Chapter VII - Love and Guns

Soothing Grace back to sleep wasn't too hard. All they had to do was hold the child and whisper to her. Soon the infant was resting in her father's arms while Blair warmed her milk.

Both men were still in shock from the latest revelations. Grace being a Sentinel like her father, and the depths of emotion they seemed to feel for each other. Blair was still reeling from that amazing kiss. Whoever looked at Ellison's cool exterior would never guess the man capable of such fire and passion. And the kiss itself... Blair felt hot just thinking about it. He'd wanted that kiss to last forever and had been amazed at his own response. It certainly hadn't been anything like his earlier experience with Carl!

Although he'd never allowed Carl to kiss him, just the thought was enought to make him physically sick. As he watched Jim playing with Grace, Blair was glad he'd managed to evade Carl. He was certain he'd be able to give Ellison what Carl had always wanted, and of his own free will. But despite the kiss, Ellison hadn't made any further moves in that sense, and if he was honest with himself, Blair was kind of scared of that intimacy. What if he didn't like it? He definitely didn't know how to pleasure the other man.

And now that Jim knew how inexperienced he really was, Blair was sure the other man wouldn't be interested. But should they ever... get intimate, he would surrender to the other man with the knowledge that he would truly be Jim's, giving him all of himself for the first time to anyone. And God, how he wanted it, he realized with some amazement.

Squirming slightly at the tightening in his pants, the young man fed Grace and put her to sleep as Jim made them breakfast. They sat in a somewhat awkward silence, eating the hot meal as they thought about what to say.

"Thank you," Blair said finally.

"What for?"

"For saving my life. I don't think I thanked you properly."

Jim gazed at him. "Yes, you did," he replied with a grin, remembering the kiss. His grin deepened into a full-fledged smile as he watched Blair's cheeks reddening. Apparently he wasn't the only one thinking about that heated moment.

The awkwardness stayed with them most of the morning, both wishing they knew what to say, but too embarrassed to be able to talk about it yet. Around noon break, while Jim helped one of the wagons with their horses, Blair decided to cook them something to eat. He was dishing out the food when he heard someone calling his name. Turning towards the voice, he saw Joseph Burton practically running in his direction.

"Joseph, what's wrong?"

"I just heard about the snake," the other panted. "How are you?"

Blair smiled slightly, "I'm fine. It didn't actually bite me. Jim shot it first."

"Thank God! When I heard about it, I thought..." Joseph stopped, unable to voice his troubled thoughts. His gaze settled on the beautiful, living human being in front of him. Blair's deep blue eyes shone brightly, and his cheeks were flushed from the nearby fire. "Oh, God..." Joseph moaned.

Unable to stop his traitorous body, Joseph suddenly embraced Blair tightly to his chest, somehow controlling the impulse to kiss the luscious lips. He was determined not to pass his sickness to the young man who meant so much to him.

Caught by surprise, Blair stayed within the circle of the other man's arm. Then he reached by moving away and starting to protest. Something to his right caught his attention and he turned to see Ellison watching them with a murderous expression on his face. The man nearly growled at them, then whirled around and stomped away from them.

"No..." Blair whispered. "Now he's going to hate me again..." He lowered his head dejectedly, feeling absolutely miserable. Just when things had been so good between them!

"Blair, I apologize," Burton said, honestly sorry about what he'd done. He hadn't missed Ellison's reaction to the hug or Blair's desperation. He'd already lost the fight, and the war hadn't even begun.

Joseph's voice brought the young man back to the present. He'd been so upset about Jim leaving, he'd forgotten all about the other man.

"Why? Why did you have to do that?" he whispered, his voice echoing the hurt he was feeling.

Joseph felt like the worst scum in the planet, "I'm sorry," he repeated. "I... I like you, Blair. And not in just a friendly way."

Blair watched him for a moment, perhaps judging his honesty. "I'm sorry too, then. I like you, Joseph, but only as a friend. And you shouldn't have hugged me like that."

"I know. Maybe if I go talk with Ellison..."

The young man shook his head wearily. "I don't think it will help. He accused me of flirting with you before. He'll think he was right now. Damn."

Leaving the young man looking like the world was about to end, Joseph Burton went in search of Ellison. He found the man in the woods, leaning against a tree, a sullen expression marring the handsome face.

"What do you want?" Ellison snapped without even looking at the other man.

"To talk."

"We have nothing to talk about."

"Yes, we do. You misunderstood what you saw. It was only a hug."

"Not to you, it wasn't." Ellison still wouldn't look at him.

Joseph sighed. "You're right. It wasn't just a hug to me, and we both know it. I was wrong. I shouldn't have embraced Blair, but don't take it out on him. He didn't even hug me back, if that's what you're so mad about. In fact, he moved away. And would've probably given me the verbal beating of a lifetime if you hadn't showed up."

The other man finally looked up but remained silent.

"Go to him, Ellison. Don't punish him for something I did. And I'm giving up on him. You win."

Jim frowned. "Just like that?"

Joseph nodded. "Just like that. I saw the way he looked at you and how he reacted when you stormed away. He might not realize it, but he's in love with you. If he hadn't been sure about how he felt, I'd have fought for him. But the way he feels for you..." Joseph shrugged then turned deadly serious eyes on the other man. "Just make sure you make him happy and don't hurt him, Ellison. Or I'll make your life a living hell. You can count on it. And, I plan on staying around as a friend, so you better get used to it. You hear me?"

Jim's lips twitched slightly. "I hear you." Suddenly he extended his hand towards Burton. "Friends?"

Joseph found himself smiling. "Friends," he echoed happily. "Now, get out of here. Go to him."

Jim nodded and walked back to the train camp. He could hear Grace wailing again and realized Blair' heart was beating too fast, probably in distress. "Seems I was right, she focused on his heart. He's upset, she's upset."

He found both Grace and Blair inside the wagon. The young man was on his knees, the child secure in his arms as he rocked her, trying to sooth her crying. But he was still upset, and Grace could hear it in his heartbeat. So she kept crying.

"Blair..."

Startled by Jim's voice, Blair whirled around to face the older man. "I..." he began nervously, his tongue sliding over suddenly dry lips.

Dragging his gaze away from the enticing tongue and lush lips, Jim forced himself to focus on the young man's eyes. "It's okay, Blair. I know what happened. Joseph and I had a little talk."

Blair's blue eyes widened. "You did?! He's still alive, isn't he?"

Jim chuckled. "Yeah, he is," he glanced down at his daughter. "I see she's crying again."

"Began as soon as you walked away. Can't shut her up, though."

"You will soon," Jim replied enigmatically.

Blair looked up at him with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?"

"Your heart is beginning to slow down," was all Jim said as a way of explanation. He watched as Blair blinked in surprise and then understood.

"I was upset, and my heart began to beat faster. She is focusing on my heart! Oh, my God! This is amazing!"

He looked down at the child in his arms. "It's okay, Gracie, I'm just fine," Blair whispered as the infant began to quiet down. He continued his soothing litany and soon the little girl was sleeping soundly. "I'll be..." he exclaimed in awe, his eyes locking with Jim's.

"Amazing, isn't it?" The older man breathed with no small amount of perplexity in his voice.

Blair cleared his throat. "About Joseph and I..."

Jim shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have reacted that way. Everything's settled. Honest."

Blair nodded in relief. He'd have to thank Burton later for straightening things out with Jim. In the meantime, he was going to enjoy the sense of family Ellison and Grace were giving him. For the first time in his life, Blair felt loved and wanted, and he was going to make the most of it before it ended. Because it always ended.

*#*#*

When they stopped for the night, and after letting Jim know where he was going, Blair walked up to Joseph Burton's wagon. Burton had a helper with him, a young man who sometimes drove his wagon when Joseph preferred to ride or had to hunt, and who made himself scarce as soon as he noticed Blair approaching.

"Good evening."

Joseph looked up from his seat by the fire. "Good evening, Blair. Please sit down. I think it's time we had a conversation. Want some coffee?"

The young man nodded and sat quietly in front of the other man. They looked at each other for a while, drinking the coffee, until finally Joseph began to speak.

"I want to apologize again for what I did. I was out of line."

"Apology accepted. That is, if you accept mine."

Joseph tilted his head to the side in confusion. "I don't understand."

"I over-reacted. It was just a hug, after all. I know hearing about my close encounter with the snake caught you by surprise," Blair smiled slightly as he mentioned the snake incident. "It's just that things between Jim and I are only now beginning to get civilized, and I don't want to ruin everything. He is a little... temperamental, and the smallest thing will set him off."

Joseph chuckled. "I noticed. I promise I won't do anything like that again, Blair. I just... I really like you. But if friends all we can be, then I'll be the best friend you'll ever have. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Joseph, don't you think it would be better if we didn't see each other for a while? I know it's hard, us being in the train and all. But I don't want to cause you pain."

Joseph shook his head. "You won't. I'd rather be near you as a friend than not at all. Please, don't deny me that."

Seeing the pleading look in the other man's face, Blair was incapable of denying him that friendship. Because he wanted and needed it as well.

"Let's stay friends, then. I'd really like that."

"Good, good. Did you enjoy the book I gave you?" Joseph asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, yeah! I loved it! Sentinels are a fascinating subject. But you never really told me why you gave me that monograph."

"The first time I saw you, I knew you were someone special, Blair. Even as just a friend, I wanted to give you something that meant something to me. So you'd know what you mean to me. Like I said, I know it's in good hands."

Blair nodded. He was only beginning to realize the depths of Joseph's feelings for him. It was humbling.

"Thanks for talking with Jim. I know it couldn't have been easy."

Joseph shrugged. "It was the least I could do. After all, what happened was my fault. And I think Ellison and I are on the way to becoming good friends. I'd like that a lot."

Blair smiled, "Me too." He rose from the stool. "I better be going now. Grace was still awake when I left. I want to make sure she's okay."

"She's turning into a beautiful baby."

Blair beamed with pride. "Yes, she is. Sometimes I forget she isn't really mine, you know? I love that child as my own flesh and blood."

Joseph nodded with a smile. "I can tell. You glow every time you mention her. The only other time I've seen that look on your face was when you're talking with Ellison." He watched Blair's perplexed expression.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Uh, okay then. I have to go now, Joseph. Thanks for the coffee. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Blair."

Joseph sighed sadly as he watched the young man walking away. Blair still sounded so uncertain about Ellison and their feelings for each other. The road ahead for those two promised to be a rocky one.

*#*#*

Blair was crossing towards Ellison's wagon when he noticed Rafe leaning dejectedly against a tree. He approached his friend curiously. "Hey, Brian! What's wrong?"

The other man sighed sadly and shook his head. "Nothing."

"Oh, come off it, Brian! Come on, tell me what's wrong with you."

"Well, it's just... I think I'm in love with someone, and she doesn't even know I'm alive. I tried everything to get her attention; I even pretended to flirt with women to see if she got jealous. All I got was a motherly lecture about being careful, or I'd end up having a shotgun wedding."

"Motherly? The only person I know around here who acts motherly towards everyone is..." Blair blinked surprised. "You're in love with Megan?!"

"Will you keep it down, for God's sake?! I would like to keep that little piece of news to myself, thank you very much!"

"Don't be silly, Brian! Tell her how you feel."

"Are you crazy?! She'd kill me!"

"No, she wouldn't. Come on, let's tell her."

Grabbing Brian by a wrist, Blair dragged the poor man until they reached Megan's wagon. He wasn't about to pass up a chance to help two people who had done so much for him and who deserved so much to be happy.

"Megan, Brian wants to tell you something," Blair said as soon as she turned to them.

The young woman gazed at the two of them, noting how Blair was beaming with happiness and Brian looked about ready to bolt. "Yes?"

"Well, you see..." Rafe stammered. "I... I..."

"Well?!"

"Oh, for Pete's sake, Brian! He's in love with you, Megan," Blair blurted out.

Rafe rolled his eyes heavenward.

The two men watched as a wide smile began to brighten Megan's face. "Really?" she whispered, the delight clear in her voice.

"Uh, yeah."

"Well, why didn't you just say so?" Megan chided softly then grabbed Rafe by the shirt and proceeded to give him a soul-shattering kiss.

"I think I'll leave you two alone now," Blair chuckled and left his two friends to work their new relationship out. Good to know that someone else was also happy and with their loved ones. Like him with Jim and Grace.

*#*#*

As soon as Blair got back to the wagon with what had to be one of the biggest smiles he'd ever seen on the young man, Jim left him taking care of Grace and went to tend to his horses. He'd planned on returning to what he was beginning to think of as his family as soon as he was done. But some of the train's folk asked for his help with their teams, so he ended up staying out for a long time.

When he finally walked into his wagon, bone deep tired and barely able to keep his eyes open, most of the camp was already silent. Jim pulled himself inside the wagon, crawling on all fours and just lay down for a moment sighing in relief. Not having enough strength to undress, Ellison pulled a blanket around his body and let the exhaustion lull him to sleep.

The next morning, Jim woke up blissfully warm and snuggled into the soft bedding. Still in the fuzzy state between sleep and wakefulness, he inhaled happily and was surrounded by the musky scent he identified as Blair's. Opening his eyes, he found he was fully on top of the young man, his head pillowed on Blair' shoulder, his nose buried in the hollow of the young man's neck. Jim lifted his hand and caressed the silky hair, enjoying the way his sense of touch allowed him to feel the very texture of the hair.

How could he have fallen so deeply for someone in so little time, especially with all the barriers around his heart? Beneath him Blair sighed and nestled against him, his arms going around Jim's body, their legs entwined together.

Jim knew he should move, but he couldn't pass up the moment to enjoy the closeness with the young man. He remembered what he'd felt the morning before as he'd watched Burton embracing Blair so lovingly. Jim had to walk away to stop from killing one or both of them. Deep down he knew it hadn't been Blair's fault, that for the young man it had been just a friendly hug, but Jim knew otherwise. And if he'd stayed, he'd probably have fought with Blair again, turning his anger on an easy target.

Jim was glad he and Joseph had been able to talk, even if he acknowledged he hadn't made it easier on the other man. He was looking forward to having Burton as a friend.

"Jim..." he heard Blair whisper and raised his head to see what the young man wanted. His heart melted as he realized Blair was still asleep and somehow dreaming of him. And from the smile on his face, it was a good dream.

Swelling with pride, Jim chuckled, "Damnit, Ellison! You really got it bad!"

Damning his morning tasks to hell and glad Grace was still sleeping, Jim snuggled closer to the young man's body and let himself fall back into slumber. The rest of the world could wait. He was enjoying himself too much at the moment.

*#*#*

Blair woke up warm and with an amazing feeling of safety. He'd been dreaming about Jim and their kiss the day before. A happy smile lit up his whole face. He wondered what the other man would think if Blair asked him to kiss him senseless again. Blair chuckled. Probably would be too shocked to do anything.

Suddenly realizing there was a weight blanketing him, he puzzled on why he wasn't panicked out of his mind. Turning his head, his eyes saw what his soul already knew. It was Jim sleeping soundly on top of him, their legs twined, arms around each other. Blair sighed happily. He wanted to stay there forever.

He touched Jim's soft brown hair with light fingers, wanting to caress the man, not wake him. "James Ellison..." the young man whispered softly. "When did you steal my heart away from me?"

*#*#*

Warren Chapel watched the wagons camped down by the valley, wishing he could tell which of those ant looking figures walking round the camp were his two intended prey. He couldn't wait to get his hands on them and have his revenge. Revenge would be his; and it would be very, very sweet.

After so many years of searching, he was finally going to make James Ellison pay for his treason... for making Warren watch the massacre of his gang at the hands of the law. No one sold him out and lived to tell about it. No matter how long it took to get it done.

And Blair... that one was going to pay for nearly killing the only thing he ever held dear in his life, his son. Carl might not be what he wished him to be, but they shared the same blood. And Blair had nearly taken Carl away from him.

Maybe some of that was his fault, Warren mused. He should have never married that whore, but the dowry Naomi's father proposed to give him was just too much to pass up. It didn't matter. She was dead now and her son would soon follow.

Warren heard steps behind him but didn't turn. He knew it was Carl and Lash. Lash was another one that would get a bullet between his eyes as soon as he outlived his usefulness. Warren hated double-crossers, even if this one handed him his prey on a platter.

"They look so small from up here!" Carl noted, and his father rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Won't they see us?" Lash asked suspiciously. He didn't want anyone to know he was alive until it was the right time.

"No, we're too far away. Lash, it's time to begin acting."

"Want me to bring Blair?"

"No, not yet. I have a better idea."

"What, Pa?"

"The child. Ellison's the father, so he obviously loves her. As for Blair, if he's the one taking care of her, he must care for the brat as well. If we take her..."

"They'll both be desperate," Lash finished for him, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"But won't it be hard to kidnap the kid? One of them is always with her," Carl pointed out.

Lash nodded and gazed at Warren. "He's right. They never leave the child alone. Not even for a second."

"Create some diversion, then. Wait until only one of them is with the kid, create a distraction and when the other gets away..." Warren suggested.

Lash turned his eyes at the camp below. "Ummmm..." he hummed softly. "I think I know exactly what to do. It will be a beaut of a distraction," he laughed coldly. "A real beaut..."

*#*#*

After dinner Jim went to once again tend to his horses like he did every night. Those animals would be his bread and water, and he couldn't afford to lose any during the rough journey. That meant keeping them well fed and groomed and taking care of their basic needs.

He watched with a smile as back by his wagon, Blair sung Grace to sleep. Sitting by the fire, the younger man rocked the baby a few moments longer before putting her in her crib. Sometimes it really paid off to have Sentinel sight.

Jim turned back to his work, failing to pay any attention to the shadow lurking around camp and observing his every move with hate filled eyes for a very long time.

*#*#*

Blair was sitting by Grace's crib, enjoying the quiet feeling that night always brought with it, when he first heard the shouts and noticed the camp suddenly seemed brighter. Curious, the young man moved a few feet away from Ellison's wagon, watching in growing horror as he realized the Benton wagon was on fire, flames reaching high into the sky.

Some of the men were valiantly trying to extinguish the burning hell, Jim among them, while the Bentons held each other. Mrs. Benton cried helplessly into her husband's shoulder as they watched their few meager possessions burn to the ground.

Blair was about to offer them a hand when suddenly Grace began to cry at the top of her lungs. Turning to see what had upset the child, he saw David Lash moving towards the crib.

"No!" Blair shouted and ran to stand between the man and the defenseless child.

Lash blinked surprised as he saw the young man appear out of nowhere. His attention having been focused on his little victim. He smiled widely. "Hello, Pretty..." he purred softly. "How've you been?"

"I knew you weren't dead, you bastard! What do you want?"

"The child behind you. Move away, and I'll let you live... for now," Lash threatened silkily, his gun aimed at the young man's heart.

"No! I won't let you take her," Blair stood defiantly, trying to keep the quiver from his voice. He didn't want to die, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let that monster take his little girl.

"I'm warning you, Pretty. You can't do much if I shoot you full of holes, now can you?" Lash wasn't going to shoot. He wasn't about to face Warren's wrath if he killed Blair, but bluffing usually did the trick.

Usually.

Blair made sure the crib was well hidden behind his legs and stayed planted in the same spot, hoping his sacrifice would save Grace from being taken.

"Last chance, Wild Cat," Lash told him, raising his gun high once more.

"I won't move!" Blair growled desperately, a wolf protecting his cub.

"You won't really shoot, will you, Lash?" a new voice asked roughly.

