I write this story together with otkcp and she gave me the allowance to use Rose. This fic is a crossover: The Winchester family will appear in later chapters, but not yet. I also want to thank Gaben who has worked as my beta-reader for this story. Of course I will continue on my other story too, but this idea just kept pestering me. So I hope you like it.

Chapter one

Amalia knelt down at the riverside and drank thirstily. As her thirst was quenched she leant back and opened her backpack to look what she had left. She groaned at the sight. There was only a small piece of old adamant bread. She took it out and eyed it warily. There was a maggot on it. Nauseated she dragged it out and tossed it into the river, where a fish quickly snatched it. All of sudden a wet nose nudged her cheek.

"Yeah, I know ya also hungry. But you're a wolf, go and hunt something." She rebuked gently. Wolf simply nudged her again and whimpered.

"Okay, I'll give ya the half, but I have to soak it in water otherwise you get sick again." She sighed. The wolf sat down next to her and licked her face.

Wolf had found her when she was alone on the streets. He had placed a piece of meat in front of her and watched her as she ate it. First she wanted to eat everything herself but then she gave him the half of it. Since then they had stayed together and taken care of each other. She named him Wolf, not really imaginative, but she liked the name.

"Here you are Wolfie." She broke the bread in half and gave it to him. He snatched it out of her hand and quickly gulped it up, then he looked pleadingly at her. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"No Wolf! You've already had one piece." She bit into her half. He whimpered and crouched down. Slowly he crawled over to her and licked her hands.

"Okay. One more piece, but a small one." She broke off another piece of her half and gave it to him. He barked and licked her face, then quickly gobbled up the piece. She also ate up the rest quickly cause she didn't want to eat in front of him if he was still hungry.

However she wasn't full after that small piece of bread and she didn't have any money either. She looked down at the silvery nine-pointed star, which hang on a silver chain around her neck. She had often thought about selling it, but she had never done it. It was everything she had left from her family. Or at least she thought it was from her family, because she couldn't remember a time where she hadn't worn the star.

Sighing she lay down on the ground enjoying the warmth of the sun. Wolf put his head on her stomach and lay down next to her. She placed a hand on his head and scratched his ear.

"GIRL! GET AWAY FROM THE WOLF!" A voice suddenly yelled. She and Wolf jumped both to their feet and looked around.

"DON'T SHOOT! HE'S TAME!" She screamed and stood protectively in front of Wolf, who growled loudly.

"He doesn't seem tame to me, but if you say so. I don't want to shoot your pet."

Amalia watched the man walk towards her. He was wearing black clothes and held a rifle in his hands. He came over to her eyeing Wolf warily. She quickly ducked down and put a large stone in her backpack.

As he stood in front of her he put his gun away. She looked up at him. He had bright blue eyes and a stern looking face. "Who the hell are ya and watcha doin' here?" She asked looking into his eyes.

"My name's Chris Larabee little girl and you should better watch you language. Who are you?"

"That's none of your damn business!"

Chris sighed and took of his hat, then brushed his hair back over his head before replacing it. He the parted his jacket subtly revealing the sheriffs badge attached to a black vest, reached into his pocket and lazily pulled out a cheroot and lit it. He let out a stream of smoke never taking his eyes of the small girl, "Where's your folks?"

"Haven't got any." She replied sullenly. "So you can take off I ain't done anything wrong that involves any damn law?"

Chris raised a eyebrow, smart little cuss, this one, don't know how old she is but a might to young ta be out here alone and might to sassy for her size too, he thought. The child watched him, tracked him almost wearily as he dropped the cheroot on the ground and stomped it out. He then with a stern glare he calmly stated, "No, I'm afraid not. I think it best you come with me," then reached out for her.

Wolf growled loudly and Chris drew his hand back. "Tell him to keep his mouth shut, or I'll tie it shut." He ground out.

"It's okay Wolf." She put her hand on her protector's head, and then caressed his ears.

Chris went around her and picked up her backpack. "Hey that's mine!" she yelled.

"Alright if you don't want any help." He handed her the backpack. She reached out with her hands and grabbed it, then instantaneously dropped it on the lawman's foot.

"Jesus!" He groaned and jumped back on one foot. She gave him a hard push and he fell into the river. The water wasn't deep though, but the stream and the slippery stones made it difficult for him to regain his footing.

