**** The fab four character’s don’t belong to me!****

Rating PG 13

Outlaws

by

Ceniana Aka CourtneyHawk
(Ceniana@gmail.com)

"I’m telling you, I hope the damned Indians kill every last Union soldier." The drunk looked at his cards. "General Macizne got what he deserved losing to a bunch of red savages.

Texas had withstood Union forces longer than any other Southern state. The city of Fort Worth was now full of what the locals called "Blue" coats. The Sundance bar was like any other tavern. You would see your selection of ladies waiting for a paying customer and plenty to drink. The poker table had five players. One was clearly the local drunk who would often lose his nightly wages, two well-dressed men who longed to see the wild west, and two other men who barely lifted their heads.

"HEY!" The drunk pushed one of the men. "You haven’t said a word all night! You and your friend haven’t even looked me in the eye."

"Why talk to a fool….Sir." The man’s voice was deep and his English accent was thick. He lifted his head, staring at the man with his deep-blue eyes. "I’ll call!"

"How in the hell!" The drunk stood up. "Cheater!" He yelled going for his gun. The drunk blinked hearing the click, feeling the barrel on his head.

"Are you alright, Sergeant?" This man’s English accent was mixed with a New York twang.

"Yes, Captain. Seems like this young man was going to apologize for remarks he made toward your late friend."

"So I see." The man smirked running one hand in his dark hair.

"I… I… I…" The drunk shook.

"Yes?"

"I’m sorry for your loss." The drunk managed to spit out running from the table.

"Niles …Gregory …" The man sighed, looking at his friends.

"Yes, Captain Sheffield?" Gregory, who had hidden his face well from the bar patrons, now heard the gasps. He was part Sioux …,part white.

"You two are determined to cause trouble?"

"Aren’t we on leave, sir?" Niles grumbled, looking at Gregory who nodded.

"Niles, listen, I know you’re my cousin, but…" Maxwell sighed. "Let’s just get home to the girls. We will worry about this later."

"At least I earned another month’s pay." Gregory laughed at Maxwell’s disapproving eyes. "Sir… I do have a wife to feed."

"I have a wife and three small children, Corporal… Niles has a wife and a baby on the way…" Maxwell smirked. "If this is a contest of who has the largest family, you would lose."

"Yes, Sir." Gregory laughed. "You should hear Francine, or at least see her eat."

"Sarah and I are looking forward to you both coming over for a good month-long visit. God… it will be good to get home." Maxwell put on his hat tightly on his head.

"Katherine…." Niles smiled. The marriage was something he had promised her long ago, when both his families and hers had left England. It wasn’t a marriage based on passion …but a friendly love. Now she was carrying a baby. Due at any moment.

"Well, Sirs… I’m going to grab my horse and ride toward the Territory." He smiled saluting the cousins. "Here." He handed over a small map to Maxwell. "If you are ever in my neck of the woods. Come find me!"

"You’re a good man…and a good friend, Gregory Stormshadow. Maybe you’ll tell me how a half-breed ended up marrying a Jewish girl!" Niles smirked taking the man’s hand.

He laughed then took Maxwell’s. "We will have to have a long talk about that indeed."

"Are you sure you don’t need help making it out of here?" Maxwell was worried he had seen the way the Texans were looking at him.

"Sir. I have dealt with this before…" He smirked. "I can outsmart the locals."

"Good luck." Max smiled, laughing.

They had managed only five visits home in the past seven years. It was the length of Niles’s marriage to Katherine. It was starting to dawn on Niles he really didn’t know his own wife very well.

"Niles? Are you alright, old boy?" Maxwell turned toward him while saddling his horse.

"It has dawned on me, Sir--"

"Niles. You can call me Max again." He smirked

"It has dawned on me, Sir. I really don’t know Katherine all that well." Niles frowned. He had seen the way Max would act around Sarah… For Niles, the passion just wasn’t there.

"It will be alright, Niles. Those things come with time. Just think of the small one that awaits you at home!" Maxwell hopped on his horse looking down at him.

"In just a week." Niles could smile about that. He had always loved children. His bright blue eyes seem to twinkle at the thought.

Maxwell laughed. "A week if we ride hard!"

"What are we waiting for!" Niles hopped on his horse, following his cousin out toward the open plains.

They road hard that week coming within distance of the Texas border with the New Mexico Territory. Traveling, one could smell the rotten buffalo corpses on the ground. "My God." Niles looked around noticing that hundreds lay dead. "If Gregory were with us he would be having a fit."

"Something feels wrong…We are about two days away from home… "Maxwell raised himself up looking out into the distance.

"They normally don’t travel this far." Niles walked around one of the dead animals. Look, the Indians would use every part of this animal. "

"I know--notice the horse tracks. They had been running this herd down for at least a hundred miles."

"Why not just kill the poor beasts?" Niles said, looking down at one of the huge bulls.

"Someone wanted to make a point. Niles. I think we should ride hard. Now." Maxwell felt the twisting in his stomach.

"Yes, I agree."

Niles woke up in a cold sweat shivering from head to toe. He ran a hand across his face feeling his rough chin. "I was screaming again, wasn’t I?" He looked over at the dark-haired Jewish girl who nodded.

She then leaned over, handing him a small piece of bread and turned to shake a sleeping Maxwell. He was mumbling that name again. "Babcock. Babcock. Babcock."

Maxwell blinked awake. Niles who had always turned to Max for leadership had now taken over the role. Finding their small settlement burned down had been hard enough. Finding the burned bodies had nearly driven both men insane. The railroad workers at the site just shrugged when both men had asked questions. "Indians." They had said, explaining they had seen the dead buffalo. Niles knew that was a lie…

"You should eat, Sir." Maxwell looked at the bread taking it from the smiling woman.

Fran left the room and Maxwell sighed. "I want to know where the hell is Gregory. Why doesn’t his wife say anything?" Maxwell played at his food. "I want Stuart Babcock’s head on my wall!" Maxwell growled.

Stuart Babcock, one of the richest men, had gained power by the use of the railroad. He was known for forcing small towns out of his way. Niles felt the same bitterness in his heart but knew Maxwell had lost so much more.

"All dead." Maxwell moaned mumbling, trying to fight the coming sobs.

"Yes, Sir." Niles pulled on his pants. He had cried for his wife, his child. Maxwell’s children, Sarah. It was getting them nowhere. Niles walked out watching Francine. She hadn’t said one word since they arrived on her doorstep three weeks ago. She had just taken them in. Niles saw them coming. Indians. But Fran showed no fear.

"Fran?" Niles walked up beside the woman who smiled. "Are they friendly?"

Fran nodded quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Fran ran up and hugged the tallest Indian who laughed, hugging her tightly in return. His eyes then fell upon Niles walking quickly toward him.

"Hallo," he said in broken English, taking Niles’s hand. "You are friend of Stormshadow?"

"I am." Niles smiled.

"I am called Cloudkicker. Stormshadow was brother." The Indian warrior nodded and Niles felt ice run in his veins.

"Was… He’s dead" Niles sighed, remembering the wild man who had faced down the gray coats during the war with ungodly courage.

"Come! English man… We will talk." He smiled, pulling him inside while keeping a hold on Fran. Maxwell was now awake and looked around. The Indians each took his hand and smiled.

"What happened?" Niles couldn’t wait any longer. Fran was handing each of the three warriors some food.

"Big Brother from the east. Sent men. Pushing us from the land. Was seeking to push us."

Niles had a good guess who big brother was. "Babcock?" Niles growled.

All three warriors nodded. "Yes… offered us shinny trinkets. We have no need for such things. Warriors rose up to protect the land. Men from the metal horses came to force us from the lands… so far the Father has protected us."

"That will not last long if Babcock gets the right people in office" Niles grumbled. "There is an old saying: know your enemy."

"Yes, Big brother is our enemy. They took our brother, Stormshadow. They wounded Laughingsneak’s heart."

Niles couldn’t help but look over at Fran. "Laughingsneak?" Niles grinned.

"She would always smile. Once, she would always sneak around. Now she never talks." He let out a long sigh. "You can’t harm men like this. You know that."

"You can. There are many ways to get revenge." Maxwell spoke up, his voice sounded like a small growl.

"Daddy! Can I please come?" C.C. looked into her father’s eyes and he laughed.

"Kitten, you know about the west. Your mother would have a fit if I took you along." Stuart touched his daughter’s chin.

"Taylor will be there! You and Mommy want me to marry him soon anyway." C.C. rolled her eyes. She had hated this arranged marriage from the get-go, but.would use it now, for a chance to see the Western frontier.

"Your mother is going to have a fit!" Stuart mumbled. "You have a point." He smiled, noticing that CC was becoming a beautiful young woman. "You will be married to him, after all, next month."

C.C. grumbled softly. Tied to a man who doesn’t really love me. He would rather have your pocketbook than me, she thought. "Yes daddy so take me along!"

"Alright kitten. Just because I can refuse you nothing."

**************8

Niles had lost everything. The small settlement he had called home was burned out. Whomever had done the act, wanted to place the blame at the Indians’ doorstep. The rumors of the horrible attack had reached them even here. Niles let out a long sigh remembering how broken Maxwell was. How they both had acted after finding the children… Niles shook his head. He was never a big drinker. But they both had remained drunk until arriving at Gregory’s front door… only to find their old friend dead too.

"Babcock is heading to Fort Worth?" Niles looked toward Cloudkicker who nodded. "That trip will take him at least… a few weeks. Give or take how far the rail road has expanded."

"Yes. The winds say he travels with a female--golden-haired like the sun. Your kin. Seems so distant like he lives in another world."

"A wife? Maybe--" Niles turned toward Maxwell. They had not returned to the fort as planed. "No doubt they think we died in the settlement." Niles shook his head wondering if they had been added to the list of the dead. It wouldn’t matter to their parents anyway. While Niles and Maxwell had fought for the Union during the war, both of their fathers fought for the South. "This man has taken much from both of us. Maybe it’s time we took a little back?"

"My great father once said, ‘Revenge does little to warm the heart.’" Cloud looked into his eyes.

"I’m not talking about revenge, my friend. Maxwell and I are no doubt dead men anyway. Maybe we can repair some of the damage he’s caused." Niles looked toward Fran who still hadn’t said one word. He wondered about her nasal sounding voice Gregory would always joke about, or her cheerful laugh.

"My people are being hunted. It is said that we take white slaves anyway. Maybe. We can act out one of those wild tales. You white men talk about if you have a plan Scarecrow. I am willing to listen."

"I knew you would." Niles smiled, winking at Cloudkicker.

C.C. frowned listening to the train. "I wanted to ride horseback!" Her father rolled her eyes at his youngest child.

"Kitten. You’ll get the chance, too. I’m sorry to say not all the railroads have been repair since the war. We will indeed have to ride into Fort Worth. I’ll be sending Mr. Jacobs with you."

"Daddy, why can’t I go on my own? I know he’s a Pinkerton." C.C. grumbled.

"You know it’s not proper. Kitten, your mother already had a fit about me taking you on this trip." Stuart smirked.

"Jacobs is no better than any other servant." C.C. grumbled looking out the train’s window.

"I really wish you would stop listening to your mother." Stuart sighed, looking at C.C.

"Well. Mother’s right. Anyone that takes money to pay a babysitter is no better than a servant." She snickered.

"The Pinkerton’s are a well-trained group of men. They are the best agency in New York."

"You realize most people out here hate them?" C.C. turned toward her father.

"Who told you that?"

"Well seeing him with that Pinkerton badge a lot of people were snickering at him."

"My dear child. They fear him. Remember, fearing is another form of respect." Stuart smiled then opened up the paper.

"Yeah but at what price." C.C. grumbled

"So?" Niles looked at Maxwell who grumbled.

"Don’t I normally lead this kind of mission?"

"Cousin we aren’t in the army… not anymore." Niles smirked. "Sir."

"I haven’t been myself. I know that, old boy." Max placed a hand on Niles’s shoulder. "We do this thing and we’ll be wanted men."

"Outlaws." Niles smirked. "I would suggest, Sir, we rid ourselves of any remaining piece of Army uniform."

"Why?"

"On the off chance they might used it to identify us." Niles pointed out Maxwell’s blue trousers.

"What do you expect me to wear?" Maxwell eyed Niles.

"Fran has a few things that might fit us." Niles smiled and Maxwell blushed.

"I can’t wear Gregory’s clothes, Niles… it wouldn’t be proper."

"Gregory wouldn’t mind, Sir. We are in need. He would understand." Niles handed over the Indian style leggings. Maxwell blushed looking at his cousin.

"Are you going to be wearing this as well?"

Niles rolled his eyes and smiled "Yes…We should try and grow or hair out a little as well to fit in with Cloudkicker‘s gang."

"My father would have a fit." Maxwell sighed.

"Does that matter anymore, Sir?" Niles grumbled.

"No. Not at all."

"Move along, Miss Babcock, we will be late for the stage coach. " Jacobs was a hard-looking man with a even harder-looking mustache.

"Listen, Mister Jacobs. You work for my family. Don’t order me around." C.C. snarled. "Servant."

"Miss Babcock, there are dangerous men out on the frontier. We are heading toward the very edge." He smirked at the stubborn woman.

"I think we are at the edge of the frontier. Isn’t Indian Territory toward our North?" C.C. had read every dime-store novel they sold in New York.

Jacobs laughed. "Those Indians are already tame. Some Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek and Seminole. I hear they moved Apaches into the land here lately. No, my dear, the age of the wild Indian is all but over." They both felt the rolling wheels as the stage coach started on its way. "There is little adventure left in the West."

"Famous last words." C.C. snickered softly. "I notice my father managed to get us this stage coach alone?"

"Again, your father is a powerful man."

"With powerful foes?"

"Why do you say that?" Jacobs blinked looking at the young girl’s growing smirk.

"Why else would he have hired a Pinkerton?"

"You’re a smart woman, Miss Babcock." He laughed.

"Yes. Now answer my question. What has my father been up to?" C.C. had learned long ago from her nanny that even though she had a distaste for servants they seemed to know everything.

"Building the railroad of course Miss… Building the railroad of course." He smiled, closing his eyes ending the decision.

"Fine… Your unease with my questions leads me to wonder if my father has been up to no good"

The screams awoke her. They had to be several hours from Fort Worth. It sounded like some kind of animal. But, C.C. blinked, noticing Jacobs was loading his gun. "GET DOWN!!!"

C.C. dared to look outside and saw the long, black hair. She heard the cry. C.C. blinked looking around. Babcocks don’t show fear. Not to anyone. "Give me a gun" She looked toward Jacobs, who laughed while firing outside.

"Stupid girl. You have no idea how to use it."

"Come out, lawman. We don’t want to kill you or the girl." His voice was deep. Is this what an Indian sounded like?

"We are outnumbered! Dammit! I told Mr. Babcock we needed to hire more men." Jacobs grumbled throwing both guns out the window.

"Coward." C.C. growled looking at him.

"Better to live and fight another day." he sighed.

"Step out slowly, white man."

Jacobs started to walk outside the couch. C.C. couldn’t help but snarl. "And all Indians are tame."

"On your belly." The stage coach driver looked to be unarmed but had a piece of cloth around his eyes. C.C. slowly went to the earth. She felt tender, soft hands go around hers pulling them gently back while blinding her eyes.

"What are you going to do to me?"

"Nothing if you behave, witch." He sounded harsh. Yet. When did a Indian have an English accent?

"She’s his daughter?" Maxwell grinned, enjoying himself.

"Yeah." Niles grumbled. "You’re enjoying this to much, Sir."

"Have you forgotten what Stuart Babcock had a hand in?" Maxwell growled Fran was watching the two men and let out a long sigh. "Have you?" He looked toward Fran who shook her head.

"Revenge does little to warm the heart" Niles heard Cloudkicker’s words in his head like a hammer. "She can’t be more than Francine’s age. Nineteen at least"

"They will be after us in a few days’ time." Cloudkicker mumbled. "We must travel toward my people’s lands… It is not right we should put brothers in danger."

"Miss Babcock can’t ride all tied up, Max." Niles snickered.

"Have you forgotten some of the names she called you?" Maxwell smirked.

"I haven’t forgotten…Lowlife…Savage…Servant…She’s got a mouth on her."

"She would not make a good wife for a brave." Cloudkicker grinned, looking at the men.

"No one is doing anything to her." Niles snarled and Cloud laughed.

"So protective of the dove. I think this one shall be her guardian." Cloud’s friend spoke up in a broken English accent.

"First one to touch her… I’ll skin them alive." Niles growled, eyeing the room.

"If only you had been there for this one." Cloud’s voice was a harsh whisper as he watched Fran leave the room.

Max felt a lump enter his throat. "What do you think happened?"

"I suspect much the way a man can feel the rain clouds come… she still will speak to no one."

Fran walked toward the small room which held C.C. Babcock. "Hello?" C.C. wouldn’t show fear not toward these people. "Hello? I know that someone’s here."

Fran took her tied hand, holding it softly.

"Who are you?" C.C. had felt her words rise to her throat but fought them back. There was a kindness in his touch. She felt the ropes being cut and C.C.’s hands went toward the blindfold.

"No." it had been the sharpest of whispers…C.C. heard the faint New York accent. Did she detect a little nasal to the whisper as well? C.C. nodded and took the woman’s hand.

"Laughingsneaks, what are you doing!" Cloud gasped, watching Fran leaded the blindfolded woman into the room.

"Who are you?" C.C. grumbled turning her face toward the voice.

"We will not harm you." Niles spoke softly trying to rid himself of his accent.

"If you wanted that you wouldn’t have taken me in the first place." C.C. fought the need to remain peaceful or do verbal combat with her captors. Her need for combat won.

"You seem like a spoiled little girl that’s been sheltered all her life." Niles snarled back forgetting to hide his accent.

"You sound like an upper-crust know-it-all." C.C. felt her heart starting to beat faster. What would these men do to her?

"Spoiled brat" Niles snarled

"Englishman" C.C.’s bright smiled lit up the room in a small victory.

"Brunette." Niles felt his blood rush to his face. What is it about this woman?

