Surrender

[rvplymates]

Julia looked about again and saw some pretty hard characters giving her the once over. She turned back to the bar and unhostered her pistol and untied the shief of her daggars just in case. When O'Shien began talking about her loadly she whipped around too stunned to say a word. She was use to blending in not being the center of attention and she wondered what was wrong with him. But as he spoke she relized he was warning these men to keep away and so she stood at his side giving them a cold stare. She saw some were considering an attack until he mentioned the Irish Ghost and then even those men paled at the name. She relized O'Shien was something of a badman and a kind of pride to be with him swelled in her heart.

 

[gagonthis]

He winked at her as she gave her cold stare to the men after he finished his speech. "Dun worry yerself lass, if people know yer ridin with me they won't be givin' ya any troubles. I have a reputation around these parts." He gazed at the first man he had chastised, seeing him fingering his pistol and starin at him. O'Shien smiled at the boy. "Lookin' to make a name fer yerself here eh kid? Kill the Irish Ghost?" He chuckled and faster than the kid could see O'Shien had drawn his weapon, to the intake of breaths around the room. "Just holster it and buy me another beer lad." He chuckled as the young man cursed softly and ordered O'Shien another drink. "Much appreciated youngin." He chuckled and handed Julia her second drink. "Relax now lass, enjoy yer drink." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Don't let these men see ya rattled, it just invites trouble."

 

[rvplymates]

Julia saw the boy going for his weapon and slowly placed her hand on the butt of her pistol. Suddenly she saw O'Shien whip out his gun faster then she had ever seen someone move. The shock she felt was nothing compared with the shockwave going through the room. She felt herself faulter a bit until he talked the boy down and then told her to not show how she felt to the men in the room. Quick as he had drawn his weapon, the cold stare came to her face as she gave the room one last look and turned to the bar and drank from the glass he indicated. She would do as he told her to.

 

[gagonthis]

He laughed as the stare returned to her face. "Good lass." He said softly. "Yer a match fer nearly every man in this bar. I seen ya shoot, don't worry yerself none." He pushed the drink towards her again. "Drink up then, I'm fixin to get our of here before anyone really decides to see if I'm worth testin. Just nae in the mood to shoot a man at the moment." He drained his third drink and waited while she finished hers, winking at the young man. "Thanks fer the drink lad. Now let me give ye a pointer: It don't pay to mess with me or mine." He stood up and retrieved his hat, gestuing for Julia to follow him out.

 

[rvplymates]

Julia dutifully drank as O'Shien had suggested. When he threatened the boy again she wondered what he meant by what he said. Funny her mind was a bit fuzzy at the moment. She managed to walk straight toward him and followed him out into the fresh air where the straight line went a bit crooked somehow. Her path seemed to get a bit wobbly as she found herself walking into him a bit.

 

[gagonthis]

"Whoa there lass, you ain't used to alcohol are ya?" He chuckled, steadying her as they headed outside back across the street. She leaned against him and again he felt the longing stir inside him. He shoved it back down as he helped her back across the street to the inn. "I'm going for a bath I think. Need to wash this trail dust off." He grinned as he headed up the stairs.

 

[macmillian]

I slipped my shirt on and Cassi was now standing and handed me two bowls and she bent and picked up the coffee pot and cups and together we walked over to the blankets under the tree.

As we approached, the young woman was againg feeding her baby. Cassi seemed to smile at my discomfort, but didn't say anything right off. We sat down and Cassi Passed out the food and poured the coffee. I took a sip, It was strong with a taste of hazelnut. Cassi sat close to me as we all ate in silence. Cassi had worked her magic again and the fish and tack tasted like a holiday meal. I had a second cup of coffee.

"OK", I started to speak, "My name is Alex Franks and this is my friend Cassi. We are travelling west together. What is your name and where were you heading?" I needed some answers so I would have an idea of how to continue and to which way to head. I paused waiting for a reply.

