Disclaimer: I own nothing

Hi all, well we are getting close to the end now, unbelievable huh. Well read on and you will see. Hope you enjoy these last couple of Chapters and stick with me for my new adventures. Please review.

Olivia dragged herself wearily into the Mess at 6.30, she was absolutely bone tired. She wanted to get Tyler home, clean them both up, come back to eat and then crash for the night, no more talking, no more worries. Just curl up in those strong safe arms and sleep the sleep of the dead.

Upon entering the Mess she found it a hive of activity and she winced at all the noise. She looked around hurriedly trying to find Tyler or Tate or someone and zoned in on Sofia who was organising a bunch of women.

She strode purposefully towards her and Sofia saw her coming, eyes going wide when she took in her dirty, sweaty, dusty state. It sure had warmed up this afternoon and it was still nice now. Summer was rolling in for sure.

"What are you doing in here, get yourself home and have a nice relaxing bath" Sofia ordered her and Olivia sighed, still looking around for any signs of her lover.

"I came to collect Tyler" she stated and Sofia shook her head

"Tate and Alex helped Judy take her home at 5. She should be clean and polished by now" Sofia chuckled. Olivia nodded then looked down the back of the Mess where some makeshift nursery had been set up and a group of teenage girls from neighbouring ranches were playing babysitter to younger siblings. She couldn't see Rafe though.

"Judy and Hank have Rafe" Olivia turned to see Sofia blush and roll her eyes "Said they needed to get into practice for Sarah and ah..."

"The whole Beau thing" Olivia chuckled "He likes you"

"I hardly know the man and he's at least 5 years younger" Sofia scoffed

"He's 28" Olivia informed and Sofia groaned

"Make that 7 years" Wow, Olivia was surprised, Sofia had some darn good genes, she had her pegged as 30, no more. Then when she thought about it she had to admit Sofia had been in the wings for a while.

"There is 14 years nearly between Alex and Tate" Olivia stated pointedly and with a pat of her new friend's shoulder headed out of the mess, missing Sofia shake her head and throw up her hands in surrender before turning back to her task. Sofia hoped Tate hurried up and got back, she was dying to go spruce herself up. She was tired of smelling like grease and fat, not because of Beau she told herself determinedly.

Olivia paused in the lounge room doorway when she found Tyler passed out on the lounge, head back snoring lightly. A torrent of emotions swept through her, a bit of anger and hurt, both at what she had done and what she had been through. Some forgiveness next, as she sighed and realised she always was going to forgive Tyler, she couldn't live her life without her. She'd be bored to tears if they had a smooth relationship. She could just imagine some of the arguments to come and all the making up sex that would follow.

As she continued to stare she was nearly knocked to her knees at the wave of all consuming love that hit her next and placed a hand against her aching chest.

Judy, who was watching Olivia from another doorway, saw the look and breathed easy. Whatever happened last night these two would get through. She had rarely seen a look of pure adoration so obviously displayed and it did her heart good to know Tyler had someone who loved her like that. Quietly she slipped back down the hallway and then made sure she made some noise as she re entered the lounge, not really surprised to see no signs of Olivia.

Tyler though was waking up from her cat nap and Judy approached carefully and sat down next to her. They were both a bit embarrassed after the past hour where she had to help her daughter bathe and dress like she was a newborn.

"Nice nap?" she asked her daughter who smiled tiredly.

"I just want to go to bed" Tyler groaned and Judy smiled then took her busted hand gently between her own.

"Tyler, I don't know what happened last night to cause you to smash up your bathroom, and I don't want to know" she hastened when Tyler opened her mouth "That's between you and Liv and we can get the mirror fixed and hope it doesn't bring 7 years bad luck" she gave her sheepish daughter a stern look. "What I do know is that Olivia adores you. She just stood here watching you sleep, she doesn't know that I saw, and sweetheart the look of love that was on her face. She worships you"

"Ma" Tyler choked

"No, I like Olivia which is more that I can say about the last bitch you were serious about" Judy paused as she watched her daughter flinch as understanding dawned "Oh! Oh Ty I know that was a bad relationship, I have a fairly good idea she abused you too, I saw the bruises." She shocked her daughter by saying "I would kill her myself if I could but I can assure you that if you let what that bitch did to you affect what you have with Olivia, I will kill you"

"I'm getting counselling, Olivia's coming with me. I've got an appointment with a shrink in Helena next week." Tyler sighed

"Good" Judy patted her knee "Do you mind if I ask, does Olivia know yet if she's staying?"

