The Red Dragon Ranger

by DragonRiderNinja

The Red Dragon Ranger must follow his teams arch enimey back in time to protect his team and the Ranger teams of the past, to stop his enimey from enslaving mankind, and to find The Gold Dragon Gem and ultimately find out who he is please Read & Review

40. Chapter 39 Homecoming

A couple weeks later at the fort Logan, Hawkeye, Chingachgook, Uncas, and the others were playing with some of the camp children. Their parents were inside trading with Elizabeth for supplies. As Kimberly and Aisha were playing, a game with a couple girls on the ground Logan and Hawkeye had lifted a couple onto their horses.

Feeling a pair of eyes on him Logan glanced behind him and saw a smiling Elizabeth watching them as she walked out with the children's parents with loaded pack animals. For a few seconds they looked at each other before her eyes also shifted to Hawkeye. Then…

"TO THE NORTH!" a sentry called out and turning Logan spotted what looked like a pack animal loaded with two chests. One wide open as it slid down a bank of loose earth spilling more out of the chest.

At once (after Logan and Hawkeye put the children back on the ground) both them Chingachgook and Uncas swung onto their horses. Turning them around galloped forward.

As they were reaching it, a hysterical well, dressed woman in a cloak tripped and rolled down the hill after the animal screaming at the top of her lungs, "ATTACK! ATTACK! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP US! SAVAGES!" just as a man came round the bend leading a second burdened horse a baby in the crook of his arm.

"Get to the fort!" Hawkeye barked pointing.

Watching her go Logan saw her ran right into Elizabeth's arms as she stood next to Kim, Aisha, Uncas, and the others. "Oh thank providence we made it!" and she threw back her hood revealing tightly bound light brown hair.

"No there are no savages!" the man called trying to reach the woman while trying not to drop the baby in his haste.

Dismounting Logan, Hawkeye, and Chingachgook intercepted him. "We'll see to the child let go of the rains!" Logan said, taking the baby from him.

"Thank you," the man said, as Chingachgook took the reins of the horse and began to calm her down. "Beatrice! Is Beatrice alright?" and rushing forward.

Bouncing the baby in his arms Logan looked over as Beatrice turned into her husband and Thomas coming up a detachment of men following. "Henry! Thank heaven we made it through! We weren't taken!" she said, still hysterical as Elizabeth detached from her and rushed to Logan.

"I'm Captain Thomas Monroe," Thomas said, when he was close and Henry and him gave curt bows to each other. "What happened?"

"Savages! We saw savages!" at that Thomas looked in the direction they had come from and Logan saw Uncas's face-harden.

"No, we saw nothing," Henry said, trying to comfort her in his arms.

"I saw them!" Beatrice persisted as Logan slid the baby into Elizabeth's arms as he scanned the tree line. "They had black and white war paint on all over their faces! It was terrifying!"

Shaking his head Henry continued to comfort her. "It was an animal nothing more," he said, looking at the people around him. "I'm sorry but ever since my brother and his wife were slaughtered by Huron she sees a red face around every tree," and she slapped his chest.

"What about over her shoulder?" Logan asked, and turning she jumped seeing Uncas and Logan heard Hawkeye chuckle.

"Do you two see anything?" Elizabeth asked, holding the baby close.

Glancing back toward the tree line. "No…nothing at all," Hawkeye muttered, though Logan could see that he too felt the eyes on them as they moved back toward the fort.

A short while later Logan, Hawkeye, Rocky, Adam, and Billy had escorted Henry back into the forest. To retrieve what was left behind of Beetroot's massive wardrobe. With Ansell and Cabe picking up the pieces from the ground as the others stood guard.

"Did he say a coin a piece or a coin for every piece?" Logan heard Ansell ask Cabe in a low whisper.

"A coin for every piece."

"Whoa we're rich, as Midas himself," and Logan chuckled shaking his head.

"I appreciate your escort Mr. Hawkeye," he said, walking forward looking around at the forest around them. "So you all actually live out here in this place?" and he faced them.

"Yes but more specifically the Delaware Camp," Hawkeye said, stepping forward.

"That is a courageous thing to do," Henry commented turning and picking up some of the discarded articles of clothing.

"I think it's a brave thing to come out to the frontier when you don't know what to expect," Hawkeye said, coming closer.

"Yes brave or…somewhat naïve…," Henry said, rubbing his chin. "We came up from Virginia to visit my brother…after these hostilities I look forward to our return," and ho looked away.

That explains the looks they gave Aisha, Rocky commented and Logan nodded. Now I'm a little worried about her staying with Kim, Elizabeth, and…that peacock.

Yeah she pushes Aisha hard enough and she might get slapped…or worse…maybe one of us should have stayed with her, Logan commented and Adam and the others chuckled.

"I must say when I contracted to marry Beatrice the enormity of her wardrobe was never mentioned," he said, picking up a few more pieces and a fan.

"You sure you want them to pick all this up?" Logan asked, indicating Ansell and Cabe.

"yes…friend…that is a smashing idea!" he said, walking forward a smile on his face pressing his hand into Hawkeye's free one and he faced Ansell and Cabe. "Change of plans!"

"What just happened?" Adam asked, stepping forward.

"I have no idea…I don't even know what I said," Logan muttered, a perplexed look on his face before glancing at the fan in Hawkeyes hand.

When they got back to the fort Kim stood leaning on her bow in Elizabeth's room in the trading post watching with Elizabeth and Aisha as Beatrice rifled through the chests of her clothes. "Half my clothes are gone! My orchard satin teanon velvet! Oh those wretched heathens! It's almost as if they know what I love the most!" she snapped.

Aisha glanced at Kim before leaning close. "That sounds familiar."

Kim glanced at her. "I am not that picky!" she muttered, back as Elizabeth eyed one of Beatrice's fans.

"Slave!" and doing her best to hide their content and anger Kim and Aisha faced Beatrice and Elizabeth eyed them with concern. "Repack my clothes into the chests," she ordered pointing. "With your permission as her mistress Kimberly."

Face hard Kim returned Beatrice's gaze. "I'm sorry but Aisha has other duties in the other room," she said, and nodded towards the trading post storeroom.

"Yess'em misses," Aisha muttered, and left the room as Logan entered.

You all right? He asked, out of concern.

What do you think? She demanded walking past.

Watching her go, he shook his head before looking back at the other women still there. "This is beautiful," Elizabeth, said, opening the fan to change the subject.

"Oh a fan is how a lady of breeding speaks to her admirers," Beatrice said, walking forward. "Would you like me to show you and maybe…teach you a little…," she offered taking the fan and eyed Kimberly's buckskin pants, moccasins, jacket, quiver, and bow.

"I already have a man but I would enjoy a demonstration," Kimberly said, returning her gaze.

At that, Beatrice turned to Logan watching from the doorframe. "Come over…," and with that she whipped open the fan under her chin. "You please me…," and she stepped forward batting it a little from its position. He arched an eyebrow. "Perhaps…," and she closed it. "Sir! I am shocked…!" and she rapidly opened and closed it. "Shocked!" and she playfully hit him on the shoulder with it.

Why do I feel I just went through a turkey dance? Logan though to Kimberly as Beatrice turned and handed the fan back to Elizabeth and Kim snorted.

"You remind me of the Abamon County Cadilion?" Beatrice demanded facing her sounding almost shocked as the baby in the other room started crying and Logan turned at the sound.

"I'm from Virginia, my family's property is called Winchester Hill," Elizabeth explained looking toward the baby.

"You're a Longworth?" Beatrice asked, breathless eyes wide oblivious to or not caring for the baby's cries and Elizabeth nodded. "Living in this god forsaken place?"

"Yes should we see to your niece?" Elizabeth said, waving her hand to the child.

"Oh I don't wish to spoil her…however di you come to be here?" Beatrice continued waving it off. Standing straight at her words Logan locked eyes with Kimberly who was staring open mouthed at the woman. "How ever did you come to be here?"

"My husband was stationed out here…"

"Have I met him yet? Your husband?"

"William was taken prisoner by the Huron…," and Elizabeth, Logan, and Kim started into the other room as the baby continued to cry for attention in her cradle. "…he's been missing."

"Your husband missing and still you stay?" Beatrice demanded said, in stunned surprised as Elizabeth bent down and picked the child up.

Smiling as she bounced the baby she said, "I'm sorry we just can't bear to hear a little one cry," and coming to her side Kimberly made cooing and baby noises, which brought a smile to the girl's face. "I bet you miss your mama and papa," and the bay started to laugh as Logan played peek-a-boo with her.

"Henry will hire a servant girl to take care of her," and Logan looked at Beatrice whose smile did not reach her eyes. "Beside she's his niece…declared me to adopt her before consulting me. If I wanted a baby I would have had one of my own," she said, and Logan's jaw set.

I pity the baby born to that peacock, no maternal instincts, he thought.

Hear, hear, Kimberly agreed.

Later Logan was with Hawkeye looking over their horses when Elizabeth came up. "Hawkeye," she called out as she walked over a bask in hand and they turned in their bent position. "Where might I find a liquorish bush?" she asked.

After glancing at each other, they stood straight. "And what crisis would require a liquorish bush?" Hawkeye asked.

"The Richards's baby is cutting a tooth and liquorish root is the best thing for it to suck on," she answered as Adam, Billy, Kim, Aisha, and Rocky came over from the smithy.

"That would be Wolf Creek," he answered smiled jabbing a finger at her before turning to his horse again.

"Thank you."

"Tell me Elizabeth…," he stated as she started to walk out of the fort. "Did you happened to collect stray dogs as a child?"

"Of course I did," she said, half laughing. And Logan nodded securing few things to his saddle. "Hawkeye, Falcons Eye could you explain something to me?" Again, the group looked at her. "Beatrice has been given this beautiful baby to cherish…and yet…she doesn't seem to want her."

Sighing Logan looked at Hawkeye as she shrugged. "Some women are not meant to be mothers," he said, simply.

"No matter how much they're supposed to be," Kim put in.

"Well I suppose so but…then some dearly wish to be mothers and cannot…," Elizabeth said, sadly.

Logan turned back to her. "You sound like you're one of them."

"William and I prayed for a child…none came," she said, her face falling. Slowly Kim went over to comfort her. "How does God bestow such a precious gift to those who don't value it?" and she shook her head in thought.

For a few seconds there was silence then Hawkeye said, "My white mother once said, to me the scriptures promise…he has a plan."

With that she nodded and started out of the fort again calling, "Wolf Creek?"

"Wolf Creek," Logan answered.

Later that night at an invitation from Elizabeth Logan, Hawkeye, and the others dined at the trading post with the Richards, Thomas and his father. For the most part, they ate merrily with the occasional glance toward Aisha who was sitting at a separate table.

"Is there something wrong?" Beatrice asked, after Kim looked at Aisha for the fourteenth time.

At that, Kim turned to her. "It's nothing but I just wish that Aisha could have joined us at this table," she said, and others looked at her. "I consider her a member of my family," and she looked around while Aisha shot her a discreet smile.

Looking at her Colonel Monroe lit his pipe. "Never the less it is not proper for an African Slave to dine with white folk. It is an enough that she is in the same room with us," he said, putting out the starter flame with a shake of his hand.

"But I think we can do a little more than that," Elizabeth said, and standing. And they watched some stunned as she replaced the simple with the simple dishware to the fine china they were using. "Now…," she said, returning to her seat and started serving out the food. "Let us eat."

Later after they were done, they watched as Elizabeth paraded around the room. "What do you think of the fan that Beatrice gave me, as…?"

"A souvenir of civilization," Beatrice finished for her and nodding Elizabeth put the fan away.

"No offence but it reminds me of the mating dance of a turkey bird," Hawkeye muttered, turning back around and Logan, Adam, and Rocky half snorted.

"It is alike a mating dance for men and women of quality," Thomas said, next to his father.

"But if a woman wants to get the attentions of a man she should say so. Plain and simple," Logan said, and his male friends nodded in agreement.

"Is such directness the way of the wilderness Mr. Falcons Eye?" Beatrice said, leaning close.

"Circumstances don't leave much time for niceties Mrs. Richards," Hawkeye said, glancing at Elizabeth.

"Well none of you seem worse for wear for it," she said, sting back in her chair. "Except for you dear. Don't you ever put on a dress?" she asked, turning to Kimberly.

"I can remember a time but it was when she first came to the fort," Thomas put in.

Slowly Kim looked from one to the other Kimberly stirred the tea Elizabeth had handed her. "Well considering that I travel often from her to the Delaware Camp through the wilderness I didn't want to give the seamstress here more work then she could handle," with that, she daintily sipped from her cup pinky held high.

Nice one, Logan said, to her and she gave him a small wink.

"And besides the rest hide their blemishes well," Elizabeth said, walking back around the table.

After a few seconds, Henry broke the silence. "You know Beatrice told me that you play the piano," and he faced Elizabeth who blushed.

"Not well, I'm afraid," she answered laughing lightly.

"Well enough I'm sure to accompany Beatrice, my wife has a lovely voice," he said.

"Oh would you be so kind Mrs. Richards?" Colonel Monroe asked, giving her a soft smile.

"Oh it would be my pleasure," she said.

Soon enough they were gathered around the small piano that Elizabeth had brought with her either sitting or standing. As Elizabeth sat and played, Beatrice stood by and sang an old Irish tune. Around them, Aisha moved forward pouring the colonel and Thomas's after super brandy as they raised their hands.

If they treat me any more like a slave, I'm going to… she started as she served them and Henry.

Calm yourself Aisha you can tack your frustration out on a tree later, Logan soothed her from his seat.

When she was done and the group applauded, Elisabeth turned to Beatrice. "You know there is somebody here who could probably top that performance," she said, and Beatrice looked to her.

"Really and who might that be?" she asked. Elizabeth's only reply was to turn to Logan who was sitting one leg resting on his knee his fingertips lightly pressed together elbows resting on the arm rest. "The woodsmen…you sing?" and she faced him.

Smiling he lowered his hands. "I've been known to hold a note every now and then."

"Well then by all means would you please grace us with this voice that Elizabeth promised," she said, sitting down.

For a few seconds he looked at her then shrugged. "How can I refuse, Elizabeth you have one I can borrow?" and he faced her as she stood and went into the storeroom.

"One what?" Thomas asked, and was answered as Elizabeth returned with a guitar and handed it to him.

They watched as he tuned it before he started to play then started to sing. "You think I'm an ignorant savage
And you've been so many places
I guess it must be so
But still I cannot see
If the savage one is me
How can there be so much that you don't know?
You don't know ...

You think you own whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name

You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
Or asked, the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sun sweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
The heron and the otter are my friends
And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends

How high will the sycamore grow?
If you cut it down, then you'll never know
And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon

For whether we are white or darkened skinned
We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains
We need to paint with all the colors of the wind

You can own the Earth and still
All you'll own is Earth until
You can paint with all the colors of the wind," and he finished he looked as the rest of the people around him before laying the guitar aside.

The Colonel and Thomas frowned in thought. Henry and Beatrice looked from him to each other. Hawkeye and Elizabeth gave him a discreet smile and nod.

Pocahontas Colors of the Wind you have got to be kidding me, Kim said, in his head.

What? I couldn't resist, plus I doubt they could handle or understand Michael Jackson's They Don't Care About Us, he retorted back.

"Well that was certainly entertaining but I must be going," Hawkeye said, and he and the others stood.

"Mr. Hawkeye, Mr. Falcons Eye you all have to leave, whatever for?" Beatrice protested standing.

For a second they paused. "Sleep for starters and the thought, of a long day with the coming dawn," Logan said, and they started out.

When they were stepping into the storeroom, they heard a birds call and Beatrice asking half startled, "what was that?"

"That was a turkey bird. I'll go look in on your niece," Elizabeth standing from her seat and starting toward her bedroom. Logan and everyone else were just walking out the door when they heard her screams. "SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO THE BABY!"

Not long after Logan and Hawkeye walked, back into Elizabeth's living quarters after examining the area outside the bedroom window and the surrounding area. "The child has been taken by one man probably a Huron," Hawkeye said, before they could ask setting his rifle against the wall.

"I'll get my musket and we will find her!" henry snapped at once moving for the door.

At once, the colonel grabbed his arm stopping him. "Not in the dead of night it is too dangerous!" he snapped. "And I can't possibly spare any men."

"We're talking about an innocent child! I say we go after them!" Henry retorted.

Shaking his head Logan looked around at the others watching them. Kimberly and Elizabeth in chairs by the fire, Rocky and Adam shoulder, and back against the mantle, Billy arms crossed against a wall, Aisha near the window, and Beatrice in the middle staring at her husband. As Henry stepped in front of Hawkeye Logan looked back at him.

"Do you agree?" he demanded.

"It's a full moon…" Rocky said, straightening with Adam before walking forward.

"And brass buttons make fine targets in moonlight…," Adam finished fingering one of the Colonel's when he got close enough.

"But my niece!"

"Your niece will be safe…until she reaches the Huron camp," Hawkeye said.

"Are you honestly saying there's nothing that can be done? That you can't even try and find her?" he pleaded.

Sighing Logan and Hawkeye shared a glance after he looked at Colonel and Captain Monroe's hard faces. "We can try," Logan said.

"Thank God," Henry whispered in relief while the Colonel and Captain turned away sighing. "And I'll go with you."

"It would be best if we went alone," Billy said, coming closer picking up his rifle and the group gathered.

"I'm not afraid of these woods!" Henry snapped as they started to leave and they paused. "Nore the people in them."

"It's not a question of bravery Mr. Richards. It's just we can more quickly and quitter by ourselves," Kimberly said, and they left.

As he, left Logan glanced at Aisha. I'll wait for you in the forest outside the fort. Be there in two minutes after we leave we'll catch up, he said, to her before following. "This is going to be a long night he muttered."

Early the next morning they arrived at the camp well, hidden in the thicket around it. Before they could decide how to start their search a tall well-built warrior emerged from a lodge can calling out held the baby high as he walked to a stump a knife at his hip. Slowly people started to gather around him and a woman approached from the opposite direction with a bowl of unknown content.

Glancing at each other, they watched the proceedings before them. And Logan got the feeling that something important was about to happen.

When the women got close, he gently handed the baby to her after she placed the bowl on the stump. Then their eyes went wide as he drew his knife and held it close the baby's head. Silently they raised and readied their weapons as he turned in a circle holding the knife at eye level.

Once he faced the woman and child, again the bay reached for it. But the warrior brought it down and with chopping motions cut or crushed something on the stump. Then after cleaning it, he stuck the point into it.

Frowning they lowered their weapons as he smeared some of the crushed berries on his fingers. Then taking the baby again, he began to say a few words over it as he rubbed the berry juice on her forehead. Then facing the women they both said, "Squa'nan'haway," and after gently laying the baby in her arms both he and the woman returned to the lodge.

"Did they do what I think they just did?" Logan muttered, and Hawkeye nodded.

"What's going on?" Aisha asked.

"She was just adopted, by those two," Hawkeye explained indicating the now happy couple before they disappeared into the lodge.

"Why?" Billy asked.

"I'd rather explain it all once," Hawkeye said, slipping his rifle over his shoulder.

"Well what do we do now?" Rocky asked.

"The only thing we can do," and Rocky looked at Logan whose gaze never left the lodge. "Walk away," and with that he and Hawkeye turned and left.

It was nearing mid morning when the group minus Aisha rode back into the fort. And almost immediately, after they had dismounted Elizabeth and the Richards intercepted them.

"You couldn't find her?" Henry asked, at once as they faced them.

"Their camp is on this side of Acorn Lake," Rocky said.

"And don't worry she's safe," Kimberly said, and Henry sighed in relief.

For a few seconds there was silence and Logan slowly turned his head to Hawkeye. Waiting for him to drop the bomb. "But you can't get her," he said.

"Why not?" Henry demanded sounding shocked.

"She has been taken as the daughter of a warrior," Hawkeye explained.

"Oh dear God!" Beatrice cried out sounding more appalled then shocked or worried.

"What does that mean?" Elizabeth asked, from next to her.

"It means that he is replacing his own child killed by white men. It's an Indian custom."

"Well that's ridiculous! We must go and steal her back!" Henry barked outraged.

"No…," and henry looked again at Hawkeye. "That would started a Mourning War," he explained.

"A what?"

"These people are suffering, as a tribe they have lost something most sacred to them, they are in mourning, but first they have to replace what's been lost. Now if you…or any other white man go into that village now and try to take that baby back you will be insulting their grief," Hawkeye explained trying to make him understand.

"It would be like…well…one of them walking up and taking a leak on your brother's grave," Logan put in stepping forward and Henry frowned in confusion. "Desecrating," he clarified and Henry blinked.

"And Hurons will concentrate all of their war efforts on this fort. That will be their Mourning War," Hawkeye finished before the group walked around them.

"Hawkeye, Falcons Eye," and they turned to face Elizabeth. "We can't just leave her."

"Then how do you suggest we mend their grief?" Kimberly asked.

"That is not our responsibility," Henry insisted.

"Indirectly it is," Adam said. "Their baby was killed by a white man. And they will never have justice for it."

"So my niece has to pay the price! A dozen stout soldiers could take them easily!"

"Surely you don't suggest we leave a white child amongst pagans to be starved and beaten!" Beatrice stated and for once concern was on the edge of her voice.

"Indians don't beat their children ma'am," and turning they saw Chingachgook come close. "I heard what happened," he explained and they nodded before he turned to the Richards. "Huron they maybe but they did not take this child to beat and starve her. They took her to love and care for as if she was their own flesh and blood," he explained.

"But they're Huron, they butcher people," Elizabeth said.

"So do white men," at that, all eyes turned to Logan. "The main differences is white men have been known to do it unprovoked. And because white men think themselves superior to others who are different…," and he glanced the Richards and back. "They get a free pass, even others buying them drinks."

For a few seconds there was silence. "Well if you won't do what must be done…I will…I demand that you lead me to this Huron camp!" Henry snapped.

"Henry no!"

For a few seconds Hawkeye held his gaze. "Let her go my friend," he said, trying comfort him.

"I will not give an innocent child the sentence of death," he stated.

"Didn't you hear us? They don't plan on killing her, they plan to raise her as their own," Rocky said, stepping forward.

"Please don't do this," Hawkeye said.

But without another word, Henry turned and walked away. Signing Logan and the others also turned and walked in the other direction. "Wait!" turning they faced Elizabeth again. "Isn't there anything we can do to save her?"

"Save her from what Elizabeth?" Hawkeye asked. For a few seconds she stood still not knowing what to say. And the group continued on.

A short while later Logan and a few others watched as Henry musket over his shoulder and on horseback hold his wife's hand. "Pray for me," Logan heard him say.

"Henry this is madness."

"I cannot abandon my brother's child."

"But you would abandon me," and Logan rolled his eyes at that.

