A couple weeks went by peacefully and Logan and Kimberly were back in town with pelts the Cheyenne had given him to sell to buy or trade supplies with. He was just finalizing the deal at Loren's a shot rang out. Jerking around partially drawing his tomahawk and knife, he turned in the direction of the Saloon. Running out of the store he watched as an older man in black walked out with a younger man hardly older then Matthew following.

"Don't turn your back on me old man!" the kid barked as the man continued to walk away from him. "Come back here!" but again the man just continued to ignore him. "You coward!" and still walking the older man just let it roll off his shoulder. "You afraid to face me!"

Looking around him both Logan and Kimberly watched as people coming to investigate stopped to watch what was happing before them. Beside them and Olive, Loren's mouth was wide enough to swallow a swarm of flies, a man stood outside Jake's his shave half-done still wearing the apron Jake beside him, Hank and a couple of his girls had stepped outside to watch, and Mike stood outside the clinic with Emily and her son J.R.

"Turn around!" the young man barked again.

"What for?" the older man finally said.

"'Cause I can be the one that shot Kit Cole," he said, proudly.

"Kit Cole? Who the hell is that?" Logan muttered, a frown of confusion on his face.

"He's a gun fighter," and both looked at Olive. "Supposedly one of the fastest in the West," she finished and Logan looked back at the scene before them.

Sighing Kit Cole still walking away shook his head. "I said, turn around old man!" and he fired his gun again the bullets going into the ground at the older man's moving feet.

"Somebody get the sheriff!" Kit Cole barked.

"There isn't no sheriff!" Loren barked back.

"well, then somebody better get a doctor," and Kit Cole finally stopped and after the young man fired again at his feet he drew back his long coat and turned back to face him. "You got your mind set to draw on me…go ahead and draw," Kit Cole said, as the younger man holstered his weapon at his hip.

For a few seconds both of them stared at each other like two alpha wolves circling to fight to be leader of the pack. The younger man's fingers twitched.

I can't believe you humans actually did this! Its madness! Red Dragon said.

Do you hear me agreeing with it? Logan asked, in return.

"Shouldn't we do something?" Kimberly demanded in an undertone.

"I'm open to suggestions…that don't get us shot."

"Good point... its like walking into a John Wayne... or Clint Eastwood movie

Then suddenly the younger man jerked his hand for his gun. Before he could clear it from his holster, Kit Cole had drawn his and fired. The next second the bullet drilled into the kid's shoulder who was jerked spinning off his feet where he landed in the dirt near the base of the clinic.

Rushing forward as Mike knelt to examine him Logan and Kimberly breezed past Kid Cole as he walked up. Bending down helped hold the kid down as he moaned in pain and she examined him as the crowd gathered around them. As Kit Cole walked up Michaela's hard eyes rolled up to him.

He's not that fast you can take him, Red Dragon said.

Hypocrite.

"Sorry, ma'am. Is he your fella?" Kit Cole asked, looking down at them.

"No. as of now, he's my patient," Mike said, looking up at him again.

"He's all right, ma'am. I made sure not to hit no vital organs."

"What about the major artery in his shoulder?" Kimberly said, and looked up at him. "Did you think about that?"

"Well, I'm sure he appreciates that. And lucky you did miss that artery but not by much," Mike said, as she pressed on the wound to stop the blood flow.

"It's an honor to see you shot someone, Mr. Cole," Logan heard Jake say above him.

At his words, Logan rolled his eyes. Typical Jake, he thought.

Amen, Red Dragon agreed.

"No honor to it," Kit Cole said, quietly voice hard and Logan and Kimberly glanced up at him.

"My cousin Lenard saw you shoot a fella in Juarez," Loren said, excited.

"Never been to Juarez."

"Somebody help me bring him into the Clinic," Mike said, interrupting the discussion.

"Never met no lady doctor," Kit Cole said, looking back down at her.

"Then we're even, Mr. Cole. I never met a gunfighter," she retorted.

Smiling Kit Cole nodded. "Stand up boy," he snapped and taking one shoulder each Logan and Kit Cole helped the young man to his feet. And walked him into the Clinic.

Shortly after Logan and Kimberly finished their business with Loren, they returned to the Clinic where Kid Cole stood outside of waiting for word on the kid inside. As Logan leaned against one post to wait, and Kimberly sat on one of the benches Kid Cole gave a series of deep coughs that and he covered with a black handkerchief. As he recomposed himself Dr. Mike stepped out finished with boy and looking at him with concern.

"How much I owe you?" Kit Cole asked.

"Five dollars."

"Would have been cheaper to bury him," Kit Cole muttered, handing over the money.

"You may still have that opportunity, Mr. Cole. He's very week," she commented.

Slowly Kit Cole faced her. "Excuse me, ma'am, but I don't wish any man's death," he said.

"Then why did you became a gunfighter?" she asked, and Logan came close and Kimberly climbed to her feet.

"Wasn't by choice. I killed a man in Texas a long time ago. He had a reputation for being fast, so…I got one, too. Then people started coming after me," he explained a solemn look coming over his face.

"So in order to survive you had to become what you never wanted to be," Logan said, hands going to his hips and Kit Cole looked at him.

"You could say that," then he looked out around the town. "How's the air around here?" he asked.

"Good for consumption," Mike said, and all eyes looked at her.

"How'd you know that?" Kit Cole asked.

"I recognize the cough," she said, simply then stepped inside. A second later, she returned with a small bottle. "Here. This should help some," and she handed the bottle over to him.

"Um…Doctor in St. Louis said, it wasn't bad, you know," he said, looking over the bottle's label. "Said, uh…if I'd, uh…just kind of settled down, take it easy, that…I should be okay."

"Sounds like good advice," she said, smiling.

He smiled in return. "Thanks," he said, lifting the bottle, turned, and started walking away. "This seems like a nice town," he muttered, as he looked around him. "Peaceful, like," and he turned back to looked at her and Kimberly a smile growing on his face again. "And you can't beat the view."

Chuckling Logan shook his head. "You old flirt," he muttered, as she smiled back. Nodding he walked away. "Not your typical gunfighter, wouldn't you say?" Logan asked, as they watched him go.

