Ten minutes later they were sitting around a table in the saloon, all nursing drinks.
"So, Ally, where'd you meet our resident expert on all things of the more spiritual side of life?" Ezra inquired
leaning back in his chair.
"Josiah spent several years studying with the shaman of my grandfather's tribe."
"And your grandfather is?" Buck asked staring into her eyes intently.
She rolled her eyes at his attention. But it was Josiah who answered his question.
"Grey Wolf."
Vin sat up in suprise. Grey Wolf was a Cheyenne chief who was famous for both his treaties with many
powerful nations but his refusal to comply completely with the army's orders to stay on a reservation. If
Grey Wolf wanted to take his tribe somewhere he did it. The army would rarely try and make trouble. Grey
Wolf was an influential chief. One with a lot of allies. He kept close ties with some very powerful people in
Washington. People who protected the tribe.
"Your grandfather is Grey Wolf?" Chris looked suprised.
Ally nodded. "Yes." She said simply. She offered no more information and the seven knew better than to
ask.
"Getting back to the problem at hand..."Josiah leaned forward. "Mind telling us what all this is about, Ally?"
The young woman sighed softly. "A couple of weeks ago I treated a young man for a bullet wound to the
chest." She frowned. "He was dyin' that much was obvious. There was nothing I could do to prevent it. All
I could do was make it less painful. He understood that. Tried to tell his brother. Not that the fool would
listen. No, it was much easier for him to blame me. Afterall I'm a woman and half-Cheyenne. And in his
opinion there ain't no women doctors. Much less half-breed women. So they tried to kill me." She laughed
softly. "Problem is they waited till they were to drunk to stand to try it. I could've shot every single one of
them. But I knew better. They were white. I'm not entirely. I would've hung for it. And I'm in no hurry to
die. So I decided to leave. I'd been planning to move on anyway. So I left."
"But they followed." Chris put in.
"They followed." Ally said flatly.
"Well..." Ezra trailed off. "It would appear my dear, that you have landed yourself in quite the predicament."
"I suppose." She nodded, eyeing the southerner with amused suspicion. "And let me guess.." She
continued after a moment's thought. "for a small fee you will be my bodyguard as it were."
"And what a body to guard." Buck murmured under his breath and was promptly rewarded by a sharp
boot to the shin. "OUCH!!!" He yelped and glared across the table at Vin who leaned back in his chair
and finished off his whiskey.
"Somethin' wrong Buck?" Chris inquired casually looking over at the man who was rubbing his leg under
the table. His tone may have been casual but the look he shot his old friend was a definite warning.
"No nothin'" He responded standing. "I'm gonna get another drink."
Ally seemed unaware of the true meaning of their conversation but Ezra wasn't placing any bets on what
was going on behind her unreadable expression. The southerner had to admit. She'd caught on to him
pretty quickly and he certainly wouldn't be sitting down to a 'friendly' game of poker anytime soon.
"Doctor," Nathan spoke up.
"Like I said Nathan, it's Ally. I may have a medical degree but I never finished my training."
"Why not?" JD inquired.
She smiled tolerantly at the younger man. She had a beautiful smile Vin noted. It seemed like her whole
face came alive. "Simple JD, there ain't many hospitals that'll hire someone of my...'questionable'
background."
"Fancy way of saying they don't hire half-breeds." Chris said flatly.
She nodded. "That would be about it. Women they'll reluctantly hire. But only when they have to. A woman
who happens to be half-Cheyenne? Forget it. I was lucky they even looked at my application." She shrugged.
"It's not like I would have stayed there long anyway. To civilized for my tastes. I prefer somewhere that isn't
crowded and you can breath."
Each man nodded. They could understand that. Chris, himself, had expressed the very same sentiment
several times and it was a common thread amongst the seven. They didn't like civilization and civilization
wasn't too fond of them. The west was somewhere a person's past was their own business and few would
question that.
"So now what?" JD spoke up again. "We can't let these guys kill her."
"Never said we would." Chris responded calmly.
"So what are we going to do?"
