Chapter two

After Chris left the boarding Amalia decided t to go to the jailhouse looking for Wolf. While in some ways staying in Four Corners would be nice, even the thought of maybe finally finding a family here had grasped her heart, but it was very short lived. She couldn't stay. If Chris and his friends realized that she was a murderer she would be jailed, maybe even hung. Chris had said she had been lucky not to have been hung for horse stealing. Murder was worse. No it was best she got Wolf and leave, but how was a question she didn't have an answer for right now.

Amalia spotted him sitting next to the girl who had hit her. Rose, she had heard them call her. Well Rose was the reason for all the trouble she was in. "Wolf!" She called and he immediately ran over to her, eagerly licking her face. She smiled sadly. At least she had one friend in the world. She sat down on the street wanting to cuddle with Wolf, but the sting in her backside caused her to jump up again.

"Dang!" She rubbed her behind. The sting had gone down, but her behind was still tender and when she sat down it felt as though Chris had smacked her again.

Rose laughed as she watched Amalia move to the board walk outside the jailhouse and lay down on her stomach in front of the doors. Wolf lied down next to her and licked her cheek. Now she had to think of how she could get away from here. Vin came out of the jailhouse and looked down at her.

"Still tender?" He asked with a smile.

"Shut up!" She demanded angrily.

Vin shook his head, sighed, then looked at Rose and waved her away with his hands. Rose scowled, not happy she was to miss another confrontation between the peacekeeper and this strange girl.

Vin sat down on a chair next to her and looked down. Amalia was uptight. Her shoulders were tense and stiff and she glanced nervously back at him. She seemed very edgy. He just didn't have a clue why. Poor little critter, he thought, I wonder what you've gone through?

Vin bent down to her and tapped her back. She flinched and looked up.

"Easy, easy, I jist wanted to ask ya somethin'"

"What?"

"How did ya tame the wolf?"

For the first time he saw the glint of a smile on her face, but it faded as quickly as it had appeared.

"Why do ya wanna know?" She asked sullenly.

"I like animals and I would jist like to know." He explained.

"Why?"

"Are you always so cantankerous and distrustful? Jist tell me, please."

"Okay, but I didn't tame him. It was him who found me, when I was alone on the streets. He just came up to me one day and placed a piece of meat in front of me, then watched me as I ate it. First I wanted to eat everything myself but then I gave him half. We've stayed together and taken care of each other ever since," she said smiling as she came to the end of their story.

Vin bent down and stroked her head. "You look pretty when you smile little girl." It was meant as a compliment and any other girl would have been happy about it, but Amalia's eyes went wide and she stared at him in horror.

"Sorry, Little One. I jist wanted to give you a compliment." She slowly rose to all four and crawled away from him, then she lay down on the ground again.

"Ya don't want to talk. I get it." Vin crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair eyeing the girl. He took of his hat and brushed off some dust from his pants.

Amalia looked over at him. He didn't seem the same, like Kendall, but he had said that she was pretty and the last time a man had told her that he had tried to….. She chased the thoughts away. Wolf crawled closer to her pounding his tail against the boards. He licked her face causing her to giggle. "Stop it Wolfie!" She scratched his ears and caressed his head. He jumped to his legs and lay down across her back.

"Hey! Watcha doin' Wolf? You're heavy." She rolled around on her back and Wolf lay down on her putting his paws on her shoulders and licking her nose, while she scratched his neck.

For the first time since Vin had laid eyes on her the child looked happy, but she was still afraid. He could see it in her eyes.

"Amalia?"

She turned her face to him and the happy expression once again vanished from her face.

"It's time for dinner. Do you wanna join us?"

Amalia heard the word dinner and her stomach growled loudly. Wolf barked immediately racing over to Vin, who chuckled and caressed Wolf's head.

"And you're hungry too." Vin gave Amalia a warm smile.

Amalia's stomach growled again. "Yes, I'm hungry."

"We're eatin' in the boardinghouse. Come!"

She stood up and brushed off some dust from her clothes, not that it made any difference her clothes were covered in dirt anyway.

"Comin." She headed over to the guesthouse, not waiting for anyone. She simply called Wolf and entered the house.

All the others were already inside. She sat down at the table and looked for the best piece of food. She grabbed a whole chicken and a large piece of bread and started to eat.

"It's rude to start eating without waiting for the others." Chris rebuked.

