Unfinished Business

Chapter One

The Marjorie( Formerly 'The Four Corners Saloon')

Laurie winced at the sound of breaking tables. She had just finished fixing the last ones the Clapham boys had destroyed last week. She had told them not to come back, but here they were again. She could hold beer better than those four idiots when she was eighteen. Oh well, time to kick out the manure.

"Okay boys, I told you-"

"Aw, C'mon Laurie, jus' one more roun…"

"No. Now, if you gentlemen would pick up your brother…"

Aron Clapham was the one who had broken the table, although his brother Blake was the one who had thrown him on it. Behind her, she could here jeers. She supposed it had something to do with the fact that she was barely over five feet tall, and the Claphams were all well over six feet tall. She tried again, but all she got was laughing. She was about half a second away from grabbing a handful of the oldest one's, Alex, hair and dragging him out after a comment about how she didn't have any right to be running a saloon, when she heard the sound of three guns being cocked.

"Gentlemen, I do believe the young lady asked you to leave politely. As much as it shames me to admit it, my friends here know very little about being polite, and are quite willing to assist in your departure."

Ezra Standish. Or Smith. Or Simpson. No one really knew. They probably didn't quite know what he was saying either. What they did know was that the well dressed gambler was holding a gun pointed at the Claphams, and his "unpolite" friends, J.D. Dunne and Vin Tanner did too. Despite their drunken stupor, the Clapham's quickly cleared out, knowing that messing with these men would be fatal, especially if the towns other "peacekeepers" got involved. Laurie went back behind the bar.

"I do hope you don't mind the interruption Miss Wilmington, but we feared having to deal with your brother's anger had we waited a moment longer and been forced to fulfill our sworn duty."

She glanced at J.D.

"We were afraid you were gonna kill those guys and we'd have to arrest you."

"You were right. What'll you have?"

Serving their drinks, on the house of course, she was amazed once again at the friends Buck had gathered. Ezra, who- for all accounts and purposes, should be in jail for who knew how many crimes- dressed and acted like a big city southern gentleman, and it was almost impossible to tell what he was saying half the time, but he also had a heart of gold. J.D. was like almost all the boys who had courted her- or tried to at least, back east- but she knew that none of them would have lasted a fraction of the time he had. So she figured there was something special to him, she just didn't know what yet. Vin Tanner, on the other hand she knew almost nothing about. He was always polite to her, and nice enough if forced into a conversation, but most of the time he kept quiet. What she knew she had gotten from Chris. She knew Buck to well to even consider talking to him about any male on the planet with the exception of himself and Chris.

Later, as she was closing up, she heard the "Hey Brat" that she had been waiting for all evening.

"Hi Buck."

"You almost through?"

"Yeah. Where ya been?"

"Heard there might be squatters at the old Davis place."

"And?"

"There were, but they were gone by the time we got there."

"Need a drink?"

"Very much."

As they drank, she almost spewed out her beer when Buck asked the one question she had thought to never hear him ask.

"You ever consider gettin' married brat?"

"Ah, not really."

"No candidates?"

"Nope. Where's this comin' from?"

"Nowhere, just thinkin' that I wouldn't mind a few little Wilmington's runnin' around, and I'm certainly not gonna have any…"

"If they were mine, and I was married, they wouldn't be Wilmingtons." She felt it necessary to point out.

"Ah, he can change his name." Leave it to Buck to make her the sole exception to any rule in existence.

But that wasn't the point. Before she got married, to anyone, she'd have to tell the man her secret, and considering what Mama had been, no man would believe her.

"Tell you what, if I decide to get married, you'll be the first to know."

The next morning, as Laurie was checking her stock, an enraged Buck burst in.

"What in the Hell did you think you were doing?!?!?"

"Uhm, what's this about?"

"'What's this about?' She asks. I'll tell you what this's about.

This is about you tryin' to mix it up with the Clapham's."

"They were breaking tables. And their credit's no good."

"And what would you have done if the guys hadn't shown up?"

"Probably killed one of them."

"Okay, allow me to try to explain something."

"Shoot."

"How tall are you?"

"Five one."

"How tall are they?"

"Taller than you."

Did he really think that pointing out her size was gonna make a difference? He'd raised her to stand up for herself no matter what, and not to let anyone step on her. Maybe she should remind him of that.

"Maybe you shoulda' thoughta' that before you raised me to be a tomboy."

"I knew I shoulda' listened to Ma."

He started pacing the room, and she just grinned. She loved it when he got all flustered like this, especially since they both knew it was his own fault.

"Look, you knew that things like this would happen when I bought the Marjorie. Or did you think that men would behave themselves because a woman owned the Saloon now?"

"Well, I thought you'd have more sense than to attack them!"

"Well, was I supposed to-"

"That was as stupid-no, more stupid- than when J.D. was sheriff."

"J.D. was sheriff?"

"For a few days. Fortunately he wised up and realized that being a lawman was a big mistake."

"Buck, you were sheriff for almost a year in-"

"That, young lady, is not the point."

Yeah right.

"Look, Laurie," Laurie? Not brat? Something was up. "Just, try not to get involved with any saloon fights."

"Ok, I'll be sure not to start any saloon fights."

"Great, now- wait a sec'!"

"That's as good as it gets Buck, because I'm not gonna let people go around breaking tables in my saloon just because they're bigger than me."

That night, she noticed J.D. and Vin hanging around a lot more than usual, with guns far more visible than she knew both men normally wore theirs..

"Let me guess, my Brother threatened you with death if you didn't camp out here and protect poor, defenseless, Brat from the evil patrons." "Yup." Vin said. And "Pretty much." from J.D. "Well, should you see any Clapham's, get them out before I see them, okay?' "Gotcha." J.D. replied.

For once, it was peaceful, most likely because of Vin and J.D.'s very visible guns, and their reputation. Eventually, the two of them settled down for poker. Laurie thought that, for once, it was going to be a nice, quiet evening(for a saloon anyways) when she heard a voice that she hadn't heard in over ten years, and had hoped to not hear ever again.

"Well, Laurie, you may not be a whore- as far as anyone knows- but ownin' a saloon ain't exactly the most upstandin' of jobs, especially one named after a whore."

She froze. Eric Collins. His voice was as cruel and mocking as it had been when they were children. His face was as cruel- most would say handsome, but cruel was the only way she would ever remember it, and his green eyes cold and mocking. As he stood there, grinning, she remembered one of the last times she had seen him, in what was easily the worst night of her life. In the background, she was vaguely aware of Vin and J.D. getting up from their table and heading for the bar.

"Something wrong Laurie?" Vin asked. "Out. Get him out." She was surprised that Vin could hear her she could barely hear herself. As Vin ushered Eric out, she heard him insist that they were old sweethearts.

