June 12, 1899

Tombstone. 

As I sat in front of the Epitath this morning, Richie came over and sat down beside me. “How are things?” I asked him with a smile. 

“Just walked by Wells Fargo. Looked like the safe had been blown to bits.” 

“Oh really? Guessing no law around...” 

“Yeah, didn’t look good. Any law around?” 

“Don’t know, I ain’t law anymore,” I winked. 

“Well you’re Pinkerton, ain’t ya?” 

“Yeah I guess I am. Could investigate it,” I smiled. 

“Well finish your coffee. That safe is still gonna be busted.” 

“True enough,” I nodded. “Chrono around?” 

“Don’t know, just walked up the street.” 

“How was your night last night?” 

“Oh it was good. Didn’t do nothing. Well, wait, I never do nothing,” he snickered and I chuckled. “Shame man take pride in being lazy huh?” he slapped his knee, laughing. 

“Whatever works for ya,” I laughed. 

“I reckon so. Town is spooky quiet,” he observed then as we looked up and down the street. 

“Yeah it is... Little too quiet. I gotta tell you Richie... I feel so much better without that badge.” 

“What made you give it up?” 

“I was thinking more about self defence than I was about having conversations with people and trying to settle things peacefully.” 

“I almost shot myself the other day all the bickering going on,” Richie commented. 

“Oh yeah?” 

“Can’t let a feller drank his coffee in peace. Was when the guy was drunk in the street.”

“I remember that,” I nodded. “They sure get drunk early around here.” 

“Everybody had to get their two cents worth in.” He said and then asked, “Well who Sky get to take your place?” 

“Don’t know yet... Think they were talkin’ to someone but I’m not sure if it’s official.” 

Ali and Gabe walked by and I waved to them in greeting as they stood by Kate’s. Richie went to get his coffee refilled and Gabe said, “Come over here. Hang out with the ruffians a bit.” 

I chuckled at Gabe and wandered over, sitting beside Richie who’d come back out of the saloon. Gabe looked me over and I could see that he was noticing the absence of my badge as he asked, “So how have you been, Trin?” 

“Pretty dang good, Gabe. Back to detectiving. Heck of a lot less stress,” I smiled. 

“Didn’t even get a chance to take a shot at ya,” he smirked. 

“You had lots of chances,” I chuckled. 

“None worth taking,” Gabe shrugged. “I like my shooting to have a purpose.” 

“Very good Gabe,” Victoria said then. “You are a good um... outlaw.” 

“My goodness, what company am I keeping?” Richie asked and I chuckled. 

“I guess I should see that as a compliment,” I looked to Gabe. 

He nodded and chuckled a bit. “Indeed.” 

“Who busted into Wells Fargo?” Richie asked then. 

“Wells Fargo?” Ali asked. 

“Yep. When I walked into town it looked like it had been busted.” 

Nobody seemed to know anything so I asked, “So what do you guys know about this Alvin guy?” 

“First I heard the name,” Richie put in. 

“I just heard him say he is Domino’s son,” Ali told me. 

“Never heard of him,” Gabe said. 

“Alvin, yes that is Domino’s son,” Victoria agreed. 

“Domino’s son? Who’s Domino?” I asked curiously. 

“Ain’t met the fella myself, just hear folks referring to him as Alvin,” Ali said. “Some fella who was around last week,” she added in response to my question. 

“Domino is Cole’s disciple. Acts just like him,” Victoria told me. 

“Oh great,” I muttered. 

“I know, they multiply,” Victoria replied. 

“Every bloody time,” I sighed, looking at her. It would figure that another man I had become attracted to was in fact an outlaw by nature. 

“Ya did hear about how the fort was taken over?” Ali asked. 

“Like officially taken over?” I looked over at Ali. 

“Don’t think Domino is all that fond of Cole,” Gabe shook his head. 

“Is anyone really fond of Cole?” Ali asked. 

“I know Trin, t’is best not to look. That is how I found Nhil,” Victoria said, obviously reading my look of frustration about Alvin’s true nature. 

“I wasn’t looking this time, Vic,” I sighed. “Every man who asks me to dance or for a drink ends up gettin’ shot or arrested or killed the next day. Or they marry the next woman they meet.” 

“Look at Nhil,” Victoria laughed in response. “He’s been shot, arrested, so many times.”

“What, Trin has a fella?” Richie looked over at me. 