Amalia didn't reply but continued to eat. Chris wanted to say something but Buck put a hand on his shoulder. "Leave her Chris. She has to be really hungry." Then he turned to Amalia, "Jist eat slower little one or you'll get sick."

"Shub ub!" She growled with a full mouth.

"Never mind." Buck sighed, unbuckled his holster and hung it at the back of the chair, then sat down on a chair and waited for the others. Rose, also sat down and looked around the table. As everyone took their seats, they started to eat. Amalia completely ignored the others. She just concentrated on the food in front of her. Even after the others were finished and had left the table Amalia was still eating. Chris would never have believed that such a small child could eat that much. But even Amalia had a limit. After an hour of constant eating she leant back patting her stomach and burped loudly causing Chris to chuckle.

Rose watched the girl warily. This Amalia was still frightened, she could feel it, but now she seemed to have relaxed a little.

"Watcha starin' at?" Amalia snapped.

Rose winced, looked away and simply concentrated on Amalia's aura. The other girl was still afraid and didn't trust anyone. She didn't want to let anyone close to her.

"Amalia, you can have my room. I'll sleep on a mattress outside." Chris said and took out a cheroot and lit it. He breathed in the smoke and blew it slowly out.

Amalia looked frowning over to him. "Why would I want yer room?"

"You want a place to sleep, don't ya?" Chris grabbed a bottle of whisky and filled a glass with the liquid. He took out his watch and lazily checked the time. It was 8pm; once the dishes were cleared it would be bedtime for the girls.

"Rose, Amalia. Take out the dishes, then it's bedtime for ya."

"There's no way in hell, that I'm gonna sleep this early!" Amalia protested jumping to her feet.

Chris stood up and walked over to her. With each slow and deliberate step he made towards her, Amelia fought the urge to run. However, she stood her ground not wanting to show him how afraid she was. He reached her but didn't hit her as she had expected; he simply crouched down in front of her and looked straight into her eyes.

"You won't talk to me in such a disrespectful manner, clear?"

When she didn't reply he turned her sideways and landed a soft swat to her backside. Nevertheless it was enough to reignite the fire in her behind. Amalia yelped and threw both hands back.

"Is that clear?"

"Yes sir." She mumbled rubbing her behind.

"Good, then you can take out the dishes now." Chris ordered and picked up some plates himself, then waited for the girls to follow suit.

Amalia nodded and also picked up some plates. It was just like in the orphanage. The men ordered the children around and they had to do all the work. With four plates in her hands she headed for the kitchen. All of sudden a rat ran in front of her. Frightened, she jumped back dropping the plates. They fell to the ground bursting into thousand pieces, "No!" She whimpered holding her head with both hands. "No, no, no, no, no."

Chris quickly put the plates he was carrying back on the table. Amalia was surrounded by ceramic shards and she wasn't wearing any shoes. If she took a step she would definitely cut her feet.

"Amalia stay….."

Chris didn't finish his sentence. With terror written all over her face, Amalia spun around and took a step backwards.

"No, I'm sorry. I….." She winced as the broken pieces cut into her foot, but her fear of Chris was larger than the pain. She took another step backwards. Chris finally realized that she was oblivious to the danger, insane with fear. He took two quick giant steps towards her and snatched her up in one smooth and fluid motion.

"NOOOOO!" She screamed and tried to hit him. He quickly caught both of her hands with one of his and held them firmly.

"Shhhh. Calm down. It was an accident. You've done nothing wrong. Amalia, I won't hurt you." He cooed, trying to sooth the panic-stricken child in his arms. He tucked her under the arm and carried her away from the shards. Sitting down on a chair he carefully sat Amalia on his lap. She looked up at him. Her bottom lip was trembling and she was shaking with fear.

"Hey there. Nothing to worry about. It was jist some plates." He gently caressed her cheek.

"You… you… you aren't gonna hit me?" She stuttered with a mixture of amazement and apprehension.

"No!" Chris shook his head, shocked, "How the hell did that get into yer mind? I don't spank ya for droppin' some ole plates."

"Are you going to take my star away?"

Chris shook his head again. "No, I won't." Then he threw a quick glance towards the girl's feet. Blood dripped from them slowly. "I think I'll better take you to Nathan." Chris stood up and carried her out of the boardinghouse leaving Rose behind.

Rose could feel Amalia's trepidation. The girl wasn't sure what to think of these men, but was still afraid.

