"LARABEE'S LADY" – CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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 18, 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.

(The reset of the day passes with Mary and Nathan reading through massive amounts of back issues of the Clarion, Ezra and Josiah riding to Somerset for reasons known only to Ezra, Buck and J.D. keeping an obvious eye on Mrs. Purdy, and Chris and Vin talking to Mrs. Wilkes. After they've explained the situation to her, Henrietta Wilkes is livid. She agrees to talk with Mrs. Purdy, and asks Vin to ride out to Nettie Wells' place and have her talk to Mrs. Purdy, as well. . .

Vin arrives at the Wells' place to find Casey getting ready to ride out to Catherine's ranch.)

Vin: "Where you off to, Casey?"

Casey: "I'm going to stay with Catherine for a while. Mary thought she might feel better with a different face around."

Vin: "I'm sure she will, Casey. 'Specially if it's yours."

(For a moment, Casey loses her smile.)

Casey: "Will she ever really be all right again, Vin?"

Vin: "I hope so, Casey, I hope so."

(Nettie and Vin return to town while Casey rides out to Catherine's ranch. She is met in the entry hall by Mrs. Tyson, Catherine's housekeeper. The kindly woman greets Casey warmly, but sadly shakes her head when Casey asks if Catherine is feeling any better. She directs Casey upstairs to Catherine's room. . . What Casey finds makes her spirits plummet. Catherine is sitting at the window of her room staring outside. She is wearing a very modest robe with long sleeves and a high collar; her hair is confined in a severe braid, and her eyes are empty.)

Casey: "Catherine?. . . Catherine, can you hear me?"

Catherine: "Hello, Casey. Has Mrs. Wilkes sent you to babysit me?"

Casey: "'Course not! I wanted to come. . I haven't thanked you for . . well, you know."

Catherine: "You shouldn't be here, Casey. You shouldn't be anywhere near me."

Casey: "What .. . what are you saying?"

Catherine: "I'm not the same person I was, Casey. Everything's changed. I've changed."

Casey: "'Course you're the same person."

Catherine: (her voice raised and sharp) "Casey! I can't be the person you want me to be! I can't live up to your expectations anymore!"

Casey: "I don't want you to live up to any expectations, Catherine, I just want you to be you. I miss you! We all miss you!

(For the first time in days, Catherine feels something begin to stir inside of her.)

Casey: "You're one of the strongest, most courageous people I know! You can ride, shoot, and rope as good as any of the Seven, and better than some of 'em, including J.D. And your horses. Gosh almighty, Catherine, I ain't never seen a body have a way with horses like you do!"

Catherine: "Casey . . ."

Casey: "I know you're hurt, Catherine. If it hadn't been for you, it'd been me that man hurt, and I ain't near as strong as you are. Please, Catherine, don't give up. You can't give up., You promised to teach me all about horses. You're a part of this town whether you wanna be or not. We all need you. . . I need you."

(A commotion in the front of the house momentarily captures their attention as Chris Larabee rides onto the ranch.)

Casey: "And he needs you most of all."

(Catherine swings her startled gaze to Casey only to find that the girl has left the room. . .

Casey bounds down the stairs and out onto the porch as Chris dismounts from his horse and ties it to the post in front of the house. He props one booted foot on the steps, rests an elbow on his knee, tips his hat back and looks up at Casey. A slight grin is smothered quickly as he observes Casey's protective stance. Until he remembers why Casey feels the need to be protective of Catherine and sobers.)

Chris: "Afternoon, Casey."

Casey: "Chris."

Chris: "Catherine up to a visit?"

Casey: "Depends on why your wantin' to visit."

Chris: "Well, I need to talk with Catherine."

Casey: "About?"

Chris: "Casey, I need to talk with Catherine."

Casey: "Must be somethin' mighty important for 'ya to ride all the way out here."

Chris: "It is. Suppose you could ask Catherine to come out here and talk with me?"

Casey: "Recon I could ask."

(She turns to go back in the house but stops and turns back to Chris with a scowl on her face.)

Casey: "If'n what you got to talk to Catherine about's gonna upset her, I'm thinkin' maybe you don't need to talk to her after all. Is it?"

Chris: "Might be."

Casey: "Then I recon you don't need to talk to her."

Chris: "Casey .. ."

Casey: "I mean it, Chris! Catherine's been through a lot and I don't want you upsettin' her!"

(A soft voice behind Casey interrupts her tirade. . . Casey steps aside while turning. Catherine stands in the doorway of the house. She is wearing a soft yellow, short-sleeved dress with a modest bodice; her honey-gold hair is pulled up on each side with combs trimmed with yellow, satin flowers. Upon seeing her, Chris straightens up and removes his hat. Her bruises have all but faded, and she's as beautiful as ever. The only visible sign that she has suffered any abuse is the haunted look that lingers in her eyes. Chris feels an immediate tightening low in his body and curses his reaction. Consequently, his expression is tight and Catherine falters for a moment, unsure of herself.)