"RUN WOLF!" Suddenly she heard a horse whinnying. She looked up and spotted it tied to a tree only yards away.

"STOP YOU CHEEKY LITTLE RASCAL!"

Amalia drew her knife and cut through the ropes with which he had tied the horse to the tree. As soon as the horse was untied she put her foot into the stirrup and climbed up in the saddle.

"STOP!"

"RUN!" She yelled and kicked him with the heels. The horse whinnied again and galloped quickly away.

"HEY! THAT'S my horse! Stop! I told you to…." Then she didn't hear anything more. The horse was quick, but Wolf had no problems to keeping up with its speed.

As Amalia came to a road she looked back into the wood, but she couldn't see the man anymore. She shrugged and rode to the left. After a few minutes a small town came into view. On a wooden post the sign said Four Corners. Here she could sell the horse. She smiled and rode in down the street.

"Hey, there little girl! Whatcha doin' with Chris' horse?"

Astonished she looked up and saw a young man with long hair looking at her, his arms crossed and standing in the middle of the street blocking her path.

"I…. I…. I found it and I was just bringing it back. Perhaps there is a reward.… for bringing it back." She finished lamely. The longhaired man raised an eyebrow and came over to her.

"Chris will be happy about that. What's the name of your wolf?" He asked and gave her a friendly smile. He crouched down in front of Wolf and caressed his head. The wolf eagerly licked Vin's hands and even tried to lick his face.

Amalia was relieved. This man seemed to believe her and was friendly. But most importantly Wolf trusted him. This man seemed to have a special bond with the animal, which meant in her book, he was a good man, one she could perhaps trust. "His name is Wolf and mine is Amalia."

"Mine is Vin Tanner." He went to her and helped her down from the horse. "You can wait here until Chris has come back."

Her eyes went wide. "NO!" She shrieked.

Vin raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

"No… no. I guess….. I should ….. I have to…... " She stuttered.

"Yes?" He crouched down in front of her and looked her straight into the eyes.

She cringed. "I…" Then she did what she usually did; she came up with a story. "I don't have enough time. My mum is very sick and my dad has to stay with her. He sent me to buy some medicine."

"That sounds bad, but you're lucky. A friend of mine is a doc. He can help ya."

"Okay. That is…. Great!" She forced a smile.

"But what do ya need the money for?" Vin continued his questioning.

"My dad doesn't have very much, so I hoped I could get some more."

"Hi Chris, why are you on foot?" Vin suddenly called. Fear spread in Amalia's body and she spun around, but there was no one behind her. Vin had tricked her. As she turned back she was met by a wry smile.

"Sorry Amalia, but you're comin' with me." With these words he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulders ignoring her loud protests. However he couldn't ignore her kicking. He pinned her legs with one arm and continued his way. He wondered how this girl had managed to steal Chris' horse. She wasn't good a liar, so she must have tricked him. Wolf followed him as if it would be the most normal thing in the world that his mistress was carried away by a stranger.

At first Vin had been concerned that the Wolf would bite him, but now he was wondering how the girl had managed to tame him. "Here we are." Inside the jailhouse he sat her down on the ground again. "Now tell me the truth little lady!"

"Why?"

"Cause I'll tan your hide ifin ya lie."

"You can't do that! You ain't my papa!" She yelled more afraid than angry. She had never gotten spanked before. She had once seen a boy getting whipped with a belt until he was nearly unconscious, because he stole an apple. The thought that Vin would do the same to her scared her half to death.

"I can and I will. I'm one of the seven….."

All of sudden a man with a mustache burst into the room. "VIN! We've got trouble at the saloon!"

"Stay here and don't you dare to move." Vin growled in Amalia's direction and ran off to the saloon. She heard the noise of splintering glass and loud yells.

As soon as Vin went through the door of the saloon Amalia was outside of the jailhouse. She didn't want to stay in this town anymore. She had to get away.

"Come Wolf!" She ordered and ran down the street. She didn't recognize that she was running the way back where she had come from.

Suddenly Wolf stopped and growled. Amalia also stopped dead in her tracks. A black and white cat walked across the street right in front of her. Wolf's tail went straight up in the air and Amalia's eyes went wide as she realized what he was going to do.