For a few seconds Henry held her gaze before bending down to kiss her hand. "Stand straight now…that I may remember you tall and strong…," and with those words he solemnly rode out of the fort.

After he disappeared from his sight, Logan lowered his gaze before turning to the trading post where Elizabeth stood in the doorway where she had watched the proceedings. Before she slowly turned and walked in. After glancing at Hawkeye who stepped up next to him both walked forward.

As they stepped inside, she was standing in the middle of the room her back to the door and windows. "He does not belong here," Hawkeye said, simply.

Slowly she turned to face them. "And for that he has to die?" she asked, somberly. "I don't understand this place."

Slowly Hawkeye took a step forward. "Elizabeth he's a man. He is making a choice that's his to make. It's not yours it's not mine it's his."

"He is doing the only thing he sees to do. How can that be a choice?" and with that she turned around and walked into her living quarters.

Hawkeye moved to follow but Logan stopped him a hand on his shoulder. "We've said, enough, let's go," he muttered, after a moment of hesitation both turned, and left.

The next day Logan was out with Kimberly, Aisha, Adam, Rocky, and Billy checking snares while Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas checked other in a different part of the forest. As they moved off from one to another Logan glanced at Kim who had been looking at him like the other had on and off since, they had left the camp. When she saw him looking at her she adverted her gaze.

Sighing he stood. "Okay that's enough! If you guys have something on your mind spit it out!" he snapped facing them.

Slowly they looked at each other then back at him. "Did we do the right thing yesterday?" Rocky asked. "Leaving that baby at the Hurons? I mean in our time they would have been guilty if kidnapping."

Sighing Logan looked away. "I think we did the best we could under the circumstances," he said, trying to put his personal feelings aside. "Besides this is their time not ours…the rules are different."

Before another word could be spoken, they whipped around as a voice called, "CABE!"

"Ansell," Aisha muttered, and they darted forward.

Coming to a stop in a small clearing in the forest, they looked around at the articles of Mrs. Richards clothing scattered around. And both Ansell and Cabe facing them staring horror stricken at the base of a tree some of the clothing with them.

"boys what the hell are you…," Logan started stalking forward stopping dead when he came close to look around the tree and saw what had their attention.

Tied so he was sitting slumped at its base was Henry Richards. He was very dead. And a bloody mess where his scalp used to be.

"Boys look away, LOOK AWAY!" Logan snapped out the last taking them by their shirts to turn them away. Jumping they looked at him. "Now I want you to go with them and find Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas. I'll stay here with him." He instructed pointing at them and they stood frozen.

"Falcons…," Adam started before Logan whipped around interrupting him.

"Find Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas!" he snapped. For a few seconds they were still then moving forward Rocky and Adam took both boys by their arms before the group melded into the woods.

When he was alone Logan faced the body again. "Admirable…but you should have listened to us," he muttered, shaking his head after a few seconds.

An hour later they rode into the fort Henry's body covered by a large cloth and held together by rope slumped over the front of Hawkeye's saddle. Upon seeing the group Thomas, Colonel Monroe, Elizabeth, and Beatrice came out of both their offices and the trading post. Staring at the body.

"He was left for us to find," Hawkeye said, as men came forward and removed the body from the saddle.

"For what purpose?" Colonel Monroe asked.

"It's there way of saying 'don't do it again,'" Logan answered before glancing at the women as Beatrice turned into Elizabeth's shoulder.

A couple hours later, the group found Elizabeth in the trading post staring out the window while she sat in a keg. Without saying anything, the group either sat in chairs, stools or just stood or leaned against the post.

"I feel like I there's something I should say," Hawkeye said, from where he was sitting breaking the silence and she glanced at him. "But I don't know what that would be. I don't know if you're thinking about Richards…or…the child…or your husband."

"All there," she answered looking back out the window. "This place isn't kind to people who don't belong." Slowly Logan lowered his eyes while above him Chingachgook nodded half-heartedly. "How do you…stop…caring?" and she looked at them.

For a few seconds Hawkeye was silent before answering, "You don't, you just learn to pick who you do care for very carefully."

She turned her gaze away. "I don't know how not to care about the child."

"Would you want this little girl?" Logan asked, looking at her.

"I want…," she started before stopping and Logan saw her holding back tears. "But it would be wrong of me to make that decision…without William…" she said, before pausing. "…and also a child deserves to feel safe, I don't feel safe" she continued standing walking forward.

"What makes you think she doesn't?" and she turned to Logan. "you didn't see the tenderness in the woman's eye when she held her for the first time…or gentle ness of the warrior…when he caressed her face," he said, then looked at her while those who were their either nodded or dropped their gazes.

"She will be alright Elizabeth," Hawkeye said, standing.

"Would Henry Richards agree with that?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Or William? Is it just her misfortune that no one known her long enough to care." For a few seconds she looked at them then left for her rooms.

"Two shillings says she does something foolish," Logan muttered, standing.

The next day Logan, Hawkeye, Rocky, Billy, Adam, Uncas, and Chingachgook walked through the forest Chingachgook caring a bore's tusk on a leather strap. Their destination was a clearing where stakes with tied on branches stood with various objects hanging from them. Somberly they watched Chingachgook and Uncas walk to one and tie the tusk on.

"It's a good sized tusk…worth keeping…that bore fed a lot of people," Hawkeye said, watching.

"It was a good hunt," Chingachgook said, as they finished.

"A hunt worth remembering…like good friends," Uncas said, facing them.

Smiling they nodded. "Like good friends," Logan agreed and turning the group started back for the camp.

As they walked in silence, Chingachgook and Uncas looked for tracks in case the need to mark for the next hunt. "The deer and wild boar are safe today," Uncas, commented looking at Hawkeye who gave a grunt in response and a half grin on his face Logan eyed him. "My brother's mind is elsewhere."

For a few seconds they continued to walk. "When a Delaware woman has interest in a man it's obvious…she has ways of making him know it…and that's the way it should be. But white women…," he suddenly said, out of the blue.

"Are different," Chingachgook comment a grin on his face.

"Oh hell fire very different…sometimes they show it…sometimes they do the opposite…sometimes they do strange things with fans and such…I don't understand," he said, a wide-eyed look on his face before shifting to longed look.

Chuckling Logan shook his head. "That's how it's always been since the dawn of time. Women have always been one of the great mysteries of the world. Odd enough we don't understand us…and they understand us…well maybe not you," he said, before he pretended to frown in thought, looking at Rocky.

As Rocky grabbed him and they pretended to wrestle Chingachgook shook his head smiling. "Sometimes it's better not to understand."

"Wise words," and they turned to see the girls walk out of the forest toward them. "After all if you understand us our mystic is gone forever," Aisha continued pulling Rocky into her arms and kissed him.

Rubbing the back of his neck Logan shook his head as he watched them before a raptor gave a cry above them. "Goshawk," Uncas said, freezing in place.

"But have you spied any goshawks?" Hawkeye asked, looking around and they all melded into the thicket.

Peering through the underbrush, they spied a group of Hurons either hunting or raiding. As Logan looked them over, he spied one wearing a British officer's coat and metal plates around his neck. And tucked into the waistband for his breechcloth was Elizabeth's fan.

At once, he and Chingachgook stopped Hawkeye from charging the group. "Thirteen to nine. Better to pass quietly,' Chingachgook warned.

"I don't want thirteen I want one," Hawkeye growled pointing.

"Let's do this smart! It won't do Elizabeth any good otherwise!" Logan hissed and Chingachgook and Uncas peered back through the underbrush before they separated taking position.

What's going on? Kimberly asked, from her hiding spot with Aisha and Rocky.

We're taking a prisoner and Rocky you owe me a couple shillings, Logan answered.

Darn!

Just then, stepping into sight both Chingachgook and Uncas gave cries and took off and breaking cover with cries the Huron gave chase. From their hiding, spots both Logan and Hawkeye waited as their target brought up the rear. When he was close enough and passing, Hawkeye stepped out and had him in a choke before he could give an alarm and pulled him into the bush.

Soon enough they had the man bound by the wrists, which they hoisted above his head with the other end of the rope. His feet barely touch the forest floor. As they secured it to the tree, Chingachgook and Uncas came back and the others came out of hiding.

"I expected it would take you two longer," Hawkeye commented to his brother.

"There were only twelve," Uncas said, shrugging it off.

Nodding Hawkeye stepped in front of the warrior. "Chingachgook give me your scalping knife," and he held out his hand where Chingachgook deposited the knife. "Now where did you get this?" he demanded indicating the fan.

"From a dead white woman," the warrior sneered.

At that Hawkeye seized, the man's jaw bringing the knife to his scalp. "If she is dead so are you!" he growled like a bear.

The warrior set his jaw. "Hawkeye step aside I have a better idea," Logan said, stepping closer to the man. "I'm called Falcons Eye do you know me?" the man remained still. "let me show you why…Uncas lift up his feather," he said, turning to walk back drawing an arrow as Uncas lifted up the feather tied to his hair.

After notching it, he spun around drawing the string and fired. The arrow cut the feather in half. "Start talking or that's what's going to happen to your fingers!" and the man stared at him as he loaded another arrow and took aim. "Or else I'll aim…," and he adjusted his sights between the man's legs. "Lower…" and the man's eyes went wide with fear.

For the next few seconds the man spoke and they listened. "So she's alive?" Hawkeye asked, and the warrior nodded.

"You think he's telling the truth?" Chingachgook asked.

"I don't know but it's not raining and he's standing in a puddle," Logan said, replacing his arrow.

A short while later they were all hidden in the forest around the Huron camp. They were all watching Elizabeth working with a pestle as she watched a group of women fawning over the child secured to a baby board under a lean to. The adopted mother chewing the baby's food before feeding her with a finger. The adopted father close by with two other warriors.

"After we save her remind me to kill her," Logan muttered, before he and Hawkeye sank back.

In the village, Elizabeth looked from the work they had given her to the women with the baby as one kept feeding the baby. Then she froze as the sound of a turkey birdcall and glancing over saw a canoe drift toward the waterside of the village. Glancing back she eyed the group of women as the warrior drew nearer to them and she bit her lip her anxiety rising.

Just then, a younger woman rushed forward calling out and with excited breath, the women, and the warrior left the lean to leaving the baby. Seizing her chance Elizabeth quietly put down the pestle before moving over and taking the baby. Thanking heaven, she remained quite as she turned and rushed for the canoe.

Laying down on opposite's ends to keep out of sight both Logan and Hawkeye lifted themselves up to peer over and cursed that she had taken the child. Turning his eyes Logan saw one of two men still in the village spot her and start to load his musket. Turning the mother was in time to see Elizabeth rush by her and at the sight, she cried out lunging at the warrior pushing his musket up as he fired and abandoning their cover Logan and Hawkeye sat up.

As the man reloaded and the other warriors rushed forward with the mother in the lead Elizabeth reached them and after laying the baby in the middle climbed in. Pushing off they quickly turned toward open water. Glancing behind them, they saw the men pile into another canoe and after looking around started using their hands as paddles.

"We borrowed their paddles! Use one!" Logan snapped from the front. At once Elizabeth seized one and began rowing form the middle.

Just then, a terrible sound met their ears that cut right o Logan's heart. Unable to bear it Logan closed his eyes in shame a tear running down one cheek. For it was the sound of a mother's heart breaking as she watched her child being taken from her. He had never felt so low or ashamed.

They didn't stop their rushed pace until they had found ample cover for them and the canoe near the shore. Once it was well-hidden Logan, turn in his set to face Elizabeth's back.

"Have I started a war?' she asked, looking from the baby to Hawkeye.

"Probably," Hawkeye answered trying to keep his voice calm.

Logan's face hard with a deep scowl behind her. He didn't trust himself to answer. All he knew is that she did a lot more then start a war.

"Are you hurt?" Hawkeye asked, and she shook her head. "The warriors?"

She looked at him. After a few seconds, she shook her head again. "No, nothing."

"Then the women took you first," Hawkeye, said, leaning on his knees.

"And you have no idea how lucky you are," Logan growled and she turned to look at him. And his anger.

"I went when I knew the men wouldn't be there," she defended then looked back at Hawkeye who was glancing around them. "I thought, if a woman went it might not cause the war."

"That's the problem you didn't think!" Logan snapped.

"And you didn't ask," Hawkeye said, shooting Logan a glance that told him to calm down. "Because you didn't want to know."

"No I just didn't ask you, either of you," she retorted.

"Who did you ask Elizabeth?"

"I asked, God," she said, quietly.

At that, Logan's jaw dropped and he looked away shaking his head. "So you asked, God if it was your calling to sneak into a Huron camp and steal this child from its adoptive parents?" he demanded waving a hand at the sleeping babe.

Slowly she looked at him. "No…I asked, him for protection," she admitted.

"Oh I see, first you told him your plan…then you asked, for protection while you did your plan…," he said, his lips growing thin and slowly her face fell. "Next time you prey or think to do anything like this again, pray for wisdom, and think twice!

"And to be perfectly frank Elizabeth I never knew the White Man's arrogance was so well, hidden in you," he growled out and she looked at him. "From the way you treated Aisha, Uncas, Morning Star, and Chingachgook I thought, I had passed right by you. Guess I was wrong."

At a sound, they turned Logan in a flash drawing his tomahawk and knife while Hawkeye raised his rifle. Eyeing the bushes they watched them shake then Kim emerged. Exhaling deeply the lowered their weapons.

"Come on you guys! What are you waiting for an engraved invitation? Let's get out of here!" she snapped waving them forward with a great sweep of her arm.

Back on land, they moved quietly through the forest eyes open for danger. As Elizabeth handled the baby board, she was still lying on as she started to cry out for food Chingachgook and Uncas shot her the same hard look Logan had on his face.

"Do you have something for her to eat? I think she's hungry," she said, going close to Hawkeye.

"We'll rest up ahead. Go around wide at day break," he said, to her handing her some pemmican from his shoulder pack. "None of us came prepared to feed a child," and moved off.

Leaning on his bow Logan watched as she attempted to find the girl. Before employing, what the Huron woman did. "You think she did the wrong thing don't you?" Kim asked, quietly next to.

Not looking at her Logan muttered, "can you look at me and honestly say that Beatrice will love and care for that child, like that Huron woman did?" and she was silent.

A couple hours later using the canoe, they made a lean to and covered it with brush to keep it camouflaged. Under it, Elizabeth laid the baby and wrapped herself in Hawkeye's buckskin jacket.

"It's cold," she commented as he and Logan drew close peering into the forest Logan trying to catch any sent or sound.

"Well we can't build a fire," Hawkeye pointed out.

"I know," and she looked back down at the baby. "When do you think they'll come?"

"First they'll gather many men. Then they'll come," Hawkeye, answered and both he and Logan looked down at her.

Slowly Elizabeth looked at the child. "You have to understand I couldn't leave her," she defended.

"Will you be her mother?" Hawkeye asked.

For a few seconds Elizabeth was silent. "No," she finally answered. "Beatrice will learn…," and she sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than them.

"That turkey bird," Logan growled and Elizabeth looked at him as he shook his head. "She would rather have a new dress then the most precious and most sacred gift that God…The Great Spirit…or the Creator could ever bestow upon a human being. To nurture and care for a life beyond their own.

"she might, might take her in out of family or Cristian duty…to pass her off to a servant to raise…neglect her…possibly even grow to resent her," he send squatting down and offering his hand to the child.

Gurgling the baby gripped one of his fingers tightly. And he smiled. "Maybe somebody else in her family would want her," Elizabeth continued looking at the baby again.

"Someone already does," and again she looked at Logan. "the same someone who taught you how to chew her food…the same someone whose heart filled with love for her despite their different races…the same someone who saved you from being shot because you were holding her…the same someone…" he said, he looked at Elizabeth. "Whose screamed as if her heart was breaking…as she watched us row away with her."

Unable to hold his gaze Elizabeth looked away. "She's not a Huron…a christen born child should…grow up learning christen ways…," she defended looking at them again.

Slowly Hawkeye crouched down next to Logan studying the child as she tried to bring Logan's finger to her mouth. "Well I recon that's the difference between me, Falcons Eye, and you," he said.

"Because what a child really needs is to grow up…loved…and wanted," Logan said.

"….she should be raised to know the word of God…so that when she dies she can go to Heaven," Elizabeth continued.

"That's White man's arrogance talking," and she looked at Logan. "Because it's what you do in the years of your life that matters…not learning the contents of a…book," and he looked at her. "Otherwise you're worshiping a very small minded and bigoted deity. Especially if he or she can't let good people into his kingdom…just because they were Indians in their lives…," and with that both Logan and Hawkeye stood and moved away.

For a few seconds they stood in silence. "I thought, you weren't religious?" Hawkeye muttered.

"I'm not…I can't ignore…skeletons you could say…plus I doubt I'd be welcomed," Logan returned leaning his side against a tree.

"What's eating you?"

Slowly Logan looked at him. "I've never taken a child from its rightful home…I've never felt…what we did was wrong, it was just wrong," and he looked away again.

"Hawkeye, Falcons Eye," they both turn at a sound and they watch Elizabeth approached the baby board in her arms. "How is that you don't read…," and she nodded to Hawkeye. "And you read but I've never seen you at service…," and she nodded to Logan. "But know and yet you understand the scripture so well."

For a few seconds they just looked at her then she slowly turned and walked into the forest. "Where's she going?" Aisha asked, coming close.

Not answering for few seconds as he watched half a grin grew on Logan's face. "If she keeps going that way…she's taking that little girl home," and with that he stood straight and they followed.

When they arrived back at the camp, several people turned silently to watch them emerge from the trees. At once Logan saw the woman sobbing in her husband's arms as he tried to sooth her. Then looking up he spotted them.

Leaping to his feet, he charged them drawing his knife. He barely went ten feet before his wife intercepted him and stopped him. Then shouted at the other men who had raced forward who stopped looking from her to them.

Slowly she turned and faced Elizabeth her tears running down her face. After taking a breath, Elizabeth started for them but was stopped by hand on her shoulder. Turning her head, she looked at Logan who looked at her.

Then he slowly removed his weapons and handed them to Chingachgook and Uncas before both of them walked forward. "What is he doing?" he heard Adam mutter and Logan ignored him.

Stopping only when they stood before the woman. Slowly Elizabeth looked from her to the baby in her arms. "You, Squa'nan'haway, back," she said, in broken English.

"And if we haven't?" Logan asked.

At that, her husband stepped next to his wife jabbing his life close to Logan's face. "We fight if have to," he threatened.

"Falcons Eye what are you doing?" Elizabeth demanded.

Slowly Logan looked at the man and in one swift motion snatched the knife from him. "You'd lose, all of you would," he stated as the warrior stared at him.

"It not matter, Squa'nan'haway our daughter!" the woman said, seizing her husband's tomahawk and the warriors drew their weapons.

"What are you doing?" Elizabeth asked, again in fear.

"Proving another point," Logan said, and the Hurons around them frowned as he looked at the warrior's wife and she slowly lowered the tomahawk as she frowned in confusion. "That is the reaction of a true mother, all we ask, is that you raise Squa'nan'haway to be as strong as you," and he looked at Elizabeth and nodded to her.

Slowly the warriors lowered their weapons as Elizabeth slowly gave the babe a small kiss on the forehead. Then slowly she held her out to the squaw.

Unable to keep back the tears and the smile the tomahawk slipped from her grasp as the woman took her daughter back. With words filled with love, she began to caress her cheek before falling to her knees as she held her close as if afraid to let her go her husband joining her arms wrapped around both.

Watching her a tear ran down Logan's cheek before he knelt down to look her in the eye. Slowly they raised their gazes to him. "I never meant to take her from either of you…if you want…justice," and he offered back the man's knife. "Take it."

For a second the man looked at him. Before he slowly reached out, took the knife, and pressed the tip over his heart and Logan held his arms wide. For a few second they held each other's gazes then drawing back the knife he drove it into the ground.

"You brought daughter back to us…that all we wanted," he said, and offered his hand. "Let us part brothers."

Smiling Logan took it with a nod. Before standing and he and Elizabeth returned to the others (who were breathing like they had run a mile). And they disappeared back into the bush.

Just as the sun was going down, they were arriving back at the fort on their horses. Elizabeth riding behind Logan. "Who hurt you?" she asked, suddenly, he stopped the horse, and the others rode ahead of them. Sighing he shook his head. "I'm sorry I…"

"I was raised by a white man through part of my childhood. He beat me…broke nearly all the bones in my body…it wasn't until later…when I met certain special people…did I know peace and love…"

For a few seconds she was silent. "Were they Indian?"

"Some were part some were even African or part African," and with that he kicked his horse forward and they rode into the fort.

Once inside he swung his leg forward and dismounted. Just as he was turning to help her down Beatrice came rushing out. "Elizabeth! Thank God, you are safe! I was beside myself with worry!" she said, as she neared them stopping before her.

Glancing from Beatrice to Elizabeth Logan walked his horse around them. "I went for the baby," Elizabeth said, and Beatrice froze.

"Did you find her?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Yes I did."

"What happened?" and Beatrice looked from her to where Logan and the others watched some sipping water from the spoon of the water barrel and back.

"Beatrice I didn't bring her back," Elizabeth said.

Beatrice was silent for a moment. "Because you had no choice?"

For a second Elizabeth looked at her and Logan saw the spark of realization in her eye. "That's true," she muttered, lowering he gaze. "I had no choice," and she looked at Beatrice again.

For a few seconds there was silent between them before Beatrice took her hand. "You were courageous to try, we did all we could," she said. "We did all we could," and with that she walked away.

For a few seconds Elizabeth looked at the ground where Beatrice had been. Then slowly she looked up at Logan and Hawkeye who watched Beatrice with a hard look before locking eyes with her. Then slowly she gave him a small smile before she turned and walked back to the trading post.

"I don't think she likes it when you two are right," Kim said, coming close and Logan looked at her.

"Heck I find it annoying at times," Aisha put in joining her friend. Behind them Rocky and Adam bumped knuckles.

The next day Beatrice prepared to leave the fort with two wagons of possessions and an armed escort. From his position next to Hawkeye in the trading post, Logan watched Elizabeth approach her and after handing her a letter, they walked to the front after Beatrice climbed aboard the lead wagon. After Beatrice tried to convince Elizabeth to leave, one last time she gave the order for the coelom to move out and Elizabeth walked back to the trading post.

"Three shillings says she marries a rich merchant before he gets back to Virginia," Rocky said, behind them.

Smiling Logan shook his head. "No way to prove who would win," he said, as Elizabeth walked in.

Turning to look at her Hawkeye stepped forward. "Elizabeth," and she stopped to look at him. "I believe I have something that belongs to you," he said, and offered her back the fan that Beatrice had given her.

Taking it, she held it in both hands she nodded. "Thank you."

"A truly civilized woman deserves to flutter her fan," Logan said, walking up to stand beside him.

