A/N: This story is told form the POV of Lara. A girl who works in the Saloon helping Inez with the cooking and serving. No romance, just friendships.

Chapter 1

It's a slow night and there aren't many customers. The Seven are all here. That in itself is not strange, though one of them is often on patrol or doing some thing else. Not that they all sit together. Ezra's at his card table so I don't need to worry about him. He doesn't drink much when he plays. JD's playing tonight too, but he's not a big drinker. Buck is at the bar with Erica. I hear Nathan and Josiah discussing something about Indian culture when I take them their drinks, that means they'll be talking all night. I notice Vin and Chris at the back table keeping an eye on things. They aren't talking, but that's normal. Chris nods his thanks when I set down his usual bottle of Whiskey and two glasses. Now I know they are taken care of I check on the other costumers. Two cowhands are coming in the door. Both are big and look to have chips on their shoulders. They aren't any of our regular cowhands from around here. They're covered with dust so I'm thinking they've been on the trail. That isn't going to help matters. Suddenly I'm very glad the Seven are here. These two are trouble.

"GIRL!" One of them yells, looking at me. I hate it when I'm right. "Two beers!"

I get the bottles and take them to the table. Once I set them down I quickly leave. So far so good. But I have the feeling it won't last, and it doesn't. Next time I walk by the "friend" grabs my wrist.

"How about another beer and some company?"

I try to pull my hand away but he won't let me. "I have to go to the bar to get your beer," I reason with him. No luck.

"One of the others girls can bring the beer. Sit down."

I try to pull away again but he grips my wrist tighter. I can already tell I'm going to have a bruise. He pulls me toward him so I forget being nice to customers. "LET ME GO!" By now we've attracted attention. From the gaming table comes the sound of three hammers being cocked. The Remington Ezra keeps up his sleeve and JD's prized ivory handled Colts.

"Gentlemen, and I use the term loosely, I do believe the Lady asked to be released, and Gentlemen should always do as a Lady requests." Ezra's southern drawl is unmistakable.

"Besides, if you don't you get to spend the night in Jail."

The guy holding me must be getting nervous with three guns pointed at him 'cause he tightens his grip on my wrist even more, but I still feel better. These two idiots still don't realize the odds. Josiah must have seen the pain on my face or the tightness of the grip. "If you break her wrist, I'll break yours."

Nathan is the next to comment. "I don't know if I'd be able to fix that wrist. Might have to amputate the hand." He's holding one of his knives as he says this, so he's taken seriously.

I feel the pressure on my wrist lesson and try to move away but he quickly yanks me back and around HARD. There's an intense burning pain in my shoulder, then I feel the barrel of the gun at my head.

"We're leaving now. Try to follow us, I shoot her."

It's silent in the saloon by now so every ones hears the deathly quiet voice. "Vin, can you get him with out hittin' the girl?"

"Stupid question, Chris," Vin notes; his gun already aimed.

I fly forward into the nearby table when he pushes me as hard and fast as he can to try and distract the Seven. I end up doubled over in pain as I hear the two cowhands running out the door. I see JD and Buck head after them but Chris voice stops them.

"Let 'em go... for now." The last two words promise an unhappy future for the men in question.

"I'll track 'em easy enough in the morning, when we got some light." Vin voice is full of quiet confidence. He's not boasting, just stating a fact.

Nathan kneels down next to me. "Are you alright? Where does it hurt?"

I try to focus on him but the pain suddenly seems worse. "My wrist and shoulder. My side where I hit the table." It hurts to speak, to breathe.

He gently checks me over, then announces, "Let's get you to my clinic. Your wrist isn't broken, but it's bruised pretty badly. I think he tore some of the muscles in your shoulder. You got two maybe three cracked ribs. Can you stand?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll carry ya." This from Buck as he leans down to carefully lift me in his arms, making sure not to hurt me worse. Nathan and Josiah are right behind us. As we leave I hear Chris saying some thing about the show being over.