Author's Notes: This is a Western AU with a teenaged Fox who will eventually have some sort of parental relationship with Skinner. If this isn't your cup of tea, do not read on. Category: PG-13, Discipline (not in this chapter yet, though) Disclaimer: They're mine! All MINE!!! CC and consorts - eat your hearts out!!! Just kidding. No rights, no infringement, no money - but lotsa fun! My addy is: gaby@gaby.slashcity.tv My home is at: http://gaby.slashcity.tv Summary: A new arrival in the small town of Independence causes some trouble... INDEPENDENCE by Gaby Chapter 1: A New Arrival Sheriff Walter Skinner walked into the midday sun and squinted his eyes against the glaring rays. After adjusting his hat he began his usual stroll down Main Street. People passing him on the sidewalk, shop owners looking out their windows, and cowboys sitting high on their horses greeted him, gave him a friendly wave, and smiled. Sometimes he stopped to indulge in a little chit chat, and he even helped old Mister Anderson loading up his supplies into the back of his wagon. Generally speaking, the townsfolk of Independence were glad that they finally had a capable lawman. Sheriff Skinner felt at home, as well. Even though he wasn't born here, or had even spent most of his life in this little town, he had fallen in love with Independence the first time he rode through on his way to the West Coast. Back then he was working as a foreman for a wealthy rancher back in the Dakota Territories; actually, he had been more than just a foreman, he was the right hand. And oftentimes, the left one, as well. When he had found out that his boss was involved in some shady deals with the government, he had quit instantly and came back to Independence without even knowing why. Somehow, he was drawn to this place. Well, maybe there was another small reason, Skinner mused while he let his mind wander, and he smiled to himself. 'Small' being the operative word here. Or should I say 'petite'? XXXXX Fox walked down Main Street, wide-eyed. This town was obviously rather small but it held a certain fascination for the boy. Being used to wide plains and huge forests, this was like San Francisco to him. Not that he had ever been to San Francisco. Or any other big city. He stared at the displays in the windows, drank in all the new sights that crashed down on him. Grabbing the top of his pants tightly to keep them from sliding down his skinny legs, he continued down towards the sign of the saloon. So it wasn't his pair of trousers. Or his shirt, for that matter. Not really. Not legally. But he had been in dire need of them, and Fox was sure that the rancher's son had some spares somewhere. He thanked the Lord above once more that he hadn't been caught 'borrowing' the clothes when he had grabbed them from the line. The pants were too short for the long legs, and too wide for his small hips, and the rope that he used as a belt wasn't really helping that much. He'd never be able to run if need be without thoroughly embarrassing himself by showing his longjohns which incidentally weren't his either. But Fox didn't intend to run anyway; he was going to 'organize' some food, and a blanket, if possible. Maybe he'd even find some cash. But first things first. He was thirsty. And there was a saloon in town. XXXXX Sheriff Skinner was just about to enter the little corner shop that had been the final road stop for him ever since he started those strolls through town when his eyes caught sight of a teenaged boy on the other side of the street. Skinner frowned. He didn't know the kid, and he looked like trouble. He made a mental note to check out the little fella once he was finished 'checking out' someone else. He grinned to himself. Then he saw the kid looking in his direction, and the boy's eyes widened in fear. Apparently he had seen the Sheriff's badge. This reaction raised even more suspicion, and Skinner was just about to cross the street to have a friendly little chat with the little stranger when the owner of the corner shop came up to him. "Well, hello there, Sheriff. I almost thought you wouldn't make it today." Skinner smiled down at the pretty, freckled face before him, framed by waves of beautiful red hair. "Never, Miss Dana. And you know it!" Dana laughed and patted Skinner on his upper arm. "Come in, then. I have some freshly made apple pie with your name on it!" Skinner grinned broadly and entered the corner shop. He had already forgotten about the boy. XXXXX The saloon wasn't very crowded at that time of day. It was just after two in the afternoon, and most people were still working. Still, those few that were standing at the bar, or sat at the shabby tables, did look a bit dangerous, so Fox decided to act tough. Couldn't hurt to make an impression on these ne'er-do-wells. His lanky body pushed its way towards the bar, and he elbowed himself between two men who resembled bears. At least they looked way too big for Fox's liking. Thinking this would be the best approach, Fox slammed his fist on the counter and loudly demanded a beer. The bartender didn't even look up. "I said, I want a beer!" Fox yelled, slightly annoyed. He might not be as big as the other men, but he was a man, nonetheless! The bartender walked over to the boy and smiled indulgently. "And how old would you be, my boy?" "Old enough to know how to use one of these," Fox answered, and placed his gun on the counter. The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Oh, a real tough guy," he commented, and several men started laughing. Fox got angry, and waved the gun around, threatening. "Y'all want to take this outside?" Nobody even paid him the slightest attention. The bartender chuckled and shook his head. "Why don't you just go on home, kid? This isn't a place for a little guy like you..." "I am not a kid," Fox yelled. "Now give me my beer or you'll sport a second asshole real soon!" His finger itched to pull the trigger of his gun. Of course, he wouldn't shoot the bartender. He would never shoot another man, not if there was another way out of it. But these guys didn't need to know that. The bartender turned around and walked to the other end of the counter, beginning a chat with the man standing there. Fox stared at him, dumb-founded. Then he realized that everybody was watching him, grinning. Some were actually laughing at him. Bastards. Fox cocked his gun and trained it at the bartender. "I think you forgot my order, mister," he hissed through clenched teeth, trying to act as cool as possible. And trying even harder not to let his hand shake too much. Nobody paid him any attention. Fox grew desperate. He