"Same thing we always do..." Vin interrupted. "Fight."
"I can handle myself." Ally interrupted.
"Against twenty men?" Buck interrupted. "Lady, you may be good but there ain't no way in hell you can
take down twenty men at once!"
"He's right." Josiah spoke calmly and insistantly. "You're good but you aren't a miracle worker."
She smiled softly and eyed her empty glass. "No old friend, that's your department." She stood. "Well I
guess I have no choice but to ask your help once again Josiah."
"And if you ask Josiah, you ask all of us." Nathan said calmly, standing to face her.
Her smile widened. "How can I say no then?"
"Good. Now I'd like to discuss something with you." Nathan continued. "A business proposition."
Ezra's ears perked up. "A business proposition?" He drawled.
"Not your kind of business proposition."
Before he could speak again Ally had turned to Buck.
"And certainly not your kind." She said with a warning look.
The rest of the group had to hide smiles at his astonished look. "Wha....I...I....I wasn't...." He stammered
as she look back to Nathan.
"I'm listening." She said walking around the table to stand before him."However I have to check on Black,
so if you'll join me..."
"Of course." He smiled and followed her out of the saloon.
When they'd left Buck turned to Chris. "I wasn't thinkin' anything...."
He smiled wryly. "Sure you weren't...."
Buck looked over at JD. "I wasn't!" He protested.
He nodded tolerantly. "Yeah sure you weren't Buck." He laughed. "We all saw you."
"She's not your kind of woman." Vin spoke up.
"Whaddya mean?" JD questioned. "She's breathin' and she walks all right."
The men laughed as they rose from the table and walked out leaving Buck sitting at the table. "All right...
So maybe I was." He admitted finally. "But she sure is a pretty little thing."
Unfortunately there was no one there to listen.
------
Nathan showed Ally around the town then showed her his medical supplies and then explained his
proposition. She listened to him then considered his offer. She was hesitant. Afterall it did mean settling
down. Something she wasn't really used to. She'd only stayed in Holland Creek for as long as she did
because of an epidemic in a nearby Seminole camp. They'd asked for her help and she'd given it. That
was the way of her grandfather's tribe and the neighboring tribes knew it. Grey Wolf offered help knowing
that someday it would be repaid, not that he did it for the reward. It was just something he considered right.
Something Ally considered right.
Nathan left Ally to herself for awhile to let her think. He knew that what he was asking was not a request she
normally would get from anyone except maybe a tribe. He knew that despite the fact he was black he was
still an outsider. It was not something the Cheyenne woman was used to....being asked for her help,
especially from anyone who wasn't indian.
He was in the saloon when Ally strode in. Her eyes full of determination. She'd made a decision that was
for sure. And there was no way she would be talked out of it. She strode up to the bar. Got a drink and
turned to face him.
Nathan felt suddenly nervous. What if she said no and left? Josiah wouldn't be pleased to see his old
friend suddenly up and leave. Especially when her life was in danger.
She looked at him quietly for a moment. "Well, Nathan..." She paused for a moment. Letting his
nervousness build. Then a mischevious glint crept into her eyes and she held out a hand.
A huge smile broke out over his face. "Does this mean what I think it means?" He said shaking the
proffered hand.
Ally laughed softly. "Yep. You gotta deal."
"What manner of deal would you two physicians be speaking of?" Ezra said curiously as he walked up.
She couldn't help smile. "Do you ever quit?" She asked shaking head obviously not expecting an answer.
"Nope." Josiah said leaning against the bar and finishing his drink. "But I am curious. What kind of deal?"
"I asked Ally to stay on awhile in town. I could use the help." The healer explained.
"What a minute," Buck interrupted. "You're going to be helping Nathan?"
She nodded.
"She knows a few things about medicine I don't. Afterall she's had the proper training."
Ally let out an unladylike snort. "All the good it did me. There aren't many people who'll let themselves be
treated by a woman."
Buck smiled his most charming smile at the beautiful Cheyenne."Now that has to be a crime. To be
shunned in your profession simply because you happen to be a member of the fairer sex. Especially
fairer in your case."
