Cheyenne’s eyes snapped open and she was on her feet in a heartbeat as soon as she heard the door open and Gabe jump up from his spot racing out the open door way.

She to flew out the door right behind him just in time to see Gabe tackle Molly to the ground pinning her shoulders to the dirt. Molly screamed and struggled franticly, her hands swinging wildly as she tried to hit and scratch at her attacker in an effort to free herself.

Gabe was unaffected by the small framed young woman. The slam he felt against his ribs though caught him off guard, the force of the blow knocking him away from Molly. He didn’t have time to look or see who had kicked him he only reacted instinctively. He rolled and reached for his gun at the same time, aiming as he pulled it from his holster.

Cheyenne stood between he and the girl. Her own colt trained at his head.

Molly wasted no time in scrambling to her feet and bolting away from the two. She was running so fast and was so traumatized she didn’t know where she was running nor did she see the two men on horse back riding towards them.

Josiah and Buck seeing the scene ahead and not knowing what had happened urged their mounts faster. Buck veered off chasing after the running girl while Josiah raced to Cheyenne.

As soon as Buck had gotten close enough he halted his horse and jumped from his saddle not waiting for the animal to come to a complete stop running for the girl as soon as his feet hit the dirt. Catching her by the arm.

Molly screamed and fought his grip blindly. Slapping at him with all she was worth. Buck had to tighten his hold in order to hang on to the hysterical girl.

“Whoa now hold on there.” He spoke out trying to calm her. “It’s okay, I ain’t gonna hurt ya, your safe now.” The man's voice seemed strangely familiar and recognition slowly took hold as Molly began to calm. She looked up at the man holding her and saw Buck Wilmington. A sigh of relief and tears of joy escaped her as Buck's grip on her arms loosened and she fell against his chest sobbing.

“Easy now girl, everything’s alright now.” Buck said softly as he held her in a comforting embrace. Molly looked up at him. Fear masked her delicate features and urgency laced her tone.

“You have to help AJ.” She told him through her sobs. “She’s hurt, he shot her.”

“Slow down now.” Buck tried to calm the frightened girl “Who shot who?” Molly took in a deep breath and tried to calm herself as she told Buck what had happened.

Josiah pulled his mount to a quick halt as he reached Cheyenne and Gabe. He jumped from his saddle and ran over to them taking a stand at Cheyenne’s side.

“What the hell’s going on?” He growled glaring at Gabe.

“You were suppose to keep any one from coming out here!” Gabe spat angrily. “That girl showed up," he motioned his hand over to Molly. “She ain’t been nothing but trouble, tryin to get away, I tried to stop her before she found the law and told em where Cheyenne was.” He threw out a curse in French.

Buck rode up to them with a still terrified Molly sitting behind him. She held tight to his waist.

“She says there’s someone inside that’s been shot, I’m gonna take a look.” He told Josiah then urged his mount forward. Cheyenne holstered her weapon and told Josiah what had been happening. Josiah shook his head and rested his hand on the butt of his gun.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t get to Bryan in time. I don’t know what the other one was doing out here. Let’s go find out,” he told them. As the three began walking toward the house another rider emerged.

“It’s Ezra.” Josiah stated curiously. Ezra pulled his horse to a stop as he rode up to them.

“Mr. Larabee sent me to inform you he has spoken with Judge Travis. The judge has requested that you bring Cheyenne into town. Very discretly of course. He has suggested the jail would be the safest place for her at the moment since the sheriff from Coyote Springs has arrived.”

“You ain’t putting Cheyenne back in Jail” Gabe growled defensively taking a protective stance in front of his friend.

“Calm down!” Josiah snarled. “I’ll do what ever it takes to get her out of this mess.” He flashed a concerned glance at Cheyenne.

“Mr. Larabee has convinced the judge that there were extenuating circumstances surrounding the death of man in question.” Ezra continued, “Judge Travis has graciously agreed to hear from Cheyenne herself the story surrounding the demise of the deceased. If she can convince him that it was indeed self defense he has promised that he will rectify the matter.”

Josiah looked over at Cheyenne. “It’s time we got this straightened out,” he told her. “It’s up to you Ani, you want to settle it? Or do you wanna keep being on the run?” He asked her, hopeful for the latter.

Cheyenne turned away from all of them starring out into the open prairie thoughtfully. She was tired of running. Tired of looking behind her back. Tired of being chased and wanted for killing a man that deserved his death. He had ruined her life. Killed her father. But was she ready for it to all come out? Was she ready to face the horrors again? She wanted to be free, free from being hunted, free from the nightmares. More than anything she wanted to be free to be, Cheyenne again. Free from her past. But would this be the answer?

She had to try. One time. She would give it this one chance. If it proved to be a mistake then so be it. She had her gun; she had Gabe to stand near her, fight at her side. And most of all she had Josiah. Maybe, just maybe this would give her the chance to try and resume something she had long since thought she had lost. Josiah’s love, maybe, just maybe when it was all over he could look at her and see not his gun toting companion who could more than likely take care of herself if need be, but a woman, a woman who held more love in her heart for him than she could ever show.

After a long moment of silence Cheyenne spoke in a low and even tone. “I will return to Four Corners.”

Josiah breathed a sigh of relief then turned to Ezra. “Tell Chris we’ll bring her in after dark. Best make sure there’s no one around. Any trouble, we ride out. And we won’t be back,” he warned. Ezra nodded his understanding turned his mount back toward Four Corners and rode off.

