R: So, welcome to my first MULTICHAPTER Renegade story! An AU inspired by that episode where Reno&Co. have to join a rodeo to find some cattle rustlers. Not overly similar to that episode though, I promise. It's mostly going to be a romance plot, but I'm going to work in a little something else I believe. Enjoy~

*DISCLAIMER* RV makes no claim to own Renegade or its characters. They are the property of Stephen J. Cannell. No profit is made from this writing.

When Reno Raines resigned from his life as a Bay City police officer, he had done so with the intention of marrying the woman he loved and settling down to a safer life. But here he was, a year later, no Val, no job, and trying to get hired in a traveling rodeo as a bull rider. The irony of the situation pricked at his old wounds.

The owner of the rodeo was a somehow unsettling older man with grey hair and a distinct goatee. He introduced himself as 'Dutch', Dutch Dixon, and he had a silky no-nonsense attitude about him that gave Reno the impression he thought himself untouchable. It didn't quite sit right with Reno, but Dutch was tentatively offering him a job and he didn't have any concrete reason to believe the man was as shady as Reno's gut told him.

"We are in need of a new bull rider," Dixon said from where he sat behind his desk, feet propped up on it. He wore a rather formal suit and tie, which was one of the things that struck Reno as unusual. Dutch was clearly a businessman, not a cowboy like he'd expect from someone running a rodeo. "Though you don't seem to have much experience. So tell you what; we're in town for two weeks. We'll give it til then, and if you're any good, we'll make this a permanent situation."

Reno smiled at that, though it was a bit forced. "Sounds good to me," he replied, reaching out to shake Dutch's hand.

After a quick shake, Dutch stood and walked around his desk. "I've got a few minutes, I'll show you around."

Reno followed him out of the trailer. His eyes instinctively flicked to where his bike was parked, thankful to see everything in it's place. He quickly turned his attention back to Dixon though when he pointed out the big ring set up on the dusty earth.

"That's where we hold all of the shows; barrel races, bull riding, bucking broncos, the whole deal," he explained. He pointed out several trailers that belonged to staff members and larger ones that they used to haul the bulls before they approached a line of horse trailers. An older woman around Dutch's age was leading a buckskin mare out to a younger woman. They were both blond, though the older woman's hair was faded and much shorter.

"Ah, Melissa!" Dutch greeted the older woman with a smile. "Raines, this is my wife, Melissa. Melissa, this is Reno Raines, our new trial bull rider," he introduced.

Reno shook Melissa's hand and she offered him a warm smile. He immediately felt at ease with her, a sharp contrast to the aura her husband exuded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Raines," she said.

He returned the smile. "The pleasure's all mine, Mrs. Dixon."

The other woman cleared her throat slightly and Reno turned his eyes to her. She was rather pretty, with long blond hair and blue eyes and a very lean, muscular build.

"Oh!" Melissa said with a small laugh, "This is Cheyenne Philips. She's one of our best barrel racers."

Reno shook her hand as well. "Nice to meet you, Cheyenne," he said.

She offered a small smirk, and he couldn't help but notice a slight mischievous twinkle in her eye. "You can call me Chey," she asserted.

"Reno," he responded, mirroring her expression.

Out of the corner of his eye, Reno noticed Dutch check his watch. "Melissa," he started, "I have a meeting with some staff in a couple minutes, would you mind finishing Reno's tour?"

Melissa nodded. "Of course," she said, and Dutch was quick to walk off. "So, Mr. Raines, what have you seen so far?" Reno recounted the places Dutch had shown him. "Okay then, that just leaves the vendors. I'll take you over to them, and after I'll introduce to some more of the people you'll be working with."

"I'd go with you," Cheyenne started, mounting her horse, "but I've got some time trials to run. Maybe I'll see you later."

"Maybe I'll buy you dinner," Reno offered, and she had already started to ride off.

"Maybe," she shot over her shoulder with that same smirk from before.

Reno grinned to himself, following after Melissa, who just laughed. "That Cheyenne is a feisty one, just warning you. She can handle herself."

"I can tell," he said. They continued through the lot, which was buzzing with quite a good amount of people, still setting up for opening the next day. Finally, they came upon a collection of food trucks, only one of which was open, likely for the workers.

Melissa waved to the woman in it's big open window. "Morning, Sandy!"

"Good morning, Mrs. Dixon," the woman responded. Sandy was also blond, but she had a cuter, slightly frazzled look about her that set her apart from Melissa's warmness and Chey's mischievousness. She leaned out to greet Melissa, a big smile on her face.

"Sandy, this is Reno Raines," she introduced. "He's our new bull rider. Mr. Raines, this is Sandra Caruthers."

"Bull rider! Cool," Sandy responded. "That's an exciting job. And dangerous."

"That it is," Reno agreed with an amused smile. "Though I imagine your job can get pretty exciting once this place gets busy."

Sandy laughed. "Exciting's not the word I'd use for it. Chaotic more like it." After a moment, she looked sheepish. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm being rude. Can I get you anything? A burger, a beer-"

"No, it's fine, I don't need anything," he assured. "Thank you."

"No problem," she said. "Any time you need anything, just swing by. Coworkers get a discount."

"I will, Sandy," he said.

Melissa looked thoughtful for a moment before she spoke again. "Hey, Sandy, have you seen Donnie around? I'd like to introduce him to Reno," she asked.

"No, sorry, Mrs. Dixon," she responded.

"Okay, well," Melissa began, looking maybe a bit disappointed, "what about Bobby? You seen him? He does seem to hand around here quite a bit," she donned a slight teasing grin.

Sandy responded with a slightly sheepish smile and shook her head. "Yeah, he stopped by to say hi this morning. He's probably in the costumes trailer," she offered.

Melissa thanked her and Reno offered a goodbye. They headed towards the staff's trailers on the other side of the lot, and Reno asked, "Who's Donnie?"

"Donnie's my son," Melissa explained. "He and his father... had a falling out. But I convinced Dutch to give him a job here."

Reno gave an understanding nod and was about to say something when a rather loud noise sounded of a ways. He paused in confusion, looking in the direction of what sounded like an animated howl.

Melissa sighed, motioning for him to keep moving. "Don't mind that. It's just The Hound."

Reno turned questioning eyes on her. "'The Hound'?" he repeated.

"'Hound' Adams," she clarified. "Dutch hired him because he's the best bronco rider you'll ever see. But the man's a menace and they hate each other. I just suggest you steer clear of him."

"Will do," he responded. "So, this guy you're bringing me to see, Bobby?"

"Ah, yes, Bobby," she said. "He's a great guy. Figured you should meet, because you two will be working rather closely together."

They were approaching another trailer by this point, and Reno noticed the 'Costumes' label on the door. "Is he another bull rider?" he asked.

Melissa chuckled. "No, not exactly," she said, knocking on the door.

The face that answered the door was covered in heavy white makeup, with dramatic blue streaks and red painted over the nose. A curly rainbow wig and brightly colored mix-match of clothes came right along with it.

"Mr. Raines, this is our rodeo clown, Bobby."