Will Richmond spun at the call, spotting Charlotte and Vin riding into camp. For several moments he stood, his hands balled into fists, watching as Tanner pulled his horse to a stop, dismounted and then assisted Charlotte down. Charlotte righted Tanner’s hat for him, her smile almost splitting.

Richmond saw red. He crossed the distance between them and lunged at Tanner’s back.

“VIN!” Chris shouted.

The warning came just in time, Vin turning and sidestepping the attack.

“Will, stop it!”

Richmond swung his arm. Vin blocked it and then shoved the other man hard.

“That’s enough,” Larabee ordered, stepping between the two.

Richmond tired to skirt around Chris. “I’ll kill you, you son of a bitch!”

Vin’s left cheek twitched. “Think after that you'll get around to askin' if your niece’s all right?”

Richmond swung again, but Buck and JD. grabbed his flailing arms and dragged him back. A small crowd began to collect.

“I said, that's enough!” Chris turned to glare at Vin. “Both of you.” He wasn’t sure what Vin’s problem was, but antagonising Richmond wasn’t going to help.

Vin’s eyes narrowed slightly. He and Chris had a healthy respect for each other but Vin didn't actually take orders from anyone... not even Larabee.

“Will, we just stopped for food and rest,” Charlotte explained as her uncle viciously shrugged the other regulators off.

“She was damn near passed out,” Tanner growled, his eyes on Chris. While he owed Richmond nothing, perhaps he owed Chris an explanation.

“I can't fight all your friends. But tomorrow we'll reach my land. You step one foot on it, Mister, I'll shoot you where you stand.“

Vin held his ground, his eyes finally moving from Chris to Richmond.

“You comin'?” Richmond snapped at Charlotte. The young woman glanced at Vin, but she dutifully followed her uncle.

In two minds, Vin cursed, spun and marched off.

“He’s got it bad, Chris,” Buck whispered.

“Yeah,” Larabee grunted. Something didn’t feel right. He knew Vin. The look Vin had given him wasn’t what he’d been expecting, but he hadn’t had time to decipher it.

**********
LATER THAT EVENING

Alone and cross-legged in front of the fire, Vin watched Richmond head across the camp. The tracker glanced toward the wagons, rose and moved between them to where Charlotte was hanging some washing.

Spotting him, Charlotte rushed forward. Vin held his arms up to separate them. “Everythin' okay?”

“I... I guess. He's angry.”

“I’ll be leavin’ tomorrow as soon as we reach the land. The other boys will stay on for a while. Look, I meant what I said. You don’t need to stay with a man like that, Charlotte. He don’t appreciate you. The right man would.”

“A man like you?” she pleaded.

Vin sighed and shook his head. “No. Not like me.”

She laid her hand on his cheek. “Vin, you can’t pretend that there’s nothing between us. I can feel it... and I know you do too.”

Tanner frowned. She was right. There was something, but he couldn’t put his finger on it exactly. He was attracted to her, but there was something else... something that didn‘t feel right. “Charlotte, I already told you...”

“Please. Please, Vin. I've never felt this way before. We can be together. I could look after you and...”

“No,” Vin stated firmly, peeling her hand away. “But I can take you back to Four Corners.” In the darkness, a shadow approached. Vin noted it and dismissed it immediately as a threat.

**********

Chris had seen Vin rise after Richmond had crossed camp... and he had a pretty good idea where his friend was headed. Larabee weaved between the wagons, spotting the two shadows standing close together. As Chris approached, he detected Vin‘s voice.

“But I can take you back to Four Corners.”

“It doesn't matter. Just-- just go away, Vin. Just, please, just stay away from me.”

Vin took her arm. “It don’t have to be this way. You don’t have to stay with him. I can...”

“No. No, just stay away from me.” With that, Charlotte shot off into the darkness crying.

Vin released a long breath. What a mess.

Chris stepped out of the shadows. “She may have a point.”

“Takin' to followin' me around?” Vin snarled.

“It's gettin' out of hand. I ain't judgin' you, but this ain't the time or the place for it.”

Vin glared at his best friend. “For it? It ain’t what you’re thinkin’.”

