March 3, 1901

Black Diamond. 

I walked into the saloon tonight and blinked at the crowd. “Wow! Full house tonight!” I grinned and waved to everyone, seeing my man behind the bar counter. When Thomas asked me what I wanted, I asked if I could have him there and now and he told everyone not to look behind the bar and I blushed, telling him I was only kidding. We had so much fun and danced and talked while the others danced to the music. It wasn’t long before Thomas and I joined the group on the dance floor. I met a few new people and I told them about spending more time in Diamond, and how Thomas had become a deputy in Black Diamond. I told them about Natalie’s difficulties with boys. Even Sam Grey arrived at the dance, who I hadn’t seen in forever. 

“Where you livin’ now then Nim?” I asked Nim at one point. 

“Have my own saloon and Miss Harmini made me a Maverick Boss, so I can do what a darn well please I guess. Upstairs in the saloon at the moment. I talked to her for a good bit today Angeles, she hopes to be back for a visit soon. Her and Clint.” 

“Clint still around?” I blinked with some nervousness. 

“Clint will be back? Well, need to buy a new rope soon maybe.” Angeles grinned. 

“Yea, Miss Harmini is going to track him down for me.” Nim smiled. 

“That’s a ghost that keeps rising from the bloody grave.” I chuckled. “Was my first case when I came to Tombstone. Always knew it ended too easy.” 

“Dear, who is this Clint fellow?” Thomas asked. 

“Suzy will be more than happy to hear Clint is back,” Angeles said. 

“Was my first case when I came to Tombstone. Always knew it ended too easy,” I said. I looked over at Thomas and said, “We’ll talk later, dear.” 

“Clint is one of the most dangerous gunfighters you’ll ever meet, deputy,” Rikki told him. 

“Oh really? Is he a bigger pain in the darie rear than Lot?” Thomas asked and I grimaced, nodding to him. 

“He don’t act like Lot, thank God, but he is still dangerous,” Rikki said to him. 

“My first trial as prosecutor, Lot was Clint’s lawyer,” Angeles said. “Difficult trial. Let’s say I never worked so hard like that. But finally used that big ass Lot for cleaning the floor of the courthouse when Clint was found guilty of killing a marshal.” 

“Way back when my kid sister Xav first came to Tombstone, seven years ago, she ran with Clint and learned from him,” Nim said. “Had one sister learn from him, one learn from Sarrah and I was left out in the cold.” 

Since everyone else was sharing stories about Clint, I decided to join in. “He was arrested for several warrants before I moved to Tombstone. Ansar asked me to track him down... worked with Tye investigating Clint’s past cases with Tye... Saw Clint in town late May a couple years back. He dualed with Jimmy and was arrested. Then he escaped. They said he’d been killed later that night.. Turned out... his wife knew the man who’d come to Tombstone to track me down... from Canada… When Sunset couldn’t kill me because of how close he’d been with my father... Harmini shot him down for some reason or another in front of me… Told me I had to help her hang Sunset by the rope or she’d kill me too. I couldn’t do it. The man had saved my life. So I ran.” 

“Miss Harmini does not do anything for no reason,” Nim said. 

“Clint showed up a month later at a trial for Serenity,” I said. “I knew it wasn’t the last we’d seen of him then but I haven’t heard from him or them since.” 

“Oh dear. Clint is sounds like a real hard case then,” Thomas replied. 

“Was the most frustrating case I ever had.” I nodded. “It was closed that night that he was arrested after dualing with Jimmi. But I still had to deal with his bloody brothers.” 

“Trying to pin anything on Serenity is frustrating,” Nim agreed. 

“Thankfully they’ve all been shelled out of Tombstone never to return,” I said with relief, knowing that the mayor warned them never to come back. I looked at Thomas and said, “Honey... Whatever you do… And I mean this more than I’ve ever meant anything against Lot or mac or any of them… DON’T let Clint Houston near our children.” 

“Clint have the next way to act... him ask if you don’t answer correct search a medic because him will shot you at the next word,” Angeles said. 

“Aw Trin, Clint is a good role model.” Rikki giggled. 

