The party was over, and the Regulators, along with John and Kristal, were slowly heading back to Tunstall's ranch. Kristal sat next to John in the wagon, watching the boys weaving along the rode astride their horses. She again longed for her mustang. How good it was going to be when she could finally ride the midnight colored stallion again. Riding was so freeing; she enjoyed it more than anything.

Turning her head, Kristal stared out at the horizon. It was still dark, but dawn approached at the edge of the skyline, brightening the promise of a new day and a new year. The young blonde was lost in thought, the events from the night still playing in her mind. The fireworks had been the highlight of her evening. She had never seen anything like it. And it had ended far too quickly. Maybe, if she were still with Tunstall and the boys, she could see them again next year?

Shaking her head, Kristal frowned. What was she thinking?! Remaining in one place, settling... a visible shudder went through her and she thanked her lucky stars that John didn't notice. Still, she had enjoyed the evening, despite the unexpected fight.

The festivities continued all night, but after midnight, she had sat off to the side with Charlie and Chavez. Charlie had questioned her about the bruising on her face, but she had quickly changed the subject telling him she was fine. She had then flipped her hair to one side to try and hide the majority of the bruising.

Doc came and went, and Dick avoided being around her, which was just fine with her. She'd had enough fighting for one evening. McCloskey had come over and tried offering her his drink again, and she "accidentally" spilled it all over him. It served him right though, trying to get her to drink that damn drugged concoction of his. He hadn't been too happy about it either, which Kristal had found amusing. Billy came over periodically to try and get her to dance with him again, but she declined each time. She was tired and had the beginnings of a headache, though even if she didn't, she still wouldn't have danced with him. Nevertheless, Billy persisted, and it had driven her to the brink of insanity, till she finally relented.

"One dance, Bonney. Ya ask fer any more, I'll slit yer throat while ya sleep." She had grumbled, her voice filled with exhaustion.

Billy had merely grinned like he had won some sort of victory and led her out to the dance floor. The music had slowed to something soft, which had nearly mortified the poor outlaw. Of course, it would be a slow dance! The boy had wrapped an arm around her waist and took her hand, leading her into a slow waltz, smiling the entire time.

The boy's knowledge of dancing had piqued her curiosity, despite their closeness and slow movements. "How'd ya learn ta dance?" She had asked him curiously.

He had given her a strange look before smirking at her. "Are you actually curious about me?"

Kristal just rolled her eyes and looked away, noting Charlie, Doc, Chavez, and Dick watching them all with different expressions on their faces. "Don't answer then. I don't care."

"Yeah, ya do." Billy had drawled to her a sparkle in his eye. "Or ya wouldn't have asked."

Kristal turned to look back at him, about to tell him what she thought, but hesitated, seeing something cross his expression. She could almost swear it had been heartache and sadness she had seen. It was curious, and she couldn't help but wonder about it, but she wasn't about to pry. If he didn't want to answer, then he didn't need to.

"But if you really wanna know..." Billy continued, not waiting for a response, "my mother taught me all kinds of dances. She enjoyed dancing." Billy had said it so simply, almost casually, but she noticed the light in his eyes lessen some as he spoke of his mother. He had a strange far off look in those cornflower blue hues of his, but he didn't bother to elaborate any further.

Kristal still couldn't get the image of the pain etched on his face out of her mind, even as she sat next to John on the wagon hours later. Something in her had felt something for the boy holding her in his arms, twirling her around on the dance floor. He hadn't said anything more about his mother, in fact, the song had been short, and they had parted ways shortly after. And now, Kristal was left wondering what had happened to Billy's mother for him to appear so upset about merely talking about her.

"You're quiet, my dear," John stated, looking over at her as they rode the distance. "Did you have a good time?"

"Oh..." Kristal began coming out of her thoughts and glanced at the older man. "Yeah, it wasn't so bad."

"Not what you are used to, I suppose." John smiled.

