Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Say that again.”

“We should hijack a train.” Haru repeated, meeting Logan’s piercing stare with a steady gaze.

“That’s what I thought you said.” Logan turned his attention to the fire crackling happily away beside them.

“We need assistance, Logan. We’ve reached the limits of what we can achieve by ourselves. We need to do something that’ll attract the attention of the entire nation. Force the authorities to investigate Sandrock. Perhaps even find ourselves a new ally in the process.”

Logan stroked his chin. “I ain’t sure I like the idea, but your reasonin’, well, I can’t disagree there. But Haru, brother, this could put a bounty on yer head, too. You sure yer ready for that?”

“I am. My participation will increase our legitimacy as a gang. Besides, it’s about time I receive my own Wanted poster.” Haru gave a slight smile.

Logan shuffled uncomfortably. “Guess we’d best form a plan,” he said. He hated plans, but a train robbery, well, that wasn’t something even he could improvise. 

Two days later, in the hour before dawn, Logan and Haru left their hideout and wound their way along the cliffside, crossing over the Shonash bridge just as the sun was beginning to peek above the mountains. They had informed Andy - Logan’s adopted son and the third member of the gang - of their planned absence the night before, and had left him sound asleep in his bed. Andy knew better than to ask questions, though, as usual, he protested his lack of involvement.

The men rode goats; Logan’s goat was named Rambo, and Haru’s was Merle. Rambo was large and grey, with magnificent horns that curled around his ears. Merle was smaller, with a glossy white coat and bright yellow eyes. Logan had discussed the plan with them; though the goats were incapable of human speech, Logan nonetheless swore they understood every word he was saying. 

After crossing the bridge, the two men directed their mounts behind a large clump of sandgrass, then waited patiently for the Ataran Express to arrive. Logan double checked that the straps of his glider apparatus were securely fastened, and in the dim morning light he could see Haru doing the same.

It wasn’t long before the distant rumble of the train thundering along the tracks reached the men’s ears. They began to ride parallel to the tracks, allowing Rambo and Merle to build up speed before the train blew past them, its whistle blaring, the wind nearly knocking Logan’s hat from his head.

The train began to slow as it headed onto the bridge, not far now from Sandrock’s station. Logan and Rambo drew up alongside the front engine; Logan drew his gun and pointed it at the driver. “Stop the train,” he commanded, his voice deeper than usual. It wasn’t a conscious effort on his part; Logan hated playing bandit.

Logan leapt down from Rambo as the train halted to a stop, squarely on the bridge, according to Haru’s plan. Behind him, Haru dismounted from Merle, and the two goats immediately started heading for home. Logan knew they’d be safe; no animal in Sandrock’s vicinity was capable of catching up to either goat. Logan climbed onto the first carriage, pointing his gun at a startled passenger caught leaning against the doorway. The passenger put his hands up to his head as Logan pushed him through the door and onto an empty seat.

“It’s in the back. I’ll go,” Haru said out loud, following the script they had outlined the previous night. Logan nodded. There was nothing in the back, of course, but these passengers weren’t to know. Haru took his cue and ran towards the back of the train. 

As he commanded passengers to put up their hands, Logan brandished his gun in their faces, avoiding meeting their eyes as he roamed the carriage. He hated having to scare people; he would never grow used to seeing them cower and tremble. The passengers’ hands hovered in the air, or covered their faces, except for one man whose hands continued to hold the book he had been reading. Logan didn’t press matters; his sweep of the carriage had informed him that no one was armed or would be daring to challenge him.

Now to wait. Logan was agitated; Haru seemed to be taking forever, and where, for that matter, was Sandrock’s civil corps? Logan didn’t expect much from Justice - his erstwhile friend and Sandrock’s sheriff - but he had nevertheless thought Justice might be quicker than this. Logan muttered to himself as he shifted positions, at one point pausing to wipe beads of sweat from his brow. He was growing anxious - not afraid that he might be captured, or end up in a fight, but afraid that this might all be for naught. That he had traumatized a train full of innocents for nothing.

Eventually Haru returned. Follow the script , Logan reminded himself. “Well?” He said out loud.

“I got it. Let’s go!” Haru said.

“Freeze Logan! We’ve got you now.” There you are, Justice. About time you showed up. Inwardly Logan heaved a sigh of relief.

Haru threw a small smoke bomb onto the floor. It exploded, sending a thick cloud of smoke into the air, obscuring Justice’s vision, and causing several of the passengers to start coughing.

“G’day.” Logan’s nerves vanished in an instant as he grabbed Haru by the shirt and shot at the window. Daring escapes were Logan’s specialty. He plunged headfirst through the window as it shattered from the bullet; Logan’s and Haru’s thick leather hats protecting them from the shards of glass sent flying. They fell off the side of the bridge before Justice had a chance to react.

For a few seconds the two men were in freefall. They separated and, once clear of each other, they activated their gliders. Large canvas wings rapidly unfolded from the packs strapped to their backs, catching the updrafts from the valley, sending Logan and Haru soaring into the air.

Logan relaxed and soon began to enjoy the view. The Shonash canyon that separated Sandrock from the northern Eufaula desert was so deep that its floor was barely visible. Its cliffs were lined with Old World ruins; skyscrapers and office blocks that had sunk into the earth and become buried beneath waves of sand following the Day of Calamity. Logan was familiar with many of the shelters and passages the ruins provided. He and Haru had been unable to plan their route back, as their landing site would be dictated by the wind, but wherever they ended up, Logan was confident that he would be able to guide them back to their hideout. 

They eventually landed on a ledge jutting out halfway down the eastern cliffside; a clump of bushes helped to break their descent, and they plucked broken twigs and leaves from their clothes and hair as they carefully stood up.

“How’re you holdin’ up?” Logan asked Haru, as he looked the younger man up and down. Haru had a few new scratches on the exposed skin between his gloves and sleeves, and his pants had torn in a couple of places, but he otherwise looked unharmed. 

Haru uttered a shaky laugh. “We made it! We actually made it,” he said.

“Course we did,” Logan said, a little bemused by Haru’s surprise. He took a loose hold of Haru’s wrists and inspected them. “Not much bleedin’. Nothin’ some of yer ointment won’t fix.”

“I have some right here.” Haru dug into a pocket. He glanced up at Logan. “You’ll need some, too. You’ve got a good gash on your ear.”

“I do?” Logan put a hand up to his ear; it came away covered in blood.

“Probably from the window glass. Here, kneel down,” Haru said. He dabbed away the blood with a piece of gauze from the small medical kit he always carried on him. “Looks clean, anyway. No glass that I can see. Must’ve just nicked you.” He finished bandaging Logan’s ear as carefully as possible.

“Thanks, Haru.” Logan stood back up. “Guess we’d best get goin’. Gonna take us the best part of the day to get back to the ol’ hideout, and I shudder to think what Andy might be up to.”

Haru nodded. “Just… give me a few seconds. My legs are still a little wobbly.”

It took them most of the day to hike back to their hideout. As the sun rose higher in the sky, not even the canyon’s depths could provide respite from its blistering heat. When they came across an accessible floor of an old world building, they were all too happy to collapse upon the sand-covered floor in the shade, to snatch a few minutes’ rest.

Logan lifted his black fabric mask above his nose in order to drink water from his canteen. Haru had removed his own mask almost as soon as they had landed in the canyon, but Logan wore his constantly, removing it only to eat or to sleep. Their masks had several purposes - obscuring their identities, offering protection from the sand - but for Logan it also provided a barrier between him and the world; a manifestation of the shame he felt at having failed to save his father. 

“That’s the last of that,” he said, as he screwed the cap back onto his now-empty canteen. “Still, I reckon we ain’t got long to go, now. Ready to press on, Haru?”

Haru nodded. “I am. Logan, have you thought about what happens next?”

It was a few seconds before Logan responded. “No,” he said. “But whatever happens, it can’t be worse than what we already faced.”

They had an uphill climb to the hideout. Even Logan’s legs were beginning to shake as they finally entered the system of caves they called home. They were thirsty and hungry and the back of Logan’s neck was a little sunburnt.

“Where were you guys?” Andy demanded to know. “Rambo an’ Merle returned hours ago! I know you said you’d be gone, but it’s bin all day! I’ve bin starvin’!’

“We left you food," Logan grumbled. He staggered over to their water barrel, eager to refill his canteen.

“Snacks, you mean. Nuts an’ jerky… a growin’ boy like me needs a proper meal!”

“I’ll cook us something,” Haru said, and Logan threw him a grateful look. “Did the goats get fed, Andy?”

‘An’ brushed, too,” Andy said, proudly. “So what’d you two get up to, anyway?”

Logan glanced over at Haru, who nodded. While the two men tried to keep Andy ignorant of their plans, for the boy’s own safety, there was no harm in regaling Andy with details of their adventures after they had occurred. 

“Truth is, Andy, we hijacked a train,” Logan said, enjoying seeing the boy’s eyes widen in surprise. 

‘What? You did? Gimme all the deets!”

So Logan reenacted the hijacking for Andy, aware that he shouldn’t be encouraging such behaviour, yet remembering the thrills he himself had felt as a small boy, listening to his Pa’s tales of monster hunting. He suspected that he had worn a very similar expression to the one Andy did now; a mixture of awe and admiration.

“Woah! It’s just like in my book,” Andy said. “Hands up! Nobody move! Yer a real bandit, Logan.”

“Yes, well,” Logan cleared his throat. “Ahem…this was all jus’ done to attract attention, mind you, not to steal from honest folk only lookin’ to get home.”

“So you really didn’t take nothin’?” Andy asked, the disappointment evident in his voice. 

“Yeah, that’s-”

“I wouldn’t say nothing,” Haru said, interrupting Logan. Haru had been listening quietly to Andy and Logan’s conversation as he prepared a simple dinner. He dug into his pockets and extracted several squished, partially melted candy bars, which he proffered to Andy. He smiled at Andy as he glanced sideways at Logan. “Saw the snack trolley in the next carriage and didn’t see the harm in grabbing a few.”

“Thanks Haru! Yer the best!” Andy exclaimed. 

After dinner, Andy went to bed to read, while Logan and Haru changed into more comfortable clothes for the evening. Logan picked up Haru’s pants and fetched the tin of sewing supplies from beneath his bed. Maintaining his gear was one of the first lessons Logan had learned from his father, and that included everything from honing his knives, to waxing his boots and hat, to darning socks and patching clothes. Logan was as capable with a needle in his hands as he was with a pen; not to say that he made a good tailor, but then he wasn’t much of a writer, either. He flicked on his bedside lamp and set to mending the hole he’d spied earlier.

His hands were distracted, but Logan’s mind was not. As he wove the thread through the frayed edges of the fabric, Logan found himself dwelling on the events of that fateful, late summer’s day, nearly two years past, when his father - his best friend, and the only constant in Logan’s life - had died. His father’s last words reverberated in his mind, as clear to Logan’s ears as when he’d first heard them. Logan… protect Sandrock… Duvos…  

Logan sighed. The hole now closed, he knotted and snipped the thread, then carefully placed the needle back in its case. He said goodnight to Haru, turned off his light, and lay back upon his bed, waiting for sleep to claim him.

Chapter Text

Logan had been observing her since shortly after she had entered his hideout. She had made her way cautiously through the twisting tunnels and the toy-themed obstacle course that Haru and Andy had worked so hard to construct. Logan couldn’t make out her features from where he was standing, but from her lithe, silent movements, he had deduced that she had received special training of some sort.  

“Logan?” She called out, staring straight ahead at the entrance to the main cavern. “I know you’re watching me. My name is Grace. I’m with the Alliance Central Intelligence. I’m not here to arrest you. I wish to talk.”

For a few seconds, Logan hesitated. He’d been hoping to meet her on his own terms. Still, what difference would a few minutes have made? He stepped out from the shadows, walking forward until he was standing facing her, still several feet away. Now that he could properly see her, he was surprised to see how young she looked. He wasn’t good at guessing ages, particularly those of pretty women, but he would have bet that she was in her early twenties, and certainly no older than him. 

“ACI, huh?” He said. “If yer really ACI, you’ll have been taught how to fight.” He drew his dagger from its sheath, strapped to his back, beneath his cloak. “So why dontcha prove it?”

It didn’t matter that she was half a foot shorter than him, or that she was slender and dressed in a skirt that seemed inappropriately short for a fight. If she’d done her research she’d know that Logan would be likely to challenge her, and she’d be prepared. Logan believed you could learn a lot about a person’s true intentions from sparring with them; there were no lies on the battlefield.

She held his gaze steady as she exhaled a small sigh. ‘Very well,’ she said, as she unsheathed her own dagger. 

For a minute or so, steel clashed against steel as Grace expertly matched Logan’s moves. She was quicker than Logan had anticipated; not that Logan had expected this fight to be easy, but he had thought he might still win. In his efforts to block her blows, he misstepped and, seeing an opening, Grace swept her leg, knocking him to the ground. He deftly rolled away, but Grace was suddenly upon him, her knife to his throat.

Logan chuckled. “Fine, fine, yer ACI,” he said, rising to his feet and dusting himself off. He tipped his hat at her. “Nice to meet you, Grace, was it?”

“That’s right.” She returned her dagger to its sheath. “Now may we talk?”

“We may. This way.” Logan escorted her to the enormous cave that held the chambers that he, Haru, and Andy called home. ‘So how’d you find us, anyway?”

“I tracked your goats. Not many people ride them around here, you know? But of course that was exactly why you abandoned them, knowing they’d make their way back home, and making it easy for someone like me to follow them.”

“We were hopin’ to attract attention,” Logan admitted. “We’ve been spinnin’ wheels for months, unable to progress on our own. Didn’t know who else we could trust.”

“Right,” Grace said. “Let’s start at the beginning.”

So Logan told her everything he knew; his father’s dying words, how he suspected the church was involved in some kind of nefarious activities, and how he’d been afraid to place his trust in anyone else in Sandrock, even his childhood friends. “Because even if they’re innocent, and I believe they are, what if I got them killed, too? I don’t want nobody else’s blood on my hands.” He pinched the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb and drew in a deep breath, which he slowly exhaled.

“Working for Owen? Yes, I can categorically state that he is not involved,” Grace said. “But you’re right, too, that he’s not to be trusted. When the yakmel milk’s flowing, well… let’s just say I wouldn’t be telling him any secrets of mine.”

For Grace’s part, she was able to provide Logan with the intel she had on Sandrock; how there was evidence of at least one Duvos spy operating in the town, but nothing to incriminate any particular inhabitant. 

“So my Pa was right,” Logan breathed out in a whisper. “A Duvos spy - I bet it’s one of the church folk! But why Sandrock?”

“It’s important to the Alliance from a strategic viewpoint,” Grace explained. “It’s a central hub connecting many of the free cities. I’ve been surprised by the number of tourists it still attracts. You probably already know, but two new builders arrived recently to replace Mason, who’s retired.”

“I saw the ad in the paper. How’re they doin’, anyhow?”

“Great. Fantastic, actually. Both seem very talented and motivated,’ Grace said. 

“Huh. Well, good.” Logan was happy, wasn’t he? All he desired was to help Sandrock, and if Sandrock could also help itself, that would surely be even better.

“Here we are. Home sweet home, for now,” Logan said, as they stepped into the main chamber.

Grace had been looking about with curiosity since they had first started talking. They had walked through a room filled with scientific apparatus, including materials Grace recognized as components for bombs and other explosive devices. From here there was a small ramp down to the main chamber; a huge cavern open to the canyon, with a dirt floor, a stable for the goats, and platforms containing sleeping and eating areas. From some scaffolding a large, tattered red cloth was suspended as a backdrop to a large chair adorned with yakmel horns. The chair’s base was visibly broken, and looked as if it’d be uncomfortable to sit upon.

Grace raised an eyebrow and gestured at the chair. “Very theatrical,” she commented. 

Logan scratched at his ear - his fingers came into contact with the scab that had formed there -  and emitted an embarrassed laugh. ‘Yeah, uh, that was Andy’s idea, said the red’d be intimidatin’, in the case of anyone breakin’ in. Think he got the idea from a book of his. Didn’t mind, though; we had fun decoratin’ the chair together.”

“Andy?” Grace inquired.

“Our third gang member… wait a second.” Logan cupped his hands around his masked mouth and yelled, “HARU! ANDY! C’MON OUT!”

A few minutes later, Haru and Andy walked into view, Haru’s face expressionless, but Andy’s eyes round with surprise.

“Meet Grace,’ Logan said. “She’s with Alliance Central Intelligence. She’s here to…” He broke off. Grace hadn’t actually said she was here to help, had she?

Grace smiled at the gang. “I do believe we have common goals that we’re working towards,” she said. “So yes, I am here to say I am willing to work with you.”

“Woah! So yer a real spy?” Andy asked. “What d’ya do? Any cool tricks you can teach me?”

“How do we know we can trust you?” Haru asked, cautiously.

“That’s the fun part; you don’t,” Grace replied. “But I’m the one placing myself at risk here. After all, you are all notoriously dangerous outlaws.” She placed her hands on her hips and looked down at Andy, who looked as pleased as punch to be referred to as such. 

“That’s right,” he said. “Logan here is real mean, and Haru, he makes bombs an’ all kinds of dangerous stuff! As fer me, well, I ain’t givin' away my secrets.” 

“Good lad.” Grace nodded approvingly. “Logan has already told me most of what you all know. Why don’t we sit down and see if we can’t come up with more of a concrete plan?”

Grace didn’t dare stay for too long, lest she be missed at the Blue Moon Saloon, where she ostensibly worked as Owen’s sous chef. Before leaving, she spoke individually to Haru and Andy, learning a little about their skills and allegiance to Logan. 

“You have two very bright, very loyal followers here,” she remarked to Logan. “Their talents are incredible. Haru would be an asset to any university. As for Andy, that boy has tremendous creativity.”

“I know. I don’t deserve them,” Logan said, though Grace’s words gave him pause. He appreciated Haru’s abilities, of course, but he was ashamed to admit that he hadn’t considered that Haru ought to have continued his schooling, that he should be attending university like Heidi had. “Haru and me, we’ve bin tryin’ our best with Andy, teachin’ him what we can. He should be in school…” He sighed.

“Perhaps one day he can. I’ll see if I can source some books to bring with me next time I visit.” Grace pursed her lips. “You’ll remain here?”

“For now. We have a few other hidin’ holes scattered about, but this is our main base, and it’s pretty secure,” Logan said. 

“Then I’ll return here. I can’t promise when, but soon.” Grace said.

The gang said their goodbyes and thank yous, then Logan escorted Grace to the hideout’s exit.

When he returned, he found Haru had started a fire and was heating up some stew.

“Looks like our fortunes may finally be turning,” Haru said, with a smile. ‘If nothing else, we’ve reestablished a connection with Sandrock.”

“Grace is real pretty, ain’t she, Logan?” Andy said.

“Huh? Yeah, I guess so,” Logan said. Grace was attractive, sure, but he hadn’t thought of her in that way. He had to remain focused on his mission, and besides, Grace wasn’t his type. Not that he really knew what his type was. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d given any thought to a relationship. 

“You guess so? You guess so?” Andy echoed, outraged. “Haru, back me up here!”

Haru glanced over at Logan, then back at Andy. “Grace is a spy,” he said. “She’s here on business, that’s all. Though I am surprised Logan trusted her so readily.” He fell quiet for a moment as his mind processed the available information. “Logan… don’t tell me you challenged her to a fight.”

“Course I did!” Logan said. “Quickest way to determine if she was tellin’ the truth.”

Haru sighed. “You can’t spar with everyone, Logan.”

“He doesn’t spar with me,” Andy said, his voice tinged with disappointment. Logan had taught Andy a few self-defense moves, but that was all. Andy balled his hands into fists and punched the air. “One day I’ll be bigger an’ stronger, and I’ll challenge you then.”

Logan looked down at him. “Sure. When that day comes, then we can duel,” he said.

Haru grinned. “Learned your lesson with me, then, Logan?” 

Andy turned a querying gaze upon the smaller man. “What d’ya mean?”

“It was shortly after Logan had turned sixteen, and I was about your age,” Haru told Andy. “Howlett had previously forbidden us from sparring due to me being so much younger. But I begged him, and eventually he relented.”

“I reckon my Pa figured I was old enough to know to hold back,” Logan said. “An’ I was tryin’ to, I swear. But I guess I didn’t know my own strength. Knocked poor Haru clean out in one punch.”

“Dislocated my hand as I fell,” Haru added, holding up the afflicted limb. 

Andy’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “Woah,” he exclaimed. “How’d Howlett punish you, Logan?”

“He didn’t.” Logan shook his head. “The guilt I was feelin’ was punishment enough.”

“Sometimes the greatest punishment is the consequences of our own actions,” Haru agreed.

Silence descended upon the trio. Logan thought back to that fateful day, when, in his eagerness to free his father from the church’s grasp, he had blown too large a hole in the wall, caving the entire room in, and delivering the killing blow to Logan’s ailing father. The nightmares Logan endured every night certainly exceeded any sentence that could be bestowed upon his head.

Haru seemed to know where Logan’s mind had drifted, for he suddenly said, “look how late it is! Logan, you’d better supervise Andy here and make sure he brushes his teeth before bed, I think he skipped it last night.”

Logan roused himself. “Right, c’mon, Andy. Bedtime it is.”

Once Andy was safely ensconced in bed, Logan went to check on the goats, then began preparations for his own sleep. He ran a hand over his chin; his facial hair was growing too long for his liking. He shaved with a dry razor to conserve water, but shaving dry too often could damage the skin, so Logan wore a light stubble most of the time.

“Perhaps Grace’ll be able to bring us more water, too,” Haru said, as if reading Logan’s mind.

“Yeah. She’d need a yakmel cart for that, though. May attract too much attention.” Logan sighed. “Reckon we’ll need to remain thieves for a while longer.”

“True. Well, whatever she’s able to bring us, we’ll appreciate it,” Haru said, with a smile. “Goodnight, Logan.”

“G’night, Haru.”

Chapter Text

Grace returned a couple of days later. To the gang’s surprise and delight, she had managed to borrow a yakmel cart, and brought barrels of water with her. 

“These aren’t all for you,” she warned. “I’m officially delivering supplies to a hamlet near here.” She grinned. “Owen was all too happy to contribute.”

“We’re grateful for anythin’ really,” Logan said. 

He and Haru helped offload a couple of barrels of water, together with a sack of rice, vegetables, and herbs and spices. There were also books for Andy, sharpening stones and other small supplies for the men, and the latest copy of the Tumbleweed Standard. Logan grimaced upon seeing his name mentioned on the front page.

“The Civil Corps’s been busy putting up more Wanted posters,” Grace said. “Your face is on the wall too, now, Haru.”

“I’ll grab yer poster next time I’m out and about,” Logan promised him, as Haru smiled wanly. 

“Anything else to report?” Logan asked Grace.

She shook her head. “Not much. Lucy and Mi-an - they’re the two new builders - have been busy, though. They’ve been fixing up the place; repairing floorboards, installing a couple of new benches - I’ve even seen them picking up litter.”

“Two women, huh? Sounds like they’re jus’ what Sandrock needs.”

“Indeed. Together with Heidi, Sandrock’s got quite the female powerhouse going on at the moment,” Grace replied. She picked up the now-empty bucket of water they’d given the yakmel to drink, and handed it back to Logan. “I’d best be on my way. Enjoy the books, Andy.” She smiled at the young boy.

“Come back soon!” Andy yelled, as Grace drove away.

Logan reached out a hand to ruffle Andy’s blond hair, then pulled a face as the scent of a dirty scalp reached his nose.

“Right! We’re reserving some of this water for a good ol’ hair washin’ tonight,” He said. He ran his hands through Andy’s hair, pulling it straight to judge the length. His fingers snagged on a knot, and Andy yelped. “I’ll sharpen my scissors an’ give it a cut. Yours too, Haru.”

“Why don’t we cut yer hair, too, Logan?” Andy said, threateningly.

Logan raised an eyebrow. ‘You can keep yer hair long, if you brush it real well an’ tie it up, like I do. So what’ll it be?” 

Andy’s shoulders slumped. “Fine. You can cut it,’ He mumbled. 

“That’s what I thought you’d say,” Logan grinned. “Look, it ain’t all bad. How about we go up top and take Rambo for a ride?”

“Now yer talkin’!” Andy said, visibly cheered.

A few days later, Logan awoke in the early hours of the morning to his arm feeling completely numb. He tried to move it, then realized it’d been pinned by a small, warm body. Poor Andy must’ve had a nightmare again. He slowly and carefully extracted his arm from underneath the boy, who groaned and shifted, but remained sound asleep. 

Logan silently rolled out of bed and began to dress. He was wide awake now; might as well seize the day. The canyon outside was grey and hazy; the sun would be just beginning to peek above the eastern mountains. 

After donning his hat, mask, and boots, Logan walked over to where Rambo and Merle stood munching on some hay. Rambo bleated as Logan approached. 

“Quiet now. Haru an’ Andy are still asleep,” Logan told him. “Wanna go out an’ see the sun rise?” 

Rambo jerked his chin in what Logan swore was a nod. His ears flicked happily as Logan saddled him up and walked him over to the cave’s entrance. The path leading down to this entrance was only successfully navigated by a goat or an experienced climber, attributes that had kept the hideout hidden from Sandrock’s inhabitants. Neither Rambo nor Logan, however, had any problems in ascending the cliff to the plateau above.

Logan savoured the cool, mountain air as he and Rambo ambled at a leisurely pace along the path winding around Grand Mesa. Once they were halfway up the mountain, they stopped to have breakfast and watch as the sun gradually bathed Sandrock in its golden light. 

Just as they were about to leave, a grey plume of smoke began to billow from somewhere beyond the two jagged rocks that jutted above Sandrock’s north-eastern skyline. Logan couldn’t be certain, but it looked to be stemming from Sandrock’s Moisture Farm. Logan breathed in sharply through gritted teeth; nothing good could result from smoke rising from the Moisture Farm, the source of nearly all of Sandrock’s locally grown produce. 

Logan resisted the urge to race Rambo down the mountain and into Sandrock, but his chest ached as all he could do was watch. He had sworn to his father to protect Sandrock, but entering the town now would only see him arrested. He groaned aloud in frustration. He was considering dashing into town anyway, risk be damned, when the cloud began to subside, and soon the smoke had faded away into nothing. 

