As the door closed quietly behind himself, Adam stood staring at the bed and its occupant. The sleeping man's color looked improved from the last time Adam had saw him, his breathing more even and indicating a healthy recovery. It would seem that the superficial signs at least were hopeful for Meeker. I should have come sooner...Adam thought guiltily, Its been days since I saw him last and then I was chewing him out. Hoss is right...he can't be as bad as I think if he had a sister like Anne and a nephew...like Jody. Give him a fighting chance, Cartwright, stop being so pig-headed!

He approached the bed and sat on the edge, waiting for the other man to awaken. The time gave him the chance to digest what had been said between him and his brother. He didn't want to admit it but fear had claimed him for too long. Looking back on the previous conservation days before, Adam realized that Meeker had shown a sincere love for his sister but that didn't mean that he could be trusted. A scowl crept over Adam's face, evidence of his struggle. He wanted to see justice done but the thought of Jody wanting to live with someone else was more than Adam could bear without turning numb and cold from the inside out. He desperately wanted the boy and to show him love, to give him a structured childhood and every opportunity under the sun. And Jody's future would be perfect if not for the possibility of another claim being made on him. Yes, Hoss had shown his wisdom though...this problem would never go away and needed to be dealt with head on.

Meeker stirred restlessly, his eyes blinking open and widening upon seeing the man who seemed to loath his guts, sitting on the edge of his bed and staring off into the distance. "Cartwright? So you finally decided to grace me with your presence, have you?"

With slow deliberation, Adam turned his steeled gaze down to regard the man struggling to regain his wits. They stared at each other, two men from completely different backgrounds but one little boy in common. Making a decision, Adam rose and strode to the dresser from which he produced a key. Bringing the silver object back with him, he proceeded to unlock the handcuff encasing Meeker's wrist. The metal fell to the floor with a clatter, leaving George speechless. All he could do was watch the other man as a high-back chair was reached for, swung around and straddled backwards.

"Let's talk. Man to man. No advantage over the other. Sound fair?" Adam intoned, his face blank.

"Your woman must have gotten to you..." Meeker said without thinking. A tightening of the rugged jaw was the only response, indicating dangerous territory had been entered. George cleared his throat nervously. "What is it you want to talk about?"

"What you told Hop Sing. About helping us discover who's behind the attacks that have occurring. I'm listening, this is your chance to clear yourself of any wrongdoing and find yourself back on your wandering road."

George took a deep breath, grimacing at the effort. "I left home at the age of twenty. Anne was being courted by Matt and their marriage appeared inevitable...so I thought, 'Why not? I'll go see the world like I always wanted.' So, I left. I woke Anne in the night to tell her and she insisted on my writing her and I promised I would."

Adam shifted on the chair, raising an impatient eyebrow that told of his growing boredom. Meeker cleared his throat nervously. "Anyway, I left California, going from town to town until I ended up in Nevada, around the Carson City. I was dead broke, you understand, and I met a man then. By the name of Lem Dudley or at least that's the alias he goes by. A meaner half-breed, you'll never meet. As I worked with him, I found out that he's part of a network of spies and thieves spanning the entire state. I regret to say, I became part of it all to earn money. I wanted out of it as soon as I started but I was trapped. Him and his partner paid me to keep an eye on any 'unique opportunities', as the other gent put it. Quite the little, fat snob, that one."

Meeker paused to let a cough rack his body and took a second, catching his breath. Adam crossed his arms on the back of the chair, his eyes wandering as he thought on what he had just been privileged to hear. Then he asked the obvious question. "Who's the partner? I need a name."

"The man you want is Anderson...Silas Anderson. Works for William Sharon of the Bank of California in Gold Hill. Close enough to keep tabs on what's happening in Virginia City and to get information from Dudley."

Adam's eyebrows drew together in dark concentration as he remembered his two associations with Sharon's aide. The man had seemed to exude an air that immediately sparked uneasiness but Adam hadn't been able to figure out why in the past. Now all the shady glances, first in the office and then in the telegraph office, made perfect sense now in retrospect.

"Is Sharon party to this...group?"

Meeker sighed, beginning to feel fatigued. "No, he's not. Too respectable and upstanding to even know about such things going on under his nose."

"Anything else that you've left out?"

"No, except you must be careful if pursuing these men. Anderson has two cronies working for him. Two brothers, big, middle-aged and desperate enough to do his bidding. They could prove to be a problem."

"You think those two are who injured Jody last night?"

Meeker's face went pale. "Jody's been hurt! When? How?"

Seeing the fear in the other man's face, Adam looked away, guilt nibbling on the outer fringes of his conscience. "It happened last night. A blow on the back of the head knocked him out in the barn, presumably from foulplay of some sort. But the doctor said he will be fine after a little rest..."

