Ella listened distractedly as Teresa sang in a sweet voice to her chick outside, she had just finished cutting the beef for the stew when she heard Teresa call out in distress, "Mama!". She rushed to the doorway just in time to see Maria appearing from the corn and Joey walking away from a cowering Tessie. Ella also noticed Rafael was just picking himself up from the ground, Joey must have pushed him over before hitting Teresa.

"What did you do?!" Maria said. Her brow furrowed with annoyance as Joey walked casually towards the house. He turned around, his feet a little unstable, Ella thought he had perhaps drunk more than just that one glass, but still he hid it very well, it was only by being around drunken men constantly she could pick up on that slight movement.

"I have beat your man, he can't shoot" he said coolly, jerking his head towards the German man who was making his way slowly towards them.

"He is not my man!" Maria said heatedly, "I have no man."

Joey again cast his cool eyes over his mother, his look verging on vexation. "Mama, you always have a man" he said, his tone full of contempt and so disrespectful that Ella was surprised that Maria did not give him a harsh scolding.

Joey turned and walked into the house. Brushing Ella roughly aside, he made his way quickly through the curtain to the concealed bedroom, his hard steps betraying his anger. Ella watched after him a moment before rushing out to Teresa who now sat sobbing in the aftermath of her older brothers cruelty. Teresa was not a girl that scared easily, being blind had made her unafraid of the darkness most other people feared, but she feared her older brother, feared what he was capable of.

"Hey, Honey don't cry," Ella cooed, wrapping the young girl in her arms, she glanced up at Maria telling her she had the situation under control and she could go on with her work. "Your chick is growing huh?" Ella continued, distracting the girl from whatever violence Joey had just inflicted on her. They had been able to find a chick for Teresa to replace the one she had lost; it looked as if this too would be a little rooster.

Teresa gave a small sniff and nodded, "Si" she mumbled.

Ella rubbed her back comfortingly and her attention was quickly caught as the German man came level to the corn patch Maria was working in. Before Ella could give a shout of warning to her friend the man had made a grope for Maria's backside, a dirty laugh emitting from him.

Maria turned quickly, her expression furious, the German man continued to smile. Without a pause Maria lashed out with the knife she had been using to gather the crops, slicing shallowly into the back of the man's hand. He gave a cry of surprise his hand flying to the new, bloody wound.

"You whore! You cut me!" he said, taking a small step backward, his eyes disgusted.

Ella narrowed her eyes at the man readying herself to go to Maria's aid if she was needed. She detested Maria being called a whore, she was a good woman and hearing that word directed at her made Ella's blood boil.

"Hombre! If you put your hands on me again I'll do worse than cut you!" she said, holding the knife in a threatening manner.

The man looked at her, startled, and with many a nervous glance back he rushed down the path, the look on his face telling them all that he would soon be out of the village.

Ella rushed to Maria's side, "You okay?" she asked as both of them watched after the man.

"Yes, he won't try that again" Maria said, her look still irate.

"I bet he won't" Ella said, unable to stop a soft laugh, "You got him pretty good."

Maria looked over at her, a small smile of triumph appearing upon her lips. "I did, didn't I?" she proclaimed before they both dissolved into laughter. "Come let's go inside, the sun has become too hot to work."

Ella nodded and helping Teresa onto her feet they made their way towards the adobe.

"Mary!"

They had not yet reached the doorway when Billy's voice made them all turn; he had been out of the village for a few days, most likely frequenting the saloons he so enjoyed.

"Looks like Billy's brought half the plains with him" Ella mumbled, causing Teresa to giggle.

"Mary!" he called again, his clothing casting off clouds of dust as he moved. "I got news!" He waved his arm to fully get their attention.

"Where is your horse?" Maria called, her tone verging upon amusement.

Billy gave a grumble of annoyance, "Ah that dumb sunavabitch let some pigs spook him, I had to walk a good five miles." He indicated back over his shoulder with his thumb.

"I hope it sobered you" Maria said, pointing a finger accusingly at him. "You look red in the face, like when you drink."

Ella gave an amused smile watching them banter always made her smile.

Billy gave a cheeky grin. "Well all I need is some whiskey, a little love and a few Frijoles." He reached out and pinched Maria delicately upon the cheek.

Maria smiled and copied him, pinching his cheek. "I can give you the Frijoles, I can do nothing about the rest."

