The stream of morning sunshine beamed determinedly on Amelia's eyes. Using her pillow, she covered her head and tried to block it out, but her attempt was useless. Finally, she peeled it away, laid back on her bed and let out a blissful sigh: she'd been dreaming about her wedding to Adam. She sprung from bed and sat in front of her dresser. Her disheveled hair caused her to frown and she picked up a brush and carefully ran it through her tangled locks, smiling as she admired her beauty. She could hear noises coming from the kitchen and figured it must be David actually doing some work for a change. She hoped he had errands to run in town so that she could be alone with Adam for awhile. Smiling widely, she gave her cheeks a few brushes with rouge, powdered her face and spritzed on her favorite perfume. The noise from the kitchen had subsided. Brushing back the curtain in her front window she was pleased to see that one of the horses was missing from the corral. She slid a sheer coverlet on over her revealing nightgown and headed for the kitchen pantry to start preparing Adam's breakfast. It wasn't long before the back door opened and she heard the loud thud of wood being dropped into the box. She peered out and saw Duncan brushing wood chips off of his pants. She was pretty sure it was Duncan, David never helped around the house, especially since Duncan had arrived.

"Mornin 'Melia," he called out cheerily. "You fixin breakfast? I'm starved!"

Amelia smiled weakly. "Yeah sure, Duncan, just give me a minute." She looked down at the half full woodbox, "What are you doing?"

Duncan smiled widely. "Takin care of some chores. I fed the chickens, watered the horses, cleaned the stalls, chopped you some wood and after breakfast I was going to fix up the corral out front. It's lookin a little run down."

"Yeah, rundown, that's great, Duncan, thank you," Amelia smiled. "Where's uh, where's David?"

"He went into town to take care of some errands, said he'd be back a little later."

Amelia smiled more widely. "Oh, okay, good. Did you bring in the eggs?"

"Yeah, they're on the counter." Duncan ran his hand through his thick black hair and let out a sigh. "There weren't many, but enough for breakfast." He moved towards the back door, "Well, let me finish splitting this wood, can you call me when it's ready?"

"Yeah, sure," Amelia responded. "Give me a minute to whip something up."

"Thanks, Sis!" he called out as he exited.

Amelia smiled, Duncan was the brother she'd always dreamed of having. Why had their mother taken Duncan and left David. She frowned, why was she always getting the bad end of a deal. But then she remembered Adam. Brightening she walked back into the pantry and continued preparing his breakfast - a scoop of the powder for his water and a sprinkling on his eggs for good measure. She set the meal up on a tray then made a plate for Duncan. Her brother was entering the kitchen with another load of wood just as she placed it on the table, "Your breakfast's ready!" she said with a smile.

Adam slowly opened his eyes when he heard the footsteps on the wooden ladder. He gave his head a gentle shake to try and clear the foggy haze that was determined to keep him from focusing clearly on his situation. His heart began pounding as he tried to figure out who was coming to visit. Amelia would bring him food, but if it was David - Adam shivered involuntarily a steady pounding radiating through his head. He was wondering how much more of his abuse he would be able to stand, the ache in his wrists a grisly reminder of his inability to defend himself against the continuous torture by his antagonist.

"Good morning, Adam!" Amelia called out brightly.

Relief washed through Adam. "'Melia," he croaked hoarsely.

"Oh, you sound awful!" she exclaimed as she quickly set the tray down and picked up the glass of water. "Here, drink this. It'll help."

Adam knew he was probably dehydrated and he so desperately wanted to accept her offering, but his instincts were telling him differently. The water she brought to him never seemed to quench his thirst.

"Go ahead, Adam, drink it," Amelia crooned sweetly as she pressed it to his lips.

In that moment the image of Eve offering Adam the apple in the Garden of Eden flashed through his mind. He laughed at the irony, not sure if he was giddy with exhaustion or frustration. Adam wasn't sure what transpired next but he heard the clink of the glass as it hit the dirt floor and water splashed against his pant leg. Amelia screamed as she jumped back.