“Good morning, Logan,” Haru said, cheerfully, as Logan and Rambo returned to the cavern. “What did you-” He stopped short as he caught sight of the thunderous expression upon Logan’s face.

“I think the Moisture Farm was on fire,” Logan said, dourly.

“What? What do you mean, was? Is it safe now? Was there any damage?”

Logan shrugged. “Dunno. Couldn’t get too close now, could I? There was smoke risin’ from its direction, then it stopped. But it was real dark, like from a fire would be.” 

Haru frowned. “Maybe they were able to put it out before it did any damage,” he said, doubtfully.

“Yeah. Let’s hope.” Logan scrubbed his face with his hands. “I hate this, Haru.”

“I know. But the smoke didn’t last long, right? And Sandrock has two new, capable builders on hand. So let’s assume the town can handle itself,” Haru said, not quite believing his own words. “Hey - Andy was wanting to rearrange the obstacle course today. Why don’t you go find him and help him?”

“Yeah.” Logan needed the distraction, and expelling some physical energy would help prevent his nerves from further fraying. 

Grace didn’t return the next day, or the day after, so Logan rode out early on the third morning to a neighboring village, to nick the latest edition of the Tumbleweed Standard from a newsstand. Along the way he caught sight of a fresh batch of Wanted posters. He grabbed those, too, rolling them up and shoving them in one of Rambo’s saddlebags. 

Returning to the hideout, he threw the paper down on the table in front of Haru, his face above the mask sapped of all colour. “Look,” was all Logan said.

Haru picked up the paper and began to read. He, too, soon paled. “You were right,” he said, his voice a horrified whisper.

Logan removed his hat and placed it upon the table. He took a seat opposite Haru and sank his head in his hands. “Geeglers. Would never have happened if my Pa were still alive.” Howlett had secured a truce with the half-lizard, half-human Geeglers, and it had been many years since they had dared attack Sandrock.

Haru continued to read. “Lucy beat the Civil Corps to the scene and helped repel the Geeglers, huh? Since when does being a builder include knowing how to fight?” 

“Never mind that - read the next bit, the part about the Hydrogel,” Logan said. “Sandrock’ll run out of food if they don’t manage to repair it soon. Folk’re already bein’ asked to cut back on eatin’. An’ we let Grace deliver us food and water…”

“We’re not to blame,” Haru said, firmly. 

“Aren’t we? I coulda helped beat back the Geeglers. They might not ever have attacked if I’d bin around.”  

Haru sighed. “We can’t dwell on the what ifs, Logan. You’ve said as much yourself.”

“Yeah.” Logan lifted his head, then stood back up. ‘C’mon. You, me, Andy - we’re gonna go huntin’ and foragin’ today. We need to stock up on our own supplies, an’, well, if we get enough extra, maybe we can donate anonymously to the town.”

Andy was excited to go hunting with Logan and Haru. As rascally as he could be, he knew when to follow orders, and he was as still and quiet as could be when they were stalking their prey. He even helped Logan skin and clean the carcasses. Some of the meat was sliced thinly, to be salted and dried, and the rest was diced for that night’s stew. 

They’d harvested rutabaga that grew freely in the area, too. Later that night, when nearly all inhabitants were guaranteed to be sound asleep in their beds, Logan snuck into Sandrock and deposited a box of rutabaga and rabbit on the porch of the Blue Moon Saloon. It wasn’t much,  but he was determined to give back to the town whatever he could.

Grace finally returned a week later. She seemed a little less cool and detached than on previous occasions; in fact, Logan could’ve sworn she seemed almost excited to see them. 

She had walked to their hideout in the evening, carrying a large, square rucksack on her back, which she now deposited on the ground. 

“Tada!” She said, gesturing to the bag. “What do you notice?”

The trio inspected the bag. 

“This fabric’s weird an’ thick,” Andy observed. 

“It’s insulated!” Haru exclaimed.

“That’s right!” Grace said. “I found an Old World relic, and had Lucy replicate it for me. Here - fresh, hot meals, straight from the saloon.” 

She withdrew the boxes of food from the bag, and the men helped arrange them on the table. They were soon eating merrily, Logan pretending not to notice the sly glances Grace was throwing his way. It was the first time she was seeing him without his mask.

“But Logan said Sandrock was starvin’,” Andy said. “How could you afford to bring us all this?”

“We-ell,” Grace said, “it’s been a very long week…”

“We ain’t going nowhere,” Logan pointed out.

“Very well,” Grace said, and she launched into a long tale about all that had happened in Sandrock the past few days. How Director Qi at the Research Center had figured out how to fix the Moisture Farm’s Hydrogel, but that it necessitated retrieving a condenser from The Breach, the ruins of the Old World office building that lay buried beneath Sandrock. How Justice, Sandrock’s sheriff and leader of the Civil Corps, had authorized Lucy to enter The Breach by herself, since fetching the condenser was a matter of life or death. 

“Wait a second,” Logan interrupted. “Justice did what? He didn’t accompany her? Unsuur, neither?” Unsuur was the other member of Sandrock’s Civil Corps.

“I believe he thought it was mostly empty,” Grace explained. “So Lucy entered the ruins, and hours went by, and ooh, you should’ve seen the panic seeping into Justice’s face. He was convinced he’d just sent Sandrock’s new star builder to her grave.”

“But she emerged alive an’ well, right?” Andy asked, worried.

“She did indeed. Said she’d fought off a hoard of Geeglers, then had patched up the hole they’d entered through,” Grace said. “Justice didn’t believe her; thought she was exaggerating as payback for sending her down alone. But when he and Unsuur went to check, well, they found at least a dozen bodies,” Grace paused for dramatic effect. “Justice’s been wearing a chastened expression all week. He and Unsuur haven’t been able to apologize enough to Lucy.”

“Good,” Logan said. “Justice was a fool! B3 would’ve never sent anyone down the ruins by themselves. Lucy, well, she sounds like one tough cookie to have taken on that many Geeglers by herself.”

“She is,” Grace agreed. Mi-an, the other builder, is capable, too, but she’s not a fighter like Lucy is. Lucy’s rather been turning heads all over town.”

“What does that mean?” Andy asked. 

“I mean that everyone’s very eager to be her friend… or more,” Grace said, with a wink at Andy.

“O-oh.”

“Let me guess. Owen’s bin flirtin’ with her,” Logan said. The saloon owner had a reputation for being quite the lothario.

“Of course,” Grace said, with a grin. “Not that he’s had any luck. Neither has Arvio, thankfully.” The young owner of the General Store seemed to get underneath many people’s skin. “But even Heidi and Unsuur seem rather smitten. And Director Qi, well, I didn’t think he was able to tolerate anyone until Lucy arrived on scene.”

“Well, ain’t that something,” Logan remarked. 

Haru was staring curiously at Grace, wondering if there wasn’t someone else in Sandrock who was captivated by this new builder. 

“Maybe there’s a woman out there for you, after all,” Andy teased Logan. “Someone who’s brave, an’ fights… sounds like someone you oughta meet, Logan.”

“Hey now, who said anythin’ about me meetin’ anyone?” Logan replied. “We have a mission, remember? Besides, ain’t nobody gonna be wantin’ a bandit like me, especially not some hotshot builder.” He turned his attention back to Grace. “So’s the Moisture Farm’s all fixed? No more food shortage?”

“No more,” Grace replied. “Everything’s back on the menu at the saloon.”

“An’ the Geeglers?”

“They seem to have retreated across to Gecko Station, for now.”

“Hmm. Maybe I’ll try to get over there, see if I can’t beat some sense into them,” Logan said. 

“Actually, Matilda has already tasked the Civil Corps with clearing out the station,” Grace said.

“Let’s hope Justice pulls his weight this time an’ don’t just rely on a builder to do his dirty work for him,” Logan said. 

“Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

The next day, to Andy’s consternation, Logan sat him down and forced him to do some schoolwork.

“Look, I don’t like this anymore than you do,” Logan told him, as he took a seat opposite the boy. “But yer always sayin’ you wanna be smart like Haru, an’ that means that sometimes you have to study.”

“Can we at least go fer a ride afterwards?”

“Sure.” Logan flicked through the book. “Here. Reach this page an’ I’ll go saddle up Rambo.”

Logan remained seated while Andy studied. He took a whittling knife and began to carve a lump of wood. When Andy’s pencils grew too blunt, Logan used the knife to sharpen them again. Over in the next room, Haru was constructing more bombs. Occasionally Logan and Andy would hear him cough, and a cloud of acrid smoke would drift into their chamber.

Andy was almost finished with his studying when they heard a strange, low rumble. 

“Haru? You blowin’ the place up?” Logan called out, jokingly. 

“That wasn’t me! Sounds as if it came from outside,” Haru yelled back. 

“Hmm. Fancy goin’ to investigate, Andy?”

Andy didn’t need to be asked twice. He slammed the book shut and ran over to where Rambo was standing. Logan picked up a pair of binoculars and followed after the boy.

It took a few minutes for the duo to register what had happened. This time there was no helpful column of smoke to pinpoint the issue, and Logan had no idea in which direction the sound had emanated. Logan scanned the horizon with his binoculars, and then he saw it. The Shonash bridge had completely vanished.

“Andy… tell me I ain’t seein’ what I’m seein’,” he said.

Andy grabbed the binoculars.

“The bridge - it’s gone!” He exclaimed. 

Logan swore. First the Moisture Farm, now the bridge - what the hell was going on in Sandrock?

They returned to Haru with the bad news. 

“Gone?” Haru echoed. 

“Completely destroyed.”

“They’ll build it back, right?” Andy said.

“‘Course they will. But that’ll take time,” Logan said. 

“Weeks, at least,” Haru said. “It’s no easy matter, constructing a bridge across a canyon like that. Especially one that can withstand the weight of a train. Think it was the Geeglers again, Logan?”

“Probably. I’m sure we’ll hear from Grace soon enough,” Logan replied, with a sigh. “Well, that’s soured me on dinner.”

“I’m still hungry,” Andy said.

“Of course you are. I’ll make you something to eat.” Haru smiled at Andy, though his smile wavered slightly.

While Andy and Haru ate, Logan went out for a ride. For hours he and Rambo wandered, until the moon was high in the sky, and even the Blue Moon Saloon’s windows had darkened.

Logan saw her standing by the remains of the bridge. He hopped down from Rambo, and motioning to the goat to remain where he was, approached her quietly from behind. “Grace?”

Grace spun around, knife in hand. She relaxed upon seeing who it was. “Logan!” She hissed. “What are you doing here?” 

“Same as you, I reckon. Come to investigate what happened.”

“This way.” Grace beckoned to him. “I have something to show you.”

They climbed up the cliff behind the Civil Corps’s headquarters, following the path to where the old trolley system lay. As long as Logan had been alive, the trolley system had been inoperational. In the early days of Sandrock it had spanned the Shonash Canyon, offering a direct mode of transport to Gecko Station, the Old World ruins prized for its rich offering of relics. People had flocked from miles to make their fortune collecting relics, but in the process they had turned Sandrock from a lush, forested paradise to its present desert state. The trolley system had collapsed around the same time that most of Sandrock’s inhabitants had fled. 

“Justice had the builders repair the trolley system,” Grace explained. “Mi-an and Unsuur were in one trolley, Justice and Lucy in the other. The cable carrying Justice and Lucy’s trolley snapped, and they crashed into the station. By some miracle, not only were they unharmed, but they managed to rout out the Geeglers. The Geegler president fled on a train, the weight of which caused the bridge to collapse.”

Logan heaved a sigh of relief. “Lucky it was a Geegler train an’ not the Ataran Express.”

“You’re telling me! The bridge has been risky for a while, this could’ve been a major disaster. But look; this is what I wanted to show you.”

The broken cable had been wound back up and coiled up on the landing platform. Grace picked up the end and placed it in Logan’s hands. 

Logan carefully inspected the cable. It soon dawned on him what Grace had wanted him to see. 

“This cable didn’t jus’ snap because it was old… it was cut!”

Grace nodded. “Justice said he checked on the integrity of the cables the night prior, and I believe him, because he may be many things, but suicidal is not one of them,” Grace said. “Which means…”

“Someone sabotaged this mission,” Logan said, in a horrified whisper. “An’ I doubt any Geegler’d have the brains to do this.”

“Exactly. Someone in Sandrock didn’t just wish the Civil Corps to fail - they tried to murder Justice and Lucy.”

“Have you mentioned this to anyone?”

Grace shook her head. “Everyone seems to think it was an accident - old cable, Justice made a mistake - and it’s probably safer that way. I wish to lull whoever’s responsible into a false sense of security. They’ll be more likely to slip up if they’re overly confident.”

Logan licked his lips. His mouth felt suddenly dry. “Maybe I should help keep a closer eye on things…”

“How, Logan?” Grace folded her arms. “Look, I very much doubt they’ll be making another attempt any time soon. I’ll continue to keep you informed, don’t you worry.”

Logan fell silent for a moment. He would most certainly worry, and he definitely planned to keep a more watchful eye on Sandrock, but Grace didn’t need to know that. 

“Alright,” was all he said. He dropped the end of the cable back onto the ground. “Well, I guess I got my story. I’ll be headin’ back now, it’s gettin’ late.”

Grace nodded. She yawned. “And I have omelettes to cook tomorrow morning… better get some sleep or else they’ll be even more burned than usual.”

Dawn was breaking by the time Logan and Rambo made it back to the hideout. Logan left a note telling Haru not to wake him, then he climbed into bed. He hadn’t thought he’d be able to sleep, what with all the news he had just learned, but he felt surprisingly tired, and he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Chapter Text

It was nearly midday by the time Logan rolled out of bed, having been awoken by cramping in his left foot. He’d broken it two years ago when it had been crushed by falling rubble, after he and Haru had blown a hole in the wall in their attempts to free Howlett from the church’s grasp. Though it had healed enough to be functional, it still ached from time to time.

He ambled over to the dining table, rolling his bare foot against the dirt floor as he walked to stretch out the muscles. He stopped and stared down at the presents laying on the table.

“Happy birthday, Logan,” Haru said, softly, as Andy ran up and yelled the same.

“Oh… is that what day it is?” 

“Yeah! An’ we won’t let you forget it - even if Haru did say you’d be all mopin’ around,” Andy said.

“Andy!”

“It’s fine,” Logan said. “Thank you,” he added. “This is very thoughtful of yer both.”

“S’why were you up so late, anyhow?” Andy asked, as Logan opened his presents. Haru had stitched and lined a new leather sheath for Logan’s favourite knife, and Andy had painted Logan’s name above a desert scene on a wooden plaque. 

Logan explained how he’d been to inspect the bridge, and what he had learned from Grace.

“Attempted murder!” Andy exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement at the mention of a thrilling new mystery. 

“Does Grace suspect anyone in particular?” Haru asked.

Logan shook his head. “We didn’t really discuss that. But I think you and I can name the usual suspects…”

“The church.”

Logan nodded.

“But I don’t get it. Don’t most of Sandrock attend church? Why’d they wanna harm their own?” Andy asked. 

“Now that I don’t know,” Logan admitted.

“Justice doesn’t attend church - least, he didn’t when we lived there,” Haru said, thoughtfully. “Maybe Lucy doesn’t, either.”

Logan shifted uncomfortably. “Much as I ain’t a fan of the church,” he said, “They ain’t murderin’ folk merely for lack of attendance. No, this has gotta be connected to Duvos somehow.”

“Right, the Duvos spy, whom we suspect of being a member of the church,” Haru said. “Pen’s the most likely suspect…”

“He’s too much of an idiot,” Logan said, shaking his head.

“You think so?” Haru said, thoughtfully.

“Ain’t you heard the guy talk?”

Andy, beginning to grow bored, interrupted. “C’mon, you two! It’s Logan’s birthday! What’re we gonna do for fun around here?”

Logan glanced down at the boy. “I’ve got an idea,” he said. 

Using some rope, a tub of wax, and a couple of old doors, Logan had soon assembled two makeshift sleds. He had Rambo drag them outside, then, with the sun on their backs and the desert stretching below them, Logan introduced Andy to the time-honoured tradition of propelling oneself down a steep hill. They returned to the hideout later that evening, each sporting several new bruises, and with their sides aching from laughing.

It had been a happy birthday after all.

As Haru had predicted, it looked as if it would take several weeks for the Shonash bridge to be rebuilt. Even with Heidi’s team working around the clock, and with both Lucy and Mi-an dropping their regular commissions in favour of collecting materials for the bridge, construction seemed slow. 

With no supplemental water deliveries by train, Sandrock inhabitants were having to make an even larger effort than usual to conserve water. The gang did their part, too, reserving the majority of their water for drinking.

Logan, in defiance of Grace’s orders, often rode out at night to patrol the outskirts of Sandrock, pausing occasionally to withdraw his binoculars and observe the streets, watching for any signs of illicit activity. All he ever saw, though, were salvagers and construction workers heading home late from the saloon, often staggering drunkenly, arm-in-arm, and singing loudly. 

“You realize that you are the illicit activity?” Haru asked Logan one evening. 

“The irony had occurred to me,” Logan said. “My face’s plastered all over town; I see the warm glow of the saloon, and it kills me that I can’t jus’ walk in an’ order a drink. Even… even if we could somehow go back… well, it’d feel mighty weird, wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Haru breathed out in a sigh. “We’ve been on the run so long, now.”

“Still,” Logan said. “I’d like to go back… if we could. See the ol’ place again…” His father’s weapons. Old family photos. All the personal belongings he and Haru had had to leave behind.

It was impossible not to notice the changes the builders had wrought, especially at Mason’s old workshop, which Logan had learned was where Lucy lived. The workshop’s plot had quadrupled in size, and Mason’s small shack had been replaced by a resplendent two story building. Someone was doing very well for herself.

Summer turned to fall; not that seasonal changes were all that apparent in Sandrock, but it did grow a little cooler, and plants began to brown. Andy’s birthday was rapidly approaching, and Haru and Logan discussed their plans for it as they laundered their clothes, a chore that lasted a half day when one lacked a washing machine.

First, they hung up the clothes and beat them to shake loose as much sand and dirt as possible. Logan found this stage to be rather cathartic, and Haru had to remind him to hit a little less enthusiastically when it came to the more delicate fabrics. Next, they brushed each article of clothing to dislodge the more stubborn stains. Finally, the clothes were strung up along a clothesline that Logan had fixed across the mouth of the cave, where the afternoon sun would work to freshen and deodorize them.

“What about a treasure hunt?” Logan suggested.

“Now there’s an idea,” Haru replied. “Like the ones Howlett used to make for us when we were out on the trail.”

“Yeah, jus’ like my Pa.” At first Logan’s father had created trails by drawing arrows in the sand with a stick. He would save his shiniest coins, which he carried in a bag when they went adventuring, as treasure to bury for Logan to find. As Logan and Haru grew older, Howlett graduated from drawing arrows to leaving more subtle clues - broken twigs, dropped berries - for them to find. In hindsight Logan realized that his father had been teaching them how to track monsters.

“I could write clues,” Haru suggested, inspired. “Oh - I could make a puzzle from the clues that Andy would have to assemble…”

“An’ I’ll work on the treasure, then,” Logan said.

Their plan worked beautifully. Haru had scattered the clues all over the hideout, and Andy had enormous fun scampering all over the place, trying to locate them. Logan had found an old chest, which he had polished and painted to better resemble a treasure chest, and buried it beneath a pile of old sacks. Inside he had stashed several presents - and a bag of new, shiny coins. 

“Best. Birthday. Ever!” Andy exclaimed, once he had claimed his prize. Then he gave a loud sniff. “Thanks, fellas…” 

“Oh Andy. C’mere, you,” Logan said, drawing him in for a hug, as Andy broke out into noisy, happy sobs.

He wondered what Andy’s last birthday had been like, before a roving monster from the Peripheries had caused Andy to be separated from his family’s caravan. Logan and Haru had searched for Andy’s family for days. Their endeavours proving to be fruitless, they had ultimately adopted the boy into their gang.

Andy rarely talked about his family. Logan wasn’t certain whether this was due to trauma, or if Andy had been neglected in some fashion by his parents. Whatever the reason, Logan and Haru enjoyed having him on board, and Andy delighted in being a bandit. He reminded Logan of himself in many ways; Andy was as daring and as brave a child as Logan had been. He’s a heck of a lot smarter than I was, though, thought Logan. He often felt guilty that Andy wasn’t able to attend school. But then Andy wouldn’t have been attending school with his family, either, would he? Heck, even a town like Sandrock hadn’t had a school in many years. 

There was one secret that Logan maintained from Haru and Andy, and that was what Logan had found while searching for Andy’s family. He had tracked the monster to a valley scattered with debris that, upon closer inspection, could have easily belonged to a caravan. The tattered canvases and splinters of wood were covered in dark, dry blood stains.

The new, heavily engineered Shonash bridge was completed. Though the gang could not celebrate with Sandrock, they threw their own mini party to which Grace was invited. She managed to squeeze a veritable feast into her insulated rucksack, and the gang had a very merry evening.

The bridge wasn’t Sandrock’s only improvement. Every time Logan ventured out at night, he seemed to discover something new. A yakmel station - no, two of them - in the northern Eufaula desert, taking Sandrock’s inhabitants to new and exciting locales. The old windmill near Lucy’s workshop was repaired and now operated by Cooper, owner of the town’s yakmel ranch, to produce foods for the townsfolk to share. Logan was delighted; he wished for nothing more than for his hometown to thrive. Yet, beneath it all, he worried that Sandrock was changing beyond recognition; that it would leave him behind in the dust, forever unable to return.

The gang’s world was shattered a few days later, when Grace dropped by unexpectedly, bearing exciting news.

“HQ intercepted two new transmissions,” she said. “The first said, ‘The Water Tower is ready’. The second said, ‘the water in town has been successfully hidden’.”

Logan sucked in a sharp intake of breath. Finally, a breakthrough!

“They’re after Sandrock’s water?”

“It makes sense, doesn’t it? If Sandrock’s water source depletes any further, the town is ruined. It can’t import enough to support everyone.”

Logan nodded slowly. “So… y’reckon they’re siphoning off the water, stashin’ it somewhere? But where?”

“I’m working on the where, but I think we know the who. The church controls all of Sandrock’s water supply.”

“Never doubted it.”

Grace nodded. “I know you’ve always suspected them. Now you may finally be able to prove your suspicions were correct.”

“So where d’we go from here?”

“We hang tight for a bit,” Grace said. Logan frowned, but didn’t say anything. “I’ll scout around town a bit more, see what I can dig up.”

Logan nodded. “Okay. Keep us informed.”

Grace smiled. “I always do.”

Logan barely slept a wink that night. He was tired of waiting around, being fed tidbits of information by Grace on an irregular basis. He wanted - no, needed - to take action. He left the hideout in the early hours of the morning and rode Rambo into Sandrock. He quietly approached the Water Tower, hoping to inspect it for clues.

A flash of light caught the corner of his eye. He glanced up the hill to see a caped figure standing atop a roof. Logan squinted, though by the cape and the man’s stature, Logan knew there was only one person that figure could be. Pen. 

Pen extended a hand, then a beam of light suddenly extended down to the Water Tower. There was a loud explosion, and wood and water and metal piping were flung in all directions. 

Logan wasn’t quite sure how he avoided it. Rambo bleated and tugged on Logan’s arm. Right, he had to leave.

He sprung up onto Rambo’s back, and they began to flee alongside the train tracks, in the direction of the hideout. Logan was vaguely aware of Justice yelling at him, and for a second Logan feared the sheriff might shoot, but the Ataran Express came hurtling down the tracks, separating the bandit from the Civil Corps.

Rambo, startled by the train, reared.

It was then that Logan saw her. She was standing, frozen, outside her workshop, entranced by the scene unfurling before her eyes. 

Logan didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone so beautiful. She didn’t even seem real; she was as perfect and lovely as a painting. Her eyes were large and luminous, her hair glossy, even in Sandrock’s arid air. He locked eyes with her for a split second, and in that instance it was as if nothing else existed.

Rambo dropped back down to the ground. Logan, jolted, returned to his senses. He dug in his heels and he and Rambo galloped off into the distance.

Chapter Text

Logan did not immediately return to the hideout. Instead he rode into the heart of the Badlands and spent the day picking battles with any creature that so much as dared look his way. He found the adrenaline rush he received from fighting to be exhilarating, but even better was the distraction it provided him from having to think about Pen, or the Water Tower, or Lucy.

Eventually, though, his water canteen ran dry, and he began to feel hungry. He reluctantly whistled to Rambo, and they headed back home.

Haru and Andy were waiting for him.

“Logan! Where were you? We’ve been so worried,” Haru said, frowning at the older man’s appearance. Logan was covered in dirt and blood splatter, and his hair had been tugged half-free from his ponytail. 

“Was out fightin’,” Logan replied, with a shrug. He threw down a bag of his spoils upon the ground. 

“Is that all?”

Logan looked up and met Haru’s questioning gaze.

“No,” he admitted, and he spilled the news of the Water Tower’s destruction, and Pen’s involvement. 

Haru’s eyes widened. “Oh no… what a disaster! And so soon after the bridge was finally repaired… Sandrock can’t catch a break. But Pen - what on earth is powerful enough to blow up a water tower?”

“Must be a relic weapon of some kind, I reckon,” Logan said. “But I didn’t see anythin’ in his hands… ‘course, he was a ways away… has Grace bin by?” 

Haru shook his head. “No, but I expect we’ll be hearing from her soon.” 

“Yeah. Well, I’d best clean up an’ eat.”

As he ate, Logan kept replaying the events of that morning in his mind. He tried to recall what he’d seen of Pen, but he’d only really caught a brief glimpse of the man, and he couldn’t be sure what he had actually seen versus the gaps his mind was trying to fill. And on top of it all, one face kept appearing, unbidden, in his mind’s eye. Her face. 

Logan massaged his temples. The last thing he needed right now was to be distracted by some woman. You’re being ridiculous, he told himself, sternly. It was a single look; meaningless, really. But he wondered if she, too, had felt the intense connection he had experienced when his eyes had met hers. 

He was not going to sleep well that night.

Predictably, Grace soon returned to the hideout, demanding to know Logan’s version of events.

“They’re blaming you, you know,” She said. “Everyone is convinced you blew up the tower in an effort to sabotage Sandrock.”

Logan grimaced beneath his mask. “Everyone?” He asked. Could the whole town really believe him to be at fault?

