Thursday night was two-for one night, or five weekly videos for five bucks, so it brought the out of towners in. Field hands sneaking a look down the 'adult' aisle when the coast was clear of moms with screaming kids looking for Disney reruns to baby-sit for the night. Charlie, rebellious in all things, ignored the locked shelves of tapes and read from The Portable Dorothy Parker, absently tapping the customers account number into the blinking one eyed yellow terminal on the counter as they passed.

'Is this any good?' said one of the customers. Charlie continued reading but made a vague 'mm-hmm' sound that could have passed for yes.

'Are you sure? It says stuff about butt holes.'

Charlie almost dropped her book. Dalton grinned at her, holding up a lurid cover from the adult section. Charlie gave him a withering glare. 'Ha ha. Very funny Dal.'

Dalton adopted a smacked puppy expression. 'Aww come on, it was at least a little funny.'

An actual customer approached the counter, eyes widening as she looked at the cover the young man was holding.

'Plots not so good' Dalton critiqued for her.

He eyes widened. Charlie hissed, and reached forward to take the customers choice, a much less arousing 'Ordinary People'.

The lady sniffed as Charlie took her three dollars, walking away with the carriage of a respectable person. As soon as she got outside the video storefront, she slumped back into a country waddle. Dalton burst out laughing and Charlie couldn't help but follow.

When the store was closed, Dalton walked along the street with her, towards her car. They walked leisurely, not saying anything, the streets quiet. In all the time he had been gone Charlie had felt insubstantial, as if light would pass right through her. She had been somehow faded. The perpetual sense of unease she had carried had been supplanted by something else, a feeling she had thought burned away; a sense of absence. His return had poured colour back into her dreams and the thrall of everything that had carried her before was broken.

'Hey Charlie.' Dalton said.

'Mmm?'

He stopped and clasped her fingertips. 'Will you come to dinner?'

'Ok' she said, watching his eyes. Something made her ask 'Dinner?'

'At my house. Friday night. '

Charlie shook her head in wonderment. 'You want me, us, to have dinner with your father?'

Dalton nodded vigorously.

'Dal, your dad hates me.'

He laughed. 'He likes you. Ma likes you, Sarah thinks you're the prettiest thing ever and Daniel, well you know how he feels about you.' Dalton made a spooky noise and claw fingers, which he dug into her side. Charlie squealed and pushed him away.

'Eeeewww, that is so gross. I'd rather kiss a skunk.'

Dalton skipped around her, still trying to tickle her. 'Come on, say you'll do it, I'll make it worth your while.'

Charlie stopped walking. 'Dalton what are you talking about.'

Dalton's smile shrank a little, but not much. 'They said if I re-up, they'll post me to Germany.'

Charlie's world crumbled inwards. 'Germany?'

'Yeah. My pop's gonna hate it. You know how thrilled he was when I joined.'

Charlie felt numb. She spoke from an abstract sense of herself, detached from the tearing emotions. 'That was the judge's sense of humour.'

Dalton made a wry face. 'Join the enemy or go to jail, do not collect the wrath of your father. Some judge.'

'Dalton, you were running guns. What did you think was going to happen?' Charlie folded her arms, angry now.

Dalton thought about it for a minute. 'I guess I didn't. But I'm thinking about things now, and I want something different. You know I can't have that here.'

He was right and Charlie knew it. This place had been her sanctuary, the place she had taken refuge after the Big Bad went down. For Dalton, this place was the Big Bad, and his father the uncontrollable force. She understood what it cost to be free.

'So, I figured we could tell him on Friday.'

Charlie's lip curled. 'Having me there won't stop him freaking out.'

Dalton gave her a puzzled look. 'Charlie, don't you get it? I want you to come with me.' When she still didn't get it, he grabbed her and kissed her.

When she put her arms around him and kissed him back, he realized she did get it.

---

'Oh no' said Cynthia forcefully. "You are not going there by yourself.'

Charlie groaned, but inwardly she felt a sense of relief. Still, to keep up appearances, she complained. 'I'm not a baby Cynthia.'

