It was dusk when Ella saw the lines of buildings in the distance. She thought for a moment she was imagining the sight, that her thirst was making her see what she wished. But with each step the small adobe houses seemed to get closer and she slowly began to understand that Ojinaga was really right before her. Her need for something to drink seemed to intensify with this fact, the mere thought that water was within her reach made her throat feel as if it were coated in sand. She forced her tired body onwards and within the hour she was taking her first long awaited steps into the small village.

A few women who stood outside their homes gossiping stopped their conversation abruptly and stared at her. Ella thought she must look a sight indeed, dressed in fine velvet that was dusty, torn and sweat stained. It would give them all something to discuss for the next few weeks, this amusing thought lifted her spirits some and her steps became more determined. Maria's house was so close she could clearly see it in her mind's eye and when the sight did come into her view it took all her remaining strength to not burst into tears. Instead her anguish and anger over the last day came out in a scream containing a name.

"Maria!" It seemed for a moment that her shrill voice echoed around the village and she felt many eyes turning her way. Ella felt that her body would finally give out at any moment and she doubted she could make it to the small adobe house without help.

It was only a short moment before Maria appeared at the doorway. Ella wanted to will her legs forwards but she felt leaden and so tired that all she could do was stand and stare as her friend raced down the sloping path towards her. Maria's arms came around her in a warm, needed embrace. Ella felt it had just been in time as she did not trust her muscles to hold her on her feet much longer.

The closeness of her friend made Ella again want to weep but her eyes felt dusty and dry.

"Ella." Maria's voice broke the emotional silence. "I was so worried."

"Joey…" Ella managed through dry lips.

"I know" Maria said quickly, cutting her words off. "I sent Billy out to find your tracks but he is old and his eyes are no good anymore."

All Ella could give as a reply was a stiff nod.

Maria easily sensed the young girl's exhaustion and, wrapping an arm around her to support her weight should she fall; she led her young friend into the house. The first thing that Ella became aware of was the familiar scents, aromas of home and comfort. They relaxed her mind and worries for the time being.

Maria guided Ella into the large chair by the fire, before rushing to get a large mug of water and placing it into Ella's sore hands.

"Sip the water" Maria instructed.

Ella nodded and began to drink small amounts of the liquid, thankful for the soothing effect upon her throat.

"Where's Billy?" she finally asked, her voice still sounding cracked and strained with effort.

"He should be back soon; he has gone asking and looking for anything of you and my son."

Ella looked at Maria directly. "You knew Joey had taken me?"

The older woman nodded. "I knew" she said simply, to Ella it seemed as if she was trying to bury some emotion this news brought with it.

"Where is Joey now?"

Ella shook her head. "I don't know, he said he was goin' after Call's men…" She paused, her eyes filling with sudden hot, painful tears. "Doc's with them." She again looked at Maria, distress etching into her features. "He's goin' to kill Doc."

Maria looked saddened but had no reply to give. "I will boil some water and you can dress in clean clothing."

Ella knew it was hard for her friend to discuss this situation or offer any comforting words, if Joey didn't kill Doc it would be because Doc, or someone else in Call's posse, had killed Joey.

Ella nodded, knowing that nothing could be done, she could talk to Billy when he returned but by then whatever had happened between Doc and Joey would be over. Billy could only find the aftermath of what had come to pass. The only thing left to do was get clean and sleep, the morning would perhaps bring clearer thought.

---

Famous Shoes had snuck back towards the camp. Joey had been irritated by this development; the old man obviously had no sense. He had snuck up upon the Kickapoo and surprised him in the same way he had surprised the fat gringo. Famous Shoes had sensed Joey and turned upon his heel, his hand resting, ready, on the knife at his belt. The two had stared at each other for a long time, each trying to gauge the other.

"What are you doing old man?" Joey asked calmly, his tone icy.

Famous Shoes had taken a moment to reply. "Call's men say they will teach me tracks in books if I help them, I want to learn."

Joey furrowed his brow a little. "You mean the gringos will teach you to read?"

Famous Shoes nodded.

"You will help them to kill me, is that what you wish?" Joey asked, his voice bearing a hint of heat.

