Ella fell into a fitful sleep in Doc's arms. There had been much to arrange: Billy had gone after Ted with another man of the village who was willing to make the journey; Doc had washed and dressed in clean clothing, tended to his wounds and eaten some of Maria's good food before he finally turned his attention fully to Ella. They had discussed what route they would take and packed away all of Ella's belongings, leaving anything they could do without, they would be travelling by horseback so they would need to pack lightly, food and water taking precedence.

Ella found she could not wait to be free of this place. Once they were away she would confide in Doc about everything that had happened. If he was angry with her and cast her aside then she would have to find a way to accept that, but she had to get away from here no matter what it took. The thought had crossed her mind that perhaps she was using Doc to find a way out of her current situation, but she couldn't deny that she did love him. Not in a way she had ever loved anyone else, it was true, with Doc she felt she didn't have to pretend to be someone she wasn't, she could be who she really was, but whether that would be enough to hold them together, only time would tell.

When she finally awoke, soon after dawn, she felt she hadn't slept well. But today was a start of new beginnings and with Doc beside her, at least in this moment, she felt unafraid. She looked down at the man still slumbering next to her, gently she ran her fingers through his soft hair and he gave a small sigh as he claimed his senses from sleep. His eyes opened and focused upon her face, his lips curved into a smile and he pulled her down to him in a warm embrace, pressing his mouth to hers in a sweet, wanting kiss. Ella pulled back and smiled down at him, her eyes flicking to each of the features she had now grown to trust and love.

She seemed to hesitate, her lips parting before she pushed them together again, her gaze avoiding his for a moment. "That night…" she began. "In White Oaks… I want ya t' know…"

Doc pushed his fingertips against her lips, stilling her words. "Hush," he instructed softly "we don't need t' go into the past, not now, there'll be plenty of time for talkin' later. Today let's just move out of this village and set on our way before we start on talkin."

Ella nodded knowing he was right. She'd tell him all that was lingering within her heart when they were far from here.

They made their way to Maria's and ate a good breakfast before finishing securing any items into saddle bags, including fresh food and clean water in their canteens.

"I wonder where Famous Shoes got to?" Maria commented. "It is not like that old man to miss a free meal."

"Ah he probably saw tracks he wanted to follow" Doc said, sipping at a mug of coffee. "He told me many times how much he wanted to go and watch the eagles, maybe he finally went."

Maria gave a small nod.

"I need to travel to the town an hour or so from here" Doc said, turning to Ella. "They have some of my money in their bank an' I want to take it with me in case we need it" he paused giving her a comforting look as she frowned. "It's out of our way an' the longer you stay outta the saddle the better, we got a long ride an' you ain't used to it."

Ella nodded in understanding. "Will you be back by noon?"

Doc smiled. "Yeah I'll be back." He stroked her shoulder absently. "Just be ready to leave as soon as I do."

---

Joey watched from a good vantage point. His night had not been in anyway restful; the pain from the pellets in his back and legs had kept him awake. He felt weak and tired and also annoyed with himself. He had not killed Famous Shoes the day before, it would have been so easy but he had no will to do it. He just wanted his blanket and knife back; he had no desire to end the man's life. Joey had never felt like this before, the mere fact that he had the power to snuff out someone's existence had always been the thrill, the power he had lived for and now… it meant nothing, only the constant pain meant something.

He looked through his telescope once again, his focus upon his mother's house. He just had to wait for the lawman to leave, then he could go to his mother and she could help him. He had already planned what he would do fully now, he would go down and get her to remove the pellets, then she would fetch Ella and both would nurse him to health. When his strength came back he would kill his brother and sister, then his mother would have no choice but to see! To see herself for the whore she had been, for all the wrong she had done and through his siblings death he would show her what he fully thought of her. She would nurse him and give him attention, there would be only him then…

He saw the gringo, Doc, finally leave on his horse, heading towards a village that lay an hour's ride away. He had plenty of time to carry out his plan; he knew his mother would hide him from any posse or lawmen that would seek him. Soon it would all be over and everything would be as he had always wished it to be.

As Joey continued to watch, making sure he could indeed enter the village he saw a man of the village, plainly dressed, running up to his mother's house. His look was frantic. Joey began to ride down into the cluster of houses, keeping his telescope out so he could keep an eye on everything that was happening. For some reason he felt uneasy, disquieted. As he drew nearer his mind finally settled on the true reason. He was weak, had lost much blood and he knew that the wounds had become infected… he could perhaps still survive, that was true, but he felt so very weak. Perhaps death had finally caught up with him, its clammy fingers reaching out, grasping blindly for him… it would only be a matter of time before his luck ran out and those icy cold fingers grasped round his heart and halted its beating. He felt a rush of fear brush against his insides and his thoughts settled on a new plan, one that would suit his needs no matter what the outcome. If he was going to die it would not be alone…

---

"Maria!"