She rolled her eyes and tossed back her drink without flinching. "Let me guess," She said turning to
Josiah. "He dosen't quit either?"
He grinned and again said," Nope."
Ally shook her head and left the saloon muttering something about. "A scoundrel and a cheater...what the
hell am I getting myself into?"
Buck watched her go. "I'm not sure which side of her is better to look at. The front or the back."
"Yeah," JD spoke up. "But is that because she's gorgeous or because she has absolutely no interest in
you whatsoever?"
He glared at the younger man. "Boy, one of these days I'm a gonna take that little top hat of yours and yank
it clear down to your chin."
"It's a bowler hat," The young man clarified. "And I'd love to see you try."
Buck frowned. "C'mere then. I'll try it right now..."
Nathan was about to intervene when a gunshot sounded from in the street. Then a scream.
"Sounds like Mrs.Travis!" JD said worriedly as the men rushed out into the street. "Someone's shooting at
her!"
They stopped in their tracks when they saw Mary Travis standing in the street with a rifle shooting at a
hawk that was flying away from her.
She was about to fire again when a bullet thudded into the ground right between her feet.
"What the hell do you think you're doing he'e?" Ally yelled running into the street, gun drawn.
"Excuse me!" Mary lowered the rifle and glared at the beautiful Cheyenne. Her glare turned venemous
when Chris Larabee stepped up behind Ally. "What did you just call me?"
Josiah leaned against a post. "Forgive me Al, my Cheyenne's a little rusty. But I think, Mrs.Travis that
Ally called you a woman."
"Mr.Sanchez, your friend just shot at me!"
"Well ma'am," Ally said through clenched teeth. "You were shooting at a friend of mine!"
"Excuse me?" Mary said again. "That was a..."
The other woman ignored her. Instead she pulled a gauntlet off of her belt and pulled it on. "Aenohe!"
"Aenohe?" Vin questioned.
"It means hawk." Josiah clarified.
With an indignant scream the hawk flew onto her glove and she stroked it's feathers speaking softly to it in
Cheyenne.
"Now, Mrs.Travis is it? Please explain to me why you were shooting at Aenohe." Ally said firmly.
"Anahe," Mary began.
"*Aenohe*,"
"Aenohe, attacked me."
"Mrs.Travis, Aenohe had no reason to attack you. You're a little bigger than the things he normally attacks."
"Well nevertheless he did attack me." Mrs.Travis clarified.
Suddenly Aenohe launched himself and swooped down to snatch up a mouse that had wandered out of the
Clarion's front door. The hawk then took his prize into the stable hayloft.
Ally watched him go and nodded. "He was attacking." She agreed. "But he was after that mouse not you.
You just happened to walk out the door after it. The mouse probably ran back inside while you were going
for the nearest rifle."
Mary looked past Ally into Chris' face. He was nodding. "Sounds reasonable." He agreed.
"Well then, if that is the case," She said reluctantly. "Then I apologize. But please keep an eye on your
hawk." She said and turned on her heel and walked back inside the Clarion office.
"E'kome'hahe'e." Ally muttered.
Vin looked over at Josiah for a translation. The tall man was laughing.
"What?" Buck said looking curious.
"Ally, that was mean." Josiah said still chuckling.
"She deserved it."
"What'd she say?" Chris questioned.
"E'kome'hahe'e. It means Oily voice woman." Josiah chucked."It seems Ally isn't too fond of Mrs.Travis."
"Hey! Behave yourself Ma'xehetane!" Ally said with a teasing grin.
"Ma'xeha-WHat?" JD questioned.
"Ma'xehetane," She repeated. "It means BigMan. It was the name Josiah was given when he came to my
tribe. Well the one we used the most anyway."
"There were more?" Buck said with a grin. "Tell us a few."
"Yes, Doctor, enlighten us." Ezra said with a sly smile.
