Chapter 20

Belle knew as Vin turned the envelope over and over in his hands, he was wondering what to do. Not many people knew he couldn't read and Belle also assumed his pride couldn't take anymore abuse today. She stood up and walked to his side, holding out her hand. He looked down at her and smiled, his relief at being saved from another awkward situation evident on his face.

Belle opened the letter as she walked to the window, hoping the distance would help her focus, while using the light from outside as an excuse to get away from the handsome bounty hunter. Once opened, her eyes skimmed down the signature, giving her an unexpected shock. She turned to Vin.

"It's from Judge Travis." She cleared her throat, ignoring how Vin was moving closer to her. "'Dear Mr. Tanner, I am sending news of a most urgent, and in your case, vital nature. In a recent trip to Glen Canyon, Oklahoma, I encountered a barkeeper who knew Eli Joe. He was a little intoxicated and kept rambling on and on to some men about how Eli was not smart enough to do the things he said he had done. The men disagreed and claimed they had helped Eli set up a bounty hunter. I swayed local lawmen to hold the three men in a cell for further questioning, but am awaiting word from you before I continue. I would like you to come and help me clear your name. Come as quickly as you can, yours, Judge Travis.'" Belle's eyes shone in delight. "You're name cleared!"

Vin was in shock but as Belle bounded toward him, he grabbed her up in his arms and swung her around the room. "Are you sure that's right?" he asked, putting her down suddenly, still not sure if he should believe it.

Belle laughed, the sound causing his heart to swell. "That's what the letter said." She looked at him as he stood there, dumbfounded. "What are you waiting for? Go! I'll send a telegram to the Judge, telling him you're on your way! Go get ready. GO!"

Belle practically shoved him out the door. She pulled him down the hall with her, his feet working while his mind processed what had just happened. Judge Travis had found witnesses. He could get his life back. It seemed too good to be true. He watched, his mind in a haze, as Belle grabbed her shawl and placed it over her shoulders. He let her grab his hand and lead him out of the house, now vacant because Ezra returned to the safety and security of the saloon and his card table.

"Vin!" Belle stopped right in front of him, causing him to stumble slightly to avoid running her over. "Please, go get your horse ready. If you hurry, you can make it in a few days and get this all straightened out! You won't have to hide anymore." Her hand brushed his cheek. "I know you want to be free."

Vin smiled down at her, the whole situation finally registering and making him feel giddy like a kid at Christmas. "I'm goin'."

"Good. I'll go send that telegram. Then I'll meet you to-" her voice and smile faltered as she realized what would come next. "To say goodbye." She turned quickly, but Vin could see the tears welling up in her eyes before she scurried away.

Instantly, it all flooded back. They had decided to end their short courtship. To go back to being friends, until they felt it was better for the both of them to try again. He sighed, exasperated. Then headed off to grab some things from his wagon and get his horse.

While he was loading his saddlebags, he felt someone's presence behind him. He turned and saw Chris; not the person he expected, but a welcome change from the tears he knew would be coming. His friend was leaning against the door to the livery, hands hitched in his pockets. He looked like he needed a shave…and a week's worth of sleep. He nodded to the other man and returned to his packing.

"Heard you got some good news."

"On my way to see how good." Vin wondered how he and Chris could talk so little and convey so much, while he always felt he had to spell everything out with Belle; he knew she could sense what he meant and felt, but he also knew he felt obligated to say it anyway. It was curious.

"Were you gonna say goodbye?" Chris knew Vin wasn't usually too sentimental, but a lot had changed in the last few weeks and he wanted to see how much.

"In the general sense of the word." Vin had planned to at least tell his comrades about his plans.

"No need to go into too much detail," Chris replied, walking over to him as if he sensed his thoughts. "Belle was so excited for you, she nearly exploded as she told us all."

Vin could only imagine. He knew her heart was hurting, and yet, he was still so important to her. It made him feel better slightly about leaving. He grabbed the reins and led the horse out of its stall, to the street. "Figures." He said it with a smile and Chris could tell there was something else going on with them, but decided not to look into.

