripped of their leaves as well as the large oak that had been split in two and partially burned by a bolt of lightening. "By the looks of it, may have even been a twister."

"Yeah, I thought that too." the gunslinger quietly said so that JD couldn't hear. No sense in causing the boy anymore worry.

"Won't be able to keep goin' too much longer. Only a half hour or so of daylight left."

Frowning, Chris reset his own hat. "Want to keep at it til the last moment. They already been out here too long without any supplies."

Walking to the edge of the canyon, Buck and Ezra cautiously peered over. They could see trees interspersed with rocks and scrub brush that had managed to grow on the steep walls.

Separating and moving in opposite directions, the men searched for any sign of footprints or other indication the stagecoach had gone over the side. Spotting an unusual track in the dried mud, Buck called for Vin to come take a look.

"What do you make of that" he queried as Vin and Chris neared him.

Kneeling down, Vin ran a hand over the deep gouges running parallel to the rim. "Looks like a board or something been drug through here."

"But how? There aren't any footprints."

Standing up, Vin shook his head hoping his gut wasn't correct. His thoughts were interrupted by a call from Ezra.

"There!"

Spinning to locate the gambler, the others saw him standing 300 feet away, pointing down into the canyon. Scrambling to see what he has seen, the men followed his gaze and his aim.

"In the trees. A wheel."

"Damn" was all they heard before Chris started down the slope. Fast on his heels were Vin, JD and Nathan.

Moving to gather the horses' reins, Buck and Ezra quickly mounted and headed with Josiah further down the trail, looking for a way to get the horses into the canyon.

Descending at a dangerous speed, the four jumped rocks, skidded on loose gravel and mud, and tore through brush that threatened to trip them at any moment. It would have taken a cautious man at least fifteen minutes to make the descent. It took Chris and the others less than five.

Finally reaching flat land, the men began to run in the direction they had seen the wheel. Coming around a tall clump of brush, the men slid to an abrupt halt as they were facing a sawed-off, double-aught coachman's gun.

"Whoa there Mary. It's us." Chris called to the blonde woman.

Dropping her arms, Mary closed her eyes in relief. Finally, someone had found them.

Coming closer, the men could see Mary and Casey lying near her. They didn't see Nettie however, until they were almost upon the women.

"Sweet Jesus" Vin breathed before running to the older woman's side.

Chris moved to Mary. Moving the shotgun out of the way and wrapping his arms around her waist, he gently slid both of them backwards to give Nathan room to get to Nettie.

When there was room, Nathan moved in and quickly felt for a pulse on Nettie's neck. After what seemed like an eternity to Vin, he looked up. "She's alive. But won't be for long if we don't get this off her." Raising his head, Nathan gave Mary an appraising look.

Resting against Chris, Mary gave the healer a small smile. "I'm okay. Just my leg. It's Nettie and Casey who need your attention. They have both been slipping in and out of consciousness and delirious. Casey loss a lot of blood before I could get her head to stop bleeding."

Watching Nathan move JD out of the way so he could check on the young girl, Mary allowed herself a brief moment to relish the feel of Chris' arms wrapped around her -- partly for warmth, mostly for comfort. Leaning her head back against his shoulder she closed her eyes.

Exploring the face of the woman he held, Chris could see the pain, fatigue and stress from the past several days etched into her features. Concerned and still not convinced she wasn't hiding some injury from them, Chris tightened his grip on her. Opening her eyes, Mary looked up at the taunt face of the man above her to reassure him she was okay.

Nathan eased the bandage from Casey head to see how deep the wound was. Looking at it, he sucked in a deep breath between his teeth. Opening her eyelids to check her pupils, Nathan looked up to give Chris a long look.

"She's going to be alright isn't she Nathan?" JD spoke in a tight voice.

Turning his eyes to JD, Nathan was about to answer when he was given a reprieve by the approaching riders. When he did speak, he never really answered the question posed to him. "Let's get some water into her and get her warm and see what happens."

Bringing the horses to a halt, Josiah, Buck and Ezra jumped off the mounts and quickly began to pull the extra blankets and canteens off the saddles. Gathering the supplies from the others, Buck moved to give them to each of the men. Ezra went to gather wood for the fire while Josiah began to set up camp before the last rays of the sun disappeared.

Moving Mary forward slightly, Chris wrapped a blanket around her so he could help the others set up camp. Before leaving though, he uncapped the canteen and helped her hold it as she drank deeply, relishing the cool wetness as it went down her throat.

Just as the sun was setting, Ezra came back into view carrying an armload of wood and two valises. When Chris stepped forward to take part of it, Ezra took the opportunity to update him on their gruesome findings earlier.

"Found the coachman up the hills a ways. Poor soul didn't stand a chance. Stage rolled straight over him. We found the driver on the road on the way down here with the horses. He appeared to have broken his neck while being drug."

Nearing the others, Ezra changed his tone and mannerism. Strolling over to Mary, he gallantly bowed. "My lady. Would one of these two items perchance belong to you?"

"Why yes it is sir. Thank you." Mary responded to the con man. Rewarding him with a big smile, Mary reached for the suitcase in his left hand.

Sobering, Mary identified the other bag. "That one belongs to Casey."

"So how are we going to get the stagecoach off of Nettie" Vin asked to no one in particular.

"Don't know that we should" Nathan proposed.

