Striker found Maria in their guest room; she'd been crying hard underneath the blankets. The cowboy carefully walked in and sat on the bed next to her.

"Are ya okay, sweetheart?" he asked.

Recognizing his voice, Maria peeked up at him from the covers. "Did... did you hear...?"

"Yes, everything."

Maria flinched thinking she was in trouble. "I-I didn't mean to scream at them... but I don't understand, why does everyone hate him?"

Striker sighed; he had a feeling where she was going with this. Truth be told, despite what an absolute wimp Moxxie was, a part of him couldn't help but feel sorry for the little dude. Sure, he didn't have the brute strength or aggression the cowboy himself had, but at least he was trying. Plus, he liked that his daughter had found someone new to talk to.

What really impressed him was how perfectly clear he loved Mildred and vice versa. In fact, it actually reminded him so much of how he and Serenity used to be the same before she, unfortunately, left him. Not that it was his or her fault things didn't go as planned. Still, she meant just as much to him as those two did to each other. And he was not about to get in-between them for anything.

With all that in mind, what right does he have to judge Moxxie as bad as the rest of them?

"Look, you know how I've been teaching you all the things I was taught at your age?" Maria nodded, sniffling. Striker stroked her head in an effort to calm her. "Well, I can't be sure, but I think perhaps Moxxie wasn't raised the same as you or any of us here in Wrath. The thing is many of us have to live up to being strong, bold, and fierce mainly cause it's what we know. And these folks here aren't that different, so maybe they think his way of handling things isn't the right way."

That last part was said carefully, but just a little bit. He wasn't entirely wrong, though.

"But it's so mean." Maria protested. "If I were as weak as him, would you say bad things about me?"

"Absolutely not. You're still young after all, you got loads of time to get there."

"...I don't know."

"Trust me, sugarplum, there's a little bit more of it in you than ya think." He leaned down to whisper to her. "And just between us, perhaps Moxxie does too."

"You think so?"

"You bet I do."

Maria took the blankets off her head and sat up. "I still wish they were nicer to him."

"Maria, I hate to tell ya this, but ya can't just make them change their minds." Striker told her. "If anything, he's the one who has to show them what for."

"I guess so, but how-?"

Striker glanced out the window to see Moxxie helping out with some hay to feed a certain cow and calf pair. "Something tells me he's off to a good start."

Maria looked, too, seeing that he looked in better spirits with Bluebell and her calf. It actually made her feel a little better too.

"I'm sorry... for acting up." Striker wiped her tears away.

"Don't worry, baby girl, nobody's mad at you." He then gives her a stern look. "However, you will have to stay in the house and miss the festival. You may have been right to stand up for him back there, but how you handled it was not smart, do you understand that?"

Maria didn't have it in her to argue anymore; he did have a point after all. "Yes, daddy..."

"Alright then, how about you get some rest right now?" Striker tucked her in bed. "It might do ya good."

"Okay. And daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"Good luck at the games, all of you."

Striker gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Thanks, baby doll. I'll be sure to give Moxxie your regards."

Once he'd left, Maria snuggled up under the covers and fell asleep, already feeling more relaxed than earlier.

Striker was surprised at how both Moxxie and Blitz were during the games. True, Moxxie didn't do as well as the rest. Actually, the little guy practically stumbled and fell many times during the whole thing, even wound up in the jaws a shark that somehow happened to be there. But the fact that he'd survived, he had to give him a little credit.

Blitz, on the other hand, turned out to be a way better challenge than he expected. Hell, the city imp managed to evenly match Striker himself at just about everything; he kept up with him and even nearly beat him a couple of times. Seems, he really did underestimate him.

"Hey, there you are, cowboy!" Well, speak of the devil, here comes Blitz now. "For a second, I thought you'd pussed out cause you couldn't handle a good ass-whooping!"

Striker chuckled, "You were only nearly as good as me, bossman. Consider yerself lucky I went easy on ya."

"Easy? Ha! Yeah right!" Blitz laughed. "Half the dickheads I've come across wish they were more like you."

"You're not wrong there." Striker smirked. "But then, not every imp's got it made like many of us do."

"Can't say I disagree with that. But me and you are some of the lucky ones. In fact... I think we should start working together more!"

Striker blinked. "Pardon?"

"Well, after all that badass stuff back at the ranch and out here, I've been thinking... how'd you like to come work at I.M.P.?"

Striker froze hearing that. Was he serious? Sure, he did miss the days of being a hitman all these years ago; the thrill of the chase, the rush of adrenaline, bringing down the ones who rightfully deserved it had been great, no doubt. However, he never once considered going back to that, especially because of...

"Well, uh... that's a very tempting offer, but..."

"Aww c'mon, I've seen the way you work with both firearms and your bare hands!" Blitz's grin grew wider as he gave the cowboy a little punch on one of his arms. "I can tell a full-fledged assassin when I see one! You're perfect for the job!"

Okay, Striker had to admit that was impressive how quickly Blitz guessed.

"Nothin' gets past you, huh, Blitz? It's true, I did used to work as a hitman a long time ago. However..."

"Say no more, Strikes, I get where you're coming from! You can always bring little Maria with you and she can hold down the fort along with Loonie."

Striker sighed, "Look Blitz, I appreciate the offer, really. But my daughter is the reason I stopped being a hitman to begin with." He briefly looked back towards the house. "Ya see, I made a promise when she was born that I'd protect her and I'd rather not risk putting her up to this. I just..." A sigh. "I don't wanna put her in danger."

Blitz's eyes certainly had a look of disappointment, but his grin didn't falter once. "If it'll make you feel better, you don't have to yes right now. Just look at it this way; you two won't have to be alone any longer and, who knows, maybe someday she can join in. Don't get me wrong, she's a real sweetheart but... you do realize she's not gonna stay little forever, right?"

Striker paused hearing that, looking a bit more thoughtful. As much as he hated to admit it, Blitz did have a point; Maria is not gonna stay little forever. Like it or not, she'll have to grow up and be out on her own at some point. Still, could he really accept this?

For now, he responded with, "...I'll think about."

At that moment, Wally Wackford's voice signaled both imps back to the stage, Striker putting on his best grin.