Grace sighed. “Well… Elsie has been proclaiming your innocence. And she seems to have roped Mi-an and Lucy into her efforts to prove her beliefs.”

“Good ol’ Else,” Logan replied. He had grown up with the young woman; she was the closest thing he had had to a little sister. ‘Say, er, did either of the builders mention seein’ me?”

“Not to me, no. Why… did they?”

“I think one of ‘em did.” Logan had assumed that it was Lucy he’d seen, due to the proximity to Lucy’s workshop, but he wished to be certain. He described the woman’s appearance in as neutral terms as possible.

“Oh, yes, that was Lucy, no doubt,” Grace said. 

They discussed Pen’s motives, and the weapon he had used. 

Grace frowned. “He is always wearing those gloves,” she said. “They’re pretty thick; I wonder if a relic is incorporated into them somehow? Something for me to look into, at least.” She looked round sternly at the gang. “As for all of you… you’d best lay as low as possible for the time being. Everyone’s on high alert right now. No more patrolling the perimeters,” she added, with a glare at Logan. 

“We’ll keep our distance,” Logan promised, recognizing the futility in trying to argue with Grace.

Grace had brought the newspaper with her, in which the Civil Corps mentioned they’d be increasing their efforts to locate and capture Logan and his gang. But what really stung was the quote from Justice, who had said of Logan, “he ain’t my friend no more.”

Logan knew, of course, that he was the opposite side of the law from Justice, and he’d been Sandrock’s number one public enemy for a while now. It was Justice who’d commissioned Logan’s Wanted posters, and it was Justice who had been tasked with capturing Logan from the moment Logan and Haru had fled Sandrock. Still, it was one thing to know their friendship had been severed, yet quite another thing to see it stated so bluntly in black and white. Logan was especially morose that evening. 

Over the next few days, Logan’s mood brightened, yet he still seemed more restless and distracted than usual.

“What’s wrong, Logan? You’ve been in a state of agitation all week,” Haru said, no longer able to ignore his brother.

There was an expectant pause as Logan debated whether or not to confess. Eventually he decided that maybe he’d feel better for getting it off his chest. “You gotta promise not to laugh,” he said. “I mean it, Haru.”

“I promise,” Haru said, solemnly, recognizing the seriousness in Logan’s tone.

“That builder - Lucy - is the most beautiful woman I ever did lay eyes on.” Now that he’d admitted it out loud, it sounded ridiculous. Haru had every right to make fun of him. But Haru just gazed at him with thoughtful eyes. 

“You know… you’re allowed to have feelings.”

Logan looked away. “Nah… I'm not. Not now. Maybe someday I’ll earn the right to them but… we have our goal to concentrate on. Savin' Sandrock. I can’t afford to be mopin’ over some person I’ve never met. Look, forget I said anythin’, I’ll get over this eventually.”

“Very well. How about some hot cocoa?”

“Sure. But you gotta make it with-”

“Salt. I know.”

Logan did not get over Lucy. He tried to, but sometimes, when he was lying awake at night, he found himself wondering what it might be like to meet her. If she was as wonderful as he imagined. Certainly much of Sandrock seemed to think so.

Arvio would chase anything that moved. Owen too, for that matter, though his tastes were a little more discerning. But Heidi and Justice, they were good judges of character, and Grace had said they nursed crushes on Lucy. No - Logan was being ridiculous. How could he hope to have any chance of being with a woman like Lucy when he faced such stiff competition? He had nothing to offer her. Besides, you know nothing about this woman, he told himself sternly, other than she’s generous, talented, monied, a good fighter… he groaned. Perhaps she has a really hideous laugh, he thought, brightly. 

He really hoped that Grace had news for them soon.

Chapter Text

Weeks passed, and Logan was growing frustrated.

There had been no more transmissions from Sandrock to Duvos. Other than ascertaining that Pen did indeed have a relic weapon, Grace had made no progress in her investigations into the Church of the Light. Matilda, the head minister, was a paradigm of virtue; the townsfolk found her to be a warm, kind woman, always ready to dispense sage advice. Logan had reason to personally dislike the pastor, Miguel, as Miguel had been the one to quarantine Howlett two years prior, but his conduct as a member of the church was beyond reproach. Burgess, the none-too-bright, overly anxious guardian of the Water Tower, was not considered suspicious by anyone. Like Logan, Burgess was a native of Sandrock, so Logan had known him from a very young age. 

The gang was therefore at an impasse. There was little to do but wait.

Sandrock itself, meanwhile, was finally seeing progress. The Water Tower had been repaired in record time, with Lucy and Mi-an working hard to ensure it was ‘Logan-proof’, as Grace had informed Logan, her voice tinged with amusement. Trudy, Sandrock’s mayor, returned to Sandrock after a prolonged absence. She, Lucy, and Mi-an had investigated new ruins in the Eufaula desert, a move condemned by several of the townsfolk, who felt Trudy was placing the builders in unnecessary danger. Still, they had all survived, and had even discovered a way to convert the desert sand into fertile soil. A small grove of Saxoul trees, affectionately termed the Little Woods, was now growing outside Gecko Station. 

As for Logan, he had resumed his patrols of Sandrock, in defiance of Grace’s orders. He told himself it was for the town’s safety, but more often than not he found himself keeping an eye on one inhabitant in particular.

Lucy seemed to have no fear of the desert and the dangers it held. She often ventured deep into the Eufaula to chop deadwood, mine minerals, or collect plants. Logan witnessed her capably fighting tripions, boxing jacks, and other dangerous monsters found out in the wilds, his admiration for her skills growing all the while. 

“What was Lucy up to today?” Haru teased, when Logan returned to the hideout one evening.

Logan pretended not to hear, but the tips of his ears burned red. “I saw Grace on my way back. Looks as if she’s bringin’ dinner for us tonight.”

“Good, because I hadn’t had time to cook anything yet.”

Grace did indeed soon appear.

“I have something new for you all tonight,” she announced. She distributed portions of a fried rice dish around the table. 

“This is delicious!” Andy exclaimed, as he tucked in.

“It is good,” Haru agreed. “Wouldn’t you say so, Logan?”

Logan was no food connoisseur; quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. Andy lambasted Logan’s culinary efforts on a regular basis. Still, Logan had to agree with the rest of the gang. “Best thing I’ve eaten in a long while,” he said. 

He saw the look that Haru and Grace exchanged. “Alright, spit it out,” he said.

Grace grinned. “I had Lucy make it for me. It’s her family’s version of Highwind Fried Rice.”

Logan turned on Haru. “I swore you to secrecy,” he said.

“What’re we talkin’ about?” Andy asked. “Oh, Logan’s crush on the builder?”

“An’ Andy too?”

“Haru didn’t tell me anything,” Grace assured Logan. “You’ve not been exactly great at hiding it.”

“Yer always askin’ Grace ‘bout Lucy,” Andy said. “An’ moseying around her workshop, least, that’s what Grace says. It’s alright, Logan. Lucy sounds awesome! An’ if she always cooks this well, then I say let’s welcome her to the gang.” 

“We are not bringin’ the builder into this mess,” Logan said, firmly. “Though it sounds like she at least gets things done. What’re we doin’, huh? We’ve no more information on the church than we had six months ago! I say we need to take action! Why don’t we grab Matilda, and interrogate her? She’s head of the church, she has to know something.”

Grace raised an eyebrow. “Kidnapping? I’m not sure I can condone that idea.”

“You got a better one?” Logan challenged. “The town already thinks I’m responsible for blowin’ up the Water Tower. Why not add kidnappin’ to the charges, too?”

Grace’s mouth worked. “Okay,” she said. “Let’s say you manage to capture Matilda. Where would you take her? What would you ask her? How would you plan to get the information out of her?”

“Not here, obviously,” Logan replied. “We’ve an old hideout in the Eufaula - it’s a good ways from Sandrock, pretty remote, like. Reckon that’d be a good place to take her. We could set up camp beforehand. As for the questionin’, well, you could help us there. Don’t they teach that in spy school?”

Grace took another forkful of food and chewed thoughtfully. Logan could guess she was thinking it wasn’t the worst idea she’d heard. He wondered when she’d last reported to HQ, and if they were also frustrated by her lack of progress. 

“Fine,” she said, once she had swallowed her food. “I hear they’re planning to photograph the Little Woods soon. It’s a momentous occasion for Sandrock and the papers are eager to report on it. I have no doubt Matilda will be present for the photoshoot. That might be your best opportunity, while everyone’s out in the open. I could distract Pen for you. And yes, I’ll teach you a few questioning techniques.” 

Andy had been listening eagerly to their conversation. “Alright!” He said. “Logan, can me an’ Haru come with you? Three on one - that’ll be better, won’t it?”

Logan hesitated. He usually tried to shield Andy from the worst of their banditry, yet he’d probably need Haru’s assistance, and he wouldn’t wish to leave Andy by himself for too long. “Sure, kid. We’ll all three of us head out tomorrow. Campin’ out in the desert, could be fun.”

“I’ll let you know once I have a time and date,” Grace promised.

The gang set off for the caves in the Eufaula Outback the next evening. They’d spent the day gathering the supplies they’d need for a few nights in the desert. It was a long journey, and Andy was beginning to nod off to sleep by the time they reached their destination. Logan hopped off Rambo and gave Andy a piggyback ride the rest of the way, through the dark tunnels to the cavern where they’d set up camp. 

Haru got a fire going, and Logan fed the goats. They rolled out ground sheets and sleeping bags onto the dirt floor. It was a chilly night, so the sleeping bags were arranged side-by-side, with a couple of animal hide blankets piled on top. 

Some litter was strewn about the cave; an empty packet of food, some dried fruit peels. 

“Did we leave this the last time we were here?” Haru wondered. 

Logan shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe other travelers have been here, seekin’ refuge.”

“Guess it doesn’t matter. We’re here now,” Haru said. 

They ate a quick meal, then they all settled in to sleep for the night, Andy nestled between Haru and Logan.

Grace had a time and date for them the next day.

“Tomorrow,” she said. “9 am. Like I said, I’ll do what I can to distract Pen. But for the rest, you’ll be on your own.” Logan nodded. 

They were prepared. They had repurposed a round table and some rope into restraints for Matilda. There was an escape route prepared in case things went awry. Haru had a small arsenal of smoke bombs at his disposal. 

‘An’ I have a feather,” Andy declared, proudly.

“What’s that for?” Logan asked, puzzled.

“Ticklin’, of course! Best way to get someone to talk,” Andy said. 

“Uh, sure.” It wouldn’t harm the woman. Logan had no intention of hurting Matilda, of course.

Logan rode out in the early hours of the morning and hid behind a large rock. He watched as Trudy gave a short speech, and as the townsfolk gathered for a group photo. Logan observed that Pen seemed distracted; he was hunched over as if in pain, rubbing at his eyes.

The opportunity came when Matilda stepped aside for an individual photo. 

“Ready, Rambo?” Logan asked. 

They rode out at full speed, taking everyone by surprise. Logan bent down from Rambo and scooped up Matilda with one strong arm, slinging her bodily across Rambo’s back. Then he and Rambo raced at full speed across the Eufaula, heading for the caves.

“Logan! What are you doing with me?” Matilda demanded to know, once they had stopped. She didn’t struggle as Logan marched her into the cavern; he had to marvel at her composure. 

“Jus’ got a few questions, that’s all,” he said, gruffly, as they tied her to the old round table. “There’s no need for anyone to get nasty, so long as you cooperate.” He checked the knots were secure.

Andy ran up, eager to assist. Finally, they were acting as real bandits!

Logan glanced down at the boy. He faltered. What was he doing? He’d actually kidnapped someone; he’d felt a rush as he’d ridden with Matilda across the Eufaula, but now that she was tied up, vulnerable and at his mercy, he had no idea what to do next. Son! Use your dang brain! He could hear his father’s oft-repeated words in his head. 

Looking down at Andy, though, gave him an idea. He recalled the adventure story he’d read with Andy a few months ago, the one Andy had made him read over and over, until Logan could quote whole paragraphs from memory. He just had to act the part, that was all. 

“We have ways of making you talk,” he said, his voice deep and threatening.

“Yeah! We have ways!” Andy echoed. 

“Please! I don’t know anything," Matilda warbled. 

They were getting nowhere, so Logan gave permission to Andy to tickle Matilda. Perhaps that would work. 

Then there was the sound of footsteps. Logan spun around to find Justice pointing a gun at him. But Justice wasn’t alone; Unsuur accompanied him, and so did… Lucy.

“Justice!” Logan exclaimed.

“This don't have to get messy, Logan! Listen! It's not too late to turn yourself in, we can go easy on you! Just hand over the feather, nice and slow…”

Logan’s confidence returned. He’d been backed into more corners than he could count, and he always managed to escape. His mind flashed back to being in the ring in Sandrock, eliminating his opponent, Justice, with a single punch to the head. 

“Heh. You sure you got enough folks to bring me in?” He was taking a bet that Justice wouldn’t actually shoot him. The cave was too small, and there were too many people. 

“Y… I mean, yeah, pretty sure!” Justice’s voice wavered. 

“Let’s find out!” Logan felt the adrenaline surge through him as he unsheathed his knives.

Sparring was a regular past-time in Sandrock. Nearly everyone learned to fight from a very young age; it was a necessary part of living out in the desert, where monsters remained a constant threat. Nearly the entire town turned out for the Showdown at High Noon, the annual tournament in which townsfolk fought in pairs, vying for the title of champions. 

Logan knew that Lucy was no stranger to sparring. He’d heard she’d even challenged Pen. So facing her, here, excited him. He was confident that he could win, so he didn’t fear her, and he didn’t plan to truly harm her, but he was curious to see what moves she knew. Whether she was as good as Grace said she was.

His eyes barely left Lucy as she, Justice, and Unsuur rushed in. She was decent, and she got a few blows in, but she couldn’t beat him. Soon, all three of his opponents were lying on the ground. 

Logan cast a quick glance at Justice, then at Unsuur - they were both winded, but alive - before heading towards Lucy. She didn’t look frightened, but rather angry. He wondered what he would say. How their first meeting was about to go…

He heard a noise, and glanced up just in time to see Pen leaping upon him. Logan barely had time to dodge; they exchanged a couple of blows, then Pen’s fist came for his face. He fell to the floor. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Andy staring down at him, terrified for Logan’s safety. With Pen now on the scene, there was only one thing Logan could think to do - escape.

He managed to push himself up from the ground, yelled, “let’s go!” at Andy, then shoved the table Matilda was tied to, sending it careening down the cave. Pen made a beeline for the minister. 

Haru was beckoning at them from the exit. Logan and Andy ran as fast as they could. As they entered the tunnel, Haru threw a bomb at the tunnel’s ceiling, causing it to cave in behind them. 

“We made it!” Haru exclaimed in relief, as the trio reached open air. Rambo and Merle were saddled and awaiting them. 

“Let’s get far away first,” Logan cautioned, though he felt they were safe. No doubt Pen and Justice were currently occupied with freeing Matilda and ensuring she was unharmed. 

They rode away into the desert, away from Sandrock. They would double back later and return to their hideout in the east, but for now they needed to be as far from the town as possible.

They finally stopped when Rambo and Merle began to flag. Logan had been checking periodically behind them, and no one was in sight. It was safe to sit and relax for a while. 

“How’re you holding up?” He asked Andy.

“Me? Fantastic!” Andy said, with a wide grin on his face. “That was awesome! You were so cool, Logan, takin’ on the three of them… they didn’t stand a chance against you!” 

“Didn’t get the information we needed though, did we?” 

Now that the excitement had abated, the reality of their situation was sinking in. Logan had kidnapped a popular member of the community. If there were any sympathies remaining with him after the previous incident, there was sure to be none now. They hadn’t learned anything from Matilda. He had fought the builder, the beautiful woman he was nursing a crush on, and made her angry. Did she realize he’d been holding back? That he wouldn’t ever have truly hurt her? Or would she hate him now, too?

He sighed. They were in deep trouble.

Chapter Text

As Logan had expected, Grace reported that most of Sandrock was shocked and outraged by Matilda’s kidnapping. 

“Though they’re more surprised than they are angry,” she said. “The general consensus is that life on the run has begun to turn your head. That you’re going crazy.”

“Sometimes I wonder if I am,” Logan replied, morosely. “This… this kidnappin’ business, the hijackin’… it ain’t me.”

“Logan…” Haru placed his hand on Logan’s arm and gave it a squeeze. “You’re not crazy. Just a little desperate right now, as we all are.”

Logan lifted his head to look seriously at Haru, his light blue eyes meeting Haru’s dark blue ones. “I’ve really dragged you into the muck with me, huh? I ain’t gonna forgive myself for that, either. You deserve so much better, brother.” 

“I’m here of my own volition,” Haru said, firmly. “Besides, the train hijacking was my idea, remember?”

“Still can’t quite believe that one,” Grace murmured.

“C’mon, Logan! We’re bandits! Operatin’ outside the law’s our whole deal! How else’re we gonna expose the corruption within?” Andy asked. “I bet Matilda woulda talked if the Civil Corps hadn’t appeared. That ain’t our fault!”

Logan didn’t feel any better. Andy was just a child; he shouldn’t be here, either. What had he been thinking, including Andy in Matilda’s interrogation? He’d let Andy’s admiration of him as a tough man of action go to his head. He’d been acting out scenes from Andy’s books, hoping it’d make him seem cool and exciting in Andy’s eyes, just as Logan’s pa had seemed cool and exciting in young Logan’s eyes. But his father had hunted monsters, not people, and Andy’s books were fiction, not real life. 

“Look, no one ended up hurt,” Grace said. “And you might’ve started something, too, Logan. Matilda’s announced that she’s going to be looking into the water issue, since you were so insistent that water’s been going missing. We might receive some information there. At the very least it will force the church to account for everyone’s usage.”

“See? Progress after all,” Andy said, proudly.

Logan could recognize they were only talking to cheer him up, regardless, he appreciated their efforts. What about Lucy? He wanted to ask, but he was also afraid to know. He hadn’t had a chance to exchange a single word with the builder. All she knew was that he’d attacked her and knocked her to the ground before fleeing the scene. She might not be seriously hurt, but she was no doubt bruised and upset.

He sighed. “Yeah. Guess we’ll see.”

Logan distracted himself for an hour by playing marbles with Andy, then he took Rambo for a ride. He rode to the cliff overlooking Paradise Lost and sat there for a while, his legs dangling over the cliff edge as he observed the town through his binoculars. He hoped to see Lucy running around; not that he’d be really able to make much out from this distance, but he’d recognize her hair and clothes, at least. He didn’t deserve to be any closer; didn’t have the right to gaze upon her gorgeous face. 

He returned to the hideout once it grew dark. 

“Logan? Can you read to me?” Andy asked. Andy was a voracious reader, and certainly had no need for Logan to read to him, but he enjoyed listening to Logan’s sonorous voice as he fell asleep.

“Sure. Which book, kid?”

“Detective Ned vs. the Crab King! I need to know who dunnit!”

Logan heaved a sigh of relief. A murder mystery, not one of Andy’s usual adventure stories. Logan wasn’t sure he could’ve stomached reading about fictional outlaws tonight. “Move yer legs, then,” he said, as he perched on the end of Andy’s bed. He leaned back against the bedframe and began to read.

Once Andy’s eyes were closed, Logan went to sit by the fire with Haru. 

“There’s something else bothering you, isn’t there?” Haru said. “You didn’t wish to bring it up in front of Grace or Andy, but…”

Logan sighed. “Yeah. It’s Pen,” he said. “Justice, Unsuur, Lucy -  I could’ve taken ‘em on, no problem. But Pen… he’s tough. And with that weapon of his, well, I ain’t so sure I could’ve won, to be honest.”

“He does appear to be superhuman,” Haru agreed. “And we can’t always rely on Grace having a supply of Duvosian peppers to hand.” Grace had distracted Pen by serving him overly spicy food, giving the large man unexpected gastrointestinal distress.

“We’ll need a plan for Pen. Some way to disable his weapon, maybe…” Logan looked thoughtful. “Ah… forget it. I ain’t in a thinking mood tonight. Let’s just get to bed.”

Grace could rarely afford the time to trek all the way to the gang’s hideout. More often than not she would rendezvous with Logan or Haru on the cliffs below the Eufaula Salvage scrapyard. Haru returned from one such excursion bearing food, and a photo for Logan and Andy to view.

“Mayor Trudy has hired a bounty hunter to track us down,” he explained. “This is him. Goes by the name of ‘Bronco the Kid’. He should be easy to spot, at least. Very distinctive red hair. He’s also apparently no taller than Andy here. Grace doesn’t think he poses any real threat, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”

Andy snatched the photo from Haru’s hands. “Heh. Ugly looking fella, ain’t he?” He said. “As if a guy like this could ever go up against the likes of us!”

“Still, shows Sandrock is growing more serious about findin’ us,” Logan remarked. “We’ll be careful.”

“Careful? Just look at this geezer! It’s insultin’, that’s what!” Andy declared. “Thinking we ain’t smart… I’d say it’s the Sandrockers who are lackin’ intelligence! 

“Come, now. Can’t always judge a book by its cover,” Haru said. 

Logan ruffled Andy’s hair. “Ain’t no need to worry about it now, anyhow. How about we eat, then go fer a ride?”

“Sure. So long as we ain’t just gonna go watch the builder’s workshop,” Andy said, with a grin.

“Why you-” 

Logan was woken the next morning by Haru urgently shaking his shoulder. 

“Logan… Logan! We have a problem. Andy’s missing.”

“What? What dya mean, missin’? He’s probably just off playin’ somewhere…”

“No… he left us a letter. Half his things are gone.”

Logan threw aside the covers and leapt out of bed. He snatched the letter from Haru’s hands and began to read.

“He’s gone to Sandrock?” Logan said, in disbelief. “Says he has a disguise… from where?” A cold fear gripped his heart. “There’re so many monsters between here an’ Sandrock… he could be in trouble!”

He hastily dressed, then ran over to the stable. “I’ll go see if I can find him.”

Logan spent the whole morning investigating every nook and cranny between their hideout and Sandrock, but found neither hide nor hair of Andy. He slowed Rambo to a walk and considered the options. Perhaps Andy really had made it into Sandrock. That would certainly be the best case scenario; though Logan was a wanted man, Andy himself was not a person of interest. He knew Andy would be safe in the town; Sandrockers would not hurt a child. Still, they could question a child, pressure him into revealing Logan and Haru’s location. 

Scanning Sandrock with his binoculars also proved to be a fruitless venture. Logan saw a few small figures milling about, but from this distance he couldn’t distinguish much about them other than their height. He couldn’t even determine if they were children or just short adults. 

He returned to Haru with mixed news. It didn’t appear that Andy had perished on the trail, but nor could Logan confirm that he had arrived in Sandrock.

“He’s a smart kid,” Haru said, trying to remain optimistic. “He survived in the wild for all those days before we found him, didn’t he? He’s been raised in the desert all his life, he stands as good a chance as anyone. And if he has made it to Sandrock, I’m sure Grace’ll be updating us soon.”

“Yeah.” Logan’s shoulders sagged. He glanced over at Andy’s empty room. “Perhaps it’s fer the best… he should be playin’ with kids his own age. Attending lessons. Maybe he’ll meet Jas.” Jasmine was Trudy’s daughter, and she had been friendly with Logan and Haru prior to their leaving Sandrock. If Logan remembered correctly, she was Andy’s age.

“Let’s assume he’s there, and not worry for tonight,” Haru said. “You should eat. I expect you’ve not eaten all day.”

Haru was right. Logan forced himself to eat, though his throat felt dry and everything tasted devoid of flavour. 

As much as he needed the rest, Logan found himself unable to fall asleep once he laid down in bed. After spending an hour tossing and turning, he quietly rose, dressed, and went for a walk. 

It was late at night, but there was activity down in the scrapyard. Logan could see the beam of a flashlight moving about, and the sound of a pickaxe chipping away at rocks carried on the cool night’s breeze. Is that you, Lucy? You’re always so hard at work… Do you ever rest? I wonder if you’ll meet Andy, and what he’ll think of you. I hope you’ll like him .

Ah… he was being a fool. Lucy had already seen Andy; she’d been there when he was tickling Sandrock’s beloved minister. She no doubt thought Andy a reprobate, a child corrupted by the villainous Logan, because that’s what I am, he thought bitterly, I’m the bad guy. Sandrock’s ne’er-do-well exile, the person whose mistakes Lucy was always fixing. 

Logan laid on the sand, arms behind his head, and gazed up at the sky. He knew the names of nearly all the constellations; his father had taught him the tales of the stars from an early age. Both Logan and Haru could navigate the desert using the stars as their guide, and Logan had begun to teach Andy the same skills, too. He sought them out, now, finding comfort in their familiarity. His life had transformed beyond all recognition, but the stars remained the same. 

Grace met with Logan and Haru the next evening.

“Andy’s safe,” she said. “He had disguised himself as the bounty hunter - Bronco the Kid. I didn’t see it but it apparently fooled a fair few people. I’m already reassessing my profiles of some of the townsfolk.”

“But he was exposed?” 

“By Lucy, of course. She saw straight through him. Ripped off his wig in the town square. Andy tried to run, but he was caught and taken for questioning. Luckily he’s a good little actor - they couldn’t get anything useful out of him. But he did say his motive was to make a shield to help defend against Pen.”

Logan felt instantly guilty. Andy must’ve overhead his conversation with Haru.

“Anyway, he’s been taken in by the church. Miguel’s planning to start teaching him a few lessons.”

Logan grimaced. “I don’t like that.”

“Neither do I, but, well, it would've been strange for me to offer to host him,” Grace said. “Still, I doubt he’ll come to any harm. He’s already made friends with Jasmine.”

“That’s somethin’, at least. Guess I can’t complain s’long as he’s happy,” Logan said, feeling a pang of sadness. Would Andy even miss him? With a warm, comfortable bed, Jasmine and the town’s animals to play with, and Owen’s cooking, Andy might really enjoy town life. 

“We’ve also got the results of the investigation into the town’s water usage,” Grace said. “The numbers do check out, although the amount of water leaving the oasis is always just slightly larger than the number of units reportedly consumed. It’s not a lot, but over many months, well… I do believe water is being hidden somewhere. And I believe the only place it could be is the storage area beneath the Temple.”

“An’ once again, the church is involved.”

“Yes. So now my goal is to get into that storage area,” Grace said. 

“While we sit here and twiddle our thumbs, I guess?” Haru said. 

