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

Author: Lily Moonlight

Notes: Thank you very much for reviews, please continue! They're a great help and I love knowing what you think. Thanks to Ballettmaus for all her help. Thanks also to Forest Angel and DNAisunique for discussion, and to everyone who sent me a comment and thanks for the extra scene, that was very nice of you all :)

There are some darker themes in this chapter; I want it to be realistic, not gratuitous, but just to warn you.

Once Upon A Time In the Old West

Chapter 23: Hattanville Uprising

Stella:

Mac knows I mean what I say when I tell him we're gettin' outta this mess, and I know he thinks the same. That gives me a bit of reassurance. We're in one hell of a bad situation, but we've been in plenty of others and managed to get outta them, so we can get outta this one too. Though it's sure gonna take some doin'...

Gotta admit, this is one of the most dangerous and downright frightenin' experiences of my life. I'm tryin' to keep myself from givin' into fear though, 'cause fear ain't often helpful, 'specially not in these sorta' circumstances.

Draw my eyes away from Mac for a moment to take a look around and kinda' assess things. Even though it's only just past noon, the sun ain't showin' itself and there's barely any daylight strugglin' in through the windows. Got a few oil lamps around the place, but they don't give out much light, just kinda' cast shadows over everyone.

Still, I can see clear enough Baines, that black-hearted coward, directin' his henchmen. Orders three of them, includin' the man standin' opposite, to stay and stand guard over all of us, while the rest he motions to come with him. Keeps throwin' mockin' looks in our direction as well. Lookin' real smug and pleased with himself. Low-down coward! Gotta say, the men Baines has told to stay put ain't lookin' too happy about that, which might be to our advantage. All the others start grabbin' bottles off of the shelves, availain' themselves of my supplies, laughin' and jeerin', and then they disappear into the back room. None of them carin' who they step on to get there.

Baines stays behind for a moment, choosin' a few more bottles from the end of the bar, snatchin' up a few glasses and all. What he wants with them I ain't sure. Don't reckon he's gonna be bothered about pourin' drinks into them, surely? He don't strike me as a man with those kinda' manners. But he soon walks away again, laughin' to himself. Huh. Don't know what he finds so amusin' all the time. Hated him outside for the way he laughed at the hurt he was causin' folks; hated him. Nothin' I'd like to do more now than wipe that smile off of his face. Sadly, I gotta be satisfied instead with him walkin' outta my line of vision; just as well, 'cause I ain't able to bear the sight of him no longer.

Soon as Baines and his chosen few have disappeared, silence falls over everyone. Folks exchange glances between them: reckon everyone's in somethin' of a state of shock. Couple of the real little ones are whimperin' and bein' soothed as best they can be by their Mamas and Papas. Almost feel like shakin' my head in disbelief. Never thought I'd see a day like this... but then, who's ever gonna imagine that your whole town's taken over by a bunch of outlaws and all the folk in it taken hostage in your own saloon?

That makes me boilin' mad, and what makes me near enough burstin' with anger is that innocent folks have gotten mixed up in all this. It ain't right that all the children and all the senior folks in town have been herded outta their homes and forced in here to be threatened by one of the cruellest and plain evil men I've had the misfortune to encounter. How dare he come strollin' into our town, tellin' us he's gonna take it from us, and then goes murderin' one of our citizens?

It's nothin' but wickedness! Why, Baines is worse even than some of the low-lives I met travellin' out West all those years ago. There's a look in his eyes; a look I don't care to see at all. It don't bother me that he struck me 'cause as I said, he ain't the first man who's done that; that kinda' thing I can handle, though it sure was a blow I felt. Reckon my face is gonna be hurtin' for a few days yet. But so will Mac's: his poor face is lookin' real sore, his top lip is startin' to swell and there's blood comin' from his nose; gonna be bruisin' showin' soon and all. I know he's in pain and tryin' to hide it. That got me real upset, to see him hurt, knowin' there was nothin' I could do about it. Worst of all Baines's deeds though was the cold-blooded murder of Sinclair. That I ain't ashamed to admit frightened me, made me afraid of what else he was capable of.