"Ah well, a man takes what he can" Billy said in mock defeat. "What I need right now is a bottle of beer!" he proclaimed, continuing towards the house. "I seldom walk in the heat ya know."

"You do not walk at all!" Maria proclaimed, "Or do anything else but talk!" She threw her hand up in frustration. "What's the news?"

"Ah damn, my brain is near boiled, it's so damn hot I nearly forgot" Billy said, turning back towards her. He paused, his face becoming serious. "Mary…" He hesitated as if he didn't know how to say what must be said. "They've hired Call." He looked sympathetic as Maria's face fell, "I came as quick as I could t' tell you."

Ella watched, still holding Teresa's hand as Maria's eyes glazed over for a moment as if seeing a best forgotten memory. After a few moments had passed, Billy guided Maria into the cool house and then into a chair. They soon all took their own seats at the table and Ella fetched a bowl of Frijoles and set it down in front of Billy.

"I'm sorry t' be bringin' this bad news Mary, truly I am." He paused as Maria continued to look dazed. "The train company Joey's been robbin' from has hired him."

Maria rose from her seat as if she could not sit still, wringing a rag she had picked up from the table, showing the agitation she felt inside.

"Who's Call?" Ella asked, her eyes still watching Maria's expression.

"Captain Woodrow Call, he is a bad man" Maria said through gritted teeth. "He killed my father, my brothers, for stealing back horses, horses that belonged to them and had been stolen by some Texan men; they were only taking back what was theirs." She paused and then turned her attention back to Billy. "How soon will he come?"

"I'm not sure… not for a good while I guess, a month maybe but Joey should get out of the village before he gets here."

Maria nodded, "I will make sure he leaves." She glanced over at her two children her expression full of worry.

---

Joey could not be warned in that moment as Maria soon discovered, he had left the house before they had sat down with Billy. Maria commented that he had most likely rode off to clear his head having had harsh words with her earlier and knowing that she would scold him once again for hitting his little sister and brother. Billy soon left in search of a beer or whiskey before his next job of taking a wagon up towards the mining camp began and Ella and Teresa began to start helping with grinding corn. Teresa was much more skilled in the task than Ella despite the young girl not being able to see, by the time Ella had got one bowlful of corn ground into fine enough flour to use in baking Teresa was onto her third. They chatted happily for a few hours, whiling away the afternoon with the chore they had been set while Raphael sat outside in the cooling evening air engrossed once again in his little goat as it if were his closest friend.

It was not long before Joey returned, the tell tale shout came from Raphael as Joey once again hit or pushed him. Ella went quickly to the door, her manner too bright today to let Joey have his own way especially after the way he had spoken to Maria earlier. She opened her mouth to shout a harsh scolding at him only to find that the words dried upon her tongue.

His stride as always was casual and unconcerned, his gaze stony, but it was not his usual unnerving presence that caused Ella to find that a cold trickle of dread had crept up her spine. Slung nonchalantly over his shoulder was a finely made brown leather case, a leather case she had seen only a few hours ago tied onto the German man's horse, Ella knew it contained his long, sleek rifle.

She quickly stepped aside to let him in, all reprimands for hurting his little brother forgotten. Her mind reeled for a moment; surely he could not have followed the man and killed him for his gun after acting so tolerant towards him.

"Where have you been?" Maria said as she ground corn upon a stone slab. "I thought you were going to help us with the corn."

Joey did not look at her, his certain steps accompanied by the clink of spurs did not stop until he had reached a small table at the end of the room where he placed the bag, letting his fingers run across its outline almost lovingly for a moment.

"I am not a farmer" he said, his tone scornful and verging upon exasperation. "Where is Billy?"

"He is driving the wagon to the mines, he left not an hour ago, he'll be back in three days."

"Good! I'm glad he's gone, that old man smells." Joey opened up the bag and drew out the gun, studying it for a moment.

"He is kind to me" Maria said, halting in her grinding.

"That is because he wants you" Joey said simply.

Ella's mouth fell open at his audacity, his eyes flicked to her for a split second, his lips curling into a smug smirk before turning back again to his new rifle, his fingers again glancing over it tenderly. "That is the reason he comes," he turned to his mother and leaned over the larger table towards her, "and that is the reason he stays."

In a blur of movement Maria's hand flew, slapping Joey hard, the sound of a hard crack filled the room that was now in deafening silence. Ella held her breath and Teresa recoiled, her eyes becoming wide. Joey did not move for a moment but remained hunched, his hair covering his face.