"But you said she'd die if we didn't get it off. Why wouldn't we?" Vin shot back.

"It's not that simple Vin. Iffin Nettie is bleedin' inside, the weight may be the only thing stopping it. If that's happenin' and we take it off, she'll bleed to death in a few minutes."

"So your saying she'll die either way." the tracker despondently stated.

"What I'm sayin is we need to wait til mornin' and see if Nettie will be able to tell me what I'm needin' to know... and what she wants to do."

Interrupting the men to hand them cups of coffee, Josiah proposed an answer to Vin's original question. "Could get a couple trees and use them as levers. That, combined with some good old fashion sweat, should get it up enough to pull her out."

Buck, who had just returned from the woods with some freshly killed rabbits, moved to join the group conversing. After accepting a cup of warm coffee, he glanced over his shoulder at JD who had not moved from Casey's side other than to retrieve more water to ease down her throat. "And Casey?"

"Got a nasty wound." Nathan acknowledged uneasily. "Never know what'll happen with a head cut that deep." Turning his gaze to JD, he continued in a hushed voice "Gonna have to do something with JD there or we gonna have another one to carry out of here after he worries his self sick."

"Perhaps I should do that" the con man volunteered. "That way, Mr. Wilmington can take his place. Mr. Dunne might feel better about leaving her if he knew she was left in his care."

Rising together, Ezra and Buck moved to JD.

"Mr. Dunne, I wonder if I could impose on you to assist me in acquiring some more firewood. It is going to be a brisk night and I do believe our injured friends would appreciate the extra warmth."

Looking up at Ezra, JD appeared to be ready to tell him no when Buck interrupted him.

"Now, you go on and help Ezra. Why, without you, he may just get lost out there and never make it back with the wood. I'll stay with this little girl and make sure nothin' happens to her."

Glaring at Buck, Ezra mockingly echoed the words just spoken. "Indeed, it would be most unfortunate if everyone should freeze to death because I was wondering lost with an armful of firewood."

Struggling with himself, trying to decide what he should do, JD looked from Casey to the faces of the two friends watching him. Ezra and Buck knew they had convinced him when he gave one curt nod and rose. Waiting til Buck took his place, JD finally turned and followed Ezra into the darkness.

Well that's one down Chris thought as he watched the retreating backs of the two moving into the woods. Turning his eyes to Vin, he saw the next one who needed to be diverted. Dumping the rest of his coffee, Chris called for the tracker.

"Vin, come help me unsaddle the horses while Josiah gets busy cooking these rabbits. Buck'll keep an eye on Nettie too. That'll give Nathan time to check over Mary."

Vin raised despondent eyes up to his friend. After a long look to let him know that he knew what Chris was really up to, Vin consented to go.

As they moved away, they could hear Nathan talking to Mary. "Now, lets take a look at that leg you said was hurtin."

Realizing that JD was no longer following him, Ezra stopped and backtracked. He didn't have to go very far before he almost literally stumbled over the young sheriff sitting on a log in the shadows.

"Mr. Dunne, in the future, it would be prudent to announce your intention to take a break so that others may partake in it also" Ezra drawled as he dropped the wood he was carrying and placed himself on a stump across from JD.

"Maybe Chris is right. This would sure be easier if I didn't care about Casey, Mrs. Wells, and Mrs. Travis." JD blurted out to the gambler dejectedly.

Ezra wished he knew how to ease the load JD was carrying. But in all of the years of training he received from his mother, compassion and kindness somehow never seemed to be in the curriculum. What little Ezra had gained had been self taught by watching others — mainly the people of Four Corners who now occupied a place in his life. And none of that had prepared him for this type of situation.

Sighing, the only the thing Ezra could do was to relay a hard truth to his young brother. "Unfortunately, my dear boy, being the type of person that you are, this 'situation' would not be any easier for you if the people back there were complete strangers."

"What do you mean 'being the type of person that I am'?"

"The decent, caring kind."

Heaving the saddle from his horse, Chris glanced again at his best friend. Chris felt the pain Vin was feeling. It radiated out of him. Vin knew as well as Chris that it was a miracle Nettie was still alive. And if she, by the grace of God, made it through the night, there was still a good chance that she would die tomorrow from internal bleeding.

Dropping his saddle on the ground, Chris pulled the blanket off and began to rub down the big black with it while covertly watching the emotions playing across Vin's face in the moonlight. "You okay?" he finally asked the tracker.

Startled, Vin glanced quickly up over the back of his horse. "Yeah. Just thinking about Nettie and how hard it will be to bury that old woman." Pausing a moment, Vin diverted attention away from himself. "Also don't know what Casey will do if Nettie don't make it through this. She took her cousin's death hard enough. Don't need to be losin' anyone else so soon."

"Casey will be alright. Just needs a little time. We'll make sure someone looks after her if we have to. Besides, it ain't come to that yet. Nettie's like us. She's not going out without a fight."

Smiling at the thought, Vin moved to the next horse. He was grateful for the support and reassurance. It helped to know that Chris didn't see the situation to be as helpless as it felt to Vin. He just hoped he was right.

As the others finished up their supper, Nathan finished wrapping the binding around Mary's leg. "That's not too tight now is it?" he asked as he tied the last knot.

"No its fine" she assured him.

Sitting back, he began to gather up the rest of the his medical supplies. "That should let you rest easier. Keep the swellin' down. Do you need something for the pain?"