Turn my eyes to Mac again and see him lookin' round the place as well; guess to most people his expression's just sorta' stern, but I know hidin' behind it are all his emotions at seein' the folk of the town he vows to protect in this kinda' danger. I'm followin' his gaze as he looks at Hawkes, makin' sure he's doin' all right after his encounter with Baines. His eyes are downcast though and he don't look up. I guess he's shaken by the threats Baines gave him, and by Sinclair's death too. The loss of any life he takes as a real hard blow.

Thought for a few moments earlier that we were gonna lose him as well as Sinclair, 'specially when he spoke up the way he did. Real brave of him, and not the sorta' thing any of us expected from him. Made me hold my breath, hopin' he hadn't gone and said too much. Reckon the whole town was seethin' to see their Doctor treated like that. He's one of the kindest, most caring and gentle men you could know; so I reckon Baines's taunts pushed him to his limits. Could see in his face that it wouldn't have taken much to rouse a temper in him, which is somethin' I never thought I'd be seein'.

Hawkes raises his head then and catches my eye. I'm troubled to see the sorrow in his face; the sufferin' of everyone else has caused him real pain. All I can do is offer him a smile which I hope is an understandin' one. I know he's seein' all the hurt he ain't able to treat immediately; the cold and exposure the oldest and youngest folks are gonna be affected by, and clearest of all, the sufferin' of Daniel Messer.

His experience with Baines has left him lookin' closer to death than I've seen a livin' man. Reckon he caught more than a glimpse of mortality earlier. He's hunched over in a corner, face kinda' grey and hollow, and though Lindsay (who's lookin' real pale herself) is tryin' to get some kinda' response from him, he ain't even able to look at her.

Shocks me to see him like that. Usually there ain't no other man in town more full of life, and impertinence, than he is. There ain't a scrap of that left now, and that's a real sorry thing to see. What happened to him, I wouldn't have wished on any man.

Sinclair, though he may have been a traitor to the town, kinda' redeemed himself with what he did out there. Reckon there ain't a soul in this town who ain't gonna forgive him now. Even though he did a real foolish and thoughtless thing in his dealings with Baines, we owe it to him to bring his murderer to justice. I know Mac's gonna think that too. Ain't no one else I know who takes justice as seriously as he does.

Appreciate Mr Messer standin' up for me and Mac the way he did, but not at the cost of a life. Soon as he opened his mouth, I was prayin' for him to hold his tongue. Guess he couldn't help himself. Know I've been the same on more than occasion, when words kinda' fall outta your mouth before you can stop 'em. If I'd had my hands free, I'd have stopped Baines in his tracks, before he even had a chance to reach for his pistol.

As I'm thinkin' that, there's the sound of rowdiness and glasses smashin' comin' from the back room. Baines and his gang ain't holdin' on back enjoyin' themselves with all that free liquor. That don't surprise me, but it starts uneasiness amongst folk. Guess they're wonderin' what all this is gonna lead to.

Take another look at Mac then, wantin' to know what he's thinkin'. His gaze lingers on me, and I know, alongside everythin' else that's goin' on, he's worried about me, worryin' I'm hurtin' as he looks at my face. "I'm all right, Mac," I whisper to him. "Really."

Guess that's mostly the truth...

Wish my hands were free just to have a touch of his, but I'm gonna have to make do for now with lettin' our looks do the communicatin' between us. As long as I can see him, I can reassure myself he's still all right. Even though I'd give anythin' to be able to wipe away that trickle of dryin' blood from where that... that bastard punched him. Guess I'm runnin' out of insults for Baines, and though they ain't ladylike insults, I couldn't care less. There ain't any name that could do him and his wickedness justice. Makes me wonder all of a sudden if Mac's ever had to face anyone like Baines before. He's told me about some of the outlaws he dealt with before he came to Hattanville, but I gotta say, I'll be mighty surprised if he's ever met any as bad as this one...

