I'm sorry that you had to wait so long for this chapter.

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MammaBethany, you're the best! Thank you for your help!

"Accepting help is its own kind of strenth." Kiera Cass

The cabin was situated in a clearing surrounded by trees and bushes, which provided excellent cover for anyone who wanted to spy on the comings and goings of its occupants. Nathan found himself perplexed by the men's decision to stay here instead of heading to Robb, where they could easily disappear. It was a risky decision given the possibility of approaching the cabin; something that he would've done already if it wasn't for Anna, who he felt responsible for. In this situation, the only thing that he could do was wait for Bill and make sure that the highwaymen stayed where they were till the reinforcements came. The thing that he had to determine before the chaos that would surely ensue was that Anna stayed put whatever happened. Surprisingly, after their morning talk, she seemed to trust his judgment and didn't put herself in unnecessary danger. Nevertheless, he wasn't quite sure that when Bill did show up, Doctor Winters would remain hidden instead of throwing herself into action. He suspected that even with what they had already discovered, she was not fully aware of who they were dealing with.

"Anna..." he whispered when he felt that he was ready for that conversation. Either she didn't hear him or was too preoccupied with observing the cabin.

"Anna... look at me," her eyes met his and suddenly he forgot what he was going to say. They were crouched very close to each other, so their faces were ten inches apart. He could count the freckles on her nose. He had never thought her beautiful before, but when she looked at him like that, with an expression so open and trusting, he couldn't think her anything but.

"Yes...?" she gave him a perplexed look and he snapped out of it.

He was all business now. "Listen to me very carefully. These men are extremely dangerous. They murdered at least two Mounties."

"How do you know?" she asked quietly.

He took a deep breath. "A month ago, Mountie Headquarters became aware that the railway close to Robb wasn't being built according to plans. Instead of going around the Cree land, it was being built right through it. Two Mounties had been sent to investigate and listen to the accusations provided by the Cree people."

"And you think that they were killed," she concluded.

"Yes," his voice cracked slightly, but he shook his head and continued confidently, "That's why we will wait here for Bill. And I need you to promise me something," she wasn't interrupting, just looking at him intently. "Promise me, that you won't leave this hideout under any circumstance."

"But..." she wanted to argue.

"No buts. Promise me," he insisted. The determination in his eyes caught her off guard.

"I promise," she agreed, looking him straight in the eye.

"Under any circumstance?" he wanted to know for sure.

"Under any circumstance," her voice didn't waver.

It got dark quickly. The light provided by the cabin windows illuminated the clearing in a flickering glow. Anna always loved the wide variety of sounds created by the forest nightlife. This time, however, everything was quiet. She found the silence deafening.

Suddenly, an owl call could be heard nearby. Nathan put his hands to his lips and created a similar sound. Bill was with them in a second. After making sure that she was alright, he moved to Nathan to plan the attack. It took them less than five minutes to determine how many men were in the cabin, and how to proceed taking into consideration six Mounties from Union City that Bill had at his disposal. Soon the clearing was full of experienced men navigating in the dark with confidence. Anna had to say that she was impressed with their skills, as she couldn't even hear them moving.

Then, everything happened all at once. The door was broken with a loud bang. For two minutes Anna could hear shouts and shots and then everything went quiet. She was waiting impatiently for the outcome, ready to act, if the need arose. Even though she had promised Nathan that she wouldn't, she knew she just couldn't stand still and watch the murderers escape. When she saw Bill leaving the cabin, with his men close behind, she breathed a sigh of relief and let go of the big piece of wood that she had been holding tight. She had found it even before making the promise to Nathan and hid it in the bush nearby just in case.

Nathan was the last one to leave the cabin, leading the third criminal before him. Just as he was turning to say something to another Mountie standing few feet away, Anna noticed a flash of light reflecting off the barrel of a gun in the bushes to her right. She reacted on impulse, moving swiftly in the dark and knocking the man down by a blow to his head, with a shout of warning directed towards Nathan. Everyone turned at once, just as the bullet smashed a window behind Nathan's head. The Mounties sprang into action, pulling out their guns and making sure that there was no one else hiding in the bushes. Anna checked the unconscious man's condition to make sure that nothing serious happened to him. When she was done with the examination, two Mounties dragged the man away.

She needed to talk to Nathan.

Just as she began to walk towards him, she heard Bill's call, "Doctor Winters! We need your help here! Two men are injured!" so she turned her footsteps in the direction of the road.

Nathan avoided her concerned look and after passing the arrested man to Bill, he walked back into the cabin. His heart was beating fast, and his ears were ringing. He couldn't allow himself to dwell now on what had almost happened a few minutes ago. The easiest way to do that was to concentrate on the things that needed to be done. He had to gather as much evidence as possible and find Anna's bag. The cabin was full of light created by candles and two lamps. The first thing that caught his eye was an open medical bag, lying in the middle of the floor with Anna's belongings scattered around. As he started to pick them up, he saw the Bible lying on the floor upside down. The diary was lying close by. He crouched down and as he gently picked up Anna's most treasured possessions, an old photograph fell out from the journal. He looked at the picture, before putting it back where it belonged. It was a family portrait. He could easily recognize Anna, with her wavy hair, big eyes, and freckles on her nose. She was probably around nine years old when the photo was taken. In the middle, a beautiful woman was sitting with a chubby toddler on her knees. On her right, a man in a Mountie uniform was standing tall, with his arm around a seven-year-old boy. Nathan knew that a year later, Anna's mother had died, and it changed everything. Her youngest sibling was around two then, her brother was eight. Did she have to take care of them? Were they still alive?

When he met Doctor Winters, he never thought that there were any similarities between them. Now he began to understand that they both shared a fair deal of heartbreak and loss. It didn't help to settle his feelings after her actions today. Didn't he tell her to stay hidden no matter what? She would've been killed if it turned out that there was another shooter.

As if on cue, Anna walked into the cabin. He turned towards her. Seeing the haunted look in his eyes, she unconsciously took a step back.

"Nathan... are you alright?" she asked softly.

"I told you to stay put," he stated with anger and Anna felt her temper rising.

"I saved your life. 'Thank you' would be nice," she took a confident step toward him, trying to make a point.

"You could've got yourself killed!" he didn't withdraw.

"You would've been dead if it wasn't for me!" They were standing inches apart, breathing hard.

"I would've been fine! You're a civilian and under my protection! Why didn't you do what you were told?!" She looked at him furiously. He glared back.

"Your bag," he held it in an outstretched hand.

She grabbed it and went outside to join Bill and the other Mounties who were preparing the prisoners for transport.

Nathan was left standing in the middle of the cabin, breathing hard and trying to calm his racing heart.