Old sweethearts…

She didn't realize how tense she was until J.D., after failing to get her to talk to him, pushed a glass of water into her hands. She took it, but was so tense that she broke it.

"Shit! Are you okay Laurie?"

She looked down. Blood was seeping from cuts in her hand.

"You should have Nathan look at that, they might be deep and-"

She always bled when Eric was involved…

"C-clean that up would you, and watch the place for a while."

"Uhm, sure. What hap-"

She left out the back before he could finish his question. He had just finished cleaning up the glass and water when Vin came back with a split lip.

"That guy give you a hard time?"

"Nope ran into a Clapham. Where's Laurie?"

"I dunno. I think maybe to Nathan." He indicated the cloth with the glass in it, telling him what had happened.

"Damn. She tell you what got her so shook up? I was afraid she was gonna' pass out when she saw that guy."

"Nope. Maybe you should go after her."

Vin looked at him as if he was crazy.

"Well, she shouldn't be alone right now. You know how she gets if she's not thinkin' straight. Remember when she found out about her real Mama?"

Vin groaned. He still wished, like they all did, that that had never happened. He liked Laurie, and that woman had deserved what she got. He just wished someone besides Laurie had given it to her. But J.D. was right, Laurie didn't think straight when she was upset.

He found her crouched down outside the saloon.

"Laurie? You okay?"

She wiped her face. "Fine. Don't know what came over me."

"Stark fear."

"What?"

"When you saw that guy, you were so scared you almost passed out. And when you didn't, you were still so tense that you broke a glass and ran from the saloon."

She noticed his lip. And tried to change the subject. "What happened?"

He grinned. "Jesse Clapham."

"Ah."

"He went home. And are you gonna tell me what got you so upset, or do I have to get Buck?"

Get Buck? He knew that if Buck found out, he'd never let her out of his sight. His look told her as much.

"Eric Collins went to school with me. He would always torment me because of what Ma did."

"Right. A schoolboy's cruel remarks caused that reaction? I don't think so, you're to tough for that."

"That's all there is to it."

"Buck it is."

She grabbed his arm before he could leave. "Look, it's something very private, and I can't tell anyone. Ever."

Vin looked down at her. He had a feeling he knew what Collins had done, and if he ever caught him near Laurie, he'd rip the man's head off.

He nodded. He wouldn't tell Buck or Chris about tonight, and he'd make sure no one else would either. "Lets have Nathan look at that hand."

At Nathan's

"Looks like these cuts gonna heal up just fine."

"Thanks."

"Mind tellin' me how this happened?"

"I, uhm, dropped a glass and started picking it up before I realized what I was doing."

"Well, you be careful from now on."

"I will, and thanks."

"You're welcome." As they started to leave, Nathan called for Vin to wait a moment.

"Yeah?" He asked as soon as Laurie was gone.

"She didn't get those cuts by pickin' up no pieces of glass, did she?" He didn't answer.

Laurie stopped outside the saloon, she knew it was stupid, but she just didn't want to go in. She stiffened when she felt a hand on her shoulder, but relaxed at the soft voice.

"You ok?" Vin.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She groaned when she saw Buck talking to J.D.

"What are the chances that he won't mention what happened earlier?"

"You don't want to know."

They got to the bar just as Buck was asking exactly why Laurie had done a harebrained thing like leave J.D. in charge of the saloon.

"Hi Buck." She winced at the cheerfulness in her voice. How fake could you get?

"Where have you been?"

"Nathan's."

She caught the murderous 'And just why was she there?' look he directed at Vin. Apparently he'd been put in charge of her. For some reason, it left her feeling upset.

"Why?"

"I cut my hand."

"You—Let me see."

He grabbed her hand before she could object. "How'd it happen?"

"I dropped a glass and started picking it up before I realized what I was doing."

J.D. started to object, but stopped when he saw Vin's slight shake of the head. He left as Buck was telling Laurie that this was just why she shouldn't have bought the saloon in the first place. He figured Buck wouldquit with that old argument by now, leastwise, he hadn't heard Buck complain' about it lately. He had some business to take care of.

+ + + + + + +

Eric heard knocking at the door.

"Yeah? Who is it?"

"It's, uhm, Allie, from the saloon." Allie? Right the whore he'd been talkin' to before he decided to pay Laurie a visit and gotten kicked out by that gumnan. Tanner, he'd heard some of the people say.

"Comin' baby."

Opening the door, he found Allie, but in front of her was Tanner.

"Wha-" He stopped as Tanner's hand closed over his throat and pushed him into the wall.

He flinched as he felt the cold edge of a knife pierce the skin of his neck, and a thin, sticky stream of blood trickle down his neck and onto the bounty hunter's gloved thumb.

"Nice little scar ya got there." The knife moved upward, tracing along the scar on his left cheek.. "Hate ta have to give ya another one… on your neck."

"If she's your woman-"

"She ain't mine. She ain't nobody's but herself."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because she's my friend. And if you go near her again, I'll skin you alive." He let go, but stopped at the door. "Might wanna leave town before I decide to anyways."

Eric looked at the wound in his throat, just barely enough to draw blood. He wiped the blood away.

He'd come to Four Corners for a reason, runnin' into Laurie Wilmington was an added bonus. He'd take care of both before he left, no matter what Tanner said or did.

Chapter Two

Vin knew something was up when he saw the man dressed in black- hat pulled low over his face, hiding his features- leaning back in a chair on the porch of the Marjorie. If Chris was going to be anywhere around the saloon, it would be inside at the bar with his whiskey. His relationship with the owner of the saloon made his being outside even more unlikely.

"Chris." He said in passing as he headed inside.

He was halfway through the door before Chris said anything.

"You know, there are a few more boys in this town who're afraid of me than are of you."

Vin glanced into the saloon. Laurie was talking to Josiah, or rather, he was talking, Ezra was playing poker, and there was no sign of Collins. He stepped back, glancing at his friend, not surprised to see cold, blue eyes trained on him. Chris went back to watching the people in the street.

"Not that you didn't do a good job." It had been four days since the run-ins with Collins, and he'd made it very clear to everyone who had been in the saloon that night and since that the bandages on Laurie's hand were caused by her being clumsy and foolish. He didn't like painting her that way, but it was better than the whole town saying that the lady saloon owner had been scared outa her mind by some drifter.

"I'm not Buck Vin, I don't take every word out of that girl's mouth as God's truth." Chris paused, and somehow Vin knew that whatever he was going to say next was going to cost the gunslinger. "I'm gonna trust you to take care of this Vin." And then the cold eyes were trained on him again. "But if anything happens to her that you could have stopped by coming to me or any of the others for help, I'll kill you with my bare hands.

Vin nodded, he was Chris's friend, but Laurie…well, he'd only seen that look twice before, once when they'd gone after the man who had killed Chris's wife and son, the other when Mary Travis had been kidnapped.