"No, its tolerable. What I'd really like is to change my clothes. I'm not sure what's worse — the mud on the outside of my dress or the mud inside of it."

"That could be arranged don't you think Chris?" Nathan said to the gunslinger who moved back over by the doctor for a report on Mary. "Even got some warm water left and I'll lend you my basin if you want." the healer offered.

Nodding once in assent, Chris crouched beside the two. "How is she?"

"Legs been twisted pretty bad. Be best if she stayed off of it. Other than that just some cuts and bruises."

"Get what you need together and I'll find for a place for you." the gunslinger said as he moved away from Mary not waiting for a response.

Finding a secluded spot not too far from camp yet far enough to offer her some privacy, Chris set down the basin of water and headed back for Mary.

As he kneeled beside her to pick her up, she momentarily stopped him. "If you help me, I'm sure I can walk."

"No." was the only reply as he lifted her and strode easily into the darkness. Returning to the spot he had chosen, Chris set Mary on a rock formation and made sure she had what she needed within reach before moving away.

Picking a spot within earshot of her, Chris sat down and lit a cheroot. A wave of fatigue washed over him. He realized he had been waiting for something else to go wrong. Surely Mary couldn't have escaped more serious injuries, not with Nettie and Casey fighting for their lives. It wasn't until he had heard definitively from Nathan that Mary was okay that he accepted that this was the case. Now, Chris was angry at himself for feeling relieved. It wasn't right that he was glad that it was Nettie and Casey instead of Mary. It shouldn't matter.

But it did.

Oh, he was still worried about the other two and about how their lose would affect the others. The Wells had become as much a part of their "family" as the Travises had. But to each of them, differently.

For all of them, Nettie was the maternal figure. When she walked into the room, these "hardened" peacekeepers automatically sat up straighter. Each ran a mental check to see if their hair was too long or if their shirt was too dirty. More than once, Chris had found himself unconsciously straightening his clothes. She was the one you watched your language around. Chris noticed that all of them said "ma'am," "thank you," and "please" more when she was in the vicinity.

For Vin, however, the feelings were even more intensified. He had missed all of these experiences when he was little. So each time Nettie would chide him maternally about something, Chris suspected he relished the experience a little bit more.

To all but JD, Casey was the little sister of the group. She tried so hard to be one of the boys and she would get so mad at them when they wouldn't go along with this plan. Over time, even Ezra had begun to be protective of the little spitfire.

To JD, well... Casey wasn't exactly a "sister." She was more like a huge thorn in his side. Buck had called him a love sick calf. From what Chris had seen of the two, it was an appropriate description for both of them. He just hoped they didn't kill each other before they figured it out.

None of them thought of Mary as being maternal or a sister. As Buck called her at one point, she is a force to be reckoned with. She could be infuriating, intimidating, and stubborn as hell. As much as Chris hated to say it, her means weren't always the best in the world, but her goals were always — as Josiah would say — righteous. She had become a staunch defender of the seven to the town. And they in turn of her.

But for Chris, there was more, even if he had trouble admitting it to himself. But at times like this, when he was forced to examine it, it was a kick in the stomach. He never intended it to happen. All he knew was that from the first time he saw her, trying to hold off the men going to lynch Nathan, her image had been burned into his mind. Even Sarah hadn't affected him that quickly.

Since then, his attraction to her had only grown stronger until at times it threatened to consume him. An energy radiated off of her that seemed to feed into his very soul. He always felt more alive around her. She was something he couldn't get enough of.

Turning his head slightly, he concentrated on the sounds around him until he could distinguish the rustle of her movements from the wind. Closing his eyes, he just listened.

Rinsing the rag once again, Mary didn't think she would ever get all of the mud off of her. Working on a particularly difficult spot on her neck, she turned her head and caught the scent of Chris' cigar on the breeze moving gently through the trees. A smile crossed her face.

At first she had been mad at him for the way he had unceremoniously ignored her request to walk out here. She could have done just fine. But no. Mr. Christopher Larabee decided she shouldn't do that. So, he promptly embarrassed the life out of her by grandly sweeping her up and carrying her out of camp in front of the others.

Not that she really minded being carried in his arms. Well, she wouldn't have minded if she hadn't been afraid of him realizing the effect his touch had on her. Every part of her in contact with him tingled. There was a electricity that seemed to be generated from their combined touch. It didn't matter if it was a hand on the lower back or being held in his arms. Anywhere they contacted, Mary felt it.

But this time, it threatened to overwhelm her. It had taken a conscious effort on her part to keep her breathing normal so that he wouldn't know the effect his nearness was having. She had been so focused on that, she had even forgot to be angry with him.

Christopher Larabee — an enigma she just couldn't quite figure out. One moment pushing her away, the next drawing her to him with a look, a touch, an action.

Pulling on a clean dress, Mary managed to stand up to adjust it. Damn. She had forgotten this dress buttoned up the back. Well that explains why I haven't worn it since Stephen's death. Reaching back and contorting her body, Mary strained to reach the closures in the middle of her back while continuing to think about the man who crept into her thoughts when she least expected it.

"Need some help?"

Chris' voice sent tremors through Mary. She had been so busy thinking about all the things she would like to do to him, definitely 'unlady' like sorts of things, that he had managed to sneak up on her.

