Smokin Guns

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Arriving at the small homestead, I quickly dismounted and walked to the door. Pounding hard on the wooden surface, I stepped back when I heard someone call out.

"HOLD ON, I'M COMIN'!" The door cracked open and a young man's face appeared. "What do you need?"

"Is the Doctor in?" I asked, "The mayor and Sheriff have been shot and He is needed quickly."

"I am the Doctor. And just give me a moment and we'll be underway." He let the door swing open, grabbed his hat and bag and turned down his lamp. "Alright, lets go." He looked half asleep but he moved quickly to his horse.

Jumping back on Thunder, we rode back for town as fast as our horses could go.

Nick had been right, almost a whole hour to get there and back into town, but we made it. Showing him quickly to the saloon, I pushed people out of the way to make it into the back rooms.

Nick lay on one bed and Dirk on the other, both pale but Dirk's breathing was labored. The doc started barking out orders and people actually jumped to do his bidding, which was a good thing.

"What can I do to help?" I asked

"Get some whiskey into Nick, he'll have to hold on while I work on this other fellow right here.. He's worse off. Clean linnin's for his wound, apply pressure just above and below the hole."

I nodded and moved back into the main room, getting a bottle from John, I hunted for some clean rags but found none. Moving into the kitchen area, I found some folded sheets and took it with me, this would work well enough.

Sitting beside Nick on the bed, I quickly tore strips and set the bottle by his side. Watching the doc order around, stripping Dirk's shirt off and the racing people to get hot water and such, this place was hetic and those asses were getting away! I should be out hunting them, but then again I didn't need Nick dying on me either.

"Need a few drinks Nick?" I turned my attention to the man on the bed, hoping he was awake.

 

[poohlive]

Nick let his hand go to hers, gripping it and squeezing it hard as the pain ame and went. It drove through him in waves, almost calm and serene, and then wild and torrent. He cried out more than once, unable to control himself.
"It'll.... it'll," he tried to make out phrases between breaths, "It'll be ok. Just a fleshwound... a flesh wound."
He winced, holding it in as hard as he could. Sweat came out of his forehead in beads, running down his body uncontrollably. He cried out as the pain left him, letting it die off as it reached his lips.
"Doesn't hurt so bad... not soo bad at all. Feels like I was drug through a rock bed for an hour or so... Oh GOD!!."
His muscles grew taut, he squeezed her hand into his. They melded together in a sweaty sort of clump now. He didn't care let go, needing her touch here with him.
"Just don't leave me... I can take it if you're here. I can take it. Don't leave me, please. Please. She left me... she left."
Darkness fell and he laid limp against the bed, his breath now but a whisper on his lips.

 

[kamalw1]

I stood watching as the doc worked on Dirk. I had seen this a lot, and not just in the cavalry. That is when I saw Nick, looking like he was ready to go. I ran over to his bed. "Oh no, Nick, you ain't dyin' on me. I ain't ready to break in a new mayor." I grabbed a towel and dipped it in the bucket of hot water. I dabbed it at his wound, trying to clean it. "Hopefully this will make the doc's job a little faster."

 

[Scuttle Buttin']

He chuckled, a bit nevously, when she pointed out that all he had was the towel, and he clutched it a bit tighter against his body. His brows lifted when she stood from the bed, and he couldn't help but to shiver a bit, small goosebumps forming on his skin, as she ran her hand from his arm to his shoulder to his ear. His eyes widened a bit, and he simply looked at her for a moment, so near to him, smelling so wonderful... it filled his senses.

He shivered again when he felt her lips against his ear, his chest rising as he drew in a breath, pressing himself more firmly against her hand. Reaching out to her, he forgot himself for a moment and his towel fell in a pool of fabric at his feet. Drawing in a sharp breath, he blushed again, but with her closeness was unable to bend and pick it back up... and so, instead, he simply froze.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"It'll be ok. Just a fleshwound... a flesh wound." His voice tried to sound so assured, I didn't contradict him.

"You'll be fine Nick." My hand held in his vise like grip did not try and pull away even when the painof his squeeze was bone crushing. Wincing a little, I uncorked the whiskey bottle with my teeth and spit it across the room.

"Drink this." I managed to get a little into his mouth which he swallow just before he screamed in pain and nearly broke my hand in half. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I could feel the whole bed trembling, with myself and John on it, from his shaking.