Chris watched him go inside, then went back to watching the street, looking for one man in particular. Something that he'd been told about the man, about his left wrist looking like it had been broken and then set badly, had brought up an old memory.

+ + + + + + +

Vin took another look around the room as he went in. Town was getting to lively, he didn't recognize about half the faces there.

He only got half of "Gut warmer" out before Laurie had set the drink in front of him and hurried off. So she was still avoiding him, fine, he'd been expecting it. For the last four days, she'd been avoiding him like the plague anytime they were in the same room. Her not wantin' to talk wasn't going to keep him from keeping an eye on her.

+ + + + + + +

Eric paused outside of the saloon. Something about the man dressed in black seemed—

"Chris Larabee?" The man didn't take his eyes from the street.

"Yup." Eric stiffened, feeling his wrist begin to itch. The man glanced up, then back at the street. "I supposed to know you boy?" The bastard didn't even remember.

"Quemada ring any bells?"

"Yup."

"And…" Larabee looked up again, and something in the cold blue eyes made him think that his days had just been decided, and that there weren't many left. The man leaned back, resting his elbow on the railing, cupping his chin.

"Come to think of it, you do remind me of someone. A little brat who tormented an innocent girl because the only better thing that he could think of to do was jump in front of a moving wagon. Had bones like twigs as I recall." He got up, walking into the saloon, but paused and pointedly looked at Eric's wrist. "Nice wrist by the way."

+ + + + + + +

Vin knew the second Collins came into the room. Most people wouldn't have noticed the change in Laurie, unless they'd spent the last for days watching almost every movement she made. She'd been as skittish as a colt before, but now her movements were guarded, as if she were stopping herself from doing something. From the look in those light green eyes, it was run until she reached the end on the world.

He shifted so that he could have a clear look at the room. Collins had joined a group of regulars playing cards. Chris had come in to-probably right on Collins's tail-and had settled at the table where Josiah and Ezra, along with two men he didn't know, were playing poker.

+ + + + + + +

Eric knew that at least two people in the room were watching him. Tanner at the bar, although he seemed to be paying more attention to Laurie. And Larabee, who was playing poker with two of the towns other peacekeepers. He'd found out a lot about them around town the last few days. Separately, he might be able to handle most of them, especially the kid, but the preacher, Larabee, and Tanner would probably pose the most problems. Along with Laurie's brother, if he found out about their past.

Approaching the table, he gave his best smile. "You boys have room for another?"

"You got money?" One of the men asked.

"Of course."

"Suit yourself." The men moved to make room at the table.

"So, boys, any excitement in this town?"

+ + + + + + +

"Mr. Larabee? Mr. Larabee?"

"Yeah?" Ezra sighed. Normally, he would have said that Chris's lack of attention was because he was watching Buck's sister, but tonight he had barely glanced at her, more intent on another table across the room.

"Your call." Chris laid fifty cents on the table. The other two boys had sadly run out of money after a bad string of hands, leaving only the two of them and Josiah.

"Mr. Sanchez?"

"I'm out."

"You boys know that fella?" Chris asked, nodding towards a young man at the table he had been watching. About twenty five perhaps, dark brown hair and blue eyes, the only mark on his face was a small scar on his left cheek.

"I believe he has been in town for a few days. Afraid I don't know anything about him however."

"What about you Josiah?"

"Been askin' a lotta questions about us. First time I've seen him in the saloon though. Name's Collins I think." Chris nodded. Nothing more than he had already known. He'd expected that, but had hoped differently.

"So," Josiah said, "Why're you so interested in that fella?"

"Don't know 'im."

"Don't know half the town these days."

"So, gentlemen." Ezra finished gathering up the pot. "Shall I deal?"

+ + + + + + +

"So then, that idiot actually challenges Tanner!"

Eric hid his frown. He wanted nothing more than to shove the men's laughter back down their throats, but then he wouldn't get the full story.

"And then what?"

"Well, Tanner ignored him of course. Guy was dead drunk, and he doesn't go around looking for fights."

"Then what was the problem?"

"Well, Tanner started goin' on inta the saloon, but the guy wasn't gonna take no for an answer, so he drew his gun, but Tanner was faster."

"And…" he prompted the man.

"Well, Tanner shot the guy of course. Stupid idiot anyways, people tried ta tell 'im when he started picking a fight, but noooo…." Eric ignored the rest of what he said, that was all he had needed to know. Instead, he watched Laurie.

Damn, but she was a fine sight, with that dark red hair and pale skin. She'd done well in the past few years. He realized that the drunk's babbling had stopped.

"So, tell me more about the lady who runs the saloon."

+ + + + + + +

Vin watched Laurie close up from across the street. When he saw the light in her room over the saloon go out, he went into the hotel.

+ + + + + + +

Laurie hurried down the street. if she got home soon, she could get< p> ready for, and into, bed before ma got home and realized how late she'd been out. The last few days, she'd gone riding a lot on Buck's old horse, Araby(she suspected that the similarity to Chris's last name was intentional, since the horse hated him.) Somehow, riding the old horse made her less lonely with them gone. She wished she could take it with her when she and Ma went east, but knew she couldn't.

She wasn't paying attention to anything except getting home, and so didn't know that anyone was behind her until someone clapped a hand over her mouth and around her shoulders, pulling her between the buildings. She winced at the fetid, alcohol stained voice.

"You sure are uppity for a little whore, you know that?"

She glanced down, realizing through her fear that the arm around her shoulders had a splint on it.

"Somebody really needs ta teach you a lesson, you know that?" The voice got quieter, closer to her ear. "Maybe I should."

Laurie stifled the scream welling up in her throat. She hadn't had that dream in years. She turned on the lamp, feeling the tears that had welled up spilling over.

+ + + + + + +

Vin watched the light in Laurie's room go on, and then off a few minutes later. Probably just a bad dream. Probably.

+ + + + + + +

Those words snapped her out of the daze she had been in, penetrating< p> her fear. She started kicking, happy when she felt her heel connect with the bone of the man's leg. She barely had time to register it, however, before she was thrown against the wall.

Hard, cruel lips pressed against hers, and a voice whispered cruelly in her ear. "Yeah, I should."

+ + + + + + +

Vin paused outside the door. He almost turned around until he heard the soft cries from inside. He pulled out his sawed-off shotgun, opening the door slowly. He didn't know if she was being attacked or having a bad dream. He hadn't seen anyone come in, but that didn't mean no one had.

+ + + + + + +

Laurie kept a small dagger under her belt. it wasn't much, but it< p> was enough to make her attacker jump back when she used it on his face. Unfortunately, it only made him more determined. She gasped as his good hand closed over her throat.