I shot her a glare to show I wasn’t kidding and said, “His wife almost killed me, Rikki. I hardly call that a good role model.” 

“I think so, did wonders for Xav,” Nim said. 

“That’s his wife, not him,” Rikki said.

“Just meant Clint wasn’t in town to do it,” I said. 

Thomas listened closely while we talked and then finally said, “Dear, if he gets anywhere near our kids, I promise all in Tombstone, Bisbee, Benson Black Diamond and Pearce will hear it.” 

“Pffft he would not have done it,” Rikki said. 

“He search a medic for me a few times even one time with his witness in court I make some people guilty... so depend how you treats a Clint him will treated you,” Angeles said. 

“Tye warned me that if Clint ever found out that I was after him, he’d make sure that I wouldn’t search for anyone ever again,” I said. “I’m not naive enough to think that Clint wouldn’t touch me.” 

“I normally only are awful with him in Court... but I can said the couple times shot me was him who bring me with the medics,” Angeles said. 

“He’s always kind to me.” Rikki smiled. 

“That’s because you’re on the same side, Rikki,” I told her. 

“Same side?” 

“Well, let’s hope that never comes to fruition love. Cause it will be one bloody day in Tombstone for sure,” Thomas assured. 

“Of course Clint its not a saint... ask a any cavalry the nightmare to every Saturday…” Angeles said. 

“Yep, everyone will be shot down except Clint,” Rikki said with a giggle. 

“Rikki, I healed him several times for being shot,” Angeles told her. 

“No man is a saint in the Wild West, even our Deputy over here. It’s why it’s called the wild west,” Nim said. 

Thomas held me close and kissed my forehead, telling me, “It will be alright dear.” 

“What are you saying, Nim?” I looked over at her. 

“And remember, can’t use morphine on him because is allergic,” Angeles said. 

“Just that any man that comes out west here can’t call himself a saint after being here for awhile, nature of the things a man has to do to survive out here,” Nim said. 

“Don’t mean every man’s going to choose the wrong side of the law,” I told her. 

“I agree,” Angeles said. 

“You can’t make that generalization, Nim,” I warned. 

“Nim, I can honestly say I have not done anything to be ashamed of or illegal since I come out here. and I am from Texas,” Thomas said. 

“Sure I can Trin, I wasn’t trained by Pinkertons,” Nim said. 

“Bull, Nim. Don’t go talkin’ bout my man like that. You don’t even know him. Pinkerton’s wouldn’t paint every man with the same brush either. Especially law.” 

“I met him earlier, before you arrived, seems like a nice guy.” Nim smiled. “Doesn’t mean he has not done something out west here that he wouldn’t think about back East.” 

“He just told you he hasn’t. Take the man for his word. Stop judging people based on everyone else’s actions.” 

“Yep, I know, generalization, question revoked your honor,” Nim said and I grinned with satisfaction. 

Thomas hugged me tightly and kissed me. “Come on dear. Just let it go. No sense in making a fuss.” 

“Good enough for me.” I shrugged. “I won’t have people talkin’ bad about law for no reason, dear. Especially the man who has my heart.” 

“You talk bad about me Trin,” Rikki pointed out. “And I am Law in Ghenna.” 

“She wasn’t insinuating me directly dear,” Thomas said with a smile. “But you do have to admit, there are a lot of crooked lawmen and other men here out west that could never get away with it if they were back east.” 

“Because I know you’ve been arrested and in court, Rikki.” I shrugged to her. “And I know you’ve been claimed guilty. I know, dear,” I said as I looked at Thomas. 

“Thank you Thomas, and sorry if I offended Trin, but we spark easy, think it is from former court battles,” Nim said and smiled. 

“All lies,” Rikki grumbled. 

“We’re used to the courtroom indeed.” I nodded to her. “Thought I’d lost my skills in arguin’ since there ain’t been court in ages. Guess I haven’t.” I chuckled finally. 

“There a court in town, if you want some differences fixed, ladies.” Angeles chuckled. 