“Oh?” The retort echoed doubt... almost an accusation -- like Buck and Ezra’s teasing accusations earlier in the day.

“How long are you gonna wait before you spill the beans about a certain lady?”

“Oh, for shame, Mr. Wilmington, you know a gentleman never tells. Which is why I was hopin' Vin might.”

“It's a long, lonely trail, Vin. Can't you just throw a couple of old hungry dogs a bone?”

“After all, the lady in question is quite lovely, and what could be more tantalizing than an illicit affair?”

Chris believed the same thing! Vin’s temper burst. He thrust a finger at his best friend and snapped, “One more person sticks their nose in my business, and I'm gonna do something I'll regret. So I'm tellin' you now, Chris, you stay out of this.”

Chris shook his head as Vin marched off. This was totally out of character. Larabee couldn’t help feeling that there was more to this than he understood.

**********

Richmond marched across to where Larabee and Buck were talking. “I want him gone. Now.”

Chris followed the line of Richmond’s hate-filled stare. Vin was saddling Peso. “He knows.” Larabee patted Buck’s shoulder and then strode across to Vin as he mounted. “We're going to stick around for a couple of days just in case O'Shea shows up.”

Vin nodded. He flicked his eyes to the ridge to their right. I’ll be up there watchin' your back.

Chris smirked and nodded. He understood. They hadn’t spoken since their ‘disagreement’ the evening before but all seemed to be forgotten now.

“Don't leave 'till you're sure they're safe,” Vin added, his eyes drifting momentarily to the group of settlers, looking for Charlotte. She wasn’t among them.

Larabee offered his hand. The pair exchanged a full, forearm grip. “Watch your back out there.”

Tanner’s chin bobbed once and after making eye-contact with his other companions, he urged Peso to cross the stream.

“I can’t believe he’s just leaving,” J.D. muttered.

Chris walked back to the group and his gaze brushed Buck’s. Wilmington grinned. “Oh, don’t fret, J.D. I don't think ole Vin's going far.”

**********

Tanner guided his horse through the sparse bushland, headed for the base of the range. He’d climb up to the ridge and make camp. Then, he’d just sit and keep an eye on things... close enough to assist should the need arise.

Abruptly, his senses prickled. Tanner’s hand dropped to his mare’s leg. Ahead, he spotted an outline.

“Come on out,” he growled.

Charlotte materialized from behind some bushes. “Ma'am? What are you doing out here?”

She raced toward him, and threw herself into his arms as he dismounted. Vin gently pulled the clinging woman away from him. “Ma'am? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No... no. I just... I don’t want to stay here... with him. I want to go with you.”

“With me? You mean, back to Four Corners?”

Charlotte nodded.

Vin sighed. “Ma'am, this isn’t a good idea.”

“But you said...”

“Yeah, I know, but I’m not headed to Four Corners yet. It would be best if you went back and stayed with the others... it’ll only be for a little while. Until Chris is sure that O’Shea isn’t going to trouble the settlers. When Chris and the boys leave, you can...” She had begun to cry. Vin reacted instinctively and drew her in. “Easy, now. You got no reason to be cryin’. Ain‘t nothin‘ to be afraid of.”

“Please don’t make me go back. I may not find the courage to leave again.” She buried her face into his chest.

Vin sighed, raised his hand and patted her head. “You found it once. You’ll be able to again.”

Charlotte looked up at him. “I don’t know if I will. Please. Let me stay with you.”

“It’s too dangerous. I’m going to be camped up there on that ridge keeping an eye on things and...”

“Then I can camp with you. You said it won’t be for long. I can help to look after you. You need me. Please. Please, Vin.”

Tanner sighed. She looked so scared. “All right, but just until we’ve talked this out.” Until he’d had a chance to calm her down. “Come on.”

**********

“She’s gone! That bastard took Charlotte.”

“We don’t know that,” Josiah stated, quickly.

“The hell we don’t.”

“Well, I get the feelin’ it wasn’t a kidnapping,” Chris muttered. Again, he couldn’t help thinking this wasn’t what it seemed. Vin had gone up to the ridge to watch their backs. Why would he take a woman with him?

“He took her. He’s a dead man!”

