"LARABEE'S LADY" – CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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 16, 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.

(Wilbur Poague and his men are going through bottle after bottle of whiskey as they play poker. Catherine is fervently praying that they will pass out before Poague can carry out his threat, but knows that it is not likely. She glances over at Casey and tries to offer her a reassuring smile, but Casey's not buying it. . . . Mrs. Wilkes has reached Nettie's farm and explained the situation. Grabbing her Carbine, Nettie starts toward town as Mrs. Wilkes heads out on the road to Somerset. . . . Mary has reached the ranch, but Farley and most of the hands are setting fences on the farthest section of the ranch. While she waits for a rider to get a message to them, Mary paces fretfully on Catherine's front porch. . . .)

Casey: "J.D. says Inez keeps a shotgun behind the bar. If I could get to it. "

Catherine: "You'd be dead before you could stand up, Casey."

(But Catherine is thinking along the same lines herself. Her immediate concern, however, is to find something to cut the ropes binding their feet and hands. If they can get free, Catherine might be able to create some kind of diversion to allow Casey and Mrs. Purdy time to escape. Mrs. Purdy casts a spiteful glare in their direction.)

Mrs. Purdy: "Casey Wells, you need to stop talking to that . .that woman. Your aunt would be horrified to know that you were associating with her after what she's agreed to do."

Casey: "Catherine's agreed to do nothing but try and keep me from harm, Mrs. Purdy, Nettie will be grateful."

(Catherine's frustration level has just about reached it's limit, and she is about to jump out of her skin. . .

Luck is with Mrs. Wilkes and she is no more than halfway to Somerset when she encounters the Seven on their way back to Four Corners. Relieved beyond words, she rapidly explains the situation in town. The expressions on the face of each of the Seven becomes grim and determined as she speaks, but it is the look on Chris Larabee's face that gives her the most hope that all will be well. They ride hard and fast for the town intent of saving the ladies. . . . Farley and six hands have finally arrived at the house and they and Mary are soon heading into Four Corners. . . . Nettie has cautiously looked around the town and discovered that most of the townspeople are aware of the situation at the Saloon and are staying inside away from danger. Part of her understands this, but another part is furious that folks won't do anything to help her niece, Catherine, or Loretta Purdy. .

Finishing off another bottle of whiskey, Poague slams his glass down on the table and, with a horrible leer on his face, stands up and walks toward the three women. Knowing that he's coming for her, Catherine pales even more and begins to tremble in spite of herself. Poague just laughs as he reaches down, grasps her arm, and cuts the ropes binding her ankles. Snatching her to her feet, he makes sure she understands what will happen if she fails to cooperate.)

Poague: "Time to pay up, Missy, and if'n you don't, (he points to Casey), that little girls' gonna settle the debt for you. "

Catherine: "You lay one finger on her and you'll be sorry for the rest of your miserable life!" (In spite of her fear, Catherine wants to do everything she can to ensure Casey's safety and that of Mrs. Purdy.) "I promise you that."

Poague: "I like a woman with a little fire in her. You'll do just fine, Missy, just fine. . . You boys can play to see who gets her when I'm through . Just keep an eye on those two. I don't want no interruptions,"

(Casey watches helplessly as Poague drags Catherine up the stairs. Silent tears run down Casey's face, but when she turns to Mrs. Purdy, she is surprised to find the woman's expression shuttered. Casey struggles against her bonds to no avail. She is determined to try and help Catherine, but Mrs. Purdy seems content to sit and do nothing. . .

The ride to Four Corners seems endless to the people who are trying to get there. Mrs. Wilkes glances at the faces of the seven men she is riding with, and, while all of them look grim, Chris Larabee looks absolutely murderous.

Casey is still trying to loosen the ropes binding her hands and feet when a sharp, pain-filled scream cuts through the Saloon. The scream is followed by agonized sobs much to the amusement of Poague's men. Realizing that it was Catherine that screamed and why, Casey begins to sob openly. Mrs. Purdy, her mouth a grim line, stares at Casey.)

Mrs. Purdy: "Don't waste your tears on that woman, Casey, she made her bed and now she has to lie in it."

Casey: "What? You can't be serious! Catherine sacrificed herself to save me from that horrible man. What is wrong with you, Mrs. Purdy?"

Mrs. Purdy: "She could have found another way to save you if she'd wanted to. You must forget this, Casey. You must forget that woman. I'm sure your Aunt won't allow you to associate with her now, and that's as it should be."

(Casey stares at Mrs. Purdy as if she were mad. She cannot believe the vile things that are coming out of Mrs. Purdy's mouth. As Wilbur Poague, looking like a cat with a bowl of fresh cream, comes down the stairs tucking his shirt into his pants, he glances over at Casey and Mrs. Purdy but immediately dismisses them.)

Poague: "Changed my mind, boys. Time for us to be movin on. Let's ride."

(Several things happen simultaneously: from two different directions, the Seven and Mrs. Wilkes and Mary, Farley, and the hands from Catherine's ranch ride into town, Poague and his men are about to mount their horses and leave, and a bruised and battered Catherine steps into the street carrying a gun. Just as Poague nears his horse, Catherine calls out to him.)

Catherine: "Poague! Do Not Take Another Step!"

