Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. All original characters and plot are the property of the author. No copyright infringement is intended.

Alright! I told you it was done! This wraps it up. Thanks for anyone who makes it to the end. Hope it was a good read.

As Faith explained it to him, despite the dizzying, tangled web of jurisprudence, he understood that he was basically signing away any useful rights to the land such as grazing or timber. Should something happen to him, the land would fall to Cecil Graham as a partner and Faith as his ward. She would have no say over use or sale.

North had spoken to Cecil about giving him such authority but the way he had put it it hadn't seemed so concerning. He knew Cecil would need control to keep Faith from being intimidated and for him to make important decisions.

But Faith hesitated about giving the man such power. A confusing stipulation also refused any interference by North's brothers. Faith had seen many such papers her father had worked with in his career and he had explained their importance and consequential results. It was too immediate power shifting to Judge Graham and she felt uneasy about it.

North had known Cecil since he had moved to the uplands above Box Junction almost four years ago. Graham had arrived shortly after North had taken up living in the mountain above. They had become quick friends. To doubt him, suspect him of some sort of deception made North feel foolish. But his confidence in his wife, in her understanding of language, especially legal, had him willing to take the papers back to Cecil to clarify and if needed, redraw them.

Fall was late and the cool breeze of the canyon kept the dogged heat at bay in Box Junction.

Leaving Bud to look after the herd, North and Faith rode down into the foothills.

North rolled his shoulder as they came in sight of the quiet town. It was healing quickly but still stiff and somewhat sore. It was just before noon they walked their horses to the hitching post in front of Fry's store.

Glancing across the street, North noticed seven horses hitched along the street. Not often was there such a gathering at this time in the day. It was morning and it struck him as peculiar making him uneasy. One of the Miller's hands came out from the Loop, not looking over at them but took to his mount and rode out casually. North would expect he would see Rett in the next hour or so.

While helping Faith down, Joseph came out from his store. Nervous concern in his eyes.

"Good morning...Cas...I got something to tell you…" The man started when there was another call from down the street.

Judge Graham was strolling up towards them, his usual pleasantness glowing in his broad smile. He looked sidelong at Fry, "Folks, Joseph, how are you this fine morning?"

Hurriedly the storekeeper wrung his hands, glancing over his shoulder at the store behind him. "Fine Cecil...I...I think I'll be needing to get back to the shop…"

North and Faith both watched him go, feeling unsettled at the man's strange behavior.

With a grave frown, Cecil also followed the man with interest until he disappeared into the shop. "You know, Joseph has been acting funny since he went Henryville over a week ago."

Faith clutched at the folds of her skirt of her nice blue dress nervously, she was beginning to feel like she might be wrong about the judge. He had never acted 'crooked as a dog's back leg', as Bud put it. Always he acted a gentleman.

"I'll talk to 'im. See if someth'ns bothering 'im." North said mildly.

"Don't bother, I'll speak with him later." The words Cecil said seemed easy enough, but his tone was suspicious. Then he turned back to North, "Cas, I was wondering if I could talk to you about those papers. I think I may have some changes to make that would work out better in the end."

North reached in his coat and pulled out the fold, "That's what we come to talk to you about too. Faith, she read 'em and I won't sign how they's written."

A fleeting hardness crossed the man's face then it relaxed into an agreeable smile which he directed at her, "Of course. We're probably thinking of the same thing. I'll have you come with me Cas and we'll discuss it. If the little lady wanted to do some shopping, we can go over it then take lunch at my place. I got some chocolates just for you from Saint Louis Faith."

Clearing his throat, North said, "She's comin' too. To help me with the read'n."

The judge's smile remained but behind it there was a irritation, and a distress. Finally he nodded and they walked down with him to his office.

As they entered, Cecil went over to the stove and poured some cups of coffee, "I heard about the Millers up at your place make'n trouble. Said there was some outlaw there, Bud Shaw run 'em off. I told 'em, if you decide to press charges they're going to have themselves a heap of trouble. I was worried when I heard they'd shot at ya."

"How come you didn't come up?" Asked North as the cup was handed to him.

Raising an eyebrow the man paused, "I was still back east, didn't get back until last Thursday."

Faith took her cup as well, looking at her ghostly reflection in it's brown surface.

There was quiet for a time and Cecil finally gave a nervous laugh, "What's the matter with you two?"

North sat his coffee on the desk and unfolded the papers, "We don't want you in charge of the land no more…" he said awkwardly.

"The the extended power of attorney this gives you Judge Graham, I just think it is unnecessary as much as we appreciate your willingness to do so." Faiths confident voice brought both men's attention to her and she sat tall in her seat.