“Why couldn’t all battles be settled in the courtroom, instead of with bullets? Wouldn’t it make the whole world a lot better?” Thomas smiled. 

“Sure would, love. We’re fixed, right Nim?” I asked. 

“But Rikki, just think, instead of throwing lead, you could throw the book at someone,” Thomas said with a wink to me. 

“Oh, well Thomas, I can give you a living example right here, I was a US Marshal, most of my battles were in the courtroom and sorry, I don’t think justice was done. As a Maverick boss my justice is on my hips, and I don’t have to argue my case,” Nim said. I sighed and bit my tongue, leaning against Thomas to control myself as she went on. “Perhaps one day when Arizona becomes a state, I might find my way back to the other side of the fence.” 

“True Nim and Rikki, but the gun is not the answer to everything. One day, in this world, the gun will fall to the side and and the law will rule. Guns cause more bad than good I think,” Thomas said. 

“For now, I like my form of justice better,” Nim said. 

“Guns are the answer,” Rikki argued. 

“I agree with you Thomas, but until we get statehood, that day won’t come.” 

“Depend the point of view the guns are the answer,” Angeles said. 

“Tomahawk works good too,” Snow said then. 

“Ya don’t argue with someone pointing a loaded .44 at you,” Rikki observed. 

“Why he tomahawk my friend? This can be more nice for one nice haircut,” Angeles said with a smirk at Snow. 

“Ok, point made,” Thomas said. “But what if the person you are pointing that .44 at is faster with their gun, or has friends around. Does that not make it unfair for either side?” 

I had a flashback then to the Cherokee village and the chief wanting me to join in with the scalping there and I looked at Thomas. “Can we go home, dear?” 

“Yes dear, let’s head home. I have an early start in the morning. Lawman’s job is never done. Night folks.” 

We said goodnight to the others and headed home. I desperately needed to see my children and get some fresh air.

Bisbee. 

I walked into the house with Thomas and felt my legs going weak under me. I sat down on the couch, shaking and feeling white. Thomas locked the door and sat down beside me, cuddling me close. 

“You okay dear?” he asked with concern. 

I shook my head and hid against him. “I never wanted to hear those names again.” 

Thomas nodded and hugged me tight, kissing me softly. “I know dear, but when you deal with friends of them, you’re gonna hear their names. But if they stay in Tombstone, then we don’t have to worry with them.” 

“I hate that Nim’s a Maverick’s boss. I mean it makes sense... she was always on the other side in courts and always defended outlaws anyway but... She’s gonna be too damn good,” I muttered. “And now she co-runs Kate’s. Which you know what that means? Two out of the three major saloons are run by outlaws now.” 

“I can’t believe what this town is coming to. First the outlaws run it, now they run the saloons too. But what can we do baby?” 

“Hide in Bisbee and Diamond. It’ll be safer for us and safer for the kids. We’ll have to warn them not to go to Kate’s without us.” 

“God help anyone who tries to hurt our kids baby. I will lose my star to see they burn in hell if they do.” Thomas hugged me tightly. 

I hid against him and then tried to hear if the kids were awake. “You hear that, dear?” 

“I don’t hear anything, baby.” 

“Exactly…” I smiled and kissed his lips softly. 

“I love you so much my dear.” Thomas smiled and kissed me deeply. 

“Thank you for helping me stay calm tonight baby. Sometimes they just... get to me, those two... And Angeles doesn’t help.” 

“That’s what I am here for dear. I know. But it does neither of us any good to get upset over their stupidity. They do it cause they know it gets to you.” 

“I know... but when they start attacking people I love, I ain’t gonna stand for it. And I got her to take back her argument, didn’t I?” I grinned and winked at him proudly. 

“Yes you did my love. I am very proud of you for standing your ground. But just please be careful around those two. You never know what they might be up to.” 

“I know, dear, I know... Known them almost two years now... Wow... you know in two months it’ll be two years that I’ve been here in Tombstone?” 

“Really? Wow…” 

We continued to kiss and then instead of going to our room, we kissed Jimmy and Natalie goodnight and then went out onto the deck where we curled up and fell asleep under the stars.