 

[icu1978]

laying the baby beside her jenny slowly ate savoring each bite she placed upon her tongue. As she was finishing her meal the man began to speak. looking up jenny smiled. " oh and nice to meet the two of you. i'm jenny mathers." looking down at her baby runing her hand over his little head she looked up at the two. " and this little tyke is my son david. my husband was with us when we where attacked. he was driving." looking to cassi with sad eyes " i dont know where he is. he said it wasn't safe at our cabin anymore. he was taking us to his parents farm." looking up at the blue sky she began to laugh as tears rolled down her cheeks. " we did not even know if his parents where still there. we hadn't heard from them in awhile." looking back to alex she gave a little shrug." i'm not real sure where i should go now."

 

[macmillian]

"Nice to meet you too, Jenny " I answered, "but I would have wished it was under more favorable circumstances. Where is your in-laws farm located? Do you know how to get there and how far away?" I was full of questions and I was throwing them at her quite rapidly. She seemed unsure of herself and paused as she thought about her answers.

I waited for her to continue and drank some more coffee. Alittle sugar would have been nice, but we didn't have any and there was none in the wagon either. We were still well of, for when Julia left us she also left the small pouch of gold coins behind. In the next town, maybe they had sugar and flour, a little salt. We were just about out of every thing.

 

[rvplymates]

"Whoa there lass, you ain't used to alcohol are ya?" He chuckled, steadying her as they headed outside back across the street. She leaned against him and again he felt the longing stir inside him. He shoved it back down as he helped her back across the street to the inn. "I'm going for a bath I think. Need to wash this trail dust off." He grinned as he headed up the stairs.

Julia headed for the bathroom staggering when she came back the inn keeper told her that her bath was waiting and gave her direction to which room to go in. She thanked him and went up the stairs. Counting the doors untill she got to the third one on the right, she smiled and pulled it open, turned and shut the door.

She was feeling a bit dizzy when she turned and saw two tubs, one on one wall the other on the other wall. Ther was just enough room between them to fit two high back chairs and soap, towells and even shampoo sat on both chairs. Suddenly she heard splashing and someone came up out of the water shaking his head so that water splashed everywhere.

"Oh my God"

She stood shocked as she recognized O'Shien. She turned toward the door.

"There must be some kind of mistake O'Shien, the inn keeper said the third door on the right, I will go find out where I am suppose to be. I am so sorry"

Her hand went to the door knob but stopped as she called to her.

 

[gagonthis]

He blanched when she stepped into the room, but quickly relaxed. His naughty bits were covered so there was nothing to be ashamed of. She however seemed very embarassed and turned to leave. He called out to her as she left, trying to reassure her. "Lass, they've only got but one bathroom here. Now there be seperate tubs so it's nae indecent. If you want a bath before it gets cold I'd suggest climbing into it now. No need for embarrassment. I'll hide me head while you get undressed and into the water." He turned himself away from her to give her privacy.

 

[rvplymates]

Julia stopped and turned to him, he was right of course. Sooner or later if people get close like they have they are bound to get into this kind of situation. And he was being a gentleman by turning away from her. She so wanted the bath and she did trust him. Julia walked to the chair and started taking her clothing off. She did it quickly so he would not have to be in discomfort for too long. She stepped into the hot tub a little groan of pleasure escaping her lips as she sat down.

"I'm in O'Shien, you can turn around now"

 

[gagonthis]

O'Shien turned back around and sunk back into the water. "There we go, nae too bad." Only her head stuck out above the water and O'Shien could tell she was enjoying the sensation of bathing. He was as well. He hadn't bathed in hot water in at least two weeks, probably longer. It felt good to get the dust off. "Christ lass, this is like heaven in a liquid form." He had left his pistols on the chair next to his bathe, just in case they would be needed, he reached past them and grabbed the soap, lathering his upper body up. "Let me know when ye need me to look away again so ye can soap up. Or let me know if you need me to wash yer back." He said teasingly.

 

[rvplymates]

The water and the beer she consumed was relaxing Julia maybe just a little too much. Her head lolled on the back of the tub and if O'Shien had not spoken she would have fell asleep.

