Both Maura and Jane sat up quickly, turning towards the mouth of the cave as one. Jane pushed Maura unceremoniously towards the back as she inched slowly forwards. ’What I wouldn’t do to have my gun.’ she thought as she peered through the leaves that hide the entrance to the cave.

Just feet away, a large man strode past her. Jane’s breath caught in her throat. She held out her hand, reaching for something that wasn’t there. In place of either a gun or the warm hand she so often expected, she felt the cold sting of metal. Turning slowly, she smiled as a knife nestled in her scarred palm. It was a Swiss army knife but it was better than nothing at all.

Tipping Maura a wink, Jane crept slowly from the cave, following in the man’s footsteps. She might not have a real weapon but she had two things in her favour; the element of surprise and the power of love behind her. In her line of work, she’d seen more people killed in the name of love than she’d ever thought possible and many with weapons blunter than the knife she now brandished.
’Could she kill someone like this?’ The thought flitted through her mind on the slightest of breezes. ’Would she kill to protect Maura?’

She flicked the largest blade open and, steeling herself against the possible task at hand, she nodded to herself.

’In a heartbeat’ she thought.

She mirrored his steps, careful not to make any more noise. He was making enough for the pair of them. He had to be one of the shooters, who else would be here stomping around and yelling? He paused and Jane froze; three steps. That’s all that stood between them. Holding her breath, Jane covered the area slowly, almost as if time had slowed by half. Her long arm wrapped around his shoulders as she pressed the pitiful blade firmly into the soft flesh of his throat.

Against the blade, she felt him try and swallow.

”Please don’t kill me.” he choked against the metal.

Jane spun him, pushing him hard to the ground. The stunned face of John Ford stared up at her.

”What are you doing?” Jane hissed, pulling him roughly to his feet.

”You pulled a damn knife on me?” John hollered.

”You need to shut the hell up!” Jane growled, dragging him towards the relative safety of the cave and shoving him inside.

John crumpled to his knees, warming his hands against the fire as he studied the surprised faces that met him.

”We need to talk.” Jane sighed as she ran her hands through her hair.