Seconds later, Vin came and looked at the mess, "What happened, sounded like every plate in the place got smashed?"

"Amalia, dropped them."

"Ya mean she threw them at Chris?" asked Vin wide eyed and hesitant.

"No Vin, a big old dirty rat ran past and scared her, she dropped them by accident. Chris has taken her to Nathan's cause she cut her feet."

"Whewey!" Somewhat relieved, Vin walked over at rook the remaining plates of Rose, "Go to bed Rose. I'll take care of this."

"Okay." She picked up Fury and headed for Vin's room while he started to clean up.

Chris readjusted Amalia's weight in his arms so she was sitting on one of his arms while the other was on her back. Tears had started to flow from her eyes. Her feet hurt more and more each second. She sniffed and felt Chris gently rubbing her back.

"Shhh, shhh. Nathan will take out the shards. Everything is gonna be jist fine again." He soothed and kissed her forehead. The kiss felt good, caring and gentle, not like Kendall. Perhaps this man was good after all.

Chris kicked against the door of the clinic and Nathan opened the door.

"What happened?" Nathan asked as soon as he spotted Amalia's bleeding feet.

"She accidentally dropped some plates and when I went to pick her up; she got scared and wanted to run away. She stood on the shards. I think some are stuck in there." Chris explained as he carried Amalia inside.

Nathan quickly went to fetch a pair of tweezers, water and bandages. Chris carefully lowered Amalia on a bed so that her feet stuck out. Now he could see all the damage. There were cuts everywhere with small pieces of glass and ceramic sticking out here and there. Nathan returned and put a bucket under her feet. He threw a look towards the girl's feet and frowned. "Chris. I need you to hold her legs still while I work."

Chris nodded and sat down on the bed next to Amalia. "Amalia, this will hurt now, but you'll feel better afterwards. I promise. You have to be a brave girl now."

"I AM a brave girl." She grunted with clenched teeth.

"No, doubt about that." Nathan said and Chris patted Amalia's back before grabbing both of her legs. Nathan washed away the blood then he raised the pair of tweezers and grabbed a shard, carefully dragging it out. Amalia took a deep breath and held it. As the shard was outside she moaned and started to cry. Nathan worked as quick as he could, but it took him nearly half an hour before he was sure that no shards were left in Amalia's feet. As he wrapped the bandage tightly around, Amalia wailed loudly, desperately trying to squirm out of Chris' grip. As he was finished Nathan nodded towards Chris, who then picked Amalia up and sat her down on his lap rubbing soothing circles on her back once again. She buried her crying face in his chest.

"Hushhh Amalia. Shhhh, shhh." He gently rocked her from side to side all the while whispering comforting words into her ears.

It didn't take long for the child to calm down. Amelia hitched her last lot of sobs as she looked up at Chris. "Ain't you mad at me?" She asked shyly.

Chris shook his head. "Why should I be mad at ya? It was an accident."

"Are you sure?" Amalia wasn't sure if she could believe him. If she had dropped these plates in the orphanage she would have gotten beaten senseless.

"Yes, I'm sure. Now quit askin'." He ordered and put a finger against her lips as she opened her mouth.

"Lets put you into bed. You need to sleep and tomorrow you'll take a bath." Chris picked her up again and carried her to his room. Mrs. Patterson had earlier asked Vin to place a mattress inside Larabee's room. Carefully Chris tucked her in and brushed away a strand of hair from her face.

"Why…. Why are you doin' this?" She whispered looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Tuckin' you in?"

"Yes…. But also the other stuff. You're nice to me. Why? Are you….." She stopped in the middle of the sentence. Chris saw the fear come back into her eyes. What was she so afraid of? All he wanted was to help her.

"Hey there." He stroked her cheek. "I ain't gonna harm ya. I jist wanted to be friendly."

"O… okay."

"Sleep tight." He stroked her head a last time before he went out of the room.

Amalia lay awake in the bed not believing what had happened to her. He hadn't even tried to come close to her. All he had done was to help her. She turned to her side and looked at the door. What should she do? Chris and Vin seemed nice. She didn't know the others yet, but they didn't seem bad either. Wolf trusted them, but what would happen if they found out that she was a murderer. She looked down at the silvery star around her neck as if it could tell her what she had to do.

Slowly her eyes got heavy. The warmth of the blanket and the soft mattress were working their magic. She fought to stay awake, but it was useless. Slowly but surely she fell asleep.