She blushed smiling before turning. "What does the name…Squa'nan'haway mean?" she asked, turning back to face them a thoughtful look on her face.

Logan blinked and looked at Hawkeye as a small smile grew on his face. "Beloved," he answered.

At that, her face seemed to melt into a smile. "Beloved," and she nodded saying, "that's nice," and she walked into her rooms leaving the fan on a keg by the fire.

"And quite fitting for a child so loved," Logan muttered, before turning to look out the window in the direction of the camp.

One morning the ground covered in a light mist Logan was out alone with Uncas and Chingachgook stalking deer. They were just leveling their weapons on the stags when a shot rang out. At the sound, the deer bolted but it was unnoticed by the three men as they had turned toward it.

"Could it be French?" Uncas asked.

"Let's find out," Logan muttered, and they vanished into the bush.

Following the sound of running feet and what sound like jangling chain links came to a small clearing. Sniffing the air Logan turned with Chingachgook and Uncas to look at a small clump of bushes where they could just barely see and (in Logan's case) smell two people hiding behind.

After glancing in the direction of the fading feet Logan muttered, "we know your there come on out. You won't be harmed," for a few seconds there was silence then a man and a woman dressed in rags rose from the bushes and Logan blinked.

The man was taller than he was with powerful lean muscles and he carried himself with a sense of nobility. Toping his head was adorned by a thick course of tightly spun black hair. His face was hard and tough with full lips and a flat nose.

Beneath him, the woman clung tightly to him with similar softer more beautiful facial features. But what got their attention was the ebony of their skin and the thick chains connected to manacles around their necks and wrists.

"Oh my god," Logan muttered, in horror at the state of them knowing what they were. Slowly the man disentangled himself from the woman and stepped closer to them.

Before another word could be spoken, Logan turned as a trapper bearing pistols stepped into the clearing. "Well, well, must be my lucky day," he cooed as he leveled it Logan cursed himself for being distracted enough not to hear him coming. "Found the runaways. But now I'm going to get myself a pair of genuine Injin scalp to boot," and slowly he turned a pistol on Chingachgook.

After eyeing the male slave Logan muttered, "be careful for what you wish for pal," and the man barely had time to frown in confusion. Before the male slave wacked, the man across the face with section of chain he had been holding.

Turing he grabbed the hand of the woman and they turned to run. But stopped when Logan blocked their path. "If you want to get caught keep going that way," and he jabbed his thumb where they were going. "Come with us if you want to stay free," and with that the group raced through the woods in the direction of the Delaware Camp.

When they got back, first they were greeted heartily by the tribe who stopped in surprise when they spotted the slaves. Soon enough though they had them sitting under a small shelter eating food that had been offered them. From the opening of the main lodge, Logan watched with amusement as a small girl walked up behind the man and patted his hair. Then bolted as the man whipped around to stare after her.

"Many of my tribe are afraid they are evil spirits," Chingachgook said, picking some meat from his bowl and putting it into his mouth.

"Is that what they said, about me?" Aisha asked, across from him looking out at the two slaves with wonder.

"Until they got used to you," Uncas answered an s Morning Star came close and sat next to him.

"They're people like you and me Chingachgook," Hawkeye said, from his position next to Logan.

"He is not like me," and he indicated the chained man. "He is like Standing Bear. Black as night," Chingachgook said.

"And yet on the way back here you admired him for his bravery and strength and bravery," Logan pointed out. "And they he also seemed to know the forest. Sounds a lot like you," and Chingachgook looked at him as he sit down taking up his food.

"Where do they come from?" Uncas asked.

"A land called Africa," Morning Star answered.

At that, Chingachgook and Uncas frowned. "Where is this Africa?"

"It's very far… across the ocean…the big river," Aisha answered.

"Then they are like most whites," Uncas said. "They come from a land far away to a land that is not theirs. They are black white men," and he looked from Hawkeye and Logan to Morning Star. "Though I am glad you came my love," and he kissed her knuckles.

Smiling she blushed. "These two are slaves…" and both Chingachgook and Uncas looked at her at Aisha. "For the white men," she finished.

"They were defeated in battle?" and Logan shook his head.

"They were kidnapped and taken here to work the fields for the white men in the south," Morning Star said, a hint of disgust in her voice.

"When they are free like Aisha would they return home?" and they looked at Chingachgook.

"They'll never be free. The white men will work them to the day they die," Logan said. "Or else buy and sell them like cattle," and he was about to take a bite of meat before he paused and lowered back the bowl losing his appetite.

"What of their children? Will they be free? Is that how Aisha is free?" Uncas asked, a spark of hope.

"Slaves to…," Kimberly, muttered.

"Why?"

"Just because of the color of their skin…like their parents," Rock answered. "These two must have run away. The white man trying to kill was probably trying to take them back to their owner…it's the law."

For a few seconds there was silence. "Sometimes I really don't understand the white men," Chingachgook said.

"Neither do I, but the question is what are we going to do with them?" Logan muttered, and he looked back out at them as they glanced at the tribes people around them.

For a few seconds there was silence then. "Isn't Elizabeth supposed to help me teach the child to read today?" Morning Star asked, eyes wide in remembering.

As fast as they could Logan, Kimberly, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, and Billy rode to the fort and met Elizabeth at the trading pots just as she was getting ready to leave. "Elizabeth," Hawkeye said, in greeting.

"Today a school day for the children?" Logan asked.

Smiling she nodded as she slipped the books into a bag. "Yes as a matter fact it is and I was looking forward to some time with Morning Star. Not to mention get away from Thomas, he keeps asking to go out alone with me and I'm starting to run out of excuses," she said.

"Any reason why it couldn't wait until tomorrow?" stopping she slowly turned to Adam a frown on her face. "No but why should it Swift Deer?"

"Well maybe today isn't such a good day to go to the Delaware Camp," Logan said, feeling uneasy.

"Why…is something wrong?" Slowly the group looked at each other and unable to think of anything to say they turned to leave. "Hawkeye, Falcons Eye," and they turned back to her. "You're frightening me, what's going on?"

"There's no reason for you to be frightened," Hawkeye reassured her.

"Then why?"

"Some things are best left alone," Billy said.

"You people are talking in riddles," she said, half-amused as she finished
packing.

"It's all we can say," Aisha said, as she swung the bag over one shoulder.

"We'll all I can say is both the children and Morning Star are waiting for me and I do not intend to disappoint them," she said, slipping on her cloak as well.

As she stared for the door, Logan lightly grabbed her by the arm. "Elizabeth the children and Morning Star can manage without you today," he insisted.

For a few seconds she was still then with a huff, she turned and tossed her cloak in a bundle on the counter and left them. Feeling dory for what happened the group left the trading post. Once outside they turned toward the smithy and Logan eyed Thomas office as a private opened the door.

Focusing he heard the private after saluting say, "sorry sure but Colonel Monroe insists that…"

"Tell him…I'll be along presently," Thomas said.

"He said, now. Sir."

For a second there was silence then Thomas said, "I'm afraid well, have to conclude this later Mr. Hale."

"I fully understand," said, a thick southern accent. "In the meantime perhaps you could suggest…a suitable guide…to assist me in my search."

"I will look into that for you."

"What about Mr. Hawkeye or Falcons Eye," the private piped in eagerly.

"When I want your opinion private I shall ask for it!" Thomas growled.

"Where might I find this Hawkeye or Flacons Eye?"

"Lord knows but they are occasionally at the trading post," Thomas answered.

"Much obliged," and with the sound of boots on wood a well-dressed man in a grey cloak and carrying a whip appeared. "Thank you private," and that Hale walked out toward the trading post.

"Hawkeye," Logan muttered, and when the man looked at him, he nodded in Hale's direction.

"Who's that?" Hawkeye asked.

"My guess would be the bounty hunter after…you know who…," Logan answered in an undertone.

For a few seconds they stood where they were as they watched him walk to and into the trading post. "You guys head for the smith we'll be right back and Aisha keep out of sight," Logan muttered, and he and Hawkeye followed him.

When they were back inside they were in time to hear Elizabeth say, "…doubt you'll find him sympathetic either, Hawkeye, Falcons Eye!" and their back to them they shared a glance as they secured the door. "This is Mr. Hale. He's looking for some runaway slaves. He thought, that you might be able to help him," and Logan caught the gleam of acknowledgement in her eye.

"Pleasure," Hale said, walking forward offering his hand.

Logan muttered, "We don't really see many Africans in these parts," face hard ignoring the man's hand.

"They're runaways. And they're here I'm sure of it," Hale insisted. "I'd like you to help me hunt them."

"Hunt them?" Hawkeye muttered, half appalled and the man nodded.

"I'll pay handsomely."

"How much?" Logan said, at a sudden thought. At his words Hawkeye glanced at him, Elizabeth blinked in in surprise, and Hale told him the price. "Woo that's a mighty fine offer, you got yourself a guide," Logan said, offering his hand and Hale shook it.

"That's great when can we leave?" Hale asked, eagerly as Hawkeye went to the counter asking for three led bars that Hale missed.

"As soon as you're ready I just have to get some supplies, so I wish you pay me in advance," Logan said, and nodding with a brush to his hat, Hale left.

"Falcons Eye I can't believe what I just saw and heard! Especially after see the friendship between you and Aisha and what happened with Beloved!" Elizabeth snapped coming around the counter after handing Hawkeye what he asked, for.

"Then you bought it," and both of them blinked. "Both of you bought it," and grinning he pointed from one to the other. "I said, I'd be his guide, I didn't say I'd be a good one. Besides with that money think of what we could do for the Delaware," he half laughed rubbing two fingers together.

Realizing what he meant Hawkeye smiled nodding. "Not bad wish I had thought, of it myself," he said, and after glancing at Elizabeth, he turned to leave.

"Hawkeye," she said, and he slowly turned to face her. "You could have told me, all of you could have told me."

"Told you what?" Hawkeye asked.

"That the slaves are in the Delaware camp," she said, her hands going to her hips.

"We thought, it best that you didn't know," Logan said, and she looked at him.

"Did you think I would tell someone?" she demanded.

"Not intentionally, no," Hawkeye said.

"Then why don't you trust me?"

"It's not that we wanted you to have plausible deniability," Logan explained.

"And it wasn't you're affair," Hawkeye insisted.

"Whose is it then? Yours?" and she looked from one to the other.

After a few seconds Hawkeye sighed, "not in the beginning no, but it is now."

"Well forgive me but I thought, matters of importance to the both of you was also matters of importance to me," she said, somewhat hurt.

"In some matters yes…but not in all," Hawkeye said, sadly then turned to leave but Logan stopped him by grabbing his arm.

"Look we all made mistakes here. Elizabeth why don't you go to the camp and help Morning Star with Hawkeye. Take the others I'll be back later tonight after I leave our friend at Beaver Creek," he said, and they looked at him.

For a few seconds there was silence then Hawkeye conceded. "Alright but how did you know about Beaver Creek? I was going to suggest it to you," he said, frowning.

Looking at him Logan gave a mischievous grin. "I was there a couple days ago nearly got eaten alive. So Elizabeth I'm going to need a canteen, some sugar, and a pair of somewhat worn down gloves," he said, looking at her.

A short while later Logan left the fort with Hale both on horseback. Logan's handsome payment attached to his hip. "I want to thank you again Mr. Falcons Eye for accepting my offer, had to fire my last help," Hale said, a smile on his face before smacking a bug that landed on his cheek.

Grinning back Logan said, "believe me Mr. Hale it's my pleasure, but I see you need a little help with that sir," he said, pointing as Hale swatted another bug.

"Yeah you'd think this late in the year we'd be rid of them," he said.

Logan nodded. "You'd think but not to worry that's why I brought this," and he held up the loaded canteen slung over his shoulder. "And its contents mixed with a local plant will clear them right up," he said.

However, what's worse poison ivy or poison oak? Red Dragon asked, sly.

Let's use both. But is it cruel to mix it with sugar water and attract every mosquito in that swamp?

For a few seconds they were silent. Neigh… they said, together.

That night they set up camp at Beaver Creek, which was practically a swamp thanks to the beaver dams. As they sat before the fire, Logan watched with hidden amusement as Hale scratched his newly found itches. And fended off the insects attracted to him.

"Are you sure this stuff is supposed to work?" Hale demanded as he scratched at his face again before swatting at another bug.

Logan nodded eating some food. "Yeah I'm using it now. Maybe you should rub more of this on," he said, offering the sugar water.

Taking it, he rubbed more on his face and hands. "Are you sure about this?" he demanded in mild frustration as Logan rubbed some on himself. Using magic to dilute the sugar and plant toxins.

"Absolutely, to track a prey you have to know what it wants. And every animal in the forest come here to drink. Sooner or later they'll be here," he said, and Hale started scratching under his chin. "Look why don't you get some sleep I'll take the first watch," he said, and nodding Hale went into his tent.

A few minutes later Logan from a safe distance peered at the tent. "I am going to enjoy this," he muttered, drawing a loading an arrow.

After taking very careful aim, he fired. And he watched with a big grin on his face as the wasps nest dropped from the to the ground right in front of the man's tent. When the screaming started, he stifled his laughter as Hale leapt out and fending off the stinging barrage leapt into the water.

It's the simple things in life that give you pleasure, Red Dragon said. Ah, why are we still here? He asked, when Logan kept watching Hale fight of the attacking wasps.

I want to commit this work of art to memory 'Hale the Amazing Spotted Salver!' what do you think?

For a few seconds Red Dragon was silent. It has potential he admitted and mounting his horse Logan left. I hope there are leeches in that water.

When Logan got back to camp he found the others gathered around the entrance to the main lodge with Chingachgook, Morning Star, and Uncas. "Hey there! You guys are going to bust a rib when I…," he started to call out to them but they motioned for him to be quite.

Frowning he drew close and through the flap they watched the man still in his chain pace before the fire inside. "We should go now," he said, in a deep strong voice and Logan's eyes brows shot up in surprise.

"Go where?" the woman asked, softly. "Master Hale be looking for us everywhere."

"He will find us here!" the man snapped and Logan heard a hint of fear in his voice.

"Maybe not," the woman said, trying to reassure him as he continued to pace. "These people, they might help us." Not looking at her he kept pacing as if trying to figure out what to do. "Come," and he stopped and looked at her. "Come to me," she said, again holding out a hand to him.

They watched as he slowly reached out and took it and she pulled him close to sit next to her. Holding him close to her, she began to sing softly and Logan saw him begin to relax as she rocked them back and forth. "It doesn't matter what happens as long as we're together," she said, when she was done.

Slowly Chingachgook reached out and pushed aside the flap. "You speak the white men tongue?" he said, as they entered. At once, the man leapt to his feet face has hard as before. "We'll help you escape."

"Why?" the man demanded.

"Because you saved our lives," Logan said. "And what happened to you is wrong, it is the birth right of every human being to live free," at that the man looked at him.

"What about her?" he asked, nodding at Aisha.

"I was never a slave." At that, the woman stood as they both stared at her. "It's a long story but please believe us when we say you are safe here," she said, reassuringly.

Slowly they looked at each other and the man grasped the woman's tight. "If you won't let us help you at least wait until dawn to make a run on Canada," Morning Star said. "We can keep you safe until then."

"You have our promise, I am a Delaware Chief, I am called Chingachgook, and they are Falcons Eye, Standing Bear, Lone Wolf, Swift Deer, Cunning Wolf, Dancing Herein, Morning Star, and my brothers Uncas and Hawkeye," Chingachgook said, and each nodded in turn.

For a few seconds the man looked at them. "I am called Anjar, and this is my wife she is called Mary," he said, proudly standing tall.

Smiling Logan nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you. But I don't think you have to worry too much about Hale. He won't be back at the fort until late tomorrow," he said, and they all looked at him questionly. "Well considering he's got bad cases of poison ivy, poison oak, mosquito bites, wasp strings, and possibly leeches he's going to be busy," he explained.

For a few seconds the group around him stared then his friends burst out laughing. "What did you do to him?" Kimberly said, in hysterics.

He shrugged. "I took him to Beaver Creek. So it might not be a good idea for me to go to the fort for the next couple of days."

The next day Logan sat with Anjar as Chingachgook worked on repairs a boys stick ball wicket a group of boys in front of him. "Well call it Stick Ball," he explained when he caught Anjar watching. "This is a wicket," and he held it up. "We use it to catch the ball and to throw it," and after demonstrating held it out to the man. "Go on," he prompted and Anjar took and began to examine it closely. "It's a rough game. When they play, sometimes the leather comes loose from the wicket. Because they don't make them like we used to when I was a boy."

"When you were a boy that's long time ago. Did the old ones play stick ball then?" the boy said, and his friends muttered, in agreement.

"Yes but we used little boys for sticks," Chingachgook said, and the boys smiles faded a little. "What me to show you!" and as he lunged for them they took off running crying for help while Logan and Anjar roared with laughter.

Turning Chingachgook tossed the ball and Anjar caught it with the Wicket. "Hey why don't we go watch a few games?" Logan suggested and the group went outside to watch the boys at the playing field.

As they were watching the third game, Logan turned at the sound of approaching horses. Turning toward the sound, he focused and relaxed when he saw that it was Hawkeye and Rocky. When Anjar and Mary heard the pounding horses, he calmed them until both rode into sight.

"Did you get what we need?" Chingachgook asked, as they dismounted.

"Yeah we got the tools. Sam didn't ask many questions," Rocky said, as Hawkeye pulled them from the inside of his buckskin jacket. I also saw Hale he looked more like a Pizza then a human…nearly busted a gut.

I bet, Logan answered before turning to Anjar and Mary. "Let's get those dame things off you now," he said, clapping his hands together.

Soon enough the shackles fell from their limbs with mighty thuds on the ground. With a smile on his face, Logan watched as they rubbed their much sore limbs and Morning Star applied salves to the chafes from the metal.

Logan, Uncas, the others, and Hawkeye were just on their way back to camp after checking his traps when Logan heard another sound. The sound of marching feet and they were fast approaching.

"Falcons Eye what is it?" Hawkeye asked, when he saw Logan freeze.

Focusing he narrowed his eyes before they went wide in horror see the soldiers Hale at the lead with a smug look despite the patches of discoloration and the marks from the stings. "Oh no Anjar, Mary, Aisha!" he snapped then started to bolt.

"What is it?" Uncas demanded bolting after him.

"It's Hale he's heading for the camp with soldiers!" he snapped and he heard them double their pace.

Ten minutes later Logan, Hawkeye, Uncas, and the others were at the edge of the forest. At the edge of the village stood Chingachgook and Hale squaring off like two bears with a line of braves and soldiers behind them. Each with their weapons ready for a fight.

They watched helplessly as one of Hale's men that had slipped in from the rear pull Mary and Aisha out from one of the lodges. "Lookey what I found!" The man called jerking Aisha by her hair.

As he started to charge the man Logan and Adam tackled Rocky to the ground. "If we do anything now the Delaware will be caught in the cross fire! She knows that otherwise he's be on the ground nursing broken bones!" Logan hissed barely able to stomach looking back. "Looks like he rehired both his boys," he muttered, spotting the other behind the soldiers."

"Where's the other one?" Hale demanded stepping forward into Chingachgook's face.

"Let them go or we will fight!" Chingachgook warned. "They are members both of this tribe."

At that Hale laughed. "Boy! You have three seconds to come out or we will shot her! One!" he called aloud. At once Anjar appeared shoving the entry flap of the other lodge aside looking at Mary before slowly looking at Hale. "Well, well, well," he said, walking forward past the braves with his other man.

"You gave your word!" Anjar snapped.

Laughing Hale turned back to Chingachgook. In that moment of distraction Anjar scoped up the chains, they had broken earlier. And wacked Hale across the face with it as he turned back to him. As the man fell, Anjar turned and bolted with Mary calling out to him to run as he made it to the trees.

"He's mine!" Hale shouted as blood poured down his cheek from where the chain had cut him at his men then bolted after him.

From their hiding spots, they watched both men run through the forest. As Hale gained ground, looking over his shoulder Anjar tripped over a log and fell face first to the ground. Before he could regain his feet Hale grabbed him and started to roughly pull him up but Anjar shoved back.

Before he could tackle the man, Anjar froze at the sight of the leveled pistol on him Hale's second pistol in his other hand. "It's a shame you had to scar my handsome face boy," Hale said, rubbing away some of the blood. "You would have fetched a pretty price," and he cocked the weapon.

In a flash, Logan drew his tomahawk and threw it end over end. It connected with the barrel of the pistol knocking it to the ground where it went off. Before Hale could retrieve it or could level the other pistol the point of a rifle barrel pressed into his shoulder as it was cocked and turning he saw Hawkeye's hard scowling face. Around him, Logan and the others all with leveled weapons came out of hiding.

"You don't want to throw away good money like that, do you Mr. Hale?" Hawkeye asked, in a low dangerous voice.

"Course not…must a…lost my head for a moment. Thanks for putting me in my right mind Mr. Hawkeye," he said, turning back to Anjar then looked at Logan. "I want my money back."

Slowly Logan shook his head. "You paid me to be your guide. And that's what I did, I just never said, I'd be good at it," he said, and Hale glared at him. "Besides you were never that handsome to begin with." For a few seconds Hale held his gaze before grabbing Anjar and turning him around pressed the barrel into the small of his back led him away.

A short while Logan and the others were in a lodge back at the camp with Hawkeye, Uncas, and Chingachgook who was pacing back and forth. "How could we let the white man take them!" he snapped finally.

"Didn't have any choice," Hawkeye answered and from where he was sitting on the ground, jabbing one end of his bow into it Logan looked up at him.

"I have brought shame upon myself and my people," and Chingachgook faced them.

"What would you have done differently?" Logan asked. "What could we all have done differently?" and he glanced at Rocky who glared back.

"We gave them our word to protect them!" Chingachgook barked facing them.

"And fight the whole British Army!" Kimberly snapped sliding to her feet from one of the beds.

"Why not?" Uncas demanded.

"Because too many innocents could be hurt including the ones we meant to help!" Hawkeye snapped back.

"Then do we not let the white man take them back?" Chingachgook snapped throwing his arms up.

Sighing Logan stood. "There is a time and a place for everything Chingachgook remember. They can't stay in the fort forever," he said.

"And when they come out we'll strike," Billy said, coming over.

"But right now we have to see if we can get Aisha back. And that means we have to go see Colonel Monroe," Adam said, turning back to face them.

Soon enough they were all back at the fort staring down at where Aisha, Mary, and Anjar were chained to a post nest to Hale's new tent. Walking down with Elizabeth they watched as Sam came out and after picking up his and came up to them.

"Mrs. Monroe, Falcons Eye, Kim, Billy, Rocky, Adam," he said, to each in greeting and they nodded.

"Mr. Danko," Elizabeth said, turning back Sam looked at the three still chained there before not knowing what else to say he turned and left shaking his head.

