Shannon watched Rosalie and Chris from her hiding place in the front of the saloon. She sighed and watched the town. She looked around then watched her feet she knew she shouldn't keep avoiding Vin. She couldn't help it, she knew, he wanted to talk about what's upsetting her. She fidgets with her hat and walked down the dark street watching out for trouble. She whistled to herself to keep calm when the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She looked around and sighs she would probably catch hell for walking alone. She checks her guns to make sure they are loaded, she knew she could take care of herself, had for a long time. She smiles slightly when she thought about Drew and shook her head. She never thought she would ever have a friend, let alone two. She was a nice girl and she would keep her secret. She watched the streets when she saw a movement to the left of her grips her gun. "Who's there?" she called softly, "Come out with your hand up." She saw the light of the lantern on a gun barrel. She dove to the side just missed being hit with the gun. She grips it to meet the shocked eyes of Nathan Jackson. " S Sorry M Mr. Jackson."

He looked at her "Miss Shannon what are you doing out here by yourself? Don't you know it's not safe? Vin's been lookin all over for you." She nods that she knows.

She looks around. "I I just need to stretch my legs a bit," she says softly. Fidgets from foot to foot "want to make sure place is safe" she says even softer that Nathan had to strain to hear her.

He nodded. "Well you just be careful, that man's out there and he's dangerous. You should head back to your room soon just to be safe." He went back to checking around there and she walked away.

She walked around town carefully, knowing the seven was watchin the town also. She sighed again, she just couldn't sleep at night. Especially not with him still out there. She couldn't forget that image in her mind of poor Emily Dawson laying there so still, quiet, and so dead. She shivered, she had seen other people dead that didn't bother her. It was the way that Emily died had brought up so many memories, bad memories. She shivered again when her fathers face appeared in her minds eye the crazy glint in his eyes , she had also seen the same look in Jake Dawson's. She should have done somethin that first day but she didn't because she didn't think it was her business. Now poor Emily was dead and Jake was on the loose. She walked towards the livery stable to check it out, she sees movement thinking its another one of the seven.

She walks in quietly hoping not to startle whoever it might be. She realizes it isn't one of the seven. She backs up when she sees his face and finds out its Jake Dawson. She grips her gun " Stop, what you are doing right now." She growls. Her voice shakes with fear but she tries to hide it.

Jake whirled around and his eyes went to slits " You." He hissed, " You're the reason Emily didn't do what I asked anymore. You tried to interfere." He advanced at her.

She backed up holding her gun on him, the light from the lanterns highlighted the insane gleam in his eyes. "One more step mister, and you are eating bullets." Her gun wavered and he grabbed it twisting it away from her. He grabbed her, threw her to the ground, his hands around her throat, his eyes glazing over. She gasped and fought with him " GET OFF ME!!!" she gasped and tried to get away from him.

He started hitting her, losing it completely. Suddenly the day her father attacked her came foremost in her mind and she became that scared little girl again. She whimpered and tried to get him off her. The gun went off, she felt the searing pain in her shoulder but kept fighting him. Right then the seven were alerted by the sound of gunshot and ran towards the livery stable.

Jake looked up and grabbed a horse and rode off fast as he could. The men aimed but because his back was to them didn't shoot.

Drew heard the gunfire also and went running there feeling somehow Shannon was involved. She got there before the others and saw Shannon curled in a little ball whimpering like a child. She hurried to her side "Shannon, Shannon? Someone get Mr. Jackson."

The healer ran into the livery stable Buck walked over to Drew and tried to pull her away from Shannon. "Sunshine you shouldn't be seeing things like this, come on and let Nathan take care of Miss Shannon."

Drew pulled away and glared at him stalking after Nathan. Shannon looked around for Drew and latched onto her arm again. " I can help Buck and she needs me." She followed Nathan up to the clinic. Nathan set Shannon carefully down on the bed and started checking her out looks at Drew together they tend to her wounds. Shannon just stared off into space whimpering once in awhile. Drew watched her with pain filled eyes and helped Nathan take care of her.

Nathan finished wrapping her shoulder and pulled the covers up around her. Buck pulled Drew aside afterwards " I got to go with Chris to get this jerk I don't want you leaving Nathan's at all till I'm back. Please sunshine?"

Drew watched Shannon and nodded. She moved to sit by her and held her hand. Nathan took Vin aside "the bullet went through her shoulder and it wasn't too bad the bruises they will heal with time." He put his hand on Vin's shoulder.

