The waiting had been hard on all of them. They had agreed to meet up at The Ace, both to have the chance to try to come up with a plan, and because they all had the distinct impression it would be their last chance to do so. The tension built to the point they were barely able to speak to each other, for fear of saying things they would regret. It didn't help that Standish had disappeared all together. When Vin had asked Tiny how his boss was doing, he got only a shrug for a response, followed by "He went for a ride."

"A ride?" Buck echoed. "His world his going to crap and he went driving?"

"Yes sir. He took out his motorcycle almost immediately after he got up."

Vin looked stunned. "Ezra rides an iron?"

"If you mean a motorcycle, then yes sir. I think he learned during his time in the service when he..." Tiny cut himself off. Obviously, he was worried about his boss to let any kind of personal history slip like than. The others had the decency to avoid further prying, despite the spikes in curiosity they all experienced.

Chris glanced at his watch, surprised to see it was already almost 2:00 in the afternoon. "So, he hasn't been gone too long?"

"Six hours."

"Standish went out at 8:00 in the morning. I didn't think he was ever up before noon!"

Again, Tiny shrugged. "I don't believe he slept, sir."

When the sound of the door opening and Tiny's greeting came almost an hour later, Chris was first to catch up to Ezra. His body language made it clear he had no desire to talk, and stated so just to remove any doubt.

"There is nothing further to be said on the matter. I have reviewed all of my options, legal and otherwise, and determined what has to be done. Everything is in place, and Ortiz will be here at 5 to complete our agreement. If possible, I would appreciate having you gentlemen here to provide additional security."

"You want to keep your own people out of this?" Nathan asked, puzzled by the fact he would count on them rather than employees who had been with him so much longer.

"Ortiz has seen you. He expects you. I would rather not take any actions that might make him anxious. This transaction is to important to risk it on uncertainties."

Chris nodded, speaking for them all. "We'll be here."

Ezra looked around the room, both grateful for and a bit perplexed by the show of support from men who, for the most part, he barely knew. He knew the state of mind he was in right now precluded him from expressing that, as any show of emotion might just break what was left of his resolve.

"I do apologize to you Mr. Dunne, but I believe you should wait downstairs, away from the rendez-vous. Your presence as a reporter may well prove off-putting to my guest."

JC was torn between being upset by the restriction or flattered over the implication he was a reporter with enough reputation to cause concern. The realization that Casey would be downstairs tipped the scale for him.

"I understand. Don't want to mess any of this up for you."

Now, as the confrontation began, there was nothing Chris wanted to do more than wipe the smug look from Ortiz's face. He figured a shovel would do the job nicely. He couldn't understand how Ezra could stand to look at the bastard, let alone seem so calm about the whole deal. A second look told him Ezra wasn't looking at Ortiz. He hadn't taken his eyes from Inez since she had walked in the room. And he wasn't as calm as he looked.

Ezra could see the faint outline of a bruise under the make-up. Could detect the slight puffiness of her lip. Seeing she was under his concerned scrutiny, she pulled at the sleeves of her blouse, and he was willing to bet whatever fortune he had left that there were more bruises there. Only the knowledge that these acts would eventually be avenged kept him from drawing on the small weapon that hid in his sleeve.

"This is indeed an impressive establishment. And my business manager assures me the books are in fine order. Both sets."

"So, the proposal is acceptable."

"No Senor, please do not do this for me."

"Silencio!"

She flinched, and Ezra had to clench his entire body to avoid responding. Buck's temperament was less well controlled as he made a move forward.

"Keep your guard dogs in check Mr. Standish, or this deal will be over before it begins."

"Please Mr. Wilmington, you are only prolonging the inevitable."

"Bullshit! He needs to be taken down. If you won't, I will."

"This is neither the time nor place." Ezra did not want to have to look directly at Buck, as that would mean diverting his attention. Chris reached out and pulled Buck back. This was Ezra's show, at least for the moment.

"You always let your men speak to you like that?"

Ezra barked out a harsh laugh. "I can assure you Senor Ortiz. These are not 'my' men. They are far to independent to be under anyone's thumb."

"You really are a fool. In so many matters." He reached into his pocket, pulling out papers. "The documents pertaining to the debt. Once you hand over the Ace of Spades, the matter is closed."

He reached out, but Ezra didn't move. "I am sorry, but one condition has been added. Questions have come to mind since our earlier discussion, and I have a nature that demands my curiosity be satisfied."

"I will do what I can to oblige."

"If I understood correctly, you 'rescued' Miss Rocios after the fire. What moment of prescience allowed you to be aware she would need your assistance?"

The smile froze uncomfortably onto Ortiz's face. "It was merely a matter for fortunate timing."

"Men like you make your own fortunes. If I might be allowed to speculate? It was far easier to kidnap a woman who was believed to have died. And if you could make a name for yourself as a man of action at the same time, so much the better. I have received telegraphs from associates in Mexico confirming the pride you took self-aggrandizing over your destruction of several business in New Orleans. You started that fire, correct?"

Damn it Standish – you gonna make an accusation like that, you might want to give us some warning. Chris kept the curse to himself, vowing to share it with Ezra later. Until then, he decided it wouldn't hurt for the detectives to make their presence in the room more obvious, and at his signal, all three took a couple of steps forward.

"A powerful accusation sir. Have you proof?"

"I'm not looking for proof. I simply wish to satisfy my own curiosity. I will concede, it will be less damaging to my ego to realize I have been taken down by a man so clearly willing to go to any lengths necessary to get what he wants. I can appreciate that blind ambition."

Ortiz tilted his head in acknowledgement of what he saw as a compliment. "I have never let annoying details like the law get in my way. It is how I have gained power, position, and now, your club. If the process included a bit of arson along the way, it simply enhances my reputation."

