Disclaimer – You recognise it, I don't own it.
1234567890
She'd seen him around town before.
Him with his tweed suit and silly hat. Him with his pearl handled guns.
Him with his confident swagger and blinding smile.
He was small. But he was a man. That was clear to see by the way that Mister Larabee listened to him… Treated him as a friend… An equal.
Same as all the other Protectors did.
He wasn't like any of the other boys around town. Not like anyone she'd grown up with.
He wasn't just another farm boy who had done nothing more than shoot a few wolves.
Nor a shop keeper's lad who might have fired a shotgun in the air to warn away thieves.
Nor a young cowboy who rode at the back of the herd as they were moved.
He was someone who had done stuff. He'd come West, on his own. He'd fought alongside six other gunslingers.
She'd wanted to talk to him for a while. But she'd never had a reason… An excuse.
She didn't want to seem desperate. Didn't want to act like some silly little girl… He wouldn't like that. She was sure. Besides she was all grown up. She wasn't going to act like some… Some child!
She was quite proud of herself that she managed to find something they had in common quite quickly… Riding.
She didn't understand though. Every time she'd challenged a boy before, even if they objected, she could make them race her. She always won, of course…
But him?… Their conversation was interrupted, but she could tell… He wouldn't have raced her.
He looked down on her slightly. Insulting her with that "Run along" comment.
Well, she wouldn't take that lying down. She'd find a way to make him like her, she swore to herself between her glances back at him.
She wanted him as a friend… And maybe more.
After all… he wasn't like anyone else.
123456789
Vin stiffened at the insult. To him it was a double insult.
Firstly to Nettie Wells, she had never given anything. It had been taken. Yet Guy Royal was making himself out to be the injured party.
And the second insult was just as bad. Implying that Indians always took back what they gave freely.
They didn't. They simply believed in an exchange of gifts.
Vin would defy anyone, who had lived the life he had, to use that insult. The People had been kinder to him than most Whites.
The People were among the most kind-hearted and generous people he knew.
And this thief dared insult them.
Vin returned the insult with the most thinly veiled threat he could. Knowing that his eyes would fill in the details that his voice had not.
"This is my damn country, boy!" Guy Royal spat at him.
"Ours too." Vin knew it was likely that Guy Royal wouldn't get his implication this time.
Vin wasn't talking about Nettie Wells or even the rest of the Seven. He was talking about The People. His People. The Indians.
He passed the chair to JD, once the kid got on his horse again. Vin still had an uneasy feeling about Guy Royal. Not the sort the kid got. But his sort. Experience telling him that the fight wasn't over yet.
Vin kept an eye on JD though. He hoped that the kid's unconscious actions would prove him wrong… He hoped that the kid would react to any threat before it fully materialised.
Not that he wasn't listening to his own instincts…
But JD had proven that his abilities were at a higher level… Even if the Easterner wasn't fully aware of them or sure of how to use them.
However neither Vin's instincts nor JD's Spirits spoke as they rode quietly to Nettie Well's place.
123456789
It wasn't really that Ezra didn't want to help. It was more that he didn't know how to. And he didn't know how to ask. To ask would be to admit ignorance, which was not something he was willing to do.
It didn't seem that the others present understood. If Ezra didn't want to help, he wouldn't be there.
The things he knew he could do to help didn't need doing, yet he couldn't bring himself to leave. Not without helping in some manner.
He listened to Mrs Travis' story and mentally sighed. It seemed Mister Royal was smarter than he had given the rancher credit for. The move was perfectly legal, but rarely considered. Rather like en passant in chess.
And while he believed that Mrs Wells would pay the debt back, he rather doubted that Mister Royal would give her the time to do so.
It was a well-played move.
However when Vin turned his eyes on the Gambler, Ezra knew he wasn't going to like whatever it was that had caused the Texan's eyes to light up so devilishly.
He was right.
123456789
Ezra could see where Vin was coming from. Could understand the Texan's logic and plan to save the Wells' Farm, but he still felt uneasy with his money out of his sight or feel. Not to mention his boot felt strange.
It wasn't just his Saloon money, as Vin thought. It was his "run and hide" money. The money he had in reserve if he or JD ever needed to run.
As he waited in the brush for the trap to be sprung he mentally checked everyone's location.
Chris was on horseback ready to intercept.
Buck and Nathan were on Chris' right.
Ezra and Vin were on the left.
JD and Josiah were further back, on horses to block the exit.