Blair nearly dropped with relief as he recognized it as Simon's.

"Stay out of this, slave!" Lash spat. "I have no quarrel with you."

"But I have with you. I never could stand cowards who threatened little babies and unarmed men. And you heard Blair, you can't take Grace."

"What do you want with my daughter?" Ellison suddenly growled from beside Simon. Only Lash's gun aimed at Blair stopped him from throwing himself at the bastard.

Lash grinned at him. "Revenge, Ellison. Revenge. Nobody stands in my way and gets away with it," he casually stated, as if talking about the weather. All the time he moved surreptitiously closer to Blair. In a swift move Lash grabbed the young man, twisting his arm behind his back and pressed the barrel of his gun into his temple.

"Now, I really enjoyed this brotherly moment, but it's time I moved on. If any of you nice folk tries to follow me, I'll put a bullet in his brain. Get it?" To make his point, he twisted Blair's arm until the young man whimpered in pain.

Keeping a tight hand on his hostage, Lash began to step back using Blair as a shield against the others. But the young man didn't want to take a chance of waiting to see if Lash would set him free once he got away. He had to do something to escape. Taking a last longing look at Jim, as if saying goodbye, Blair suddenly tripped the man behind him by sticking a foot between Lash's.

Caught by surprise, Lash's survival instinct kicked in; and he pushed Blair away from him as he stumbled. Lash's finger squeezed the trigger reflexively, and the gun went off hitting Blair on the upper arm.

Seeing Blair get shot and about to fall to the ground, Jim leapt up to catch him. Unfortunately, seeing himself without any exchange coin to cover his escapade, Lash began to shoot wildly at them to cover his retreat. Jim caught Blair and laid him down on the ground, covering the young man's body with his own to protect him from any further bullets.

Beside him, Jim could hear Simon shooting at the mad man. But it was too late, Lash was gone. Jim thought about going after him. With his hearing, he'd be able to rapidly catch the man. But Blair was hurt, and he was more important. There would be other chances to nail Lash.

Rolling away from the warm body beneath him, Jim stood. With Simon's help, he brought Blair to his feet.

"Doesn't seem serious," Simon said he as examined Blair's arm. He'd seen more than his share of wounds. "Take him to Megan. She'll take care of him in no time. I'll get Grace."

"Thanks, Simon," Jim helped the young man walk to Megan's wagon and sat him down while they waited for the young woman to show up. "How's the arm?" he asked as he saw Blair grimacing in pain.

"Not too bad," the young man panted. "I just hate pain. Where is Grace?" he asked suddenly, his heart skyrocketing.

"Calm down. Simon's bringing her, remember? I can see him from here. Everything's fine."

"Sorry, forgot for a moment," Blair grinned weakily.

"Thanks, Blair." Jim turned tender-filled irises on the young man.

Blair looked up at the older man, his smile weak but honest. "Why? I love her too, Jim."

"I know you do, but it still took an enormous amount of courage to face up to that madman. I heard your conversation almost from the beginning, heard you refusing to move away... I... Shit! I was scared out of my mind that he was going to shoot you!"

Blair touched him gently on the arm. "It's okay, Jim. We're both okay," he said as he watched Simon bringing a still wailing Grace and handing her to the still frantic father. Jim rocked her for a few minutes, singing one of the lullabies he'd heard Blair sing. Soon the child was quiet, making happy baby sounds as she looked up at her father.

Megan arrived at that moment with Rafe right beside her. Even in pain, Blair couldn't help smiling. In the few days after he'd forced Brian to confess his feelings for her, those two had been inseparable and went everywhere together. It was quite endearing.

"When I catch the bastard who torched the Benton's wagon, I'm going to wring his neck!" Megan angrily spat. "Thank God the Edwards offered to have them stay at their wagon, or that poor old couple would have no way to keep traveling with us."

"Lash probably set it on fire to cause a distraction," Blair remarked as everyone turned to look at him.

"Lash? Oh, my God! Blair, you're hurt!"

"It's just a flesh wound, Megan."

"Just let me get my things, and I'll take care of you in a second."

A few minutes later Blair had a bandage on his arm and a new clean shirt to warm him against the chill of night, while Rafe and Megan knew everything that happened with Lash.

"What are we going to do about Lash?" Rafe asked when everyone settled down. "Seems he's following the train."

"He's a scout. It will be hard to catch him. The best thing we can do is keep an eye out for him. And never, and I mean never, leave Blair or Grace alone," Jim said. "It's them he wants to use as his revenge."

As everyone nodded their agreement, Blair yawned tiredly causing them to chuckle.

"Seems our hero is exhausted, "Simon teased gently. "Better take him back to your wagon and put him and Grace to sleep," he joked amidst his friends' laughter.

"You're right, Simon. Come on, Blair. Time to go beddie-bye," Jim chortled as the young man rolled his eyes. People could be so weird when they wanted to relieve some tension!

Getting up and yawning again, much to his chagrin, Blair waved goodbye to his friends and walked beside Ellison to the wagon. He lay down on the misfit bed and was asleep as soon as his head hit the blanket he used as a pillow. He never heard Jim putting Grace to sleep or settle down next to him. Blair never felt Jim embrace him tightly and tenderly kiss his curly head. He never heard him whisper, "I love you, Blair."

*#*#*

Chapter VIII - Meet Blair Sandburg

Carl thought his father was about as close to having a heart attack as someone without a heart could be. His face was deeply flushed, eyes bright, and there were veins throbbing violently on his neck and temples.

"You, you... Idiot!" Warren growled angrily. "All you had to do was kidnap a tiny, helpless little baby! How could you screw that up?!"

"Hey! How was I supposed to know the brat would start bawling her lungs out the moment I got near her?! It could've happened to anyone!"

"But it happened to you! You set a wagon on fire, you moron! Did you really think the rest of the camp would remain silent while it happened? And that the baby would keep sleeping throughout the whole commotion? One more screw up... just one more, Lash, and so help me God..." Warren took a deep breath to reign in his anger. "Change in plans. Let's forget about the kid. It would probably drive us crazy with her crying before we could kill her anyway."

"Fine, forget the brat. Then what?"

Warren swung around to face Lash, his face cold and menacing. "Bring me Blair. And don't fail, or I'll kill you with my bare hands, you idiot!"

"And how am I supposed to do that?! Everyone knows I'm alive now. Both Blair and the child will be heavily guarded now. Ellison's not a fool. He knows I'm bound to try again."

"Kill anyone protecting Blair as long as it isn't Ellison."

"And if it is?"

"Shoot him somewhere it doesn't kill him. A little pain will do him good and will make it easier for us to catch him when his time comes."

"Right. Bring Blair. Hurt Ellison. I can do that."

Warren gazed at Lash from behind lowered eyelids. "You better." The threat was left unsaid but perfectly clear. And understood.

*#*#*

Blair woke up feeling happy and relaxed. Not even the slight ache in his wounded arm was enough to dampen the mood. His head was pillowed on a strong shoulder, his left hand resting on a taut chest. His eyes caught sight of a small nub close to his face. Unable to stop his curiosity, Blair ran a finger over the nipple, startled when it hardened under his touch and its owner sucked in a sharp breath.

The young man raised his head and looked up at the other man, finding Jim's dazed eyes focused on him.

"I'm sorry, I... Did I do something wrong?"

Still feeling his body tingling from the young man's feather-like caress, Jim had to clear his throat twice before he could actually speak. "Not wrong, no."

"Are they sensitive?" Blair queried, looking at the little pebbles on Jim's chest.

"Uh, yeah," Jim replied softly, and the young man reached down to touch one again. But Ellison stopped him by catching his wrist. "Blair, don't. Don't start something you're not ready to finish."

The young man gulped loudly. "But what if..." He locked gazes with the older man. "What if I say I want it? I... If I tell you something, promise not to send me away?"

"I'd never send you away, Blair. What is it?"

Blair flushed brightly. "I... I like you, Jim. I mean, I... I think I... love you. Is that okay?" he asked nervously. To his utter surprise, Jim gave him a huge grin.

"It's more than okay, Blair. I think I feel the same. But are you sure you want to do this?"

The young man nodded. "Yes. I just... I don't know what to do," he admitted, turning yet another shade of red.

Jim caressed his face gently with the back of his hand. "Blair, do you trust me?" he asked softly, then smiled warmly as Blair immediately nodded his answer. "What about if I show you what making love can be like?"

"Making love?"

"I want to make love with you, not have sex. There's a big difference. I'll go slow, I promise."

"I'm not sure I'm ready to... go all the way," Blair confessed nervously, feeling the panic rising. The idea of giving complete control of his body to someone else, even if that someone was Jim, was positively terrifying.

Jim chuckled. "It's okay, Blair. Remember, if you don't like anything, just let me know and I'll stop. You got that?"

"Got it," Blair nodded somewhat shyly.

Jim pressed Blair gently down onto the soft bedding, pushing the nightgown the young man wore over his shoulders and exposing the perfect hairy chest. He kept his movements slow and non-threatening to avoid raising any bad memories from Blair's past.

Their eyes locked for a long moment before the older man finally leaned down and claimed Blair's mouth in a passionate kiss. Instinctively, Blair's arms surrounded Jim's strong body. His hands caressed Ellison's heated flesh, thrilled by Jim's needy moans. The young man pulled the Sentinel down against him, rubbing their bodies together, loving the friction between their naked chests.

When they finally parted to breathe in some much needed air, Jim ran his fingers lightly over Blair's face, as if memorizing it from touch. When he was satisfied, Jim let his hands slide to the beautifully furred chest, enjoying the shivers he could feel under his digits. Blair was continuously whimpering, his body arching up into the pleasure, wanting more, begging for more.

Finishing undressing the young man, Jim gazed wantonly at the perfect body laid out waiting for him to touch it, taste it, lose himself completely loving it.

"Beautiful..." he breathed reverently. Leaning down again, he licked a nipple. Loving the way Blair's hips bucked wildly against him, he began to nibble gently on the little nub.

"Please..." Blair sobbed, not really knowing what he was asking for. All he knew was he wanted more, much, much more.

"Shhh..." Jim soothed. His fingers carded through the young man's hair as if it was water. He began to slide down Blair's body, using his hands and mouth to chart the new territory beneath him. He touched every piece of skin he could reach, arousing Blair on the way to his destination.

Jim trailed little kisses down Blair's neck and chest, then licked his way down to the cinnamon nipples. He nipped one, running his tongue over it, while he used his thumb to excite the other. Satisfied they were pebbled enough, he continued his journey. He kissed, nibbled, and sucked the creamy skin, paying loving attention to Blair's belly button by thrusting his tongue in and out in a parody of lovemaking until the younger man was nearly out of his mind.

His hands skimmed over the young man's inner thighs, forcing his legs apart so Jim could settle between them. Finding Blair's cock at last, Jim caressed it lightly as the young man groaned and thrust his hips upward, pressing himself closer to Jim's hand. The Sentinel trailed a finger over the member's weeping tip, drawing the moisture he found there and then tasting it.

"Ummmm..." he hummed happily.

"Oh, my God!" Blair whispered and reached for the other man.

"No," Jim said firmly, stopping Blair's hands from touching him. "Let me show you... Just feel it, Blair. Feel what it can be like..."

Never taking his hand from Blair's shaft, Jim began to pump him, slowly at first, increasing the pace as the young man's moans turned more desperate. He caressed Blair's balls, rolling them tenderly in his hand. With a wicked gleam in his eyes, Jim took the young man's entire cock into his warm, willing mouth in one swift move, forcing Blair to bite his lower lip to stop from shouting and alarming the whole camp.

The older man began to alternate between sucking and licking the hard shaft, while he pumped the base with his right hand. He chuckled when Blair moaned in time with his rhythm. He sped up his movements as he felt Blair approaching his climax. His hands grasped his lover's ass cheeks and squeezed firmly, humming around his mouth full at the tautness of the perfect mounds.

Jim's eyes locked with Blair's as the young man looked down at the man pleasuring him. Seeing Jim's wantonness as the older man sucked his cock so eagerly was too much for Blair. He came with a long groan, emptying himself down his lover's throat, his entire body arched off the bed at the intensity of his orgasm.

"God..." Blair finally panted weakly.

"Well?" Jim asked with a chuckle.

"Thank you," Blair said quietly.

It wasn't the reply Jim had been waiting for. He looked up at the young man's face with a frown as he noticed the serious expression on Blair's face. "Why?"

"I've been surrounded by violence all my life. To be able to feel such love... I have no words to explain what this meant to me," Blair explained, eyes bright with unshed tears.

Jim nodded and lay his head back on Blair's shoulder where it belonged. "It's going to be different from now on, Blair. You have me and Grace in your life. No more violence, only love."

Blair cleared his throat, a little embarrassed. "Don't you want me to... Oh!" He'd moved his hand to Jim's groin expecting to find him hard. Instead, he could feel the soft organ and a wet spot on his pants.

"I was so focused on you," Jim whispered. "What you were feeling... on your body... your responses. It was like I could feel what you were feeling through my senses," he shrugged. "Came when you did."

"Wow!" Blair breathed in awe. That he could provoke such a reaction in anyone... it felt amazing!

Guessing what the young man was thinking, Jim chuckled, "Yeah, wow..."

They snuggled back on the bedding, embracing each other and let sleep take them into its realm for a few more hours. When they woke up, their new life would begin. For now. they needed their rest.

*#*#*

During the noon break Blair decided to stroll around camp. He knew he shouldn't be alone. But he was surrounded by people, and he didn't think he could stay still if his life depended on it.

After the wonderfully tender lovemaking in the morning and sleeping a couple of hours wrapped in each other's arms, Jim and Blair had cleaned themselves before getting dressed. Both felt almost shy in the light of what happened. They'd had a serious talk during the morning journey as Jim drove the wagon. Both admitted their feelings for the other were strong and to wanting to pursue a relationship although taking it at a slow pace. Especially because of Blair's related fears.

And so there he was, strolling through the camp so giddy with joy he felt like he was walking on water. Blair spotted Joseph gathering some wood and approached him. "Joseph, good morning!"

The older man gazed up at him and blinked, "My God, Blair!" He stood. "You look... Positively glowing!"

"I do?" Blair asked, a huge smile lighting up his face.

"Yes, you do," Joseph answered, thinking he knew why Blair looked so radiant. He'd seen Ellison not ten minutes before heading towards his wagon with a similar blissful expression dancing across his features. It wasn't hard to imagine what those two had been doing during the night. "How are you, really? I heard about Lash's attack."

"I'm okay. My arm's a little sore, but that's about it. It was just a flesh wound, thank God! Grace's fine too. Jim's probably rocking her to sleep as we speak."

Joseph was about to say something more when a coughing fit caught him by surprise.

"Are you okay?" Blair asked, his voice full of concern.

Joseph tried to nod, but began to cough harder. The coughing turned into a full-fledged seizure, one the likes Blair had never seen. When the ill man doubled over in pain, his whole body convulsing as he struggled to catch his breath, Blair placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Joseph, please...." he pleaded. "What can I do to help?"

"I... I'm fine..." Joseph gasped.

But Blair could see a faint trace of blood on the older man's lips and how deadly pale he really looked. "No, you're not. Let me help... please..." He hated seeing his friend in so much pain.

"Okay, I..." Joseph choked out as his coughing seemed about to finally subdue. Suddenly he whimpered and doubled over anew, the coughing much worse than before.

"Oh, God!" Blair was starting to panic. "Joseph!"

"I have... medicine," Joseph garbled. "My... wagon..."

Knowing he wouldn't be able to carry Joseph to his wagon by himself, Blair looked around but saw no one he trusted enough to help. Not wanting to get everyone's attention to Joseph's ill condition, he called for his lover in a soft voice.

"Jim! Jim, I need your help. Hurry, please!"

Even through his coughing fit, Joseph was more than a little surprised when he saw Ellison running towards them, a worried frown marring the handsome face.

"What's wrong?" Jim asked softly. He saw Blair holding Joseph with some difficulty. One of Blair's arms was draped around Burton's waist and the other pressed against this chest to keep him on his feet.

"He's sick, Jim. Help me take him to his wagon. He needs his medicine."

"Okay."

Securing Burton on the other side, Jim helped lead the sick man into his wagon. Together, the lovers pulled Joseph inside and laid the wheezing man down onto the bedrolls. Burton fell heavily upon the pallet, rolling onto his back, caught in yet another terrible seizure.

"Where's the medicine?" Blair asked frantically as Jim untied the man's silk tie and unbuttoned his vest and shirt to make it easier for him to breathe.

Joseph pointed to a small chest, and Blair didn't waste any more time. He opened it swiftly, picked up one of the tiny bottles resting inside, and uncorked it. While Jim raised Joseph's head gently with one hand, Blair pressed the dark vial to his lips, watching as Joseph drank most of it in one greedy swallow.

"Thank you," Joseph whispered, as he lay back on the bedding weakly.

"Better?" Jim asked softly.

"Yes," Joseph replied just as softly. He gazed up seriously at the two men. "How is it possible?"

"What?" Blair frowned in confusion.

"You called for Ellison in a very soft tone and he heard you anyway. I... Are you..." Burton began, looking at Jim and watching as Ellison nodded.

"I'm a Sentinel, yes. Actually, I have you to thank for that knowledge. I always thought I was some kind of freak of nature. It was only after reading your brother's monograph that we realized what I truly was. Thank you for allowing me to know what a gift I've been given."

Burton smiled weakly, "I'm glad I was able to help, then. And I hope you both know you can trust me with that secret. I know what would happen if anyone found out."

Both men nodded in reply.

"Good. Thank you for your help. I don't think I could've made it back to my wagon. I think I'll sleep for a few hours now... get my strength back."

"Will you be alright alone?" Blair frowned.

"Paul, my helper will be here shortly. If I need anything I'll ask him. Don't worry."

"If you need anything at all, have someone call us right away," Blair told him. "Promise?"

Joseph nodded with a grateful smile. "I promise, Blair," he vowed softly, his eyes already beginning to drop. The seizures had left him weak and exhausted.

"Sleep well," Blair whispered, covering the pale man with a warm blanket.

The two lovers then left the wagon quietly not wanting to disturb the sleeping man's rest. They were walking back to Ellison's wagon, all the morning's joy forgotten in the sight of Joseph's suffering.

"Grace?" Blair asked softly.

"Left her with Rafe when I heard you calling."

The young man suddenly stopped walking, his eyes downcast as he drew in a shuddering breath of air.

"Blair?"

Careless of anyone around, Blair unexpectedly hugged Jim tightly to him. "I don't want him to die!" he gasped brokenly, his face hidden in Jim's chest.

Ellison wrapped his arms securely around his young lover, gently kissing the top of the curly head. "I know you don't," he whispered, his fingers combing through the silken tresses. "I don't either. But there's nothing we can do. What we can do is enjoy his friendship, his company, and make the most of the time we have."

"I know," Blair sighed sadly. "But it still hurts."

"Yes, it does."

They stayed snuggled together for a long time, then finally drew apart with a light touch of lips.

"I love you, Jim."

"I love you too, Blair. Come on, we better get back. The way Brian and Megan are always glued together lately, I don't think it's wise to leave Grace with them too much. If she was older, she could set the camp on fire, and those two wouldn't notice," Jim quipped, relieved when Blair actually chuckled.

*#*#*

A week flew by. Now certain of their feelings for each other, Jim and Blair took the art of lovemaking to new heights. The younger man proved to be a fast learner as well as blessed with a very imaginative mind. Jim was more than grateful for both.

