Chi opened her eyes only to quickly shut them again. She slowly reopened them. Looking around she couldn't figure out where she was.

Chi tried to sit up only to lay back down as a sharp pain slice through her side. Clawing at the blankets with a moan she rode out the pain.

Chris walked into the room carrying a tray with broth and tea on it. He saw her looking around. "Hello. I'm glad your awake. We were getting worried."

Setting the tray down on the table near the bed, "I hope your hungry. Our housekeeper made some broth for you." He turned to see her confused and frightened.

"Where am I?' Chi asked as she tried to sit up again.

"Here let me help you. I'm Chris Larabee. Your on the M7 Ranch. Owned by me and my six brothers." Chris answered as he helped her sit up. Propping a few pillows behind her.

Chi smiled. "Thank you. How did I get here?"

Turning and picking up the tray Chris smiled at her question. "We were hoping you could tell me. I found you by the side of our barn. Two days ago. I don't even know your name." As he sat the tray on her lap. Then sitting in the same chair that he spent the last two days in.

Taking a small sip of the tea. Chi let her eyes wonder over him. Bringing her blue eyes meet his blue ones. Lowering her eyes Chi played with the rim of the cup. "I don't know. The only thing I remember is seeing my family murdered."

Chris could relate to her pain. Leaning forward and taking her hand in his. Gently lifting her chin wiht his thumb and forefinger he made her look at him. "I'm sorry. I know how your feeling. I lost my family three years ago. Take your time. Lets see how about we call you Samantha till you remember?"

Chi smiled and rubbed her thumb over his. "I like it. I don't want to be any trouble."

Chris smiled. "Your no trouble. Now eat up before Nathan has my hide."

Chi smiled back. "Alright." She released his hand. Taking a few spoonfuls of broth. "This is your room. I shouldn't be here." She pointed to the rifle hanging on the wall.

Chris nodded, "Yes it is. It's quieter here then in the guest room by the stairs. My younger brothers are some what noisy and you added the rest." Seeing she was done he removed the tray. "Now get some sleep. Maybe tomorrow Nathan will let me show you around."

Chi nodded. "Okay. Thank you for helping me."

"You're welcome." Placing the tray back on the table. He turned and helped her lay back down. "I'll be right back if you need me."

"Okay" Chi watched him leave through sleepy eyes. As he picked up the tray and left the room.

Taking the tray to the kitchen. As he sat it down on the counter. He shook his head "Sorry Nettie. She wasn't very hungry."

"Thats okay Chris. Did you find anything out about her?" Nettie asked cleaning off the tray.

"Not really. She only remembers seeing her family murdered." Sitting on the counter he continued. "Nettie an I wrong to have some feelings for her? I don't want to be untrue to Sarah."

Nettie smiled as she turned to him. Patting his leg. "No son it's not wrong. Sarah would want you to move on with your life and be happy. I think she would approve of her."

Chris thought a moment then nodded and hoped off the counter. Hugging Nettie "Thank you. Your right. I will always love Sarah but I have to move on. I better get back. She's not quite sure of anything yet."

Nettie smiles. "Go on, Now scoot."

Chris smiled and headed back to his room. Walking in he saw she had fallen back asleep. He made his way over to the bed. pulling the covers back up over her. He sat in the chair and picked up the book of poems he was reading. He smiled at her then turned his attention back to his book.

Looking up form his book he could see she was growing restless. Chris reached over and took her hand. A smiled crossed his face as he watched her quiet down and sleep more peacefully. Putting his book down he leaned back and stretched out in the chair and closed his eyes.

Ezra kept thinking to himself as he walked down the boardwalk with his mother, that the good Lord could not have laid so heavy a burden on him as to have to dance attendance upon her during her sojourn in Four Corners. Just when things seemed to be going his way, too! He sighed heavily as he thought about the young lady who was in the saloon a few days before. He had not been able to find the time to speak with her since then, but she had definitely made an impression upon him. And he still couldn't quite recall where he had seen her before. He frowned in concentration.

"My boy, what on earth has caused such an expression of vexation to cross your features?" Maude's soft but steel-edged voice broke through his thoughts. "I have twice asked you a question, and twice you have failed to make requisite answer. Now, what seems to be the problem?"