Poague: "You gonna kill me, Missy?"

Catherine: "No, I'm not. But if you move so much as an inch, I'm going to make you wish you were dead!"

Poague: "Well, we'll just see about that."

(Poague starts toward Catherine, both Chris and Vin yell at him to stop, and all of the Seven draw their guns, but it is Catherine who calmly aims at Poague and fires. The single shot rings out over the sound of horses and men, and Poague drops to the ground clutching his groin and screaming in agony. Their leader down and writhing on the ground, and nine guns pointed directly at them because Mary and Nettie have joined the fray, Poague's men wisely throw their weapons down and put their hands up high. Having been walking steadily toward Poague, Catherine stands over his prone form; her gun still aimed at him. Her voice steady, she delivers the final blow.)

Catherine: "You will never do to another woman what you did to me, you bastard!"

(By now, Josiah, Nathan, Buck and Ezra have rounded up Poague's men, and Nathan kneels down next to Poague while the other three take the outlaws to jail. Chris, Vin, Mary, J.D., Nettie, and Mrs. Wilkes approach Catherine cautiously.)

Catherine: "J.D., Casey and Mrs. Purdy are tied up in the Saloon. Go and get them, please."

Mary: "Catherine, let me take a look at you."

Catherine: "No, Mary."

(Nettie tries.)

Nettie: "We need to tend to your bruises, Child."

(When she turns to face them, they are all shocked by just how battered she is; the bruises on her face are already dark and angry, but it is the lost and forlorn expression in her eyes which causes Chris' gut to clench. J.D. returns with Mrs. Purdy and Casey who attempts to go straight to Catherine, but is pulled up short by Mrs. Purdy.)

Mrs. Purdy: "Stop at once, Casey! You are not to near that woman! Nettie, talk some sense into your niece! I've tried to tell her that she'll be ruined if she so much as looks at Catherine Stewart after what she did, but Casey just won't listen to me.!"

(Before anyone can say a word, Henrietta Wilkes steps forward.)

Mrs. Wilkes: "Loretta Purdy, have you lost your mind? Catherine has done nothing!"

Mrs. Purdy: "Wearing pants all the time, living out there on that ranch with all those ranch hands, breeding horses. She asked for everything that happened to her! It was only a matter of time."

(Mrs. Wilkins slaps Mrs. Purdy as hard as she can; fury written all over her face.)

Mrs. Wilkes; "Catherine Stewart is one of the finest people I know! She is intelligent, thoughtful, and brave! She saved Casey from those horrid men, and she saved you, too! Instead of vilifying her, you should be thanking her!"

Nettie: "I couldn't have said it better myself, Henrietta! I'm very grateful that Casey wasn't harmed."

Mrs. Purdy: "So you don't have a problem with Casey being exposed to this, . . this harlot?

Nettie: "I have a problem with you, Loretta Purdy!"

(This exchange of words has taken only moments but it is enough for Catherine.)

Catherine: "Stop it!" (The tears that have pooled in her eyes spill down her cheeks and she is shaking like a leaf.) "Hasn't there been enough harm done for one day?" \

(Loretta Purdy points a finger in Catherine's direction.)

Mrs. Purdy: "Yes, and you're the cause of it all!"

(She stalks off in the direction of the General Store. Mary steps closer to Catherine,)

Mary: "Come on, Catherine, let's get you cleaned up."

Catherine: "No, Mary. I'm going home."

Mary: "You shouldn't be alone, Catherine. Why don't you stay with me for a while?"

Catherine: "I'm. Going. Home. Now!"

(And so saying, she walks with a straight back and determined step toward the newspaper office where her horse is tethered. Farley and the ranch hands mount their horses as Chris, Vin, and Mary go after Catherine. Chris reaches her first and grabs her arm. Her reaction is immediate and violent: She jerks her arm from his grasp, whirls around and backs away from him with stark terror in her eyes.)

Catherine: "Don't touch me!"

Chris: "Whoa, Catherine . . . I'm sorry, I . . ."

(She mounts her horse and, with Farley and the hands following, gallops out of town toward her ranch. . . Although she is the youngest and most unworldly of the group, Casey is the first person to react.)

Casey: "What's the matter with all of you? Can't you see the last thing Catherine needs is to be alone? I'm going out to her place."

Mary: "I'm going with you."

Mrs. Wilkes: "As am I. Casey's right, What that child needs right now is a mother, and since hers isn't here, she'll have to make do with me."

Nettie: "And me. Vin, dear, would you go and fetch my buggy from the Livery?"

Vin: "Be glad to, Ma'am. I'll drive you ladies out to Catherine's."

: "You most certainly will not! The last thing that poor child needs is a pack of men hovering about. Besides, Catherine's ranch hands are sufficient protection for us."

Chris: "You sure about that?"

Mrs. Wilkes: "Mr. Larabee, your men have just locked up those ruffians and Catherine took care of that Son of Satan. We'll be quite all right. (She steps closer to Chris and lowers her voice.) I know you care about Catherine, Mr. Larabee, but, believe me; she would not appreciate your presence right now.

(A look of silent understanding passes between Chris and Mrs. Wilkes, and he reluctantly nods his agreement.)

Chris: "All right, Mrs. Wilkes, but we'll keep an eye on the ranch.)