Outlaws to the End (HotCider & heartofcourage)

The way that the man talked, Elizabeth could practically feel the pain in his voice. She watched him from her spot as he talked about how the world saw him and she felt badly for him. He was misunderstood, a man that was use to the con game, but obviously still had a heart.

He closed his eyes, completely at ease in the rattling, swaying death trap that the train car was. She didn’t know how he could be so relaxed after committing a robbery where violence was threatened. HE could have been killed, maimed, taken into custody…even the very thought of the excitement made her heart beat rapidly against her chest.

“I’m sorry I beat you with my apples.” She said as he mentioned sleep. Sleep…a foreign concept for her in unfamiliar places. It had taken her weeks before she’d been comfortable enough to even sleep through the night in her apartment.

When he spoke, she could almost imagine that he cared something for her. Moments earlier he was screaming at her that she was crazy and now he was talking about getting them a hotel room where she could bathe and have new clothes. Looking back on how she acted, she did suppose that it seemed a little crazy. Life with Stephen had made her that way.

She sighed softly as the quiet stretched between them and she turned her head to watch the passing scenery outside. It was growing colder and she shivered as her clothes stuck to her skin beneath his coat. She’d probably ruined it by now with the mud and water she’d soaked up in the cornfield.

Gathering her heels, she silently made her way across the car and settled in at his side, huddling against his warmth. She met his gaze as his eyes opened and he looked at her with a glance of confusion.

“I’m freezing.” She said, shivering even as the words left her lips and she huddled closer to him.

Elizabeth thought for a brief moment that she had made him angry as he stood from his spot. She watched as he dropped his pipe next to his bag and walked towards the train door. The pipe lay on its side, clattering with each jostle and jolt that the train took along the tracks. She reached out and picked it up, studying it for a moment before she turned her eyes back towards him.

The moon had risen into the inky blackness of the night and she could see his form outlined for a moment as he reached outside and tugged at the door to the car before it slid shut. The room instantly became warmer without the wind constantly blowing inside.

“Thank you.” She said softly, handing him back his pipe as he settled back against his sack.

A gasp left her lips as she felt his arm snake around her waist, drawing her across his chest like she weighed nothing at all. Dear Lord, he’s strong, she thought as she lay against his chest, her hands resting against the hard muscle of his body as he spread his coat out across their bodies.

Her body was tense, her eyes wide as he positioned her under she was cradled against him and his head was resting against the top of her head. Never in her life had she been in such an intimate setting with a man before and she could feel the blood pounding from her racing heart and settling in her cheeks.

She looked at him, startled, as he smiled at her in a friendly way and talked about introductions. No, she supposed they hadn’t been properly introduced.

“Elizabeth.” She said softly, her blue eyes studying his face intently now that they were so close. “Elizabeth Darrow.”

He wasn’t a dandy like Stephen, his face showing a life of hardship with deep lines etched into his handsome features. He smelled of pipe smoke and something else unnamed. She found that she enjoyed it much more than the cologne that Stephen practically bathed in.

A lazy smile crossed along his face and Elizabeth couldn’t help but return the expression. He was most definitely charm, but she had to remind herself that he was also a criminal and a thief. It was probably all an act put on to lull her into a sense of peace before he left her out on the side of the road.

His confession wasn’t so much of a shock to her. She figured that his real name wasn’t Harry. He would have been a fool to let his real name become knowledge if he wanted to continue to survive. He also seemed smug about admitting what his real name was. Ian. She liked that name and she found herself giggling softly at the satisfied look upon his face.

“I’m sorry to laugh, but I have no idea who you are.” She said, trying to wipe the smile from her face before she truly offended him.

Perhaps if she read the paper from time to time she would have heard about him. Perhaps if Stephen had bothered to actually have a conversation with her she would have known who he was. Surely her father and her brother, both newspaper editors, had heard of Ian Darcy, but in her world, he was a nobody.

“I assume that wasn’t your first heist, huh?” She asked, her body slowly relaxing over the top of his as they talked. “I mean, I assumed it was because you had to take a hostage and you let some crazy broad beat you with a sack of apples.”

It was ease to see that she had shocked him by saying that she didn’t know who he was. She gave him a smile and shook her head as he asked her the one question that she knew would follow her statement.