"That’s enough. Wildfire." Cloud laughed. He was rather enjoying the combat. "Save your best arrows for the hunt."

C.C. felt a small cup placed in her hands. "She doesn’t talk much." C.C. had gathered the one that helped her from the room had to be a woman. Her small hands gave her away.

"She doesn’t talk." Cloudkicker grumbled.

"She did to me." C.C. smiled taking a sip. She would have to engage in a battle of wits with her captors. ‘Course, you’re wondering if I’m telling the truth. Your silence is telling me that much"

Niles looked into Fran’s eyes who nodded. Why would she say anything to this… Babcock?

"So? When are we hitting the road?" C.C. felt the room had grown too quiet.

"Who says we are going anywhere?" Niles snarled.

"You’ll have to. The Pinkerton’s are good and you made them look foolish."

"I remember he wasn’t the only one forced to the ground." Niles sighed. This was bringing him no joy…. But something about the verbal combat warmed his blood. It was making him feel ashamed.

"I’m a woman, Englishman… We tend to run for cover. Next time you’ll find me more prepared."

"Next time I get a woman on the ground it will be for more pleasurable reasons." Niles snarled back.

"Is that a promise?" C.C. laughed. The sound of liquid being spit out was unmistakable. Mother would kill me if she heard me talk like this.

"We will leave tomorrow." Cloud rose from the table as Niles tried to regain his composure. "That is, if Wildfire can breath." Cloud laughed hitting Niles on the back.

"Wildfire?" C.C. snickered. "Well, he’s not named after his wit, that’s for sure."

Maxwell shot Niles a look.

"Sir?" Niles turned to face his cousin. Maxwell shook his head and that was enough to keep Niles quiet.

"The morning then…" Niles sighed getting up.

C.C. listened to the chairs trying to guess who all was present. Then again the small hands pulled at her. Leading her away toward the room again. "Talk to me?" C.C. now sounded like the scared woman she really was. Her wit had left her.

"You’ll be okay."

"Can you tell me your name?" C.C. held the woman’s hand tightly. "Why did they seem shocked when I said you talked to me?" Too many questions C.C. don’t scare her off.

"Fran" She was so quiet placing C.C. on the bed purposely keeping her hands away from the blindfold. "Sleep.I will stay with you."

"Thank you." C.C. sighed. Wel,l I wanted an adventure. Looks like I’m going to get one.

"I don’t like it." Niles grumbled standing outside with Maxwell.

"She spoke to her." Maxwell’s jaw was wide open. "She hasn’t said one word to us all these months, but spoke to her."

Is Maxwell jealous? Niles blinked, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We are males, Sir. You know what Sarah used to say." Niles blinked. Maybe I shouldn’t have said her name.

"It’s sometimes easier for a woman to open up to another woman." Maxwell grumbled, remembering that statement after trying to get his eldest child, Margaret to open up. "I have never seen your eyes light up like that." Maxwell said looking toward Niles.

"She’s a little witch, casting a spell on me." Niles smirked noticing Maxwell was smiling.

"Sure. Sure. If that is just her first spell, old man, I wonder what she has in store for the end of this journey." Maxwell walked away laughing.

"This is going to be trouble." Niles found himself looking upward toward the night’s sky.

At least my hands are free. C.C. sighed. She felt his hands hold her tight. It was the deep-voiced Englishman who she had engaged in verbal combat. No man back home dared hold her this close. Her father would have killed them. She could tell he was strong. God, if I could only see these people… but isn’t that the point? She had heard heated mumbles that morning over something. They all started to speak some native tongue around her. It was increasing her loneliness tenfold. Some adventure! C.C. rocked back into him and heard his soft groan.

"Don’t enjoy it too much, English." C.C. snarled. She needed something to get her going it had been a while since anyone spoke to her.

"Stop using your body against me." Niles snickered looking off. Yet he held her tighter.

"Stop enjoying it!" C.C. laughed. There was an odd comfort in this battle.

"You better behave, Babcock, or I will not be responsible for what happens." It had been at least a year since he had held anyone this close. Her hair felt so soft, brushing up against his face. The wind would do it again and again. I’m going to have to ask Fran to pull Babcock’s hair back or cut it. "What’s your first name?" Niles had been wondering this since they had taken the girl.

"I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

"Not a chance." Niles snickered.

"Not much of a man, are you." She snickered and Niles held her tighter.

"More than you can handle, Babcock."

C.C. grumbled to herself hearing the man yell out something to another. "You could at least speak to one another in English."

"Now that means we would be fighting fair." Niles laughed. "Why would we want to do that."

"My father is going to want me back." C.C. growled. Mother will not give much of a damn. Daddy will, seeing how he wants me married off. Either that or he’s going to pass that man off on D.D.

"I still think marrying you off to some poor Indian would be justice for you, Babcock." Niles laughed, watching C.C.’s face grow red.

Niles looked out watching Fran ride near Maxwell and Cloudkicker. "What did she tell you, Babcock? What did she say?" Niles couldn’t help but ask. Gregory had told them she was full of life. He sat by the campfire telling tales making his comrades laugh. Now this woman seemed broken.

"Why? What’s wrong with her?" Maybe you’ll give me some information I can use.

"I don’t know." Niles sighed. Should I trust her? "She hasn’t spoken a word since. I’ve known her."

That doesn’t help much. "Well, have you tried your charming wit?" C.C. couldn’t help it. It was mean when her captors was reaching out, but damn it.

Niles hissed slowly. "Do you have a soul? Babcock?"

"You try being hogged-tied. Blindfolded and forced to ride, and see how you like it."

"I’ve done it." Niles snickered coldly.

C.C. gasped in shock. Did he shiver? "English, I’m sorry."

She heard only his low grumble as his response. How can he know what it’s like to be tied and blindfolded? Maybe he was captured by Indians himself? Maybe he was in the war?

"We should stop here." Cloudkicker rode up next to Niles.

"Now he uses English." C.C. laughed.

"Careful, little dove. A treasure like yourself is worth good coin out here." Cloud winked toward Niles who glared back angrily. "I think someone is already trying to claim you." He rode off before Niles could snarl.

"Wonderful." C.C. snickered feeling the horse stop. She couldn’t see it, but she was sure the man holding her tight was smiling. "Stop it."

"Stop what?" Niles’s smiled quickly turned into a frown.

"Smiling." C.C. wanted so badly to touch her blindfold. "Please scratch my cheek. It’s been killing me."

Niles lifted his hand up to touch her cheek. The skin was so soft, like a dove’s feather. His hand went back and forth lightly. Softly. Niles had to hold back another groan. *Gods Maybe I should have … Niles looked around to judge who else could hold onto their hostage. "Bloody hell" Niles quickly put his hand down.

Niles got off the horse helping her down and into his arms. He could have sworn he heard a snicker coming from Fran?? Niles turned and the dark-haired woman was standing behind him.

"Hello." Niles started to blush as Fran took C.C.’s hand leading her away.

"Is he blushing?" C.C. asked quietly and felt the one tap on her hand that signaled a yes. "Good." C.C. let out a wicked laugh.

"You alright, old boy?" Max came up noticing that Niles was darker than an apple.

"I’m fine." Niles shifted. Dear God what’s going on with me.

"Wildfire. Darkmoon. Come here." Cloudkicker called out pointing toward Niles and Max. "You see?" he pointed at the tracks.

"They must be on patrol. We can’t stay here long." Niles reamrked, looking around.

"My people here are outlaws… They are wanted for fighting for freedom." He looked at both the men. "This might be about the girl."

"What tribes roam these parts?" Maxwell grumbled, rubbing his unshaven chin.

"Hard to say. The Father has forced many on to small lands. "

"Sir, we need sleep." Niles could feel C.C. in his arms still, his whole body was aching to touch her again.

Maxwell eyed Cloudkicker. "We must ride many, many more miles. And into the night." Cloudkicker answered. "More we travel the harder it will be for him to find us."

"We will need food at some point as well. Easier game up north?" Maxwell looked as Fran was coming back with Babcock.

"Better game. Better coats. We will need them for the travel north."

"Alright let’s go." Maxwell sounded almost like his old self. The military commander that had ordered men across the front lines.

Niles nodded toward Fran who. Was now smiling at him? She walked away climbing up on her white horse. "What did you say to her?" Niles growled pushing C.C. up.

"Girl, talk you wouldn’t understand." C.C. felt the jerk and his strong embrace around her.

"Careful about using your devilish tricks on me, woman."

"Who says they’re tricks?" C.C. wanted to flutter her eyes at him but settled on a coy smile.

Niles let out a soft groan. This is getting harder and harder.

Niles felt his whole body ache. They had ridden most of the day and into most of the night. Niles hadn’t felt this way since the start of the war. He was starting to get worried. "Sir, maybe we should take her blindfold off?" Niles watch as Fran helped C.C. eat.

"We do that and she’ll be able to give our descriptions to the Pinkertons." Max sighed. "She’s better off not knowing anyway. Are you going soft, old man?"

"No Sir…" Niles tried to focus on seeing his wife’s burned body. Maxwell’s children. This is just another mission nothing more. Niles then felt her soft hair touch his face. The feel of her cheek. Niles let out a groan.

"We are only human, Niles." Maxwell smiled, looking up at his cousin. "It’s normal you should desire a woman. I can’t remember the last time…." Maxwell sighed looking toward Fran. "Let’s focus on what needs to be done."

"You think the note we left on the Pinkerton will work?"

"It should."

"Alright. We need to move out!" Maxwell called over toward Fran. "Do we even know her first name yet? I feel strange calling her Babcock--or Miss Babcock."

"She will not tell me until I tell her mine." Niles smirked and Maxwell managed a real laugh.

"Would you like me to ride with her today, old man?" Maxwell looked toward Niles.

Niles felt the green-eyed monster of jealousy rising up. "No. No sir, I can handle it."

Maxwell smirked. "I’m sure you can. But can she?"

Niles walked up toward Fran who smiled. "Come on Babcock, we are riding."

"Can’t just sit for a few more hours?" C.C. was not used to this kind of riding. Her whole body ached.

"Can’t be helped." he frowned, noticing C.C. limping. Her whole body must be sore. Niles grumbled, picking her up in his arms carrying her toward the horse and placing her gently in the saddle.

This time it was C.C. who blushed. "Thanks." The word was barely a whisper and she felt the jerk signaling he was now behind her. C.C. expected he would take off now, but instead he pulled her closer. She felt his beating heart and C.C. let out a small gasp.

Niles smirked trying to keep pure thoughts in his mind. "Lean against me. It will help lessen the pain." Remember. Mother… Remember the holy church. Niles repeated images of pure women in his head.

"You sure, it’s not going to cause you any?" C.C. pushed against him again and Niles groaned.

"Behave Babcock. I would hate for you to ride with the Indians today."

"I think it’s you who would hate for me to ride with the Indians." C.C. laughed

How in the hell does she do that? "They don’t believe in your type of magic." Niles grumbled.

"What kind of magic do I have, English?"

Niles grumbled, thinking of his retort. It failed him as he held her even tighter. "Try and sleep, Babcock. I think we will be riding again most of the day and into the night."

C.C. followed his advice but felt his hand softly touch her cheek again. Gods help me. I’m attracted to a man I haven’t even seen.

Is this what being in love is like? Niles thought pulling her sleeping body closer to his. I loved Katherine. I really did, but I didn’t have this kind of banter with her. I didn’t feel this kind of. It had to be only lust. That was it. He was just lusting after this girl… If that was true why was his heart beating so fast?

"Careful, English, I might think you care." C.C. mumbled fighting sleep.

"Shh. I don’t care, Babcock, I would hate to see you ruined."

"Please. Tell me your name." Her voice was so soft. Scared even.

"Tell me yours first." Niles whispered in her ear and C.C. shivered against him.

"My family calls me C.C." She groaned, arching her back against his.

She had given him a nickname. What could he offer in return? "You can call me Butler." Niles whispered back shifting while he turned the horse.

"Servant." She responded in a teasing tone.

Niles let out a soft laugh. "You could say that"

"If I live to ever see the sun again, servant. I’ll tell you my first name." C.C. spoke in such a tender tone it was breaking Niles’s heart.

"You’ll live to see the sun again C.C. I promise."

"Again. I’m starting to think you care." Her hand touched his and held on tightly.

"Maybe I care…." Niles let out a soft groan. He didn’t mean to speak that out aloud. "I’ll make sure Fran helps you change into some better clothing when we stop next."

C.C. could feel her torn dress. She knew it looked indecent…. It also was giving her a wild freedom she never knew back in Boston. Or in New York. "Thank you." C.C. at last felt the pain of sleep over take her once more.

Stuart was upset… hell he was more than upset. "You just give up my youngest child? Just like that! You turn over your weapons without firing one shot?"

"Sir! I was badly outnumbered if you would have only hired more men!" Jacobs grumbled following Stuart down the train car.

"You’ll get more men, damn-it." Stuart looked down at the only clue he had to his child’s captors.

Now you understand how it feels to lose someone…

"Sir, men have already been in and out of the Indian territory with no sign." Jacobs shifted passed another woman as they both entered Stuart’s private car.

"GO AGAIN! I don’t care how long it takes. Someone has to have noticed something. Pay the locals whatever you like. Give them all the firewater and whiskey they desire. I don’t care! Do anything. I want her back… Get the driver to give the artist a better description of that party… or I‘ll never get C.C. back"

"Why am I on this train and not with the others then?"

"Because Jacobs, You are coming with me to tell my wife that I’ve lost our youngest child."

Jacobs stood there and gulped. B.B. Babcock would have a fit…

*************************

Niles blinked they had been camping at this river for two days. Fran had taken C.C. away for some reason at dust. It hadn’t dawned on him it might be this. She was stripped naked except for the blindfold. Niles groaned watching C.C. in the water. The small river they had camped in allowed for a sitting bath. The water was cold. Niles found that out yesterday. He looked around noting that Fran was nowhere to be found. He moved forward taking C.C.’s dress.

"I’ll be done in a moment, Fran." C.C. said softly.

Fran? He knew her name! So Fran had been speaking to her. Niles smiled to himself. This was an interesting situation. He started to eye her skin and felt himself harden with desire. "Now, what am I to do?" Niles couldn’t help, but laugh lightly.

"Butler!" C.C. gasped running back toward the cold water to hide herself.

"Aren’t you cold, Babcock?" Niles waved the dress around and noted all her other undergarments on the small bush. "No wonder you can hardly breathe sometimes." Niles laughed looking at the ruined clothing.

"If you were a gentleman, you would be going!" C.C. snarled.

"Didn’t you already say I wasn’t much of a gentleman from day one? I’m an outlaw now, Miss Babcock." Niles leaned over the water. "Come on out. I’ll close my eyes." Niles repressed the teasing laughter. He had no intention of looking away.

He then turned around hearing the snort behind him. There was Fran. Her hair undone. She was dressed but looking refreshed from a cold bath herself. Niles gave her a boyish grin and Fran managed a smile taking the dress out of his hands and pointing toward the camp.

"I’m sorry, Fran, I couldn’t help myself." Niles whispered in her ear.

Fran shook her head. She had seen the attraction between them growing these past few weeks. It had been unreal to watch and the fireworks of the verbal matches had been entertaining for all. "It’s no fun unless she gets to look, too." Fran’s words had been barely a whisper… it had been the most she had said to anyone.

Niles blinked, stopping dead in his tracks. Fran? He turned and again she pointed up the hill with a quiet smile.

Moments later Fran turned to C.C. who was now dressed. She quietly pulled the girl down to the ground. "Stay still."

C.C. grumbled, feeling the cloth removed from her eyes. The sudden light was blinding. She couldn’t make anything out. It was the first time in weeks anyone had dared to take her blindfold off. She rubbed her eyes madly, trying to get used to the light. "hurts… so bad." Tears started to form. Fran tried to hold her still. Niles had talked about his worry with her the night before about C.C.’s eyesight. Fran had agreed "Hazy everything is so hazy." C.C. smiled looking into her eyes.

Fran smiled back. It was not. Hazy. She was sure C.C. could see her just fine. Even though the setting sun must have hurt. "You’re in love with him."

C.C. wanted to laugh "Who?"

"Butler" Fran smirked.

"Hardly." C.C. shivered, trying not to rub her eyes again.

"You’re in love with him." Fran said again, softly. "Winter is coming. Two sleep better than one."

C.C. mumbled as Fran gently put back the blindfold. "Where are we going, Fran?"

"To friends." She said quietly tighten it on the back of C.C.’s head again.

They had hidden the remains of the encampment well as Niles pulled C.C. onto his lap. "Cold?" Niles felt C.C. shiver against him.

"A little." C.C. felt the temperature drop and wondered when Fran was going to be done with her new clothing.

"I have a few ideas of what might warm you up on this ride." Niles couldn’t help the teasing and the verbal play made the time go by.

"What happened to your wife?" C.C. asked quietly. Niles stopped his horse so quickly it made the others turn around.

"Are you alright, old boy?" Maxwell rode up beside him.

"Fine, Sir. I’m coming." Niles started his grey horse back up and held onto C.C. tightly.

"How the devil did you know?" Niles didn’t even try to hide it.

"Your ring finger. The ring is gone. But the finger has a smooth mark where the metal rubbed against the skin for a long period of time." C.C. found her hands running along the one that held her waist so tightly. "I’m sorry." She whispered. She could only guess what had happened to make a man do such a desperate act like kidnapping.

Niles felt ashamed of himself. "I was…too." He took her hand holding it. "So maybe you do have a soul after all, Babcock." Niles wanted to change the subject as quick as possible.

"Or maybe I’m casting spells on you again?" C.C. teased. "Did you like what you saw at the river?"

Niles had been trying to block that image out all day. Her curvy body. Niles started to groan feeling something rise to the image.

C.C. started to laugh in triumph. "See, Servant, you can’t say you didn’t! I have the proof now digging into my backside."

"C.C." Niles grumbled. "I’m trying to be a gentleman here, trollop. Stop teasing me."