As for Grace, now that they knew she was a little Sentinel, both men began to watch her pattern of behavior. Concerned and determine to lessen any pain from her enhanced sense, they carefully charted which senses were affected in order to find ways to smooth the environment around her.

It amazed them to realize that besides the two of them, she allowed Megan, Simon, Henri and Rafe to hold her as well as the two little girls, Anna and Beth, even Beth's mother, Laura. But if anyone else tried to get close to her, the child would throw a tantrum loud enough to wake the whole camp.

Apparently on some instinctive level, as any baby learns to recognize her mother, Grace knew who the people closest to her were. Blair told Jim he believed Grace's senses would have a much wider range than her father's, and her control would probably be much better as well. Small and defenseless as she was, she experienced no black-outs as the ones Jim occasionally had that left him staring at nothing until Blair touched him or spoke to him.

Also contrary to her father, the world around Grace didn't bother her in the least as long as someone she knew was close to her and could sooth her to sleep. However, she only seemed to fully relax around Blair.

They convinced Megan to give another try at feeding the child. This time Grace not only allowed it, but made happy baby noises as she was rocked to sleep by the young woman. It was a relief to know that if something were to happen to either of them, Megan would be able to take care of the infant.

The only downside to the whole week was Joseph's health condition. Although not worse, Burton's recovery wasn't going well. He was weak and pale, and they rarely saw him outside of his wagon. It would be a while before he was back to his old self, if ever.

*#*#*

David Lash was about to explode from sheer frustration. Eight days... Eight fucking days had gone by since Warren Chapel ordered him to bring him Blair, and Lash still hadn't gotten his hands on the little bastard. And God knew it wasn't from lack of trying!

But wherever he went, the little shit was never alone. Two or three of his friends always followed him closely. If it had been only one person with Blair, Lash would've just killed that person and snatched the wild cat. But three, even just two, made bad odds; and he wasn't about to risk it. So Lash kept waiting from afar... Watching... Hoping he'd get his chance soon.

Chapel, though, was starting to get impatient; and things could get really nasty for Lash soon. He wasn't naive enough not to know that Warren would just put a bullet to his brain if he wasn't happy with his services. And right about now the man was about as unhappy as could be.

Skulking behind a large rock, Lash watched the wagon train set camp for the night. Suddenly he realized his luck might be about to change. Blair and Ellison seemed to be moving away from the camp, and they were alone. They were walking through the woods, talking excitedly and completely oblivious to the world around them.

Ellison was carrying what resembled a blanket and Blair a hand basket. Lash wondered what the hell the two men were up to. A few minutes later he got his answer when he saw Ellison spread the blanket on the earthy ground, both men sitting comfortably even as Blair began to take food out of the basket. 'A picnic! Those two were having a Goddamn picnic!'

Still not quite believing his eyes, Lash watched from his hiding place as the two men traded bits of whatever tasty morsel they were having. They ate from each other's hands and drank from the same wine bottle.

"Goddamn..." Lash whispered, finally identifying the strange feeling nagging in the back of his mind since he'd began following those two. 'They're lovers! Carl is just going to love this!'

He kept looking, his glee reaching higher levels when the two men began kissing passionately. Their hands tore at each other's clothes until they were lying naked on the blanket.

Lash's breath caught as he watched Ellison turning on his stomach while Blair carefully prepared the older man for penetration. Blair was obviously taking too long to stretch the other man. Even from that distance, Lash could clearly hear the frustration in Ellison's husky voice.

"God, Blair! I'm ready! Mount me already!"

And Blair did just that. He mounted Ellison slowly, giving his lover time to adjust to the hard cock filling his hot, tight passage and bonding the two men together.

"So good..." Lash heard Blair moan.

David Lash was incapable of taking his eyes off the two lovers. He eagerly watched as Blair began to thrust into the willing body writhing beneath him, obeying the shouted, "Harder! Faster! Come on, Blair, ride me harder!" coming from Ellison's moist lips.

Lash would never have thought it possible that a man always so in control as Ellison seemed to be could let loose in such a way, be so wild and eager. But as he was learning, appearances could be deceiving.

The ancient dance continued as the two men made passionate love, unaware they had an audience watching their every move, every kiss, their every thrust. They were both lost in the pleasure being given and received. But nothing lasted forever and the two men finally climaxed, shouting each other's names before collapsing exhausted and sated onto the blanket.

Lash couldn't hold back a curse as he realized he was rock hard. His shaft throbbing painfully in his pants, having been turned-on by what he'd just witnessed.

"Bastards..." he muttered, adjusting his constricting pants. "Not happy with making my life miserable, they get me horny as well. And not a whorehouse in sight! Damn them!"

Thinking he'd had enough humiliation coming from those two, Lash decided to give up for the day on trying to kidnap Blair. Tomorrow would be soon enough and besides he couldn't wait to tell Carl what he'd just witnessed. The younger Chapel would be beyond furious. It was obvious he believed Blair belonged to him. Seems he had another thing coming.

*#*#*

Blair felt Jim raise his head tiredly from the blanket and look around. "What?"

"Thought I heard something," Jim replied, voice still rough from their lovemaking. "Whatever it was, it's gone now."

"Okay," Blair whispered, snuggling happily into the older man's warm back. "Thanks, Jim."

"You keep saying that. What for?"

"For showing me how good loving someone can really be. I know I keep repeating myself, and I'm sorry. I'm just so overwhelmed by all of this. I'm having trouble understanding why after so much pain I suddenly seem to be so lucky. I never dreamt it could be this intense, this... all-consuming."

Jim chuckled and turned around, resting on his back and taking his lover into his arms. "Told you, you'd like it." He sounded positively smug about it.

"I... I didn't hurt you, did I?" Blair asked, worried their lack of control might have caused some pain to his lover.

Ellison smiled widely, his expression totally open for once. He brushed the curly hair from Blair's beautiful face. "No, you didn't. You did everything just like I told you, Blair. It was perfect."

Blair settled down on top of his lover with a happy smile of his own. "Good."

He seemed so satisfied Jim couldn't help chuckle again, tightening his hold on the young man. They stayed silent for a long moment, enjoying each other's company and letting the sunset bathe them in its fading light.

"Jim?" Blair whispered.

"Yeah?" Jim replied in an equally hushed tone.

"Sandburg."

"What?"

"My last name... It's Sandburg. It was my mother's maiden name. I never adopted Chapel's. I'm sorry I never told you before, it's just... so much easier to remain anonymous in the crowd when you don't have a last name." His voice had a wistful quality to it. "It helped me get away from the pain of my past. But I think it'll be okay to use it again now."

Jim smiled and kissed the curly head, touched by that simple act of faith and trust from the young man. "Well, I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance, Blair Sandburg," he quipped and both laughed softly.

They remained in their safe haven for as long as they could, happy to be together, away from people and problems until it was time to once again face the real world. But a small link was allowed until arriving at the camp. They walked hand-in-hand, side by side, in silent affirmation of their love... a love they would have to keep hidden from the rest of the world.

*#*#*

"You're lying," he said in a surprisingly calm voice.

David Lash found himself gazing suspiciously at Carl Chapel. He'd been expecting the man to go insane once he heard what Lash had seen a little over a half an hour earlier in that clearing. Instead, Carl was just looking at him, a hard glint in the dark eyes but otherwise completely in control.

"No, I'm not. I saw Blair fucking Ellison as if there was no tomorrow. They were really going for it, I tell you. And from the way they reacted to each other, it wasn't exactly new. They are lovers."

Carl gritted his teeth in anger. He paced wearily by the fire, not really seeing their surroundings. "I'll kill the little bitch with my bare hands. He's mine, and he better remember that!"

"He doesn't seem to agree with you on that matter. He's making a life for himself with those people. He's got friends, a lover, and even a daughter now. You're the last thing on his mind, Carl," Lash smirked. Misery really loves company and all that. Why should he be the only one pissed off with those two?

"Well," Carl began. "That's going to change real soon. Tomorrow I'm going with you. One way or another Blair will be mine. He'll pay dearly for refusing me."

Lash didn't reply. Maybe Carl's controlled emotions were even more dangerous than his unleashed anger or so he was beginning to realize. It was better to stand back and watch from a safe distance. Besides, there was already a good side to the whole thing. The next day Lash wouldn't be alone, and Blair would hardly be able to slip through his fingers once more. They were two now, and that made the odds much better. Much, much better.

*#*#*

Chapter IX - Grief

The next day dawned sunny and warm. Summer was once again winning the battle over Autumn's more moody weather. Blair approached Jim and Joseph Burton with a gentle smile, watching as the two older men mounted their rides.

"Be careful out there, you two."

Jim smiled back. "We're going hunting, Blair. Not off to war!"

"I know. But be careful just the same. Promise?"

"We promise," Ellison vowed even as Joseph nodded in agreement.

Feeling somewhat better knowing they would be on the lookout for danger, the young man stepped back and watched them ride away with a final wave.

After the two men had disappeared into the horizon, Blair looked around with a sigh. The train had been pushing it hard for the last days, trying to make up for the lost time until everyone was so exhausted they all felt ready to drop. The general agreement had been they would rest that day.

Megan was taking care of Grace so Blair was free to do as he pleased. But without Jim... he sighed anew. Maybe he could enjoy himself for a few hours in the river not far from camp, he thought. They had so little chance of actually taking a real bath and the water looked so inviting when Blair'd first noticed the small river the night before. A swim it was then, the young man decided with a happy smile.

He hadn't taken two steps when a voice behind him stopped him in his tracks.

"And where do you think you're going, young man?"

Blair turned to see Robert Longden, little Anna's father, and Simon walking up to him. "I was going for a swim."

"Alone?" Robert asked, one eyebrow rising quizzically.

"Umm... Yes."

"Blair, Lash is still out there," Simon chided softly. "Ellison would skin us both alive if something happened to you."

The young man took a deep breath, trying to hide his disappointment. "So I guess that means you're coming along for the ride, then?"

"Yes," Robert replied, his tone telling Blair there would be no use in trying to dissuade the two men from trailing after him.

Blair shrugged and allowed them to follow him. The young man knew it was for his own protection but sometimes so much attention left him feeling like a prisoner. He couldn't go anywhere without someone tagging along.

As soon as they reached the river however, Blair's annoyance was completely forgotten. He was facing Nature at its best. The lush green woods surrounded, the water crystal clear. He breathed in the smell of the wild flowers growing nearby. It was hard to hold a grudge about anything or anyone standing in such a beautiful place.

He watched two small birds chasing each other for a while, smiling at their antics. He was wishing Jim was there to enjoy the scenery when the sound of running horses registered on his mind. He turned just in time to see two riders expertly throwing their Bowie knives at Robert and Simon, striking them where they stood. Both his friends were unable to react in time to escape the deadly blades and fell unmoving on the earthy ground.

"No!"

Blair ran up to Robert's too still form, checking for any signs of life. There was none. The knife had caught him in the heart making his death instantaneous. Before he could reach for Simon, Blair was grabbed from behind. A hand clamped over his mouth to stop him from shouting.

David Lash appeared in his line of vision, a cold smile grazing the thin lips. "Hello, Wildcat. Miss me?" He laughed as Blair simply glared murderously at him. "Thought so. I have a surprise for you, Pretty. Someone I'm sure you'll be equally pleased to see."

The hands holding him tight suddenly let go, and Blair was roughly turned around to face his captor. His heart stopped beating for a few painful seconds as he gazed into Carl Chapel's angry face. But... it was impossible. Blair was obviously seeing things. Carl was dead. How could he not be? Blair'd hit him hard. He'd heard that sickening cracking noise as Carl's gun connected with his skull. He'd seen all that blood. And yet...

Carl laughed at Blair's shocked expression. "Thought I was dead, did you, little brother?"

"Not possible..." Blair breathed so softly the other two men hardly understood him.

"Oh, it is possible, I assure you. Didn't you know head wounds bleed a lot? Looked worse than it actually was." Carl caressed Blair's cheek in a mock-tender gesture. "I'm mad as hell at you, little brother. What you did... it hurt... bad. I thought I was dead for sure. Had a headache for weeks. Couldn't stand. Could hardly see 'cause my eyes kept blurring... But I can see just fine now."

The younger Chapel punched Blair on the face so hard Lash had to hold the young man so he wouldn't fall down.

"We have a score to settle, Blair," Carl continued. "Besides the fact you nearly killed me, I wasn't too happy when I learned you gave another man what's rightfully mine."

Blair frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Ellison. Lash said he saw the two of you fucking. You're mine, you little whore," he snarled, pulling Blair's head back painfully by the hair. "I'm going to make Ellison pay for touching what's mine."

"I'm not yours," Blair spat angrily. "I never was! And leave Jim out of this!"

Carl leered. "I don't think so. Pa and I have a score to settle with him as well, real soon. But you first, little brother." He nodded towards Lash who threw Blair to the ground. "Time to remember who you belong to, Blair."

Carl undid his belt and freed it from his pants. "Been a while since you took a real beating, whore. Made you forget you owe obedience to your older brother. But I'm going to take care of that right now." He raised the belt high in the air, ready to strike at the helpless young man lying on the ground.

Curling into a fetal ball, Blair gritted his teeth in preparation for the blow to come. But a sudden gunshot stopped everyone cold for a few seconds. All eyes turned to see Simon aiming his gun at the two men. There was a slight waver in his hold, but it was enough to make Carl and Lash think twice before moving.

"Move away from him," Simon ordered weakly.

They glared at the black man but obeyed the command, stepping back a few feet.

"You're weak, slave," Lash spat. "We can wait until you drop from the blood loss."

Simon grinned slightly, although his features were set in a painful frown. "The camp isn't that far from here. Someone must've heard the shot."

Lash and Chapel exchanged a worried glance.

"He's right, Carl. We better go. There'll be other chances to catch your little prey."

Carl growled and was about to turn to where their horses were tied when Simon's voice was heard.

"You aren't going anywhere," he said. "If you try to move, I'll shoot."

But his arm was tiring rapidly. As it shook slightly, Carl took the opportunity to make his move. Snatching a still dazed Blair off the ground and using him as a shield, he turned to Lash.

"Get the horses," he ordered before looking down at Simon. "Shoot and Blair here gets it. Understand?"

Too weak to even talk, Simon simply nodded. He watched as the two men mounted, Carl pulling Blair with him onto the saddle.

Knowing Carl was paying more attention to their escape than to him at the moment, Blair elbowed his stepbrother and jumped off the horse without caring how he might land as long as he was freed from the other man's clutches. He managed to hit the ground and began to crawl away from his intended captors.

Chapel growled in frustration and was about to ride after him when Simon fired a warning shot. "Go, but leave him alone."

"This isn't over, Blair," Carl vowed, kicking his mount and riding away with Lash beside him.

After making sure the two men were gone, Blair ran back to Simon. The black man was hurt bad, the knife having caught him on the left shoulder. Simon had removed the blade, and the wound was bleeding profusely.

"Shit!" Blair whispered.

"Good thing I played dead, huh?" Simon quipped. His strength finally abandoned him as he lay back on the ground and closed his eyes.

"Oh, Simon..." The young man's choked laughter was bordering on hysterical.

"It's okay, kid. I'm not dead yet." Simon patted Blair's hand weakly.

The young man snatched a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it hard against the wound to stop the blood from flowing. "I'm sorry, Simon," he whispered.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Blair."

"But..."

"Shhh, no buts. You are not to blame for any of this, understand?"

Blair nodded although he didn't really sound all that convinced. He was about to say something more when they suddenly heard voices calling their names.

"Here!" Blair shouted back, feeling a sense of deja vu as his eyes caught the sight of the small crowd rushing to them. It was the second time the noise from a gun had saved him from harm.

"Oh, my God! What happened?" Henri queried as he drew closer.

Blair explained as the men carried Simon and Robert's body back to camp. Everyone fell silent after he was finished. Every face had the same set expression. David Lash and Carl Chapel would pay for what they had done. But the deserved and promised revenge would never bring them back the good friend they lost that day. Robert Longden was gone from their lives forever, leaving a wife and a young daughter to grieve for the husband and father they'd always miss.

*#*#*

As soon as they reached the camp, both Jim and Joseph immediately realized there was something wrong. Gone was the usual buzz of activity as dinner was prepared and wolfed down with relish. Gone were the loud conversations and the laughter of the children. In its place rested an eerie silence and immobility coming from the wagons that was almost frightening in its weirdness.

Rafe saw them dismounting and approached them, fatigue and sadness marring the handsome face.

"What's going on, Brian?" Joseph asked softly, as if afraid to shatter the quiet surrounding them.

"Lash and this other guy called Chapel tried to kidnap Blair this morning. Robert Longden and Simon were with him at the time it happened and things got bad. Robert was killed and Simon's wounded. Megan's taking care of him in her wagon," Rafe told them.

"Shit. How's Blair?"

"Hardly said a word since it happened. He's in your wagon with Grace but didn't want anyone to stay with him."

Jim nodded and practically ran towards his wagon, leaving the other two still talking about the sad mood that seemed to have fallen over the whole train.

Blair was sitting by the fire, rocking Grace to sleep, his face sad and weary.

"Blair?" Jim called softly, and the young man looked up.

"Oh, Jim! I'm so sorry!"

Ellison knelt by his lover's side and gently touched Blair's bruised cheek where Carl had punched him. "Why are you sorry? It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was! Do you know what happened?" he asked and saw Jim's nod. "Then you know it was Carl this morning with Lash. He and Warren know you're with the train now. Your chances of getting away from them are practically non-existent. I blew your cover with them!"

"Blair, you don't know how they found out we were traveling with the train. For all we know, they discovered I was here and then Lash told them about you somehow. And as long as we are with our friends, we'll be safe."

Blair turned anguished filled eyes on his lover. "But at what price, Jim? Robert's dead and Simon... just a few inches to the right, and the knife would've gone straight to his heart. This can't go on, Jim! I can't allow more people to get hurt or killed because of me. I'm not worth it."

"Then we'll do something about it."

"Like what?"

"Tomorrow after Robert's funeral a few men are going to ride out and search for Lash and his new friends," Megan said, having heard the last part of their conversation as she approached. "They want you to join them, Jim."

Ellison nodded. "I'll be there."

"Good. Now, I came here to invite you two to have dinner with us at my wagon. Joseph and Paul are there as well. I thought it would be nice for all of us to get together for a while tonight."

"Good idea," Jim told her, thinking it would be good for Blair to be around his friends. "Give us a minute to grab Grace's stuff and we'll be there."

"We'll be waiting."

*#*#*

Dinner was a sad and awkward affair. Everyone kept much to themselves, sitting in a small circle around a fire to ward off the chill of the night. Simon was looking better. Against Megan's wishes, he was there with the others, his appearance a way to pay his own respects to their lost friend.

Blair had barely eaten, managing to swallow about two spoonfuls of broth until he finally gave up. His hands were wrapped around a cup of hot coffee, staring into the dark liquid as if it could give him some answers regarding the future.

Inside Megan's wagon soft crying could be heard. Joseph Burton turned his gaze quizzically towards the young woman. She nodded in understanding of the unspoken question.

"It's Anna Longden. Her mother is nearly out of her mind with grief so Beth's parents took her in. They didn't think it would be good for the child to see her mother acting that way so they asked me to let her sleep here tonight. Beth's with her."

"They left the kids alone?!" Jim started, perplexed. "They need someone to watch over them, not to be alone!"