“Nope. Not a clue.” Elizabeth said, her smile spreading as she watched him laugh in with complete and total freedom. “Don’t know why it should matter much what I know though. I’ve been pretty sheltered in my life.”

When his laughter finally stopped her smiled at her and she felt her stomach do that strange little flip again. He might have been a thief and possibly crazy, but Elizabeth was quickly warming to the freedom and ease that he exuded when he moved and spoke. It was refreshing to not have to watch her words when she spoke to him or to restrain her emotions around another human being.

“A work of art.” She parroted the answer, listening to him describe a heist like it was the greatest thing in the world. Briefly she wondered if he’d ever robbed from a Collingwood bank. That would really make Stephen steam, she thought with a secretly pleased smile.

“Good, cause I don’t want to be anyone’s sidekick.” She said with a finality in her voice. “I’m not tied to anyone anymore and I intend to enjoy it.”

“Jump out of a train?” Elizabeth asked in a surprise gasp as he smiled broadly at her and closed his eyes. “No, no, no…jumping into a moving train is one thing, but jumping out is suicide!”

He seemed to find her reaction funny and Elizabeth found herself pouting as he grinned and ignored her words. She slapped her palm against his chest before she settled down for sleep in a huff. She relaxed against the warm body beneath her, sighing as her cheek came to rest against his chest.

Tucking one hand under her chin, she let out a deep breath and allowed her eyes to close. Ignoring the sound of the clattering and clanking car, she could hear the warm thud of his heart beneath her ear. The sound made a smile curl her lips and she squirmed against Ian to get more comfortable.

“Huh. You actually do have a heart.” She murmured as she yawned and drifted into the sleep that awaited her.

The sound of a crash woke Elizabeth from her slumber. Disoriented, she sat bolt upright, the sunlight pouring into the train car blinding her temporarily. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she spotted the outline of Ian standing in the door, looking out over God’s great creation.

For a moment, she had no idea where she was. Strike that, she knew she was on a train, but the circumstances of how she came to be lying on the floor of a box car, wrapped in his overcoat were almost lost on her. Then she remembered…

“Jump?” She squeaked out as he howled in excitement and made her way across he container to her. “There is no way!”

He was crazy. Absolutely, positively, certifiably insane. He also seemed to be enjoying the idea of such a daring escape. He almost looked like a young boy about to do something his mother had forbidden him to do. Her icy blue eyes stared up at him, trying to figure out what had gotten into him. Surely he didn’t mean they were going to jump from the train going this fast.

“Not even with you am I going to jump out of this train car!” Elizabeth crossed her arms over chest, a stubborn tilt of her chin telling him that she meant business.

Still...there was something about the idea that did make her heart beat just a little faster in excitement....

Elizabeth let out an indignant shriek as he yanked her from the floor. Her arms immediately looped around his neck as he cradled her in his arms like a newborn babe. A short dip back towards the ground and his bag of loot was in his hand as he carried her towards the open train door.

“Let me down!” She cried out as he held her out over the edge, the wind whipping her hair back into her face. “Ian!”

A death grip on his neck was all she could do as he smiled down at her with a cocky grin. Her eyes were wide, her breath coming in panicked gasps as he started to count down. She shook her head, her very voice leaving her as she let her legs down to touch the floor.

Kick him between the legs, she thought to herself. What good would that do? He was libel to shove her out the door and let her fend for herself. His right arm looped around her waist tightly, his gaze turning from her to an unknown spot outside.

As he continued counting, she noticed the wild look in his eyes. He was enjoying this! How was that even possible? They were two steps away from certain death and he was having the time of his life. She managed a peek over her shoulder at the ground wizzing past and she turned back to look at his chest immediately.

The number three sounded so loud in her ears and she distantly heard a scream as he launched them both from the train. Who was screaming? Oh, it was her. The ground came up to meet them with dizzying quickness and she closed her eyes tightly, her face burrowed against his chest.

The moment they hit the ground, she let out a yelp and held her breath as they tumbled down a short slope and into a ditch of thick grass. Her heart was racing so fast that she swore it would pound from her chest…and still he smiled at her. She looked over her shoulder to see the train heading off into the distance, the rattle on the tracks getting softer as time wore on.