Again, Cecil shifted from an flustered state to a fatherly reassuring smile, "Now now Faith. I know you have read a lot of literature, but this is different than your poems or essays of fiction. Don't you worry, I'll take good care of this. Besides, it's only in case...in case something happens to Northrop and we all know nothing will."

"All the same Judge Graham, if there are to be such trustees, we'd like for it to be North's brothers if it's no bother to you." Faith replied politely.

The man's eyes never left her but he spoke to North, "Cas, help me reassure your wife here that there's nothing to be worried over. With your brother's so far away it's much more convenient to have someone closer and more easily accessible."

"I'm of her mind Cecil. It ain't no matter like you said, Nothin's gonna happen to me." North mediated calmingly.

With a short snort, Cecil hung his head, "Now I know Faith, your daddy was a big attorney there in Philadelphia. You probably picked up a few things too as bright as you are. But I know he had some dealings that we could say were of a shady nature. Perhaps it isn't I that should be suspect to suspicion here."

The silence that followed was tense and thick. Then North stood up slowly.

"Cecil, we been friends for a while now. I ain't one to get hot over a misunderstad'n, but you can't be accusing Faith of somethin'..."

She sat quietly, her hands clasped around the undrunk coffee in her lap and her eyes cast down at the ground.

Cecil started in gently again, "Have you told him Faith? Did you tell him why they sent you away?"

She kept her head down as one condemned and North now shifted his attention to her in confusion, "What's he talk'n about?"

"Cas, while I was back east, I looked into some things. I thought the name Whitfield sounded familiar. William Whitfield swindled three big landowners out of their rights over as many years. Seems you had a hand in it too didn't you Faith?" Asked the judge quietly.

She barely moved only her labored breathing sounded in the room.

Unbelievingly, North almost took a step backward to steady himself. Why wasn't she denying it? It couldn't be true. She was so young and innocent.

"Faith…?" He stammered.

Looking up to him her eyes had reddened, "There was never any charges brought. He was sick and knew he was dying. He was trying to secure his family. He didn't know what he was doing. But I couriered the papers for him. I shouldn't have."

"So after he passed, you admitted to it and because of your age, they were merciful and agreed to have you sent away on condition that you were settled. Which they kept from you North." Added Cecil regrettably.

Everything North thought he had been sure about had suddenly been turned upside down. He had just become sure that he could trust her above anyone else. Now, she had a shameful history and possibly could even be trying to take what he had?

Faith was watching him with augmented eyes. Her chin trembled as she waited.

"I knew, they told me about your pa having some accusations. That you wanted to leave it all behind and come out here. Faith…" His shock and hurt turning quickly into a brewing feeling of betrayal.

"North. I...I never lied to you. Please believe me that I just wanted to protect my father. Let me talk to you alone..." She glanced at Cecil who looked at her in pity.

"Let's get those papers taken care of Northrop." The judge said over her. "I made up some new, it leaves everything out of her hands completely where she'll not be able to deal it as she would if you made her an equal on it. That is what I think she had in mind."

He handed North a fountain pen and new papers with X's where he was to sign at the bottom.

"No! North, please…it happened differently. My step-mother told me they had told you. I love you, I would never do such a thing as peculate your land." Faith started to get up, tears in her eyes.

Inside he felt torn apart. Cecil's story explained so much and Faith even admitted to the fraud. Now it was like she was back trailing, trying to save what she could. It almost made him dizzy trying to work it out in his head.

One last time he looked at his wife, remembering everything they had been through in the few months they had been together, deciding if it was enough.

Walking over to the desk he took the papers up, the crowd of never ending letters, words and sentences overwhelming as he glanced over it. In his other hand was the previous redraft. He looked from one to the other then turned to the stove, throwing both into it.

"Cassidy! What are you doing?!" Yelled Graham.

"I don't understand everything that's happened Cecil. But I trust Faith. I ain't signing anything without her say so." He looked back to her as she stared at him in astonishment.

North couldn't explain it. But he suddenly knew that she would not betray him.

A voice spoke from the door and they turned to see Rett Miller standing in the entrance..

"That's right Cas. You seen coyote tracks around here and they belong to no one else but Cecil Graham." The big man said, leaning against the frame.

Cecil growled lowly, "Shut up Miller. You're going to go to prison for dry-gultching a man."

With a guilty nod, Miller pushed his hat back on his head, "Yeah I'm sorry 'bout that Cas. I's upset about Blythe, but it wasn't your fault you didn't even know who was a shoot'n atcha. Blaz'n good shot it had to 'ave been. He came home with one right through the ribs before he died."

The strange conversation had both North and Faith looked back and forth between Rett and the judge, who was fuming.