"I'm just having problems getting the last of these buttons closed." she guilty said. Trying to control her emotions, she babbled on "I'd forgotten what a pain this dress was or I wouldn't have brought it. As it is, it was the only one dry."

"Turn around." Chris softly suggested.

Not knowing how to get out of it, Mary turned and swept her hair to one side, steeling herself for the feel of his touch on her back. It was worse than normal, threatening to make her knees collapse.

Finishing the last button, Chris fought the urge to slide his hands down her lean body. He knew she was holding her breath as it was. I don't think I'm the only one fighting urges here.

Dropping his hands, Chris took a half step back from her. Mary turned to thank him but was stopped by the desire flashing across his face in the moonlight. Raising smoldering eyes to him, Mary knew for the first time that he felt the chemistry between them as much as she did.

Reading the unspoken message on her face, it was Chris' turn to not be able to breath. Reaching up, he softly caressed her check with his calloused finger until it stopped below her chin. Raising her face, Chris leaned closer to capture the lips he had so long to feel under his.

At first it was a tentative kiss. Each asking the other if it was right. Then when neither cared any longer if it was right or wrong, it changed, deepened, each exploring and pleasing the other. When it ended, both were out of air — from lack of breathing and from their jumbled emotions.

Pulling back, Chris watched Mary try to contain the passion his touch had exploded, knowing she could see the same mirrored on his face. Before either could say anything, they heard someone approach.

Tensing, Chris turned towards the sound, placing himself between Mary and the approaching party. In the dim light, Chris made out the form of Josiah picking his way towards the couple.

"Chris, ma'am." the preacher nodded as he approached. "Sorry to interrupt but Nettie's awake and asking for Mary."

Turning back towards Mary, Chris saw she had collected herself and was already gathering up her belongings. Handing the basin containing Mary's discarded clothes to the preacher, Chris scooped up Mary and hurried back to camp. Easing her down by the older woman, Chris caught Nathan's and Vin's eye and indicated with his head they should move back. After squeezing Mary's shoulder encouragingly, he followed.

Looking down at the face of her friend, Mary softly called her name as she took Nettie's hand. When she slowly opened her eyes, Mary gave her an encouraging smile. Squeezing Mary's hand, Nettie began speaking.

"Mr. Jackson and Mr. Tanner have explained the situation to me. Said there was a good chance I'm going to die no matter what they do. "

Mary started to offer some encouragement when Nettie stopped her.

"No, let me finish. Not sure how long I can stay awake. I already talked to them others about what to do with my place. They'll keep an eye on it til Casey is old enough to care for it by herself or she pins down that young sheriff she's got her eye on." Mary shared a smile with Nettie at the obvious reference to JD before the older woman again sobered and continued. "But, with things being the way they are, I need you to promise me two things."

"First, I want you to take care of Casey. Now, she's gettin' old enough to be a handful. Not many are strong enough to handle her but you can. Help her to understand that dyin' is a part of livin' and it ain't for us to question when or how it comes about. Don't let her go on like she has been the past couple days. It ain't good for the soul."

A whispy look came over Nettie's face. "When she gets old enough, I been savin' my weddin' gown for her. It's in the chest in the back bedroom. I didn't carry her in my body but that don't make her any less my daughter. Let her know I'll be smilin' and dancin' at her wedding even if she can't see me. Will you do that for me?"

A knot of emotion grabbed Mary's throat so she nodded her agreement before huskily asking "And the second?"

"Bring your Billy home before its too late. Before you're the one grieving over the years you lost. Bring him home before one day you receive a telegram saying he's lost from you forever."

It took Mary several attempts before she could answer. Finally she managed a whispered "I promise."

Nettie relaxed and again squeezed Mary's hand. "Thank you. Knowing you'll take care of things makes it easier for me."

"You rest Nettie. Everything will be alright." Mary encouraged the older woman as she brushed her hair away from her forehead.

Behind the two women, the seven felt they had intruded on a a very private moment and were now conspicuously finding anywhere to look but at each other. It's not that they had wanted to overhear the conversation between the two. They just couldn't avoid it given their close proximity. Now, each was afraid to look at the other lest they see the tears in their eyes.

So intent on looking at other things — the fire, a boot, the ground — that they failed to see that Casey had awakened and was inching her way towards her aunt until they heard Mary speaking to her.

"Casey, honey, you shouldn't be moving around."

Snapping their heads up at Mary's words, the others could see that the young girl had pulled herself around the fire and was now beside the other women. Maneuvering herself around, Casey raise her aunt's arm, laid her head on the older woman's shoulder and curled up beside her forcing Mary to move herself back to give her room. With Mary's help, Nettie covered the young girl with the blanket she had been using before wrapping her arm around the girl and closing her eyes.

One hand still on the youngster, Mary turned tear filled eyes to look at the others.

Several hours later, Mary was still there. Nettie and Casey had quickly fallen asleep after their respective exertions. Mary had not. Too many emotions were still raging within her. But now, even she had started to nod off, her head falling periodically onto her chest. Behind her, her empty blankets covered soft pine needles.

Sitting next to Mary's waiting covers, Chris flexed his shoulder trying to ease the burning ache in his back. He had almost finished stripping the sapling he had been working on. Laying the lever down, he glanced at the others spread around the fire.

To his left, Josiah and Buck were having a contest to see who could snore the loudest. Next to them, Ezra had finished the tree he had been working on and was now also curled up against the night air, fast asleep. Across the fire, Nathan had been dozing lightly, not wanting to fully go to sleep until he was sure his patients were settled in.