“I’m sorry, guys, if-”

Logan heaved a sigh. “S’fine. We’ll keep doin’ as we have been doin’. Can you take a message to Andy for us, at least?”

“Of course.”

“Tell Andy I love ‘im. And that we’ll be back for ‘im some day.”

Life without Andy was very quiet. Haru was often holed up in his laboratory, while Logan patrolled the desert. He often took Merle with him, to give her more exercise. On those occasions Logan would ride Merle while Rambo trotted alongside them; Merle, the hothead, required a firmer hand. Sometimes trading caravans were in the area, and Logan would sell rawhides, meat, horns, and other spoils from the monsters he killed. Traders were less likely to recognize him as the bandit, or at least were less likely to care.

Sandrock continued to transform before their eyes. Lucy helped construct a bridge leading to The Bend, the land to the south of Sandrock. The plan was to tunnel through the mountains and build a road to Portia, the city on the coast of the Western Sea. Meanwhile, to the north, the Valley of Whispers was finally cleared of its toxic air, giving Logan the opportunity to explore areas he’d not been able to traverse in many years.

Grace continued to keep Logan and Haru updated on Andy’s progress. When he wasn’t attending lessons with Heidi or Miguel, he was often playing with Jasmine, or hanging round the townsfolk, especially Heidi’s grandmother Vivi, or Lucy.

Ever since Andy had pointed out how often Logan inquired after Lucy, Logan had been doing his best to refrain from talking about her to Grace. But he felt he had to know, now, if there was any hope, any possibility at all that Lucy didn’t utterly detest him. 

“Grace… what does Lucy think? I didn’t seriously hurt her at our last meetin’, did I?”

Grace tilted her head to one side. “Honestly… between what Andy’s been telling her, and with Elsie still protesting your innocence… she doesn’t seem to hate you.”

Logan nodded. He could accept that for now. He had dreaded to think that Lucy might be going to bed at night swearing her revenge upon him.

One day a rare rainstorm rolled into the area. Logan and Haru dragged every available container out onto the cliff ledge to collect as much water as possible. They laid out their clothing and bedsheets to be washed by the rain. Then Logan, after ensuring that no one could possibly see him, stripped naked and went to stand in the rain, enjoying the water coursing over his bare skin.

The end of the year was rapidly approaching. Sandrock always celebrated with an enormous fireworks display, and Logan and Haru were looking forward to watching it from Grand Mesa.

They were in the hideout, preparing dinner, when they heard a strange rustling in the walls. The sound grew gradually louder.

“Sounds like an animal,” Haru remarked.

“More like several animals… or one very giant one,” Logan said, with trepidation. He edged closer to the source of the sound, drawing his pistol, and checking that his knife was in its sheath. Who knew what monsters lurked in the deep?

The wall began to crack and crumble. A hole appeared. Logan held his breath… and a shiny nose and whiskers poked through, sniffing at the air. “Mes amis! We have arrived!” A voice said.

Logan and Haru could only watch in astonishment as a giant mole, the size of a small child, emerged from the hole. Another soon followed, then another, until seven moles stood before them, blinking in the bright light. Finally a white mouse, wearing a golden crown and a frilly pink dress, stepped through the hole and gazed curiously up at the two men.

“He...hello?” Logan said, hesitantly. 

The first mole stepped forward and swept into a bow. He wore a hard hat upon his head.

“Bonsoir!” The mole said. “My name is Ged. We had heard of mines in zis area, but alas… zese do not look like mines.” 

“No,” Logan said, slowly. “This is our home…”

‘Ah! And with whom do I have ze pleasure of speaking?”

“My name is Logan,” Logan said, “and this here is my friend an’ associate, Haru.”

“Logan! Like the bandit!” The mouse squeaked. 

“Well, yes… but we ain’t gonna harm you,” Logan said, hastily. Talking moles; he had heard of their existence, of course, but had never encountered one before. He was only familiar with the Geeglers and the mutant rat people. 

Logan’s father had always attempted diplomacy first when encountering a new monster or mutant. It was only when they proved to be truly hostile that he would draw his blade against them.

“You must be hungry,” Logan said, noticing that several of the moles were sniffing eagerly in the direction of the campfire. “We’ve made a large batch of stew for tonight - there’s plenty to go round. Why don’t you sit an’ eat with us?”

“Ah bon! Such gentlemen! We would be delighted to dine with you,” Ged said. 

They all walked over to the campfire. Logan observed that the moles seemed to gather protectively around the mouse. 

The moles seated themselves on the dirt floor. Logan pulled out Andy’s chair for the mouse, sensing that she probably wouldn’t wish to get her dress dirty. Haru sourced every available clean bowl, and began to serve stew to the moles. 

“Ah, monsieur Logan, may I introduce you to our belle princesse, Lumi?” Ged said.

“A pleasure to make yer acquaintance, yer highness,” Logan said, solemnly. “Wait, Princess Lumi… the daughter of the Rat King? Ain’t you Portian?”

“I am,” the princess said, in a soft, high-pitched voice. 

“Her stepmother, the Rat Queen, wishes to kill her,” Ged said, sadly. “We helped Princesse Lumi escape Portia and have been on ze run ever since. Unfortunately our supplies have been dwindling fast. We had heard of an old mine in this area, and had hoped to seek refuge in it.”

“An old mine? I reckon I know where that may be,” Logan said. “I can take you there tomorrow mornin’.”

“Oh, thank you!” Lumi exclaimed, her large dark eyes shining brightly. “That would be wonderful!”

The stew was nearly all gone, so Haru pulled out a sack of rutabaga, and began to thinly slice them to roast alongside some skewers of meat. Rambo bleated loudly. 

“Yeah, you can have some too,” Logan called out to him. “The goats go nuts for roasted rutabaga,” he explained to his guests. 

As they ate, Ged told of their adventures; how the moles had crossed the desert, traveling mainly at night, taking many days to dig through the mountain range separating Sandrock from the southern Eufaula. How every time they thought they had reached safety that the Rat Queen and her minions had appeared, forcing them to flee further afield.

“Shoot, sounds like you’ve had a real rough time of it,” Logan said. “We’ve a lot of supplies here, I reckon we can easily part with some. You’d be welcome to ‘em.”

“Monsieur! You are too kind!” Ged exclaimed.

“Are you not bandits?” Lumi wondered.

“We are,” Logan admitted. “I ain’t sayin’ we’ve done no wrong. But as I said earlier, we’ll not harm you. I know what it’s like, bein’ on the run. It’s a difficult life.”

“It is,” Lumi agreed. 

“So, yer welcome to stay tonight. An’ tomorrow we’ll show you those mines.”

Logan escorted their guests to Andy’s bedroom. Lumi curled up in Andy’s bed, and the moles slept on the surrounding floor.

The next morning, Logan was as good as his word, and he showed the moles to the old abandoned mines to the east of the hideout. He also shared some of their food, sacks, blankets, and tools, anything the moles might find useful, and that Logan could easily have Grace replenish.

“Good bye, Logan! We shall not forget this kindness,” Princess Lumi said.

“Farewell, yer highness,” Logan said. 

“Just when I think our lives can’t get any stranger,” Haru remarked to Logan, once they had seen the moles - and Lumi - off. “Think Andy will mind that a bandirat slept in his bed?”

“We might omit that part of the tale,” Logan said. “Though speakin’ of Andy… Grace reckons he’s been missin’ us a lot lately. She’s worried he’ll slip up, give away our location. He needs to stay in town. He’s much safer there, without us.”

“What’re you thinking?” 

Logan heaved a deep sigh. “I’m thinking… I should formally kick him out of the gang. Jus’ until this all blows over. Make him think we don’t want him back. It’ll be hard, but we gotta be cruel to be kind.”

Haru nodded. “Have Grace set you up with a meeting, perhaps?” 

“Yeah, I was gonna ask her the next time we see her.”

The meeting was harder than Logan had anticipated. Andy was so excited to see him.

“Logan! I missed you!” He said. 

“I missed you too, kid,” Logan said, ruffling Logan’s hair. “S’good to see you again. Haru’s missed you, too. But it sounds as if you’ve been havin’ fun in Sandrock.”

“I have! I mean, school sucks, and I don’t trust Miguel,” Andy said. “But Grandma Vivi, she’s awesome, and Jasmine is great, too, and Lucy’s, well, Lucy is amazin’! She’s always giving me food, an’ - well, look what she made for me! It’s a Super Shock Shield, of my own design,” he said, proudly. “It’s for you, to protect against Pen and his ‘space punch’ move.”

“Well hey now, ain’t that a great gift,” Logan said, as he accepted the shield from Andy. “Thank you, Andy.”

Now to break the boy’s heart.

He bent down and looked Andy seriously in the eyes. “Look, kid, I uh… the truth is… you’ve been fraternizing too closely with the townsfolk and, well, me and Haru… we’ve gotta kick you out of the gang.”

“What?” Andy exclaimed, horrified. 

“Sorry, Andy. But yer putting us too much at risk. So… stay in town. Make new friends. Enjoy being a kid! Banditry ain’t the life for you!”

“Logan, no…”

Out of the corner of his eye, Logan thought he saw movement. Someone approaching, perhaps. It was time for him to leave.

“Sorry, kid. But this is goodbye.”

He gave Andy’s hair one final ruffle, then leapt up onto Rambo and raced away, not daring to look back. Hot, salty tears pinpricked his eyes.

Logan didn’t feel much like celebrating the new year, but it seemed churlish to leave Haru alone, and so he packed a picnic and accompanied Haru to Grand Mesa. They spread out blankets upon the ground, then settled down to watch the fireworks.

“I remember when I first came to Sandrock and saw the fireworks,” Haru said softly. “They were the most magical thing I have ever laid eyes on. Such beauty penetrating the night sky… they were what ignited my love of chemistry.”

“Sandrock always has put on a good display,” Logan said. “I hope Andy’s down there, enjoyin’ ‘em.”

“I’m sure he is,” Haru said. He nudged Logan with his shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll get to see him again soon.”

Logan sighed. Who knew what the new year might bring? 

They heard a whistle. The first firework shot up into the sky and exploded over the Blue Moon, briefly bathing the saloon in a dazzle of light. Logan watched. Haru was right; fireworks really were magical.

“Happy New Year, Haru,” Logan said. 

Chapter Text

Spring had returned to Sandrock, but even the warmer weather could not lift Logan’s mood. Life in the hideout continued to be dull without Andy’s presence, and Logan was frustrated by his lack of progress, too. I’m so sorry, Pa. I’m no closer to figuring out who the Duvosian spy - the ‘Tiger’ - is. I’m trying to protect Sandrock, but all I’ve seemed to do is wreak havoc, and turn the townsfolk against me. I’ve brought nothing but shame and dishonour to your name.

Not only had he failed to uncover Sandrock’s mysteries, but now they had a bounty hunter on their trail, too. Haru had been busy working on bolstering the hideout’s defenses, adding more traps and bombs to the carnival-themed labyrinthian nightmare that separated the gang’s chambers from the main entrance. 

Logan was seated in his chair, massaging his aching foot, when Grace delivered the first piece of good news they’d received all year.

“I found out that Yan was in charge of constructing the Sandrock Storage,” she said. “I had the opportunity to… investigate his house, and I found the original blueprints.” Grace, her speech ordinarily taciturn, sounded positively delighted. “There’s a hidden door marked right on the blueprints! I went to check it out, but alas, the door has a lock too complicated for even me to crack.”

“So…?” Haru said.

“So I think it’s time we recruit a builder to our cause. I expect the key to be no problem for a builder like Lucy to construct.”

Both Grace and Haru turned expectantly towards Logan. To their surprise, however, he looked hesitant.

“I don’t wish to drag anyone else into this mess,” he said. “Besides, this is the Duvos Empire we’re talkin’ about! This is dangerous territory.”

“Lucy is a capable fighter.”

Logan thought back to their previous meeting. “She was decent, but not great. Better hope she’s improved her skills since then.”

“I don’t think we have any other choice,” Grace said. “Mi-an is certainly not as talented as Lucy, and I doubt she’d be as receptive to hearing us out. Lucy’s been spending a lot of time with Andy recently. I have a feeling she’ll be easily convinced of our cause.”

Logan fell silent, his mind whirring. Of course he would be overjoyed to have Lucy join them, but such a prospect seemed almost too good to be true. Still, if Grace truly believed it to be their best option, then yes, he was absolutely on board. 

“Let’s recruit Lucy,” he agreed. “Heck, I could leave right now, ride to her workshop-”

“Steady on!” Grace said, startled by Logan's sudden change of mind. “Let me handle this. I’ll plant some ideas in her mind, let them take root… I’ll ensure she’ll be certain to say yes once we’re ready to ask her. After all, she’s a member of the Civil Corps, now."

"She is?"

"Even has the uniform," Grace told him. "So, as you can understand, we can’t have her giving anything away to Justice or Unsuur.”

Logan slumped back in the chair. “Yeah, alright. We'll wait for you.”

“I’ll work as quickly as I can,” Grace promised. 

As it turned out, Logan and Haru did not have to wait for Grace at all. Later that evening they were interrupted by a visit from Princess Lumi, who informed them that the Civil Corps had a plan to track down the hideout by baiting Rambo with roasted rutabaga. Ged had betrayed them in exchange for the Civil Corps’s support in defeating the Rat Queen. Logan thanked Lumi for the information, and assured her that he bore no ill-will towards Ged, who had only aimed to protect his belle princesse.  

“Are you thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?” Logan asked Haru. 

Haru raised an eyebrow. 

“We’ll let the Civil Corps enact their little plan. They’ll give chase to Rambo. We can distract Justice and Unsuur with yer smoke bombs, enablin’ Rambo to grab Lucy an’ drag her into the hideout. Let her come to us, alone.”

“You really think Rambo could pull that off?”

“Sure I do. Goat’s as smart as a whip. An’ he recognizes the builder already.”

Haru folded his arms. “Say we really do get her inside this hideout. What happens next? If she’s intending to hunt us down, she’ll be expecting a fight.”

‘An’ we’ll give her one. I’m curious to see if she’s improved over these past few months. Just a test, mind; ain't no need to gang up on her. She can fight us one on one.”

“You want me to fight, too? Logan, I’m no fighter…”

“You’ve got yer bombs, don’t ya? Chuck a few of those at her. Let’s see what she can take.”

“You’re really serious.”

“I am. This is the Duvos Empire we’re talkin’ about, Haru. If we’re gonna be sending the builder into treacherous territory, I need to know she can handle herself. Whatever we throw at her won’t be worse than what she could face in the future.”

Haru sighed. “Very well. If, by some miracle, this all goes according to your plan, I’ll be prepared.”

Logan grinned. “I’ll go talk to Rambo.”

To Haru’s astonishment, Logan’s ridiculous plan worked. They’d hidden in the bushes to throw smoke bombs at Justice and Unsuur, who’d been forced to withdraw. Then, having watched Rambo nab Lucy, Haru and Logan returned to their chambers and waited. 

Logan paced back and forth, rehearsing what he would say. He hoped Lucy wasn’t too bruised from falling off her horse and onto Rambo’s back. He wondered if she’d be angry - no doubt she would be a little, but surely she’d know that he didn’t actually plan to hurt her. You’ve lived in Sandrock nearly a year, now. Fighting’s our lifeblood. I just want to be assured you’re the worthy opponent Grace believes you to be. That I want you to be.

There was a commotion up ahead. Haru was fighting. Lucy really was here.

The sounds of battle did not last long. Haru soon appeared at the top of the ramp, running as fast as he could. “Logan!” He shouted. “Get ready!”

Logan took a seat on the ‘throne’ that he and Andy had built together and drew his dagger into his hand. Perhaps Lucy would appreciate the theatrics, as Andy’s friend. There was a minute or two before Lucy appeared. She was no doubt catching her breath, making sure she felt ready to duel Logan. 

She ran down the ramp, pausing at the bottom, lifting her head to look Logan in the eyes.

“Builder,” Logan called out. “We finally come face to face… Heard you're also a Corps member now, so you've come for my head. Well, I ain't gonna make it easy for ya.”

He stood and gestured at her with his free hand. “Draw!” He commanded.

The fight was exhilarating. Oh, Lucy had improved alright. She was matching him blow for blow, moving with dazzling speed, especially given that she must already be flagging from her fight with Haru. “Heard yer all that,” Logan teased, as their daggers clashed. “Show me what you’ve got!”

Lucy was silent, but she seemed to understand the assignment. If she’d really wished to capture them, she could have easily prevented Haru from running. She could’ve drawn her pistol and ended Logan the second she’d entered his chamber. But here she was, dancing around him, dagger, not pistol or sword, in her hand. It was almost sensual.

Logan was still feeling confident that he could win when he was suddenly thrown to the ground, his mask slipping from his face. He steadied himself with one hand, hastily pulling the mask back up. “Huh,” he uttered. That was unexpected.

Lucy allowed him to get back to his feet before running at him, dagger at the ready. They exchanged a few more blows before a figure ran up between them, holding out arms to keep both Lucy and Logan at bay.

“I think that’s enough!”

“Grace!” What in blazes was she doing here? Well, never mind that now. The fight was over.

“Yeah. I’ve seen enough. We picked the right person.” Logan said, as he walked back towards Haru.

“Let’s talk,” Grace said.

“Grace! What are you doing here?” Lucy said, and Logan’s knees instantly weakened. Oh light, her voice was sweeter than he’d dare imagine.

“Apologies, Lucy. I had no choice but to hide my identity. In fact, I was working with Logan all along. I saw you fall off that cliff and followed you inside.” That answered Logan’s question. Grace must’ve heard of the Civil Corps’s plan and tracked Lucy to the hideout. Logan was impressed with how quickly Grace was thinking on her feet. He’d not really had the opportunity to witness her skills as a spy. 

The gang filled Lucy in on everything. How the Duvos Empire had infiltrated Sandrock. How a Duvosian spy by the name of ‘Tiger’ was orchestrating something, but they weren’t sure what. How they believed the church was stealing water and keeping it hidden. How Logan’s father had died, and what his last words to Logan had been. Why they needed Lucy’s help, and how they hoped she would join them. Lucy had some questions of her own, too; how had Andy come to join them? What had really happened to Howlett? Logan was pleased that she was interested in his family. 

Eventually Grace asked the crucial question: Would Lucy join them and aid them in unlocking the Sandrock Storage door?

“Heck yes!” Lucy said. 

“Oh yeah! The posse’s growing!” Logan exclaimed. 

Having bombarded Lucy with information, the gang separated, allowing Lucy to explore her surroundings, and strike up individual conversations.

Logan went and stood out in the cave’s opening, staring down into the canyon. He was buzzing with excitement. He could scarcely believe that not only was Lucy finally here, but that she had agreed to help them out. He actually pinched himself, afraid that this might all be naught but a beautiful dream. 

Eventually, Lucy approached Logan himself. They chatted for a little while, about Rambo and Howlett, and Logan was able to ascertain that Lucy hadn’t been hurt in the day’s adventures.

“I’m fine. It was pretty clear you weren’t actually intending to harm me,” Lucy said. “It was a ridiculous plan, though.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve never really been one for plannin’,” Logan admitted. “Had to seize the opportunity presented to me. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. An’... thanks for believing in us. We do need your help, an’ I’ll do whatever it takes to earn that.”

Lucy looked away. A smile played upon her lips. “You know… I fell in love with you at first sight,” she said, softly.

Logan could only blink at her, his head suddenly woolly, as he wondered if he’d actually heard what he thought he’d heard. 

“Huh…? But we’ve only just…” Was she referring to when their eyes had met, outside her workshop? Had she felt that same spark of attraction? Logan quickly ran through the possible options. Maybe Andy had told her about Logan’s crush, and Lucy was only teasing him. Or perhaps she was trying to throw him off-kilter, as revenge for all he’d just put her through. 

He was suddenly very glad for his mask. Not only did it obscure his expression, it served as a physical barrier between them. Without it, Logan feared he might’ve swept her up into his arms at that second, and planted an impulsive kiss upon that mouth of hers. 

He blinked again. No, he couldn’t react to her, not now. Whether she was genuine or not - and he wouldn’t be able to withstand the heartbreak if she was only teasing him - they had a mission to focus on. He owed it to Sandrock, to his father, to see that through above all else.

“Let’s… save anything like that for after the mission,” he said, his mouth dry.

Lucy looked up at him, still smiling, her face giving nothing away. “Of course. We have a lot to focus on,” she agreed. 

Logan swallowed. “Well, uh, we’ll stick around here for a little while, but we do need to be movin’ on…”

“I should be leaving, anyway. They’ll send a search party out for me if I’m gone too long.”

Logan nodded. “Thank you again,” he said. “And good luck, Lucy. We all believe in you.”

Once Grace had ensured that Lucy had safely exited the hideout, she rounded on the two men with a furious expression upon her face.

“What in the blazes were you two thinking?” She hissed. “That was the most idiotic plan I have ever witnessed! What if she had been hurt? Would you have even stopped, Logan, if I hadn’t interrupted you? We were trying to recruit Lucy, not murder her!” She sounded so unlike her usual cool, collected self that Haru instinctively recoiled. 

Logan shuffled awkwardly. “It worked, didn’t it?” He pointed out.

“Yes - somehow! Luckily for you, Lucy’s apparently a saint! By all rights she should be as furious with you as I am!”

Logan cast his eyes down to the ground. 

“What’d Lucy say to you back there, anyway?” Haru said. “You were looking rather uncomfortable.”

Logan hesitated. “She said… she said she fell in love with me at first sight.”

Grace threw up her hands. “Light! Maybe I misjudged her. Maybe she’s an idiot, too.” She pinched the bridge of her nose and breathed out sharply. “Right,” she said, her voice returned to normal. “We’ll just accept our good fortune. Lucy’s willing to help, and that’s what matters. I’ll return to Sandrock, make sure she gets back safely. Hopefully you’ll hear from us soon.” 

As he lay in bed that night, Logan replayed Lucy’s words over and over in his mind. He eventually decided that she must’ve been teasing him; there was no chance that she felt the same way about him as he did about her. She was a successful builder; he was nothing but a miserable bandit. 

Still, the words had been nice to hear.

Chapter Text

Logan and Haru were eating dinner together when the alarm - which Haru had rigged at the hideout entrance - sounded. The men exchanged a glance.

“I’ll go,” Logan said. He pulled up his mask and drew his pistol and headed out into the tunnels.

Before he could get too far he heard a voice calling, “Logan? Haru? It’s me, Lucy.”

Logan ran up in the direction of her voice. “Lucy! What’re you doin’ here?”

“Thought I’d come say hi… and bring you some supplies,” she said, gesturing to the rucksack on her back. She smiled at him. “Grace told me where your hideout’s back entrance was, but I couldn’t find it, so I came the same way as yesterday. That was quite the climb!”

“I can’t believe you made it,” Logan said, impressed by her tenacity. “You sure you weren’t followed?”

“Oh, Pen tried,” Lucy said. “He’s been suspicious of me ever since I returned. Justice had the entire town convinced I was dead! I told them I’d fallen onto a tree. Tree, goat, same difference, right?” She grinned.

Logan looked seriously at her. “Pen’s dangerous, Lucy.” 

“I know, I promise I’m wary of him.”

“I mean I truly think he tried to kill you,” Logan said, and explained about the cut tram cable.

Lucy’s eyes widened. “Really? But…” her voice trailed off.

“But…?” Logan questioned.

Lucy shook her head. “He was flirting with me around that time. Guess it didn’t mean anything after all.”

“Flirtin’?” Logan repeated, half in disbelief, half out of jealousy. Of course people had flirted with Lucy; Grace had said as much all those months ago. Lucy was an attractive woman, newly arrived in a small town full of bored, lonely people. It would have been a surprise if no one had flirted with her. While Pen likely saw Lucy as a threat, Pen’s ego was also such that he would probably feel entitled to have her, at least temporarily. 

“Oh, but Pen is not at all my type,” Lucy said, hastily, and Logan’s own ego wondered if she was trying to reassure him. 

He looked sideways at her. “Is this the point where I ask you what yer type is?”

Lucy narrowed her eyes as if trying to ascertain his intentions. “Are you asking me?” Her tone sounded playful.

Stop flirting with her, Logan told himself sternly. Focus on your mission. He returned his attention to the tunnel ahead. “Say, uh, how is Andy? Had to talk rather harshly to the boy to persuade him to stay in Sandrock…”

Lucy sighed. “He was really upset,” she admitted. “I told him you were only trying to protect him.”

“That’s true. I love the kid like my own, an’ I miss having him around the place. But he’s safer in Sandrock, at least fer the time being.”

“He’s certainly been having a lot of fun,” Lucy said. “Well, except when he’s receiving lessons from Miguel, though Jasmine’s presence helps, there. He’s always asking Qi questions, and Qi’s been teaching him science, even if it is in that exasperated tone of his. He’s spent a fair amount of time with me, too. He’s a smart lad and makes for lively company. We assembled a toy robot together, the other day.”

Logan’s heart soared at her words. It bode well that Lucy enjoyed spending time with Andy. 

They reached the main chamber. “Look who I found,” Logan told Haru.

“Hello Haru,” Lucy said, cheerfully. She placed the rucksack on the ground. “Looks like I interrupted your meal, I’m sorry. I brought more supplies, though. How about some dessert? I have some sand jujube cake here.”

Logan’s mouth began to water. They rarely had access to sweet foods other than the berries that grew wild in the area.

“Thank you, I’d love a slice,” Haru said, as Lucy began to unpack the contents of the rucksack.

Lucy handed Haru cake on a plate, then hesitated as she turned towards Logan. 

“I’ll, er, have my slice later,” Logan said, as much as he felt hungry at that moment.

Lucy seemed to understand, for she placed a second slice on the table near Logan’s elbow and said, “I respect your desire to remain masked, Logan. I promise I’m not going to try to trick you into removing it.”

She’s kind and considerate. Every new sentence she utters places me in deeper hot water.

“So to what do we owe this pleasure of your company?” Haru asked, as he swallowed a mouthful of cake. “Other than you bringing us the supplies, of course.”

“Just wished to get to know you a little better, seeing as we’re working together now,” Lucy said, brightly. “Thought I’d update you on the status of the key, too. It’s almost finished, and I think Grace and I should be ready to infiltrate the storage area tomorrow night.”

“Oh, that’s excellent news! We’ll be wishing you all the best, won’t we Logan?”

“‘Course we will,” Logan said, indignant that anyone might think otherwise. 

