December 2nd, 1871

Arthur wanted a drink. That doesn't happen very often, he mused with a grin.

It had been a particularly difficult couple weeks. Stewart Nash had been expanding his brothel over the last few weeks, and now some of the ladies could be found daily lounging outside of his saloon. Twice now he had to take them in and fine Nash. It didn't even seem to faze him! And then next night, there they were again, walking with that lazy stroll back and forth from the brothel to his saloon, temping good and honest men into their den.

On top of it all, Roy had been on his case all week to lighten up. "You'll kill yourself if you keep taking this job so seriously, man." Arthur had promised him they would get a drink when he had a free moment.

Arthur had caught up with one of the Saito boys coming home from the general store that afternoon and had him deliver a letter to the hotel, where Roy was working today, letting him know that come 7:00pm, Arthur would be waiting for him at Eames' saloon.

Arthur had decided to trust what Eames had said about Ariadne. He knew that Eames had gone over at least one other time for dinner at the boardinghouse so maybe it was just wishful thinking but he hoped there wasn't anything romantic between them. Arthur had seen her several times in the past few weeks, but he had been unusually busy with work and she was always with the Cobbs or Mrs. McCrery so he really hadn't talked with her since her welcoming party.

As 7:00pm rolled around, Arthur strolled over to the saloon and pushed the doors in with an excitement he had yet to possess about this place.

Everything seemed to stop and go quiet as he walked up to the bar. Did they think he was there on business? Probably, when do I even come in here otherwise? Arthur though, with a devilish plan forming in his mind.

"Eames!" Arthur shouted across the bar, and anyone who hadn't been looking his direction turned to stare.

"Yes, what can I do for you Sheriff?" Eames walked up to him with a frown on his face as he seemed to sense he was not going to like the upcoming conversation.

"It seems we have a problem. Do you know why I'm here?" Arthur asked, trying his hardest not to crack a smile. What was processing him to try and play a joke on Eames?

"Sorry, Sheriff, I can't say that I do." To his credit, Eames wasn't backing down, he maintained Arthur's stare.

"TO HAVE A DRINK, DAMMIT!" Roy shouted, and half the men in the bar jumped out of their seats. Everyone had been so focused on the potential argument at the bar that no one had noticed Arthur's friend come in.

"Too right you are my friend!" Arthur said as he burst out laughing, "Pour us your finest Eames!"

"My, my if it isn't Sheriff Arthur Wilde, making a joke," Eames said with a smile on his face. "Who ever thought I'd live to see the day! The first round is on me boys!"

The laughter and chatter returned to the saloon as people realized nothing exciting was going to happen. Little did Arthur realize that it was exactly the type of situation that would help him gain respect and adoration from the townspeople. It was good to see him let loose and be carefree once in a while.

Several hours later, Arthur and Roy were quite comfortable in their seats at the bar. They had chatted with Eames, the longest conversation Arthur had ever had with the man. Eames and Roy had gotten to know each other pretty well over the last month or so, since Eames had started coming around for dinner. And as the night progressed, they consumed drink after drink while Arthur and Roy talked about their jobs, girls, their dreams and back to girls again. Mainly it was Roy talking about Ashley though.

Arthur knew Roy and Ashley Williams would be married soon enough. Roy had been in love with her since he was 21 and she was 15. Still, she was only 17 now, and her father wouldn't allow them to be married until Roy was more established.

Ever since Arthur's family had moved into town eight years ago, it had been the five of them, Arthur, Ruth, Roger, Roy and Ashley. Juniper Springs was much smaller than Denver and Arthur had realized long ago that he was very lucky to have found such a nice group of friends his age. They had all felt the void created when Roger enlisted. It was strange now to only have three others in their group.

But if Roy and Ashley hitched up, Ruth would probably expect the same from him. Arthur knew his mother would expect it. But he didn't want to get married to Ruth!

Trying to clear his head of the thought, Arthur motioned to Eames for another shot. Roy got one as well and with a clink of their glasses, they downed the bitter whiskey.

Now that this pretty Miss Nicola had come to town, Arthur couldn't think of anyone else. She was exactly what he imagined his wife would be like. Pretty, intelligent, funny, good with children, loved books… The list really went on and on. While she probably hadn't had a single thought about him, he couldn't get her off his mind.

"Oy there, where's your head at boy?" Eames said, drawing Arthur from his little daydream.

Arthur noticed as he looked at Eames and then to Roy that the room had started to spin. Maybe I've had a few drinks too many, he thought.

Somehow it reminded him of something that Arthur had wanted to ask Eames, but never felt they were close enough to get a real answer. "Eames, I have a serious question for you, my man" Arthur said, knowing his words were becoming increasingly slurred. "When are you going to marry my sister?"

Roy burst out laughing; he was as drunk as Arthur and the sight of Eames, shocked and speechless, was not one to be seen every day.