"If she's going to be okay why is she...?" he watched her.

Nathan looks over at Drew and Shannon. "Well with an attack like that I don't know Vin right now she's fine that's all I can tell you." Vin nodded, walked over to Drew and Shannon he watched Shannon with pain in his eyes. "Miss Drew, could you do me a favor?" Drew nodded and looked up at him. " C could you watch over Shannon while we track this dirtball? She seems to get along well with ya and I feel a whole lot better if I knew you and Nathan was watching over her right now."

Drew nodded "yes sure I would Vin I be glad to." Vin nodded his thanks and left with Buck who smiled at Drew and went down the stairs. Everyone in town was awake by the gunshots Chris mounted up "Don't worry Vin we'll catch him." They rode out.

Drew sat and watched Shannon sleep, the men had not come back yet and she had promised Buck and Vin she would stay there. Sandy had come by checking on Shannon and had tried to get Drew to leave for a bit and rest, stating she would sit with Shannon. But Drew couldn't leave her, not till Vin came back. She had seen the fear in her eyes after the attack. Cilvia had also stopped by and Drew noticed the woman seemed a bit pale. Nathan had asked her if she was all right and she told him she was fine. Cilvia had not stayed long but Drew noticed that Shannon's appearance had frightened her a bit, it almost seemed as though Cilvia knew what Shannon had been through. She looked over and saw that Nathan had drifted off to sleep in his chair, she stood up and covered him with a blanket. She heard and knock at the door and walked over. She answered it and it was Randy and Lissa.

"How is she?" both of them almost said at once.

Lissa was carrying a tray with her "I brought you all some supper."

"Thank you Lissa, Shannon and Nathan are both asleep but I am sure they will appreciate it when they wake up."

Lissa looked to Drew with concern on her face "Drew why don't you come back home with us, you look tired."

"Yeah come on back to Lissa's, Drew" Randy looked to her.

"I promised Buck and Vin I would stay here until they got back."

"All right then, but sit down and eat this stew I brought over" Lissa said taking Drew's arm leading her to a chair.

Drew didn't argue, she smiled to Lissa and ate the stew.

Randy stood by Shannon's bedside " I hope they catch the bastard who did this."

"Randy, please watch your language" Lissa scolded him "They will find him."

Drew finished the stew and talked some with Lissa and Randy. Drew finally agreed to move in Lissa for the time being. She walked both to the door and hugged them promising them she would get some rest too.

Nathan woke up and ate the stew Lissa had brought over and Drew started to nod off in her chair when the door opened again. She looked up as Buck and Vin walked in not looking too happy.

"I take it you didn't find him?" Nathan looked to them.

Drew noticed Vin looked really upset and he had gone to sit down by Shannon and was holding her hand. "I promise you I won't give up until we find him."

"Vin, we will go look again tomorrow no sense looking at night. can't pick up his trail." Buck said as he walked over to Drew and lifted her up to hug her "thank you Sunshine for waiting here for me. Now I need to take you on home so you can rest."

"I can't leave her Buck" Drew protested.

"You go on Drew, I will send someone for you when she wakes, I promise" Vin looked to her "thank you for staying while I was gone."

"I would of done it even if you hadn't of asked Vin."

Buck lifted Drew off her feet "you heard the man Sunshine, he will send someone for you, if you're needed. But now I am going to take you home so you can get some sleep." Buck carried Drew out the door before she had a chance to protest anymore.

"All right I can walk now Buck."

Buck just grinned and kept carrying her "well I like holding you so I think I will carry you the rest of the way. You going to Miss Lissa's or to the Boarding House?"

"I decided to stay with Lissa for awhile."

"That's good she will see to it you rest and take care of yourself."

Drew looked to Buck "Why do you worry so much about me?"

Buck stopped, sat down on a bench with her on his lap, and smiled "Because Sunshine, I care about you, a lot."

"You do?"

"Yeah I do" Buck brought his lips to her and gently kissed her and huskily whispered "infarct I love you" he captured his lips with hers and kissed her passionately. After a few minutes he broke off the kiss and looked to her "Sunshine, I don't know what I would of done if that had been you today. I want you to please be careful and do not go anyplace unescorted."

"I told you I wouldn't, and Buck I think I love you too" she shyly smiled up to him.