Kristal chuckled tiredly, "definitely not." Though, that fight with Clem had undoubtedly brought back some unwanted memories as well as made her physically weary. She had even managed to cover up her injuries thanks to a run in with Mrs. Ellis. Apparently that face paint stuff was good for something after all. But John didn't need to know any of that and she hadn't needed to keep her hair over half her face anymore. "It was nice."

"You even danced a couple of times." There was a look in John's eye that made her question if there was something else on his mind. It was an odd knowing twinkle like he knew something she didn't.

"Yeah, first time not really by choice. And the second time, just ta get rid of a nuisance." Kristal shrugged. "I really ain't much of a dancer."

"Oh?" John queried, "you didn't enjoy dancing? It is a favorite past time of old, you know? Bringing people together."

Kristal said nothing. She wasn't about to admit that maybe a part of her had indeed enjoyed dancing, it was just the company to which she had been dancing with that particularly annoyed her. Perhaps if she had danced with anyone other than Billy, she might have a different opinion. But no one else had asked her to dance the rest of the night. Then again, she more than likely would have turned them down anyway, like she had done earlier on in the night. Billy had all but forced her to the first time, and the second time, pestered her until she relented.

John chuckled softly and then changed the subject. "I was talking with Susan McSween tonight, and she had a brilliant idea. I am hoping you will like it as well."

"Susan? That's Alex McSween's wife?" Kristal questioned curiously.

"It is. And I mentioned that you were torn about whether or not to stay with us." Tunstall lifted his hand when Kristal opened her mouth to say something. He wanted to get this out before he couldn't. "Her thoughts were, that with your past, and notorious reputation, perhaps you'd like to take on my last name. Pretend if you will. Just in case the law does come around and then, if you like, we could say you're my niece. Only when anyone questions it, though. So you needn't worry. It would be the perfect facade. You can stay. You can be Kristal Tunstall for all intents and purposes."

Surprise flickered over her features, and her gaze slowly turned to John. "Wait, yer offerin' fer me ta use yer last name ta fool anyone comin' 'round here lookin' fer me? Ya want me ta pretend ta be yer kin?" Kristal was slowly trying to work past her shock. "You would really do that fer me?"

John's smile at her reaction was filled with joy, "of course, dear. It might be a little selfish on my part, but if it means you will stay, you can pretend to be Kristal Tunstall all you wish. In order to keep the law and anyone else off your tail."

"How would that even work? I don't sound as dignified as you. An' I certainly don't have a British accent." It was said in thought, but Kristal was wondering if it could possibly work. Should she even dare hope?

"You and I both know, you can speak 'dignified' if you truly wished. As for the accent, we can say you lost it during your time here. I am sure we can come up with some elaborate story." John once again smiled, clearly having thought about it for a good while. "I'm rather good at stories. We would simply need to come up with one together."

The older man eyed her. Being as open and honest as he could without scaring her away. He paused, watching the boys as they rode a little ways ahead, before speaking, "you have grown on me, my dear. To have a young lady around." He again raised his hand, "I know you don't like to be called a lady. But it is how I see you. I am fond of our talks and discussions. You have great insight to life and have been through much. I would be happy to give you that, much like I have given the boys. A place to call your home. And people who care about you. For, I do indeed care about you. Like a daughter... Or niece that I never had."

No one had ever done anything like that for her. Surprise remained on her tanned face, and her eyes lowered to the ground but didn't pay attention as dirt and dry grass moved passed them. She didn't quite understand why John would go to such lengths for her. He hadn't known her for very long. Yet, he was willing to risk much by claiming her as kin to anyone nosing around. "I... I... dunno what to say..."

"Might as well agree," Billy called out as he moved his horse closer, having heard the whole thing. "Then, you can stick around like we all know you want to."

Pressing her lips together, Kristal glared at Billy. God, he was annoying! Why did he always have to be lurking around? Ignoring the boy, she hesitated, unsure what to say. Yet, she knew Billy was right though too. She really did want to stay. For the first time in her life she felt wanted for who she was, not what she could do. She felt warm and cared for. It was like nothing she had ever felt before.

