Disclaimer: I own very little, especially not CSI NY.

Author: Lily Moonlight

Notes: Chapter 19: Threats and thoughts; Stella is occupied by both.

Thank you very much for reviews, please continue! They're a great help with writing, and I love knowing what you think. Thanks to fractured-fairytale06, suallenparker, cmaddict, Blue Shadowdancer and Ballettmaus for discussion and help with this.

Dedicated to Brinchen86 and DNAisunique

Once Upon A Time In the Old West

Chapter 19: Strangers In Town

Stella

Can feel Mac's body tense the moment that no-good outlaw speaks. I barely manage to suppress a snort of disbelief; we're facin' a certain and terrible death? From him? Don't think so! If they think they're any kinda match for the citizens of Hattanville, then they got reality about to kick 'em good and hard. Reckon if Mac weren't limping and still kinda' woozy, he'd be kickin' 'em himself, right outta town before their feet even had a chance to hit the ground. And I'd be right alongside him too; got good sturdy boots, useful for kickin' out anyone that causes trouble in the Saloon... Least, I never in truth had to do any actual kickin', wouldn't be entirely ladylike. Had Mac and Don throw out a few drunken law-breakers now and again; and although I prefer to handle things myself, reckon it's good to have the security of their throwin' out skills to hand. Mac don't stand anyone makin' threats against me.

Can handle most myself easily – better than most men can handle their liquor; just give anyone who's lurchin' towards me in a drunken fashion a shove to their stomachs and they generally topple over and cause no more trouble after that. Sorta' hard for a man to cause trouble when he's lyin' on the floor of the Saloon, droolin' out the side of his mouth and snorin' loud enough to shake the timbers of the place.

But threats against the town, well, that's somethin' none of us are gonna stand for. Reckon the best thing we can do for this sorry pair is give 'em some cooling off time in the cells. Seems Mac's had the same idea as he tells 'em what he thinks of them and their so called warnin', matchin' my opinion exactly, which ain't surprisin'.

"Just who do you pair of lily-livered outlaws think you are, huh? Think you can kidnap two of my people and then go givin' out warnings? You low-lives got some learnin' to do, and you can do that learnin' inside one of our cells," he snarls, and the colour of his eyes changes to a real stormy grey.

Ha! This pair ain't gonna know what's hit 'em. Gotta own though, there's somethin' compellin' about Mac's eyes when he's angry...

"Don't take kindly to threats and warnings in this town, and don't take kindly to folks bein' kidnapped. So here's what's gonna happen," he turns to Don who's glarin' at the two men with his arms folded across his chest. "My Deputy's gonna take you over to the Sheriff's office and get you settled under lock and key, keep you there for a while, give you plenty of time for thinkin'. Reckon hard wooden cots and stone floors are good for a man's thinkin'. Then when we're ready, me and him are gonna stroll back over and ask you some questions, 'cause I got a few I want answers to."

"You heard the Sheriff," Don pulls down the back of the wagon. "Consider yourselves lucky you ain't lyin' dead in that there straw about to be shown to your last resting place. Guess our undertaker wouldn't have been sorry to fill up a couple of pine boxes with the likes of you."

As he says this, the man who spoke the warnin', and whose surname I gotta find out more about – another Messer in town sure is a matter for discussion - spits into the straw and sneers. A real black look descends onto Don's face, and he manhandles them off the wagon, assisted by Lenny Cody and John Carter.

"Get 'em outta my sight," Mac growls.

"Nothin' would make me happier," Don seizes the collar of the man who issued us our warnin', shakin' him hard. "You sorry pair are facin' a whole heap of trouble, and you ain't gonna be able to wriggle out of it by issuin' us warnings. Now move!"

Kickin' and attemptin' to swing punches, even though the wound in his shoulder's oozin' blood, the man named as Louie Messer is hauled off along with his companion. Now, he ain't said a word in all this exchange, nor made any physical protests and that's got me wonderin' what the deal there is. Seems he's taken a blow to the head, as there's a red sorta' swelling on his forehead. Maybe that's what's knocked all the fight outta him. Guess when they're questioned later, we'll find out more. Mac may not have mentioned it explicitly, but I fully intend to be present when there's questionin' goin' on.