"No, don't…." But it was already too late. Wolf bolted off after the cat, which meowed loudly and ran up the next tree. Before Wolf could catch the cat it was already on the highest branch possible. The wolf barked furiously, running circles around the tree.

"Wolf, come on now. We've gotta go."

"HEY! TELL YOUR MANGEY DOG TO GET AWAY FROM MY CAT!"

Amalia spun around and saw a red-haired girl stomp towards her. "He ain't a dog. He's a wolf."

"I don't care if he's a Wolf. He's scaring Fury."

"You shouldn't let your cat stray around then." Amalia retorted angrily.

"Call him back!" The red-haired girl demanded.

"Why should I?" Although she wanted to get away, she wasn't going to take orders from some kid.

"Call him back!"

"No! I'll do it when I want."

"You…" Without a word she lunged at Amalia who startled fell into the dust. She soon recovered from the surprise and lunged back at the girl. Before long they were both rolling around on the ground trying to get a good grip of the other person. The red-haired girl was a bit taller than Amalia but she had lived on the streets and had often had to fight against much taller persons. So she had learnt some tricks. However she wasn't able to use them right now, because the other girl had her pinned to the ground.

Wolf had stopped barking and was watching the fight with interest. Amalia wrapped her legs from around the girls head and pulled her off her by tipping her sideways. The girl retaliated by biting her in the calf, and the fight continued, but neither of them gained the upper hand. Suddenly two strong arms lifted them both to their feet and separated them.

"What's going on here?" A cold voice asked. Amalia looked up and gulped. It was the black-clad man Chris. His blue eyes seemed to pierce right through her as he pinned her with it.

"I think I know you." He growled in Amalia's direction. The girl paled.

Chris was furious. First this girl had pushed him into the river, then she had stolen his horse and when he finally came back to Four Corners she was fighting with Rose. He dragged both girls towards the jailhouse.

"WOLF!" Amalia yelled. Wolf ran up to her side but didn't do anything more. Chris looked at the animal. Why didn't it growl now? When it had seen him first it had threatened him. However this time the wolf was not threatening, perhaps it was because he had two girls. Truth be know, Wolf was merely curious.

As soon he was inside he sat both girls into a corner. They both immediately turned around. Rose pulled out of Chris grip and pointed to the other child, "Her Wolf chased Fury!"

"Her stupid creepy little cat started it. Then she attacked me!"

"I did not. I just wanted to protect Fury." She protested.

"Yes, you did. You threw the first punch." Amalia retorted.

"Rosalynn-Leah Angel Tyler put your nose into the corner now or I'll put you across my knee." The red-haired girl turned around in an instant causing Amalia to giggle.

"And YOU!" Chris tapped Amalia on the nose. "Stop laughing and put your nose into the other corner."

"Like hell I will!" She snapped. "You can't boss me around you ass of a donkey!"

Chris picked her up and carried her into an open cell, where he sat down on the bed and put the girl across his knee.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOIN'? LEMME GO!" Amalia cried and tried to stand up again. Chris pushed her back and kept his hand on her waist while he brought his other hand down with a firm smack on her bottom. Amalia yelped and started to struggle wildly, nearly managing to get off Chris's knees. He circled her waist with one arm and continued to swat her backside. After the twentieth smack Amalia was sobbing mess. She went limp across Chris' knees only able to think about her burning behind. It was then when Chris picked her up and sat her down on his lap only causing her to cry harder. As he pulled her into a hug she pushed him away.

"I….. I hate ya!" She sobbed and wriggled out of his grip. She wanted to run out of the cell, but Chris grabbed her arm and held her back. As soon as she recognized that he had her again she started to scream and kick.

"Hey, settle down." He put her between his knees and kept her arms firmly pinned to her sides. Unable to move she lowered crying her gaze. Chris felt somewhat sorry for her, she may have deserved that spanking, but he shouldn't have lost his temper.

"Lemme… lemme go!" She managed to say between her sobs and hiccups.

"No, I won't and now you'll listen to me little girl." He put two fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Horse stealing is a very serious crime. Some people may even have hanged you." Amalia had started to calm down a bit, but as she heard the word hang her sobbing increased again.