"No I'd say not," she muttered, then looked at him. "Was there something you two needed to talk to me about?"

"Yeah," he said, nodding. "I have some supplies I promised Black Kettle I'd get for his band. We were wondering if we could use your wagon."

Smiling she nodded. "It would be my pleasure, but would you two and Sully stay for supper tonight?"

He shrugged. "Sully is checking his traps won't be back until late. But we'll have to deliver the supplies after supper…I was planning on staying at the village tonight."

For a few seconds she thought about it before nodding. "Agreed."

So soon, enough Logan and Kimberly found himself helping Mike, Colleen, and Matthew set the table outside. In Brian's place was an immigrant girl named Ingrid that Matthew had brought home with him for dinner. "I know what it's like to be new in town, Ingrid," Mike was saying as they brought lidded prepared food out and laid them on the cloth-covered table.

"You're the first girl Matthew's ever brought to supper," Colleen said, as they sat down

"Colleen," Matthew hissed.

Logan chuckled shaking his head. "It's time we got to know each other better," Mike, said, the same smile on her face.

"Where's Brian?" Logan asked, looking around for the boy.

As if laughing at a private joke Mike looked at him as she started serving the chicken. "He said, he was too excited to eat," and Logan blinked remembering that boy had an appetite of a wolf.

"Well with him going hunting with Sully and you two tomorrow, he's got ants in his pants," Matthew said.

"Well let's just hope he enjoys himself," Logan said, then hesitated as Colleen handed him the rolls. "You cooked right Colleen?" remembering his last experience with Mike's cooking. They were still using it as a doorstop.

"Yes, White Falcon she cooked," Mike said, half laughing. "I know I'm still an unreliable cook," and she put some chicken on Ingrid's plate.

"No you're reliably lousy," and at once Matthew and Colleen snorted and laughing Kimberly covered her head as she jerked her hand holding the tongs up in a mock threat.

"So where are you from in Sweden, Ingrid?" Mike asked, changing the conversation as she then put some food on Colleen's plate.

"Stockholm," Ingrid answered her hungry eyes glued to the food on the table.

"Do please tell us about it," she said, and seeing the look in her eye put more food on her plate. "I hear it's lovely."

Before she could say anything, however she raise a roll to her mouth then froze as Mike asked, Matthew to say the blessing. When he was done however she attacked the roll and the chicken on her plate like a ravaged wolf.

Frowning Logan watched her. Then shifted to Kimberly as she looked from Ingrid to Logan as Mike said, hesitantly, "so, I, uh, I understand you and Matthew met at the church," as she also watched Ingrid. "He's spoken…a great deal about you since then."

"yeah from...from the way he's been eyeing the past few weeks it's about time he got you out here," Logan said, as he tried not watch her.

Then suddenly covering her mouth Ingrid bolted from the table. "Wait…," Mike said, to Matthew as he got up and she, Kimberly, and Logan went to Ingrid as she bent over and coughed up the food. "Are you alright?" Dr. Mike asked, when they reached her and upon looking her pale face handed her a cup of water. "Drink this."

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed out when she lowered the cup. "I eat too fast."

"I'm sure that's what it was," Mike said, kindly.

Logan shook his head he gently turned Ingrid's head to look at him. "You have nothing to be sorry about. Just go more slowly…it's not going anywhere," he said, running a comforting hand down her back. "We'll even give you some to take home okay," he offered and with a grateful gleam in her eye, she nodded and Kimberly watched him.

When she was able to regain her composure Mike muttered, "Let's go back to the table," and turning the three started back.

Catching the look in Matthew's eye Logan, Kimberly and Mike stopped so Ingrid continues without them. "What happened? Is she okay?" he asked, when he reached them.

"She's malnourished Matthew," Mike said, looked after Ingrid. "Her stomach reacted to the fact that she hasn't been eating."

"She's starving?" he asked, horror struck.

Looking at him Logan shook his head. "Matthew there's probably more food on your table then she's seen in a week," he muttered, and Matthew stared at him. For a few seconds they looked at each other before returning to the table.

Before Logan could follow Kimberly took him by the arm. "You sound like you're talking from experience," she muttered.

Shooting her a glance Logan was silent. Then without a word walked by her and the two rejoined the table.

After looking at Ingrid for a few seconds, he reached out and took her hand as she looked at him. "Just remember go slowly, we'll give you as much as you can carry to take home," and again she nodded smiling.

Later Logan was driving the wagon to the reservation with Matthew next to him with Kimberly in the back. After they had dropped off Ingrid back in town. "How could her family let her starve?" Matthew asked, Logan finally as they were rode on the road outside of town.

Looking at him Logan shook his head. "I doubt it's on purpose Matthew, remember her father was killed by the influenza. In addition, from what I hear half the mines are being shut down in the territory…all of people are looking for work. But unfortunately they're having a hard time finding work because they're different," he said.

"Why does that matter?"

Sighing Logan pulled the wagon to a stop. "A lot of people in town are of the same mind as Jake. Because they came here first they believe that they have more right to be here then people who came later…even if there were people here before them," he explained.

For a few seconds Matthew looked at him thinking. "You mean the Cheyenne?" he asked, and Logan nodded.

"That's why so many of the tribes are so angry," and Mathew turned to look at Kimberly. "Because so many white people are taking without asking, and giving nothing back but empty promises. White people take their lands, dam up their rivers, cut down their trees, and kill their animals just for their skins. Now their people are facing an extermination of their way of life, their culture, even their very lives…just because they're different…they think of white people as walking dancing devils.

Though there was a time when white and red men lived in harmony out here. If anything, most of them want those days back. But sooner or later white men will push too hard. And the Indians...they will fight back which is exactly what the Army wants."

"Now the immigrants are getting almost as bad a deal," and Mathew looked back at Logan. "Only difference is…they have a chance for acceptance with most of the population. But for right now, the townsfolk kind of know how the Cheyenne and the other tribes feel," Logan said, and with a shake of the reins he put the hoses back into motion. Thank you Hawkeye, man that saying really stuck with us... he thought to himself.

I don't think he'd mind you two quoting him, Red Dragon murmured.