“Well... not officially, Rich. We just had drink and danced a bit last night. Just tryin’ to find out more about him.” 

“Of who may I ask?” Richie wondered. 

“Of Alvin,” I said. “He asked me for drinks and dancin’ and we have a lot of our past that's similar... Both from the same towns before comin’ here but we never met.” 

“Well good for you,” he smiled. 

“Don’t ‘good for me’ yet,” I shook my head. “It ain’t serious.” I looked over at Gabe then and said, “You didn’t answer my question.” 

“Your question, ma’am?” he asked in confusion. 

“About Cole and Domino.” 

Gabe thought for a moment and then said, “Oh I just saw Cole trying to bully him, as he does with everyone, thinking he was going to end up on top, and Domino beating him to the draw, and BAM down went Cole. Found it quite amusing myself,” he chuckled. 

“Cole did that to Punk last night too,” Victoria told me. 

“Sounds like I might not want to get too deep with this family... “ I shook my head. 

“Actually don’t judge him for what he does with Cole, Trin,” Victoria countered. 

Josh walked over then as Ali went in to get some coffee for herself and Gabe. We continued to talk and then I decided to head back to the office and get some work done. 

***

As I walked back to the saloon this afternoon I heard Ru shouting, “You can shoot all the law ya want but you touch them kids and there be hell to pay!” 

I walked over to Ali and Gabe and asked, “What the heck’s with all the yelling?” 

“Just setting a few things straight,” Ru said from where she was standing near Ali. 

“Afternoon ma’am,” Gabe chuckled at me. “Just a history lesson,” he said and Ru nodded. 

“Just a history lesson eh?” 

Voo threw a pebble and hit me in the nose and I jumped back. “Hey!” I saw Al sitting over by the hotel so I walked over to him and sat down. “Well hey there,” I smiled at him. 

“Hello beautiful,” he smiled and stood up. 

I nodded to the empty seat beside him on the bench and said, “We can keep sitting.” 

He smiled and sat down again as he asked, “So how are you today, gorgeous?” 

“Well a little annoyed with all the yellin’. How are you?” 

“Ehh... about the same,” he made a strange face and put his arm around me, pulling me close. 

“You mind if we wander somewhere actually?” I smiled, looking into his eyes. 

“Where do you want to go?” he looked back at me. 

“I have an idea,” I stood and reached for his hand. “Follow me, darlin’.” 

As we walked down the street Ru muttered, “Outlaws and Pinkertons... ain’t gonna end well though.” 

“Ain’t no law against who I can talk with,” I shot her a glance. 

“Eh, I’ve seen worse matches,” Gabe pointed out and I smiled a thanks to him. 

I led the way to my office and closed the door, looking back at Al. “Hi,” I smiled. 

“If you wanted alone time, all you had to do was ask,” he smiled. 

“Now what fun would that be?” I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist. 

He wrapped his arms around my neck and placed a kiss onto my lips. I melted under his kiss and whispered, “I’ve been thinking about you since our dance last night.” 

“Me as well,” he smiled and moved his hands to my hips. “Me as well. I’m sorry I had to leave in a hurry.” 

I started to sway with him a little there in the office, dancing to the music in my head. “Guess we’ll just have to make up for lost time,” I kissed him again. 

“I do love making up for lost time,” he pulled me closer and moved to the imaginary music as well. 

“It’s been so long since I’ve been held this way...” 

He smiled and locked eyes with me, looking deeply as if into my soul. “Me as well, miss. I usually don’t get to this point.” 

“How come, darlin’?” I looked back, holding him close. 

“Well, I usually had my head in the books,” he frowned a bit, continuing to hold me. “Too much time spent in there chased women away.” 

“Trin!” I heard Skyla shout and sighed, not wanting to be interrupted. 

“Let my people go!” Ali shouted and I looked to Al with confusion. 

“What do you want, Sky?” I called back through the open window, not wanting to leave Al. 

“Ansar needs ya fer a HUGE case... Come talk to him!” she called back. 

I sighed and looked at Al. “Guess I have to work.” 

“Anything for you, beautiful,” Al frowned a bit. 

I took Al’s hand and led him out with me. “I’ll see you soon, darlin’,” I kissed his cheek and ran to the sheriff’s office. “This had better be important,” I looked between Sky and Ansar. 

“Hey Trin,” Ansar greeted me. 

“Or ya gonna make Dee do it!” Sky said to Ansar and he busted out laughing. 