Ezra hid a smile. It hadn't even been discussed among the Seven. JD's position on the horse had been decided the instant the plan had been voiced.
It was the safest position, particularly for a half-grown, little girl. Though only Nathan knew that detail, the others were simply trying to protect their kid.
Being paired with Josiah, only meant that Mister Royal and his men wouldn't try to charge through. The Preacher was large enough to intimidate most men, particularly once atop his heavy horse.
Unsurprisingly to Ezra the plan was pulled off without a hitch. Mister Royal was a careful and cautious man. Especially when there was the threat of imminent violence towards himself.
Though Ezra carefully counted his money once Vin had returned it. He wouldn't put it past Mister Royal to never put all his eggs in one basket. However in this instance Mister Royal had neglected that basic imperative.
Ezra also was worried. Mister Royal would not take this insult lightly. He had lost a significant investment, one he, no doubt, believed would be highly rewarding.
This was not the end. Ezra only hoped that it would not end with violence. Though he had little idea of how it could not.
123456789
Vin stared into the eye of Top-Hat Bob. He refused to be stared down. He refused to be even the slightest bit intimidated.
He'd heard of this man. A corrupt Marshal. Providing "Justice" only to those who could afford it.
By his words the man clearly had a grudge against Chris. But why Vin didn't know.
Nor did he really care.
The man had killed Cody for his land. Vin would see him hanged for that crime.
Eye for an eye, as Josiah would say.
But right then and there he had no weapons other than his tongue that he could freely use. They were outnumbered. So he had to keep it from escalating.
He flinched slightly in sympathy as Ezra was pistol-whipped… For his coat… Just a coat.
Though Vin did find it amusing that Top-Hat Bob took a coat and missed the real loot, tucked away in Ezra's boot.
Vin was glad that Ezra was either too dazed or had the good sense to stay down and not resist. He didn't think Top-Hat Bob would stop at a blow the next time.
123456789
Buck grinned as he watched the interaction between Casey and JD. It was clear to anyone that the young girl had a romantic interest in the young Sherif.
The only person who seemed to be oblivious was JD. Much to Buck's amusement.. And his dismay.
Buck could see that JD was flustered. The boy had no idea of why Casey was harassing him and trying to outdo him.
Well, Buck wouldn't be a very good big brother if he didn't help out, would he?
It was obvious to the man that approaching the Easterner would not be the way to go If the kid missed the mile high letters carved in stone, Buck wasn't going to make any progress there.
But if he tackled it from the other end.
He watched as JD walked off, clearly confused and exasperated.
Time for Buck to work his magic.
He was a little taken aback at the fierce defence Casey put forward, first for herself, and then for JD. But she had fire and gusts and determination.
She was clearly a girl from the Ranches. This was no fainting, wilting garden flower.
She was a wild flower used to harsh conditions.
But no less beautiful behind all her thorns.
He just needed to help her show it. Despite his roguish ways, Buck was a romantic at heart. And he saw no reason why JD shouldn't benefit from that.
It would just take a little work.
Buck thought back over the conversation… Maybe a lotof work.
But it would be worth it, just to see the smile on JD's face.
After all wasn't that what big brothers were there for?
123456789
In some ways Vin wasn't too surprised to see Nettie sitting there with her Spenser Carbine loaded and cocked. The old lady was as tough as they came. Clearly someone who had learned to thrive on the plains.
Part of Vin wondered what the People would have made of her in her prime. He could easily imagine her being as beautiful as he remembered his ma being.
However, toughness aside, he wasn't leaving her out on her own. A potential tempting target for Top-Hat Bob, particularly as he was fairly certain that the man knew that Nettie was under the protection of himself, Chris and the others.
123456789
JD was trying to push past the crowds around the Saloon-turned-theatre. She was hoping to be able to watch the show.
She wanted to see the spectacle. Hear the music. Memorise the songs. She'd always had a good ear for music. Sure, might take her a while to replay it, but she'd remember it. And given enough time she could play it back.
It had been so long since she'd seen a show too. Some of the patrons of Doc's Bar had snuck her into the Variety Halls and the Minstrel Shows. But the shows had been when she was very small. Since she'd turned ten she'd only really seen the bands at Doc's Bar.
But she wasn't able to get in. She moved away, mentally figuring out where the best place to listen would be.
Then she saw Buck and a girl she didn't recognise. The girl was too young for Buck, and by the way he was acting around her, he was excited, but also laughing at some sort of private joke.
