Blood in the Dust

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt forced one leg to move and then the other, each step a forced effort that he no longer took for granted, each a miracle in it’s own as he made his way west and towards HER town.

“Damn, Why her town?” He cursed silently, his sweat beaded brow wrinkling as he thought it over again “And Why when I have a bum left arm?”

But the shootist knew he had no choice, just as he none when the rattler took his horse and he shot him, just as he had none when the canteen with his only water was punctured by the fall of the horse. Forty miles and all of it over the desert, two nights and a day if he did it right and were lucky to make it to the nearest town, HER town of all the luck.

Reinhardt wiped the stinging sweat out of his eyes, the motion pushing the well worn crowned hat backwards and revealing his gray eyes and black hair, letting the heat of the high noon sun bear down into his pain filled eyes. He stumbled, then caught himself knowing this far out yet the vultures overhead would be on him quickly and knowing he would rather shoot himself than allow that.

“Of all the bad cards dealt to me, this is the worst” He cursed again, forcing another step, then another, and another.

He wasn’t aware of when he fell, only it felt suddenly different, his bad arm throbbing as the sun bore down into his face from directly above. He had gone down and came to, not aware he had until the sun overhead was blocked out temporarily, the buzzards?

“Not this way, dammit” He growled, pawing at the second pistol on his hip and drawing it, the hammer cocked in habit as he raised it to the sun “Not NOW”

He should have heard the report of the 45, felt it recoil in his hand but instead he felt nothing, the sun blacked out again as his eyes swam, his vision failing as he thought he saw a familiar face.

“Not this way, dammit” He cursed for what he thought was the final time “Not THIS way”


.........................................................................................................

The part of the Marshall is reserved, others are invited to join once we've established a working plot. Please PM with your ideas before joining.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

I had been out all morning searching for a trail of the rustlers which took Mr. Devon's cattle last night, but no luck. I hated the desert and the heat, and I really was getting annoyed with the thieves. If I didn't shoot them on sight, they were going to wish I had! Irritated I spotted a lone figure walk and stumble in the distance.
"No way? Out here?" This guy or gal had to be wounded or lost or something. and no horse?! "Morons.." grumbling I swung Blacky around and headed on over to the colapsed carcus on the ground. Jumping down, I walked over cautiously.
"Hello?" I called out, but he only mumbled something incoherantly under his breath. I got close enough to lean over when He grabbed his gun! "Shit!" Jumping back as he waved it around, I reached out and jerked it from his fingers.
"Stupid! You want shot mister?!" I bent down again, searching him for any more weapons when I caught sight of his face.
"Well I'll be darned....Reinhardt! And in my neck of the woods.."
"No, not like this!" He grumbled but his eyes remained closed.
A quickly inspection showed he had been shot, his horse was missing and he happened to run across the only law for hundreds of miles.. I chuckled, I had myself a wanted man!
"Get up you bag of bones!" I kicked him in his buttock, but not too hard. I'd rather hurt this one while he was awake to feel it!
Tugging and pulling and dragging his ass up I finally got him on the saddle, with very little effort on his part.
"Damned men!" Damn them all, and this one more! Getting up behind him, I took the reins and kicked Blacky into motion...
Arriving into the small town, many heads turned to look up at the Marshall.
Imherited from my father this position,many wanted her to settle down and wed, but she had other plans. Her black stetson perched on her brow kept the sun off of her creamy complextion, but did not hide her features. Rebecca Williams stood just a few inches under six foot, deep red hair with a twinge of brown in it. Bright green eyes and a splash of freckles across the bridge of her nose, but those eyes took away her innocent look. They were hard eyes, eyes that had seen alot of death and misfortune. twenty-six, nearly seven, she was the Lawman in charge... Lawwoman actually.. Town hated it, but with a grand daddy Judge, a father that was Marshall and now her standings, she was there whether the town liked it or not.
"Pete! Get your ass over here and help me!" My Deputy came racing out to catch Reinhardt as I pushed him off.
"Becky! Wait..Oohf" He barely caught the falling man. Glaring up at her, he took the prisoner into the jail, dragging him inside and into the cell.
"Put his rotten ass on the floor, he can get onto the bunk on his own!" I barked out as I strolled inside, still handling his gun I had taken. My eyes brewed like a summer storm as I gazed at the sleeping man.
"You dont like him much do ya?" Pete asked.
"What gave that away?" I mumbled as i moved back towards the desk.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

The ground underneath felt different, harder somehow and the heat of the sun was less intense, though there was light.

I rolled and immediately regretted it for the pain in my left shoulder screamed at me in assurance I was still alive. My vision cleared and I knew where I was, the solid brick and mortar walls, the iron bars over the window and the doorway.

"Jail, and to top it off, HER jail" I cursed quietly, pulling myself to my feet with my good arm.