“You learned quite a bit about us last night,” Haru said, with a smile. “Why don’t you tell us about yourself, Lucy? You’re from Highwind, right? Do you have much family?”

“I am, yes,” Lucy said. “I have to admit, I miss the wind, and the hanggliding we’d do. No siblings, it’s just me and my parents. Though I have a best friend, Nia, whom my parents treat as if she were their own. Sometimes I suspect they may love her more than they love me.”

“You don’t get along with your parents?”

“I wouldn’t say that, it’s just… I suppose we don’t have terribly much in common. They care for me and they write to me, and I write to them,” Lucy said. “They say they’re proud of me. But… how shall I put it… they’ve always been a little distant. They have their own hobbies and interests that don’t intersect with mine.” Lucy shrugged. “I may not have been in Sandrock a year yet, but with everything I’ve been through, it’s already beginning to feel like home.”

“Grace has bin keepin’ us informed,” Logan said, “an’ from all she’s said it sounds like Sandrock is lucky to have you. Lotta fairweather folk turned tail when the going got tough, but not you.”

Lucy smiled at him. “It’s a great town, and I truly believe in it. I can see why you’re working so hard to protect it.”

Logan returned her smile, and although his mask obscured his smile, it was evident in the crinkle of his eyes. They sat there, gazing at one another, until Haru cleared his throat and said, “speaking of hobbies, hearing that you’d joined the Civil Corps was a surprise.”

Lucy laughed awkwardly, and Logan’s hopes were again dashed as he learned she had a really lovely laugh. “I didn’t really know how to say no,” she said. “Poor Justice and Unsuur have been so overwhelmed, and I kept finding myself being roped into assisting them. One day I entered their offices and they had a uniform waiting for me, complete with a short ceremony… it was clearly intended to be a great honour, so how could I refuse? They’re great guys, but I certainly didn’t see myself as a member of the Civil Corps. I’m busy enough as a builder! Though having access to the Bounty Board is helpful, especially when I’m trying to raise a few gols.”

“Civil Corps, builder, bandit… it’s a lot of hats you wear,” Logan remarked. 

“A little at odds with one another, aren’t they?” Lucy grinned. “I like the bandit title myself. Do I get a real hat to go with the titular hat?”

“Complete yer mission and perhaps I’ll make you one,” Logan replied. 

“I’ll hold you to that.”

I can think of what else I’d like you to hold me to, Logan thought, then looked away before his thoughts should betray him.

Lucy glanced over at the view into the canyon. “It’s late,” she said. “I ought to be getting back home.”

“I’ll escort you back,” Logan said, but she shook her head. “No, it’s too dangerous,” she said. “I’m used to being out alone at night. I’ll be fine.”

“If yer sure…”

Lucy nodded. She lifted the empty rucksack onto her back. “I had a really lovely evening,” she said. “Good night, gentlemen.”

When she had left, Haru leaned back in his seat and raked his hands through his hair. “The tension!” He exclaimed. “It was palpable… you two are going to be the death of me, I can see it now.”

Logan looked at him and shook his head. Then he removed his mask and began to eat the cake.

Haru and Logan were out exercising the goats the next morning when Merle started sniffing the air, then tried to head off the path. 

“Merle! Come back here,” Haru said, tugging on the reins. She bleated loudly. 

Logan frowned. He took his binoculars and scanned the horizon.

“Haru!” He hissed. “We’re heading back right now.” He tightened his grip on Rambo’s reins and steered the goat in the direction of their hideout. Rambo, however, was also now sniffing the air, and refused to move.

Logan sighed. He hopped down from Rambo and gestured to Haru to do the same. He withdrew a handful of treats from his pocket. “C’mon, boy, here’s a treat fer you. That’s it, this way, nice an’ easy now…”

With a lot of coaxing and treats, Logan and Haru were eventually able to persuade the goats to return home.

“I saw Justice,” Logan explained, as he secured Rambo to the stable with a length of rope. He tossed another rope to Haru so he could do the same for Merle. “He’s out there with more roasted rutabaga, no doubt trying to lure the goats out of hidin’. We’ll have to keep them tied up for the time bein’.”

Haru sighed. “We’d better hope Lucy and Grace find something tonight.”

Logan nodded. “It’s going to be a long wait.”

Hours passed. It was the early hours of the morning, but neither man could sleep. Even Haru was pacing anxiously.

“I’m going to check on Lucy’s workshop,” he announced.

Logan frowned. “I can go…”

“Logan, let me. For a start, I’m smaller and harder to spot at night. You don’t exactly blend into the background. Besides, you’re always the one to go out. Allow me to take my turn.”

“Be quick, d’you hear? Check in, then return,” Logan said. “An’ don’t take any risks!”

“Unlike you, you mean?”

“See, you understand.”

Haru had to smile. “I’ll be back soon,” he promised.

Chapter Text

When Haru had not returned, Logan knew something was wrong. He untied Rambo - surely Justice would not still be patrolling this early in this morning - and headed out in the direction of Lucy’s workshop.

He had not ridden far when he caught sight of Grace running towards him. “Grace! What has happened?”

“Pen captured Haru,” she said, breathlessly. “They’re about to hold a trial down at the City Hall.”

“Hop up,” Logan said, extending a hand to help her up onto Rambo’s back. “Tell me everythin’ while I get us there.”

Grace deftly mounted Rambo, sliding onto the saddle behind Logan, wrapping her arms around his waist for support. She spoke loudly, so that he’d be able to hear her above the air rushing past their ears as Rambo galloped across the sand. 

“Lucy and I discovered a massive complex beneath the Temple. The oasis - it’s not natural; it’s supplied by Old World technology. Yan and Mason were responsible for installing piping in the Peach statue that diverts water to a tank in the complex. Miguel and Pen have been in control of slowly decreasing Sandrock’s water supply, thus driving inhabitants away,” Grace explained, to Logan’s mounting horror.

“Yan and Miguel, too? An’ Mason?” He exclaimed. “Piping in the Peach statue… huh. All these years, right under our noses…”

“They have no idea we know, so we maintain the element of surprise. Lucy and I managed to obtain photographic proof of everyone’s involvement.”

Logan nodded. “Good.”

Sandrock was deserted; Logan surmised that everyone must be in the town square, watching the trial. He and Grace dismounted near the railroad, then quietly made their way around the oasis, until they were standing next to Arvio’s General Store. Rambo followed, recognizing the need to be quiet, also; he carefully lifted his legs one by one, so as to muffle the sounds of his hooves on the paving slabs. 

Miguel’s resonant voice rang out across the square.

“...Now if that’s all…”

“Arrest me instead!” A voice - Lucy’s - shouted.

Logan chuckled to himself. Bold move, Lucy, he thought admiringly.

“This is no time for games, Lucy! ...I must say though... I do find it very curious that you would speak on behalf of this bandit here, seeing as you two have never met... unless, perhaps... in fact you have?” 

Logan quietly climbed the stairs, until he was on an eye level with the ground of the town square. He could see Miguel staring down Lucy from the platform in front of the Town Hall. Haru stood next to Miguel, in handcuffs and with his head bowed. To Lucy’s left, Pen stood next to Andy, his hand hovering threateningly over Andy’s head. Logan felt his blood begin to boil, but he forced himself to listen a while longer, curious to hear what Lucy had to say, and wondering if Pen and Miguel would say anything to incriminate themselves.

He listened as Miguel launched into an attack on Lucy, feebly opposed by Matilda.

“Please forgive me, Minister, but we've always suspected Logan had a spy in town... How else did his gang know the exact time to kidnap you? Or what Bronco looked like? I just never thought it could be… our builder, Lucy!”

“What’s your proof?” Matilda asked. 

Think about it! They showed up just as Logan's notoriety was rising! And then Logan robbed the train, blew up the Water Tower, kidnapped the Minister... And the only constant was... Lucy! They were always there right after each and every event... almost like they're surveying the results! Not only that, it was Lucy that was looking around Logan's house-”

Huh, thought Logan, I’ll have to ask Lucy about that later.

 “-it was Lucy trying to sway Elsie to Logan's side; and when the Civil Corps finally got close to getting to Logan's goat, guess who was the one that let it get away?”

“That’s right! I am helping Logan!” Lucy cried out, to the shock of everyone, including Logan himself. The crowd audibly gasped, then began muttering and mumbling. Logan braced himself to make a move; it looked like it might be time to intervene. He glanced at Grace, who gave him a subtle nod.

“I'm going to ask you the same question as the criminal here,” Miguel said, loudly. “Where. Is. Logan?!”

Thank you for the perfect cue, Miguel, Logan thought, with grim satisfaction. You’ll regret the day you asked that question.

“Lookin’ for me?” He called out, as he leapt up the final steps and began striding towards the crowd. He glanced down at Lucy as he passed her. You did well, his eyes said. I’ll take it from here.  

“Logan!”

“Hang tight, Haru. I’ve got this.” 

What happened next was the dramatic unveiling of the church’s water scheme, with Logan lassoing and toppling the Peach statue to reveal the piping, to the shock and dismay of the entire town. They rounded on Miguel, who spat out more accusations at Lucy.

“...If you slackjawed nitwits won't stop him, I'll do it myself!” Miguel yelled, pulling a gun and aiming it at Logan. He pulled the trigger.

This is it, then… this is how I die… at least I exposed the true criminals…

The shot rang out, but Logan felt no pain. He only had time to stare as Matilda dived in front of him, collapsing on the ground, having taken the shot to her shoulder. Justice and Unsuur ran up and knelt beside her. They carefully lifted her up, and Unsuur and a couple of the townsfolk hurriedly carried her away in the direction of Dr. Fang’s clinic.

Logan tried to process what had happened. Matilda had saved his life; why? He had kidnapped her! Why was he being spared?

All the while, the townsfolk were talking. Justice and Mayor Trudy were questioning Miguel, who had launched into a deranged monologue. Logan barely heard his words. He was only jolted out of inaction by Pen leaping into the air, readying another blast from his relic weapon, about to unleash destruction on the entire square…

Pen’s weapon failed to fire.

“Lookin’ for this?” Andy grinned, waving a microchip at Pen.

“You!” Pen pointed at Andy. “No matter. We’re leaving, Miguel.”

Oh no you’re not.

Logan, Lucy, and Justice all sprang forward, their weapons drawn. It was an intense fight; Logan had his own, long-standing scores to settle with the two members of the church, but Lucy also seemed ferocious and eager to battle. The rest of the townsfolk ran to the edges of the square to give them space, cheering Logan and Lucy on while jeering Pen and Miguel.

Pen was a strong and experienced fighter, but so too was Logan, and it was three against two. Justice managed to overpower Miguel and handcuff him, and even Pen was beginning to flag.

“Alright,” Pen said, “I’m gonna have to show you something I’ve been secretly working on…”

But whatever Pen had been working on, the people were not to know, for Elsie ran up from behind and walloped him with a shovel. Now that’s a move I haven’t seen in a while, Logan thought.

He was surprised by Elsie’s appearance. When he’d left, she’d been a young teen, preferring practical clothes, and with her long hair coiled up beneath a cap. Now, she wore her hair in a magnificent ponytail, and she looked every inch the young woman she was.

“Hey Else. Long time,” he said.

“Didn't think you'd see the day where I save your butt, didja?” She retorted. 

With Pen and Miguel safely secured, there was a cacophony of conversations and exclamations as the morning’s revelations penetrated the townsfolks’ consciousness. Yan was apprehended down at the train station, having been sucker-punched by Rocky in his attempts to flee the town. Then, after the criminals had been escorted to the jail cells in the Civil Corps’s office, the discussions turned to the matter of Logan and Haru’s return.

“Throw the book at me, Trudes,” Logan told the mayor. “I know I ain’t innocent, and I’m willing to do my time.”

Trudy sighed. “Thank you for your cooperation, Logan. For now we need to focus on the threat Duvos poses to this town…”

“Well, I ain’t gonna go anywhere, I can promise you that. I’ll head back to my hideout, an’ when you and the Civil Corps are ready, you can formally arrest me.”

Trudy looked over at where Justice had just returned from locking up Miguel, Pen, and Yan. “Will that work for you, Justice?”

Justice looked thoughtfully at Logan. Logan could only imagine his thought process; here he was, Sandrock’s most wanted criminal, and yet he’d just helped expose a massive conspiracy, as well as arrest the perpetrators involved.

“I trust Logan,” Lucy piped up. 

“Yeah, about that… were you really spyin’ for him all along?” Justice said. “Do I need to be arresting you, too?”

Lucy was about to speak, but Logan interjected, “we only recently met. Lucy helped uncover evidence against Miguel and Pen, but everythin’ else, the kidnappin’, the train business… that was all me.”

“And me.” Grace walked up, flashing her badge at Trudy and Justice. “I was Logan’s spy. I’m here on behalf of the Alliance Central Intelligence.”

“Goodness, I… I can see there’s a lot to catch up on, indeed,” Trudy said. 

“Ah, heck.” Justice sighed. “Civil Corp's lookin' not so great right now. Guess Lucy’s been the only proactive one. Us other guys let a lot fly under the radar for far too long… Yeah, we’ll let Logan go for now. It’ll take us a while to file all the reports, anyhow… Lucy, you’re deputy now for sure, if you wanna be. Heck, you can be sheriff, too…”

Trudy clasped her hands together and put her forefingers to her lips in thought. “Right… all of you,” she looked at Logan, Justice, Grace, and Lucy, “with me! Fill me in on what you know at City Hall.”

Elsie stepped forward. “Can y'all take ten first? I got a million questions for Logan!”

A blond man, whom Logan did not recognise, also spoke up. “As do I!” He said.

“Sure, sure… take your time… actually, let’s meet tomorrow morning,” Trudy said. “It’s been a long morning for all of us, and I think we all need some rest. I should go and check on Matilda, too.” 

Logan looked about at the small crowd that had gathered around him. Folk he had once called friends - kin, even; there was Hugo, Heidi’s father, and Cooper and Mabel, Elsie’s parents, who had looked after him for weeks on end when he was a small boy. After Logan’s mother had walked out on her family when Logan was only four, his father had spent much of his time either down at the saloon, or hunting monsters away in the wilds. Several of the townsfolk had, at times, been better parents to him than either his mother or father had been. 

He was overwhelmed. For two whole years he’d been alone with only Haru and Andy for company. For two whole years he’d been sleeping in tents and caves, often not knowing where his next meal was coming from. This town, all the people he’d loved, had grown to hate him. Now, suddenly, they were clamoring to speak with him, to apologise or to ask him questions. He had been dreaming of this day for months, and now that it had arrived, he suddenly wished that he was back in his hideout.

Looking above the crowd, he could see Andy and Haru standing awkwardly to one side, looking as if they were waiting for someone to tell them what to do.

Logan held up a hand. “Folks,” he said, “Look, I’ll be happy to speak to y’all-” well, some of you, anyway “-but please, give me a moment… I have a few things to attend to. How’s about I meet y’all down at the Blue Moon in a half hour?”

Elsie looked disappointed, but she said, “yeah, alright. Come on, y’all, let’s give Logan some space.”

As they all walked away, Logan approached Haru and Andy. Andy saw Logan approach and turned his back to him. Logan sighed; Andy really was upset with him, then.

After a lot of persuading and reassurance that of course he was back in the gang, Andy perked up and was back to his usual self, and Logan happily hugged the boy. “We... missed you, kid. It was borin' not havin' you around,” he said.

Andy broke away. “Oh yeah, couple more people we're gonna need... Jasmine! She's in the gang.”

Haru grinned. “You seem to talk about her a lot. Do you like her?”

“I, er…”

“Whatever. We trust your judgement. She's in the gang.” Logan said.

“Lucy! Definitely get Lucy for the gang. We need 'em for sure!” Andy added.

“Goes without saying,” Haru said.

“I heard my name,” Lucy said, smiling, as she approached the gang. 

“You did! You're in the gang now!” Andy said, happily. “I cleared it with the guys. Let's see... Logan's the tough one, Haru's the smart one, I'm the wildcard... Eh, don't worry about it, we'll play it by ear!”

Lucy laughed. “I’m glad to have official approval,” she said. “It’s good to see you reunited. So, what does the gang do now that it's on the straight and narrow?”

“We could be a monster hunting gang?” Haru said, tentatively. 

“Something like that, sure,” Logan said, feeling uneasy. It suddenly struck him that he had no idea what they would do, now.

Lucy laid a comforting hand on his arm, and Logan nearly flinched in surprise. Fortunately he managed to maintain his composure. Even through the fabric of his shirt, he could feel Lucy’s warmth.

“Where will you be staying in the meantime?” She asked. 

“Funny thing is, I've come to like that ol' hole in the wall. My old place... too many memories,” Logan replied. “What about you, Haru?”

Haru looked uncomfortable. “If you don’t mind, Logan… I was thinking of seeing if the Blue Moon could put me up for a few nights.” 

“Sure. I have no qualms bein’ alone,” Logan said, thinking he might even prefer it. He turned to Lucy. “Stop on by if you like. Just give a whistle, and Rambo'll come runnin',” 

Andy pulled a face.  “We ain’t all going back to the hideout? Where am I sleepin’ tonight?”

Lucy looked down at him. “Why don’t we go visit Logan this evening,” she said. “And afterwards you can have a sleepover at my place? I have a spare bedroom you can have.”

Andy brightened considerably at this prospect. “Really?” He asked.

“Absolutely! Will that work for you, Logan?”

“I don’t see why not.”

Haru smiled. “Shall we go to the Blue Moon now? I expect we’re all hungry…”

“Yeah, an’ I better face the music,” Logan said, with a sigh. 

They walked down the street to the saloon, Rambo following closely behind. Once they arrived, Logan tethered Rambo’s reins to the side of the saloon’s porch, where Owen kept buckets of feed and water for guests’ mounts. The gang caused quite the commotion as they stepped inside. 

“Logan! Over here!” Elsie shouted, waving at him to join her table. Feeling that it’d be churlish to decline, Logan went and took a seat next to her. Lucy and Andy squeezed onto the bench opposite, and Haru brought over a stool to sit on.

Owen brought over drinks and snacks. “I’ll bring out some hot food in a few minutes,” he promised. Lucy reached into her pocket to pay, but Logan glared at her. “Don’t even think ‘bout it, Luce,” he said. “I’ll pay.”

“Neither of you will pay,” Owen said, sternly. “This is all on the house today, folks. I can hardly charge any of you after the morning you all had.”

“Thanks, Owen.” Lucy raised an eyebrow at Logan. “Luce?" 

Logan felt the tips of his ears turn red. “Sorry, force of habit,” he said. He often shortened people’s names.

“Don’t you dare apologise,” Lucy replied, grinning at him. “I like it.”

She was staring, again, and Logan knew why. Are you going to take off your mask, now that you’re being welcomed back into town? He had considered it. He was certainly hungry, and that tall glass of yakmel milk was calling his name. Yet he didn’t feel ready; his business wasn’t finished. 

Lucy waved at Owen. “Owen? Can we have straws, please?”

When the straws arrived, Lucy handed one to each person at the table. “Here,” she said, extending one to Logan. “You can drink under your mask this way.”

There she was, being thoughtful again. It was a little awkward, but Logan managed to feed the straw up under his mask. He sipped the milk gratefully.

Elsie twisted in her seat to face Logan and began to bombard him with questions. Logan did his best to appease her with his answers, although he still earned a few choice words from her. 

“You shoulda trusted me, Logan! I always believed in you!”

“She did,” Lucy affirmed. “Even when no one else did.”

“I appreciate it, Else. I jus’ couldn’t drag you into my troubles,” Logan said. “If anyone’d been hurt because of me… well, I wouldn’t’ve been able to forgive myself. An’ I ain’t innocent. I did plenty wrong…”

“Yet Lucy knew…” Elsie sounded a little bitter.

“I only found out very recently,” Lucy said. “And only because Logan needed my skills.”

Elsie leaned back in her seat and narrowed her eyes at Logan. “Well… so long as you ain’t gonna run off on us again.”

“I’m here to stay. I’ll accept whatever punishment is handed to me,” Logan replied. “I promised that, and I ain’t breaking my promises.” 

The blond-haired man from earlier approached the table.

“I don’t suppose now would be a good time for an interview?...”

“It wouldn’t,” Logan said, shortly. He stood up, having finished his yakmel milk. “In fact, I oughta be goin’...” The noise, the heat all the bodies were generating… it was stifling. 

“Our meals haven’t even arrived yet!” Haru said. 

“Yer all welcome to stay,” Logan said. “But I need to go. I’ll see yer tonight, Lucy, Andy.” He hurried outside before anyone else could protest.

The hideout seemed blessedly cool and quiet compared to the saloon. After feeding the goats, Logan collapsed upon his bed with a groan. 

He must’ve dozed off, for the next thing he was aware of was Lucy gently shaking his shoulder. “Logan? Are you alright?” She was asking.

He blinked awake. “Oh, hey, Luce.” His hand flew protectively to his face; phew, his mask hadn’t shifted. Sitting up, he took in his surroundings. It was growing dark outside, but Lucy had turned on the lights. She had brought a barrel of water and several packaged meals from the saloon. Over by the stables, Andy was talking to the goats and feeding them some fresh tomatoes. Logan ran his tongue over his teeth. His mouth felt dry and his body ached.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to fall asleep on ya,” he said.

“It’s understandable. You must be exhausted,” Lucy said, sympathetically. “At least I had a good night’s sleep, before the commotion in the town square awoke me. How’re you feeling? You weren’t injured in the fight, were you?”

Logan shook his head. “Nah. Just a bit bruised. You?”

“Same,” Lucy said. “Nothing that some rest can’t fix.”

“Thanks for comin’ by. I know Andy appreciates it.”

“Of course! That boy thinks the world of you. How could I refuse?” Lucy said. She poured a glass of water, fresh from the barrel, and handed it to Logan. “The saloon was packed, huh? I can’t imagine how strange it must’ve felt, to be back in there after so long away. You must’ve felt overwhelmed.”

“I did,” Logan agreed, grateful that she understood. “Never thought I’d be so glad to be back here, but, well… I am.”

“May I?” Lucy asked, gesturing to the bed. He nodded, and she took a seat by him. “You were pretty cool back there, though, you know. ‘Lookin’ for me?’ You certainly know how to make an entrance!”

Logan laughed. “Think yer accent needs some work, Luce.”

Andy ran over. “Logan! Yer awake! Feels like forever since I was here,” he said. 

“It does, doesn’t it? Well, welcome home, kid,” Logan said. “Even if we move back to town, I’ll reckon we’ll be back occasionally. So, what’s the order fer tonight?”

“I brought some cards, thought we could play a few games,” Lucy said. “Then I’ll get Andy here back to mine in time for bed.” 

Lucy turned out to be a dab hand at cards. She allowed Andy to win a couple of times, but Logan didn’t win once. 

“You sure you ain’t cheatin’?” Logan asked, suspiciously.

“Me?” Lucy exclaimed. “I am appalled that you would even think to accuse me,” she added, in mock-indignation. 

Logan grinned. Lucy seemed to have a good sense of humour; he very much appreciated that. “Is there anything you can’t do?” He teased. “You can build, fight, ride a horse, cook-”

“How d’you know I can cook?”

“Oh, uh… Grace brought us some of yer Highwind fried rice one time…”

Lucy smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Of course! Why else would a cook employed at the Blue Moon commission dishes from me?”

“Missed a clue, huh?”

“I missed a great many, it seems,” Lucy said, shaking her head. “See - there you go. I’m not sure I’d make a good spy.”

“Sounds like you snooped around my house, though?”

Logan had the pleasure of watching Lucy blush. “Ye-es… I’m sorry, Logan. It was after the Water Tower incident. Elsie was adamant you were innocent, and she and Mi-an broke into your house in an attempt to find evidence to exonerate your name. I found them as they were about to break in, and, well… I did join in.”

“Eh, yer heart was in the right place…” Logan still wasn’t sure that he liked the idea of anyone snooping around his property, even if their intentions had been good. Still, he couldn’t say he hadn’t committed similar crimes. 

“It wasn’t right, though,” Lucy said. “If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you…”

“S’alright, Lucy,” Andy piped up. He had been listening quietly to the adults’ conversation. “Logan was always watchin’ ya when he was out on patrol.”

“Andy!” Now it was Logan’s turn to flush. 

“Oh?” Lucy raised her eyebrows at Logan. “Bandit… were you stalking me?” 

“It ain’t… I wasn’t…” Logan stumbled over his words. “I was tryin’ to protect you,” he protested. “Jus’ keepin’ you safe, after, y’know… the cables…” He looked up at her, only to find her grinning at his floundering.

“Sounds as if we’re equal then, huh? I’ll forgive you for watching me, if you’ll forgive me for breaking into your house.” Lucy extended a hand to him.

Logan took a hold of her hand, desperately trying to ignore the thrill that coursed up his arm. Her hand felt so small within his own, and her skin was so soft. She must wear gloves when she worked, he decided. He shook her hand. “Deal,” he said.

“And with that…” Lucy glanced at her watch. “Andy, we’d best be going.”

“Aw…”

“There’ll be pancakes in the morning…” Lucy reminded him.

Andy leapt up. “I’m ready!” He announced. 

They said their goodnights to Logan, then headed out into the night.

Chapter Text

Logan rode Rambo into town the next morning. It felt strange to be riding into Sandrock in broad daylight, while everyone was milling around, going about their daily lives. He hadn’t really taken into account quite how much attention he would attract, either. Prior to becoming a bandit, Logan had been used to turning heads on occasion. He was taller than average, his naturally-white hair was unusual on a youth, and he was uncomfortably aware that some people found him handsome; all these attributes afforded him more attention than most. But, having lived in Sandrock all his life, most people he saw on a daily basis had known him for years, and they treated him no differently than any other. It had only been the odd tourist or saloon visitor who had openly ogled him.

Now, though, everyone was looking at him. Logan was beginning to realize how used he’d grown to the solitude that being on the lam had afforded him. There were so many people, too; had Sandrock always had this many tourists?  

“Howdy Logan!” That was Owen, waving to him. It felt weird to be greeted so familiarly; Owen had been one of Logan’s oldest friends, but from what Grace had said, he’d readily believed that Logan had turned against the town. Logan would be lying if he said he didn’t resent Owen at least a little.

“Logan, darling! Now that you’re back, please tell me you’re going to book an appointment!” The hair salon’s owner, Pablo, called out at him. 