"She's staying, she told me this morning" Tyler confirmed then grunted as her mother threw herself around her to offer her a big hug "Yeah I was pretty excited too" Tyler chuckled

"That is wonderful news, I already see her like a daughter" Judy exclaimed excited as she pulled back.

"Ma!" Tyler rolled her eyes but Judy ignored her as she thought of something else.

"What about Alex? She's so lovely for Tate, a little older but lovely and Tate is so smitten"

"She's staying too. They're even mushier than Liv and I" Tyler chuckled and Judy nodded, it was a close call but there was some sugary sweetness there. She had done some quiet research on Alex initially and hadn't liked what she'd read but the Alex she saw over the last month was another woman altogether. That woman was worthy of Tate.

"Good, so now we just need Beau to get with someone" Judy pointed out "And I can stop worrying about my babies"

"Oh God" Tyler groaned smacking her palm against her forehead.

"What do you think of Sofia?"

"I think she should give up reporting and you should give her a job as Tate's assistant" Tyler replied honestly.

"Would Tate object to that?" Judy frowned and Tyler was surprised she hadn't cut the idea off at the knees entirely.

"No, I think Tate has been very thankful recently and I think Alex would appreciate it too if she could spend time with Tate out of the kitchen. It also frees up Tate to go with Alex when she trips back to New York and Washington for her job"

"Oh yes, good, another argument to put to her" Judy nodded and Tyler nearly got whiplash as she spun to look at her mother.

"You're serious!" she gaped in shock.

"Yes of course" Judy looked slightly offended "Tyler, Tyler, Tyler. I knew Olivia was perfect for you the moment I saw you too share a look, it took me a bit longer with Alex and Tate but I knew Alex would be moving out to the cabin sometime, just not as fast as she did. I know now, looking at my son, that he is smitten with Sofia and Rafe and Sofia is fighting it but is still intrigued by Beau"

"Jesus, you have a crystal ball or something?" Tyler asked only half joking which earned her a slap on the arm.

"I have already spoken with your father and he agrees as long as I ask Tate first. I'll give it a bit longer, see how things handle themselves for a week or so before asking. She is a lovely lady and would fit in around here, I can tell by her face she loves to cook, she gets along well with Tate and I was also thinking she could keep her hand in with reporting here too"

"How? This is Calling? Despite the recent flurry of activities nothing much happens here"

"You're right." Judy nodded "But there are still monthly City Council meetings that if you don't go to you never find out what happens. There are an occasional event on the social calendar, people could advertise, the school, the council even you could put a piece in"

"A piece in what?" Tyler asked confused.

"A paper silly. Sofia could be a local part time reporter, put together a fortnightly or monthly addition. We used to have one many years ago but the old fool who ran it wasn't willing to keep up with the times and no one was interested in taking it over. With today's technology and a little help from the Council we could get it going again"

"That" Tyler pointed her finger at her mother looking stunned "That is a bloody brilliant idea, I'm shocked"

"I'm offended" Judy gave a mock look of hurt and they both laughed.

"A monthly paper would be best I reckon, not enough happening for a fortnightly" Tyler sat back and thought about it "I could write a crime report, what's been happening, home/business security advice. We still get some crime, mostly from drifters"

"Exactly" Judy grinned "The local volunteer fire chief could do the same, as could the Medical centre, advising on First Aid tips, when to come in to get flu shots and anything other medical. The school could put a monthly event calendar in. There is so much if you think about it"

"You sound excited about the prospect, maybe you could help her" Tyler teased and watched her mother blush and wave it away "No seriously ma, maybe you could help edit at least and then distribute. You could help out initially, introduce her around until the town get's used to her"

"Maybe" Judy shrugged again "We'll have to get the Mayor and the town council to agree and offer some help first. Not to mention get Sofia to agree"

"They'd all be fools to say no" Tyler assured her mum, giving her a one armed hug.