"Hey Pete?" I yelled down the hallway, leaning against the wall and telling myself it was better than being dead, not much, but better.

Pulling the bowl and pitcher out from under the cot where I had spotted it I poured water into the chipped and scarred surface as the deputy shambled down the hallway, tugging his hat down.



"Yer spose to call me DEPUTY" He scolded as he walked over and stopped in front of the bars. "Whatcha want?"

Looking up and over the rotund deputy I grinned, he was the same old Pete, maybe a few pounds heavier, but don't let that fool you. He was strong as a bear when he was angry and meaner.

"How about that 50 bucks you owe me from the last poker game?" I asked with another grin and watched his face fall.

"Awww, I thought you mighta forgot about that" He confessed honestly, pushing the ten gallon hat backwards and scratching his thinning hair.

"Well I figured if you paid me back I could buy us both breakfast and maybe a new shirt?" I explained watching his face.

Pete grinned and reached into his pocket, pulling out several denominations which he flipped though.

"I was just foolin, Reinhardt. I've got it right here and was holding it for you"

It was difficult to tell if he was joking or serious, his face was so innocent as he spoke and offered the bills to me.

"Tell you what, Send one of those boys that always hang around outside over to May's place and get us two house specials for breakfast. Promise him a handful of hard candy and have him get a shirt for me at the mercantile as well. Then I'll split what's left of the change with you"

The offer made Pete's face light up and I grinned in response as he hustled down the hall and then stopped.

"Uhhh, Reinhardt? It's past 6 in the evening?"

I laughed, the motion causing my chest to spasm and make me gasp, then replied to the worried man with the badge.

"Then get us a dinner and a breakfast each, ok?"

Pete grinned again all worry gone and disappeared, his voice ringing with importance as he relayed the instructions outside, the last coming to me clearly.

"And hurry it up, WE don't want no cold food!"

I grinned and sat up, carefully peeling off the shirt and looking down at the angry red hole in my shoulder, dabbing at it with the cool, damp cloth.

Minutes later the wound washed and bandaged with my old shirt our food arrived and Pete carried the steaming trays back to me, sliding them under the door in the slot cut for that purpose.

"Ya promised I keep half of the change?" He questioned and I grinned, nodding as he counted it out and split it, offering me my half thru the bars.

I rose and moved slowly, reaching for the greenbacks and then grabbing his wrist and pulling forward, my left hand reaching thru the bars and pulling his 44.

"Awww, Now what did ya do that for?" He questioned, looking down at the barrel pressed into his stomach as I let his hand loose.

"You know I don't like to eat alone, Pete" I replied sincerely "Now open the doors and call for the kid to bring all the food back here"

Pete sat on the opposing bunk as his food arrived and I dug into the still warm meal, moaning in delight at the biscuits, the steak, the eggs. Everything was just as I had remembered it, done to perfection. A fitting last meal for the doomed?

Pete had kept pace with me and we finished our second plate neck to neck, his offer of a cigar appreciated by me as I lit it up and leaned back, puffing at it slowly. The front door opened with a creaking groan, then slammed shut and Pete's eyes went wide, his face frozen with fear as the footsteps became louder and a familiar voice called out.

"Pete? Galldarn it Pete, Is everything ok?"

I grinned and leaned back, drawing a deep breath on the 5-cent cigar, looking thru the exhaled haze at the face I thought I had only dreamed of.

"Hello Rebecca, We were just finishing dinner and talking over old times"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Putting Blacky away took a little longer than I had expected. Mrs. Green lost her cat and of course I had to find the furry pain in the ass. Well it used to be furry, balding cats.. Shaking my head I made my way into the jail and stopped.
Pete was not at his post?
"PETE!" grumbling I moved back towards the holding cells. Pausing as I rounded the wooden brace, I spotted Pete and Reinhardt. Growling I eyed Reinhardt holding Pete's 45.
"You think a hostage will set your worthless hide free?" I laughed.
"I know you won't hurt Pete, and I'm not letting you out, even if the building starts on fire." I smirked and turned from the cells, walking to the desk and sitting down.
I watched Pete sweat it out, his gaze jumping between the two of us. We were two caged lions about to tear each other apart.. Only he was caged and I wasn't. I smiled broader, yeah.. my day was looking up rather nicely.
Kicking up my feet on the desk, I crossed my booted ankles and pulled out a cheeroot, lighting up and smirking yet some more.
"Pete you should know by now not to trust a low.... disgusting.. lying.. thievin' snake like this one..Tsk tsk.. I am ashamed to call you Deputy.." He paled a little, my temper was riled up for Pete being so stupid as to get near the prisoner!
I felt betrayal and hatred towards this man, complete and utter loathing! Lied to, used and discarded as if I never meant a thing to him! And all for the 'bigger money'! Card shark, gambler, womanizer, all of it and much much more! It took balls for this one to come back to my part of the world.. His last mistake.. When the judge came through, he'd hang.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I grinned at Pete's discomfort as the Marshall stomped back up the hallway, her jean's swaying enticingly as she moved angrily to her desk. Another creak and I knew she had made herself comfortable in the chair where she could see the door and hallway.