“Hey, Logan! You were SO cool yesterday!” Now here were two people Logan was happy to see; little Jasmine, and Vivi, Sandrock’s collective grandmother. When so few people survived to old age, it was rare for anyone to be acquainted with their grandparents. Subsequently Vivi, Heidi’s biological grandmother, had practically adopted half the town as her own. 

Dismounting Rambo, Logan walked up to Jasmine and gave the young girl’s shoulder a friendly squeeze, since she wouldn’t be able to see his smile through the mask.

“Mornin’, Jazz. I’m headed to the City Hall to talk to yer mother,” he said. “Good mornin’, Vivi.”

“A ‘good mornin’’ he says, strollin’ into town same as all those years ago,” Vivi said. “I was glad to hear you’ve been on our side all along, Logan, though I still owe you a whuppin’ for all the headache you put us through.”

“I know, and I ain’t runnin’ from my punishment,” Logan said. “I won’t be movin’ back until I’ve paid the price for my crimes, as Sandrock sees fit.”

“I do hope that won’t be too long,” Vivi replied. “Well, now, we’d best not keep you from talkin’ to Trudy. Stop by sometime, though, boy; your grandma’s missed you!”

“Missed you too, Vivi,” Logan replied.

As Logan continued on his way to City Hall, he saw evidence of the improvements that the two new, youthful builders had brought to the town. There were a couple of new benches in the town square, the steps leading down to the dock had been repaired, and overall the place seemed brighter and cleaner than he remembered it looking a couple of years prior. He felt grateful that, this early in the morning, the town square was relatively empty, and he proceeded unimpeded into the City Hall, leaving Rambo tethered in the nearby stables.

Trudy, Grace, Heidi, and the Civil Corps - minus Lucy - were ready and waiting for Logan as he entered. He and Grace managed to debrief everyone fully on the events of the past year before Lucy finally appeared. Logan felt a little foolish at how rapidly his heartbeat rose as he laid eyes on her.

With Lucy on the scene, the conversation turned to the plan of attack. It was decided that Grace and Lucy should interrogate the prisoners the next morning, to see what they could learn about Duvos and its intentions. 

Justice turned to Logan. “So... What are you gonna do Logan? You... uh, still broke some laws back there, even for a good reason…” 

Logan held his gaze steadily. “Well, like I said yesterday, I'm gonna head back to my place 'til you're ready to charge me, Sheriff. I don't think I want to face the citizens until I face the consequences.” He wished Justice had arrested him yesterday; better to put rest to this uncertainty and to receive the punishment he deserved. Still, occupying a cell with Pen would not be wise, and was no doubt the reason why Justice was not yet taking him into custody.

“Um. Actually... Logan... I was hoping you could stay for a moment…” Trudy demurred. 

“Yeah, Trudes… Let’s catch up,” Logan replied.

Everyone else departed, leaving Logan alone with the petite mayor. The shortest and the tallest adults in Sandrock; Logan supposed they looked an odd pair indeed. Logan had always liked Trudy; she had shown a lot of courage in stepping up to the role of mayor after her husband, Theodore, the town’s previous mayor, had died in a sandstorm. She was a fair, kindhearted woman who always refused to pass judgement until she had listened to everyone’s points of view. Although she could be meek and hesitant, she was also extraordinarily brave, exploring the desert by herself to try to uncover tools to aid Sandrock in the battle against desertification. Besides, Logan figured that Trudy’s meekness and hesitancy made for a nice contrast to his brash and impulsive nature. Several times he had managed to curb his urges by imagining what Trudy might do under similar circumstances. 

“Logan, I’m truly sorry about what happened with your Pa,” Trudy said.

“It’s been… tough,” Logan admitted.

“Are you… okay? Sad? Angry?” Trudy asked.

It was a good question. Logan teetered between all three emotions on a regular basis. Logan wasn’t certain he could answer honestly. “Nothin’ is gonna bring him back. But this - exposing the lies, arresting the true enemies - this is the next best thing.” 

Trudy nodded, understanding. “Can we do anything for you?”

“I’ll be okay, Trudes. Besides, I’m the one who should be askin’ that question. I have a lot to make up to Sandrock.”

“I’m sorry we didn’t believe you.” Of course Trudy would be the first to apologise. There was the kind, thoughtful mayor again. 

“I didn’t exactly make a good case for myself, now, did I?” Logan said. “An’ it’s not like I never did anythin’ wrong. Hopefully the worst is behind us, now.”

“I do hope so.” Trudy smiled. “I’m sure your father is very proud of you.”

Logan wasn’t so sure about that. “Speaking of my Pa… I presume he was buried in the graveyard?”

“Yes… I’m sorry that we had to bury him without you.”

Logan sighed. “So am I. Thanks, Trudes. I’ll go visit him now.”

He walked out of the City Hall. Rambo seemed happy enough where he was, so Logan decided to leave him for the time being, and walked through the back streets to the graveyard. It didn’t take long to find his father’s gravestone; apart from being one of the newer ones, it stood by itself, near the entrance, and was rendered in stone rather than wood. The epitaph read, “Howlett. 43-96. A true hero. Savior of the broken, weakened, and the damned. No monster ever got the better of him.”

That was fitting, Logan thought. Probably better than what he might have come up with himself, had he been around to give input. No monster ever got the better of him. That was true; Howlett had, in the end, been defeated by his fellow humans, the very ones he’d sworn to protect. No - not just any humans; family. Yes, Howlett had been very sick, but it was I who accidentally dealt the fatal blow. No matter what punishment I receive, nothing will ever be enough to make amends for that particular crime. The only person who can forgive me is no longer with us.

Out loud, Logan said, “Hey, Pa. Long time no see.” His words sounded so trite when spoken. He wasn’t sure he could voice what he really wanted to say. “Sorry I had to run off on you.” Sorry I wasn’t there to shoulder your coffin. Sorry I wasn’t there to help bury you, to deliver your eulogy. Sorry I abandoned our house and all our belongings. Sorry I tried to break you out of the dormitory. He suddenly thought of Lucy, who was bubbly and cheerful and had told Logan she loved him, even if it was just a joke. Howlett would’ve been impressed by her sedulous attitude. “Met a new friend. You’d’ve liked her. She’s changed a lot around here. I like to think things’ll be better soon… maybe back to the way they used to be.” No, that was a foolish thing to say. There was too much missing for anything to be the same as it had been. 

Logan stayed, staring at the gravestone, for a few more minutes. Then he turned back towards the City Hall. He’d grab Rambo, then head back to the hideout; he’d had enough of Sandrock for today.

Night had begun to fall when Logan was surprised by a visit from Lucy and Haru. 

“No Andy,” Lucy said, “partly because he’s having a sleepover at Vivi’s with Jasmine, but also because…” she presented two large bottles. “I brought us alcohol! Tada! Thought we could have a real party, but not at the saloon, because it’s too noisy there.”

The timing was so perfect that Logan wondered if Lucy had observed him at the graveyard. His suspicions were heightened by the sympathetic look Haru was giving him. 

“I brought straws, too,” Lucy continued, blithely. 

“Pour us a drink, then,” Logan said. “How did interrogatin’ the prisoners go?”

Haru sourced the glasses, and Lucy poured the drinks. She had even brought little paper cocktail umbrellas with which to garnish the drinks, and Logan wondered at her thought process. 

“It was an extremely busy day,” Lucy said, “and I have to confess that Pen is more intelligent than I gave him credit for. Even Grace couldn’t crack him. What’s interesting is that Miguel seems to know very little; I genuinely believe he may have been used. The sacrificial lamb, as Grace phrased it. Thankfully the items Justice seized from their quarters proved more useful.” She grinned. “We have the radio frequency they’ve been exchanging communications on - and it’s different from the one you and Grace knew! Which means…” She gestured at Logan to complete her sentence.

“...they knew we were listenin’, and the water tower messages were a setup,” Logan said, understanding dawning upon him. “Nice to have that confirmed, at least.”

Lucy nodded. “The next step is to try and track Duvos operations. There’s a larger conspiracy out there, that much was evident. What it is, we have no idea. But as they’re not aware that Pen’s been arrested, we can call in and pretend to be him, then use triangulation devices to trace the origins of the signal. Qi’ll be burning the midnight oil tonight getting me the schematics. Then all I’ll have to do is build them.”

“You make it sound so easy,” Haru said, smiling. “Building complex machinery like that - it’d be beyond most folk.”

Lucy looked bemused, as if she didn’t consider her skills to be anything special. “Qi’s diagrams are always very comprehensive,” she said. “They’re easy to follow.”

“Haru’s right,” Logan said. “Sandrock’s lucky to have you, Luce.”

“I think Mason’s ineptitude gave you all too-low expectations,” Lucy replied. “But thank you. Drink up!”

Logan took a sip of his drink, sliding the straw up underneath his mask, as he had done at the saloon. He blinked; the drink was rather strong. 

Lucy saw his expression and grinned. “Owen’s finest,” she said. “Imported from Seesai, I believe.” She took the cocktail umbrella and stuck it behind her ear. Logan picked up his and stuck it in his hatband, which elicited a giggle from Lucy. 

Haru cleared his throat. “I hear you’re a whiz at cards, Lucy? How about a few rounds?”

“Sure. More of this drink and you both might actually stand a chance at winning.”

As they played, they all grew progressively tipsier, and Logan learned that Lucy told exceptionally bad jokes, which was somehow endearing, especially when she began to laugh before delivering the punch line. Logan laughed, too, the morning’s sorrows temporarily forgotten. 

“You’re laughing!” Lucy said, delightedly. She was slurring her words a little. “Nia never laughed at my jokes," she added, pouting a little. 

“Nia’s yer best friend, as I recall?”

“Yes-s, she came to visit me once, you know. She was very interested in Zeke’s work. I think she’d return here again. I told her all about you, of courssse…”

“Oh?”

“Mm-hmm. The dastardly bandit, who made me fall off a cliff. I could’ve died, you know.”

“Yer never gonna forgive me, are you?”

“Nope!” Lucy popped the p. “I’ll still be reminding you five, ten years from now…”

Her words gave Logan pause. He’d never really considered the future. There had been many a day when he’d wondered if he would even reach middle-age. He’d never wished for death, but he’d not given much thought to living, either. He liked to say that he lived in the moment, but the truth was that he’d never greatly cared for his own life. Seeking retribution for his father had been his primary focus, and now that the Duvos problem might be nearing eradication, where did that leave him? 

“You plan to stick around in Sandrock, then?” Haru asked, trying to fill the sudden silence.

“I do! I love this place. I love… everyone,” Lucy said, gesturing widely with her hands. 

“Yer drunk,” Logan teased, happy to have an excuse to push aside the philosophical thinking.

“I am. But…” Lucy threw down her cards. “I believe I still won.” The two men groaned. 

“I suppose we’d best be getting back,” Haru said, as Logan cleared away the cards, and Lucy neatly stacked the now-empty glasses and bottles to one side. 

“I’ll go with you both. Better see Lucy home safely,” Logan said. 

“I can manage!” Lucy said, indignantly. She stood up, taking a few seconds to steady herself. “Well, maybe…”

“I’m goin’,” Logan said, firmly. “I’m still mostly sober.”

“It’s because you’re so big,” Lucy said, sadly. “You’d be an expensive drunk. I’m a lightweight. Haru is somewhere in-between.” She nodded sagely, and Logan had to laugh.

Logan helped walk Lucy out of the hideout, to where her horse and Merle were standing. Then he whistled for Rambo, and the trio rode home. Haru split at the station to head to the Blue Moon, while Logan and Lucy continued onwards to Lucy’s workshop.

They dismounted at Lucy’s gate, so that Logan could help stable her horse before walking her to her door. 

“You have very good manners,” Lucy remarked. 

“My Pa taught me to treat people right,” Logan said. “He always said there was no one too young or old, rich or poor, to not deserve our respect. He was a great man, better than I’ll ever be…”

“I think you’re just great,” Lucy said, stoutly. She looked up at him, though it was difficult to see anything in the darkness. “Logan? I know I can’t see your face, yet, but may I… feel it?”

“Feel it?”

“Mmhmm.”

Logan hesitated. Still, she had asked nicely. “Okay,” he said, softly.

Lucy took a step closer. She reached up her hands and began to lightly palpate his face with her fingertips, through his mask. She started at his cheeks, then felt around his jawline. Then she took her right forefinger and gently traced over his nose to his philtrum. Logan’s breath hitched in his throat as she finally, lightly but deliberately, pulled her finger down over his lips.

She stepped away. “Thank you,” she said. 

“Well…?” Logan had to ask.

Lucy only tapped the side of her nose with one finger, then grinned. “Good night, Logan,” she said. “Thank you for walking me home. Safe travels back!”

“Good night, Luce,” he replied, as the door gently closed in his face.

Chapter Text

Lucy was busy working on the signal triangulators, so the next people to visit Logan were Haru and Andy. 

“Why ain’t you returned to Sandrock, Logan?” Andy asked. 

“I told the Civil Corps I’d be here,” Logan said, “so here I’ll remain until they arrest me. I gotta serve time for the crimes I committed, Andy.”

Andy pouted. “But Haru’s back in town…”

Logan sighed. “Look… I just ain’t ready to return home yet. Too many memories, too many people… but I’m acclimatisin’ to the idea. An’ I promise, once all this nonsense is behind us… we’ll move back into the ol’ place. We’ll be a family again.”

“You promise?” 

“I promise,” Logan said. “I miss you, Andy. Yer my son. I ain’t about to abandon you, y’here?”

Andy nodded, seemingly mollified by Logan’s words. “An’ when yer back in town, you’ll ask Lucy out, right?”

“Well, I…”

“Of course he will,” Haru interjected. “ I promise you that, Andy.” Logan glowered at him. 

“Lucy has an enormous house,” Andy said. “Plenty of room for all of us. An’ she throws the best parties…”

“We ain’t movin’ into her house!” Logan said, aghast. “Now look, are you two here just to berate me ‘bout Lucy, or are we gonna have some fun just like we used to have, huh? You said you miss bein’ a bandit, kid, so how’s about it?”

“I wanna have fun!” Andy said. “C’mon - let’s see if all the bumpers are still workin’.”

Logan slept well after an action-packed evening spent with Andy and Haru. It really had been like old times, only without the fear of discovery, or wondering where their next supply of food and water might come from.

The next day Logan had no visitors. Then another day passed, and another, and still no one came. Logan was a little disappointed that not even Haru had managed to say hi, but no doubt he was merely enjoying being back in Sandrock, catching up on all the events and people that he’d missed. Besides, this solitude was deserved. Logan had no right to expect company from anyone, not after everything he’d done.

There was plenty for Logan to do. There were the goats to tend to and exercise; Haru had left Merle with Rambo, having no need for a goat while in town. The place needed cleaning, and Logan could experiment with cooking without having to endure Andy’s and Haru’s complaints. There was also a small backlog of books that Logan had been intending to read, and now he had no excuse. Finally, when nothing remained to entertain him, Logan lay on the bed, his hands interlaced behind his head, and daydreamed about the future. Often a certain young woman appeared in these daydreams, as much as Logan felt guilty over her inclusion. 

Eventually Logan began to suspect that something may actually be amiss. He took Rambo and headed outside.

To his horror, a large Duvosian air ship hovered in the north. He whipped out his binoculars and hastily scanned the streets of Sandrock. They were deserted. Logan’s blood ran cold. Had Sandrock actually been invaded? Where were the inhabitants? Surely they weren’t… no, Logan couldn’t contemplate such a fate. The first course of action was to ascertain what had actually happened.

Initially Logan considered charging in on Rambo, but he quickly put paid to that idea. Even he recognised that such a venture was entirely too foolhardy. He would need to do some reconnaissance first.

Then it struck him; he had a favour to call in. He mounted Rambo and rode over to the Mole Cave Abandoned Ruins. 

The ruins were fully functional mines, now; the moles - and Lucy - had evidently been busy. Logan only had to follow the cart tracks to eventually find a mole who could direct him to Ged. The mole willingly showed Logan into a small but lavishly decorated cave, lit by a dim lantern, and smelling of damp earth and drying fruits. 

“Monsieur Logan!” Ged exclaimed. 

“Afternoon, Ged,” Logan replied. “I reckon you owe me.”

“Monsieur, I assure you… I meant no-”

“Yer forgiven,” Logan said, curtly. “I need you and all yer mole pals to scout out Sandrock, immediately. Somethin’ terrible’s happened, an’ I believe all the inhabitants are in danger. Yer moles, so do what moles do best - dig, and stay outta sight. I need to know where everyone is and what happened.”

Ged nodded. “But of course, monsieur! We shall set off immediately!”

Logan roamed the Badlands while waiting to hear from the moles. He dealt with his frustration and agitation the way he had when returning from the water tower incident; by picking battles with monsters, and vanquishing any who dared oppose him.

Eventually Ged returned, and invited Logan to sit and eat with him at his campfire. Logan didn’t feel particularly like eating, but he recognised that he should keep his strength up, so he accepted the food and drink offered.

“Ze townspeople, zey are safe,” Ged said, to Logan’s relief. “Duvos invaded and captured zem. Zey are being held in four locations; at ze Civil Corps, ze Blue Moon, in ze Old Town Apartments, and at ze Temple.”

“Got it,” Logan said, picturing a map of Sandrock in his head.

“Now Lucy-”

“What about Lucy?” Logan asked, in a horrified whisper. 

“Ah! She is safe. Ze Duvos commander, he has taken a special liking to her, non? She has been allowed to roam more freely, guarded by a soldier, of course. She has been commissioned to build a jacuzzi for the commander.”

Logan grimaced. While he’d been daydreaming about her in his cave, Lucy had been at the mercy of Duvos soldiers. He felt disgusted with himself, and afraid for Lucy. “What else do I need to know? How did Sandrock fall?”

“From what we were able to piece together, ze plans to intercept Duvos communications ended up alerting Duvos instead. The Sandrockers were warned of ze invasion, and Lucy was able to construct an air cannon in defense. Sandrock was winning when… alas, ze minister, Matilda, sabotaged the cannon.”

“Matilda? Are you certain?”

“Quite certain, monsieur.”

“But… she saved my life…” Logan suddenly felt queasy.

“She was playing ze long game, it seems. Alors, ze townspeople, zey were all captured and taken away. Ze air cannon, it has been repaired and is in ze hands of Duvos now.”

“Right. How many soldiers are there?”

“Not too many. Ze majority have already been posted north…”

“Alright! So I can rush in, take ‘em by surprise…”

“Non, non! Monsieur! Zat is a foolish plan,” Ged said, vociferously. “You need a diversion first!” 

Logan looked doubtful, but he didn’t argue. Instead he said, “I reckon we should free Lucy first. If she only has a single soldier guardin’ her she should be easy to secure. Two heads’ll be better than one, and Lucy as a fighter’s worth half a dozen of the others. Ged, meet me outside Eufaula Salvage in an hour.”

Ged nodded. 

Logan raced Rambo back to the hideout. There he grabbed a map of Sandrock, more ammunition, and a few of Haru’s bombs. He also refilled his water canteen and shoved a few extra bandages into his first aid kit. Who knew how hurt the townsfolk might be.

He met Ged at the assigned time. By the Eufaula salvage yard they could clearly see Lucy’s workshop, while remaining far enough from the town that they wouldn’t be noticed by the Duvos soldiers.

“Looks like Lucy’s just finishin’ up that jacuzzi,” Logan said, looking through his binoculars. “An’ there’s the soldier guarding her… alright, Ged, you get in there and distract him while I talk to Lucy.”

“Leave it to me, Monsieur!” Ged ran off.

Once Ged and the soldier had left, Logan ran up to Lucy. 

“Hey, you alright?” He asked.

Lucy stared at him. Her clothes were dirty, her face glistened with sweat, and a few loose tendrils of hair were plastered to her forehead. 

“Logan! Where were you?” She cried.

“I was wonderin' what was goin' on. I thought one of ya would've came over to my cave and arrested me, but then nobody showed for days! I stick my head out and there's an airship to the north and Duvos soldiers all over town.”

Lucy thumped him in the arm. Logan flinched in anticipation, but her blow barely hurt. She looked fatigued. 

“You absolute idiot,” she exclaimed. “You really believed we’d all just abandon you? You never once thought to check sooner?” 

Logan felt chastened by her words. When phrased in that fashion, his actions did seem a little silly. 

“Where’s Haru, an’ Andy?”

“Haru left on horseback to fetch help from Atara. All our communications were jammed. Andy’s safe, he was captured, but he’s amongst friends.”

Logan nodded. “Yer not hurt, are you?”

“I’ll be well enough to fight,” Lucy said. “But really, Logan, do I look alright to you?”

“I’m sorry. You musta been through it…”

Lucy sighed. “I’m guessing Ged won’t manage to distract Stev forever. Let’s go over your plan…”

A few days later, Logan and Haru were standing trial for their crimes.

It had been a tumultuous few days. 

The liberation of Sandrock had been a success. Lucy had placed one of Haru’s bombs inside the jacuzzi, causing Matilda’s old house to be turned to rubble, and causing a large enough distraction that she and Logan had been able to wrest control of the air turret. With the air turret, they had managed to vanquish most of the remaining army, then liberating the townsfolk, and defeating the Duvosian Commander Lefu, had been a cinch. The few soldiers that remained had willingly surrendered once their commander had been captured. 

After that, Logan, Lucy, Grace, and the Civil Corps had flown north to where the Duvos army was attempting to extract Old World spaceship engines from the nearby ruins. They had succeeded in not only preventing the extraction, but in capturing Pen, and defeating Matilda, who had been shot into space.

Pen. After all these years, Logan’s foe had been finally escorted to a maximum security prison in Atara. As they had fought, Logan had learned the final truth. 

Logan hadn’t accidentally killed his father. Haru’s bomb had not collapsed the building on top of Howlett. Pen had injected Howlett with the Old World virus then, upon finding Logan attempting to rescue his father, Pen had been the one to fire his relic weapon at the building, shattering it just as he had the Water Tower. 

Logan was not to blame. He still couldn’t quite believe it. He wasn’t sure how to feel. For years he had carried the weight of his guilt on his shoulders. For years he had allowed that weight to direct his every action. He felt lighter, yes, yet Logan wasn’t sure what his purpose would be now. He had avenged his father. The Duvos threat had finally been eradicated.

Which was why, now that Logan was finally facing trial, he only felt relief. A spell in jail would relieve him of the need to make any plans, to have to think.

After some consideration, he had decided to remove his mask. He had no need to wear it, now. He could feel everyone staring at him. 

Most of the Sandrockers were clamouring for clemency, much to Logan’s surprise. Several folk had signed Elsie’s petition demanding that the two bandits receive no jail time at all. Logan disagreed with them; he had committed crimes. He’d stolen food and water from people on multiple occasions. He’d robbed a bank, once. His name alone had caused many people to have sleepless nights, afraid of the bandits coming for them next. 

When the time came to put it to the vote, only one person objected to a lighter sentence for Logan and Haru. Burgess, the new minister of the Church of Light, and a virtuous man who’d always been a stickler for the rules, felt that the punishment needed to suit the crimes. Logan wholeheartedly agreed with him.

Then Owen stood up to speak. Logan looked at him; they’d been good friends once, he and Owen, and Justice, too. Logan was a few years younger than the other men, but the age difference had diminished as they’d grown older, especially as Logan had caught them up in height by the time he was ten. They had gone on many adventures together, had shared meals, and had slept over at each other’s houses. It had been hard being on the run, knowing that both Justice and Owen had grown to despise him, had believed Logan capable of sabotaging Sandrock’s wellbeing. 

Owen launched into a speech demanding leniency for Logan and Haru. Logan supposed this was Owen’s way of making amends, of apologising for not trusting in his former friend. Logan didn’t need an apology; he may have been innocent of the most heinous accusations, but he still had plenty to answer for. He opened his mouth to protest.

Owen sensed what Logan was about to say, for he said, “sure, you can refuse our help, and ask to be locked up for a long time, but you're putting up barriers that you don't deserve, and it doesn't help anyone. It just pushes you further and further away from us.”

“I…” Logan began.

“How about we think about it?” Haru said.

“Alright. We’ll think about it,” was all Logan could say.  

The trial ended, and the townsfolk began to scatter. 

A few people caught up to Logan, eager to exchange words with him. Elsie berated him for wishing to punish himself. Andy was upset that Logan would be likely going away to jail, but he cheered up when Logan said, “by the way, Andy, when Haru an' I get out, that's when yer gonna come live with us in my old house.” 

“You serious?! Aw yeah! I’m gonna go pack!” Andy said.

Logan laughed. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, boy.”

“You finally removed your mask,” Lucy said, from behind Logan. He spun around to face her. 

“Oh, hey Luce! Yeah… I reckoned it was finally time to show my face, after what we learned an’ all…”

Lucy smiled. “I’m glad. I like seeing it.”

They both stood there, staring awkwardly at one another for a few seconds. Then Lucy said, “may I have a hug?”

“A hug?”

“A hug. Seeing as you may be going away for at least a short while,” Lucy replied. “After all we’ve been through together over the past few days, a hug seems appropriate, don’t you think?”

Logan could hardly refuse that request. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, marvelling at how small she felt. Lucy’s own slender arms snaked around his waist, holding him tightly to her. “Mm… you give good hugs,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. 

Logan released her as soon as he felt he could without being rude; he was afraid of his body betraying him if he held her for too long. He was grateful they were in public, because if they had been in a private room, he feared the temptation to kiss her might’ve been too great to resist.

“I… should get goin’,” he said. Over the top of Lucy’s head he could see Haru grinning at him, and he glared back. 

Lucy nodded. “Well, whatever your sentence is,” she said, “know I have your back. After all, we’re friends, aren’t we?”

Logan smiled down at her. She was right, as always. “Yeah, Luce. We’re friends.”

Their judgement was passed the next morning. Logan and Haru were to spend fifteen days in jail, followed by a period of community service, and they were also to pay a fine of 20,000 Gols. Logan found it to be a reasonable sentence, and he and Haru went willingly to jail. 

As the days passed, Logan was actually feeling grateful for the quiet the Civil Corps jail cell afforded him. He had plenty of time to ruminate over and mentally process the events of the past few weeks. Though he shared the cell with Miguel and Haru, they were both equally contemplative, and didn’t bother Logan. The men also shared the cell with Yan, whose smarmy face was eminently punchable, but Yan was so terrified of Logan that he was no bother, either. 