Turning back to the man that was currently beneath her, she couldn’t help the short bark of laughter nor the smile that spread across her face.

“You are one crazy son of a bitch.” She said as he grinned at her. Vulgarity had always been frowned upon in her household, but there in the ditch with Ian it felt like the right thing to say.

His laughter was infectious and Elizabeth couldn’t help the giggle that left her own throat as he talked about the expression on her face when they jumped. Rolling her eyes as he sat up and announced that he was crazy in his own special way, she realized that she had a growing respect for the man that had punched her in the face just the day before.

He wasn’t pompous or self absorbed. He didn’t care about her looks or tell her that she was too skinny. He was playful and attentive. It was all strange, she thought as he pushed into the grass and rolled to his feet. He swaggered as he walked, a man that knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it.

“Well, since I’m a crazy broad, I suppose it’s poetic justice that I end up with the crazy bank robber.” She said as she pulled herself to her feet, brushing off the overcoat that he’d given her the night before.

Moving towards him, she looped her arm through his and looked up at his handsome features with a smile. “Come on. Let’s find the nearest town and I’ll let you buy me breakfast. I think I could eat a horse.”

Elizabeth glanced up towards Ian as he talked about finding a room somewhere. She gave him a little grin, knowing that her black eye must had sent him reeling. He might not have been above hitting a woman when the situation presented itself, but at least he had a conscience. Still, she couldn’t resist jabbing at him just a little bit.

“Make it a yellow dress and you might have a deal.” She said, her grin turning into a smile as she felt his arm release hers and curl around her back to pull her close to his side. “Maybe some bacon and eggs. Anything less and I’m showing the world your handy work.”

Their walk to the nearest town was in relative silence. Ian certainly knew what he was doing as he guided her along the back roads and alleyways until they came upon a nice little motel. She waited outside the manager’s office as he went to get them a room, the bag of loot held securely in her hands.

Glancing up the street, she thought about how quiet it was here. It was so unlike Chicago with its constant bustle and activity. She’d only been to the country a few times with Stephen as he made quick trips to his family home. She’d always enjoyed it and wanted to stay longer, but he would be quick to dash her back to the city, secured away in her little hovel.

She wondered if he had been to her apartment yet that day. Boy, he was going to be angry when he found her gone. Would he bother to find out the truth or would he just assumed that she’d left? Either way, she was in for a world of trouble. The very thought has her shivering as Ian exited the office with a key in hand.

“My hero.” She said, smiling as she pushed the sack of loot back into his hands and took the key without another word.

The little room they were in was tiny by standards, but clean and inviting. The twin bed was made up with a sturdy blanket, one meant for use and not for looks. Beside the bed were two side tables and a dresser dominated one wall. Distantly she heard the sound of a radio playing and knew that someone nearby must have been enjoying it.

“Before you go, do you think you can send a telegram to my brother? Just to let him know I’m alright?” She asked, looking at Ian as he closed the door behind them. “You can send it to my father’s newspaper. The Darrow Free Press in South Chicago. His name is Junior. Just sign it Lizzy and he’ll know.”

It would be a risk, she knew, but she at least wanted him to know that she was alright. He was her best friend, the one that always looked out for her. If anything, he would see it as a sign to protect her from Stephen’s wrath when and if it happened.

“Remember…bacon and eggs.” She said, giving Ian a look that meant business as she turned towards the tiny bathroom and the clean tub and towels. It was going to be heaven to get the muck and grime off her body and Elizabeth smiled to herself, very pleased with how her luck had turned out.

The moment the water was as hot as she could stand, Elizabeth sank beneath the surface with a relaxing sigh. The water rose over her naked body, skimming her chin as she relaxed back against the porcelain tub. This was pure heaven, she decided as her fingers gently skimming through the water.

A deep sigh left her lips as she thought about the turn of events that had led her to that tub. Ian was a mystery, but overall he had treated her kindly. Well, besides socking her in the eye when she tried to stop his getaway car. She smiled at the thought now, but at the time it had seemed less than humorous.

Sliding down beneath the surface of the water, she let the dirt and grime from her hair rinse free. Breaking the surface, she took in a deep gasping breath and settled back into her spot. Eyes closing, she listened to the silence and peacefully drifted off to sleep.

BANG-BANG-BANG!

