Fourth, and this is the one I have the most difficulty with, Vin appeared happy to ride away knowing his partners were in the middle of enemy territory and likely to come under attack again. I’m sorry. I can almost swallow the rest of the out of character elements of this episode but this is soooo out of character it may as well have been a different character. Vin walk out on his partners? Not in a million years. No matter what the circumstances, no matter how angry, ill or badly injured he was, Vin Tanner would not turn his back on his friends. This was so clearly shown in Penance. “All I know is he’s minded my back and that’s good enough for me.”

Before I finish I just have to bring up ‘that’ scene. The explosion - Vin tumbles down the hill and... he stands up and dusts himself off? I just couldn‘t believe it. So much potential squandered.

The Wagon Train had covered good ground and Chris was pleased. After O’Shea’s attack and the death of one of the settlers, the atmosphere had become depressive, but over the course of the day, things had eased. Nathan and J.D. had ridden ahead to check things out and to discover why Dicky O’Shea wanted the land so badly.

Just before sunset, Chris had ordered the pioneers to bring their wagons into a circle and told everyone to relax for the evening. Josiah was on watch; not that Larabee expected any trouble in the evening, but he wasn’t prepared to take any chances.

The black sky above was alive with millions of stars which seemed to add to the festive atmosphere. A couple of men were playing instruments and people were dancing and jigging around. The children were all still awake despite the late hour, but it was to be expected. This was an exciting adventure for them.

Buck swaggered across to Vin and dropped down beside him. Tanner didn’t appear to notice. His attention was on a young woman sitting on the other side of the wagon circle, her face illuminated in the flickering flames of the bonfire.

Buck smiled. “You’ve got good taste.”

“Huh?” Wilmington bounced his eyebrows. Vin snorted and returned his attention to the woman.

“Her name’s Charlotte... in case you’re interested.”

“I’m not.”

“Boy, you’ve got it bad.”

“Shut up, Buck.”

Buck’s eyes sparkled with delight. He’d never had the drop on Vin before. Tanner was always too quick for practical jokes and he was so reserved with his emotions that finding something to tease him about was impossible. “She’s travelling with Richmond. He’s her uncle. Some fellas are just butt ugly aren‘t they? Her folks died a couple of years back and he’s been looking after her. I’ve heard that his intentions may not be entirely uncly... is that a word?”

“What the hell are you prattlin' on about?” Vin demanded, turning to stare at his companion.

Buck shrugged. “It ain’t that uncommon in these parts where women are scarce, Vin - an uncle marrying his niece. I suppose, technically she‘s his past wife‘s niece.”

Vin’s eyes narrowed and then he turned his attention to Will Richmond. “So why do you think I’m interested in knowin' their business?”

“Well, you’ve got a look on your face like...” Buck stopped when Vin turned to glare at him. Wilmington rose to his feet. “And with that, I think I’ll find me someone to dance with. See you around, Vin.”

Vin watched Buck go and turned to study Richmond. He was the self-elected leader of the settlers. An unlikable man with a sour outlook on life. So far, he'd conceded to follow Chris’ ’suggestions’ but Vin knew it was under duress. Before the journey was over, Tanner knew Richmond and Larabee would come to verbal blows at the very least.

Vin gazed across at Charlotte. He’d met her earlier when he’d offered to help her lift a box into a wagon. She had refused his help, her fiery independence sparking Vin’s interest. She was a good looking woman. Her hair was the colour of a Winter sunset and her eyes went flinty when she was unimpressed. Of course, Vin hadn’t had much of a chance to speak with her. Almost immediately Richmond had appeared and had spirited Charlotte away looking at Vin like he was some wild beast after the girl’s virtue.

Vin’s brow furrowed. Maybe he was after more than polite conversation. She’d sought him out the next day, offering him some water. There was definitely an attraction between them, but again, Richmond had bellowed and the girl had gone running.

“Hey,” Chris stated, sitting down next to Vin.

“Cowboy.”

Chris grinned at the term. “You and I need to have a long chat about respect, Tanner.”

Vin winked at his friend.

“So, what time will we be heading off tomorrow?” Larabee asked. He was in charge of the wagon train, but decisions about travelling were Vin’s.

“As early as we can. Won’t be easy with so many women and children.”

“Not to mention some of the men who are old women,” Chris murmured. Larabee was about to continue when he noticed Richmond’s niece approaching the pair.

“Either of you want to dance?” she asked. The question was addressed to both men, but her eyes were on Vin.

Chris smiled. “Not me, Ma’am, but Vin here was just saying he’d like to get up and join in. Weren’t you Cowboy?” Larabee added, elbowing his friend in the ribs.

“Mr. Tanner?” Charlotte cooed, her eyes flashing like diamonds in the light of the fire.

“Only if you call me Vin,” Tanner stated, rising to his feet.

“Vin,” Charlotte stated happily.

“I have to warn you, I haven’t ever done a lot of dancin’.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine,” Charlotte assured him.

Chris smiled and shook his head as Buck appeared out of nowhere.

“Yep, he’s gone hook, line and sinker,” Wilmington chuckled watching as Vin did what he obviously thought was dancing. “The boy’s got two left feet and not an ounce of rhythm in his whole body.”

“She doesn’t seem to mind,” Chris laughed.

“Nope, but he does,” Buck pointed out, indicating Richmond who was glaring at Tanner and his niece.

“Great,” Chris mumbled. That’s all we need.”