The next day Logan, "Kimberly and Sully arrived at the homestead to pick up Brian for the hunt. When the boy finally emerged eager to begin, they stared at him. The boy was bare chested dressed only in a pair of pants and what looked like a makeshift breechcloth. He wore a leather strip around his head with a turkey feather sticking up in the back and two lines each of what looked like soot on his cheeks.

Letting out a puff of air, Logan looked at Mike over the boy's shoulder and she shrugged with a look that said, "He insisted."

Shaking his head Logan smiled. "I thought we were just going hunting?" he muttered, to Sully as she handed Brian his bow and quiver.

A couple hours later bows loaded the three moved quietly through the forest looking for tracks or game. While Logan Sully taught Brian how to track and quite move through the bush. And the boy eager ate up everything they were teaching them.

They were nearing mid-day when looking through the trees they saw a doe head lowered to the ground as she ate. With a small sound Sully, signaled Brian and all four raised their bows. For a second they hesitated then Logan, Kimberly and Sully lowered their bows as they caught sight of the line of red down one of the deer's legs.

"What's wrong with it?" Brian asked, when he saw what they saw.

"Looks like somebody shot her," Sully said, and the group moved forward. At the sound of their feet, the doe lifted its head to look at them and froze as they slowly approached. To calm it Sully, Kimberly, and Logan began to speak to it in Cheyenne after laying their bows on the ground Brian doing the same when he reached them.

"It's all right…it's all right," Brian said, soothing it as he rubbed the doe's hide. When both Logan and Sully finished speaking, he looked at them as Sully drew his knife. "What's that?"

"We asked, her for permission to take her earth life," Logan explained and Sully brought the knife to the doe's throat.

"No! She doesn't give her permission. She's just hurt," Brian protested.

"She's in pain. We can't let her stay that way, Brian," Sully said, then reached down and lifted the doe's head up. "Cheyenne sayeth you inhale the deer's last breath, you can keep her spirit alive, and he brought the deer's mouth close to inhale the deer's breathe.

"Go on, do it," Sully muttered, holding out his knife to Brian.

"No, I don't want to," Brian said, shaking his head.

"She's not going to live, Brian. She can't run. Some coyote will…," Sully started.

"Ma can fix her leg. She fixed my leg. It's as good as new," the boy protested.

Sighing Logan shook his head. "Brian, there's a big difference between a deer leg and a human leg," Kimberly sad soothingly ti the boy.

"Put her breath back," the boy instead. Both of them looked at Brian. "Giver her back her spirit. Please, Sully, please, White Falcon, Dancing Heron"

They looked at each other. Then sighing Sully raised the deer's mouth again and blew into it. "We're going to need a leash," Logan muttered, and Sully took a leather cord out and tied it around the deer's neck. "And for the record I say this is a very bad idea," he said, discreetly leaning close to whisperer into Sully's ear who looked at him.

"I second that," Kimberly said.

When they got back Sully, leading the doe by the cord Brian bolted forward. "Ma, can you fix it?" he called out ahead of them.

"Fix what?" she asked, but her question was answered as they brought the doe around the corner of the barn.

"Found her in the woods like this," Sully explained.

At once, she came close to examine the wound. "Can you fix her ma?" Brian asked, eagerly.

"I can try,' she muttered, as the deer waved its head left and right.

"Thanks, ma."

"Get my medical bag I'll do what I can," and at once the boy bolted for the house.

"Guess the hard part will be telling him to let her go when she's well again," Logan muttered, squatting down. "We could have given the venison to the immigrants in town," he said, after covering the deer's ears and she shook his hands off.

"Well either way you shouldn't have told him you could have fixed it. You're asking for trouble," Sully said.

Slowly she stood looking at him. "You're the ones who brought trouble back here. He can talk the three of you into anything," she said.

"What should we name it?" Brian asked, quickly as he darted back his mouth going a mile a minute. "Is Sully your first name?" and all eyes looked at Sully.

"No," he admitted.

"Well what is?"

Sighing Sully shook his head. "It's not a good name for a deer."

"Hey, come on I promise I won't laugh," Brian promised.

Sighing Sully squatted down stroking the deer. "Trust me. It's not even a good name for man."

"Please?" Brian begged and Logan and Michaela looked again at Sully like it was tennis match. After looking from one to the other for help, Sully murmured something under his breath. "What?"

"Byron," he said, louder.

"Byron?" Michaela said, in surprise and Kimberly leaned against her bow shaking her head and small smile on her face.

Shrugging Logan shook his head. "That's not so bad I've heard worse."

"Yeah like what?" Sully asked, standing.

"Deuteronomy," and Sully blinked.

Slowly Brian reached out and stroked the deer. "Hey Byron," he said.

The next day Logan Kimberly, and Dr. Mike were in the immigration camp her giving Ingrid's sisters a checkup their brother Jon watching. As Logan was doing a trick with his thumb to entertain the ones waiting, he paused as a feeling came over him. Slowly he stood looking toward town. "What is that is that?" Kimberly demanded in an undertone as she stepped close and they watched the mob approach

A second alter angry voices could be heard drawing their attention to the crowd of people mainly men coming their way. "What's going on here?" Dr. Mike demanded, as some of the immigrants scattered out of their way.

"Search the tent!" Jake barked ignoring her. Looking over Logan was in time to see Jon make a break for his family's tent. "Stop that fella!"

"Get him!" Hank barked and at once, he and another man darted after him.

Logan looked back at the crowd as Loren said, "somebody killed one of Olive's cows."

"here's your man!" and Logan looked back as Hank holding Jon in a tight bear hug carried him back the other man carrying small slab of meat. "Found this in his tent!" Hank barked holding up the meat. "LETS STRING HIM UP!" and the crowd roared their approval.

"Hold on there a minute, boys!" Olive barked.

"You can't just hang a person!" Mike barked.

"Especially we can't be sure that came from the cow!" Kimberly barked.

"Watch us," Jake growled and both Logan and Kim looked at him. "Somebody get a rope!"

At those words, Jon drove his elbow into Hank's side and broke free. With Ingrid screaming after him, he ran off circling around the camp with Hank and the other two men following. As the crowd followed, Logan bolted after him leaping, diving, and rolling over obstacles.