"Mo'e'ha...Magpie...Mo'ohno'kaestse...Lone Elk, Moma'xehahtahe...Big Foot, Nahkohe...Bear,
Nahkoxhaaestse...Brave bear, Nestonevahtsestse ...Noisy walker... Names like that." She smiled at the
men's obvious amusement and Josiah's obvious embarrasment.
"Nova'keso you are incorrigable."
"What's Nova'keso mean?" Vin inquired noticing her blush.
"Slow growing woman." Josiah grinned. "Ally was a rather....petite teenager."
"I'm going to kill you Josiah Sanchez!" She said with a warning look on her face. " Nenaasestse!"
"Nenaasestse?" Buck said confused. "What's that mean?"
Vin thought for a moment. "I think I remember that one." He nodded. "I think it means come here."
"It would suit her current mood." Chris noted as she cornered Josiah and pushed him into a water trough.
The men burst into laughter watching the big man struggle to sit up. "Nohka'hehe!" He yelled. "I'm gonna
kill you!"
"Josiah!" Ally scolded. "I'm not a contrary woman. Well...not today anyway...you however...look a little
red in the face."
The men laughed and Nathan offered a hand to Josiah. The big man reached up and took it and he
helped pull him out.
"Ally..." Josiah said warningly. He looked over and saw her leaning against a post. She was laughing and
her dark eyes were sparkling merrily. Josiah watched her for a moment. Thinking how she'd changed
over the years.
"Sorry, Ho'evotse," Ally apologized. "But it was just too tempting to resist."
He smiled and walked forward to give her a hug. "It's ok, Ve'kesoxhaahketa, I've missed you. Come, let's
go get something to eat. "
"You'd better change first. Grandfather would never forgive me if I let you catch your death of a cold." She
replied.
"He'd better or I'd haunt him." Josiah countered.
"You're obsessed with the afterlife," Ally accused playfully. "Already planning on being a seo'otse?"
"A what?" Came out of JD.
"A disembodied spirit." Josiah explained.
"Oh..." He nodded wisely.
Ally leaned over to her friend. "I can see we'll have to do a lot of translating."
"Unfortunately."
"So, Ally, where'd you meet our resident expert on all things of the more spiritual side of life?" Ezra inquired
leaning back in his chair.
"Josiah spent several years studying with the shaman of my grandfather's tribe."
"And your grandfather is?" Buck asked staring into her eyes intently.
She rolled her eyes at his attention. But it was Josiah who answered his question.
"Grey Wolf."
Vin sat up in suprise. Grey Wolf was a Cheyenne chief who was famous for both his treaties with many
powerful nations but his refusal to comply completely with the army's orders to stay on a reservation. If
Grey Wolf wanted to take his tribe somewhere he did it. The army would rarely try and make trouble. Grey
Wolf was an influential chief. One with a lot of allies. He kept close ties with some very powerful people in
Washington. People who protected the tribe.
"Your grandfather is Grey Wolf?" Chris looked suprised.
Ally nodded. "Yes." She said simply. She offered no more information and the seven knew better than to
ask.
"Getting back to the problem at hand..."Josiah leaned forward. "Mind telling us what all this is about, Ally?"
The young woman sighed softly. "A couple of weeks ago I treated a young man for a bullet wound to the
chest." She frowned. "He was dyin' that much was obvious. There was nothing I could do to prevent it. All
I could do was make it less painful. He understood that. Tried to tell his brother. Not that the fool would
listen. No, it was much easier for him to blame me. Afterall I'm a woman and half-Cheyenne. And in his
opinion there ain't no women doctors. Much less half-breed women. So they tried to kill me." She laughed
softly. "Problem is they waited till they were to drunk to stand to try it. I could've shot every single one of
them. But I knew better. They were white. I'm not entirely. I would've hung for it. And I'm in no hurry to
die. So I decided to leave. I'd been planning to move on anyway. So I left."
"But they followed." Chris put in.
"They followed." Ally said flatly.
"Well..." Ezra trailed off. "It would appear my dear, that you have landed yourself in quite the predicament."