"There, there." Chris wiped away the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "I ain't gonna hang you Little One. I just want ya to see the consequences of your actions. You can't always get away with theft, one day you'll get caught and then you'll wish that you hadn't even started. You can count yourself lucky to have gotten off with only a sore backside."

Amalia tried to glare at him, but failed miserably due to her red puffy eyes. It looked more like a cute pout. Chris stroked her hair and wiped away some more tears.

"Rose. You can leave. Go back to the boarding house and start yer homework." He called and heard quiet footsteps leaving the building. He needed some private time with this little rascal. He picked her up and sat her down on his lap again, but this time he made sure that her butt hung over his legs. She still winced as the denim of her clothes tightened around her rear, but didn't fight him anymore.

"Who are you?"

Amalia stayed silent, crossed her arms and turned her head away from the man. Chris sighed, now he needed to be patient.

"My name's Chris Larabee. I'm one of the seven peacekeepers of the town. My friends Vin, Buck, Josiah, Nathan, JD and Ezra help me to keep the law. Now please tell me your name, I jist want to help ya little one."

"Amalia." She whispered.

"So Amalia, where's your family?" He continued the questioning glad that she at least had told him her name.

"Don't know." She muffled.

"Did you get lost?"

"No."

"Did they send you away?"

"No."

"Well what happened then? Jist tell it to me. Then I know how to help ya."

"I don't have a family." She mumbled and the tears started to flow faster again.

"Do you have a guardian?"

Again Amalia shook her head and started to cry silently. Chris stroked her head and pulled her into a light hug.

"Did they get murdered?"

"No… I… I never met them." She whimpered and hid her face in Chris chest snuggling deep into his embrace.

Rose stood outside and listened to the girls crying. Her aura had been full of fright and sorrow. She hadn't been able to feel anything else. She looked over to the wolf, which had chased Fury up the tree. He actually now looked quite friendly, but his aura was quite distinct for an animal. Fury came over to her and she picked her up cradling him against her chest. The wolf looked at the cat and growled lightly. Fury hissed angrily back.

"No, you don't." Rose scolded Fury then turned to the wolf, "Fury won't do you anything so stop growling."

The wolf stopped and sat down. She sat Fury down and went over to the wolf holding out her hand so he could sniff at it. Gently she stroked his head. He wasn't dangerous he had just wanted to play with Fury. He licked her hands causing her to giggle.

Rose could still hear the girl cry. Chris had tanned her good. She hadn't received a spanking yet from any of the peacekeepers and she counted herself lucky. Mostly they had sent her to their rooms or put her into timeout, though, Vin had swatted her once.

Suddenly she heard footsteps coming closer. She looked up and saw Vin escorting a man to the jailhouse. She didn't like the man at once. He was unshaved and reeked of old onions and beer. She wrinkled her nose. His aura was also full of ferocity. Out of a reflex she pulled Fury to her and stepped closer to the wolf, which leaned towards her.

"I tole ya…. the…. the… fella other start it." The man slurred drunken.

"Yeah and you shot him in the leg. You'll spend the night in jail." Vin retorted and pushed the man forwards. He spun around and tried to hit Vin, but he missed and fell into the dust. Vin crabbed him by the scruff of the neck and dragged him the rest of the way to the jail.

As he reached the building he heard a girl crying. It had to be Amalia. Rose was sitting outside with the wolf and her kitten. Chris came out holding the little girl's hand; her other hand was rubbing her backside, while she tried to stifle her occasional sobs and hiccups.

"This man shot someone in the leg and he's completely drunk. I thought I better get him out of there, before someone shoots him," announced Vin.

"Put him into jail for a night, let him sleep it off until tomorrow. Do ya need any help?"

Vin shook his head and dragged the man into a cell. Chris crouched down in front of Amalia and wiped away a single tear which trickled down her cheek. "Shhhh, shhhh, shh. It wasn't that worse was it?" He gave her a warm smile.

"It hurts." Amalia replied softly.

"I know. I'm sorry that I spanked you when I was angry. I shouldn't have done that."

She looked up at him. "You're sorry for spankin' me?" She asked in disbelief. "Why the hell did ya do it then?"

