A/N The next few chapters are going to be Hoss talking to his father about what happened and why he married Eliza. If he's talking about the past the words will be in italics.

When Eliza talks about the 'old country'? You can put that wherever you wish. There are a number of places that share customs similar to each other. (Though the exact terminology is something I've taken writer's liberty with).

Eliza

Chapter Four (Explanation continues)

Scene Six

Ben and Hoss had moved to the front room to continue talking. Ben sat in 'his' chair while Hoss sat next to Eliza; whom Hoss had insisted join them.

000

The road to the Placerville graveyard was dustier than some of the run down neglected cabins Hoss had come across on more than one trip away from the Ponderosa. Grandfather McBain had insisted he take their buggy and, saying he was afraid 'the Browns would come and cause trouble', had asked Hoss if his granddaughter could be the one to show him exactly where Hank aka 'Shorty' lay. Hoss had agreed for the mere fact that the man was older than dirt and her father's back was bad.

For awhile they traveled in silence just enjoying the sound of an occasional bird or the sight of a wandering animal. Finally Eliza began speaking, "I thank ya for not arguin' with grandpa but I think ya best be careful 'round him.'

Hoss was taken back. Be careful? The old man seemed friendly and polite enough. "Why?" he asked feeling somewhat nervous that maybe the old man may not be what he appeared to be.

"He means well, Hoss, only he hasn't lived here in America that long. That, along with the fact that he's starting to confuse things a bit? Well, he sometimes forgets the customs here are not the same as the old country. He's also started getting ideas 'bout me. Figers he owes it to me as he still blames himself and pa for my blindness. I've told him a dozen times not to do that only he still does."

While Hoss was curious to what ideas her grandfather had about her he was even more curious about how she'd come to be blind. Sometimes what one neglects to ask questions about turns out to be the very thing they should have asked about in the first place. As it was Hoss slowed the buggy down and asked, "What happened? I mean, why does he blame himself and yer pa for yer condition?"

"They forgot to tell me their friends had asked to store some nitro…something, any way that stuff that explodes very easily and can do a lot of damage?"she turned her head slightly towards him as she spoke.

Inwardly Hoss cringed but only answered, "Ya, I know of the stuff. It's called Nitroglycerin."

"Oh, I knew it was somethin' like that," Eliza went onto explain, "Grandfather and pa told them they could put it out back in our big shed and I went in there not knowin' that. 'Course, if'n I hadn't had ole' George and Lucy with me the accident prob'bly never woulda happened. As it the two of them got mad at each other and started chasin' each other and…well, ya get the picture."

"I would if I knew who George and Lucy were." Hoss said though he had a pretty good idea already.

Eliza laughed, "Sorry, guess I got ahead of myself agin. Pa's always sayin' I have a bad habit of doin' that. Lucy was my cat at the time and George was David's cat-though he never took care of him. The poor critter would have starved to death if'n I didn't feed it."

Hoss started grinning, "Ya like critters huh?"

"Oh yea, 'nough to drive my pa crazy at times. His words are always the same 'Why does ya always have to be bringin' critters of all shapes and sizes home? Ain't this place full enough as it is!'" Eliza laughed, "He says the words but he don't mean them. Why, half the time HE'S the one savin' them!"

By the time the two had finished talking about all the animals each other had driven their families crazy with they had arrived at the graveyard. It didn't take Eliza but a few moments to guide Hoss to where his friend lay.

"If'n grandfather is right," Eliza said as Hoss knelt down by his friend's grave, "those Brown boys will get what's comin' someday. Maybe not as fast as we'd like only they'll get it!"

Hoss sure hoped so. After all, Hank had been one of the finest.

Scene Seven

Hoss almost cursed as he hit his thumb with the hammer the McBains had let him use. He'd finished with the broken part of the fence then noticed a few other things that needed fixing too. Figuring it was a good way to work out some of the feelings he had towards Hank 'accidental death'-he'd asked the McBains if they wanted his help 'on those things' too. They'd readily accepted.

"I'd be careful, young man, that hammer is known to have a mind of its own." Eliza's grandfather made his way over to where Hoss was working.

"So, I noticed." Hoss grinned as he rubbed his sore thumb.

"I wanted to thank you for taking my granddaughter with you. I reckon my son told you one of those Brown boys did come by here while you were gone?" He asked the question hoping to hear an affirmative answer. He didn't get one.

"No, sir. He didn't," Hoss grew concerned, "What did he do and say?"

The old man sighed, "Not much but they are definitely looking at this land. It makes me afraid for Eliza."

"Well," Hoss started hammering again, "I told my pa and brothers I'd be gone for at least a couple of weeks. I could stick around and help fix up other things for ya and see if I can find out what those Brown boys are up ta if ya want me to."

"Yer willin' to stay and help? For that long?" the old man was impressed.

"Why not? The three of ya need help."

"Where I come from not everyone is willing to protect someone like Eliza. After all…she can't see." The guilt the old man still felt could be heard in his voice.

Hoss's eyebrows narrowed, "Why should that make any difference. She's just as much part of the human race as you and I are."

"I and my family know it but there are those out there do not. Tell me, it is one thing to offer to protect someone like Eliza but would you ever consider actually giving her your protection? It's not like she has hopes of getting her eyesight back." The old man eyed him closely.

Give her his protection? Hadn't he just offered that? And why on earth should it matter whether or not she ever got her eyesight back? Hoss figured the old man was indeed slipping a little and was just repeating himself…only rearranging the words. "Like I just said, I don't see why not. She's just as important as anyone else."

Before either one could speak another word Eliza came out of the house carrying a lunch basket.

"Looks like the cook is bringing lunch out." The old man smiled as he walked away. Since he walked away with a grin wider than his waist line Hoss couldn't help but wonder what he'd said to make the man so happy.

Eliza noticed it to but thought nothing of it. That is, due to not hearing the conversation, she was only grateful that the man called Hoss Cartwright was helping them out as it lessened her grandfather's worries.

"Here's some food for ya. I hope I cooked enough." Eliza handed him the basket full of food.

Opening it up Hoss was delighted to see it filled with sandwiches, apples and a couple of oranges. "Thanks, it all looks like it's gonna be awfully good."

"From the way Grandfather McBain talked I thought the two of ya were gonna be eatin' together. That's why I brought so much out. The two of you together keep a girl busy in the kitchen," Eliza smiled, "mind ya. I'm not a complainin' any. It's kinda nice to have more than my grandfather and pa to cook fer."

"Don't go tellin' Hop Sing I said this," Hoss smiled at Eliza and then looked at Ben, "but I never thought I'd meet anyone who cooks as well as he does."

Ben was laughing hard when Adam and Little Joe walked in. "What's so funny?"

Before any of them could answer Hop Sing walked in the door. "We'll tell ya 'bout it later." Hoss said as Eliza stood up and went to help Hop Sing. "I have to step outside, pa. I reckon we can keep talkin' after I get back."

Little Joe's eyebrows turned up at Hoss as he went outside then turned back to his father, "The two of you have been talkin' for a couple of hours. How much time does he need?"

Ben stood up, "It doesn't matter. For right now tell everyone to keep an eye out for a young gentleman who might show up either here on the Ponderosa or Virginia City. He's twenty-two, has dark brown hair, brown eyes and is ten times thinner than Adam. He's Eliza's brother. His name is David and he's no good."