"You don't leave right now, I'll arrest you and see you hung Everett…" The threat was not empty as it seeped from the judge's lips.

Miller grinned, "I guess I never knew how to keep outta trouble. You wanna pull your gun judge you go ahead. I ain't listening to you no more. Cas, Graham here paid us to come up and harass ya. Try'n to get you off'n that land. Paid us good. I didn't know where he got all that gold from until today. He's got a gang of devils that go around robb'n banks, mine'n opperations and such. He sits back and plans 'em while they do the dirty work. He's been eye'n your spread for a hide-out for fresh horses and a cash'n..."

The shot rang out and something hit the coffee pot, knocking it off the stove against the wall. Rett looked down at his shirt where a small hole had suddenly appeared at his side. A spot of red started and began to spread and he put his hand up to it in disbelief then staggered and fell into the room.

The doorway opened up and in the street stood a tall, rough looking man in a sombrero and a brambled beard. His clothes were dusty and travel worn and he kept his gun up. Quickly they all threw themselves to the ground. Faith was next to North who pulled her over towards the desk where there was more cover.

"Cassidy! Come out here 'n face the day!" The man shouted with a gritty voice.

North had never seen the man before and couldn't imagine what quarrel he could possibly have with him. What he did know was that, yet again, the focus of who had the questionable motives had shifted. Miller had pointed the finger at Cecil again, but how could he trust a Miller, especially Rett? All this burst through his mind in a second.

Rett groaned on the ground and North tried to reach for him to pull him out of the line of fire but another bullet whined by and he pulled his hand back as Faith yelped.

"Who is that!?" Hissed Cecil.

Thinking as quickly as he could, North untied his gun and called back.

"I don't know who you are but you shot a man down without giving him a fair shake! If I come out there I'll give you a chance, but I'm warn'n you, you'll not walk out of here on your own feet!"

Faith leaned over to him, "Don't go out there North...please!"

Cecil was on his stomach, the spilt coffee from the toppled pot puddling around him.

"She's right Cas! I recognise him now! He's Ben Toffer! If he's here so's his crowd."

That had to be who all those horses belonged to at the saloon. With his heart pounding, North worried they'd start shooting at the office. He had to move away to keep Faith safe.

North knew he wasn't particularly fast with a pistol, he had always prefered a rifle. Checking the chambers he looked to Cecil, "You with me Cecil?"

The man nodded, a confidence in his eyes and he pulled his own pistol out, "Right behind ya boy."

"Get out here Cassidy! I'm gonna give you your chance! For what good it'll do ya!" Yelled Toffer.

Faith clung to his arm, silently pleading eyes reflecting the fear that had her huddled behind him.

"I'll be back I promise." He kissed her forehead then gently took her hands from his arm.

Standing up he went for the door, he heard moving Cecil behind him.

"Who are you? What am I to you?" North said as he walked off the boardwalk and away from the jail house.

The man stood casually but in a good position to reach for his gun at his hip. "You don't remember me huh Cassidy?"

Turning his head slightly he pointed to his left ear that looked as though it was missing a good part of it's top. "Fought ya back at Cobb. You gave me this notch to remember ya by. Heard you was holed up out here, didn't surprise me none. You hid when we was takin' care of them heathens too."

It felt like the blood in his veins had turned to ice with anger. "I remember every one of those people that were killed, but I still don't remember you. " He said lowly.

Toffer flushed as red as his hair and went for his gun. It slid out and fired before North had even cleared his holster and he felt a tug at his sleeve but he ignored it and brought his pistol up and took a breath. He fired. Then Toffer spun sideways, his hand dropping his gun and going to the side of his head. Crying out he stumbled and fell to his knees. The shot had taken the rest of his ear off.

North cocked the gun again and held it level. He noticed the blood staining his own sleeve from where Ben Toffer's bullet had grazed his arm.

"I'm handin' you over to the judge here. You come lookin' for me again, I'll won't bother with your other ear." He promised, his chest pitched and sank as his breaths came deeply.

Suddenly five other men came out from the saloon, all with their guns up and pointing at North. Still in pain, Toffer managed a harsh laugh, "You ain't gett'n outta here Cassidy. You're too slow and there's too many of us."

Even with Cecil there, it didn't look good. North suddenly knew this was it.

"Not enough." Came another voice, but it wasn't Cecil's.

Down the street, coming out of Fry's store stepped six other men. North blinked.

"I'll tell ya mister, most of us are faster than North, and we don't cotton to prairie wolves like you husslin' our little brother." Said one of them, dressed in a nice, tailored suit.

All of the Cassidy's held their guns on the other group of men.

