AN:This story is part of the Common Starting Point Fanfic Challenge for January. As the name implies, all stories in this challenge will have the same beginning. This common begininning text is in bold. The bold text will appear in other stories. The bold text is used with permission of the original authors and the text following the bold is the work of the author posting this story.
On another note, I have change a few 'Gabe' to 'Gabriel', which I feel is the proper address of the character. The only time the character is addressed as Gabe on the show was by Nathan and I think Joe a couple of times. Gabriel even introduces himself as Gabriel. A pet peeve of mine is the consistent use of the nickname by authors though I try not grumble about it out loud in reviews. Amy has been told of my pet peeve and that I have modified the text. She has also been having her own fun with it, which you might see in her story.
Disclamer: Characters of WCTH and WHC are the property of Crown Media and CrownMedia/GAG respectively.
It was cold—much like the trail they were on as they wearily tracked the Barrett Brothers. It had been more than a week on the trail trekking west through the Canadian wilderness and still they were no closer to apprehending the two.
If there was one consolation for Nathan, it was that the trail led away from Hope Valley. So although each step took him further from home, it also meant the criminals were further from those Nathan loved most as well.
Hope Valley was truly home—Nathan could feel that now. Allie had blossomed in Elizabeth's classroom and she had finally made real friendships with the kids at school. She really seemed to know who she was these days. There was a fire in her belly that Nathan loved as it reminded him more and more of his sister. Don't ever change, Allie, he silently thought. Just the thought of her warmed his heart.
The snow was falling heavily now, and with the wind picking up, it was getting hard to see beyond the horses. The snow was already getting deeper, and he and Gabriel would need to seek shelter soon. Storms came quickly in the mountains and it was hard to tell how serious one was until it was already upon you.
He looked over at Gabriel and he had the same look in his eye as he glanced at the clouds racing over the mountain. All of their Mountie training kicked in as they urged the horses into a trot—searching anywhere for signs of a hunting cabin nearby.
Though he was looking for any signs of an adequate shelter, Nathan's thoughts were also on his friend. The Barrett Brothers, Peter and Tim, were wanted for several bank robberies throughout Alberta, the most recent having been an attempted robbery of the Brookfield Savings and Loan. Nathan's thought had gone directly to his friend, Gabriel Kinslow, who was currently posted in Brookfield when he had heard about the last robbery. Two years ago, Gabriel had been shot during a robbery of the same bank. He had almost died and had been strongly encouraged by their superiors to take a desk job. Stubborn ox that he was, Gabriel had not only refused the office position but insisted on going back to Brookfield. Nagging thoughts about the robbery had not let Gabriel rest, and his friend had uncovered a racketeering scheme that had almost been covered up by the robbery. Whatever had happened this time, Nathan knew that his friend would be pursuing this case just as doggedly - provided he hadn't been hurt.
Nathan had left the office shortly after, hoping for more information when he got back.
Coming back from morning rounds afterwards, Nathan had saw Lucas talking with two men not from Hope Valley behind the Queen of Hearts. Even from a distance, Nathan had thought there was something familiar about the two men. He had watched the exchange, trying not draw attention to himself. Lucas seemed very agitated and when the saloon owner started looking around, Nathan had urged Newton forward casually, keeping an eye on the three men out of the corner of his eye. He was hoping Lucas would just assume he was just returning from rounds. With a sharp jerk of his head toward the back entrance of the saloon, Lucas ushered the men into the saloon.
Nathan had returned to the office, double checked his hunch with the wanted poster of the Barrett brothers. There was no doubt in his mind that the two men with Lucas Bouchard were Peter and Tim Barrett. Nathan had called the sighting into headquarters and then headed for Bill's office. On his way there, he was not surprised to see Gabriel riding into town. Nathan motioned to his friend to go behind the buildings along the end of the street. Gabriel had and Nathan had met him back there. As the Brookfield Mountie had dismounted, Nathan had noticed a stiffness in the movement. However, Gabriel had immediately inquired what was going on, a steely determination in his eyes. Nathan had told him about the sighting. Deciding to still include Bill, the two Mounties had gone inside to speak to the former Sheriff.
By the time the three men had made their way to the Queen of Hearts, Nathan and Bill going in the front entrance while Gabriel covered the door Lucas had ushered the Barrett brothers through, Lucas was standing behind the bar, trying to look calm. Both Nathan and Bill however had noticed the beads of sweat on the man's forehead and the fact that the man's bow tie hung undone around his neck.
Unsurprisingly, Lucas had tried to play dumb at first, claiming he had been inside the whole morning. Even when Nathan said he had seen Lucas out back with two men, Lucas had asked if the sun was getting to their 'fine Constable'. When Bill held up his briefcase and said he had the forms to give Nathan a warrant on the spot, that Gabriel was guarding the back door, and that he would happily charge Lucas with aiding and abetting known bank robbers, the man started singing like a canary.