Josiah walked up behind Cheyenne. “Everything will be alright Ani, I promise you.” Cheyenne turned. Her eyes met Josiah’s. They stood looking at each other for a long moment. Then with out a word Cheyenne turned and started for the Gallagher’s house.

Gabe glared at Josiah as the older man watched Cheyenne walk away. “Anything happens to her preacher, I’ll kill you,” he warned.

Josiah turned and his eyes met Gabe’s in a mutual-threatening glare. “You can try.” He told him, His tone was just as intimidating. The two stood glaring at one another until Josiah turned and followed Cheyenne back to the Gallagher house. Gabe was not far behind.

As they entered the house Buck and Molly were seeing to AJ. “It’s just a flesh wound.” Buck said as Josiah entered. “But I think Nathan ought to take a look at her.”

Josiah nodded. “Best get her back to town.”

He walked over and crouched next to AJ. “Miss, I’m gonna have to ask you not to say anything about any of us being out here. Believe me, it ain’t what it looks like and things’ll be straightened out once we get back. Ya understand?”

Hesitantly AJ nodded.

“Just what brought you out this way anyhow?” Josiah asked.

“She came to find me.” Molly piped up. “She brought my shawl.” AJ sat quietly, suspiciously watching every person in the room as a potential threat.

“That’s right” she told them, backing what Molly had said. “ I only came looking for her, to return what was hers.”

The big man studied the girl for a moment. Trying to be sure she was telling the truth. Unable to discredit her statement and with Molly telling the same story Josiah had no choice but to believe her. Josiah stood and motioned Buck outside. Once out of earshot he spoke quietly to him.

“You have Nathan keep her at the clinic. I don’t care how you do it, just don’t let her out of your sight till this is over. You understand me?” His tone was a warning one.

Buck gave Josiah a reassuring smile. “Not to worry Josiah, I won’t let her so much as blink with out me bein' right there.” Josiah gave Buck a thankful pat on the back as they returned inside the house.

Before anyone could leave horses hooves were heard outside and a man's urgent voice called out.

“Molly! Molly!” As he flung open the door and entered the house he was met by four gun barrels aiming at him.

“Da!” Molly screamed as she saw her father enter threw the door.

She tried to run to him but Buck held her back.

Josiah blew out a relieved sigh and holstered his gun. “Bryan! It’s ok.” He told the rest “Put away your guns, this is Molly’s father Bryan Gallagher. The man I told you about.” Guns were slowly and hesitantly holstered.

Gabe swore in French again. “Any one else you want to invite to the party?” he asked Josiah sarcastically. Josiah ignored him. Buck loosened his grip on Molly and she ran to her father. He held her tightly.

“Are you alright Mollybon?”

She nodded “I am now Da.”

Josiah quickly explained things to Bryan as Buck helped AJ to her horse.

“I’ll take Molly on back to town Josiah. Ya can stay here as long as ya need to.” He looked at his daughter. “I’m so sorry my girl, If I’d a known. . .”

Josiah to offered his apologies.

Molly hugged her father. “Everything’s alright now Da. I just want to get back to town.” She gave Josiah a small smile.

Bryan gave his daughter a loving squeeze and nodded to Josiah then led his daughter from the house. Before they exited Molly turned back to Cheyenne.

“I hope things work out alright for you.” She told her, then turned and left with her father.

Buck and Nathan watched carefully from the balcony of Nathan’s room. Their hands ready to go for their guns should it be necessary. Ezra was in the saloon keeping the sheriff occupied in a game of cards. The man seemed to loose more hands than not as his attention was more focused on Lily as she maneuvered behind the bar. JD stood outside of the hotel should the widow or her son emerge. Vin and Chris flanked the jail leaning against separate posts. Their eyes continuously were scanning the area for any sign of trouble.

Josiah and Gabe stood on either side of Cheyenne as they walked cautiously from the alley and on to the boardwalk to the jail quickening their steps until the were safely inside. Chris followed them inside.

“I’ll need your gun Cheyenne” he insisted regretfully. Cheyenne looked at Josiah as if asking if she should do as Chris said. Josiah gave her an approving nod.

“Whoa! Wait just a damn minute.” Gabe objected angrily. “She gives up her gun and she’s helpless if they storm in here.”

Josiah and Chris both shot him an irritated glare.

“She won’t be alone,” Chris told him. “One of us will be in here with her at all times."

“I trust them.” Cheyenne told Gabe in French then removed her gun belt and handed it to Chris.

“Knife too," he said with a small crooked grin. Cheyenne returned the small grin amused that Chris remembered the weapon she kept inside her boot. She reached down and retrieved the knife handing it to Chris handle first.

“Best we keep you locked up,” he told her as he set the weapons on the desk and took the cell keys from the hook nearby. “Got to make it look official,” he finished.

Cheyenne looked back at the cell then taking a deep breath and letting it out walked slowly back and into it. Hesitantly Chris shut the door and locked it.

Josiah’s eyes never left the girl. “We’ll get this sorted out Ani. Tomorrow. I promise ya.” He told her. Cheyenne said nothing. She looked at him for a long moment then sat on the edge of the bunk and leaned back against the wall. The three men walked away from the cell.

“I’ll take first watch,” Gabe spoke out.

“The hell you will.” Chris told him bluntly. “You get in the other cell, take off your gun and keep it out of sight. You’re our ace in the whole if there’s any trouble.” Gabe smiled liking what Chris had in mind. With out hesitation he did as he was told and shut the cell door.

“I’ll stay” Josiah offered.

Chris nodded “Vin’s got first watch outside. I’ll take the next one.” He said as he opened the door and with one last glance at Cheyenne Chris left shutting the door behind him.