"I agree. But I also understand their point of view. They had their hands full with Laura. She was completely hysterical, and Anna was beginning to panic. Since she's been here, I managed to calm her down with Beth's help. They didn't want to leave the wagon. So I stayed with them, gave them something to eat, and let them rest. They can't seem to sleep, though. They're both exhausted. Sleeping would do them both a world of good, but Anna can't stop crying."

Blair put his cup of coffee aside and rose. "I'll go talk to them."

The young man walked over to the wagon and took a deep breath to steel himself. No matter what everyone kept telling him, he still felt guilty about Robert's death; and he had no idea how Anna felt about it. Blair crawled inside the wagon, his eyes slowly adjusting to the semi-darkness suddenly surrounding him.

"Anna? Beth?"

"Blair!" Anna cried as she heard his voice. She rushed towards him and fell into his arms, holding him tightly in what bordered on desperation.

Blair returned the hug just as fiercely even as Beth joined her friend. The other girl was also teary-eyed, and the young man had no trouble understanding why. Their parents were as close as family, and she'd loved Robert as well. Blair remembered her calling him 'Uncle Robert' on more than one occasion.

"Hey, girls..." he whispered softly, his arms gathering the two in a gentle embrace.

"I'm so glad you're here," Anna sniffed, her cheek nuzzling gently against his chest.

"I'm glad too, Pumpkin." Blair could feel her fighting the tiredness, trying to stay awake somehow. "You should sleep, Anna. I know it doesn't seem that way now, but things will get better."

"I'm afraid to go to sleep," she whispered between sniffs.

"Don't be. Megan will sleep with you. And Simon, Henri and Rafe will be closeby." He hesitated for a second. "Would it help if I slept here tonight?"

"Oh, yes! Yes, please?" Her voice had a begging quality to it, and Blair was unable to refuse.

"Okay, I'll stay with you then."

"Promise?" Beth asked in a small voice.

"Promise."

"Okay," Anna breathed, a small hand wiping the tears away.

Blair helped the two girls lay down on the bedrolls, covering them tenderly with the blankets.

"Blair?"

"Yes, Beth?"

"Tell us a story? Please?"

The young man smiled at the uncertain request. "Of course I will. Let's see, what should I tell you? What about a story an old Indian I once met told me? It was a legend from his tribe, passed from generation to generation until no one remembered who first told of it."

"Tell us," Anna begged softly.

"Okay. This happened a long, long time ago, when the planet was completely flat... without a hill, valley or mountain in sight. There were no seas or oceans... just a few small lakes or rivers to allow people to have enough water to drink and allow trees and plants to grow. A being called Monan, who took care of them and sought to their needs, had created this world and all the people in it. He treated humans like spoiled children, letting them do as they wished as long as they respected him as their Creator and the Earth he'd made for them."

Anna wrapped herself tightly in a blanket and snuggled against Blair's side. Her red-rimmed eyes watched the young man and listened attentively to the story as Beth did very much the same.

"In the beginning, everything was fine. Every day was to rest and have fun. But as time went on, Monan's people started to be ungrateful. 'Why do we need Monan?' one of them asked. 'I wish he'd leave us alone.' 'We have everything we need,' said another. 'We don't need Monan.' They began to speak very badly of their Maker, criticizing the world he'd made for them. Even worse, some began speaking of the Earth as if the planet had appeared by chance, forgetting Monan completely."

"What happened?" Beth whispered.

"Well, at first Monan decided to ignore them. Sooner or later his humans would see reason and would be grateful to him once more. When he found out he was wrong, he simply turned his back on the Earth and his inhabitants. But the humans got worse and worse. So he decided to put a stop to the whole situation. He sent a terrible fire from the sky. This fire, called Tata, was so hot and violent that it destroyed everything alive, made the Earth wrinkle and crease, forming what is known today as hills, valleys and mountains."

"Wow!"

"Yeah, wow!" Blair echoed, looking down at the two girls. He saw the grief was still there but diverted for at least a little while. "Anyway, Tata would've destroyed all mankind if Monan hadn't saved one person before sending the fire. It was too painful for him to destroy all his creations, so he saved a man called Irin-Mage. Irin-Mage looked down at the Earth and saw the flames getting higher and higher into the sky. 'You want the flames to destroy the sky and stars?' he asked Monan. 'If you don't stop them, the fire will reach up here and devour your home as well.' So Monan made the rain fall from the sky. Such abundant rain had never been seen before and was never to be seen again. The rain cascaded down to the Earth and extinguished Tata's fire, creating the seas and oceans we can see today. The water mixed with the ashes, and the seas and oceans became salty. The rivers, lakes and streams are salt free because they'd been made before."

"What happened to Irin-Mage? Did he stay with Monan in the sky?"

"No. Monan decided to put him back on Earth... the new Earth, with its valleys, mountains and salty oceans. But Irin-Mage wasn't too happy. 'I thank you, my Lord, for saving my life. But I'll be so lonely. I'll have no one to share my loneliness with,' he said, sadly. 'You're a good man,' Monan replied. 'It makes me happy I chose you to live. I'll get you a wife with whom you'll be able to share this new world. Have many children, Irin-Mage. For it will be from you that all the people will come from. That said, Monan placed Irin-Mage and his new wife back on Earth."

"Time went on and Irin-Mage and his wife had many, many children. But none were as powerful as Maira-Monan, named in homage to the Creator that had given mankind a second chance. Maira-Monan was a powerful wizard and knew all the secrets of nature. He liked to live away from everyone but shared many of his secrets, making life on Earth much easier. He gave people the secret of fire and taught them how to farm their lands. When Monan had first placed his parents back on the Earth, he'd given them many different kinds of plants and trees. But the animals were all the same. Maira-Monan changed them into the different species we know today, filling the air, earth, and water with many wonderful creatures. But not everything was perfect because many feared him."

"Why?"

"Well, they were afraid that Maira-Monan might turn his attention on them. 'I don't mind that he made all those different animals,' one said. 'But what if he decides we should have a different form?' 'Or other color or size?' said another. 'Or thinks we should live in the ocean like fish? What can we do to stop him? He's too powerful.' a woman said. They talked and finally came up with a plan. They called Maira-Monan to a nearby village and told them they wanted him to show them the powers they had heard so much about. 'All right,' Maira-Monan said, not knowing it was a trap. 'What do you want me to do?' 'Just that you walk across three bonfires,' the village chief replied."

"Did he do it?" Anna asked sleepily, her voice barely audible now.

"Yes. The first fire was easy. He just walked barefoot through the live coal like it was nothing with not a singe on him. Then he was led to the second fire, which had a spell Maira-Monan didn't know about. As soon as he reached the middle of the flames, he swayed and fell to his knees under the gazes of those who had betrayed him. The flames wrapped around him, and he suddenly disappeared in an explosion of blinding light. His disappearance was followed by a noise so loud it reached the skies. Those who had deceived him ran away in panic, terrified with what they'd done. They closed their eyes to the light and covered their ears to the noise. Up above, the explosion reached a spirit called Tupan, who caught the beam of blinding light and transformed it into flashes of lightning. As for the loud noise, he turned it into thunder. From that day on, Tupan became the spirit of thunder and lightning. And each time there's a storm with both, it's in memory of Maira-Monan," Blair finished. A smiled crossed his face as he looked down and saw Anna and Beth snuggled together and sleeping soundly. "Guess the story worked."

Making sure the two girls were covered tightly with the blankets, he gave them a parting look and left the wagon to join the others.

"Nice story," Simon commented as the young man sat down.

"You heard?"

"Yes," Megan smiled. "Is it a true one?"

"According to the Indian who told it to me it was. I met him when I was ten. Said he was from a far away tribe called Tupinamba, but I never heard that name anywhere else. He told me he was trying to travel around the world to see as much of it as he could before he died. He told me a lot of stories, but somehow that one stuck after the years." He looked at Jim. "You don't mind if I stay with them tonight, do you?"

Jim smiled and shook his head, "No. I can take care of Grace just fine."

"Megan? It's your wagon, after all!"

"I don't mind either. Those girls need someone to be there, and they love you. You're more than welcome to stay the night."

"Thanks."

They remained together for another hour until it was finally time for all of them to surrender to their own exhaustion. Jim said his goodbyes and left with Grace, followed by Joseph and his helper, Paul. Megan and Blair crawled inside the wagon and joined the two sleeping girls. Simon refused to join them saying he felt good enough to sleep beneath the wagon with Henri and Rafe and watch out for danger. It wasn't a very peaceful night for any of them.

*#*#*

Blair gazed down into the gaping square hole in the ground as some of the men lowered Robert's body, now wrapped in a beautiful quilt, onto the bottom to lie in the earthy tomb.

Everyone stood grim and quiet as the priest traveling with the wagon train performed the burial service. The tension was almost a living thing, as every man, woman and child gathered around the hole for the funeral. Laura Longden, now in control of her running emotions, stood tall. Her face was set into a determined mask although she couldn't stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. Her hands were clasped together so tightly her knuckles had turned white and her lips were drawled into a thin line.

After what felt like forever and yet only a minute at the same time, the priest closed his timeworn Bible and turned sympathetic eyes on the widow. "Mrs. Longden, if you're ready..."

Laura nodded and picked up a handful of dirt from the ground, sprinkling it over the body below. She smiled sadly at her daughter as Anna repeated her mother's actions, the uncertainty clear in the young face. As she neared the grave, Anna looked down into it with grieving eyes, letting the dirt slip unnoticed from her little fingers.

Then with a sudden anguished cry, the little girl swirled around and ran through the gathered mourners straight into Blair's arms, where she began to weep brokenly, safe in the young man's embrace.

Laura didn't seem upset about the fact her daughter had chosen someone else's shoulder to cry on. Her eyes locked with Blair's, she just nodded in understanding and gratitude. She stood firm once more as everyone else took a turn sprinkling the grave then walked back to the camp in small groups.

Soon only Laura, Anna, and Blair remained standing besides Robert's final resting place. A couple of armed men roamed close by looking out for danger. With the girl still clinging fiercely to him, Blair approached Laura. Unable to stop himself, he hugged he sad woman tightly. He was beyond relief as he felt her hugging him in return.

"I don't blame you." Blair heard her whisper in his ear. For the first time since Robert's death, something inside him was set free.

"Thank you," he whispered back. He watched as mother and daughter slowly walked back to their wagon.

Seeing Jim rocking Grace by what he now thought of as their wagon and looking in his direction, Blair could almost imagine the older man's worried expression. He gave one last look at the grave then gazed back at his future and his new family. Time to join the others and decide what to do about the threat hanging over all of their heads.

*#*#*

An hour later, a group of heavily armed men had been chosen to go in search of Lash and the Chapels, Jim, Henri, and Rafe being among them. Simon would've liked to join them, but his wound was still too fresh to allow him such a journey. He would stand guard and defend the train with a handful of other men including Joseph Burton and some of the women who could handle a gun.

Blair watched silently as Jim checked his gun before replacing it in his holster and made sure he had everything he'd need for the search.

"Don't expect us before dark," the older man told his lover. "I want to be as thorough as we can be. And I plan to make use of this Sentinel thing to our advantage. Those three are not going to escape... not if I have anything to say about it."

"Be careful."

Something in Blair's soft voice made Jim look down at his lover. The young man's beautiful eyes were shining with worry and fear. Jim touched a cheek gently.

"I will. I promise. I'll always come back to you, Blair."

The young man nodded wearily. "I'll be waiting. Just make sure you keep your promise, or I'll be forced to hunt you down."

Jim smiled. "You would, wouldn't you?"

"You bet I would! So just come back to me in one piece, you hear me?"

"I hear you."

Mounting his horse, Jim gave his young lover a final gaze as if memorizing it for the tiresome hours to come. The deep blue eyes were wide and moist, the breeze was caressing the long, curly hair like a lover. 'How did I get go lucky?'

Jim waved and joined the others. Then the group rode away, leaving behind a cloud of dust and the hearts of their loved ones beating painfully in their chests.

*#*#*

As Jim had promised, as the day began to get dark, the riders were still away. Blair was almost out of his mind with worry, passing the time by taking care or playing with Grace, or chatting up with some of the people in the nearby wagons. Although if asked, he would've been unable to remember a word he'd said.

Megan and Joseph kept him company when they could and their own lives permitted. But Megan was also missing Rafe and not in the best of moods. So the hours were slow in passing.

Finally recognizing defeat, Blair did something for dinner, ate a little, fed Grace and put her to sleep before crawling inside the wagon to try and get some rest. After a couple of hours of restlessly rolling around, the young man was finally dozing off when he felt a body snuggled up behind him.

"Jim?" he whispered sleepily.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I woke you up." Jim sounded tired and dispirited.

"Anything?" Blair asked, although he thought he already knew the answer by the way Jim was acting. He wasn't expecting any good news, and Jim didn't disappoint him.

There was a long silence, then Ellison sighed wearily. "No, nothing. No camp... no tracks... nothing we could use. Not even my senses helped find those bastards. We're going out again tomorrow morning."

"Damn." Blair breathed softly, feeling his depression getting deeper and deeper. They just couldn't win. When would he be allowed to be happy? The young man turned and rested his head on his lover's shoulders. "I wish you didn't have to."

"I know. But we have to catch them, Blair. You said it yourself. The price is getting too high for our friends." Jim's fingers began to card through Blair's soft curls. "We... I... have to do it." Cupping the young man's chin lovingly, Jim raised Blair's head until their lips met in a passionate kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too, Jim," Blair finally smiled... a genuine if sad smile. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Jim fell asleep almost immediately. But Blair stayed awake for a long time, dreading the approaching morning. He knew Warren and Carl... knew how ruthless they could be. And even though Blair knew Jim wasn't riding alone, he was still frightened for the man who owned his heart and soul.

*#*#*

Chapter X - Captive

Warren gazed out of the hotel room window, watching wagons and riders cross the muddy street of the small town where they were staying. He was so mad he could've strangled Lash and his son with his bare hands for forcing him to take cover in that hell's hole like some yellowbelly coward.

The death of the two men in the wagon train meant nothing to him. In fact, he couldn't have cared less about whether they lived or died. But failing to bring Blair with them put the three of them in serious danger. If they had Blair with them, Ellison would've come running, offering whatever he could give in exchange for the young man's life. Offering his own life. Especially if Lash was right, and the two were lovers.

But with Blair by his side and two of his friends dead...Warren knew Ellison. He'd fought, stolen, plundered the country side by side with the man for years. He knew how that devious mind worked. He knew Ellison would want what he thought was justice for those deaths... for once again daring to take Blair away.

As soon as Lash and Carl told him what had happened, they broke camp and ran because he knew Ellison would be close behind. And he'd seen what the man could do... the way he always found what he was looking for, even when no one else thought it would ever be possible.

Finding this town, no matter how small, had been a blessing. And, Warren thought with a sudden smile, even small towns have their rotten apples. Carl and Lash were at that very moment picking a few of those rotten apples... men who would be willing to do anything for money... men who would ride out with them and attack a certain wagon train.

Because he knew, just as sure as his name was Warren Chapel, that the train would be virtually unprotected. Ellison had the best men with him out looking for them because he wouldn't rest until he got them. In some ways, the two of them were very much alike.

And while Ellison was out there playing posse, Warren would begin his revenge on the bastard... destroying everything Ellison held dear and taking his precious Blair away from him. Then they'd see just how high and mighty James Ellison really was.

*#*#*

Jim gazed through the heavy woods surrounding them, feeling more frustrated at each passing hour. It was almost noon and still no sign of their prey. He was getting impatient. No, he was way past being impatient. He was frantic.

Too many trails to cover... Too many things could go wrong. Maybe he should've taken the low road instead of the high road. Maybe Chapel was double backing, trying to get behind the wagon train instead of ahead... Maybe. Too damn many maybes.

A sudden shudder shook his entire frame and for a second he was certain his heart had ceased beating. He sucked in a huge amount of air and let it out in the form of an order. "Halt! We're going back!"

Rafe reigned in his horse. "What? Why?"

"Don't ask me to explain. I just know there's something terribly wrong. We have to get back to camp. Fast!"

Ellison sounded so certain of what he was saying and feeling, none of the other men felt like arguing. Suddenly everyone had that same odd premonition that tragedy was about to strike.

Their families and friends first and foremost on their minds, they doubled back as fast as their mounts could carry them. But it was already too late.

*#*#*

The camp looked almost deserted with the men out looking for Lash and the Chapels, Blair mused as he and Joseph Burton helped Megan with lunch. He knew it was just another plot to keep him busy and away from darker thoughts, but he was glad for the distraction and thankful for the effort and their friendship.

"Riders!" came a sudden shout. A man Blair recognized as one of the lookouts, ran up to Simon panting hard. "Simon, we've got riders heading our way. About fifteen as far as I could see. And they don't look friendly!"

Simon rose from the stool where he sat with some difficulty, his wounded shoulder giving him more trouble than he cared to admit. "We have to assume they mean to attack us. Call every man and woman who can handle a gun, take the others to safety."

"Right."

Blair took Grace out of the crib swiftly and walked over to Laura Longden's wagon where Anna and her little friend Beth were gathering what they could take to their hiding place.

"Girls, wait a minute."

"What, Blair?" The two girls greeted, looking frightened but valiantly trying to hide it.

"I need a favor."

"What?"

"I have to help Simon fight those riders, but I want to make sure Grace is safe. Can you watch over her while I'm gone?" he asked softly, his eyes locking with Anna's mother, Laura, and seeing her nod.

The two girls looked ecstatic.

"We'll take good care of her, Blair. We promise," Beth vowed, fiercely.

"I know you will, Beth. I trust you. Go on. Time to go to safety."

Two minutes was enough to gather all the women and children and hide them as best as possible between a few far away secluded wagons. All the others took their positions. It was time to fight or die.

Blair's heart was beating so fast and hard in his chest that he could hear it loud and clear. He was certain everyone else around him could hear it as well. His hands tightened on the shotgun as he realized it wasn't his heart he was hearing, but the sound of the horses thundering their way. He ignored Grace's wails as she reacted to his frantic heart and concentrated on the upcoming battle.

"God help us all," he heard Megan whisper beside him. Somehow his heart managed to speed even more.

And then all hell broke loose. The riders fell on them like angels of doom, shooting their way through their weak defenses as they circled the camp in a cacophony of gunfire and shouts.

Blair saw David Lash being gunned down by Simon's fire and felt like jumping for joy. One less bastard to rule his life and harm those he loved.

The number of people in the train who could actually handle a gun was reduced, more so at the moment with most of the men out looking for the Chapels and Lash. But the ones left were fighting for their lives and their loved ones. And that made them fiercer than their attackers. At least for a little while. Then the lower number of able hands began to matter. Finally when one of them fell, the riders broke through the barricade of wagons.

The one in the lead, Warren Chapel, laughed coldly and turned to his men. "Burn everything to the ground!" he shouted with glee, waving his shotgun in the air as he gave the order.

"No!"

Blair turned at the angry shout. Dark blue eyes wide open as he watched Joseph Burton charging towards Chapel in a murderous rage. "Oh, my God! Joseph, don't!"

The young man left his hiding place to chase after his enraged friend. But there was nothing he could do to prevent the tragedy. Chapel laughed with evil delight as he watched Burton approach, then turned his long barreled gun. He aimed it at the moving target coming his way, shooting Joseph twice in the chest.