"I'm gonna teach you but good you little bitch." He snarled in her ear. "Just you watch."

+ + + + + + +

Vin looked at the girl thrashing on the bed for a moment. It was a dream. He almost left, he didn't like seeing her like that, and hated to leave her like that, but he doubted she wanted to wake up with a man in her bedroom.

He was almost to the door when he heard her start begging.

"No." It was barely above a whisper. "Stop, please." Her pillow was wet with tears.

"Laurie?" He gently shook her shoulders. And then, slightly louder. "Laurie!"

He didn't expect the reaction he got though. He barely realized she was awake or what she was doing before one hand suddenly slashed towards his face…with a dagger in it.

He barely avoided it, watching the blade swing by inches from his face as he jumped backward. He caught her wrist before the second swipe could connect with his face, but even as he did, her other hand-thankfully daggerless-slashed towards his face, connecting with his cheek.

Eventually, he had her calmed down enough to realize who he was, but in the process had pinned her to the bed, a fact both realized at the same time. Slowly, both of them breathing hard, he let her up.

After a few awkward moments, Vin was about to leave when Laurie suddenly collapsed in his arms, sobbing. It took a few seconds before he realized that he was supposed to put his arms around her.

Damnit! He didn't know what to do with a woman. Oh sure, he knew what to do in the bedroom, and how to be nice and polite and tip his hat to the ladies and such, but when it actually came to dealing with them…well, Nettie Wells was the only woman he'd gotten to know really well in years, although he did like to think of Mrs. Travis as something of a friend, but if she was gonna be crying in anyones arms, it would be Chris's.

He smoothed Laurie's hair back from her face and began to slowly rock her. "Shh." He whispered into her hair. "Shh. It was just a dream. It's all right now."

"No," she whispered. "No, it wasn't a dream, it was real. And then, without warning, without knowing why, the story that she's kept bottled up for ten years spilled out.

Afterwards, Vin kept rocking her. He didn't know what else to do, or how to express how he felt, or what he wanted to do to Collins. He'd tried to stop her twice, but she didn't stop, couldn't have if she'd tried. It had been inside her for too long. Halfway through, Vin had started think of ways to kill Collins. He'd come up with almost fifty, most of them slow and painful, but all still to good a death.

Eventually, he realized that she'd fallen back asleep. Slowly, as gently as she could, he laid her back down, but was surprised when she grabbed his arm when he tried to leave.

"Don't go." He could barely hear her. Studying her face, he realized that she was still asleep.

He looked around the room. If he tried, he could just reach the chair at her small desk without pulling away. He pulled it over, settling in for a long night.

+ + + + + + +

He glanced out the window. The sun would be rising in an hour, and he needed to get a bit of sleep before the new day.

Slowly, he eased his arm from her grasp, noticing the slight frown that almost instantly appeared on her face.

Pausing at the door, he took one last look at her. The moonlight made he skin look paler, and her hair darker. She almost looked like a fragile angel, even in her men's clothes behind the counter, but right now he was reminded of a story his mother had told him once, about a beautiful fairy who was banished from their land for loving the humans, and was worshipped for centuries on earth as queene of the fairies.

Chapter Three

"Miss Wilmington. Excuse me, Miss Wilmington!" Laurie stopped when she heard Ezra's voice. What did he want?

She started walking again when the gambler caught up with her.

"Yes?"

"I could not help but notice that you have been somewhat…distracted these last few nights." 'Distracted' was putting it mildly. The poor girl had looked as if she was going to jump out of her skin. However, there was no gentlemanly way to say that. He had also noticed Vin's added interest in the young saloonkeeper had started around the same time, but didn't consider that to be a broachable subject.

"I've…had a lot on my mind. But thank you for asking." He noticed her eyes darting along the street before them, as if she was searching for something.

"Yes, well, I was wondering if there was some way that I could be of assistance." She looked at him as if that was the most surprising thing she had ever heard. Why must people react like that every time he offered his assistance? It was really quite insulting.

"Thanks, but nothing's…" She trailed off, apparently finding what-or rather, who- she had been looking for, Vin. "…Wrong. There's nothing wrong. Excuse me."

He, however, saw something that she hadn't seen- at least not at first- who Vin had been obviously looking for, despite his normal unconcerned slouch. It was the young man to whom Chris had brought his attention to the night before.

+ + + + + + +

Laurie wasn't as surprised as she had seemed at Ezra's offer of help. She knew he was a pretty decent guy, even though he'd probably deny it with his dying breath. When she'd first taken over the saloon, and the people in town had been so hostile and outraged about a woman owning the saloon, she knew that he had, in a roundabout way, been partially responsible for the amount of acceptance that she had acchieved. She had just been distracted, and his offer had caught her off guard. Poor guy had probably taken it the wrong way though. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to explain it to him. She had to find Vin.

If even half of what she remembered about the night before had been real, then she had to find him before he…before he….before he what? She wanted to say "Before he killed Eric in cold blood," but a part of her wanted him to. For whatever reason, Vin had been appointed, or maybe had appointed himself, as her guardian, and she didn't know how far he'd go in that duty.

She stopped when she saw Vin, who had seemed as bored and disinterested as he always did a moment ago, suddenly start moving in the direction of the hotel. Following him with her eyes, she felt her heart and stomach drop to her ankles when she saw who he was headed for.

+ + + + + + +

Vin had felt the anger building in him throughout the night as he watched Laurie. An hour and a half's sleep hadn't chased any of it away, and hanging around the general store all morning, waiting for Collins, hadn't helped either. If he'd been thinking straight, he woulda high-tailed it outa town until he calmed down. He wasn't thinking straight though, and for some reason, thinking straight and calming down didn't seem all that important right now. They seemed even less important when he finally saw Collins coming out of the hotel.

+ + + + + + +

Eric had just spotted Laurie walking with the fancily dressed man- Ezra Standish, yet another peacekeeper, he wondered if they took shifts watching the girl or something-when some one he hadn't seen grabbed him by the front of his shirt and dragged him to the side of the hotel. He wasn't surprised to see that it was Tanner.

"You seem to be making a habit of th-" He stopped, gasping as he felt Tanner's hand squeeze his throat.

"I was just wondering," the man snarled, "Just what is it that makes a man drag a fourteen-year-old girl into an alley and rape her?"

+ + + + + + +

Laurie froze when she heard Vin's question. For some reason, it made her blood run cold. She didn't realize that she was shaking until she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. She glanced down, seeing the rich, dark green fabric and swallowing her scream. Ezra.

"Why don't you ask her."

Vin glanced back, only just realizing that Laurie and Ezra were there. Damn, why hadn't he heard them coming?

Because he hadn't been thinking straight, he realized. Looking at Laurie's face, he realized that the only thing keeping her up was Ezra's hand.