Speakin' of the devil: Baines himself comes stridin' out from the back room, my back room, where no doubt he's been makin' himself free and comfortable with all my possessions. Huh, he's stridin' through here like he owns the place, which of course he thinks he's gonna do soon. So he thinks. That's gonna be happenin' over my dead body... And that sure ain't gonna be happenin'. No way he's gonna shoot me despite what he's threatenin'. No way.

Realise my hands are tremblin' with anger as I'm thinkin' all this. Maybe if I'm honest, tremblin' with a bit of fear as well. Most of all though, I'm furious this has happened; that we were tricked like this, me and Mac and Don; that we couldn't prevent all this happenin'; but what we gotta focus on now is gettin' everyone outta here alive. And I'm beginnin' to get a plan formin' about how we can do that...

Baines pushes his way carelessly through everyone on the floor towards where we're sittin'. Ignorin' exclamations from those he's trampled on, he sends a grin in my direction and twirls his pistol. I give him a blank sorta' stare. I ain't gonna let him see anythin' of what I'm thinkin'. Don't want let myself get drawn into any more battles with him neither. Guess I'm afraid of what words might come outta my mouth if he starts tauntin' again. Thankfully though, he don't come any closer than the bar where he grabs another few bottles of my liquor. Tosses a few words to the man standin' by us, tellin' him he's doin' fine work in the way of watchin' us and if he's real lucky he might be gettin' promoted. Promoted? Gotta turn away and shake my head at that. Who the heck does this man think he is, talkin' about promotin' people? Makes me sick...

"Enjoy the next few hours," a voice I've come to loathe the sound of speaks way too close to me. Makes me startle and curse myself; Baines has managed to take me near enough by surprise and is standin' over me grinnin'. Seems he's decided he ain't taunted us enough.

"Oh sure, I'm gonna find real enjoyment sittin' here with my hands tied behind my back," I snap, not carin' anymore about how I speak to him. Seems Mac cares though as I hear the hiss of breath he draws in at that.

Realise, with a sinkin' feelin' inside of me, when Baines crouches down in front of me and kinda' studies me for a moment that I might've gone and said too much. He just stares, lettin' his eyes wander all over me. So close to me I can almost feel his breath on my skin, which is makin' it crawl. Try to push myself back, but he grabs my arm. I'm aware of Mac behind me kinda' jerkin' to try and get free, 'specially as Baines glances at him then with a real evil smile. No doubt rememberin' what Mac said earlier, takin' enjoyment in the fact that he ain't able to stop him doin' anythin' at the moment...

"Leave her alone!" Mac's voice comes gratin' outta his mouth.

Baines sneers and tightens his grip on me. "What would you prefer, Sheriff, want me to shoot her instead?"

"Never!" Mac snarls.

Baines don't answer. Instead, he tips up my chin with the end of his pistol. This really ain't good at all. my heart's quickened up, but I ain't gonna show I'm scared; I'm just gonna stare right back at him.

"I can think of some enjoyment you could be havin'," he says real softly, with a smile that makes my stomach lurch. "Enjoyment I could be havin' and all." "A lot can happen in four hours," he continues, forcin' my head up higher, the pistol diggin' into my skin. "Or even less than four hours..." I'm breathin' hard, clenchin' my fingers behind my back as he smiles at me, with pitch-darkness behind his eyes. I'm willin' and willin' Mac not to go sayin' or doin' anythin' more. There ain't nothin' he can do here; nothin' either of us can do if Baines really does decide he's gonna have some fun with me.

He ain't the first man to try that, but other times it's happened, I ain't been in such a helpless situation, and I've been able to get out of it unharmed. Can't even begin to think about the consequences of the thoughts Baines has got swirlin' about in his mind. Shudder runs through me, only stopped by the feel of Mac's leg against my back as he presses against me. He'd do his damndest to help me, I know that... but at the moment, there ain't a lot he can do to help.