Buck held her close and cradled her to him "As much as I would like to hold you like this all night, I know Miss Lissa would be worried sick about you and Randy too so it's best I take you home. That is unless you want to come back to my room with me?" Buck looked to Drew as she blushed and knew that he shouldn't have asked her that yet, he couldn't rush her. "I'm sorry Sunshine I should not of asked that, at least not just yet." He sat her down and stood up offering his arm "now let me walk you the rest of the way home."

Buck lead Drew to Lissa' door and kissed her again "I will come by in the morning to walk you over to the clinic."

Drew smiled and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him good night "I will see you in the morning Buck" she smiled, went inside, and shut the door.

Sandy placed the food in the basket. She had gotten up early so she could take breakfast to Vin and Nathan and check on Shannon. She was very worried about her since she hadn't woken up yet. Taking one last look around the kitchen she picked up the basket and made her way outside. Stepping out onto the boardwalk she glanced up and down the street. It was still early and there wasn't many people out, she glanced down the boardwalk and saw Buck, she waved, "BUCK!"

Hearing his name Buck looked up and waved at Sandy he walked over to where she was. "Hey Sandy, what can I do for you?"

Sandy smiled, "Could you walk me to the clinic? I made breakfast for Vin and Nathan."

"I'd be happy to escort you over." he smiled back.

"Thanks a lot." she said as she picked up the basket.

"Here, let me get that for you." he said as he took the basket from her and offered his arm.

Sandy took his arm and Buck led her off the boardwalk and across the street. "Have you found any clue as to where the killer is?"

Buck shook his head," Not yet, but don't worry we will and he will pay for what he has done. No one should treat a lady like he did, wife or not."

Sandy nodded in agreement, "That's the way my father felt. No matter what she did you never hit her."

Buck nodded," Sounds like he is a very wise man."

Sandy smiled," Yes he was." Sandy said sadly.

Buck looked down at her," Are you alright?" "I'm fine its just that my father died a few years back."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Buck said and patted her hand.

"I am too." Sandy said softly. She cleared her throat, "It looks like you and Drew are getting along pretty good."

Buck gave a big grin," Yeah I think we are." Sandy smiled. Buck stopped in front of the clinic." Your stop madam." he grinned.

Sandy smiled back," Thank you for walking me here."

"No trouble that's what I'm paid to do. I'll be back around in about 10 minutes I can walk you back if you like."

She smiles." Thank you I would. JD was late on patrol last night I'm going to make him breakfast. You and Drew can join us?"

No thanks I think we are going to Lissa to eat."

"Ok, tell Drew I will see her later today.

" I will." Buck tipped his hat and went on with his duties. Sandy went into the clinic. Opening the door quietly she found Vin sleeping in the chair beside Shannon's bed. 'He looks so tired' Sandy thought. She took the basket and set it on the table. The sound woke up Vin and he placed his hand on his gun. Sandy turned and smiled," Good morning Vin sorry I woke you."

" That's alright Sandy." Vin ran a hand over his face.

Sandy opened the basket and took out some food and put it on a plate, she brought it over to Vin.

"How is she doing?"

"About the same."

"She will be fine you'll see."

Vin took a few bites of the bread," I know."

Sandy looked around the room "Where's Nathan?"

"He is in the other room sleeping."

Sandy nodded," Alright I'll take him his breakfast. I'll come by later to check on her." Vin nodded and Sandy went to give Nathan his food. Walking back out of the clinic she searched for Buck and saw him walking down the boardwalk toward her.

" You ready to head back."

She nodded "Yes I am." she took his arm and he lead her across the street.

" How is everyone in there." "As good as you would expect them to be."

Just then JD ran up," Hey Sandy, Buck.

" Morning JD." they both greeted. Buck took Sandy's hand off his arm and put it on JD's. "I know give you back your lovely lady." he winked at JD. Sandy blushed a little so did JD. Still grinning Buck walked away.

JD cleared his throat," I went to your room and you weren't there I got worried."

Sandy smiled," Buck was kind enough to escort me to Nathan's I made breakfast for them."

"That was nice." Sandy nodded," If your hungry I left some back at the kitchen for you."

JD nodded, "Yeah I'm starved."

Sandy smiled," Good." JD then lead her back to the boarding house.