As they reached the center of town, Logan saw Hank and the man level their weapons. "JON DOWN!" he barked and the boy dropped as they fired one bullet hitting him in the shoulder.

Before they could pounce on the helpless boy, Logan threw himself lengthwise and tackled them both to the ground while Kimberly nailed the third in the back with a flying side kick. As they rolled off them onto their feet, they darted after Jon again and watched as he ran for the church. When he was, close enough the Reverend met him, helped him inside, and then blocked the crowd from going in after him.

"Move aside Reverend!" Jake barked cocking his pistol.

"He's a child!" The Reverend protested.

"He's a cow thief!" Hank snapped.

"He's a boy whose asked, for sanctuary in The Lord's House and he's going to get it!"

"he'll met the Lord, all right just as soon as he's jerked up to Jesus!" and hank mimicked hanging someone.

At that, Logan and Mike moved to stand by the Reverend. "You can't kill a man for trying to feed his family!" Mike snapped.

"Especially when we don't even know if he did it or not!" Logan snapped at them.

"Oh, yeah," and Logan and Hank sized up.

"Reverend," and they turned as Olive came close. "You'd better step aside," she said, taking his hand.

"I'm sorry, Olive," he said, shaking his head then stepped closer to the door. "You want me to move you're going to have to make me move."

"Me, too," Mike said, after a second.

"That goes double for me," Logan said, and he slipped into a stance.

"And me!" Kimberly snapped also shifting into a stance.

As a few people chuckled then Robert E, carrying a hammer stepped forward. "Me, to," he said, and they were joined by a few more people including Horace, Myra, and Emily.

For a couple seconds the groups squared off. "Go home," the Reverend, muttered.

With a hard face, Jake stepped closer. "We'll be back," and he turned uncocking his weapon.

"You can't keep him in there forever," and Hank pulled Myra away with him.

As the crowd slowly left, Kit Cole approached. "Peaceful little town, huh?" he said, when he reached Dr. Mike.

Standing straight Logan shrugged. "It's usually a lot more peaceful. But we're going to need help…I'll go find Sully," and with that he darted whistling for his horse.

A couple hours later, they both thundered into town not stopping until they reached the church. Slipping from the animals, they made their way to the side door and Logan keeping watch Sully rapped his knuckles on the door. "It's Sully!" he called through it and a second later the Reverend opened and both of them stepped inside. "White Falcon told me everything," he said, as they stepped inside and Kimberly came close.

"I think we should wire Denver for the Marshal," Mike said, as they gathered around Jon a bandage over his shoulder.

"For one cow," and they looked at Logan. "He's sooner come here to see the boy lynched."

"What we need is a Sheriff," the Reverend said, and Mike looked at him.

"You're absolutely right we should look into getting one," she said, and she and Sully looked at Logan.

"Hey I got enough problems," he said, raising his hands. "Besides how are you going to pay for this Sheriff?"

"I suppose we could take up a collection," the Revered suggested.'

"That's a good idea, should we put out an advertisement?"

"I guess we should," and the Reverend watched as Mike picked up her bag. "You're going now?"

"Those people are ready to hang him," she practically snapped.

"I'll go with you Sully you stay here," Logan said, Sully nodded, and the two left.

"Wait for me!" Kimberly called out as she followed.

When they reached the main street, they started to make a b line for the telegraph office when Hank started to intercept them. "Hey Doc," and they looked at him not breaking their stride. "Got some advice for you. You best watch your step, you hear?" and he stopped right in front of them as they reached the telegraph office Horace watching from the porch.

Slowly Logan and Kimberly stepped between him and her faces hard ready for a fight. "You'd best watch yours, you hear?" Kit Cole said, as he walked up to stand next to Logan.

"Or else I'll give you forty reasons not to threaten my friends, Hank!" Logan growled.

For a couple seconds Hank looked from Logan to Kit Cole before moving on. "Thank you, Mr. Cole," Mike said, behind Logan as they looked at each other.

"My pleasure ma'am, you know I don't cotton to poor manners," waving it off. "But what did he mean by forty reasons?" he asked, nodding to Logan.

Smiling Mike patted Logan's shoulder. "White Falcon and Dancing Heron here can fight as good with his feet as he can with his hands. Ten fingers and toes each," she explained before turning to Horace. "Horace, I'd like to place an ad," she said.

"Is that so…where'd you learn how to do that?" Kit Cole asked, Logan.

"Here and there."

"And I want you to make sure it's posted throughout the territory," Mike continued and Horace nodded getting a pad of paper and a pencil.

"What would you like to say?"

"Help wanted: Sheriff. Must be of strong moral fiber and have knowledge of the law."

"There go most of your candidate's right there," Kit Cole muttered, and she looked at him.

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in the job?" she asked.

"I'm retired."

"So I see. Good-day Horace, good-day Mr. Cole," and both her and Logan moved off.

A couple days later Logan, Kimberly and Sully walked across the field where a line of men both young, old and somewhere in between stood facing large log with cans and bottles lined up on it. All of them looked with weathered or somewhat presentable. Some pleasant some mean.

"We're in trouble," Logan muttered, as they joined Dr. Mike, Jake and Loren as The Reverend questioned the candidates.

"Now what are your qualifications then, sir?" he asked, the first in line who had a weathered look about him and a slightly bulging belly.

"Let's see now…, well, I rode with the Younger Gang…and the James Gang, I rode with the Dalton gang for a spell, too. So if any of them was to show up in town causing a ruckus I'd recognize them right off," he said.

"There's a guy looking to get back into a gang…," Kimberly muttered, as beside her Logan sighed shaking his head.

"Or wanting to start his own," he muttered as the Reverend moved on to the next man in line. He was slightly shorter well dressed with a dirty face and messy hat.

"And you sir?"

"I got my own gun," and he patted it Logan rolling his eyes. "Would I get to wear a badge?"

"There's a moron glory seeker," Logan sighed and the Reverend moved on to the next one who was a little older then Matthew dressed in a button up shirt, a vest, bandana, and wide hat.

"My qualification?" the man asked, his thumbs hooked on his gun belt and the Reverend nodded. "Well, I killed me twelve men already," and Logan's eye brow arched. "So I isn't afraid to use force of I have to."