Bunking between Nathan and JD, Vin was leaning on his saddle, legs stretched out in front of him, arms crossed, staring intently into the fire. If it wouldn't be for the occasional haunting glance he would throw towards the women, Chris thought it could of been any of a dozen other nights they had spent on the trail.

Closest to Casey's now empty bed, JD was sitting in front of his saddle, legs crossed in front of him, the picture of absolute misery. Frowning at the sight, Chris thought that he should really go talk to him. Beside an occasional comment when necessary, the two men had not spoken since the confrontation the previous evening.

Distracted by movement in his peripheral vision, Chris watched Mary ease herself back onto her bed. Lying down, she rolled over facing Chris so her sprained leg would not be beneath her. Reaching over to straighten the blanket over her, Chris asked her quietly if she was warm enough. Nodding yes, Mary closed her eyes, finally giving into the sleep that had been tugging at her.

Across the fire, Vin covertly watched the interplay between Chris and Mary. Once again, Vin wondered if Chris was even aware of the way he was treating Mary — with gentle touch of a partner, lover, or spouse. Had the relationship progressed more than any of them even realized? Vin wondered.

Averting his eyes back towards the fire, Chris spotted Vin watching him. Locking eyes, the tracker hid his previous thoughts and cocked his head toward JD. A silent communication passed between the two older men.

Standing up, Chris picked up the sapling to take it over by the coach. Pausing to make sure Casey and Nettie were still asleep, he moved around the two women until he was beside JD. Crouching down, he gave the younger man an appraising look while deciding how to approach him. It bothered him to see him like this.

"JD. Best get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day" he finally murmured.

Vin smiled at the gentle, soothing tone of voice the gunslinger had used. He had only heard Chris use it with one other person — Billy.

Nodding to acknowledge his hero, JD sought some type of reassurance. "What's going to happen tomorrow?"

"We're gonna get that thing off of Nettie. Then we're going to take them to Dodge City."

"All of them?" JD asked mournfully.

Locking eyes with Vin, Chris knew what JD was really asking. He wanted him to say Nettie was going to live — for some guarantee that moving the stagecoach off of her was the right thing to do. Oh, Chris could give him some empty reassurances, some placation. But he owed JD more. Hell, Vin too.

"I don't know if Nettie's gonna make it or not. But, you heard her. She's not afraid to face whatever happens tomorrow. We shouldn't either. And if the worse happens, all we can do is take her to be buried by her boy and find some way to live with her passing."

"By pushing everyone else away like you did when your wife and son died?" It wasn't a challenge or an accusation, merely a question.

Sighing, Chris looked into the fire, watching the flames dance into the night air. The memory of another fire flashed into his memory. Chris shook himself mentally to break its hold. "That's one way. Ain't saying its the right or wrong — or hell — the only way. It's what I did."

"Everyone does that to some extent after losin' somebody they care about. It's part of grievin'." Vin interjected. "Chris here, just took it to a little more extreme than most cause of the circumstances." Vin paused to judge the effect of his words. Seeing a frown on JD's face he sought the source of it. "Are you still thinking about what Casey said?"

Getting an affirmative nod, Vin settled back down. "I wouldn't worry too much about that. She's got us around now and we ain't gonna let her do anything like that. Besides, even if she does push us away, it won't last. Look at Chris here. He could only keep it up for three years."

Out of habit, Chris bristled at the comment, but then had to admit the truth of Vin's words. Hell, why else would he be out in the middle of nowhere, in the dead of the night, having this conversation.

JD looked hard into both of their faces weighing the words just spoken. Grateful for the honesty and for the support, JD sat up a straighter. Seeing the change in the younger man, Chris placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it before standing up. "Best get some rest." he reiterated as he moved back to his bedroll.

Morning found JD fixing breakfast while talking with Mary. Nathan had been up at first light, checking on Nettie and Casey. Both had come through the night alright. Casey even seemed to be more alert and said her head didn't hurt as bad. Fixing them some broth, he was sitting with them helping them take small sips.

Four of the other five had headed out to bury the coachman and the driver while Vin scouted the trail looking for the easiest way out of the canyon. While he was out he also looked up the hill for a ledge to stand on so they could tie a rope onto the stage and pull it while the others lifted.

Finishing his other chores, Vin plucked a thin knife off of Nathan's back and pulled the luggage tarp where he could work on it. Carefully cutting it down the middle, he then began to cut slits along the sides of both pieces. After that, he cut thin strips from the ends to use as ties. He was nearly finished when the others returned.

As they dismounted and moved to accept plates of biscuits, bacon and gravy from JD, Ezra was diligently complaining about the blisters that had formed on his hands while digging.

"The next time you gentlemen decide that internment duty is necessary, I shall decline the offer of my services. That little excursion has most certainly seriously compromised my abilities to earn a decent living."

"Mr. Standish."

Started by the source of the words, Ezra quickly moved to the speaker's side. "Mrs. Wells. May I assist you in some way?"

Reaching out to take the gambler's hand in hers, Nettie gave it an intense visual inspection. Keeping a hold of it, the older woman then looked in the confused face of its owner.

"I think I have plum died already. Otherwise, how else would you explain a gentleman debasing himself with such menial labor." the older woman said, mocking the words she had once heard Ezra say.