Standing with her hands on her hips she glared at him. "What did you do that

for?"

"I'm sorry," Adam mumbled. "I'm just so thirsty."

"Well," Amelia looked around and then moved towards the rain barrel. Submerging the dipper she lifted it back out filled with fresh water. "I guess this will have to do." She fed it to Adam who got her to refill it several times, the wet liquid soothing his parched throat. "How about some breakfast?" she asked holding the plate up to him and spoon feeding him some eggs and bacon. When she finished she stepped back and smiled proudly. "Are you feeling better?"

"Much," Adam responded, a small smile tugging at his dry lips.

"Good," Amelia answered happily sitting down on a pallet across from him, "How about I tell you about the dream I had last night."

"Okay," Adam answered weakly.

"Well, it was about our wedding. I was in the most beautiful white wedding gown that stretched all the way down the aisle of the church in Virginia City. All our friends were there. I asked Jenny at the saloon to be my maid of honor you had…" she thought for a minute, "I don't remember who your best man was." She turned her gaze to Adam. "Who would you pick, Joe or Hoss? Or your Pa?"

Adam stared at her blankly, their wedding?

"Oh well, it doesn't really matter. I suppose if you wanted you could have all three. Course David and Duncan would be groomsmen, can't leave them out of the plans their feelings would be hurt."

Adam let out a groan.

Amelia jumped up. "What's wrong Adam? Are you okay?"

"More water?" he asked.

"Oh certainly." She filled the dipper with water and brought it to him. "Anything for you, my love."

Adam smiled weakly.

Amelia kissed Adam's cheek then settled back down across from him. "Now, where was I?" Her face glowed. "Oh yes, our wedding!"

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

David rode slowly down the main street of Virginia City. Everywhere he looked he was greeted with eyes full of disgust and hatred. He focused forward trying to ignore them and concentrate on his purpose for being in town - get money and supplies. He should've sent Amelia, but he wasn't sure he trusted her to use their money to purchase the right things. She tended to "forget" his whiskey and cheroots and purchase ridiculous items like material for dresses and perfume. She claimed she needed it to attract the right kind of men for her work. He laughed out loud. Work. Laying on her back gettin' it from old miners and drunks, no wonder she thought Adam Cartwright was such a prize. He rode by the Sheriff's office where the Deputy was sitting whittling a piece of wood, his eyes glued on David as he passed by. David smiled and tipped his hat, the Deputy stood up answering the gesture with a stony stare.

Things weren't much better when he got to the bank. As he entered, a slow hush fell over the patrons as they recognized him. The line to the teller's window was several people deep and if David didn't need the cash so badly he probably wouldn't have waited. David pulled out his wallet and got out his already filled in bank draft. Looking up he caught eyes with one of the town women, he smiled and she gave him a sour expression before looking away. David didn't appreciate the way he was being treated - as far as they knew he hadn't done anything wrong to deserve this hateful attitude.

"Next!"

David stepped forward to the teller and handed his slip of paper through the window. "Cash this for me, will ya and be quick about it."

The teller frowned, "Yes sir, Mr. Fairchild." He counted out several bills and slid them back to David.

David counted it.

"It's all there," the teller said irritably.

David looked up. "You never know. People these days ain't so trustworthy."

"You would know," came a mumble from behind him.

David spun around and glared at the crowd. He was staring into a sea of dissension. David crammed his wad of cash in his pocket and marched out of the bank. He shot an angry glance over his shoulder then looked towards the general store. His eyes slid over to the saloon two doors down. He was needing a drink, the supplies were going to have to wait. He stepped from the boardwalk and crossed the street to the place he felt would be his safe haven. Drunks and miners didn't care what was going on in town and most probably didn't even know or like the Cartwrights. He pushed open the batwing doors and was greeted with a continued loud chatter from the clientele. Nobody was paying any attention to him, which pleased him. He walked up to the bar, tossed his hat down and smacked a bill on the counter, "Give me a whiskey, Sam, will ya?"