Motioning Pete to get up I followed him out the door and down the hall, watching the sweat roll off him as we grew closer to the door and HER.

"She's so damn hot she'll shoot thru me justa get to you" His voice quavered as he spoke over his shoulder. "Can't I just this once sit it out between you two?"

I grinned the statement bringing back better times, when the old man was still alive and Rebecca and I were rolling around in his barn, working up a sweat and scaring his prize stallion.

"She'll only shoot if I fire first and we both know that's NOT going to happen" I predicted softly, pushing him thru the door and facing her drawn gun.

Once in the office Pete made tracks for his smaller desk and cowered behind it and I reached for my new shirt on HER desk.

"Just like old times, Rebecca?" I asked, keeping my eyes on her and the barrel of her drawn pistol in case it rose to point at me. "Would you be a dear and help me with this shirt?"

I grinned as her eyes tore holes in my already wounded chest and shrugged, pulling the paper wrapped package open with my teeth and shaking it out. I knew I couldn't pull the shirt on or button it with the pistol in my hands and shrugged, turning and tossing the useless weapon to Pete's fumbling hands.

"You should keep it loaded, Pete" I chastised and pulled the shirt on, wincing slightly and then buttoning it, ignoring TWO pair of glaring eyes. Looking up the barrel of Rebecca's pistol was pointed unwavering at my chest, her eyes steady and serious. Too serious.

"Before you hang me we should have a long, serious talk, Marshall"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Oh he had some balls on him, strutting around as if nothing in the world was wrong. My gun aimed straight at him, I just gave him a questioning look.
"Back to your cell vermin.." I rose from my seat, my gun kept out of his reach. I knew his dirty little tricks, I wasn't falling for any of them this time around.
"You can talk til your face turns blue.. in your cell. Let's go." I pointed down the hallway back the way he came and waited. if I had to shoot him again, it wouldn't be a minor wound.
The past always seemed to come up and bite people on the ass, in his case it was no different.
"Come on Rein.. Don't have all day.. Let's go." I told Pete to stay where he was without turning to look at him. Rein was sneaky and smart, and still handsome. Didn't matter, he was a snake and I knew it.
I turned and followed him down the hall and back to the cell. Pushing him inside, I didn't shut the door but instead leaned against the bars and kept my gun trained on him. "Alright, what is it you wish to speak with me about?"

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

"How about one of your cheroots for old times Becky? Petes are good if you like the aftertaste of mile dung" I asked settling into a bunk and leaning against the cool wall as she slammed the barred door behind me and locked it with a satisfied smile. I received a glaring look as she fished into her top pocket and drew a lone cheroot out and flipeed it thru the bars onto the floor in front of me.

Ignoring it I chose instead to look over the face of someone I hadn't seen for too many years.

"You've changed Becky, grown up and harder, too hard if I read you right" I commented and watched the words punch thru her hard exterior for a fleeting second. Then the film returned and she was the tough, sober faced Marshall standing outside the bars.

I drew on the cigar Pete had given me and let the smoke roll over my tongue before pursing my lips and letting several small rings escape them, still looking at Rebecca and knowing what my fate was if it were left up to her.

"You can hate me till the cows come home, Becky. Curse me for making the decision not to stay in this one horse town and not follow you around. Either way we would have grown to hate each other. But I wouldn't forget my own sister and leave her to the wolves if I were you. Now call the circuit judge on that new fangled telegraph and lets get this over with. I may hang but at least I won't die of boredom."

If Rebecca wanted to be the Marshall I'd let her and forget the reason I rode back into HER county and had my horse shot out from under me, then took a bullet rather than stay and fight.

I shrugged mentally knowing that I had made a mistake and had paid for it, and accepted it optimistically. You win a few, you lose a few. Unless you sat down across the table for a hand of poker with me, and like the game of cards I always made sure I held an ace in the hole.

"I left knowing if I stayed someday we'd be facing each other on the street, and from the days we practiced with those old pistols behind your fathers barn I knew the chances were too close, for both of us."

It was true, besides making the animals in the barns skittish we both had a flare for handling a brace of pistols and had proved thru repititous mock battles and target practices on empty cans and bottles we were equal, neither being able to beat the other two days in a row.