"I am trying to recall a name, Mother." Ezra replied. "There is a young lady in town, a rather lovely one, whom I am certain I have beheld before, but I cannot recall where, or what her name might be. Perhaps if you were to view her countenance, you could supply the answer to my, ah, problem, as you call it." He looked directly into her face, then around the immediate area, trying to spot Lilith. "Would that I knew where she was located at this moment." he added, almost to himself.

Maude watched Ezra as he spoke. "It is obvious to me that this so called 'lady', in a short space of time, has become somewhat important to you." she observed. "Might one inquire as to the reason why?"

"If I were certain as to the reason, Mother, I might enlighten you. But, as I am not, then I cannot tell you." he replied, searching the area once more. This time his search was rewarded, for there was Lilith, dressed in a lilac skirt with black braid trim along the hem, a high-necked white blouse, and a short, matching lilac paletot*, just emerging from the merchantile, a small package under her arm.

The gambler leaned closer to Maude. "There she is." he murmured in her ear. "At the door of the merchantile. Do you see her?"

Maude looked in the direction her son had indicated. "Yes, I do," she murmured back, and began to study Lilith as she crossed the street, heading towards the restaurant. After a moment, she nodded her blonde head. "Indeed, Ezra, I can tell you exactly where I have seen her before...and with whom." she said quietly. "Do you remember a fellow gambler named Elias Johnson?"

Ezra nodded. "I do seem to recall him." he answered, his heart sinking. He had a feeling Maude was about to tell him something he would rather not hear. Just at that moment, a woman's scream rent the air. Ezra looked around rapidly, then realized that Lilith was nowhere in sight. He began to run to where he had last seen her.

"Ezra! Where are you going? I was not finished!" Maude called out to him, clearly annoyed.

"I shall return momentarily, Mother!" he called over his shoulder as he ran. He headed down the street, gun drawn, in the direction the scream had come from. Rounding the corner of the grain exchange, he came upon the source-it was Lilith, and she was struggling in the grip of two men, the short squat man and the one who had folded first in the card game where she had caught the former cheating. They had bound her hands and were trying to force her onto a horse.

Lilith had been aware that someone was watching her as she crossed the street, but she had thought that it was Ezra and the lady standing with him. The lady was staring at her most intently and it made her uncomfortable, particularly as the stare was one of recognition. She shuddered slightly and quickened her steps.

As she passed the alleyway between the grain exchange and the hardware, a pair of rough hands reached out and pulled her into the dim, shadowy interior. Her package fell to the ground. She tried vainly to see who had grabbed her. "Whoever you are, please-please let go!" she pleaded, panic creeping into her voice. "I don't have any money!"

"Money ain't what we want, honey." growled a familiar voice. Lilith stiffened. The short, squat man, named Ray, continued. "It's you we're after." He held her tighter. "Come on, Jamie, hurry up and tie her hands. The sooner we get out of here, the better."

Jamie stepped forward. "I'm for that." He produced a middle- sized length of rope and rapidly bound Lilith's hands together. "All right now, girl, up on the horse." he ordered, tugging on the rope. Ray began to push her towards the waiting animal.

Now Lilith fully realized what their purpose was, and it flooded her with blind fright. She dug her feet into the dirt and began to try and free herself. A choked, but loud scream came from her throat. "No!" she pleaded with them. "Stop! I don't want to go!" Ray gave her another push and she fell to her knees.

Another sound was heard-the loud, echoing report of a bullet being fired from a gun. It barely cleared the heads of the two men. They stopped dead in their tracks and slowly raised their hands. "Very good, gentlemen." said Ezra, pointing the gun straight at their heads. "Now, would you be so kind as to release the lady? I do believe I heard her say she did not wish to go with you." His eyes narrowed.

Jamie wasted no time in bending down and freeing Lilith's hands. "There, she's released." he told Ezra. "Can me and my friend leave now?"

"No, I think not." Ezra replied coolly. "There is a little matter of of a charge of disturbing the peace and attempted abduction that you must answer to." He placed his thumb on the gun's hammer and cocked it back once more.

"Hold it!" Ray growled. "You can't put us in jail unless she wants you to!" He pointed to where Lilith, half-kneeling now, was attempting to stand.