Chris tried to stifle a laugh that threatened to escape, "I said I was sorry for spanking ya when I was angry, not that I'm sorry for the spanking."

"You're a bastard!" She muttered emphatically.

This time Chris frowned, "Do you want a second spanking?" Chris asked firmly taking her chin with two fingers and forcing her to look at him.

She quickly shook her head and moved both hands back to protect her backside.

"Then you'll better watch your sass, Little Lady. Where'd you learn a big bad word like that anyhow?"

"Ain't tellin and I don't hafta!" Amalia poked her tongue out at him. A second later she realized that wasn't such a smart thing to do. Chris took her by the arm and dragged her towards the boardinghouse.

"NO! YOU CAN'T SPANK ME AGAIN!" She yelled digging her heels into the ground.

Several people turned around and stared at them. However Amalia didn't have any time to get embarrassed. Chris hoisted her up over his shoulder and carried her towards the boarding house.

"LET ME GO! I AIN'T YOUR KID!" She hollered now clearly afraid.

Chris tried to stifle his rising temper. What was wrong with this girl, even after a sound spanking she was still being cheeky? He stomped up the stairs ignoring all the curious looks from the other people. Inside his room he sat down on the bed and sat her down on the ground between his knees.

"Now listen." He grabbed her chin whit his trigger finger and thumb and forced her to look at him. "You're what…. at the most seven years old. You're living alone only in companion with a wolf. You're skinny and dirty. Ya tried to steal my horse and you tried to sell it here in town to get some money." Amalia opened her mouth to protest, but Chris put a finger against her lips, "I want you to listen now Amalia. I can understand that you stole to survive. People aren't friendly towards orphans and I know that in the orphanages ya often have to work very hard. You get beaten for small things or even for nothin'." Amalia winced as he said that and Chris gently stroked her head. "However stealing is a crime and a sin Little One. As I said before you could get into serious trouble for stealing."

Amalia nodded and rubbed her backside, which caused Chris to chuckle. "I mean more serious trouble Amalia. I only want that you'll stay safe and don't do anythin' stupid or illegal. I care for everyone in this town and so do my friends. You will have to stay here until we've found a good place for you to live."

"WHAT?"

"Yes and before you throw a tantrum, I only do that because it's my job and I care for yer safety."

"Sure." She grumbled sarcastically.

"Yeah, I actually do, but you're making it quite difficult, but now to the next point: Ifin your behavior continues like this sitting will become very uncomfortable for you. I already spanked ya once today and I don't wanna do it again, so you'll get a timeout." He turned her around and nudged her towards a corner. She turned around to him wanting to protest, but as he raised an eyebrow in her direction she quickly put her nose into the corner.

Chris took out a cheroot of his pocket and lit it. Never taking his eyes of the little girl; who was nervously shifting her weight from foot to foot.

"When can I come out of this dumb corner?" She asked sullenly.

"When my cheroot has burnt down." He simply replied and leant back.

"When will you be finished?"

"The more ya ask the longer time it will take me to smoke it."

She grumbled something, but Chris didn't understand her nor did he have any interest in asking her, because it surely would get her into trouble. As he finished he called her out of the corner.

"Are ya ready to behave now?"

She nodded.

"Good. I know you don't like me right now, but that's okay. One day you'll thank me."

"Like hell I will!"

Chris turned her sideways and landed a light swat to the seat of her denim pants. However it was enough to re-ignite the fire in her butt and cause her to yelp.

"That's the third time, watch your language. Next time I'll wash your mouth out as well." He simply said.

"Well what if I will just run away?"

"Jist stay here okay? I promise to look after ya. You'll be fine here." He put a hand on her shoulder and wiped away another tear which trickled down her cheek with his thumb.

Amalia surrendered. "Okay I'll stay."

"Good. I hoped you would say that." He said with a grin.

This time she was really tempted to kick him, but she kept control of her temper. This Chris acted as if he was her papa. Satisfied she bit back her cheeky reply Chris ushered her out.

"Stay out of trouble!" He reminded before she ran over to the jailhouse looking for her wolf.

Amalia was furious. This Chris Larabee had threatened her like a small child. She had been on her own for months. His comment of the orphanages had brought up old memories. How she had been beaten for accidentally dropping a plate from the headman's table.