"I suppose." She nodded, eyeing the southerner with amused suspicion. "And let me guess.." She
continued after a moment's thought. "for a small fee you will be my bodyguard as it were."
"And what a body to guard." Buck murmured under his breath and was promptly rewarded by a sharp
boot to the shin. "OUCH!!!" He yelped and glared across the table at Vin who leaned back in his chair
and finished off his whiskey.
"Somethin' wrong Buck?" Chris inquired casually looking over at the man who was rubbing his leg under
the table. His tone may have been casual but the look he shot his old friend was a definite warning.
"No nothin'" He responded standing. "I'm gonna get another drink."
Ally seemed unaware of the true meaning of their conversation but Ezra wasn't placing any bets on what
was going on behind her unreadable expression. The southerner had to admit. She'd caught on to him
pretty quickly and he certainly wouldn't be sitting down to a 'friendly' game of poker anytime soon.
"Doctor," Nathan spoke up.
"Like I said Nathan, it's Ally. I may have a medical degree but I never finished my training."
"Why not?" JD inquired.
She smiled tolerantly at the younger man. She had a beautiful smile Vin noted. It seemed like her whole
face came alive. "Simple JD, there ain't many hospitals that'll hire someone of my...'questionable'
background."
"Fancy way of saying they don't hire half-breeds." Chris said flatly.
She nodded. "That would be about it. Women they'll reluctantly hire. But only when they have to. A woman
who happens to be half-Cheyenne? Forget it. I was lucky they even looked at my application." She shrugged.
"It's not like I would have stayed there long anyway. To civilized for my tastes. I prefer somewhere that isn't
crowded and you can breath."
Each man nodded. They could understand that. Chris, himself, had expressed the very same sentiment
several times and it was a common thread amongst the seven. They didn't like civilization and civilization
wasn't too fond of them. The west was somewhere a person's past was their own business and few would
question that.
"So now what?" JD spoke up again. "We can't let these guys kill her."
"Never said we would." Chris responded calmly.
"So what are we going to do?"
"Same thing we always do..." Vin interrupted. "Fight."
"I can handle myself." Ally interrupted.
"Against twenty men?" Buck interrupted. "Lady, you may be good but there ain't no way in hell you can
take down twenty men at once!"
"He's right." Josiah spoke calmly and insistantly. "You're good but you aren't a miracle worker."
She smiled softly and eyed her empty glass. "No old friend, that's your department." She stood. "Well I
guess I have no choice but to ask your help once again Josiah."
"And if you ask Josiah, you ask all of us." Nathan said calmly, standing to face her.
Her smile widened. "How can I say no then?"
"Good. Now I'd like to discuss something with you." Nathan continued. "A business proposition."
Ezra's ears perked up. "A business proposition?" He drawled.
"Not your kind of business proposition."
Before he could speak again Ally had turned to Buck.
"And certainly not your kind." She said with a warning look.
The rest of the group had to hide smiles at his astonished look. "Wha....I...I....I wasn't...." He stammered
as she look back to Nathan.
"I'm listening." She said walking around the table to stand before him."However I have to check on Black,
so if you'll join me..."
"Of course." He smiled and followed her out of the saloon.
When they'd left Buck turned to Chris. "I wasn't thinkin' anything...."
He smiled wryly. "Sure you weren't...."
Buck looked over at JD. "I wasn't!" He protested.
He nodded tolerantly. "Yeah sure you weren't Buck." He laughed. "We all saw you."
"She's not your kind of woman." Vin spoke up.
"Whaddya mean?" JD questioned. "She's breathin' and she walks all right."
The men laughed as they rose from the table and walked out leaving Buck sitting at the table. "All right...
So maybe I was." He admitted finally. "But she sure is a pretty little thing."
Unfortunately there was no one there to listen.
------
Nathan showed Ally around the town then showed her his medical supplies and then explained his
proposition. She listened to him then considered his offer. She was hesitant. Afterall it did mean settling
down. Something she wasn't really used to. She'd only stayed in Holland Creek for as long as she did
because of an epidemic in a nearby Seminole camp. They'd asked for her help and she'd given it. That
was the way of her grandfather's tribe and the neighboring tribes knew it. Grey Wolf offered help knowing
that someday it would be repaid, not that he did it for the reward. It was just something he considered right.