The other boys were ahead of them a bit singing ole lang syne. She shifted on her seat, hating this damnable wagon. If only she could be riding.

John chuckled, "you don't have to decide right this second. You can sleep on it and let me know when we're all well-rested."

Kristal sighed, looking in John's direction. "I'm sorry, I just... It's a lot to think about. Maybe some rest would help." She then nodded, glancing at Billy's horse again. "But, I'll definitely think on it. I... it's very tempting, Mister Tunstall. I'll admit... I'll think carefully about it."

"Good. That is all I ask. And I'll equally admit, I do hope your answer will be a yes. You have grown on this old man. I care about you, my dear. Just like I do the rest of these wild boys. You fit here. You belong here. You have become family."

John's words echoed through her head. She was speechless, unsure what to say. What could she say? She cared for him too. Quite a great deal. He had wormed his way into her carefully guarded heart. And to be considered family? A warmth began to fill her at this strange feeling she felt. Her gaze remained on Billy's horse, completely speechless. Seeing the boy riding made her feel that longing for her own stallion, to feel the wind in her hair, stinging her cheeks. She loved to ride.

Billy frowned, watching the girl. She kept looking at his horse. Did she want a ride? If so, all she had to do was ask. But of course that would be asking too much of her, he thought with a roll of his eyes. "Ya wanna ride?" He finally asked blue eyes tilted expectantly toward her.

Turning to Billy, Kristal hesitated. Yeah, she wanted to ride, but she didn't want to leave John, and she certainly didn't want to ride along behind Billy. "Nah, it's fine. I'll stay in the wagon."

"Go ahead, Kristal. You've been wanting to ride for some time. And William can make sure your steady after that wound. You should be fine. Don't worry about me. I'll ride the wagon back myself." Came John's voice in her ear.

Kristal hesitated once more, and John smiled, "go on with Billy." The boys ahead started laughing and racing each other, which made John laugh, "boys will be boys." Turning back to Kristal, seeing that she was still hesitating, John's expression turned questioning. "He's a good lad, my dear. Sometimes you have to put your trust in someone."

A sigh left Kristal's lips, and she turned to look back at Billy, who was now grinning at her with that smile she loathed. "Yeah, but it don't need ta be him." She grumbled under her breath. "I don't trust him at all."

Catching her words, Billy chuckled, "why not? I ain't gonna hurt ya. Promise. You can put your trust in me, Miss Starr. I give ya my word as a gentleman."

A scoff left Kristal's lips, and she wanted to say something sarcastic when John intervened. "See, if a man doesn't have his word to go by, then what does he have? You wish to ride. Go. Have fun. Don't bore yourself with an old man's prattle and company."

Rolling her eyes, Kristal turned to John, "you are hardly borin' Mr. Tunstall. But," she sighed, unable to believe she was thinking about giving in. "I do miss ridin', though."

"Then go. It'll give you the chance to see if you are back up to par. And should it pain you, Master William will be right there to aid you." John encouraged. "And if it's still too much, you can come right back."

Biting her lower lip, she stared for a good long while at the horse, before finally relenting. "Fine, but ya better behave yer self, Bonney."

"Perish the thought!" Billy joked, his smile lighting up his eyes.

It took a moment, as Kristal pressed her lips together, and she finally stood. Billy closed in on his horse and offered her a hand. His smile shifted into a satisfied smirk as she accepted and swung herself behind him. "There. That ain't so bad, is it?"

"Not. William. That is not so bad." John couldn't help but correct, even though he knew the boy knew better. He smiled and nodded at them, encouraging them to join the other boys up ahead. Seeing a hint of a smile quirk at Kristal's lips, he chuckled. "Go! Enjoy the ride home. We have chores to do when we get there."