"Sorry…didn’t I tell you. You’re no gentleman." C.C. smirked.

"At least I know you’re now blonde!" Niles laughed and saw C.C. turn red.

"I owe you one for that, Butler!" C.C. teased.

"I can’t wait to see what you come up with." Niles felt his hand starting to roam then stopped himself.

****************************

"What do you think is wrong?" Maxwell eyed Fran watching the woman clean the pelt.

"Why don’t you go up and ask her, Sir." Niles smirked. His cousin was being timid around Fran, which wasn’t usual.

"She hasn’t said a word to me, old boy." Maxwell sighed cleaning his long hunting knife.

"Well, lets see. We ended up on her doorstep. She was a frightened young woman that had just lost her husband… and baby." Niles sighed.

"Baby?" Maxwell blinked.

"Yes, Sir. You didn’t notice both graves?" Niles smiled sadly looking at his Cousin. Course you didn’t…. You had remained drunk for most of the journey…

"No…I didn’t." Maxwell sighed.

"The world didn’t stop when Sarah and Katherine died, Max." Niles placed his hand on his shoulder. "We are causing someone else a great deal of discomfort right now." Niles watch as C.C. stood trying to help Fran despite being blindfolded. "We should remove the bloody thing."

"No." Maxwell snarled.

"Sir, with all do respect, remember how it felt?" Niles turned to face his cousin now.

"Again, no Niles for the hundredth time, no…" Maxwell went inside this small military style tent.

Niles let out a long sigh. "Hello Wildfire." Cloudkicker smiled walking up toward Niles.

"Cloudkicker, how much further do we have?" Niles was getting annoyed at the pace. Clearly they had seen nothing in the way of military patrols.

"It is best to stay far from white-man towns?" He looked toward Niles with a smile.

"No doubt." Niles let out a long sigh.

"What is wrong?" Cloud turned toward his friend.

"My heart is longing for something I can never have." Niles looked toward C.C. and Cloud laughed.

"Take it!" Cloudkicker smirked. "She is already yours anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"A man’s heart sings out like the wind. The same for a woman’s heart. Darkmoon might want her blinded, but she sees clearly enough."

"Sounds like something Gregory would have said." Niles grumbled.

"It is my understanding. You’ll never give her back to Brother Babcock anyway."

"You got that right." Niles grumbled.

"Then give into it…" Cloudkicker walked away. "Besides, Wildfire, you’ll be sleeping much warmer than most of us. It will get cold tonight."

The firelight was so soft against the small camp. Fran had cooked and cleaned the animals they had hunted providing them all with warm clothing. Maxwell was shifting noticing the talk among the braves. Niles felt a huge amount of guilt. Both C.C. and Fran had been sleeping next to the campfire… refusing to take his tent. Or anything offered.

"It will snow tonight…" Cloudkicker was looking toward Fran. "You must take shelter."

Fran smirked, shaking her head.

Cloudkicker swore in his native tongue. "Are you looking to take the spirit ride? Do you seek death little one?"

Fran again shook her head.

"She can stay with me." Maxwell spoke up quietly and Fran blinked.

Now the proper thing would have been to suggest that I move in with you, Sir and the women could have the tent. Niles looked toward the other braves. All three of them nodded. I wonder do you have any idea what you just agreed to?

Fran was still in shock looking toward Maxwell.

At least Fran knows. Niles wanted to laugh out loud at the expressions. Maxwell was accepting Fran as his …. He can’t know… Then again Maxwell had seen them wander off together spending long hours talking while he would engage C.C. in playful combat.

Niles found his hand touching C.C.’s "Come on, Babcock, let’s get inside."

"Are you ordering me around, servant?"

"Well,. Those that don’t follow orders are punished. Would you like to be punished?"

"If I say yes, would you respect me in the morning?" He led C.C. into his small tent. He checked the room was dark enough. He pulled the bear blanked over her and smiled. "Let’s get rid of this tonight." he gently tugged off the blindfold.

There wasn’t much light in the tent save for the small candle that was lit, that was like a. knife poking at C.C.’s eyes. She groaned against his chest. Fran had been trying to train her eyes again to get used to the light… Lessons that had been just as painful. She grabbed at Niles groaning in pain. Niles quickly leaned over and put out the candle.

"Better?" he turned to face her, his lips inches away from hers.

"Yes." C.C. felt his breath. His powerful hands held her tightly. "Butler." C.C. had always held back her desires. Tonight they were both so close…

"C.C." God. He wanted her… so much. Her lips met his. It was the softest of kisses. Niles could at last see the deep blue eyes that had been hidden under the white piece of cloth. He was giving her a chance to pull away. To tell him to stop. Instead, she climbed on his lap wrapping her legs around his body.

"I’ve--Never." C.C. felt timid. The banter was gone. Only thing that remained was her desire.

Niles felt his hand roaming, grabbing at her right breast feeling the texture. He couldn’t think anymore. What did she say? Niles blinked as C.C.’s hands pulled his shirt over his head.

She had never seen his face. She could barely make out the outline of it now. All she knew was she wanted him. Her lips trailed downward, now licking his bare chest feeling the coarse chest hair. He was pulling her dress. C.C. raised her arms toward the sky as he pulled the cloth from her body.

"Mother of God." Niles let out a strangled moan. He had seen her body … well some of it that time by the river. But this close. Somehow, despite all the traveling, they had done, her skin was still smooth. He licked at her nipple madly as C.C. whimpered softly. "Shhhh." Niles couldn’t help but smile. He would have to muffle her cries tonight. Niles pushed his right hand downward while rubbing and twisting her nipples. He found it. He rubbed her treasure over and over again… He felt her gasp as he pushed a finger inside her. Something is odd here. Niles groaned, trying to regain control. He lost that fight just as C.C. pulled down his pants.

Please. Please. Don’t stop. C.C. fought the groan. She had felt his fear. Now that she had set his hardness free, her hands went down around the length of him and it was Niles’s turn to gasp.

Niles roughly grabbed her legs and wrapped them around his wait. He was rubbing against her, ready to enter. My God. She is a virgin! Niles felt the protective barrier as he rubbed up against her. I--Can’t.

C.C. arched up against him giving him no chance of escaping. She felt the pain of him entering her and shivered madly. Her world had been reduced to a rocking movement. Niles’s whole body shivered. He was forcing himself to slow down. At last they broke apart, his lips kissing away her tears.

"You. You. Didn’t tell me." Niles shivered rocking harder into her as C.C. held back her moan. She couldn’t even answer him. She didn’t care. It felt so good having that hard thing inside her.

"I love you." she managed to whisper softly in his ear, causing him to shiver even more. He wasn’t going to last much longer. He kept on thrusting. Softly but she could feel her own need building.

"I.love you." Niles groaned, meaning every word. He had, at last, found someone who was completely his match. He would never send her back to her father now. He wanted her in his bed and in his life. He felt the release of his own soul into her as he felt her release. It was a long time before either of them spoke. She was laying next to him feeling much warmer now. Her hands lightly rubbed his chest. "I didn’t know." Niles mumbled again looking at her.

"So? It was my choice." She smiled looking into his eyes.

His hands softly went over her silken breasts again. Now that he had her, what was he going to do? He and Maxwell had talked about ransoming C.C. back to her father. But this was before he had fallen in love. Niles let out a long sigh.

C.C. groaned out in pain hiding her eyes in his chest.

My God, we have to keep that thing off her. From now on Maxwell be damned. "C.C.?" Niles held her tightly as she cried out.

"Hurts so bad…" C.C. mumbled madly.

"The damned thing stays off." Niles tried gently to push her off his chest. "You’re going to have to look at me, sweetheart."

C.C. opened her eyes, the tears streaming downward. Her eyes started to focus trying to look into his deep, blue eyes. She felt his rough hands brush her tears away.

"Better?" He smiled, noticing her eyes.

"Yes." C.C. smiled, looking for the first time at his face. Her hands ran across the stubble on his chin and giggled. "You need a shave."

"First time you see my face and that’s all you can say?" Niles laughed brushing her hair behind her ear.

"You have a piece of dirt right there." C.C. smiled, pointing at his nose and he laughed, kissing her.

He leaned over toward her ear. "Niles…" He whispered so softly it had made her shiver. His hands rose up pulling her naked body tightly against his yet again.

C.C. giggled and shivered. She was sore this morning, but she could feel the biting cold outside. "Chastity Claire" She leaned over, whispering in his ear as he smiled.

"Chastity…" Niles looked in her eyes lifting her chin. "Will you stay with us?" Niles felt hope swelling in his heart. I have to ask her. I can no longer stand to see her blindfolded and treated like a prisoner.

"Depends on the benefits." C.C. was running her hands long his chin line studying every curve--every mark. She felt Niles’s hands run down to her bottom.

"I can promise many." Niles smirked, rolling her onto her back.

"Don’t you think we should…awaken for the day?" C.C. smiled as Niles started to kiss her neck.

"Cloud is on duty….we are… resting." Niles’s left hand spread her legs apart and she laughed. "Sore?" he looked worried. He didn’t want to hurt her.

C.C. didn’t answer him. Her lips found his rough ones. His fingers started to dig into her hips as he withheld himself from entering her. Niles knew she needed time. He was fighting his urges to take her quickly. One hand was softly rubbing her breast, the other rubbing her folds.

"Niles…" She moaned out his name and he rushed to kiss her lips. He remembered the tents had been spaced close together. He didn’t want to wake any sleeping neighbors. His hand twisted her nipple and he felt the yip of pain that caused her back to arch.

C.C. felt him waiting… God…Please.* She wanted to scream out but Niles was sealing her lips with his, keeping her from making any noise. C.C. then spread her legs to wrap around his. This is so…wrong. C.C. grumbled as she felt the waves of pleasure overtake her again. Something in her soul was trying to fight this… No…it’s not. "In me." She managed to mumble against his lips and Niles smiled.

"Babcock…a little pushy?" Niles felt so happy he wanted to cry out. He softly pushed himself back inside her feeling the tightness around him. He didn’t want to rush things. He knew C.C. had to be sore.

Her hands slid down toward his rear pushing him even deeper inside. "Serve me. Servant." She snarled and Niles held back his laughter.

"Can’t you wait … a moment … Brunette." he felt her pushing on him yet again.

"I though. I proved I was blonde." She smiled and then she let out a small yip of pain as Niles pinched her rear. She felt her eyes roll back inside her head as the movement of lust took control over them both.

C.C. blinked herself awake a few hours later. She found the sleeping blankets empty and her eyes tried hard to focus yet again. "Niles?" She sat up and the tent opened up as snow had blew inside. Niles looked like a furry beast and C.C. fought back laughter.

"We can’t stay here." Niles frowned as he was pulled some of the furs off his body. "Cloud says the snow will end tonight. We should all rest and try to head toward the winter grounds."

"There is something more, isn’t there?" C.C. could hear the worry. Niles handed over the piece of paper. She saw her likeness a simple drawing asking for a reward for her safe return. Then a picture of some Indian… Dead or alive.

"We can’t stay here." Niles frowned and C.C. pulled him toward her.

"Niles." C.C. had to ask this question. It was hanging in her heart like a darkness. "What did my father do?"

Niles let out a long sigh. "There was a settlement near the Texas-New Mexico territory boarder that wouldn’t sell out to him. So he forced them out." His hand reached over to touch her cheek.

"We do business by any means, Kitten! Remember that the only way to make a dollar is to push full steam ahead no matter what." Stuart’s words rang out in C.C.’s ears.

"I had seen so much death. I’ve seen men cry out for mothers, sisters, lovers, wives. But I have never seen." Niles’s eyes looked off, clouded and haunted.

"Tell me. Please." C.C. held him tightly.

"Children. Women. Men. Burned… their bodies. Arrows thrown about. C.C… I know Indian raiders. They didn’t take anything." Niles’s eyes started to tear up and this time C.C. raised her hand to wipe away his tears.

"Niles." She felt her own tears start. She held him tightly.

"They left grain, food and cloth. You see, Indian raiders would have taken this. Indians never waste what they can use. We found men. Five of them railroad workers looking over the damage." Niles coughed unable to go on.

Gods…Daddy. What did you do? You’ve driven good men mad. C.C. held him tightly to her breast hoping that her love would be enough.

*********************************************

Maxwell stood in shock looking into C.C.’s deep blue eyes. "Wildfire, didn’t I order you not to."

"Stuff it." Niles growled softly.

"What did you say?" Maxwell eyed him, walking up into his face.

"You heard me, Maxwell. It’s over. I’m not blindfolding her anymore." Niles turned toward C.C. and Maxwell forced him back around.

"Do you understand what could happen?" Maxwell was upset and rubbed his temples.

"Yes? And?" Niles waited smirking. "If you’re worried about Uncle James and Aunt Elizabeth. Then you should have fought for the South." Niles spat and turned away.

Maxwell turned him around quickly and connected with his jaw. Niles took a tumble toward some drying meat and groaned, falling into the snow. Niles got up staring his Cousin. "Is that all you got?"

"Stuart Babcock could send people after our families." Maxwell snarled.

"You remember last time we tried to visit don’t you!" Niles walked up to face Maxwell. C.C. felt a soft arm pull her back and nodded toward Fran. "They didn’t even care we survived the war! They had driven away our wives! Do you remember that, Max." Niles then raised his hand and connected with Maxwell’s jaw.

"Damn you." Maxwell snarled getting up.

Niles didn’t hear it… not at first. It was something that men only heard moments before death. The shaft of an arrow passing by… it had hit the bearskin Maxwell had over him forcing him back, but didn’t injure him one bit. Maxwell and Niles both turned in shock to Fran who was holding a bow and aiming another arrow.

"I’ll be--" Maxwell managed to spit out and Fran smiled. Still holding an arrow her eyes seemed bright to Niles. A sort of playfulness, like she was proving a point perhaps?

"I would suggest that both of you sit down. Talk about things without using your fists." C.C. wanted to laugh. She might not say much. But her actions speak louder than any words could.

"Or?" Maxwell was still looking into Fran’s eyes.

"She’ll get creative?" C.C. saw Fran’s smile widen as to agree with her statement.

Cloudkicker stopped and started to laugh. "She was always good with the bow. She should have been born a warrior!" Cloud was carrying some supplies and smiled at C.C. "About time little dove."

C.C. smiled back, feeling true kindness from this’savage.’ "Thank you." she blushed and Fran laughed softly.

"Well?" Maxwell waited as Fran lowered her bow with a smirk and walked away.

"What happened between the two of you last night?" Niles asked noticing Maxwell was turning bright red.

"I could ask you the same question." Maxwell grabbed his bearskin walking off.

Niles mumbled as C.C. smiled walking up to him. His arms quickly went around her small waist pulling her to him. "I can barely feel you under all that fur."

"You didn’t have a problem finding me last night." C.C. purred in his ear and Niles blushed.

Cloudkicker let out a small cough causing the pair to blush. "Ah, do not feel ashamed. This is a good thing. Men and women are not supposed to stand alone."

"And where is your wife?" C.C. spoke in perfect Sioux

Niles and Cloudkicker both looked to the small woman who laughed. "C.C. how did you—"

"You think all those long hours of hearing Sioux, I didn’t learn anything?" She smirked pinching Niles.

"I just…" Niles blushed and remembered C.C. staying perfectly still.

"Mmm?" C.C. waited. "Come on, Servant"

"Is there anything you can’t do?" Niles gushed, looking into her eyes.

"I know of a few things you could show me." She took his hands dragging him over to the tent. "but I fear everyone is breaking down camp. I am looking forward to seeing the Sioux."

"C.C., we need to be careful." Niles groaned looking at her golden hair flashing before him.

"I know." She smiled.

"Do you miss them?" Niles felt the guilt rise and fall in his chest as the started to work on the tent.

"Who?" C.C. blinked looking at Niles.

"Your family." Niles grumbled, wondering if he was crossing the line.

"Not really." C.C. turned away and Niles pulled her to him.

"Tell me." He held her tightly.

"My mother had little to do with me. I hardly know my brother. Or sister. My father." C.C. sighed looking away.

"You miss him." Niles grumbled. He doesn’t deserve you.

"I miss the man I thought he was. " C.C.’s eyes fell to the ground and Niles sighed.

"I’m sorry."

"Why? Niles, if I go back today, my father wouldn’t allow me anywhere near you! My mother would see you as a servant! I would be forced to marry a man I hardly know."

"What?" Niles … She was supposed to be married.

"My father was marrying me off to one of his business partners." C.C. frowned looking at him.

"Women are treated fairly poorly." Niles said taking her soft hands. She had been helping Fran for a while. How did her hands remain so soft?

"Here I’m free." C.C. smiled looking into his eyes. "Fran tells me women among the tribes are treated kindly."

"Fran." Niles frowned thinking. "C.C. Would you try to get her to open up more."

"For you, yes. But shouldn’t we be worried about that wanted poster?" C.C.’s eyes lit up playfully.

"You looked wonderful. Maybe we should think about cutting your hair." Niles ran his long fingers in her blonde hair.

"I could get Fran to help me." C.C. frowned. "Come on, Butler boy. We better get started or we will never make it."

Niles groaned looking around.

****************************************

"They have been gone awhile." The man stood in the small cabin looking around. "She hardly said anything since her husband died."

"You are sure you’ve seen this warrior?" The Pinkerton handed the wanted posted over to the Chieftain.

"Yes. He was her kin!" The man nodded once. "She sold most of her goods and left. Rumor is white woman was heading home."

"And where would that be?" another Pinkerton chimed in.

*************************************

They had encamped near a huge water fall. Nothing stopped the water from flowing. Niles shivered against C.C. trying to get warm.

He’s dreaming again. She frowned, rubbing his chin then his cheek. "Move right…." Niles grumbled under the dream. They had spent many nights in one another’s arms not always making love. C.C. didn’t mind. She just enjoyed feeling his body next to hers. What worried her was how haunted he was about the war--about his lost wife.

"Niles." She shifted trying to wake him up. She had seen the veterans from the war come back to New York. They had been broken men.