Something Ally considered right.
Nathan left Ally to herself for awhile to let her think. He knew that what he was asking was not a request she
normally would get from anyone except maybe a tribe. He knew that despite the fact he was black he was
still an outsider. It was not something the Cheyenne woman was used to....being asked for her help,
especially from anyone who wasn't indian.
He was in the saloon when Ally strode in. Her eyes full of determination. She'd made a decision that was
for sure. And there was no way she would be talked out of it. She strode up to the bar. Got a drink and
turned to face him.
Nathan felt suddenly nervous. What if she said no and left? Josiah wouldn't be pleased to see his old
friend suddenly up and leave. Especially when her life was in danger.
She looked at him quietly for a moment. "Well, Nathan..." She paused for a moment. Letting his
nervousness build. Then a mischevious glint crept into her eyes and she held out a hand.
A huge smile broke out over his face. "Does this mean what I think it means?" He said shaking the
proffered hand.
Ally laughed softly. "Yep. You gotta deal."
"What manner of deal would you two physicians be speaking of?" Ezra said curiously as he walked up.
She couldn't help smile. "Do you ever quit?" She asked shaking head obviously not expecting an answer.
"Nope." Josiah said leaning against the bar and finishing his drink. "But I am curious. What kind of deal?"
"I asked Ally to stay on awhile in town. I could use the help." The healer explained.
"What a minute," Buck interrupted. "You're going to be helping Nathan?"
She nodded.
"She knows a few things about medicine I don't. Afterall she's had the proper training."
Ally let out an unladylike snort. "All the good it did me. There aren't many people who'll let themselves be
treated by a woman."
Buck smiled his most charming smile at the beautiful Cheyenne."Now that has to be a crime. To be
shunned in your profession simply because you happen to be a member of the fairer sex. Especially
fairer in your case."
She rolled her eyes and tossed back her drink without flinching. "Let me guess," She said turning to
Josiah. "He dosen't quit either?"
He grinned and again said," Nope."
Ally shook her head and left the saloon muttering something about. "A scoundrel and a cheater...what the
hell am I getting myself into?"
Buck watched her go. "I'm not sure which side of her is better to look at. The front or the back."
"Yeah," JD spoke up. "But is that because she's gorgeous or because she has absolutely no interest in
you whatsoever?"
He glared at the younger man. "Boy, one of these days I'm a gonna take that little top hat of yours and yank
it clear down to your chin."
"It's a bowler hat," The young man clarified. "And I'd love to see you try."
Buck frowned. "C'mere then. I'll try it right now..."
Nathan was about to intervene when a gunshot sounded from in the street. Then a scream.
"Sounds like Mrs.Travis!" JD said worriedly as the men rushed out into the street. "Someone's shooting at
her!"
They stopped in their tracks when they saw Mary Travis standing in the street with a rifle shooting at a
hawk that was flying away from her.
She was about to fire again when a bullet thudded into the ground right between her feet.
"What the hell do you think you're doing he'e?" Ally yelled running into the street, gun drawn.
"Excuse me!" Mary lowered the rifle and glared at the beautiful Cheyenne. Her glare turned venemous
when Chris Larabee stepped up behind Ally. "What did you just call me?"
Josiah leaned against a post. "Forgive me Al, my Cheyenne's a little rusty. But I think, Mrs.Travis that
Ally called you a woman."
"Mr.Sanchez, your friend just shot at me!"
"Well ma'am," Ally said through clenched teeth. "You were shooting at a friend of mine!"
"Excuse me?" Mary said again. "That was a..."
The other woman ignored her. Instead she pulled a gauntlet off of her belt and pulled it on. "Aenohe!"
"Aenohe?" Vin questioned.
"It means hawk." Josiah clarified.