Know Don's gonna be real mad over what's happened; Daniel Messer and he are good friends, despite, or maybe because of the differences in their characters. Don's a straight-livin' sorta' man in general, and Messer... well, let's say he don't always take the straight and narrow. Reckon it's down to Don, and Lindsay of course, that he's done as well as he has; keepin' himself outta trouble for the main part and seemin' like he's happy to settle down and become a husband.

Mac and me try to do what we can as well to keep him occupied. Bein' idle's the worst thing for a man like Daniel Messer; gives him time to come up with wild schemes, and wagers. Still, he's proved mighty useful in takin' on such jobs as fixin' roofs - when he ain't climbin' on and fallin' back off of 'em that is. Honestly, I was more than relieved to see both him and Lindsay returned to town in one piece; the town'd be a sorry place without either of them. Soon as we're finished out here, I'm gonna make sure myself that they ain't taken too much harm.

As we're standin' watchin' those low-lives who kidnapped 'em taken away, the crowd that's gathered to see all this lets loose a few jeers and shouts, affirmin' what Mac's said; Hattanville don't take kindly to bein' threatened. May only be a small town, but its citizens ain't small in character.

Reckon we've had just about enough in the way of threats. Gotta shake my head in disbelief at the things we've had to endure; don't seem fair that a town such as ours should have faced the threat of destruction and the kidnappin' of two citizens in the space of two days. Not to mention the danger Mac and I unintentionally found ourselves in... So maybe we might've been a little to blame for that, ridin' out in a blizzard and all, even though it was done with the best intentions. But I guess even things done with the best intentions don't always work out how you hope.

And all this after the town had been havin' a particularly peaceful period too, right up until that letter arrived. Remember clearly what was happenin' the day before we received it, and how happy I was feelin'. I'd made Mac dinner, as somethin' of an apology for yellin' at him after he got himself knocked unconscious by a drunken customer, and we were sittin' in the bar of the Saloon after closin'. Just the two of us, talkin' about everythin' and nothin'. It's times like those I love the most, when we've time to be ourselves, just ourselves, without the weight of the world, as it seems at times, on Mac's shoulders.

He was smilin' and contented, enjoyin' the meal I'd prepared, and I remember sittin' across from him, watchin' the light of the candles glowin' on his face. Reckon I probably had a glow on my own face; Mac does that to me, gives me a glow inside and out. Remember him sayin' sorta wistfully as he was gazin' round the bar that we don't get enough times together on our own...

Which brings to mind what he was sayin' earlier, when he weren't entirely aware of himself and his surroundings. Now, I've lived a few years on this earth, and I've lived through a fair few experiences and all, meanin' I ain't so naive about many matters, includin' what happens between a man and a woman, whether they're married or not. Though it's gotta be said, in a small town like Hattanville, generally folks prefer it if they are married. But I ain't gonna make, and I ain't entitled to make, judgements on folks about that sorta thing. I know exactly what Mac was wishin' for, even though he'd never in ordinary circumstances be so bold as to talk about it, and especially not in the company of Don Flack and Mrs Hammerback. It maybe ain't somethin' a lady should be thinkin' about, however, I gotta confess, although my cheeks were blushin' at his words, I weren't entirely unhappy to know Mac Taylor had that kind of imagination...

Huh, if I ain't careful, I'm gonna be lettin' my mind wander along the ways of thinkin' about walks in the rain and evenings alone with him in the bar. And on the bar...

Geez! Better stop myself right there and be thankful no one here's got the ability to read minds. Though that'd maybe be a useful skill to have in many instances, and I guess Mac and I kinda have that ability at times to know what each other's thinkin'... So, sneakin' a quick glance at him, and seein' he's starin' at the retreatin' figures of Don and company, I decide I'd better keep a check on my mind. Just in case.