Chuckling broke out behind the astounded con man. It was only then that he spotted the sparkle in Nettie's eyes. Realizing he was being teased, Ezra good naturedly joined into the laughter.

"It is some comfort, my dear woman, that you at least understand the depth of my misfortune."

"Now you go on and eat so we can get on with things." Nettie said as she gave Ezra's hand one more squeeze before releasing it. Pausing a moment, Ezra finally tipped his hat in respect before moving away.

The scene served to lighten the mood of the somber group as they finished up their breakfast. Afterward, while the other men began to prepare to lift the carriage, Vin dropped beside Nettie and Casey to spend, what could be their last few minutes together.

"Anything else your needin' ma'am?"

"Just for you to help Mary take care of this one. She can be even more bull-headed than me."

Casey, who up til now had been quiet, finally spoke up. "Ain't you scared?" she asked torn between her own fear making her want to cry and awe at her aunt's apparent calmness.

"Course I am. But you got to be strong in situations like this."

"Don't know iffin I can be as courageous as you Aunt Nettie." the young girl sniffled. "I'm too scared."

"Courage don't have nothing to do with not being scared. Courage means doin' what needs to be done even if you are scared of doin' it."

Turning back to the tracker, Nettie began to say her goodbyes. "Mr. Tanner. It's been a pleasure gettin' to know you. You would make any woman proud to call you her son."

Almost ready, Chris picked up Mary to move her away from the carriage and any potential danger that may arise while trying to move it. Mary, however, insisted she be moved back closer where she could be of help to Nathan if necessary. Not liking it but finally agreeing, Chris shifted positions and deposited Mary closer to the spot Nathan had set up his supplies.

Standing, Chris nodded to JD and then moved with the younger man over to the small group. "Vin, it's time."

"Come on Casey," JD said as he stooped beside the young woman. "Let's get you back out of the way." Wrapping her arm around his neck, JD carefully stood up, bringing Casey up with him.

"I'll see you in a little bit." Casey said with a smile that couldn't quite cover the quivering in her lips before she moved away.

Easing her down beside Mary, JD headed up the hill to join Ezra who had already tied a rope on the stage and had wrapped it around a tree for pulling leverage. Pulling on his gloves, JD picked up the end behind Ezra and waived to the others he was ready.

Having dug out holes under the edge of carriage to slide the saplings into, Chris, Vin, Josiah, and Buck positioned themselves to lift the stage. It would be up to Nathan to oversee the endeavor and pull Nettie from under the carriage when she was free.

"Okay Miz Wells. We gonna get you out of here in no time." Nathan said in his best bedside voice. Raising it to the others, he began to bark orders. "When I tell ya all to, lift nice and slow. Gonna need about 10 inches to get her feet out."

"Ready. Go."

On the word go, Buck, Josiah, Chris and Vin began to pull down on the saplings trying to raise the 1,500 pound stagecoach. At the same time, Ezra and JD leaned their bodies away from the tree, pulling with all their strength. Sweat popped out on the faces of the men as they strained to lift the seemingly immovable object.

At first the coach moaned and cracked in response to the men's efforts, but refused to move. Watching it, Nathan realized it had been stuck to the ground in the dried mud. Yelling at the men to pull harder, it slowly began to inch off the ground. When it had been raised about six inches, the men froze in fear when a cry of pain emitted from Nettie. "Hold it!" Nathan screamed as he scrambled to make sure the woman was okay. Finding a weak pulse, he checked to make sure her feet were not tangled in the coach before he yelled for the others to continue. Renewing their efforts, the men dug deep within themselves to fight arms and legs trembling with exhaustion.

Holding his breath in anticipation, Nathan had to force himself to remain calm and fight the impulse of trying to move Nettie before her feet were clear. As the coach slowly inched its way upward, he could see that the weight of it had caused Nettie's body to sink into the ground. This meant that there was a chance that her legs may have been spared the full weight of the rig. For the first time since he found her, Nathan felt hope surge through him that she could make it through the ordeal. Finally, he judged there was enough clearance to pull her free. Grabbing her under the arms, Nathan pulled her out from under the carriage and back to the blankets waiting for her. He paused only long enough to yell at the men that they could let go before turning back to the older woman.

Checking her pulse to make sure she was still alive, Nathan quickly moved to her legs. Running his hands down one exploring for injuries, he moved back up the other doing the same. By the time he was finished with his cursory exam, he heard the heavy breathing of the others as they neared. Shifting once again, Nathan reached for his stethoscope to listen to her heart.

Coming to a halt beside the others, Chris caught Mary's eye trying to determine if she had gotten any indication from Nathan about Nettie. Sitting on the ground, her arms wrapped around the girl leaning against her, Mary shook her head no. Beside him, Vin shuffled in anticipation, wanting to ask how she was but not wanting to distract the healer. Chris raised a hand and dropped it onto Vin's tense shoulder.

After a few minutes, Nathan raised his head. A smile came slowly to his face. "Legs are broke but she's gonna be just fine."

At Nathan's words, Casey gave a yelp of joy and flung herself around to grab Mary around the neck. A sob of relief came from the young girl. Holding onto her tightly, Mary laughed at the scene before her while blinking back her own tears. The others were laughing and pounding each other on the back in congratulations. Vin spun and grabbed Chris' arm.