Lucas admitted to knowing the Barrett brothers from highschool. "Tim and I were friends at one point. Started a few business ventures together. Granted, some motives may have been questionable but when Tim and Peter wanted to outright start breaking laws, that was when I cut ties with them. I haven't seen either of them until five years before today. I told them to be on their way and they told me I could give them some supplies voluntarily or they would take it by force and make it seem like I was an accomplice. I didn't doubt them, so I brought them inside, gave them food, some matches, some money and a couple bottles of whiskey and sent them on their way. I would say they left ten minutes ago. I swear!".
"We are searching this place," Bill told him.
"Go ahead," Lucas said. "They are not hiding here. Just try not to break anything."
Bill had looked at him then. Personally, Nathan had been inclined to believe the saloon owner. "Can you get a couple of men to help you search and Gabriel and I will get supplies and head out," Nathan had suggested.
Bill had agreed and recruited Jesse, Kevin and Curt who had been eating lunch to watch the exits of the building and make sure no one went in or out while he searched. Leaving Bill to the search, Nathan had collected Gabriel from the back door. Ten minutes later, he and Gabriel had set out in the direction Lucas had said the Barrett brothers had gone. Lucas had told them that Tim had mentioned heading to Merritt in British Columbia and so they had headed for the Rockies.
They had picked up signs along the way that indicated they were not too far behind their fugitives. This storm was going to delay things. Still, finding shelter and sitting it out was the only sane course of action to take.
"I see smoke off to the north," Gabriel shouted out to him.
Nathan looked in that direction and saw the smoke himself. Smoke usually meant people up in this area. Hopefully, it was just a hunter, trapper, or one of the few people who made their home up here away from everyone. If it turned out to be their fugitives, the conditions were not ideal to engage them but Nathan knew that was exactly what they would need to do.
They had no choice though. The snow was picking up and that smoke was the only sign of shelter. With a nod to Gabriel, the two Mounties headed in the direction of the smoke. Before long they came upon a clearing with a modest sized barn, small fenced area nearby that was currently empty other than the troughs, a chicken coop, and small cabin. It was clearly someone who lived in the area permanently, but caution still needed to be taken when approaching. If they had found it, it was possible the Barrett brothers had as well.
Still in the tree line of the clearing, the Mounties survey they scene.
"There are no fresh tracks in the snow outside the cabin," Nathan observed. He knew he didn't have to state that it wouldn't account for the Barrett brothers having found the place before the snow started. They were ninety-nine percent sure their fugitives were still ahead of them.
Beside him, Gabriel was surveying the area with binoculars. "I don't see anything amiss," he told his companion softly as he lowered the binoculars. "There is no way of telling who is inside the cabin."
"This might be our only chance of shelter from this storm," Nathan stated.
Gabriel nodded his agreement. Both men unsnapped their holsters. Together, the two Mounties nudged their mounts into the clearing. With Gabriel on his right, Nathan kept his eyes scanning the area ahead and to the left, confident that Gabriel would look out for them to the area to their right. They remained the only things moving in the clearing. Reaching the fence, the two dismounted. Nathan noticed the wince from his friend as he did so, but Gabriel made no complaint. Once again, Nathan found himself wondering what had happened in Brookfield. Perhaps if this cabin proved to be safe harbor from the storm, he might finally have time to ask questions.
The tethered the horses to the fence and then made their way to the cabin. There was no indication that anyone was aware of their presence. As they got closer, they could hear singing from within. It was a woman singing, which helped Nathan feel at ease, but he still remained alert. Reaching the doorstep, Gabriel went to the side of the door, staying flat against the structure, leaving Nathan to knock on the door.
"James, is that you?" A woman's voice called out from within, as footsteps came closer to the door.
"No, ma'am. Constable Grant of the Northwest Mounted Police," Nathan replied, knowing that the woman deserved some kind of answer.
The door was thrown open quickly. "Did something happen to James?" the woman in the cabin asked, a panicked demand in the words.
"Couldn't say, ma'am. I am sorry to alarm you. My partner, Constable Kinslow were tracking fugitives through the area when the storm came up. We were looking for shelter."
"Well, I can't offer you much in the way of hospitality but I can give you a warm meal and a patch of floor by a fireplace," she told him, she said, glancing over at Gabriel who was no longer pressed against the cabin.
"Appreciate it, ma'am," Gabriel told her. "Is James your husband? Would you like us to look for him?"
The woman shook her head. "I am sure James will be along soon. He was out checking traps. First sign of the storm he would have headed home. We just don't get many visitors out this way. Especially not of the official kind. Bed your horses down in the barn and come on in," she told them. "My name is Alaina Perry. Please call me, Alaina."
"Appreciate the hospitality, Alaina." Nathan replied. "You can use are first names as well. I am Nathan and this is Gabriel."
Gabriel tipped his hat as Alaina looked in his direction.
"Why don't you go on in, Gabe," Nathan suggested to his friend. "You have been on the trail longer than me. I will take care of the horses and bring the stuff in."