"No," the old man replied, matter-of-factly, "I just wish to learn and get my payment for tracking for them."

"Tracking me" Joey said with a smirk, Famous Shoes nodded.

The old Indian's gaze was drawn to the body of the fat gringo who lay dead a few feet away.

"You killed Brookshire" Famous Shoes commented dryly.

"Brookshire? The fat gringo?" Joey gave an uncaring glance at the body lying upon the ground.

Famous Shoes gave a certain nod.

Joey smirked and strode over to the corpse, now it was all done he might as well see if this Brookshire had anything worth taking. He checked the man's jacket pockets. Paper money and a few business cards were concealed within a leather wallet; Joey threw them to the ground, his attention caught by a golden glint. He removed the man's pocket watch from an inner pocket in his waistcoat and studied it. It wasn't the fanciest watch he had ever taken but it was pretty enough and Joey slipped it into his breast pocket before glancing back at Famous Shoes.

"What about the gun?" Famous Shoes asked, nodding towards the large shotgun.

Joey gave a cruel smirk. "I do not want it" he said simply. "It is too ugly." He got up from his crouched position and turned fully to face the older man. He studied him for a long moment, he could tell his cool gaze made the man uncomfortable, the Indian was trying to work out if he would walk out of this situation with his life.

"I will not kill you old man, I owe you for your gift of food when I was with the Apache." He paused, allowing his mind to drift back to that day in coldest, deepest winter. He had been young and near starving. Why the visiting Kickapoo gave him a share of his own bowl was still a mystery but Joey had been grateful. "But you must do something for me" Joey continued, leaving his memories behind.

Famous Shoes gave him a distrusting glance.

"Go to the gringos; tell them I will let them go if they will give me their boots, I don't think they will want to keep following me without their boots."

Famous Shoes glanced towards where Doc and Ted lay in hiding before returning his gaze to Joey.

"Tell them to walk away from the village."

Famous Shoes gave a slow nod. "I will tell them" he said, before turning to make his way to where he knew they were.

Joey watched the old man, his thoughts turning. It would be easier for them to give up and die in the wastes if they had no boots…

---

Doc finished his piece of horsemeat as Ted grudgingly still chewed upon his first bite.

"What is the favor you want?" Famous Shoes broke the silence. It seemed he could not wait to find out what the plan was, the Kickapoo was a curious man and Doc supposed this fact had kept him alive for many years.

Doc pulled off his boots and motioned for Ted to do the shame, the deputy took up the task with vigor glad of the distraction from the horseflesh.

"Take these boots to Joey, tell him we're leavin'. When you pass the body of Brookshire, stop a moment. Just stop and look down, pretend you're lookin' at a track." Doc paused. "I need to know where that shotgun is. I figure it's our only chance."

Famous Shoes looked doubtful. "I will take Joey the boots. Are you sure you will teach me about the tracks in books?" he asked uneasily.

Doc nodded. "It's part of the terms of you workin' for us an' I promised you didn't I?" he said, a little irritated.

"Then I will stop." Famous Shoes gave a certain nod. "I will go now."

Doc nodded and cocked his rifle before turning to Ted. "Take my gun; it only has a few bullets left." He pushed his near spent pistol into Ted's hands.

Ted nodded reluctantly.

"When I move follow behind me, keep low, understand?"

Ted nodded again.

"When I start firin' you start firin' too, hopefully we can distract him long enough to get to that shotgun."

"But… why don't we just let him have our boots and walk away from this village he don't want us near?"

"Because Ted, Joey Garza don't intend on lettin' us live. If I'm right, an' I think I am, he's goin' to try and starve us out on the plains, this is the only chance we got."

"Oh lord!" Ted said gripping his pistol. "I'm right behind you Doc." He nodded setting his jaw.

Doc gave him a reassuring smile before turning to Famous Shoes and giving him a certain nod.

---

Joey's patience was growing thin. It had been hours since he had allowed the old Kickapoo to go into the brush and find Call's two men. The sun was now high in the sky and he was becoming bored of crouching among the tall grass. He wanted the chase to start, to run down the two men until they had nothing left in them but pleas and cries for mercy.

