A/N: Hey! This idea has been on my mind for a while and I just had to write it. Also I'm sorry for not updating Wings and It's One Hell of a Ride, I promise I will update soon. Anyway here's a new story for you all. I hope everyone is in character~ or as in character they can be in this situation. Obviously there was no TDI or TDA. Thanks guys!! R&R =)

Disclaimer: I don't own TDI... darn shame too. XD

The sun was blistering down on the small town of Wawanakwa. A small scraggle of tumble weed rolled down the street, the only source of movement. All was quiet until a loud crash echoed down the deserted streets. The swinging doors to the old 'Pretty Gal Saloon' were swept aside as two drunken men were thrown onto the dusty front porch.

"Now stay out!"

The two drunkards staggered to their feet before stumbling down the couple of steps and onto the street. The doors slowly swung on their hinges before resuming their usual stationary position.

While town was quiet and deserted, the Pretty Gal Saloon was bustling with life. The showgirls were in their extravagant dresses, putting on quite a show. The cowboys were there, hooting and cheering for the girls, and on some occassions, rushing up the wooden stairs to the second floor with a showgirl of their choice, to partake in some less than 'proper' behaviour. There were men and women playing heated games of poker, and others just standing or sitting, having a beer and a conversation.

At the old piano the lively Owen Watson was playing a tune. His bowler hat sat slightly lopsided on his head, and his vest looked a tad too small, but neither minor nuisances wiped the smile off his face. He grinned gratefully as somone placed a note on the piano and asked him to play another tune. The woman nodded her thanks as the music changed, before making her way to the bar, taking a seat on an empty stool.

"One beer please."

The bartender, Devon Joseph, more affectionately known as DJ smiled before pulling out a mug and filling it with frothy beer.

"That'll be fifteen cents little lady." He smiled, passing her the drink.

She went daintily through her coin purse, before handing him the exact amount of change.

"Thanks very much miss." DJ put the money away and began cleaning one of the glasses. His eyes were drawn back to the mysterious lady he had just served a beer. His curiosity got the better of him and he spoke up.

"'Scuse me miss," He continued when he saw her head turn to his direction. "Don't mean to pry, but I don't think I've seen you round here before. You new to these parts?"

She smiled, pushing a stubborn blonde lock from her eyes. "Why yes I am."

"Thought so," He grinned. "Excuse me for asking, but why would a pretty gal like you come all the way out here? We're hundreds of miles from the next town."

The lady took a swig of beer before answering. "I was asked to come by my cousin. She misses home and asked me to bring a few trinkets to make her less homesick."

"Really now? A cousin?"

The woman smiled and nodded her head.

"Well if you don't think I'm intruding, would you mind me inquiring as to who it is? I've been in these parts all my life, so I'll probably know your cousin."

She laughed lightly. "Intruding? Oh, not at all. Her name's Courtney. Courtney Harvey."

DJ stopped cleaning the glass for a moment. "Courtney Harvey?"

The lady nodded.

He chuckled before grabbing another glass. "Well I'll be. You're Courtney's cousin! She's been talking about your visit non-stop."

The woman's eyes lit up. "Really? She has!"

He laughed heartily. "She sure has. Lovely girl your cousin." He served someone a beer before turning back to her. "You know she teaches at the local school."

She shook her head, hazel eyes curious.

DJ looked shocked. "She never told you?" His jaw dropped as the lady once again shook her head. "Curious," He murmured.

"Is it odd?"

"A little," He grabbed a new glass. "But probably nothing to worry about. I just would've thought she'd have told you. She loves those kids."

She smiled. "Yeah. Courtney's always been like that."

DJ grinned before putting the glass away and wiping down the bar top. "Don't surprise me..." He placed the rag away and grabbed a new mug, serving someone else a beer.

"I can't believe I forgot!" DJ exclaimed.

The blonde raised her head. "Forgot what?"

DJ looked slightly worried and irritated. "My manners! Oh, my mama would give me such a beating if she realised I didn't introduce myself."

She giggled slightly.

He held out his hand. "Name's Devon Joseph. But you can call me DJ, everyone does."

She smiled and took his hand. "Nice to meet you Mister DJ, I'm Bridgette Waters."

He smiled. "A pleasure Miss Waters."

He dropped her hand, just as the doors to the Saloon were pushed aside. Courtney Harvey stepped inside and made her way to the piano. She spoke to Owen for a moment, before making her way to the bar. She was pushing back a lock of hair when she noticed Bridgette. She let out a gasp of joy, both hands clasped together, before rushing towards her. Bridgette stood up and the two girls became locked in a tight embrace. When they broke apart both had giant smiles, threatening to split their faces in two.

