Three.

"Do you know someone by the name of Standish?"

Chris' ears pricked up at the sound of Ezra's name, and, trying to act casual, he picked up his glass, turning his head slightly in the direction of the conversation. He was a day and a half from Four Corners, and, he lamented almost wistfully, had almost made it back without trouble, which he suddenly felt brewing somewhere in the distance.

A man, possibly in his early fifties, with a shock of grey hair, was leaning on the bar, questioning the bartender. The man's face was weathered, but looked cold and unforgiving. He was flanked by five other men, who had positioned themselves around the man who was evidently their leader in an attempt to look more intimidating. Chris knew that move, he quite often used it.

"Standish?" the bartender asked, trying to maintain an air of composure in the face of such a show of strength.

Chris listened closely, perhaps there was another Standish hereabouts, perhaps they were after Maude.

The grey-haired man nodded,

"Yeah. Fancy clothes, red waistcoat, jacket, came through on the stage maybe?"

Chris groaned inwardly. Had to be.

The bartender pulled a face, and screwed up his face in concentration,

"Not been a stage through here for a couple of weeks now. Standish did you say?" the grey-haired man nodded, and the bartender's eyes flicked round the group, as he debated telling them what was on his mind. The grey-haired man pulled out his gun, and began checking the gun compartment coolly. The bartender swallowed, mind made up, "There is a Standish in Four Corners though, fancy clothes, the like, been here gambling once or twice. Heard he's a lawman of sorts," the name gabbled.

"Lawman?" asked the grey-haired man, seeming surprised, "Didn't look like no lawman to me,"

The bartender shook his head,

"Nor me, but that's what folk says. Seven of 'em over at Four Corners there are."

The grey-haired man grunted, digesting this news with interest.

"Well, why we ask is, we believe this Mr. Standish so I've been told his name is, was travelling with an acquaintance of ours,"

Chris let the glass linger by his lips. So, not necessarily Ezra in trouble, though trust him to find someone who was.

He grey-haired man continued,

"A woman, dark hair, small girl with her. Seen them by any chance?"

The bartender shook his head,

"No, no new women lately. Like I say, reckon you're best bet's Four Corners,"

The man nodded, and grinned round at his gang,

"I reckon we stay here and buy the man a drink. He's been very helpful."

Chris gritted his teeth as the man's sinister voice drifted through the saloon. Chris drained the rest of his drink and stood up, better not to waste anymore time, he thought to himself as he headed outside. So it wasn't Ezra in trouble, well, yet, but instead a woman and her daughter. Chris didn't know much of the situation, but felt he didn't need to. He'd seen the man, and had taken sides immediately. The woman and child would remain safe if that was what they required, and him and the boys would be the ones to do that.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

As the sun climbed higher over the rooftops of the town, the boys drifted one by one into the near-deserted saloon.

Buck, still smarting from his humiliation in front of Catherine was content with his feet up on one of the tables, ignoring Ezra, face like thunder. Ezra however, was breezing over his sullen stance with eye rolling and drink.

"Another round gentlemen?" asked Ezra, draining his glass. JD nodded, seemingly always eager to participate in what the majority of the group was doing. Vin shrugged and slid his glass across the table, and Josiah gave a wide smile, indicating his sentiments on the matter.

Buck remained silent, and as Ezra pulled the stopper from another bottle, he glanced at the surly looking gunslinger.

"Buck?"

He was greeted with a grunt that he took as a 'yes,' and tipped some of the liquid into Buck's glass.

As the doors swung open, they looked up expectantly to find Nathan silhouetted in the bright sun, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, looking worn.

"Mrs. Winter had a baby boy," he announced, as Ezra grabbed another glass, "Brown eyes, head of thickbrown hair,"

Buck snorted,

"Not sounding much like Mr. Winter,"

Nathan wandered over, dropping himself wearily into a seat and taking upa filled glass. Vin chuckled,

"No. But not unlike you Buck."

The others grinned as Buck's glare worsened.