"Joseph!" Blair ran towards the fallen man. He knelt beside his friend, his mind completely oblivious to the chaos going on around him. "God, Joseph..." He watched helplessly as the scarlet stain coloring Joseph's white shirt grew bigger. He knew enough about gun wounds to know this was a fatal one.

"It's alright," the dying man whispered, a weak smile lighting up his face. "It's better... this way... believe me..."

"No..." Blair moaned, his hands holding one of Joseph's clammy ones for dear life. "You can't mean that! Please, don't!"

"Yes... that damn disease... it was destroying me... little by little... degrading me until... there was nothing left... This way... I die... like a man..."

"Jesus! Joseph, I..."

"Shh, it's... I love... you, Blair...." Joseph whispered just as his heart ceased beating.

Blair closed his friend's eyes gently, feeling his whole world spinning out of control. This couldn't be happening. His friend had died because of him. No, not because of him, because of...

He raised his head just in time to see Carl Chapel riding his way. "You bastard!" the young man growled, an all-consuming hatred making him completely mad.

Grabbing Joseph's fallen shotgun, Blair squeezed the trigger. But never having fired a gun before that day, he missed his mark. Snarling at the sneer in Carl's face, Blair began using the shotgun as a club, trying to throw the man off his horse. But the other man's higher position and his own blinding anger only served to defeat him. In mere seconds, his improvised weapon was flung several feet away from him.

Suddenly coming to his senses, Blair looked down at the lost weapon in shock. His eyes filled with fear as he realized he was defenseless against the man who haunted his worse nightmares.

Carl leered down at him from his mount. "You're mine now, whore!"

"Oh, God!" Blair whispered, turning and running away as fast as his legs could move.

But the young man was no match for a horse. Before he could run very far, Carl was right there beside him. His strong arm wrapped around Blair's waist and pulled him upward.

"Let me go, you demented bastard!" Blair tried to break free, but Carl was stronger and this time was prepared for his tricks. He settled the young man down on front of the horse, belly down and smacked his ass with a chuckle.

"You're not going anywhere this time!"

"Let him go!" a new voice shouted. Simon suddenly appeared out of nowhere to stand in front of Carl's horse.

"Get out of the way, or I'll run you down, boy!"

"Try it!" Simon growled, aiming his gun at the rider.

Carl was about to pull the trigger when Blair grabbed his arm. "No! Leave him alone!"

"Shut up, bitch!" Carl snarled, hitting Blair on the head with his gun.

The last thing the young man heard was Megan shouting "No!" Then the world went black.

*#*#*

They noticed the smoke long before their horses reached the top of the hill.

"Oh, my God!" Henri whispered as he gazed down at the valley where the wagon train was camped.

"Let's go," Ellison ordered, his jaw clenching tightly at the destruction below.

As they approached the camp, they got the first closer look at what was left of the train. At least half of the wagons were burnt beyond repair, their food and water supplies nearly gone. Some of the horses were dead or injured and their people...

Megan was the first living soul to greet them as they dismounted. Rafe couldn't help himself and embraced his beloved fiercely. "Brian," she sobbed softly, leaning into his warmth.

"What happened?" Jim queried in a deadly voice.

She stepped out of Rafe's arms and wiped her tears. "Lash and the Chapels attacked the camp a few hours ago. They brought about fifteen men with them. We didn't stand a chance."

"Grace and Blair?"

"Grace is fine, Laura Longden is watching over her. They... took Blair with them, Jim," she replied, her eyes filling up again. "Joseph Burton and Tom Carry are dead. We have ten wounded including women. The bastards didn't spare anyone."

"Simon?" Henri queried, worried for his friend.

"He's fine. He's trying to see what we can salvage from all this mess. Some families are going to have to share their wagons if we don't want anyone to be left behind. And that isn't an option." A murderous gleam shone in her eyes. "By the way, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that Simon killed Lash and that I shot one of the Chapels, the younger one. Unfortunately I didn't kill him, but he'll certainly remember me for a few days."

Rafe's hazel eyes were wide with surprise. "You shot him?!"

"Yep," she replied, a smug smile crossing her face. "He was going to shoot Simon, but I beat him to it. Got him right in the arm too," she proudly told her lover.

"Where the hell is he going?!" Henri exclaimed. They turned to see Ellison saddling a fresh horse.

Megan and the two men approached him wearily. "Jim?" the young woman called softly.

Ellison turned to them, his clear eyes troubled, but understanding the question in her voice. "I have to go," he simply stated. "I have to get Blair back. Megan, take care of Grace for me. And if something happens to me or Blair..."

"It won't," she interjected, the certainty written all over her face. "Just bring yourself and Blair back to us in one piece."

He nodded, "I will."

"I'm coming with you," Henri said.

"And me," Brian nodded.

"And don't forget me." They turned to watch Simon approaching.

"Simon, you're hurt," Megan chided.

"Yes, I am. But I'm also capable of riding and shooting, and I'm sick of doing nothing. Plus, Blair is one of us and that bastard Chapel tried to kill me. Twice! It's time to make them pay for everything they did to us and to the train."

Jim gazed at each of his friends carefully, seeing the determination in their set faces. Finally he nodded his agreement.

"Let's saddle up and move out then. We have to get going while the trail is still fresh, and we don't have many daylight hours left. It will be harder to chase them in the dark."

The four men mounted their horses. With a final glance at Megan and the survivors of the Chapels' destruction, they rode away.

*#*#*

Blair woke up with a throbbing headache and a sore body. He tried moving and couldn't help the slight whimper that escaped as a wave of dizziness and nausea assaulted him. Somewhere close to him someone chuckled, cutting through the pain surrounding his whole being. "Hurts, doesn't it?"

The young man felt his heart contracting in his chest as he recognized the chuckle and the amused voice as belonging to Carl Chapel. All of a sudden, everything that happened that day came back to him...the attack on the defenseless camp... Joseph Burton's death... his kidnapping...

Groaning helplessly, the young man forced his eyes open, allowing them to wander around his prison. They appeared to be in an old, abandoned wooden cabin of some kind. The whole place looked like it was falling apart. He was in a filthy, run-down room in which the only furniture was the small cot where he was lying.

Blair realized he couldn't move his arms. Looking up, his breath hitched as he noticed his wrists were tied to the cot's headboard, making him vulnerable to anything Carl might choose to do to him.

The young man finally dared gazing up at his stepbrother and tormentor, hoping his glare was defiant enough to warn the other man off. Carl though, was positively leering at him, and Blair couldn't help swallowing hard. He knew perfectly well what was on the other man's mind, and this time there would be no one to rescue him.

"What do you want?" he snarled, trying to appear braver than he really felt.

If possible, Carl's smile grew wider. "Oh, you know what I want, little brother. And this time there will be no escape for you," he purred, his words mirroring Blair's desperate thoughts. He sat on the cot, his hand caressing Blair's cloth-covered legs with a deceptively gentle touch.

"You won't get away with this!" the young man told him, even as he tried to move away from the man's hand.

"Won't I?" Carl sounded almost distracted.

"No! James Ellison will track you down for what you did, you bastard!"

Carl grazed Blair's cheek with his knuckles, a feather-like touch that made the young man flinch. "We're counting on it. In fact, we're hoping he comes for you. That's the plan, you see."

"You think you're such a big man, don't you? So brave," Blair spat. "You wouldn't be so tough without all those thugs of yours to protect you."

Carl shook his head. "Nah. We sent them away. We only hired them for the attack on the wagon train. Ellison is ours and ours alone. And so are you, whore," he said in a mock-tender voice, just before swiping down and taking Blair's lips in a brutal kiss.

Blair tried to keep his mouth tightly shut. But when Carl covered his nose preventing him from inhaling precious air, the young man was forced to part his lips. Chapel then took full advantage to plunder and rape his mouth at will.

When Carl finally pulled away, the young man was panting hard, eyes shinning brightly with fear and hatred. "Bastard!"

Carl slapped him hard. "Hold your tongue, slut! Seems I'll have to teach you some manners before I deal with Ellison." He forced Blair's thighs apart and moved between them. "Let's have some fun, little brother."

"No!" Blair growled, beginning to fight in earnest against the hands tearing at his shirt.

He tried using his legs to buck the other man off of him, but Carl had a much bigger bulk. He evilly chuckled at Blair's weak attempts to break free.

"Keep it up, colt! There's nothing I love more than to tame a little wild thing such as yourself. Come on, ride me! Yahoo!" he chortled.

The remains of Blair's shirt ended up on the floor, and Carl was about to attack his undershirt when the door fell open.

"Carl!" Warren's voice boomed through the small room.

"Pa!" Carl nearly jumped out of his skin, grimacing at the ache in his wounded arm. Thank God it was just a scrape, but that bitch at the wagon train was going to get hers someday as well. Just as soon as he dealt with Blair and Ellison. He got off the cot and went to stand in front of his father. "I was just..."

"I know what you were 'just' doing. Leave it for when we have Ellison in our hands."

"But..."

"No buts! Think of what Ellison will feel when you use his whore in front of him. It will be worth the wait, I promise. Until then leave the bait alone," he said with a smirk directed at Blair. "Nice to see you again, son. Did you really think you would ever get away from us?" He shook his head in mock-disappointment. "You should know better. No one leaves the Chapel family... unless they're dead."

Carl nodded. "And that's the only way I'm going to let you go, brother."

"Come on, Carl. Let's get us something for dinner."

Without another glance at their captive, the two men left the room; and Blair was unable to stifle a sob. "Oh, God... please, Jim..." But he couldn't decide what he wanted the most. Part of him desperately wanted for Jim to come and rescue him. The other part wanted the man he loved as far away from the Chapels and danger as possible.

The latter won. Grace needed her father to be there. He knew he would be able to handle whatever the Chapels threw his way just as long as he knew Jim was out there somewhere. Safe. Alive.

Feeling cold, sore and in pain, Blair closed his eyes and conjured an image of his loved ones -- Jim and Grace -- along with all of their friends. Everyone laughing and having a good time around a campfire. And thus he lulled to a restless sleep.

*#*#*

The four men stood silent as they gazed solemnly at the fire warming their tired bodies. Each man was lost in thought, worried about their friend. Or lover. They'd made an amazing progress, riding for miles until finally it was too dark to continue without endangering themselves.

Henri, Rafe and Simon still felt awed by the way Jim seemed to be able to find the Chapels' tracks. The two crooks had obviously been covering their escape route, but still Jim had managed to find a small broken tree branch, or a horseshoe print on a softer earthy floor... things that the three men only noticed after Ellison had pointed it out to them. It was unreal.

"We'll find him," Rafe tried to soothe the man, seeing the fear and sadness the clear blue eyes tried so hard to hide.

Ellison nodded wearily. "But what if we're too late, Brian? Warren and Carl have more than enough reasons to hate and hurt him. What if..."

"We'll break camp at the crack of dawn, and we won't give up, Jim," Simon interjected fiercely. "We'll take as long as we need to. Now that Grace allows Megan to feed her, you don't have to worry for your daughter's health. So we can stay away from camp for as long as it takes. We will find him... alive and well."

Jim gave him a sad smile. "Thanks, my friend."

"You love him, don't you?" Henri asked suddenly.

Jim stayed silent for a long moment then nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do. You have a problem with that?" he asked in turn, looking at his friends.

Simon smiled warmly. "I am. I like you both, and I see the way you act when you're together. Love and friendship aren't easy to come by, Jim. I'm happy for you both."

Rafe and Henri nodded their agreement.

"Yeah," Henri said with a smile. "I like you and Hairboy, too."

Jim couldn't help chuckling. "Hairboy? Oh, he's gonna love that one!"

They laughed as they imagined what Blair's reaction to the nickname would be like.

Simon yawned, his wound still making him tire faster than usual. "You people are very nice company, but I'm exhausted. I'm going to see if I can rest for a few hours."

They finished their coffees and one by one, all lay down to rest for the night. None managed to get much rest.

*#*#*

Blair sighed and relaxed under the weight blanketing him and pinning him to the bed. Soft lips were nibbling at his earlobe while knowing hands caressed his flanks and arms, making him shudder in excitement.

"Jim..." he whispered softly.

"Guess again," a voice purred in his ear. Blair crashed down from his loving dream, suddenly remembering the cruel reality of his present situation.

"Get off me, Carl!" He bucked his legs but couldn't dislodge the other man.

"I don't think so, little brother. This time I'm going to fuck you, and no one will stop me."

"But Warren said..."

"I don't care what Pa said! He's out buying supplies in the nearest town and won't be back for hours. We're going to do this! And you will behave and keep your mouth shut about the whole thing."

"In your dreams!" Blair growled incensed, still trying futilely to escape the searching hands.

Carl chuckled. "Oh, I think you will. Because if you don't, I'll just go back to that destroyed, defenseless camp and snatch little Grace from the women taking care of her. I know Ellison and the other men will be somewhere out there looking for us. So stealing the baby will be a piece of cake. And you know what I can do, don't you?"

Blair's eyes grew round in fear. "You wouldn't..."

"Wouldn't I? How would you like to see that child die right before your eyes?"

"Please, don't..." Blair pleaded, his blue irises filling with tears. He wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to Grace.

"Then submit to me. Surrender and the child will be safe," Carl purred soothingly.

Sucking in a huge amount of air, Blair forced his body to relax and go slack. He nodded wearily in defeat. "Yes," he whispered.

He lay back and closed his eyes as Carl's hands began to paw at his body. Carl's foul breath invaded his senses, the bigger frame grinding against his in an obscene parody of lovemaking.

As he felt hands undoing his belt buckle, Blair's thoughts went out to his love... his soulmate.

'Please forgive me, Jim...'

*#*#*

Chapter XI - Reunion

They found the isolated cabin by mid-morning. The horse tied down outside, warning them there was someone there.

"Doesn't make any sense," Henri whispered, a frown marring the handsome face. "Should be two horses, not one. Maybe it's not them."

"It's them alright. One of them is just not here now," Jim stated, his eyes narrowing as he focused his senses on the inside of the old house.

Suddenly he could hear Carl Chapel's voice loud and clear, as if he was standing next to him. He was taunting Blair, threatening Grace if the young man didn't willingly surrender his body to the other man.

Jim saw red. No way in hell was he going to let that bastard blackmail his lover into giving himself in exchange for Grace's life. He'd kill himself before allowing that to happen.

He growled in fury. He jumped to his feet and left their hiding place, ready to break down that door and beat Carl to a pulp for daring to even have such a thought.

The others barely had enough time to realize what was happening before they were forced to go after Ellison. It took all three of them to hold the enraged man down.

"Jim! Ellison! Ellison!" Finally Simon's voice seemed to cut through the anger. "Jim, I don't know what you think you heard in there, but we have to be careful! One wrong move, and Blair might die! We've made enough noise as it is to wake the damn dead! Now, control that rage and think!"

As he suspected, those words helped erase the last of Jim's rage out of his system. "I'm sorry. You're right. But we can't waste any time. Carl's trying to..." he shuddered as he listened to Blair saying "yes" to the man inside with him. "Come on!"

The four men approached the house as silently as possible. Rafe tried the door; and it opened wide, thankfully without any noise. Obviously the Chapels weren't expecting company so soon.

Guns drawn, they set out to search room by room. But Ellison went straight for the room at the rear of the cabin. With mental shrugs, the others followed him.

With a sudden snarl, Jim kicked down the door and burst through the room, the other three close behind. They froze in shock at the scene displayed before their eyes.

Blair was tied up to a small cot, wrists scraped and bloodied, probably from trying to escape. Carl Chapel was all over Blair. His hands were trying to open his captive's pants as he ground his body disgustingly against the young man who lay unresisting underneath him.

"Get off him, Chapel! Now!" Jim growled, his anger beginning to resurface again. It was his lover... his mate... underneath the bastard, being pawed and violated by a man who was supposed to be his family.

"Jim!" Blair exclaimed, eyes opening wide at seeing his lover, unable to hide his relief at being rescued. Jim had come to save him. But... "Oh, God! Jim, Warren could be here any minute now! We have to get out of here."

"It's okay, Blair, he won't get past us. Chapel, last warning. Off him!"

Caught with his pants down, so to speak, Carl had no choice but to obey. He moved carefully away from the cot, not making any sudden moves that could earn him a bullet in the brain. As long as he was alive, he could try to escape, but if they shot him... He definitely didn't want to die. Besides, with four against one, he didn't stand a chance. Hatred clear to see in his eyes, he raised his hands in the air in surrender.

"I'll get some rope," Rafe said and went outside to get the rope from his saddlebag.

With Henri and Simon watching over Carl, Jim hastened to untie Blair.

As soon as the young man was free from his imprisonment, he threw himself into Jim's waiting arms. "Jim..." he whispered against the strong chest, finally able to relax. "Grace?"

Ellison chuckled, having been expecting the very parental question. "She's fine. Megan's watching over her back at the camp."

Blair's breath hitched in his throat as he remembered the attack on the camp. "The camp..."

"It's okay, Blair," Simon said "We have a few wounded and will have to share wagons in order for everyone to be able to keep going, but we survived. If anything, the spirit to carry on is stronger than ever."

"But Joseph and Tom..."

"There aren't any words to make their deaths and sacrifice worth the price they paid. But because of them and what they did, we will go on."

Rafe returned with some thick rope to tie Carl Chapel's hands behind his back so he wouldn't try anything against one of them. While he was doing so, Carl snarled at Jim, his expression clearly disgusted as he watched the lovers embrace.

"You sure you want the little whore back, Ellison? 'Cause you're too late, you know? I already had him once yesterday," he smirked.

Jim stepped away from his young lover and advanced menacingly at Chapel. "You bastard!"

Blair jumped in front of Ellison, his hands resting against Jim's chest as if to physically restrain him. "Jim, stop! He's just taunting you!"

"He's lying?" Jim asked, clear blue eyes locking with his lover's darker ones, judging his honesty.

"He's lying," Blair nodded. "He did try yesterday, but Warren stopped him."

Jim frowned. "Stopped him? Why?"

The four men were surprised to see the beginnings of a blush showing in Blair's face as he lowered his head in embarrassment. "Umm... He wanted to wait until you were here. They were going to make you watch."

They had to refrain themselves from jumping Chapel and strangling the man for his evilness. And his father as well.

Jim cupped his lover's cheek and made him look up. "It doesn't matter, Blair. Nothing he could've said or done would've changed what I feel for you."

Blair remained silent for a moment, gazing into his lover's eyes until he was satisfied with what he found there. Then with a nod, he turned his attention to their friends.

"Simon, how's the shoulder?" he asked with a gentle smile.

"Better, thanks."

The young man's smile grew bigger. "No, thank you. For coming to the rescue and all that."

"No problem, Hairboy," Henri smiled back.

Blair's eyebrows shot up to his hairline. "Hairboy? Hairboy?!" he squawked.

Henri nodded with a smirk. "Hairboy."

Blair's eyes narrowed in mock-threat. "You'll get yours, Mister. Just wait and see."

"What do we do about Warren? Wait?" Brian asked.

All eyes turned to Blair in silent questioning. The young man shrugged. "Carl said Warren was out buying supplies in a nearby town. Could take minutes... could takes hours."

The questioning eyes then turned to Ellison.

"What do we do?" Simon asked, ready for whatever action might take place.

"No point in waiting," Jim stated. "We have with us the one thing in the world Warren holds dear, his son. If I know him he'll follow us to the end of the earth to rescue him from our clutches. Let's just find that town he went to and hand Carl over to the Sheriff. Maybe we'll get lucky and run into Warren on the way."

