Setting Old West (a year later)

[Friendly Dragon]

Sam

OOC: Teri, I hope it's okay to use Molly.

IC: "Thank you Marshall," I called out after him, as he left the sheriff's office...my office. "Thanks for everything."

I just sat there for a moment, breathing in slowly as I looked around to soon-to-become familiar surroundings. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my chest, the last baggage from my former life finally removed.

I jumped up excitedly. Virginia would be so happy, and she didn't know I was sheriff yet. Hurrying across the room, I swiped the office keys off the desk as I passed and stepped out onto the street, locking the door behind me. As I began to set off into town, I saw a red haired young woman in the yard of the house next door.

"Howdy ma'am," I said with a smile, doffing my hat.

"Hello..." She paused as she saw the shiny silver star attached to my vest. "Sheriff...?"

"Yes ma'am," I beamed, stepping up to the fence and offering her my hand. "Sam Hanson, at your service."

"Pleasure to meet you Sam Hanson," she replied, accepting my handshake with a warm smile," I'm Molly O'Brien."

"Nice to meet you too, Ms. O'Brien. I hope you don't think me rude, but I have some good news to share with my wife."

"Of course not sheriff," she said, "and congratulations on your new arrival."

"Thank you Ma'am!" I replied, beaming again, "I hope to see you around town."

"You too sheriff."

With another doff of my hat I turned and jogged across the street, heading in through the rear entrance to the saloon and up the back stairs. Stopping outside the door to our room, I took off my hat and held it to my chest, covering the sheriff's badge.

I opened the door slowly and quietly, and stepped in. Virginia was sat on the bed next to little Jon, lovingly watching him sleep. She looked up with that wonderful smile of hers. "Hi honey," she said, "you look excited."

"That obvious huh?" I said with a laugh. She knew me so well. "I've got some news...quite a bit of news actually." I slowly removed the hat from my chest. "The first being...say hello to the brand new sheriff of Fortune!"

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Virginia

"Oh honey!" I exclaimed, starting to jump to my feet, the pain stopping me. I stood slowly and wrapped my arms around Sam's waist and hugged him tight. "I'm so happy!"
I made him sit on the bed and tell me all about his meeting with the Marshall.
It took a little prying - Sam's a bit reticent talking about himself - but I managed to get out of him that the Marshall agreed to let Sam the Bank Robber die. I had kept that fear to myself all the time we'd been married and sent up a silent prayer of thanks that now his past would never find us.

"Then there's Sheila," he continued. Apparently, her real name was Maxine and her father was hunting for her.
"What does he think she is," I cried indignantly, drawing a small cry from little Jon. I lowered my voice. "She's not an animal!" Before I could get any more flustered, Sam explained Sheila's story.

I sat quiet for a moment, contemplating what he'd said. "Sam, there must be something we can do to help. And I don't mean throwing away posters and notices," I said, forestalling his answer. "What if next time it's a bounty hunter or her father himself? No, the only thing I can think of would be for her to have a husband. Even if it's just a pretense, that way he'd have to leave her be."

"Darlin'," Sam drawled, "that's a fine idea, but I think we'd better let Sheila decide if she wants a husband!"
I laughed along with him.
"You're right! Why don't you talk with her? If she's not comfortable talking to you, send her up here." I chuckled a bit. "I'll go stir crazy, but I'm going to have to stay here for a while longer until I can move around better. Maybe we can have a little girl talk..."

 

[cheekyminx]

Beth

While I was enjoying having my back washed, I was feeling a little guilty. My mind was arguing with itself. If Dan loves Sheila..why isnt he going after her? Typical man I thought. But what if Sheila doesnt want him any more? That made me blink. But from what I had heard from the girl that worked here, they seemed very happy together.
I let out another sigh.
But Dan was flirting around me. But he did have his head hung low and sad walking back from the stables.
Biting my lip, I had to ask Dan.
"Dan?? Whats happened between Sheila and yourself? Don't you love her anymore?"

 

[intriguess]

sheila

OOC i figured it was typo but i thought it would be fun to run with it...and look here i go away for the weekend and you're washing some girls bath.

IC

I wanted to believe him, with all my heart. It was only when he walked away that I realized that I didn't want to live without him. I was walking back around the bar and saw the light on in the uppermost room. I figured it was gal I'd seen earlier, she must have rented the room. I was about to look away when a manly siloheutte filled my vision. I bite my lip and blinked away tears. I'd recognize Dan anywhere and when he didn't leave right away, my heart dropped to my feet.