"Miss Todd." the gambler called over to her. "Do you wish to press charges against these men? For if you do, I shall promptly incarcerate them." He glared back at Jamie and Ray. "And I shall do so with the utmost pleasure."

Lilith shook her head and stood up, grimacing slightly. "That's not necessary, Mr. Standish." she replied. "All I wish is-to be left alone. But I thank you just the same." She straightened to her full height and slowly walked to her fallen package to pick it up. Doing so, she turned back to where Ezra stood, his gun still pointed at the two men. "Let them go." she said quietly. "I don't think they will try it again, now that they have been seen."

Ezra slowly lowered the weapon, and put the hammer back in its original position. "I do believe you are right, my dear." he replied. "If it were me, I would leave town as rapidly as I could." He glanced at Jamie and Ray once more. "Don't you agree?"

The two malefactors were already mounted. "We agree!" Jamie replied, and putting his heels to his horse's sides, rode past Ezra and Lilith. Ray was not too far behind.

When the dust cleared, Ezra turned to where Lilith had stood. "They are gone now, Miss Todd, and I can assure you that..." but he spoke to empty air. Lilith somehow had also gotten past him, and was gone. He looked around. Damnation! he swore to himself. Where had she gone to?

"Ezra! Ezra!" Maude called, walking rapidly up to him. "Just what has happened here? And where did the young lady take herself off to?"

Ezra shook his head, clearly confused and bewildered. "I wish I knew, Mother. I wish I knew."

(*note-a paletot is a loose jacket worn by women and children.)

"...I sure would like to know what happened to Miss Griffith. Her face is all bruised. My guess is that she's been beaten. But who and why? How do I find out, Miz Potter?" Vin Tanner asked, a short time after he returned to the mercantile.

"Well, Vin." Gloria Potter said, sighing. "It seems to me that there are two possibilities. One, that she is trying to escape punishment for something she's done wrong. Or two, that she is running from a bad person who hurt her. You need to find out which. You said she came in on the stage with Ezra's mama. Ask HER."

"All right, I will. Thanks, ma'am." Vin said. "I've got to deliver these things to her over at the Hotel, so I'll do it now." He picked up a stack of packages from the counter and left the store.

Walking into the Hotel, Vin approached the desk clerk. "Howdy, Miss Eunice. Miz Standish ordered these things from the mercantile and I'm here to deliver 'em. She in her room?"

The brown-haired young woman hesitated a moment before answering. "I..think so. Why don't you let me take them and I'll see that Misses Standish gets them?" Eunice eyed the various packages curiously.

"Oh, no. I can't have you losing any more hair ribbons or lockets between here and the room. I had to replace the last things you LOST out of MY pay. I'll take these things up myself." Vin said as he turned away and headed for the stairs.

"Well, of all the nerve!" Eunice Crawford exclaimed to his receding back. Then in a lower tone she added, "Yeah, and I'll bet he keeps the tip, too."

Vin knocked on Room 3 and shifted the packages to a more comfortable position. The door opened and Maude Standish stood facing him.

"Oh, Mister Turner. Are these the things I picked out?" Maude softly drawled.

Vin grimaced, but didn't correct her. "Yes, ma'am. Where do you want them?"

"Bring them in and put them on the bed for now. I'll take care of them later."

Vin did as requested, then he cleared his throat to speak. Maude thought that he wanted a tip and dug out a dollar coin from her reticule. As she paid him, she commented. "Usually Miss Crawford collects all the tips, then disburses them for me. She said it would be easier for me than to have to tip each person each time. Has she changed her system?"

"Yes ma'am, she has. I'd suggest you tip the person doing the service from now on, instead of lining Miss Crawford's pockets."

Maude's cold blue eyes narrowed at the lanky Texan's words. "I believe I SHALL from now on. Thank you, Mister Turner. You've been MOST helpful."

"Miz Standish, can I ask you a question about Miss Griffith?" Vin replied softly, shuffling his feet nervously. Something about Maude always made Vin nervous.

"What would you like to know?" the older blonde asked, eying Vin curiously.

"Would you tell me about her? I'm trying to figure out if she needs help or not. I mean, you saw her face." Vin's voice skidded to a stop and he shrugged.