They left the cabin and walked up to their horses.

"Where will he ride?" Brian asked, pointing at Carl.

"On one of your horses. Put him in front, belly down like he did with me. The view of the ground is simply amazing," Blair couldn't help wanting to get even with Carl.

Henri nodded in understanding and did just that. With Brian's help, he threw Carl down on his horse and chuckled at the man's complaints about his manhandling. "Shut up, or I might just decide to drag you instead," he warned. When no further whining was heard, Henri smiled at his friends. "I knew he'd see it my way."

"Which way to town?"

"Let's try heading north," Jim replied.

Rafe mounted his horse, while Blair and Jim shared Ellison's mount, the young man riding up front. Once they began to slowly head up north, Blair leaned back, letting Jim take all of his weight. He sighed as he felt his lover's arms wrapping protectively around him.

"Are you sure you're not hurt? Jim whispered in his ear.

"Ummm..." Blair purred. "More than sure. Just tired."

"Me too. As soon as we reach town, we'll get rid of Carl and find a hotel or something where we can rest for a few hours. Maybe get us something to eat as well."

"Oh, great! I'm starving! And Warren?"

"Like I said. As soon as he realizes we have Carl, he'll follow us into town. If he isn't still there and sees us arriving, that is. That's also a possibility."

"Right."

Feeling safe and warm and knowing his lover wouldn't let him fall from the mount, Blair let himself go, dozing in Jim's arms as the slow pace of the horse lulled him further into sleep.

Jim, on the other hand, was wide-awake, even though exhausted in body and mind. After spending two days away from camp looking for Chapel with only a few hours at night to cuddle with Blair and then fearing for his lover's life at the hands of the two madmen, Jim was more than happy to have the young man in his arms again.

The feeling of that delicious body so tantalizingly close to his was doing all sorts of delightful things to his body, and his cock was more than interested as it slid between the two cloth-covered mounds currently bumping against it.

And his damn senses weren't helping either. He could smell Blair's own musky scent, the way his hair always managed to smell like nature herself. Jim's body hair was standing at attention in all the areas where their bodies happened to touch. His eyes could hardly look away from the lush lips, now slightly parted as their owner was deep in slumber. Jim stifled a groan. It was going to be a long ride into town.

*#*#*

They'd been riding for about an hour when Jim spotted smoke rising to the sky, probably from a nearby campfire. They would still take some time to reach it. But it was in their path, so they'd have to trail carefully. There was no way of knowing until they were closer if they'd be facing friend or foe.

Seeing what Jim was staring at with grave concentration, Simon narrowed his eyes in concern. His gaze followed the dark smoke until it vanished in the atmosphere. "Warren?" he whispered softly, not wanting to disturb Blair's rest as his mount paced quietly beside Ellison's horse.

"Not likely," Jim answered in the same hushed tone. "If he was out for supplies, he wouldn't stop so close to their hideout. And it's too soon for lunch, which would be the only plausible reason I could see for him stopping. Has to be somebody else," he concluded.

"Right," Henri agreed, having heard Jim's reply. "We better be careful then."

Ellison nodded, his mind already worrying over the possible approaching problem. They were all exhausted and at the end of their tethers... not the best way to face danger.

He decided to use his senses to 'scout' the source of the fire. It was still too early to try a visual contact, so he expanded his hearing towards the direction the smoke was coming from.

Jim counted five heartbeats. Allowing his sense of smell to join in with hearing, he caught the scent of freshly made coffee and burning wood mixed with male sweat and the stench of unwashed skin that almost made him reel at its intensity before he was forced to pull back. Those men hadn't seen water or soap on a personal level in a long time. A very long time.

Taking a deep breath, Jim allowed his sense of hearing to reach out to the five men again. He had to know if it was safe to approach them. After all that Blair had been through lately, he wasn't about to let them fall into some kind of trap that would place his lover's life at risk again. Enough was enough.

The men were talking excitedly.

"I'm telling you, this will work!" one of them was saying, apparently trying to convince the others of something he found important enough to be so upset about.

"Come on, Jones! How do you know?" another asked, sounding annoyed. "The damn attack didn't last five minutes! How can you know such a thing?"

"Yeah, yeah... five minutes. So what? Look, those people have bought lands. They want to settle down somewhere. And for that they need money... lots of it."

"I, for one, am not about to risk my hide on a hunch from you, Jones," a third man assured. "When we attacked the wagon train's camp yesterday we were with a gang. If we do this, it'll be just the five of us. As I see it, it's not worth it. I value my life too much to lose it over something that might not even be there."

"I'm with you, Jackson! Seeing is believing, isn't that what people say? Well, I didn't see anything either, and I'm not risking my neck on a wild goose chase."

Jim felt his fists clench until his knuckles were white. These were some of the men responsible for the attack on the wagon train... they had to be. They were responsible for the destruction... the pain marring the survivors' faces... Joseph and Tom's deaths... Blair's kidnapping...

Against every instinct he had, which at the moment was screaming at him to get out there and rip those bastards into little, tiny pieces, Jim kept listening.

"Okay, so we're just five now. But you saw it. The camp is defenseless, especially after our first attack. There's no way they can fight back now. It will be like taking candy from a baby."

"I don't know," another voice could be heard, the uncertainty clear in the hesitant tone.

"Oh, come on!" Jones whined. "What that Chapel bastard paid was nothing compared with what we can steal from those train folk. What that scrooge gave us was pennies after it was divided between us and all the other men he hired. This is just us, only the five of us to share the wealth."

"And if you're wrong?"

"I'm not."

Silence followed as the other men weighed the pros and cons of such an idea. Finally one by one, they made up their minds on what to do. Greed won.

"Okay, Jones. I'll do it."

"Me too."

"Like you said they're defenseless. But you better be right about their hidden money. I'm not looking forward to all that trouble only to have nothing to show for it."

"Great! We'll ride out right after lunch. Might as well have a full stomach," Jones quipped, and the others laughed heartedly.

Having heard more than enough, Jim halted his horse. The others did the same as they gazed at their friend in puzzlement.

"What's wrong?" Rafe asked.

"Give me a minute to wake Blair, and I'll let you know." Jim looked down at his sleeping lover. "Blair? Blair, wake up. Hey, Chief!"

"Ummm..." Blair stirred in his arms, then blinked his eyes open. "We're there yet?"

"No. We have to talk. It's important."

Coming wide-awake, Blair looked up at his lover then at his friends. "Talk then."

"Let's dismount and find a quiet place first."

They found a secluded haven among some high rocks and tied their horses to a nearby tree. Jim was careful to make sure Carl wouldn't be able to escape or overhear their conversation. Once everything was to his liking, they sat down to have the awaited talk.

"I know this will be hard to believe. By the fire causing the smoke we saw, there are five of the men responsible for the attack on the wagon train," Jim began.

"How can you know that?" Simon asked, a suspicious look marring his face. "We're too far away to see them let alone know they were in on the attack."

"I heard them talking about it."

"Again I ask... How?"

Jim and Blair shared a glance, and the older man nodded. The others suddenly knew some kind of decision had been made whether or not to let them in on some kind of big secret. Apparently they were trusted to handle it, because Blair regarded them seriously, a solemn expression on his face.

"We can talk about this some more later, but the basic thing is that Jim is a Sentinel. And a Sentinel is someone who has heightened senses. In his case, all five of them... Sight... Sound... Touch... Smell... Taste. He can smell, see or hear better than all of us put together."

There was a stunned silence among the three men as they absorbed the news. Then Henri shook his head with a rueful smile, his mirth growing until it turned into a full fledged laugh.

"Wanna share the joke?" Brian scowled, somewhat annoyed at his friend's reaction. This was no laughing matter. Not in the least.

"Well," Henri huffed when he was able to catch his breath. "That certainly explains a lot! I thought I was going blind!"

"Blind?!"

"Yeah! I mean, when we were on the Chapels' trail you, managed to find all those little things, you know? A broken tree branch... a faded horse print... And I couldn't see a damn thing! I thought I was losing my sight!" he exclaimed, laughing again, and the others couldn't help but join in.

It was the joy within the madness, Blair thought as he watched his friends' amused faces. No matter how desperate things became, they had friends to back them up. Somehow things never looked quite as bad as they did when you were facing the world alone. It was a nice feeling.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but..."

"It's risky," Brian finished for Jim, understanding the reasons why their friends kept such a secret. "The more people know, the more dangerous it becomes for you. We understand, right?" He turned to Simon and Henri, who nodded.

"So you're saying you heard them talking about the attack?"

"Yes. And that's not all I heard. One of them convinced the others we might have hidden money on the train and wants to attack the camp again. They'll move out after lunch."

"Oh, my God! If they find the money we gathered..." Rafe whispered. His heart hammered in his chest at the thought of losing the money he'd worked so hard to save.

"We have to stop them," Simon remarked, his face set on stone.

"I agree," Henri said, standing beside his friend.

"You seem to have more experience at this stuff, Jim. What can we do?" Brian asked.

"Ambush them. Surround them from all sides so they can't escape."

"I'm all for it."

"Me too," Blair agreed. "Jim, give me a gun."

"You're not going, Blair."

"What do you mean, I'm not going?!"

"We need someone to watch over Carl."

Blair's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You listen to me, James Ellison! I'm not your little woman to be left behind and away from danger!"

Jim placed his hands on his lover's shoulders soothingly. "Blair, the thought never even crossed my mind. We do need someone to watch over Carl. Besides, you couldn't hit the proverbial barn door to save your life. The four of us can. See where this is going?" He smiled as he felt Blair relax under his hands.

"So those are the only reasons? Because I can't shoot and Carl needs watching?" Blair challenged, still suspicious and all too knowing how his lover's mind worked.

"Yes," Jim lied.

There was a third one. Jim wanted Blair away from danger. Not because he thought the young man weak, but because like every lover throughout History he wanted his soulmate to live. Because the alternative was unthinkable.

Blair sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll stay. But be careful!"

"Always," Jim replied then turned to his friends. "Let's leave the horses here. We're not that far, and this way there will be no danger of making any sounds they might hear."

"Right. Let's go."

The young man walked back to the horses, mindful of keeping an eye on Carl. But his heart was moving away from him, into danger; and Blair was silently panicking. Because his heart was a man called James Ellison.

*#*#*

Megan couldn't help the satisfied smile from crossing her face as she gazed at the frantic rhythm going on all over the camp. They were making excellent progress. Every woman, man, and child able to help doing so... hardly daring to stop for food or rest... all united in a common goal.

Everything they could salvage after the attack was being placed in the wagons that survived the flames. They'd made a calculation of everyone who would need to share transportation. Although some families would almost literally have to be squeezed into someone else's wagon, no one would be left behind.

They'd also disposed of everything they wouldn't need, cleaned the clearing, took care of the horses and gathered water and fresh supplies.

Finally they'd buried the dead in a beautiful ceremony that brought tears to her eyes just by thinking about it. She'd miss both men terribly, especially the ever polite Joseph Burton. He'd been a good friend and would be desperately missed. And she knew she wasn't the only one feeling that way.

Thinking about Joseph made her remember her lover. Burton had been one of the first people to know the change in their relationship and to congratulate them. Megan was worried sick about Brian, not knowing what was happening and wishing she could be there with him no matter how dangerous it might be.

The young woman looked down at the child sleeping in her arms with a sad smile. Grace was also missing Jim and Blair. The infant drank her milk and slept most of the day, but it wasn't a restful sleep. It was almost as if she knew something wasn't right with her family.

"Get back soon, Brian," Megan whispered brokenly. "And bring our friends back with you... Safe and sound."

*#*#*

Chapter XII - Ambush

"You know, you really should untie me now and let me go."

"Really?" Blair muttered absently, his eyes never straying from the path Jim and the others had taken. He suddenly wished he had his lover's sense of vision so he could see what was going on.

"Really. I might even consider making your death painless. Because Pa will find you, and then you'll be in real trouble. We might kill Ellison and those friends of yours swiftly, but you... if you don't help me now, I'll make sure it takes you hours to die. It would be easier on you this way."

"Sure it would!" Blair huffed, clearly not believing a word. He'd been around his stepbrother for too long, not to know his word meant nothing. "And pigs fly."

Carl snarled. "You'll pay for this, whore! When I'm through with you, there won't be anything left to bury, you hear me?! We'll leave your body to rot just like we did with that bitch mother of yours!"

At the mention of his mother and remembering the terrible way Warren had killer her, Blair paled. He whirled around, stalking angrily towards the horse where Carl was tied up.

"Shut up, Carl!" he spat.

Carl ignored the hissed order, an evil smile lighting up his face. "Or what? What are you going to do, Blair?" he grinned. "You know what we did to her body, little brother? Pa took her body to a deserted patch of land away from our house and left it there for the vultures to feed on. Must have been quite a feast!" he laughed.

Blair growled in fury, holding Carl's head by the hair and looking him in the eye. "Shut up! I swear to God, Carl, if you don't shut up, I will kill you! And don't even think about yelling or calling for help, got it?" he snarled as he watched Carl opening his mouth again. "Do you understand?!" Carl remained silent, simply glaring at him, and Blair nodded. "Good. I'm glad we understand each other."

He released his stepbrother's head with a sharp jerk and felt a somewhat childish satisfaction when Carl's chin hit the horse's flesh painfully. The sound of gunshots made him turn towards the noise, his heart hammering in his chest.

"God, what's going on out there?" he whispered brokenly.

"Hope Ellison got shot!" Carl muttered.

Blair heard Carl's muttering and suddenly couldn't take it any more. "That's it! I'm sick of listening to you!" He grabbed Carl by the hair again and punched the man with enough strength to knock him out. "There! That should keep you quiet, you bastard!"

Hearing footsteps behind him, Blair grinned in relief. His lover and friends were back. He swung around, the smile dying on his lips as he found himself face-to-face with one of the men he remembered from the train wagon attack.

"Well, well, well..." the man smiled as he aimed his gun at Blair. "What do we have here?"

Blair sucked in a startled breath. If the man had escaped the ambush Jim had planned, that meant the others could be dead. Feeling his heart contract in his chest at the thought, Blair forced his panic to subside and began to plan a way to get out of this new mess.

*#*#*

Hearing the men talking and laughing, Jim and the others quietly moved until they reached the men's camp. They'd used the dense vegetation as a cover, making sure they hadn't been spotted.

"Simon and Henri, you head over that way," Jim whispered softly to the two men then turned to Brian. "Rafe, you go over there. I'll stay here. I'll wait a few minutes then surprise them. I'd like to take at least one of them out alive. But if they want to fight, I want you to be ready."

"Got it!" Brian told him, then disappeared from view as he moved to his appointed spot.

Jim sat down to wait until they were in position. After counting down the minutes, he stepped out from the protective cover of the bushes.

"'Afternoon, Gents," he smiled, his hand hovering near his holster.

"What do you want?" One of the men stood up, a suspicious frown covering his suntanned face.

"To settle a score. You attacked a wagon train and killed some friends of mine."

Understanding dawned on the men. Before Jim could utter another word, they were reaching for their guns. Jim's hands were quicker, killing two of the men before their guns were even half out of their holsters.

"I just want to talk, boys," Jim told the others, but it was no use.

As they were reaching for their guns, there were several more exchanges of gunfire. Before long, there was a period of silence.

"Shit!" Simon growled as he holstered his still smoking gun. "I wish I could say I was sorry they're all dead." He looked at the bodies on the ground. "But I'm glad. Tom and Joseph died because of these bastards."

"Yeah," Henri frowned. "Jim, I thought you said there were five."

"There were..." Jim felt his heart stop for a second as he realized there were only four bodies. "Shit! I didn't even notice." Then his eyes widened in panic. "Blair!"

*#*#*

"What do you want?" Blair asked as he watched the man moving closer.

"Well, a horse for starters," the man replied as he shook his head. "Damn lucky I decided to relieve myself away from camp when I did. I assume the men gunning down my... uh, business associates are with you? Don't bother denying it, kid. I see four horses over there, but the riders don't seem to be anywhere in sight."

"Yes," Blair replied flatly, knowing there was no use in denying the obvious.

The man gestured towards him with his free hand. "I remember you. As I recall, the Chapels were very interested in you. In fact... isn't that Carl Chapel over there on that horse?"

Blair shrugged, his mind still trying to come up with a plan to escape. Maybe if he stalled long enough the others would arrive. Now that he knew Jim and their friends were okay, he could relax. "Yes," he replied again, although he knew the question had been somewhat rhetorical.

The man laughed. "Caught the mean bastard, did you? He and his father are both a couple of damn misers. What they paid us for attacking the train won't even last a week!"

Blair rolled his eyes heavenward. "I feel so sorry for you!" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Hey! Watch it, kid! Behave or I just might be forced to kill you! Now, I assume your friends will come back soon, so I'll just 'borrow' myself a horse so I can get out of here. And you're coming with me."

"What?! You're crazy!" Blair hissed furiously. He was sick of been stuck with all these psychopaths around. Jim was right. He seemed to attract them like honey to bears to honey.

The man smiled devilishly. "Yes, you will. I'm figuring your friends are after revenge for the attack on the wagon train. As long as I have you, they won't risk doing anything to me. You're my way out, kid. Besides, if he isn't here, I'm guessing Warren Chapel is still out there, right? Maybe I'll run into him and get some more money out of him in exchange for you. Nothing personal, kid, but a man has to make a living."

"Have you thought about working?" Blair quipped peevishly, and the man laughed.

"Working is too much work, kid. I like this way better."

"Figures," Blair muttered then suddenly smiled.

"What?" the man asked, suspicious of the abrupt change in mood.

"Oh, nothing. Just... drop you gun and don't move," Blair ordered as he kept smiling. His eyes focused on something behind the man.

"Shit!" the man snarled. "Your friends!"

"Exactly! Now, if you don't want to die, I suggest you obey," Blair chuckled.

The man was about to drop his weapon when he frowned. "Wait a minute... Why haven't they said anything? Come to think of it, I didn't hear any noise from behind me!"

Unable to help himself the man turned and Blair acted out his plan. Grabbing a large rock he'd seen near his feet, he threw it at the man, hitting him straight in the head.

"Ah!" he shouted gleefully as he watched the man fall unconscious to the ground. "I might not be able to shoot the door off a barn, but I can still outsmart idiots!"

"Blair!" he heard Jim call. "Blair!"

"Over here!" he shouted back. A few seconds later, he saw his lover and the others running up to him. "What took you so long?" he smirked as he watched them gaping at the fallen man.

"What happened?" Rafe asked.

"I hit him with a rock. He was going to steal one of the horses and take me with him. I couldn't have that, could I?" Blair gently teased.

"And Carl?" Henri asked, noticing the man was unconscious as well.

"Well, he wouldn't shut up, so I punched him."

Jim shook his head with a rueful smile. "Blair, you never cease to amaze me."

Blair grinned at his lover. "Good. Now, what do you say we tie this moron up and ride into town? In a few hours, it will start to get dark. I'd prefer to spend the night in a cozy hotel bed, instead of the cold, hard, not to mention lumpy ground."

Jim grinned at the others. "You heard the man. Let's pack up and move out."

They tied the man to Rafe's horse, mounted their horses and were on their way again. Hopefully, Jim thought as Blair leaned back against his chest, with no more adventures on the way. He was almost too exhausted to stay on his mount, let alone having to fight someone else. 'Maybe I can ask Blair to do it for me instead,' he thought with a chuckle.