The bartender, busy polishing a glass, gave David a hateful glare, but poured him his whiskey, "Drink up and get out, Fairchild, I don't serve your kind here."

David looked to the man with confusion. "Not you too, Sam. Listen, I didn't kill Adam Cartwright."

"I ain't talkin about that!" Sam spat out. "You busted up my place the other night and if you think you're going to keep drinkin' in here you can just pay me for those damages."

David let out a frustrated sigh as he straightened and pulled out his wallet, "How much?"

"Couple hundred ought to cover it." Sam stated.

"Couple of hundred?!" David exclaimed closing his wallet back up. "I ain't got that kind of money! You're crazy!" He reached for his whiskey glass but Sam covered the top of it with his hand.

"Then get the hell out of here," Sam responded bitterly.

David narrowed his eyes angrily at the large bartender.

"Well, if it ain't my old pal!" a voice called from behind David.

"What now," David groaned. He turned around slowly and saw a slim miner decked out in ragged overalls approaching him. "What do you want, Mister?"

The man smiled revealing a lack of teeth as he ran his hands along the inside of his overall straps. "Well I just figgered you might be wantin' to finish what we started th'other night." Two other toothless losers moved in behind their buddy.

"Not in here you ain't!" Sam cried out grabbing a large stick from behind the bar and brandishing it at them. "You'll take it outside this time!"

David turned back around and leaned against the bar. "I don't know what you're talkin' about, boy." He picked up his glass and polished off his shot of whiskey.

"Hey! You turn back around, I wasn't through talkin' to you!" the drunk yelled out.

David, clearly annoyed, turned around and leaned his back against the bar. He gestured for the guy to continue.

"That's better," the man responded with a self-righteous grin. "I think we were kickin' your ass when the Sheriff interfered. Ain't that right, boys?" The group started laughing.

David summed up the three men as they grunted out their laughs. They sounded like a bunch of gorillas. David tossed a glance over to Sam.

"You boys better take it outside," Sam warned as he smacked the bat into the palm of his hand.

"Just give me another whiskey, will you Sam?" David said tapping the edge of his glass, "I ain't in the mood to fight anybody. Not today."

"What are you chicken?" the head gorilla called out. His crew started to cluck loudly and grunt some more laughing.

"Why don't you just kill them like you did Adam Cartwright," a voice echoed through the saloon.

David whipped around, drawing his gun and pointing it in the direction of the voice. His eyes narrowed into slits. He was determined to find the person responsible for the comment, "Where are you, you coward? Tell me that to my face!" The three goons backed off when they saw the cocked pistol. Nobody stood up to claim the remark. David scanned the room carefully. "I'll kill you if I catch you!"

"Drop the pistol, Fairchild, you ain't killin' anyone today or any other day," Sheriff Coffee interceded as he entered the saloon holding a rifle pointed at David.

"Sheriff get him out of my place!" the bartender cried out.

"Just take it easy, Sam," Roy replied as he walked up to David. "Why don't you put that thing away, make my job easy, will ya?"

David looked at the Sheriff, anger still burning red hot in his eyes. He nodded, then slowly slid his gun back into the holster. "I was just tryin to get me a drink."

"Well, get it someplace else." Roy gestured towards the batwing doors with his rifle.

David glared at all the people in the saloon who were staring at him. "I didn't kill Adam Cartwright!"

A low rumble rippled through the crowd.

"Come on, let's move it," Roy stated. David gave Sam one last hateful look then, snatching his hat from the bar, stormed angrily past the Sheriff onto the boardwalk. Roy exited behind him. "I figured you to have more sense then to show your face in town on the day of Adam Cartwright's funeral."