Finally, after Baines has held my head up long enough for my neck muscles to start achin', he decides he's gonna leave me alone. After pattin' my cheek, the one he struck which sends a dart of pain through it, he releases me and straightens up. I let out a real shaky breath.

"I'll be watchin' that clock," he says with a disgustin' sorta' wink at me. "Who knows, might find time goes faster when we're all havin' fun..." With that, he strolls away, tuckin' his pistol back into his holster and clappin' one of the men left to stand guard on the shoulder as he passes him. "Watch 'em all closely," he tells him, smilin' round at the whole town. "If you do, we'll find you a jar or two of bourbon." Then pickin' up more bottles and glasses from off the end of the bar, he disappears into the back room again.

"He ain't gonna do anythin' to you, Stella. Not while I've still got breath in my body," Mac says, not carin' that he's speakin' out loud, his voice fierce and sharp, but with fear underlyin' it. "I ain't gonna let him hurt you again, ain't gonna let any of them hurt you."

Turn my head and manage a kinda' smile at him as our eyes meet. Both of us know that if Baines really decides to do somethin', there ain't much we can do about it unless we get free. What scares me even more, is knowin' Mac's deadly serious about what he says; he'd rather die than let anythin' like that happen to me. And that I ain't gonna let happen; I can't; he means too much to my life to let anythin' happen to his. My life without his is somethin' I ain't even gonna contemplate. Makes me think then about what I'd do to stop that happenin', what I'd sacrifice...

But they're thoughts I ain't gonna take no further right now. All I can do for the moment is move back a little way again so I'm restin' against Mac's legs, his knees against my back. Sid, Don and Sheldon are all lookin' at me too, and it gives me reassurance that at least I ain't alone in all this trouble.

That little encounter's made me realise we gotta focus even more now on gettin' free. Take a quick glance at the man opposite us, the one standin' by Sid and Hawkes. He's lettin' his attention wander, which is all to the good. Keeps it away from us and gives us chance to be gettin' free. Seems the idea that most of his pals are drinkin' and enjoyin' themselves without him, has got him a little resentful. Reckon we got around a dozen of these men to deal with; most of 'em are in the back of the saloon, in the kitchen and parlour, with only the three of 'em left to guard all of us here in the bar. There's the one by us, one at the far end of the room and the third by the door. Stoppin' any of us from makin' a break for freedom. However, what they don't know is that this old place has got more than one way out and I got some further ideas formin' about that. Soon as I can, without bein' overheard, I'm gonna pass those plans on to Mac and Don, and then everyone else. Reckon I've gotta be able to make use of the cellars in this place somehow.

I guess these odds ain't too bad; over a hundred adults who I reckon are able to stand their ground and fight against twelve men. Sure could be worse. The gang might have had the advantage of surprise, and fear, over us to start with, but we can find our own advantage here. Soon as me, Mac and Don get ourselves free, we can start organisin' folks quietly right under their noses, if they keep themselves distracted by drink.

What we gotta be thinkin', however, is that not all the townsfolk are armed. Likely about half of us are gonna have some kind of weapon on them, the other half are gonna have to be protected. There's another point against the gang, they weren't smart enough to go checkin' anyone thoroughly for weapons. Not that I'm complainin' about that! So they made me, Mac and Don drop our weapons, the ones we were holdin' anyhow, but I still got one or two of my pistols on me, the ones I keep well hidden away amongst my petticoats and underclothes. Unfortunately at the present time, I ain't able to reach 'em, and it ain't real safe to be usin' them. I'm bidin' my time though. These gang members are all armed to the teeth, and much as I'm fond of usin' my pistols, a fire fight's the last thing we want to be startin', not with all these folks in here...

Sound of glass smashin' from the back room makes everyone look around again. It's followed by cheers and laughter, and that makes me feel sour inside. That's all they're good for, enjoyin' themselves at other people's expense, laughin' and jokin' while they got folks sittin' frightened and hurtin'! Damn them! Feel my fists are clenchin and I'm havin' to remind myself again to keep all this anger ready for when I can use it. They ain't gonna get away with this. No way...