"We're both killers Becky, I chose one side of the street to walk on, you the other. But I'd never turn my back on an old friend, or a brother, or sister"

I dropped my eyes, knowing the jibes would probably cost me before she was done with me but not caring, a trait I had stayed alive by adhering to and was paying for already by ignoring. Pulling another huge draw from the rancid and barely tolerable cigar I smiled at it as I pulled it from my lips and let the smoke curl around it.

If you were given dung, you let it cure with time and smoke it when it was ready, it was the same with most people. The only question was did I have enough time to let Rebecca cure before it was too late for her own flesh and blood.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:


"Don't go lecturing me on that one Rien." I warned with a deadly purr in my voice. I was more than happy to shoot him without batting an eye lash for his sorry ass.
"My father tossed her ass out for being a harlot.. It did not matter what I said or did to try and smooth things over.. If you had been a REAL man you would have stayed and made right the wrongs you did to my family." I fumed brighter and hotter with digging up old bones.. Bones that should have been left well alone.
"Christin is responcible for her own bed, she made it.. she lays in it.. And you had no trouble lying in it did you?" I smirked a little.
"Betrayed and with my own sister.. Oh but then you turned the tables didn't ya?" I pushed from the bars and began to pace back and forth, slowly, almost like a preditory cat with a fat mouse cornered.
"Left her here pregnant with your bastard.. Then she was tossed out.. Living in town for a month before she ran off to Boston. I send her money when I can, but lucky for you.. She lost the babe.." I paused in the doorway, glancing back.
"You can lay on the guilt all you like, but the guilty party here is the one in that cell... You Rein." I vanished through the door way but stood outside in the hallway shaking a little. Anger still forging through my veins I wanted to strangle him with my bare hands! So bored, he left.. but only after sleeping with my little sister and putting a rift between us that could never be mended.. A rift between father and daughter as well that could not be fixed since the old man died.. And he has the balls to come back here blaming it all on me!? I oughta shoot him just for that, but no where vital.. just enough to make him limp the rest of his life! I moved down the hall and barked out at Pete, "Get some food for us and the low life in the other room.. I'll take tonight's watch since you obviously can't manage that!"
"Awwww becky..."
"MOVE!" I wasn't listening to any of his crap tonight.
"I reckon you's gist angry for a spell 'n then it'll wear off..."
"Pete... don't make me shoot you too... go get dinner." I turned and sat at my desk, hearing Rein snickering in the other room.
"Dont push it Rein, I have alot of good reasons to shoot you and none for keepin you alive!"

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I was wrong. She wasn't just harder looking, she was hard, period.

The words and the hate she had built up were more than enough proof and if you couldn't hear it in her venom coated voice you could see it in her eyes.

She was partially right in her accusations. I had left the jerk water town behind, turning my back on the people that had been my entire life. It was no use arguing with her, the temper had grown as had the package around it.

I bent and picked up the cheroot as she walked away, smelling it and sliding it into the pocket of my fresh shirt, half listening to her words. And then the accusations became clear.



I was the father of a dead infant and the cause of her sister leaving?

It didn't matter what she said, I told myself. It DIDN'T matter.

I leaned against the cool wall and began to trace the cracks in the walls, shutting out the world outside as I sucked on Pete's cigar. Suddenly it didn't taste so damn bad.

I drew the last of the cigar into my lungs, the heat nearly blistering my lips as it burned towards them, then pulled it from my lips and tossed it to the hallway outside.

"There is one GOOD reason for keeping me alive, Marshall" I retorted as her blistering words stopped. "I maybe the only way your SISTER lives to see the next full moon"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

"Alive?" I didn't want to listen to him spouting his shit and lies, but something in those words caught me. What if he wasn't lying? What if he was? What if's were a damned bitch at times..

Standing I walked back towards the cell and stood, waiting for an explanation. "Alright, what is this business with my sister, and I am warning you.. Lie to me Rein and I will cut your heart out!" I stood waiting, my eyes watching his carefully for any signs of lies.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

"For Now" I let the words hang as I slid my hand up and pushed the once proud hat backwards, letting her get a clear view of my face. I had her attention now and knew it was a one time chance with her. Standing slowly I let the kinks work themselves from my back and legs before moving towards the bars and stopping an arms reach from them.

"Did you think me returning in such a beat up condition was an accident? I was supposed to be the meesenger boy for a ransome note. Only problem was I balked when I found out who the pigeon was and got shot for it. I figured I owed you that much for the past good times we had together"

I dug into my jeans pocket and pulled a kerchief from it, then clumsily unwrapped it and bent to pick up the broken necklace that fell to the floor.

"I was given this as proof and told you were to agree to thier demands in six days, or they would send her into town face down over a horse. But not before they had thier fun with her"

I had an idea what the demands were from the crude jokes that had floated over the camp fires while I was there but was more concerned as to the reaction of the Marshall as she gripped the bars of my cell. Times had changed here and I was still reeling from her last bombshell. Her face had grown unreadable, her eyes dark and dangerous as she stared right through me.