I felt worse than that terrible night I ran away. My hand slide over my tummy and I prayed I wasn't with child. I gripped the locket again and blinked. I was turning this way and that unsure of where to turn now. I slipped into empty barber shop and with my chin set firmly I chopped my brown locks. Cropping my hair with jagged strokes, I unpacked the dresses. I wouldn't need them again, I brushed away the last tears and headed back to the horse. Hoping I could get away without getting trampled on again.

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: She seduced me... I swear. Damnit, what would a soap Opera actor do about this... why don't I watch soaps, it would be so helpful in this situation.... oh wait, I've got it)

Ic:
Dan stopped as she said the word Sheila. His entire body froze, but his mind went spinning out of control. Did he still love her? Why was he rubbing the back of this other girl? What was he even doing here?
Dan got up clumsily, "I'm sorry I..."
He tripped. Trying to catch the corner of the bathtub, he made an almoast flying leap. It was perfect, except for the fact that the bathtub was slipper when wet. He fell right into the tub.
The water spilled out, revealing a lot of Beth. Dan smiled, trying not to look, not knowing he was a regular man.
"I... uhhh."
He shot out of there. A bullet wouldn't have gone faster if it had tried. He closed both of the doors tightly.
Dan ran back to his own room, taking off his wet clothes.
What the hell had happened today?
He took out a bottle of scotch, and lay down naked on his bed. Whatever it was, he wanted to forget it, as soon as possible.

 

[cheekyminx]

Beth

OOC Dragon I hope its ok to do this to you. I figured it would be something you would have done anyway.

IC EEEEKKKKKKKK I squealed as Dan fell into my bath. I was still laughing but I needed to get dressed. From the sound of his voice when I mentioned Sheilas name he still loved her.
My hair was wet but I didnt take any notice of it. I struggled to get my clothes on. The fabric clinging to my body, but I didnt notice.
I rushed out to find Dan, I knocked. No answer. I knocked again. I opened the door and there was Dan spread out on the bed naked. I blushed.
Sighs.
I closed the door but rushed around trying to find someone who would wake him up.
I heard a door open. It was Sam. He was coming out of his room. I took a breath and walked up to him.
"Hello Sam." I said. "Sam, you need to go and tell Dan to go and find Sheila. He loves her. I saw him walking back from the stables, he looked so sad. Now no one has seen Sheila. Sam you have to talk to him. Tell him not to let the one he loves go. Plllleeeeaaaaassseeee tell him".
All this fell out of my mouth. I looked up and looked into Sams eyes. "He loves Sheila. He shouldnt let her go"
"Where is he?" Sam asked. I pointed to his room.
All at once I felt exhausted. I went down into the Saloon to the bar. The stranger was there. I went to get a drink and say hello.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Sam

OOC: No problem CM. Damn, I'm so predictable

IC: Ten minutes on the job, and already a crisis. I smiled grimly, wondering if it was always going to be like this.

I thanked the young woman as she left, Beth I think she said her name was, and stepped up to Dan's door. Pausing for a second to gather my thoughts, I opening the door and stepped in.

I immediately saw Dan sprawled naked on the bed, a bottle of scotch hanging loosely in his hand.
"Go away," he groaned.

I ignored his request, closing the door behind me. "What the hell do you think you're doing Dan?" I said sternly. "Sheila's missing, maybe left town already, and you're just lying there getting drunk."
"Leave me alone, just leave me alone," he replied.

"No I won't," I said, stepping forward, "not until you get your sorry ass dressed and get after her."

 

[intriguess]

Maxine Dubois

A new life lay ahead of me, bleak as the barren landscape I moved the horse along at a slow pace not wanting to draw unwanted attention this time of night. My gun burning on my thigh. A battered hat rested atop my shorn hair. My face finally dry though dust covered.

 

[poohlive]

Dan reached up to a standing position, but it took him a couple of tries. He hardly even noticed he was drunk.
"Go get her?" he began to laugh a little louder than he ever had before.
"She left me, don't you get it?"
The laughter died down, leaving only a faint silence, that neither of them wanted to break. He began sobbing again.
"She left me. I told her I love her. I told her I know about her past, and I don't care, hell I even told her she had taken my heart..."
The words were like fire in his throat,
"SHE TOOK MY FUCKING HEART!!!"
He stopped, realizing he was drunk, and shouting at one of his only friends.
"I did go after her Sam," he fell back on the bed, "I told her not to leave, and that I loved her, but she left anyway."
He could see that things were beginning to become unclear.
"She doesn't love me Sam, how stupid could I have been. She never loved me, she just wanted a place to say."
Even in his stupor he knew it was cruel words to come out of his mouth, but at this point he didn't even care. The pain in his heart was gone for a while, replaced by a burning in his stomach.
It didn't make anything different, but for now he felt good.
"I love her..." he said softly, "I love her."