**********

VIN AND CHARLOTTE GET HALF-WAY UP THE RANGE WHEN THE POWERMAN MAN ATTACKS THE CAMP.

*********

Vin spun at the sound of the explosion. “Damn!”

“Vin, what’s happening?”

“They’re under attack.” Tanner fished into the saddle bags and dug out his spy glass. Two more explosions rocked the valley.

“Is everyone okay?” Charlotte cried. “Will. Is Will okay?”

“Can’t tell.” Vin continued to sweep the camp, looking for one person in particular. Chris appeared out of the smoke. Tanner watched as Larabee’s arms swung and the rest of the boys darted about to carry out his instructions. “Come on, Chris. Give me a sign, here.” Larabee spun toward the mountains and shook his head in a pronounced way. Vin sighed and lowered the glass. “He’s got things under control. I need to get to the top. I need to be his eyes. We’ll be able to see more from up there.” With that, Vin dug in his spurs, urging Peso to continue the steep climb.

**********

“Rider!”

Chris jogged toward the incoming horse. “Vin?”

“O'Shea's hired 20 new guns. They're right on our heels.” Tanner assisted Charlotte to the ground.

“20 more guns? This will get interesting,” J.D. chirped.

Buck rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “We got time to take out O'Shea and his men before they get here?

“Doubt it,” Vin murmured, spotting Will Richmond marching toward him, rifle in hand. The settler fired the weapon into the air and then levelled it at Vin. Ezra, J.D. and Buck all drew and aimed at the man.

“You got 5 seconds to get off my land,” Richmond snarled, apparently oblivious to the guns centred on him.

Chris reached out and laid his hand on the barrel of Richmond’s weapons. “Drop it.”

“This don’t concern you, Larabee.”

“You don’t want it to,” Chris snarled. Josiah moved up behind Richmond and wrapped his huge arm around the other’s chest, at the same time, pulling the weapon downwards.

“All right, now, fella. We're all in this together,” Sanchez whispered.

“You‘re fighting over me?” Charlotte asked, astounded.

“Let him go,” Vin ordered. Josiah shifted his gaze to Tanner, who nodded. Slowly, Sanchez released Richmond and stepped back. The settler raised his rifle towards Vin again. “Mister, this ain't the time. If you want to keep these people alive, we got work to do.” Tanner’s words appeared to hit the mark. Richmond licked his lips, his eyes darting to Ezra and then around to J.D. and Buck who still had the weapons raised.

Mary took Charlotte’s hand. “Charlotte, come with me. Let's get you cleaned up.” The young woman nodded, her eyes lingering first on Vin and then on Richmond.

“You even look at her again and I‘ll kill you.”

Charlotte saw something in Will‘s eyes she‘d never seen before. Something she’d been looking for, for a long time.

“Come on,” Mary encouraged.

Richmond swore and then spun and stomped off.

Vin sighed and shook his head. How had he got himself into this mess?

“Josiah, find me as much powder as you can,” Chris ordered.

“You got it.”

Larabee and Tanner were left staring at each other. “Vin, I want you to...”

“Don‘t,” Tanner snarled, turning and striding off. He cursed softly to himself. He owed Chris an explanation, but at the moment, his emotions were mixed up. He liked Charlotte and wanted to protect her, but his feelings weren’t of a romantic nature. The fact that everyone, including Chris, appeared to think they were only seemed to make his rage grow. Besides, at what point did Chris start thinking he could tell Vin what he should and shouldn’t be doing?

**********

PREPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK

ATTACKED AND RICHMOND INJURED... CHARLOTTE RUSHES TO HIS SIDE

SETTLERS DECIDE TO GIVE O’SHEA THE DEED

O’SHEA COLLECTS IT AND RIDES OUT.

**********

Chris rode up past the disillusioned settlers. The wagons were moving again, but away from their hopes and dreams. The gnawing in Larabee's stomach refused to abate. He hated losing, but this was out of his control. The settler’s had made their decision... a decision he couldn’t make for them.

Chris pulled his horse in beside Vin.

“Got out of there awful easy,” Tanner murmured as they left the valley behind them.

“Seemed that way,” Chris agreed.

It was time. “Chris, I'd like to set things straight.”

“It's your life. None of my business.”