"Stella?" Mac's voice murmurs in my ear. Turn my head his way and he's bent over a little to look down on me, worry in his eyes, and the bruises on his face showin' more. Oh, seein' him injured and hurt like this and not bein' able to do a thing about it hurts me; seein' anyone you love hurt, hurts you more; far more. I'd have taken twice the blow Baines landed on me to have spared him that. But I reckon, 'cause I know how he thinks on most matters, that he'd have been thinkin' the same about me.

Mac's studyin' my face now as he shifts about in the chair he's in, hands straining at the ropes round them, and I know that if he could he'd be layin' a coolin' and gentle hand against my cheek. The layin' of his hands on me ain't somethin' that's ever gonna hurt me. All I can do is smile at him, reassure him I'm still fine and move even closer so now my shoulder's against his knee. It ain't much, but that further touch between us gives us a whole heap of comfort.

Those shouts and bursts of laughter ain't ceasin' and I'm guessin' there's gonna be a whole pile of empty bottles buildin' up already in the back room and kitchen. From the sound of it, seems like Baines and his men are throwin' bottles and glasses around. Breakin' and smashin' stuff up just for the sake of it. Folks round me are exchangin' looks; some of them fearful, some of them disgusted. Glance then at Louie Messer and his pal, Buck; neither of 'em have said a word. Louie's just sittin' there lookin' sick with fear while Buck's gazin' round at everythin'. He don't seem troubled by any of this. Wish I could share some of that feelin'.

I sure as hell ain't happy about my saloon bein used in this way; put my heart and soul into buildin' this place up to have the good reputation it has. Take pride in it bein' the kinda' place the whole town's welcome in. All this makes a mockery of that, with these brutes in here usin' it for their own foul ends. This ain't a town full of saints, but to have my saloon used in this way cuts me deep...

I just gotta keep thinkin' that if it keeps this gang of low-lives busy for long enough, then they can make merry all they want and drink the saloon dry. Maybe they'll even forget about demandin' the deeds we ain't got. Long as they keep their hands off us. After all, liquor can be replaced; the people you care about can't. And after what Baines threatened me with, we gotta be glad they're keepin' their hands off of the women. Though it won't take much, I'm fearin', for that to happen. I ain't naive, I know what some men are like, men like these anyhow, and what kinda' ideas they get in their heads. Or rather what ideas they get in other parts of 'em that ain't fit to mention. Livin' the way they do means they lose most of the decency they might've had to start with. Don't have no respect for anyone, particularly women. And when liquor's taken hold of 'em, there's always the danger it's gonna make 'em lose every last trace of decency.

I'm lookin' round more closely now, seein' where folks are, who they're with and not with. Outta the corner of my eye, I can see Don, Sid and Sheldon keepin' a close eye on the ladies they care about, all of them real unhappy to be separated from them.

"Stell!" I'm startled outta my musings again, this time by Don givin' me a nudge with his elbow. He looks at me with more than a trace of anxiety in his face. "You all right?" he speaks in an undertone as he glances up at the gang member opposite us. But he still ain't takin' any notice of us, and that I'm thankful for.

I give Don a quick smile. "Was just thinkin', figurin' out a few things."

"Same here," he nods, givin' me a questionin' look. "Come to any conclusions?"

"Gettin' there," I answer quietly. "Reckon we sit tight for a little longer, let things settle, let them get a bit careless with watchin' us, then we get ourselves untied and go from there."

He dips his head, and then gives his attention to Miss Jessica again as he looks anxiously towards where she's sittin'. She's almost hidden behind her parents, though I know that ain't gonna be down to her choosin', and her gaze ain't turnin' away from Don; Miss Higgins is bein' shielded by Mr West, one of the gentlemen of the town; and Lindsay, and Mr Messer, are bein' guarded by Martha Hammerback and Mrs Wildman.