 

[cheekyminx]

Beth

Sitting next to the stranger at the bar. I could feel his eyes run over me. It wasnt until then that I realised that my clothes were clinging to my body. I blushed a little. Slowly I told Mr Trent my story. I smiled at him. I learnt that he was a bounty hunter.
I couldnt resist looking into those eyes. I started to shift in my seat. Feeling a little restless.

 

[Walking_drunk_in_seattle]

It had been a good while since I sat down at the bar. I spend most of my time looking at the locals, "strange town" I said to myself. I finished my drink and was about to getup to go and see if I can get a room for the night, Thats when I noticed her coming towards where I was sitting at the bar. It was the pretty girl that I had seen earlier, except this time she was soaking wet and her dress was clinging to her chest showing an outline of her breasts. I decided to stay where I was for a bit longer in hope of maybe starting a conversation with her. She came and sat right next to me at the bar. I decided that I got nothing to lose by introucing myself, I found out that her name was Beth and that she worked here. There was something about her that kept me talking to her, or maybe it was the fact that she kept staring at my face almost as if she was trying to look through my eyes! I found her incredibly attractive, I just couldn't stop talkig to her even though I was tired from a full days worth of riding...

 

[cheekyminx]

Beth

Mr Trent looked tired. He was staring at my breasts. I smiled. "Do you have a room for the night?" I asked him.
"no I dont. I was hoping to find the manager of the place to get a room" he said.
The manager. Dan. I was wondering where Dan was. Sighing. I looked back at Mr Trent.
I smiled. "Well I know the manager is a little busy right now. But Im sure he wont mind if I share my be..ahh room with you. Its nice and big..and has its own bath."
I saw his eyes change and a smile come across his lips. "You sure" he said. I nodded.
Smiling at him, I said "follow me"

 

[Teri]

U.S.Marshal

It was an uneventful afternoon though I did see what I though could have been Indian smoke a long way off.
I had just crossed thr river about three miles from town, when I saw a rider coming from the direction of town. the moon was up in a cloudless sky so there was enough light to see by. I stepped jughead to the side of the road behind a bush and waited. I didn't think the rider saw me. At first I thought it was a young boy from one of the ranches around but as they got closer I saw it was Maxine Dubois. When she came up even with me I walked jughead out of the brush.
"Oh my god, she said, Marshal you scared me half to death." "I'm sorry miss Dubois I didn't mean to frighten you, you know you shouldn't be out here this late alone." Then I noticed her hair and the tear streaks in the dust on her face. I thought she must have been riding fast to raise that much dust. "Miss Dubois, she asked, you know my name? Did my father send you?" "No, I only know your father by reputation. Dan showed us Sam and me a letter that was sent to all the lawmen in the territory. He offered a hundred dollar reward for your return. like I told them that could cause some trouble, but we'll handle that when it comes. Dan asked us to help you if we could. We said we would do anything that we could to help. As far as I know you're not wanted by the law."
"Well you don't have to worry about me I'm leaving," she declared. "Where are you going," I asked, "It's late to going anywhere tonight. Your hair looks like like someone cut it with a knife and you've been crying. Do you want to tell me about it?"

OCC I hope this direction is ok for Maxine. If not let me know and I'll delete it and go somewhere else.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Sam

I listened quietly as Dan spoke, letting him vent his feelings about Sheila.

"Listen Dan," I said, finally, "I think you're wrong about Sheila. It sounds like she's had it tough in the past, but she seems happy here in Fortune -- here with you. If you love her like you say, you can't just give up so easy, you gotta go do something about it."

I'm not very good at this, I thought, pausing for a moment before continuing.

"It damn sure beats drowning your sorrows up here anyway, and regretting it for the rest of your life."

 

[intriguess]

Maxine Dubois

being called about my real name made me jump out of my skin and I nearly drew my gun on him before I realized who it was. The idea of reward put on my head sent chills down my spine, though the amount seemed paltry, compared to the wealth he had. I did want to talk but not to a stranger. I shrugged pulled my hand from the revolver and said I was going no where fast. The same way I entered this town.

