August 4, 1899

Bisbee. 

This morning I walked over to Scara’s house and knocked on the door. She opened it and said, “Hello?” 

“Good morning! I wanted to come over and see if you wanted to have coffee... or tea...” I chuckled. 

She nodded and said, “Yes that would be wonderful. Would you like to have it here or in town?” 

“Here’s good,” I smiled. 

She held the door open for me and I walked in. She made some coffee for me and we sat down on her couch. 

“Have you seen Omega?” I asked her. 

“No not yet. I have noticed things being moved around the house so I guess that’s his doing because nothing has been taken,” she sighed. 

“Well he said he wouldn’t move from that spot until he saw you. I’m surprised he’s not here now,” I said. “I tried to get him to stay at the hotel down the street but he would hear nothing of it.” 

She shrugged as she passed a coffee to me. “Well I guess we have just been missing each other by minutes. I don’t expect him to just sit there, I imagine he would try and look for me in town as well.” 

“That’s true,” I nodded as she sat down beside me with her coffee. “Well it’s better to have heard from him since... but the connection we had was so strong I can’t not wait for him.” 

“Men are such strange creatures,” Scara smiled at me. “One minute they are there and the next they run for the hills.” 

“He said he had some family business to attend to... He was in from England I suppose... Charming man. I’ll never forget that voice even if I never see him again. Or no, it wasn’t family business,” I thought back, “Just business I think. Don’t think he ever specified...” 

“Sounds like to me you have it bad,” she smiled. “English men can be charming but I always found them to be a bit snakeish as well. Always something they want... Money, sex or both.” 

“Oh, he didn’t seem that way at all. He actually came with me I suppose to meet my brother half way to Canada... He wanted to make sure I would be safe.” 

“Then you found one of the rare ones that I only read about in books,” she giggled. 

“His name was Tyson,” I sighed. “I wonder every day if I’ll see that man again... We had a connection one only reads about in those romance novels. It truly was love at first sight and then... Just like that he was gone.” 

She coughed at that and I asked, “Are you alright?” 

She put her cup down and waved. “Don’t worry, I am fine,” she blushed. 

“I’m sorry, did I bring up a bad memory?” I studied her. 

“No, no, I just know a person with that name back when I was in England,” she shook her head, “And it was just a little surprise for me.” 

“I’m sure there are thousands of guys named Tyson over there.” 

“Yes, I am sure there are lots of people with that name,” she nodded. “Just a little shock for me but I am fine now.” 

“Well it’s just my luck really... Most men stay for a week and are done with me, or it’s just for a day that we have an amazing time and then they disappear. Or in this case a few days.” 

“It’s funny how men work,” she picked up her coffee and sipped it. “Even with my Omega. After all this time he has always been looking for me, but he still walked away as far as I know.” 

We continued to talk about work and she told me how she worked at the Crystal Palace in Tombstone with Lot. I told her about how I had done the same job in Colorado and we talked about all the saloons in Tombstone. After we finished our coffee I suggested we go for a walk. 

Black Diamond. 

We toured around Black Diamond together and then Scara headed home for a rest. Chet’s wife Souzan came up to me and we talked about how Chet was doing. I walked back over to the cafe and took a seat. Nim walked over and sat down with me. She told me about how she had faced Adrian in court. 

“It seems we have a gang war now,” she told me. 

“Oh?” 

“Yep, three outlaws went for Gabe in Tombstone last night, took out Gabe, Ali, Jade and myself.”

“Wow... Which outlaws?”

“Then they came here to black diamond and took out Paty and broke into the bank.” 

“Geez...”

“One moment, let me give you our warrants.” She handed me the warrants and said, “I may be putting a posse together later and making some folks temporary deputies. I will include you if your around.” 

I took the warrants from her and read the names Jac, Viper, and Balt. I sighed and leaned back in the chair. 

“Tough group,” she pointed out. 

“No kidding.” 

“I hear they have it in for Punk, thats why the war is starting up. Is there coffee?” 

“I hadn’t looked yet. Don’t think so. Need some of your strong stuff.”

She stood and went inside the cafe to make us some coffees and came back out to join me again. 

“Tell me more about last night,” I told her. 

“What would you like to know?” Nim smiled at me. 

“Anything... everything... What enticed it?”

“Revenge against Punk from what I am hearing.” 

“For what?” 

“I am not sure yet,” she smiled. 