Mac's fantasies ain't gonna be somethin' I'm gonna embarrass him with. Can't speak with such authority about Don though. Got somethin' of a teasin' and mischievous nature to him at times has Don, and I didn't miss the laugh he was tryin' to stifle when Mac was sharin' his secrets. Still, can only deal with that situation when it arises, and try and recall somethin' I might be able to use as a... let's call it a guarantee, 'cause blackmail's an ugly sorta' word. Maybe somethin' about bets placed on folks....

Reckon I might be lettin' my thoughts run on though, 'cause right at this moment, we got plenty more important things to be occupyin' our minds and bodies. Still don't know for sure how Lindsay and Mr Messer are, though I know they'll be in good hands with Hawkes lookin' after them. The folks of Hattanville sure do keep him busy...

"Stella?"

Kinda' blink and realise Mac's givin' me a quizzical look, with a trace of amusement in his eyes. "Everythin' all right? Looked like you were thinkin' about somethin' important. Got somethin' on your mind?"

If he only knew the half of it... sure hope he don't take a guess. Mind readin' abilities, huh. Yeah, reckon Mac comes close to havin' them. Heat sorta sweeps over my face, and I hear myself givin' a false sorta' laugh. "Fine Mac, everything's fine. Was just wonderin' about Lindsay and Mr Messer, and guess I let myself slip into somethin' of a daydream..."

Of course, what I don't add is what a big part of that daydream was about.

He raises his eyebrow, but says nothin' more. He's still got his arm placed around me, for support of course. Gotta admit, the feel of his fingers restin' ever so gentle on my waist is somethin' that feels just right.

A comfortable silence falls between us for the moment as we wait for Don to re-emerge from the Sheriff's Office. Folk start driftin' back to their houses, now the main entertainment's over, and I find my thoughts driftin' again.

Don't get the chance as often as I'd like to have Mac this close to me; too much contact between an unmarried gentleman and lady is sorta frowned on. Seems a lot of pleasurable things are sorta frowned on, and though I don't live my life worryin' too much 'bout other folks morals, guess I gotta respect certain conventions. Don't mean I have to agree with them though, and don't mean I can't always bend them a little for my own purposes. Heck, the very fact I'm an independent lady runnin' her own Saloon kinda flies in the face of many folks' conventions. Guess that's why I take a great deal of pride in it. It's taken me years to get the Star Saloon the reputation it's got; a reputation as the sorta place folks want to come to and spend time in. Taken time for me to make sure of my good reputation too, but I succeeded on my own and I'm real proud of that.

Done a lot of things on my own; but I've known I've got someone I could rely on if I needed to. He ain't a man to push himself forwards but Mac's the truest and most loyal friend I got. We've been trusted friends for years; more years than I like to admit, 'cause a girl's gotta keep some secrets about her age after all. However, it's enough to say we've had more than enough time to know each other's fine points and even faults. Gotta own, I got plenty of faults myself; folks say I'm stubborn and quick tempered, maybe even a little impetuous at times, and I ain't gonna argue against that. Mac too; sure, he's a little impetuous and stubborn himself, and makes the occasional rash judgment, but when you weigh that up against the depth of his loyalty and his care for others, well then, it's somethin' I can live with.

Guess it's the same for Lindsay and Daniel Messer. The man ain't short of faults, but she's seen the good hidin' behind them and has brought them outta hidin' a little more...

"Stella!"

Sorta jump then and have to press my hand to my heart; Mac's voice fair startled me! What in heck's the matter with me? Keep driftin' off into memories and musings. Which really ain't the thing to do when you're standin' out in the middle of Main Street, a few flakes of snow tumblin' outta the sky and your feet startin' to turn to blocks of ice. My hands would be too, were it not for the fact that in the time my mind's been wanderin', Mac's taken a hold of one of them.

"Sorry, guess I was thinkin' again," I tell him, feelin' a little embarrassed, and tryin' to ignore the tingles shootin' through me at the feel of his hand enclosin' mine. "Were you sayin' somethin'?"

