His back ached, the muscles in his arms screamed, and he was nearly asleep in the saddle. The late winter sun had only minutes left to live as it slowly settled behind the mountains. It was cold now but when the sun was gone the wind would pick up. The dropping temperature and the swirling, biting snow would become bitter. He had waited too long. It would take hours to make it back to the ranch and this weather would not allow that much time....

He had sent the rest of the crew back hours ago. By now, they were warm and safe in the bunkhouse, probably drinking and playing cards or perhaps telling tall tales of the women they'd conquered. He had sent them back, telling them that he would ride the last mile of fence. There shouldn't have been any reason for concern, they rode fence this time every year. The particular stretch of fence he was checking had always been fine, the horses that he owned rarely ventured this high in the range. There shouldn't have been any reason for concern, and there wasn't..until he saw that the last 20 yards of the fence had been torn down. Bear...it had to be. Few other animals were willing to tangle with heavy guage barbed wire fence. The horse carcass lying near the fence confirmed it. The horse had wandered too far up away from the herd and paid the price. Oh well, he shrugged to himself, that can wait...but the fence won't.

Pulling on his thick leather gloves, he turned the collar of his duster up against the cold and increasing snow. Looking at the fenceline he figured he would need about an hour. More than enough time to stretch the wire and get back to the bunkhouse by nightfall. The job turned out to be more difficult than he thought. He didn't have enough new wire left to cover the distance and was forced to string it together with what was left of the old wire. It would hold until Spring, but it had cost him almost a full extra hour to do the job.

It was now that he started back down to the valley, realizing at once that he wouldn't make it before dark. His horse had already stumbled over the rocky terrain that was now becoming snow covered. Thinking he should find shelter, he pointed the horse into what looked like a small opening in the canyon wall, a good place to find shelter from the wind and snow. Fighting to stay awake, he guided the horse into the opening.

The relief from wind and snow was immediate. The shock and surprise were immediate also. Instead of the outline of the mountains above him, or the lights from the valley below him, what he saw was a building...a building with a sign that read....Red Dragon Inn.

It hadn't taken him long to adjust really. The first few days were difficult. After much soul searching, he had sold his horse. A cowboy and his horse develop a bond over time and the sale had been very difficult. He swore an oath to himself that he would have the horse back some day. Fact was, he was hungry and as far as he could figure, selling the horse was the only way to get money for food. He had received 25 silver pieces for the horse, not knowing if it was a good deal or not.

He found himself spending a lot of time at the Red Dragon Inn, getting to know the people and the area a little at a time. The silver had lasted long enough that he was able to find other odd jobs that paid enough to keep him with food in his stomach and a roof over his head.

So it was that he became a member of the Rhydin community. He was known by a few people in the town and by a few more in the Red Dragon Inn. He had given up hope of finding a quick and easy way back to Wyoming. It looked like he was going to be here a while and he planned to make the best of it.

He stood silently in the grey half light of the dreary morning, his every breath visible in the chilly air. Soon the morning sun would creep above the hills and add a measure of warmth. Warmth enough to allow him to continue his walk at least.

If he calculated correctly, he stood somewhere near the middle of the 400 acres to which he now held the deed. 400 acres of the most beautiful land he had ever seen. As he rubbed his hands together for warmth he turned to survey the land, picturing in his mind just how it might look when the ranch was built. To the east were the foothills. They would provide shade from the morning sun in the summer months, but would deny the warmth needed in the colder months..Like now..he thought aloud. The decent sized stream that flowed down from these hills would provide plenty of fresh water for the horses and for any crops they might plant. The horses would spend the summer in the foothills, the sweet grasses they loved grew plentiful at the higher elevations. Looking toward the south he pictured the two main houses. He would need to check with Adrienne on how those should be designed. One story...two..how many bedrooms...porch on the front..back...maybe both..whatever she wanted. He shrugged as he spoke again to himself Ade will need to make those decisions. He knew there was no rush, the land needed to be cleared first and that would take some time. To the west would be the bunkhouse, built for the hired hands needed to handle the horses and help with the fences. Next to that, the stable and indoor corral. That would be a job and a difficult one. It would need to be big enough to stable the entire herd as well as enough room to ride and exercise them, all indoors. Mustangs were a hardy breed but the winters here could get rough, at least that's what he had been told. Finally, the fence. The job he dreaded most. He figured he would only need to fence in maybe 200 acres. The fence would have to run up into the hills, unless he could think of a better way, and right now he couldn't.