"That's good...Jody seems to be in good hands..."

The wounded man couldn't continue, a hand coming up to clamp around his stomach, the pain from his wound too much to bear. Another series of coughs tore through him, causing him to bite back more than one cry from the agony that felt like it was ripping his very muscles from their joints. He panted as his breathing eased, his eyes closing with exhaustion.

Adam felt a pang of sympathy, having suffered similar injuries many times over. He stood, coming closer and bent down to place the back of his hand on the glistening forehead. A fever radiated against his skin, sending goosebumps down his back at the hot contact. Nodding to himself, he stood straight once more, staring down at the man who he had made prisoner for the past days. Right was right and wrong was wrong. Striding to the first window then the other, he flung each of them open with a flourish. Fresh air and bright light rushed into the space, it's crisp quality raising his spirits and refreshing the stale bedroom air as he returned to the bed to find the occupant's eyes watching him with interest.

"Is this the first time you've been shot?"Adam inquired in a low tone while he soaked a cloth in the bowl of cold water on the bedstand. Meeker opened his eyes further when the welcome coolness settled on his brow.

"Yeah...the first time...can't say I am enjoying the experience."

Adam nodded without a smile or chuckle, taking a bottle from beside the bowl. He picked up the spoon lying close and he measured a portion of the bottle's contents. Holding the spoon gingerly against Meeker's lips, he raised his eyebrows, indicating the the medicine was to be taken without complaint. Too weak to resist, Meeker complied, managing to swallow the spoonful of laudanum before hiccuping once. The sick man then turned clouded eyes on his benefactor.

"Why the...the change of heart, Cartwright? I got the distinct impression before that you hated my guts."

Adam covered the shivering man with another blanket to his neck before answering. "I was reminded by a wise man, wiser than myself most of the time, that you are related to a certain little boy that, I daresay, we both care for. Anything I do is for Jody, not you. He deserves to see his only uncle alive and well. He deserves that much but so much more. I want you to remember that in the future."

Meeker eyed Adam with a wary gaze, unblinking and still in the bed as a thought came to him. "Are you saying I couldn't take care of him? Do you want him yourself?...Is that what you're trying to say?"

"If you so choose to interpret my words as such than so be it," Adam said bluntly. He turned to go from the bedside but paused with his hand on the doorknob. He glanced back out of the corner of his dark eye. The other man's eyes were staring out of the nearest window, enjoying the sunlight spilling through. Adam grimaced in agreement with himself, knowing he had done right in giving a chance to him. "Get some rest...I'll be back when I need more information."

The door closed with a firm click then the lock could be heard turning into place...and George sighed heavily with frustration. "I'll still be here..."

The passive warning had not gone unnoticed. He was free to move about the room if he could but he was still a prisoner in this house until other arrangements could be made. He only hoped that listening to Evangeline Williams and exposing those dangerous men would pay off in the long run. With a gulp, he also hoped that he was safe from the wrath of said men if they should find out about his betrayal.

I* * * * *I

After Hoss had brought round the horses, Adam collected Evangeline and helped her into the buggy. Silent the entire time since exiting the guest room, he climbed in and took the time to wrap a blanket snugly around her legs. Then he tweaked the reins gently and the sensitive team pushed into the harness with spirit, enjoying the strength of command guiding their way. The ride to town was one of quiet thought as Evangeline had expected and she accepted it instead of trying to create conversation. Regardless of the ruts in the road bouncing the occupants around a bit, they sat rather stiffly, apart from each other; he not aware enough to realize the distance and she not wanting to intrude on his solace. After a time however, she grew chilled from the cold, morning breezes and needed more warmth than just the lifeless blanket across her lap.

With a sigh, she glanced at her handsome fiancé and leaned into him, wrapping her arms about his right one and laying her head on the shoulder of his black coat. She shivered as she began to warm up and smiled, watching his long fingers keep a firm grip on the reins. Life seemed content to her in that moment of time; the young sun was continuing its ascent into a new day and the heat from the man by her side wrapped her in a feeling of safety and protection. Her already strong trust deepened, sealing her heart even closer to his destiny. Where he went, she would follow. Of that much, she could be certain though their future was not. Deciding to revel in the moment, she closed her eyes and let her body settle into him.

Emerging from his fog, Adam glanced down at the soft, warm woman by his side and he smiled down at her, his cheeks dimpling with pleasure. He leaned down and pressed his lips into her scented hair, murmuring his love for her and continued driving until Virginia City came into view. It didn't take long before the buckboard was rumbling down the main street and turned down a side street of pleasant homes. The dusty road was lined with trees and the houses were framed by manicured flower gardens and further evidence of wealthy living. He brought the horses to a smooth halt in front of the Williams' home and turned to Evangeline sound asleep on his shoulder.