"Morning Mrs. Monroe," and they turned to see Hale step out of his tent a nice welt and cut added to his already altered face.

"Must they be chained like animals?" Elizabeth demanded as Kim and Rocky went to Aisha.

"That's strictly for appearances," Hale said, coming close. "Until I can get them clear of the fort."

"I know what happened at the Delaware Camp! And I've come with a proposition for you," Elizabeth said.

"A proposition?"

"Yes I want to buy the freedom of those two," and Elizabeth pointed at Anjar and Mary and walked over.

"It's illegal to free a slave in the colonies ma'am, you know that," Hale said, stepping in front of her.

"Let's not quibble about the law Mr. Hale after I buy them I will do with them as I please. And besides Aisha there already belongs to Kimberly," Elizabeth said, nodding.

Smiling Hale shook his head. "Do you have any idea what a prize buck like that is worth? And as for the other one me and my men had already checked her for a brand or any kind of mark from top to…," and was silenced as Rocky sprung up and seized him by the throat.

As the man struggled for air, Rocky drew him close. "Say another word I dare you," he whispered in a deadly tone.

After blinking at what was before her Elizabeth said, "I don't know how to put a price on a human being…," then turned to leave and with a shove that sent Hale to the ground Rocky followed.

From his bent position near Aisha, he looked at her. I'm sorry, I am so sorry, he murmured in her mind.

She glanced at him. You warned me this might happen…they didn't do more than look…which was bad enough, and she shifted her gaze. But promise me when this is over…give me a crack at him…I'm itching to break a few bones.

Logan smiled. I guess Rocky will have to get in line. And he and the rest left.

Once back in the fort Logan and Hawkeye made a b-line for the officer's quarter and at the protest of the private barged into Colonel Monroe's office. "…can't see the Colonel without an appointment!" they barely heard the private say through the haze of their rage.

Before them, Colonel Monroe stood by a low table a small crystal glass in hand holding some form of red liquid. "I take it you need to speak with me?" he said, a deep frown on his face.

"Are you trying to start a war with the Delaware?" Hawkeye demanded jabbing a finger at him.

At that, a frown appeared on his face and he put the glass down. "What are you talking about?"

"Two hours ago men from this fort came to the Delaware Camp and raided it!" Logan snapped.

For a few seconds Colonel Monroe stared at them before looking at the private ordering, "Bring Captain Monroe to me, at once," and saluting the private left.

A few minutes later Thomas entered and after he saluted his father, Colonel Monroe said. "The scout and Falcons Eye have just been telling me, that soldiers from this fort raided Chingachgook's camp would you know anything about this?"

"Sir a one Mr. Hale came to me the other day requesting aid to find two runaway slaves. When there was sufficient evidence to suggest they were at the Delaware camp, I thought, it best that I sent a detachment with him for his protection.

"We already have a war father and those slaves were fugitives," Thomas answered.

"And sending soldiers into Chingachgook's camp is a good way to get yourselves another one," Logan snapped. "And since when was Aisha a fugitive!"

For a few seconds both men were silent. "I was not aware that she had been taken…," Thomas started.

"Not aware she's chained to a post just outside this fort!" Logan bared jabbing a hand in her direction out the window.

"…and your chief was well, aware that they were not the target of our raid," Thomas continued ignoring Logan's interruption.

"He is well, aware of the fact that you insulted him by sending in men without his permission!" Hawkeye barked.

"And as usual you have it backwards," Thomas said, turning to him. "He insults the crown by harboring fugitives."

"He has no loyalties to the crown!"

"His treaty is with King George the Second! Who is the lord and master of this land," Thomas said, slowly.

"According to who!" and all eyes turned to Logan. "because last I checked Chingachgook, his people, and all the others tribes were here long before the English and the French came to claim land that wasn't theirs to begin with!" he snapped.

"Enough!" Colonel Monroe snapped looking around him. "The fact of the matter is that you should have informed me of Hale sooner and remember that I am the one who would order a protection detachment. Now Aisha is to be released from Hale's custody and returned to her mistress Kimberly…"

"But father I was told she bares no brand or any mark…" Thomas started but stopped as a livid Logan approached him.

"I thought, you said, you didn't know she had been taken!" he growled reaching for him.

"Falcons Eye!" and Logan froze. "I understand your anger considering you consider the slave a friend but I am curious why Kimberly never branded or marked her," Colonel Monroe said, sitting back in his chair.

"It's not against the law not to brand a slave!" Logan said, whipping around.

Slowly Colonel nodded. "Yes that's true but it does prevent these mix ups. Therefore, I suggest that you urge Kimberly to brand or mark her. Now that is all you are dismissed, I will be down presently to aid in her release if needed," and he waved them away with a flick of his wrist.

Once outside Thomas turned to them. "I doubt Chingachgook would have started a war over a pair runaway slaves," and Logan and Hawkeye turned to him. "Particularly when the Delaware have slaves of their own."

"Their slaves are given a chance to earn their freedom under tribal law," Hawkeye defended jabbing a finger at him.

At that, Thomas huffed out a puff of laughter. "Tribal law, the laws of these tribes are a…cacophony of idiocy…put together without regard for morality or reason."

Slowly Logan faced him fully. "A single Delaware law has more shows more compassion for people then all the English statutes ever written," Hawkeye said, slowly holding up one finger.

At that, Thomas grew stiff. "English statutes…have been the rule for five hundred years…"

"I'm not a historian but their tribal law has probably been around for a hell of lot longer than that," Logan said.

Thomas glanced at him. "And yet their illiterate savagery laws change like smoke on the wind while ours remain firm."

Slowly Logan stepped closer. "I'd be very careful, that smoke, just might bring a wildfire that will burn this fort to the ground," he muttered, then both men pushed past.

Soon enough after meeting up with the others they raced back down to where Aisha, Anjar, and Mary were bound leaving Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Elizabeth in the trading post. "Now hold on there were do you think you're going?" Hale demanded intercepting them.

"We have orders from Colonel Monroe; you are to release Aisha back to me now!" Kimberly snapped.

At that, he laughed lightly. "And what proof do you have of that?"

"It is true," and all turned to look at Thomas coming down a black cloak waving in the wind. "My father ordered her release to her mistress. And will be down soon to see that it is done," he said, stopping in front of Hale.

For a few seconds the men looked at each other before Hale turned and nodded to one of his men. At once, the man produced a ring of keys and walking over released Aisha from her shackles. At once Kimberly and Rocky went to her and helped her up.

"Let's get you back to the trading post," Kimberly murmured as they walked with her.

"I'd be care ma'am otta use a firmer hand, or else they might revolt," Hale said, as they passed.

Slowly Kimberly looked at him a flash of steel in her eye. "That's for me to decide!" she snapped. "You coming Falcons Eye?"

He nodded and followed. Stopping just outside the entrance he turned and watched Thomas walk into Hale's tent.

Probably going to get his fee why am I not surprised, he thought, before continuing.

In the trading post, he found them surrounding Aisha as she sat in a chair by the fire rubbing her wrists. "I'm okay everyone you don't have to baby me," she kept saying repeatedly.

"Says the girl who just endured what no one should," Rocky said.

"Now let me see those wrists," Elizabeth said, trying to pull them more into sight.

"No their fine I was Flacons Eye to look at them," she insisted getting up and walking into the other room.

Sighing Logan followed when he entered Elizabeth's bedroom her back was to him and she shook with almost violent tremors. "You want me to have a look now?" he asked, gently and straightening she turned and he saw the trace of a tear.

"Yes, now would be fine," she said, offering her wrists to him.

Taking them in his hands, he looked over the small cuts and chafe marks from the manacles. "It's not so bad," he muttered, and waving his hand over them, they healed instantly. "But Aisha," and she looked up at him. "I know what you're going through…its best to let it out…or else it will eat you alive. I won't tell you know that."

For a few seconds they looked at each other then pressing her face to his chest, she burst into tears. Holding her close he did his best to sooth her as he moved them to the bed to sit. For a few minutes, they remained like that until Rocky opened the door.

Both looking up he paused at what he was seeing. "Mary just came Hale is going to whip Anjar," he said.

"What!" Logan snapped spring to his feet and both of them darted out.

Nothing happened she just doesn't want to seem weak to you, he said, as they raced outside with Hawkeye.

That doesn't matter to me!

I know that but you should tell her that yourself, he said, as they exited the fort and saw Elizabeth already there being held back by one of Hale's men as he whipped Anjar's back as the man was bound to the post his shirt in tatters around him.

"AND YOU CALL HIM AN ANIMAL! STOP IT!" she was screaming at the man.

Reaching her Hawkeye shoved the man off Elizabeth while Hale swung the whip back to bring it down on Anjar again. When his arm stopped in mid swing, he turned and saw that Rocky had the other flexible end in his raised hand.

Glaring at the man Rocky barked, "And you call yourself a man! You're nothing more than a pathetic bully picking on people either lower or tied up!" and he wrenched the whip from his grasp and threw it away into the muddy ground.

Hale glared at him for a moment before walking over to retrieve the whip then walked back into his tent. Watching the proceedings Logan knelt next to Anjar with Mary.

"Aren't you going to do something?" Elizabeth demanded of Hawkeye over her shoulder.

"Yes ma'am I am," he growled back to her watching Hale.

"You there let this man out so we can get him to the tent to treat these!" he barked at one of Hale's men.

At that the man laughed. "He's not going anywhere from that post!"

Logan's face-hardened. "Fine we'll take the post with us! Mary stand back," he said, and squatting down he grasped the post in both hands.

Flexing his muscles and with a pretend grunt of effort he slowly pulled the post out of the ground. With Hale's and the rest of the people in the general vicinity staring in awe struck Logan with the help of Rocky and Hawkeye helped Anjar into a tent and laid him face first onto a cot.

"I'll get some salve!" Elizabeth said.

"There's no time! Who know what might have been on that whip! It could become septic and he could die!" Kimberly barked glancing at Logan from the entrance.

He looked at her. Kimberly… he started.

Do you really think they'd betray you after everything?

For a second he held her gaze before sighing. "Can you keep a secret?" he asked, looking from Mary, to Elizabeth, to Hawkeye and one by one they nodded.

Sighing faced Anjars back and after raising them crossed his hands over his back closing his eyes. "What are you…?" Hawkeye started then stopped as a thin beam of light shot form Logan's hands.

In stunned and shocked silence, they watched as it slowly it grew wider until it covered Anjar's back. They watched as the whip marks sealed themselves and vanished. When the light went out and he lowered his hands, Anjar's skin was smooth and untouched.

Sighing he opened eyes feeling a little weak from the magic and faced them. "I guess we need to talk. But Mary stay here and keep up the pretense of nursing him," and they blinked.

"Are you an angel?" she asked.

He smiled. "Some might say that."

Back at the trading post Logan wolf down food as Hawkeye and Elizabeth stared at him. "'orry for the ack of…emony…but magic especially healing magic takes a lot out of me," he said, through partly through some bread which he swallowed. "Now where was I?"

"You were about to explain to us what happened in that tent," Hawkeye answered.

At that, Logan nodded. "But you have to understand that something's I still can't tell you…"

"Why not?' Elizabeth demanded.

Sighing Logan tried to think of the best way to handle it. "Because they're not our secrets to tell," for a few seconds they looked at them before nodding their understanding. "thanks, now to answer those questions on the tips of your tongues…yes I could use magic since you've known me…no I did not sell my soul to anyone…no I didn't cause the pestilence we had a month ago…and no I have not been reading your minds," he said, and they blinked.

"Besides now you know one of the reason I don't go to church. Most church goes shy away from people like me or kill us."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Hawkeye asked, and Logan looked at him.

"because I knew what happened to Hester would happened to me and I didn't feel like being hung high, cooked alive, or drowned like a rat," he shrugged.

"I guess you have a point," Elizabeth said. "Was she really…?" she started letting the question hang.

For a few seconds he looked at him before nodding. "But she was a healer…she felt the sickness and came to help."

"Where is she now?" Hawkeye asked.

Logan glanced at him. "In a place where most people like me went to, to escape persecution and to be free of fear."

"Why aren't you there?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because I'm still needed here," and he looked from one to the other. "Now we all have things to get ready for."

A couple hours later after the sun set both Elizabeth and Logan returned to the tent to find Mary humming a song still tending to Anjar. Minus the cot with him now shackled to the tent post.

"Here," Elizabeth said, as they entered hanging their lantern on the post. "We brought some slave provide some comfort,"

"Thanks you ma'am," Mary said, beaming at both of them, as Logan looked him over.

As Elizabeth applied, the slave to his back Anjar looked over his shoulder then shuffled back from them. "It's alright Angel. This here is Miss Monroe she's the one who tried to buy us from Master Hale and this is the Angel that healed you," Mary said, comforting him and Logan nodded.

As he settled back onto his chest he murmured, "Witchdoctor."

"What's that?" Elizabeth asked, looking at him as she started rubbing the salve on his back again.

"It's kind of like Chingachgook's medicine man or shaman," Logan explained.

"His name is Angel?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Mary.

"Master Brooks named him Jack but he won't answer to it," Mary said.

"That's because his name is Anjar," Logan said, putting a comforting hand on his arm.

"It sounds like Angel to me so that's what I call him. 'Cause I swear he is," she explained.

"To you maybe but he's got the heart of a warrior," Logan muttered, a half grin on his face and Mary smiled at him as Anjar looked at him.

"He's only been here a few short months, he a Prince from Africa," she continued starting to sound excited.

"Really?" Logan muttered, frowning looking down at him. "Always thought, he carried himself like a royal…what tribe?"

Turning his eye to look at him. "Waziri," he muttered, and Logan nodded.

"Why did you run?" Elizabeth asked.

"Master Brooks tried to sell my Angel down to the Carolinas said, he to wild," and Logan nodded. "I asked, if I could go with him. Master Brooks say 'No! you gots to stay and look after the Miss,' but it ain't right for a woman to be away from her man!" Mary said, looking at them a tear falling. "I guess I'd rather be dead then have my Angel toke away from me."

Lowering his gaze Logan nodded unable to say anything.

When they were returning to the fort Elizabeth kept glancing at him. "What's on your mind?" he asked, stopping to look at her.

For a second she paused. "Couldn't you change this? Delve into Hale's mind and change it?" she asked, before looking back at him. For a few seconds he looked at before shaking his head. "Why not?"

"Because it wouldn't make me any different. Every living being in this world as the right to his or her own beliefs…even if they're wrongs…all we can do…is show them the truth and hope they accept it," and with that he continued on leaving her behind the think on what he said.

The next day from ample cover in the forest in the forest Logan watched next to Hawkeye and the others watched from different hiding spots as Elizabeth approached Hale's party. Carrying a saddlebag of food toward the horse both Anjar and Mary were on. "Well Mrs. Monroe good of you to see us off," Hale said, and she glared at him.

"Food and water for the journey,' she said, offering them the saddle bag. At once Hale reached over, snatched it, and began to search it. When he was satisfied all in was food and water he handed it back.

"YOU'RE LISTENING TO THEM AREN'T YOU?" Hawkeye's voice boomed in and flinching Logan covered his ears.

"I was…but now…I'm going to hear bells for hours," he moaned in pain. "Ow, these heightened senses can be rough," and looking up saw the party head out. "Next time tap me on the shoulder okay," and they moved out.

Following the group, the hunters stuck to the cover of the forest. For ours they dogged them silently giving birdcalls to make sure they were all keeping close. When they finally made camp, they half stayed behind while the other half left to find the second part of their plan.

When night came, the other half finally returned bringing good news of their search. Watching the small camp again, they waited until Hale retired for the night under a makeshift shelter that had been built for him. Leaving his two men on guard as Anjar and Mary slept on the ground open to the elements.

After they were sure, he was sleep and watched one of the man play a prank on the other by pressing his musket into his friends back. They crept in with Billy and Uncas covering them.

Silently Logan and Chingachgook crept up behind one before Logan slipped his knife around and pressed it to his throat. "Very funny Quinn," the man said.

"We don't know any Quinn," Chingachgook said, and the man froze in fear.

Before the other man could react, Hawkeye and Rocky pounced and Hawkeye had his knife to his throat. "Now we're going to go somewhere and you're not going to make a sound. Or we'll bleed you before a sound is uttered from your lips," Logan muttered, as Kimberly and Aisha took their weapons.

When morning came Logan, Chingachgook, and Hawkeye crept up to the Huron that Aisha, Uncas, Rocky, and Billy had found the night before. After watching, them eat breakfast for a few seconds they gave cries and ran right through their camp. At their cries and the sound of the Hurons giving chase, they grinned. Even when arrows were shot at them.

After running through Hale's camp, they disappeared into the trees. From where they were hidden, they watched the Huron gather around a still sleeping Hale. Stifling his laughter Logan watched Hale finally wake up and saw them standing over him.

Calling for his men he woke Anjar and Mary who sat bolt upright her holding him. When none answered, he reached for his pistol and one of the Huron stepped on it keeping it down. "Morning!" Hawkeye called as the three stepped into sight behind Anjar and Mary.

"It seems we have found the same treasure," Chingachgook said.

"They're ours!" the lead Huron said, gesturing with his tomahawk.

"We do not wish to fight," Chingachgook said, holding up his hand in peace. "We will make you a bargain instead."

"Thank God," Hale muttered, standing and fixing his clothes. "Tell these savages to release me!"

"That's not the bargain we had in mind," Logan said, to him and Hale froze staring.

"Since you were here first Huron you can have the white man…we will take the two black creatures," Chingachgook said, gesturing from Hale to Anjar and Mary who looked at them. "They can't be worth much."

"This is an outrage! I'm not a thing to be bargained for!" Hale said, stepping forward. At once, the lead Huron grabbed him and pressed the blade of his tomahawk under his chin.

"Be proud you're worth bartering for at all!" Hawkeye said, unable to keep the smile from his face.

Looking back at Huron holding him Hale trembled. "You want silver, I got silver in my saddle bag,' he said, pointing. "Go ahead take it all, just let me go."

"I don't think you understand the position you're in," Logan said, as one of the Huron bent to retrieve the silver and the lead back handed him across the face. "Take it all Huron, the horses as well. We only want the two black white people," and Logan gestured again to Anjar and Mary who reached out to take Anjar's hand.

"why should we bargain Delaware when we could just take everything including you?' the lead Huron said, a frown of confusion on his face.

Smiling Logan nodded. "You could," and putting two fingers in his mouth gave a low whistle. At once, the rest stepped out of hide weapons at the ready but not leveled at them. "But I don't think they'd like it."

Looking around him a look of understand came over him and the lead Huron nodded. "It's a bargain Delaware," he said, and Hale's trembling worsened and everyone else uncocked or slipped their arrows away.

"You're not going to just leave me here?" Hale demanded looking at them. "What's going to happen to me?"

"Here amongst the Huron and Delaware slaves can earn their freedom," Uncas said, stepping forward.

"Slave!"

"Maybe they'll trade you for something of greater value. That is if you give them any trouble," Logan said, stepping forward until he was in his face. "It's odd isn't it once the tables are turned. Your perspective is different eh," then he turned back to the lead Huron. "before you go our sister Standing Bear wishes five minutes with him," and he jabbed his thumb at hale.

At that, they frowned looking at each other. "We'll trade you these two for it," Rocky said, as he and Adam dragged forward Hale's men hogtied covered in fresh bruises. "Lest just hope he lasts longer," and they dropped them at the Huron's feet.

For a few seconds the lead Huron thought, before he nodded. "It's a deal," his men released Hale who stared around him as the Indians encircled him trying to figure out who was Standing Bear.

"Thank you, let's just hope he lasts longer," Logan said, and turned to Hale. "I am going to enjoy this you deserve this as a handicap," he said, and handed him a club. "Good luck, you'll need it," and tapping his cheek before joining the circle and Aisha stepped forward unarmed.

Frowning he pointed at her. "You? You're this Standing Bear?" he asked, and she nodded. He roared with laughter. "I'm about to see what you brain looks like spewed on the ground…" and Logan arched his eyebrows at what he called her.

"Oh that was a mistake," he muttered, as he watched Hale taking the club in both hands swung wildly at her.

Ducking under it, she stepped back and blocked the second strike he had brought down on her. "And you're about to learn why they call me Standing Bear!" she barked then drove her fist into his face following up with a second punch to his gut.

Dropping the club, he stepped back arm wrapped around his gut he glared at her before charging again. Blocking his cross to her head, she stepped closer driving her elbow just under his neck. "That's for your guy dragging me by the hair!" As he clutched it, she grabbed his head. "This is for the full body search!" and jumping forward drove her knee into his face his nose easily broken with several teeth flying. He went down hard her on top of him. "And this is because I don't like you!" and she drove her fists into his face again and again.

When she finally stopped his face looked more like raw hamburger, she stopped and stood up. "Barely lasted thirty seconds," she muttered, breathing hard as he moaned on the ground. "Whimp," and she turned and walked back toward Logan and the others.

"How do you feel?" he asked, when she reached them.

"Justified," and grabbing Rocky she kissed him. "Next time I'll cry on your shoulder okay," and he nodded as the Huron dragged Hale to his feet.

"Wait before you go!" Kim barked and they looked at him. "This is a mighty interesting item," and she walked forward and picked up Hale's whip. "Allow me to demonstrate," she said, and faced a sapling as Hale opened one bloodshot eye. Twirling it around her with a crack part of a branch was cut off. "use it whenever they gives you trouble, or just practice on them," she said, holding it out with both hands after winding up the flexible cord and the lead Huron took it and what unbuttered parts of Hale's face went pale.

As she walked, back Logan looked from her to the Huron leader had a mischievous grin on his face. Looking at Chingachgook, Logan was in time to see Anjar shake his hand grasping his forearm. "Let's go!" Logan called and they all left with Hale calling out to them. "That was some good whip work," Logan muttered, to Kim.

She grinned. "Artistic gymnastics, it helps," she muttered, back.

He nodded. I bet…Wind Dragon Ranger. And he turned to Hawkeye. "Why don't you go get Elizabeth we need to decide what to do about them," and he jabbed a thumb at Mary and Anjar.

Once they were all back at the camp and Hawkeye had collected Elizabeth who had a joyful reunion with Anjar and Mary. They all gathered including Morning Star at the main lodge. To decide what should be done about Anjar and Mary.

Elizabeth was adamant that they be sent to a sanctuary in Boston. Hawkeye, Uncas, Morning Star, and Chingachgook were persisting that they should go up to Canada. Aisha, Kim, Rocky, Adam, and Billy were pone to agree with them.

Logan however was closer to where Anjar and Mary were seated watching proceedings. From the post he was leaning against, he glanced at them. Before he looked back at the still heated debate.

Sighing he stood straight and put two fingers in his mouth and gave a long loud whistle. "Not that any of these ideas are good or bad but I think we're missing some key input," he said, when they all looked at him. Slowly he looked at Anjar and Mary. "What do you want to do?" he asked, simply.