Elizabeth jerked awake, the water cooling around her as she looked around to see the source of the noise. She frowned, looking down at her pruned hands as she heard the banging again. The door!

She jerked herself from the water, a towel in her hand as she made her way out of the bathroom and towards the room entrance. Pausing to put the towel around her body, she was still dripping wet as she unlocked the door and peeked outside.

Ian stood there, a dress in one hand and the food in the other. She gave him a sight smile, laughing as she noticed that the dress was indeed a yellow one. Stepping aside so that he could enter, she shut the door and relocked it.

“My hero.” She said with a laugh, her hand fisted above her breasts to keep the towel in place.

There was a breathless moment as Elizabeth realized just how intently Ian was staring at her in the gloomy little motel room. She glanced down and realized just how indecent she was and she felt her cheeks heat in a blush. Still, she knew that she should excuse herself back to the bathroom to dress, but something made her stay right where she was.

Let him look his fill, she thought to herself, another blush staining her cheeks as his eyes finally rose to find her eyes. She gave him a small smile as he extended his arm and offered her the sun dress.

“Wow.” She said, taking the yellow dress and looking it over. It was lovely, she thought. “You actually got me a yellow dress. Stephen never listened to what I wanted.”

She paused a long moment and looked back at Ian. “My fiancée. Well, I guess he isn’t my fiancée any longer.”

“Thank you.” Were the two simple words that burst forth and she turned to exit to the bathroom. “Oh, go ahead and eat. I’ll only be a minute. And save some for me!”

Holding the yellow dress at arm’s length, Elizabeth looked over the cheer fabric with a strange sensation rising in her chest. Ian had actually listened to what she had to say. Even more than that, he seemed to care about what she had to say. A soft sigh puffed from her lips as she brought the dress to her chest and she held it tightly, looking towards the closed door with a smile on her face.

Dropping the towel to the floor, she retrieved her undergarments and quickly pulled them on. Pushing her soiled clothing to the side with her foot, she pulled the dress on over her head, admiring the way that it fit her body for a long moment. It seemed that Ian had also paid attention to her body and the very thought made her blush.

Looking in the mirror above the sink, she took time to brush out her hair with her fingers, braiding the thick locks into a plait that hung over her shoulder like a coil of rope. The reflection of the woman that stared back was completely unlike the polished and prim girl that had left Chicago just a day before. She liked herself better this way, she thought as she turned to leave the bathroom.

Walking into the room, her bare feet barely made a sound as she made her way to the breakfast that had been sent for them. Her mouth watered at the sight of the spread and she ate with joy, her belly soon full with enough left over for Ian should he want it.

Her eyes traveled to Ian as he lay on the bed, his eyes closed and body relaxed. He looked so at ease that it was effortless. She wondered how his life had gone so wrong that he needed to rob banks for a living. Still, she couldn’t think of him as a bad man. He’d taken better care of her then Stephen, the man that she was suppose to love, ever did.

Standing, she made her way to the bed and leaned over his face, pressing her lips to his cheek and smiling down at him as his eyes slowly opened. “I just wanted to thank you again for the dress.”

“Sunshine, huh?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips as she stared down at him. “I guess it’s better than Crazy Broad. You could just call me Lizzy like any civilized person would.”

Ian was the kind of guy that always looked a bit tousled and looked damn fine at the same time. Elizabeth watched as he pushed his hand through his hair and continued to stare at her for a long moment, his eyes trailing over her body as he described to her their plans over the next day.

When he finally tore his eyes away from her, she couldn’t help but smile. It was a triumphant feeling to know that he saw her as an object of affection and not a trophy to be placed away in a pretty little cage. She raised her eyebrows at the mention of new clothes and a better hotel, a slow grin spreading across her features.

“I hope you don’t think I expect more clothes just because I’m a woman. Cause there’s one thing I’ll have you know and that’s I don’t give a damn what I’m wearing.” She said, laughing softly as he pulled out his pipe. “Those fancy threads I was wearing yesterday, that you ruined I might add, were from a former life. Elizabeth Darrow is a new woman.”

She waved him off as he mentioned going for a smoke. “Go ahead. Although I don’t promise the food will still be here when you get back.” She joked right back, a smile on her face as she took a seat on the bed in the spot that he’d just vacated.