"And the lives lost?"

"I didn't know those people, so it is of no concern to me."

Ezra knew he shouldn't react, but couldn't completely contain himself. "I did know them."

Ortiz shrugged, dismissing the matter. "Now, my papers please." He held his envelope out again.

Ezra said nothing as he reached into his own pocket and retrieved his envelope. He could see Inez had stopped fighting the tears in her eyes and could hear the low growls coming from the men behind him as he passed it over in the exchange. He glanced quickly at the documents to ensure the were the originals before tossing them into the fire. His smile broadened as he watched the confusion on Ortiz's face when he felt the envelope and tore it open.

"What is the meaning of this?" He reached in a pulled out a single playing card.

"You asked for the Ace of Spades. If you turn that over, you will see that is what I provided to you."

"The deal was for YOUR Ace of Spades."

"Yes, and I have signed it and identified is as such to ensure that it was, in fact, my property. It is now yours to enjoy. I have consulted an expert who assures me this is all completely legal."

"You arrogant gringo! You presume to toy with me?" His reach for his gun was stopped when the derringer appeared inches from his face.

"By all means. Give me the reason I need to satisfy my strongest desire. It will require precious little incentive." He didn't need to look to know the others were covering him against actions from the bodyguards.

"Judge Travis. Have you heard enough, or shall I encourage confessions of further actions?"

A door none of them had been aware of opened, and a pleased looking judge walked out, followed by three Federal agents.

"Mr. Ortiz, you are under arrest for the crimes of arson and murder. I'm sure we can find a few more charges to add to the mix." He looked to Ezra "Two sets of books Standish?" the judge goaded him lightly.

Ezra lowered his weapon as the agents began handcuffing the prisoners. "Of course. One for the business, one for the property." He stepped next to Inez, gently taking her hand. "It is over now." He smiled at her.

"NO! You don't get to win!" Ortiz shoved at the agent nearest to him, grabbing for his gun. Ezra spun to put himself between the gun and Inez as a single shot was fired. He looked surprised as he realized he was still standing and didn't bother to pretend anything other than satisfaction as he watched Ortiz fall to the ground, a bullet-hole dead centre in his forehead. He glanced over to see Chris holstering his weapon.

"I believe, Mr. Larabee, that cancels any debt."

7-7-7-7-7-7-7

Ezra paced nervously in front of the closed door. The police were down the hall, going through the formality of closing up the case. With Judge Travis and several federal agents as witnesses, there really wasn't much to do beyond writing up reports, but given that the venue was a speakeasy, or as it would say in the reports – private club – they had to make sure it looked good.

Ezra really didn't care about any of that. Inez had basically fainted into his arms a moment or two after Ortiz was killed. While he had dreamt for years about holding her again, this was decidedly not what he had in mind. His own strength at the moment was far from what was needed to support her, so he withheld his objections when Buck took her from him.

Nathan offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile to the stricken looking man. "Don't worry Standish. I'd guess it was nothing more that shock and stress. Where can we set her down?" They were directed to another room at the far end of the floor. Casey Wells was summoned, and she went in with Nathan to make Inez comfortable. They had been in there almost 20 minutes, and Ezra was ready to break down the door. Josiah blocked the path.

"Slow it down Ezra. If there was anything wrong, Nathan would have called for help by now. Likely just getting her calmed for the night."

"I need to see her. To talk to her. I need to know this is real."

"You need to give her some time. She's been through – well I can't even guess what. She'll need to adjust to all of that."

"I just need to know she is all right. For anything else, I have time."

The door opened before Josiah could respond. As Nathan approached, Ezra looked past him to see Casey settling the quilt over the bed. Inez looked to be sleeping.

"She's fine Standish. Well, maybe not fine, but she doesn't need to go anywhere. If the bastard wasn't dead, I'd be more than happy to give him a taste of what he'd have coming to him."

"She will recover from this?"

"Needs rest. Peace and quiet. She's kinda shell-shocked by everything, but she wants to talk to you."

Ezra immediately made a move to the door before Nathan stopped him. "She can't handle any pressure right now. This isn't the time to ask her what happened, or to make any decisions. You let her lead the conversation. Don't mess with my patient Standish."

"I promise you Mr. Jackson, her best interest is my only concern." He side-stepped his way into the room. Casey stood as he approached, smiled shyly and whispered to him. "I think she'll sleeping for a while. I'd be happy to come back and stay with her if you need me too Mr. Standish."

"Thank you my dear."

He sat beside the bed, staring for several minutes before taking Inez's hand in his. The action was enough to wake her, and a fleeting moment of panic was reflected in her eyes.

"No, my dear. You can rest. It is over now. You are safe, and I shall make sure that does not change."

She smiled as she relaxed. "I cannot believe I am free. I have been afraid to even dream of that for so long."

Guilt and remorse shaded Ezra's face. "If I had had even the faintest of ideas of what was happening…"

"Do not do that to yourself Senor. You couldn't know. I did not want you to know. What had happened, what I had done. What I have become."

Ezra gently laid a finger on her lips. "Shhh. You have done nothing. You are a victim in this, and for the sake of all concerned, you should hope I never encounter any of the others responsible."

"But – "

"You must rest. We have time, all the time we need, to discuss this. You are back now."

She looked away from him as a tear slipped free. "I am not the woman you knew Senor. I cannot be."

"And I am not the same man. We have time now. I will wait as long as you need to sort through all of this, but I will not give up on you. On us. I will not make that mistake twice in my life time. Shhh. Don't speak. Just rest."

He watched as she slowly fell asleep with a faint smile on her face.

M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7

tbc