With a whoop, Billy kneed his horse into a gallop forward. He started whooping and hollering as he neared the other boys. He wasn't entirely sure what the boys would say or think to see Kristal behind him on his horse, but he had a winning smile on his face no less. Like he had won some sort of victory. But that feeling was quickly over when he felt a firm squeeze on his shoulder and heard a hushed, "Billy" in his ear. Turning at the sound of worry in Kristal's voice, his eyes widened. A group of riders rode over the hill. He watched in abject horror as they shot John down in cold blood.

"John!" Kristal tried screaming, but her voice came out in a pained whisper instead. Her mouth dropped open, her brows drawn together as she witnessed the one person who actually meant something to her be gunned down like a dog. "Son-of-a..." She began wanting to urge Billy forward. She'd kill them all! Every last one of them. Of course, it was a foolish thought, one that would get her killed, but she couldn't just sit there. They had to do something!

Billy sat there too, in complete shock, before anger washed over him and he started to urge his horse forward, towards John's limp figure. He forgot that Kristal was still sitting behind him. All he wanted was to make them all pay.

Doc quickly rode forward, placing an arm in front of Billy, stopping him. "No! No! It's too many!" Billy tried to object, but Doc continued, "Billy, it's too many. Let's get out of here!" Just as he said that the group of men started to head down the hill towards them.

As Billy swore under his breath and turned to follow Doc, Dick, and the rest, Kristal shook her head. "No, wait... what're we doin'? We gotta make 'em pay!"

"If you haven't noticed Miss Starr, there's a whole lot more of them than there are of us. So shut the hell up and be thankful you weren't still on the wagon. You'd probably be dead too." Dick snapped at her.

For the first time, Kristal sat speechless. Dick was right. If she hadn't gotten on Billy's horse... she could very well be shot dead too. Her gaze lifted to Doc, Charlie, and then Chavez, who all looked at her with concern, before they turned to follow Dick.

"Hang tight, Kris," Billy called back to her and spurred his horse forward.

Kristal turned to look behind them, a hand wrapping around Billy to keep her steady. Her eyes remained on John's fallen figure; pain etched on her face. The man was gone, gunned down like a dog. And here she hadn't even given him an answer. She should have accepted and not been so hard on Tunstall. She should have told him how she felt. That she cared for him too... That she would have been happy to accept... And now he was gone. Forever. A single tear drifted down her cheek, and she closed her eyes as the pounding in her heart matched the pounding of the horses riding towards them. She would make them all regret killing Tunstall. One way or another. They would all die... "I swear it... They'll all die, they'll all pay..." she whispered under her breath.

***

Tunstall's funeral was small. Not many showed up for fear of suffering the same fate John did. However, Tunstall's boys were all there, including Kristal and Alex and Susan McSween. Even the Ellis' showed up towards the end. Dick read a eulogy as well as a passage from the Bible while they all looked on. It was clear they were all stricken with grief. Their rock and saving grace had just perished. The man that had given them shelter and a means to start over would be forever lost. None knew how to go forward. They all wanted vengeance, but how could they go up against Murphy, Dolan, the Ring and their men. As the funeral ended, each placed a rose on the grave and walked off, feeling a sense of loss, anguish, and foreboding.

After the funeral was over, Alex went to talk to the Justice of the Peace. Murphy's men all looked on in the distance while the Regulators and Kristal Starr stood a few feet away, letting the two men talk. Keeping her head down, Kristal leaned against the tree, her thoughts running wild. The men responsible for John's death were across the street watching them, along with Lawrence Murphy, their ringleader. She should have known Murphy was responsible. It made sense now; it didn't make it right, but now she understood why John died — because of Murphy and the feud they had going. Because Murphy and Dolan were selfish assholes who couldn't handle good honest competition.

Alex and Wilson, the Justice of the Peace, were talking in hushed tones, but Kristal could hear bits and pieces of what they were saying. Still, she kept her head down, hat low hiding her red-rimmed eyes. She didn't cry, damnit! Over some old man, she had only known for a short while? This was pathetic. Her ma would scold her, and worse yet, Sam would probably have slapped some sense into her.