Frowning they looked at each other. "I just want to go home. And if Mary will come I wish for her to come," Anjar said, simply looking up at him and Mary beamed.

For a few seconds he was silent before Logan turned running his hand down his face. "This could be difficult," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Try impossible how the hell are we going to sneak them on a boat to Africa?" Billy muttered.

"How long have we known each other Billy?" and Billy looked up at Logan.

"About three years now."

"and yet you keep forgetting what I can do," Logan said, and with a wave of his hand the flame in the fire pit grew five feet tall and at the sight of it Chingachgook and Uncas shrank back.

"You mean you can open a portal from here to Africa?" Aisha asked, standing.

"A portal?" Elizabeth asked.

"A gate way, you could say. And that would be the hard part. And for that I need Anjar's help," and he looked at him.

"How can I help?" he asked, frowning.

Sighing Logan rolled his head back rubbing his neck before he broke it to him, "I need to look inside your mind. Because unlike me you are the only person who knows where we're going. And I can only open a portal where I've been but I might be able to through your memories of it," he explained.

For a few seconds Anjar looked at him. "If it will get us home," he said, nodding his assentation.

Sighing Logan nodded. "Then you need to relax I won't hurt you," he said, stepping forward and held his hands on both sides of his head. Closing his eyes, he delved into the man's mind and memories. "Well at least now I know one thing," and he snapped his fingers and both Anjar and Mary were dressed in the African tribal clothes that he saw. "Now for the hard part," he muttered, after they looked themselves over.

Pressing his hand to the top of Anjar head, he dove deep into his memories again. Finding the one, he needed he thrust one hand to the side and with a beam and flash of light, a portal opened. For a few seconds it was just swirling energy then an image appeared like a rippling mirror.

It showed a small village of huts with grass thatched roofs in the shadow of a jungle-covered mountain. A wall built around it for protection from wild beasts. And in front of Logan Anjar acquired a look of deep longing, wonder, and amazement.

Suddenly people that had been coming and going started screaming pointing toward their end of the portal. At their cries warriors rushed out with spears and clubs with feather ornaments donning their heads. Ahead of them was powerful man with gold ornaments around his upper arms and the head of a leopard pelt on top of his head.

"Father…," Anjar, muttered, seeing the man.

"Oh my god," Aisha muttered.

"Anjar stop them! They can't come through!" he barked through his bared teeth struggling to keep the portal open.

At once Anjar leapt forward and started shouting in another language and at once, the warriors stopped. Slowly Mary joined Anjar and they both looked at Logan. "How can we ever…," she started.

"Get through that portal! I can't keep it open forever!" he snapped dropping to one knee. After giving him one last look, they stepped through and dropping his weapons the man rushed forward to embrace his son.

Logan was just about to close it when Aisha barked, "wait!" and she walked forward to step in front of the portal and after a few seconds slowly raised one hand she pressed it against the portal. "it…truly was a honor to meet you,' she muttered, as all three looked at her and with a moan unable to keep the portal open any longer dropped his hand and it vanished with a swirl of energy. Do you mind…telling me…what the hell that was all about? He demanded of her.

Slowly she turned toward him. I've seen some of the things the king was wearing before…they were family heirlooms on my mother's side… she said, and he stared at her. I think that…Anjar and Mary…are my great, great, great, great, great, great, grandparents…which means…I'm an African Princess, and her eyes went wide in realization then smiled. I was living every girl's fantasy and never even knew it.

Shaking his head Logan pointed out in her mind, you do realize that African tribal royalties are not really recognized by most of the world.

At that, she glared at him. Are you trying to spoil my Princess realization mood?

Laughing a little at he replied¸ of course not…your highness…now if you don't mind…I'm just going to…pass out now, and with that his eyes rolled back and he passed out Elizabeth and Kimberly catching him before he hit the ground.

It took nearly a week for Logan to recover fully with Kimberly and Elizabeth attending him the most closely. By the end of the week Logan was sick of been bed ridden.

"Will you two stop babying me? I think I've proven myself capable of taking care of myself," she snapped trying to get up and Kimberly tried to keep pressing his back down.

"Need I remind you that after you sent those two back you had passed out for an hour!" she snapped trying to push him back down.

He rolled his eyes. "How can I forget you and Elizabeth were trying to shake me to death," he said, pushing her arms aside and sitting up and snatched up his moccasins and shirt. "So is Aisha still parading around like a princess?" he asked, as he started to get dressed.

Sighing she threw arms up in surrender. "Not so much these days we've managed to cool her down. I think she's still in shock though from meeting her own great-great-great-great-great parents. Even though we might have already met Bulk and Skulls," she said.

"That was obvious," he muttered, then turned as Elizabeth and Hawkeye came in.

"How is the patient today?" she asked, eyeing Logan.

"Staging a revolt and breaking free from the oppressive nurses I've been under thank you very much," he answered before Kimberly could say anything.

Smiling Hawkeye nodded. "Then maybe you can help me chop wood for Elizabeth to take back to the trading post," he said.

Sighing Logan arched his head back and raised his arms to the heavens. "Oh great spirit be praised! Something to do!" and everyone laughed at that.

A few hours later, they were with Hawkeye and Elizabeth riding on her wagon while he rode his horse next to it. "You know Falcons Eye since you can use magic why didn't you chop and load all the wood into the wagon with it?" he asked, as they neared the bend to the fort.

"Then what's the point," and he looked at him. "Half of everything is the journey Hawkeye. If you skip the journey and just get what you want with magic you miss the value of something," he said, then paused.

Frowning he looked around. "What is it?" Elizabeth asked, as they stopped the wagon looking at him.

"Do you hear or smell something?" Hawkeye asked, and Elizabeth looked at him.

"I'm not sure, and no," he muttered, then urged his horse forward.

When they reached the Trading Post, he still had that feeling and he glanced to around. "So is Thomas trying to get you out on another picnic?" he asked, dismounting and turning started unloading the wood with them.

"Yeah a little it's been a little odd actually," she said, as she loaded up the basket in her arms as well.

"It always is when one brother moves on his brother's wife when his brother is captured by Hurons," Logan muttered.

At that, she looked at him as she reached for the door latch. "You don't really think he's doing that do you?" she asked, before looking away.

Both and Hawkeye shared a glance. Before either of them could say a word on the subject, they heard the sound of Elizabeth's basket hitting the floor of the trading post with a clatter. Rushing forward they froze at the threshold of the door staring eyes wide and mouths handing open. There standing before Ansell and Cabe wearing a buckskin jacket, pants, heeled boots, a neck warmer, and a knife in its sheath hanging from his neck, with long greyish hair that stretched past his shoulders, and a face that seemed to have aged ten years was William.

"William…?" Elizabeth muttered, in disbelief.

Smiling William stepped forward arms wide. "Yes my love I've made it home to you," and with that William swept her into his arms and swinging her around. Where she stared at Logan and Hawkeye's shocked faces with a surprised and almost sorrowful look on her face.

Pulling his gaze from hers, Logan finally took in the man that came in with William.

He was dwarf of a Huron with a staff in hand with a cat skull atop it with dangling feathers. His skin either was painted or was naturally yellow with painted crack like lines down his face. Atop his head was what looked like a top knot tied with feathers.

As the man looked up at him, he felt a tingle run down his spine.

Needless to say, neither Hawkeye nor Logan stayed very long. Logan excused himself to the smithy to check on his knife and tomahawk and Hawkeye left the fort. A couple hours later as Sam was handing them back to Logan when Hawkeye got back a couple of wild geese over his shoulder.

"You going to test them out now that they're sharp?" Sam asked.

Glancing back at him Logan gripping the blade of the tomahawk before flipping it over to catch it by the handle. Then turning he hurled it at one of the posts of the smithy, followed by the knife with a flick of his wrist.

"Not bad not bad at all," Sam said, as Logan wrenched them free.

"Thanks, and you do great work how much do I know you?" Logan said, returning them to their sheaths.

Sam waved it off. "For a sharpening job that barely needed to be sharpened it's on me. You've been doing a great job on your own with them. Why suddenly bring them to me?" and Logan half listened as he watched Hawkeye walked up to the trading post as Elizabeth opened the door when he reached it.

"Just wanted to see if you could do a better job, thanks again," he muttered, as he watched them and stepped to his horse and he picked up his bow from where it was leaned against a post next to the horse.

Leaning against it, he watched them look at each other and half heartily, he focused. "How are you?" he asked.

"Terrible," she muttered, drawing her cloak tighter against the settling winter cold. "With all the rumors of the last few months…I steeled myself for the news of Williams's death…when I should have spent more time preparing myself for the possibility of his return," she said.

"It's nothing short of a miracle that he's return alive with his health…as well, as his mind…," Hawkeye said, shrugging.

"Miracles are not always a blessing," she muttered, looking at him before turning away and Logan saw her glance at him.

"I know," Hawkeye murmured.

"I am going to have to tell him about my feelings!" she said, whipping around to face the door.

"Elizabeth…" and she turned back to Hawkeye. "Give him some time; his returning home is difficult from him as it is for you. Let him get used to his life again," he murmured.

For a few seconds Elizabeth looked at him then all three of them turned at the sound of pounding hooves. And saw Thomas and Colonel Monroe ride in to the fort.

Stopping before them, they leapt from their horses landing in front of them they demanded almost at once. "Is it true that William has returned?"

"It is," Hawkeye murmured and they pushed past into the trading post and while they did Elizabeth and Logan locked eyes. Before he mounted his horse and rode out of the fort.

A few hours later back at the camp Logan sat alone on his bed in the making more arrows. As he was using his teeth to tighten the cord over the head, he paused before finishing. "Come on in Elizabeth!" he called out moving onto another arrow.

For a few seconds he started working again before the entrance flap was pulled back and she entered. As he worked, he looked at her before lowering his gaze. "You left without saying goodbye," she said.

"I had to get back," he said, picking up the last arrowhead.

For a few seconds she was silent before she walked over and sat down next to him. "Falcons Eye, you also left without saying…"

"Elizabeth I am extremely happy for you," he said, putting down the finished arrow. "I'm glad that William came back to you alive…" he said, and took her hand. "I just didn't think that it was good idea for me to stay. Besides Hawkeye said, everything that need to be said."

She frowned at him. "How do you know…," she started but stopped when he tapped his ear. "Right…," she muttered, looking away.

For a few seconds he looked at her before saying, "where me and my friends come from there's an old saying. 'Tomorrow is a mystery, yesterday is history, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.'"

Slowly she looked at him. "What does that mean?" she asked.

Slowly he reached out and took her hand. "It means follow your heart Elizabeth your one true guide in this world. You can either stay with William now that he's back or…chose a different path," he said.

For a few seconds she looked at him and nodded. "I guess there were things that you can say that Hawkeye didn't," and he saw the spark in her eye.

Sighing he shook his head. "Elizabeth it could never work…I have someone waiting for me…I can't" he said, and she saw her eyes drupe. "but if things go badly with William there is someone here who cares for you just as much as you care for him," and after they shared a glance they turned as Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Kimberly, and Billy came in.

She got up to leave. "By the way were having a celebration for his return I was wondering if you all would come," she said.

Smiling Logan nodded. "I'm sure it would be our honor," and with that she left.

Later at the trading post with William at the head of the table Elizabeth to his left and the dwarf Huron, they now knew as Spirit Chaser to his right. Logan sat next to Hawkeye with Chingachgook and Aisha sitting off to the side. With Logan's gaze shifting to William every now and then, he watched as the man took a bite from his plate.

"So it was you who launched the attack on the French fort where I was being held?" he said, looking at Hawkeye and Logan.

Slowly the two nodded. "We had help with our friends. But it was Elizabeth's…" Logan started.

"…and I as well, with a contingent of troops," Thomas interrupted.

"But none of us could get there in time," Elizabeth said, sadly.

"In the confusion the French took you away," Hawkeye put in.

William looked at them before smiling. "Yes only to give me back to the Hurons," and he took another bite.

"It was amazing that those savages did not kill you," Colonel Monroe said, from his seat.

"That because of his bravery," Spirit Chaser said, indicating William with his fork. "The most incredible I've ever seen."

Elizabeth turned to William. "They tortured you?"

"No first they decided to break my spirit…as if there was anything left to break," he explained and some lowered their gazes.

"So they tied you to a stake and hurled tomahawks at you?" Hawkeye asked.

"Don't tell me you participated in such barbaric behavior," William said, sitting back in his chair.

"Only on the receiving end the story is told often in the Delaware camp," Kimberly said, as Hawkeye and Chingachgook shared a glance.

"Ah then you know how it feels?"

"It's not something a fella easily forgets."

"No matter how close they came, he didn't move," Spirit Chaser said, a chuck of bread in hand.

"That takes great courage," Chingachgook muttered.

"Not a bit," William denied. "The minute I saw what they were planning my entire body turned to stone. And the close they threw the more frozen I became."

"Until the warriors were so impressed. They cut him loose and they carried him around on their shoulders."

"It's a good thing," William said, half laughing. "I would not have been able to take a step to save my life."

"However you survived its good you made it back home," Adam said, and Hawkeye nodded.

Nodding to him William rose lifting his glass. "A toast! To my family…," and he indicated them. "To my saviors…," and he indicated Spirit Chaser.

"I'm afraid Chingachgook, Falcons Eye and I don't qualify on that last one," Hawkeye said, lowering his glass.

"But the three of you certainly made the effort," William said, coming around the table to stand next to him. For a few seconds all three men looked at him then Logan and Hawkeye touch their glasses with his.

After William returned to his seat, Elizabeth turned him smiling. "I cannot get over how well, you look William."

"I was just thinking the same about," he said, putting his glass down as he beamed at her. "This wilderness has done wonders for you. It appears you have truly blossomed out here…"

"She's adapted well, to her surroundings," Hawkeye said, and she smiled warmly at him.

"With your help…I trust," William, said, looking at Logan and Hawkeye.

"We've done what we could to teach her about the land," Chingachgook said.

"Oh yes certainly a great deal to be learned out here," William said, nodding. "Tell me Thomas…what ever happened to those scoundrels you placed me with?" and Thomas looked up from his plate.

Slowly Logan's eyes shifted to him. "Well Hawkeye ended up killing one of them…," and he took a bite on his fork.

"And the other?" Narrowing his eyes Logan heard Thomas's heart begin to race. "I am sure he has found his just reward," William said, after Thomas shrugged and took a sip from his cup. "As I hope happens to all people who have betrayed the trust of others," slowly Logan turned his eyes to him.

Later back at the Delaware camp Logan, Hawkeye, and the others sat in the main lodge before the fire there. Hawkeye staring into it.

"Brought you some dinner," turning the saw Chingachgook offer a roasted bird on a stick to Hawkeye.

"We already had dinner," Hawkeye said, frowning.

Sighing Aisha rolled her eyes. "Hawkeye you didn't eat enough to fill a hummingbird," and before he could protest his stomach roared emphasizing
their point.

Smiling he reached out and took the meat and began to break of a limb. "It is not good the Lieutenant returns," Uncas said, joining them.

At his words, Hawkeye looked at him. "Of course it is," he said, then took a bite of the wing in his hand.

"Not for you and Elizabeth," Morning Star said, sitting next to her husband and he froze.

Slowly he looked at all of them. "You've noticed?"

They all smiled. "We'd have to be blind not to notice," Rocky said, taking Aisha's hand and for a few seconds they all sat in silence after his words.

"It's still good he made it back safely though," Hawkeye said. "Things will work out," and tossing the bones aside broke off a leg.

"No…they will not," and all eyes turned to Chingachgook.

"You had a vision?" Hawkeye asked.

"You didn't feel it? The shadow in that room?" Logan asked, and Hawkeye look at him as he sat straighter.

For a few seconds there was silence before Chingachgook explained. "The shaman who accompanied Monroe back here…he is a follower of the dark arts…"

"I saw no indication of that?" Hawkeye said, and Billy and Rocky nodded while the others frowned.

"his medicine bag…his talisman…all around them there are evil spirits...Falcons Eye and me could feel them…I could see them," Chingachgook continued. "Like dark clouds filling a room…," and he looked at Hawkeye.

"Well he saved William's life and brought him back here," Hawkeye defended slowly though Logan saw it begin to sink in.

"That what scares me," and they looked at Logan. "Men like Spirit Chaser would not get involved with a good man. The man that Monroe was when he was taken may not be the man that returned."

For a few seconds the group was silent. "What should we do?" Uncas asked. "Can he do magic?"

Rubbing his face Logan shrugged. "I doubt it but either way I think its best that after we return from checking the traps I spend some time in the sweat lodge sometime soon."

The next day they were preparing to leave with Hawkeye shaving with his knife before a mirror. When Elizabeth entered the lodge. At once all eyes turned to her and Hawkeye who stared at each other.

"We'll…give you two a moment," Kimberly said, and they filed outside.

The group sitting around the cooking fire Logan listened to them. "You're up early?" Hawkeye said.

"Rising isn't hard when you haven't slept."

For a few seconds there was silence. "I had the same problem," Hawkeye said.

"I don't know what to do."

"What did William say?"

"Nothing…he slept outside the fort walls last night."

"His idea…? Or yours?"

"His." Again, they fell silent for a time. "We have to discuss what we're going to say."

"Not my place to say anything Elizabeth…"

"And why not?"

"You're a married woman."

"That fact has never been in dispute."

"The longer that William was missing…the more certain I was he was dead…and I was wrong."

"In assuming he was dead…? Or allowing yourself to become involved with me?"

"Both."

"We did nothing wrong!"

"No…then why could neither one of us look him in the eye last night?" For few seconds she was silent. "I'm not one given to intrigue Elizabeth! My white parents before they were killed taught me one plain and simple rule: if you think something is wrong, it probably is."

"We can't control how we feel," and Logan could almost hear the tear in her voice.

"No, but I should have tried harder…"

"So…you're going to stand by…and do nothing?"

"It's not my way Elizabeth. But I don't have a choice in the matter."

"William has always been a reasonable and kind hearted man I'm sure will understand," and Logan heard her move toward the entrance.

"Elizabeth…" and turning she paused the flap half open.

"I must make him understand," she instead and upon her exit the others pretending to be preoccupied.

Later they sat around a fire they had started in the woods they were they were preparing a few snares. At the sound of approaching light footsteps, they shifted their eyes and saw William come toward them. "They said, at the Delaware camp you'd be out here," he said, when he reached them looking at Hawkeye.

Looking up he slowly stood. "You've become much more comfortable in the woods Lieutenant," he pointed out.

"Only because I spent so much time in them," he said. "My captors were so impressed by my show of courage they took the trouble to teach me things. How to follow a trail, how to forage for food, how to use…one of these…" he said, walking in a line as they watched them before facing them drawing the short knife hanging from his neck.

Watching his Logan discreetly inched his hand closer to his. Then without a word, William turned and threw the knife end over end. Coming to rest in a thin tree about thirty feet away.

Smiling he walked over to retrieve it. "Then your time as a prisoner wasn't a total waste," Logan said.

"Not at all!" William called back to them pulling out the knife. "All though there must be more pleasant ways to quire the knowledge," he said, testing the tip and walking back to them. "I thank you for taking Elizabeth under your wing."

For a few seconds they looked at him. "She's a bright woman, and a good pupil," Hawkeye said, before they moved toward the forest.

"And what exactly did you teach her?"

Slowly they faced him. "How to fire a weapon, follow a trail, paddle a canoe, things one needs to know to survive," Hawkeye counted off stepping closer to him again.

"So the two of you spent a great deal of time together?" and Logan eyed how William gripped his knife a little harder.

"To teach these things you'd have to," Logan said, coming closer to Hawkeye.

"But I wouldn't characterize it as a great deal," Hawkeye put in.

"But enough." William said. "That you drew close…"

"I consider her a friend," Hawkeye defended and Logan heard his heart beat faster.

"As I'm sure she does you," and he sheathed his knife. "Good day to you all," and with that he turned and left them.

The next day at the fort after watching Ansell and Cabe meet with William Logan watched them swagger into the trading post. Arching his eyebrows, he followed and watched form the still open door as they continued to the movements before facing each other oblivious to both him and Elizabeth who came out of her rooms. After grasping each other's forearms began to laugh with a hint of pride.

"Is everything alright boys?" and they spun around facing her.

"Why yes Ms. Monroe why do you ask?" Ansell said.

"You're walking like a rooster atop a chicken coop," Logan said, stepping in and they faced him.

"Oh stiffness Ms. Monroe….we've been sitting around too long…," Ansell, explained stretching his limbs.

"Well I'm off to the Delaware camp I won't be too long," she said, walking toward Logan. "Falcons Eye do you mind escorting me? I have things to…discus there."

Sighing he shrugged. "I just got here but why not."

"We'll look after things till you get back," Cabe said, and she turned to him.

"I expect you will Cabe," she said, nodding kindly. "Isn't that what I pay you for?" and she Logan left them.

As they mounted their horses, Logan looked at her. "Have you seen Spirit Chaser today? Or since the party?" he asked, and looking over she shook her head. "Wonder where he is?" Logan muttered, to himself and they rode out.

At the camp, everyone gathered around her Elizabeth as they walked through it told them of William's suggestion of second her back to Virginia and selling the trading post. "…and so he's left the decision in my hands,' she explained.

"How do you feel about that?" Hawkeye asked.

She shrugged. "A little daunted…"

"Not surprising," Billy said.

"I had no idea how to even broach the subject, when would be the appropriate time…but before I had a chance to even give it thought…he brings it up out of the clear blue sky," she said.

"Obviously it's been his mind lately," Logan said, and she looked at him.

"But when William spoke he was so…" she started pausing to find the right word. "…distant, it was almost as if a stranger were saying the words," she said, stopping to look at them and Logan's frown deepened.

"He's been through an ordeal Elizabeth…it's bound to have changed him," Hawkeye said.

"All of have changed…you knew…," and she broke off looking at the ground. "What I need to know is…if the things you have said, to me…if those feelings have changed?" she said, and the others backed off tying to be discreet.

"No they haven't," Hawkeye said, shaking his head and they all pretended to be focused on something else. "But when you make your decision…please make because of the way you feel about William…and not the way you feel about me," he said.

Smiling she nodded and left. "When did we get excluded from this conversation?" Aisha asked.

"When they got that look in their eye," Billy answered.

Smiling Logan nodded as Hawkeye remained where he was. "Look I gotta get to the sweat lodge I'll see you guys later," he said, leaving them for the sweat a deeper in the woods.

Sometime later Logan sat naked but for a breechcloth around his waist in the small dome makeshift shelter the steam and heat rising from the fire in a lotus position. As the sweat built on his body, he breathed evenly eyes closed for an uncounted amount of time as he tried to settle his restless mind as he seeked wisdom and giddiness from the spirits. Slowly he opened his eyes and he was no longer in the sweat.