 

[Teri]

U.S.Marshal

"I'm going nowhere fast. The same way I came into this town," she said. "That's not true miss. When you came to this town you were running from a bad situation. And no one can fault you for that. But now your running from people who care about you. And want to help you, not hurt you. I thought you and Dan had something together.
I don't blame you for not wanting to tell a stranger your troubles, but running out here at night alone is just asking for more trouble than you could handle. If you don't want to go back to the saloon then why don't you come with me to Molly O'brian's, I'm sure she would be glad to put you up for the night, and you know her she said you very good with a needle and thread, you made her a couple of dresses. You cam sleep on this problem you have. Things usually look clearer in the light of day. And if your worried about me being there, I stay in tha cafe, the room behind the kitchen. So what do you say, why not do that. There's a stage do tomorrow and if you still want to leave I'll see that your on it. It'll be alot safer. OK?"

 

[poohlive]

"I've been doing that all my life," he replied, "What's one day's difference gonna make."
The fresh air and lack of scotch was starting to sober him up. He embarassingly put on some pants, but nothing more.
"Look, I don't expect you to understand this Sam, you've got a wonderful girl who wouldn't leave you for anything. Sheila has got some problems in her life, and she can't deal with them here, if I make her stay here, I will just be adding to her frustration."
He violently threw the empty bottle at the far wall. It shattered into a thousand pieces.
"SON OF A BITCH!" he cried outloud. His head fell into his hands, sobbing softly.
"I didn't love her. I mean I loved her, but I didn't show it. The only time WE even made love almost like it was a chore... a fucking chore. The only intimate thing in my life, and I treated it like it was something I was supposed to do..."
He looked at Sam, one single tear falling on his cheek, "I can't do anything more. I've done everything, it's up to her now."
He looked back at their life together, it was over a year, and he still never said he loved her, truly said he loved her until today.

 

[intriguess]

Maxine Dubois

I was tired, and sleep sounded like heaven, I struggled with myself and finally agreed. We headed back into town and Molly got me settled in a room. My face was clean she insisted on trimming my hair before I slept and I was wearing one of her soft simple nightgowns. I fell asleep almost the instant my head hit the pillow a deep dreamless sleep of a tired soul.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Sam

"Listen Dan, " I said, "it's getting late and I should be getting back to my wife. You need to ask yourself how you'd feel if you just let her leave while you were stuck up here feeling sorry for yourself. Pull yourself together and tidy yourself up, and I'll go see if I can find out where she is, if she hasn't already left."

 

[cheekyminx]

Beth

Leading Mr Trent up the stairs, he quickly picked me up in his arms and started to carry me up the stairs.

I started to wriggle "put me down please...there is no need for you to carry me up the stairs" I said.
Mr Trent chuckled and said "why ma'am Im only trying to do the gentelmanly thing"

I began to struggle a little more. "Oh please put me down. Im quite capable of walking up here myself..oh please PUT ME DOWN" I nearly yelled.

Just at this time Sam the sheriff walked out of Dans room. Sam gave Mr Trent a very stern look.
Mr Trent ignored the sheriffs look, walked right into my room and shut the door with a slam.

 

[cheekyminx]

Beth

Leading Mr Trent up the stairs, he quickly picked me up in his arms and started to carry me up the stairs.

I started to wriggle, "put me down please...there is no need for you to carry me up the stairs" I said.
Mr Trent chuckled and said "why ma'am Im only trying to do the gentelmanly thing"

I began to struggle a little more. "Oh please put me down. Im quite capable of walking up here myself..oh please PUT ME DOWN" I nearly yelled.
Just at this time Sam the sheriff walked out of Dans room. Sam gave Mr Trent a very stern look.

Mr Trent ignored the sheriffs look, walked right into my room and shut the door with a slam.

 

[cheekyminx]

OOC

EEEK
sorry guys my puter had a hiccup and it looks like I have posted twice. I tried to delete it but it wont let me.

 

[Walking_drunk_in_seattle]

M Trent

I talked to Beth for a long while. There was something about her that i found very attractive, it wasn't just the way she looked It was the way she talked and composed herself. I decided to start at hinting toward being tired and see if she will say anything, and I just happened to be in luck, she offered to let me stay in her room since the saloon manager was busy. I took her up on her offer hoping that my night will be much better than what it usually had been ever since I got on the trail. She let me to the staircase that went up to the rooms and I decided to make my move right there. I picked her up in my arms and started to head up the stairs but she objected to being carried. I just told her that I was doing the gentlemanly thing but she wasn't going for it. Funny thing is that she didn't really object too much which was a good sign to me. As I was getting toward the top of the stairs the town sheriff just happened to be coming down and Beth was being a bit more insistent that i put her down. The sheriff gave me a stern look but I decided to ignore him and head off to the room where I saw beth come out of earlier on. Luckily the sheriff didn't seem to mind too much since he didn't say anything!