Chris: "Catherine."

Catherine: "Chris. It's all right, Casey. I'm sure whatever it is Chris needs to talk to me about is important or he wouldn't be here."

Chris: "It is important, Catherine."

Catherine: "Well, then, let's walk out to the stables. I haven't spent any time with my horses lately. Casey, why don't you ask Mrs. Tyson if she'll fix us all some lemonade? Chris and I will be back in a little while.

(Casey shoots Chris a warning glare as she goes in the house to do as Catherine asked. Catherine steps gracefully down the steps and she and Chris stroll leisurely toward the horse barns. For a few moments, they walk in silence: Catherine sure that Chris is disgusted by what happened to her and is loathe to be in her presence; Chris, angry because his body is reacting the way any man's would to a beautiful woman, and the last thing he wants to do is frighten Catherine; no matter how strong his feelings are for her. Finally, unable to stand the silence any longer, Catherine looks over at Chris as they walk.)

Catherine: "Why are you here, Chris.? Why did you ride all the way out here?"

Chris: "I need to tell you something, Catherine. About Loretta Purdy."

Catherine: "She threatening to wire Judge Travis and have me run out of town?"

Chris: "Somethin' like that."

(Catherine, who was making an attempt at lightening the mood, stops and stares at Chris in stunned disbelief.)

Catherine: "You're joking!"

Chris: "Wish I were."

Catherine: "Maybe you'd better tell me everything."

(Chris sees how pale Catherine has gotten and mentally kicks himself for upsetting her.)

Chris: "Damn! I should have listened to Vin."

Catherine: "About what? Damn it, Chris, tell me!"

Chris: "Vin didn't think you needed to know what Mrs. Purdy was tryin to do. Told him it'd be better comin from one of us."

Catherine: "Know. About. What?"

Chris: "Mrs. Purdy wants to send a wire to your father. She wants him to get you out of Four Corners."

Catherine: "And if I don't leave?"

Chris: "She's threatening to tell the Washington papers a pack of lies."

(Shock is written all over Catherine's face, and her voice is a mere whisper.)

Catherine: "My God! She wants to destroy my father?"

Chris: "Catherine, Mary refused to send the wire. Ezra told the old bat you were thought of as a heroine for saving Casey from Wilbur Poague, and Vin told her she should be the one to leave town,."

Catherine: "I can't let her do this to my father!"

Chris: "Catherine . . ."

Catherine: "My father is a good man! He stands up for people who can't stand up for themselves; he makes a difference! I cannot allow that woman to stop him from doing good for others!"

(She has become increasingly agitated with every word she's spoken and Chris's frustration level has risen as well. He reaches out and grasps her upper arms and steps closer to her.)

Chris: "Catherine, Mrs. Purdy is not going to do anything! I won't let her hurt you or your father anymore than she already has. I promise you that! I will not let anyone hurt you again!"

Catherine: "I wish you could keep that promise, Chris, but you can't. Mrs. Purdy can just go to another town and send wires to anyone she wants."

Chris: "Buck and J.D. are keeping an eye on her. If she tries to send a wire, we'll know it."

Catherine: "And what are Buck and J.D. going to do if she does something she has every right to do? Arrest her? Shoot her?"

Chris: "Mrs. Wilkes and Nettie Wells are going to talk to her. Get her to change her mind. Ezra and Josiah have gone to Somerset to check into some things."

Catherine: "What things?"

(Chris releases her arms and realizes, belatedly, that she did not jerk away from him as she did in town the day she was attacked. )

Chris: "Don't know. Ezra's got something on his mind about why Mrs. Purdy's got herself all worked up. . . Catherine, I said I wouldn't let anyone hurt you again, and I won't – ever."

(She sees the conviction in his eyes along with something else; something she can't define. Unsure of either herself or Chris, Catherine turns away from him and continues walking toward the stables.)

Catherine: "Maybe Ezra's on to something."

Chris: "What do you mean?"

Catherine: "Mrs. Purdy had always been . . I don't know . . .less than cordial to me before . . . before . . ."

Chris: "Catherine?"

(She stops, turns to face him, lifts her chin and makes a valiant attempt to be strong, but her bravado quickly disappears as her eyes fill with tears and her voice is but a whisper. Tears pool in her eyes and begin to spill over and down her cheeks.)

Catherine: "Before I was ra . .raped."