“We need to hire a good cook for here. Hopefully we can convince that guy Matt to come around more.”

“Yes, Matty was a good cook and I think would be good for us here.” 

“Could use some lunch... wonderin’ where that boy’s at.”

It wasn’t long before Matty walked over to the cafe and I looked over, smiling. “Well look who it is. Just the man we were hopin’ would come ridin’ by to save us from our hunger.”

“Just in time to cook us up some breakfast,” Nim smiled as she sipped her coffee. 

“What? Breakfast? What gave you that idea?” Matt winked, taking a turkey out of his pack. 

“Missed ya,” I chuckled. “Dinner just wasn’t the same last night without you behind the stove.”

“Mmmm... looks like we will be well fed, kitchen is all yours,” Nim smiled at him.

“Now that there is somethin’ I could get used to.”

“You and me both,” Nim nodded. 

As Matt went to work in the kitchen, Nim continued to tell him about the gang war approaching. He agreed to help if he was around and then when he found out that Ali and Gabe had been shot, he got really upset. He asked if they were good shooters and we assured him that they were. 

I decided to head home and on the way out I saw Matt touching Nim’s arm. I couldn’t help but feel jealous as I walked away 

Bisbee. 

As I neared home, I wondered why I felt such jealousy. I realized then that it wasn’t so much about jealousy as it was for Ty to come back to me. The conversation with Scara had stirred up something in my spirit yet again and I wondered if I was going crazy or if I was finally in love. 

I heard the sound from the telegram machine in my office and went to read that two lawmen and a citizen had been shot down in Tombstone so I headed over to find out what was going on. 

Tombstone. 

There was a crowd in front of the bank and I wondered why I wasn’t surprised. I heard Nim say, “Jac, I have a warrant for your arrest, drop the guns and step away from the bank.”

I stepped back, watching from a distance, and then watched the group move to the clinic and I walked in to see Wedge sitting in one of the chairs. 

“Hey Wedge.” 

“Hey Trin.” 

“You okay?” I sat down beside him. 

He sat quiet and looked pale, and shook his head. 

Jac sat down beside us and asked Wedge if he was okay too. 

“Nice work Tina, thank you,” I looked over and saw Rikki telling her. 

Wedge passed out and I squeezed his hand. “Come on friend, snap out of it.”

The clinic was busy and I tried to wake Wedge up as more cries for a doctor came out. Matt walked in wounded with Brother D and I asked, “What happened?” 

“Just a flesh wound,” Matt sighed. 

“Better be,” I told him. “Sir, I need help getting Wedge to a table. He’s lost a lot of blood,” I said to the priest. 

“Lie still now,” Bree told Matt. 

“Good... just bring me a bottle of whiskey...” he took a deep breath. 

“Matt I’ll get ya your whiskey when we get back to Black Diamond,” I chuckled a bit. 

“For the wound... For the wound...” he said to me. 

“Oh that,” I winked. 

Sadie helped me get Wedge onto the table and I felt better that he was now able to lay down. 

Meanwhile, Matt took a swig of whiskey and said, “Mmm... Love this clinic...” I couldn’t help but chuckle. 

“Thanks for your help,” Sadie told me. 

“My pleasure,” I nodded. 

I walked over to Nim and asked if she was okay but she said she had been shot as well. Jess came in to help and I was relieved that there was more help. Bree told me to watch Balthazar so I kept watch of him until Nim was taken care of enough to take him to jail. I stepped back as Jess walked over and took care of him. 

Seeing that Wedge was still sleeping on the table, I walked over to Matt and chuckled, “You alright there, cowboy?”

“This is a great place,” he whispered in a relaxed tone. “I should get shot more often.” 

“Yeah you keep believing that and they’ll have to charge ya for rent.”

He offered the bottle to me and asked, “Want some? It is good...” 

I watched as Wedge finally woke up and was relieved that he would be okay. Looking back at Matt I chuckled, “Maybe later.” 

“Shen please listen,” Bree said as the ranger came into the bank. I looked over and listened in while she explained what happened. “Balthazar came breaking in back door of bank. Wedge followed him and saw him try open safe before Wedge could stop Balt shot him down. And then Rikki was shot down. Many tried help inside. Wedge would not stay down he staggered to send a gram for doc, came back to help Rikki.” 

“We ready to get mr. Matty home?” I asked Jess and she nodded. He stood, still sipping the whiskey bottle, and I chuckled. “Alright, you. Let’s get you back home. There’s enough bodies in here.”