Ben laughed until Cynthia gave him a stern don't-mess-with-me glare. He quickly shut his mouth, but couldn't keep the mirth all the way hidden. Charlie knew the battle was lost.

'I'm calling his mother and telling her she'll be setting extra places for dinner' Cynthia finished, and began undoing her apron. She was out the door and stomping towards the store before Charlie could think of anything to say that would stop her. Instead, Charlie sat down at the breakfast nook with Ben, who watched her with a deep regard. '

What?' she said, looking at his Hallmark expression.

Ben got up and gave her a hug, leaving her bewildered.

"It's not like they eat people.' Charlie said, grabbing a piece of toast.

Ben chuckled again. 'No Darlin', they don't eat people. They just have their ways. I agree that the People ought to be a little suspicious of the Government, it's what keep's them in check.' Ben left a lot unsaid. Neither Charlie nor he needed to review their positions on trust and the government. 'Isaiah's just a little more forthright about it.'

Charlie nodded. 'He wants to march on Washington and blow up the IRS. That's pretty forth right all right.'

Ben grew suddenly serious. 'Charlie, you know I think the world of Dalton.'

Charlie stopped chewing her toast. 'But?'

Ben sighed. 'Family is a powerful bond. I worry that..' he trailed away. He was always so careful around her, always trying to avoid tripping a memory that he felt he had no right to renew. This little girl had been placed in his trust by a man on the run from the law; but when he had accepted the charge, he had known it was right. . This farm was the only safe place she had ever known, and the love Cynthia shone on her adopted daughter provided a harbour in an otherwise nightmarish childhood. Be damned if he would see her harmed again. Still, she was a young woman now, strong and powerful in her own right. If anyone could take care of herself…

'You're doing it again' Charlie complained.

Ben dismissed his melancholia. 'Eat your toast.' he said.

---

Dinner was a somber affair. Charlie felt like she was seated at a Pennsylvanian pitchfork convention. The metal spoon clattered on a blue and white china platter pulled out from a Special Occasions cabinet and Charlie politely declined another potato.

Only Ben seemed comfortable. Isaiah had greeted them at the door to the main house with a friendly fake smile and much handshaking. Ben broke the ice at a rate of knots, being genuinely complementary about the joinery, admiring the deer heads posted around the room and leading them all into the dining room in a constant cheerful chatter.

Isaiah, who'd not had another person say anything more than was absolutely necessary to him in some time, was greatly pleased and enthused loudly about their accomplishments, whilst seating everyone at the long wooden dining table.

Dalton sat bolt upright, looking as uncomfortable as one of the deer heads. Next to him sat his sister Sarah; a small, wispy haired blonde thing, silent in the presence of her elders, but otherwise a chirpy butterfly of a child.

Dalton's brother Daniel kept trying to make eye contact with Charlie from across the table. 'Creep' Charlie thought.

Isaiah caught her look and spoke directly to her.

"Have you seen the orchard?'

Charlie met Isaiah's stare. It was a two part stare, starting with a glare to see if you were paying attention and finishing with a shrinking of the pupil, as if she had caught something she wasn't meant to see.

'No.' she replied, without trying to extend the conversation.

Ben jumped right in 'We had no luck with fruit, too fiddly for me. Canola, tho', oh boy, the new strain has been...'

'No good will come from messin' with the plant. Seeds won't grow from one batch to the next, so's you'll always be buyin' it from them.' Isaiah sneered.

Ben nodded thoughtfully. 'I heard that too, but we've been breeding plants for certain traits since the Egyptians, maybe it's just another step.'

'Ben, they'll own you. Just like they want to own us all.' Isaiah snorted. 'It's all part of their plan.'

Ben remained externally cheerful, but Charlie saw the tiniest crinkling of his hands, as if grabbing a shovel. Charlie thought a shovel would come in handy right about now.

'Whose plan?' asked Sara, innocently.

Isaiah seized upon the question, as if he'd been waiting for it. 'The un-government child. The godless. Look at congress. Homosexuals, Jews, Catholics. Between'em, it's no wonder a god fearing man has a hard time of things.'

