Disclaimer: I do not own the Magnificent Seven. The character of Amy is a figment of my imagination, and completely fictional, any resemblance to persons (living or dead) is unintentional.

A/N: This is my first fan fiction story so please be kind, thanks

Blurry

Chris Larabee was sat in his favourite chair outside the saloon. He liked this spot because he could see most of the town, and still be in arms reach of a drink at the same time. Though truth be told, he had been attempting to steer clear of alcohol, or at least not down as much as he had been, since the whole incident of Ella Gaines had happened. Things had been strained enough since that woman had reappeared in his life and turned everything he knew upside down, he hardly needed to be a drunken mess every night as well. He glanced up and down the main road that ran through Four Corners. How could everything look exactly the same, yet feel so different? He looked over towards The Clarion with a feeling of self-loathing building up in his stomach. Things had been particularly tense with Mary. After he had abandoned the town for Ella, he had not left things in the best way with Mary, and now he was beginning to feel that their relationship may never be repaired, at least not fully.

"You sit out here much longer, folks are gonna start thinking we got ourselves a new statue in town."

Chris almost jumped at the voice of his old friend. Although Buck had been joking with him, Chris could see the concern in Buck's face.

"I was just on my way home Buck, can't sit out here much longer with this storm brewing"

"That's not what I meant Chris"

Chris stood up to face the taller man, "I know Buck, I just…just need time to think, s'all," the gunslinger sighed.

"I understand that, hell all of us can understand that. After everything that happened with Ella, well, you're bound to need some time to clear your mind. But I'm worried it's more than that…"

Buck hesitated, looking at his friend. After a while he prompted Chris, "…is it?"

Still looking at the dusty street instead of Buck, an all too recognizable scowl fell upon Chris' face. "I don't know Buck."

Chris turned and tilted his flat rimmed black hat in a nod at his friend as a leaving gesture. Buck knew this was all he'd get out of his comrade, and recognizing not to push Chris any further, he returned the gesture. "Ride safe, cowboy" he winked before walking back into the saloon.

Another pang of guilt hit Chris as he walked over to untie his horse. He knew since everything that had happened all of the other six men had been worried about him. He was grateful that they had all forgiven him for the way he had left the town, and at times he wanted to talk to them, let them know how he was feeling. But it just wasn't that easy for him. He'd never been good at confiding in anyone normally, not since Sarah and Adam had died. But recently it had been worse, even Buck, who could usually draw information out of him, wasn't getting past his defences. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the rider approaching until the horse was almost beside him. Even in the dark he could make out the ebony black build of the stallion, similar to his own expect for the white markings on its nose. The horse stopped next to his, and the rider slid off a little, landing clumsily. Chris couldn't help but notice that the rider seemed a little off balance as he walked over towards to saloon.

"Nice horse, you been in Four Corners before mister…?"

The rider stopped and turned to face Chris, but he couldn't make out their face, partly due to the darkness of the evening, but also because the rider had his hat pulled down low so the brim was covering his eyes.

"Not that it's anything to do with you" came the abrupt reply, "but no"

Chris' voice came out slightly more strained this time, holding back his irritation at the rude reply, "What you doin' here Pard? If you don't mind my asking?"

"It's really none of your business actually, if you don't mind my saying"

The scowl reappeared on Chris' face, as the rider turned back around and walked into the saloon. Re-tying his horse to the wooden bar he marched into the saloon, pushing the doors open with a bit more force than he had intended. Normally he would have winced at the bang that caused the nearer townsfolk to turn and stare, but he was fired up now. It shouldn't have angered him so much, generally the rudeness of this unknown rider would have irritated him a bit, but he was borderline on furious. He could tell it was more his frustration at himself that was causing his anger at this stranger, rather than their actions but he couldn't stop himself. He scanned the room for the rider, and spotted him standing at the bar. The oversized hat was the recognizing feature, but as Chris was enclosing on the rider he noticed more about him. He was much smaller than most of the other men at the bar, just clearing Chris' shoulder as he came up behind the man. Chris grabbed the man's elbow and yanked it towards him, forcing the rider to turn to and face him. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Buck and JD staring at him, confused as to what was going on. Glaring down at the rider Chris had noticed him bare a grimace as he had been whipped around, and even now his teeth were still gritted in what Chris presumed to be pain, but still the rider didn't look at Chris. A pang of remorse hit Chris, maybe in his anger he had grabbed the rider with more strength than intended, but the rage inside him was still blazing.

"Let's try that again, shall we? What are you doing here?"

JD stood slightly behind as Buck went to Chris' side, "What the devil's goin' on here?"

"This rider an' I are trying to continue a little friendly conversation we started outside, ain't that right?"

The rider stood there, still looking down with his eyes covered by his hat. Buck gave the rider's figure a quick look. He looked small, both in height and physique, smaller even than JD. This kid shouldn't be any trouble, especially against himself or Chris, so why was Chris so heated up?

"Chris, what's this fella actually done?"

Chris felt his teeth grinding as he tried to think of a reason that could justify his actions, not only to his friend, but also to himself. "He's acting suspiciously. Anyone with a decent excuse for being here would have told us by now. Look at him; he won't even look me in the eye when I'm asking him a question!"

As he spat the words out, his free hand pushed the rider's hat in one quick movement. The rider realised what was happening and tried to grab the hat, but Chris tightened his grip on the rider's elbow. As the rider let out a high pitched scream of agony, the huge hat fell away. The whole room went silent, and Chris froze. Buck turned to his friend.

"Chris. Let go."

Chris didn't move.

"Goddammit Chris, let her go!"

Buck's warning tone snapped Chris from his trance, and his arm fell limply to his side. The rider wasn't a man. He could see her eyes now. Blue, and filled with a mix of fear and anger. As soon as his hand released her arm she cradled her elbow, shooting Chris a look of pure venom. How had he not noticed? Not only should her build have been a clue, but also now looking at her features; her mouth and nose, all feminine. He dropped him gaze to his feet.

"I...I'm sorry."

It came out as only a whisper. As soon as the words left his mouth he bolted out of the saloon.

"Chris!"

But Buck's cry was drowned out by the galloping of a horse's hooves.