I give Don a touch with my elbow and whisper, "She's gonna be all right, Don. We're all gonna be all right."

Turnin' round he flashes me a look of determination, his eyes burnin' a real bright blue. "Darn right," he hisses and turns his eyes back to Miss Jessica.

Tryin' not to heave a sigh, I shuffle myself back again so I'm pressed against the side of the chair that Mac's sittin' on and lean my head against his side. Feel thankful that at least I ain't been separated from the man I love.

"You hear all that, Mac?" I ask, and he answers that he did in a similar quiet tone. Despite the blows he's suffered, he ain't even close to bein' defeated; takes more than the fists of a coward to bow the Sheriff of Hattanville.

Turn my eyes away from Mac for a moment and see that the man opposite has put his gaze back on us and is kinda' leerin' at me. Can almost feel the force of Mac's glare behind me, and I know he wishes he was free to let that man know what he thinks of him and all his associates. I'm feelin' the same myself. But I ain't gonna bother wastin' a perfectly good glare on him. Ain't gonna give him the satisfaction of bein' provoked, and using that as an excuse to try anythin' else...

"You comfortable sittin' down there, pretty lady?" the man says with a smile I reckon he thinks is charmin'. Geez, Baines sure turned the attention on me earlier. Guess my only consolation is that while attention's on me, it ain't on anyone else. And I reckon too that none of the others in the gang are gonna be tryin' anythin' seriously with me, not if Baines has decided he wants me for himself.

But he ain't gonna get me; none of these brutes are.

Even though I ain't able to see Mac, I know he's tensed up already, and I can feel Don sittin' up straighter at my side. Know both of 'em ain't gonna take this easily; both of 'em take the business of protectin' me real seriously, Mac most of all. I'm willin' them now to keep their mouths shut. One wrong word spoken, one misjudged action and it could be the worst for us all. I'm hopin' they can trust me to handle this.

I give the man my sickliest sweet smile. "Yeah, I'm just fine and dandy bein' held hostage in my own saloon..." I say with an exaggerated flutter of my eyelashes. My sarcasm's wasted though, which pains me, 'cause he just grins at me even more. So I continue, lookin' at him kinda' pityingly. "Guess you ain't too happy about bein' forced to keep watch on all of us while your pals are havin' fun drinkin', huh?" My cheek muscles are startin' to ache with smilin' like this, 'specially where Baines hit me. Still, I'll keep it up as long as necessary if this is gonna help us. Sheldon and Sid are lookin' at me now, and reckon they've caught on to what I'm doin'.

Sid chips in then with some of his unique wisdom. "I would think, young sir, that a gentleman such as yourself would find it a great strain to be standing here, unable to partake in the merriment your companions are indulging in. A great strain indeed." He peers over his spectacles as he speaks, and I'm aware of the slightest glint in his eyes.

To say the man looks confused would be understatin' the matter. He kinda' squints at Sid, and I can almost see the effort it's costin' him as he's tryin' to figure out the meanin' of his words and mouthin' them back to himself. Then he grasps at one of 'em like a drownin' man graspin' at a branch.

"Merriment?" he says slowly. "Mr Baines don't like us havin' too much merriment, says it's bad for business." There's an unhappy sorta' look in his eyes now, and Sid gives him a sympathetic smile.

"I'm sure that must be very hard on you all. But it seems as if Mr Baines and some of his companions are allowed to make merry?" He blinks innocently. Well, it might seem innocent, but I know better, and so does Sheldon as the two of us exchange a look.

The man kinda' shifts about then and glances over towards the parlour and kitchen where the loudest sounds are comin' from. Seems like plenty of liquor's bein' drunk through there as there's sounds of real raucous laughter and singin' goin' on. The breakin' of glasses has stopped for a moment, but I'm sure they've got plenty more chaos planned.

As he turns back to us, there's a longin' look in his eyes, and if I ain't much mistaken, a look of rebellion.