"So let's say someone was accused of disturbing the peace. Now how would you handle that?"

"I reckon I'd have to shoot them," and Logan's face fell into his hand.

"And if somebody stole a piece of candy out of a store what would you do then?"

"I'd have to shoot him, to," and face still buried Logan began to shake his head.

"That's a serial killer in the works," Kimberly said in distain as Logan moaned drawing his hand down his face.

"Gentlemen prepare to fire," the Reverend said, and they quickly drew their weapons and he held up his hand before moving to the side with the others. "Ready, fire!"

In a hail of bullets, they all started firing. "And the only things safe when they're shooting is their targets," Logan muttered, as they missed every time. The second one struggling to cock his weapon.

Seeing movement out of the corner of his eye Logan turned as Kit Cole approached and fired twice. The first shot sending a can sky-high the second hitting it with a ring of metal in mid-flight. "Now that's more like it," Logan muttered, with Kimberly nodding her approval as Kit Cole faced them holstering his pistol.

"Speed's fine but accuracy's final," and Logan nodded in agreement. "Looks like the only way I'm going to have me a quiet, peaceful little town is to make me one," he said.

"I'm surprised you'd be interested in such a position," the Reverend said.

"Well truth be told, all I really wanted to do was find a quiet place to put out a few rosebushes," he said, and Jake and Loren looked at each other and Logan cocked a smile. "Maybe break up a saloon fight once in a while."

"Mr. Cole, would you excuse us just for a moment?" Dr. Mike asked, before he nodded and she turned to the men behind her. Logan, Kimberly and Sully watched as they talked for a few seconds before facing Kit Cole and the assembled men. "Well, thank you all for showing up. The committee has reached a final decision. And we're going to hire Mr. Cole."

As Kit Cole turned to the moaning men he smiled saying, "sorry fellas."

"We'd like you to start immediately…by moving the boy to the safety of the jail," the Reverend said.

"What's the salary?"

"Say, uh, two bits a day," Loren said.

"Make that four bits a day and we got a deal," and Dr. Mike turned to Jake and Loren who nodded.

"Then we're agreed Mr. Cole," she said, turning and shook his hand.

"Uh, just one thing else," and she frowned at him. "You isn't going to be my boss, are you?" and she smiled.

Later that night Logan, Kimberly and Sully dined with Michaela and the children. As Mike brought out the pie, Colleen and Brian looked at her. "Why were they beating up on that boy?" Brian asked, refereeing to a fight that happened in town between as immigrant and a member of the town before Kit Cole had broken it up. "He do something wrong?"

Looking at him Mike shook her head. "Some people don't like other people because they're different," she explained.

"There's something I gotta tell you," Matthew suddenly said, and they all looked at him.

"What is it?" Mike asked.

As he started to open, his mouth there was a sudden sound of breaking glass. "GET DOWN!" Sully barked as angry voices came from outside and they all moved for cover.

"Don't let them hurt Byron!" Brian barked as he tried to break free Michaela's grip.

"Get back here!" she snapped as Matthew helped her push him into a corner and Pup went to Colleen.

"Stay here and let us handle this! Kimberly you stay here in case they get past us!" Logan barked and he and Sully after throwing open the door barreled outside.

Leaping at one Logan nailed him with a flying sidekick sending him into one of his friends. Turning after ducking under a wild punch to drive his elbow into a man's gut Logan turned and after catching a another boot as he tried to kick him in a arching motion drove his fist up and into the arch of his legs sending him flipping back. Turning on the spot in a stance, he eyed the men surrounding him.

As they charged, he kicked one in front of him another behind him. Before dropping down to sweep another man's legs out from under him. Turning with it, he leapt up kicking one back down and still turning kicked away a punch to nail another that got back up with a kick to the chest as he spun through the air and back on his feet.

Beside him, a man charged Sully and grabbing him, he threw the man over his shoulder into a couple of his friends. Turning he blocked a punch and charging for ward pushed him hard to the ground. Back on his feet, he drew his tomahawk and blocking a punch with it before driving his fist into the man's face.

Turning he blocked a punch and again threw the man over her shoulder where he landed hard on the ground. Turning he tripped up a man charging him throwing to the group and facing another who he kicked square in the face knocking him down. Turning he, was tackled full in the chest sending him to the ground and rolling back Sully ended up on top. In a flash of movement, he flipped his tomahawk in his hand and drove it down next to the man's head.

As he raised the tomahawk the blade shining in the moonlight, he growled, "Next time it won't be the ground," and then climbed to his feet facing the rest, which were still tossing stones.

Before they could reach the men there, was the sound of more breaking glass and looking back say the broken lamp and fire start. "Sully!" he barked but he turned as Mike gave a small scream of pain. "DOWN!" he barked and pushed Sully to the ground as a rifle barrel was thrust through the window and a shot rang through the night.

Pushing themselves up them watched as the men took flight before charging back inside. Throwing open the door they saw Matthew the rifle in his hands staring out the window as he lowered it slowly before looking at them. "I was with Jon," he said, and they stared opened mouth. "It was my idea to kill the cow. I helped him slaughter it and bring it back. I'm as guilty as he is," and the room rang with the silence that followed.

Regaining himself Logan walked forward. "Tell us everything starting with the beginning."

With Colleen and Brian sent out side Logan and Sully leaning against the walls of the house stared at Matthew as he faced Dr. Mike in shame after telling them everything that happened. "How could you Matthew?" she asked, as she wrapped a bandaged around cut on her palm from the broken glass. "How could you steal that cow? The town's blamed the immigrants. And now they're ready to hang a boy."

For a second he was silent. "You'd have done the same thing if we were hungry," he said, finally. "These people are starving. I just thought I could help."

"Why did you wait until know to tell us?" Sully asked.

"'Cause Jon made me promise."

"Well, it was wrong for Jon to make you make a promise like that!" Mike said.

"If anything happens to Jon his sister's got no one to look after her," he defended. "I can't stand the thought of her going hungry."

"You mean Ingrid?" and they looked at Kimberly. "What you and Jon did was wrong…but you did it for the right reasons…," she muttered, straightening and walking forward. "Did he try to find work in town?"