"Laurie, I…" He trailed off, not knowing what to say. If he'd known she was standing there, he never would have…

He felt Ezra's hand on his arm. He'd been so intent on Laurie, he hadn't realized that the gambler had left her side.

"Vin, Vin let go." He wondered why Ezra's voice sounded so different, as if he were talking to a man holding another at gun point. "Vin, you're killing him, he can't breath."

What? Ki- Vin lookedc at Collins and realized that his hand had contracted around his throat, he was moments from passing out.

"Please." Her voice was barely a whisper, and he didn't know if she was asking him to kill Collins, or to let him go. He let go, watching the man tumble down, Ezra's quickly extended arm the only thing that kept him from falling into the dirt.

Vin looked back over to where Laurie had been, but she was gone. He glanced back at Ezra, and, seeing his slight nod, took off after her.

+ + + + + + +

Ezra clapped the gasping man on the back, hiding his smile at the pained cough.

"Well, Sir, it seems as if you have overstayed your welcome."

"What is it with you people?"

"I beg your pardon."

"First, that damn bounty hunter kicks me out of the saloon, and then, the same night, he attacks me in my own hotel room." Ezra hid his surprise, THAT was news to him. Although, from what he'd overheard just minutes ago, he couldn't say he blamed Vin. "And now this? Is that what you 'protectors' do, attack and threaten everyone who comes to this town?"

Ezra swallowed his immediate response, that they only chased off and attacked men who hurt their friends. "Yes, well, Mr. Tanner seems to have the urge to…protect…Miss Wilmington above and beyond the call of duty. Sadly, he lacks the finesse to accomplish the job with any degree of subtlety."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, for example, had I been the first to know of what Mr. Tanner has accused you of, I would not have bothered with threats, I would have simply made you incapable of ever performing such an act ever again."

For a moment, the look in the con man's eyes made Eric think that he might decide to do it anyways. And then the look was gone.

"Now, Sir, the Butterfield stage should be here in about twenty minutes., plenty of time for you to pack your belongings. I have it on very good authority that it is very comfortable, that you can barely feel the bumps on the path. Unless, of course, you have a horse of your own, in which case I would be thrilled to have young Thomas ready it while you pack..."

+ + + + + + +

Vin was just leaving the saloon after asking Jim, the man Laurie had watch the saloon for her during the day, if he'd seen her-which he hadn't-when he saw Laurie gallop out of town on that horse Buck had got her right after she got to town. Part of him said to let her go, give her time to deal with last night and this morning. And the other part of him was screaming that he should go after her.

+ + + + + + +

"I never asked you to do that." Laurie didn't bother looking up. As far as she knew, only one other person knew about this spot, although he normally turned around when he saw she was there. Ever since she'd killed Louisa Hart, she had come here to think, to get away from the world, and Vin knew that, he used it for the same reason. She'd also seen him leaving the saloon when she'd left town, and knew that he'd seen her too.

"I know."

"Then…why?"

"Because…" He paused, not really knowing what to tell her, since he didn't really know why himself. All he knew was that the thought of that bastard being anywhere within a hundred miles of Laurie made him sick. "I don't want him to be around you."

"It's not your place to decide."

"I know." And he didn't give a damn whose place it was, he was making it his place.

+ + + + + + +

"Are you allright?" Laurie groaned, as soon as she'd seen Buck riding towards her like a bat outa hell, she'd know that he was in high 'Mother Hen' mode.

"of course I'm all right, why wouldn't I be?"

"Tom said that you looked upset when you had him saddle Sable." She made a mental note to shoot Tom. Wasn't there anyone in Four Corners who didn't report her every movement to Buck?

"He was wrong." Buck just snorted.

They rode in silence for a few moments, until Buck decided to bring up the other reason he'd come looking for her.

"You been to Bitter Creek lately Brat?"

"I haven't been there period, why?"

"Sheriff's been shot, Judge Travis needs someone to watch things for a while.'

"You?" The Judge must have forgotten a very important detail about Buck, something along the lines of the fact that he chased after just about every female withing a hundred miles of him over the age of sixteen. The only exceptions being herself and Mary Travis. Although, she suspected that the only reason Mrs. Travis was an exception was because of Chris, even if he was to stupid to realize how he felt about the widow. Bitter Creek might end up lynching Buck if he stayed true to colors.

"Yup, give me a chance to see Olivia again." Laurie grinned, for once, the female he wanted to see wasn't a beautiful woman, but a six-year-old. If Buck wasn't careful, he'd turn the kid into a younger version of her. Already acted like she was his own kid.

"Wanna come?"

"I can't, I have to take care of the saloon."

"Get someone to watch it. J.D. or Ezra or-"

"Buck, think about the most valuable and important thing you own. Got it? Good, now, think about leaving J.D. or Ezra in charge of it."

"I loaned J.D. my hat once."

"That's not the most important thing you own, and you thought you were gonna die." Well, that was true. He didn't like to talk about it, but when Anderson had cut him with that damn sword of his, Buck woulda swore on anything and everything that had ever mattered to him that he was gonna die. Otherwise, he never woulda let the kid touch his hat.

"You could always s-"

"Finish that thought and I'll knock you off your horse."

+ + + + + + +

"And don't let her get in the middle of anymore damn fights." The five men- Chris had known exactly why Buck had wanted to talk to them, and hadn't bothered to come- sighed with relief when they realized that the "Protect Laurie or Die" speech was over. In retrospect, they really should have known. Five seconds after Laurie had told Buck that she was staying in Four Corners and had bought the saloon, Buck had apparently decided that the seven of them had been hired to protect his sister 24 hours a day, and not the town.

"Just when did our job go from protecting this town to babysitting one lil lady who's better with a gun than half the men around here?" Josiah asked as soon as Buck was out of earshot and he, J.D., and Ezra were headed for the saloon.

Vin was about to stop Ezra when Nathan stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Got a minute?"

"Looks like."

"You plannin' in telling me how Laurie really got her hand cut up?"

"She told you."

"Yeah, she did. And now I'd like to know what really happened." Vin sighed. He'd known that Nathan would bring it up eventually, he'd just hoped it wouldn't be until he'd gotten everything worked out.

"She ran into someone she had a bad run in with a few years ago, and it upset her so much that she broke a glass with her hand." 'She was in Boston a few years ago. Ain't likely two people from there are gonna end up here. 'Specially two who know each other."

Vin shrugged and started walking away, hoping to end the conversation.

"If anyone ever gets around to asking me, I won't lie about those cuts, but I won't go around volunteering information either." Vin nodded, his eyes conveying his thanks. It was all he could ask of the doc. "Just…try not to get me into trouble with Buck, okay?"

+ + + + + + +

"You gentlemen go ahead, I believe I shall remain outside for a while."

