Loren's interest in AJ grew when he showed up with a bowl of noodles made especially for her. His hopes took a lift as well and 3Gun also enjoyed some relief. The swelling of the population in Tent City was becoming a concern to him. With only Deputy Darkly and a couple of volunteers available, something had to be done. He gave CrazyGoose an order for notices to be posted at both ends of town and anywhere folks might try wandering in from Tent City. It was a firearms ban within town limits.

When he told Darkly, she had an initial concern since she didn't carry a gun herself but squared up, dug out a set she had packed away from a previous husband. A bit of a jaw-dropping surprise but no time to pursue; she immediately began practising using stale muffins as targets. 3Gun was impressed with her skill in such short order.

In the meantime Rue had sent a message telling Darkly she had found her uncle and was attempting a cure for the hex. She hinted at some concern about how it might tax her and that Jasper would be the one to contact if needed.

Just when he thought they had things organized he ran into Preacher Phillip Stein, who was complaining about the desecration of the church by persons unknown. Someone had written threats on the church door after the preacher had visited Tent City and thumped his bible, blasting them all as sinners.

3Gun told him he would look into it and sent his pigeon to deliver a note to Kae, who was still trying to find Ruby, advising her to forget Ruby and get back to the Gulch. There was something she could do right there about the threat to the Preacher.

Loren decided she needed to move on with her life. She knew her brother was coming for the Steel gang and there would be a confrontation over her behaviour. Doc U.B. Well gave her a pair of crutches to help with her healing ankle and she headed for the saloon, guitar in hand. Crazy Smile told her she could sit up on the small stage and sing all she wanted . . . providing she was any good.

Turned out she was very good.

CrazyGoose was feeling better again and tracked 3Gun down to his chair under the stairs, delivering a softly whispered warning in his ear. He just stared dumbly as he watched her depart; when had his life become so complicated?

Back in Jasonville, Rue was finding the going rough. An old adversary was thwarting her effort to free Darkly's uncle from Ruby's hex. A fierce battle raged for some time with everyone wringing their hands and looking devastated. At last with a tremendous effort, Rue won the battle, saving the uncle but at a personal cost. It had drained her and she fell unconscious.

With pleading and cool compresses and downright fear, Rue showed signs of life. Right away the aunt suggested someone in town, who had helped her husband hang on until Rue arrived, might be able to do more for her. Jasper wanted to get her back to the Gulch, Billy would skin him to the bone if anything happened to her.

AJ, fantasizing about his potential attraction from Loren, turned his energy to the bakery and Deputy Darkly had to slow him down long enough to tell him she was considering a few new things for the business. With his skill at so many dishes apparent, she was going to change the name to The Bounty Hunter's Cafe, and she wanted AJ not just as an employee but as a partner.

Loren showed up suddenly, all flustered and awkward trying to talk to AJ about his interest in CrazyGoose and if he was interested in her. Baffled, AJ could only offer her some brownies. She told him she had been offered a job at the saloon as entertainer and she knew there was no chance with 3Gun. Crumbs spilled all over as she blubbered on until she muttered something about love, kissed his cheek and fled the store on her crutches.

He grinned so wide it hurt.

Marshall Order arrived at the jail with a plan on how to handle both the gang and his sister. When he walked in his eyes popped at the sight of the woman behind the desk. He asked about 3Gun and she told him she was the Deputy and could help him with whatever he needed. He handed her the transfer papers for the gang and just kept staring. When he gathered himself and asked about the state of the town, complaining about 3Gun's responsibility, and learning his sister was singing in the saloon, he stormed out and straight across to lay down the law to Loren.

She saw him come in and readied herself for the argument she knew was coming. They were loud and, ignoring her words, Lorne grabbed her arm and started dragging her out of the saloon. She looked to the chair under the stairs but it was empty. 3Gun was gone.

Suddenly, Crazy Smile and Raven began yelling at the Marshall to let her go and in a moment there was bedlam. Muffins flew in all directions. Faces and clothes stained with a variety of ingredients along with bruises and blood from the ensuing fist fights. Loren slipped away and hobbled to find AJ; she needed a place to hide.

In the saloon, CrazyGoose climbed up on the bar and fired her gun. The fighting stopped and people filed outside as ordered. Right away the Marshall told Darkly, who had arrived in time to block a few muffin missiles that she had to arrest CG for violating the town ordinance. The argument raged out into the street and finally, Darkly, unhappily, arrested CrazyGoose.

AJ listened to Loren's plea but told her he would handle things his way and if he failed, he would still see she got safely away. The Marshall appeared and told her to get to the wagon, they were leaving. AJ blocked his way, disagreeing. In a moment another fight broke out and this time Marshall Lorne was out cold on the ground, his nose smashed and bleeding.

Loren felt terrible, she hadn't wanted this. She went to her brother and began shouting for help. AJ, distraught over his loss of temper, quickly hoisted the Marshall onto his shoulder and ran to the doctor's.

In Jasonville, the man that the aunt recommended turned out to be Rue's tribal brother from the KitKats, Chief ThingaMajig and in no time had Rue prepared for the ritual that would save her life.

The empty chair in the saloon puzzled everyone. It seemed 3Gun had just vanished. In fact, he had just up and left. No explanation, no warning . . . just gone. He had something needed doing and now was as good a time as any - he hoped. He was heading for Dog Flats to see Lee Tyler, his one-time wishful sweetheart. It took days of travel and when he arrived he leaned she had finally passed away from her injuries so many years ago.

3Gun, turned around and headed slowly back to the Gulch and the only friends he really had.