The walk, and the appearance of the sun over the hills, had warmed him. He removed his hat and ran his hand across his sweaty forehead. Looking at the spot where he envisioned the main houses, he saw a pile of dead tree branches and assorted brush. For a moment he considered moving it, giving tomorrow's crew a head start. Then he stopped and, with a smile, spoke to no one but the cold morning air Nah..maybe if I get back soon enough, Ade will still be in bed. With a final look around, he placed his hat on his head and started back toward town.

The walk took perhaps thirty minutes. He arrived at his room at the Inn, opening the door as slowly and as quietly as he could. The room was mostly dark still, with a few dusty streams of sunshine lazily drifting through the small window. His eyes were having some trouble adjusting to the darkness and so he whispered...Ade?

Taking his hat off, he sat down on the edge of the bed beside her. The pain of whatever demons had tortured her during the night was still visible in her eyes. Small beads of sweat dotted her forehead, matting small strands of hair against her skin. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed it softly across her forehead. "Bad night again?" he asked, feeling his eyes soften and his heart sink. He leaned down and kissed her softly on the cheek as she looked up to him. "Someday Ade, I'll chase away all those monsters, I promise I will." Taking her chin softly in his hand, he leaned down and kissed her on the lips. " I promise."

He sat there a few moments, in the silence, slowly stroking her hair. "The land is fine Ade, some of the best I've ever seen. When you're ready, I want you to come and look at it. There are some things that need a woman's eye." With a soft smile he slid a hand under the side of the blanket to tickle her. " Now get your beautiful self out of bed so we can go plan our home!"

It was late now, he had taken his time getting back. He walked quickly through the empty Inn and up the stairs to his room. He paused in front of the door, key in hand. He stood there for a moment in the silence, listening for any sound on the other side of the door, any sound that might tell him that she waited inside. The only sound he heard was the anxious beating of his heart. His sweaty hands dropped the key to the floor, the sound resonating like thunder down the short empty hallway. It was enough to jolt him back to reality.

Slipping the key in the lock and turning it with a click, he quickly slipped inside the dark room. He fought down the urge the say her name, not wanting to face the disappointment of the answering silence. Walking to the small window, he pushed it open and breathed deeply of the cool night air.

He knew that someday he would have to build the ranch. He had borrowed the money, and that money needed to be paid back. Staring up at the stars, he tossed his hat behind him and ran a hand through his hair. He would wait. Maybe tomorrow she would be back. Maybe tomorrow. He could wait.

Reaching to the small night table he picked up the bottle and twisted off the top. He told Adrienne that he had quit drinking, and he had. With a shrug, he raised the bottle to his lips and drank deeply of the whiskey.

He noticed the letter immediately as he came through the door. It stood out like a shining beacon in the otherwise drab and dreary room. He recognized the A imprinted on the wax seal as he wordlessly ran his fingers over it several times. A letter from AJ he spoke quietly to himself. His mind ran through the possibilities of just what the letter might contain. He and AJ had been both friends and enemies in the past. The letter might be anything, but if anything, he was hoping for something good. The last time he had spoken with AJ, they had been on good terms. With a slight shrug he opened the letter and sat on the bed to read it.