Josiah and J.D. tried to hide their astonishment. Ezra not going into the saloon was a shock, but Josiah, at least, knew that he had a reason. J.D., however, was to flabbergasted.

"But Ezra, you ne-" J.D. didn't get out the rest, as Josiah clapped his hand on the boy's shoulder, leading-or rather, dragging-him inside.

Ezra didn't have long to wait. He didn't know exactly what Vin and Nathan were talking about, but he had a good idea as to the subject matter. The very same subject that had obviously been on Vin mind for the last few days, as anyone who was as attuned to the bounty hunter's affectations as he was could see. The same subject, in fact, that had been on Ezra's mind since that morning.

Vin leaned up against the wall next to Ezra, looking out into the street.

"So, watt'd you do with him?'

"If you are referring to this mornings vermin, he decided that it was best for his health to seek new climes."

"Thanks." Vin stopped, not knowing how to broach the other subject.

"What you heard, it shouldn't have happened."

"Are you referring to the subject matter, or to this mornings incident?"

"You shouldn't have heard. And what he did to Laurie definitely shouldn't have happened."

Ezra looked at the bounty hunter. He had suspected that the man's feelings for Buck sister had gone beyond mere friendship when he had heard the malice and hatred in his voice that morning, and the worry and panic in his eyes when he had realized that Laurie had left. The passion behind that statement strengthened his belief.

+ + + + + + +

Eric pulled and cut the weeds that had already grown around the grave, barely over three weeks old. There was no name on it, it was just a simple wooden cross.

"They didn't even bother to find out who you were. Just another person killed by their precious protectors."

He stopped cutting, holding the blade in his palm.

"Those fools you were with shouldn't have let it happen." He remembered their fate, clutching the blade tighter, feeling it pierce his skin.. "Of course, they'll never have the chance to abandon another fellow again, I saw to that."

He took the bloody blade and began carving letters into the wooden cross.

"Those men, they think they're God. So does that little whore, Laurie Wilmington. You remember her, don't you Jim? We went to school with her. Always been an uppity little thing. Even worse now, owns the local saloon. But they aren't God, none of them are, and someone needs to remind them of that, especially your murderer."

Chapter Four

News from Aliasland: Sigh, Ivanhoe. Gotta go read it. Least I know the story ahead of time this time. As opposed to the Weepy Doc. Whoo-ee did I have a time figuring that out. Got it figured out in the end though. What's that? Oh, right, get to the point. Right, ok. Didn't I tell you that I'd get right back to work on Unfinished Business as soon as I finished "The Last Story"? Well, didn't I? Meanwhile, I've started two more fanfics(Non mag7 sorry, but you Herc fans might wanna contact me about 'em.) Anyways, more to occupy the five seconds of spare time. Oh, and there's that new debate topic(And I never got to do the scantity of life/ quality of life one. I was really looking forward to that.) Whoops, don't get to say any more, Debbie's comin' up with that "Get back in your cell and start writing Missy" look. I'm tellin' ya, that lady's a slave driver. She—HEY!!!! PUT THAT CATTLE PROD UP!!!! I'M GOIN'!!! I'M GOIN'!!!!! For my own safety, I'm gonna shut up now.

+ + + + + + +

Vin looked at the- until recently- plain wooden cross. He stood up, looking over at Ezra.

"When did you find out about this?"

"Just this morning. One of the children saw it and came and found me."

"What was the kid doing here?"

"He did not say. I assume it would be to much to hope that this is a coincidence?"

"Probably."

"I killed him."

Ezra glanced at the bounty hunter, one brow quizzically arched.

"Got drunk, tried pickin' a fight with me. Drew on me when I walked away."

"Ah." Ezra remembered that incident. The dead man's friends had left town before anyone could learn his name. He supposed that they knew it now. "I suppose the question now is, do we tell Miss Wilmington?"

"Tell me what?"

Both men jumped slightly at the sound of Laurie's voice, neither having heard her coming. They unconsciously blocked the grave with their bodies as they stood up, blocking off her view of it.

"Are you two hiding something?"

Ezra stepped forward.

"Of course not Miss Wilmington, you surprised us is all. Might I inquire as to why you have sojourned here?"

She indicated the wildflowers in her hand. "I have some flowers for Ma. What were you two talking about telling me?"

Ezra hesitated, knowing that the girl would take it better if Vin, and only Vin, were to tell her, but not quite knowing how to excuse himself.

"I believe Mr. Tanner should tell you. If you would permit me, I would be honored to take care of these for you." Before Laurie could answer, Ezra took the flowers and went to Marjorie's grave.

+ + + + + + +

"Well?"

Vin looked at the light in Laurie's eyes, surprised to realize that he hadn't seen it before. Between everything that had happened to her when she first came to town, the initial animosity that Fout Corners had had towards her when she bought the saloon, and then, just as she was beginning to be accepted, all this, she hadn't had a moment to relax, to be happy. And now, maybe, she did.

Something told him that nothing was worth killing that light. But something else, something stronger, told him that keeping the truth from her, no matter what the reason, could kill that light forever.

"Vin?"

He stepped aside, letting her see the grave. The almost instant dying of the light in her eyes answered the question that he was about to ask before he could ask it. But he still had to ask it.

"You knew him?"

"That was…I mean…how?" He moved to stand beside-and slightly behind-her, not sure if she would bbe able to stay up by herself.

"Tried pickin' a fight with me a few weeks back. Drew on me when I tried walkin' away." She remembered that. She had thought that the man had looked familiar, but his face had been badly scarred. She doubted the explanation she had heard him give to another customer had been true, but his money was still just as good. She also remembered the look he had given her, but then, it hadn't been much different than the looks she got from many of her other customers on a regular basis.

She realized that she had drifted when she felt Vin's hand on her shoulder.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I was just…thinking." She glanced up, seeing his next question before he could ask, or decide not to ask. "He was Eric's cousin, a couple of years older than him." She paused, not wanting to ask, but having to. "Do you think Eric will come after you?"

"Probably, but I'll be waiting for him." His gaze drifted over to where Ezra was still arranging the flowers on Marjorie's grave.

"Might wanna stop him 'afore the flowers get all wilted."

+ + + + + + +

Laurie gave the flowers a once-over, relieved to see that Ezra's continuous rearranging hadn't bruised them very much.

"Hey Ma." Laurie tried to picture her mother's face as it had been before they had come to Fout Corners, before she had been hurt in the stagecoach accident, but couldn't. Ever since Marjorie Wilmington had died, the images of her in Laurie's mind were of after the crash, and the weeks that she had spent on her deathbed after that.