"Oh Bridgette!" Courtney exclaimed. "I didn't realise you were already here! When did you arrive? You weren't waiting long were you?"

She smiled and resumed her seat, Courtney taking the one beside her. "I arrived at a quarter to the hour." Just then the clock rang twelve times.

Courtney blushed slightly. "I'm so sorry I kept you waiting."

Bridgette smiled sweetly. "No worries. Mister DJ here was keeping me company."

"Oh thank you DJ!" She said smiling gratefully.

"No worries Miss Courtney." He smiled, pulling out a clean glass. "Beer?"

"Yes please." She said fishing some money out of her purse. "I'm ever so parched. The heat is unbearable."

When the drink was placed before her, she greedily drank from it. After quenching her thirst she turned to DJ. "Any news of more attacks? It's been weeks since I've heard any mention of them."

DJ shook his head and poured himself a beer. "Not that I've heard of." He turned towards the piano. "Owen!"

Owen turned and stopped playing. "Yes Mister DJ?"

"Any news of attacks by the gang?"

Owen straightened his hat before replying. "Yeah. Heard there was an attack on a carriage a day or so ago. Bout fifty miles north of here."

Courtney gasped. "Was anyone hurt?"

Owen stopped playing and made his way over to the bar, accepting a beer from DJ. "From what I heard a man was shot. He was the only one in the carriage. All the cargo was missing, but that's to be expected from Black Hearted D and his vicious crew."

Bridgette gasped, appalled. "That poor man!"

"Do we know who it was?"

Owen nodded. "Mister Noah Jones."

Courtney's hands flew to her heart. "That's horrid! Dear old Noah..."

DJ shook his head sadly. Bridgette spoke up. "Noah Jones?"

DJ sighed, pouring himself another beer. "Noah was the bank manager. Sarcastic man, but he had a good heart. He left to exchange some of the gold for notes."

Bridgette looked confused. "But why?"

Owen spoke up. "People kept trading in gold for notes. Not no one but the bank would accept gold. Got to the stage where the bank was low on notes."

"That's why Mister Jones had to leave, see?"

Bridgette straightened her pale blue dress. "But couldn't he have just sent it off?"

Courtney shook her head, now joining the conversation. "We're too far from another town. Noah had to take it himself, he didn't trust no one else with his banks wares. 'Specially not with the gang on the prowl."

"The gang?"

"Black Hearted D and his vicious crew."

Bridgette's eyes widened. "You mean the notorious crooks who have yet to be caught?"

DJ nodded.

Courtney cocked an eyebrow. "How do you know of the gang?"

"I saw various wanted posters for the gang in almost every town I passed through. They certainly look mean."

"They are. They've stolen from almost every carriage that has passed through the area." Owen said.

"Not only that, but they rampage through here, scaring everyone half to death!"

DJ nodded at Courtney's statement. "No one here likes the gang. They cause trouble and upheaval where ever they go."

Owen turned to Bridgette. "You're very lucky miss. You could have easily been in Noah's position."

Both Courtney and Bridgette gasped in horror.

"Oh Bridgette! I'm so sorry! I asked for you because there had been no attacks, so I thought it wouold be alright and..." She groaned putting her head in her hands.

"It's fine Court." She smiled gently grabbing her shoulders and making her sit upright. "I'm fine."

Courtney sighed slightly. "But it mightn't have been. It was pure luck that they didn't get you."

"Well I'm fine, so lets just forget it."

They smiled at each other before turning to the men.

"Who's going to tell Miss Katie bout Mister Noah?" Courtney asked.

Owen shrugged his shoulders. "Whoever does is gonna have to console one very upset lady." He then handed his glass back to DJ, nodded at the two ladies and made his way back to the piano, playing a tune that defied the melancholy mood surrounding the three at the bar.

DJ then spoke up. "I'll do it. She is my little sister after all."

Courtney nodded sadly. "That should help her. And having Miss Sadie there might also soften the blow."

DJ nodded, the shook his head gravely. "That gang has a lot to answer for."

"It's odd." Courtney murmured.

"What is?" Bridgette asked.

"That they killed Noah. I mean... For all the times they've come through here they haven't shot anyone. The town of Wawanakwa, while being ransacked, has essentially been left unharmed. This is the first time they've actually killed one from this town."

"That's true, but you know why they haven't."

Courtney nodded. "Of course. Everyone does."

"Knows what?"

DJ and Courtney turned to Bridgette.

DJ spoke up. "Everyone knows why they don't kill those from this town."

"Why?"

Courtney bit her lip before turning to her cousin.

"Because they're from here."