"That was three days ago" I stated gently "It took me half of that to get here on foot"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

It was hard enough being a woman in this position and being mocked all the time, but now this? I was trembling a little with the pent up fury I felt brewing inside.
"What are their demands?" I mumbled as I thought, where? Where could they be holding her a few days from here and how fast could I get a posse together to save my sister's wayward ass once again?
I glanced up and caught Rein staring at me and shook my head, "What in the world would they take the sister of a marshall for?! Public servants are always the poorest in the damned country!" I was in a full blown fume now. Pushing from the bars I paced back and forth, "Alright, tell me what you know Rein.." I had to think, clearly on this..

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I had thought about little else for three days, little else except survival and how to get the Marshall's sister from the gang in the hills. But I knew better than to blurt out what I knew, much better.

"Look Marshall, I could tell tou exactly where she was and it would do you no good. You would try to ride in there with the toughest bunch of cowpokes you could find and would be slaughtered. Then Bull would have what he wants anyways and your sister would die as well."

I had decided to tell her enough, then make my own demands, to do what I had set out for in the beginning.

"The man who has your sister is Bull Tabor. I know you know who he is, he has paper on him since he was nineteen and his trail has been a litter of dead bodies, towns nearly burned to the ground and derailed trains. He was responsible for the Great Northern derailment last year, the one that killed eighty two people when it went into that ravine? Well Bull and his men were waiting at the end of the ravine and looted that train, not once offering help to the people trapped in that burning dining car. He has his entire gang with him and is holed up in a canyon. You even try to approach him with a large posse and his sentries will spot you and signal him. IF you were able to get pass the sentries they have the hills planted with dynamite, ready to cave in the walls on top of you. And lets say you made it past the landslides, you would arrive to find her dead and the gang gone out of several of the back trails that lead in and out of the canyon. You would have accomplished nothing except ensuring her death"

I was tempted to move closer to the bars but the look in her eyes was enough to warn me off. They had grown cold, hard and empty, a look I had seen once before and cared not to see again.

"What Bull wants is for you to take a vacation" I continued "Ride off and away from this town for two weeks. Leave the town open to him and his men to sack. In return he'll leave you two things. One is your sister alive when the time is up, the second is his promise he won't burn the town to the ground before he leaves."

The news of his demands had hit hard, Rebecca's face had gone pale, her knuckles white as she gripped the bars so hard I could see her short nails cut into the palms of her hands.

And now it was my turn to make demands. My turn to tell the Marshall what I wanted and offer her a deal in return.

"I want you to release me, set me free with my guns, food and a pair of good horses. I can make it back there in less than a day and a half by switching mounts. They'll be expecting me to bring back the news to them, regardless of the fact they plugged me. It will give me a chance to get close enough to Bull to drop him and free your sister. She can get free thru the trail she wandered into the canyon with. Then it doesn't matter. The gang won't have time to fight over who the new leader is and will leave, spreading out into the country side and ruining Bull's plans"

Rebecca's face had gone full circle, from pale white to bright red, her eyes wide and incredulous, then back to a pale shade again as she collected herself and spit out at me.

"Why the HELL should I let you step out of this cell alive?"

And I gave her the answer, the one I knew she wouldn't argue with, despite her past claims to losing her family.

"Because if you don't. No matter what else happens, in less than three days you will have sentenced your own sister to a terrible, slow death. And when Bull's gang have whetted thier appetite on her they'll come down on this town and make Gettysburg look like an afternoon picnic."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

There wasn't much I could say or do now but go along with it. I only had my sister left for family and I would not be the one responcible for her death! That worthless pile of shit was going to be sorry he ever messed with my family..
I had enough uncles and cousins in high enough places to make sure this one man, Bull.. Stupid name as well.. Paid for what he did.
"Alright, one of my own conditions.... I ride with you." i smiled a threatening smile, not at Rien... But with the thoughts of hurting this Bull personally.. For all the wrongs he has done across this country side.. Yeah he's pay.
"I will send Pete on a run to Denver for the circuit judge.. And we'll head out once he's gone.. No law in town as he requested.. And you Rien will find a good reason to have a woman along with you... Without giving away who I am." I turned to the hall and headed to the desk, hearing Rien spurt sputter and curse loudly.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I sat back down on the cot and waited, my mind organizing what I would need and how to get Rebecca into the outlaw’s camp. My guns, several horses and a pack mule, an extra mount for each of her sister and us, The list grew and I still hadn't come up with an alibi for Rebecca as she moved back down the hall, my holsters and twin 45's on her shoulders, her full breasts rising thru the X's the belts made like proud peaks. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her as she walked and lifted the belts, the motion pulling the shirt even tighter for a second. God she had a set of nice tits! Good enough to be a saloon girl!