Sofia who was standing just outside the lounge room door had to smother her mouth with her hand to prevent from shouting YES. She was crazy to be even contemplating it, she lived in New York not Montana, although she was homeless since Alex vetoed where she had been living. The Gates family were incredible and so welcoming and accepting. To think that Judy was trying to come up with ways to get her to stay. She couldn't deny the idea intrigued her.

No one had ever done anything like that for her in years, not since she had left her own overbearing, overprotective family and moved to the other side of the country to New York. Maybe staying in Montana would bring her closer to her own family in San Francisco and they could bridge the gap many years, many miles and many hateful words had put between them.

Hurrying but trying to remain quiet, thankful she'd taken her dirty shoes off at the back door she headed for her bedroom suite. She needed to find Rafe too as it was well past his time to feed. Head lost in thought she didn't see the person in front of her until she barrelled into him. Her body's reaction told her exactly who it was and she looked up into sparkling blue eyes. Oh!

Olivia sat with Alex and Tyler near the completed large fire pit that was part of the new outdoor entertaining area. Other locals stood or sat around or mingled in the area. Although not a freezing cold night they had lit the fire and she was warm enough without having to go for her jacket. The wall behind her created a great back rest and along with the roof over their heads offered protection from the slight breeze.

She was having a good enough time, even though she was dead on her feet. What really ate at her though was that Ballantyne was in the wind. He obviously realised he was caught and had taken off. Investigators who had gone to locate him had found disgruntled ranch hands who said he'd told them early this morning they were all fired and to see themselves off the property. He had gone into the house for maybe 5 minutes, and come out with two duffels full of what they presumed were clothes.

One had asked him when he was coming back and what to do with the animals. He had replied "Never and kill the lot for all I care" before taking off. The hands were going to stay and contact the bank who allegedly had been threatening to foreclose for months. They intended to see if they could sell the animals off to gain wages owed to them, maybe keep some of the better horses for themselves. From what Olivia had heard the bank had been fairly accommodating with them.

The investigators themselves had called up their ADA for a search warrant of the house and property and spent all day searching for any clues. At this stage they had found some rambling diary of Chase's grandfather claiming there was gold on the Gates land. There had also been some dispute over property boundaries and the area containing the Gold should be Ballantyne property. The Gates family had scoffed at both ideas.

The most off putting had been some information from some of the hands that Chase was determined to get his hands on Tyler and make her see the error of her sins. He had been in a constant state of barely contained rage ever since Olivia's arrival. It only got worse with Alex's. Filthy minded city lesbians corrupting the sweet innocent country girls. Olivia rolled her eyes at that one.

They were still looking for whatever Chase had killed to write the messages on the wall in blood. Olivia really hoped she wasn't the one who found it. As an animal lover she realised the poor creature was probably mutilated beyond belief for the bastard to collect the amount he did and if she ever saw him again she'd want to do the same to him.

A nudge to her right brought her out of her musings and she turned to look at Alex who was watching her carefully.

"You ok?" the blonde asked

"Yeah just tired and thinking about Ballantyne" she muttered "He was a real nut case"

"Took after his grandfather" Tyler added from her other side, wrapping her arm around her "You warm enough babe?"

"I am now" Olivia smiled and Alex groaned rolling her eyes. Olivia smacked her leg "Right and if Tate was sitting here instead of being over at the grill you would be all over her like a rash"

"True" Alex grinned "I do like snuggling with her"

"Among other things" Tyler laughed teasingly causing Alex to blush and pick at some imaginary lint on her jeans, a smile spreading across her face and they knew she was remembering said other things.

Olivia chuckled and looked over at the grills, their own and one brought in by a neighbour. Tate and Sofia worked side by side, working on the meat. They had meat patties, some ribs and some chicken. The crew from the Bar and Grill had taken over the Mess and were cooking up some seafood and fish from the river. They had also donated cases of beers. The women had been working hard all afternoon preparing enough salads for everyone and buttering enough rolls to satisfy all. The local grocery store had donated paper plates and plastic cutlery and cups, along with cool drinks and confectionaries.

