Another chapter for you I hope you enjoy. I imagine DaisyxBlane fans will like it. Now you've said you'd like Keri, I'll see but as I'm less familiar with the later cast it may take me some time to find the right place for her

"Cole you said your friend would be here soon. If you wanna go meet her, I'm gonna turn in for the night." Blane stated. The Fed didn't dispute it and he and the Sheriff parted ways.

Blane was walking, the route back to home was coming up, just turn left. Getting closer and closer. Step by step he moved for. Here it was. Left. In a second. Turn left. Do it. Now. He past it, the left now being a right in backtracking. He wasn't going to turn around. He kept moving. With the falling sun behind him, he cast a mighty shadow, that of a titan, standing strong amongst this hollow town. He was no titan, not anymore. Blane walked on, fleeing the devils upon his shoulders telling him to continue, a devil on each shoulder, he deserved no angel. Moving forward he stared at the ground ahead of him and as if by magic he was still, staring at the bar of the The Knight's Bar.

"Hey Sheriff. What can I get you?" Frank's voice called out, drawing Blane's eyes up to meet his. "The usual?" Blane nodded unable to speak, a peculiar lump forming in his throat. Frank pulled out a Whiskey glass, the nice kind, reserved for the Sheriff and the Mayor. "Want it neat?" Frank gestured to the ice tray, Blane shook his head. As he placed down the glass Frank turned, reaching for the top shelf and retrieving Blane's usual, the Lone Gunman Whiskey, as he placed it by the glass he asked, "Shall I hold on to it or shall you be needing it?" Again Blane did not respond in words but with the look in his eyes. "Just bring it over when you're done." Frank finished, flinging his dish towel over his shoulder and carried on with his duties.

Blane took them and found himself a secluded booth to wallow alone, it wasn't hard. The place wasn't too busy, it was a Sunday night. A few regulars, a few stragglers here on a one off to clear their heads and search for some courage at the bottom of that bottle. The jukebox played, filling the gaps of silence between the idol chatter of the other patrons. The Handsome Family played, The illinois band took an alternative look at country music, a look that soothed Blane. It was their song 'Far From Any Road' that filled the room. Blane sat and allowed the bluegrass melody surround him and the gothic words of death follow into his ears. Peace. He poured his drink and began to consume, slowly allowing it to trickle down his throat, savouring the taste. He poured one after another, allowing himself to drift off.

In the hushing dusk, under a swollen silver moon,I came walking with the wind to watch the cactus bloom.

"Blane?" A curious voice softly spoke. Blane returned to find sat opposite was Daisy. "What are you doing here?"

"What does it look like," He responded, raising his glass in a joking toast, "Anyway, how are you?"

"I'm good thank you." He said cheerfully with a smile, soon that smile morphed, realising he was diverting the conversation. He had ruffled her feather and was getting annoyed at him, staring him down with intent. Blane found her extra cute when he had a playful huff with him, though she was beautiful no matter what the occasion. "How's the case going?"

And when I touched her skin, my fingers ran with blood

"Going well. Got some good leads, We're officially treating it as a murder, but," he stopped himself, "I can't say anymore." He took another gulp of the whiskey, After many years Blane had built a strong tolerance to this poison and so Blane kept himself composed, focusing on not embarrassing himself.

"That's fair." She agreed. "So what's with the uniform?" She gestured to his clothing, his official Sheriff attire, Blane even forget he had it on. They both laughed, enjoying one another's company.

"Yeah," Blane began to explain through his chuckling, "I had to throw it on for the this morning for the meeting with your father, near chewed me head off. We got a Federal Agent down to head the investigation."

"That's cool," Daisy said with intrigue, "What's he like? Is he fitting in well?"

In the hushing dusk, under a swollen silver moon I came walking with the wind to watch the cactus bloom

"Yeah, he's a nice guy, straight laced. Seems to be getting a grip of..." Blane paused, glancing at the glass and finishing what was left in it. "Did your dad send you here?"

"No." She exclaimed but Blane always knew when she was lying, he knew all her idiosyncrasies, when she lied she'd ever so slightly bite her lip and her nose would adorably wiggle. Blane continued to stare. "Well not exactly." She admitted, "I was having dinner with him at the office and he mentioned a guy from the FBI getting involved. Plus, I just wanted to check up on you see how you were doing."

"So you already knew about Cole and decided to act surprised?" Blane felt a feeling of betrayal but that was a familiar emotion.