After a few minutes, Nathan shooed the revelers aside. "All right now, ya'll get out of the way and let me get back to work."

"Josiah, find me some sticks for splints will ya" he called as the men began to scatter.

Before splinting Nettie's legs, Nathan thought it would be best if they got her into some cleaner clothes to minimize the risk of infection in the various wounds on the older woman. Interrupting their efforts to break camp, Nathan rounded up the others to stand with their backs to the women, their arms outstretched holding up blankets as a shield while Mary and Casey made the switch to an outfit they had been able to scrounge up between them. To ease the uncomfortableness of the situation for everyone involved, Mary engaged Casey in talking about her horse. It was a topic that the young woman always loved to talk about and one Mary knew would give the men something to think about rather than the situation at hand.

"Are you still riding that little bay of yours?"

"Yup. Everyday."

"You know, I used to go for a ride everyday. There was one path that I would take two or three times a week. It would wind through a lush green stand of trees and then open into a beautiful little meadow. On the other side of that meadow was a deep, clear blue pool fed by a water fall. I'd stay there for hours at a time." A faraway tone had crept into Mary's voice.

"So, why'd you stop goin' there?"

Sighing, Mary came back to the task at hand. "Hand me that would you? Thanks. It was Stephen's favorite place also. After he died, I couldn't bring myself to go back there. I was afraid that if I did it would hurt too much."

"You know though, the last day or so, I had a lot of time to think. And I realized something. I was denying myself feeling and experiencing something wonderful simply because of what might happen. I was so afraid of the bad that I wouldn't allow myself to feel the good things. It made me very sad. So, I decided if I ever got out of here I'm going back there. Maybe one day, I'll take you there if you would like to go."

Looking up at the young girl, Mary saw she had a strange look on her face. "Casey? Are you okay?"

Shaking her head, Casey tried to cover the myriad of emotions stirred by the conversation. "Yah. Just thinking. Are we done now?"

"Yes we are. Gentlemen, you may safely turn around."

Glancing up, Mary saw a look similar to the one she had just seen on Casey's face. Only this time it was on JD's face as he locked eyes with Chris. Watching the two men, she didn't know what the silent interchange she was witnessing was all about, but she felt it had something to do with her conversation with Casey. After a few minutes, Chris gave the young man one brief nod before turning and walking away.

Laying two of the trees that had just been used as levers on the ground and placing one half of the luggage tarp between the poles, Josiah and Vin began to thread strips of canvas through the slits and then around the poles tying them securely. A quick search of the area provided shorter pieces to use as cross bars. Securing these as well, Vin brought his saddled horse closer to hook up the travois. It wouldn't be the softest ride, but it would definitely be better for Nettie than trying to sit up in a saddle.

Hearing the clink of a spur on a rock beside him, Vin glanced sideways.

"Looks like we'll only need one of those. Casey insists she can ride."

"What's Nathan got to say about that?"

"Said he couldn't stop her but that if she got dizzy or too tired to tell someone right away. Gonna talk to JD and tell him to pay extra attention to her."

"Don't you think that's kinda like tellin' you to pay extra attention to Mary?" Vin teased playfully, which earned him a dirty look and a noncommittal grunt from Chris before the gunslinger walked away. Looking over at Josiah, Vin smiled at the huge grin on the preacher's face.

Packing the shovels, blankets and remaining supplies between the four horses that would not be hauling two people, the group was soon ready to head out. Swinging himself into the saddle, Chris reached down to accept Mary from Josiah's outreached arms. Settling her in front of him, he swung the horse around to see if the others where ready. Seeing they were, he called for the group to head out.

In the lead, Buck was on his horse, the reins of Vin's horse in his hands. Ezra similarly had a hold of Josiah's horse. The climb out of the canyon was too rocky and uneven to allow the travois to drag on the ground on the way up. So Josiah and Vin had volunteered to carry the back end of it until they got the higher ground. Nathan said he wanted to ride beside Nettie as much as possible to keep an eye on her. Immediately behind the sled, JD started his horse forward. Casey was riding behind him, arms wrapped around the young sheriff. Chris had picked the last spot for himself so he could watch over all of the procession.

Letting the horses pick a leisurely pace, the group started the slow climb up the canyon path. On one of the switchbacks near the top, Mary could fully see the floor below and the coach ruins strewn about the area. Looking at the scene before her, Mary's eye fell on the grave dug earlier in the day. A shudder ran through her as she again felt the magnitude of the disaster and the miracle that the three woman had survived.

Feeling the shiver run through her, Chris glanced down and then followed Mary's stare. He knew that look. He had seen it many times, sometimes on his own face. Tightening his arms, Chris pulled his horse to a stop.

"It's like after a gunfight, that moment when you know that you have once again looked down the barrel of a loaded gun and beat it. The world feels different afterward... crisper, bigger. It's like you are seeing it for the very first time. All you can think of is that you're still alive."

Hoarse words were torn from her throat. "But don't you ever wonder why you survived when..."

Chris interrupted her. "Don't question it Mary. There are a thousand reasons why. The other guy was slower... the wind was blowing...you were just plain lucky. In the end it doesn't really matter. You'll only drive yourself crazy wondering why... for what purpose were your spared. Just accept it because in the end it all comes down to one thing... your still here and someone else isn't."

Struggling to find some argument against his reasoning, Mary finally gave up. He was right. In the end it did only come down to one thing. She was alive. Closing her eyes Mary took a deep breath and promised herself she wouldn't waste the second chance she had been given.