He saw William and Spirit Chaser before the fire of their camp. Together they spoke of the party and of treachery. Then slowly William reached his hand over the fire saying how his enemies will die.

He watched as Thomas crept into William's and Sprit Chaser's camp during the night. And set fire to one of the ledge with the echoing screams of the dying resonating through the night.

He then saw William creep into the fort in the dead of night and his silhouetted figure creep into Thomas's quarters. After raising his knife in both hands brought it down on something. Then he moved to the trading post where he woke Elizabeth and after they started to argue, he struck her knocking her out. Then carried her outside the fort slumped her over a horse and rode way.

Releasing the breath, he was holding he opened his eyes for real with a jerk the heat of the sweat almost gone despite the people bringing more heated rocks. "Spirits above and below! William what have you done!"

Soon enough he was fully dressed and running back to the camp as the son started to rise. Just as he was arriving, Ansell ran through the camp and into the sleeping lodge for the men. Seconds later the men burst out rushing to finish getting dressed calling out for the girls.

"Falcons Eye…," Hawkeye started.

"I know!" Logan snapped leaping onto his horse. "And if we don't find her soon he'll kill her! You guys stay here and wait for the girls, Uncas, and Chingachgook we'll go one alone!" and they thundered out of the camp.

After finding his trail at the fort where Logan said, it would be they followed it as fast as they could. At a breakneck pace, they rode through the forest following the trail. Slowing their horses, they stopped to listen and at the sound of Williams voice, they dismounted. After tethering their horses, they began to creep forward and pulling back a branch their eyes went wide at what laid before them.

On a small rise overlooking the forest, a great boulder protruded from the ground like a shard of bone from the earth. Tied to each corner of by stakes driven into the ground and strips of leather tied around her wrists and ankles lay Elizabeth. William stood before it his back to her knife in hand.

"Forgive me for striking you, you left me no choice," he was saying as he looked out at the forest.

"William what are you doing?" she demanded trying to pull herself free.

"Setting things right," he answered turning to face her.

"What things?"

"Everything, did you know, Thomas tried to kill me?" and she shook her head. "Yes I saw him the other night. He burned the tent he thought, I was sleeping in."

"But he is your brother!" she said, horrified at what he was saying.

"Was…," he corrected her.

For a few seconds she was silent then realization hit. "Oh dear god," she muttered, looking away.

"I think he tried once before…as well…the two men…the guides…but I could not be sure," he explained further and Logan and Hawkeye glanced at each other.

"What do we do?" Logan asked, in a low whisper.

"Wait for the right time," Hawkeye whispered back.

"But what does that have to do with me?" Elizabeth demanded.

"You…," and William slowly turned to her the smile of a crazy man on his face. "here's where you must understand…my mind is not what it was before…there are times when I see everything clearly…and logically…just like the pages of a ledger…" he explained to her then smile faded. "then…there are blank spaces…when I cannot remember days that I know have passed…and…I am hungry…and there's a beard on my face…," and he started rubbing his shaven chin. "…and I don't ever remember what ever happened during those periods…"

That sound like PTSD, Red Dragon said.

"William it was the torture," Elizabeth said, trying to sound comforting. "It harmed your mind."

"No, no, it was not the torture! It was the Indian gods!" he declared turning his back to her and taking a few steps away from her as he looked to the sky.

"Those gods they have nothing to do with you! You're christen!" Elizabeth said, trying to get through to him.

"No! It must be them! My god would never play such a trick on me! I must appease them! I must appease them!

So that they can restore my mind to normalcy!" he snapped turning back to her. "Just like Abraham offered up his first born…I will give them that on earth…I value most…your love," and Logan and Hawkeye looked at each other.

"How can you do that?" she asked, and they heard the fear in her question.

"By bequeathing…the physical vessel…where you love resides," he answered raising his knife.

"My heart," she wept out in terror.

"Yes my love…I wish there was another way…," he said, and shifted his grip.

"STAND AWAY MONROE!" Hawkeye bellowed as he and Logan sprang up weapons leveled.

"THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!" he bellowed back at them.

"It has everything to do with me!" Hawkeye barked. "Now stand away before someone's hurt!"

"I will hear no more of this!" Monroe snarled coming toward them with the knife.

Adjusting his aim Logan fired his arrow going into the ground at William's feet stopping him in his tracks. "You're out of your god dame mind!" he snapped drawing another arrow.

"My mind has never been more clear!" William retorted and in a flash raised a cocked pistol.

Eyes wide Logan shifted in front of Hawkeye to the side just as he fired and he cried out in pain as the ball burned into his shoulder. The impact sent him spinning to the ground; he clutched it as warm blood covered his hand. Turning his head, he was in time to see William leap forward tackling Hawkeye to the ground knocking his rifle out of Hawkeye's hands toward the boulder as he came down on top of him.

As Hawkeye tried to hold back the mad man's knife from going into him Logan struggled to lift himself up drawing his knife. Before he could do anything, another shot rang out. The wrestling pair was still then collapsed to the side. For few seconds neither of them moved then slowly Hawkeye climbed to his feet looking down at William as the blood seeped from the hole in his back.

Frowning Logan looked over. And saw that Elizabeth had pulled herself free and was now holding Hawkeye's smoking rifle. Seeing her Hawkeye climbed to his feet and quickly went to her to wrap his arms comfort around her.

As he watched them, Logan pushed himself up and turned at approaching horses. "FALCONS EYE!" Kimberly barked as his friends leapt from their horses and went to him. "What happened?" she asked, looking him over.

Rolling his eyes, he snapped. "I got shot! What do you think happened?" he said.

Giving him a looked, she examined the wound. "Well it looks like the ball is still in there…we'll have to dig it out," she muttered.

"Yeah," he muttered, before bringing his other hand over it. Focusing he moaned in pain his hand snapped closed around the ball that shot out of the wound. After dropping it in Kimberly open hand, he waved his now free hand over the now bleeding would and felt it close up the muscles reconnecting. "I had a feeling about that to," and he rolled his arm testing the motion before climbing to his feet.

The next day after riding into the fort the group watched in thick skins to keep them warm from the winter chill as Thomas exited the infirmary on a pair of crutches to a military precession. "Not that his ego was inflated enough," Logan muttered, and the others with the exception of Hawkeye and Chingachgook snorted.

Shaking his head he looked over at Hawkeye and saw he was watching Elizabeth. Who was on the wall of the fort staring off into the distance. An almost haunted look on her face.

Sighing Logan stepped closer to him and after a few seconds muttered, "your fears they make you foolish…," and Hawkeye glanced at him. "Go to her," Logan gently urged.

For a few seconds Hawkeye looked at him before giving him a half grin. Turning back to Elizabeth, he walked up the fight of stares to the top of the wall and joined her.

"What do you think will happen between them now?" Aisha asked, stepping close watching the pair.

"She's a free woman…," and she looked at Logan who had turned away from them to look at her. "Whatever they want…though I wish it could have been done differently," he finished and despite the smile on his face, he couldn't help but feel his heart break.

A month later Logan and the others were in the main gathering lodge of the camp watching as Chingachgook and Hawkeye were having a fierce arm-wrestling match on a smooth topped stump brought in there. They watched as slowly the clasped hands were slowly with mighty efforts brought to one side then the other. The crowd around them watched anxiously.

"Who do you got your money on?" Rocky asked, leaning close.

Logan glanced at him shaking his head. "My money is on them drawing," he muttered, and Rocky blinked.

For a few more seconds they continued to watch the match for a few more seconds where Chingachgook and Hawkeye again brought the others hands close to the surface of the stump. With a few grunts of effort, their hands returned to the middle.

"Draw…?" Hawkeye moaned out in effort.

"Draw…!" Chingachgook agreed and they released each other.

Smiling the crowd disbursed and moaning Adam, Rocky, and Billy handed over coins to Logan. Who was smugly smiling.

"I almost had you there," Hawkeye muttered, rubbing his arm as he climbed to his feet.

"No it is I who almost had you!" Chingachgook protested.

"Now I distinctly remember having your arm this far from the table!" and Hawkeye demonstrated with two fingers and laughing lightly Logan rolled his eyes as Mornings Star came close with Kim and Aisha.

"Maybe Hawkeye isn't such a hawk eye," Chingachgook said, and Hawkeye laughed.

"It has always been the same with you…" and they all turned to the shaman who had been watching. "You both see the same thing…but it looks different," he said, looking from one to the other.

Nodding Logan turned to Morning Star. "So did you have a good time with Elizabeth gathering plants and flowers?" he asked, and frowned when she got nervous.

Before she could answer the entrance flap to the lodge was thrown open a chief from a different village that Logan knew of stormed in. He was a tall man with a hawk like nose and two strands of braided hair that rested on his shoulders.

"Tog-wah welcome it's been a long time," Chingachgook called out in greeting.

"I do not come to make easy talk," Tog-wah said, coming close to Chingachgook Hawkeye and the shaman. "The sacred ground has been violated," he said, and Logan frowned standing straight.

"In what way?" the shaman asked, concerned.

"A stranger entered…the woman from the fort known as Monroe," he said, and Logan looked from Morning Star back to Tog-wah.

"Tog-wah are you sure?" Logan asked, as he came close.

"She must pay the price!" Tog-wah insisted.

"Elizabeth is respectful of the Delaware ways she would never knowingly enter the sacred area," Hawkeye said.

"That does not matter she must die or the spirits will punish us!" and Tog-wah started to move away.

Moving after him Hawkeye barked, "Elizabeth is a god fearing woman I promise she meant no harm!"

Stopping Tog-wah turned back to face him. "If it is true she did no harm the spirits will forgive," the shaman said.

"They will strike dead if we do not kill her!"

"How can Tog-wah know this?" and everyone looked at Hawkeye. "Tog-wah is no shaman."

"I'm a Delaware Chief! A warrior! I take care of my people!" Tog-wah said, jabbing a thumb at himself.

"And Elizabeth is a friend to the Delaware it must have been a mistake," Kimberly insisted coming forward.

"She must die!"

"You will not touch this Monroe woman!" and they all looked at the Shaman.

For a few seconds there was silence before Tog-wah said, "You will see…the spirits will speak and when they do I not want to be here," and with those words he turned and left the ledge.

"Tog-wah seems sure something will happen," Uncas said, coming close.

"Tog-wah is wrong," Hawkeye persisted.

"I hope you are right," Chingachgook said, slipping on his thicker buckskin.

Frowning Hawkeye stepped closer. "Don't tell me you believe we will be punished just because she wandered into the sacred area?"

For a few seconds Chingachgook was silent. "I don't know what the gods will decide, but one thing I know…they will show us," and with that he followed Tog-wah outside.

After he parted, Logan turned to Morning Star. "Tell us exactly what happened?" he said, quickly.

For a few seconds she looked at him before she started. "Our horses were spooked by some birds and wondered off. She followed them and unknowingly went into the sacred lands not hearing my warnings…she was barely in a moment before she reaper…I told her what she did…and we left," she concluded and they looked at each other.

"I think we'd better have a talk with Elizabeth," Logan muttered, and Hawkeye nodded.

As they rode to the fort Hawkeye motioned for the to stop a frown on his face. Before he could ask why they stopped, Logan heard the sound of someone humming a hymen or song nearby.

Following the sound until they came upon a wagon full of wooden boxes which at the moment had one corner dug into the ground. Its fallen broken wheel off to the side along with a few boxes that had fallen out. And leading the horses around to secure them to the side was a man in black and a preacher's scarf.

"Well it looks like you have some trouble!" Hawkeye called out as they rode closer and dismounted.

"Good day to you sirs and…ladies," the preacher called out touching his three-pointed hat eyeing the girl's attire. "I seemed to have run into a bit of rough road. I was on my way to the fort I was hoping there was someone there who could help me."

"His name is Sam, he's the blacksmith, I'm sure he can fix this right up," Logan said, eyeing some of the boxes.

"Thank you Reverend Henry Bothwell," Reverend Bothwell said, offering his hand.

"Nathanial Bumppo," Hawkeye said.

"Ah so you're the one they call Hawkeye," Reverend Bothwell said, smiling then looked back at Logan and the others. "and you must be some of his friends I've also been heard about…though I didn't expect some for you to be women," he said, looking back at Kimberly and Aisha. "I trust she has been baptized and follows the word of our savior?" he asked, nodding to her.

For a few seconds Aisha was silent before saying, "my beliefs are my own reverend as are yours."

Smiling he nodded. "Of course of course though either way I was hoping I'd bump into one of you I want to hire you," he said, looking at Hawkeye.

"What for?" Logan asked.

"To guide me while I spread the good word to the savages," Reverend Bothwell said, smiling and some of them looked at each other.

"You mean the French?" Hawkeye asked.

"The Indians of course," Reverend Bothwell said, his smile dropping a little... "They're on the road to hell. There's only one just and true God and I mean to introduce him to them…," he said, and Logan's face-hardened.

"Well that's very generous of you reverend but the Delaware have their own beliefs and they are quite content with them," Hawkeye said.

"Well that maybe but it's my job to show them they're wrong and to offer them the road to salvation. Don't you agree?"

"I was under the impression that there are many roads to heaven," Logan said, and Reverend Bothwell looked at him.

"And I'm simply a mere scout the only road I know of is the one that gets me here to there. We'll see that someone get back to help you with your wheel," Hawkeye said, and they swung back on their horses.

"And the job?"

Slowly they looked down at him. "Sorry we don't work for bigots," Rocky said, and as they rode off, they heard him start to hum again.

Was it just me or did something back there make my morpher grow warm? Logan thought.

It wasn't just you, Red Dragon thought, to him.

When they reached the fort after they alerted Sam to Reverend Bothwells plight they headed straight for the trading post and upon entering Hawkeye called out, "Elizabeth!" and coming out of the back room she smiled despite the morning crape draped over her shoulders and tied in the front.

"Hawkeye it's so good to see you," she said, walking over and embracing him. "But I thought, we were meeting later for dinner?" she asked, stepping back.

"Yes we are but Elizabeth a chief from a nearby camp say he saw you trespass on sacred ground," he said, and she frowned. "Morning Star told us how it happened but did you disturb anything?" he asked, taking her by the upper arms.

"No I simply ran in and I ran out. I didn't touch a thing," she said, and they all let loose a sigh of relief. "This is serious isn't it?' she asked, looking from one to another.

"Very," Hawkeye murmured.

"Well I'll just go to the chief and explain…," she started.

"Elizabeth right now that would be a very bad idea," Kimberly said. "Maybe this will pass without anything happening."

"Are you all saying it may not?' and she crossed her arms looking from one to the other.

"Elizabeth what you did was like somebody walking into a church and smashing everything on the alter," Logan explained and her eyes went wide in realization. "You have to let us handle this…right now we have to go talk to Tog-wah," and they turned to leave.

"Do you think he'll listen to you?"

Slowly they looked back at her. "I hope so," Hawkeye muttered, and they left.

Riding in silence fast for Tog-wah's camp they didn't stop until they reached the clearing. Looking around them, they saw that many of the people seemed furlong. Like a shadow was hanging over the village. As they walked through it Logan took note how many seemed to hang around their wikiups and that his morpher was starting to grow warm again.

"You have no business here Hawkeye! None of you do!" and turning they saw Tog-wah come out of a wikiup glaring at them.

"We are your brothers and sisters Tog-wah, I was raised with the Delaware, and they live among us," Hawkeye said, walking forward.

"But you walk in the world of the white man!"

"We don't live as white people Tog-wah," Aisha said. "We live our lives as we choose."

"Elizabeth has done nothing to harm you Tog-wah she made a mistake," Hawkeye said, trying to sooth the man. "Surely the spirits will forgive her for that."

In answer Tog-wah turned and threw, open the flap of his wikiup. "You are wrong!" he snapped.

Frowning they, walked forward band squatting down they saw Dancing Swan lying on their bed of furs her skin sweaty from a fever with a blanket covering her. "When got back from your camp my people told me that she fell ill! She has Smallpox!"

Logan's eye snapped to him. Smallpox! No wonder my morpher has been acting like this! He thought, as the group moved away from the wikiup.

"My wife is dying! The spirits are taking her in revenge!"

For a few seconds the group looked at him not sure what to say. Then Hawkeye put a comforting hand on his shoulder before they turned and left.

Kimberly what do you know about smallpox? Logan asked, as they rode away.

Why do you guys always ask me about these things?

Because your father was a doctor, now what do you know? Aisha put in.

Glancing at them, she sighed. well, the good news is I did a paper on it in health class. So I know it's rarely an airborne virus, plus since we were probably all given the vaccine when we were kids I don't think we have to worry about it much. But to the tribes of this time it might as well, be Sarin or VX Gas because it will spread like a wild fire.

For the white people or any people with a tolerance it has a thirty percent mortality rate, she explained.

The next day they returned to the fort. Where Hawkeye inform Elizabeth about the outbreak in Tog-wah's camp. For a few seconds she stared at them then turned and started back for the trading post.

"Elizabeth you can't go," Logan said, stepping forward to stop her.

"I know I can't stop this disease but at least I can at least offer some relief from the pain! I have this ointment that may help," she said, half thinking.

"You cannot go!" Hawkeye snapped slowly taking her hand.

"I did not cause this outbreak Hawkeye! They must realize that!"

"You are not welcomed there…now you are not to go there under any circumstance!" Hawkeye said, walking around to face her. "Have I made myself clear?"

"Very!" she growled. "But I am a grown person! And fully capable of making my own decisions! Now will you please excuse me?" And she walked around him toward the trading post.

"Why do I have the feeling she's not going to listen to us," Logan muttered, as she walked back toward the trading post, the others nodded, and Logan's eyes narrowed as Reverend Bothwell from before intercepted her. After they spoke for a moment, she left him walking stiffly.

Later with Chingachgook, Logan went to the trading post to find Elizabeth and found Ansell attempting to juggle apples. After dropping them, he stood up and jumped seeing them.

"I didn't hear you come in," he said. "What can I get you?"

"We came to see Elizabeth," Chingachgook said.

"Well you just missed her," Ansell said, pointing to the door.

"Where is she?" Logan demanded.

"Out doctoring…I think she's crazy I wouldn't go near no one with plague," and Logan's eyes went wide.

"What is plague?" Chingachgook asked, confused.

"Smallpox," Logan muttered, and Chingachgook looked at him.

"Where is this plague?" Chingachgook asked, looking back at Ansell.

"It's at some Delaware camp…," he answered starting to juggle the apples again. "But not yours though…" he continued dropping them and picking them up turn away from them. "I got nothing against your people…but it would take more than wild horses to me to go near anyone who had…smallpox," he finished turning back stunned to see them already gone as silently as they had arrived.

Walking along the trail basket of medicine in hand Elizabeth paused. Turning on the spot, she scanned the tree for the eyes she felt on her. "Is somebody there?" she called out. When no answer came, she turned back and right into a brave with two thin braids down either side of his face. Stepping back in surprise she stared back into the man's cold hard face. "I'm Elizabeth Monroe I live at the fort," she said, regaining herself but Tog-wah remained silent. "May I pass?"

"I am Tog-wah," he finally said.

At his words her eyes widened in fear. "I've…I've come to help. I bring medicine," and she offered the basket, which was soundly kicked, out of her hand by Tog-wah.

"You have brought death to my people!" he barked drawing his tomahawk.

"I meant no harm!" she barked stepping back and tripping on her skirt fell back onto the ground.

Before she could regain her feet, Tog-wah was on her grasping her cover shoulder. "This won't hurt long," he said, almost mournfully drawing back his tomahawk.

Suddenly a shot rang out and the head of the tomahawk snapped off. Rolling over Elizabeth saw Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Logan stepped out of the trees weapons ready. "Elizabeth! Get up!" Hawkeye barked.

"Do not interfere!" Tog-wah barked at them starting to draw his knife then froze. As Uncas, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Kimberly, and Billy appeared around him weapons leveled.

"Think about it Tag-wah!" Logan barked face hard Tog-wah moved his hand away from the knife.

"Elizabeth!" Hawkeye said, again and she sprang to her feet rushing over. "Do not touch this woman!" he warned when she reached him.

"The spirits tell me what to do not Hawkeye!" Tog-wah bellowed.

"Hear my words Tog-wah. You kill this woman I will kill you," he said, though his voice was calm his face was murderous before signaling for them all to move out. As both of them glared at each other, the groups around Tog-wah gathered close to the three with Elizabeth. Keeping their eyes and weapons on Tog-wah, they walked back several dozen feet before turning their backs to him. As they rounded a bend, they heard his anguished cries.

They didn't talk until they reached the trading post of the fort. "I only wanted to help!" Elizabeth barked whipping off her cloak and tossing it aside.

"And we told you not to go there!" Hawkeye barked.

"And the next time we tell you to do something you do it!" Logan barked slamming the door after the last of the group came in.

"But you didn't tell me why!" she snapped facing them. "That Tog-wah wanted to kill me!"

"We didn't want to scare you!" Billy snapped.

"But we should have told you if only to keep you from your stubbornness!" Rocky said, from next to him.

"Either way we should have known you would have gone to help anyway," Aisha said.

"I had a feeling," and everyone looked at Logan. "What? I wanted to be wrong," he said, shrugging.

I've hardly ever seen such hate in one person's eye," Elizabeth muttered.

Slowly Hawkeye faced her. "His wife…his family…his people…they're all dying," he said, slowly stepping closer to her.

Unable to hold his gaze she looked away. "I would give my life for there's if I could," she said.

"We'll weather the storm Elizabeth," Hawkeye said, placing a hand on her shoulder and she looked at him. "Just don't go near the camp again alright," and she nodded.

"so right now we need to figure out what the hell caused this outbreak, and to do that we need to talk to Tog-wah," Logan said, and nodding they turned to leave. The last one out was Chingachgook and he was staring at Elizabeth as Logan held the door open for him.

Facing him fully Elizabeth asked, "Do you believe what Tog-wah believes?"

For a few seconds he was silent. "I know that you did not intend to violate our lands…but you did," he said, and with that said, he turned and walked through door and after glancing at Elizabeth, Logan followed.

After knocking at the door to Colonel Monroe's office Logan, Hawkeye, Kimberly, and Rocky heard him call out. "Enter," and pushing the door open the bumped into Reverend Bothwell.

Blinking in surprise Logan watched him go before walking into the office where they warmed themselves by the fire. "I think there's a situation you should be aware of," Hawkeye said, while Colonel Monroe stood over papers sprawled over his table.

"And what situation is that?" Colonel Monroe said.

"There's been a threat on Elizabeth's life," rocky said, rubbing his hand together.

At those words, Colonel Monroe looked at them. "From whom?"

"Tog-wah, he believes she's the cause of this outbreak of smallpox," Kimberly said, and they moved closer to the table.

"That's preposterous," Colonel Monroe, said, looking back at the papers.