The shout startled both Maria and Ella who had been talking quietly at the table. Call was dozing slightly in the corner as Teresa watched over him like his own personal guard, the noise awoke him.

"Maria! Come quick! The baby is coming!" A distressed man appeared at the open doorway.

"Jorge, I will be there in a minute. Her labor has just begun" Maria said reassuringly.

"But Maria, she is screaming, I think she may die! You must come now!" Jorge said, anguish clear within his voice.

Maria gave a knowing smile towards Ella. It was something they had both seen many times. Childbirth seemed to consist of mostly wailing and wide eyed men convinced their wife was dying. All the men knew was the woman they loved was in pain and it brought a sympathetic glint to Maria's eyes.

Maria sighed, "I will come now." She gathered up a few clean rags and a good sharp knife. "You will have to come with me" she said, turning towards her two children.

"No Mama, I want to stay with the old man" Teresa said sternly, she had become quite attached to the Captain and barely left his side.

"You can't stay with him, not now. You must be near me" Maria protested.

"But why?" Teresa asked.

"Because your brother might come and I do not know what he will do" Maria said, glancing at Ella, knowing she would understand her fear. If Joey was injured who knew what he would do, he would be like a wounded animal. "I must go and bring this baby into the world, and you and Rafael must come and be near me, so you will be safe."

Teresa's hand sought Call's. "But the old man might die while I am gone" she said desperately.

"And you might die, too, unless you do as I say. Stop arguing, and come with me" Maria said, trying to contain her temper.

"I don't want to be away from Senor Call too long. He is my friend" Teresa said reluctantly.

Maria's eyes took on a cold snap. "He was not a friend to your grandfather!"

"Do not talk bad about Senor Call, I like him" Teresa said indignantly.

"Go on, Tessie. Do what your mother says. I'll be alright till you get back" Call said, trying to break the tension.

But Teresa shook her head, her stubbornness shining through. Ella could see the situation begin to escalate and although she had wanted to help Maria in the birth, knew that her help would be welcomed; she also knew her presence may be put to better use.

"I'll stay Tessie" she said, her voice bearing a tone of happiness, as if there was nothing more she would wish to do. "You go on with your Ma and I'll take care of Captain Call, you know I'm good at taking care of people, remember when your Ma was sick a few years back?"

Teresa gave a reluctant nod. "Yes, but," she paused, "you will make sure he is happy and comfortable, and feed him if he is hungry?"

"Yes, I promise. He'll get whatever he wishes for."

Call glanced at her, his expression saying he was grateful, he already knew his presence was not fully welcome in the house and he did not wish to cause any more problems. "Sounds good to me" he said cheerily.

Ella turned to Maria. "You go on, I'll be fine" she said, seeing the concern in her friend's face.

Maria gave a curt nod before embracing her. "Hide if he comes" she whispered into Ella's ear and Ella nodded.

---

Ella saw Maria and the children out of the door before turning her attention back to Captain Call who still lay in the bed.

"How are you feelin'?" she asked, not really wanting to strike up any conversation with the man, but also knowing she had no choice in the matter.

"Not too good" Call replied honestly. "Be a while before I can move much on my own." His voice was a slow drawl as if he was sandwiched between being bored with the world and just plain wise to everything around him.

Ella nodded. "Well, with Tessie looking after you, you'll be well in no time I expect." Ella's tone did nothing to cover the fact that she disliked the friendship between Teresa and the old ranger as much as Maria.

"You don't care for me much do you Miss Stella?"

Ella felt sure he would have used her surname if he had known it; he seemed like the stiff uptight type.

"I guess I don't" Ella said curtly. "But I'll look after you all the same."

"I hear tell you and Joey Garza were together for some time" he continued, unconcerned that he was prying.

"An' where'd you hear that?" Ella asked, not diverting from her chore of stirring a pot of frijoles.

"Tessie" Call said with a certain nod.

Ella rolled her eyes, she knew he was still in a lot of pain but disliked his solution for taking his mind off the fact, for someone who was so weak he could hardly move he seemed to have no issues using his voice when he wished. She remained silent.