"Life stinks, you know that? I mean, what is it that makes people-other people that is-work? The way that they're supposed to I mean. In society. You look at other people, other women, who stay in their proper place and do their proper roles and do the proper thing, and you wonder how the hell they can do that and not go crazy. I tried it Ma, I really did. But all that junk, dresses and manners and being the pretty scenery, it wasn't me. I couldn't do it." She stopped, wondering where all that was coming from, and flopped down beside the grave resting her chin on her knees. "I guess I'm saying this because…well…maybe part of that is whatever it is that helps you to understand your feelings, or something liike that. I don't know, you never really told me how to understand all that stuff. I guess that you probably woulda gotten around to it, but…well…it's just… there's this guy who I care about. At least, I think I care about him. Maybe. I'm not really sure. I just know that…well...when he's around, I feel…different. I guess. Safe. And funny. Kinda nervous. But really comfortable. You, uhm, you remember Vin don't you? Vin Tanner? About five or six years older than me, long hair, brown eyes, kinda scruffy looking?" She stopped remembering how Vin had looked that morning, hat off, the wind blowing his curly hair, the sun creating a halo behind him, making his hair look almost blond around the edges. She shook her head, bringing herself back to reality. "But, that doesn't really matter. I mean, he doesn't care about me, not like that at least. He watches out for me, a lot. Definitely more than he should have to. But there's a reason for that. Part of it is that he's really a pretty decent guy. The rest, well…Buck pretty much told him that he was supposed to be my body-guard or some such, and you know how…uhm, persuasive Buck is when it comes to me."

Laurie glanced up when she noticed that she was barely casting a shadow, realizing that it was almost midday.

"It's getting late, and I gotta go. There's a party tonight, and I'm supposed to help Mrs. Travis set everything up. Plus, I have to get the saloon locked up, and Buck said something in his telegram about looking for his pocketwatch."

+ + + + + + +

Laurie looked at the dancing citizens of Four Corners. When Nathan had told her to lock up the saloon because she wouldn't have enough business for it to be worth her while, she had thought he was crazy. Now, looking at the party-goers, she was glad that she had. She woulda kicked herself for weeks if she'd missed this social. It was so much better than the prim and proper socials she'd been to back east. Plus, volunteering to help Mary Travis set things up earlier that day had given her the chance to get to know the widow better-and to bring up Chris's name as much as possible.

Now, watching Mary's eyes repeatedly drift over to the darkened corner where Chris had been all evening, she really wished that she could find a way to get the older woman to pay attention to the feelings she obviously had, but was practically oblivious to.

Nearby, Ezra was gracefully dancing with Karen Blair, who was giggling as he deftly moved them safely among the other dancers. From the look on Ezra's face, he was starting to asking her to dance earlier, as she'd somehow managed to fend off all other comers since, and had giggled during every dance. To bad he couldn't take a cue from Chris and just walk off. J.D. was dancing with Casey Wells, and they were the opposite of Ezra and Karen, just barely managing to stay a hair's breadth away from the other couples. Josiah was talking to a girl she didn't know, although she matched the description that Laurie had of Rain, the girl who Nathan was in love with. Over in his corner, Chris had been covertly watching the party all evening. She noted that his eyes had kept finding their way back to Mary. If only they'd each glance at the other at the same time…

What she didn't see, however, was Nathan or Vin. She moved towards Josiah and the girl she assumed was Rain, hoping that they would know where the others were.

+ + + + + + +

Vin watched Nathan dab at a cut on the girl's mouth from across the room, silently cursing himself for not thinking that she might have gotten hurt for helping him.

He was still cursing himself when Nathan walked up to him.

"I need to go tell Rain what's going on, can you stay with Allie?"

"Sure."

Vin sat down in the chair that Nathan had vacated, looking at Allie's beaten arms and face.

"Was it him?" He didn't bother saying Collins's name. There was only one 'him' that he'd be asking her about.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry." For once, he didn't control his face, letting the guilt he felt was over it.

"Not your fault."

"If I hadn't asked you to go to his room that night…"

"It woulda happened anyways. I know men like Collins Mr. Tanner, known more than I woulda liked to. He woulda got what he wanted no matter what you had done. If not to me then to someone else."

"Doesn't make me any less guilty."

+ + + + + + +

Laurie liked Rain. She'd meant to just ask her and Josiah if they knew where Nathan and Vin were, but they'd ended up talking. She could see why Nathan loved her, and could tell that the two of them would have a good, long life together if given half a chance.

They were talking-or rather, laughing-about how Nathan and Rain had met, when the subject of their discussion walked up. Laurie was si busy fighting the image of Nathan hanging upside down, that she forgot to ask about Vin. Didn't stopp her from hearing though.

+ + + + + + +

Rain gave Nathan a swift hug, feeling safe as his strong arms folded around her. She had been nervous about coming here tonight, but she had always been interested in learning more about the white man's ways of celebrating, so when Nathan had asked her to come…

"I missed you." She whispered.

"I missed you too."

"What happened?" She knew that only something important would have made him leave her tonight.

"A girl-Allie Porter-got beat up real bad tonight. Gotta get back to her in just a minute."

"Know who did it?" Josiah's gentle voice cut in.

"If she knows, she ain't sayin'. Rain, I hate to do this, but…"

"Go. Josiah and Laurie have been keeping me company."

"Laurie?" Nathan glanced around, looking for her.

"Yes. She was right over-" But she wasn't, not anymore.

+ + + + + + +

Laurie hurried down the street, listening to the sounds of the dance diminish behind her.

Allie Porter…damn, she knew that girl. She was only seventeen. She also remembered Vin talking to her the night that Eric had come to town. She didn't know if Allie's bebating was connected to that, but something told her that it was.

She was halfway to Nathan's when an arm snaked Around her waist, and a hand clamped over her mouth.

Kicking her legs didn't do her any good, but one arm was free, and she jabbed it back into her attacker's ribcage. Gasping, he let her go, but by the the time had regained her footing and spun around to face him, he had recovered enough to deliver a fist to her jaw hard enough to send her sprawling to the ground.

The last thing Laurie saw before she passed out was Eric Collins's leering face.

Chapter Five

Vin looked up from the sleeping girl when he heard the door open, relieved to see that it was Nathan. Relief quickly fled, however, when he saw the worried look on Nathan's, and the other man motioned for him to come to the door.

"What is it?"

"Have you seen Laurie?"

"No, I thought she was at Mrs. Travis's social, why?"

"She overheard me tellin' Rain and Josiah about Allie. We thought she might have come-" Nathan trailed off as Vin pushed past him.

+ + + + + + +

Vin traced the path from Nathan's to the townhall, looking for any sign that Laurie had been there. He knew that it was a longshot, considering how many people walked along the road everyday, but he was looking for boot prints smaller and narrower than the ones he was seeing.

