When Push Comes to Shove

The baker's busy working,

While he hummed a happy tune.

He was rolling dough when suddenly,

He heard noise from the saloon.

He dropped what he was doing,

Knowing Loren was inside.

As he stepped outside to take a look,

He could not believe his eyes.

It was a full fledged barfight,

Fists and muffins in mid air.

He then saw Loren scramble out,

From the rowdy, drunk affair.

When Loren saw AJ outside,

She quickly ran to him.

She asked for help to get away,

Or her next chance would be slim.

The baker tried his very best,

To calm the lady down.

"Dear Loren, I don't understand,

why you need to leave this town."

She dropped her head, and sadly said,

"My brother has arrived.

He would not have me live in peace,

He won't let me live my life."

The baker creased his forehead,

"So, the Marshall is in town."

AJ knew that the time has come,

There were lessons to be learned.

As the baker walked to find the man,

And talk of Loren's plight.

The singer stood to block his way,

And pushed him with her might.

"AJ, just please don't do it,

Lorne's stubborn, there's no hope.

Why don't we go, we'll runaway,

We can build a loving home."

AJ, though tempted, firmly said,

"That's not the answer, Loren.

From this, you can't just run.

You'll live your whole life running,

That is not how things are done."

"Will you at least, give me your trust,

To deal with this, my way?

If that won't work, then that's the time,

We'd do things as you say."

She nodded in agreement,

Of course he had her trust.

She asked herself as AJ walked,

"Will I be free at last?"

Not long before the baker reached,

The riot- filled saloon.

A gunshot rang and shocked the night,

A silence followed soon.

The baker then saw CrazyGoose,

As she exited the bar.

The lady walked begrudgingly,

Hands tied behind her back.

Ms Darkly followed gingerly,

With the Marshall close on by.

She then called AJ to come near,

She called him to her side.

"It's good that you're here, AJ.

There's been trouble in the bar.

The Marshall had me book CG,

She broke the firearms ban."

"Now listen to me AJ,

You may not like this part.

But the Marshall's taking Loren back,

In an hour, they will depart."

The baker took a small step back,

With what Ms Darkly said.

He knew that something must be done,

Or Loren's good as dead.

But CG, in her wisdom,

Had quickly butted in,

"Arrest him too, Ms Darkly,

Some offenses done by him."

The deputy has had enough,

Her shooter, she then drew.

"Now that is it, we're off to jail,

I'm booking both of you!"

Ms Darkly then told AJ,

To gather both of their guns.

CG had quickly handed hers,

And the Marshall gave his own.

AJ then went to the cafe,

Telling Loren they should go.

Ms Darkly wants to talk to her,

Of the things that she could do.

The siblings met outside the jail,

Before the deputy had them booked.

The Marshall glared at Loren,

Giving her a lurid look.

"You listen to me Loren,

Tomorrow we are gone.

I don't care, you will come with me,

I am taking you back home."

The Baker gave a courteous bow

Then took Ms Darkly's leave.

He then approached with caution,

The singer's stubborn twin.

"Excuse me, Marshall Order,

But you're making a mistake.

Your sister has made up her mind,

In BG, she will stay."

The Marshall scoffed at AJ,

And gave a taunting look.

"Stay out of this, you Chinaman,

Or you're up my wagon too."

The baker's head shook in despair

There's no talking to this man.

AJ then blocked the Marshall's path

And firmly stood his ground.

"Just take your prisoners, Marshall.

And leave this town at dawn.

Just load your wagon quietly,

This is your one last chance."

The Marshall took a forward step,

Looking AJ in the eye.

"Or what? You'll hurt me, Chinaman?

I'd like to see you try."

The Marshall threw the first punch,

Heading straight for AJ's cheek.

But the baker quickly blocked the punch,

Then answered with a kick.

The Marshall yelped as the baker's foot,

Connected with his shin.

AJ then threw quick, powerful​ jabs,

Landing squarely on the chin.

The Marshall held his smarting face,

Oh boy, it sure did hurt.

But he raised his fists to punch anew,

He'll beat AJ to a pulp.

The Marshall lunged, with brutal force,

throwing AJ to the ground.

He then let out a barrage of fists,

He outweighed him, pound for pound.

AJ was pinned, but answered back,

His punches, quick and strong.

He threw them at the Marshall's face,

And one punch broke his nose.

The Baker grabbed the Marshall's​ leg,

And began to lift the man.

With one quick heave, the Marshall's pinned,

Now the tables have been turned.

His eyes now red with anger,

AJ kept on his attack.

He raised one fist for a final blow,

When a cool hand held it back.

AJ broke from his bloodlust,

And quickly stepped away.

The Marshall lay unconscious,

There was blood upon his face.

The Baker looked upon the hand,

That helped restrain his fists.

The hand belonged to Loren,

Who was quietly in tears.