Niles shifted his eyes opening up. They had built more stable shelter. For Cloud had said, for at least for the time being, they could go no farther. "I’m sorry." He whispered.

"Tell me about the war." C.C. ran a finger across his lips his teeth reached out to nip at it. "Come on, Servant." She felt his hands run along her bare back gripping her rear and pushing her against his chest.

"Woman, didn’t I tell you enough." Niles snarled looking at her. "I would rather be making you scream out in pleasure than going over old history."

"No. You didn’t tell me about Gregory." She smiled and Niles nodded.

"You will all stay here and listen to my commands. You will get only a teaspoon of rice. Teaspoon of beans. And flour. Do I make myself clear?" The Southern commander screamed out

"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR.?" Niles could feel the man’s hot breath on his face. He wondered what he looked like. The smell of whiskey was on the man’s breath… the mixture of whiskey and rotten teeth nearly made him pass out.

"Yes, Sir." Niles said quietly.

"Good…What is this? Your skin is tan, isn’t it boy?" He heard the commander snarl toward someone else.

"I’ve been on campaign all summer, Sir!"

Niles tried to recall the group of prisoners. Maxwell. Please be alright. Please at least be in this group.

"Alright. Listen, these are the rules. If you escape you will be shot. If you disobey, you will be whipped. If you attack a guard, you will be shot. If you steal, you will be shot. Any questions? I SAID…ANY QUESTIONS!??"

"NO SIR!" Everyone screamed out. Max! The English accent was unmistakable.

"Lead them outside. Your blindfold will remain on. During the early morning hours IF you have it off, you will be SHOT!"

Niles stepped outside into the glaring sunlight hearing the order to lower blindfolds. "Max!" He ran to hug his cousin who smiled. "I mean, Sir." He grinned and saluted him.

"There is little military rank in this camp, sir." The man was dark skinned. Not African.

"Who might you be, Private?" Niles smiled taking the man’s hand.

"Private Stormshadow." He smiled. "But don’t be passing that around."

"An Indian?" Maxwell blinked.

"Half. Now, if you gentlemen are interested, I have an escape plan. Or do you sirs prefer to spend the rest of the war here?"

***********************************************************

Niles sighed thinking. His hands roaming up and down her bare back. "Shall we stay in bed all day?" It was hardly a bed … three thick furs but Niles could get used to this.

"What about Canada? We could all head there, or Alaska." C.C. was looking forward to the next adventure.

"We need money." Niles grumbled thinking about Cloudkicker’s suggestion about hunting for furs.

"Or we could rob my father’s train." C.C. had a devilish look on her face.

Niles sat up looking shocked. "WE couldn’t"

"Why not? " She smiled rubbing his chest.

"It--It’s wrong."

"Kidnapping isn’t?"

"Good point." Niles laughed hugging her tightly. "I would prefer to stay away from situations that could get us killed. Or caught.

"Then hunting." C.C. sighed and did her best pouting face.

"Woman, you’re nothing but trouble!" Niles grabbed her, smiling.

"What’s your point?" C.C. giggled.

…….

********************************************

"This is what she looks like?" The Pinkerton had drawn the picture while talking to the tradesman.

"Yes. A quiet woman. Never said a word! She sold me some fine silver." he smiled showing off the small silver pieces."

The man looked down to see the dark-haired woman with a cool smile staring back at him. "She has been selling goods for awhile. She was raised by someone from the Cherokee tribe."

"Would they still be living?" Another Pinkerton moved around the shop

"No. He was a noble warrior. He married some Sioux maid… Pretty squaw. I think this is her kin." He pointed out the Indian on the wanted poster.

"Would you happen to know his name? Or the name he goes by?"

"Cloudkicker. Yes. He is a Sioux… His brother. Went by the white name …Gregory. But here he was called Stormshadow. He, too, was Sioux."

"We heard she was heading home."

"Sioux lands?" The Pinkertons looked at one another. They both nodded and looked to the Indian shop owner.

"Thank you for your time." He pulled out the long barrel of his gun and fired.

Niles felt his hold body ache walking out into the pure white snow. Maxwell was watching Fran yet again at work. "She does anything she can to keep busy." Maxwell sighed looking to Niles.

"Sounds like us?" Niles smirked handing over a small wooden cup of something hot.

"Tea!" Maxwell smiled with delight.

"She traveled with Cloudkicker earlier this morning. Ran into a local farmhouse and traded for some goods." Niles took a sip and smiled. "Remember after our first battle Max?"

"How we did manage to forget." Maxwell sighed softly.

"Yeah, I’m scared to ask her what happened to Gregory… Cloudkicker has tried asking, but she will not open up about it." Niles sipped sighing. "We are going to be here a few more days. Shall we work on that problem?"

"We can work on this one, too." Maxwell handed over a new wanted poster that had Fran’s picture.

"Babcock will not give up on finding her, Niles." Maxwell eyed Niles carefully.

"I’ll go to the ends of the earth to be with her, Max. I’m not leaving her side."

"I see the same pain in her eyes that is in my own heart." Maxwell mumbled softly looking down at Fran. "She’ll sob at night when she thinks no one is watching." Maxwell had tasted his own tears feeling her pain.

"Shall we try all together?" Niles looked over at Maxwell who nodded. "C.C. had been attempting, but she refuses to break."

"Remember the stories Gregory used to tell about her?" Maxwell frowned walking forward.

"Full of life, courage, and wonder." Niles frowned shaking his head. Something about her troubles you. Doesn’t it Max? Maybe it’s because you see the same sadness in your own heart.

"We were never able to repay him for saving our lives." Maxwell grumbled.

Niles nodded and smiled noticing C.C. "No, we never did." Would anyone suspect this woman had been from one of the wealthiest families? Niles found himself laughing lightly watching her short hair move in the wind. "Is she teaching her how to use a bow?" Niles blinked as Fran started her lesson.

"Well she has to learn how to defend herself." Maxwell smirked watching his cousin worry. "Sleeping with her?"

"SIR!" Niles grumbled. "Have you slept with Fran?" He shot back.

"No, I think she’s not over Gregory." Maxwell sighed.

Or you’re not over Sarah. Niles thought.

C.C. laughed holding her sore hand. "How did you learn to do this?" C.C. had engaged Fran in whole conversations now.

"Ma." Fran smirked. "My adoptive Ma."

"What happened to your real parents?"

"We came from New York seeking a better life in the West." Fran frowned. "I was eight when they died."

"You still have a bit of your New York accent." C.C. smiled. "Do you have any other family still living from New York?"

"I am sure my aunts and uncles are still around." Fran sighed. "Last I remember my aunt and uncle had a small shop."

"Do they even know you’re still alive?" C.C. was butting in but Fran smiled.

"I doubt it. They would have come after me if they knew."

Stuart Babcock grumbled walking inside the large jewelry store. "This better lead us to some information." He looked at the Pinkerton. "I’m tired of all these dead ends Mr. Smith."

"Any information you can get on a case, Sir, is not wasteful." Smith grumbled.

"I have shopped here before." Stuart sighed noticing the dark headed man coming running towards him.

"Mr. Rosenburg ! A pleasure to see you again." Stuart put on his best fake smile taking the man’s hand.

"Sir! We are praying they find your little girl. I think all of New York is hoping for her safe return, but what can I do for you now?" He smiled. Stuart Babcock was no man to mess with.

"I was wondering if you could look at some silver pieces my men bought." Smith handed over a small box containing one fork, a small spoon, a silver cup. "I trust you know where this came from?" Stuart looked into his eyes and put down the new wanted poster.

"Frannie!" The man gasps. "She—she--she’s alive?"

Stuart read true shock on the man’s face and turned toward the Pinkerton. "This isn’t going to help me find my daughter." Stuart ran out upset while the Pinkerton stayed.

"What happened to her?" Smith was determined to follow the case.

"My sister and her husband went out west. Frannie couldn’t have been more than eight! Last thing I heard they found their wagon destroyed." The man sighed. "No sign of Frannie, but my sister and her husband had been scalped."

"Could you tell me her full name please?" Smith took out a pencil.

"Fran Fine."

"Thank you."

********************************************

"CLOUDKICKER!" The man’s voice roared into camp. Cloudkicker came running up.

"Well, may the great spirit bless you, Jack!" Cloud walked toward the wild-looking man hugging him tightly.

"Where is that brother of yours? Where is that pretty wife of his! Frannie!" He yelled out and Fran came up smiling. "Ahh I see you have new people!" He looked around seeing Niles, C.C., and Maxwell.

"Jack is an old friend." Cloud smiled as he noted the worried looks. "This is Wildfire, Darkmoon, Little Dove." Cloud introduced them all and Jack smiled. "Have you seen my father?"

"No, no. Not in many moons. Where is Stormshadow?" He looked toward Fran who frowned.

"With the great spirit." Cloud frowned as Fran quickly walked off.

"Well come. " Jack smiled toward the others. "It will be nice to tell a new group of people my lies." He winked at C.C.

Everyone gathered around the small fire laughing and singing along with Jack’s violin. "Where did you learn to play it?" C.C. asked.

"My papa said in order to be a real frontier’s man you need to have two skills." Jack raised his boney hand up. "One, to use a gun!"

"The other to use music to win the heart of a lady." Fran smiled as the group looked toward her.

"Yes, yes! Ah ha!" He smiled. "How about we drink to Gregory." He pulled out a strange bottle.

"Do you know how to play ‘Danny Boy’?" Niles turned to Jack who nodded.

"Indeed I do, Wildfire!" Jack got ready. Everyone raised their glasses to drink to his memory, then Jack played while Niles sang.

Fran felt the tears well up. They had opened the floodgates of emotion she had been trying to bury. "He came home. I wasn’t expecting him so soon after his last letter. " Everyone stood still not wanting for her to stop.

"Frannie!" Gregory ran up and Fran smiled.

"What are you doing here so early!" She giggled holding him tightly.

"What’s that noise?" Gregory looked around hearing what seemed to be a kitten’s cry. Walking into the smiling. "YOU DIDN’T TELL ME!" Looking down he found a small baby in a crib. Fran laughed her high-pitched nasal laugh.

"Now are you going to tell me why are you so early?" Fran smiled as he picked up the little girl.

"I would have been here sooner, but ran into some odd railroad workers." Gregory frowned. "I reported the misconduct at the nearest fort. They tried to tell me that they work for some hot-shot, Stuart Babcock."

Fran kissed his lips softly and he smiled. "I’m home to stay."

Fran blinked getting up and quickly walking away from the firelight. Maxwell was hot on her trail.

"I think we can only guess what happened next." Niles felt a cold shiver run down his back.

"Niles." C.C. felt sick. "How can she even look at me?"

"It’s not your fault C.C. You don’t control your father." Niles held her tightly against his chest.

"Fran, Fran wait!" Maxwell was running into the brushes. He had grabbed her arm and she stopped to turn around. My God, she’s feeling the same pain. I am.

"Go away, Maxwell." She mumbled softly.

"Please…Please don’t turn me away. Talk to me. Don’t keep shutting all of us out." His hand touched her chin forcing her to look upward. The moonlight traced both of their bodies, each covered with furs. "Don’t turn away…Don‘t stop talking. Please Fran! I want to hear that voice. I want to see that smile that could light up the deepest pit of hell." His hand touched her cheek softly while Fran looked back at him with tears in her eyes.

"Maxwell." Fran felt his lips touch hers. For the first time in a long while she didn’t want to think about anything.

**************************************

C.C. felt his soft hand on her backside and felt like she was cheating death. "All my life I thought money was more important. My father’s first rule was: do what one had to do." C.C. watched as Niles wrapped his hand around hers.

"What do you think now?" Niles asked kissing her forehead.

"I would do anything to stay here in your arms." She smiled looking up at him.

"I have gone from being a man of honor. To an outlaw, but I have never been happier." Niles smiled as C.C. kissed his forehead.

"I’m someone’s mistress." C.C. smiled teasing.

Niles felt his old honor being stabbed at. "C.C., maybe."

"Niles, I was only joking around." She smiled looking up at him. I know you’re still loyal to Katherine. I can wait forever, but the question is can we outrun my father.

"Cloudkicker says a person can disappear in the Sioux nation if they really wish to."

"I could get used to savage life."

"Trollops are often welcomed in wild places." Niles snorted.

"Servants are often needed to tame wild pigs." C.C. growled.

"Well…" Niles smiled looking down at her. "If the shoe fits!"

"NILES!" She screamed biting his neck madly.

"C.C.! " He yelped out. By now the camp was used to one of them screaming. "Brat!"

He rolled her over onto her back. "Now you’re going to make me pay, servant?" C.C. wiggled trying to escape from his arms half-heartedly.

"Don’t you pay me?" Niles smiled kissing her lips softly. "For the wage is fairly enjoyable" He smiled causing her to shiver.

"As long as you keep serving me well."

"Whatever you command." Niles raked his lips down her neck leaning upward to taste her nipples. He felt her body shiver with delight. She was so easy to please and yet so demanding of him at the same time. He felt her fingers digging into his backside pushing him against her harder and harder. Niles let out a loud groan looking down at C.C. "You. are likely to kill me."

She laughed, wrapping her legs around his bare waist "I promise, you’ll die happy."

"Of that I have no doubt." He leaned down again this time determine not to come up for air the rest of the evening.

*******************************************

"Storms are coming." Fran was leaning against Maxwell’s chest. He had been holding her tightly. She had let out all her grief and fear over these past few hours.

"Storms often come." Maxwell smiled looking down they both sat next to the campfire. He was more than happy for her company. Even happier now that she was talking to him.

"Not like this. I’m tired of worrying someone will take me away." Fran snuggled against him and sighed.

"Fran, I know you miss him." Maxwell saw her eyes look up into his. "I miss him, too."

"I know you miss your wife, Maxwell. I am not jealous. It’s healthy to talk about those who are gone." Fran saw his frown. "You can no longer drown your sorrows in whiskey. "

Maxwell looked back at her. He had been tempted to find the nearest town anywhere he could to drive those memories away. Of Sarah, Maggie, Brighton, .and little Gracie. "It’s…so hard."

"Maybe together we can heal both our wounds." His lips found hers again in another soft kiss and he was rewarded with another smile.

"In time." He felt the old shivers run deep in his body watching her.

**************************************

Cloudkicker wasn’t sleeping. He should sleep. He watched his sister-in-law from a distance and smiled. "Tell me, friend Jack what do you think?"

"Pinkerton’s are a hard bunch. Like bloodhounds." He rubbed his chin looking at his friend. "They have likely picked up your trail." Jack handed back the wanted poster. "Only a matter of time before they figure out you have those two in your gang. They can’t hide forever in your tribe. Frannie could, but Wildfire and Darkmoon there?"

Cloudkicker sighed. "War with army will come. " He nodded looking over at his friend. "Railroads will come even to this place."

"If not the railroad, it will be something else. I wouldn’t doubt this fellow…Babcock? Might use this kidnapping to take some advantage."

"Such is the way of White men." Cloudkicker shook his head. "I am sorry, friend Jack, I didn’t mean."

"No harm done!" Jack waved his hand. "I understand. After all, the Pinkertons are looking for me for some of the bank robberies I have pulled over the years."

Cloud smirked at his white friend. "Green paper." He shook his head.

"Yeah, green paper!" He let out a loud laugh. "I would break camp here tomorrow if I was you. I’m heading off eastward myself. I have something to do."

"More … banks?"

"More banks of course! I would ask your merry little band to come along, but I doubt they would be in the mood."

"It would be best if we traveled on different paths."

"As always my friend. As always…"

"We are going over this cabin again." James had been employed with the Pinkertons for a few months and had a natural gift for detective work.

"Men came here and left. They found nothing but some silver." Williams blew into this cold hands shifting one leg up then the other down.

"Do you understand that Stuart Babcock has now raised the rewards on Cloudkicker, Fran Fine, and his daughter?"

"You know what I understand, it’s freezing in here. Christmas will be coming soon, and I’m off in some--" Williams blinked pulling something out of the ashes. He had been trying to start a fire. "Hey, look at this."

He handed over a small photograph of three men standing next to one another. One clearly a dark-haired officer with a bright smile. One light-haired with strong shoulders, the other man looked to have darker skin than the two.

"Someone clearly didn’t want us to find this." James smiled.

"If that’s the case who are they?" He looked over the photo once more. "The fire did some damage to it."

"It’s a clue. That’s all I need to know."

"Oy!" Fran felt the full force of the snowball hit her back as she fell. C.C. could be heard laughing madly. "You call this fun?"

"I call it warming up for a real attack!" She smiled trying to hit her again.

"I’m not Niles!" She ran toward them and hid behind Niles who felt the force of C.C.’s latest snowball. Niles had been taking down some of the tents getting ready to move out toward the Sioux’s real winter camp.

"C.C.!" Niles growled. "You better behave, Babcock!"

Fran giggled still hiding behind Niles. "Eeeep!" Maxwell had grabbed Fran lifting her up toward the sky.

"Where do you think you’re going, Miss Fine!" He grumbled holding her tight. Niles and C.C. had noticed the more playful nature of Max’s and Fran’s relationship. It still wasn’t passionate, yet.

"I think your people have a tradition" Fran pulled out the mistletoe hanging it over her head. Maxwell smiled kissing her lightly at first, like a soft promise of things to come. C.C. ran by grabbing the plant from her hand.

"MINE!" She giggled and ran past Niles.

"Don’t you run from me, woman!" He grumbled. He blinked, seeing her slow down. "What’s wrong?" It was a noise he had heard hundreds of times before. It cut the air like a sharp knife cutting bread. He grabbed her, forcing C.C. into the snow covered earth.

Maxwell blinked and quickly stopped tickling Fran and grabbed his rifle. "CLOUD!" he called out falling to the ground. "Fran, get down!"

Niles blinked as he noticed Cloud and his braves hunting the men firing down on them. "Niles." C.C. sounded upset, and he knew why. He could feel the sting of blood on his back. If only I have kept my furs on my back rather than run around, the bullet wouldn’t have grazed me.