"Just don't leave me... I can take it if you're here. I can take it. Don't leave me, please. Please. She left me... she left." His frightened lonesome words nearly broke my heart. Clearing my throat, I blinked away the tears and returned his grip, "I won't Nick." I vowed, but it was too late for him to hear it, blessedly he had passed out.

"John, see if the Doc is done with the tweezers and Dirk, if he is, get them for me and sterilize them in hot water. Wash your hands as well before touching them sterile. Got it?" I met his gaze, my hand still holding onto Nick's, my mind working over all the Doc had done when he pulled the bullet from my shoulder a few years ago.

 

[Funloving62]

Mona

"Well, now look at this why don't ya ... good thing ya didn't bet Akien. looks like ya dropped something," she backed from him and leaned down with a grin and picked up that towel keeping her gaze lowered only but a moment, but long enough to take notice to more then enough. Then smirked and handed him that towel back as she stood but back again close to him feeling his hands on her waist not bothering to take that towel at the moment.

"Um ... ma'am... I.. Ah..." That was all he seemed to be able to get out as she laughed and leaned in against him pressing her lips to his softly when your ready ask for more ask for Mona Aiken. unless your ready now?" she winked and was about to kiss him again when a knock came to her door one of johns girls was knocking loudly calling her name.

"Hang on Aiken I'll be right back.. she moved to the door and opened it Jane looked to her and whispered:" I thought you would want to know they brought in the mayor ,he's hurt and i know you where kind if taken a shine to that new Sheriff, he was hurt bad from what i hear. i thought i would let ya know." she looked to her and nodded. : Aiken I am sorry but I need to find out what's going on I'm needed down there, something bad happened to the sheriff and Nick come on get dressed," she hurried on past Jane as she smiled back to Aiken and made her way down to where Nick and Dirk where?

One looked at Dirk and she quickly lowered to his bed taking his hand while the doc worked on him." What happen, is he going to make it Doc? her voice held a sort of frighten tone yet it was touched with pure emotion as she ran her hand over his forehead brushing back the sweat that had formed on his brow with a cloth that was there. " Dirk I'm here, take it easy Hun. Mona's here" he didn't move he just laid there while the doc worked on him his breathing slow and labored. Her other hand held to his as she watched the man shake his head telling her he wasn't sure yet, but he was sure as hell trying to save him.

She then looked over and saw Nick laying there grabbing hold of Joe's hand then she looked to Joe." What happen? Why are they both hurt like this your the deputy do something?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Sparing a slight glance to the redhead, I said nothing for a moment as I franticly worked with a rag and water to wash the hole in Nick's arm.

"John, I need those tweezers.." I grumbled out, I had checked the back of his arm, the bullet had not exited his arm, which meant it was probably lodged against the bone. As long as no major arteries were ripped, his arm would heal up... giving infection didn't set in. Thinking about that, I dumped some whiskey over the hole. He flinched slightly, moaning but not waking.

"Mona is it??" I talked to her without looking at her. "There are few abled bodied men in this town currently and fewer with guns...Not to mention the Doc needs help saving their lives. Unless you want to round up a posse, fresh horses, and able guns, we're fixing these loyal men up first." Grasping the tweezers shoved into my face finally, I got to work digging the slug out.

"John, I am going to need you to hold him down, just incase." I poised over the hole, knowing this was going to hurt and likely wake him. There wasn't much of a choice here.

"Can you see the exit wound." The doc asked.

"There is none. It has to be taken out." He said nothing more after I told him that news, just nodded his head and went back to sewing up Dirk.

"Dirk got lucky I think.. Even though he has more holes, they missed everything vital and they all exited." That annoucement did little to lighten the mood, Dirk wasn't safe yet. Not til he woke up would we know.

"Nick as far as I have found has only one in his arm but I need to get him stripped to see.. He has more blood on him than Dirk does and I am not sure if there are more wounds." I reported back.

"Someone get some scissors and Help her get his clothes off." The doc ordered.

"I think this is the first time someone's had to cut Nick outta his clothes.." One of his buddies tried to joke but it fell short of funny.

"Look, there are too many bodies in here, Clear out Now!" I turned and fixed several with hard stares. "Only Mona, Doc, me and John need to be here and the little blonde who is assisting. The rest of you aren't helping by being in the way. Now please move to the main room, we'll tell you whats going on as soon as we can." Trying to be diplomatic wasn't my strong point, but they got the idea and started filing out. If they weren't being usefull they did not need to be in here.

"Alright, scissors please." Glancing around, I tried to find everything I needed.