He gives me an amused look. "Was sayin' that it'd be a good idea to get back indoors. Wouldn't you agree?"

Shiftin' carefully on the leg that ain't hurt, he gestures towards the street which since I last looked at it has emptied. "Seein' as everyone else has."

"What about Don and the others?"

In answer to that, the man in question emerges from the Sheriff's Office, closely followed by Lenny and John. Banging his hands together for warmth, he calls out to us as he strides over.

"Got 'em locked up, and in the case of Messer, cussin' fit to make your ears burn."

"They say any more to you?" Mac asks as Don reaches us, and shifts a little as a grimace passes over his face. I'm guessin' his ribs and leg are troublin' him more than he's lettin' on. No way he's gonna be tellin' anyone he's in pain though; means I gotta find a way of relievin' him without him havin' to tell anyone. Stubborn pride of that man sometimes makes me shake my head. Guess it really ain't fair of me to criticise him for that way of thinkin' though.

Don scowls. "Nope. Refused. Messer said he'd only speak with the Sheriff... Told him he'd have to wait for that pleasure."

"Nice work," Mac tells him, and nods at John and Lenny. "You two as well. Appreciate your assistance."

"Any time, Sheriff," John touches his hat to him. "Pleased to help out where I can."

"Same goes for me," Lenny rumbles and shoves his hands in his pockets. "Didn't like seein' how they'd hurt Miss Lindsay and Daniel. Made me real mad."

They're good men, John and Lenny; ain't never had any trouble when they're in the Saloon. Two of 'em come most nights to drink down a couple of glasses of bourbon. That's their limit though; they ain't like some folks who don't know when they've reached theirs, and that polite behaviour ain't possible after downin' ten neat shots of liquor. After raisin' their hats to me, they stroll off down the street, so now it's just the three of us.

"Guess we should head back indoors, huh?" I say, echoin' Mac's words. He won't mind me takin' credit for them.

Don gives me a smirk. "First sensible idea you've had in a while, Stell. What's happenin' to you? Did the knock on your head yesterday knock some cautious thinkin' into you?"

He chuckles, but it soon dies away when I fix him with my best smile; the one I save for special occasions; occasions when someone ain't pleased me.

"Maybe a knock on the head'd benefit you in the way of learnin' some polite speakin', Don Flack."

He looks a little sheepish, and at least has the grace to apologise. "Weren't meanin' to be rude..."

I shoo him forwards, relentin' a little. "Apology accepted, now you best go on ahead, 'cause Mac and me might be walkin' a little more slowly than you, seein' as neither of us has the same length of leg."

"Sure," Don nods, with a quick grin of understandin'.

"We'll see you in there," Mac says to him, squeezin' my hand. "We're gonna need to have some discussion about this latest happening."

"Absolutely."

With another grin at us 'cause he ain't easily suppressed, he swings off down the street.

Mac gives me a smile, and the pressure of his fingers increases. "You know, I'm real lucky I got you at my side, Stella."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," I tell him softly, dustin' a few flakes of snow off the lapel of his coat. "Consider myself lucky to be there."

He shakes his head. "I'm the lucky one..."

Then he leans in a little closer to me, and I'm suddenly aware of how close his face is to mine, and how his breath's sorta stirrin' my hair. Reachin' out, his eyes never leavin' mine, he brushes, ever so gently, a stray snowflake out of my curls. "We never got to finish our conversation earlier," he says, his voice low.

Takin' his other hand, I clasp it tight, my thumb movin' over it. "Conversations ain't always so important... Least they ain't when the people involved know and understand each other so good they know what the other is thinkin'..."

I pause, and read the look in his eyes, feelin' pulled into the depths there. "But... I know sometimes you feel you gotta say out loud even what those two people are certain of already. I understand that, Mac. We'll get the time and the place right, I promise."

He breathes out slowly, his breath hangin' in a white cloud. His gaze never leaves mine. "You're a wise woman, Stella," he says in a quiet tone.