"For once, I do not have the energy to argue with you. Thank you," Gabriel replied.
Alaina motioned Gabriel into the cabin and Nathan turned back to the horses. His eyes still scanned the surrounding area for other movement. Just because their fugitive were not here before them, it didn't mean they wouldn't find the place.
Inside the cabin, Alaina had gone to check on the stew she had on the stove. "James managed to shoot a fresh deer yesterday so I made a big pot of stew. Fresh meat doesn't always happen during the winter. There will plenty for the four of us. I will make up some more biscuits though," she told him. "Please have a seat," she said waving toward the table with four chairs around it.
Instead of sitting at the table, Gabriel picked up one of the chairs and moved it to the cabin window. He would at least keep watch for Nathan. If the action bothered Alaina, who Gabriel estimated to be around forty, she gave no indication.
"We are not here to cause any trouble for you ma'am. My partner and I can eat the food we brought with us," Gabriel told her as he sat down in the chair and watched Nathan disappear into the barn with the horses.
"My mother taught me that we feed our guests, expected and unexpected," Alaina replied. "Even if all you have to offer them is bread. Making biscuits is no problem. Besides, you and your partner could probably use some warm food to warm you up."
"That I can't deny," Gabriel told her. Glancing from the window back to her, he added, "thank you ma'am."
"You are welcome," Alaina told him, as she walked from the kitchen area toward him a glass of water in her hand. "There will be coffee with dinner if you like but for now I thought you might like some water."
"Appreciate it," Gabriel told her taking the glass. He took a sip as movement outside caught his eye. He saw a man coming up the cleared path to the yard. He was leading three horses. Gabriel knew it wasn't either of the Barrett brothers, though two of the horses looked kind of familiar. "Is that your husband?"
Alaina turned back to the window. "It is," she confirmed. "Let me just let him know we have guests so he is not alarmed by your partner," she added heading toward the door.
Alaina called to her husband from the doorway. James raised his hand in acknowledgment to his wife's words. The shout had brought Nathan to the doorway of the barn. As Alaina closed the door and returned to the stove, Gabriel watched the two men go back into the barn. Still, he continued to watch the yard. There wouldn't be many people up in these parts and Gabriel didn't want the two men in the barn to be taken by surprise.
As Alaina started setting the table, Gabriel asked if he could help her with anything. She turned down his offer of help, assuring him she was fine. By the time Nathan and James made their way toward the cabin, James helping Nathan carry some of their gear in, the food was on the table, Gabriel's glass was empty, and the smell of coffee had joined that of the stew.
Gabriel stiffly got to his feet. It felt to him like being warm had made his aches from the day of the robbery in Brookfield worse. Perhaps the cold had been masking some of the pain. He introduced himself to James, thanking him for a warm place to ride out the storm.
"Not many of us live up here, but any of us would provide a place to stay to a traveler. Especially on a day like this. I am glad it is two Mounties who found their way to our door and not the fugitives Nathan say you are tracking. Could be though, those fellows are not going to cause anyone any more trouble."
Before Gabriel could ask what he meant by that, Nathan spoke up.
"James was delayed coming home because he came across two men sitting next to a fire that had burned itself out. He approached to see if he could help them but got no reply. Two empty whiskey bottles lay on the ground near them. James shook them, trying to wake them up to no avail. He checked for a pulse and didn't find any."
"My guess is they set up camp, drank their alcohol, and fell asleep. When the fire burned out and the temperatures dropped because of the coming storm, they succumb to the cold. Cold and Whiskey are not a good combination," James said. "I wouldn't have left the bodies there but I was concerned for my own welfare with the increasing snowfall. I did tie a handkerchief on a nearby tree branch so they can be located and brought the two horses home to get them out of the cold."
"Those could have been the two horses that were pulling the stagecoach they left Brookfield in. I found the coach but not the horses."
"Well, we will head out as soon as it is safe to do so and verify their identities," Nathan said with conviction. "James was right. There is no sense in risking anyone else's safety for dead bodies."
"No, there isn't," Gabriel agreed, wondering if their hunt for the Barrett brothers would indeed end in this manner. If it was them, he couldn't say he was sorry about the outcome. Death could be the ultimate deliverer of justice. There was no way to get out of it.
"No more talk of dead bodies tonight then, please," Alaina said, having come over to help her husband out of his winter garments. She gave James a quick kiss before continuing. "Come. Supper is ready and I am sure all three of you could use something warm in your bodies."
All four moved to the table where Alaina served the men hot mugs of coffee and bowls of stew. She placed a bowl of biscuits on the table.
"The second batch of biscuits is in the oven and should be done shortly so there are plenty," Alaina told them. "I know James prefers to use the biscuit as his spoon most of the time."
"She ain't wrong," James commented with a laugh that the two Mounties joined in on.
Both Gabriel and Nathan said quick, silent prayers of their own for the food, warm shelter and their hosts before digging into their own food. James asked what was going on in the world outside of his mountain and Nathan and Gabriel did their best to indulge him with information.