Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" T.V. series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
Almost a day later, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner found themselves escorting Neil Blackwood to the outskirts of Four Corners, where he would leave town as discreetly as he had blown in like an ill will. The gangster had put up no contest to his premature departure but then with Chris Larabee prepared to shoot him if he gave the gunslinger any trouble, it did not seem like a particularly good idea to agitate the man any more than necessary. Vin Tanner and Ezra Standish could tell that it would not take much to push Chris over the edge and kept a tight rein on Blackwood, who continued the journey in silence. Chris had not forgotten that it was Blackwood who had sent that assassin to his home two nights ago and who was responsible for Buck Wilmington's injuries. It was taking all his control not to avenge that wrong but he somehow kept it under control.
He kept it under control for one reason and one reason alone; he simply did not have the proof to connect Blackwood to any crime. As odious and repugnant as it might seem to seven and JD in particular, what he did to Casey was not legally binding proof of his guilt in the other crimes. Yes, they could drag him into court and hold him accountable for defiling the young lady but the ends would hurt Casey more than it would Blackwood and when it came down to it, it was her word against his. Blackwood had been smart, he had left no physical bruising on Casey that might prove her claim of rape and no one wanted her to endure the humiliation of allowing her disgrace to become a matter of public knowledge.
Thus, they had agreed that the best course of action was to run the bastard out of town as quickly as possible. JD had made it perfectly clear that any familial relationship he had with Blackwood was over. He wanted nothing more to do with the man and wished him gone. It was for JD's sake as well as Casey's that Chris had agreed begrudgingly to let the matter go. Normally, anyone who did what Blackwood was accused of would have been strung up by and now and left to the buzzards. However, Josiah had spoken rather eloquently that it would simply be better if Blackwood just left.
They rode to the outskirts of town in silence until all that lay before them was the sparse landscape that preceded Bitter Creek. Blackwood was more than capable of making the rest of the journey on his own and as long as he never showed his face in Four Corners again, Chris didn't give a damn where the bastard went. Like Vin and Ezra, he was keeping his fury on a tight rein because he too wanted to smash this bastard into a pulp for what he had done to Casey but JD had taken care of that more than adequately himself. Still Chris found himself bristling with rage each time he thought about Casey at the hands of this animal.
Chris brought his horse Cinco to a stop, with Peso and Chaucer doing the same, next to the black gelding. Turning the infamous Larabee glare in Blackwood's direction, Chris said icily. "Get going." Chris did not trust himself to say more than that.
"So this is it huh?" Blackwood remarked with a little sneer.
"You will forgive us if we do not make much more of a fanfare regarding your departure." Ezra said in the way only Ezra could.
"I will be back you know." Blackwood retorted, not about to cry defeat. "I'm going now because it suits me to go now."
"You come back," Chris' eyes narrowed into an expression of menace that sent shivers through Vin and Ezra as well as Blackwood. "I'll kill you and unlike your son, who a better man that I will ever be, I won't have any hesitation about doing it. He let you walk away this time and we're respecting it but you threatened my family and I ain't forgetting that."
"Your wife and child are intact," Blackwood drawled. "Be grateful for that." He was not a man that could be easily intimidated and though Chris' warning was not one to take lightly, Blackwood had given a few in him time as well and his persona almost matched Chris' in sinister intensity.
"I'm not just talking about my wife and children." Chris retorted automatically. "I'm talking about my family. You cross my path again and I'll do your son a favor and see to it, it will be the last time you cross anyone again."
"Point taken." Blackwood replied sourly and cast his gaze into the horizon from which they came and noticed a distant figure on horseback watching them. He squinted to make out of the form but realised after a moment that he had no need to; he could guess who was watching the proceedings. Blackwood tipped his hat slightly and expected a reaction but none was forthcoming. With a little sigh, he returned his attention to his escorts, in particular Chris Larabee.
"Until next time." He replied and then dug his heels into his horse, sending the animal bolting forward.
Chris watched Blackwood crossed the plains before them before he heard Vin remarked. "Hey look up there."
"What is it?" Chris looked over his shoulder at the direction Vin was staring at and saw the rider on horseback retreating over the crest and disappearing from sight all together.
"Shall we go after him?" Ezra Standish asked. "Perhaps offer some companionship during the ride home?"
"No," Chris shook his head slowly. "JD needs time to deal with this. I think if he didn't wait for us its probably because he wanted some time alone."