"Well Sheriff, I don't think she will have me, now will she. Seems to me I ask for her hand several times a month and she always refuses me. I think it's the highlight of her day" Eames had regained his composure and grinned as if the whole thing was a big joke.

"Now hold on… Eames… I'm serious... I know she is crazy about you." Arthur was having trouble formulating full sentences. He knew what he wanted to say but when he opened his mouth, his tongue felt heavy and his words wouldn't form properly.

Roy still hadn't stopped laughing, "You know, he's right! She doesn't even like Miss Nicola because she thinks you're sweet on her!" The whole thing was apparently the funniest thing. Roy started laughing again. "And I want another shot!"

"Now hold on you two. Miss Nicola is like my sister. And she is too young for me, Arthur, I told you this! Don't let anyone start rumors about her and I, ok? And I think you are done with the shots." He said with a slight smirk. Arthur didn't think he had ever seen Eames being so serious. But there were currently two Eames, which he had never seen either… They both looked serious though. Blurry, but serious.

"Well you know I think she turns out down... So you'll keep asking her… But that doesn't really make sense does it? And you really aren't sweet on Miss Nicola? It seemed like you were. From the first day…" Arthur mumbled, again confused as to why there were two Eames.

"I think you're the one who's sw…" Eames started to respond to Arthur but stopped short when Roy fell out of his seat. They both started laughing yet again, and Arthur jumped down to help him up.

"Ok boys, time to go, I trust you can walk home without getting into trouble? Because you know, Sheriff, you're the one who is supposed to protect this town from the antics of drunken men…" Eames said with a smirk.

"Bye Eames!" They sang as they stumbled out. "Oh my darling, oh my darling,Oh my darling, Clementine!" Roy had started to belt out the song and Arthur joined in, trying to be even louder than his friend.

Once outside, Arthur realized very quickly that Roy was having trouble staying upright without a helping hand. Even though the boarding house was in the opposite direction of his house, Arthur was too busy singing and hanging on to Roy to notice.

When they reached the front door of the boarding house, Roy burst the door open and a cat that had been sleeping in the front room jumped up and scampered off. Why can't I stop laughing!? Everything is just so damn funny tonight! Arthur thought as he helped Roy into one of the chairs.

Mrs. McCrery was apparently still awake because she came rushing into the front room at the sound of them.

"Boys! What are you doing? Stop laughing; are you trying to wake everyone?!" She eyed them suspiciously, "Are you drunk?"

"Sorry Ma. We…" He paused, as if he was trying to come up with another excuse, but failing. "Yeah, we are…" Roy was trying his best to hold in his laughter, but one little snicker slipped out.

Arthur was about to pipe in when he saw Miss Nicola come out of the kitchen. He had not expected to see her. She had a little flour on her forehead and her cheeks were flushed from the heat of the kitchen. They must have been up late baking for tomorrow.

Arthur tried to lean against the chair next to him but it wasn't as close as he thought. He stumbled to the side but still hadn't stopped staring, looking like a fool with his mouth hanging open. When Mrs. McCrery saw him stagger she scolded him. "Mr. Wilde, close your mouth! And it's rude to stare. You know Miss Nicola and you should be more polite!"

"Hi Miss…Pretty… I mean, Ariadne, I mean… Miss Nicola… I like your hair…" Arthur slurred out, enable to stop looking at her.

Ariadne flushed an even darker shade of red and giggled nervously. "Thank you Sheriff Wilde, I am… Um going upstairs, have a good night everyone." She looked at Mrs. McCrery who nodded and then turned around and rushed quickly out of site.

"Arthur Wilde where are your manners!? You need to leave, sober up, and then come apologize to Miss Nicola tomorrow. Do you hear me?" Mrs. McCrery whispered in an angry voice.

She's scary, Arthur thought, and where did the pretty girl go? It took him a second to process Mrs. McCrery's words but then he looked back up at her, gave them both a little salute and walked out the front door.

Arthur could hear her continue to scold Roy as he walked away.

Tomorrow was going to be rough.

Ariadne slowly undressed, removing her apron and warm flannel dress before changing into her nightgown. She couldn't believe the site that Roy and the Sheriff had made. She had never been someone her age drunk before.

He called you pretty. The little voice in her head chanted over and over. A smile crept up to her lips as she let her hair down from its braid. She looked into her vanity mirror as she started brushing the long brown curls. Was she pretty? She had always thought she looked like a child. Her big eyes and round cheeks weren't the thing that men looked for in a woman. They wanted women like Abigail Wilde and Ashley Williams. They were both was slim, womanly and stunning.

Ariadne sighed and put down her brush. As she got into bed one little thought refuse to leave her. If he thinks you're pretty, maybe all men don't like the same thing. Maybe he could grow to love you… Goodness knows she fancied him. She had from the moment she met him.