"I’m okay." He mumbled pulling her near. "Keep to the ground. We have to get to the rifles." He heard the Indian cry of battle and saw Maxwell firing at one rugged- looking man. C.C. and Niles managed to get to his rifle. Two men came charging in the camp with a wild-eyed look. Niles kneeled down aiming his gun letting it fire away. To everyone’s horror, a knife passed over his lowered shoulder. He heard the impact of someone falling to the ground and fired.

The other running man ended up with two arrows in his back. One due to Fran, the other due to Cloudkicker.

"C.C.!" Niles turned around and felt the color drain from his face. The knife was in her left shoulder.

"Are they all dead?" Maxwell turned toward Cloud who nodded. Fran ran up to Niles’s side.

C.C. looked whiter than the snow. "Hurts… so much." she groaned and Niles put his hand around the handle. "Fran, hold her down, get ready to put pressure on the wound." Niles looked down touching her cheek softly. "Stay with me, please." His tone was almost begging, or a soft prayer.

The pull of the knife was the most pain she had ever felt. Her eyes went wild with fear seeing the blood. "Get all the furs you can." Fran looked toward Maxwell. "We will need any. Firewater we have Cloud and any you can find off these whites."

The man ran quickly as Niles and Fran worked on a whimpering C.C. "Damned bounty hunters!" Maxwell grumbled as Fran started to work on the wound. She took a bottle Max had found, and looked toward Niles.

His face was full of pain. It was clear to him what Fran was about to do. Fran looked downward touching her forehead. "This will hurt. Are you ready?" C.C. nodded and she poured some of the bottle’s contents onto the wound. C.C. held back her scream. Fran raised the bottle to C.C.’s lips allowing her to drink. Niles quickly took over, allowing her to drink while Fran, with expert hands, worked on closing the wound. Niles had been shocked by how Fran responded, but he was starting to understand why she had been so prepared.

They all managed to get C.C. fully wrapped inside dozens of furs. They made her a stretcher, knowing that time was against them. "We should stay a day." Niles grumbled, looking at a sleeping C.C. She had downed two whole bottles of some type of whiskey.

"We will rest soon." Cloudkicker frowned looking at Niles. "I’m sorry, Wildfire."

"It is not your fault. I was the one that took her. She would be safely back East if I hadn’t come up with this idea to stick it to Babcock." Niles sighed.

"She would have been unhappy." Fran chimed in. "What is past is past. You can’t look backward." Fran turned and held his hand tightly. "Go see to her." He nodded walking away.

"Yes?" Cloudkicker knew Fran well enough.

"Fever will come. Do you think she can survive it?" Fran felt her voice break with fear.

"Only the great spirit knows. We have to get her to the encampment." Cloud sighed and Fran buried her face in her horse’s side.

C.C. looked over toward Niles who was touching her face lightly. He had lifted her onto the stretcher attached to a horse she had named Sunlight. "I must look really bad. Servant." She forced a smile.

"You’ll be fine." Please…Please fight. Niles knew his eyes were starting to water. "Don’t you dare leave me behind, Babcock. I haven’t collected my wages this week."

"I bend, remember, but never break." She snarled looking in his eyes.

"I remember."

"love …you." She mumbled.

I love you, too. You’ll make it. We will be happy no matter what. I’ll take you anywhere, Babcock! I’ll make an honest woman out of you! Niles kept touching her cheek feeling the warmth of her skin.

"Niles." Maxwell’s voice came across softer than normal. Niles stood up wiping the tears out of his eyes.

"Sir?" he saw Maxwell’s worried look as he handed him a piece of paper.

"Came off one of the men." Maxwell sighed as Niles unfolded it to see his own eyes looking back.

"So… now the real game starts."

"They are just looking for us. For questioning. Like Fran." Maxwell pointed to Fran’s picture.

"If they find us, Max. We both know Babcock will be doing more than questioning us." Niles snickered then looked at C.C. Hang on, Sweetheart. Please.

"Come on, Daddy, please!" C.C. was pulling on her father’s coat.

"Kitten! For the last time, no! I have things that must get done today. Your brother and sister are content to stay inside, why can’t you?" Stuart sighed looking down at his reports.

"It’s snowing! It’s always fun to play in the snow." C.C. gave her father the best pouty face she could muster.

"One day. You’ll see there is more to life than just fun and games." Stuart took his child’s hands in his and rose up.

"Life is more than just money, too!"

Stuart laughed madly. "Don’t let your mother hear you, Kitten…don’t let your mother hear you."

C.C. blinked awake shivering madly feeling the heat of her fever.

"Alright, we need to stop." Cloudkicker hopped off his horse smiling. "Ah, Little Dove is awake!"

She heard the footsteps and frantic rumblings. "C.C.!" Niles’s eyes looked bloodshot.

"How long?" The words barely came out.

She saw Fran’s face coming into focus. "You been out for two days." C.C. could see the tears in her eyes.

"I must have. Come close." C.C. shivered at her own words.

"We sill set up camp here tonight." Cloudkicker started to walk away. "It feels like it’s close to your two holidays, Christmas and Hanukah. I will go out and get something special for dinner with Twintails and Lightingstrikes." His two friends nodded, walking away leaving the other to set up the camp.

"Go help the others." C.C. smiled as Niles kept touching her cheek.

"Trying to order me around again?" He teased waiting for her reply.

"Servant. You need someone to keep you from being lazy, Butler boy." She smiled managing to free her hand from her wrappings to touch his tear-stained cheek. "Go. Help."

Niles managed to nod, getting up slowly. Thank you God!

C.C. looked to Fran who had pulled out a small few candles. She was doing her best to set something up to celebrate Hanukah. "Why do you even still try?" C.C. was sitting up now drinking the last of the warm tea.

"Try?" Fran blinked looking to her.

"I used to pray as a little girl. After all that has happened hhy do you still pray?" C.C. tried not to sound bitter. Her mother had used religion as another way to force her family’s social standing upward.

Fran looked into C.C.’s eyes, judging her. "I am still alive. I pray, because both my sets of parents are unable to in heaven."

"Do you believe in God? Or the Great Spirit, Fran?" She had seen Fran’s odd mixture of Jewish and native religion.

"God is God." She smiled and laughed seeing Niles and Maxwell coming in with a small tree. "What is that?"

"This is a Christmas tree!" Maxwell stood tall with a silly grin on his face.

Niles grumbled. "I wanted a bigger tree."

C.C. couldn’t help but laugh. "That’s alright, lazy servant." She hissed playfully.

"Feeling better?" Niles leaned down feeling her forehead.

"Some. So? What was that attack about?"

"Bounty hunters." Maxwell snarled. He turned to Fran. "Are we really going to meet Gregory’s father?"

Fran nodded quietly feeling a pain of guilt cross her face. "Yes. He’s a strong man and will ask many questions."

"Fran, why did Gregory fight in the war?" Niles had asked Gregory once. Gregory had dismissed him with a promise that one day he would tell.

"He said ‘A man has two choices. To walk away or do the right thing.’" Fran smiled looking into the fire she had built.

"Yes. good old Stormshadow." Cloudkicker walked into camp carrying two large, cleaned ducks.

Fran’s eyes lit up. "You cleaned them!"

"My gift to you." He walked over pinching her noise and laughed.

Fran laughed opening up a small bag. She had collected herbs and other spices during the spring and didn’t dare leave them behind in her small cabin. Everyone had gathered around the small campfire laughing and telling stories. It was more of a family setting than C.C. had ever experienced.

"What’s your Christmas wish, Maxwell?" Niles turned to his cousin with a bright smile. He was holding C.C. tightly against his chest.

"Christmas wish?" C.C. looked up.

"It’s something we do every year."

"Peace." Maxwell smiled while Fran looked into his eyes.

"I could agree with that." Fran smiled and looked over to Cloudkicker who had been explaining to his braves what holiday the whites were celebrating.

"What do you wish for, old boy?"

"I got my wish." Niles smiled and C.C. melted against him.

"You are in so much trouble later." She whispered shivering at his sweet words.

"What do you wish for, my dear?" Maxwell looked at Fran who started to blush. She’s at a loss for words. He couldn’t help but smile as she blushed.

"Don’t tease her, Max." Niles laughed. He produced two leaf-wrapped packages. He handed one to Fran and the other to C.C. He turned to Maxwell handing over a lump of coal.

"You remembered!" Maxwell laughed handing over the same package to Niles.

"Private joke!" He looked down to a smirking C.C.

"So I gathered."

C.C. looked down at the small item. "When did you have time to do this?"

"My, My. She’s blushing!" Fran laughed lightly. Niles turned to face her taking her small hands in hers.

"I know this all started out for the wrong reasons. I know I can’t offer you much." Niles coughed softly as Cloud smiled watching. "I give you, myself."

C.C. looked down at the small silver band in her hands. "Niles." She looked up into this blue eyes lost in them. "Yes."

Niles forgot all about the others picking her up in his arms and carrying her to the safety of the tent. Niles placed her down carefully his eyes flushed with newfound desire. "You better hurry up and heal C.C." His eyes roamed over her body. "I plan to make sure you are quite unable to walk the next morning."

Maxwell laughed softly at Cloud’s expression. Cloudkicker had been standing watching the holiday events. "Why the face?"

"You whites have odd traditions."

Fran started her high-pitched nasal laughter. The horses jumped up and down. Maxwell managed to hold back his teasing as Cloud got up to settle the animals.

"What is your wish, Fran?" Maxwell met her eyes feeling her glare right into his soul.

"Now, if I told you, Maxwell. It might not come true." Her tone was playful as she smiled. Maxwell moved in closer while feeling the protective eyes of Cloudkicker on him.

"Are you going to give me a clue, Miss Fine?" He touched her cheek, and she laughed lightly now.

"I could show you, Mister Sheffield." Her soft whisper caused Maxwell’s hair to stand on end. "I have a feeling my protector wouldn’t enjoy the show."

Maxwell let out a groan. "Soon as he releases you from your grief, I’ll make sure all your dreams come true."

"The way you hold me at night is enough for me." Fran ran a finger across his lips.

The blood-covered floor was hard to stand on. "Do that again!" The rugged man laughed as the Pinkerton hit him once more.

"I’m not going to ask you this again, Jack." Williams walked around the large man. "You’re going to be hanged in the morning. You could walk away a rich man, or a dead one."

Jack started to laugh, taking another fist to his face.

"Enough!" Stuart walked inside the jail letting out a long sigh. "You have a choice, Mr. Strong armed Jack." Stuart rolled his eyes thinking about the man’s nickname. "I want my daughter back."

"Yeah, well a lot of people want their lands back, Babcock." Jack spit out a tooth in the man’s direction as the Pinkertons rewarded Jack for his act.

Stuart grumbled, wiping the blood from his face. "Kill him." He left the room. "I’ll get her back, somehow. " He turned, looking at the head Pinkerton. "Find me someone that will accept my thirty pieces of silver and she better be found by the spring, or your agency will never recover."

"There are rumors of women being held by the natives!" The officer yelled out to his gathered troops. The men stood quietly in the rows with heads held high. "All of you have seen the pictures of the two women we are looking for." The officer took a deep breath. He was a Major here looking around, his eyes found the waiting Pinkerton. "It is your duty, should you see a native to question them about these women!"

"Yes, Sir!" The men screamed.

"These men are wanting for questioning! The Indian, if you see him, you will bring him back alive or dead! Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Any information you can gather will be helpful! Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir!"

Nigel felt the old pain in his heart. The man had been welcomed back into the army with a lowered rank. He used to be the same rank as Maxwell. In the Southern army he had even gone beyond his brother. He had heard that Max ended up as a Captain while his cousin, Niles, had chosen to remain a Sergeant. Now he was humbled in more ways than one.

"Sergeant Sheffield!" The Major called out and Nigel stood still saluting the officer. "These Pinkerton men would like to have a few words with you."

"Yes, Sir." Nigel groaned inwardly. Max is dead. Why in the hell is his and Niles’s picture on this flyer. Nigel followed the officer inside the Colonel’s office. The room was a small one but well furnished. It had reminded Nigel of the Virginia home of his parents. "Sergeant Major Sheffield reporting as ordered, Sir."

"Sit down, Nigel." The Colonel was an old war veteran who had seen better days. "This is agent Jacobs. He wishes to ask you a few questions."

"Sir?" Nigel did a head bow toward the Pinkerton.

"Colonel I request the good Sergeant here be allowed a leave of absence."

"On what grounds?"

"He’s going to help me figure out if his brother and cousin are connected to Miss Babcock’s kidnapping. This man was in Robert Lee‘s reports as being the best scout in the whole army. Your general has offered my employer anything he needed. Well, I need this young man." Jacobs’s smiled looking at the young man.

Nigel felt his gut being punched. Somehow it was telling him he was trapped….

Jacobs sent off his telegram later that day stating: I have found your Judas.

Graywind looked down on his son and the odd party before him. "You may stay." He spoke broken English. His feathers seemed to cover his hair. He waved the party inside this teepee.

Niles was the first to use the native tongue Gregory had taught him and Maxwell during the long nights of the war. "You honor us."

Cloudkicker was whispering softly into his father’s ear. The looks he was giving Niles and C.C. made them both want to crawl under a rock. Maxwell laughed lightly seeing his cousin shiver. Graywind’s attention was now focused on Maxwell, looking into his eyes. He was deciding something.

"You are not married?" He pointed to C.C. and Niles. They both blushed.

"No, Sir."

"We have…." He looked like he was searching for the English word. "Laws and customs. Here, I offer you a place among us. You will have to follow those"

Everyone nodded and he smiled at Fran. "Some still grasp to the old ways." Her smile caused Graywind to blush. "What …I am." He looked around still searching for his words carefully. "I can not allow a pairing without a marriage tie."

Fran started to smirk. Niles and C.C. looked at one another clueless to what Graywind was getting at. "He wants to marry you." Fran laughed again as the two looked to Graywind with awe.

Graywind nodded slowly. "It would welcome you into the tribe and the people have had a hard winter."

"With more to come." Cloudkicker sighed.

C.C.’s mind was racing. She started to laugh thinking about her mother’s face. If she ever found out how she was married. "Why not?"

Niles did a double-take. His face blushed with pleasure as he took her small hand in his. "Why not, indeed, Babcock."

Cloudkicker let out the laugh as ran outside the door to do his call to the whole Sioux encampment.

"Tonight we will feast!" Graywind called over one of his daughters who nodded at her father’s whispered words. "Summer will show you. Things. Her English is better than mine." He smiled as C.C. and Niles both got up. "You two stay." He pointed to Fran and Max.

Maxwell felt the rather large lump in his throat climb even higher. Niles placed a hand on his shoulder for comfort and walked out the door.

"Fran." Graywind spoke softly looking at her. Fran blinked Graywind had never used her ‘white’ name before. "Tell me, please."

Maxwell blushed. He was left in the room for moral support. Turning to Fran he saw the frightened look again. The strong woman he had come to admire, left.

"I--I." Fran muttered in the native tongue unable to find her words.

"We have all the time in the world." Graywind’s smile showed he was a patience man.

C.C. giggled looking inside the teepee. "It’s bigger than your tent!"

"I have a few ideas on what we can do with all the extra room." Niles smiled taking her in his arms.

"Niles." She shivered. C.C. was still weak but she couldn’t stand not feeling his touch on her skin. "You don’t mind? Being married like this?"

"I’ll take you anyway I can get you, Babs." He brushed the hair out of her face and behind an ear.

"Daddy’s still going to be looking for me. " She whispered as his lips moved in closer. "Babcock’s don’t give up easily."

"He can’t have you." Niles pulled her closer to him. "I kidnapped you fair and square."

C.C. let out a giggle looking into his eyes. "Careful, Niles, you never know what tactics Daddy will use."

***************************************

Fran smiled looking into C.C.’s eyes. She turned around slowly in the white leathery dress. "You look beautiful." C.C. could hear the soft ring of the bells.

"I feel a little silly." She blushed looking at Fran’s wounded eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I will be, in time." Her eyes went downcast.

"You said this is a rather simple ritual?" C.C. moved around again with the sounds of bells chiming. "My mother would so laugh right now."

"You’re going to marry a wonderful man, C.C." Fran touched her cheek and smiled. "You have had an interesting chance."

"Interesting chance?" C.C. shifted, looking into her strong eyes.

"It isn’t often people get to look outside the station to which they were born." Fran took C.C.’s hand, placing something inside of it. "Something borrowed and blue."

C.C. opened her hand to find a beaded necklace. The necklace had a blue bird in its center. "Oh, Fran."

"The dress is something that Graywind’s wife wore on her wedding day. It will do for something old." Fran smiled looking at her. "You’ll have to do everything he says during the ceremony."

"We don’t have to eat a dead baby, do we?" She asked, teasing her.

"Ha!" Fran took her hand then pulled her into a hug. "Don’t ever doubt yourself."

"Don’t you ever doubt yourself." C.C. laughed looking Fran over. "Maxwell, he’s a good man."

"Yes, he is." Fran’s words drifted away.

"Don’t give up on life. We all need you." C.C. whispered in her ear and Fran nodded.

"I will never give up."

Cloudkicker looked inside the teepee with a huge smile. "She’s almost ready! Good. Good. This is a good thing. Fran says you need something new?" He looked to Fran who nodded. He handed C.C. some matching white shoes.

"Thank you."

"This will be small, Little Dove. The elders of the tribe wish to witness. My father has asked an old friend to join us this day. So your marriage can be made legal in the White man’s world."

"Who?" C.C. blushed.

"Father Michael. He is a missionary."

"Don’t worry, C.C. If Graywind trusts him, then you have nothing to fear." Fran hugged the woman tightly.

Nigel hated pushy people. He had listened to the Pinkerton’s gather information and laugh. "My uncle and father received word that New Haven was attacked and everyone was killed." Nigel frowned, thinking about the last time he had seen the pair. It had been an ugly fight about which side they were taking in the war. It had ended with Niles and Max taking their families, never to be seen again.

"We have someone who has seen them." The Pinkerton smiled.