He found her prints halfway between Nathan's and the townhall. He also found what looked to be the imprint of her body. He bit back a curse as he bent to examine the imprint more closely, looking for any signs of blood. No blood, but it was the right size to be Laurie. He started to get up when he heard footsteps approaching, but Chris's cold voice cut into the chill night air before he was half up.

"Where is she, Vin?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find her." He started to move past Chris towards the stables, but was stopped by Chris's strong grasp.

"I told you I'd kill you if anything happens to her Vin, and I will." Vin managed to pull his arm free.

"If anything's happened to her, you're welcome to me. Vin moved past Chris towards the stables, not surprised when the older man matched his stride.

"Any ideas?" Chris asked.

"Been talk of squatters lately. Maybe someone lookin' for a place to hide out."

"You take the west of town, I'll take the east."

+ + + + + + +

Laurie gasped as the warm water splashed on her face, shocking her awake.

"What the-"She winced at the ache in her jaw, and felt a scab on her lower lip break.

"Morning." She glanced up at the sound of the voice, but already knew who she'd find. Eric. She didn't respond, instead tugging at the manacles on her wrist, realizing that they were looped through something behind her head.

"Pretty sturdy staircase, I wouldn't be getting any ideas." He was right.

"What do you want?"

"From you? Nothing. From Tanner? Justice."

"It was self-defense." Laurie realized that the manacle on her left wrist was a little loose, and she tried to start slipping her wrist out of it.

"Jim could barely stand on his own two feet, no self-defense in killing him in that condition." He spat back at her.

"He drew on a man whose back was turned to him." Eric glanced up and down her body, and she began to get afraid and pulled harder at her wrist, hoping he wouldn't notice. "You know, maybe there is something I want from you after all."

She drove her knee into his groin as hard as she could.

He grunted in pain, but regained control over his features and his hand began to close over her throat.

"Not just yet though. After perhaps. Yes, after." She managed to free her hand and slashed it-nails first-across his face.

+ + + + + + +

Vin pulled Peso to a stop a ways from the house. This was where the tracks ended. Cautiously, he crept towards the house and looked through the broken window. He didn't see anyone, but someone had been there, and recently, from the fine coat of dust on the floor. And near the staircase, barely visible, was what looked to be blood. He almost forgot to be careful as he went in to investigate. The blood looked like a man's handprint, and the wood on the staircase was chipped and scraped. He hadn't seen it from the window, but the door to the kitchen was open, as was the door leading outside, and a chair had been knocked over. A closer look revealed a clear trail outside. He went back to Peso. At least he had a horse and, hopefully, neither did Collins, which gave him a chance of catching up with them. He just hoped that Laurie was all right.

+ + + + + + +

Laurie crouched down behind the rock, grateful the manacles that Were still hanging from her wrist hadn't banged against it. She had no idea how she'd managed to wind up this close to the cliff, in the only place that had rocks large enough to hide behind, but was grateful that she had.

Nearby, she heard Eric calling her name.

"I won't hurt you Laurie, I promise!" Yeah, right, she'd hate to see what he considered to be not hurting her. Her jaw hurt like hell, her feet were killing her, and it felt like she had scraped her wrist raw. Okay, so he hadn't done that himself, but it was still his fault.

"I just wa-" the rest of what he was going to say was cut off by gunshots from above. Squinting, she managed to make out a figure above them, but couldn't see who it was. The man's voice, however, made her heart soar.

"Leave her alone Collins!" Vin! She almost called to him, but knew that Eric would reach her long before Vin could.

Eric's answer was a volley of shots. She saw Vin duck, and after That couldn't hear or see anything from where he had been. She was about to go and check it out, but someone pulled her back down from behind, clamping one hand over her mouth, the other around her waist. She struggled, but stopped the moment a soft voice whispered in her ear.

"Sshh, calm down, it's me." She stopped struggling and twisted around, twining her arms around Vin's neck in relief, barely keeping herself from shouting with joy. After a moment, he returned her hug.

Too soon, however, he pulled back.

"Come on, we need to get out of here."

"Ok, what do I-You're bleeding!" She gasped out when she saw the blood on his jacket sleeve.

"It's nothing just a scratch." He started to pull her up. "Now let's-" A fist connected with his jaw before he could finish, and Eric pulled Laurie up and away from Vin before he could recover. Laurie stomped on Eric's foot but it didn't do any good, and only caused the arm around her shoulder to tighten painfully.

"Stop that!"

"NO!" She bit the arm around her shoulders and he cursed, flinging away from him and into the rocks.

+ + + + + + +

Vin picked himself up, keeping one eye on the gun that was trained on him, and one on Laurie's slumped form. He wanted to rush to her, to make sure she was all right, but knew he'd most likely be shot if he did, and wouldn't be much good to her dead.

"Leave her alone, she didn't do anything to you."

"Oh? And what makes you think she has anything to do with this except get you where I wanted you? Granted," He gestured at their surroundings with his free hand. "This isn't quite the setting I would have chosen, but it'll do."

"Then lets take this somewhere away from her."

"I don't think so." Eric moved towards Vin forcing him to back up.

"You see, that would give you a chance to come up with a plan, and we wouldn't want that now would we? Besides, Laurie and I have some…unfinished business."

Vin swallowed his anger, realizing that Collins was forcing him Closer to the cliff's edge.

"I never meant to kill your cousin."

"Oh, I know that. Didn't at first, then I didn't care. Still don't. But I decided, why waste the trip? Watch your step now." Vin hadn't realized just how close to the edge he was. Collins was right, a few more steps and he'd go over. He saw the flash of dark red hair less than an instant before Laurie slammed into Collins, far too late his shouted "NO!!!" to have any effect.

He dove for Laurie as she went over the edge, somehow managing to grasp one of her wrists, hitting the ground hard. Unfortunately, Collins had grabbed her ankle. Vin felt beside him on the cliffs edge, his hand closing over cold metal. Collins's gun. He grasped it, pulling it forward and firing a shot into Collins's shoulder. Laurie cried out as the bullet went so close by her body that she could feel the air part around it, and Vin tossed the gun behind him and pulled Laurie up the moment the man's weight was gone, clutching her to him.

"Is he…" Vin looked down. Collins wasn't dead yet, he had managed to grasp An outcropping of rock with the arm that hadn't been shot. But a Moment later, he was gone.

"Yeah, he's gone." He pushed her back a bit, tilting her head to look at where it had Hit the rock when Collins had thrown her. No blood at least, but it was swelling, she definitely needed to have Nathan look at it.

"Are you all right? He wasn't talking about her being physically all right, and she knew that.

She shook her head and buried her face against his chest.

"No, I'm not. Not yet. But I will be. Someday." She tilted her head up to look at him for a moment. "Thanks to you." He felt his arms go around her, and this time had no intentions of pulling back as he gently rocked her. Someday. Maybe, just maybe, that could be enough. Someday.

The End