"Yes he tried everywhere; even Miss Olive wouldn't give him work. He was reduced to taking leftovers from Loren's garbage to feed them along with others," he said, looking at him.

Sighing Logan rubbed the back his neck looking to the ceiling. "First they make them now they punish them," he muttered.

"Look maybe if I talk to Miss Olive I can explain…," Matthew started.

"No," Mike said, simply interrupting him and all eyes turned to her. "No, you let me handle this. I'll offer to pay for the cow. And you'll get a job to earn the money." She said, then turned to face Logan and Sully.

"Do you want us to stay here in case they come back?" Logan asked.

Slowly she shook her head. "After what you two did to them and Matthew firing the rifle…," she glanced at Matthew. "I doubt they'll be back."

Nodding they walked out the door. "All this trouble over one lousy cow. Especially since Olive has half her herd pregnant by now," Logan said, swinging onto Wildfire

"For them it's not the point, it's the principle," Sully said, and they rode out. "Almost reminds you of what's happening to the Cheyenne, doesn't it?"

"Yeah…hypocrites," Kimberly muttered in disgust.

Later that night in Black Kettle's village Logan and Kimberly sat alone on a small rise looking up at the stars his mind on the coming day. Logan's eyes shifted as the sound of approaching feet behind them. "'What's on your mind White Fighting Falcon, Dancing Heron,'" Black Kettle asked sitting down next to them.

His gaze still on the stars Logan explained, "'A boy in town maybe hung sometime during the week and I may not be able to stop it."

For a few seconds Black Kettle was silent. "'What was his crime?'"

"'He stole and killed a cow,'" Kimberly piped in.

Again, Black Kettle fell silent. "'For himself?"'

Shaking his head Logan lowered his gaze. "'No to feed his starving family.'"

"'I don't think I'll ever under white people,'" and the pair looked at him. "'They call my people savages and call themselves civilized. When they possess so little compassion for people they consider lower then themselves.'"

"'Would you hang the boy?'"

Black Kettle looked at him. "'If this boy was living under tribal law. We would have formed a council and probably would have found a way for him to compensate for the loss of the animal.'"

Lowering his gaze Logan fell silent. "'What should we do?'" and he looked at Black Kettle again.

Sighing the old man looked at him. "'Remind them that this boy is a person, and why this happened,'" he said simply and the two fell silent.

The next day Sully, Mike, Kimberly, and Logan stood in Loren's store facing Olive with Matthew behind them. "Here's the money for the cow," Mike said, and laid the bills down on the counter. "Take it," and she pushed them closer when Olive didn't reach for them.

"I will not," Olive muttered, and Logan's eyebrow arched.

"Why not? Isn't it enough?"

"There's enough here…for two cows," Olive said, picking up and counting the bills before laying them back where they were.

"Then take it."

"I can't. It weren't you that stole it."

"But what if it was?" Matthew asked, and was silenced by a look from Logan.

"You wouldn't do something like that," Olive said, frowning.

"But what if I did?"

"Then we'd have to hang you, too. Wouldn't we?" Loren said, coming close. "That's the only way to keep order around here. No exceptions to the law."

"What law are you referring to?" Mike asked.

"I'm referring to the law of the land out here. This isn't Boston you know. We're doing what needs to be done."

Logan said, shaking his head. "What about mediating circumstances?" he asked, and Loren looked blankly at him. "Olive you know perfectly well that Jon can't pay for that cow so why not let us pay for it for him. With interest," and Logan pushed the bills forward again.

"Or why not let Jon work off the price of the cow?" she looked at Kimberly. "Let the punishment fit the crime. Don't use Jon as an example."

For a few seconds she looked from them to their faces. "I'm sorry…but I can't," she said, pushing the bills back again.

Sighing Mike put the bills back in her moneybag. "If you hang that boy, it's going be murder, not justice," and they left.

They rode back to the homestead in silence. When they stopped, they remained where they were for a few seconds. "Now what do we do?" Matthew said, looking at the people around him.

"We'll think of something," Mike said, climbing down.

As they approached the house, Colleen bolted out of it a big smile on her face. "Your back," she said, pressing herself against the door.

Smiling Michaela nodded. "Yes Colleen, where's Brian?" she said, and looked around.

"He's in the barn with Byron, why don't you go see him," she said, quickly. And they frowned at how quickly.

"Colleen did something happen?" Mike asked. Closing her eyes Colleen nodded. "Did something happen in the house?" again she nodded.

"Let me guess it involves something about this high…," and Logan held his hand near his waist. "Has big ears, and walks on four hooves?" and again…she nodded.

"Did he try to get Pup and Bryon to be friends?" Kimberly asked and she nodded.

At that, they all let out sighs. "I'll go talk to him," Michaela said, facing the barn. "Then I'll send him out to help you clean up," and she walked inside.

Walking close Logan, Kimberly, and Sully listened in. "I told you something like this was going to happen, didn't I?"

"She won't do it again," Brian promised.

"Yes, she will. She's a wild animal. You can't control her like a dog."

"I promise, I'll take care of her."

"I'm sorry, Brian, but that deer has got to go back where she came from. She doesn't belong here."

"You can give me a spanking if you want," and Logan's eyebrows arched. "But, please let me keep her."

For a few seconds there was silence. "You must keep her tied up, you hear me?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good now you go help your sister clean up the mess," and a second later Brian came hurtling out of the barn barely noticing them.

When he was gone, Kimberly, Logan and Sully stepped inside. And she slowly looked at them. "Now…what did you say about him always talking us into things?" Logan asked, giving her a wise guy look.

The next day Logan was in town with Sully. After watching with disapproving looks as Jake, Hank, and few other strung up a dummy that was supposed to be Jon then lighting it on fire they walked away. They were just walking back through town when a loud ruckus got their attention. Darting forward they saw a mob carry Jon out of the jail cursing they rushed forward.

"What the hell is going on here?" Kimberly barked as they got in front of the mob blocking their path.

"Get out of our way breeds were doing what needs to be done!" Jake snapped at them.

"This isn't justice it's…medieval! When…when judges and executioners elect themselves!" Logan snapped.