"O'Shien this is indeed like liquid heaven, I had forgotten how hot water feels against my body, it has been so long. Over a year at least. She reached for the soap and began to lather up her arms and chest. Then she went under the water for a time and when she came up she had to push her very long hair out of her eyes. She reached for the shampoo and lathered up her hair and went under again.

One of her lovely long leg came out of the water as she bent forward to wash it. Then the other surfaced and she washed it slowly.

"It is a grand thing to feel really clean, O'Shien. Could you turn your head while I wash my torso"

 

[icu1978]

feeling a little overwhelmed jenny looked at alex and let out a little sigh.
" im not entirely sure. james my husband was using a map he kept in a box under the wagon seat. the last james told me we where four days away from his parents. so i dont think it is all that far away." brushing a few strands of hair out of her face jenny looked down at the baby who was sleeping soundly next to her.

 

[macmillian]

"Well, Jenny, Think on it awhile. Maybe you can remember the town or county name. While you think on it, I have work to do on the wagon. I had found the wagon tongue and with the tools i found in the wagon, I set about reparing the wagon.

I greased the four wheel hubs and mad sure all theaxle nuts were tight. When I finished the repairs I went and got the wagon horses and hitched them up to the wagon, I took it out on the road and west a short distance and then back.

I had found a nicle level spot between two large Oaks and I circled the wagon and drove the wagon betwen the trees, I unhitched the horses and turned them loose with hobbles out onto the meadow. There was several large canvas tarps and ispread one out over the top of the wagon bed and then made tents using the wagon as the center.

"Cassi, Jenny, Set up under the wagon. It's geting dark and I would like to be set before full dark. I went to work fashoning a covering for thr front of the wagon to mask it from the road. There will be plenty of room under the wagon and I will be right over there between you and the road.

I Collected the horses and picketted them behind the wagons and a little deeper into the trees. Cassi had a small fire going and was making some coffee for me for tonight. The small fire was to masked from the road and by full dark there would only be coals.

 

[landiek]

Cassi quickly cleaned up afterwards and set to work helping Alex do all that needed doing. She quickly had the horses cinched as the upright wagon was checked once more of the brake and wheels.

After moving a ways along the roads Cassi became bolder in her relationship with Alex. She still demonstrated the slave like qualtities which was pretty common of the ones that grew up as a slave, yet something about her was different.

Cassi easily made camp and began cooking. She was skilled with her tasks though hardly learned. Cassi learned best from observing and trial or error.

She made another pot of coffee for Alex to savor after he returned to camp. Cassi moved blankets about to satisfy hte urges that caem through the night and after last night she felt that one night of worry was probably all Alex could stand.

Cassi set the coals off to cool slightly and gazed at the stars overhead. "I's reckon a new days is a comin... somethin mos folks don wanna say to all company."

 

[icu1978]

jennifer watched as cassi moved around there camp. once cassi sat down and looked to the heavens. jenny opened her mouth to say somthing to the woman bit feeling a bit intimadted and worried about offending the nice lady she shut her mouth and looked to the same night sky. " i suppose your right."

 

[macmillian]

We worked hard at making the camp as comfortable as possible and we moved Jenny and her baby into the makeshift tent. We left one of the canteens and the last of the bread with Jenny. We put our extra gear into the wagon so everthing was kept together.

I sat with Cassi out in the evening air and enjoyed another cup of coffee. Her smell was strong and fresh and I savored it. It made me feel good and proud to know her. It was still confusing to me and I didn't know what all the emotions I was feeling.

I slipped my arm around Cassi and she leaned into me and I could feel the softness of her. I leaned my head down and pressed my lips to hers as I lifted her up and set her down in my lap. My arms around her, I held her tight and kissed her over and over. Cassi felt so good in my arms, I could hold her and protect her. Her smell was intoxicating,

Set her back on her spot on the log next to me, I picked up my empty cup and asked if there was any more. I looked into soft brown eyes and smilled down at her

"Cassi, I do not know what to say to you. When I am with you, I want to hold and kiss you, but in private. I don't want anybody to esle to know."