"I guess that's a good a reason as any for not caring for me much."

Ella turned to face him. "You know I'm with Doc" she said sternly. "Joey and me, well we ain't together… it was a mistake, one I don't plan on repeatin'… I was a fool an' I don't need remindin' of that fact!"

Call gave a small nod. "Mistakes, we all make them" he said sadly, his eyes glazing over.

"I guess we do." Ella said having nothing else to say to him.

"Are you goin' away with Doc?" he asked after a few moments of silence had passed between them.

"Yes," she said, becoming more annoyed by the ranger, "far away from here."

Call nodded again. "Well, I hope you ain't runnin', I done a lot of that in my life, it always catches up to you."

Ella suddenly felt sick, his words seemed to have wounded her deeply and for a moment she couldn't understand why. Then her mind began to unfold the meaning and her gut recoiled. She was afraid of leaving here, what if nothing changed? What if she couldn't stop her feelings for Joey? He had already done so much to her and yet that little flickering flame would never go out no matter how much she willed it to, no matter how good a life she knew she could have without it. She focused upon the food as she stirred it with the wooden spoon. She had to hold onto the hope that it would all change, that she could change. It felt like Joey had become part of her, her darker half, and she was afraid to walk away without him now. He'd given her meaning in a strange way, given her an excuse to act free and impulsive and if she felt she would have to leave that behind… could she really do it? Or would he forever cloud her mind and judgment?

Suddenly Call jerked his head towards her. "Hide!" he commanded.

Ella's eyes widened and for a moment she stood motionless as if struck dumb and as Call again told her to hide she obeyed and with a few quick steps she had concealed herself under the bed, taking a blanket with her for further cover. She bunched the material before her, to make it seem has if it had been carelessly kicked underneath in the morning hurry.

It was only a few seconds later that the door flew back on its hinges with a crash, she tentatively glanced around the blanket and saw Joey entering the doorway. His steps were uneven, his body hunched and he stumbled a few times, using the doorway as a crutch to keep himself upon his feet. He quickly seemed to regain himself and walked into the house with those familiar certain steps, his footfalls accompanied by the soft clink of spurs. He reached out, his hand seeking the support of a nearby wooden post, he leaned his shoulder against it catching his breath. His clothes were covered in dust and blood, his hair was a disheveled mess that covered part of his face and a crimson streak of blood was apparent at the side of his mouth, he appeared to be breathing hard through his nose as if biting back a great deal of pain. He looked up, his eyes seeing Call fully.

"You're not dead yet, old man?" he asked, his voice mocking and full of contempt.

Call looked at the young killer with true hatred and Joey happily returned the same look. Call weakly reached out his hand, fumbling for his pistol which lay only a few feet away still in its holster, slung over the back of a chair. He gave a small gasp of pain from the effort of stretching. His hand was mere inches away from grasping it. Joey moved quickly forward, again a harsh breath was released as if the movement had been hard. He grasped the pistol, tugging it out of its holster without much care, he cocked it, the cracking sound echoing around the small room and without flinching he aimed. His eyes were set and Call drew back his hand, his eyes widening as he stared down the barrel and then focused upon the young killer's face. His blue eyes were full of dark malice and at the same time they were empty. In all his long years as a Texas Ranger, Call had never seen anything like it in a man's eyes and the sight stilled him.

Joey slowly opened his mouth, but it seemed to take a moment for the words to finally be spoken. "I could kill you" he said slowly, his voice bearing not only pain but deep anger. "With your own gun." He again took in a breath through his nose. Joey's finger curled around the trigger, his blood stained hands gripping the gun butt tightly. Finally he released the hammer slowly, bringing the gun's aim away from Call, his expression taking on a look of cool triumph. He shook his head, his eyes now bearing ruthless contempt. "But that would be doing you a favor."

Call swallowed hard, knowing that the young train bandit was right… with the injuries he now had it would mean he could no longer do what he had done for most of his life, the only thing he knew how to do… now he was lost and he would gladly have welcomed death…

Joey narrowed his eyes at him, this Texas Ranger, this great man, meant nothing… he was nothing.

Joey did not say another word, he turned, taking Call's pistol with him and began to walk out of the house. His feet were more unsteady than they had been when he had entered and he collided harshly with the door frame, the result causing him to grunt in pain and effort. He pushed himself away and began to walk down the path in uncertain steps that made his body weave. He let the gun he was carrying fall carelessly to the ground, the action almost making him lose his footing and then he continued down the path.