Yawning Amalia stretched herself and rubbed her eyes with her fists. She had never slept so well in her entire life. She looked around but didn't see anyone in the room. All she saw was a mattress and a blanket, but no Chris. Slowly she stood up and swung her legs from the bed.

As she tried to stand up a sharp pain shot through her feet. She moaned and looked down. She had forgotten about yesterday. Her feet were covered in thick bandages. Carefully, not wanting to put too much weight on her feet, she headed towards the door. She realized that she was wearing a nightshirt. Someone had changed her. She looked around for her clothes but didn't see them, so she headed over to the wardrobe and opened it. There hanging up was an assortment of black pants and shirts, then a man's suit, but her clothes were nowhere to be found. Amalia went out of the room and headed down the stairs down steadying herself on the stair railing.

Rose was sitting at the table playing cards with Ezra.

"Some more for me." Ezra said grinning and took several matches that were lying on the table.

"Awww! Not fair Ez. I bet ya cheated." Rose grumbled. "Now I've only got ten left and you've got fifty."

A stair creaked and Ezra looked up spotting Amalia. "You've finally woken up as I see."

Amalia didn't reply, instead she limped towards them and looked around.

"We've already eaten breakfast, but we have acquired you a portion." He held up a plate filled with bacon, eggs and bread, and grinned.

"Where're my clothes?" She asked not looking in his direction.

"Mr. Larabee has disposed of them. They were little more than rags my dear child. However you will be pleased to know that he is at the mercantile as we speak, purchasing you clothing more suitable. Now I cannot promise you they will be a tasteful selection as the mercantile stores are somewhat limited as is Mr. Larabee's dress sense. However they will not smell. "

Amalia could not help but laugh at the dapper looking man. He spoke with a plumb in his mouth and used big words but there was a smile on his face as he spoke and his southern accent sung the words with laughter. "Would you care to join us?" Ezra asked and raised some cards in her direction.

Amalia shrugged and nodded. "Why not?"

"Do ya know the rules of poker?" Rose asked and concentrated on the girl's aura. She seemed quieter today. Some of her fear had disappeared, but it was still difficult to feel anything else. The apprehension was still overwhelming.

Amalia nodded and Ezra shuffled the cards while she started to eat her breakfast.

"You've finally woken up as I see." A deep voice said behind Amalia. She looked back and spotted Chris looking down at her.

He held up a bag in front of her. "I bought some clothes for ya. You wanna try them on?"

"Why are ya doin' this?" Amalia asked distrustful eyeing the clothes as if they were poison.

"You're old clothes were falling apart." Chris replied and handed her the bag.

"I can't pay ya back." She murmured and looked down on her hands.

"You don't havta. It's a gift."

"But…."

"Stop asking questions. Jist keep them."

Not knowing what to say Amalia just sat on her place and looked down on her hands. Chris stood patiently and waited until she regained her voice.

"Th….. thank you." She stuttered and then quickly continued to eat. Wolf came to her side and nudged her hand. "Yeah, you also want some don't ya?" Amalia said playing with one of his soft grey ears. Then she picked up some pieces of bacon and held them in front of his nose. He snatched the pieces from her hand and lay down on the ground.

Nathan entered the room just as Wolf swallowed the last piece of bacon. "Morning Amalia. How do yer feet feel?"

"They're okay." She lied. Her feet were still hurting but not as bad as when she stood on them.

"Let me take a look please." Nathan turned the chair around and crouched down in front of her. He reached out and gently tried to take one of her feet in his hands. She jerked away from him.

"NO!"

Nathan raised both hands up in the air. "Sorry little girl. I jist want to help ya."

"I'm fine. I don't need yer help."

"Yes you do need his help." Chris stated harshly and grabbed her calf.

"NO! LEMME GO!" She shrieked and kicked him with her free foot. She yelped with pain and tears welled up in her eyes. Rose felt her fear again. It was swelling, her aura growing alarmed and turning pink to red, growing more and more, Amalia was close to absolute panic.

Unfortunately Chris couldn't see what Rose could see and Amelia could not express it another way that to fight, but the only effect the kick had on Chris was to raise his temper. He picked her up and tucked her under his arm. "You're going to get yer feet properly treated whether ya want or not." He sat down on the chair she had just had been sitting in and put her across her knee. "Nathan now you can look at her feet." He said and wrapped an arm around her waist keeping her from wriggling of his knees.

