APPROPRIATE ACTION

Eliza
elizawpg@shaw.ca

CATEGORY/RATING: Episode based, PG13
DISCLAIMER: Fireworks owns them. But I'll take 'em if they don't want 'em anymore. (No copyright infringement, no money made)
SUMMARY: Epilogue for "Hanged Man" ~~SPOILERS~~

~~~~~

Colonel Montoya pushed aside the blind that protected the interior of the coach from the dust of the road just in time it see Captain Grisham be surrounded by the cream of Santa Elena society. The women seemed to have their hands all over him. Most surprising was the fact that Grisham did not look like he was enjoying the attention.

Montoya followed the captain's stare and thought he saw the black thorn in his side--the Queen of Swords--disappear between the buildings. He had better find out what had been happening in his pueblo while he was in Monterey kowtowing to the new viceroy.

"What a tremendous welcome home! I never expected such a reception. I am truly touched." Montoya managed to reign in his sarcasm so that the only person that caught the full force was the one looking into his eyes. Grisham winced, and Montoya wondered exactly what his captain had done this time.

"Colonel Montoya," Gaspar Hidalgo began, ignoring the colonel's remarks. "On behalf of the rest of the dons, I recommend a commendation be given to Captain Grisham. He has managed to save not only our lives," Hidalgo indicated the gathered dons, "but the whole town from the hands a ruthless brigand."

Grisham seemed to become even more unnerved as Hidalgo gave him a slap on the back. Montoya was bemused by the whole scene, even as he was suspicious of his captain's discomfort. "If that is the case, then I heartily concur. However, I will need to hear the whole story in order to insure the captain gets suitable recognition."

The whole story, from Krane's arrival at the party to the release of the dons, was told to Colonel Montoya in many voices and with a number of conflicting facts. The only way for the colonel to stop the deluge was to ask the obvious question, "Where is the outlaw now?"

There was silence and all eyes turned to Captain Grisham. The captain blinked for a moment then straightened his stance and said decisively, "This way please, Colonel."

Please?! You are very worried, aren't you, Marcus? Montoya had the captain precede him, then noticed that the gathered crowed was also following them. Since he had the strong feeling that Grisham was bluffing, Montoya thought this was best dealt with in private. He addressed the crowd, "Gentlemen, it seems that you have had a very trying few days. The sight of the captured desperado may not be pleasant. I think it best for you to take your ladies home, as not to cause them further distress."

Montoya moved no further until the crowd reluctantly disbursed. He then caught Grisham in a chilling glare. "You have no idea where he is, do you?"

Grisham looked grim. "I'm not certain, but I am hoping," he said as he led the colonel into the passage way between the church and cantina and then into the garrison plaza.

Montoya stopped short at the sight at the entrance to the hotel stable and felt Grisham halt close at his back. All the conformation Montoya needed was in the relief in the captain's voice as he explained, "Krane. We served together in the same regiment. He blames me for his court marshal and the subsequent attempted hanging."

"So your past had come back to... What is the phrase?... Bite you in the ass. This presentation is complements of the Queen of Swords, I assume." Montoya looked sideways at Grisham, who just shrugged.

Krane was standing on the side of a barrel, his hands tied behind his back, and a noose snug around his neck. He was doing an admirable job of maintaining his balance and even managed a sneer, as Montoya came into the barn to get a good look at the almost hanged man.

"So you've decided to remain a captain have you, Grisham?" Krane was almost laughing despite his precarious position. "Colonel Montoya, I assume. Be careful, Colonel, you wouldn't be the first commanding officer that the corporal... excuse me, captain here has eliminated should you become inconvenient. Loyalty is a word that doesn't seem to be in his vocabulary."

"Maybe not," Montoya replied. "But prudence does not seem to be in yours. Trying to take over my pueblo! You should really learn more about your enemy before advancing."

"I know Grisham far better than you, Montoya. Before that masked bitch with the sword showed up, I had him dancing to my tune."

"To that one, I am certain no sane man will dance voluntarily." Montoya chuckled at the bravado of the man so near death. But he didn't find the proprietary tone of his comments amusing. Nor did Grisham, from his expression. If this was the quality of the men that he had been exposed to during his early career, then it was little wonder that the captain had such a poor sense of the subtleties of leadership.

Montoya decided to correct this man's perception and, maybe, influence the captain in the process. "You knew him, Senor. The boy has been under my tutelage and has learned a considerable amount. He has gained discipline, forethought, and an excellent sense of what I would consider appropriate action for a situation. For example, show him how we deal with insurrection, Captain."

"With pleasure, Colonel." Grisham kicked the barrel out from under Krane's feet and smiled into the man's darkening face before ramming a knife into Krane's chest.

"I believe the word is overkill," commented Montoya as Grisham stepped back to view his handiwork.

"He survived the noose once before. There's no point in tempting fate." The cocky grin was back, the captain must be feeling confident in his position again. The desperado had been captured, by whom was irrelevant, and executed, therefore unable to impart any uncomfortable information. The colonel could see why Grisham would be pleased at the way the day had turned out.

Montoya nodded and headed back to the main square. Another of Krane's comments kept echoing in his head; the one taunting Grisham for deciding to remain a captain. Montoya was not surprised that Grisham would go along with a plan to be rid of him, it wouldn't be the first time, but what did that plan entail? And why didn't he go through with it? Could he actually be gaining some idea of loyalty? Could Marcus Grisham finally be realizing that his life is much better in a brilliant commander's shadow rather than out in the hot sun on his own?

The colonel made a careful examination of the man walking beside him. The grin had faded and the guilty expression was back. He was also brushing at his uniform, at what looked like scorch marks in the wool. Why would he be concerned about a bit of soot? Unless... "I understand Krane not knowing that I am fully aware of your past, Grisham, but he seemed to think that your loyalty to me was in question. What would give him that idea?" Again Grisham's hand came up to brush his coat, as the colonel could see him searching for an explanation.

Then Montoya noticed the scorched ground and the burned end of the fuse. He picked it up, pulling up the cord as he followed it to the spot where his carriage had been. "When I have this spot excavated, what am I going to find?" asked the colonel coldly, already certain of his answer.

Grisham was studying his boots and the sand around them. He looked up to answer, "Dynamite."

Montoya didn't bother keeping the anger out of his voice. "You were going to blow me up?!"

"Not me -- Krane." Grisham must have realized how this sounded, pointing the finger at a dead man. He continued to explain, "Krane made me set the trap and light the fuse. His men were on every rooftop, armed, watching my every move. I had no choice! I managed to put the fuse out before it was too late."

The confusion on Grisham's face at the smile that Montoya gave him was almost worth the attempted murder. "Pragmatism. That is what I admire most about you, Grisham. You can make the best of any situation, and when the situation changes so does your actions. Should I be thanking you for saving my life then?"

"I wouldn't go that far, sir," said Grisham, looking slightly embarrassed but very pleased with himself.

"Neither would I." Montoya almost laughed at the slumping shoulders as Grisham realized he was far from off the hook. "There is still the matter of the Queen of Swords." Montoya motioned for Grisham to follow and did not look back as he started to his office, confident that his captain was close at heel.

THE END