"What do you two of you know about it?" Hank barked keeping his hold on Jon. "The two of you live with a bunch of savages!"

"The only savages we've seen are the ones right here on this street!" Kimberly snapped back.

"Because at least the Cheyenne know…that the rule of law…it must be held high…," Logan started and to emphasize it he raised his fisted hands. "…and if it falls! You pick it up! And hold it even higher!" and he threw his hands down and up again.

"What do you think we're doing here?" Jake barked.

"Being savages on the street!" Kimberly barked.

"So if you do this…," and walking over to Robert E.'s smith. And after pulling the handle of a shovel free of the blade and spinning it around faced the crowd again. "You're going to have to go through us!"

For a second the group was still while Jake and Hank looked at each other. Then with a sigh Hank leveled his pistol on him. "What now breed?" he asked.

In a flash of movement Kimberly's chain encircled the barrel of the pistol and with a yank she pulled it from his grasp. Keeping the movement after sending he pistol skidding across the ground she brought her leg up high deflecting a blow and lashed out with the chain knocking another man as she kicked the first in the face. As thy both fell turning on the spot she swiped two across the cheek with the weapon leaping up she sent the chain spinning around her keeping men at bay as she tried to reach Jon as a stunned Jake and Hank pushed him forward with the rest of the men who hadn't charged the pair Mike at their heels.

Beside her Logan after defecting a blow he nailed another with a turning side kick spinning the makeshift staff in his hands he nailed the first in the back sending him face first into the dirt. Spinning the staff again he deflected a blow before knocking the man in the back of the head with the staff. With another strike to the man's chest he spun on the spot nailing another with a spin kick. Continuing with the movement he swept another man's feet out from under him with a flick of the staff.

As Logan used the staff for support as he flipped kicked a man coming up behind him Kimberly back on her feet smacked another across the cheek. Before sending the chain behind her to nail a man square between the eyes as he came up behind her. Then after seeing something out of the corner of her eye sent the chain flying again knocking the pistol away as the man behind Logan grasped the dirt where it had been. Turning again she was in time to have a man charge her and wrap his hands around her throat. Acting fast she brought her chain close to her foot and with a kick sent it up and nailed him under the chin.

In stunned surprise he released his grip and enraged she spun on her heel and soundly kicked him across the face. "It's not nice to treat a lady like that," she muttered as Logan knocked out the last two attacking him with two flurries to the head and gut.

"Come on! They were distracting us!" Logan cursed in realization dropping the staff and following they watched them put Jon on a horse before tossing a rope over a tree above him.

"You can stop this!" Mike protested to Olive as they slipped the noose around Jon's neck.

"It isn't just one cow. That one cow will turn into a dozen and a dozen will turn into a whole herd!" Loren snapped as a group of men held Logan and Kimberly back.

"This here's a trial!"' Jake said, facing the crowd. "And the verdict is guilty!" and the crowd roared their approval.

"THIS IS'NT A TRIAL IT'S A CIRCUS!" Logan yelled at them which they ignored.

"No! Listen to me!" Matthew barked when he arrived and saw what they were doing.

"Get out of here!" Jake said, grabbing him and shoving him back as he tried to charge forward to help Jon. "This is not your affair!" then he turned to look up at Jon again. "My God have mercy, on your sorry soul," then raised a hand to slap the horse's rump.

In a flash of movement, Sully drew his tomahawk and threw it end over end. Where it cut the other end of the rope where it was tied to a wagon. Looking over Jake paused as the rope went slack then spun around as the blast of a scattergun.

Walking forward Kit Cole held the smoking weapon as he reloaded. "I know I'm new in town, but it would have been nice to have been invited to your party," he said, when he reached Jake and Hank and snapped the barrel in place. "Stand down, men," for a few seconds they looked at him. "The judge is coming tomorrow. There's going to be a trial," then he walked forward and released Jon's head from the noose. "All right, break it up! Go home, all of you! Go home!" he barked facing the crowd, which slowly dispersed. After helping Jon slip from the horse, they all helped him back to the jail.

The next day Logan and Kimberly stood with Michaela and Kit Cole waiting for the stage with the judge. At quick footsteps, they turned and saw Horace come toward them. "So when will the judge be arriving?" Mike asked.

"He isn't," and all three looked at him. "I just got word he can't come," and he handed them the telegram. "Something about a double murder up in Boulder. He said, you should do it," and he nodded at Kid Cole. "He made you something called a 'proxy.'"

"That means he's appointed you his official representative," Mike explained after reading the telegram.

"Now hold on I isn't no judge," Kit Cole.

"Sorry buddy," and Logan patted his shoulder and Kit Cole looked at him. "As of now you are. Have you ever been through a trial?"

"Yes, but I isn't never been on this side of the law."

At that Logan and Kimberly shared a glance and after breathing deeply eyebrows high moth slightly open Logan sighed, "Well…you're about to learn."

A short while later Logan leaned against the bar with Kimberly of the saloon. With Sully behind Michaela, Mathew, Jon (who was sitting in a chair before Kit Cole), and Ingrid. Incase Logan and Kimberly couldn't get to Jon if things went sour.

They listened as people one after the other gave testimony. Some was downright ridiculous and were obviously lying like when one said, he saw Jon do it. When it was Jake's turn, he instead gave another one of his long speeches. "…steal a man's horse, his cattle, his water, or his wife, and you don't shoot a man in the back. You do any of those things, you get hung. Everybody knows that.

"Hell remember last year when Franklin dug that illegal well? You didn't argue none when we hung him," he said, and some people nodded.

"Well, he didn't have that much choice then, did he?" and people turned to look at the Reverend. "And some of us argued plenty."

"What are we fooling around for? He already said, HE DID IT!" Hank barked jabbing his finger at where Jon sat in the front one arm in a sling. And people rose their voices in agreement.

To bring silence Kit Cole used the butt of his gun like a gavel. "As official judge, I want to hear both sides of this story," he called out.

"You've heard from everyone what happened," Loren said.

"I haven't heard from the fella on trial," and Kit Cole waved his gun at Jon. "He gets to speak his peace," and he turned his face to Jon. "You want to say something?"