However, John had been kind. He had taken her in when she needed it. And he let her stay even though he didn't have to. And, to top it all off had asked her to stay, offering to shelter her not just with a roof over her head, but in name to protect her reputation. The man had become a father figure to her, someone she had cared for deeply. It took every bit of self-control she had to not to waltz over to Murphy and shoot him between the eyes. If she didn't have the others around her, who were more than likely to jump in to help her, she would have done it already without any regard to her own safety.

Something Alex said caught her hearing and Kristal lifted her head to look at the older man and the Lawyer. He was kidding, right? There was no way he thought that was a good idea. She had to agree with the Justice of the Peace on this one. None of John's boys were hardened enough to go after the ones responsible for Tunstall's death. They were all young, her included, but she had been raised differently. She had killed her first man at fourteen. And the number of deaths went up from thereafter. Most claimed she was a bloodthirsty killer; others said she was cold-hearted or heartless. Whatever she was, Kristal Starr was used to that lifestyle. Still, what McSween suggested was just foolish.

Within minutes they were inside the barn, and Wilson was preparing to read them all to rights. All the boys stood in a circle about to be deputized. This was probably the most ridiculous thing she could think of happening. It was beyond foolish; it was a death sentence for them all.

Kristal finally had enough and suddenly threw up her hands, shaking her head. "Wait, ya gotta be kiddin' me here. Y'all are gonna be deputized?"

"Aren't you going to join us?" Doc asked. "You can be deputized too."

"Me?" Kristal gave a sarcastic laugh. "I ain't law material. I'm..." she paused and glanced at both McSween and the Justice of the Peace, "not exactly an upstandin' citizen."

"Neither are we. But we gotta do what we gotta do, right?" Charlie entered. "For John."

Billy just eyed her, not saying a word. He had been uncomfortably silent since John's death.

"Maybe it's for the best." The Justice of the Peace interjected. "After all, she is a young lady."

Doc frowned, "that's archaic thinking." Turning to Kristal, his gaze pleaded with her, "please, Kris. Like Charlie said, for John."

Before anyone else could say anything, Dick rolled his eyes. "Why are we arguing? Let her do what she wants. None of us are going to persuade her. Let's get this done so we can right the wrong done to John."

"But if she's not going to be deputized, how can she help us?" Charlie asked, still looking at Kristal hope in his eyes.

Speaking up again, Doc shook his head. "She can help, but she can't issue any arrests." He, too looked at her with pleading eyes.

Narrowing her eyes on Dick, Kristal shook her head before her gaze settled on Doc and Charlie. "I can't, alright. It ain't in me ta become a law dog. I'm all for rightin' the wrong done ta Mister Tunstall, but wearin' a badge..." Her gaze turned on each of them as her voice trailed off. She was an outlaw, not a damn tool. For once, Dick was right, she did what she wanted, and she didn't want to become bound to the law. Raising her hands, Kristal slowly backed towards the door, "It goes against who I am."

"You're not leaving?" Billy finally spoke, questioning her movement. There was something in his eyes that made her hesitate. That same pain had returned, from when he spoke of his mother. She assumed it was because of the loss of Tunstall.

The blonde woman shrugged. "I ain't exactly welcome around the law. Maybe it's time fer me ta go." She could deal her own form of justice then. "I don't wanna put y'all in a bind."

"We're not gonna do anything against..." Billy stopped and glanced at old-man Wilson, the Justice of the Peace, before continuing, "you."

Doc then added with a nod, "that's right! We're only going after Murphy's men. Justice for John."

"Stay, Kristal, please." Charlie pleaded as well.

God, how could she resist Charlie's big pleading eyes and Doc's puppy dog expression? And even the pain in Billy's eyes continued to make her pause. "Fine. I won't leave. But I ain't gonna watch y'all throw yer lives away either." It was said in jest despite the gravity of the situation. "I'll wait fer y'all outside." Donning her hat, she turned to exit the barn.

