"LARABEE'S LADY" – CHAPTER FIVE

Title: "Larabee's Lady"

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult language and situations

Summary: Mary's best friend causes Chris to re-think his future.

Date Written: September 14, 2010

Disclaimer: Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, J.D. Dunne, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Casey Wells, Mary Travis, Nettie Wells, Inez, and The Magnificent Seven are the property of TM CBS, The Mirisch Group, MGM and Triology Entertainment. Other characters, i.e., Catherine Stewart, Jonathan Stewart, Eloise Stewart, Miles Kettering, etc. are the sole property of the author. The author makes no profit from this work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.

(Several days pass during which Catherine Stewart and her father make several more trips out to her land, hire a few hands from among the townspeople, and purchase building materials. After the initial shock, the townspeople have, for the most part, gotten used to seeing the beautiful young woman walking around town dressed in pants. The few people who do not approve, including Loretta Purdy, owner of the General Store, don't dare voice their opposition to Catherine's attire or behavior as the self-appointed town matriarch, Mrs. Henrietta Wilkins, has given her stamp of approval to Catherine. Mrs. Stewart has resigned herself to the fact that Catherine will, indeed, be staying in Four Corners and building her ranch. She occupies her time visiting with Mrs. Wilkins, Nettie Wells, and Mary Travis. Each of the three ladies assures Mrs. Stuart that they will "keep an eye" on Catherine after the Stewarts return to Washington, D.C. Vin, Buck, Ezra, Josiah, Nathan, and J.D. have all taken the time to get to know Catherine better, and have formed easy friendships with her and her parents. The only person who has gone out of his way to avoid Catherine is Chris. Anytime Catherine walks toward wherever it is Chris happens to be, he walks in the opposite direction. The only time Chris interacts with her at all is when he is forced to do so, and it usually only involves him tipping his hat to her on the street. Catherine is puzzled by Chris' actions; doubly so because of his initial reaction to her and her to him. Finally, she has had enough and decides to talk with some of Chris' friends to determine why he seems to be avoiding her. After watching Chris ride out of town one morning, she approaches Vin and Buck who are sitting in front of the Sheriff's Office.)

Buck: "Mornin', Catherine."

Catherine: "Buck, Vin. . . . You two have a minute?"

Vin: "Sure. What's on your mind?"

Catherine: (taking a deep breath and looking them both in the eye.) "I want to know why Chris is avoiding me like the plague, and I'd appreciate the truth, please."

(Vin and Buck exchange an uneasy look before answering Catherine's question. Since he's known Chris longer than any of the others, Buck decides that Catherine deserves to know the truth about Chris' past.)

Buck: "Three years ago, Chris' wife and son died in a fire. They were murdered. Chris doesn't know who did it or why and he blames himself for their deaths because he wasn't there when it happened."

Catherine: "I see. I'm so sorry, and I'm sure that was, and is, quite a painful experience for him, but I still don't understand why that would make him steer clear of me. I didn't even know he had a wife and son until you told me, and I certainly didn't have anything to do with their deaths."

Vin: "Catherine, . . . Aw, Hell. . . Buck and I think the reason Chris is avoiding you is because he's, uh, well, he's attracted to you."

(The look Catherine gives Vin and Buck is incredulous, and both men realize she doesn't have the slightest idea about what they're trying to tell her.)

Catherine: "Let me get this straight . . . Chris is attracted to me so he's staying as far away from me as he can?"

Buck: "Like I said, he blames himself for what happened to Sarah and Adam, and he hasn't been able to let it go. I think he feels . . . guilty for being attracted to you."

Vin: "He won't come anywhere near you 'cause he's afraid of what would happen if he did."

Catherine: (understanding dawning) "He thinks he'd be betraying their memories if he allows himself to care about someone else."

Buck: "Yeah. At least, that's what we think is going on. Hard to tell with Chris. He's not one to be real open about his personal feelings."

Catherine: "Well. You've answered my question. I appreciate your honesty. Now that I understand what's going on, I'll certainly do my best to stay out of his way."

Vin & Buck: "No!"

Catherine: "No? . . . "

Vin: "I saw the way the two of you looked at each other when you stepped off that stage, Catherine. I know Chris is attracted to you and I'm pretty damn sure you feel something for him. Chris needs you in his life Catherine. He's wallowed in self-pity long enough. It's time for him to rejoin the living."

Catherine: "While I appreciate you wanting to help your friend, Vin, I will not force myself on anyone; not even for such a noble cause. And, yes, I do . . . did feel something when we first met, but I can't compete with a dead woman, and I refuse to put myself into that position. I'm sorry; I just can't."

(And with deep regret etched on her face, Catherine walks swiftly to the hotel.)

Buck: "Damn. Now what do we do?"

Vin: "Ain't nothing we can do, Buck. Chris has to decide whether he wants to leave the past where it belongs and move on. 'Til he does, looks like he and Catherine are both gonna be miserable."