Vin frowned. For the first time, he sensed that Chris’ anger was a blend of annoyance and hurt.

“Reckon you think I've been making a jackass of myself over some girl.”

“What I think is you're already gone.”

“Gone?“ Vin was shocked. Did Chris think he had been going to turn his back on his responsibilities for Charlotte? “I'm right here.”

“For how long? I need to know I can depend on you, Vin. Let me know when I can.” The words struck like physical blows.

Chris started to pull his horse to the right, but Vin’s hand darted out and latched onto his arm. “Depend on me? Is that what you said?”

Chris licked his lips, shrugged Vin’s hand away, but avoided his friend’s penetrating gaze. He knew he’d delivered a low shot, but he wanted to jolt Vin free of whatever it was that was interfering with the tracker’s usually impeccable judgement.

“DEPEND ON ME?!” Tanner roared in a voiceless whisper. “I... I thought you knew me better than that.”

The distress and pain and Vin’s voice was palpable. “I do... and I didn’t mean... I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. If you want her, fine, but you should have told us know so we knew what the hell was going on. I can‘t watch your back if I don‘t know what’s going on in your mind or your trousers.”

“There’s nothin’ goin’ on. She was out there waitin’ for me. She wants to get away from Richmond. Hell, Chris, I admit it. I feel somethin' for her. To tell you the truth, I ain't sure what. But while I got this bounty on my head, I can't be thinkin' of such things. I told her that up front, but I said that if she wanted to get away from Richmond, we could take her back to Four Corners. She could have a life there or move on.”

“Nothing between you, then?”

“Not from my end.”

Chris shut his eyes briefly. Now he understood... probably better than Vin did. Those powerful emotions zapping around Vin’s body weren't love, but an innate drive to protect someone who needed it. Protecting those in need was a much a part of Vin as breathing. “Not from your end, but she...”

“She’s scared.”

“She wanted to escape. She saw you as a means to do that... and you wanted to save her.”

“Huh?” Confusion lined every facet of Vin’s young face... for at the moment, he looked young. Larabee marvelled at the fact that he’d never truly considered Vin’s age.

Chris smiled and patted his friend’s arm. “Mrs. Potter was right.”

“Mrs. Potter? What the hell are you talkin’ about?”

“She said that you’re the type of man who would save the devil himself if he were outnumbered.”

“First of all, I have saved your ass when you’ve been outnumbered.”

“The implication being...” Chris laughed.

“If the boot fits... and second, she ain’t the devil. She’s just a woman who wants somethin' better for herself. I can relate.”

“Better than a family that loves her? A beautiful place to live? No, Vin. Charlotte wants to be needed. I guess we all do. Now, she’s needed,” Chris finished, inclining his head to the wagon behind them. Vin followed the gesture and spotted Charlotte with her arm looped through Will Richmond’s, the reins in her other hand. She was staring longingly into the other man's eyes and he was caressing her hair with his hand. “He needs her. That‘s what she wanted. He was taking her for granted. Whether she realized it or not, whether she set out to or not, she wanted to see just how much he cared and she used you to do it.”

Vin sighed. “Yeah.” Tanner focused out in front of him. “I’m sorry I didn’t make things clear to you, sooner. Not sure why.”

Chris smirked. “Would have been a bit difficult seeing as though it only all just became clear now.”

Vin glanced at his friend and snorted. “Real happy with yourself, aren’t ya, Cowboy? I hate it that you know me so well.”

“The feeling’s mutual, Tanner.” Chris offered his hand. Vin eyed it, grinned and the took the peace offering.

“We got out of there awful easy,” Vin repeated, eyeing the hills on either side of them.

“Too easy.”

“I’ll scout ahead.”

“I was hopin’ you’d suggest that.” Chris was the first to understand that Vin’s fierce independence - an attribute that had kept him alive for so many years - made it difficult for him to accept ‘orders‘... even from someone he trusted and respected like Larabee.

They exchanged a comfortable grin.

Tanner shook his head. “Damn. You’re doin’ it again... readin‘ me like a damn book.”

“Well, if you’d prefer, I can tell you to scout ahead.”

Vin snorted with disgust.

Chris smiled and watched his best friend ride ahead.