Flashback

In shock she looked down at the broken pieces.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE YOU BRAT?" Kendall yelled. He was the headman from the orphanage. He was a fat, unshaved and short-tempered man. He always walked around carrying a walking stick with which he liked to hit the children. When he saw what Amalia had done he grabbed her by the ear.

"I didn't mean it, please!" She pleaded. He slapped her hard in the face. His gold ring split her lip. She cried out in pain as he pushed her to the ground.

"You won't get anything to eat until you've worked to pay for this plate."

"Like the food we eat is worth anything." She grumbled.

"What did you say?" Kendall asked in a dangerous quiet voice.

Amalia paled. She hadn't meant to say it out loud.

Kendall grabbed her hair and dragged her up. He raised his hand and slapped her hard in the face again. "You will not be disrespectful to me. I nearly work myself half to death for you and that's how you thank me?"

With each word Kendall slapped her, then one of the cooks stopped him, "Sir, she has to work in the kitchen afterwards. You can hit her later, but I need for her to do her work without crying all the time."

"Yeah you're right." He hit Amalia one last time, then opened the silver chain to her necklace. "I'll take this as advanced payment." Kendall said grinning. He knew exactly how much the necklace meant to her.

"NO! YOU CAN'T DO…." Another slap interrupted her protests.

"Be quiet brat!" He said. "Go and clean the bedrooms."

Trying to stifle the sobs she ran off to the bedrooms.

A few hours later she lay down on her canvas cot. Her face hurt like hell and she felt sick, but she would flee tonight. She wouldn't survive another day in this orphanage if she stayed.

When she was sure that all were fast asleep, she stood up and tiptoed out of the room. Kendall's room was just above the kitchen. It was warmest there in the winter. Cautiously she walked up the stairs careful not to cause the steps to creak. She put an ear against the door and listened. Suddenly she heard him snore loudly. She jumped at the noise, but then let out a sigh of relief. Slowly she opened the door and looked inside. She immediately spotted his large sleeping figure on the bed.

Amalia tiptoed over to a small chest and opened. An older child who had spent the night sometimes up there had told her that all valuables were in there. Without making a noise she opened the chest. First she spotted a wonderful stick made out of red wood, but as she looked close she saw that it was sheath for a knife. She drew it out and was startled by the design. It looked as if thousand of lines were engraved. She quickly put it inside her clothes and looked for her silver necklace. She found it then she took out some money.

"Yes, I've found you." She whispered and pressed it tightly to her heart.

"And I've found you." A deep voice growled behind her. She spun around and her eyes went wide. Kendall had woken up. The huge man laughed sending shivers up Amalia's spine, "I hadn't thought that you would come to me by choice." He grabbed her by the front of her clothes and dragged her close to him. "You know that I like pretty girls don't you?" He whispered into her ear and grinned.

Amalia panicked. She knew that he took up girls to his room. When they came back they were totally distraught. One girl, Miranda just kept crying for days, then she just walked right off the veranda of the top floor. When Miranda died all the girls knew to stay out of Kendall's way. The older ones would protect the younger ones, so would some of the boys. But it didn't always work. Amalia knew there was nobody to help her this night. She closed her eyes as he tossed her on the bed and lay down upon her kissing her mouth.

Amalia choked, her fear causing her to vomit. Kendall was furious, and got up to grab the water jug, then she remembered the knife. She reached inside her clothes fumbling.

Kendal returned splashing water on her face, then grabbed her shirt, "Open your shirt for me? That's a good girl."

Amalia felt the wood against her hand and drew the knife with a high-pitched scream. She still screamed as she rammed the knife into the side of Kendall's throat. His eyes went wide and he tried to say something, but no words came out of his mouth. Amalia felt blood flow over her hand and on her clothes. She drew the knife out and rolled him off her.

Kendall grabbed his throat with both hands and stared with wide eyes up at her. She was still holding the knife in one hand and watched the death struggle of her tormentor.

As he was dead she grabbed the money she had found in the chest, grabbed some clean clothes from the kitchen lines and headed out the back door. Never to this day she had felt safe nor had she stopped fearing for her life.

END FLASHBACK

Dark ending I know. Please review and tell me what I can make better. I appreciate constructive critism so please write me a review and tell me what's good and what's bad.