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. This is my second fan fiction story, in a series involving the character of Amy, so it would make more sense for you to read the first story 'Blurry', in case you haven't already, Thanks .

Back To Where I Was Before

"You realise, we do this…ain't no going back?"

Although he had been speaking quietly, Buck's voice resounded loudly in Chris' head. The grey haze of the early dawn before any glimpses of sunlight surrounded the two men, though neither one was tired. Both had been unable to sleep a wink all night, though for two different reasons. Buck had been awake, worrying about what the day might bring for his friend, and the consequences they might both incur from their actions. Chris had been awake, trying to remember his wife and son's faces. He fastened the underbelly strap of the saddle on his horse, and hoisted himself up, level with Buck who was already saddled up. He turned to look at his moustached friend. Buck looked slightly weary, partly from the lack of sleep, but mostly Chris suspected it was down to his concern over what they might encounter today, and where it could lead them. With a slight nod of the head he drew his back straight,

"We don't do this, there ain't no goin' forward either."

A loud knock at the door, knocked Amy out of her thoughts. She had been replaying the last few days' events over and over in her mind, trying to establish just how she's gotten into this position. She stared out of her hotel room window; from up here she could see most of the town. 'Standish Tavern' was directly in front of her, the place where she had first encountered the townsfolk, and some of the seven gunslingers that were hired to protect these people. Chris Larabee. The sound of knuckles rapping against the door again reminded Amy that she had company. She left her place beside the window and strode over to the door, grabbing the handle and pulling it back in one swift movement.

Vin Tanner had to bite the inside of his lip to stop himself from laughing at the perplexed look forming on Amy's face. She had whipped the door open, clearly expecting someone else to be calling in on her, and as she had soaked in the image of him, she had forced her surprised mouth shut and raised one eyebrow inquisitively. She stood there studying him carefully in that manner for a few moments, before she placed one hand on her hip,

"Mr Tanner, isn't it?"

Clearly she had been waiting for him to talk first. He threw a friendly smile at her, trying to ease her suspicion of him,

"Indeed it is, Miss Duke. But please, call me Vin."

"Okay…"she paused still inspecting him, "Vin it is."

"So, how'd you figure out who I am?" he enquired, catching onto the fact that he hadn't introduced himself. This time it was her turn to grin, only slightly though,

"I was stuck in Nathan's medical centre for a couple of days with this damn arm," she frowned as she pointed towards the sling on her right arm, "You didn't think he'd mention you lot to me at all?"

Even though she was smiling slightly as she spoke, Vin could notice the wariness in her voice as she spoke, She was very careful to keep in control of herself, obviously, although Nathan had explained to her about him and the other members of their little team, she didn't trust him, at least not completely. Not that he could blame her, a good part of his life now involved distrusting strangers, anyone who he met could recognise him and hand him in for the reward on his head, better to be safe than sorry.

"Not to be rude Mr T…Vin, but was there somethin' that you wanted?"

He shuffled his stance slightly, planning in his head the right way to phrase his sentence. He had been distracted by the recollection of Eli Joe framing him, and the fact that his name would never be cleared now after his death. Whilst he had been thinking about this, to Amy it appeared that he had just been stood there in silence.

"I was wonderin' if you'd like me ta' show you around Four Corners?" he smiled as earnestly as he could, to try and relax her, as he noticed that her shoulders raised a little in a defensive motion.

"An' just why would you wanna show a girl you've never met around town?"

"Friendly gesture?" she chuckled as she squinted at him, eyeing him up and down.

"Hmmmm," she paused, before staring up at him again, "Chris or Nathan ask you ta' do this?"

"If by 'this' you mean show you aroun' town…"

"By 'this' I mean keep an' eye on me," she cut him off.

He looked down at her, his expression sincere now,

"No. They didn' ask me ta' spy on you Amy. But Chris did ask me ta' show you around, and only so that you know you're way around town," he added a little more forcefully, silencing Amy as she opened her mouth to speak.

"I don't plan on bein' around long enough to need to know where everythin' is…"

He looked down at her carefully, as a wistful expression filled her face.

"Just ta' humour me then?" he made sure his voice came out softer this time, and as she glanced up at him again, ready to protest some more, "C'mon, it's just a lil' tour o' the town, what harm's gonna do you? Meet me down at 'Standish Tavern' when you're ready, I'll even buy ya' breakfast. It'll be worth it, even if you only buy some clothes that actually fit," he grinned started to back away, still facing her, noticing the baggy clothes she was wearing that she had borrowed from Nathan. She contemplated the offer for a moment, thinking of a way to turn it down.

"Fine," came her reluctant response, accompanied with a roll of her eyes, "but just so you know, I eat like a man that's been starved for a week."