I sat there in silence and looked up at the stars and the moon. Still confused as ever and not knowing what to do about it. I just didn't know!

 

[gagonthis]

The water and the beer she consumed was relaxing Julia maybe just a little too much. Her head lolled on the back of the tub and if O'Shien had not spoken she would have fell asleep.

"O'Shien this is indeed like liquid heaven, I had forgotten how hot water feels against my body, it has been so long. Over a year at least. She reached for the soap and began to lather up her arms and chest. Then she went under the water for a time and when she came up she had to push her very long hair out of her eyes. She reached for the shampoo and lathered up her hair and went under again.

One of her lovely long leg came out of the water as she bent forward to wash it. Then the other surfaced and she washed it slowly.

"It is a grand thing to feel really clean, O'Shien. Could you turn your head while I wash my torso"

O'Shien continued to clean himself, smiling slighty at her comments about the water. It did feel good, it was relaxing, and they were lucky they were able to find a place that could deliver this kind of luxury. It had been a hard last couple of days for both of them. He had been staying up most nights to track the bandit group, not getting nearly enough sleep, she had nearly been killed by the same group, but now there was ample time to relax and ample money to spend.

He felt his manhood stir slightly under the water as she lifted her legs out to be washed, and he stared at her washing them through his perphial vision. She was definetly more than decent looking, all cleaned up and out of boy's clothing, and O'Shien once again wondered at the lack of sanity he was displaying by asking this girl to be his travelling partner. He had found himself more distracted as late with her around as if after so many years oppressed his hormones were resurfacing with avengance. He continued washing himself, ignoring those feelings, until she spoke. "Aye lass, give me half a second to wash off my head." He said, dunking himself under the water and scrubbing vigorously. He resurfaced and smiled at her, turning his body away from her so she could have privacy once again.

 

[rvplymates]

Julia waited and watched him turn away from her. She stood up and used the soap on her torso and washed as much as she could of her back without a brush. She thought for a moment and decided to ask him for help.

"O'Shien, I know you were kidding about washing my back but I was wondering, if it isn't a inposition, I mean you have already seen a lot of my back area, more then I like to remember but anyway, could you wash my back for me"

She sat back down into the water looking down as she knew this was a pretty bold thing she had asked him to do. Would he think her forward? She flushed and didn't look at him.

 

[gagonthis]

O'Shien half turned when she called his name, but realized she was still standing and so he waited till she had settled herself back in the water before turning to face her.

"I suppose I could. Probably should take a look at them wounds again anyway, make sure yer healing up alright." He turned and took the washrag from her. Chuckling to himself as she flushed and turned away from him. She was an intresting one, bold in the face of danger, but completely shy when it came to anything that could be considered inappropiate. "I'm going to have to stand to wash yer back." He said warningly, rising full out of the tub to rub her back. "Yer wounds appear to be looking quite a bit better fer only having had a night and a day to heal."

 

[rvplymates]

Julia lowered her eyes as O'Shien stood. She was glad her back was healing nicely.

"That is because you are a good healer, O'Shien"

Thinking she should stand so he could wash her back, she did just that. Covering her breast with her arms & hands she turned herself so that her back was toward him. She waited for him to wash it and when he didn't she spoke but did not turn toward him.

"Am I too far away from you O'Shien, you have to tell me what to do"

 

[gagonthis]

"Aye well I had me a fair bit of practice during the war." He said sadly, shaking his mind away from those thoughts. "Yeah it looks like there won't be any lasting marks, though it still might be tender for a few days." He stood up as she did. "Nae you should be close enough, just let me lean forwa...." He gave a small curse as he slipped on the bottom of the tub tumblin out of it to land on the ground between them naked.

 

[rvplymates]

Julia heard him crash to the floor and she forgot all about being naked.

"Oh my God"

She jumped out of the tub and crouched next to him trying to help him up. He turned onto his elbows and she took his face in her hands looking all over his face and head to see if he had cut anything open. She looked into his eye deeply.

"Are you alright, O'Shien"

Julia was worried about him and it showed in her expression and in her eyes.