"So it's been said before," I smile, half-droppin' my eyelid in a wink. "Wise, and right more often than not."

"So you've said yourself, many times before," his mouth quirks into a grin and he seizes my free hand before I can swat him on the arm. Then his face changes again, his expression becomin' almost shy, and his voice drops as he moves closer to me; one hand still holdin' mine, the other claspin' the top of my arm. His lips are almost touchin' my ear and my heart's suddenly thunderin' louder than river rapids as he speaks. "Reckon... I reckon it's one of the many things I love about you, Stella..."

Feel the world sorta' spinnin' to a halt there and then around me and I'm only half-aware that I'm still livin' and breathin'...

"Mac... I...you..." I'm trippin' over my words, feelin' dizzy; feelin' like his eyes are drownin' me... but I don't care, I don't care! I'm lettin' myself be whirled away in them.

There's the gentlest touch on my cheek and it takes me a moment to realise it's Mac's fingertips; softer than snowflakes against my skin.

"It's somethin' that should've been said many times before," he breathes out deeply. "And it ain't even the half of all I gotta say to you... though I got a feelin' you know, seein' as how you're able to look straight into my mind most times."

Can't even begin to try and speak just yet. Words simply ain't possible. But, maybe, as we've both said, maybe words simply ain't needed. At this moment, both of us are sinkin' into a whole ocean of feelings; sinkin' blissfully too. Both of us'd be content to stay like this forever, hands joined, barely an inch between us, his lips almost grazin' mine...

Until reality, in the form of Don Flack's voice, pulls us right back to our present situation; namely that we're standin' in the middle of Main Street, a few yards from the Saloon, with snow whirlin' round us.

"Hey! You two gonna stay out there forever? Gonna catch your death of cold, so Mrs Hammerback says, and I'm sure you've both had enough brushes with death the last couple days..."

Some days I could happily cause the death of Don Flack myself.

Reckon he might realise that, as he disappears pretty damn quick through the Saloon doors, leavin' them swingin' when he catches the look I shoot him.

Sighin' heavily, I turn back to Mac, to be met with a smile turnin' up the corners of his mouth.

"Folk of this town seem to like interruptin' at unfortunate moments," he says. "But don't go killin' my Deputy, he's proven himself useful many a time."

"Well if I did, you could always take me on..."

His smile widens. "Then who'd be runnin' the finest Saloon in town?"

Before I can think of an answer, he's nudging me forwards. "Now, as you said yourself, possibly echoin' words of wisdom from someone else, we best do as he says and get inside."

Can't argue with him there, so takin' it steady, with my arm around Mac, lettin' the glow his words have given me warm me through and through, we head back to the Saloon.

It's a real welcomin' place to return to, and I'm happy to see it filled with folks. The Hammerbacks are still here, sittin' together by the hearth; Don and Miss Angell are standin' by the bar and I'm amused to note that both of them are mirrorin' each other, standin' with one foot on the floor, and one on the foot rail; and Hawkes and Miss Higgins are sittin' either side of Lindsay and Daniel Messer. Poor Lindsay looks beat; can see she's been cryin' as her eyes are all sorta red and swollen, and she's dabbin' at them with a handkerchief. Her fiancé ain't lookin' too good; kinda' slumped against her with his eyes half-closed, patches of blood over him and a bag of ice held to his head. Sight of him makes me wince; seems he's taken somethin' of a beatin', and it wouldn't surprise me to know it was to protect his girl. However, as Mac and I sit ourselves down opposite them and I get him settled in the best position for his sore ribs, we hear a most remarkable story.

As it unfolds, people's eyes grow wide on more than occasion, and Miss Higgins ain't able to hold herself back from a few whistles of surprise and exclamations as between them, Lindsay and Mr Messer tell us what happened.

