"You and Modo would get along great, Dakota."

"That's your partner's name?"

"Yep. I have a picture of him, if you'd like to see what he looks like."

"If you don't mind?"

"Not at all." Then I pulled my cell phone out and pulled up a picture of my grey furred honey.

"He looks intimidating."

"Only if you make him mad otherwise he's a big teddy bear."

"Definitely sounds like Dakota, too. Is that a mechanical arm?"

"Yep. He was experimented on. It's a touchy subject, so I try not to bring it up around him."

"Good thing he's not here."

"Amen to that."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

On the way back to Cow Town, we were ambushed by some ugly looking…bat thing.

I had been knocked off my brother's horse. Moo stopped and turned around. He jumped off his horse and ran to me.

"Michelle? Are you ok?"

I had hit my head hard on the ground. I was out cold. Moo got worried.

"Dakota, get her back to Cow Town, now!"

"What about you?"

"I have a score to settle with Bat Blastagun. He hurt my sister."

"Don't be a fool, Moo. You're giving him what he wants."

I started coming around and heard them yelling.

"Can you both keep it down? I have a headache."

"Sis, are you ok? You got hit hard."

"Other than the headache, I'm ok. Who or what was that?"

"That was Bat Blastagun."

"And his flunkies."

"Sounds like you've had a run in with them before."

"You could say that. It was when I had gone back to Miller Glen to see some old friends."

"Sounds like he's a terrorist. I don't negotiate with terrorists where I come from."

"He definitely messed with the wrong family today."

"Don't Martin. I can't even imagine what dad would say if I told him you were dead."

"You're right. I'll let you deal with him."

"Cause I'm the better fighter and he wouldn't expect a woman to challenge him."

"Exactly. Let's go find him." Then he looked to Dakota.

"Get back to Cow Town and help Cowlorado. We'll be back there soon. I have a feeling it will be a short fight."

I gave him a smug look. My brother smiled back.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

About an hour later, we ran into the same creep again. This time I was ready. He tried to do the same thing and this time I caught his leg and threw him.

He got up and looked shocked that someone fought back. I jumped off Cyclone and landed on my feet. I didn't need guns to beat this bunch of creeps.

Bat sent his flunkies after me and I made short work of them in about 10 sec. flat.

"That all you got, amigo? I can take anything you can dish out and then some."

"Pretty cocky, aren't you? Do you know who I am?"

"Oh yeah, I know who you are and I don't care. Where I'm from, you're just a terrorist and a bully."

"Sid, Gil, Rawhide, get that law cow!"

I made short work of them in no time.

"You're next, batman! Come get some!"

Dakota was about to join in, but Moo stopped him.

"Let her deal with him. I'd hate to see you get hit by her accidently."

Dakota nodded and just watched.

Bat was a good fighter, but not as good as me. He gave me a good fight. I even had a few bumps and bruises.

"That was a good fight, sis. He really gave you a run for your money."

"Yep. Heck of a fighter. He really put up a good fight. Hit me a few times, but nothing I couldn't handle."

"I noticed that. You cuffed him, too, right?"

"And cut his nails so he can't pick the locks on the cuffs. Same with his flunkies."

"I have to ask this, how did you cuff a snake?"

"Go take a look. Its kinda funny."

"Seems you're going to put me into early retirement at this rate, sis."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, not at all."

"Who's next on the list that wants you gone?"

"When we get back to town with our prisoners, I'll show you. Then I have to get you J.R.'s reservation."

"You talked to him, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did. I needed his advice and to see if he would help you get back to your partner."

"I hope he can help me. I really wanna bring you with me, Martin, but it would be selfish of me. I won't do that. I couldn't even imagine what Lily would say if you left. You definitely take after dad. You treat her with respect. I know you're in love with her, but you've never told her. Why?"

"Not sure how she would take it."

Dakota and I looked at each other then back at my brother.

"Really? Big, strong Martin Montana is afraid to confess his feelings? My friend, Vinnie, would find that funny."

"He sounds like a jerk."

"Him and Cowlorado would get alone great. They're both show-offs and flirts. You, my brother, would get along with Throttle. Yes, that's his name."

"Sounds like he keeps everyone in line."

"Hard to keep Vinnie in line when he wants to rush into a fight."

"Eager to please?"

"No, just an adrenaline junkie. Loves the thrill of near death experiences. Don't ask. I stopped figuring him out a long time ago."

"And your partner, Modo, was it?"

I nodded. "Biggest teddy bear of a mouse. Kinda like you, Dakota. Very respectful of women. Can't stand to see a woman crying."

"Definitely sounds like Dakota."

"What do you usually do after locking up the bad guys?"

"Just relax and hope that its peaceful the rest of the day."

"I'm guessing that its not always the case?"

"Sometimes its not."

"I'm gonna have to rig something up so you can keep in contact with me when I do leave. I wanna make sure my baby brother stays safe."

"As long as I have my friends with me, I will."

Dakota looked at Moo.

"Something tells me that's not always the case from the looks of Dakota's face."

"You'd be right, Miss Michelle. I've had to pull his horns out of trouble a couple of times."

"Promise me you'll continue to keep him out of trouble. I don't wanna have to come back and be his babysitter." I held out my hand to him.

Dakota shook my hand and promised me that he'll keep my baby brother out of trouble.

"If you ever have to go after him cause he's not thinking clearly, then call him by his real name."

My brother stepped over to me and crossed his arms in front of him.

"No way is he allowed to call me by my real name."

"You don't get a choice on that, Martin. I'm older than you."

"Cow Town is my town."

"I don't care, Martin. Dakota may be your deputy, but I know that he has respect for me and won't hesitate to stop you for doing something foolish."

He got dangerously close to my face. Dakota had to step in before a fight broke out.

"This isn't the place, Miss Michelle. I will talk to him when we get the prisoners back to town."

"I'm not riding with him back to town. I'll walk, thanks."

"Fine by me."

"Moo, that's your sister."

"Don't worry about it, Dakota. Walking back will give me time to think things through. Tell Cowlorado I'll come for his hide if he doesn't continue practicing those songs."

Dakota noticed that Moo had already left with the prisoners. He knew he could catch up, so he wasn't worried.

"Can I take you back to town, then? You're my friend, Miss Michelle. I hate seeing you and your brother fighting like this. Its going to cause a lot of tension around town."