"It's just that he's worried how it'll affect the town's reputation..." Daisy began but Blane cut her off, raising his hand in a stopping gesture.

"It's been a long day. Can we just move on to something else?" Daisy smiled wide, showing her pearly white teeth. With that Daisy got herself some wine, Blane rolled up his sleeves and pours another glass of the Lone Gunman. Once settled they sat, leaning forward against the table, gazing into each other's eyes just like they use to.

….

3 years ago

Here Blane stood, his hand hovering over the handle of door to his new house, generously given to him by the Mayor. It was getting dark yet he still could not bring himself to enter. Finally he braced himself and opened the door. The place was had an open plain, you could see everything but it wasn't hard. The place was empty. A blank canvas. Just was Blane had been searching for. Blane began to explore the house, getting accustomed to it's walls and its features. The bedroom was already halfway done up. The bed made, with plump new pillows, a selection of new clothes perched atop the dressing table and a note stuck to the mirror, 'For your consideration- D. Millar.' Blane laughed to himself, he really wanted Blane in the Sheriff's office, He'd only been back in St. Hopes for a couple of days yet here he was. He explored the bathroom, flicking on the light to find a strange man there staring at him. Who was he? As they stared with focus and mistrust it was only then that Blane realised it was a mirror. As part of the Mayor's desperate crusade to recruit Blane as a deputy they had taken him to the barber's, their treat, giving him a close shave, the first time Blane's cheeks had seen daylight in a while and his now combed back and managed. Suddenly, bang, a knocking from the other other side of the house, someone was at the door but who? It was late and nobody knew Blane had moved in here, just the Mayor and that McNab guy. The knocking persisted, they were light, non threatening, this could be a rouse to lower his guard, Blane wasn't going to fall for it. He slowly crept towards the door listening carefully for anything on the other side, someone counting down, the cocking of a gun or maybe just heavy breathing but there was nothing, these guys were good. He slowly reached over, grabbing the handle with one hand and tightening a fist with the other, ready to attack. In one swift motion he swung the door open and got into position to fight.

"What took you so long?" the soft voice spoke. With those words spoken all tension from Blane's body left, his fist dissolving. It was Daisy. Daisy Millar. The most popular girl in school. The Hottest girl in school. The Mayor's daughter. The girl that Blane knew was so much more to her than just a pretty face. The Girl he loved and the girl he left standing there in that bus station as has he disappeared into the distance so many years ago. "Blane?" She asked again, only now could he truly see the angel standing in his doorway, "Is now an ok time?" and only did he realise he had been staring at her and hadn't said a word.

"Yeah now's fine." He blurted as his brain kicked in as he invited her in. As Daisy entered she could barren wasteland that was Blane's new home.

"It's very...cosy." She lied. Blane laughed.

"I just got here, there's no need to sugarcoat it." There was a pause of silence. "How did you know where I was?"

"My father told me." She explained sternly. "And seeing how you've been here for 3 days and haven't come to see me yet I thought I'd take initiative." She raised a large bottle of whiskey in her hand, "And I brought a housewarming gift." She handed it over.

"Lone Gunman," Blane read the label with a smile but it quickly dropped. "Did your dad send you here?"

"Well," She began looking away embarrassed, "He just wanted me to see how you were settling in. Plus, I wanted to check in and see how you were doing. I heard about the diner."

"Well," Blane smiled, feeling Daisy worrying eyes burn into him, "I'm fine." He said taking a step back to show Daisy all of him, completely forgetting about the obvious bandaged hand. "And the diner wasn't a big deal."

"You fought four thugs Blane," She said with a look of annoyance at Blane's nonchalant attitude to the situation, that classic look, the look he loved. "And you," Daisy paused, finding it hard to say the words, "you killed those men."

"I've been in the army for six years, what else do think I've been doing." Blane joked. Daisy did not find the joke amusing, her face still scrunched up. Blane tried to rationalise "Look, those guys were armed and probably would have harmed someone. I just did what anybody in my situation would do."

"I guess so," Daisy said, trying to accept his reasoning to shooting, stabbing and beating a gang to death. There was an awkward silence as they stood, making eye contact and both looking away, "I should probably go." She quickly finished.

"Oh, ok," Blane choked on his words. He felt like such an idiot, the first time he had seen Daisy in six years and this was their first encounter, an awkward conversation in his dark and dingy home.