 

[kamalw1]

I pulled a small knife out of my pocket. I usually used it to peel fruit and other small jobs but it would do. I began sawing at Nick's clothes, cutting the shirt so that it could be properly opened and he could be examined. I then began working on the pants, cutting up and down the legs. With that done, I held down Nick as Joe began looking at his wounds. "If it will help, there is an old woman who lives right on the end of the street who deals in herbs. She may have something to ease the pain for Nick."

 

[Scuttle Buttin']

He blinked as someone knocked on the door, even more surprised when Mona answered it, and covered himself up again. Upon hearing that someone was hurt, and Mona leaving the room, he quickly found some clothes and dressed, his hair still wet from the shower.

Thudding down the stairs quickly after Mona, he followed her to where the injured people were, blinking as he saw what was going on. Silently, he hung back a few feet, watching from a place where he'd be mostly out of the way... although how long he, an Indian, would go unnoticed had yet to be seen. He didn't think it would be long.

 

[Funloving62]

Mona

All she could do was nod as Joe explained the situation to a t and damn it she was right. the men in this town cared more about carousing in the saloon then out fighting in the streets so gathering a posse and the other things she mentions would be difficult right now Mona had a way of gathering the men but not sure if she was up to it right them and there. she looked down to Dirk and the doc working on him then over to Nick. she shook her head then she heard John. Say about the Shoster women up the street the herbalist and she piped in. I have some of her herbs up in my room might not be as good as the Old lady Shoster has but its a start till she gets here and it works to. The one I was thinking about makes willow bark tea make it strong and it will dull just about any pain."

The Doc nodded to her and she yelled for Jane to get her the bag under the night stand. Told the girl to boil it out quickly and bring it in to Joe for Nick. Seems Dirk here was not feeling anything at the present "is there anything I can do to help Doc? You just got to save him. Come On Dirk wake up Hun," the doctor worked on him taking yet another bullet out of his lower shoulder handing her a sponge and telling her to hold the light higher and sponge the wounds he was working on so he could see it better. Then he added as he worked not even looking to her. "Praying won't hurt either, talk to him Mona... When you came in here his pulse rate seemed to rise some not a lot but there was a difference."

Normally she would have had something smart to say to that but right now she was to worried over the man they where trying to save. "Dirk...Come on Hun wake up, we need you here, Remember today this morning ... I know you want more rides like that we had fun, come on Dirk don't you leave this town you only just got here....We need you ...I need you..." She held the light higher fro the doc and wiped the new area clean he was now working on. She looked over at Joe working on Nick. she took in a deep sigh. " come on Nick there's a new card game starting tomorrow with your name on it wake up over there," she watching him just laying there as Joe worked, and jane came back with the tea setting it beside Joe and Nick" How he doing Joe? get some of tha tea down his throat it will help till something else can be brought."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"Right now, getting something down his throat is going to be more hassle than it's worth." Prying Nick's fingers lose from my hand, I finally freed it and got some circulation back.

Carefully as possible, I moved the tweezers towards the hole in his arm, but the second it touched raw flesh he jerked. "Shit!" He was going to be a hard one to keep down. Glancing around, I saw Aiken "Can you help hold his legs?" John had gotten him out of most of his clothing, and seeing no other bleeding holes in his skin, He was quickly covered up.

Glancing up at John, my eyes met his, "Here goes.." Placing one hand on his forearm to hold him, I pushed the tweezers into him and probed around. Nick winced and groaned under me, I knew this had to be hurting him badly enough to disturb his unconscious state. I only hoped I could find that damned slug and soon.

Seconds ticked by, but it felt like an eternity. Sweat beaded my brow and I could feel it trickle down my back as I worked huddled over the top of Nick's prone form. Hearing and feeling something, I paused and moved the tweezers again just so. Again it bumped and scraped. It was definately something. Fresh blood poured from the wound, blocking my view and again I cursed out loud, "Fuck this is a pain!"

My eyes roamed Nick's face quickly, he was pale and his lips were pressed together tightly. "Hang in there Nick.." My eyes went back to the hole, water was poured over it from someone else's hands, "Thank you." The doc was sewing up the second hole on Dirk, still had another to go.

Fuck! Was I doing more damage than good probing around in his arm? I had to be careful to make sure I didn't hit a main artery anywhere, and make matters worse. Probing a few more seconds, I finally got ahold on the slug and pulled it out. As soon as it cleared his arm, I dropped it and grabbed more cloth to staunch the flow.