 

[poohlive]

Sam was right, Sam was always Sam. He was, every time Dan looked at Sam, he was always Sam.
Dan giggled slightly.
Dan, Sam, ate ham with a man who ran in a can.
He giggled some more.
No, he had to stop this. It was important to stay focused, focus focus focus. If he couldn't focus then he would lose Sheila forever.
Dan looked under the bed, usually when he lost things they were under the bed.
Nope, damnit.
He had to stop this foolishness. He put on a shirt, and his deputy badge. He was, after all deputy of this here place. Law and order must be preserved.
Walking outside Dan stumbling every few steps. Sheila was here somewhere, he had to talk to her.
"Sheila, I love you. Stay with me forever."
He held a horse in his hands. The horse winnied triace, and moved his head to the side.
"Rejection, always being rejected."
He had to find her.

 

[Teri]

U.S.Marshal/Molly

Maxine finally agreed to go to Molly’s, saying “Maybe you’re right, I am very tired and dirty and hungry, I can leave on tomorrow’s west bound stage.” When we got to Molly’s she opened the door she said, “My god, Sheila you look a fright! What happened to you?”
Taking maxine/sheila by both hands Molly pulled her inside. looking at me, she said, supper will be ready when you finish taking care of the horses.”

I put the horses in stalls, I couldn't find a brush so I rubbed them down with a couple handfuls of hay. I threw them a couple forkfuls of hay and gave them each a bucket of water. then I washed the dust off in the trough dried myself with a piece of cloth there for the that purpose.

When I went into the kitchen Molly was just setting the table. I looked around for Maxine. Molly said, “She’s in the tub washing off the road dust. I trimmed her hair even, she’s a very pretty girl. After we eat I’ll bring her a tray then put her to bed, she looks like she could use about twenty hours sleep. While we were eating Molly said, she’s really afraid, and she feels she’s all alone. She told me that much, maybe tomorrow she’ll tell us the whole story and let us help her. “I know her father has men out looking for her. He posted a hundred dollar reward to bring her back to Louisiana. Of course she’s a grown woman and if she doesn’t want to go thats up to her and if she stays here we won’t let anyone take her by force,” I said.
Molly went to bring Maxine a tray and I went out for a last check on the animals before bed. when I come back in Molly was up to her elbows in soapy water washing dishes.

(Molly)

I was working around the kitchen getting supper ready when I heard Tom ride into the yard. That’s strange I thought there are two horses. I opened the door and saw Tom
walking across the yard with, what I thought was a young boy but when they got closer I saw it was Sheila. “My god Sheila you look a fright what happened to you?” I took her
hands, they were cold, and pulled her in the house. “You come with me,” I said. I took her to the laundry room where I had a tub of hot water ready for my bath. I said “Take off
those filthy clothes and get in the tub. What happened to you?” She didn’t answer but as she started to unbutton her shirt she hesitated looking at the blanket hanging in the door then at me. “What is it?” I asked. She looked at the door again. Then I understood. “Oh, I said, Tom. “He won’t come in here, he’s a good man, you don’t ever have to be afraid when he’s around he won’t let anything happen to you or let anyone take you where you
don’t want to go.”

She undressed and I helped her into the big bathtub. I took her dirty clothes and threw them in the wash tub with mine to be washed later. I put out one of my long flannel
nightgowns for her. I said, “I’m going to give Tom his supper then I’ll bring you a tray, you must be hungry.” As I got to the door, she said softly, “Molly?”
I turned “yes?” I asked. “Thank you,” You’re very welcome, Sheila,” I answered. “Molly.” she said again, “my name is Maxine.” “Ok then Maxine it is,” i said. Then went out to give Tom his supper. After supper Tom went out to check the animals and I brought a tray to Maxine. She was just getting out of the tub. I put the tray down and got her a big towel. after she was dry I helped her into her nightgown and got her into bed and put the tray in her lap.
“Eat,” I said. I went to the kitchen and put the supper dishes in the dish pan to soak some. when I went back to look in on Maxine the tray was on the bedside table. She
hadn’t eaten much, and she was asleep. I knew she was eighteen or nineteen but there sleeping she look so much younger. I pulled the blanket up to her chin and kissed her
forehead and whispered good night.

I was washing the dishes when Tom came in, without saying a word he walked up behind me kissed my neck and cupped my breasts and rubbed his thumbs over my nipples.
I pushed back against him “ooh Tom let me finish here then take me to bed” "There is nothing I would like better love but I have to find Dan and tell him Maxine is ok so he dosen't go running the country side looking for her. but you can be sure I'll finish this when I get back.

[Edited by Teri on 01-30-2001 at 05:20 AM]