The investigators were really impressed with the community spirit and the builders promised to double their efforts on the new outdoor kitchen which was nearing completion if they could get invited to the grand opening. Olivia figured it would be completed by the end of the week. She also knew Alex was still working on Tate to get a couple of rooms added onto the cabin. Tate wasn't budging, yet.

It was a great community effort today, they probably had a couple of days to go before everything was completed enough so that they could manage the rest by themselves. As they sat around talking Tyler informed them of her mother's idea about Sofia staying on and helping out around the Mess and working part time to get a local paper going. Olivia thought it was a great idea and Alex admitted Tate had thought an assistant could be good to give them more time together and let Tate out of the kitchen once in a while. Tyler was glad, her mother would be happy to hear it.

"COME AND GET IT" Tate yelled and Alex sighed

"She's so uncouth" then she grinned "I find it sexy"

"Ha" Olivia snorted "She could spit tobacco and you would find that sexy"

"Gross" Alex smacked the back of her head as she got up to hurry over and join the starving throng cuing up.

Olivia chuckled, righting her hat and turned to Tyler "You want patties or ribs?" she asked

"Ribs, and whatever seafood you can find. Skip the salad and I'll have some bread too" she paused and when Olivia raised an eyebrow added "Please, love of my life"

"That's better" Olivia nodded and hurried to join Alex in the cue.

Olivia loaded her plate with different salads and some of the seafood that she could share with Tyler. Grabbing a couple of knives and forks she headed to the grills where the meat was slowly being handed out. She grinned as she watched Alex readily accept a kiss from her lover. She was so glad her friend had found someone who had got her to relax and accept the simple things in life. They only broke apart when the wolf whistles at cat calls started to get a bit rowdy. The Alex Cabot of old would have scared everyone with an icicle glare. This Alex just laughed and with a pat to her lovers arse moved on.

Olivia shook her head at her friend, no her sisters antics. Alex was her sister of her heart, and Olivia smiled, she'd never had a sister. She paused when she thought about it though, now through Tyler she had a collection of them. Not just sisters but brothers as well, and a mother and father in law. A whole family. She swallowed overwhelmed and fought the urge to run. Now that was the Olivia of old, the new Olivia looked up, saw Tate watching her with worry creasing her brow. The new Olivia stepped forward and offered a smile.

"You alright?" Tate asked concerned and Olivia nodded

"I'm fine Tate, I really am" and for the first time in her life she truly meant it, suddenly feeling freer and more relaxed. "Tyler want some ribs and I'll try a patty and some chicken thanks"

"Sure thing, Sofia, some chicken for Liv please" Tate called to her assistant who called back

"Coming right up" as she carefully selected a cooked one and placed it gently on Olivia's plate "Enjoy Liv"

"I will" Olivia groaned as her stomach rumbled. "Come over and join us once the hoard is served" she nodded to the line behind them, then once Tate had placed the patties and ribs on her plate grinned "Cheers Tate" and headed back to where she left Tyler.

She eyed the space Alex had left between her and Tyler and rolled her eyes. It was a compliment but really? "Shove your arse over sis, I aint that skinny" and two startled pairs of blue eyes shot up at her at the comment. She grinned at seeing the shock in Alex's. "Don't just sit there Lex, move" she shooed with her free hand once she handed the plate with the meat on it to Tyler.

Alex moved automatically still stunned and Olivia sat down between her sister and her lover.

"What did you call me?" Alex whispered in an awed voice and Olivia laughed.

"Sis, got a problem with that?" she challenged

"No" admitted Alex shyly and Olivia nodded and leant over to kiss her forehead

"Good, cause it's sticking. Love ya Lex"

"Love you too" Alex whispered back and leant into her for a moment, happy and content.

"Ok, can we eat now?" Tyler asked then gave them an innocent look as they glared at her. She plucked a fork out of Olivia's hand and speared a squid ring from her plate "What, I'm hungry!"

"Why do I love you again?" Olivia murmured and Tyler gave a lecherous grin and waggled her eyebrows.