"Whiskey?" Looking around, I found it by my hip and grabbed it. Dumping it over the hole again, followed by some gauze. Pressing I held it there a moment and then asked for something to sew him up with.

His body was shaking from blood loss, feeling cold would be normal at this point because of it. "I need blankets please." He was sweating heavily but shivering as well. He'd need a few days to recouperate fully. Luckily the slug didn't hit the bone and given time his arm would heal fully.. A guess mainly, I wasn't a professional doctor by any means.

 

[poohlive]

(really don't feel like waiting for another post to actually get everyone out of the room. Don't have to go home, but you can't stay here sort of thing. Nick and Dirk are in seperate rooms, so if anyone wants to stay in there until he wakes up, they are more than welcome)

He tried his feet first of all. Placing them on the ground, and adding weight as the time, and pain went by. Spikes spread up his body, but he didn't feel it was to standing, just to moving after everything that had happened.
Rested and relaxed.
It was nice to have a long sleep again. Every once in a while they came. Hadn't been in over three months when he had slept on a bed for more than four/five hours at a time. He yawned at this, spreading himself out, to see what the damage was.
His arm rest in a sling. With a bit of a grunt, he took it off, looking at the bandaged wound underneath. It didn't hurt much, the pain dull and far off. He would imagine in a few hours he'd be able to feel it real well.
Whatever sort of drug inside him would fade away, and he'd be left with the harsh reality of a bullet ripping into, and out of his body.
Wonderful.
He gave a bit of a smile.
Was that morphine?
Another smile.
Yes it was. Drugged up with the good stuff. They had gotten the doc after all. This was good, this was real good. Morphine took away a lot of pain, and he could handle that just fine.
Nick went for his clothes, but they were cut up beyond wearing. All he had on now was underpants and a cloth covering him. He ruffled through a dresser, picking out some clothing that seemed to fit, and dressed himself the best he could.
Walking downstairs, he could see it was late in the night. The place already closed, but a few people still around. John probably let them stay, tonight seemed to be one of those rare occasion nights.
"I think I need some coffee," He spoke, to whoever could hear him, sitting down at the bar and leaning heavilly against the counter.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

Gray light filtered into the room accompanied with flashes of the last thing I remembered...

"Nick?" I spoke the name into the room and listened to it echo off the bare walls, then struggled with the covers that were wrapped around me. The movement brought a sweat to my skin as I pushed the light layers off me and discovered I was nude...and alone.

Pushing myself to the edge of the bed I let my legs swing over and raised my body...and was rewarded with a head spinning headache that brought stars to my eyes. Knees up and head down I sat and fought the effects of being plugged, trying to remember just what had happened...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Tired, limp feeling and resenting this whole situation, I sat in the darkest corner and drank my whiskey. Solitude and peace is what I needed, since I was obviously in the wrong damned place to begin with.
Life was going on as usual, people seemed to have forgotten their sheriff and mayor lay upstairs in alot of pain. Whore's were sellin' their wares, and the men were drunk and whorin'.. Yep, as usual. Even a poker game going on. Well it looked normal, only their was little laughter and little rowdiness going on.

My eyes landed on the back at the bar, ordering something. Features scrunching up a bit in concentration, I knew that person! Now who was it? Taking another long swallow from the near-gone bottle, I gripped it in my hand and leaned back into the corner.

Something was nagging my mind, something I should be aware of? Yet, Oh who cares? Not like I could do anything right now, I wasn't even sure I could stand. But hey, it kept me awake... Drunker than a skunk. I chuckled at my own thoughts as I rose on unsteady feet and moved towards the bar.

As I got nearer I seen who it was, "You..... Aren't sssuspose ta be outta bed Nick." A slight slur in speach but all in all, rather good for downing most of the bottle. And here I thought I had given up being a drunk? My head was ringing badly, and no matter how hard I tried to make it go away, it lingered. I sat in the stool next to him, having no energy to force him back to bed.

Glancing down at myself, I realized I needed a bath and some sleep. If Nick is awake, he can handle guarding whatever it was I was guarding....... What was I guarding? Oh yes, the town!
"Doc did one hell of a job if you're up and moving already.. Anyway.." I paused, having forgotten what I was going to say so instead, I drank another gulp down of whiskey. I would have a hang over in the morning, if I didn't spend all night bent over the can. All well, shit happens.

Shrugging my shoulder again with my own thoughts, I turned my attention back to Nick and his face. "You're cute." I smiled, "But very very pale. You shouldn't be up and about ya know..."