Daisy turned to the door and began to leave as Blane walked her the door to see her off. Just as they reached the door Daisy stood and turned back to Blane. They looked into each other's eyes, not knowing with all their history what was the correct way to say goodbye, a handshake? a high-five? a kiss on the cheek? Daisy decided a hug was appropriate. She leant in and wrapped her arms around Blane. He too was panicking of how to say goodbye, the hug took him by surprise but he soon hugged back. Despite all that he had done, Daisy was happy to see him. Her head rested on his chest for a moment, making her feel safe, like the old days. The hug ended and Daisy began to pull away but they both sudden froze looking at each other, their faces mere inches apart. Blane went for it. He stole a kiss.

Moving in slowly and kissing her gently, as he pulled away she kissed back stronger. The lips were now firmly perched upon one another. Their eyes shut, taking in the moment. Their arms now embraced one another, Blane's hands rested on her waist. Still connected, They began to move away from the door back towards the centre of the house. Blane lifted Daisy, holding her up by the back of her legs as she wrapped them around his waist. All the while not breaking the kiss. This moment was intense, pure passion that Daisy hadn't had in years. Blane carried Daisy across the house to the bedroom.

In the morning Blane was drifting into conscious, waking up but trying not to. Blane kept his eyes shut, trying to refuse the day. In the darkness of his clamped eyelids he began noises. There was the sound of raging fire and the clanging of twisted metal. Then voices shouting.

"It's gonna be ok buddy."

A scream of agony.

"Blane just go."

"Do you dare say that Stew. I getting you out of here." a near sob.

"Just..."

"NO! NO! NO! Stew, stay with me. Stew! Stay awake. Wake up buddy. Wake Up!"

Blane's clamped eyes now opened wide as he gasped, like waking with night terrors. Like waking from a nightmare, guess it was a nightmare of sorts. Blane was now awake and alert. Staring at the bland grey ceiling above he could feel an arm draped over his bare chest. He glanced over to see it was Daisy's. She looked peaceful, fast asleep, her head near resting on his shoulder and her arm trying to hold him close. Her long followed along her head and the bed. He stared at her for a moment, taking in her beauty. She let out a light moan as her eyes slowly opened to meet Blane's.

"Morning." She said in a near whisper and a smile.

"morning." Blane responded. "I'm going to make some coffee, would you like some."

"Please." Again in a hushed tone. Blane slowly made his way out of bed, throwing on some jeans to cover himself. He began to leave the room and that's when Daisy saw the large bandage upon his upper back, concerning her greatly. Blane moved to the kitchen finding a number of little things the Mayor had left him, including a fridge fully stocked with all the essentials, various equipment including a coffee maker. As he began to prepare the beverages Daisy appeared, standing in only Blane's red flannel shirt, it's oversize covering her well. "Why do you have a bandage on her back? I just thought you hurt your hand"

"Yeah, one of the guys had a switchblade, he got me in the back." Blane said casually with his back to her, searching for some coffee mugs. "Honestly it's fine." Daisy was getting annoyed again but it was when he turned around that truly startled her. It was only now that Daisy saw the true damage. Blane's injuries from the diner were nothing. There were scars almost everywhere, cuts and large burns. Daisy's eyes widened.

"Blane, what the hell?" She exclaimed. Blane said nothing. "Where did you get all those scars? and the burns?" silence. "Stewart always said you were never injured during the war."

"There was a lot of time after he left." Blane finally spoke.

"So you got these during the war?"

"I'm not going to have this conversation."

"Stewart said you moved divisions, to an analyst job or something."

"I'm not talking about this."

"Did you get captured? Were you get put in one of those camps?"

"For Christ sake Daisy I'm not talking about this!" Blane shouted, ending the conversation by slamming his fist on the kitchen counter.

….

Now

"And then this 1st grader asked me what a 'pagina' was." Daisy explained as they were both in a fits of laughter. This was nice, Blane hadn't laughed this hard in a while. It was good for him but it was about to turn sour.

"Blane Whittaker and Daisy. Oh My God, it's like High School all over again." A voice cheerfully said. Blane gritted his teeth, tensed up, he knew that voice. He hated that voice. And who the voice came from.

Blane slowly turned to confirm it was him, a walking nightmare. It was Chad Turner.

*Dramatic music* Chad returns. I hope you like it, especially the Blane and Daisy part. Again if there are any characters you want to see, good or bad, mention them when you review. And if you have any questions about the backstory, the setting, my inspirations or writing style feel free to ask. Thank you