Lissa had breakfast ready and was waiting on Drew, Randy and Buck to get to the kitchen so they could all eat. She heard a knock on the door and let Drew answer it, knowing it would be Buck and the two of them would want a few minutes of privacy to greet each other. Randy came in the back door just then also. "Where have you been already this morning ?" Lissa asked him.

"I went out and rode Thunder for you, since you won't be taking your afternoon rides until this murdering son of a bit. gun is caught." Randy answered.

Lissa noticed he stopped himself and changed the last word of that phase, She was glad to see that he was starting to watch what he said in front of a lady, but she wasn't sure if she should let him get away with telling her she couldn't ride for a while. "Randy, you know I always have Josiah with me when I go for my ride. I see no reason why I can't continue to do so." Lissa said.

"Josiah and the others will be out looking for that fella today so he can't go riding with ya." Randy explained.

Drew and Buck entered the room then so Lissa let it go for now. "Buck, it's good to see ya this morning. Now everyone sit down before breakfast is burnt to a crisp." Lissa told them.

"Miz Lissa, you look lovely this morning, I can't believe Josiah would miss having breakfast with ya, he'd best be careful or some other fella will be coming along and stealing ya away." Buck teased with a smile.

"Buck, you don't need to try and charm me I know who you have your eyes on and it sure isn't an old lady like myself. Lissa teased back.

As they ate the talk turned to the murder and the attack on Shannon. "How was Shannon this morning Buck?" Lissa asked.

"She ain't woke up yet and Vin is mighty worried about her. Don't know if'n' he'll want to leave her when we go looking for that fella, but we need his skill at tracking to find this fella." Buck replied.

"I can sit with her until I have to go in to work." Drew said.

"And I'll be happy to keep the shop closed today and sit with her." Lissa said.

"Why that's mighty nice of both you ladies, I'll be sure and tell Vin. I'm suppose to meet Chris when I walk Drew to Nathan's , so I reckon by then he'll have Vin with him." Buck replied.

"I'd like to ride with you fellas and help to hunt this guy down, ya think Chris will allow me too." Randy asked.

"Randy, no you ain't going looking for no murderer. Drew said.

"Ya can't tell me what to do sis, if Buck and the other will allow me to go with them, then I'm going." Randy snapped back.

Lissa didn't like the idea of Randy going either but she wasn't going to say so. She was pretty sure, neither Chris nor Buck would allow the young man to go along. Buck seeing a fight in the making between Drew and Randy decided to offer an idea that would make Randy feel useful and still keep Drew from making a fuss. "Now I don't reckon Chris will want anyone else to ride with us, but since Nathan is busy taken care of Shannon that leaves only JD to keep the town safe and to watch over all you lovely ladies. So I think maybe Randy should help JD today." Randy seemed to think about it then he agreed that maybe he'd better stay and keep an eye on things in town since that low life son of a bitch had already attacked one of the ladies here in town. Lissa and Drew both thought it was a great idea. Breakfast was finished and Drew with Buck at her side left for Nathan's, while Randy went to see if Chris would allow him to help JD keep an eye on things in town.

As Lissa was finishing up the dishes someone knocked on her door, she answered it to find Josiah standing outside. "Morning Josiah, would you like a cup of coffee? " she asked. Josiah smiled and surprised Lissa by taking her into his arms and kissing her like he never wanted to stop. For several long minutes no sound was heard from the two. Then Josiah released Lissa and give her a pat on the rear and said he'd love a cup of coffee. Once she had his coffee she just had to ask "what was all that for, not that I mind but we have hardly shared more then a couple of small kisses and that felt like a lot more then friendship kissing to me,"

"When we was out looking for that fella yesterday I got to thinking, what if it had been you who he'd attacked. How would I feel about losing ya and I didn't like how I'd feel, so I decided to let you know how much I enjoy being with ya." Lissa couldn't find anything to say so she just walked over to him and sit in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. The two sit like that until finally Josiah said he'd best be going or Chris would be looking for him. Lissa grabbed her shawl and walked with him to Nathan's place where the men were all suppose to meet Chris and Vin. Vin was standing with Chris, Ezra, Buck and JD when Josiah and Lissa arrived at the clinic. Lissa could tell he hated leaving Shannon but she also knew his skill would be needed to find the attacker, "Miz Lissa, I want to thank ya for being willin' to close the store so's you can sit with Shannon while I'm gone. I already told Drew this but since you'll be with Shannon today too I'll tell ya, if Shannon wakes before I get back you make sure ya tell her I'll be with her as soon as I can. And if'n' she don't talk much with ya please don't take it the wrong way, it's just that Shannon don't talk to anyone much."

