As John and Breanna strolled aside the small creek, they heard shouting and the sound of racing hooves. All at once, three men came around a large tree.

Jonas, who spotted the couple, turned his horse towards them and his two companions followed. John didn't like the looks of them, and pulled out his pistol as he stepped in front of Breanna. The three men came to a halt in a semi-circle around John and Breanna-a desperate idea coming into Jonas' head-and drew their own guns.

"Hold it right there, mister, or we'll fill you full of lead!" shouted Jonas.

"Yeah." Curtis parroted. "Drop the gun or I'll shoot the pretty lady." Curtis smiled a broken-toothed grin at Breanna.

With three of their guns to his one, John had no choice but to do as they said. Even with his superb gun skills and speed, he wouldn't risk Breanna's safety.

"That's better," said Jonas as he studied the two people in front of him.

"What is it you want?' inquired John, his jaw set.

"Well now," began Jonas. "We was just gonna water our horses 'fore high-tailin' it outta here with our loot." It was then that John noticed the canvas bank bags tied to their saddles. "But you two might be able to help us out."

"Jonas, what are you doing? We gotta get out of here. Curtis is bleeding!" Lewis pleaded with his boss.

"It's not bad," said Curtis through gritted teeth.

"Your laziness got us into this mess," spat Jonas, "now I'm getting us out."

"I swear, that sheriff came outta nowhere!" Lewis defended.

"Shut-up!" Jonas turned his attention back to John and Breanna. "The law can't be far behind, and our horses just ain't that fast. What I need from you two is cooperation." John didn't like where this was heading. "You see, I'm gonna take that pretty lady you got there, and use her as insurance to get out of here."

"You don't touch her," John spoke slowly and steadily, eyes ablaze and fists clenched at his side.

Jonas chuckled and Lewis and Curtis followed suit with dumb expressions on their faces.

"You got three guns on you, mister," laughed Jonas. "And I won't hesitate to shoot the both of you if you get in my way. Now, step aside." He motioned with his gun for John to move.

John didn't budge, but continued to glare at Jonas. Jonas stiffened in his saddle, his earlier mocking laughter gone. "If you don't move this second, I'll kill you and take the lady anyway," Jonas hissed as he cocked his pistol and leveled it at John's chest.

"No!" shouted Breanna. She ran in front of John towards Jonas and said, "I'll go anywhere you want, but don't hurt him."

"Breanna-" began John, moving towards her, but Jonas fired a shot into the air causing John to freeze in his tracks and Breanna to jump.

Breanna continued to eye Jonas as he spoke to John again. "You back up. And you, little lady," his eyes roaming appreciatively over Breanna, "Step right on over here." Jonas slid out of his saddle and motioned Breanna forward, gun in hand.