"Well you can't blame him for that." Vin remarked, pulling down the brim of his hat over his eyes since they were heading back in the direction of the sun.
Chris continued to stare into the horizon, even though JD was long gone, probably headed back towards Four Corners. He had a feeling that a part of JD, no matter how much he loathed its existence, accepted that he was Neil Blackwood's son and perhaps, this was as close as he could manage to saying goodbye to the monster who sired him.
No, Chris thought with a wave of sympathy, you couldn't blame JD at all.
When JD finally reached Four Corners once more, he made his way directly to the clinic where Buck was still recuperating. Prior to his departure, Nathan had mentioned that Buck had regained consciousness for the first time since the shooting. Although he had wanted to rush immediately to the premises and see how the big man was doing, JD held back, deciding that Inez should have the chance to have some time alone with her husband. It was not often to see Inez so vulnerable but she had been during the last few days. He could not blame her for that. Her home was destroyed and her husband could have just as easily died as he had survived his wounds. She had reason for her fears and JD did not want to intrude on their time together. Besides, he had business of his own to take care of first.
He did not know why he had wanted to see Blackwood gone. It frightened him to think that he might still have some attachment to the man even after everything Blackwood had done, especially to Casey and Buck. Unfortunately as much as JD had tried to deny it, Neil Blackwood was his father and for better or worse, he would have to accept it or never be able to keep himself from becoming just like Blackwood. Seeing the man leave had given him some sense of closure and for the next few months as he tried to wrestle with his identity, he would need that stability.
When Alex let him into the room where Buck was presently convalescing, the lawman was fidgeting uncomfortably on his bed even though he was in no condition to do so. Upon realizing Alex had caught him and after garnering a rather nasty frown from the doctor, Buck who might have been on the critical list immediately went into charm mode once again. "I'm a vital man darling," he grinned that smile had sent so many hearts a flutter even now after the demise of his bachelor state. "I can't be expected to be lying around here all day, especially by myself lonesome." He winked at JD. He was nowhere as robust as he normally was and the effort of the serious injury he had survived showed all over his face.
"I think that is an excellent idea," Alex gave him another sarcastic look. "I'll get Inez in here and let her deal with you when you decide to move around like a jackrabbit on a hot stove."
Buck's smile faded. "I got your point Alex." He sighed, knowing how persistent Inez could be when she worried. "I'll behave."
Alex grinned triumphantly. "I thought you might." She glanced at JD and then said in a gentler voice. "Try not to tire him out okay?"
"I won't." JD answered with a little smile as she swept out of the room and left them alone.
Once she was gone, the room felt silent again and for a few seconds neither spoke. JD only had to look at Buck's expression to know that he was aware of what had happened with Casey and with Blackwood. An intense feeling of shame overcame JD as he tried to come to grips with the fact that all this had happened because of him. Almost as if Buck could read his thoughts, his best friend met JD's gaze with a smile that told him that everything was going to be alright, no matter how bad things might seem at the moment. JD marveled at Buck's ability to do that, even now.
"Its ain't your fault JD." Buck said firmly.
"Yes it is." He replied. "I can tell myself that it ain't but it still wouldn't be true. Blackwood would have done none of this if it wasn't on the count of me being his son."
"You didn't have any choice in that JD." Buck forced himself to sit up because he wanted to make JD understand and sometimes seeing eye to eye helped things along. "It wasn't your fault that he ended up being your father."
"I keep telling myself that but I can't believe it." He confessed.
"JD," Buck sighed, feeling the need for confession as well, hoping that it helped JD in some way. "I was jealous as all hell when I found out that he was your father."
"Really?" JD looked up at him confused. "Why?"
"Because I didn't want to lose you." Buck replied, not afraid to admit it now because JD needed to hear this. "You're a good kid JD, one of the best. I used to think that it was you who needed me but I was wrong. I need you in my life as much as I need Inez and Elena Rose. When Blackwood walked in here, I thought I might lose you and that scared me."
"Jeez, Buck." JD shrugged, uncomfortable with the tone of the conversation but glad to hear Buck's words at the same time as well. "You didn't have to worry. I mean I wasn't going anywhere, no matter what he did. I like my life here too much, too much to let him change me."
"And that's why it isn't your fault." Buck returned instantly, taking advantage of the opening. "JD, you proved that you're not like him long before he ever laid eyes on you. You're a good, strong man that cares about people and that is a rare thing. I didn't know your mama but I'm sure she was a fine woman indeed because so much of you is her and so little of you is Blackwood."