"Vin, I'll tell her and I know how Shannon is, so I won't take it to mean anything when she is silent with me." Lissa assured him. Meanwhile Chris was saying to Buck.." I can't believe I let you talk me into letting that kid Randy help JD watch over the town, hell we'll get back here to find he's done shot someone and then the judge will hang me for letting him into town. Josiah told Chris that he was sure Randy had more sense then Chris gives him credit for and beside Nathan and JD would both are there to see to it Randy didn't do anything stupid.. Lissa then watched as the 5 men rode out of town. Then she walked back home thinking how much she'd worry about the 5 of them until they returned, she was glad young JD and Randy both were here in town instead of riding off with the others.

Cilvia watched from the shadows of the saloon as the five men mounted up and rode away. She couldn't help but feel a shiver of fear run up her spine. Suddenly she didn't feel safe in Four Corners. Ever since she had been there the seven men had provided her with a sense of protection, now five of them were gone, albeit temporarily. Cilvia had felt a twinge of quilt in her heart as she watched Ezra talk with the other men before they left. He kept looking up and down the street in obvious search of Cilvia, but she just couldn't bring herself to go over and say good-bye. She hadn't talked to Ezra much over the last few days. He had come to her hotel room in search of her, but she had hid from him. She hadn't even gone to the saloon. Cilvia didn't know what was wrong with her, but it scared her a great deal to realize she was reverting to the way she was after her parent's death. And even then there was only one man who had been able to bring her out of her great depression...her teacher and her mentor...but he was still in her hometown, a place she was determined never to return to. For the hundredth time that day she looked at her frightful reflection in the window of the building next to her. She was a mess, not in appearance or dress, she looked normal at first glance, but her eyes told another story. The dark bags under the eyes, the pale skin, and the haunted appearance in her eyes would be noticed by anyone who cared to take a closer look at her. That is why she hid from Ezra, and the rest of the people she had begun to care about. She didn't want to be questioned, didn't want anyone to know of the restless nights and the daydreams that haunted her consciousness. She looked back across the street and watched as Ezra mounted his horse and again searched the street.

She could see the pain and worry in his face and it broke her heart. "why am I behaving this way?" she muttered to herself. It scared her, the way she felt about Ezra. Never before had she felt such a draw to a man before, it made her insides churn. He hadn't even kissed her or touched her in a seductive way, but she still felt this great desire burn within her like nothing she had ever felt before. He was too much of a gentleman to pressure her into something she wasn't ready for, and at this time she certainly wasn't ready for Ezra. She still felt bad for avoiding him though. She pushed him out of her mind though as he had ridden out of town with the other men. Her feelings then were replaced with a great sense of fear and dread. That man they were hunting was still in town...she could feel it in her bones. Her intuition was good when it came to these things. She whirled around as a noise was made behind her. Her heart was thudding wildly and she was sure the woman across the street could hear it. She sighed deeply as a cat ran out onto the street from the boxes in the alleyway. "Your going crazy you fool" she scolded herself. It was then she had decided to check in on Shannon. She felt almost like that girl was the one person who might understand her and her inner turmoil. It seemed like that girl had been through much of the same thing. After a quick look up and down the street she headed towards the clinic. The crowd of ladies had dispersed and she felt it was safe enough to go into the clinic. She half ran to the safety of the clinic and knocked lightly on the door.

She heard a soft "come in" and was greeted by Nathan. "Good Mornin' Miss Cilvia. How can I help you this day?" Nathan asked.

"I just wanted to check on Sha..." she looked over at the bedside then and saw another figure sitting there and almost panicked. "I didn't realize she already had guests, I can come back......" Cilvia started to go back out the door. She hadn't seen anyone else come in the room and she didn't really want to be in there with a bunch of people.

However, Nathan stopped her. "Nonsense, I'm sure Shannon would want to see you when she woke up. Go ahead and sit down." Cilvia desperately wanted to argue but found she didn't have the strength. She quietly made her say over to the bed and sat opposite Drew, keeping her eyes on Shannon's still form and not saying a word. She didn't want to leave but she didn't want to stay so she just sat in silence as Drew and Nathan looked on.

Contact the Web mistress at hynd@superior.net This page was last updated on 03/24/01 01:22:43 PM.