Blair looked up at his lover with a suspicious frown. "What are you laughing about, James Ellison?"

"Nothing," Jim replied, his eyes glancing innocently at his lover. It was such an absurd look on the bigger man that Blair chuckled as well.

"Nothing, my ass!"

"And what a nice ass it is," Jim purred into his lover's ear.

Blair shivered. "Shit... I hope that town isn't too far away," he whispered, his eyes darkened with arousal. "Or I might just jump your bones on the way there. Cold, hard, lumpy ground and all."

Jim was unable to say anything in reply to the promise he saw in his lover's sultry eyes. Suddenly he couldn't get into town fast enough either.

*#*#*

"Umm... I... Sorry," Jim finally mumbled, flushing brightly at being caught staring.

The Sheriff laughed good-naturedly. "Don't worry about it. I get that reaction all the time. People are just not used to seeing a black Sheriff, especially in a town as big as this one. Joel Taggart." He shook their hands as Jim introduced everyone.

"So, how did you end up the Sheriff around here?" Simon asked curiously. He, more than anyone, knew how prejudice white people could be. In a time where most of his race still suffered the injustice of slavery, a black man as a Sheriff, in a town whose inhabitants were mainly white, was uncommon to say the least.

"I was born free and never left this place. We've been having a few problems with outlaws, and the last two Sheriffs were killed. When no one else volunteered for the job, I decided it was time for me to step out of the shadows. The town's folk were so happy to have a Sheriff again. They didn't even complain about my color. And well, since I've been doing a good job... Anyway, what can I do for you? I see you have two prisoners with you."

Jim and the others set out to explain who the two men were and what they'd done. Taggart listened carefully, asking the occasional question, but otherwise remaining silent. Finally, he nodded.

"I've heard about Carl Chapel before. And about his father as well. As I heard, they caused some hell here a few months before I became Sheriff, then disappeared. They're wanted for murder and robbery, not only here, but also in a few other towns close by. Thank you for bringing him and saving us the trouble of searching for him. Now I only need to worry about capturing Warren. I don't think there's any warrant on the other one, but I'll make sure he'll pay for the attack on the wagon train. I'll have one of my deputies bring back the bodies of the men you gunned down. Rudy!"

A tall, slender redheaded man walked up from the back room. "Yes, Sheriff?"

"Get these two men in a cell. I'll take care of everything later."

"Yes, Sheriff."

They watched Rudy take a murderous-looking Carl along with the other man into the back room, where the cells were located. Then Taggart turned his attention back to them.

"I'm sure you want a place to spend the night. There's a small hotel not far from here, the Sunrise Hotel, where you can stay. I know the owner, and the place is nice and clean. Tell Rose you're coming by my recommendation, and she'll get you the best rooms available."

Jim smiled as he rose, the others following his lead. "Thank you, Sheriff. We really appreciate the help. We'll stop by in the morning before we head back to the wagon train."

Taggart grinned. "I'll meet you all in the morning, then. Don't let Rose spoil you too much! Good night."

"Good night, Sheriff."

The five exhausted men left their horses in a stable near the Sheriff's office then headed to the Sunrise Hotel where they met Rose. She turned out to be a rounded and motherly middle-aged woman who indeed tried to spoil them rotten by giving them more food than they could possibly eat. They were also given the best rooms in the hotel, as predicted by Taggart.

Finally, nearly unable to keep their eyes open, they said their goodbyes to Rose and dragged themselves to their rooms for a quick wash and the first restful sleep in a long time.

*#*#*

Warren Chapel forced another spoonful of beans down his throat as he gazed into the warm fire. At least it was a dry night, not a single cloud in the sky. The last thing he needed was to search for shelter and move away from his objective.

He sighed wearily. He should've known his plan wouldn't work out. Nothing ever did when it came to James Ellison. The man was as slippery as an eel. And now Carl was in jail, and Blair was back by Ellison's side. Everything was ruined. He was back to square one and worse than before.

"Damn those two!" he growled into the dark surrounding him.

Warren couldn't even spend the night in a soft bed in town for fear someone might recognize him. He and Carl had robbed a bank there months earlier, ending up killing one of the workers. He knew the town had a new Sheriff. But, even so, it wasn't good to tempt fate.

That morning when he'd gone into town for food, he'd stayed away from the bigger stores. No matter what everyone said, he never felt safe in the middle of a crowd. The more people, the greater the chances of someone seeing him. He'd been out of there in less than an hour, heart hammering in his chest and sweat soaking his shirt as he raced to the safety of the deserted plains.

He arrived at the cabin where they had been hiding only to find it empty. No sign of Carl or Blair. He found tracks on the ground that pointed out that several people -- men -- had been there. It wasn't hard to find the horse prints and follow them. He'd done so the whole day, hoping it would lead him to his son.

Warren found four dead bodies on the way. It wasn't hard to recognize them as four of the men he'd hired to attack the wagon train. It also wasn't hard to imagine what had happened to them. Ellison had a one track mind when it came to what he thought of as justice.

Warren kept following the tracks until he realized he was heading back to town and knew for certain Ellison had captured his boy and was taking him to jail. A cautious visit to the saloon after dark and a few quick questions had confirmed his suspicions. Five men had been seen riding into town, bringing two prisoners with them, who had been delivered to the Sheriff's office. And by the description, one of them was Carl.

Warren rode away from the town for the second time that day, setting out camp as close as possible without risk of detection. And as soon as it was clear enough, he would ride back into town and free Carl. / 'And nobody better get in the way. I'm definitely not in a good mood for it!'/

Jim looked out the window, enjoying the silence. It was still a couple of hours before dawn, and the whole town was resting. In a few hours, the buzz would begin. Mothers would feed their families breakfast before the children went to school and the men to work. The merchants would open their stores and tend to their clients. Travelers would gather necessary supplies to keep going on their journey. But until then... silence... quiet... peace.

He sighed as he gazed back at his lover. Blair was still sleeping soundly. He was naked on top of the flannel sheet, having kicked the covers from the bed a few minutes earlier. Jim let his hungry gaze run over the sturdy body he loved so much.

Grinning wickedly, Jim suddenly crawled back into bed. He pumped his lover's cock with light teasing strokes, feeling Blair arch into his hand with a groan. Knowing that wouldn't be enough to wake Blair, Jim nipped on a nipple until it was a hard pebble, bringing forth a louder groan.

"Wake up, Blair," Jim purred into an ear before going down on his lover and nibbling at the flaring head.

"Oh, God..." came the sleepy whimper, and Jim chuckled.

He took his time taking Blair's cock into his mouth, inch by inch until the head was resting against his throat. Then he began to hum softly, enjoying the way Blair bucked under him. His hands grabbed helplessly at Jim's short hair to bring him closer. Taking hold of Blair's hips, Jim began to suck on the hard shaft, allowing his lover to thrust into his moist mouth, fucking himself into oblivion. Soon he was rewarded with a muffled shout as Blair climaxed in long salty pulses before falling back onto the bed in a totally boneless sprawl.

Jim gave the softening cock a last lick, a parting kiss, and slowly released Blair. He put his head on his lover's thigh and looked up the length of the beautiful body. Seeing that Blair was watching him, he smiled

"Shit, Jim..." Blair groaned, as his breathing began to slow down. "You're a bastard!"

Jim chuckled. "But you love me anyway."

"Yeah. Yeah, I do," Blair replied, tugging at Jim's arms until he was able to pull the bigger man into a tight hug.

They stayed snuggled together in bed for a moment, enjoying the closeness between them. Jim's hand grazed Blair's stomach in soothing circles until Blair pulled him down for a slow and tender kiss.

"My turn," Blair whispered, breaking the kiss and smiling up at Jim.

He reached out, putting a hand on Jim's shoulder and pushed him over onto his back before coming up over him in a surprisingly smooth movement. Beginning to lick and nibble his way down the muscled chest, Blair took his time with the soft nipples. When he was satisfied both nipples were hard, Blair proceeded with his torture, licking his way across Jim's taut stomach. He paused at the navel to tease it with little pokes then gave the hard shaft a few nibbles before he stopped.

"I want this inside of me," Blair whispered, his smoke-blue eyes locking with the sky blue eyes of his lover.

Jim moaned at the heated words, trying to control his wayward body and think about what Blair was asking of him.

"Blair, are you sure? We've... we've talked about this before. It could hurt the first time."

"I'm sure, Jim. I love you, and I want to give you this," Blair answered, feeling a telltale blush. "There's... uh... there's some kind of cream in the drawer there. I... uh... saw it last night. I think we can use that."

Jim tugged on his lover's shoulders and wrapped him in a warm, protective embrace. "We don't have to do this, you know?"

Their eyes met. "I know. And it's precisely because I know you'd never ask that I want to do this. I love you, and well... you're the one I want to give my body to. It's my way of showing how much I love you."

Jim smiled brightly. "Lay down on your back, then. I promise I'll be careful. We'll take it nice and easy. And if you want me to stop at any time, just say the word and I'll stop. Got it?"

"Got it, Jim," Blair replied, laying onto his back as he watched Jim reaching for the cream.

Jim placed the cream on the bed beside them, climbing on top of his lover for a passionate kiss. Their hardening cocks rubbed together, aided by the sheen of sweat covering both of their bodies. Finally, Blair broke the kiss.

"Jim, as wonderful as rubbing against you might be, if you don't stop now, I'm going to come again."

Jim chuckled. "Sorry. Got a little carried away."

"No problem," Blair grinned, grabbing the cream and rubbing some onto Jim's fingers. "Please, Love."

Blair spread his legs apart, opening himself up for his lover and allowing Jim to move between his thighs. Although Blair was hiding a good job of hiding it, Jim knew how nervous Blair was and decided to distract his lover while he prepared him for their lovemaking. He began to pay homage to a cinnamon-colored nipple, switching between licking and nipping the hardening peak while at the same time he slid a finger inside the tight ring of muscle.

Feeling Blair tightening around his finger, Jim waited until he relaxed before moving his digit in little circles. When he judged his lover ready, he added a second finger then began to move them in and out with short strokes.

"Oh, God..." Blair moaned. "That feels good!"

"It gets better," Jim grinned. He moved his fingers in a little deeper, looking for the little pleasure gland and chuckling when Blair bucked and whimpered. "Nice, isn't it?"

"No, shit!" Blair panted in awe, as he felt Jim graze the little nub a second time.

"Three fingers now, Blair. Remember, we can stop at any time."

Jim added the third finger, continuing to stretch the puckered bud. He flexed his digits until Blair was moaning and helplessly writhing on the bed.

"Come on, already! I'm ready, Jim..."

"I know," Jim panted, knowing he couldn't take much more himself. He coated his painfully hard cock with the cream and positioned Blair onto his side.

"Jim, no..."

"Shhh... This way it will be easier for your first time, Blair," Jim whispered as he spooned up behind his lover. He slid one of his legs between Blair's and began to slowly penetrate through the tight opening.

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit..." Blair moaned, not really having expected it to be so painful. "Oh, man.. it hurts..."

"I know it does, Blair. Take a deep breath. Try to relax," Jim coaxed through gritted teeth, making a Herculean effort to keep from thrusting into the incredible heat of his lover's body.

Jim began to pump Blair's wilted shaft, his forehead against his lover's shoulder as he tried to keep from moaning. Blair was tight, really tight, and he was feeling some pain himself. When he felt Blair relax a little, Jim pushed in another inch, then another, then one more, until he was fully inside his lover's body. He remained still for a moment longer, hearing them breathe at the same time.

"Blair, are you alright?" he asked, feeling his lover's cock hardening in his hand but a bit concerned about the unusual silence.

"Yeah..." Blair breathed. "I just... I'm glad I waited, Jim."

Jim smiled against his lover's back. "I'm glad, too, Blair." And he was. As petty as it might seem, a part of him was proud, ecstatic to be Blair's first -- and hopefully -- only lover. "I'm going to move now, Blair. Ready?"

"Yeah," Blair replied and suddenly squeezed his muscles around Jim's cock.

"You little shit!" Jim growled, grinning when he heard Blair laughing. He pulled out slowly until only the head of his cock remained inside then thrust back as Blair bucked against him.

"Oh, yes..." Blair whispered.

Jim kept pumping Blair's cock, his thrusts getting harder and faster until they were both grunting in tandem. Jim's shaft grazed his lover's prostate on every stroke as they moved closer to climax. A sudden shout and a wetness in Jim's hand let him know Blair was coming. Then he lost all thought as the sudden clenching of Blair's inner muscles sent him over the edge as well. When he recovered, Jim found himself on top of Blair, his hand still trapped under the sturdy body.

He sighed contentedly, snuggling closer to his lover. "Fuck..." he whispered and felt Blair begin to shake under him, until the young man was laughing heartily.

"We just did, Jim. We just did!" he chortled.

Jim chuckled as well, then felt himself shrinking inside his lover. "Blair, I'm going to move out now. It might hurt a little."

Blair flinched a little as Jim pulled out, then moaned at the loss. "I want to do this again."

Jim grinned. "We will. Soon. Now, come here. We still have a few hours before daylight, and we need more sleep."

They snuggled together, a tangle of arms and legs as their bodies began to cool down.

It didn't take long for Jim to realize there was something wrong with his lover. "Blair, what's wrong? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"God, no! It was... perfect... beautiful. I was just... I miss Grace," Blair confessed softly, burying his nose in the curve of Jim's shoulder.

"I miss her, too," Jim whispered, fingers carding through Blair's curls. "We'll be back soon. We'll have breakfast, make sure everything is okay with Carl, and then we can leave."

"And Warren?" Blair asked fearfully. "He's still out there."

"I know. By now I'm sure he knows Carl's in jail. I'll tell Taggart to watch out for him. Warren's mad enough to try and free his son from jail. We'll have to watch out for him as we head back as well. But unless he attacks us, I refuse to worry about him anymore. I'm sick of this. I want peace."

"I know. I want it, too."

"And we'll get it, Blair. Cascade isn't that far. We'll be home soon. We'll be able to make a new start, to build ourselves a new life. The three of us... You, me and Grace."

"That's all I want, Jim. That's all I want," Blair whispered. He wondered if they'd ever be able to make that dream come true. As long as Warren Chapel was out there and able to catch up with them, Blair wouldn't hold his hopes high. It would make the fall so much harder to take.

*#*#*

Chapter XIII - The End

Planning was good, although all his plans seemed to fail when it came to Ellison and that little bastard of his stepson. But other than that, Warren had spent his whole life going by his carefully made plans. 'And I'm still here. Still around. Away from the clutches of the law for over four decades.'

Of course, gathering information could prove just as helpful. When he'd been to the saloon the night before, he'd managed to gather quite a lot of information without bringing any suspicion upon himself. A question here... a question there... a whiskey offered to a bum who already had too much to drink, and Warren knew all he needed to know.

Besides the new Sheriff, Joel Taggart, there were only two more deputies working as lawmen in town. Apparently a few run-ins with a couple of outlaw groups and two dead sheriffs had failed to bring volunteers for the job.

"Bunch of cowards!" he muttered. "But it will suit me tonight."

He'd been told that when the jail had prisoners, only one of the three men would stand guard during the night. Only one. And one man was no obstacle for him... none at all.

Weary of any eyes watching him, Warren made his way silently to the Sheriff's office. Breaking in was no real hardship. As he had expected, the office was deserted.

He chanced a peek at the back room and felt like jumping for joy. 'Too easy, for sure!' Sitting behind a desk was a young redheaded deputy, fast asleep. 'Like taking candy from a baby.'

Warren approached the man until he was behind him, always careful not to awake him. A sudden twist of the neck... a last grunt... and the deputy was dead without even having been conscious of what was happening.

"Amateurs!" Warren spat. Grabbing the keys, he reached for the cell holding his son. "Carl, wake up! Time to get out of here."

"Pa!" Carl grinned as he rose from the cot. "I knew you'd come for me!"

"Yeah, well, we're not out of the woods yet. We still have to leave town. Come on!"

"Hey, what about me?" a voice called from a nearby cell.

Warren turned his attention to the other prisoner, also awake now, and recognized him as one of the men he'd paid to attack Ellison's wagon train.

"What about you?" he asked with a smirk. He couldn't care less what happened to the man.

"You can't just leave me here!" the man growled. His hands gripped the cell bars so hard his knuckles were white.

"Jones, right? So tell me, Jones, why can't I just leave you here?"

Jones glared at him from behind narrowed eyes. "Well, for one, if you try to leave me here, I'll make so much noise half this damn town will come running to see what's wrong!"

"I can kill you before you so much as breathe," Warren said calmly.

"True, very true," Jones grinned cheekily. "But the only way you could do that is by shooting me and that would make just as much noise, Chapel."

"Oh, I don't know..." Warren told him quietly. "There are other ways of killing a man without making any noise. And I know every single one of them."

Before Jones could even begin to comprehend the meaning of those words, Warren drew a knife from his sleeve. Throwing it expertly, he watched as it buried itself in the man's chest.

Jones gave him a startled look. "You..." he breathed. His body began to slide to the floor, his eyes open, but starting to glaze.

Warren gave the dying man a last look, then turned to his son. "Let's get out of here, Carl. I want to be away before people start to stir."

"Right, Pa. But what about Ellison and Blair?"

"We'll deal with them later. Don't worry. I won't forget them, not by a long shot."

They were walking through the front office on the way to the door, when it suddenly opened. They found themselves face-to-face with a startled Sheriff Taggart. Before the lawman had any chance to react, Warren aimed his gun at him.

"'Morning, Sheriff. Bit early, aren't you? Drop the holster, please," Warren ordered with a grin.

Faced with the armed threat, Taggart obeyed and dropped his holster along with his gun. "Now what?" he asked.

"Now, Carl is going to take you in the back and lock you in one of those nice, cozy cells. And you're going to behave and be a good little Sheriff and remain silent, or we'll make you a new orifice. Got it?" Warren snarled.

"Got it," Taggart replied, allowing Carl Chapel to push him to the back of the office. He saw Rudy's body and the other prisoner and felt like killing the two criminals himself. He didn't care about Jones, but Rudy was a good man... a husband and a father. His murder could not be left unpunished. Knowing there was nothing he could do at the moment, Taggart sat on the cot to wait.

*#*#*

Jim yawned and stretched lazily, feeling warm, relaxed and altogether too happy. Especially that early in the day; the sun wasn't even up yet. He snuggled back on the bed, embracing his sleeping lover. But his bladder began to complain, and he was unable to ignore it. Grumbling under his breath, he rose and went to relieve himself. When he returned to the bed, a pair of beautiful blue eyes gazed up at him.

"'Morning, Jim," Blair greeted, his voice still husky from sleep.

Jim sat on the bed and smiled down at his lover. "Good morning, Chief. How are you feeling?"

"Great. Warm, rested, comfortable, a little sore," he admitted with a blush. "And..."

"And?"

"I have to pee." They laughed together as the young man rose from the bed. "What do we do now?" Blair asked once he was done.

"Well, since it's too late to go back to bed, I thought we could wash up, have breakfast and then go pay Sheriff Taggart a visit. How's that?" Jim asked.

"Fine. And then?"

"Then we ride back to the wagon train. It's about time we got back. We've lost precious time on our journey."

They smiled at each other for a moment then went ahead with Jim's plan. When they went downstairs for breakfast, Rafe, Henri and Simon were already there.

"Good morning!"

"'Morning, Jim. Blair," Rafe grinned.