"You should have just let her leave. We don't need her." Kristal heard Dick grumble to the boys as she headed for the door. She didn't hear the other responses, but her hands clenched into tight fists as she walked out of the building. Anger filled her as she exited, and she had to walk a few yards away to try and cool her temper down. If Dick weren't one of John's boys, she would gladly shoot the man. Or better yet, slit his throat. She didn't know who infuriated her more half the time, Dick or Billy. Leaning against a post, Kristal glared at the ground, still fuming.

"Howdy there, miss. May I ask, what's going on?" Came a voice to her right.

The young woman glanced at the man out of the corner of her eye but said nothing. Something about the man made her keep her mouth shut. She didn't know what it was, but he seemed familiar. Maybe he was one of Murphy's men?

"Awe, come on... I won't bite." The man insisted, turning his full attention on her.

"Don't think it's any o' yer business." Kristal finally snapped, her tone low and deadly.

A half-smile appeared on the man's face. "Awe, don't be like that. I was just curious. Heard that Englishman got shot down..." he paused as the blonde woman turned to glare at him. "You know, you seem awfully familiar to me. Do I know you from somewhere?"

"Don't reckon ya do. I certainly don't know you." A hand slid to the gun at her waist, and Kristal shifted ready to shoot him down if he recognized her. "I think ya should be on yer way."

"Awe, you looked a might bit upset. I just wanted to help. And seeing as you looked familiar, I couldn't help myself." The stranger grinned, but there was something strange in his dark eyes. "I don't mean ya any harm."

"Everything okay here?" Came a voice from behind Kristal, that she immediately recognized as Charlie's.

The strange man stepped back and lifted his hands into the air. "Just fine. I was just talking to the lady. She seemed a mite bit upset."

"She's with us; we'll take care of her. No need to trouble yourself." Charlie continued, stepping forward and placing a hand on her shoulder.

The gesture caused Kristal to blink in surprise. Sweet Charlie was claiming she was with them. It oddly warmed her heart, and yet she felt like she needed to correct him and say she wasn't really. They had no obligation to her. They were not kin. What if it got him in some trouble? "Charlie..." She began.

"If that's all, you can be on your way," Charlie added, not giving Kristal a chance to speak up.

With a shrug, the stranger glanced one last time at the gaping woman. "I'll be seeing you, then ma'am. Afternoon." He thumbed his hat and nodded to Charlie before walking off.

After the man was out of hearing distance, Charlie turned to her. "Kristal, didn't you know that's one of Murphy's men? What did he want?"

A frown pulled at Kristal's face, "yeah, I figured as much. He said he thought he recognized me..." It worried her. Did he look familiar to her? Had she seen him before? She couldn't be sure. Hell, he could have been one of Belle and Sam's boys for all she knew before he joined Murphy. The two outlaws were continually bringing in new men to join their gang. But then, if that were the case, and he was no longer with the gang, then the Starr gang was... disbanded? It worried her when it should have relieved her. If the Starr gang was disbanded, then she was free to do whatever the hell she wanted. And yet, she didn't feel free...

Charlie looked at her with concern, before nudging her, "c'mon. We're going after our first warrant. Dick, Billy, and the rest are waiting with the horses."

"They sent you ta come fer me?" Kristal mused, a half-smile gracing her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "How kind o' them ta wait up fer me."

"Billy's the one that insisted most. Him and Dick got into a little fight about it." Charlie admitted with a sigh.

"Go figure. Dick wanted ta leave me behind. Bastard." Kristal breathed under her breath. That man was really starting to get on her last nerve. Though, she was a little surprised that Billy stuck up for her. Why had he? What was he gaining by doing so? All these thoughts and questions were inevitably going to give her a headache. Letting out a soft sigh, she finally nodded. "A'right, Charlie. Justice fer John." At Charlie's nod, Kristal smirked, "Let's go get this bastard."