"Darling...darling, you're home. Time to wake up, my love," he whispered, caressing the sides of her face to waken her and kissing her forehead gently.

The light touches tickling her face roused her sufficiently and she sat up, eyes blinking to dispel the vestiges of sleep. "I'm sorry, Adam...I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"That's more than alright. You need as much rest as you can get, especially after last night. Do you want me to wait and take you to the restaurant?"

Evangeline shook her head, kissing him on the cheek. "No, you must go on about your important business but...my darling, please be careful. I won't ask what has been troubling you all this morning but ease my heart by promising me that you will do as I ask."

Adam smiled, his hand coming up to drift over the side of her face. His thumb lightly tugged on her bottom lip, opening her mouth slightly and he stared at its inviting depths, wanting to taste the sweetness but knowing if he did that he would never leave her. Instead of a kiss, Adam looked up into her eyes with a burning love in his hazel gaze. "I will never leave you if I have the choice. You are the sun around which my world turns now. In return, I demand that you watch out for yourself too. You better be here when I return."

Evangeline found she had lost her breath. "When? When will you return?"

He sat back, climbing down from the buggy and coming around to help her down. As she slid down his body to rest her feet on solid ground, his cheek dimpled at her soft gasp of desire for him. "Just as soon as I feel that we are free to pursue our love and our marriage. It won't be long. Send word if you need me before then. Go on now. Your father is waiting for you, I can see him observing from the windows."

Evangeline giggled and turned to go, her fingers trailing from Adam's, longing to hold on just a little bit more. He watched her go with both regret and relief. He wanted her safe but he also knew he had to face this challenge alone and he hated to think of that. Tipping his hat to Frank Williams with a cheeky grin and raise of his hand, Adam turned to bound back into the buggy and whipped the horses around, sending the rig rattling back into the main part of town. Evangeline watched him disappear around the bend, her smile slowly fading into a pained look of concern. She entered the house as if in a daze and was met by her father who greeted her with a smothering hug and then concern upon seeing her distress.

"I missed you at supper last night, my dear. Is everything alright?" Frank asked as he guided his daughter to sit beside him on the ornate love-seat in the parlor. He felt her forehead but feeling normal warmth only, he tried to figure out what was wrong. "I saw Adam leaving, I do hope he treated you well. If not, I'll have his head brought on a silver platter!"

"Oh, Poppa, stop it!" Evangeline protested, withdrawing her hands in irritation. "Adam is a perfect, caring gentleman who loves me. You never need to fear when I am with him."

Frank smiled, pleased that his tactic of provocation had been successful. "I know he is. I had my concerns at first but he changed my mind pretty quickly on the trail when you had been kidnapped and we were searching. Now, you will tell me what is wrong and be quick about it."

She smiled at the familiar tactlessness that accompanied her father's discussions many a time. "I am scared...of leaving you...of not being the wife that Adam needs...of marriage in all its aspects. But mostly I'm scared of myself. Of not living up to, well, everything. Ben says that I need not fear in this regard but I'm not so sure. Adam is a man of tender feeling and passion but he has a dark side..." Seeing the look of anger cloud her father's face, she was quick to explain, "No! No, not in a violent way, my word! No, his darkness is one of sadness and loss...of a fear that I can't seem to draw out of him. I try to support him, try to encourage but I don't know if I am making a difference. What should I do, Poppa? I don't know what to do."

Frank's eyebrows furrowed as he pondered her statements then he committed to speaking, "Men aren't like women, Evangeline. Adam needs time and proof that you'll not be leaving him too. Not that you ever would but I just mean, from what Ben had mentioned, that boy and his family has lost more than anyone should in one lifetime. That takes its toll and makes a person doubt any real relationships. I agree with Ben though. Keep at Adam, keep showing how much you care and he will come around to opening up to you. Your mother and I's marriage was open and honest, built on trust. It's a rocky road for young couples just starting out and you and Adam will be no different but I do think that he suits you...although I can never agree that anyone could be completely worthy of your beauty and talent."

"I love you, Poppa...so much...I've missed you so..."

Tears had sprung in Evangeline's eyes at the tender words spoken by her father who had only recently declared his devotion for her. Three years of drinking and bitterness over his wife's death had damaged their once solid relationship but now it appeared that he was back to stay; a loving father with wisdom to provide in her time of need. She flung her arms around his neck and wept for the joy of it. Surprised, Frank first tentatively touched her back before wrapping her tight against his chest and there father and daughter stayed. Two hearts being healed and beginning to find their way.