"Well, we will need more than just the two of us to grab Miss Babcock from an Indian tribe." Nigel looked off toward the west. Damn it Max. Niles. If you are still living… run…don’t stop…run,

Niles shifted uneasily, looking at himself. If anyone had told him two years ago he would be marrying someone in the middle of an Indian encampment, he would have laughed. He looked over at a pondering Maxwell. "This my wedding day and you look all gloomy."

"I’m sorry, old boy!" Maxwell blinked out of the daze he had been in. "We are really looking the part of wild men lately." Maxwell managed to cut Niles’s hair straight and smiled looking at it.

"Are you going to tell me what went on after C.C. and I left?"

"No. It isn’t my story to tell." Max brushed the back of Niles’s head.

"Is she alright?"

"Who?"

"Fran. Sir, sometimes I think you only half-way pay attention to me." Niles shook his head and ran a finger across his face.

"Sorry, old boy. Trying to make up my mind about something." Max rubbed his own chin and handed a mirror to Niles. "Don’t lose that. Fran would kill me."

"She would do more than that if given the chance." Niles let out under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, Sir, just nervs." Niles rubbed his hands together looking around. "You could tell her."

"Tell her what?"

"Maxwell, surely you’re not that dense! Tell her how you feel!"

"I couldn’t do that." Maxwell sighed, remembering Fran’s crushed face after her story.

"Why not? Don’t tell me it’s because of Sarah! Maxwell she would want you to be happy."

"What if I hurt her?" His voice was faint.

"Then I, and a few other people, will have to kill you." Niles managed a laugh while looking at his cousin’s eyes. "Take a chance, Maxwell. You never know what might happen."

Cloudkicker walked in looking Niles over. "Now you look like a true warrior!"

"I feel rather silly." Niles looked down at all the Sioux items he had been given to wear.

"The sun is about to sleep. It is time!" he pulled Niles out the door with Max following behind him.

Max noticed Fran standing near the back of the teepee. C.C. followed Graywind’s instructions and dipped her hands in the bowl of water as Niles did the same.

"So, Miss Fine?" Maxwell teased blowing in her ear. "Are you going to tell me what that symbolizes?"

Fran turned her head slightly. "The washing away of old loves…of old sins." Her hand found his and Maxwell felt his heart skip a beat. Graywind had offered them a knife showing them they had to cut themselves. C.C. did this with a groan as Niles chuckled. Graywind then placed the hands together taking a long, beaded rope tying the hands together.

Fran leaned over to playfully whisper in Max’s ear. "The mixture of blood. The joining of two into one. Normally this is where a wedding would end." Fran then blew into his ear and Max held back a groan.

The oddly dressed Father came forward carrying a bible.. "The good Lord says many things about marriage. I am sure you two have heard them all. Do you. Niles Daniel Butler take Chastity Claire Babcock as your wedded wife?

Niles lifted his free hand to brush away one of C.C.’s tears. "More than anything."

"Do you, Chastity Claire Babcock take Niles Daniel Butler?"

"Yes." She looked into his eyes and remembered Niles’s vow. I swear once you are well enough, Babcock! I’m going to make sure you are unable to walk the next morning.

"With all the powers invested in me. You are now man and wife!" The Father smiled as Niles and C.C. took one another in a lustful kiss.

"I know normally the bride and groom would attend a dinner." Fran smirked noticing Maxwell’s jaw drop as Niles carried C.C. out of the teepee. "But…things out here are more interesting."

"I…I…I’d say." Maxwell turned red and Fran gave out one of her nasal laughs.

"Nights out here are for passion." She smiled walking away.

"I shall try and remember that."

"If it comes to war, we must protect our rights!" Nigel grumbled, looking to his brother.

"The right to keep people enslaved? What kind of nation do we all live in? It might have been better to stay in England." Maxwell put down his fork looking at his younger brother.

"Some say even Robert Lee will quit the army. If he does that and it’s rebellion, I join the side of the right!"

"Careful, cousin! Sometimes the right side isn’t always the clearest side. You might shout states’ rights all you wish, but the only thing that Southern governments are worried about is slavery." Niles quickly took Katherine’s hand.

"Enough of this." James Sheffield looked at his gathered family. "This is Christmas for heaven’s sake! If war comes, I expect my family to do what’s right for our fine home." Maxwell looked like he was about to say something, but Sarah quickly silenced him. "We will stand together. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

"Clear." Maxwell coughed eyeing his brother.

"Clear, father. I would hate to have to hunt down Maxwell as a traitor to the South." Nigel laughed.

Nigel shivered awake. The dream had been so real he could smell the turkey on the table and taste wine on his lips. "Sheffield, do you ever sleep." Jacobs started to ready the horses.

"No." Nigel got up slowly.

His hands had invaded her flesh. "Who gave you permission to do that?" C.C. giggled as Niles rubs his hands on her rear.

"You did, when you said yes." Niles purred loudly in her ear. His hands started to trace her spine. They had enjoyed every inch of the eepee. "What more can I give you?"

"I have a few ideas." C.C. laughed as Niles pressed against her tightly. "It’s going to take a lot of practice."

"I can’t get enough of this type of practice." Niles kissed her. "We still have hours and hours" Niles smiled coyly.

Maxwell looked around his teepee. It seemed so empty. While they were traveling Fran would snuggle against him. He had to admit it… he missed her during the night. Nothing like a warm body next to you. It had been much more than that.

Maxwell shifted, trying to keep warm. "I couldn’t sleep." Her words melted his heart.

"Fran?" He got up dropping the fur blankets that had been around him. Maxwell was wearing nothing but his army trousers. His hand went to her cheek, touching her softly. "You remembered what Graywind said.about following the rules?" He smiled as Fran ran a finger up and down his lips.

"Do you want me to leave?" She dropped all of her fur covering. She was still wearing the dress she had been wearing at the wedding. Maxwell’s hands wrapped around her waist.

"No." He leaned down to kiss her.

Maxwell found his hands working its way upward. Fran’s dress gathered on his wrist as she leaned into him more.

Maxwell lifted the dress up over her head looking down taking in her full bare form. His lips met hers in a maddening passion.

Maxwell pulled Fran downward to his sleeping furs as she pulled down the trousers. Maxwell stopped, looking into her eyes. "You don’t have to prove anything to me, Fran." His hands cradled her face tenderly.

"I want you to love me." Fran’s words soft and gentle. Maxwell smiled his head moving downward to capture her nipple.

****************************

"My cousin and brother are honorable men. I doubt they had anything to do with this kidnapping." Nigel laughed like a man who drank too much.

"Honorable men have been known to commit crimes." Jacobs passed Nigel the whiskey. "They have been known to break the rules."

"They are men who are willing to march into hell itself for just a small piece of heaven." Nigel snickered thinking about Maxwell’s and Niles’s views on the war.

"You have seen them fight for a small piece of heaven before?" Jacobs raised an eyebrow looking at Nigel. "You sound like a bitter man, Nigel."

"If you ever had the pleasure of meeting my aunt and mother you would understand." Nigel took another gulp of the whiskey. "I thought. Once I was fighting for a heavenly cause."

"Well it doesn’t matter now… Once we get our hands on C.C. Babcock it will be their turn to chase us." Jacobs tossed the bottle out in the forest.

********************************

Niles turned C.C. back on her back not wanting her to get an upper hand. "Tease." he held her tightly wrapping her bare legs around his waist.

Niles pushed deeper and deeper into C.C. wanting to feel the oneness. "My God…" He groaned softly kissing her lips as C.C. rocked back into him.

Niles saw C.C. melt in heavenly vision. His whole body was begging for release, but C.C. was forcing him to go beyond his limits. "Earn your wages, Servant." C.C. hissed barely able to breath.

*******************************

"This is not how you play tag, Fran!" C.C. laughed, running quickly. Cloudkicker and Fran ran quickly after her. A stream of ten small children were right behind the adults going after C.C.

C.C. stopped, scanning the Black hills. "Got ya!" Fran grabbed C.C. laughing. "What’s wrong?"

"I never knew how big it all is." C.C.’s jaw dropped looking at the forests and hills. Cloudkicker ran up tagging her.

The children all ran up laughing. Fran’s smile had grown ever since C.C.’s wedding, three days ago. "I think we should head back." Cloudkicker looked around and waved the children away.

Fran stopped, listening to the trees. "What….what is it?" Fran gasped, her gut was pulling at her.

"Don’t you see it? " Cloudkicker looked up.

"Movement in the trees." Fran pulled on C.C. "Let’s get out of here."

"What’s wrong?"

"GO!!…Go now!" Cloudkicker pulled out his tomahawk

"A man can take only one path in life." Graywind took out a stick drawing a line before Maxwell and Niles. "Sometimes that path offers two branches." He drew two different lines attached to the first. "Sometimes… we are forced onto paths we normally would not travel." Graywind drew a curve line attached to the first. "The question that is before you… Once you can focus, which path will you choose?"

Cloudkicker ran forward hearing the music of bullets cutting the air. "NO!" Fran turned around tumbling C.C. to the ground. They both heard the thump of a body hitting the solid earth.

"For God sakes! Do not harm the women, Pinkertons!" An English voice that was not Maxwell’s nor Niles called out. "Idiots!"

"That is the question before you…" Graywind let out a long sigh looking to his students. "Babcock has forced you on this path." He pointed to the curvy path. "White men…with pictures. What can you do to escape your fate?"

"CLOUDKICKER!" Fran screamed out she wasn’t even thinking anymore running to her fallen friend. C.C. felt strong arms pull her up as she looked into Jacob’s face.

"Your ordeal is over Miss Babcock at last!"

None of the Pinkertons touched Fran nor C.C. She managed to walk over to Fran who was holding Cloudkicker’s head. "You’re going to be fine." Fran mumbled in the native tongue. The Pinkertons all looked at Fran--shocked.

"I think this girl has gone a little native. We should watch her carefully." Someone snickered as C.C. gave him an evil eye.

"Tell my boy I’m sorry." Cloud reached up to touch Fran’s cheek. "Fran.."

Fran coughed Cloudkicker had always called her Laughingsneaks or blue bird. "You’ll be alright."

"Say nothing to them, Fran in English." Cloud gave her a look then the same to C.C. "Remember to point the way."

The children came running inside the teepee like jackrabbits. All at once explaining the noises and what they had heard. Graywind’s face went dark then looked to Maxwell and Niles.

"What is it?" Niles stepped forward.

"Lawmen." Graywind walked out of the teepee.

Niles walked around madly. It had only been last night he had held C.C. in his arms making wild, passionate love to her. "Over here!" Maxwell’s voice had been soft with emotion as Niles walked up seeing the body of Cloudkicker.

They had scalped him. Niles felt his stomach turn over leaning down holding a nearby tree. Graywind cried out as only a father could. "They aren’t far behind." Maxwell pulled on Niles’s shoulder.

Niles turned on him angrily. "Alright damn it, Sir, I’m coming."

Jacobs hung his trophy on his saddle bag and laughed. "Maybe your brother and cousin are indeed dead, Sheffield. I am sorry to have wasted your time." He grinned looking at an annoyed Nigel. Jacobs had forced C.C. in front of him. She was in too much shock to even move.

Nigel held Fran tightly forcing her to settle down. "I’m… sorry." He whispered in her ear as she fought the onset of tears.

Fran was about to insult him in English, but remembering Cloudkicker’s words she decided on one of the seven native languages she knew. "You are going to be, because you’re brother is very much alive."

C.C. groaned trying to snap out of her shock while feeling the brush of Cloudkicker’s scalp on her winter clothing. Her father’s words rang out in her ears as she tried to regain self control. Babcock’s don’t get mad, sweetheart…they get even!

"Niles, over here." Maxwell picked up a blue beaded necklace that was attached to a tree. Maxwell’s mind reflected back to C.C.’s wedding to Niles. "Isn’t this Fran’s or C.C.’s?"

"Yes." Niles felt tired, his heart beyond heavy. "What are we going to do, Max?"

"Get back on our horses and ride." Maxwell smiled. "You know the old saying."

"While we live…" Niles managed to smile now.

"We fight." Maxwell got on his horse. "Have faith, cousin. We have not come this far, fought this hard to lose them now. I promise you something. They’ll turn up."

"You’re right, Sir." Niles had his boyish smile, but the smile was forced. Maxwell was being the army captain again.

"We can’t keep her." The Cherokee chieftain looked to his wife.

"She’s not like the others." His wife had been a sister of his greatest ally--a Chieftain who had also been his best friend. "She’s not Christian, Yellowtail. She’s already attached to me. We can’t just send her away."

The man threw up his hands as two small boys walked inside. "I know what you are thinking."

"We are keeping your brother’s children here because of their white mother. " Yellow tail sighed. "We will lose her."

The woman looked down at the girl holding up her chin. "She’ll never give up. Not this little girl."

Fran let out a small groan as she felt the arms tied. Looking over she saw C.C. in the same state. It had been hard to talk to C.C. She knew only some of the main Sioux language.

C.C. had coughed herself awake. Fran reached out and held her hand. "You’re not afraid?" C.C. worded her words carefully, whispering softly.

"He’s looking at us again." Fran eyed Nigel. He looked so much like Maxwell. "I don’t see anything of Niles in him."

"Niles’s mother was adopted into the Sheffield family." C.C. smiled, remembering her long talks with Niles after making love.

"I can understand that." Fran sighed, looking around. "I think Niles and I are a lot a like in many ways."

"Stay away from my husband." C.C. teased, getting some of her old fight back.

"See, feel better?" Fran smiled looking into C.C.’s blue eyes.

"Not the same." C.C. laughed. She knew what Fran was doing, trying to engage her in the same verbal combat she had shared with Niles.

Nigel’s ears picked up. He couldn’t understand a word of what they were saying but he heard one thing… Niles! Nigel carefully walked toward the women. The men had them tied to two separate trees. Nigel had put up fight over tying up kidnapped people.

Jacobs had laughed at him saying it was for their own protection. "You know Niles?" he sat next to C.C. She looked away from him. "Please… tell me. Have you seen Maxwell?"

Fran was biting her lip hard. She had remembered Cloudkicker’s last words to her. She was fighting with all her heart and soul. "Sometimes things aren’t as clear as they seem." Fran gave into her impulse

Nigel looked into Fran’s eyes. She looked away not wanting to see his eyes. "You do know them. They are alive!" Nigel’s face was joyous. Then it turned to dread.

C.C. looked into his eyes at that moment. "Only your heart can measure the degree to which you can trust Niles and Maxwell. I will say this. No one takes a Babcock where they do not wish to go."

Nigel got out, backing away from the women. C.C. looked to Fran who nodded. They both retreated to the native tongue. "You think he’ll do the right thing when the time comes?" C.C. watched an uncertain Nigel walked to the campfire.

"He will if he’s who I think he is." Fran muttered.

Maxwell grumbled, circling around looking at the forest. "Did you hear that?" He turned to Niles with a worried look.

Niles nodded and jumped back after hearing a long laugh. "Jack?" The big man came out of the woods with a huge smirk. He looked different this time. His face was black and blue and he was wearing an eye patch…

"Well, fellows…it’s your lucky day!"

The camp was small a few tents placed around an big open campfire. "Idiots!" Jack spit out into the darkness. "Only a fool would light a fire when they know they have people following them."

Maxwell was holding a carved-stone horse. It was as big as his thumb. "Nigel…" Maxwell placed the horse inside his hand and sighed. "Nigel is with them… last three marks came from him."

Niles turned to look at Maxwell. "Are you sure?"

Maxwell nodded. "I’m sure."

"Then we can do this my way." Jack smiled and both Niles and Maxwell noticed the man was missing a few teeth. "You fellows head toward the Blackhills. I’ll bring the girls in a moment."

"Why should we trust you?" Niles was becoming annoyed at the man.

"Because I know the area much better than you." Jack winked, fading away into the darkness.

"Fran did say the man knew things." Maxwell sighed, retreating toward the hills.

**************************************

C.C. blinked, feeling a sawing movement going on. "Whose there?"

"Shhhhh." C.C. moved her hands forward and gave them a good rub.

Fran smiled, feeling herself freed. She felt a gun and knife being placed in her lap.

"Were are you going now, Jack?"

"That’s Jack?" C.C. leaned over to try and look at the man.

"Follow the path." Jack muttered. "Towards the hills. Maxwell and Niles are waiting."

"What are you going to do?"

"Go after this Nigel fellow."

********************************************

Maxwell could tell Niles was in a bad mood. "I trust Jack."

"Well I don’t!" Niles shook his head. "I know Fran has a good eye for people." Niles started a small fire inside the dry cave. It was better than the tents.

"You know?" Fran smiled as Maxwell stood up grabbing her Niles held onto C.C. tightly.

"Thank GOD!" Maxwell held her face in his hands…

"You’re late, servant" C.C. sighed happily in his arms.

"I’m sorry, dumpling. I’ll make it up to you." C.C. blinked watching Maxwell and Fran in a heated kiss over Niles’s shoulder. "When did those two get so comfortable?" Niles turned around and started to laugh.

"Maxwell?" Niles smirked as Maxwell and Fran stopped. They both started to blush madly. "Is there something you wish to tell us?" Niles eyes danced with delight.

Maxwell blushed, holding Fran tightly to his chest. "I think you can read the signs." Maxwell laughed and winked at Niles.

"I think anyone can." C.C. smiled brightly looking at the blushing couple. C.C. felt the earth under her feet move suddenly as she held onto Niles tightly.

"C.C.?" Niles blinked as her felt her legs give out.

"Tired."

"We are in need of rest. We have had little food or water." Fran said, helping Niles get C.C. to the ground. "It isn’t good for her--in her condition."

"What condition is that?" Niles and Maxwell said at once.

"You would think you would both know." Fran snickered, helping lay her friend on the sleeping furs.

"You don’t mean?" Niles gasped.

"She told me." Fran smiled, touching Niles’s face softy. "God gives back what we have lost." Niles knelt down next to her with a happy glow on his face.

"Would you like something to eat?" Maxwell handed over some cold bread.

"Cloud?" Fran frowned.

Maxwell pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "We wait on my brother. Then we signal for Graywind."