As the girl continued forward on her own, JD frowned slightly. She recognised something about the girl. The way she moved… The way she held herself… Something!
Then the light dawned.
JD's eyes flicked to Buck, who nodded. He was acting rather like a proud father escorting his daughter down the aisle.
The embarrassment JD felt was real as Casey tripped on her skirt and it fell down.
She watched as the bright red girl ran off, hitting Buck with her skirt as she passed him.
JD slipped away to go climb on the rooftops to listen to the show. She didn't want to be around Buck. Not while she had all these questions in her head about what Buck had been up to.
It was a bit out of character for the man.
123456789
Chris found it quite amusing and sweet to watch JD try to argue with Buck about Casey. It was clear to anyone that JD was highly flustered and embarrassed about being caught looking.
But it was the look on JD's face… The embarrassed, defensive, angry look. It reminded Chris of another face. Embarrassed, defensive… But so much more angry. More enraged.
He knew who Top-Hat Bob was to him. And why the man hated him so.
He quickly filled in both Buck and JD.
Chris found it almost amusing that JD stated the easiest way to avoid fighting Top-Hat Bob. It wasn't that the gun-slinger hadn't thought of the idea himself, but it wasn't his way.
If it was his time to die. It was his time to die. No ifs, ands or buts. Chris Larabee was going to go to his grave with his head held high.
Chris didn't think JD cowardly for the suggestion. It was more that he knew the boy didn't understand the ways of the world. The boy was naïve and desperate to protect what few friends he had.
One day the Easterner would understand. And Chris couldn't help but be a little sad about that. JD was so innocent and unknowing about the world. Chris didn't want to be the one to shatter his illusions.
Though he knew that they would be shattered eventually. Such was the way of life. He just didn't want to be the one to do it.
"Hey, Chris." JD called out.
"Yeah?" Chris turned slightly.
"How do you know that you can take Top-Hat Bob?" JD asked.
Chris just smiled and turned away. He didn't. But that wasn't going to stop him from fighting the man.
123456789
Ezra crept forward with Buck. The idea of blowing up the bunkhouse appealed to the Southerner.
However neither the matches nor the fuse wanted to co-operate with the currently irritated Gambler.
First the matches wouldn't light and the fuse was touchy as well. Needing longer than Ezra expected to take. Which didn't help considering that the wind was blowing out the matches not that long after they were lit.
And Ezra was not going to let Buck do everything. He wanted at least some of the pleasure at causing pains to Guy Royal and Top-Hat Bob.
It seemed to Ezra that everything was conspiring against him recently. Because once the fuse was lit and Buck threw the dynamite, Ezra found the fuse had fallen out.
Ezra picked it up to show Buck, then dropped it in disgust. Racking his brains for a way to produce a diversion out of thin air.
Luckily for him, he didn't have to. As a gold plated one arrived seconds later.
123456789
Sometimes Ezra was amazed at the obliviousness of people. Mrs Travis was one of the most intelligent women he had ever met. More than capable of finding people in cities far away, many months after they had left. And honest enough to try.
However she was seemingly incapable of noticing the little girl hiding among the gunmen.
It was as Maude always said: People see what they want to see.
In all truth, Ezra wasn't too upset at the blindness of those around him. Easier to keep a secret. Easier to hide a terrified girl among six gunmen.
Ezra wasn't really comfortable about Nathan knowing, every so often the old quote would run through his mind:
"Three can keep a secret, if two are dead."
Yet Ezra could not take that final step. In this instance the keeping of the secret was secondary to the protection of the secret. Which was not, as it may seem, the same thing.
123456789
As Vin walked back to his horse, he thought about the one thing he hadn't said to Nettie Wells.
*Only thing Ma never told me was what a Tanner is. All I can do is live up to who I hope they are.*
1234567890
Thank you for all your reviews.
Sorry for the very long delay people. Sections of this chapter didn't like me. To be honest I never much cared for this episode at all. Well… I've got an Interlude and then an episode I'm really looking forward to writing… Manhunter.
Hopefully they should come easier.
JudyL068 – Have a bit of an advantage over most… Some might call my mum fae. She's told me all the cursed parts. And I know all the blessing parts. And as for the hiding… Keep reading.
Ladynwaiting – To post a story follow the instructions on the Logged In section. It'll walk you through it.
MalikaiDragonSlayer – Sorry for the delay.
Lunaz – Glad you enjoyed.
Angeleyes46 – Thank you. And I'm not tell-ing!
Once again, thank you all.