"I've got the only cover that will work, Rebecca" I announced with a proud smile as I took the belts and put them on, wincing at the left arm reminding me.

We moved to the outer office as I checked each pistol and made sure both were loaded with live rounds, and then slid them gently into the oiled holsters. I wanted to be armed when I told her my idea

"The only way they will believe I brought you of my own free will and accept you, PLUS not recognize you is if I bring you dresses as a saloon girl from May's Saloon and I tell them you're my whore" I announced and backed up "Plus it MIGHT get you close enough to Bull to finish him off. Then you'd find out why he's called what he is"

I stepped out the door and into the fresh air, appreciating the freedom in case she changed her mind.

"I'm headed for the Doc, then the livery and will charge the mounts to the jail" I declared as I moved "I'll meet you at the mercantile where I'm getting the supplies and finding you a dress"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

I stuttered a moment, "a whore? A... A dress?! Are you mad?!" He ignored me and walked outside, telling me to get ready. Surely he wouldn't? But knowing Rein, he would.
Sighing, if it was what had to be done, so be it. Shaking my head, I called Pete in and asked him to go to Denver for the nearest judge.
"Find one and escort him back here please..." Pete said nothing, nor mentioned the empty cell, just nodded and left to pack. I did the same, locking up the jailhouse and heading to my own home. I packed only food supplies, bed roll and my horse. Leaving behind my badge I stared into the mirror a moment. I would need made up as well as a dress if I was to pull off this stupid farce.
Sighing, I met up with Rein at the merchantile.
"Well here I am.. What did you find?"

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

Time had passed quickly. Horses were ready, the pack mules load evenly distributed over both sides, all the supplies imaginable packed carefully away.

All that remained was the DRESS.

"I've chosen two for you to pick from" I replied suppresing a grin as I pointed to the clothes rack to her side. "Red or Green?"

I smiled as she turned and followed the direction of my pointing finger, finding the pair of sresses hanging side by side.

"The dress will be my present to you"

Both were daring to say the least, bared shoulders on one, the other a low, low cut in the front to show off a ladies best assets.

The red was a bright, bright red. The green a forest green shimmering with tiny sequins hand sewed in the silky fabric. Both had slits in the ankle length skirts that led up to the pinched waistlines that would show a whole lot of leg it so desired.

"I think it best you try them both on?" I suggested gently, trying to remain cool and almost proffesional "How would it look if the one you chose were two sizes too large when you showed up at our destination, or three sizes too small?"

The store clerk wisely kept his tongue and excused himself, pointing out the storeroom could be used as a private dressing room if wished.

I thanked him and turned to Rebecca as she fingered the fabric of both dresses and said with a sober face.

"Would you like some help getting into them?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

"You've got to be kidding me?" Eyeing the dresses with pure distaste I wondered if I was dense for thinking of going with him out there?
"I refuse to wear something so... so .... trashy!" There had to be another idea? Something other than some cheap whore!?
"Can't you think of something else!? I know I could!" Grumbling under my breath, I took the two dresses and went to the 'fitting room'. A make shift storage room is what is was!
"Rien! Get over here!" grumbling as I fought with the dress, I wondered how in the world this would ever fit!? My chest wasn't small and my waist was, and I was NOT going to wear a damned corset!
"Stop laughing out there and get the hell in here before I shoot you!" I reached out between the curtains and yanked him inside by his shirt front.
"Help me button this up in the back, see if it will fit!" I grumbled some more choice words under my breath, of all things! A damned Whore!

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I felt her hand grasp my collar and pull me into the store room, then feasted on the bodice of the bright red dress halfway up her full breasts, barely covering the nipple on one side as she struggled with the other.

"I used to get a lot of practice undressing you, remember?" I teased gently, pushing her hands down and undoing the lace binding in the front. "And if I remember correctly you enjoyed each and every time?"

I smiled into her furious eyes wondering if she would deny the truth of the past we had and distort it with her verison, then slid my fingers inside the silky material and began gently pulling it up past her full breasts. Her skin was as creamy as I remembered, warm against the back of my hands as I pulled the cloth into place over her warm and sweet smelling mounds, then stepped behind her to the fore mentioned buttons.

"You've changed the perfume you used to wear, Becky" I whispered softly from behind and into her ear. "Did it remind you too much of me so you found another?"

Button by tiny pearl button I fastened the back of the dress together, then smoothed it over her narrow waist and down to the swell of her hips, holding my hands on them.