A small movement caught Joey's attention and his eyes snapped to the source. Famous Shoes was making his way towards him, he was some distance away, but he could clearly see that the old man was carrying two sets of boots. His plan was beginning to fall in place and Joey felt his mood lighten a little.

Then the Indian stopped near the body of the fat gringo, Brookshire. Joey furrowed his brow, puzzled by this action, he watched him closely, was he checking for tracks or mourning the loss of a companion? Joey knew the likely answer was tracks, Famous Shoes cared very little for people. Famous Shoes ran on and Joey rose up, wishing to see fully what had so interested him. His attention had been too focused upon his curiosity to notice the two figures moving quickly towards him.

A shot rang out and a bullet flew close by to him. Joey pulled out his pistol, silently cursing the fact that his horse, only tethered a few feet away, had his rifle stowed in the saddle. His eyes flew to the men now running towards him without any regard for their own safety, the sight disarmed his wits for a moment and his own first shot was delayed. Finally he regained himself and began firing, he knew his aim with the pistol was at best adequate, but his bullet hit the mark, burying itself deeply into Doc's shoulder, the man slowed but did not stop his pace. Joey fired at the other man, it too struck, shattering the bone in the young man's hip, but still they both came as if they didn't even feel the pain. Joey felt nervous; disquieted by these men who seemed to either not know or not care that they had been shot. He fired again, this time his aim was bad and he only succeeded in wounding Doc in the foot.

Doc was no more than thirty yards away now and still gaining; the deputy had taken cover and continued to shoot although no bullets were well aimed enough to injure Joey. Doc passed the corpse of Brookshire and Joey saw him bend and scoop up the large, cumbersome shotgun, the gun Joey himself had left loaded right there in the open.

The skin upon his scalp and neck prickled as the realization of what was happening washed over him; he'd been careless and let his guard slip… now he was in real danger. He quickly turned and began to run for his horse, he was mere feet away from mounting the animal when the first pepper of shot hit him. The aim had been slightly off and the shot hit his legs and calves, the pain was hot and searing, shooting up his body like icy water. Joey stumbled from the impact, falling to the ground with a heavy thump. He quickly regained his footing, ignoring the pain that was now throbbing like a second heartbeat through his blood. He grabbed for his saddle horn and began to hurl himself into his seat.

Joey gave a hiss of pain as another load of shot hit him in the back but he refused to let go and pulled himself into the saddle. He dug his spurs into the animal's sides and the horse obeyed, taking him away from the danger, but Joey was no fool, he knew the damage may have already been dealt.

---

Doc was breathing hard and fast. His shoulder was bleeding and his stocking covered foot was soaked through with blood. He bent his head, catching his breath.

"You okay Ted?" he shouted.

"He hit me pretty good" came Ted's response. "Reckon I'll live."

"I reckon you will" Doc said with a small huff of laughter.

Famous Shoes appeared from out of the long grass, unscathed. "Here, take your boots" he said, handing Doc back his boots. "You hit Joey pretty good, I don't think he'll need them."

"I thought he was supposed to be a dead shot" Doc said with surprise, before examining his bleeding foot. "It looks like he shot my damn toe off though."

Doc bent down to Brookshire and fished out a few shells from the front pocket of the dead man's jacket before reloading the shotgun. He couldn't quite believe that Joey had just left, perhaps the young bandit would turn back or hide out somewhere close and try and shoot them all with his rifle.

Famous Shoes began to pick through Joey's belongings and found a good blanket and a sharp looking knife. "I think I will take this blanket, it is better than mine and this knife. You can have yours back." He handed Doc back his bowie knife.

"Suit yourself" Doc said with a small smile. "Ted" he shouted, turning back to where he knew the deputy was still resting. "We should head back to the river and get you looked at."

"You don't have to hide, I think you killed Joey" Famous Shoes said simply.

"Maybe ... maybe not, I reckon I'll get Ted treated then you can lead me back to Ojinaga, I'll get a horse and come back for Ted."

Doc turned to the body of Brookshire and looked down at it with regret. He removed his hat. "I guess I owe my life to you Ned. Wish you were alive so I could thank you." He paused and turned to Famous Shoes. "After all, he brought that damn big shotgun."