He slid his whiskey bottle down to Nim and told her to drink up as we made our way out of the clinic. On the way in I saw Kyle, who I hadn’t seen since he’d left me for the other woman months ago. We didn’t talk long and I helped Matt get back to Black Diamond. 

Black Diamond. 

“Where’d you say you were staying?” I asked him as we rode Wind into town. 

“Staying in the ranch of Mysti... down south.” 

“Ah right. Head there, you need to lay down. No arguments, Mister.” 

“Where do you stay?” he laughed and asked me. 

“Another discussion for another time. I’ll be fine. Need you home first.”

“Very well,” he grumbled. 

“You’ll thank me later.” 

“I think I will.” 

We rode to the ranch and I took note that we passed by Nim’s place on the way. “Where were you shot, by the way?” I asked him as we rode. 

“By the wagon in town.” 

“In your body I mean,” I chuckled. 

“On the side... here...” he showed me the bandage. 

I carefully placed my hand over the spot and looked over at the house. “Are we here?” 

“Just a flesh wound,” he smiled and said, “Yes, we are here.” We got off the horse and he pointed to the teepee. “I sleep there.. but I better go inside.” 

“I figured as much. You go on and get some rest.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.. you can ride Wind back to town. he know how to return back.” 

“Take care of yourself,” I smiled. 

“You too,” he tipped his hat, “And will see you safe later.” 

I nodded and watched him walk inside. I wandered over to the teepee, not having been in one for so long. I felt myself going back to a time before everything was confusing, when the world was at peace and I would sit by the fire with the Natives and talk stories of family. I sighed, shaking my head at how it all had turned so dramatically. I turned from the teepee and headed back home. 

After a while I went back into Black Diamond and greeted the group standing in front of the tree by the entrance of the town. We talked about how Matt had been shot up and Mysti frowned, not happy with the news. I commented how good it was to come into town and see so many friends at once. 

Ali asked if I’d seen the baby yet and I said that I hadn’t. She went up to get Caleb from the house and we all talked about how much he looked like his father. We walked over to the cafe and Matt served us some more turkey for lunch. I joked with Matt that the last time he served turkey, there was a shootout, and he promised there wouldn’t be one this time. 

I listened as Nim talked about her vineyard that she was thinking about opening and I just  stayed quiet, thinking about my upcoming trip home. The turkey was delicious as always and Ali talked about how now that the baby was born she was armed again. 

“I’m sure your husband will be more than willing to help ya with that,” I winked at Gabe. 

“I reckon he wants to put a few bullets in me himself,” Ali chuckled. 

“Reckon she had them on within the hour of Caleb being born. Should have seen her chasing down..” he stopped himself and then said, “Chasing down a pest last night.” 

“She was killing flies with guns hmm?” I laughed. 

Gabe thought a minute and then said, “More like rats. They like to hide about the back of the courthouse in town.” 

I looked over at Matt, knowing I needed to talk to him alone before I left. I leaned over and whispered to him, “Can we talk later?” 

He nodded and whispered, “Yes, of course.” 

We talked a bit longer about Nim’s father and then Mysti asked, “When do you plan your trip, Trin?” 

“I’ll be heading home in two days to talk to my brother about Sunset. Hopefully I’ll return Sunday.”

“Has that Sunset fella been back?” Ali asked. 

“Haven’t seen him since he admitted to killing Dad that night with ya’ll here,” I shook my head. 

“Would you need company on your trip... just for support or is this something you have to do alone Trin?” 

“I appreciate that Mysti,” I smiled a bit, remembering how Ty had accompanied me on my last trip. “But I think this time I need to do this alone.”

“I understand Trin but if you need anything at all know I am here,” she reminded me. 

“Thanks hon. I do appreciate that.”

I told them that I had explored the city hall this morning with my friend and we talked about the empty room upstairs we’d noticed. We talked about court in town and then I decided to get my whiskey refilled. 

“Mind if I get some whiskey from the kitchen?” I asked intingly towards Matt. 

“I will help you find it,” Matt nodded to me. 

“If there ain’t none in the kitchen, there is some in the saloon,” Ali said. 

“Thanks Ali. Excuse me,” I nodded and walked into the kitchen with Matt close behind. “Reckon we’ll have to go to the saloon to find some whiskey.”