"You've grown into a delightful woman, Rebecca" I complimented, letting my hands slide upward to the bottom swell of her breasts and feeling her hands take mine.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

Shivering slightly, I knew what he was up to and I wasn't playing his games this time! Biting back a moan as his knuckle caressed my breast, I continued to glare at him.
"I used to get a lot of practice undressing you, remember?
.....And if I remember correctly you enjoyed each and every time?"
"That was before you used my sister and I found out what a snake you were.. Now hurry it up!" I wiggled a little to get the dress sitting comfortably as possible but knew it wouldn't do much good!
He moved behind me, chuckling softly as his fingers started to fasten up the back."You've changed the perfume you used to wear, Becky... Did it remind you too much of me so you found another?"
"No, I started making more money and bought a nicer scent!" He had no idea how close on the mark he was at that moment, but I'd rather be buried alive than tell his smug ass that piece of information.
He finished up, his hands sliding down and caressing at my hips before he took hold and pressed into my back. I stiffened a little, his hands coming up to my breasts almost. Reaching up, I gripped his hand within my own, so tempted to let them remain there but I knew better. Squeezing harder, I twisted and flipped around, Holding his hand in a vise like grip.
"Thanks for the assistance Rein.. I will be out shortly.." I growled out none to gentle.
"Pack up your things, my horses are ready to go.." I would be damned if I was going to ride in a side saddle, good thing this dress had slits up the sides.. means I wouldn't have to cut it myself.
"Let's go." I moved around him, not liking the confining room any longer. He was much too close for comfort and too damned tempting as well!

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

Allright, So it was cruel of me! But I was getting tired of her jibes about me and the supposed tryst I had with her sister.

I brushed aside her orders to pack..

"Everything we need has been packed for over an hour"

I gripped her wrists in my hands and ignored the warning twinge in my shoulder, lifting them and pushing her against the wall, pinning her between me as I leaned my lips close to hers.

"And not even the craziest of whores would ride in a dress like that thru where we have to go" I told her and pressed my lips to hers, doing what I had wanted to do since I saw her in the jails hallway. I pressed my tongue against her hard lips and felt them soften, then open and let it in as I continued to kiss her, my hands freeing her wrists and sliding to her barely covered breasts.

"I just wanted to see whay you looked like in a dress again" I told her as I broke the kiss and pulled away "You remeber the times when we went together? When you trusted me and not believed the lies told about me?"

I let her have a glare of my own, meeting her stare for stare as I raised a hand and touched her slightly flushed cheek.

"We have a day and a half hard ride ahead of us and a night out regardless if you want it or not. You can change into riding duds and then when we get neat thier camp, change into the dress again"

I moved my hand as she brushed it away and turned from me, shaking my head at her hardness and refusal to listen to me beyond what she wanted to hear.

"I'll wait outside then" I told her back and moved out of the storeroom. A few minutes later as I was rechecking the mules packs she appeared, back in blue jeans and long sleeved shirt, filling it out as only she could.

"Lets go then, daylights wasting" She spoke shortly handing me the dress in a bag and moving to her own mount.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rebecca (Marshall Williams)

I couldn't believe his audacity! To grab me and fondle me like I was some trashy whore he could maul! I was tempted to shoot him in his ass for that groping, but knew I couldn't.. Not yet anyway.
I changed quickly, wiping away his scent and taste as best as I could with the back of my hand. I didn't even realize I was trembling with pent up hurt and rage, but when I couldn't fasten the buttons I noticed. I needed to calm down and ignore his little games he kept playing. I was no fool, I wouldn't fall for it again.
Lies indeed! Lying ass!
I walked outside and nearly threw the dress at him, striding to my horse I jumped up and settled into the saddle. "Let's go, day light's 'awastin'.." I applied a little pressure with my knees and Blacky obidiently turned and started walking.
"And you may deny it all ya want Rein.. but my sister told me herself what you did... Why you keep denying it.. well I dont know why you do, but I see no reason for her to lie to me.. Then you come ridin' in after all these years.. to save her... Yeap.. " I put two and two together on my own, I didn't need his lies any longer. I knew what I knew, and my sister had no real reason to ever lie to me like that... destroying my happiness and future plans with Rein..
I felt a gut wrenching twist inside and stiffened, I wouldn't let him get to me.. No regretts over the past and let it die.. I coaxed myself into thinking that was what was best.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I swung up and onto my own mount, a gelding of 14 hands, not as much of a piece of horseflesh as hers but a horse with stay in him.

Kneeing the mount I trailed the ropes behind me of the other horses and pack mules, following her to the outskirts of town and then urging the gelding beside Rebecca on the trail. I was mad, madder than hell at her and intent on getting this over with, and to show it growled at the MARSHALL beside me.

"Take your own damn mounts, I'm not anyone’s errand boy OR scapegoat"

Gigging my horse into a trot I gritted my teeth at the punishing pace and pulled ahead, leaving her second mount and her sisters reins dangling over the dusty trail.

