Trace opened the window and looked at the narrow ledge, too narrow he figured but he left the window open. They might think he went out that way; instead he backed into the corner beside a wardrobe and focused. He could hear talking but he couldn't make out the words then one voice stood out and he smiled - the Sheriff.

Nathan inched up to the doorway and risked a look across to the open window opposite. Would he go out that way? He didn't think so; somebody would have noticed and raised an alarm. He crouched down in a squat.

"Come on out, Banner. Toss the gun and live to fight another day." He waited. "I know you're in there, I can hear your yellow heart beating."

A shot boomed and a piece of the door frame above his head splintered away. Another shot and the thwack of a bullet burying itself chest high in the hallway wall.

Nathan dove through the door, rolling into an upright position and fired. Trace yelped in surprise then grunted as bullets pierced his shirt front and he twisted out of the corner and crashed through the open window. Shouts and screams could be heard as the newly arrived stage stuttered to a stop with horses neighing and the driver yelling.

Nathan stood and looked down for a minute then reloaded his gun and left the room. In the hallway, Amos was bent over Bates, tearing away his shirt and poking away at his side. Behind them stood Dora with her carbine and Jennie Christie with her little Derringer, both looking concerned and equally formidable.

"Sheriff?" Dora cocked an eyebrow.

"All done. You'll find him out on the street."

More shouts came from outside and Maggie's voice screamed a warning. Running steps could be heard in the saloon below and then shots.

Nathan ran back into the room and looked down at the street. Playford was holding Maggie around the neck from behind, backing away from the street crowd. He saw Walter lying next to the stage and then more shots from inside. Back in the hallway, Jennie was standing between Amos and the Marshal and the stairs, her arm outstretched holding her tiny gun.

Dora was punching a scruffy looking black man and firing her six gun at a second who was trying to take cover. She knocked the one man down and fired point blank into his chest as Nathan ran toward them. He wanted to get to the street and Maggie so he cleared the rail and dove for the stairs. The balustrade smashed under his weight and he tumbled painfully to the saloon floor.

Donnie Iwai stood from behind a table, aimed at Nathan and pulled the trigger but several loud booms from Dora's carbine spoiled his aim, ripped into his chest and neck and sent him careening over tables and chairs in a rag doll ballet. Nathan dragged himself to his feet and staggered to the street. Across the road, Ansen had backed himself into Ledger's doorway, using Maggie as a shield and Nathan cursed angrily at the fact that he might have broken something in his fall and found it hard to manoeuvre.

The stage driver had moved further down and Banner's twisted a trampled body helped fill the rutted roadway. Nathan propped himself against the hitching rail and shouted for Ansen to give it up, that all his men were dead and he had nowhere to run.

"We'll see about that!" He hollered back. "Somebody saddle and fetch me a horse or this little lady won't see another sunrise."

Dora came out and propped her rifle against the door. "I can nail him from here, Sheriff."

"No! No . . . I don't want to take a chance with Maggie- get him his horse; we can pick him up later, he won't get far."

"Not the way I do business, Nathan."

"Well you will this time, this is my town, remember?"

Dora stepped out and selected a horse from a trio at the rail, the owner's protest dying on the soft breeze as she just gave him a look. Across the street, Nathan saw the door behind Ansen opening and fear clogged his throat as Allison appeared. A moment later there was a loud clang and Maggie stumbled forward under the weight of Ansen's collapsing body. The clang was Allison dropping the frying pan as she hurried to her friend.

Nathan couldn't help a chuckle, sagging to the street and passing out.

**********

Ryan stood in the doorway frowning. To him it seemed his hotel was the town's convenient hostel for all and sundry. This week it was one of his more popular rooms commandeered to serve as a recuperation ward. Sheriff Tessler with his broken rib and Walter Kirkland, the deputy eating machine, nursing a broken shoulder.

"Don't just stand there gawking, Ryan, get that soup I made in the kitchen."

"Who is going to reimburse me for all this?"

"I'll give you reimburse in a minute - go get the soup!" She turned back to the bed and smiled. "Now dear you just stay here as long as you like; I'll speak to Edward."

"Thanks, Maggie." Allison held Nathan's hand and smothered him with a sunshine smile.

Ryan returned with the soup and a cranky delivery of a message for Nathan.

"You have visitors."

"Well, you seem to be in good hands." The voice boomed as Bates and Dora pushed past Ryan into the room.

"I'd say you were doing pretty well yourself, Marshal." He winked at Dora who was helping cradle the sling on Winston's arm.

"Wanted to thank you for your help and let you know that Morley managed to leave empty-handed on our stage for parts unknown. I don't think we'll hear from him again soon."

"What happens now with the property?"

"The bank will still own it until it's sold or somebody pays all the debt owed. Maybe you and your little lady there- ouch! What the hell, Dora."

"Maybe you should tell them the rest of your news."

**********

A scarlet sun rinsed the ribbon of cloud on the horizon in strands of amazing colours as it bid the day goodbye. Allison leaned against Nathan's side, her head on his shoulder.

"I love this spot. It's our spot. It has that special memory."

"My first revealing of two left feet you mean?"

"Yes." He poked her and she giggled.

"I still can't get over the fact that Winston retired right after getting shot; what was that about?"

"Dora."

"Huh?"

"He retired for Dora."

"What are you talking about, they aren't-"

"Oh yes they are and have been for a long time."

"Get out . . . how do you know that?"

"How do you think- she told me. She also told me that Winston took his pay from the state and paid off all the debt on the Wellman property."

Nathan sat up and looked at her. "He what? You mean him and Dora-"

"Are the new owners and plan to settle there and operate a service for the new steamship business." He heard his jaw drop and couldn't speak. "By the way, what did Dora say to you when she gave you that goodbye peck on the cheek in the hotel?"

"Huh- oh, oh yeah. I said to her that I saw what happened with that fella Plug Hat-"

"What happened?

"That don't matter but she told me it was payback from a long time ago."

"She saved your life, didn't she?"

"She did."

"Hmmm . . . am I going to have to watch her as a neighbour?"

"Nope - I can do that." His healing rib began to ache suddenly.

"Take me home, Sheriff."

**********

In the small room, the flickering oil lamp danced with the movement of the occupants, carefully avoiding any interference. In the laundry part of the building, Jenny Lum was humming as she prepared for the coming day. Nathan groaned and shifted his sore rib as Allison rolled out of the bed.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking the door lock, Jenny sometimes walks in with coffee if she's made some."

"Well she couldn't see much in this light; I'm ogling now and it isn't easy."

"It's supposed to be a mystery."

"Well Sheriff Tessler's on the job so you better get back here and we can solve it together."

The spring creaked but whether in complaint or compliance wasn't clear then when it continued, the obvious conclusion was reached.

END

A/N: I wish to thank the readers who spent their time indulging me in this story. I began it on a whim with no idea where it might go. When it received some interest I felt obligated to find out. The journey was blind so I sincerely hope it was done well enough to satisfy.

Thank you very, very much