"What are we going to do about Stuart Babcock?" Niles spoke up touching C.C.’s sleeping face.

"He needs to face some kind of justice." Maxwell sighed holding a quietly weeping Fran in his arms.

"I would agree. How can we hurt a man that only cares about money."

"There’s more to the story than you know." Fran sniffled. "Graywind told me all of it."

"What? What story is going on here?" Maxwell blinked, looking down at Fran who was now sobbing.

Jack walked in the cave all of a sudden carrying a bundle of furs, laughing lightly. "So,you at last know the tale." Jack smiled, uncovering a blindfolded and knocked-out Nigel. "Now that you are all here we wait for our back-up." Jack sat down smiling as Fran leaned over to hug the big man.

‘Ah, he did indeed tell you all the tale." He lifted up Fran’s head.

"Yes."

"Then we shall have our own story and once the tale is done, we will deal with Babcock." Jack leaned over the fire to light his pipe, but before we do, sleep would be best."

Nigel started to cough as his blindfold was pulled downward. "What the bloody hell is going on here!" Niles growled having his mouth shush again. The hand over his mouth was cold and dirty.

"Wow, manners young man! I saved you." Jack smiled and laughed at Nigel’s shocked look.

"I don’t feel saved." Nigel felt his ropes being cut and he turned to face a smiling Maxwell and Niles.

"Do you now?" Niles’s blue eyes seemed to shine looking at Nigel’s jaw dropping to the cave floor.

"I--we all heard…" Nigel felt hot tears form around his eyes. He had heard Fran’s words and feared they might not be living still. Maxwell pulled his younger brother on his feet hugging him with deep emotion. "Thank.God, Max." Nigel’s words seemed light and hazy.

"It’s good to see you, too." Niles laughed as Nigel took his hand.

"We all heard of the town being--" Nigel couldn’t finish "Sarah…Katherine? The kids?"

"All in a better place than us tonight." Maxwell felt the old stabbing pain in his heart.

"Max, I’m so sorry for--" Nigel sighed loudly.

"You helped save us from that prisoner of war camp." Niles laughed. "We never would have made it out of there without your help."

Nigel eyed C.C. who was still asleep next to the fire. "Did you two really kidnap her?"

"It’s a rather long story." Niles saw Nigel’s eyes glaze over. "A really… REALLY long story."

"This from the two men that told me to do the right thing during the war?" Nigel couldn’t help but laugh.

Jack smirked, cooking bear meat on the open campfire. Fran was handing some items from her bags that Max had brought. She stopped for a moment after she had found something. She handled the silver rattle with a soft smile. "You still have it?"

"It’s a good thing I’m a pack rat?" Fran rubbed at the silver, now seeing the engraving. "I didn’t notice this before, Jack. It explains things."

"I gave that to Fran when little Lilly was born." Jack smiled sadly."

"Lilly?" Nigel was completely lost.

"My baby." Fran’s eyes were full of heartbreak as she passed the baby rattle over to Niles, Nigel and Max. The now polished rattle displayed the engraving brightly.

Claire Patricia Babcock

Maxwell could tell there had been a date attached but it had been worn away. "Fran, Jack were did you get this?"

"I don’t even remember the year. What I do remember is the journey I was supposed to make to California." Jack puffed away on his pipe. "Let me explain. My real name Jackson Adam Terry."

Niles. Nigel and Maxwell all gasped. As C.C. woke up. "Hey, what’s going on?"

"Sit down, my dear!" Jack helped C.C. over to a smiling Niles. "Things are about to get interesting.

**************************************

After a while Niles, Maxwell, and Fran had finished getting C.C. up to speed. They even managed to fill Nigel in on what had exactly gone on during the kidnapping event. Nigel was laughing by the end.

C.C. stopped after hearing Jack’s real name. "Your last name is Terry?"

"Well, my birth name, yeah."

"Like in Terry railroad? Terry Shipping? The family that owns at least five major newspapers?" C.C. shook her head looking at Jack again.

"That would be me." Jack laughed.

"You gave up all that to become an outlaw?" C.C. couldn’t believe it.

"Didn’t you give up the same?" Jack smirked." I can’t remember. Isn’t there an old saying about a pot and a kettle?"

C.C. narrowed her eyes. "You married my aunt. The one I’m named after!"

Jack nodded. He placed a hand over his eye patch. "You know, I still feel the bullet. It’s still in my eye. Well, what’s left of my eye. Babcock and his men came down on me like wolves. He had no idea who I was."

"Jack, tell them the story." Fran’s words came floating in softly.

Claire let out a long sigh. She had married her new husband, because of her brother’s wishes. "Jackson. We could take a blasted ship inside of traveling cross country!"

Jackson smiled. He was a large man, full of life. Claire lacked any experience outside of New York, Boston or Washington. "Come on, Claire! Live a little."

Claire sighed. She didn’t love him. They had become friends. Strangely enough both forced into a marriage neither of them truly wanted. "Jackson, it’s just rather silly. We could be walking into dangers."

"Or! Maybe we could find ourselves!" Jackson kissed her hand softly. He hadn’t even taken her to bed on their wedding night.

"I hope you’re right." She let out a long sigh.

Jack laughed to himself causing the others at the campfire to jump. "We both had given into others’ wishes. Stuart needed my family’s backing. He married off his favorite sister to do it. My family needed Stuart’s standing. They married us both off."

"Why did you give the rattle to Fran?" C.C. held onto it then, looked to Jack.

"Because, a granddaughter should have something from her lost grandmother don’t you think?" Jack smirked at C.C.’s shocked face

Niles and Maxwell both recalled something that Gregory had told them.

"How did you managed to make it in the army?" Maxwell was shocked that Gregory, a half Indian, had been allowed entrance into a civil war unit rather than on the Western frontier

"I used my mother’s family." Gregory laughed.

"My father had his own nephews killed." C.C. felt a lump appear in her throat, forcing it down had been hard.

Fran’s eyes seemed to be drifting off into the firelight. "Jack and Claire’s caravan ended up being attacked… saved by…"

"Graywind." Nigel was getting the picture now.

Jack nodded. "I had. Have nothing on good old Graywind! A noble man. I don’t care if he’s Indian. After awhile neither did Claire. I have never seen a city flower change the way she did. Expect with her niece here." Jack smiled towards C.C.

"And now only Summer remains of her children. Sundancer of her grandchildren." The voice was full of pain but everyone noticed Graywind enter the campfire. Jack leaned over, offering the man the bottle of whiskey. "No. my wits are needed. The lawmen now sleep. They will not live to see another dawn."

"How is Sundancer?" Fran felt her heart sink running up to hug the man who was her adoptive uncle.

"He is strong, my little sneak! He is his father’s son. Summer’s heart is heavy."

"That’s why you called in the missionary." C.C. blinked looking to Graywind. "You wanted to make it legal."

"You do not need to follow your aunt’s fate." Graywind smiled, but his eyes gave away the fact he had been grieving another son.

"Now, your father awaits somewhere nearby for your return, C.C." Jack spit out the chewing tobacco into the campfire. "He must have been reliving a nightmare when your kidnapping became news."

"That is why Cloudkicker agreed to it." Niles mumbled. "He wanted to meet you."

"Don’t worry. No matter what, you’re among friends." C.C. let the words hang in the air. "Cloudkicker told me that, the night you took me." She looked at Niles.

"He and Stormshadow never said a word. Not one word." Niles felt an odd pain of having been left out of a great secret.

"What are we doing to do about Babcock?" Jack leaned over looking at his old friend.

"Brother Babcock will at last answer for his crimes in the only way he can understand. That is, if this one will help us." He pointed to Nigel.

"I will do what I can." Nigel felt his stomach tie into knots.

"I will be asking much of all of you." Graywind looked around at the group. "If you do not wish to walk this path, then I understand. It will mean if we walk this path right. My sons and my granddaughter can rest. My wife can rest. We all can be free of this sad pathway."

"For my own fallen children and any that might come after." Maxwell felt Fran’s smile. "I will follow."

Niles looked at C.C. who nodded. "We are in, Graywind."

"Well, HELL, old man!" Jack roared. "I’m in!"

"Then we will show this white man what it means to be outlaws." Graywind took some powder out of a bag on his belt, throwing it onto the fire.

"I don’t like this plan." Niles grumbled, wrapping the rope around C.C.’s hands. "I had different plans for this rope."

C.C. purred playfully. "You can tell me about it later."

"I would rather show you." Niles winked, kissing her softly. C.C. let out a school girl giggle.

"Ewww, break it up, people!" Nigel smirked.

Maxwell was quietly holding Fran’s hands. "I want--" Maxwell stumbled on his words.

"It will be alright." Fran lifted her bound hand to touch his cheek. "You’re not going to get rid of me that easily."

"You understand everything, Nigel?" Jack started to chew on the tobacco again.

"Yes. I still have to wonder."

"Didn’t we all agree you are better off not knowing what comes next?" Jack laughed. "Just make sure the girls are safe. Then, soon after your part in this tale will be over."

"Yeah, right, over. I just hand them both over to Babcock." Nigel hated his part.

"We all must all play our parts." Graywind smiled at the young man. "I’m sorry. Babcock started this tale. But we will all finish it to our liking."

C.C. leaned against Niles. "I’m already tired." She blew softly in his ear causing him to shiver.

"Keep your head down. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you." Niles found his hand wandering downward to touch her soft belly.

C.C. let out a soft giggle. "You start touching me like that we will never get this over with."

Nigel let out a long sigh. "Come on, ladies. We will be late for our date." Nigel felt his elder brother’s hand on his shoulder.

"Nigel."

"I know Maxwell, me too." He smiled, hugging his brother tightly. "I’ll make sure she comes back to you in one piece."

Maxwell let out the breath he had held in. "Thank you. Tell mother and father."

"I’ll tell them." Nigel winked, as he helped Fran onto the horse.

"Fran." Maxwell looked up at her. "Bloody hell!" He let out a growl. He could feel everyone’s eyes on them. It didn’t matter. He pulled her down to his waiting lips. Fran responded with equal passion. "You just wait until I get you back in my arms." He whispered as the both came up for air.

They all watched as Nigel, Fran, and C.C. rode out. C.C. turned away, noticing the fallen Pinkertons’ bodies had been burned.

"Keep looking forward." Fran seemed to have sensed C.C.’s rising distress.

She found her center looking at Fran’s hair and let out a soft sigh. "Soon." She closed her eyes trying to remember what her father looked like.

"Okay, ladies, here we go." Nigel smiled, looking behind him.

Niles and Maxwell watched as they went out of sight. "Please God, let them be alright." Niles mumbled and turned to his cousin. Maxwell had tears in his eyes. His mind must have remembered the last moments he had with Sarah. "Sir. Maxwell. Max. She’ll be alright." Niles placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you certain this is going to work?" Niles turned to face Graywind.

"In life nothing is a sure thing. Relax, one way or the other. It will all end."

"It’s the other I’m worried about." Niles growled looking at Maxwell. "Faith. Fran’s got more courage than anyone I know."

"So does C.C."

"Well, shall we fellows?" Jack grumbled.

"What’s your hurry, Jack?" Niles smirked as the man shaved his face.

"Nothing… I hate having to look the gentleman."

Graywind smirked, looking at his old friend. "Anything for a robbery."

Jack laughed, looking at the group. "Aye! Aye!" He turned to face the gathered group. "Alright fellows. The pieces are in play! Shall we begin moving ourselves?"

Maxwell loaded up the rifle and his pistol. "To hell and back. As long as I get to hold her in my arms again."

"Ahem." Niles smirked pulling on the cowboy had over his head. "Let’s go!"

C.C. held one hand over her stomach letting out a small sigh. "Do you remember how it felt, Fran?"

"Like my soul was uplifted. Carrying that small beautiful baby was the greatest thing I have ever done. Losing her and Gregory--the hardest."

"Are you in love with Maxwell?" C.C. looked at her new friend carefully as Fran smiled back.

"Yes, I think Sarah and Gregory pushed us together." Fran saw C.C.’s confused look and laughed. "Long story. Let’s just say. My heart is full."

"How do you deal with loving a man and the ghosts he comes with?" C.C. remembered Niles’s mutters. His quiet screams from the war--from finding Katherine.

"C.C. Everyone has ghosts. Niles loves you even if you still love your father." Fran didn’t smile unkindly toward her, but her pain was real.

"I’m sorry, Fran. He deserves everything he gets, but--"

"He’s still your father." Fran nodded. "We all understand that."

"I don’t know why. I feel sick inside after all he’s done."

"Sure that isn’t the small one making you sick." Fran giggled and C.C. gave her a sharp look

"What?" Fran blinked.

"Careful. Do I have to explain to you how small ones come about?" C.C. was now enjoying this teasing watching Fran’s face twist in the wind.

"I’m not pregnant." Fran muttered, her face still twisting.

"Are you sure?" C.C. halted her horse with a click of her heels.

"Fran? C.C.? Are you two alright?" Nigel rode up between a smiling C.C. and an upset Fran.

"I can’t be?" Fran muttered.

"Ladies. We have to make this appointment." Nigel smirked, looking at them. "Can we have playtime later?"

C.C. winked at the younger Sheffield.

********************************************

"Stuart, you are been pushing these men too hard!" Thomas had been Stuart Babcock’s associate for ten years now. He had never seen Stuart more driven to push his railroads further west.

"I don’t care who I have to buy. We should push these savages off our lands." Stuart grumbled.

"Stuart. C.C. will be alright." Thomas tried to say softly but Stuart just snarled.

"I told Claire she should have stayed home." Stuart muttered again looking at the maps.

"Is this about your daughter or your sister, Stuart?" Thomas eyed his old friend carefully.

"BOTH!" Stuart pushed Thomas out of the way. "At least some of those damned Pinkertons gave me one trophy." Stuart walked to the other train car opening it. Thomas could see three soldiers and one Indian sitting in a gilded cage. "Crazy Horse." Stuart smirked.

The man gave him a cold look back.

"You are playing with fire. Stuart." Thomas stepped back looking at the warrior.

"Maybe! Once this town is finished and my railroad is pushed further onward. Nothing will stop expansion."

"Sir!" A Major walked up to Stuart. "They have your daughter."

"YES!" Stuart jumped up hugging his friend.

Nigel looked around leading the horses carrying C.C. and Fran. "He’s building this town from scratch. It’s going to be a major train depot for westward travel."

"I can understand why Jack said he would be waiting for my return here." C.C. sighed feeling the eyes on her. "Most of the workers here are Chinese."

"Most of the railroad workers are Chinese or freemen. They will work for pitiful wages and forced to move on afterward. No doubt your father will push them out when he’s done with his dream."

"Nigel." Fran saw the Major walking up quickly. "The game is on."

Nigel nodded, shifting in his uniform. "Sir!" Nigel saluted the Major who smiled.

"C.C.!" Stuart ran up beside his daughter. C.C. kept her head looking straight ahead.

"Report Sheffield." The Major waved Stuart back to his side.

"We rescued the hostages from savages. I am sorry to report that the Pinkertons wanting to kill the Indian known as Cloudkicker ran into battle. I was ordered to bring Miss Babcock and any other white hostages home. I have done so."

"Yes, you have Sheffield, any news on…your brother or cousin?"

"No, Sir." Nigel eyed Stuart Babcock with a low growl.

"Good work, Sheffield. "

"Why isn’t she talking?" Stuart eyed Nigel who was still at attention.

"Sir, sometimes when we free women they have been under a horrible ordeal." The Major turned to face Stuart.

Stuart nodded. "You are right, of course. I should know that better than anyone."

Fran turned to look to C.C. "Courage." She said loudly in the native tongue to a gasping crowd.

"Ahh, Miss Fine! I am sure your uncle in New York will owe me a few favors when I return you safe and sound." Stuart walked over to the dark-haired woman. "Why can’t you undo their ropes?"

"Sir, I think you can understand why." The Major nodded to Nigel. "Get them on Mr. Babcock’s private car! " Nigel saluted to his commanding officer.

"Sergeant Sheffield." Stuart said softly after touching C.C.’s hand. "I will never be able to repay you, Major. You will see what can be done to restore him to his former rank of Captain?"

The Major nodded and looked to Nigel. "You have your orders!" Nigel saluted again to carry them out.

"Why do I feel like a Judas." Nigel grumbled into C.C.’s ear.

"You’re not. Just make sure it’s ready for us. We will do the rest." All three walked toward the back cars. The train was stylish. Stuart’s personal favorite. All of them took note that the major part of the army was in place before Stuart’s five cars. Fran was taking in the sights she had not seen since her travels from New York. Coming in out of one car to the next.

"Crazy Horse." Fran mumbled noticing the Indian prisoner. Their eyes flickered back and forth to one another.

"Where are those women going, Sergeant?"

"I was asked to take my prisoners to Mr. Babcock’s private car. " He looked at the Private carefully.

"That’s alright. We will take it from here." The man had his hat pulled down over his eyes.

"Yes… of course, Private…"

"Just remember the protocol." Another man called out. Nigel felt Fran’s hand squeezing his in an effort to say her goodbyes.

Nigel stepped outside the car leaning over in an effort to adjust his boot. His hand then reached over loosening the attachment this car had to the rest of the train.

Fran let out a long sigh looking at the held Indian. "What happened?" She spoke slowly looking into his eyes.

"Laughingsneaks." He smiled softly. "I could ask the same of you."

"No talking." The man growled, sitting both women down.

"Now what?" C.C. shivered, thinking about Niles.

"Now we wait, and hope to God this crazy plan works." Fran looked around.

"You and me both. You and me both."

Stuart smiled. He had C.C. back! "You see Thomas! Things do work out for the best." Stuart held a cigar in his hands, lighting it.

Thomas held his cigar in his hands. He knew the history of the Babcock family too well. "I am not sure who said it, my friend, but don’t count all your chickens before they hatch."

Stuart laughed, looking at his worried friend. "I have my daughter back miles away from Indian lands. Nothing anyone can do. Come on, let’s head for the train." Getting up neither man noticed the two cowboys at the bar. One lifted his head, his blue eyes ablaze.