“Okay hold on,” Ansar caught his breath as Sky continued to laugh as well. I glared between them, wondering what was going on. 

“Ok here we go...” Ansar put on a straight face as Dee continued to laugh, holding her stomach. 

“Punk left ya a gift,” Ansar wiped the tears of laughter and pointed at the package on the doorstep of the office. I looked over at the package as he explained, “No one wanted to pick it up in case it was something dead...” 

“It’s a Pinky case. Strange package left by Punk!” Sky said. 

“You were voted to take the case and find out what it is.” 

“I’ll bet I was,” I muttered as Ansar ran to hide behind Dee and they continued to laugh. 

I sighed and just shook my head, looking at Skyla. “Tell Punk he knows where to find me. I turned and started to walk back to the office, not appreciating being made fun of. 

“Trin!” Sky shouted after me. “The package is yours! It’s held to the door by a knife!” 

I went back to look and watched the package swing on the door as Kris came out. I took the package and sighed, opening, seeing a dead rabbit inside. I held it back and set it on the floor slowly. 

“Well? What is it?” Sky asked, blinking. 

“That’s it?” Ansar asked. “A rabbit? Hell, that’s lunch!” 

I left the package there on the step and looked to Sky. “Nothin’ I can do about that now.” I turned and started to walk towards the office, more frustrated than before. They shouted out their thanks and I just walked up to the office. I sat down behind my desk and leaned forward with a sigh. 

Al walked into the office and asked, “Still working?” 

“Nope,” I shook my head. 

Al frowned and walked behind me to rub my shoulders. I leaned back into the massage, sighing with relief. I leaned back against his chest and looked up at him and he leaned down to kiss my neck. I tried to smile but was still too frustrated over what had just happened and couldn’t understand it. 

“What happened, babe?” 

“Does a dead rabbit in a package mean anything to you?” I asked him, taking a chance. 

He bit his bottom lip and nodded and I looked deep in his eyes. “Tell me.” 

“Well, my father rides with a gang called ‘Dead Rabbits’. That is their symbol that lets people know we are here.” 

“Your father’s gang...?” I cringed as I looked at him. 

“A gang h was apart of,” he nodded. “Is something bothering you?” 

“Are you still with them?” 

“I am not in the gang yet. I am proving my loyalty,” he said and I looked down, not sure what to say. He frowned at my reaction. “Something troubles you... Tell me.” 

“Just the way they were all laughing at me while they said that Punk dropped it off for me...” I shook my head. 

He nodded and walked outside. “I’ll be back.” 

“Al, wait,” I looked at him and he stopped, looking back. “Come here...” I said slowly. He walked back to me, gripping his pistols tightly. “Al... Leave me out of whatever you’re going to do.” 

“I will,” he nodded and went outside. “Sheriff!” I heard him yell as I watched from the doorstep of the office. 

“What?” Sky shouted back. 

“You know what the hell you did!” Al unclipped his holsters. “Everyone find some damned cover! You don’t tell me what to do! Apologize now... This is your only chance...” I watched from the balcony, wishing I could hear the other side of the conversation and he said, “Fine then! Your choice!” He started to fire and yelled, “The joke ain’t so damn funny now is it?” 

From inside the saloon I heard Ali yell, “Let my people go!” Before long, Ali walked over to stand below the balcony of my office and called up, “Miss Trin?” 

“Yeah?” I called down to her. 

“You okay ma’am?” 

“As in am I shot? Nope. Don’t appreciate much bein’ laughed at though.” I looked over and saw Al ripping off the badges from both Skyla and Kris. 

“Just wanted to check on ya. They was hollering you had a package earlier. Never can tell if’n it be safe or not.” 

“They wanted to get me away from Al, I’m sure of it,” I sighed to her. “Can’t have any bit of damn happiness around here.” 

“Ya ain’t the only one who can’t seem to find happiness,” Ali said back. “Folk getting in others’ relationships and all. Just wanted to make sure ya wasn’t wounded and needed a doc.” 

“I finally meet a guy who treats me right and they gotta make fun of me. Heck... the sheriff’s datin’ a known outlaw.” I hesitated and then asked, Hey can you do me a favor? Can you get Al to met me at a saloon in Bisbee?” 

“Right now, Mis Trin?” 

“Yeah. I’m gonna wander in that direction.” 

“I will be making my way to find him,” she nodded. 

“Thanks hon,” I waved and started off towards Bisbee. 