“I saw good bottles in there.. feel free to look,” he pointed to the cabinet. I looked in the cabinet and pretend not to find one, though both of us knew there was some there. “Ok, perhaps the saloon has better whiskey.” 

I smirked and led the way to the saloon across the street. We sat at the bar and I reached for a bottle to refill my flask. “You mentioned something the other day that you could help me gain confidence by facing my fears?”

“Yes I did,” he looked into my eyes. 

“I’ve heard that before, Matt, and it only made me more afraid. I hide behind the badge and I can deal with cases with other people no problem. But when there are threats towards me or my family that’s a whole different story.”

“Fear is something that either you face it or you hide from it.. when you face it, it makes you stronger, when you hide from it, it makes it stronger... your choice... then you need, no, must face that fear..” 

“How?” 

“One way is to go thru a cleansing ritual....” he said and I sighed, remembering the things the natives had told me years ago. “The cleansing ritual is meant for you to clean away all things that are not relevant to your spirit, only leaving the important parts for you to see and try to understand. That’s what the natives call.. a vision. The vision is always good when you get it because it means that you are now focused in the things that matter. Those things may be things that you want to achieve, that gives you strength, or that you fear the most... and with the vision you also get the tools to make them a reality.” 

I nodded, then realized that being a detective gives me more jurisdiction in the cases I investigate, and allows me to improve my lawyer job more than being tied to one jurisdiction. I reached over and put a hand on his knee, “I think I just had one... while you were talking... it all made sense.”

“For those things such as achieving goals or strength, it is easier.. and with the things that you fear, the weapons given to you are stronger than anything else,” he finished and then listened. 

“You said focusing on the things that matter... the things that are my strengths, right?”

“Yes, right,” he nodded. 

“My strength, as you put it the other day... Tracking, investigating, discovering the story from beginning to end... I’ve been debating the position of being a deputy here, but it would mean giving up my position as a detective... Those skills cater more towards being a detective though. I can do that anywhere. If I were a deputy I would only be tied to here as my jurisdiction. Not only that... being a lawyer both here and in Tombstone... being a detective provides that necessary middle ground and background that I need.”

He nodded and I smiled widely, “My goodness it all makes sense! I couldn’t possibly be directly involved with the law. It would distract me from what I am good at most. Now if only I could find this acceptance in how I deal with my fears...”

“Keep going, Trin... I think that you are finding your true path.” 

“Okay so in order to face my fears... I need to investigate everything people have heard about Sunset... what he’s said to them... how he’s acted.... I need to beat him at his own game...”

“Yes, good... What else?” he nodded with a smile. 

“I need to make this trip alone because it will force me to gain that inner peace and strength that I so desperately need...” 

He nodded, “And now you can start planning the investigation.. you have the folks from this town that can be your eyes and ears ... as a matter of fact, from this town and the town up north...” I nodded, knowing that Sunset had been around Tombstone already. Matt winked and said, “Beating him at his own game.. he would not be able to surprise you because you have the whole town watching for him.” 

“Matt, I could just hug you!”

He smiled and opened his arms, “You’re very welcome, Trin...” 

I chuckled and leaned forward, hugging him tightly. It felt as if a thousand weights had been lifted and I could face this trip with more confidence. 

“It may be time to bring the whiskey or the mayor will think that I am drinking it all.” 

“Indeed. You go on ahead... I have work to do,” I chuckled. “Thank you so much for this.”

He hugged be back and said, “You’re very welcome. Stay safe and always feel free to come by.” 

“Will do,” I smiled and watched him leave the saloon. 

Tombstone. 

I went into town and chatted with people sitting in front of the hotel. It was Ella’s birthday so she was enjoying her first alcoholic beverage. It was a quiet evening until I watched a group walk over to the clinic. 

There were rumors that Nim had been shot and killed, but I didn’t want to believe it. I saw the hearse carriage ride through but ran to Black Diamond, not knowing what was going on. I found out from Ali that she had been wounded in a cell and that she had stood in front of the door when Balth had already had Nim wounded in the cell. I saw Matt ride in on his horse and asked if he could ride me over to the Crystal Palace saloon for a drink. 

Tombstone. 

In the Crystal Palace, we went up to the bar where Scara was serving drinks. I told her what I had heard and Balth came in, telling me that he hadn’t meant for anything to happen to Nim. I still didn’t want to believe it and asked Matt to take me home.