"Shall we go count some chickens, Maxwell?"

Max lifted his head and nodded. "To the bloody end…"

"Talk to me, Kitten, please." Stuart took her hand and C.C. pulled it quickly away. "I remember how your eyes sparked thinking about the west. "

"So much like my aunt’s?" C.C. eyes flared looking Stuart’s direction.

Stuart let out a long sigh looking out of the window. The train had pulled away an hour ago--speeding toward the East. "Your aunt was a troubled woman after."

"Stop it, Daddy. I no longer wish to hear it." C.C. grumbled. "She was happy! How often did we go to that mental ward you forced her in.? How often did we have to listen to her tears? I never knew why!"

"C.C., you don’t understand what the savages did to her!. Or do you?" He looked his daughter over.

Stuart looked outside noticing the train was slowing down. "What the hell?" C.C. still had her hands tied together Stuart stood up looking around feeling the train move to a crawl. "Stay here, Kitten…"

C.C. grumbled softly. "Yeah, like I’m going anywhere."

**********************************************************************

Stuart looked around and noticed that the prisoner car was—clean. "What the hell?" Fran Fine and Crazy Horse were both missing.

C.C. undid her loosely tied ropes undoing them and moving toward her father’s safe. "Well, Butler, didn’t I joke about doing a train robbery when all this started?" C.C. muttered as she opened the safe. "Whoa."

"Greetings Stuart…" Stuart blinked he was looking outside noticing the cars had been undone for the rest of the train. "I think it is time we finally had a little talk." Graywind’s broken English was forceful and backed up by twenty braves.

Jack walked up, smiling in his military uniform. "I think it fits me?" He looked down at it. "Maybe a higher rank would have helped!"

Niles started to laugh, looking at the man. "Lose the eye patch and you could make a solider yet." C.C. slowly walked down from the car holding a large bag. "Thank God." Niles walked up holding her tightly. "I’m okay. Where is daddy?"

"Might be best for Graywind to handle him." Jack looked inside the bag C.C. held and grabbed his heart. "Lordie! That will buy the nuns a few gifts!"

"You buy things for nuns?" Niles smirked holding C.C. tightly to him.

"You think I keep everything I rob for myself?"

"You never know." C.C. pulled out two small bags and handed the rest over to Jack. "Make sure the nuns get the best stuff. Where are Fran and Max?"

"I think after Fran beat up two of the Pinkertons on the train. Maxwell pulled her into a major lip-lock." Niles laughed. "Of course, much to Graywind’s displeasure."

"He’ll get over it." Jack laughed. "We should get going in a few moments. I hope the old man hurries up."

"They aren’t going to hurt him? Are they?" C.C. wanted to walk around the train to see what was going on with Stuart and Graywind.

"C.C., Graywind has lost." Niles mumbled

"C.C. Don’t worry." Jack winked. "If Graywind killed him. He would learn nothing. It is better for a man to learn something. So the death of his sons would not be --wasted."

Niles eyed Jack carefully. The old man had cleaned up fairly well. He was now cleanshaven and his hair was cut military style. "One of these days, Jack. You are going to have to tell me how you managed to get on that train."

"Trade secret!" Jack winked, pushing his horse to the other side.

"Baby," Niles noticed C.C.’s eyes still wandering over to the other side of the train where the main part of the group was now gathered. "It will be alright." His hands wiping away her tears.

"You better be right, Butler boy."

"When was I ever wrong?"

"Let me see, you want a list?" C.C. laughed as Niles looked rather worried.

"You are going to be a handful, aren’t you?" Niles snickered running his hand down her neck.

"Day and night, day and night," C.C. smiled as Fran walked to the couple.

"We are ready for you now!"

Niles moved his horse over to the other side. An interesting sense was taking place. Stuart Babcock was in a woman’s dress, tied to the car while a photographer was taking pictures.

"You’ll pay for this, Jackson!" Stuart growled as an Indian placed more make up on the man.

"Oh, maybe." Jack smiled. "I will be sure to place this with a man I know in New York. If you ever come after these four again without an invite! He’ll know." He pointed to Maxwell, Fran, Niles and C.C. "Would hate to send a few of these to the President, or Governor, or anyone else I could think of that have a high standing."

"Your people don’t have much time left, no matter what I do!" Stuart eyed Graywind sitting upon his horse. "Where are your lands now?"

Crazyhorse smiled, raising a hand pointing to the west. "My lands are where my dead lie."

"We have to get going." Jack eyed the group. "We don’t have much time. That train might be heading back as we speak.

"Kitten!" Stuart grumbled, looking at C.C.

C.C. looked up into his eyes. "Goodbye, Daddy." She felt Niles turn the horse away following Maxwell who was holding onto Fran just as tightly.

They rode to the Black hills. Graywind stopped turning to face his white friends. "My journey is not yours." He smiled looking at his friends.

"They are going to come after you now." Fran whimpered.

Graywind looked up to the setting sun. "The night has fallen on my time." He placed a hand on Crazyhorse’s shoulder "Others will come to take over the battle. I go hope to enjoy the habits of an old man. I will miss you, daughter of my heart." Graywind rode up to hug her. "If this white man treats you poorly, I shall hear of it." He growled looking at a blushing Maxwell.

Fran’s eyes started to tear, holding onto the man that had been her uncle. "May the spirits keep you safe."

"We all have to get moving. The danger isn’t over yet." Jack grumbled looking outward.

"Be well, Graywind, I shall not forget you." C.C. whispered hugging the old Indian.

"Keep your heart pure, little dove. It will always guide you well."

*************************************************

Niles felt the sadness on everyone’s shoulders. They had ridden away from the train cars hours ago. "Baby, are you needing a rest?"

"If you call me baby one more time, servant, I’ll beat you." C.C. teased him playfully.

"If I say that turns me on, would you respect me in the morning?" Niles laughed as Maxwell turned to look over his shoulder.

"Niles." Maxwell said, rolling his eyes.

"Now, Sir, she started it!"

"You have used that line on me way too much Niles." C.C. rolled her eyes.

"Woah, woah there! We are still on the run folks! Play time is for later!" Jack smirked, reaching up to rub his whiskers. He let out a long sigh remembering they had been sacrificed.

"Where are we going exactly?" Fran grumbled.

"Hide out. You’ll love this one, Frannie." Jack laughed, noticing her strange look. "You don’t remember, do you?"

"Oooo!" Her eyes became wide. "Your wife?"

"Wife???" The others blinked looking at Jack.

"Yeah, I have a wife--another one. Pbbbffft" Jack grumbled.

"The man’s got a wife in every town he passes." Fran giggled, looking at Jack.

"You know there are laws against that." Niles snickered looking at Jack.

"Yeah, well. She’ll cook us a good meal before you folks decide what path you wish to take." Jack smirked looking at the scared couples. "You’ll be alright."

"Yeah." C.C. leaned against Niles, feeling him breathe heavily was enough to wash away her worries. Babcocks don’t get mad--they get even. "Let’s only hope it’s the end."

"Are you alright?" Niles looked into her watering eyes.

"We still have that backup plan, right?" She muttered in his ear.

"Maxwell and I learned long ago. It is always right and proper to have a backup plan."

"Niles, keep it ready, just in case."

The five rode up to the lake. Seeing one of the mighty great lakes took her breath away. "I have never seen such a body of water." Fran’s childlike eyes had been searching around trying to remember this land.

"I know why, you—" Jack grumbled. "Nevermind!"

Fran smirked, eyeing the older man. "There it is!" Fran pointed at the small buildings near the lake.

"Where is here?" Niles felt his whole body ache. Jack had kept them on their horses for hours on end.

"The locals call it ‘The Lake of the Woods’" Jack smirked. "Tonight, we’ll eat a fine meal!"

"JACK!" A pretty middle-aged woman came running to the group. She had tackled Jack to on the ground.

"Maggie!" Jack laughed as she was feeling his chin and playing with his clean cut head.

"What did you do to your eye?" She grumbled at him.

"A man wanted me dead. What else is new?"

She hit him playfully as the others watched this small woman take on this giant of a man. "I told you! Not to lose anything!"

"Damn it woman! I had to crawl out of my own grave this month! I think losing an eye can be forgiven."

"Frannie!" The woman had thick rich red hair and pulled Fran into a bear hug. "It’s been too long. It’s been too long! The stars told me you were coming!"

"Is there anyone you don’t know?" C.C. was helped off the horse and stood next to Fran. She smiled at C.C. carefully.

"Nope!" Fran smiled turning to face C.C. "Maggie, this is C.C., Niles her husband. And Maxwell."

"Your intended?" Maggie laughed watching Fran.

Maxwell smiled taking the woman’s hand. "Maggie’s a lovely name." He kissed it softly causing the woman to blush.

"HEY SHEFFIELD! What are you trying to do here?" Jack roared playfully.

"It isn’t often Jack brings real English gentlemen to our home!" She gushed looking up at Maxwell’s unshaven face. "I suppose you could use a real bed for a few nights!"

The woman showed the couples into two rooms. "See about bringing them some hot water, Maggie! I’m sure these .’gentlemen’ need a shave." Jack roared as Maxwell closed the door trapping Fran in the room.

Maxwell couldn’t help but have a look of hunger in his eyes.

"What?" Fran blushed moving back.

Maxwell’s mouth moved slowly trying to form the words, but his voice was failing him. He moved in closer, trapping Fran against the wall, holding her like a china doll. He tried again to say it.

"Yes?" Fran giggled, watching him flush with emotion.

"Marry ne." He leaned over kissing her neck softly as Fran wiggled under his chin whiskers. The knock on the door shook the room. Maxwell let out a soft groan letting her go.

"WELL??? Are you going to answer him or not?" Niles stood at the door with C.C. giggling at his side.

Fran laughed looking at their faces. "What do you think?" She purred as Maxwell kissed her.

"Awww." C.C. and Niles gushed, watching them.

"Come on!" Niles pulled on Fran.

"What are you doing?" Fran blinked looking between C.C. and Niles, then back at Maxwell.

"Well, we can’t allow the groom to see you before the wedding, can we?" Niles laughed playfully.

Maxwell and Fran both blinked. C.C. was to escort Fran away leaving Maxwell alone with Niles. "What are you doing?"

"I knew you couldn’t spend your life without her. " Niles winked. "So Graywind allowed Fran to come with us only if. I made sure you were wedded before the baby comes."

"Baby?" Maxwell gasped. "Niles I’m not sure why we have to marry before your baby comes." He rolled his eyes at his cousin.

"Sir. Maxwell. You have had three children. Surely you have notice something?" Niles looked at him as Maxwell gasped.

"A baby!… My God! And I let her go on the train with C.C?"

"I don’t understand how the natives can tell these things, but Graywind is sure she’s pregnant."

Maxwell shook his head madly. "And we agreed to go along with this bloody plan!" He groaned rubbing his head madly. "Niles?"

"Sir?"

"Explain to me why I made Captain in the army , and you remained a unlisted man?"

"Better benefits for me, Sir." Niles smirked, walking outside the room leaving Maxwell to his grumbling.

The Major grumbled. He had found Stuart Babcock in a rather unusually position. "You have your orders." He looked at his junior officers who all nodded. They rode up on the lake house during the middle of the night carrying the torches. The soldiers carefully placed their given torches to each side of the household.

"So ends these Outlaws." The Major snickered looking to his Captain.

Nigel shook his head. "Yes, Sir." Nigel had not told his commander what he saw. The barn house was empty of horses. Canada was less than a hundred miles away. He would let the Major do this deed for now.

The Major turned his horse southward. "I suppose you can finish up here Captain?"

"Yes, Sir!" Nigel saluted him. I hope you are really gone. Good luck! Max, Fran, Niles, and C.C.

"This is an interesting tale." Keith was a reporter hoping to make his mark. "You want my help to clear, Maxwell Sheffield and Niles Butler?" He looked over to the two figures in the room. The young man had a thick head of blond hair. He was broad shouldered with a smile any young lady would die for. The woman he traveled with was dark-haired. Her eyes held some mischief that caused her whole body to glow.

"You can clearly see what I have presented clears them of the kidnapping charges."

"Yes, you have told me a rather interesting tale, but they are both. Dead men. Or so it was reported by a Major Charles." He looked at his reports on the situation. "You could start by telling me your names." The reported looked at his guests with one raised eyebrow.

The young man let out a long sigh. "Gregory Butler." He took Keith’s hand and flashed his father’s smile.

"Eve Sheffield" She laughed as Keith kissed her hand.

"So, If you are who you say you are and your parents are indeed alive. What have they been doing?" Keith tapped his fingers on the desk.

"We can’t tell you that." Gregory mumbled looking at the nosy reporter.

Keith let out a long sigh. "Then why travel all the way to Washington to clear their names?"

"Just hoping to fulfill my father’s Christmas wish." Eve gave her girlish smile that melted Keith’s heart.

"Damn Nigel." He grumbled. "Alright, since I told Nigel I would grant him one favor. I’ll see what I can do." Keith rose up taking Gregory’s hand then kissing Eve’s. "Can you answer one more question?" He stopped them in the doorway.

"Yes?" Greg turned around to face the reporter.

"How many children did your parents have?" He smiled looking at the pair.

"Greg has two sisters. I have two younger brothers running around" Eve winked walking out the door.

Nigel was handling his hat. He let out a long sigh rubbing his chin. His general’s uniform always bothered him, but in the long run had made his parent’s happy he had done so well. "Well? Is Keith going to help?"

"He said he would try!" Gregory smiled looking at Nigel’s glowing face.

"You know Eve. Gregory. There are parts of the story I still don’t understand." Nigel helped Eve into the buggy.

"I think Mom and Dad left out all the--" Gregory never got to finish his sentence having Eve’s elbow sticking in his chest.

"No, I never got to hear all about Graywind’s plan." Nigel smirked at the pair.

"Dad says some times you are better left not knowing. And sometimes it’s better to leave things to legend." Eve smiled as Nigel grumbled.

"Sounds like Maxwell." Nigel rubbed his chin looking at the children. "One thing I would like to know. How did your parents afford their ranches in Canada? Did Jack surivve the fire? Was Niles and C.C. really spotted during her father’s funeral?"

"So many questions, Uncle Nigel!" Eve grined, taking her uncle’s hand. "What do you think?"

"I think. I would like to know the answers young lady!" Nigel looked deep into her eyes noticing how much she looked like her mother. "Like your father. I’m not going to get any answers from you. Or Gregory."

"Well, Uncle Nigel. I suppose we will see you around Christmas time?" The buggy stopped as Gregory sat up.

"I will be there with Jason and Kathy soon." Nigel smirked as Gregory helped Eve out of the buggy. "Take care you two."

"You too,Uncle." Eve smiled as Gregory took Eve’s hand.

"We have to make our train. Mom will be worried." Gregory grumbled, looking around.

"Your mom never worries about you." Eve snickered looking at his twisted face. "After all you‘re with me. You sure you want to head to New York?"

Gregory grumbled looking back at Eve. "I just want to see what my mother gave up."

"Greg, Aunt C.C. loves you more than anything." Eve took her friend’s hand and smiled.

"I know that Eve, but it would help me understand"

"Well, besides maybe we can pick up a few books about the English Bandits!" Eve laughed, thinking about the little book she looked at while in Washington. "My mom loves to read them."

"I have to admit, they are fairly good, even though they aren’t the truth." He laughed buying the tickets.

"ALL ABOARD FOR NEW YORK CITY!"

"Come on, Greg!" Eve pulled on her friend as he laughed. Later, while Eve took a small nap, Gregory pulled out two small bags his mother had given him. He opened one of the bags, allowing the small red rubies to spill out onto his hand.

"This will help you. Money has a habit of opening doors, Gregory, in New York and Washington." C.C.’s words "It’s the only thing I ever took from the Babcock legacy"

"You know when we were younger, these two small bags used to be filled." Gregory turned as Eve shifted lying her sleepy head on his shoulder.

Gregory knelt at the gravesite, looking down at the tombstone. It was reported by the local New York paper that Stuart Babcock died. His last word reportedly "I know they are alive." Gregory ran his hands over the cold granite. Eve stood outside the gate watching her childhood friend quietly talking to his grandfather’s grave.

"My mother still loved you, old man." Gregory pulled out a pressed flower placing it on the gravestone. "Alright, I’m ready to go!" Gregory took his cousin’s hand with a smile, and headed back to the waiting buggy.

C.C. giggled running away from Niles.

"NILES! C.C.!" Maxwell grumbled after being pushed aside. "Don’t we have enough children running around this house?"

"Why? Do we need more?" C.C. purred as Niles managed to wrap his arms around her body.

"I could take care of that." Niles whispered as C.C. turned to kiss him.

"Are the kids back yet?" Fran waddled inside the living room.

"No, why did they need to visit the east coast anyway? There are hundreds of good colleges here." C.C. grumbled.

"You worry too much." Niles snuggled her neck. "Want to help Maxwell and me pick out a tree?"

"And spoil your yearly fun?" C.C. laughed, walking away. "EVE! Gregory! "Both walked inside hugging their respected mothers, then switching.

"What kept you?" C.C. grumbled in her son’s ear.

"You know reporters." Gregory leaned over, whispering back.

"Well, Greg you want to head out with the boys to grab the tree?"

"Well, I would hate to spoil Michael’s and Matt’s fun this year." Gregory walked over, noticing the grinning Sheffield twins.

"Well, let’s go boys! We will see if the girls are down with feeding the chickens." Niles followed Maxwell and his sons out.

"’Course. Kate and Beth are not done." C.C. rolled her eyes, looking back at Fran. "Well? Did you two get it?"

Gregory smirked, handing over the paper to his mother and Fran. Both women opened the document, looking at their eldest children.

Fran smiled, looking at the letter. "All good things come to those who wait!"

"Was this letter--." C.C. started and Gregory lifted up a New York paper.

"Published mom! I think your brother had a fit, but little he can do." Gregory smiled, looking at his mother’s face. "What’s wrong, mom?"

"I still wanted to do one more train robbery." C.C. smirked, eyeing her son.

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