Maude smiled knowingly. "Actually, we met in Eagle Bend on the stagecoach. I asked her if she was running from a drunken husband, and she replied that she was fleeing a 'vicious beast' who WANTED to be her husband." Maude paused a moment to let the implication sink in.

"Then she ain't married." Vin said, smiling.

"That's right, Mister Turner. And I DO believe she could benefit from a protector. As to her ending up in this dreadful little town, it was purely by accident. She was supposed to go to Dutch Gap, but the driver's assistant thought she was with me and they left her here instead. That is all I know about the young lady. The rest you will have to ask her yourself."

"Thank you very much, Miz Standish. What you told me helps a lot." Vin said as he walked out into the hallway.

At that very moment, the object of their conversation sat on the examining table in Nathan Jackson's clinic. Ruth Williams waited for her in the outer room. She had insisted on bringing Cerridwen to the clinic as soon as the younger woman had settled into her room. Boudicca, the cat, had been left behind to nap on the bed.

Nathan had already checked CerriAn's face and head. He had shaken his head in disgust and mumbled a threat against CerriAn's attacker. Her left eye was black and swollen shut. Her nose was broken, her mouth was bruised. She had bruises on her jaw and handprints on both cheeks, a lump on her forehead and bruises with bite marks on her neck.

Nathan came over to her and quietly said, "Now Miss CerriAn, I need to check over the rest of ya. Do you want Miz Williams in here? If ya do, I'll fetch her for ya."

"Yes, please. It would be better for both our reputations to have her here." CerriAn said and gave him a tiny smile.

"I thank ya for thinkin' of me." Nathan said, pleased by the consideration. He stepped to the doorway and continued, "Miz Williams, Miss CerriAn would like you to join us while I examine her injuries."

Ruth Williams stood and walked into the room to stand beside Cerridwen.

Nathan proceeded to thoroughly check CerriAn's body for damage; grunting, mumbling and cursing as he did so. When he was finished, he looked at Cerridwen and spoke. "Well, there's no doubt about it. You was forced against yer will. I see lots of bruises and bite marks, but nothin' broke 'cept yer nose. Yer jaw is bruised, but the bone is intact. Do yer teeth feel loose? If they do, I suggest a soft diet for about a week. Nothin' that ya have to chew very much. I'll bet yer sore all over. Just treat yerself gentle and the bruises will go away." He hesitated before continuing.

"The biggest problem I can see is that he might have planted his seed in ya. I got an herbal mixture that will help clean ya out, if ya want to take it."

"Yes, please. I will NOT bear him a child. I've already refused his offer, that's when he hurt me and had his way with me. I'd like the herbs, please." CerriAn said softly, tears in her emerald green eyes.

"Okay, I'll get 'em ready. Once you drink the tea I brew from them, you'll need to lie quiet until ya start bleedin'. Then it'll be just like yer monthly course. I'll be right back."

After Nathan had left the room, Ruth Williams turned to Cerridwen. "Are you sure you want those herbs? Maybe it would be best to let God decide."

CerriAn looked up at the older woman and sighed deeply. "Roger raped me thinking that afterward I would have no choice but to marry him. If I carry his child, I'll never be free of him. I DO NOT WANT HIM!! This is the best way. It's much too soon to tell if I've even conceived. This just makes sure that I don't. Kind of like closing the stall door so the horse can't escape. You're not sure the horse wants to escape, but just in case he does, he can't."

"All right, dear. I see your point. Do what you think you should."

They decided that CerriAn should take the tea with her and drink it in her own room. It worked as promised. During the next week or so, Cerridwen stayed pretty much in her room, recouperating. By the time she was ready to go out in public again, most of her bruises and bite marks had healed.

Ruth Williams put it down to good blood lines, but CerriAn knew that she had received a great deal of help from the healing stone she wore in a pendant over her heart. The stone was ancient and very powerful, so Cerridwen guarded it carefully. Its magic was to be used only for good. Cerridwen had brought it over from Wales and would bestow it to an honest and wise healer after she made the healer immortal. Nathan Jackson just might be the one. Time would tell.