"What's she called him?" asked JD. Nathan shrugged,

"Nothing yet. Give her a chance JD,"

Ezra raised his own glass, bottle half-full in his other hand,

"A toast. To new-born children, to new acquaintances," Buck snorted loudly, but Ezra ignored him like a seasoned professional, grinning at a sight in the doorway ashe added, "A woman scorned..."

At these words, Buck's eyes shot up to find a female form, glaring at him over the doors. At once he was up from his chair, which clattered loudly on the ground at the force of its being thrown backwards.

"Sophie!"

Ezra continued the toast,

"And to the trials and tribulations of love."

Glasses raised, the other five drank, before turning to Buck, who, hand on the saloon doors was staring down the boardwalk, shaking his head.

"Women!" he snapped. He turned and stomped back over to the table, disagreement with Ezra forgotten as he threw back his drink and offered his glass forward, "Better have me another."

The sound of a carriage pulling up somewhere across the street drew their attention, and Ezra's especially as a voice drifted through the swing doors,

"Hannah, careful, watch where you're going."

This was followed by the soundof footsteps on the boards, and as they turned to look, a small figure crouched down and peeked into the room.

"Hannah! Whatever are you doing?" this was a new voice, accompanied by a stout pair of legs at the bottom of the doors, and a grey bun and cross features at the top. Hannah at once scrambled to her feet,

"Sorry auntie Grace,"

'Auntie Grace' however did not seem convinced by the apology, and carried on regardless,

"Honestly, making a beeline for the saloon of all places, what sort of actions are those for a girl?"

Hannah began to fidget with the hem of her dress in embarrassment,

"I was looking for someone,"

On cue, Ezra swung open one of the doors, leaning out into the street, and noting with pleasure, that Hannah's face lit up on seeing him. He smiled down at her,

"Good morning there miss," he then turned with a dashing smile to the strict looking woman, "And this must be theillustrious Mrs. Roth I have heard so much of, and, may I add, none of the information has been exaggerated I'm sure,"

Hannah grinned, and listening to the side, Catherine couldn't help but smile either. Mrs. Roth sniffed,

"Well, it'snice to meet you to sir,"

Ezra held up his hands,

"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine," as Mrs. Roth blushed, he threw a wink at Hannah, and clapped his hands together, "Now, I do believe I promised to show you the town today isn't that right?"

He looked towards Catherine, who, playing along nodded convincingly at her aunt,

"Err...yes, that's right. Aunt Grace, Mr. Standish will show us around the town, we'll be quite safe in his care."

Mrs. Roth, although suitably flattered, did not seem convinced enough, until the doors swung, and Josiah wandered through, extending an arm gallantly,

"Ma'am, I have heard that you are a woman of God,"

She nodded, and he smiled in return,

"Then may I ask you to accompany me to the Church, and help me with a pressing issue."

Bombarded by smooth-talking men, Mrs. Roth nodded, casting a glance back at Catherine,

"You're sure you'll be alright Cathy?"

Ezra answered for her,

"I will endeavour to see her catered for in every way possible."

With that, Mrs. Roth let herself be led away, and Ezra smiled at Hannah,

"Well, since I have become your unofficial tour guide, I have to ask what it is you want to see first."

Hannah stuck her tongue out in concentration and Ezra exchanged an amused smile with Catherine,

"The jail," said Hannah, eyes glowing. Ezra looked down at her in surprise, and Catherine put a hand on her shoulder,

"I don't think that's such a good idea Hannah..." she began, and Ezra had to agree. However his face softened on seeing her disappointment. He leant back, pushing open the doors,

"Mr. Dunne, are the jail cells occupied at the present?"

JD looked up and shook his head,

"No. Why?"

Ezra turned back to Hannah with a wide smile and winked,

"In that case, I think we may have just found our first destination."

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P.S. If you haven't already done it, then don't forget to go on amazon and vote for the release of TMS series on DVD (nothing like some shameless drumming of support!) oh yeah, and obviously, review! Thanks to those who already have!