In touch with Adrienne.....arriving tomorrow evening...expect her Tuesday evening...,he read through the letter, a slow smile coming to his face. Shaking his head, he ran his fingers through his hair, thinking of how he would welcome her back. Then he lowered his head with a sigh, laying the note on the bed beside him. Tuesday evening He wouldn't be here Tuesday evening. Business, unavoidable business. With a muttered curse, he walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. If he hurried, he might be able to get back late Tuesday night, rather than waiting until Wednesday. He was sure going to try.

He had hurried as much as possible. Buying horses took time and the seller had been difficult. Finally, he had reached an agreement but then it took more time to inspect and mark the horses he had wanted. Fifty horses was less than the one hundred he had hoped for, but he wasn't buying anything but top quality. There were only fifty that he considered worth the money. The contract was drawn up and signed. The delivery date was left undecided, but it was done. It had seemed longer, but it was only early evening. The sun was sinking slowly behind the hills, but if he hurried....

He slipped through the front door of the Inn about an hour or so later. The place was crowded but he took his time looking around, looking carefully for the one face he wanted and needed to see. Moving through the crowd and to the bar, he searched until he was convinced she wasn't there.

He walked up the stairs to his room, his slow pace belying his eagerness. He knew before he unlocked the door. His stomach knew also, tying itself into knots as he slipped the key into the lock and opened the door. He slowly pushed it open and stepped quietly into the dark room.

He heard her before he saw her, the slow deep breathing of someone sleeping soundly. His heart leapt in his chest and a soft smile came to his face. She was back. She had come back to him. He belonged with her and he would try to convince her that she belonged with him, that they should build a life together.

He took a moment, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Spotting the half empty whiskey bottle on the night stand, he quietly grabbed it and tucked it away in the closet. Sitting quietly on the bed next to her, he watched her sleeping. He reached a hand to her cheek and stroked it softly, almost as if checking to make sure she was real. He would let her rest. There was so much to talk about when she awoke.

She was laying in the glen that morning. The breeze was gentle on her chilled skin and she breathed in the sweet smell of the morning. Her clothes were nothing but shreds that covered her body. Her face and hair were soaked. Slowly the pieces started to come together. Confusion and the like faded from her mind. The fuzzyness faded and when she rolled onto her back to look up, there was AJ.

"Bonjour." She whispered to her. Adrienne winced at the sight and coughed slightly. AJ frowned before she gave Adrienne a white sundress. What had gone on' What happened" Why was she asleep....and how long was she gone"

AJ seemed to read her mind. "I'm not sure why you are here....but you do look like you are in bad shape." Her french accent was like honey to Adrienne's ears. She sat up slowly and slipped on the dress, covering herself.

AJ was lost in thought for a moment and Adrienne stood. And then she looked down at herself. There were cuts and bruises everywhere visable on her body. She was sore, and every muscle screamed for mercy which it wasn't recieving when she stood. She slowly sat back down and AJ appeared alarmed.

"Merde....I would suspect a nexus issue here....but goddess knows what happened while you were gone." Adrienne nodded and she looked up at AJ with her soft gray eyes and cocked her head. AJ frowned. "You haven't spoken yet....can you?"

Adrienne opened up her mouth, but no words came out. She shook her head and AJ sighed. "It's fine dear....we just need to get you to Morgan. I haven't seen him since the night you dissapeared." She frowned. Adrienne didn't want to stand up again, but AJ shook her head.

"Darling I would carry you, but I'm carrying a baby." She reached into her pocket and pulled out her keys. "I have my bike."

Adrienne stood finally and moved slowly to the bike. AJ sat down first and then Adrienne behind her. AJ sped off towards the inn.

As soon as they arrived, which was longer than usual considering AJ was actually driving like a sane woman they got out and moved right for the door, through it, and up the stairs to the room. Adrienne didn't have her key, but AJ just unlocked it using magic anyways. So it didn't really matter.

As soon as Adrienne walked in she went to the bed, and laid down....smelling his scent. AJ sat by the window.

"I'm not leaving until Morgan gets here." There was something in her mind, but Adrienne just wanted to sleep.