What causes us most surprise is Lindsay's act of what I ain't able to call anythin' but heroism. Reckless heroism, sure, but then that's often how it goes. Can't blame the girl for that; sometimes you're faced with a situation, and you just gotta act; then find yourself actin' in ways that ain't usual. Seems after Daniel's brother, as of course Louie Messer turns out to be, made somethin' of a move towards her, Daniel intervened, as you'd expect. Got himself bashed around, leavin' Lindsay no choice but to attack and defend herself and her man. Managed to knock Buck Gibbons unconscious before stabbin' Louie Messer. Poor girl thought she'd killed 'em, which was the point when Miss Angell and Don arrived. Fortunately for Lindsay's state of mind, she hadn't. Don hauled 'em into their own wagon before tyin' 'em up good and tight, then the whole party rode back to town.

As the tale finishes, we're all silent, digestin' the information. So we got one problem solved; we got our kidnapped friends back safe, if a little sorry for themselves in the case of Daniel Messer, but we still ain't solved the problem of the Railroad Company or the warnin' Louie Messer has given us. But the warnin' could after all be the idle threat of a man sore at bein' caught, and nothin' to be taken seriously. Glance at Mac then and he meets my gaze.

"What do you think, Stella? Reckon we got anythin' to worry about from Mr Louie Messer?"

Everyone's eyes turn to me. "That I ain't so sure about..." I say slowly.

"Louie ain't a man to be trusted, even if he is my own brother," Mr Messer croaks. "Wouldn't take what he says with less than a pinch of salt."

The effort of talkin' seems to exhaust him then, and he flops back, closin' his eyes. Discussion continues round him, with everyone offerin' opinions. Till in the end, as the afternoon wears into evenin', we come to an agreement; Louie Messer and his friend are gonna be left till mornin'. They ain't posin' any threat to the town where they are, questionin' them can wait. The day's been a long one, and all of us are in sore need of sleep; even Mac don't argue when I put that to him, so I know he's gotta be real tired.

Folks disperse then; Miss Higgins has been offered and has accepted a place to stay with the Hammerbacks, and Hawkes accompanies them over there, and Don and Miss Angell have insisted that Daniel and Lindsay go home with each of them. Glad to see that; Don'll keep a close eye on Daniel, and Lindsay will be safe with the Angells.

Which only leaves Mac and me; and leaves us in somethin' of a dilemma. Guess the right and proper thing would be for Mac to head over to his place, but lookin' out at the snow fallin' and the darkness, then I ain't happy for him to do that. I look at him lyin' back against the cushions, his eyelids droopin', and I make a bold decision.

"You're stayin' here tonight, Mac," I tell him, and one eye cracks open.

"I'm what?" he says, a little blurrily.

"You're stayin'. On the couch. Nothin' improper in that."

As long as certain older citizens of the town don't find out.

He utters a few half-hearted protests, but I ain't heedin' them as I settle him comfortably and pull a blanket over him. By the time I've done that, his eyes are closin' and I know he's gonna be asleep any moment.

"Thank you..." he murmurs, reachin' for my hand.

"Nothin' to thank for," I whisper.

"Everythin' to thank for, Stella..."

He brings my hand to his lips and brushes the softest kiss on the back of it. Then as his eyes finally close, his fingers loose from mine, and his head falls back onto the cushions.

I whisper goodnight and the faintest smile appears on his face. Stand just watchin' him for a time, rememberin' everythin' that passed between us earlier. Gotta force myself away from him eventually, and I ain't ever climbed the stairs to my bedroom as slow as I do now. Can't seem to tear my eyes from him even though sleep's tuggin' at my eyelids. Stop half-way for a final look at him and can't stop a whisper passin' my lips.

"I love you too, Mac..."

Leavin' him finally I climb the stairs sighin' softly, and push the door to my bedroom open. Stand at the window for a moment lookin' out and thinkin', but it's then the words of Louie Messer echo back in my mind.

A certain and terrible death...

And a shiver seizes hold of me; a shiver that ain't anythin' to do with the cold. 'Cause lookin' out at the snow and the town, and the wide world beyond, I'm afraid of what's waitin' out there for us.

Please review and let me know what you thought, good or bad. I hope you're still enjoying the story. Thanks, Lily x