"Sleep well?" Henri smiled and chuckled at the identical blush on the two men's faces.

"Uh, yes," Blair answered as he sat down beside his lover and began to choose a few things from the huge amount of food Rose prepared for them.

"Still want to stop by the Sheriff's office before we leave?" Simon asked.

"Yes. I need to tell the Sheriff to watch out for Warren. I don't think Taggart expects him to try and spring Carl from jail. But I know the man. He's crazy enough to try it. And succeed."

"To be honest, I thought we would be the ones who would have to watch out for him," Rafe said. "I figured he might try to get his revenge out on us, or maybe try to grab Blair again."

Jim nodded. "Also possible. That's why I want every possibility covered. Besides warning Taggart, we'll have to be careful as well. I should've warned him yesterday, but I could hardly think straight. After the last few days, my brain was starting to shut down!"

"Nothing like a good night's sleep, though. And I still feel like something my horse dragged behind him for a mile or two!" Henri chortled, making the others laugh.

"Everyone done?" Jim asked, looking around and receiving only nods. "Let's pay for the rooms and say good bye to Rose then. The sooner we're out of here, the better."

*#*#*

Once outside the hotel, Jim turned to his friends. "I'll just have a quick word with Taggart. You saddle up the horses and meet me there. It'll save us some time."

"Right, Jim. See ya in a few minutes."

Jim winked at his lover, then the group divided and went their separate ways.

*#*#*

"Pa, what are we going to do with him?" Carl gestured towards the Sheriff.

"Nothing. I don't plan on wasting any more time in this rat's hole. The longer we stay in this town, the more dangerous it becomes. Come on, I left a couple of horses in a stable near here," Warren replied, gazing out the window to check if it was clear.

The first rays of sun were already visible on the horizon as the sky began to lighten from red into gold and then into a yellow-white brightness. A movement to his left side caught his attention. and Warren turned his head towards it. And blinked.

"What's wrong, Pa?"

"It's... it's Ellison! He's coming this way! I spent years trying to find him, weeks trying to trap him, and when everything fails, he falls right into my lap! Unbelievable!" he chuckled, ruefully. "Carl, go watch the Sheriff. Ellison is about to meet his destiny."

Carl laughed. "Right, Pa! Get the bastard!"

"Oh, I will... I will."

*#*#*

Jim was halfway across the street when the door to the Sheriff's office slammed open, and Warren Chapel walked out. Quickly covering his surprise, Jim stopped and waited for the other to make his move. The two men stood frozen for a timeless moment, each glaring at the other. Then, by a seemingly unspoken agreement, they closed the distance between them.

"Ellison. Fancy meeting you here!" Warren grinned.

Jim's ice blue eyes bore into his then glanced around. "Where's Carl?"

"Inside. With the Sheriff." Warren wondered if Ellison caught on the underlying threat in his words. Apparently he did because he nodded.

"What do you want?" Jim asked softly, his face unreadable.

"To get even, of course. I wanted to get you where it hurts, to make you suffer. But I guess that's not an option anymore. So I'll settle for a shootout. What do you say? You and me. One on one. I always wanted to know who was the better shooter anyway."

"And the Sheriff?"

Warren shook his head, his expression one of disappointment. "So worried about the lives of others. I think I liked you better the way you used to be when we rode together. Cold. Efficient. Ruthless. You've gone soft, Ellison, and that will be your downfall."

"I don't think so, Chapel," Jim glared. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Oh, alright!" Warren sighed in mock aggravation. "You have my word the Sheriff will be allowed to live."

Ellison scowled and crossed his arms menacingly. "Your word means nothing!"

Warren laughed. "No, it doesn't. You're right, of course. You'll just have to take your chances, won't you?"

"Let's do it!" Jim snarled angrily.

They walked to the middle of the nearly deserted street. Each man moved away from the other, hands caressing their guns in anticipation of what was to come. The few people on the street suddenly aware of the danger and began to run for cover, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

Jim felt as if the world had abruptly frozen. There was no noise or motion, just an eerily oppressing silence. The soft breeze flowing by them caressed their bodies in the morning light. They stared unblinking at each other, prepared to react to the slightest twitch of a finger. Each wanting to be the first to fire. Each wanting to be the last one standing. There was no turning back, no way out. Time to live... or die.

*#*#*

Blair was finishing saddling Jim's horse when a young child came running into the stable, panting with excitement. He couldn't be more then seven or eight, cheeks flushed and eyes shining brightly.

"Pa! Pa! There's going to be a shoot out!" he yelled gleefully at his father, the town's blacksmith. "For real!"

"What are you talking about, son?" his father asked, obviously confused by the excited babbling.

"Two men out on the street, Pa! They're going to shoot each other!"

Blair sucked in a startled breath as he heard those words, a shudder wracking over his whole body. He was certain one of those men was Jim. But who was the other one? Maybe Carl had somehow managed to escape from jail? Or... Warren?

"Oh, my God!" he whispered, the blood chilling in his veins. Without a second thought, he flew out of the stable in search of his lover. 'Jim has to be okay! He just has to!'

"Blair!" Simon shouted as he watched the young man running away. "Damn it! Come on, there's trouble!" he said to the others. Time to see what exactly was going on.

*#*#*

Carl Chapel watched through the window of the Sheriff's office as his father and Ellison moved apart and took their fighting stances in the middle of the street.

"Shit! A shoot out. Pa won't have a chance against Ellison. I have to do something!"

After making sure that the Sheriff was still locked away in the cell, Carl grabbed Taggart's holster and gun. Careful that no one saw him, he quietly and left the office. Climbing to the roof wasn't too difficult. It was only a one-story building. With the help of a few boxes piled in the alley, he made it. From that high up, he had a good view of the two men down on the street. He drew his gun and aimed it at Ellison's back.

"Time to die, Ellison!" he muttered with an evil grin. "Time to die..."

*#*#*

Blair stumbled into the street in time to see Jim and Warren glaring at each other, as if they could kill the other by looks alone. It was chilling and frightening to watch.

"Jim!" he shouted, trying to run to his lover's side. But Simon and the others arrived at that moment. The big, black man grabbed Blair by the arms before he could make his way towards Jim.

"Well, well, well! If it isn't the little whore!" Warren grinned. "This just keeps getting better and better! Came to see your... friend die, Blair?"

"You bastard!" Blair snarled, struggling to free himself from Simon's powerful grip. "I hope you bleed to death!"

"Now, that's not very nice, is it? But being that I'm in such a good mood, I'll let it go. For now anyway. I'll even allow you to say a few parting words to Ellison before I kill him."

Blair glared at his stepfather, then turned to Simon. "Let me go. I won't do anything, I just want to talk to Jim."

Simon hesitated to comply, but a nod from Jim made him release Blair. The young man walked slowly towards his lover, trying to reign in his out-of-control emotions. The last thing Jim needed was to worry about him. He stopped face-to-face with his lover, hands on his hips, trying to look and sound angry.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Ellison?"

Surprisingly, Jim smiled. "What I should've done years ago. This had to end sometime, Blair. Might as well be now. Today."

"Jim, I lost everything in my life to that man and his son," Blair said, desperately trying to ignore the quiver in his voice. "I don't want to lose you, too. I can't."

"You won't. I have an advantage, remember?" Jim grinned slightly.

Blair tilted his head as he regarded his lover. "The Sentinel senses?" he watched as Jim nodded. "And you're not too scrupulous about using them in this case?"

Jim shrugged. "With someone else, maybe. Not with Warren. Definitely not with Warren!" His smile turned feral.

They locked gazes, determined, fierce.

"Do it then. End this," Blair told his lover. "I love you, James Ellison."

"I love you too, Blair Sandburg. Now, go back to the others."

A last lingering look and Blair joined Simon, Brian and Henri on the sidewalk to watch.

"Think he'll win?" Brian asked in concern.

"Yes," Blair replied flatly, but the certainty was in his voice. "He will."

"You okay?"

Blair smiled weakly at Henri. "No. But I will be once this is over."

He looked up to the sky, and his heart ceased beating for a few painful seconds. Carl was standing on the roof across the street, and it didn't taking a genius to guess what his intentions were. It would be easy to kill Jim from up there. A cold rage seized Blair, nearly making him growl out loud. Not wanting to waste any more time on explanations, he turned to his friends.

"Be right back," he said in a rush, then ran away leaving three puzzled men behind.

Looking back, Blair made sure everyone, including Carl, was focused on the two fighting men before he crossed the street towards the Sheriff's office. He knew he had to hurry. The shootout could've been over long ago, but Warren was taking his time. Playing cat and mouse... pretending to be cool... making small talk... trying to throw Jim off balance. Blair had seen it all before. Usually Warren's opponents ended up a mess of sweat and nerves before they even drew their guns.

He found a few boxes by the side of the building and guessed that was how Carl had accessed the roof. He did the same, silently approaching his stepbrother, all the while chanting in his head. 'Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down.' Then he was right behind Carl, who had his gun aimed at Jim and seemed ready to shoot.

"Oh, Carl?" he called in a singsong voice.

Carl jumped startled, turning rapidly to face him. And Blair took action.

*#*#*

"What the..." Rafe exclaimed and everyone looked at his stunned expression. Following his line of sight, they turned in time to see Blair punch Carl's lights out.

When it became apparent that Carl was not standing up again, Blair stared down at them. He looked somewhat nervous, but grinned. "One down, one to go. It's up to you now, Jim."

"You alright?" Jim shouted back.

"Yeah. Just hate heights. I'll be right down. Just let me take this 'trash' down, and I'll join you."

"See if the Sheriff's okay."

"Gotcha!"

Jim grinned happily at a furious-looking Warren. "Seems it's just you and me now, Warren."

*#*#*

Blair dragged his stepbrother across the roof until he reached the side of the building he'd used to climb up. Puzzling for a second on how he was going to get Carl down, Blair decided to simply drop him to the ground. It was only a story anyway, and it was unlikely he'd get hurt, especially since he was still unconscious and would be unaware of the fall. His body wouldn't get the chance to tense up in anticipation.

Putting thought to motion, Blair dropped Carl as carefully as he could. He had no love for the man, but it didn't seem fair to hurt him when he was unable to defend himself. Then, ignoring the panic inside him at the thought of being so high up, he made his own descent, sighing with relief as he felt the hard ground beneath his feet.

As he'd predicted, Carl wasn't seriously injured... just a few bruises and scrapes. Blair proceeded to drag him into the Sheriff's office, all the way to the back where he knew the cells were located. The first thing he saw was the dead deputy's body, then Jones' body in a cell, and finally Taggart locked up in the next cell, apparently unharmed.

Once Taggart saw him, he rose from the cot and moved to the bars. "Blair! What's happening out there?"

"Well," Blair began, as he searched for the keys. "I knocked Carl out and Jim's outside locked in a shootout with Warren Chapel."

He found the keys and freed Taggart. Then he and the Sheriff restrained Carl in the same cell.

"Thanks for the help," Taggart said. "I don't know what would've happened if you guys weren't still in town."

"Don't mention it, Sheriff. Now, let's go. I want to know what's going on out there," Blair told him, frantically.

Just as they were moving, two nearly simultaneous shots were heard. They rushed out of the building and stared at the scene in front of them. Warren was down. Dead, if Simon's nod meant anything. Jim's bullet had plunged straight through his heart.

But Jim was also down, and Blair felt a wave of terror wash over him as he noticed his lover wasn't moving. Jim's white shirt was turning bright red as it soaked up his precious life's blood.

"No!" Blair cried as he fell to his knees beside his lover. "Please, no..."

*#*#*

Simon cast a concerned glance at the pale looking young man before him. The four of them were waiting outside the doctor's surgery-room for any news on Jim's condition. Blair hadn't said a word since the Sheriff had helped them take Jim's unconscious body to be looked over by what Taggart called the best doctor he'd ever seen. The young man had sat dejectedly in a chair for the past hour, silent, unmoving, hurting.

Henri and Rafe were also worriedly looking at Blair. They were all so used to the vivacious whirlwind that was Blair that seeing him so quiet and still made them ache inside. Brian opened his mouth to say whatever comforting words he could find to soothe their friend when the door opened and a short, balding man stared down at them.

"I'm Doc Herbert," he announced with a slight smile. "Your friend's in there," he added, gesturing to the room he'd just exited.

"Can we see him?" Henri asked.

"Yes, although not for long. He needs to rest."

That seemed to catch Blair's attention. He blinked up at the doctor then looked helplessly at Simon, who nodded gently. "Go see him, Blair. We'll wait here."

Blair nodded back, apparently still too shook up to speak. He drew in a shuddering breath then got to his feet and moved toward the door. Turning the knob with a shaky hand, he walked in and closed it behind him. Keeping his gaze carefully on the floor, he finally gathered his courage. Blair raised his eyes and gazed around the room until he found the bed. Empty.

Gasping softly, his eyes darted frantically around the room until they found his lover's familiar form sitting in a rocking chair, a beautiful smile lighting up his face. His shoulder was bandaged, and his arm was resting against his chest. Other than a slight pallor, he looked well.

"Hey, Chief..." Jim whispered, and Blair felt his body taking him closer of its own volition.

"Jim..." he breathed in awe. "You're alive. I... They told me you'd be fine, but I was so scared it was just to make me feel better..."

Jim's smile grew wider, gentler. "It's true, I'm really okay. It's a clean wound. The bullet was in and out. I'll be just fine, Blair, just fine. I promise."

Blair knelt in front of him, hands caressing the strong thighs, his eyes bright with unshed tears. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you, Jim..."

"No need, love. It had to end, Blair."

Blair sniffed and managed a weak smile. "I know, I know."

"Carl?"

An unexpectedly wicked grin lit up the young man's face. "Back in jail. The Sheriff told us not to worry. He'll make sure Carl gets what's coming to him."

Jim cupped his lover's cheek with his hand, tilting his face up tenderly. "Don't I get a kiss, Blair?"

"Oh, Jim!" Blair tried to stifle the half laugh, half sob. "God, I love you!"

Their lips met halfway, and they kissed passionately. The last of the fear and sorrow faded as they took in the future ahead. Together. Without any further ghosts from the past to haunt them.

"What now?" Blair asked breathlessly when they moved apart.

"Well, Doc Herbert wants to keep me here overnight to make sure the wound won't infect. But we can leave tomorrow. A couple of days, three at the most. and we can be back with Grace," Jim said, a wistful smile grazing his face at the thought of embracing his child again.

Blair nodded, a feeling of contentment settling over him. It was finally over. He was finally free. Free to live. Free to fly. Free to love.

*#*#*

Megan was sitting by the lunch fire, having fed herself and Grace as well. She was singing softly to the infant, trying to ease the ache in her own heart. The days were moving along and still no word on the ones to whom she secretly called 'her family'. They were all her family now. Rafe, her lover; Simon and Henri who were as brothers to her; and the two new additions, Jim and Blair. Not to mention the little blue-eyed heartbreaker in her arms.

She felt like a lioness protecting her cubs, which was ridiculous considering that with the exception of Grace they were all grown men. But she couldn't help it. Her heart was stronger than her mind on that matter, when it came to 'her family'. Megan got up, quietly pacing as she continued rocking Grace. Her voice never faltered as she sung a lullaby she remembered from her own childhood.

She hadn't meant to get so close, so attached to them. To anyone, really. All she'd wanted was to make a new start in Cascade. Maybe build a small house in her piece of land and open some kind of business that made her enough money to allow her to be independent from any man.

But the fight for survival had made her carefully fall apart like a deck of cards. Desperation and hope made people grow closer. And she found herself falling in love with Brian Rafe, sharing a wagon with Henri and Simon, and right in the middle of the vengeful fury of Warren Chapel and his son. Certainly not a typical wagon train story and not what she'd been expecting either.

And yet...aside from the dear friends they'd lost along the way and who would always be sorely missed and the worry of not knowing what was happening with 'her family', Megan felt strangely content. Maybe because she was finally taking her life into her own hands when there had been a time she'd been close to giving up.

Her eyes caught movement by the hill close to where they were camping and she blinked. Five riders were approaching. A sudden fear they were going to suffer another attack struck her, and she forced herself to think. Five men could never overwhelm the whole camp and besides... she blinked again.

"Oh, my God!" she whispered. She found herself shouting from the top of her lungs, for once not caring if she woke the child in her arms. "They're back! They're back!"

And in the sudden cacophony of laughter, shouts, of shots being fired into the air, Megan found herself crying softly. Silent tears ran down her face as she gazed at 'her family'. Safe and sound. And then she knew; everything was going to be okay. They were going home. At last.

*#*#*

Epilogue

Ten years later, Cascade.

Jim stood on the hills surrounding what was considered one of the largest towns in the state: Cascade. He looked down, amazed even after ten years on how far they'd all come and what a difference they'd all made in the birth of such a town. Cascade was a unique place, mostly due to its inhabitants. And lately it seemed, to be the most dangerous town in America. Or maybe it only seemed that way because he was the Sheriff. Sheriff James Ellison. It had a nice ring to it, and he was proud of the part he played in the community.

All of them had found a home and happiness in Cascade, remaining close to each other. Like the family they had become. Simon owned a very profitable saloon. Megan's Restaurant was famous all over town. Laura Longden and her new husband owned the Good Hope Inn, while her daughter Anna and her best friend Beth, now lovely teenagers, had joined forces and ran one of the best grocery stores in Cascade.

As for him and Blair... they were still together. Their love seemed to grow as time went by. They had stood together through thick and thin and came out stronger for it. Upon arriving at Cascade, Jim had decided to sell his horses and used the money to build them a good home. They built it from scratch, with the occasional help from their friends. They also helped build their friends' houses, spending whole days working together, chatter and laughter filling the air. And stone by stone, bit by bit, Cascade was born.

Soon the need for law and order got him the job as Sheriff. And being a Sentinel seemed to fit with the task. Henri and Rafe, who was now married to Megan and the father to a five-year old boy, became his deputies.

And time went by. Little Grace was not so little any more. She was now a beautiful blond, blue eyed ten-year old. And a Sentinel. Blair spent whatever free time he had helping them both with their senses. And as they had suspected upon finding she was also a Sentinel, Grace's senses had a wider range than Jim's. Much wider. He couldn't help feeling a certain sense of warmth and pride at knowing that after he was gone his daughter would still be there, looking out for their people and their town.

Jim heard a rider approaching, but didn't turn around. He knew who it was. He listened as the man dismounted and moved closer. When they were side by side, Jim turned his head and smiled at his lover.

"School over, Professor?" he teased.

Blair smiled back. "Yep. I love teaching but couldn't wait for the day to end!" They kissed lightly, arms around of each other as they gazed down at Cascade. "Amazing, isn't it?" Blair asked, the awe clear in his voice.

"Yes. We've come a long way."

"Any regrets?" Blair asked, looking up into his lover's clear blue eyes.

"No. Not when it comes to you or Grace, or moving to this place. Older things...Warren..."

"Water under the bridge, Jim," Blair chided gently, his arms tightening the embrace for a moment. "Look forward to the future. Don't dwell on the past."

Jim stared into his lover's warm eyes. "Sounds like good advice."

"Think so?" Blair smiled.

"Yes. As long as that future is with you."

"You got it, Jim. You got it."

They remained together, watching as the sun set over Cascade, bathing the town gently with its red-golden light. Sentinel and Guide. Friends. Partners. Lovers. Protectors.

The end.

Thank the author! Back to index!

Acknowledgments: Thank you to Akablonded for the beautiful cover art.