((Swiftly closing the distance between them, Chris pulls her into his arms and holds her trembling body close to his solid strength. Cradling her head with one hand, his other arm goes around her waist. Emotions she has been bottling up for days finally break through, and Chris holds her tightly as she cries out her pain. Fresh anger at Wilbur Poague surges through Chris as he tries to comfort the woman in his arms, and he realizes that he meant what he said to Catherine; he will do everything in his power to keep her from being harmed ever again. This realization is startling to Chris for several reasons, but the ones that stand out first and foremost are the main reasons he has been avoiding Catherine all the time she's been in Four Corners – Sarah and Adam.)

Chris: "I won't pretend to know how or what you're feeling, but I Will Not Allow Anyone to Hurt You Again.""

(For a few more moments, Catherine allows herself to be held and comforted by Chris. She is somewhat stunned to find that she feels completely safe in his arms; comforted. For the first time in days, she feels protected. Wishing she could stay right where she is, but knowing that she cannot, she gently pushes herself away from Chris and looks up into his handsome face.)

Catherine: "Thank you."

Chris: (gently wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb.) "I meant what I said, Catherine."

Catherine: "I know."

(The sound of approaching horses turns their attention toward the road leading to the house, and they watch as Vin and Ezra ride over to where they're standing. Both Catherine and Chris are somewhat surprised to find his arm protectively around her waist, but she makes no move to step away, and he does not remove it as they face the two riders. No fools, both Vin and Ezra notice and exchange a knowing look that screams "FINALLY!" as they dismount.)

Ezra: "Chris. Catherine, you're looking extremely beautiful this afternoon. Josiah and I found some very interesting information at the Courthouse in Somerset. Were you aware, Catherine, that your grandfather bought this land from a man named William Skylar?"

Catherine: "My grandfather bought this land before my father was born, but I remember seeing that name on the papers when my father deeded the property over to me."

Chris: "Who is he, Ezra?"

Ezra: "Mrs. Purdy's grandfather."

(Seeing that he has their full attention, Ezra startles them even more.)

Ezra: "And Wilbur Poague is a cousin of the late Mr. Poague"

(Suddenly, it all starts to come together. Realizing that the attack on her was planned all along, and with malicious intent, Catherine regains some of her color as anger floods through her.)

Catherine: "Are you sure about this, Ezra?"

Ezra: "Positive. I went back as far as the courthouse records went, cross-checked birth and marriage certificates, and talked, at great length, with people who knew both William Skylar and Loretta Purdy."

Vin: "Ain't no doubt about it, Catherine. Loretta Purdy's behind everything. Has been from the beginning."

Catherine: 'Why?"

Ezra: "There's where it gets a little confusing. The people I talked to who knew William Skylar said he sold the land to your grandfather because his daughter, Mrs. Purdy's mother, ran off with a man who was, shall we say, less than a suitable paramour in Mr. Skylar's eyes. He didn't want Arthur Purdy to get his hands on the property so he sold it to your grandfather. Those who knew Loretta Purdy said she and her husband came back here after her grandfather died and tried to buy the property back. By then, it had passed down to your father and he wouldn't sell."

(Catherine has recovered from her initial shock as Ezra has been speaking and is now beyond angry. Stepping away from Chris, she turns and starts striding toward the house; Chris, Vin, and Ezra close behind. Casey is standing in the yard in front of the house.)

Catherine: "Casey, go to the barn and ask Farley to have Rebel saddled, please.

Chris: "What are you doing, Catherine?"

Catherine: "I'm going to have a little talk with Mrs. Purdy,."

Ezra: "Are you sure that's wise?"

Catherine: "Very. Excuse me, gentlemen. I'll be right back."

(She never slows down as she walks determinedly up the stairs to her room. Chris, Vin, and Ezra look at one another apprehensively.)

Vin: "I ain't sure this is a good idea."

Chris: "You gonna try and stop her?"

Vin: "Not me. I know how good a shot she is."

Ezra: "As do I."

Chris: "Then I guess we go with her."

Vin: "Recon so."

(Much sooner that the three men would have thought possible, Catherine comes down the stairs dressed in her more familiar jeans, boots, and shirt. She carries herself with dignity and confidence, and her golden hair cascades freely down her back. As she walks by them and out to the porch, none of the three can help grinning.)

Ezra: "Gentlemen, I do believe this may all have a much better ending than we originally thought."

Chris: "I believe you're right, Ezra."

Vin: "Well, if we're gonna be there to see it, we'd best get a move on.)

(Realizing that Catherine is mounting her horse, the three rush to do the same. No one is surprised to find Casey Wells already mounted and waiting for Catherine to take the lead. Watching her as she gallops toward town, Chris feels his insides tighten. Slightly behind him, Vin and Ezra exchange another knowing grin.)