Lisa takes the badge.

Lisa reached out and put her hand on the badge and cast a glance at Beth, who was slowly shaking her head. Lisa looked back and picked up the badge.

"Ok deputy Bennet." Bob said. "now just pin it on."

"Later." Lisa replied "I want to take Beth home and collect my colt. Then I'll want to get a change of clothes."

"Ok." Bob said "but then I'll need you to take a patrol thru town. Make sure the town doesn't tear itself apart."

"Fine." Lisa said.

"One piece of advice." Bob called after Lisa as she and Beth made for the door. "Try not to kill to many of the towns folk."

"I'll see what I can do." Lisa said with a slight smile.

Lisa walked Beth back to the stables. Along the way, Lisa tried talking to Beth, but she ignored her.

At the stables Beth headed off to be by herself. Lisa went to Billy.

"Hey Billy." Lisa said in greeting. "I've come for my colt."

Billy led Lisa to the office at the back of the stables. In the office Billy returned Lisa's gunbelt and colt. Lisa put on her gunbelt, and then pinned on the deputy badge. Lisa noticed Billy look at the badge and then in the direction that his sister had gone.

"Why is your sister so worried about me being a deputy?" Lisa asked Billy.

Billy took a picture from the desk and gave it to Lisa. The picture was maybe 3 years old. It showed 5 people. Lisa recognised Beth and Billy. She guessed that the 2 oldest were the kids parents. The last person bore a striking resemblence to Lisa. Seeing the look on Lisa's face Billy answered Lisa's unasked questions.

"Its our parents and older sister, Kate."

"What happened to her?" Lisa asked.

"She and ma caught the small pox and died." Billy said sadly "Beth took it hard."

"Thanks." Lisa said.

Lisa went to find Beth. She was sitting by herself in the exercise area behind the stables. Lisa sat beside her.

"Billy told me about Kate." Lisa told Beth.

Beth started crying. Lisa pulled Beth to her and hugged her till she had stopped crying.

"I won't end up like Kate!" Lisa said. "But for now, I need to do my job."

"Ok." Beth sniffed.