With an indignant scream the hawk flew onto her glove and she stroked it's feathers speaking softly to it in
Cheyenne.
"Now, Mrs.Travis is it? Please explain to me why you were shooting at Aenohe." Ally said firmly.
"Anahe," Mary began.
"*Aenohe*,"
"Aenohe, attacked me."
"Mrs.Travis, Aenohe had no reason to attack you. You're a little bigger than the things he normally attacks."
"Well nevertheless he did attack me." Mrs.Travis clarified.
Suddenly Aenohe launched himself and swooped down to snatch up a mouse that had wandered out of the
Clarion's front door. The hawk then took his prize into the stable hayloft.
Ally watched him go and nodded. "He was attacking." She agreed. "But he was after that mouse not you.
You just happened to walk out the door after it. The mouse probably ran back inside while you were going
for the nearest rifle."
Mary looked past Ally into Chris' face. He was nodding. "Sounds reasonable." He agreed.
"Well then, if that is the case," She said reluctantly. "Then I apologize. But please keep an eye on your
hawk." She said and turned on her heel and walked back inside the Clarion office.
"E'kome'hahe'e." Ally muttered.
Vin looked over at Josiah for a translation. The tall man was laughing.
"What?" Buck said looking curious.
"Ally, that was mean." Josiah said still chuckling.
"She deserved it."
"What'd she say?" Chris questioned.
"E'kome'hahe'e. It means Oily voice woman." Josiah chucked."It seems Ally isn't too fond of Mrs.Travis."
"Hey! Behave yourself Ma'xehetane!" Ally said with a teasing grin.
"Ma'xeha-WHat?" JD questioned.
"Ma'xehetane," She repeated. "It means BigMan. It was the name Josiah was given when he came to my
tribe. Well the one we used the most anyway."
"There were more?" Buck said with a grin. "Tell us a few."
"Yes, Doctor, enlighten us." Ezra said with a sly smile.
"Mo'e'ha...Magpie...Mo'ohno'kaestse...Lone Elk, Moma'xehahtahe...Big Foot, Nahkohe...Bear,
Nahkoxhaaestse...Brave bear, Nestonevahtsestse ...Noisy walker... Names like that." She smiled at the
men's obvious amusement and Josiah's obvious embarrasment.
"Nova'keso you are incorrigable."
"What's Nova'keso mean?" Vin inquired noticing her blush.
"Slow growing woman." Josiah grinned. "Ally was a rather....petite teenager."
"I'm going to kill you Josiah Sanchez!" She said with a warning look on her face. " Nenaasestse!"
"Nenaasestse?" Buck said confused. "What's that mean?"
Vin thought for a moment. "I think I remember that one." He nodded. "I think it means come here."
"It would suit her current mood." Chris noted as she cornered Josiah and pushed him into a water trough.
The men burst into laughter watching the big man struggle to sit up. "Nohka'hehe!" He yelled. "I'm gonna
kill you!"
"Josiah!" Ally scolded. "I'm not a contrary woman. Well...not today anyway...you however...look a little
red in the face."
The men laughed and Nathan offered a hand to Josiah. The big man reached up and took it and he
helped pull him out.
"Ally..." Josiah said warningly. He looked over and saw her leaning against a post. She was laughing and
her dark eyes were sparkling merrily. Josiah watched her for a moment. Thinking how she'd changed
over the years.
"Sorry, Ho'evotse," Ally apologized. "But it was just too tempting to resist."
He smiled and walked forward to give her a hug. "It's ok, Ve'kesoxhaahketa, I've missed you. Come, let's
go get something to eat. "
"You'd better change first. Grandfather would never forgive me if I let you catch your death of a cold." She
replied.
"He'd better or I'd haunt him." Josiah countered.
"You're obsessed with the afterlife," Ally accused playfully. "Already planning on being a seo'otse?"
"A what?" Came out of JD.
"A disembodied spirit." Josiah explained.
"Oh..." He nodded wisely.
Ally leaned over to her friend. "I can see we'll have to do a lot of translating."
"Unfortunately."