"Yeah," he grunts. "We ain't all of us allowed to be with Mr Baines, 'cause some of us ain't been members of his gang for long enough. Maybe when they're all done there'll be a few drops of liquor for us. We might even be allowed to have a little fun..." he sends a smirk at me, which I ignore. It ain't worth a comment. Men like him, seems they've only got one thing on their mind. Sid soon gets his attention again, raisin' his voice as he makes a complicated remark about the properties of alcohol.

So while Sid continues to engage him in a one-sided conversation, keepin' him nice and distracted, I turn back to Don with only one thing on my mind.

Gettin' free of these ropes.

After Baines and his gang tied us up, I thought they were gonna shoot us, had that look in their eyes, Baines most of all. Look that said they'd have no problem in endin' our lives right there and then. But we're still alive and we still got a chance. Soon as me, Mac and Don get ourselves untied, we can start carryin' out the plan I'm thinkin' up.

Checkin' to make sure that Sid, with Sheldon accompanyin' him, is still engagin' his new friend in conversation, and that the other two men ain't lookin' our way, I give Don another nudge. "Hold still a minute," I whisper. "Gonna get you untied..."

Wrigglin' round ain't easy, however, I manage it and we're soon back to back and my fingers are workin' on the knots round his wrists. That sure ain't an easy task neither and it costs me more than one broken and torn fingernail before he's untied and flexin' his hands as discreetly as possible.

"Thanks," he mutters. "Now sit still yourself and I'll get you free..."

Before he does that, the man who's bein' talked to by Sid, turns round unexpectedly and pins us with a glare. I freeze and then attach another smile to my face.

"Everythin' all right?" I ask, my voice almost drippin' with sugar, even though my heart's bangin' inside my chest. Keep my hands still as possible and Don's motionless beside me.

"You ain't tryin' anythin' are you?" the man asks slowly, narrowin' his eyes. I resist the urge to kinda' roll mine; instead, I smile even sweeter at him.

"What could I possibly be tryin'?"

He grunts and hefts his pistol, eyein' me kinda' speculatively. I'm holdin' my breath. Just gotta hope I ain't gone and overdone the poor helpless female act. There's a moment or two of silence as he's thinkin'. Can almost see the cogs turnin' in his head as he's starin' at me, his eyebrows furrowed like two caterpillars and his mouth pursin' up. "Just you be careful then, Miss," he says eventually tryin' to give me a threatenin' sorta' look. "'Cause if you ain't then there'll be real trouble for you."

Now that scares me... I don't think.

"I'm keepin' a careful eye on you," he continues. "You and your friends." He laughs, which sounds kinda' like a drain gurglin' away.

There's another bellow of laughter comes from the back room, and despite his threats, he turns away to look in the direction the sound's come from. Then, shots are fired and frightened exclamations rise up from folks. Makes me catch my breath and all and glance up at Mac, who's real grim-faced. It's followed immediately by roars of amusement and the sound of more breakin' glass, makin' me realise Baines and his gang are likely practisin' their shootin' skills by firin' at bottles and such. No doubt smashin' up even more of my saloon in the process. Makes me grind my teeth, thinkin' about all the mess I'm gonna have to clean up, all this is gonna cost me. And I guess I ain't just talkin' about money costs... Baines is gonna pay for all this; somehow, I'm gonna make sure of that. However, the noise and distraction gives Don the chance he needs and a minute later, I feel the ropes round my wrists droppin' off.

"Thanks," I mutter. "See what you can do in the way of bein' a look-out while I get Mac untied.

"Sure thing," he whispers and I ease myself back further so I'm almost behind Mac's chair, keepin' my hands hidden for the moment.

Then I get a kick on my ankle from Don. "Keep still!" he hisses outta the corner of his mouth.

Look up in time to see Sid's new friend turnin' back to us again, a real suspicious look in his eyes. "What are you..." But he ain't got chance to continue as I've seen Sheldon's foot movin' and landin' a real hard kick to his ankle. "What in hell?" the man splutters, whirlin' round.