Opening her eyes, she looked at the man beside her. Reaching up, she placed a soft kiss on his jaw line before settling back down against him. As Chris nudged the black forward, a whisper came out of her mouth to be picked up by the wind. "I'm alive."

Just outside of Dodge City, the group was met by a search party heading back to town. Escorting the Four Corners contingency to Dodge City, the group stopped in front of the medical clinic. Having carried the women into it, Chris, Vin and JD stepped back out onto the boardwalk and the others waiting on horseback when the sheriff appeared.

"You Larabee?" the sheriff said as he stopped in front of the trio.

"I am." Chris acknowledged stepping forward.

"Sent another wire yesterday morning but they said you had already left. Said I should find you when you got here and you'd know what to do about the situation."

"What situation?"

"Well..." the sheriff began scratching his chin. "Something about that the fellow who was killed didn't set right with me so I did some more digging. Seems it wasn't Nicholas Wells after all."

Chris shook his head in disbelief. If this was true, then Mary, Nettie and Casey should of never even been on the stage. Before the sheriff could continue Buck challenged him for an explanation.

"So why'd you go saying it was then?"

"Cause that's who we thought he was. He was registered at the hotel under that name and that's how he introduced himself around town. Then we found that envelope in his belongings. That seemed to confirm it."

"So how'd you discover it wasn't him?" JD queried.

"The real Nicholas Wells showed up. Leastwise said he was. When he saw the dead man, he said his name was Rick Farrow. Found a wanted poster on Farrow once I started diggin' for it. Seems he worked for some gambler by the name of Fiester."

"Fiester." Ezra spat out the word. From the look on his face, it had left a bad taste in his mouth.

"You know him?" Nathan asked the southerner.

"I had the unfortunate occasion of interacting with him three years ago in New Orleans. He is undoubtably the most vile man I have ever had the misfortune to meet."

Stepping forward, Vin interjected into the conversation. "Where's this Nicholas Wells now?"

"Gone. Left town."

Stunned the seven stared at each other. It was Josiah who asked what they all were wondering.

"Didn't you tell him that his mother and cousin were on the missing coach?"

Nodding the sheriff shifted uncomfortably. "When I told him, he said if they were dead he couldn't help 'em any and if they were alive he'd just be puttin' 'em in danger looking for 'em. Then he gave me this and rode off."

Taking the small bag from the sheriff, Chris shook it upside down. A broach and a necklace fell into his upturned hand. Turning to show the others, Chris looked back at the sheriff. "Mind if we keep these to show to Mrs. Wells?"

"Be my guest. Was hopin' you'd take 'em."

Staring down at her mother's jewelry in her hand, Nettie tried to comprehend the story just related to her. From the look on her face, Vin, Chris and Mary knew that the man who had left them in town was Nicholas Wells.

Mary was outraged that Nicholas would so callously write off his mother and cousin the way he did. "Do you mean he just..." Stopping herself, she snapped her mouth closed. Silence descended in the room.

After a few minutes, Nettie dropped the jewels into the bag and handed it to Mary. "Please put that with my things." Straightening her shoulders, Nettie looked at the two men watching her. "Would be obliged to all of you if you didn't say anything to Casey about this. Be for the best. Let her bury her cousin here."

"And if he returns someday?" Mary asked.

"I'll deal with that if it ever happens."

"Ma'am, I could probably follow him if you want us to find him for you?"

Reaching over to pat the tracker's arm, Nettie gave him a slight smile. "No son. Nicholas made his choice five years ago. Seems that's what he still wants. Let it be."

Having nothing further to say, Chris and Vin headed towards the door. Settling his hat back on his head, Chris tipped it to the women as he went through the door. Pausing and looking back at the woman on the bed looking wistfully out of the window, Vin wished things could have turned out differently.

Stepping out of the boarding house, Chris grimaced at the bright sunlight and cotton in his mouth. The men had spent a good portion of the previous evening celebrating the return of Nettie, Casey and Mary on the stage earlier in the day. It had been three weeks since the men had left them in Dodge City to recover from the accident. Although Nettie wasn't fully healed yet, the doctor had finally said she was strong enough to withstand the ride back to Four Corners. Pulling his hat down further, Chris headed down the boardwalk in search of a strong cup of coffee.

Walking out of the telegraph office, Mary broke out in a smile as she spotted Chris coming up the walk. Mounting the palomino waiting for her, Mary waited for Chris to come near. "Good morning."

"Morning." Coming to a halt beside the hitching post, Chris reached up to grab the bridle of the horse tossing its head in anticipation of the ride as he noticed the riding outfit and hat that Mary wore. He knew where she was going before ever asking. "You okay going out to meadow by yourself?"

"Yes, I fine. It's time for me to do it."

"Gonna be gone long?"

"Oh, I should be back after lunch. I'll see you then. Okay?"

Nodding, Chris released the bridle and watched her ride away before again heading to find some coffee.

Inside the telegraph office a message laid on the counter waiting to be sent.

TO: Orrin & Elsie Travis

FROM: Mary Travis

Orrin & Elsie,

Ready for Billy to come live in Four Corners. Please tell his school he will not be returning from summer break and arrange to have his things shipped out with him. I am forever in your debt for taking care of him.

Love.

Mary.

The end.

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