A/N: This short was inspired by another FF story: Rizzoli Texas Ranger by Jet MacLeod. Check it out – it's a great story.

Scene: Set in occupied Texas in 1875. Jane Rizzoli is a Texas Ranger escorting the new school teacher Maura Isles to Pecos City. Along the rough ride there, Jane feels it's time to teach the new school teacher how to shoot a rifle if she's going to survive in the Wild West.

Chapter 1 - The Shooting Lesson

The sun was tall in the sky making it high noon. Jane turned to her charge and saw that Maura was handling the heat like a trooper but based on how pale her face was, it was starting to getting to her. Looking back at her own horse, Jo Friday's neck was dripping with sweat. With the edge of her gloved wrist, the raven-haired woman wiped her parched lips. I guess everyone could use a break.

Not realizing how dry her mouth actually was, Jane barely mustered, "Hey Maura".

With the same lack of enthusiasm, the golden blonde returned, "Yeah Jane."

"It's getting pretty hot out here. I think we should stop."

Internally the sophisticated woman grumbled, thank you but she didn't want to let Jane see any sign weakness. "If you insist."

Imagining how the city girl was really feeling, the Texas Ranger offered the well-educated woman an excuse to stop. "The horses look pretty tired. They could use a rest. There should be some shade a few minutes from here. We can stop there."

The prospective teacher's only response was a small tugged at the brim of her hat like she had seen Jane do several times already.

The simple action was not lost on the experienced ranger as a small smile tugged at the edge of her mouth at the gesture. She might make a fine prairie woman yet.

That last 15 minutes felt like eternity as the golden blonde's head bobbed as Bass' feet dragged on in a particular hot and tired fashion. However, the green-eyed woman never felt so relieved when she saw a very large, natural curving rock formation ahead. The angle of the sun had created a horse width of shade on the ground beside it.

Jane's boots were the first to hit the ground. Glancing between the sun and the ground, the Texas Ranger finally picked up a descent sized rock and placed it several feet from where she was standing in the shade.

Confused, Maura asked, "What is that for?"

Peering up at the bright light once again, the raven-haired woman looked at her charged through squinted eyes. "When the sun hits that rock, it will be time to go again."

With one hand on her hat, to keep it in place, Maura looked up then back to the rock. Of course, a archaic clock in the wild. Pretty clever Jane. Pretty clever indeed.

A little while later, the horses had been well watered, and their saddles removed to let them cool off and rest. The two women sat with their backs against the large rock formation not far apart. Already feeling rested and watered up, the experienced law enforcer kicked the heel of her boot in the dirt.

Maura could sense that the Texas Ranger was starting to get antsy just sitting there. She was about to suggest they leave but as she shifted her weight on the ground, the prospective school teacher was quickly reminded how her backside could use a bit more rest from Bass' saddle.

Immensely bored as the sun bore down around them, Jane removed a match from the pocket of her black leather vest and fiddled with it between her fingers. So far the shade had only cast a third of the way to cowgirl's crude time device. Breaking the small stick in half until there was nothing left to break, the western woman unconsciously sighed deeply.

Without warning, Jane stood up. "I got it".

Bewildered, Maura started to ask, but was greeted with a hand in face helping her up before the words left her lips. Reaching her feet, the ranger immediately headed towards her saddle as the school teacher started to dust off her clothes.

Although it was only a few feet away, the city girl already started to feel the loss of having the experienced hunter close by. Not only for protection, but as she witnessed the raven-haired woman swaggered away, she suddenly realized how striking Jane looked in her dusty black cowboy hat. Absentmindedly watching the ranger gather her things, Maura let out a silent breath, Nice black chaps too."

Still in the dark about the woman's plan, the blonde's eyes fixated on the alluring beauty as she walked towards her; no not walked, sauntered like a cat dragging in its proud kill.

Rifles in hand, Jane announced, "Maura it's time I teach you how to use a rifle."