"Adam Cartwright. I hate that name and I hate that family." David slammed his hat on his head then crossed the road to get his horse.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Duncan watched as David rode up to the house in a great fury. He laid down the hammer and followed his brother into the house. Something was wrong and he hoped it didn't have anything to do with their ransom money. Maybe the Cartwrights had refused to give it to them. He could hear David bellowing for his sister as he entered through the screen door.

"Amelia, where the hell are you!" David yanked up the door to the root cellar then went into the pantry and started pulling jars, spices and anything else that was in the way of him finding his bottle of whiskey off of the shelf, "Where the hell is it?"

Duncan entered the kitchen. "What are you doing, David? What's wrong? What happened in town?"

David found his secret stash bottle and yanked the cork out with his teeth. He spat it onto the floor and took a long swig, "What didn't happen in town is more like it." He threw his head back and took another long drink. "I met some buddies of yours. They was tryin' to get me to finish what you started the other night."

Duncan smiled. "Oh, the Benson brothers. What a bunch of idiots, huh?" He laughed. "Did you finish 'em off?"

David walked up to Duncan and punched him in the chest. "I ain't got time to be finishin' up your school yard brawls. If you'd just stuck to the original plan we wouldn't be owin' Sam a couple of hundred dollars!"

Duncan's eyes narrowed as he rubbed the bruise. "What's your problem? Once we get our ransom money you can pay him off and that'll take care of that," Duncan reasoned. "There ain't no problems with the money is there?"

"What money?" Amelia asked as she came out of the root cellar. "What's all the screaming about up here anyway? What happened in town, David?" She closed the door with a thud and took the dirty dishes to the sink.

"Nothin'," David stated with a frown as he shot a few icy daggers with his eyes at his dim-witted brother. "The people in town were just being a little inhospitable to me today." He took another long drink.

"Well, did you at least get our supplies?" Amelia questioned.

David yanked the bottle from his lips and glowered at his sister. "I got kicked out of town before I could. That damn Sheriff had the nerve to tell me I shouldn't be in town on the day of Adam Cartwright's funeral."

Amelia's eyes opened wide with realization. "That's today?" She rushed up to David and grasped his arm. "Did they say what time?"

David yanked his arm back. "No, I didn't see as it mattered. It's not like I'm goin' to it. I hate them Cartwrights."

Amelia gasped in surprise. "Don't say that, David! When we're married they're going to be our family."

The twins exchanged incredulous looks. Was she even listening to what she was saying?

"I have to get changed, I have to be there and support his family - they need me at a time like this." She raised her head and smiled at Duncan. "Sweet brother, could you hitch up the buggy and be ready to drive me over there?"

"Uh yeah, sure thing 'Melia," Duncan responded.

"HOLD IT!" David yelled, causing the room to freeze. "Amelia, what the hell are you doing? You can't be serious about attending the funeral?"

Amelia looked at him, her eyes wide with innocence. "Of course I am. They're going to be my family once Adam and I are married. I have to be there."

David shook his head. His sister was an idiot. An evil grin crossed his face, on second thought, he had things he could do while she was gone. "All right, you go, but LAY LOW." He pointed his index finger at her. "And you're NOT taking Duncan."

"Then who's going to drive me?" she whined.

"The Queen of Sheba, for all I care." David crossed the room and put his arm around Duncan's shoulder. "I can't believe that I have to remind you that the Cartwrights think Duncan…" he pointed at his brother, "is me," he pointed at himself, "and they don't like ME very much right now."

Amelia giggled and lightly popped herself in the forehead. "Oh yeah, silly me. I guess I forgot." She smiled. "Well, can he at least hitch the buggy up for me?"

David nodded.

"Good. I'll be ready in a bit." Amelia smiled widely as she skipped happily down the hall.

David looked at Duncan, his right arm still around his twin and circled his left ear with his left index finger. Duncan laughed lightly, an uncomfortable smile escaping his lips.