JD sucked in his breath trying not to let his feelings get the better of him. "What about Casey Buck? How can I look at her after what he did to her because of me?"
Buck who had been in the exact same circumstances with Inez, was glad that he was able to offer some kind of advice if not much. When Victoria Westbrook had come to town looking for vengeance against him and Chris for the wrongs she supposed was done to her family, she had attacked Buck by paying someone to rape Inez. Buck still had difficulty dealing with that knowledge and knew that while he could advise JD, there was no quick fix answer.
"You have to look after her JD," Buck said firmly. "Because she needs you and because you love her. This is the one time where what you feel has to come second to what she's going through. It's the worst thing that can happen to a woman and for one as young as Casey, its even worse. She's going to hurt a lot JD but she has to know that you don't think that she asked for it, or deserved it."
"Why would she think that?" JD asked horrified by that possibility.
"Trust me," the older man responded knowingly. "She will and you have to take her in your arms and tell her that she's wrong and you keep doing it until she believes you."
JD nodded and realised that Buck was right. This had happened because of him and he was not going to let Casey think otherwise. He loved her. He loved how she was brave enough to tell the truth, even though she was torn apart inside. He loved how she fought her own pain to stop him from doing something he would have undoubtedly regretted much later. She deserved his support and if one thing had come out of this whole miserable affair, it was the fact that he knew that he loved her more than anything in the world and together, they could survive anything.
"Yeah," JD nodded with a grin as that thought filled him with warmth.
"Now get out of here," Buck grumbled, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. "I'm tired and you need to go find that gal of yours."
JD could only smile at Buck, knowing the man had ulterior motives for making him leave and found that no matter how sentimental this was to say, he had to do it. "Buck," JD responded as he rose to his feet. "You know you never had to worry about losing me to Blackwood." JD could not even bring himself to say father any more. "I never really needed a pa, I had you."
Buck swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat as the emotion took over for a bit. "Get out of here." He muttered. "Go find her before we start getting misty and then people will really talk."
JD nodded, allowing the moment to pass but content with the knowledge that what he had said was enough. Buck understood. Sometimes, JD believed he was the only one who truly did.
"Hey Casey." JD announced himself when he rode out to find her after seeing Buck.
He had found her at their favorite place; being the pond at the Wells' property, watching the insects skim over the greenish hue of its surface with scattered grace. She sat there, her legs folded under her chin, watching the movement of life before her while the sunlight bounced off her dark hair. Her eyes had been some place distant when JD found her and he did not need to ask to know of what she was thinking. Nettie had told him when he stopped by at the house that spending most of her days out here. Although he did not voice it to the lady, JD suspected this was most likely because Casey was not entirely comfortable with Nettie finding out what had happened to her.
Nettie had not taken the news well but was trying to cope with it to make things easier on Casey. Her mood however was not as easily placated and the tough old woman was all hell fire and brimstone in her disposition at this time. Nettie wanted Blackwood to go to jail until Alex convinced her that it would ruin Casey in town if what he had done were made public and there was also the possibility that Blackwood might walk free. It was a foregone conclusion that such a result would destroy any faith the girl still had in the world. Even though Nettie had taken Casey into her arms and told her niece that it was all right, Casey was still distant. JD supposed she could be no other way and once again, Buck's words came back to remind him what he had to do.
Tell her she's wrong about it being her fault and hold her until she believes.
"Hi JD." She offered him a little smile after his greeting but it was one laced with all kinds of sadness that pierced JD's heart to see it. She had been his strength when he had faced Blackwood but it was a candle lasting briefly and now she was unable to hide from the vulnerability and the wounds of her ordeal.
"How are you doing?" He asked sitting next to her, removing his hat from his brow and resting it on the space beside him.
"Okay." Casey shrugged. A part of her was terrified that he was going to say that she should have stopped it somehow and the tightening in her gut only made her fear escalate when she saw him sitting there, trying to gather up courage to say those unspeakable words. Who could blame him? She had lain with his father. How could he forgive her for that? The reservoir of strength, displayed so spectacularly when JD had almost killed Blackwood was nowhere to be found and all she wanted to do was curl up and die.
Suddenly, she felt his arms wrap around her shoulders, drawing her body against his in a gesture of strength and support, not of rejection. For a moment, his touch made her recoil. She was flooded with the revolting memory of Blackwood's touch, so different from when she and JD had made love for the first time. She almost pulled away but then he simply held onto her, breathing in the scent of her hair in his lungs and lowering his lips to her ear and whispering ever so softly in a tone that felt like gossamer against her skin.