Bisbee. 

I sat down in the Stock Exchange saloon in Bisbee and waited for Al to meet me there. He walked in ten minutes later and I stood to hug him tightly. “I believe we had something to finish,” he said as he held me tight. 

“Yeah...” I sighed. 

“Something wrong?” he asked, offering his hand but I just looked up at him. 

“I’m gonna get in trouble for this, aren’t I?” 

“You had no idea what was going on,” he shook his head. “You didn’t have a part in it.” 

“I heard you tell Sky she had to apologize,” I sighed. 

“I did,” he nodded. “But that could mean anything.” 

“I do owe you a dance,” Al smiled. 

“That you do,” I finally took his hand. 

Ru walked in and greeted us, and then Kris came in to get a drink. Al kissed me softly as we danced and I sighed, knowing that Kris was probably there to keep an eye on us. “You’re a good dancer, darlin’,” I spun around the dance floor with Al. 

“Well, I had practice,” he smiled. 

“So did I. Started out as a saloon dancer when I first moved to Colorado” 

He placed his hands on my hips and smiled. “Well, you step on enough people’s feet, and you eventually learn to dance.” 

“Been a while since I’ve danced with a man,” I chuckled as I swayed with him to the music. “Been a while since a lot of things I guess.” 

“Well you aren’t alone, miss,” he smiled at me. He moved me close, holding me tight and never taking his eyes off me. I loved the feeling of being in his arms as no words were needed between us. “This should have happened yesterday,” he said and gently bit my lip with a grin. 

“Live in the moment, darlin’. Forget about the past,” I chuckled. 

“I suppose so, beautiful,” he smiled. 

“So what happened?” I heard Ru ask from behind the bar. 

“I got shot by the man over there,” Kris told her. 

“Ahh I see... That explains the tension,” Ru nodded. I heard them talking but continued to dance with Al, wondering what really happened back on Allen Street. 

“You feel like a drink, darlin’?” I asked, looking at Al. 

“Indeed I do,” he nodded and we went to sit down at the bar. We ordered our drinks from Ru and the woman poured the drinks into our glasses. 

“Tea and whiskey, huh?” I smiled at Al when I saw his beverage choice. 

“Well yeah. It’s a new thing I’m tryin’.” 

“Coffee and whiskey is what I do when I need a pick me up. If I order whiskey straight that usually means somethin’s off but not this time.” 

“Whiskey with coffee? I heard something like that. It’s called White russian.” 

“Thought it was more an Irish thing,” I chuckled. 

“Isn’t that coffee and vodka with milk?” Kris asked and I chuckled. 

“Maybe.” 

Another man walked into the saloon and then Ella joined us as well. We continued to talk as we drank our beverages and Richie joined us too. Al asked if we wanted to see a magic trick and he asked for a dollar. 

I handed him a coin and said, “It’s all good darlin’. Consider it a donation to um...” I blushed and shut up, winking at him. 

“Trin hun, you all don’t need to pay fer that,” Ru winked at me. 

Al smiled at me and looked back to Ru, holding both his hands in a ball. “Now miss, could ya tell me which hand the dollar is in?” 

“Right,” Ru guessed. 

“Wrong,” I winked. 

“Are you sure miss?” Al looked at Ru seriously. 

“Well if’n I was sure I wouldn’t be guessing now would I?” Ru asked. 

Al chuckled and opened his empty right hand. “Would you like to try the left one?” 

“Most likely not but... sure,” she replied. 

I watched closely and wondered what I would get later for being the one to donate the dollar. Al smiled as he opened his left hand. “Hmmm... Now there seems to be a problem here. The money is missing.” He winked at me and said, “I think she took her dollar back.” 

“Ain’t my problem it weren’t my money... But where did it go?” Ru asked. 

Al moved behind me and made it look like he pulled it from my ear. “Well well well... What do we have here?” 

“Well done,” Ru chuckled. 

We talked for a while longer before I decided I should head out to the office. I gave Al a quick kiss before heading out. 

***

This evening I went into town and talked with Victoria about how we had both been accepted as lawyers. I sighed and told her I was just frustrated with getting messed up with the wrong crowd. I saw Al sitting over with the other outlaws and knew that being with him would be a bad idea and would just end with complications like everyone else around town seemed to believe. Al looked at me with a frown but didn’t say anything as TJ and Shane began to draw their guns at the ranger. I walked down the street with Victoria, just shaking my head in frustration.