"This is what you get for caring, Reinhardt" I growled at myself, knowing I was heading down the wrong trail for the right reasons again.

The sun was already overhead of us and that meant we had wasted half the day already I knew, we would make the base of the mountains and then have to make camp. I let my eyes wander as I drew my right hand gun over and over, trying to get the smooth pull from the low tied holster back again, knowing I would need it if I were to make it from this in one piece.

At one point I had the distinct feeling the Marshall was trying to pull up beside me but ignored it, and ignored her mid afternoon as I stopped at a small creek and watered my mounts and switched the saddle from one to another. The left shoulder hardly twinged and I rubbed it with renewed hope, maybe I would gain enough use from it to draw with it as well?

The sun hovered low and to our left as I slowed, seeing the grass thin and the first of the trees beginning to come. We were at the base of the mountains and had made good time and found more water to boot in the form of another creek that babbled energetically over the rocks.

"We'll camp here and get an early start in the morning"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rebecca (Marshall Williams)

Shrugging, I took the horses and kept riding. Smirking a little at his anger, it served him right for being such a lousey cheating bastard! I liked the silence just fine, I certainly did not want to hear his horse shit anyway, so I kept my mouth shut as well.
I rode all through the morning, afternoon and early evening in silence, holding back Blacky from tearing off at a quicker pace. He would end up killing the pack horses if he did that! Damned studs! Should have had him cut before now, he wouldn't be so hard to handle.
Sighing, I watered the horses and glanced around at the trees. For the past two hours I had been watching Rein attempt to draw fast once again with his wounded arm. At least he was occupied playing with his weapon... I chuckled and climbed down from Blacky.
Pulling out my bed room, I set it on the ground. Leaving it for later, I hunted down fire wood in silence and started a fire as well. Since Blacky hadn't been worked up too much he could hold on for a few and wait.. Besides I had no notion of letting Rein take care of me.... ever!
Pulling out a few cans of beans, I set them down and popped them open. Dumping them into the pan from my mess kit, I was all set. Getting water for the coffee pot, it would be needed to keep warm, so figured why not? Pausing, I could feel Rein's eyes on me but never glanced in his direction.
Taking Blacky with me, I watered him, took care of the saddle and blankets, brushed him down and tied him to a tree to graze on the grass around him. The others too were taken and tied to a tree, fed and brushed but the packs remained on their backs. They were used to this, so I left it.
moving towards the creek, I pulled off my shirt and washed up, tied up my hair and watered down my neck. "Mmmmmmmm nice.." I sighed, smiling a little. That did feel good! Tensing a little I heard the approaching footsteps, Rein.. I said nothing, did not even draw on him, I was too tired for the 'who's faster' game tonight. Tugging back on my shirt, I rose up as I buttoned one of the buttons.
Turning around I caught his eye with my own.
"Bandages need looked at?" I asked, why I was offering to help this cur was beyond me!? I guess soft spots never die.. Damned weaknesses!

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I was still angry. Mad at the world and myself as I knew the muscles in my left arm were too stiff to make a good draw. I watched the Marshall move about and make a basic dinner in a pot, then moved to take care of my own horses. Returning I saw the pan set aside, the beans in it steaming beside the boiling pot of water for the coffee. I poured a handful of ground coffee beans into it and let it boil, then set it aside for the grounds to settle, moving to the creek and the fresh water it promised.

For some reason it angered me to see the Marshall as I did, her shirt open and baring her firm breasts, one nipple proudly peaking out of the loosely buttoned front.

"Bandages need looked at?"

I heard the words and turned to face her, ignoring the open and gaping front.

"Why? So you can call me a liar and tell me I wasn't shot for the RIGHT reason?"

The words were out of my mouth and I regretted them, seeing the dark cloud form on her face as she readied a retort of her own and raising my good right arm.

"OK, I'm a lying bastard. Let it go at that, allright? All that matters is we get your sister out of Bull's camp alive and then back to town, right? Then you and I can go our seperate ways"

It was as close to a peace offering as I was willing to give tonight and I turned away from her alluring pose as she stood near the water with her hands on her hips.

I tugged at the matted shirt and then pulled it off using it as a rag to wash the bandages until they came free, then washed the open wound and the rest of myself. The Marshall had left by the time I was thru and turned back to the meager camp, opening a saddlebag and pulling out a full bottle of cheap rotgut.

"You going to get drunk too, now?" I heard her words as I moved towards the low fire.

"If I were, I'd use better stuff than this" I retorted and pulled the cork from the bottle, then tilted it to pour on the wound. I cursed as the homemade whiskey burned thru me, or at least felt like it and then recorked the bottle and set it aside.

"Have you thought of where to hide a gun when you meet Bull?" I questioned thru tear stained eyes.