AN: It has been long 5 years since I posted this story, and in that time I have only recently reread it and watched the movie. It kills me how I left it, so I'm just going to embellish it once more :)

Disclaimer: This has never happened; I do not own any of the lovely characters.

Epilogue

"This moment has to be remembered forever…"

Ben's lust-filled words echoed in Dan's mind, eventually settling in the rancher's heart. A heart that has long been vacant and hollow of a lover's affection. Of course he loved his boys and his wife, but was that love unrequited?

This unexpected act had ignited something inside the rancher that he realized had long since been gone from his marriage. Passion? He only hoped that he wasn't the only one experiencing these strange feelings for the other. The few days he spent with Wade had been a rollercoaster of emotions: hatred, annoyance, intrigue…. fondness. It all became a blur how one feeling led to the next, but sure as rain he felt the fondness quickly spiraling into the long abandoned feeling of being in love.

Love?... In the last few hours of keeping watch over Ben Wade in the Bridal suite, they both may have fallen for the other. For in the Outlaws mind, the very same thoughts were currently plaguing the brown eyed bandit nestled at Dan's side.

The past few minutes since their glorious release were spent in satisfied silence. Ben finally decided that he had to voice his sentiments to the rancher before their time together ran out; he still had time to make it right. Ben wanted to spend more time with Dan, but the ticking of the clock withered any hope of a future with the noble rancher…whom has stolen his heart.

Ben sighed, turning over to look into the green eyes of his new lover. Dan timidly held his gaze, but the warmth and tenderness from the outlaws stare relaxed the rancher as Ben drew him closer into his chest.

"What are you doing to me Dan?" Ben smirked, but the smugness failed to reach his brown eyes. Dan saw uncertainty, and maybe fear? Fear of what?

He exhaled the air he didn't realize he was holding, and placed a quick kiss on Ben's lips. "I don't know, what is this Ben? What are we doing?" Ben let the question incubate; hopefully it'll awaken a realization inside the rancher that Ben had come to terms with.

"Come with me.." Dan shuddered at all the possibilities with Ben's request. He wanted to so bad. But he had his son with him, he had obligations back at his ranch.

"Don't worry about Charlie and the gang; I'll handle it…and Dan…" he lifted the rancher's downcast face with tender fingers. "I'll get on that train… for you, but I'm coming back. I promise you that"

He searched those green eyes he loved so much for news of his fate, he wanted Dan to see the sincerity and love he held for him, hoping with all his heart that it would be enough.

Dan held his gaze, basking in the warmth that radiated from this man's whole being. He made him feel whole, and why should he deny himself this feeling?

"..Okay" he whispered, gaining confidence in his decision. "Okay Ben. But promise me that no harm will come to my family, that they will be taken care of… and that they will be better off without me" Without a moment's hesitation Ben wholeheartedly replied. "Of course Dan, you have my word"

Dan sighed, leaning forward to capture Ben's lips in a tender caress.

**3 Months Later**

Dan sat on his front porch, watching the orange, red and purple Arizona sunset, loosing himself in the warm splendor of the scene unfolding in front of him. Wishing that he had someone to witness the grandeur of it all with, but he was alone. He had been alone for the past month now.

Alice and the boys hitched up a new wagon to a couple of strong, trusty horses he purchased for them, and rode off into the proverbial sunset. When Dan told Alice about separating she was expectantly tolerable about it, stating the obvious falling-out they have been going through in the past few years. It was for the best she tearfully assured him, they would keep in touch because she and the boys would always love him.

He sighed, because truth-be-told… he adored her still. Will of course offered to comeback in a few months after helping his Ma and Mark settle into his aunt's house in Texas, which he fondly accepted. Grateful that his oldest son did not despise his old man's guts like as he indignantly believed.

He left out the news of the reason why they made it out of Contention alive; with a big reward and absolutely no trouble from Ben's gang… he just didn't have it in him to tell them that he was waiting for Ben Wade himself to come home to him.

AN – Sorry for the lack of steaminess, but I felt that this would be a better closure to their tale.