"Like you were going to blame Hester for the bone break fever we had a while back?" and Colonel Monroe turned his eyes back to Logan not saying anything. "Both maybe nonsenses but to him it's very real and until we figure what did cause it we should post a guard outside her quarters at night," Logan continued.

"In case you've failed to notice I'm fighting a war with very few resources…," Colonel Monroe said, picking up a map and a few of the papers and moved behind his desk. "If you wish to stand on duty outside her quarters that is your affair but I haven't got a man to spare."

"Well I understand your situation, but I believe Tog-wah's threat is real," Hawkeye insisted.

"Then I will have him shot and be done with it," Monroe said, and sat down.

"That's not a solution it will just make bigger problems!" Logan snapped. "The man's wife, village, and family are dying! He's out his mind with grief! Now why don't you put yourself in his…moccasins for a moment and think of a way for this to be settle humanely," Logan said.

Sighing Colonel Monroe sat back in his chair. "I'm sick of this plague…it has taken a number of settlers as well…"

"Then lest find out what brought it here," Kimberly said, while Logan and Hawkeye eyed the map and papers.

"What's this?" Hawkeye asked, gesturing toward them.

"It belongs to the man who just left…he's buying land," Colonel Monroe explained

After glancing at him, Hawkeye examined it more closely. "You can't sell this land…it belongs to the Delaware!" he said, looking at the Colonel and all but Logan looked from Hawkeye to the Colonel.

"They deserted it. Any man has the right to lay acclaim."

"They left because of the Smallpox! Once it's safe they will return!" Logan snapped.

"You can't let this happen," Kimberly said.

"Madam I do not make the law, I only enforce it," Monroe said.

For a few seconds they looked at him before they all turned and left.

"That land belongs to the Delaware people!" Chingachgook objected in outrage when they told them what they had learned just outside the fort.

"That's true but the law is on Bothwell's side!" Hawkeye said, pacing back and forth in front of them.

"It is not our law!" Uncas said.

"No it's not," Aisha muttered, in agreement. "But unfortunately it's the law that is recognized."

"How can this law let someone take what belongs to another?" Chingachgook demanded.

"They say when you moved off it you abandoned it…,' Adam started.

"We left because of the sickness! When the spirits make the land good again our people will return!" Uncas said.

"I think I know what's going on," Logan muttered, and Kimberly and Rocky nodded in agreement and everyone looked at them.

"What do you mean?" Chingachgook said.

"First I want to know where the good Reverend had been lately and what he's been up to then we start out back to Tog-wah," Kimberly said. "And to do the first part the best place is as the tavern," and with that she hitched up her bow and walked off the others following.

After spending a few hours in the tavern where they asked, discreet questions about the man. After hearing, what some people had to say about him, and where he's been, they rode out for Tog-wah's village. Making camp when it got too dark to travel.

It was early morning when they arrived and they stood in horror at what lay before them. Laid out in a neat row was a line of bodies wrapped in blankets. And before them wearing war paint and carrying a war lance stood Tog-wah his back to them crying to the heavens a small bonfire before him. Solemnly they dismounted and walked closer.

At the sound of their approach, Tog-wah whipped around. "Do you not see?" He screeched darting toward them. "Do you not see that the spirits have done to my people? You should have let me kill her!" half ignoring him Logan eyed the blankets and some of the crates he did not see before.

"We're sorry for your loss," Chingachgook said, and Uncas nodded.

"Do not speak to me of sorrow! You do not know what it's to hold your wife while the spirits take her. Knowing you could have stopped it! If only you hade brave enough to do what should have been done!" He snapped at them hand going to his knife.

"There was nothing you could have done…," Billy started but was silenced as Tag-wah drew his knife racing forward to press it to his throat.

"Do not speak to me like a brother! You care nothing for my people!" and warned.

"Whatever you say," Billy muttered, eyes wide as dinner plates.

Two hands grabbing Tog-wah by the shoulders. Both Logan and Hawkeye threw him back to the ground. "I was raised by your people Tog-wah my adopted father was a great chief. And we came to help," Hawkeye said, as they looked down on him.

"How? How can you help?" Can you bring my people…my wife back?" he demanded in a grief stricken voice.

"Tog-wah where did you get these blankets?" Kimberly demanded.

Looking at her, he frowned. "A missionary came here a few days ago…he gave them as a gift. He tried to convert us to his ways."

Slowly Logan approached one of the open boxes where he could still see neatly folded blankets. "Do you remember his name?" he asked, as his morpher grew warmer with every step.

"No he did not preach long just handed us the gifts and left," Tog-wah said, as they gathered around him.

As Logan eyed the blanket, Uncas reached for one. At once Logan sized the man by the wrist. "Tog-wah we believe his gift is what brought the smallpox. He targeted your people so would die of the smallpox and he could take your land for next to nothing. And sell it to new settlers for highest price. It had nothing to do with Elizabeth," Logan said, and Tog-wah, Chingachgook, and Uncas stared at him.

"We promise you will have justice," Hawkeye said.

For a few seconds Tog-wah looked at him before nodding. "Before we leave we need to deal with the smallpox still here," Logan said, and stepping back raised his hand.

At once, the box of blankets before him lifted into the air and Tog-wah sprang back in surprise eyes wide while the others watched. Looking over as some more Logan raised his other hand and they to were lifted up. Directing them with his hands, he brought them over the bonfire where he let them drop and they immediately started to burn.

For five minutes, he worked with Tog-wah finding and lifting every crate and blanket and placing them in the bonfire. When they were done, the fire burned strong ten feet in the air. And all that was left was the line of wrapped bodies.

After eyeing them, Logan looked at Tog-wah. "I'm sorry but it has to be done," he muttered, to the man then looking over his shoulder nodded.

Before the man could reply both Adam and Rocky seized him by the arms holding him back. "What are you doing?" he demanded as Logan faced the bodies fully and raising his hand lifted them into the air in the same line.

After stepping one foot back, he drew back a hand. "I said, all the smallpox," he said, quietly and with a tear in his eye thrust his hand forward and stream of blue fire issued from it encasing the bodies.

At once Tog-wah cried out and he struggled harder against Adam and Rocky. For almost a minute Logan kept the stream going. Then lowering his hand it dies instantly and all that was left of the bodies was falling ash and Tog-wah was released where he fell to his knees. After watching, them fall to the ground Logan turned to the buildings and promptly set them aflame.

Whipping away his tear Logan faced him. "You can hate me all you want Tog-wah. But if I hadn't done it, bodies would have spread the disease. And it might have come back worse," he said, then walking by the others mounted his horse. "Let's find ourselves a reverend," he growled and they all followed.

When they reached it, they headed straight for Ansell who was working on the window shutters on the side of the building. "hey Hawkeye, Flacons Eye, Dancing Herein, Lone Wolf, Chingachgook, Cunning Wolf, Swift Deer, Standing Bear!" he called out in greeting to them as they pulled their horses to a stop.

"We're here to see Elizabeth!" Hawkeye said.

"She's gone she left about an hour ago with the reverend," Ansell said, frowning at the serious looks on their faces.

"What reverend?" Logan demanded.

"I think it was that new one…"

"Where did they go?" Kimberly demanded.

"She had a bunch of stuff packed on a horse, they said, they were going to…your camp," he said, and pointed to Chingachgook.

Eyes wide they looked at each other then turned their mounts around and galloped out of the fort. People calling out to them.

In a roar of thunder, they rode into the camp and looking around Logan extended his senses. "…has explained your god we do not need it," he heard Chingachgook's wife Spring Dawn say.

"I understand but your beliefs will not save you," Bothwell's voice said.

"Save us from what?" Spring Dawn said, and Logan whipped around to face the main lodge.

"The road to hell and damnation. You miss…Morning Star being a christen born woman should know,"

"THERE!" he barked pointing and they rushed forward.

Throwing open the flap they entered at once Logan spotted the crates. Rushing forward pulled the children that were trying to open one away from it.

When they were safe, he faced Bothwell with the others with a look of pure rage on his face. "How could you?" Hawkeye said, in a deadly quite voice.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, looking at them shaking his head in confusion.

"The smallpox you murderer!" Kimberly barked. "You brought it!"

At that, all eyes turned on him. "That's obscured! How could I have done that?" Bothwell said, laughing.

"Simple before your last post at the Iroquois you were in Quebec where they had an outbreak. There you took the blankets from the sick and gave them to the Indians!" Billy said. "And when the Indians were all killed by your weapon you took the land for next to nothing. Selling it to new settlers."

Behind Bothwell, Elizabeth turned to look at the crates of blankets. "Of all the ridiculous things I've ever heard!" Bothwell said, facing the Delaware and Elizabeth where shrinking away from him and the crates.

"We just came from your last mass murder site! The same crates that you're using now were all over the place! Unfortunately we had to burn everything, including the bodies of your victims!" Aisha barked.

"I am a man of God! How dare you accuse me of such a thing darky!" he barked at her.

"The only God you serve is death!" Logan barked and Bothwell glared at him. "You did it there and now you're about to do the same here!"

"You will not speak to me in that manner!"

"Then why don't you prove us wrong, open up a crate outside," and everyone looked at Hawkeye.

"What?"

"Take a crate outside and open it up. Then wrap yourself up in one of the blankets," he challenged holding out his knife.

After looking at them for a moment, Bothwell shook his head. "I will not stand her and be insulted," and with that he tried to leave.

Stopping him with a hand on his chest Logan shoved him back. "You're not going anywhere!" he barked.

As Bothwell got up he seized Morning Star and using her as a shield with one arm wrapped around her throat pressed a pistol to her head. "Out of my way or I'll kill her!" he snapped. "I mean it!" he barked as Hawkeye's hand with to the pistol at his waist. Stepping aside, they let him pass. "Don't follow or I'll shot," he barked looking at them all but didn't see Logan sink into the ground behind Adam, Rocky, and Kimberly.

Popping out of the ground behind Bothwell Logan watched as he back up keeping his hold on Morning Star. "Stay away! And you try anything I'll kill you!" he was barking to the people surrounding him and Morning Star.

"I don't care if it means your death!" she snapped.

"Heck of a woman eh?" Logan said.

At once Bothwell spun around and Logan grabbing his gun wrist drove his other fist into his face sending the man to the ground. The action allowed Morning Star to break free and she ran into Uncas arms. Walking around him Logan watched as Bothwell rolled through the mud to regain his feet.

"Having trouble there?" he asked, when he finally got up.

Smiling the man leveled the pistol on him. "You should have taken the pistol."

"You mean like this?" he asked, shrugging and the pistol shot out of the man's hand.

Bothwell stared in horror as it floated in midair then slowly turned until it was aimed at him. "Now you want something to fear…and hate…," Logan said, turning back to him. "Fear me!" he growled his eyes gaining a red tint and the man shrank back further. "now before I hand you over to Tog-wah like I promised him I'm going to have some fun beating the…holy…hell…out of you," Logan said, as he took off his jacket and started rolling up his sleeves stopping when he froze staring and the gun dropped to the ground.

Behind Logan, everyone shrank back as they acquired the same look that was on his face. Coming out of the main lodge Hawkeye and the others raised their weapons, which dropped to the ground as their hands went slack and Elizabeth let loose a scream covering her mouth. In front of him, Bothwell looked at them in confusion.

As Logan and everyone continued to stare opened mouthed in wide-eyed horror he bent down and picked up the pistol. "You see, God protects me…for he knows that I am doing his work…," he gloated.

"They're not looking at you," said, a voice behind him.

Whipping around he dropped the pistol in horror at the sight of the woman behind him. She was about Logan's height with long black hair that danced a little on the wind. But her narrow delicate face, full lips, and slanted eyebrows were marked by the pox marks cover her face.

Stepping forward the Indian woman said, "You remember me don't you. I am one of the people you murdered for your greed and your blind hate. And now it's time for you to move on," she said.

Backing up Bothwell bumped up into Logan clutching the cross around his neck. "You have help me," he mumbled.

Frowning Logan glanced at him. "To hell with that," he said, and pushed the man forward and after flying three feet land sprawled on the mud on the woman's feet.

Slowly Bothwell looked up at her still clutching his cross. "I…am a servant of God…lady of Lucifer…I command thee…return to the fires of hell!" he said.

With a look of pity on her face, she squatted down to cup his chin. "you are not in a position to command anything this day…it's time to see if your hell exists…and if it does for you to burn in it…and that is why we are here," she said, coldly.

"'W…e' whose we?" Bothwell stuttered out in terror.

At that, the woman looked up. Turning Logan jumped. Behind him mingled in with the village stood a group of people that he never seen there before.

Turning again his eyes went wider for there were even more behind and around the woman. They all stood row after row of them made up of white people and Indians. All of them were staring at them with looks of deep loathing on their faces. And all of them were covered in pox marks.

"You're the reason we're dead…you brought the sickness that killed us…because you believe my people to be evil incarnate," she said, as Bothwell springing back started pulling himself away. "When we're not we were just people like you!" she continued following him and the rest of his victims closed ranks surrounding him.

"What are you doing?" he demanded in hysterics.

"It's time to meet your maker and worry not we'll make sure you're dressed properly…," she said, and raising her hands one of his blankets appeared. "Wouldn't want you to get cold."

At once, he went dead pale. "No, no, no, NO!" he screamed as a white man and an Iroquoi grabbed him and dragged him to his feet.

Slowly she approached and despite his struggles wrapped him in the blanket. As his screams grew louder Logan watched in horror as if a movie of a tree was put on fast forward was being played as rashes grew across his face, followed by pox marks appeared on his face as something oozed out of his eyes before he went limp. Then just as fast, he began to decay and as the woman removed, the blanket all that was left was the bones that fell to the ground, which quickly became dust.

Then slowly the dead turn and when they faced them fully they bore no sign of smallpox on them. With small smiles on their faces, they gave curt nods before they closed their eyes as a look of pleasure came over them and like smoke on the wind, they vanished. When it cleared all that was left was the woman whose beauty had been restored.

Smiling she approached Logan. "I just want to thank for proving my stubborn husband wrong and for helping find justice for us. Though times lie ahead of you and it's almost time for you and your friends to return to where you came from," she said, then turned and looked at Tog-wah.

Her smile widening she walked over to him. "Dancing Swan…," he started but she silenced him by placing two fingers over his mouth.

"Never forget to look inside the hearts of others my love, and never forget that I love you and one day we will be reunited," and leaning forward she kissed him and like the others she to disappeared.

Blinking away a tear Logan glanced around and saw Kimberly and the others gathered around him. "Just for the record, I did not do that," he said, and they nodded.

"No kidding," Rocky muttered.

A couple weeks later after bathing in a deep section of the river where he used magic to heat up the water around him. Logan was heading back to camp when something caught his eye. Frowning he pushed aside a bushes and his eyebrows shot high as he saw Rocky strike another pose his as he looked at his reflection in the water.

"Rocky…," he said, half laughing and jumping Rocky spun around facing him. "What are you doing?" he asked, walking forward.

For a few seconds Rocky bit his lip before answering. "Well…remember what you said, to Kim…about when we go back?" he asked, hesitantly.

Slowly Logan nodded. "Yeah when we go back physically we return to normal," he said.

Again, he nodded. "Yeah…well…you see…," he started biting his lip again. "Then I didn't have an eight pack," he blurted out indicating his well-formed muscles. Head going back Logan blinked. "And I wanted to admire it more before we go back," he finished going a little red. For a few seconds Logan stood in silence staring at him. "Look I know it's…," Rocky started again.

Logan silenced him with a raised hand. "No worries man no judgment…," he said, half laughing before turning and walking away.

When he got back to camp, he met up with Kim and Aisha. "Hey we're's Rocky?" Aisha asked, looking at him.

"Admiring his eight pack…," he started.

"He has an eight pack?" Aisha demanded interrupting him and both Kim and Logan looked at her. "You know…I just remembered I have to…go do something…," she said, then tried discreetly to slink away to the forest.

"Two hundred years of feminine independence and girl power right out the window," Logan muttered, shaking his head watching her go.

"Hey Aisha and me would be on the front lines with Susan B Anthony, but hey we're still women," and Logan looked at her and Kim shrugged. "A hot male body is a hot male body. Especially with an eight pack."

When they arrived at the fort, it was unusually busy and crowded with extra soldiers. Pushing their way to the trading post where upon opening the door Logan bumped into a soldier wearing officers' jacket like Thomas's.

"Sorry…I didn't…," he started freezing when the man turned to look at him.

For a few seconds he looked at them going from one to another as they stared in shock and awe. On any other day and with any other soldier they wouldn't be doing this. The main difference was they saw his face every time they held a one-dollar bill.

"There's no need to fear it was an accident," he said, smiling and Logan narrowed his eyes to see of the legend was true. "Something wrong?" the man asked, frowning.

At once Kim dug her elbow into Logan who blinked giving his head a shake. "No…no sir…nothing at all," Kim said, in an awe struck voice.

Slowly he nodded. "Oh where are my manors Captain George Washington," Captain Washington said, offering his hand.

Eyes shifting to it Logan slowly extended his hand and lightly took it at first then grew more confident and shook it firmly. "It's truly an honor sir, I'm…I'm called Falcons Eye," he said, with a shaky voice.

He nodded. "You a scout for the King's army?" he asked, looked at the others.

"Part time…we don't really do any fighting…," said, in an awe struck Adam.

"Well I guess we all must do our parts, good luck and god speed to all of you," he and after shaking all their hands, giving curt bow to Kim. "And it is indeed a pleasure to meet you ladies," he said, taking hers and Aisha's hands and kissing them.

"Captain Washington," said, a voice.

"Yes William," he said, facing a well-dressed black man in a turban.

"The men are assembled and ready to move out," William said.

"Thank you William," and Washington faced them again. "It is indeed been a pleasure," and with one last bow left them.

In stunned silence, they turned to watch him go. Then in a daze, they turned and walked to the counter.

I just shook the hand of the man who will be the first President of the United States…I know it sounds corny…but I'm never washing my hand again, Logan said.

Hay he kissed ours… Aisha put in.

And he has all his teeth, Adam piped up and they snorted.

Just then, Elizabeth and Hawkeye came up to the counter. "Something the matter, you're looking like you just met the King of England," he said, frowning.

Slowly they looked at each other. You have no idea, Logan thought. "We just met Captain Washington…we've heard a lot about him. Where are they going?" he asked, gesturing.

"To his new post at Fort Wilderness, he stopped here for supplies for him and his men," Elizabeth said.

Later in the day still reviling in their chance in counter they were staring to ride back to the Delaware Camp with Elizabeth and Hawkeye with angry storm clouds covering the afternoon sun. "So what else is on the agenda for the day?" Logan asked, looking at Hawkeye.

"That's a better question for me."

His head whipping around a deep scowl appeared on Logan's face. "Deception!" and above them on a tree branch the Wizard of Deception laughed at them.

"Falcons Eye who is that?" Elizabeth demanded in fear as she shrank back on her horse.

Beside her on his Hawkeye swung his rifle forward. As he cocked it with a wave of his wand, Wizard of Deception sent him flying through the air toward a tree. In a flash, Logan whipped up his hand and Hawkeye froze in midair then dropped to the ground where Elizabeth rushed to him.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE WE'RE THE ONES YOU WANT!" Kimberly barked sliding off her horse raising her fists.

"Oh I didn't come here to fight; I came to give you some news from home. The city is about to be destroyed. Too bad you're not there to save it!" he said, waving his hand and his cape shifted before he laughed.

"We'll never let you win!" Adam snapped.

At that Deception laughed. "With you all trapped here whose going to stop me! Now why don't I leave you with something for you to pass the time with!" and with that he raised his wand and bolts of energy shot at the ground before he vanished.

As Logan struggled to keep his horse under control, he watched horror. As a hand burst out of the ground, a bat appeared which became a man with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, with a hole a giant wolf standing on two legs jumped out of the forest, and with a moan and a stiff walk what looked like Frankenstein appeared.

"Some of them maybe a little ahead of their time like yourselves, but who else is going to know," Wizard of deception said, and with a laugh opened a time portal and vanished.

Staring at the monsters as the zombie pulled itself out of the ground Logan muttered, "Guys get Elizabeth and Hawkeye out of here!" Logan growled.

"Red Dragon…," Kimberly muttered.

"'Red Dragon'? Falcons Eye what are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked, from where she was with Hawkeye.

"Can any of you can morph by all means stay!" he barked looking at them.

For a few seconds they looked at him before they turned their horses and grabbing Hawkeye and Elizabeth rode off. Watching them go Logan slid from his horse and giving it a solid wrap on the rump sent it away. And giving the way it was hauling it was glad to do so.

"it's been while since I've done this," he muttered, and detached his Dragon Gem. "DRAGON RIDERS UNITE! HA!" and morphed.

"Now let's dance!" and summoning Sword of the Dragon leapt forward.

Rolling under a slash from the werewolf's claws turning on one knee slashed out at the zombie in half. Regaining his feet, he turned and kicked the vampire across the face sending it spinning to the ground. As a stick shot into his hand, he waved it in front of the werewolf.

"Here boy, here boy, see the stick," he muttered, in a light voice. Then he threw it away calling, "fetch!" slowly the werewolf turned to look where it had gone before facing him again and growled with a little droll dripping from its mouth. "I really hope that would have worked," he muttered, before going with a snarling charge and sending it hurtling through the air and into the forest.

Back on his feet, he eyed the Frankenstein when something tackled him to the ground knocking his sword out of his hand. As he struggled with the upper body of the zombie his eyes, swiveled back to Frankenstein as it picked up a bolder and started raising it above his head ready to bring it down on him. Eyes wide Logan reached for his sword as the monster came close and the sword shot into his hand.

With a cry, he slashed out at the monster cutting its legs out from under it. With a groan of fear the monster fell back to be crushed under the weight of the boulder. With a ground of effort he rolled back around threw the half a body away.

Before it could start to pull itself toward him, Logan pounced on top of it and grabbing it by its head gave a cry. And ripped its head right off its shoulders. He eyed the head in his hand before he tossed it aside.

The next thing he knew he was flat on his back as blur of motion nailed him across the face. Pushing himself up he glanced around for what hit him when he was hit again sending him flipping back through the and against a tree. Shaking his head to regain his senses he looked above him to see the vampire creep down it toward him.

"How does it feel?" it asked, as it drew near. "How does it feel to be hunted?" then it leapt at him.

"I'll let you know!" Logan barked streaking away before the vampire could get a grip on him.

Stopping at the edge of the forest both figures squared off like two wolves. Then both streaking forward they leapt at each other like a clap of thunder. Getting a grip on Logan the vampire spun around and threw him away.

After going through several trees Logan kicked off from a large boulder and souring back, a he threw a punch that the vampire ducked under. Using the momentum of the punch Logan swung his leg around and gave the vampire a solid kick across the face. Sending him spinning to the ground.