"Count us in too." Said Kerr with Baby Gus sitting their horses as they walked up the street. They held their rifles on the Toffer gang.

Toffer had swung his head towards them and hesitated. His hand still to his ear, blood running between his fingers he finally said, "Alright! We give in!"

North stood almost overwhelmed by the presence of his brothers. Why had they come...all come?

"Strip your belts and guns." Ordered Daniel.

The men began to do so when there was a loud clanking sound from the office that made North spin.

Behind him he saw Cecil stagger, a pistol in his hand, and fall forward onto his hands and knees. Moving in from the side, a pale faced Faith came up. Gingerly she raised the dented coffee pot and struck the man in the back of the head again and he fell to the floor.

Then she looked from the judge up to North, "He...he was going to shoot you…!"

The pot fell from her hands and she shook. North ran over to her.

Cecil lay out cold with Rett's gun next to his hand.

"She's right." Rett managed weakly. "He's gonna make it look like I done it. Your little miss is quite somethin' with shotguns and coffee pots isn't she?"

Unable to help himself, North gathered her up and started to laugh, "I reckon she is."

Hugging him back, Fath started to laugh through nervous tears.

Soon they'd managed to put all the men in the small cell of the jail house including Cecil who sat with his smarting head in his hands.

Rett had lost a lot of blood but Joseph was seeing to him.

The Cassidys' had a warm reunion. Daniel explained that Fry had contacted him after he'd gone to Henryville and seen the marshals. They had described a man matching Cecil Graham's description at a robbery back in Virginia City. He hadn't been sure but the marshals were supposed to come out and investigate. The Cassidy brothers had come just less than an hour before North and Faith had arrived. Soon the marshals arrived to take the men back to Virginia City.

The little cabin was quite full that night with all the brothers, Faith and Shaw (who couldn't have been more upset he'd missed the excitement). They sat late into the night talking about memories and their lives now.

Faith watched North as he interacted with them. Still quiet, he seemed so at ease and unworried. More so than she had ever seen him.

Wrapping the shawl around her shoulders she went out to the porch for air.

The stars were so sharp and close up here. It made her want to try to reach out and touch them, almost believing she could.

"Faith?" She turned to see Cleveland coming out of the door and he walked over to her when he saw her.

They stood in the light emitting from the window and Cleveland glanced up at the sky too.

"Stars keep away from the city don't they?" He said with a smile.

She smiled back, "I didn't know there were so many. North, he sure misses you."

Cleveland glanced back at the curtained window. "Well, I'll tell you something. I've never seen him so happy. The way he looks at you, you'd think he'd caught himself his own star."

Blushing she looked away, but her face fell as she thought of how he looked earlier that day. When Cecil had told him about her and her father.

"I think I may disappoint him. There were things about me they didn't tell him when I came out here." She began.

That's when North came out the door looking around.

"Cleve, Faith? Everything alright?" He asked, his arm wrapped in a bandage.

"Come here North." Cleveland put his hands in the pockets of his jacket, "There's another reason we come out here too."

North came up slowly, seeing Faith's somber face he put his arm around her shoulder questioningly.

His brother sighed, "Faith, we knew something of what was going on and I told North about your Pa. The woman who told us about you was a friend of your mother's and she had her suspicions of all that was going on. They finally figured it out. You can tell the truth now, nobody's going to get hurt."

Faith looked up at him shocked, "You...you know?"

"Yeah. You're step-mother's father was your pa's partner and he drew up them papers to make it look like your father had done it. Then he threatened you into confess'n to them things you didn't do. Your step-mother sent you away to protect ya cause she didn't agree with her pa. It's alright, he's been arrested now. You don't have to worry for your step-mother or your pa's reputation." Cleveland said gently.

In relief she slumped into North. Would she always cry this much?

"You could have told me that." Her husband said, petting her hair and hugging her.

"I should have. I'm sorry." She sniffled into his chest. "My step-mother told me not to…if he found out..."

"Don't have to worry about that anymore." Smiled Cleveland as he started towards the door.

"Cleve," Called North, "Thanks for the letter, for everything."

His older brother paused before he went in the door and nodded then left them alone.

Gazing up at him Faith asked, "What else did they tell you about me in the letter?"

With a boyish grin he shrugged, "Not enough. Not how pretty you was or what a top hand you are with cattle. Don't think I could have found any such woman out here if I looked a hundred years. You gonna come out to show 'em how a city girl rides tomorrow Mrs. Cassidy?"

She smiled wryly at him, "I might have to to make up for my coffee and beans. Oh! I think they're burning!"

He held her there as she tried to pull away, "Let 'em. You're gonna be stuck out here with me for the next half hour I think."