Maria turned back to her grinding. "Any man can want" she said heatedly. "It's how a man behaves that counts."

Joey turned to look at her his hair falling away from his now blazing eyes, he looked stunned and then his calm mask once again fell over his smooth face.

"Don't hit me again Mama!" he said slowly, his words full of threat and meaning.

Maria and Joey stared at each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle as both Ella and Teresa looked on with bated breath. Finally Joey moved, his stance once again betraying the twisted anger that was buried within him. Without faltering he walked over to where Teresa sat and flicked a hand full of corn in her face causing the young girl to shrink in fear, Ella stepped back as he made for the door, his eyes connected with hers, his mouth twisted into disgust and then he flung the door open with a noise of frustration. Ella quickly went to the door and watched as he marched up to his younger brother, pushing him harshly backwards to the dusty ground.

Ella made to walk out of the door and intervene.

"Leave him Ella!" Maria shouted, causing the young girl to retreat a step backwards. Her eyes flew back to the scene outside. Joey had picked up Raphael's goat and was walking away with it towards the village, the young boy ran frantically behind his brother with pitiful bleating cries. Joey strode a little up the path before throwing the animal into the brush to the side, not even glancing back he continued on his way to the saloon.

---

Ella sat out on the steps enjoying the cool night air brushing against her skin. The day had been long and hot, the gusty winds that normally kept people indoors were mellow and welcome after the heat. Many villagers were sitting outside, candles littering porches and placed beside chairs.

She gave a low sigh, her eyes attracted towards her old home a little further away. She knew she'd have to go there soon, she'd already left it far too long and Dave's belongings would need packing up, selling, or giving away to settle any of his debts. Still she found it hard to even think of walking into that place, she was afraid that if she did all the sadness and despair she had felt over those months after Dave's death would come crushing back down upon her and this time she would not be able to crawl out even with the help of a psycho with a spoon. She smiled at the thought; at least she hadn't lost her sense of humor she mused.

She picked up the small candle she had brought outside with her, the flame danced in the light breeze, she pushed herself up from the steps and turned, more than ready to sleep and not dwell upon unhappy thoughts.

Ella gave a small noise of surprise at the dark figure that was sat upon the top of the steps and in her shock the candle fell from her grasp.

"Christ" she hissed, gathering it from where it had fallen and straightening up. She studied the shadowy outline and gave an inward sigh. "You shouldn't sneak up on people, it's rude" she said, trying to control the level of her scolding.

"Do not tell me what to do gringo" Joey said calmly from the darkness he was cloaked in.

Ella narrowed her eyes at him as he insulted her yet again. "How long have you been sat there?" she asked, sounding bolder than she felt.

"Long enough" Joey gave a shrug.

Ella hesitated, sensing the sullen air that surrounded him. "You okay?" She instantly cringed and rebuked herself for asking her question.

She heard Joey shift position, he leaned forward his arms upon his knees as if studying her. "Why do you care?" he spat.

Ella felt like rolling her eyes at his reply, his temper obviously had not abated.

"I don't" she said, picking up her skirts, her tone matching his. "But I, unlike you, have manners." She stepped past him but she was not fast enough and he caught one of her ankles in his grip making her stumble a few steps. She regained herself quickly and glared back him, even through the darkness she could tell he had that same annoying smirk pulling at his lips.

Ella hesitated, the question she had wanted to ask for so long burning hard upon the tip of her tongue.

"Why'd you kill Dave?" she blurted, her tone no more than a whisper.

Joey shifted, looking at her over his shoulder. "Because," he said calmly, "he talked too much in the saloon." He paused, "I heard he was going to try for the next train, but that was my train." He paused again, this time longer. "I heard he was going to try and bring me to the hard sheriff to save his own skin… and he made too much noise." He turned from her and picked up a small stone, casually tossing it down the steps. "You should not feel sad he is gone, he was a bad gringo."

Ella found that for a moment she was lost for words, finally she found her voice. "And you think you are a good man?" she asked, disgust edging her words.

Joey glanced at her over his shoulder once more and they stared at each other in silence before he again turned his attention from her, ignoring her presence. Ella watched him for a moment, sensing again that same sorrowful air enclose around him, with a small sigh she forced herself to open the door and enter the house.