"Casey I love you." JD declared softly, deciding that the best way to do this was to simply tell her the truth. She needed to know how he felt immediately, not to be confused by a veil of words that were utterly meaningless unless they came to her straight from his heart.
"JD...." She started to answer.
"Shhhh......" he stopped her from speaking and held on to her even tighter but not so that she would feel restrained, merely comforted. "I love you and that's all that matters to me. I don't care about anything else other than that and I always will love you no matter what."
JD felt her body tremble and quake as if a great weight had been removed from the well of her grief and its water were finally gushing forth. As it moved through her, breaking down all the barriers she had erected since this began, he realised that she was weeping. JD could feel droplets of warm moisture on his arm as she rested her head against his bicep and cried softly.
"I tried to stop him." She sobbed softly. "I tried so hard."
"Its okay," he interrupted once more. She did not need to say it because he knew. He loved her so much that there was never any question of doubt. "I know you did and it doesn't matter, any of it. I'm going to hold you Casey, I'm going you for as long as I can because I love you and I won't let you go, ever."
And they sat there for the rest of the afternoon, watching the tricks that the sunlight played with their eyes, with JD holding Casey in his arms and telling her that he loved her, until she believed it.
Diana Belladonna did not like to ride in the middle of the day.
Out here in the Territory, it was simply too hot for afternoon excursions. The heat tended to be more prolific during such occasions and as her business required her to perform the duty alone, the comfort of a stagecoach was more or less impossible. Still, she had made the journey from Four Corners and shortly after Chris Larabee and company had departed from town, taking Neil Blackwood with them, Diana had set out on her trip as well. She had not been in the best stead with Ezra Standish of late so she was unable to gain any accurate intelligence as to why Blackwood was being expelled so unceremoniously from Four Corners. It was generally believed however, that the man was responsible for the attack of Buck Wilmington.
Diana arrived in Sweet Water shortly after lunch and stabled her horse and carriage at the local livery before proceeding the expensive hotel situated in the main street of the large community. She swept through the town like a breath of perfumed air, capturing attention even though she was trying to be discreet. However, the reality was that she was a woman of some beauty and could not be expected to fade into the background at will. Besides, being a chanteuse meant that she always lingered on the side of scandal and a visit to a hotel, unescorted was very scandalous indeed. Entering the hotel premises, she paused at the front desk long enough to state her business before continuing to the room where her gentlemen friend was awaiting her.
Actually, where both her gentlemen friends were awaiting her.
Diana entered the room, which was naturally the largest suite that such an establishment could produce. It was a room of make shift finery that would not hold up in comparison to the hotels or the suites found in the East. However, for the moment, it served as a private sanctuary for her business dealings here in Sweet Water. She had not knocked when she arrived because Diana knew that she was being expected.
Moving up the short hallway that spilled into the parlor, only one of the men stood up at her entrance as was befitting for a gentlemen to do in the company of a lady, although truth be known he was no gentleman. The man who had not risen, remaining in his seat as he sipped cognac was a gentlemen but to him she was merely a paid servant like his polite companion and not worthy of such consideration.
"Mr Kitson." Diana greeted the first man coolly. "I see you made good your escape after all."
"Thank you ma'am," Kitson said politely. "Wouldn't have gone anywhere if you hadn't let us go while Larabee and his men were dealing with that bank robbery."
"That is how I planned it." Diana remarked and sat down in one of the wing chairs as Kitson sat down. "Of course I had to sacrifice one of our people but you cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs."
"Yes you did very well," their employer responded. "The both of you. You kept Larabee and his Magnificent Seven very busy while I tended to the business at hand." A look of derision crossed his face as he uttered Chris Larabee's name and it was a second later before he resumed speaking. "Our chess pieces are in place. We will soon make our opening move."
"Should I remain here?" Diana inquired. "There's no reason for me to go back there. Ezra Standish isn't interested in me. He's much too enamoured by that redhead who runs the Emporium."
"Well the lady is handsome," he answered noncommittally. "And love makes fools of us all. I did not expect you to be successful anyway; it was merely to keep sweet Ezra on his toes. However, I will have you go back because when I roll the dice I will want him here with me."
"Whatever you say Mr Julius." Diana nodded, caring little one way or another. "Whatever you say."
The End