CerriAn awoke with with the sun streaming into her window. She yawned and stretched. The bleeding had stopped during the night and she felt good again.

Looking at the clock, she realized that it was just past sunrise. Opening her door quietly, she slipped into the hall and made her way to Ruth William's room. CerriAn knocked and the door opened.

"Oh, CerriAn! Good morning, I was just going to go down to the kitchen to start breakfast. Is everything all right?" the gentle blonde asked.

"I'm feelin' much better. The bleeding has stopped. Is it all right if I take a bath? Then I can come down and help you in the kitchen." Cerridwen smiled at her.

"Of course, dear. I'll bring up the hot water you'll need." Seeing the smoothly polished dark green stone on the white silken cord around Cerridwen's neck, Ruth continued. "What's that, dear? It's lovely."

She reached out to touch it, but CerriAn put it into her own hand. Jolding it up for Ruth to see, CerriAn told her, "I call it my Homesick Stone. It came from my mother's garden. I had it polished and put on this cord. Whenever I start to miss my family or my homeland, I touch it and I feel closer to them. It has no value, except tp me. But I prize it greatly. I hope you understand."

Ruth Williams smiled gently at the young redhead. "I understand. I'm glad it comforts you. They are VERY far away, aren't they? Wales is near England, isn't it?"

"That's right. Across the Atlantic Ocean."

"Well, you go run the cold water for your bath and I'll bring up the hot in a few minutes."

Later that morning as Ruth prepared to go to the mercantile for supplies, CerriAn stopped her. "Oh, please let me do it! I'm feeling ever so much better and I'd love to take a look around. I haven't set foot outside since comin' back from the clinic. That was over a week ago. Please?!?"

Laughing, Ruth gave Cerridwen the list and said, "Tell Gloria at the mercantile that I will be in on Saturday to settle with her."

"I will. Thank you. I won't be gone long." CerriAn said as she disappeared out the kitchen door.

Cerridwen looked around with interest at the buildings and especially the people as she walked from the boarding house to the mercantile. This was to be her new home and she liked it.

Across the street she saw Misses Standish walking with a handsome young man who was dressed in fancy clothes. He looked slightly uncomfortable, but the older woman didn't seem to notice.

Walking into the mercantile, CerriAn was pleased to see Vin Tanner putting things onto a shelf. She walked over behind him and spoke. "Hello, Mister Tanner. It's nice to see you again."

"Well, hey there Miss Griffith. You must be feelin' better. I see your bruises are mostly gone."

"Yes, all except the broken nose. That will take a bit longer."

"You took quite a beating. Are you in trouble?" Vin asked her, his concern showing in his clear, blue eyes.

"I'll tell you the short of it, Mister Tanner. I met a young man in Denver and he started callin' on me. I refused his proposal several times, but he kept at me. Finally, I convinced him that I didn't love him and he dragged me into an abandoned house and forced himself upon me. He caused the injuries you saw and many more that only Misses Williams and Mister Jackson saw. I went back to the boarding house where I stayed, got my things and Boudicca and took the next train. I ended up in Eagle Bend and took the next available stagecoach. I was headed for Dutch Gap, but they left me here by accident. His name is Roger Talbott and he has dark brown hair and gray eyes. I never want to see him again."

By the time Cerridwen had finished speaking, she was trembling all over from the memories, mixed with dread and loathing for her attacker. Vin noticed, and gently put his arms around her, cradling her against his warm body. He stroked her hair and whispered softly to her, soothing her. "Ain't nobody gonna hurt you again. Not that Talbott fella or anybody else. I'll see to it. You're safe now. Vin's here."

CerriAn relaxed in his embrace and snuggled closer for warmth. His arms tightened around her. They stood like that for almost fifteen minutes. The spell was broken when Gloria Potter came bustling out from the storeroom and discovered them.

They quickly stepped apart and Vin took the list from CerriAn's hand. He began filling the order while Cerridwen settled up with Misses Potter and purchased a few things for herself. Vin promised to deliver the order for Misses Williams right before lunch.

"Well then, if you'll be there at lunchtime, why don't ya stay and have lunch with me.. I mean us?" Cerridwen invited, smiling at him.

"Thanks, Miss CerriAn. I'd like that!" Vin replied.

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