His fist looks ready to strike the doctor, but he holds up his hand, lookin' apologetic. "I beg your pardon, Sir," he says. "Get cramp in my legs if I sit like this for too long. An involuntary spasm, that's all it was. No harm intended." He challenges the man with a stare, darin' him to question his explanation.

Much as I'd love to see what's gonna further transpire, I gotta focus on gettin' Mac free. Hawkes is more than capable of handlin' a situation calmly, as he proved earlier; this man's gonna be no match for him.

Quick as I can, I start workin' on the knots that are bindin' Mac's hands together. Sure ain't a simple task, and 'cause I'm aware I ain't got much time, I'm fumblin' and takin' longer than I should. Guess my fingers are kinda' stiff... And these knots have been tied real tight; tighter even than mine and Don's. I'm cussin' those men all over again...

I'm real grateful to Don for movin' himself in front of me while I'm carryin' on with my task. Mac's tryin' his best and all.

"What do you want me to do?" he asks in an undertone. "Is it easier if I kinda' keep still or try wrigglin' my fingers?" Reckon he must have realised my frustration 'cause next thing he tells me I'm doin' fine and that I'm almost there. Even though I know I ain't...

I'm keepin' half an eye on what's happenin' around, even though I gotta concentrate on my task. Gotta trust in Hawkes and Sid bein' able to keep the closest gang member to us from seein' anythin'. Guess I got in my mind as well the fear that it ain't unlikely Baines is gonna come back out at some point...

There's all kinds of shoutin' and uproar comin' from the back room, more shots and all. Don't like to think about how much liquor's been drunk. Can only hope they all drink themselves into a stupor before they do much more damage.

In the bar, the little ones have started cryin' now, and that's addin' to the noise and confusion. That's all to my advantage though. Means I'm less likely to be noticed. Sure hope so anyhow...

One last tug and the ropes drop off Mac's wrists. Movin' his hands in front of him straight away, he reaches for me and grasps my hands, pullin' me closer and holdin' onto me tighter than he ever has before. Lookin' up at him, for the first time since this whole thing began, I see hope in his eyes.

"We're almost there, Stella," he murmurs. "Just gotta..."

"Stella! Mac!" Don hisses frantically, and Mac and I drop our hands and turn to look where he indicates with his head.

My heart plummets almost into my boots. Baines. Headin' our way with purpose in his stride, and even more sin in his eyes.

Reckon anyone near me's gonna be hearin' how my heart's bangin' inside my chest as Baines slows down and makes a real big show of lookin' up at the clock and then towards me. He's got his pistol in his hand, a grin on his face and it suddenly feels like a gapin', black hole has opened up in front of me. I'm aware of Mac's voice in my ear tellin' me he's not gonna let anythin' happen to me, that he's gonna take care of me, but at this moment I ain't able to believe him, and that terrifies me even more.

Then Baines is in front of me; his pistol pointin' right at me and his voice echoin' with the horrors of hell, near enough paralysin' me, as he says he's gotten tired of waitin', he's gonna have his fun now and then he's gonna make sure he gets those deeds. Mac and other voices around me are protestin', but somehow I ain't able to make my voice work. Even if I could, I know it's useless. He reaches for me, face darkenin' as he realises I ain't tied up anymore, then everythin' happens at once; Mac leaps at him with a yell of rage, Don drags me outta the way, Sid and Sheldon grab the other man and pull him to the floor and suddenly the whole saloon's in an uproar with shouts and screams comin' from every direction as I'm tryin' to get myself together again and scramble to my feet.

But then over all the commotion rises a cry of terror that stops everythin' and everyone dead.

"Fire!"

Thanks for reading, I'd love to know what you thought of this chapter - please review and let me know and I'll send the new extra scene. Also, I updated 'Finding the Future' the other day. Yes, I know, I love getting reviews, they're always nice to read. Thank you, Lily x