couldn't shoot the bartender but he sure as hell couldn't just back down without completely losing face. Before he could make up his mind, his gun was grabbed and twisted out of his hand. Fox stared at the man who now held his only possession of any value; it was the guy he had elbowed out of the way when he first took up residence at the bar. He was rather big. And at least half-way drunk. Bad combination. Without thinking, Fox threw himself at the man, trying to grab his gun. The big man was surprised by the attack and taken off-balance, and he fell backwards with Fox landing on top of him. The other men started clapping and cheering. XXXXX Skinner sat in the back of the shop, devouring a second piece of delicious apple pie. "How is your mother doing, Miss Dana?" he asked. Dana sighed. "She's still in bed, but at least she's feeling slightly better. The fever seems to be down." "That's good news," Skinner commented, glad that Maggie Scully seemed to have made it. It had been touch and go for a while. "Yes. I just wish that I had more time to take care of her. But the shop doesn't run itself." "Surely your brother helps out. I mean, you both own the shop, don't you?" Dana gave a sarcastic laugh. "Oh yes, equal partners. I take care of money coming in, he takes care of the money being spent." Dana sighed. "Lately, he isn't even in the shop anymore. Not that he helped a whole lot while he was here, but at least I was able to go and take care of my mother for a couple of minutes every now and then. But now I either have to close the shop completely, or I have to risk someone coming in and stealing something." "Nobody in Independence would steal, Miss Dana." "I know. At least, not anymore. Not since you are the sheriff." Dana gave Skinner a broad smile, and Skinner felt his heart melt. Then he remembered the strange boy, and he wasn't so sure about nobody stealing anything. Then he chided himself. Since when do you judge books by the cover, Walter? "Where is Bill, anyway?" he asked. Dana sighed again. "Saloon. Where else? I guess he should be half-way drunk by now. It takes him longer to get really drunk lately. I think it's the training. He can really hold his liquor now." At that moment, she looked so forlorn and helpless that Skinner felt a surge of pure hatred jolting through his entire body. This small woman was one of the strongest individuals he had ever met in his entire life, and he would be damned to see her like this. He stood up. "I'll go and see what he's up to. Maybe he's still sober." Dana gave him a mocking glance. "Okay, okay, sober enough to be able to take care of the shop for an hour or two, so you can check up on your mother. What do you think?" He smiled reassuringly. Dana smiled back although the smile didn't reach her eyes. They both knew that Bill was most likely in his "aggressive state" right now. Nobody in his right mind came near him when he was like that. Everybody in Independence knew that. XXXXX Fox hung on for dear life when the big man grabbed the front of his shirt and lifted him into the air. "Lemme go, you big oaf!" he yelled, but to no avail. "Bill, let the boy go!" the bartender said, trying to calm the other man. No such luck. "I'm going to teach this little imp some manners, if it's the last thing I'm gonna do!" Bill said, speaking a bit sluggish. He shook Fox as if he were a rag doll. The pants started to slide off the boy's hips, so Fox stopped clutching the big man's hands and grabbed instead for the rope around his waist. He was completely helpless. And suddenly very scared. "Okay, everyone, what is going on here?" Sheriff Skinner entered the saloon and took in the scene in front of him. The boy. I just knew it. And Bill. Of course. He sighed. "Bill, let the boy go." "I'm not a boy!" Fox yelled but was silenced by the other man. "I will most certainly not! This little imp was trying to shoot me!" The bartender stepped in and turned to Skinner. "No, he wasn't. He was trying to act tough. Nothing was going to happen. Bill is just over-reacting a little." "So I gathered," Skinner murmured. He stepped up to Bill Scully and gently tugged at his arms, until the big man lowered Fox to the ground and released him. The boy took off immediately but a strong arm curled itself around his slim waist and lifted him off the ground again. He was pressed against Skinner's broad chest. "And where are we going now?" he asked calmly. "I dunno," Fox replied sullenly. "*I* am going outside. Where are *you* going? Retirement home?" The boy kicked backwards with all his strength, ramming his heel into Skinner's shin. The big man was too surprised by that move so he loosened his steel grip around the boy's waist. That was all Fox needed, and he twisted out of the sheriff's arm to run outside. "Damn!" Skinner rubbed his leg and looked around. Several men grinned at him good-naturedly. He just knew that he was never going to live that little scene down. Then he saw the gun, and pointed at it. "Is that the gun the boy was using?" The bartender nodded. Skinner picked it up and took a closer look. "Nothing I've ever seen. Truly intricate handiwork. Must be worth a small fortune. I wonder what a boy like this is doing with a gun like that..." He tucked the gun in his belt, then grabbed Bill's arm. "Let's go home, Bill. Your sister needs you." Several men chuckled at that comment and waved a mocking salute as Bill was escorted outside. XXXXX Fox watched the sheriff and that other big man, Bill, making a bee line to the corner shop. He also saw his gun in the sheriff's belt. His gun! He had to get it back! And if there was one thing that he had learned during his time with his Indian friends, then it was how to stealthily sneak in and out without getting caught! As soon as the two men had entered the shop, Fox walked out of the dark side alley. He sauntered across the street and ducked behind the water trough in front of the shop. Not only was he able to hear the two men and a woman argue inside, he also had the perfect view inside the shop. There was food in the window! And there had to be blankets in there, as well! And the way these three were fighting, Fox was sure that he would be able to walk in and out without being caught. Hell, they probably were way too busy to even notice him even if he went inside singing and dancing! With any luck, the sheriff had put his gun aside. If not, at least he would be able to grab some food and that blanket, and rest until the right opportunity came. Grinning to himself, Fox tip-toed towards the shop's door. THE END OF CHAPTER 1. 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