For a few seconds Jon remained where he was before he stood with some difficulty and turned to face the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen…," and he nodded at Kit Cole who nodded back before he faced the crowd again. "I did wrong. But you don't know how it is too loose you're…" and struggling to find the right word he turned to Ingrid.

"Hope," she said, for him.

After nodding to his head in thanks faced them again. "…how it is too loose your hope," and spotting Olive he stepped closer to her. "I'm sorry. Please… forgive me," and looking at Olive Logan saw the pain in her face as she opened her mouth to speak then closed it again.

"Sit back down, son," Kit Cole said, and slowly Jon did what he was told. "Anybody else got something to say?"

"Let's hang him," Hank said, simply and the people murmured their agreement.

"Wait! I got something to say," and all eyes turned on Matthew and both Mike and Jon grabbed him with desperate looks in their eye and Logan, Kimberly, and Sully moved forward. "I helped Jon kill the cow!" and the people around them shifted in amazement. "And I helped him bring it back to town," he continued under Olive's and Mike protests. "If you're going to hang someone, hang me!"

For a few seconds there was a stunned silence then Michaela stepped forward. "I…I don't know if anyone here will listen to me," she started then turned to face them. "My views aren't always the most popular. But I do wish you'd listen to Matthew.

"He and Jon stole a cow. They know what they did was wrong. But they did it because someone they both cared for…was starving.

"I don't know what it's like to be hungry—so hungry I'd steal. I hope I'd never know. If that day came, I'd hope that my friends and family would see me in need and help me."

"It doesn't happen all at once," and all eyes shifted to focus on Logan his thoughts back on when Narvock had deprived him of food for a week. His way of teaching self-control. "It builds slowly over time, with each passing second, each passing minute, each passing hour, each passing day. You can hardly think, you can hardly move, you can hardly sleep…because part of you is afraid you'll never wake up," and he stood walking over to join her.

"Until it gets to the point…when it's like there's a ravishing wolf trying to claw its way out of your stomach," then he too turned to face the crowd. "And you would do anything…anything to ease your suffering. Even do things you would never do before. But…sadly you're so weak…so fragile…that if you take on too much…you lose than you gain." And an equal silence followed his words.

"But the sad part is this could have all been avoided," Kimberly said, and their eyes blinked in confusion as she walked over to join her friends and family. "This young man," and she waved her hand at Jon. "Came to you…he came to you all…for help…so that he could feed his family. You all turned him away, some of you with a gun," and she glanced at Loren, Jake, and Hank.

"so if you want someone to blame for why that cow was slaughtered…find a mirror and take a good long look, because none of you were willing to help him with either charity…or work, because of your ignorance…or prejudice" and some shifted uncomfortable.

"Look at your creature," Kimberly continued and they frowned. "You made him, now you're punishing him…," and the silence deepened.

"I've come love this town…," Michaela carried on. "And the people in it. I want it to be a good, safe place for my children. And what we're deciding today is what kind of a place this town will be. A place where we all look out for ourselves…or a place where we look out for one another.

And that means all of us. Whether we've been here for ten years, one year…, or one month. Whether we're from Ireland, Sweden, or Boston," she finished and whipped away a tear and all three stepped back next to Jon and Matthew.

"Those were mighty nice speeches, Logan, Kimberly, Dr. Mike," Kit Cole said, and they nodded. "Anybody got anything else to say?"

"I got something to say," and they turned as Olive stepped forward. "I'm dropping the charges."

"What!" Loren snapped in protest with Jake.

"You can't do that!" Hank said.

"Can't I?" she said, facing Kit Cole.

"If she brought 'em up she can drop 'em," he said, smiling.

I think she spoiled their fun Red Dragon said, as Jake threw up his arms.

Turning Kit Cole banged the butt of his gun against the table again. "It's all over. You're free to go," he said, to Jon who was frozen where he was unable to believe what he was hearing. "I always wanted to say that," and Logan chuckled shaking his head.

"Hold on there, boys," Olive said, facing Jon and Matthew. "Now you're going to work off that cow. I want see you both at the ranch at six in the morning. To start mending fences," Matthew at once agreed and slowly Jon rose offering his uninjured hand, which she took a smile on her face.

As Jon was embraced by Ingrid, Mike, Kimberly, and Logan stepped close to Olive. "Thank you, Olive," Mike muttered.

Nodding Olive said, "The both of you would make very fine lawyers."

"Maybe this could turn to a permanent job," Logan muttered, and she looked at him.

"Maybe…," she muttered, then smiling turned and left.

Outside walking across the street with Kimberly, Logan breathed deeply before Kimberly muttered, "that sounded like you were speaking from experience?"

Slowly he turned to look at her. For a few seconds there was silence between them. Answering the unspoken statement with a nod he patted her shoulder turning and both watched as Michaela and Kit Cole spoke to each other under the porch cover of the Saloon. Then slipping off his badge he handed it to her before he turned and left. After watching him ride off, she looked at the pair and walked over to them.

"Doesn't think he's a lawman or a gunslinger?" Logan asked, when she got close.

She nodded. "Said he needed to find a trade…thought of going to medical school," and Logan laughed and Kimberly shook her head a grin on her face. "This has been a tiring week."

"Well it's not over yet," and they both turned as Sully came close. "We still have one thing to do."

Back at the homestead with Brian at their side, they led the deer out of the barn as Matthew and Colleen watched from the porch of the house. "Brian, do you remember what we told you when we were hunting? That the Cheyenne believe that a wild animal should be free?" Sully asked, as they bent down to look him in the eye. "That we should take only what we need for food. You remember that?" and Brian nodded.

"Do you think this deer is going to be happy here like this?" Mike asked, and he looked at her. "For the rest of its life? No freedom to run and play and be with its family?"

"You believe that she could be saved when no one else would. For that she will remember you," Logan said, and Brian turned to him.

"Now heal her heart, and giver her what she wants," Kimberly muttered as she squatted down the boy.

Slowly the boy looked at each of them in turn. Then taking the deer's head blew a breath in its mouth. "There. Now you have my spirit," he said, then taking the cord slipped it over the doe's head and they watched it walk away from them as Brian held Dr. Mike. She paused at the edge of the wood and turning her head looked back at them. Then with a single bound disappeared into the trees.

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