Before he could attack, again the werewolf came out from nowhere and tackled him face first to the ground. With one paw pressing him hard to the ground, the werewolf reared up and with a snarl howled its victory.

"Hey Fido!" and its head whipped around to see Hawkeye, Billy, Rocky, Aisha, Kimberly, Uncas, Adam, and Chingachgook level their weapons. "Eat this!" Kimberly snapped and they fired.

As the werewolf jerked with the impact of the arrows and rifle balls before it fell to the ground. Moaning Logan pushed himself up to look at them. "I told you to get outta here besides where'd you get the silver?"

"'Silver?'" Chingachgook asked.

Logan's shoulders slumped as sighed. Behind him, the werewolf regained his feet. Sword shooting into his hand Logan turned to face it.

Before either could make a move laser fire shot out of the sky between them. Looking up Logan sighed in relief as Tommy in his white armor dropped down between them.

"I see you've been making friends," he said, rolling Saba in his hand The Wizard of Deception's wan in his other.

"He's not the only one!" Kimberly snapped as she came out with the others and leapt into Tommy's arms. "I've missed you so much," she muttered.

"It's good to see you all safe. And they're time for that later Kim, now you have to go Green Ranger as unleashed Dragon Zord so you have work to do!" he bark and waving the wand opened a time portal. "We have work to do!"

"What about Fido and Tall Pale and Ugly?" Aisha asked.

"Don't forget us!" and looking over they saw Wizard of Deception and Green Ranger in his armor come forward. "After all you're the one who dragged us here!" Green Ranger growled.

"Me and Red Dragon will stay and deal with them! Now go!" Tommy barked.

Slowly Kimberly and the others looked at Hawkeye, Uncas, and Chingachgook. Before they turned and leapt through.

"You take Fido and your clone want to be. I'll take both tall dark and ungys!" Logan snapped and Tommy nodded. "And as for you guys this time I mean it! Get out of here!" and both Tommy and Logan leapt forward.

At once, Tommy nailed Green Ranger with a double flying sidekick send him back and still in the air, he spun around and slashed out at the werewolf. Back on his feet, he blocked a slash from Green Ranger with the Dragon Dagger. Going with the block he nailed him with a spin kick send him back to the ground.

Leaping back to his feet Green Ranger laughed. "I'm wondering what gets under your skin more?" he said, as they circled each other. "That your greatest fear of me unleashed in the world has come to pass? Or that I'm the better you?"

At that, Tommy roared leaping forward nailing him with a spinning kick to Green Rangers head sending him to the forest floor. As he climbed to his feet, Tommy flipped back catching him under his chin sending him high into the sky.

Facing the werewolf, he leapt back as it slashed at him with its claws. "You know I've seen enough monster movies to have a good idea how to kill you!" he snapped nailing it with a punch, a backhand, a spin kick, sending it back with a turning sidekick.

As the werewolf lunged at him, he flipped over it. Before it could recover, he sheath Saba and was on top of it. Climbing to its feet it thrashed left and right trying to throw him off. Teeth bared behind his visor he gripped the monster by its upper jaw and pulling hard ripped half its face off.

For a few seconds the werewolf was still then it toppled like a tree and he rolled off. In time to catch Green Ranger as he fell to earth. "Now where were we?" he asked, drawing back a fist.

A short distance away Logan rolled across the meadow to his feet as the vampire landed in front of him. Leaping forward he threw a kick that the vampire ducked under. Turning Logan threw another kick whacking him in the side of the head sending the vamp to the ground. Facing him as he licked up a little blood coming from his split lip.

Laughing the vampire slowly stood. "I admit in speed and strength you are my equal, but still…,' and with that in a flash of movement he tackled Logan to the ground. "I will soon taste your blood! No matter how hard you fight you will never defeat me!" he said, with a cackle.

But paused as Logan began to laugh. "Buddy I haven't even begun to fight…I'm just stalling…," and with that the vampire looked up and saw the clouds begin to break. "About your complexion…you want my opinion…you need to lighten up!" and grabbing him Logan brought both feet under him and kicked hard.

Logan watched as he was sent skyward screaming just as the clouds broke and a beam of sunlight hit him. And in a burst of flame turned him to ash. Moaning loan let out a sigh letting his head fall back to the ground.

Back in the forest, Tommy had Green Ranger pinned struggling to get free. "Hello Tommy!" and looking up he saw Wizard of Deception come at him. "I've come for what's mine!"

"Hey ugly!" and both turned to watch Logan streak toward them sword drawn back behind him. "I said, you were mine!" he barked.

Facing him fully Wizard of Deception summoned a sword and at the same time, they slashed at each other. Logan came to a skidding stop next to Tommy before turning to face Wizard of Deception.

For a few seconds they looked at each other then Logan lifted his sword. Wizard and Deception looked from it to him then his head fell off and exploded. Sighing in relief Logan exhaled deeply and bending over before looking at Tommy and Green Ranger who went slack.

They watched as he shook his head then with Tommy still holding him he slowly stood looking around him. "Wha…what happened?" he said, looking around.

"Looks like you were under a spell there pal," Logan said. "The Wizard of Deception was controlling you," and Green Ranger looked at him.

"What have I done…," he moaned and at a sound, all three turned.

"You weren't in control of your actions, but no matter how hard they try only magic can make us like this," Tommy said, comforting him.

They watched as Chingachgook, Hawkeye, Elizabeth, and Uncas came out. "What part of get out of here did you not understand?" Logan barked taking off his helmet.

"We thought, we could help," Elizabeth said.

"Who are these people?" Tommy asked, pointing at them.

"They're friends," Logan explained. "Brave, but stupid. But friends none the less."

"Well at least we could for something, whose he?" Hawkeye asked, nodding to Tommy

"Later, right now we have work to do; we have to stop Dragon Zord before the others destroy it!" Logan braked putting his helmet back on and Green Ranger looked at him.

"But…," he started.

"You want to make up for what happened? Then help us now, and stop it!" Tommy barked looking at him. For a few seconds Green Ranger held their gazes before nodding.

"We'll be back to explain I promise!" Logan barked as Tommy waved the wand again opening another portal and they stepped through.

Once on the other side they saw Thundermegazord fighting Dragonzord. After it took a hit from Dragonzords finger missiles they watched as Thundermegazord powered up its sword.

Rushing forward Tommy started yelling, "STOP! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT ANYMORE! STOP!" just as Green Ranger started playing the Dragon Dagger.

Before they unleashed the full power of the sword, an electrical current ran up Dragonzord and it fell to its side. "Now to send it back to the sea!" Green Ranger barked and at once started playing again. And climbing to its feet Dragonzord turned and lumbered back into the ocean.

"It's over," Green Ranger said, and leaping out of Thundermeagazord the other rangers joined them.

"Not yet," and they all looked at him. "We have a promise to keep," he said, looking at them.

One time portal spell later they were back at the Delaware Camp and after powering down sat down to their normal clothes. Sat in the main lodge with Hawkeye, Elizabeth, Morning Star, Chingachgook, and Uncas. And told them everything.

"So let me see if I heard you right you say that you're form the twentieth century…that you were thrown back in time to keep you out of the way of these…creatures…and evil beings who want to take over the world," Hawkeye said, frowning.

A smile spreading on his face Logan shrugged. "After everything you've seen, especially today is it really that big a stretch?" he asked.

For a few seconds they silently stared at him from across the fire. "I suppose not," Elizabeth said, then looked at a powered down Green Ranger. "What happens to him now?"

"The better question is what does he want to do now?" Tommy asked, looking at him.

For a few seconds he looked around the group before saying. "I want to stay here, after all only one Tommy can exist at the same time. And maybe here I can make up for what I've done," he said.

For a few seconds they looked at him before nodding. "So be it," Logan muttered, and with a snap of his fingers, he was dressed similarly to Hawkeye. "Look after him," he said, to Hawkeye who nodded. "It's time for us to go," Logan said, standing.

Turning with a flick of his wrist, he opened two portals. "Two? What's the other one for?" Tommy asked.

"A chance," Logan said, looking at Kim who was staring at the second portal a tear in her eye. His gaze then shifted to the others and after a few seconds realization hit Tommy and nodding after they said, their good-byes one by one stepped through the first portal, which closed after Tommy.

"Red Dragon," and Logan turned to Green Ranger who motioned him to the side. Walking over they had a quite conversation. At one, point Logan went still then nodded. then bending down he picked up some dirt and after blowing upon like he had done before present him with a crystal necklace before slipping it over his head and walked back to the watching others.

"It's truly has been an honor," he said, to Hawkeye offering his hand.

Smiling Hawkeye took it shaking it. "The honor was mine…one question when we first met you said, my reputation preceded me…what did you mean?"

Smiling Logan shook his head. "Back where we're from like Robin Hood, you're legends," he answered and Hawkeye blinked in surprise.

Moving on to Elizabeth, he looked at her. "Best wishes to you both…and I hope to find my way back here for the wedding…if you have one that is," he said, and she smiled a small blush on her cheeks before embracing him.

He then stood before Chingachgook, Uncas, and Morning Star. "I can't describe how much the last six months meant to me…and the others," he said.

Smiling they nodded. "If you ever find your way back here…you and your friends will always be welcomed among our people," Chingachgook said.

"Good-bye our brother and sister," Uncas said, and Morning Star nodded.

Wiping away a tear Logan nodded then after Kimberly embraced them. They turned and stepped through. And as expected, they came out in the African Congo the full moon shining down at them.

With an anxious look on her face, Kimberly looked at him. And he slowly reached out and pulled back some foliage revealing her father's camp.

"There's your chance Kimberly," he muttered, and she looked at him his eyes on her. "So go on…run down there warn your father…but remember those people he saved…they may have to pay the price," he said, nodding to the camp.

For a few seconds she looked at him before she slowly looked back at the camp. Her mouth opening slightly when she saw her father walking to his tent. They watched as she said, goodnight to a few people before pausing at the entrance and looking around as if he felt their eyes.

"Good-bye?" she asked, a tear falling down her cheek as Dr. Hart went inside. Slowly he nodded glancing to the side.

After opening another portal, they camp out in the Command Center. "Did you do what you needed to do?" Zordon asked, in greeting.

Looking up at him Logan nodded. "Yes and now to make sure this could be won't cause any more problems…," Logan said, and taking the wand in both hands broke it over his knee with a flash of light.

When it was done, Kimberly let loose the breath she was holding. "I don't know about the rest of you but after six months of living in the 1700s. I could use a shower…a long one," she said, and they all laughed.

"Well I'm grateful that I don't have to use maple leaves anymore," Logan put in and they laughed louder.

A couple days later after the funeral. Where Kimberly grasped Tommy's hand like she was afraid to let go and Logan was finally out of his altered form. Later at the center where the repast was being held made up of friends and family Logan watched her talk and mingle with the crowd.

"You know I know this is a repast but I think she could do something that could show everyone her grief at once. Without having to relive it over and over it again," Ashely said, next to him and he looked at her. "It's just a suggestion," she shrugged.

For a few seconds he looked at her before he nodded. Making his way over he bent down and whispered into her ear. Looking at him, she nodded.

Standing both of them made their way over and onto the stage. There he slipped on a guitar and she turned on a mike. "Hello everyone I'd just like to say thank you for coming out. It's always nice to see how many lives my father has touched," she said, into it and people around them nodded and raised their glasses.

"So in honor of my father I'd like to sing this song," and turning she nodded to Logan and he started strumming the cords.

"Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure, I was loved

If I could get another chance
Another walk, another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How Id love, love, love, to dance with my father again

When I and my mother will disagree
To get my way I would run from her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me
Yeah, yeah, then finally make me do just what my mama says

Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance
One final step, one final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
'Cause I'd love, love, love, love to dance with my father again

Sometimes Id listen outside her door
And Id hear how my mama cried for him
I pray for her even more than me
I pray for her even more than me

I know, I'm praying for much too much
But could You send back the only man she loved
I know You don't do it usually
But dear Lord shes dying to dance with my father again
Every night I fall asleep and this is all I ever dream

I know You don't do it usually
But dear Lord shes dying to dance with my father again," she finished a tear in her eye.

Later as night was, falling Logan and others were walking Kimberly and her mother out. "It was…a nice funeral…good service," Logan, muttered, holding his jacket over his shoulder.

"Yes it was and tomorrow is the will," her mother said, looking at Kimberly before holding her close.

"And then it's off to…Washington," Logan said, paused as he looked up at the stars halting in his tracks.

Stopping they all turned to look at him. "What is it?" Kimberly asked, before following his gaze and froze.

One by one, they watched as a ball of light drifted down from the sky to hover before Kimberly. Then it pulsed and before them stood her father.

"Daddy?" she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

He smiled. "Hi pumpkin," he said, and at once she threw her arms around him.

"Is this a dream?" she asked, stepping back.

Slowly he shook his head. "Maybe, maybe not pumpkin," he said, and he looked up at his ex.

"Hello Diane," he said, smiling.

Slowly she smiled back. "I don't know if this is a dream or a hallucination. But I never thought, you say my name with that smile on your face," she said.

Smiling he reached out and cupped her cheek. "Sometimes I wondered what happened to us…my being obsessive and you compulsive…we're both insane…why weren't we still married," and she chuckled. "I guess we both failed in that."

For a few seconds he looked at her before looking back at Kimberly. "How are you here?" she asked.

He shrugged. "But I don't think I'm here for long,"

Slowly he reached out and cupped her face in both of his hands. "Long enough to say how much I love you princess, and…and how…proud…I am…to be your daddy," he said, and she smiled tearfully as they ran down her cheeks. "And I'm just as proud to say that you're my princess, and I love more…"

"…then there are stars in the heavens," she finished for him before leaning forward and holding him tight. "I love you," she muttered, before kissing his lightly bearded cheek then paused as he started to glow.

"Daddy what's…?"

Smiling he stepped back. "It's time for me to go," he answered.

"Daddy I need you…please don't leave me!" she begged.

Smiling he said, "Kimberly the ones we love never truly leave us…you will always fine me here," and he pressed his glowing hand over her heart and with a flash of light, he became a ball of energy again. "And I will always be with you," and with those words the ball shot into the sky.

After watching it go, Logan glanced at Kimberly who was held tightly by Tommy as a smile on her face as tears continued to flow. Only these were tears of joy. Slowly she looked at him and mouthed 'did your father.' He shook his head.

Unbeknownst to them a hooded cloaked figure bearing a staff watched them from the top of the center. "A last gift from a father to a daughter…in all my years I've only ever heard of this happening …though I am curious Red Dragon…why are you so interested in them? What makes them…so special?" before turning and vanishing with flap of its cloak.

In a surprise twist to Logan, the next day found the three of them along with Kimberly's mother at her father's lawyer's office for his will.

I wonder why we're here? Logan wondered in his head.

Good question what could he have left you? Red Dragon said, when the lawyer came in a TV and VCR rolled in after him.

After he sat down, he placed two tapes on the table before clasping his hands looking at them. "First off I want to say how sorry I am for your loss," he said, to Kimberly and her mother. "Now according to your father's wishes we were supposed to play this tape for you," and he held one up. "And this one is to view privately by a person called Logan…is he here now?" and held up the second and blinking Logan raised his hand.

"Good, now…," the lawyer said, standing and turning on the TV slid the tape into the player.

After the screen flickered, Dr. Hart's smiling face appeared siting in his home sitting it what had to be hid favorite wingback chair. "Hello everyone if you are viewing this…then I am no longer there with you. I'm sorry that it happened…however it happened…and that it hasn't caused you much pain," he started and a tearful Kimberly smiled at the video.

"Now for what we're all here for and I'm not going to bore you with all that legal mumbo jumbo," and everyone chuckled. "The bulk of my assets, which includes my house, the balance in my bank accounts, and my…toys are to be held in trust by my ex-wife for my daughter Kimberly until she turns eighteen. It's for her education and anything else she might need," he stated and Kimberly hand covered her mouth.

"I leave it all to you Kimberly, so that my little girl…my princess would be well, looked after…and provided for. But know this to you it will never replace what you really want. And I am sorry for that," he finished. "Now if you would all leave. The second tape is for Logan, and only him, and Kimberly it's up to him to tell you what's on it afterwards," and with that the tape ended.

"While he's watching the tape I have some things to go over with you miss Hart," the lawyer said, standing leaving Logan alone.

After watching, them go and with a confused look on his face, he got up and loaded the tape and few seconds later Dr. Hart reappeared. "Hi Logan I bet you're pretty curious why you're here," he said, pointing at the camera

"The thought, did cross my mind," Logan muttered, retaking his seat.

"So I'll get right to the point, I know you're the Red Dragon Ranger," Dr. Hart said. At that Logan sat bolt upright. "And please don't argue with a dead man…let's just I say I knew what to look for. Because I also know, Kimberly is either the Pink Ranger or Yellow Ranger. Though my money is on the Pink."

For a few seconds Logan looked at the screen before falling back in his chair running his hand down his face. "Who can argue with that?"

"Thank you."

At once, his eye sprang to the screen. "Did you just…?" and Dr. Hart nodded. "This is freaky."

"You're telling me."

"Stop that!"

At that, Dr. Hart raised his hands. "Okay, okay but as you know by now. There's not really anything that I can give you. But I do have several requests. One is that you always look after my girl."

"No problem."

"Two when the time is right and he gets the courage to ask her please tell Tommy that he has my permission to marry her."

"Done."

"Three I want you to sing that song you did at the Vice Versa, for the father daughter dance."

"Again done."

"And lastly I want you to be the one to walk her down the aisle and give her away." At that he froze staring. "Apart from Jason I can't think of a better person and I have given this a great deal of thought. I know it's a lot to ask…but I think she would agree with my decision." And for a few seconds they stared at each other. "Now it's up to you, but I suggest you destroy this tape," and at that he reached for the camera the screen went snowy then black.

Rooted to his seat Logan just stared. "That's going to be weird," he muttered, before standing and after ejecting, it destroyed the tape.

The next day after seeing Kimberly and her mother to the airport for their flight to Washington to accept her father medal Logan was in the manager's office brewing tea. His bow and quiver hang on the wall. The tomahawk hanging between the bow shaft and the string.

"You still prefer honey right?" he asked, not looking over his shoulder.

For a few seconds there was silence then a laughing voce said, "I should have known I'd never be able to hide from you."

He nodded pouring the tea and adding what they each liked. "We all make mistakes Jen," he said, turning to face her. She was in uniform and at the moment, she was leaning against the doorframe. As he walked forward, she slipped off her sunglasses and put them away before he handed her the mug.

Smelling it, she smiled. "Non tea bag jasmine, nothing quite like it," she muttered, and they each took a seat at the desk. "I like your place but it seems a little…Spartan," and she looked at him. "Especially considering," and she took a sip of her tea.

Laying down his mug, he shrugged. "It suits my needs, besides how would it look if I rent out Celine's old royal suite," and she shrugged.

"I guess you have a point. But you seem a little fidgety with me."

After bring the mug to his lips he eyed her. "Well I'm not sure which Jen I'm talking to," he answered lowering it before taking another sip.

At that, she smiled. "well to put your mind at ease Wes asked, me to say hello, Lucas and Nadira are expecting their fourth in April, Ransik is spoiling the others rotten, and Kate wanted me to give this to you…but you know you can't keep it," she said, and from one of her breast pockets handed him a folded piece of paper.

Putting down the mug he took it and unfolding it smiled. "Da Vinci's got nothing on her," he muttered, as he examined the child's drawing of her family, which oddly enough included him. "And how is Rick?"

"He's spirited twelve going on thirty, he thinks he knows more than us," she said, smiling.

"Could be worse," and she looked at him. "Could have been like me at that age."

For a few seconds they held straight faces before they both burst out laughing. "Yeah a guess you have a point," she said, whipping away a tear.

"So why were you in the Congo?" he asked, eyeing her.

She raised her eyes to his. "You know why…you're not here to change the past Logan."

"Then why does Time Force allow me to be here?"

"Because that's what history says. You are meant to be here and Kimberly's biological father was meant to die then in the Congo."

Sighing he put his mug down. "I didn't make her any promises Jen, and I had a feeling that the time she spent in the past would get her head straight. Besides all she wanted was a chance."

Facing him fully she looked him in the eye. "Considering how you feel about her would you have stopped her if you were wrong?"

Holding her gaze he returned, "I also knew that at least one of you would be there. So I wouldn't have to."

"That's the problem Logan; she's also not supposed to interact with my team until they first arrive in 2001. You know this…and yet sometimes you forget," she persisted.

Sighing he looked away. "I would have modified her memory…"

"Logan you're not a fully trained Rider…you keep pushing the limit with your magic you could kill yourself…besides who know what's going to happen. Pretty soon that spell will be useless on her and if she finds out you did that to her…" she said, letting the last part hang.

Sighing he let head fall back into the chair eyes gazing on the ceiling. "Fine I admit, I screwed up a little. But still we don't even know how that happened to her…or how she learned to control it," and he lowered his gaze to her.

"That maybe but you need to be more careful from no on…otherwise…," she said, and shuddering looked away.

At that, he frowned. "I thought, I was meant to be here?"

"You are…but you know that time is an ever flowing river, we may not always chose the course…, but we do drive the boat," she said, and he looked at her. "I have to go now, thanks for the tea," and putting the empty mug down got up and taking the drawing replaced it in her pocket. "Hope to see you again soon," and climbing to his feet started to walk out with her.

"Before or after 2001? And by the way about Hawkeye and Elizabeth?" he asked, as they walked down the stairs.

"They get married less than a year after you all left them. They have two sons and two daughters," she told him and he nodded. "Why you want to go?"

"Maybe, but I have another wedding to go to in a month's time, the invitation to Celine and Rene's came yesterday," he said, and she nodded.

As they stepped outside, she faced him a questioning look on her face. "Out of curiosity… what exactly did the Green Ranger give you?" she asked.

Chuckling he cocked half a grin. "I believe Star Fleet calls it Temporal Prime Directive. But for right now, we'll call it me to know and you to find out. But I'll tell you if you tell me who I am."

For a couple seconds she held his gaze before she smiled and shook her head looking away. "I guess I had that coming," then return her gaze to his. "And believe me when I say I wish I could," she said, and he could hear the sorrow in her voice. "But they'll always be a place for you among my family, and believe me when I say I'm not the only one who will join me in that," and they embraced. "Take care of yourself," she muttered, then turned and left in the threshold of the door.

He remained where he was until he saw her ship, which to anyone else seeing it looked no more than a shooting star streak across the sky before it vanish. Sighing he walked back inside and back up to the manager's office. After pulling out an old-fashioned trunk and after unlocking it with a wave of his hand he slowly opened the lid.

After peering inside for a few seconds, he slowly reached in removed something laying delicately in foam matting. "I really hope I won't be needing this," he muttered, as he stared at The Green Ranger Morpher resting in the palm of his hand.

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