"Cause I'm sexy"

Alex nearly snorted her dinner out through her nose in an attempt not to laugh and when two glares were shot her way quickly looked around for a diversion.

"Oooh, look at Beau and Sofia" she stated and it worked as everyone in the vicinity watched as Beau stood next to Sofia, working his hat in his hand and talking quietly. Sofia herself looked a little embarrassed and was toeing the ground.

"He's asking her on a date" Tyler chuckled and sighed in relief when she saw Sofia give a slight nod "Wow, did she just say yes?"

"By the grin on his face I'd say yes" Olivia chuckled "Go Beau!"

"I bags babysitting" Alex called and Olivia laughed harder "What?" Alex was offended

"Geez Alex, you are so clucky"

"Who'd have thought?" Alex grinned and then turned to watch the approaching Beau, a big smile spread across his face and a dazed look in his eyes. "Hey Romeo"

"She said yes" he plopped down beside them, barely keeping the dinner on his plate as he sat lovestruck. Oh boy.

"Romeo was never like this" Olivia chuckled and threw a squid ring at Beau, hitting him in the face and snapping him out of it. He glared at the 3 in front of him and they all acted innocent. He laughed.

"I have a date on Friday night. Who wants to babysit?" he asked

"Me" Alex called before he barely finished then blushed when he laughed.

"Just as well Tate can't get you pregnant, she'd be a daddy by the end of the year"

"Oh do shutup" Alex grumbled and turned to her dinner.

The banter continued for the rest of the evening. Tate and Sofia joined them and the laughter continued. At one point Judy came over with the Mayor and introduced him to everyone he didn't know before turning to Sofia

"This is the young lady I was telling you about, Sofia" who sat stunned wondering what was going on.

"Hello young lady. Judy tells me you have some journalism experience and suggested I talk to you about getting a monthly paper for Calling up and running. Would you be interested?"

Everyone, especially Beau, held their breaths as Sofia looked up at him speechless. She was stunned really. She was entirely grateful she had overheard Judy and Tyler's conversation earlier now so she'd had some time to think about it.

"I would like that, thankyou" she smiled and everyone breathed out as one.

"Good" he nodded "Come see me later on in the week when things have slowed down"

"I will sir" she nodded "Thankyou very much" she stared stunned after him as he walked off with Judy talking animatedly about the idea. She shook her head and looked over at Alex and Olivia who were smiling back at her warmly.

"What was that about?" she asked

"That was your new community embracing you" Alex told her

"But Alex, I live in New York" Sofia sighed and Alex smiled

'Do you?" she asked and waited as Sofia thought about it "You have no apartment, no job, no ties there. Here you have the Gates Ranch" she held up a hand "Don't even consider saying you'll move out, Judy would be highly offended. Besides which" she turned to look at Tate who nodded her approval "Tate was hoping you'd help her in the kitchen, give us more time to spend together and to take over the duties when we have to travel"

"Really?" Sofia was stunned and looked at Tate.

"Yeah really" Tate nodded "Not that I'm keen to travel but I wouldn't mind spending more time with my gal" Tate blew her lover a kiss much to everyone's mock horror. "You've been a real help the last couple of days and the hands like your ideas"

"Oh" Sofia sniffed, happy tears overwhelming her "I don't know what to say"

"Say Yes" Tyler shrugged while leaning back to relax

"You have no idea what this means to me, I've been on my own for so long. I left my family behind to prove I could be on my own. They were very disapproving and I had no one until I had Rafe" she wiped the tears from her eyes as everyone listened to her sad plight. Beau couldn't help himself and moved to sit closer to her, taking her hands in his.

"You have us now, we're your friends, first and foremost" he assured, letting her know that no matter what happened they would at least be friends.

Sofia nodded "Ok, yes, if you're sure" she agreed, head still spinning at how quickly her life had turned around. Forever grateful she never compromised her principals and always wrote facts. Doing that with Alex had been a Godsend and had saved her on Saturday night.

"Good" Tate stood and collected everyone's rubbish "I'll go tell Hank and Judy." She wandered off and left them to welcome Sofia into the group.