'Pa…' Dalton tried bravely to stem the flow.

Isaiah gave him a wide eyed glare that made Charlie reach for her fork. One good swing and she could pop that bug eye right out of his head. Ben was watching her and gave a slight shake of his head. Charlie released her fork.

Isaiah pushed back from the table and stood up, expounding as he went. 'The government for the people, of the people is long gone. All we have now is the rotting hulk, hollowed out from the inside by these maggots.' He stabbed a finger at Dalton. 'They tried to take my son from me, made him a conscript in their mercenary forces. Who knows what brainwashing he was subjected to?'

Dalton looked down at his plate. Charlie felt a pang of sympathy, but then noticed Daniel still leering at her. She kicked him under the table. Daniel shot backwards, grabbing at his shin.

'Daniel!' yelled Isaiah.

'She kicked me, Pa!' Daniel whined.

'Sorry, I must have slipped' said Charlie, apologetically. Isaiah turned his burning gaze back upon her. Charlie remained calmly poised on her seat. 'You were talking about the government conspiracy' she said helpfully.

'Well, how about dessert?' said Katie, standing up from the table.

'I'll help' said Cynthia, quickly, and motioned for Charlie to accompany her.

Isaiah held up a hand. 'Let Charlie stay here a minute, Dan'll help, wont you Dan?' He turned to Dalton. 'You take your sister along too.'

Dan mumbled something in reply and sullenly got up from the table. Dalton rose, uncertainly, looking at Charlie. She gave him a gentle flick of the head acknowledging that she had this under control. He gave a grateful smile and helped Sara down from her chair. Cynthia cast a pointed look at Ben as she left, following them into the kitchen. Charlie and Ben remained at the table with Isaiah. The room was suddenly very quiet.

'So.' Said Ben.

Isaiah was staring at Charlie. 'My boy likes you' he said. Charlie was sure his gaze was meant to terrify her, to subdue her with his will alone from across the table. This just made her pissed, but she simply smiled and batted her eyes at him.

Isaiah laughed.

'You're a fine looking girl Charlie, and lord knows my boy is of an age where he ought to have a wife.'

'Whoa now, hang on a minute' Ben interrupted. 'Let's not put the cart before the horse.'

Isaiah rounded on him. 'Who said there's gonna be a wedding? The likes of you think you can just waltz on into my family?'

Ben gave a great big smile, seething. 'Charlie, would you go see if Cynthia needs a hand.'

'No way. I'm staying for this.' She said. Both men turned to look at her. 'Neither of you get to make decisions for me.'

'Listen girl' Isaiah snapped.

Charlie fixed Isaiah in her sights. 'Don't you talk to me that way Isaiah, not now, not ever.'

Cynthia, standing in the hall way at the head of the returning tribe, gasped.

Dalton pushed past her. 'Pa…'

Isaiah thundered to his feet. 'I know about you.' He said, pointing at Charlie. 'I know who you work for.' He turned on Dalton. 'And you! You serve them, and now you want to bring their whore into my house?'

Isaiah would have said more, but he chose that moment to sail through the air and collide with the wall. Ben stood beside him, his broad palm white from the impact of his slap on Isaiah's jaw. Ben bent down over him. 'I've known you an awful long time Isaiah. You ought to know better and mind your manners, or I'll mind you for them.' Ben stood and grabbed Charlie's arm in an iron grip. 'Come on Darlin', I've had enough dessert.'

'It was lovely to see you!' chirped Katie as they departed.

Ben walked them through the compound as quickly as he could without quite running. 'Well that went well' said Cynthia, hitching her skirt up to better run. Bens face was grim, but Charlie was sniggering. By the time they made it to the truck, they were all laughing. Cynthia stopped. 'This isn't funny.'

Ben nodded and started up the truck. 'Nope, it aint funny. Charlie, you and that boy are just gonna have a good old fashioned elopement.'