Logan had, as promised, given plenty of thought to Owen’s words. The light sentence still didn’t feel right to him, but he did concede that it did not help anyone to him sitting and sulking in jail, either. He could be of use to Sandrock as a free man. He had his skills as a monster hunter and could continue to protect the townspeople from external threats. 

As for his cellmate, Miguel, Logan almost felt sorry for him. It had certainly been awkward at first; after all, Miguel had tried to kill Logan. But Logan forgave the pastor; Miguel had been lied to and manipulated for years by Matilda and Pen. He was also principled, in a way. Logan didn’t agree with the man, but he could respect that Miguel held true to his faith. 

They’d had a few conversations. Miguel had apologised for shooting at Logan. Logan had learned a little about Miguel’s past, and the massacre of Miguel’s entire family that had left indelible scars on the man’s psyche. He didn’t think he and Miguel would ever be friends, but they had no need to be enemies, either. He felt no more threat from Miguel, and the men were comfortable as cellmates. 

Yan was a different story. Even though he wasn’t causing problems for Logan, Logan was still eager to see him leave. Lucy had said that Yan would soon be receiving transfer to a maximum security prison, and for Logan that transfer couldn’t come soon enough. 

Lucy came by every day, to chat and to bring food from the Blue Moon. Owen did, too. Andy visited occasionally, sometimes with Jasmine and Trudy.

Logan was grateful that Lucy visited him, and brought him food, but he still hated that she witnessed him in jail. There’d been a few moments when they’d been fighting, side by side, that he’d felt a frisson of passion between them, and he’d thought that he would like to be fighting by her side for a good many years to come, but now that he sat in the cold cell, his thoughts and dreams seemed utterly foolish. Lucy was a builder, not a fighter, and she was no criminal; she was Sandrock’s hero, and far too good for the likes of Logan. 

While in the ruins, Logan had found Howlett’s old diary, along with his shotgun. He had given these without hesitation to Lucy. Lucy deserved them more than Logan did, and Logan already had enough of his father’s belongings back at his house. As he’d watch her fight, Logan had frequently thought about how much his father would have admired Lucy. She fought well, but more importantly she used her brain and thought her actions through, just as Howlett had always urged Logan to do.

Logan sighed. Just a few more days and he and Haru would be free men. And then, who knew what might happen?

Chapter Text

Haru and Logan were awaiting their release from jail.

“So, uh, you given any thought to life after this?” Logan asked Haru.

Haru looked embarrassed, and Logan wondered at him. “Er… I’ve been considering going away to university,” he said, quietly. 

“What? You have? That’s wonderful news!” Logan said. 

Haru stared at him. “It is?”

“Yeah. Haru, yer smart, and any university would be lucky to have you. Yer talents are bein’ wasted here. Of course Andy an’ I’d miss you, but we’d cope.”

“And what would you do, Logan?”

“Eh… I reckon Sandrock’ll always need a monster hunter, and now that my Pa’s gone, I’m the best they’ve got.”

Haru nodded.

“Howdy!” Trudy called out, happily, as she climbed the stairs leading to the cells. Justice was with her, as were Jasmine and Andy. “Ready to go home?”

“We are,” Logan said.

“Heck yes! I can’t wait to see inside yer house,” Andy said.

Justice unlocked the cells, and Logan and Haru stepped out onto the landing. It felt strange to be finally free.

“Here are your belongings, gents,” Justice said, producing two large bins. There wasn’t much in them apart from their weapons.

“Thanks, Jay. Say, reckon I could have a pen an’ a piece of paper? An envelope too, if you have one.”

“Sure.” Justice fetched the desired goods, and Logan hastily penned a short note. He folded the paper, placed it into the envelope, and handed it to Jasmine along with a 5 Gols note. “Hey, Jazz, reckon you could deliver this to Lucy for me?”

“You betcha!” Jasmine said, “can I go now, Ma?”

“Yes, dear. I’ll meet you in the Blue Moon for breakfast.”

“What did you write to Lucy?” Haru asked, as he, Logan, and Andy began to walk back to Logan’s old house.

“Oh, I just told her she’s welcome to stop by the ol’ place whenever she likes. Just give us a bit of time to clean up, that’s all,” Logan said.

“Yeah! She can come for dinner,” Andy said, “well, if Haru cooks.”

They had just passed Pablo’s salon when they ran into Grace.

“Good morning, Grace! We’re free men now,” Haru said, waving at her. But Grace didn’t look terribly happy.

“Hello,” she said. “I was actually hoping to run into you.” She paused. “The truth is… I’m being transferred.”

“What?” Andy exclaimed, horrified.

“Yeah. Now that everything’s wrapped up here, there’s no need for me to stay,” Grace said. “I’ve already received my papers and I’ll be heading out on the first train, tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow? But that’s so soon!”

“We’ll be sad to see you go, Grace,” Logan said. “Yer welcome over this evenin’ to spend some time with us.”

“Thank you. I’ll see,” Grace said. “I have to pack and prepare for an early start.”

She flashed them a brief smile, then continued on her way. 

“Well now,” Haru said.

“Guess it had to happen eventually,” Logan said. “She is a spy, after all.” It would still feel strange, though. Grace had been their only connection to Sandrock for so many months.

Andy looked as if he were about to cry, but he took a deep breath, puffed out his chest and said, “C’mon. We’re almost at yer house, Logan!”

It felt very odd to be opening the door to his house and stepping inside. The last time he had been here, his father had still been alive, and he and Haru had been beloved and popular citizens. Krystal and Rocky, their neighbours, had regularly stopped to chat to them. Their son, Pebbles, had been born shortly before Logan had fled Sandrock. He was a toddler now, and Logan had been startled to see him running around. The house opposite, which had long lain empty, was now occupied by Mi-an and her workshop. Logan would have to grow used to the sound of Mi-an’s machines operating at all hours of the day.

The house was like a time capsule, with everything situated as Logan and Haru had left it three years prior, only now everything was coated in a thick layer of dust. A few piles of sand had accumulated, too, blown in through cracks during sandstorms. Logan felt melancholy; the house seemed so familiar and yet so strange. Though it was now his house, when he had last set foot in here, it had belonged to his father, and Logan and Haru had been younger and full of optimism. 

Logan was about to give Andy a tour when there was a knock at the door, and Lucy stepped inside.

“Hey there, partner. You're a little early for the housewarming party,” Logan said, surprised to see her. She had to have left immediately upon receiving the letter from Jasmine.

Lucy began to roll up her sleeves. “Well, you said you had to clean,” she said, “and lucky for you, I’m a lean, mean, cleaning machine!”

Logan wondered if this was her way of apologising for the break-in. “Can always use an extra pair of hands,” he said. “Grab a duster and start dustin'.”

For the next couple of hours, Logan, Lucy, and Haru were busy dusting and sweeping, while Andy ran around, opening the doors and drawers, and exclaiming at everything he found. 

“Oh snap! You have an armoury?” He called out.

“Of course! What kinda monster hunter doesn’t have an armoury?” Logan replied. Then, “Andy! Get outta there!”

Lucy was polishing a tea table. “Did you hear about the Geegler from the canyon?” She asked.

“No…”

“Justice, Unsuur, and I went to investigate strange noises reported by Shonash Bridge,” she said. “Turned out to be a Geegler who’d fallen in and had managed to climb back up. They were starving and thirsty. They’re currently recuperating at Fang’s clinic.”

“Huh. I’ll have to swing by and check them out. Did Grace tell you she’s leaving tomorrow?”

“She did,” Lucy said, pulling a face. “I’ll miss her. I’m sure you all will, too.”

“We’ll be at the train station to say goodbye, of course.” Logan took a feather duster to the tops of the fridge and cupboards; places little Lucy wouldn’t be able to reach. 

“What else have we missed?” Haru asked, as he swept the living room floor.

“Well, you met the new commissioner, of course.” The man replacing Yan was his long-lost twin brother, Wei. It had transpired that Yan had left Wei for dead in the Peripheries, and had taken the position of commissioner in Sandrock that had been intended for Wei. Now Wei had returned, and had reclaimed his rightful place. 

“We did. I wonder what occurred to make two brothers grow so differently?” Logan said. 

“Right? They couldn’t be more different than if they tried,” Lucy replied. “Trudy and Wei have been uncovering all kinds of nefarious business that Yan was apparently up to. Anyway, the road to Portia project is back in action. All the steel frames we made for the tunnel previously were sold or melted into scrap by Yan, so we builders are all busy constructing more.” 

“Boggles my mind that we could soon have a regular bus running between here and Portia.”

“It’ll be life-changing for sure.” Lucy smiled.  

By the end of the morning, the place was looking like new. 

“Thanks for yer help, Luce,” Logan said. “Didn’t mean to keep you from yer own work.”

“It made for a nice change of scene,” Lucy replied. “I was happy to help.”

“You must be hungry,” Haru said. “I know I am. How about we all go grab lunch at the Blue Moon?”

That sounded like a fantastic idea to the gang, so they headed out of the house and around the corner to the saloon.

Almost as soon as they entered, however, Logan was accosted by the young blond man from Haru’s trial.

“Mr. Logan! Do you have the time to grant me an interview now?”

Logan sighed. The day was growing busier and busier. Still, why not get it over with. “Uh, sure,” he said. “I’ve got a few minutes while we wait for our food.”

“Excellent! And Lucy, too - will you join us? I have questions for you, too.” 

“Sure, Ernest,” Lucy replied, with an amiable smile at the young man. 

Logan and Lucy gave their lunch orders to Haru, then they sat at a table with Ernest, while Haru and Andy saved them space at a table across the room. Ernest launched into a spiel about the book he was writing, and how he wished to corroborate some of the details of the recent battles that Justice had given him. 

Logan was repulsed by the idea of a novel based on his life experiences; there was nothing admirable about having been a bandit. Still, perhaps he ought to reserve judgement until he had learned exactly what Ernest planned to write.

Ernest’s first question was regarding Grace. He wished to know how it was possible that she had managed to sabotage the Duvos airship by herself; after all, she was only a student and a fry cook.

Without hesitating, Lucy said, “Logan taught Grace some moves.”

“Aha! What kind of moves? Do they have cool names? Did he teach you any of these moves?”

“We don't have any... cool moves... We just train close combat as well as handguns out in the desert. Nothin' to write home about. Tell 'em, Lucy. Do we have any names for our ‘moves?’” Logan said.

“Oh yes!” Lucy grinned. She was evidently enjoying herself, now. “Let’s see… there was the dagger technique, ‘dancing sand dragon flurry’. Oh! And the martial technique, ‘devil goat strikes the peach’.”

The ease with which she told such bold-faced lies both scared and amazed Logan. He had to admit that she had quite the imagination. “Er… right, how did those… slip my mind,” he replied.

“Awesome! Thanks, Lucy,” Ernest said. “Now, Matilda… Justice said you two faced her alone. How was that? Did she give any explanation for her actions?”

“It was incredible,” Lucy said. “There was Matilda, in a giant robot. Only - another giant robot lay there, unmanned. Logan leapt in, and soon a mecha-on-mecha battle ensued! Steel clashed against steel as they exchanged blows. Meanwhile, I ran around on the ground, dodging the robots’ legs and looking for any way to sabotage Matilda… suddenly, Logan used the wall to launch himself into the air - that’s the ‘devil goat strikes the peach’ move for you - bringing his robot’s arm down in what looked to be a blow to Matilda’s robot’s head. She instinctively put up the robot’s arms to protect herself… which was Logan’s intention all along! He grabbed a hold of the robot’s arms and yanked them off, leaving her utterly powerless! As for a motive…” she leaned in conspiratorily. “I hear she was having an affair with the Duvos Emperor, only to be cast aside for someone younger… her invasion of Sandrock was merely an attempt to worm her way back into the Emperor’s good graces.”

Ernest was busy scribbling down all the details. “Amazing,” he said. “Logan, can I ask you something personal? Are you... seeing anyone? Did you ever have any chance romantic encounters on the run as an outlaw?”

Logan glanced down at Lucy. “I… am afraid nothing comes to mind…”

“He pushed would-be lovers away,” Lucy said.

“Really now? How many would-be lovers exactly?”

Logan’s blood ran cold. Was Lucy referring to herself? He was dreading the next words out of her mouth when she said-

“Just one. Princess Lumi.”

“Lumi? That’s news to me, Luce…”

“Ah hah, she never confessed,” Ernest said. “Likely impeded by the shame of royalty falling for the likes of the brutish bandit of common blood... Fun! But... I can't really use this in my book. The whole different species thing... eh... it's been done.” 

Logan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. 

Ernest wrapped up the interview, leaving Logan and Lucy to rejoin Haru and Andy for lunch.

“You had entirely too much fun there,” Logan said to Lucy. “Do you always lie so easily?”

Lucy grinned. “I know, wasn’t I terrible? And I can’t lie when the stakes are high, I swear. But to Ernest, for his novel? Absolutely.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Between you and me, I’ve read the first couple of chapters and… it’s pretty terrible. I figured the more disinformation I could feed him, the better.”  

Logan nodded. Her explanation had put his mind at ease.

“The part about Princess Lumi wasn’t a lie, though.”

“What d’ya mean?” Logan accepted his drink from Owen, who had brought over a tray to the table, and took a sip.

“Lumi really does have a crush on you. Her bedroom was covered in your Wanted posters.” She watched for his reaction.

Logan nearly spat out his drink. “Tell me you’re lyin’...” He spluttered.

“You can ask Unsuur or Justice. They saw it, too.”

Logan shook his head. “Glad I’m only learnin’ this now,” he said. He wasn’t sure if he could face Princess Lumi again.

As they ate, Logan grew uncomfortably aware of how many stares he was attracting. Several of the patrons started pointing at him and whispering amongst themselves, no doubt wondering if he truly was the bandit from the posters they’d seen plastered everywhere over the past few years.

Lucy glanced up at Logan’s face, then followed his gaze over to where he was looking. She frowned then, pushing away her plate, she stood up on the bench and loudly cleared her throat.

“Luce! Get down,” Logan hissed, while Haru looked curious, and Andy grinned from ear to ear.

“Excuse me!” Lucy said, waiting until she had attracted the whole saloon’s attention. “Didn’t your parents teach you any manners? Don’t you know it’s rude to stare?” She glared at each of the offenders in turn, then pointed a finger at a couple who were sitting near them. “I heard you whispering,” she said. “Are you children? Leave the gossip in the schoolyard, please. If any of you have a problem, you may come and address me directly. Now, if you don’t mind, my friends and I would like to enjoy our lunch in peace, with none of your gawking.” She sat back down and angrily stabbed a straw into her drink.

“That was awesome!” Andy said. “You really showed them.”

“You shouldn’t have done that, Luce… people are gonna stare, I gotta deal with it,” Logan said. 

“Nonsense,” Lucy said, firmly. “Both of you have served your time. You deserve some to exist peacefully in this town.”

Logan didn’t know how to reply to that. Fortunately Owen soon brought over their food, and for a few minutes they were all silent as they ate.

The food seemed to have calmed Lucy down a little, for her posture relaxed, and she said to Logan, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a scene.”

“I appreciate the support,” Logan said. That much was true, at least. Lucy’s words appeared to have had their intended effect, for no one was staring at them now. 

“What a day, huh?” Lucy said, taking the words right out of Logan’s mouth. “Welcome back to Sandrock, I guess.”

“It’s certainly a lot… livelier than when we left,” Logan said.

“Logan always did attract a fair amount of attention, though,” Haru said.

“I can believe it,” Lucy said. “There are some advantages to being small, you know. I am very easily ignored.”

Logan was sure that wasn’t true. Lucy might be short, but she was disarmingly beautiful, and Grace had said that several Sandrockers had asked Lucy out. 

“I bet Logan had a ton of beaus,” Andy said.

“Hm, I don’t recall you dating anyone,” Haru said to Logan.

“That would fit with what Owen said,” Lucy remarked. There was the ghost of a smile upon her lips.

“What did Owen say?” Logan asked, though he was afraid to know the answer.

“Oh, just that you frequently hung out in the Blue Moon,” Lucy said, “but that you had a reputation for being ornery.”

“Oh. I do have a bit of a temper, not that I picked fights on the regular, mind,” Logan admitted. “I think I’m at my best when I keep my mouth shut.”

“Nonsense! I-we like hearing you talk,” Lucy countered.

“Yeah! I love yer stories,” Andy said. “All the monster huntin’ ones? And your Pa was so cool!”

“That he was,” Logan agreed.  

Once they had all finished their lunch, Logan went to pay at the bar, only to discover that Lucy had already paid. He sighed. He hated when he felt as if he owed other people. Next time he would pay in advance.

Lucy returned home to continue her work. From the sounds of it, she would be kept exceedingly busy the next few days. That suited Logan; he still had his community service to fulfill, after all. He, Haru, and Andy had a quieter afternoon settling into their new-old house. 

The next morning Logan, Haru, and Andy woke up early to say farewell to Grace. However, as they walked down the hill leading to the train station, the train whistle blew, signaling that it was about to leave.

“We’re too late!” Logan yelled.

They all broke into a run, Owen joining them from the Blue Moon, and they managed to make it far enough to be able wave to Grace as her train rolled away. 

Lucy joined them from where she had been standing on the station.

“Did we get the time wrong?” Logan asked. 

Lucy shook her head. “Grace said she told you the wrong time on purpose. She said she hates goodbyes.”

“Ah.” Logan could understand; goodbyes were awkward at the best of times. “But she told you the right time?”

Lucy gazed into the distance and didn’t immediately answer. Then she said, “I think one person was easier for Grace to handle than four.”

Logan wasn’t certain that he believed Lucy’s answer, but he decided not to press the matter. Andy was crying, and Logan needed to comfort him. “Well, I’d better take the kid home. Good luck with your work, Lucy.”

A few days later, Logan turned up at Lucy’s house, early in the morning. He took a good look at her workshop before he rang the doorbell. Her house really was quite large; three stories high, and split into two main buildings connected by a walkway. A stable was situated towards the south, and between the house and the stable lay a garden in which several crops and small trees were growing.

Lucy opened the door. 

“Hey, Luce. It’s my day to serve my community service with you. So, uh, got anythin’ I can do to help?”

Lucy arched an eyebrow. “Is this mandated by Trudy? Or by your own sense of guilt?”

Logan was unnerved by how easily she saw through him. “We received the lightest punishment. I… still don’t see that as enough.”

Lucy grinned. “Relax! I’d be happy for you to spend the day with me. But as for what to do…” She furrowed her brow, then inspiration seemed to strike. “Let’s go on an adventure.”

“Now we’re talkin’! Where you wanna go?”

“Let’s head out into the Eufaula,” Lucy said. “Do you have enough water? Food?” 

“I do.” Logan gestured to Rambo’s saddle bags.

“Let me finish getting ready, then.”

As he waited, Logan wondered if Lucy truly needed to head out into the desert, or whether she’d taken pity on him and had chosen work she’d thought would appeal to him. He decided it didn’t matter; a day’s ride into the Eufaula beat any amount of sweeping or dusting. 

Lucy stepped back outside, a pair of pistols holstered at her hips, and a rucksack packed tightly with supplies.

“We can both hop up on Rambo if you like,” Logan said. “He’s stronger than any horse.”

Lucy seemed a little surprised, but open to the suggestion. “If you’re sure…” she said, hesitantly.

“C’mere,” Logan said, and he helped her up onto Rambo’s back before hopping up behind her. Lucy wore her rucksack on her front so as to keep it out of Logan’s way.

As soon as he had mounted Rambo, Logan had begun to regret offering to ride together. Pressed up this tightly to Lucy - what was he thinking? He could feel the warmth emanating from her back, caught a whiff of the scent of the shampoo she used in her hair… he gave himself a little shake. It was too late to rescind the invitation now. 

They set off in the direction of the Northern Eufaulan desert. Logan’s arms brushed Lucy’s sides as he reached around her to hold Rambo’s reins. 

“So, uh, what d’ya need to gather?” He asked Lucy, as they rode together.

“Eh, a few herbs… I was wondering, though… have you ever killed a Bellwing Siren?”

“Sure, with my Pa. They’re tough beasts.”

“There’s one that’s particularly aggressive, out near the yakmel stop by the Outback. I’m afraid it’ll get close enough to attack the townsfolk one of these days.”

“Sounds like a job fer us, then.”

“Exactly. Thought two of us’d be better than one.”

“It’s a long way from here. You ready to hold on tight?”

Logan couldn’t see her face, but he could nonetheless sense her grin. “I’m ready,” she said.

“Hi-ya, Rambo!” Logan gave a squeeze of his legs and leaned forward in the saddle. Rambo took the hint and broke into a run. Lucy didn’t so much as flinch, and Logan was impressed by the seat she held. 

They raced across the desert, the warm air blowing in their faces. Lucy whooped with delight. “I’ve never ridden this fast!” She exclaimed.

“Rambo’s faster than any horse,” Logan said, proudly. 

“No wonder you were able to evade capture for so long.”

“I thought that was due to my dazzlin’ combat skills.”

Lucy laughed. “That helped, too.” 

They reached the yakmel stop. Logan dismounted first, then helped Lucy down. She stumbled a little as she attempted to stand, and Logan caught her around the waist. “Steady on,” he said.

“My legs are a little wobbly,” Lucy said. “There. I’m better now.” She stepped forward and Logan dropped his hands back down by his sides.

“Ready to find our prey?” He asked.

They didn’t have to look for long; the Bellwing Siren’s telltale bell-like rattle could soon be heard. They were aggressive creatures and at close range it had a nasty attack. Logan motioned to Lucy to keep at range and stay hidden. 

They both drew their guns. The Bellwing Siren resembled a rattlesnake with wings, making it a particularly tough target. Its thin body twisted through the air as it flew towards them. Logan took aim, fired, and missed. 

“Watch out!” Lucy yelled, as the Bellwing Siren suddenly lunged at him. Logan smoothly rolled out of its way.

For a few tense minutes, Logan and Lucy engaged in a dance of evasive manoeuvres with the monster, its erratic flying making its movements difficult to predict. Then Logan managed to distract it long enough for Lucy to take careful aim and fire. The Bellwing Siren fell to the ground, shot clean through the head.

“Great shot, Luce,” Logan said, admiringly. 

Lucy grinned. “Couldn’t have done it without you,” she said. “You’re very quick on your feet.”

Logan glanced up at the sky. From the sun’s position, it was already past noon. “We’d best be headin’ back,” he said, reluctantly. “By the time we arrive back in town it’ll be time for dinner, an’ I promised Haru I’d help with Andy.”

Lucy nodded. “We’ll have a quick lunch first, yeah?”

After they had eaten, they had a more leisurely ride back into Sandrock. Lucy chatted about the progress they’d made with the road to Portia, and how the tunnel through the mountains was nearing completion. She also asked how Andy was settling into Logan’s house.

“He’s enjoyin’ the gang bein’ back together,” Logan said, “though I think he misses havin’ his own room. He’s sharing with me, like I used to with my Pa, while Haru has the other.”

“Perhaps you could eventually expand your house,” Lucy said. “And how are you settling back in?”

Logan tensed at her words. No one else had bothered to ask him how it felt to return to the town that had viewed him as a mortal enemy for over two years. How it felt to be amongst people he had once considered as close as family, who had then disowned him and feared him. 

“It’s bin tough,” he admitted. “It’s… strange. So much is the same as it ever was, yet so much has changed, too… it’s easier bein’ around people like you, an’ Grace, an’ Qi - people who moved in after we left.” 

Lucy nodded. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must be,” she said. “You’re always welcome around mine if you need to escape. Andy and Haru too, of course.” 

“Thank you… I’m sure Andy’d especially be happy to hear that. He loves yer cookin’. Rambo’d be happy, too. He always stops to ask an’ visit whenever we go by your place, don’t you, Rambo?” 

Rambo bleated in agreement.

“He’s a smart goat, aren’t you, Rambo?” Lucy leaned forward and patted his neck.

“Well… here we are,” Logan said, as they drew up outside Lucy’s house. “Thanks fer today, Luce. Not sure if that really counted as community service, but I had fun.”

“Better community service than sweeping Arvio’s porch - or whatever it was you were doing the other night!” Lucy exclaimed. “We removed a monster that could’ve really harmed someone.” She climbed down from Rambo. “I had fun, too. Say hi to Andy and Haru for me.”

“Will do.” Logan tipped his hat at her, then rode off in the direction of his house. 

Chapter Text

The tunnel through the mountains, that separated Sandrock from the Southern Eufaula, had been completed. However, the road to Portia project had encountered a dangerous obstacle; the tunnel was currently occupied by a giant sandworm, plus several other monsters attracted by the noise all the construction had generated. Elsie, taking inspiration from Howlett’s diaries, had suggested that giant whistles be suspended from the tunnel’s ceiling. The wind rushing through the tunnel would activate the whistles, generating a sound to drive the monsters away. Logan had to admit it was an ingenious plan, and Lucy was currently working hard on constructing the whistles, which meant Logan hadn’t seen her in a few days. 

Logan returned home from yet another day of community service. He had stopped by the Blue Moon on his way to pick up dinner. Andy ran to greet him when Logan opened the front door. 

“Hey kid. Haru home, too?”

“He’s been holed up in his room,” Andy said. “I’m bored.”

“Well, it’s time to eat. Here.” Logan handed him the bags of food. “I’ll go check on Haru.”

He climbed the stairs and knocked on Haru’s door, before opening it and stepping inside. Haru was sitting at his desk, furiously scribbling away, either not hearing Logan or ignoring him entirely. 

“...Haru? Brother?” Logan said.

Haru jumped. “Logan! You scared me,” he said. “Sorry. Guess I was a little carried away…”

“What’re you writin’?”

Haru turned around, a sheepish expression upon his face. “Er… my admission essay for Atara U,” he said.

“You decided, then?”

“Yeah. Heidi helped convince me.” Haru scratched the back of his neck. “The new term starts soon and ordinarily they wouldn’t be accepting admissions this late, but Trudy wrote me a letter of recommendation, so they promised they’d review my application… provided I send it by tomorrow.”

“Ah, hence the urgency. Won’t disturb ya, then. But I did bring home dinner, so don’t forget to eat.” Logan turned to leave, then spun back around. “So, uh, when does the new term start, exactly?”

Haru wouldn’t meet Logan’s eyes. “End of next week…”

“So soon?”