"LET ME GO!" She hollered kicking her legs as hard as she could.

Nathan knelt down and pinned each of her legs under one of his arms. Now she wasn't able to hurt herself anymore by kicking him. However it didn't stop her from trying it. "Stop wriggling now. I just want to make sure the wounds are not infected."

Amalia bucked wildly and tried everything to get off Chris' lap.

"I can't work like this." Nathan complained and tried to hold one of her wriggling feet still enough so he could unwrap the bandage. "She needs to calm down. Why is she acting like this anyway?"

"No idea." Chris replied while Amalia hammered her little fists against his legs yelling at him at the top of her lungs.

"Nathan, wait a second please." Chris picked her up and sat her down on his lap. She tried to hit him but he quickly caught her hands by the wrist and held them firmly. "Stop this!" He growled. Why was she so anxious when they wanted to help her?

Amalia froze and closed her eyes while her shoulders stiffened.

"Amalia, what have we done thet's got you so scared? Tell me please!" appealed Chris

Amalia barely heard his voice. She was too upset. Tears started to well up in her eyes. Maybe she should just confess everything and then it would be over. They would hang her and set an end to her miserable life.

"I killed him. I killed Kendall." She whispered.

Chris stiffened. Had he heard right? Had she killed someone?

"He took me to his bed and kissed me. He started to… to… I….. I took the knife and stabbed him in the throat. I didn't know it was his throat, I jist wanted him to get off me…. I wanted…. needed to get away. Everything was full of blood and then….. and then….." She burst into tears sobs shaking her little body.

Everyone stared at her in shock. After a few seconds Chris was able to speak again.

"Did…." He cleared his throat. "He kissed you? … Amalia, did he try to to to…" Chris voice was hoarse and he was finding it difficult to ask this child what he expected was the case. He was finding it hard to find the right words.

Ezra stepped up, and knelt down facing the small petite child shaking on Chris knees, "Miss Amalia, can you tell Mr. Larabee, if this man Kendall, was taking liberties with you. Doing things to you that only a man would do with his wife? Hurting you?" Amalia nodded and cried louder.

Chris growled, clearly disgusted and furious.

"I… know he shoulda be doin' that….. he shoulda be doing that to none of us littlin's. Miranda said so, Miranda said don't let him do nothin' but I didn't mean ta kill him. Please Mr. Larabee don't be mad at me don't be thinking of me like dirt. I…I…" Amalia could no longer control the tears. It was no longer fear that drove her to the sobbing and racked pain she finally expelled.

Chris jumped up holding her firmly and paced the room, rocking her, whispering soothing sounds, while patting her back, while the others encircled them subconsciously projecting their empathy.

Rose, could see Amalia's aura, there was still fear, red specks reflecting her emotions, more so though her aura started to tinge with white at its edges, there was relief and acceptance speculating the borders of the light the gifted child perceived.

Chris slowed his walk, rubbing the child's hair and rubbing soothing circles on her back, "What you did was good. If you hadn't killed him, I would have found him and done it myself." Chris stated sincerely, "You ain't done nothing wrong."

She looked up at him. "So…. you… you won't hang me?" She hiccupped.

"God Lord No! You only defended yourself. Ain't no law to hang anybody for jist trying to stay alive. " He pulled her into another tight hug and for the first time since she had run away from the orphanage Amalia relaxed. She snuggled deep into the embrace and let the tears wash out all the pain and sorrow she had felt in the last months.

Chris jerked his head towards the door wanting the others to leave. Rose jumped to her feet and was the first to go. She felt physically exhausted now and tears welled up in her own eyes, tears of anger and sorrow.

The others left quietly the room to giving the girl some time to calm down. Amalia buried her head in the crook of Chris's neck, clinging tightly to his shoulders and cried once more; tears silently trickled down her face as the gentle black clad peace keeper rocked her from side to side. Chris felt her relax and decided to head up to their room. The stairs creaked under his footsteps and Amalia tightened her grip. She clung to him as if her life depended on it and as he sat down on the edge of his bed she whimpered and snuggled closer to him ignoring the large wet spots now on his shirt.

"Shhh. I ain't gonna put you down." Chris soothed and continued to gently rock her from side to side.

T

Thanks to Gaben and otkcp who helped me a great deal with this story. Hoped you enjoyed reading it.