A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Nothing terribly exciting happens in this one, it's just setting the stage for the remainder of the story.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The stage was due any day now, and still everything was quiet. There had been no mention anywhere in the territory of the bloodthirsty gang and the citizenry of Four Corners was abnormally civilized.

Chris, Buck and Vin had ridden circles around every hole in the wall and unsavoury hideout they knew of, while Ezra, Josiah and Nathan had done the same, fanning out in separate directions day after day, leaving JD to look afte rthe town. They hadn't turned up anything of any use, no matter how many times they showed around the wanted poster.

"Either those boys have disappeared off the face of the earth, or folks are too scared to point 'em out," Vin commented.

"I guess we'll just have to wait for them to show themselves," Buck said. "I'm getting awful tired of chasing their shadows all over the damn countryside."

"I guess you're right," Chris said, but he hated leaving a job unfinished. Besides that, he was suspicious of the sudden drop off in their activities.

"What I want now is a hot bath and some feminine company," Buck added. "So I'm headin' back to town. You boys would be wise to come along."

"You don't have to stay," Ezra said, yawning.

He had just returned from a two day ride scouring the countryside for the Bartholomew Gang. He was dusty, dirty, unshaved and exhausted. He didn't even have the energy to have a bath and climb the stairs to his hotel room. Instead, he sat on the chair usually reserved for him outside of the saloon, tipped back on two legs, feet propped up on the banister. Aggie sat in the chair next to him, all four chair legs planted firmly on the ground.

"I know, but I enjoy your company," she said contentedly, settling her hand on his elevated knee.

"And I yours," Ezra agreed, laying his hand over hers.

"Still, I suppose I should get over to Nettie's before it's dark," she said regretfully after a few minutes.

"Yes, you should. I shall escort you to the livery."

"You're tired, stay here and rest, I can escort myself."

"Nonsense," he replied, "All that awaits is a lonely bed, I would prefer to spend as much time with you in this day as I can. One can never grow tired of the company of a beautiful young woman."

"Flatterer," she chided, but she was smiling.

"My Mother always told me that flattery will get you everywhere."

"She may have been right."

Together they walked arm in arm to where Gilroy stood patiently waiting the return journey home. He'd had a handful of oats and was munching hay when Aggie brought him out of the stall. He nickered at her and gently nosed her shoulder.

"Good man," Ezra said, rubbing the horse's face affectionately.

"Thus far he's been the most reliable man in my life," Aggie teased, rubbing down his glossy neck.

"I do intend to change that," Ezra said, taking her in his arms. He dropped his lips on hers and folded his arms around her back, supporting her as he leaned over her ever so slightly.

Cat calls and whistles erupted from the doorway where five of the Seven were horseback after another long day of riding the countryside and attending to various other duties that required their attention.

Aggie was acutely aware that Chris was among them and that he was not clapping and cheering with the others, but she couldn't help but smile with pure happiness at Ezra's touch. Still, she didn't want ot be the target of their teasing or a spectacle so she broke the kiss and pushed Ezra back. She smacked his cheek playfully, "Don't be fresh!" she exclaimed, but her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

"I didn't know you had it in you, Ezra," Buck teased.

Chris eyed her steadily and tipped his hat when she left. "Have a good night, Aggie."

"Same to you, Chris."

A few buildings down, on the outskirts of town, a man Aggie didn't recognize leaned against a rough unpainted wall. She probably wouldn't have noticed him if he hadn't chosen the moment she rode by to spit on the ground between them. She detested tobacco chewing and found it a disgusting habit, particularly in the rougher sort who couldn't even be bothered to spit discreetly.

"Ma'am," he said, touching the brim of his hat.

She didn't acknowledge him but even a blind man could see the malicious glint in his eye. You've come to the wrong town if you've got bad intentions, she thought.

"Brother Ezra, step in. I'd like to talk to you," Josiah called from the doorway of his church as Ezra strolled past.

"What can I do for you?" Ezra asked. "If you're going to lecture me on the evils of games of chance I'm afraid you are far too late, my friend. Besides, the Lord hates a quitter."

Josiah smiled, clapping Ezra on the back with force. "No, I want to talk to you about your love life."

Ezra turned around and made for the door once again. "I have no desire to discuss such matters with anyone," he said quickly.

"Easy brother, nothing personal. I'm talking about your relationship with Miss Campbell."

"And that isn't personal?"

"I only want to know what your intentions are."

"My intentions?"

"Do you have the girl's best interests at heart?"

"I do."

"Well, I don't like to judge love, of all things love is judgeless. But you know what people will say about a man and a woman who aren't man and wife."

Ezra rubbed his hand over his chin and sighed, he could see the direction this conversation was taking, and he couldn't deny that the former preacher was right.

"Have you given any thought to your future?"

"Certainly I have, no one is more concerned for my future than myself but I don't know if the dear lady Campbell would wish to share such a future with me. Let us not mince words here and speak as men. I'm not a man of means and our job here is as dangerous as it is underpaid. I have no home to provide and no real prospects, I'm a gambler and, occasionally, a cheat."

Josiah nodded. "It's hard to contradict you there, Ezra. Do you feel that you're a good man?"

This question had been a raging inner conflict with Ezra for nearly all of his life. Traipsing across the country with Maude, running cons. He had been a god son but a bad person; later he had tried to be a decent person but had then become a bad son, according to her. He tried not to hurt anyone, indeed he was one of the least violetn men he knew, but he did chisel people out of their hard earned cash. He did sometimes take advantage of those that were vulnerable - a certain wagonload of prostitues sprang to mind - but on the other hand, he did have their best interests in mind.

Deep down he knew that he loved Aggie, but did he love her with a pure heart? Did he have a pure heart?

"No. I don't know."

"Could you be a good man?"

"I believe I could."

"Is Agatha a good woman?"

"There are none finer."

"How does Agatha feel?"

"I am quite certain that Agatha loves me."

"And you love her?"

"I can honestly say I've never loved anyone more."

Josiah laughed, rubbing his hands together he leaned against the pulpit. "Forgive me if I'm confused, but you love her, she loves you, she's a good woman and you believe you could be a good man?"

"Well... yes," Ezra said hesitantly.

"So marry. Spend your lives together, if she'll have you."

"I do... I think... you could be right."

"It's alright to be scared, son. How often we fear love, no matter how great it is, no matter how perfect. You must realize she has more to lose. If you continue this way it will only come to one thing and she'll be the one to suffer for it."

"I know."

"You must do what you feel is right," Josiah concluded. "It's no secret you're in love with her and I'd be proud to preside over your union."

"I'm certain we would be honoured, but she hasn't agreed yet."

Josiah took Ezra's hand in his own and pumped it up and down in a hearty shake. The look in his eyes reassured the gambling man that that wasn't going to be a concern of any note.