Richmond weaved through the happy revellers making a bee-line for Vin. Members of the Seven appeared from all areas. Vin spotted the movement and stepped away from the girl, his hand slipping to his holstered weapon.

“Get away from her,” Richmond roared.

Tanner’s eyebrows drew down. “We were all just tryin’ to have a good time.”

“A little bit of dancing never hurt no one,” Josiah offered.

"Calm down, Mister," Buck added.

Richmond glared at Vin and then stabbed a finger at Chris. “He comes near my niece again and I’ll hurt him.“ Grabbing Charlotte’s arm, he shoved her towards the wagons.

“Hey!” Vin growled, stepping toward Richmond.

Josiah shoved his shoulder in front of Tanner. “Vin… Vin. Leave it be.”

Tanner’s narrowed eyes followed Richmond and his niece until they disappeared. He shot Larabee a glare, gave Josiah a shove and then marched off in the opposite direction.

“It’s going to be a long trip,” Josiah murmured to Chris.

“Yep.”

**********

Darkness settled on the day. Vin reached down and gave Peso a vigorous rub. His faithful horse was carrying two without complaint. The rest of the boys should have reached the Wagon Train by now, but Vin had had to take the long way. Going over the narrow ridge was out of the question with his horse carrying two.

Abruptly, Tanner realized his passenger was slipping. "Whoa," Vin ordered Peso, twisting his arm backwards to hold the woman.

"What happened?" Charlotte asked, startled as she awoke.

"You're damn near fallin' off from exhaustion,' Vin replied, climbing down. Gently, he eased the fatigued woman to the ground. "I guess you ain't had much to eat lately."

"I'll be all right." Charlotte rubbed her hand across her face and grimaced.

Vin's eyebrows drew down. It was clear she couldn't go on. "We're gonna stop now. I'll see if I can scare us up some supper. Why don't you sit down there on that rock and get some rest?" he encouraged, guiding her towards a group of boulders.

Charlotte looked up at him as she sat, her wide eyes reflecting fear. Vin crouched in front of her. "You ain't afraid of me, are ya?"

She shook her head unconvincingly. Vin sorted, smiled and pushed his hat back. "I reckon I look a sight to those pretty eyes of yours, Ma am. But don't worry. You've got nothin' to fear from me. Now, you just sit there and rest. I won't be far. You need me, you just holla, okay?" He replaced his hat and tipped it politely.

Charlotte's brow furrowed and she smiled, realizing that despite his appearance, he was gentle, kind and trustworthy... not to mention as handsome as hell. Everything and more than she'd prayed for.

Half an hour later, Vin had a fire going. He handed Charlotte a small plate with some cooked meat on it.

"There you go. It probably won't taste as good as you're used to, but it's food."

Charlotte tentatively bit into the meat and then began eating ravenously. Vin chuckled.

"I didn't realize how hungry I was."

"What you been through could work up a heck of an appetite."

Charlotte smiled at him. "You're a good man. Tell me about yourself."

"Ma'am?"

"You just saved my life. I'd like to know something about you."

"Not much to tell," Vin dismissed, leaning back against the rocks behind him. "I sorta drift from place to place. At the moment, I'm helpin' out with a Wagon Train," he finished, grinning.

"You don't like to talk about yourself. You have secrets to hide?" she giggled, winking at him.

"Yes, Ma'am, I reckon I do," Vin murmured, quietly.

Silence fell between them as Charlotte ate. Finishing the last of her meal she handed Vin the plate. "Are you dangerous?" It was coy... almost seductive.

Vin eyed her carefully. "Reckon that depends. That snake you just ate probably thinks so."

Charlotte laughed and leaned closer to him. "Do you want to know what I think?"

Vin's left eyebrow rose and he cleared his throat. "Suppose we should be goin'." Disappointment claimed Charlotte's face. "Your uncle's probably on the worry. Chris and the others will be too," Vin muttered, climbing to his feet and pulling Charlotte to hers. She shifted closer than was comfortable.

"Vin, thank you for saving my life." She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. Tanner stepped back. He wasn't startled and could have side-stepped the action, but he couldn't deny the beginnings of attraction. However, this wasn't the time or the place. When she moved forward again, Vin raised his hand between them.

"No."

"Why?" Charlotte asked. "I know you like me."

"Yes, Ma'am, I reckon I do, but this ain't right."

"Because of Will?"

"Maybe, but mostly because of me. I ain't the right sort of man for you, Charlotte. I ain't the settlin' kind."

"Who said I was?" Charlotte cooed.

Vin held her at arm's length. "Ma'am. No. This ain't gonna happen. Sorry."

Charlotte turned away from him, her throat constricting as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm worth nothing. Not to you. Not to Will... not even as much as a piece of paper."

Vin swallowed. "You're wrong. You're worth a hell of a lot more than a land deed."

"I... I guess I can't blame him. That land is everything. Giving it over would have been too much to lose. That deed doesn't belong to him alone.”

"And neither do you. You don't need to stay with him, Charlotte. If you want to be free of him, you just have to say so. My friends and I'll take you back to Four Corners. You can have a life there or move on."

"With you?" she asked, turning and staring into his face with such longing.

"No. Not with me. I’m sorry. Maybe if things were different for me, but they ain‘t. I got things that need takin‘ care of ‘fore I can consider such things. I‘d only put you in danger.“

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I don’t care.”

“Yeah, but I do.” Vin took her hand and led her back to Peso. “Come on, we had better get goin'."