The rest of the seven were on the street. Buck just nodded, tipping his hat. Vin had been expecting some sort of wisecrack, but the simple goodbye was enough. J.D. walked over to him and shook his hand before quickly turning and walking away; Vin knew the kid thought they'd never split up and it was killing him to see one of his friends go.

"May God help you find justice," Josiah said, before grabbing his arm and patting him on the back with his other hand.

Nathan was next, offering a bag of herbs to him. "In case of sickness. Don't know what you'll be getting into on the way, so I thought I'd help you out. Keep away fever and such." He smiled, then headed back across the street to his patient, who was standing in the window, watching the scene below. Vin waved up at Mary, who smiled and waved back, before disappearing from view. She was taking it hard, and she didn't want them all to see her cry.

Vin approached Ezra, who looked as though he was already well on his way to being drunk. Keeping his voice low, he said, "I don't know how long I'll be gone. If anything happens to Belle, I'm holding you personally responsible." Ezra didn't need to know that they had ended their relationship, but Vin needed to know that she would be safe, regardless of how things stood with them.

Ezra nodded and bowed slightly. "It'll be my great honor to be her protector, as it were." His smile was small as he considered the daunting task of keeping an eye on the wild beauty.

Vin walked back to his horse, turning to Chris. "Be okay without me for awhile?"

Chris shrugged. "Don't see why not." He reached out and shook Vin's hand. "Take care of yourself."

"You, too." He nodded up to the clinic's window where Mary had been a few moments before. "And take care of her."

"Oh, I intend to." The statement spoke volumes and Vin wondered how long it would be after he was gone for Chris to be engaged to the pretty newslady.

He was about to climb into the saddle when a figure appeared at the end of the street. Belle. He tipped his hat to all his remaining friends and walked silently to her side. Gone was the expression of ecstasy she'd worn when they'd read the letter. In its place was a bittersweet smile, coupled with a few stray tears.

"Will you be gone long?" She wrapped her shawl tighter around herself, trying desperately to keep her emotions under control.

"I'm not sure," he murmured. He hated to see her cry. His hand involuntarily rose and brushed a tear off her cheek. "Oh, Belle." He wrapped her into his arms, nuzzling his face into her soft hair. He could hear her intake of air as she tried to hide her sobs. "I'll be back, I promise." His voice was low and husky, tears were threatening to overtake him. He took a deep breath to calm himself.

Belle pulled away. "So much for being friends," she muttered, trying desperately to make it seem like a joke, and failing miserably. "I know you can't write, but find a way to let us know how you're doing." She knew, deep down, once he left he'd use this as an excuse to give himself time to get over her before he came back.

He nodded. He would run away for a while, clear his head, and decide where he wanted this to go. Maybe a few months would pass and they could be friends, get to know one another, without letting the attraction they had for each other run rampant. And he knew she understood…it killed her, but she understood. He turned to climb onto his horse.

"Vin." Belle stepped between him and the saddle. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a short sweet kiss. It was full of love, sadness, and most abundantly, hope. She still hoped he'd come back and be hers.

Vin kissed her back, then gently moved her aside. He climbed onto his horse and tipped his hat to her. "I'll miss you."

"Hurry back." Knowing he'd take his own time didn't help matters, but saying the words were her way of saying goodbye.

Then, he took off, heading for Judge Travis and the men who could clear his name. Leaving behind the one thing he really needed in his life: love…

A/N: Done! Yay! Like I said, the sequel's started in my head and I'll begin typing it up soon. I'm going to try to finish some other stories first so my other readers aren't disappointed. And I'm pretty sure there's not a Glen Canyon in Oklahoma; I made it up, so please, no comments on that! :D Thank you all for keeping me at this story; it turned out better than I anticipated and the sequel will be just as good, I think! Until next time, ~Nelli~