“I’m really sorry, Logan… it was either now or wait another year…”

“No, no, yer right to apply now,” Logan said. “I said I support you, and I do. We’ll talk more tomorrow. You’ve yer writin’ to do.”

He turned back around and closed the door behind him before heading back down the stairs.

Logan and Andy had just finished eating when there was a knock on the door. Logan opened it to see Elsie standing there.

“Evenin’, Else.”

“Logan! Come to the Blue Moon with me. You’ve been hidin’ from us all week! We all wanna talk to ya!”

“I can’t, Else. Andy-”

“Aw, c’mon, Logan! Toss Andy a few Gols an’ send him over to the arcade!”

“Yeah!” Andy interjected.

“Just for a drink or two. It don’t have to be all night,” Elsie added.

Logan knew how tenacious Elsie could be. He wasn’t going to be worming his way out of this one. “Fine. Two drinks,” he said. “Here you go, Andy.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a handful of coins to hand to the boy. “Be back by nine, y’hear?”

“You ain’t gotta worry ‘bout me! Go an’ have yer fun, Logan,” Andy said, as he ran out of the door.

Elsie and Logan walked over to the saloon. Inside they found Justice and Heidi sitting at a table, waiting for them.

“Told y’all I’d bring him,” Elsie said, proudly, as she and Logan slid onto the bench opposite the other two. 

Owen brought over a tray of drinks, then pulled up a chair and seated himself at the end of the table. “Logan! Glad to have you finally join us.”

“Yeah, it’s, uh… good to be back,” Logan said. “Evenin’ y’all.”

Everyone at the table was someone he had once considered kin. Heidi, whose parents, along with Elsie’s, had frequently looked after Logan when his Pa had been out monster hunting. She had been as much of a sister to him as Elsie, who was a decade younger and the baby of the group. Owen and Justice had been the older brothers, not that they’d always shown the maturity befitting their station.

“Is Haru looking after Andy tonight?” Owen asked. 

“Nah, he’s gotta write his essay for Atara U,” Logan said. “Andy’s off at the arcade, so I can’t stay too long. Kid’s cranky if he don’t get to bed on time.”

“Still can’t believe you ran off on us only to return a family man.”

“Yeah, well, I ain’t quite believe it either. But Andy’s a good kid. Bein’ a father to him when I’d just lost mine… well, I like to think it’s helped us both.”

“He’s a smart boy,” Heidi said. “A bit of a handful, mind you, but hard to blame him with all that’s been going on. Now that you’re back in town, he’ll hopefully have a little more stability in his life.”

“Yeah.” Logan took a swig of his drink.

For a while they all drank and caught up on each other’s lives. Then, when Logan was finally starting to relax, Justice came in with a knife to the jugular. “So, what’s the deal with you and Lucy, Lo? You two an item, or…?”

The whole table turned to look expectantly at Logan, who paused with his tankard lifted halfway to his mouth. He dropped his drink back down on the table with a thud.

“No. We ain’t an item.”

“Uh huh. So the ridin’ off on Rambo together into the desert last week, that was…?”

“Work,” Logan said, flatly. “We dispatched a monster that was posin’ a threat to the town.”

“She’s been spending a lot of time with you and Haru and Andy,” Owen pointed out.

“Sure. She was a part of the gang,” Logan replied, “at least fer a little while.”

“So there’s no interest there at all…?”

Logan took a sip of his drink to avoid answering. “What is this, a friendly get-together or an interrogation?” He demanded. 

Owen chuckled. “Relax, Lo,” he said. “You’re amongst friends. The whole town loves Lucy, we’d be happy to see the two of you together.”

Logan didn’t quite know how to reply to that. Fortunately his friends knew when not to push their luck, and the conversation turned to other matters.

Haru’s essay made it into the mail in time.

“Now to sit and wait for the telegram, I suppose,” he said.

“You’ll get in,” Logan said, confidently. “Say, you given any thought to what’ll happen to Merle?”

“I have, actually,” Haru said. “I was thinking of giving her to Lucy.”

“Lucy, huh? She certainly has the room.”

“Yes. And perhaps that way Merle and Rambo’ll be reunited in the future…?”

Logan sighed. “Why is everyone so desperate for me to be datin’ Lucy?”

“Why haven’t you asked her out?” Countered Haru. “Your community service is over. There’s nothing remaining in your way...”

Logan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and sighed. “When my Ma left my Pa… it wrecked him. He was a mess. He never did love another…”

“I know,” Haru said, softly. “But Lucy’s not-”

“That ain’t it. I ain’t worried about Lucy,” Logan said. “It’s jus’... I fear I’m like my Pa. That I’ll fall deep… no, I know I will. I don’t know if I’d know how to restrain myself. That once I hold her, I’ll never wanna let her go. An’ that intensity… it’d scare Lucy, I’m sure.”

“Oh, I see.” Haru was silent for a moment. Then he said, “I don’t think you need to worry there.”

“You don’t?” Logan queried.

“You and Lucy are a lot alike,” Haru said. “She’s impulsive and stubborn, too; haven’t you noticed? She may be better at handling you than you think.”

“Huh.” 

“So… you’ll ask her out?”

“Fine… but only after you leave. Andy an’ I gotta make the most of the time we have left with you.”

“If I leave.”

“I told you, yer leaving,” Logan said. 

Haru smiled. “You’d better write. I’ll want to hear all about it.”

“I shall.”

A few days later, Logan, Lucy, and Elsie were walking back from the southern mountains.

“I can’t believe we killed a mega tunnel worm!” Elsie exclaimed.

“You were awesome, Elsie, the way you just ran in there,” Lucy said, smiling at the younger woman. 

“I didn’t want to have to hurt anythin’...”

“I know. But you did the right thing, Else, and you did it well. My Pa would’ve been proud,” Logan said, patting Elsie on the shoulder. 

“And now the whistles are installed and working, hopefully the monsters’ll stay away,” Lucy said.

“What’ll happen next, do you know, Luce?”

“Wei’s hired a paving machine to lay the road,” Lucy said. “I expect Mi-an and I’ll be busy building the bus station. After that, well… I’m not sure. Having a bus running between Sandrock and Portia, it’s going to be opening up a lot of opportunities.”

Logan pondered Lucy’s words. It was staggering, really, the progress that Sandrock had made in such a short amount of time. The town had been slowly decaying all his life, and now it might actually be making something of itself. He felt immensely proud, yet he had to wonder what part he had to play in Sandrock’s future.

They reached the City Hall and debriefed Trudy and Heidi on their successful mission.

“I’m really proud of you all,” Trudy said. “Cheers to us!”

“To us!” Heidi echoed.

“To Sandrock!” Lucy added. She smiled at Logan as the other three women walked away.

“Was pretty swell huntin' down critters with you, Lucy,” Logan said. “Elsie pulled her weight, too. I'm not sure I'll ever think the same way about monster huntin' solo…”

“We made a pretty great team, didn’t we?” 

“That we did.”

“Did you ever check in on the Geegler?”

“Yeah, I swung by Fang’s clinic. He ain’t awake yet. But Fang said he’d call for me when he was.”

Lucy nodded. “Well… I guess I’d better get back to work.”

“Yer always working so hard, Luce. Don’t you ever take a day off?”

“Hopefully someday soon,” Lucy replied. “See you around, Logan.”

After watching Lucy leave, Logan called for Rambo, then rode out across the Shonash Bridge. The sun was sinking low in the sky, but there was enough daylight left for what he wanted to do.

He arrived at the old outpost, the one his Pa had used as a base when monster hunting in the Northern Eufaula. Its position afforded an expansive view of the desert, and was the ideal location from which to spot any impending threats to the town. Logan had been mulling over the idea of using it just as his father had, to serve as Sandrock’s protector.

He was relieved to see that the exterior of the outpost still looked reasonably sound. The siding desperately needed a new coat of paint, but the wood itself seemed solid. He opened up the door and stepped inside. A single room contained a bed, a weapons rack, a small stove, and a table and chairs. As with his house, everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and sand, but a deep clean and a few small repairs should see the place looking as good as new.

A feather duster lay on the table, and Logan decided this was as good a time as any to start cleaning. He took a step forward… and his boot went straight through the floorboard. Damn; evidently the place wasn’t in as good a condition as he thought. He very gingerly made his way back out, testing each floorboard carefully until he could be certain it would contain his weight. 

Perhaps this’d be a job for Lucy, though he hated to burden her. Still, she would be paid for her work. Logan realised he couldn’t afford to pay her, at least not what her labour was worth. If he could convince Trudy of the need to restore the outpost, though, then perhaps the city would cover the costs. 

Logan locked the door behind him and headed for home. 

“Logan. Logan! Haru got accepted!” Andy yelled, as Logan stepped through his front door.

“Told ya! Congratulations,” Logan said, drawing Haru into a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Logan,” Haru said. “Reality’s yet to sink in, though… goodness, there’s so much to do…” 

“We’ll help you, won’t we, Andy?”

“Course we will! We’re yer family!” Andy said, indignantly. “We should get the gang together, one last time, back at the ol’ hideout.”

“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea. Grace may be gone, but we can invite Lucy,” Logan said.

Haru smiled. “I’d like that.” 

“I’ll go ask Lucy tomorrow morning, then. Tonight, though, it’ll just be us.”

“Heh. He’s a tough kid. Didn’t look back,” Logan remarked to Lucy.

Haru had left; his train a diminishing speck in the distance. 

The gang’s final night together had been wonderful, although Andy had been appalled by Logan’s attempts at cooking. Lucy had insisted the food was delicious, but Andy didn’t believe her. She was obviously being polite for Logan’s sake.

Haru had given Merle to Lucy, much to Lucy’s delight. From where he stood on the station, Logan could see Merle’s white head, poking above the doors of the stables situated in Lucy’s yard. Lucy had prepared a gift for Haru, too; a pair of googles, to protect his eyes when conducting experiments at university. To no one’s surprise, Haru was channeling his years of experience in making fireworks, bombs, skin creams, and soaps into studying chemistry at Atara U.

They had reminisced on their time spent together, talking and telling stories as they had sat around the campfire. They had discussed their plans for the future, and Logan had urged Haru to make friends while at university, and not to spend all his time with his nose in his books.

Now Andy was bawling, and even Lucy was looking a little teary-eyed. Logan wanted to cry, too, but seeing the two of them caused him to rouse himself and blink away the tears. He could cry later; right now he had to be strong for Andy. First Grace, now Haru… the poor boy was no doubt feeling abandoned. 

“Sorry Luce, better run… I gotta try’n make this kid stop crying.”

“I understand.” Lucy stepped forward and bent down until she was on an eye level with Andy. “Hey. If you’d like to come by later, you can show me how to groom Merle, and I’ll bake us a cake,” she said.

“R-really?” Andy sniffed.

“I promise,” Lucy said, solemnly. 

That seemed to cheer Andy up a little, and his crying had ceased by the time he and Logan reached home. 

Chapter Text

The road to Portia was complete. Sandrock now had a regular supply of water being bussed in from Portia, which, in conjunction with the water Sandrock already received by train, helped alleviate some of the restrictions that had been placed upon the townsfolk. 

Logan was walking towards the ranch when Lucy rode by on Merle. He stopped to wave to her. “Mornin’!” He called.

“Good morning, Logan! Sorry, can’t stop!” She replied. “More commissions to deliver. Bye-e!”

He shook his head as he watched her leave. 

At the ranch, Elsie seemed happy to see him. “Howdy Logan! What brings yer over here?”

“Need help brainstormin’,” he said. “I’ve been thinkin’ about fixin’ up my Pa’s old outpost…”

“You have? I think it’s a great idea!” She said, warmly. “What’s stoppin’ you?”

“Well, the place’s pretty run down, it’ll cost a fair bit to repair it. That, an’... I could use a partner. The idea’d be to keep the outpost manned to keep an eye on the desert. That way we could thwart any monster attacks afore they threaten the town…”

Elsie’s eyes widened as she cottoned on to what Logan was saying. “You mean… yer want me to be yer partner? Heck yes!” She exclaimed. “But I ain’t no monster hunter.”

“I know,” Logan said. “I reckon yer skills are as valuable as mine. My Pa always did say that killin’ was the last resort of any decent hunter. If you can handle the monsters peacefully, well, that’s better fer everyone.”

Elsie grinned at him. “Well, jus’ look at us! Partners,” she said, extending her hand.

Logan shook it. “Thanks, Else. It’ll be swell doin’ business with you.” 

“Have you spoken to Trudy about it?”

“Not yet, that’s the next step,” Logan said. “First was makin’ sure you were on board. Second step is I need to figure out exactly what it is I wanna do. Obviously there’s repairin’ the shack, but I reckon I’ll need some kind of lookout feature, too…”

By the end of the morning, Logan and Elsie had formulated a basic plan for Logan to present to Mayor Trudy. Logan returned to his house feeling happier than he had in a long while; he finally had a plan to help Sandrock while earning an income again. Logan hated having to think about money. He never wanted much for himself, but now he had Andy to think about, and Haru, too. He’d found his Pa’s savings upon moving back into the house, but had given most of it to Haru for Haru’s university tuition, and now funds were beginning to run low.

If Logan had expected Lucy to be less busy now that the road to Portia had been built, then he was very sorely mistaken. To the contrary, there were larger plans in development than Sandrock had seen in decades. The town was no longer struggling to merely survive, and now the townsfolk could look towards the future, finally able to bring their hopes and dreams to fruition. 

Yet in between helping to construct a new school, plant more trees, and construct an irrigation tower for the new forest in the Eufaulan Outback, Lucy had somehow managed to find the time to repair Logan’s outpost. The shack had a brand new floor and a fresh coat of paint, and next to it Lucy had built a lookout tower, from which Logan or Elsie could sit and survey the desert. 

Lucy had been compensated handsomely for her efforts, of course, but Logan still felt that he owed her more. 

He knew what Haru would say. Ask her out on a date already, Logan. But Logan wasn’t sure he knew how. Even when they had managed to exchange a few words, Lucy had been quiet and not her usual vivacious self. Logan was afraid that he had missed his window of opportunity, that Lucy was starting to lose any feelings she may have once had for him. 

So it was that on a Friday night, Logan found himself sequestered in the corner of the Blue Moon, staring down into a pint of ale.

“Excuse me… are you Logan?” A voice said. 

Logan looked up. “Who’s asking?”

A couple of men stood at the end of the table; Logan didn’t recognize them.

“We’re visitors around these parts,” one of the men said. “My name’s Nate, and this here is my brother Oscar. We’ve travelled down from Atara.”

“Ah. Yeah, I’m Logan. How may I help you?”

Nate looked a little nervous. “See… we were out exploring the Northern Eufaula - it’s quite spectacular; I’ve always held a fascination for the desert - when we came across a man who looked as if he’d been scared witless. He screamed at us to stay away from the southern caves, said they were occupied by the bandit Logan and his gang, and that everyone should beware. That didn’t seem quite right to us; we’ve been following your exploits in the papers, and as far as we were aware, you’ve been quite the hero as of late! Sure enough, we come in here and ask about you, and we get told you’re living happily within the town.”

“That’s right, I am,” Logan frowned. 

“So, see, we wanted to warn you that someone’s been impersonating you,” Oscar said. “Using your name to block tourists like ourselves from exploring the caves. Pity, really, I’ve heard they’re quite spectacular…”

Logan sighed. “I’m much obliged to you for the information, gentlemen,” he said. “Rest assured whoever’s in those caves is in no way associated with me or with any of my friends. I’ll see to it that they’re dealt with.”

When Nate and Oscar had left, Logan leant back in his seat, tilted his hat down onto his face, and pondered over the situation. It could be nothing, or it could be real bandits, in which case he could be in for a proper battle. Logan wasn’t certain that he wished to drag the Civil Corps into his business, but it would be prudent to bring along backup…

Lucy. She was the toughest fighter in town now that Grace had left. No, he was being cruel even thinking of inviting her along; she was so busy these days. Then again, perhaps she’d appreciate the change of scenery. He’d watched her fight; he knew she derived almost as much pleasure from the thrill of combat as he himself did. 

Logan decided that, at the very least, there was no harm in asking her if she wished to tag along. He’d place the ball in her court; if she said no, he’d call in the Civil Corps or deal with the bandits alone. If she said yes, then they’d have the opportunity to spend some time together without her commissions to distract her. Then, if she seemed receptive to it, he’d ask her on a date as a thank you for her assistance. 

He tipped his hat back onto his head, downed the rest of his drink, and got up from his table. Then, having settled his tab at the bar, he headed back home to put Andy to bed.

Logan was awoken by a sharp shooting pain radiating from his left shoulder. His head was throbbing and his mouth felt dry. With some effort, he managed to prop himself up on his right elbow and squint into the dimly-lit room. Someone had left a glass of water on the bedside table, and Logan reached for it now, relishing the sensation as the cool liquid trickled down the back of his throat. His thirst satiated, he collapsed back upon the bed and fell back asleep.

He opened his eyes again. His shoulder still ached, but his head had thankfully ceased to throb. Turning his head to one side, he could see the outline of Andy huddled under the blankets on the bed on the other side of the room. From the soft, snoring sounds he was hearing, Logan deduced that Andy was fast asleep.

The moon shone brightly through the gap in the curtains, bathing the room in a soft glow. As Logan took in his surroundings, he realised he had no memory of getting into bed, nor did he have any idea how long he’d been asleep. In fact, he wasn’t even certain what day it was. 

He stared up the ceiling, trying to recall what he remembered happening last. Lucy… that was right, he’d been with Lucy.

They’d started their day by meeting at the outpost. Logan had been happy to see that Lucy had returned to her usual effervescent self, greeting him with a wide smile, and joking about getting to dispatch the ‘fake Logan’. She’d seemed more excited than he was, even. He hadn’t been relishing the idea of running up against real bandits, especially ones stupid enough to be using his name.

Fortunately the ‘bandits’ had turned out to be merely a couple of nobodies from Haru’s hometown. Logan hadn’t even had to draw his dagger in order to send them running; a few harsh words had been all that was needed. He and Lucy had shared a good giggle at their expense.

What had happened after that, though, Logan was struggling to recollect. They’d continued to explore the caves, but he wasn’t sure why.

He groaned as the sharp pain in his shoulder returned. Evidently he’d injured himself somehow… he gingerly palpated his shoulder with his good hand. He could feel, beneath his shirt, that someone had bandaged his shoulder and chest; was it Lucy? Or Fang? Had he been shirtless in front of Lucy? It would be cruel if he had and he didn’t remember it. 

He needed more water. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and, using the bedside table to help stabilise himself, he carefully stood up. Once he felt certain that he wasn’t likely to faint, he walked over to his kitchen and poured himself another glass of water.

It suddenly struck him. There’d been a mega tunnel worm trapped deep within the caves. That was why they’d soldiered on; they couldn’t leave it trapped there for unwitting tourists to discover. Lucy had run up to meet it, but in her haste she had triggered a trap… Logan had pushed her out of harm’s way, only to take an arrow to the shoulder. 

Had they killed the worm? Logan presumed so, if he was home safe and sound. He couldn’t have been much help, stumbling around while badly wounded. Lucy was an impressive fighter, but to have defeated a mega tunnel worm solo, well, Owen would no doubt love to tell that tale at one of his Saturday night live performances at the Blue Moon.

Logan returned to his bedroom. It was then he noticed the sheet of paper that lay on the bedside table, pinned there by the glass of water he’d drunk earlier.

Logan,

Sorry I had to leave you, but I needed to return home to feed the animals. You were sleeping soundly, anyway, so I thought it best I leave you to rest and heal.

I made Andy dinner and made sure he brushed his teeth afterwards. I told him not to stay up too late. Hopefully he went to bed without making too much noise.

Fang said the arrow was poisoned. He treated your wound and gave you medicine, and he didn’t seem overly worried, so I’m crossing my fingers that he’s right and that you’ll make a swift recovery. 

You’ve asked me to stop by tomorrow morning with more medicine, so I’ll swing by first thing. 

I feel terrible that you’re hurt because of me. I’ve never felt so scared as when you collapsed on the ground in front of me. You’re going to have to let me know how I can make it up to you…

See you tomorrow.

Lucy xxx

Lucy’s handwriting was so even and elegant. Logan didn’t think he had ever seen such beautiful penmanship. 

He read the letter several times before placing it back down on the table. He felt guilty that he’d caused Lucy so much worry, yet he also felt a small thrill at the thought that seeing him hurt had been so scary for her. That indicated that she really cared for him. 

She was silly to think she had anything to make up for. He should be the one apologising; what had he been thinking, dragging her into yet another battle with a mega tunnel worm? If Haru or Grace were still around they’d be yelling at him for being so stupid. A date’s something like dinner at the Blue Moon, Logan, not going spelunking in a cave full of monsters. 

Still, there was no turning back time now. Lucy would be by in a few hours and they could talk more then. Best to try and sleep some more. Logan climbed back into bed and closed his eyes. 

Andy shook Logan awake the next morning.

“Logan? I gotta go to school… you gonna be okay?”

Logan rubbed his eyes with his right hand and opened them. Andy stood by the bed, gazing down at Logan with a worried expression upon his face. He was fully dressed, and he’d even brushed his hair.

“Hi, kid. Yeah, I’ll be jus’ fine,” Logan said. “You go to school. I’ll see you later.”

Andy nodded. He didn’t move, though. He stared at Logan for a few seconds more, then he flung himself on top of Logan and began to bawl. “I thought you might d-die!” He sobbed. “You can’t leave me, Logan! Everyone else has left me. Haru, Grace… my parents… you gotta stay! You’re the only family I have!”

“Oh, Andy…” Logan gently rubbed the boy’s back. “I promise you, I ain’t leavin’ you. I ain’t ever goin’ to leave you…”

He felt Andy nod his head. The boy’s sobs eventually quietened, and he stood back up, sniffing loudly. “Alright. I’ll believe you.”

“Good lad. Run along, now, or else you’ll be late.”

Andy nodded again, then left the room.

Logan hauled himself out of bed. He did feel considerably better, though his shoulder still ached. He removed his shirt, then walked into the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror. He was a good colour, at least, and he looked more refreshed than he actually felt. Aside from his shoulder wound he had no other cuts or bruises. 

He tugged the bandages to one side to take a look at the wound. It didn’t seem terrible; if he could pack it with more of Fang’s medicine it’d no doubt heal nicely. He was about to apply more medicine when a naughty thought occurred to him. What if he asked Lucy to apply the medicine? 

She’d been flirting with him yesterday, he was sure of it. Then there was the letter she’d left… He imagined her soft, warm hands massaging the medicine into his shoulder. How he’d be able to breathe in her scent as she leaned in close. He wondered if she’d like what she would see; Logan might be stupid at times, but he wasn’t completely oblivious. He knew he had a good physique, one that most people would consider attractive. Hopefully Lucy was one of those people.

Before he could change his mind, he headed down the stairs, leaving his shirt on the bathroom floor. He took a seat opposite the front door and waited. He shifted positions a few times, hoping to find the best angle to present to Lucy.

The door opened. “Good morning,” Lucy said, as she stepped inside. She smiled at him, and Logan could sense that she was doing her best not to stare.

“Hey, you came!” He said. “I gotta put on some medicine, but I can’t quite reach… can you gimme a hand?”

Lucy hesitated for a second, then walked forward and stood in front of him. She opened Fang’s medicine, then gently pulled his bandage to one side, and began to rub the medicine into his wound.

Logan watched her face as she worked. She was avoiding making eye contact with him. This close, he could see each individual eyelash that framed her luminous eyes. She bit her lip and her brow furrowed as she concentrated on applying the medicine.

She finally finished. She patted the bandage back into place, then took a step back.

Logan could no longer resist her. He caught a hold of her hand. “Don’t go…” he said, his voice low.

He pulled her in towards him and kissed her.

Her lips were so soft and full. He felt her briefly tense, then relax into the kiss. Then, seeing as she wasn’t pulling away, he parted her lips with his tongue and deepened the kiss. It was better than he could have ever imagined. The sensation was electric; he felt his body stirring in response to hers, and Lucy seemed to feel the same, because she was leaning in now, pressing in against him, her breasts brushing up against his bandages… 

She suddenly pulled away and took a step back. Logan stood up, afraid that she was regretting the moment.

“Sorry... I've just been picturin' this over an' over,” he said, “Whatever I do out there, you never leave my mind. An' I'm serious, this ain't some fleetin' fancy. So that... jus' now... I meant it.”

Lucy stared at him. “Why are you apologising?”

“You pulled away, I thought-”

“I was afraid I was hurting you. I didn’t hurt you?”

“No, no… not at all…”

Lucy visibly relaxed. The weight of his words seemed to sink in because she said next, “what do you mean, you meant it?”

“Yeah... I mean it. I like you, I wanna be with you. Everythin' I do now, it's with you in my heart. So…” Logan stepped towards her. “Whaddya say... partner?” 

A smile played upon Lucy’s lips. “Did you forget? I've liked you since I first laid eyes on you! Of course I want to be with you!”

“I ain’t forgot!” Logan said. As if he could have ever forgotten Lucy’s words to him, all those months ago, the first time they had properly met. “I mean, I was a little taken aback when you first said it…” Because he’d felt the same way about her, hadn’t he? He wondered what might have happened if he’d responded to her in kind, all those months back. “Maybe I'm jus' a fool... made you wait all this time. I ain’t never gonna make you wait again.”

“Is that a promise?”

By way of a response, Logan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for another kiss. “I promise,” he mumbled against her lips. 

Eventually they had to break apart for air. 

“That was…” Lucy hesitated.

“Amazin’?” Logan suggested, hopefully.

“I was going to say intense. But yes, it was amazing, wonderful…” Lucy looked a little shy. “So… are we dating now? I can call you my… boyfriend?”

Hearing her say that word made Logan feel a little strange inside, but it was in no way an unpleasant sensation. He’d never been anyone’s boyfriend before. He’d never had a girlfriend. There had been many days when he’d never expected to ever have a girlfriend; when he felt as if he had no future. 

“Yes… I’m yer boyfriend.”

The weight of those words were beginning to dawn on Logan. He’d have to tell Andy, and of course he’d have to write to Haru. The whole of Sandrock would no doubt hear the news soon - there was no keeping a secret in a town of this size. Logan was already dreading the reaction they’d receive; all the staring, the endless congratulations, the inquiries as to when they’d be getting married… the townsfolk were always desperate for another wedding. Ah well, so long as Lucy was by his side, Logan felt as if he could face anything or anyone. Nothing else mattered, so long as they were together.