Charlie looked aghast at him. Ben sniggered some more. 'Aww come on Darlin', it's plain to see. Anyways, he can't be as crazy as his daddy, no one can.'

The truck bounced down the drive, headed towards the main road. A set of lights roared out from the fence line. Ben swerved hard to the right as the other pickup shot straight into the space where the front of the car had been and they sideswiped, the two trucks conforming and pulling to a halt. Ben jumped out of the car yelling. 'What the hell do you think…?'

Daniel fire two rounds into the air then brought the pistol down level with Bens head.

'Oh my god' Cynthia said, sucking in a breath.

Three other men got out of the truck, carrying rifles.

Daniel was approaching Ben, moving his head from side to side, twitching. Ben watched him calmly. 'Charlie.' He said under his breath. Cynthia put a hand on her shoulder, Charlie took it and squeezed, letting it go and stepping out from the truck. As soon as she emerged, she captured Daniels attention.

He didn't say anything; he just stood there, gun pointed at Ben, staring at her, unashamedly.

'Daniel.' She said. 'You need to put the gun down.'

Daniel snorted. 'You're coming back to the house.'

Charlie shook her head. 'Daniel, you need to let us go, before this gets any worse.'

One of the armed men laughed. 'Sure we do.'

Daniel echoed the laugh.

'Well you got us son, what now?' Ben asked.

'You're comin' back, and your gonna 'poligise for what you did.'

Ben shook his head. 'I aint gonna apologise Daniel. Might as well shoot.'

'Ben!' yelled Cynthia. Ben shrugged.

Daniel danced from side to side.

'They was tresspassin' suggested one of the armed men. 'We fired a warning shot, but they kept on coming. He's got a gun rack in that truck.'

Charlie knew this could go either way. It was about time she tipped the scales. 'Daniel, this is your last chance.'

This provoked another round of laughter. Daniel turned the gun on her.

'Good' thought Charlie. 'Now it's self defence.' She laughed out loud. It disquieted Daniel, but the men behind him kept up their catcalls of encouragement.

Charlie reached for it, and it was there, waiting in the darkness.

''Do you believe in God, Daniel?'

Daniels eyes were wide. Somehow he knew he was in danger, but unable to determine the threat. The air around him grew thick and warm, like summer had come. The grass around them crackled.

'Do you believe that his righteous fire will smite the wicked?'

The gun in his hands was warm, hot, hotter; it burned. He dropped the gun. The noise and motion as the gun dropped into the dry grass caused the armed men to swing their rifles up.

'Charlie, NO!' yelled Dalton, running down the path. The wind was rising about her, her hair streaming back from her face, a light shining from within.

Daniel looked into her face and saw destruction. He dropped to his knees beside his pistol, which had now started a small circle of flames in the dry grass. Dalton ran over to the pickup and grabbed the rifle from the first man, snatching it from him and shoving it into the ribs of the second. 'Guns, down, now!' he screamed. He swung the stock to his shoulder and pointed the rifle at the second mans head. 'James, all the guns go down now, no foolin'.'

They lowered the weapons, glowering at Dalton. Dalton grabbed them away and threw them onto the grass. He swung the stock into the wisecracking James's face. 'You asshole, you egged him on didn't you?'

Charlie felt the Big Bad struggle within her; it was not to be denied tonight. It had been called and demanded its release, but Charlie was no longer a leaf on the breeze. She felt the potential of everything to burn; an untapped sea of desire to spring from an inert state into energy. Maybe fires started because sometimes things wanted to burn.

'Get away from the truck.'

Dalton turned to look at Charlie. 'What?'

Charlie struggled to speak. 'Get….everyone…away…from the truck…now…'

Cynthia dived out of the truck and pulled Ben away. 'Dalton, move those men, she can't hold it in.'

Barely able to comprehend, Dalton, motioned for the men to move.

The truck exploded in a column of flame that went straight up into the skies in a perfect circle. It raged like an incandescent firework trapped in a bottle, burned brightly and briefly, then fell to glowing metal embers.

Daniel looked up into the eyes of the Goddess. He understood.