 

[Scuttle Buttin']

After all the excitement was seemingly over, he wandered back towards the Saloon, pushing through the batwing doors and making his way to the bar. Settling onto a bar stool, he watched the bartender go about his work, listening to the dull tones of conversation in the subdued tavern, people-watching without actually looking.

 

[Funloving62]

Mona

No matter what happen , the night still went on. the people still came into the bar the music still played and the whiskey still flowed .Yes she got up she did her songs and she slipped back out the back curtain back to Dirk's room. she had done her part up on that stage but her heart wasn't in it tonight. she had other thinks on her mind an all that knew her knew something was bothering her.

She stepped into the dimly lit room to see him sitting there half swaying on the edge of the bed as she rushed to his side grabbing his shoulder to keep him righted "Easy Dirk. Lay back Hun you had it rough. Mona's here now come on lay back"

She helped him to lay back what little resistance he did give her she ignored and half pushed him down herself then he gave in and laid back grabbing her shoulder telling her to get him a whiskey. " I don't think so Dirk. I thing we almost lost ya with all the stuff old Doc's got ya on , I don't think Whiskey will help anything. now lay still or i might have to sit on ya," she smirked as she winked back to him after she said that.

He did chuckle at that himself then coughed a few time but he did get out I'm not that sick Mona, if ya sit on me I sure as hell won't be resting ya know" she leaned over him and pressed a warm kiss to his lips with a chuckle of her own. " Dirk you gone to make it, your to ornery not to , but you need some rest. Can you tell me at all what happen? All I know is I heard gun shots and the I heard you where here," she shook her head those red curls bouncing around her shoulder as she pulled the covers up over his chest.

" That's all I know, Nick was hurt pretty bad but not as bad as you I think. Joe got the slug out of his shoulder." She sat down on the side of his bed and smiled down to him ." Do you want to try something to eat or drink maybe some soup of water of something but no whiskey."

 

[LongWalkHome]

Dirk

And out of my delerium came an angel...perhaps not one ever seen dressed as she was, in dance hall costume and painted breasts...but nevertheless...

"Mona"

It was no use to argue for try as I might she pushed me back like she might a newborn babe and I welcomed the feel of the bed.

Her words as well as her appearance was welcome, for with them she assured me Nick was also in the land of the living, though wounded.

"Don't let the man fool you, he is made of iron, though rarely shows it" I chuckled, still recalling who pulled me behind the heavy desk that saved both of us...and the debt I owed him.

"I owe him, Mona, and never forget to repay a debt"

And as the woman hovered around me, her eyes watching me with critical scrutiny I chuckled again, then grew serious at her offer of food.

"Soup would be good...then bread and beef, but first my guns" I asked and smiled as she pulled them from under the mattress, my hands automatically carressing them and making sure...

"Who reloaded them?" I asked as I discovered the five rounds in each, the hammer resting safely on the sixth and empty cylinder..

"I was hoping you'd be wanting them....soon" Mona confessed and blushed, the words telling me again of the connection we had both felt...and I thanked her softly for her concern in both departments with my own...

"The men who did this are still in town, Mona, it might be best for your health if you stayed away from me til I find them and repay thier kindness"

And I would...for each slug put into my worthless hide I would give them each two back...and insist they kept the lead...eternally.

Her grunt of disapproval made me laugh, then twinge at the sharp pull in my shoulder, then laugh again as I was grateful to be alive.

"At least watch your coming and going from my room closely...and see if you can notice anyone who pays attention to your movements?"

And in such a way she would be doing us both a favor...I reasoned out loud and hoped she would as well.

"It's good to be back, Mona, and better to be seeing...you"

 

[poohlive]

"You don't look much better yourself there," Nick took a drink of his coffee. It was hot, but lacked in taste. Maybe it was his own taste buds, reacting with the drugs still screwing up his system. He took another sip.
"Maybe you should head on home. You're drunk, and I don't think you wanna be letting your guard down in a place like this. Honestly hun, you could do a lot better."
With his good arm, he held her up, and helped her across the floor.
"Come on, we'll get you a bed for the night. You can sleep it off, and feel better in the morning."
He grunted, shifting her weight around in his arm, "I promise."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"Oh Nick, come on now.. I was just trying to relax a little.. this day has been stressful on me." He still ushered me out the door like a wayward child who needed told what to do. But instead of being angry at him for it, I found it to be endearing. Strangely.

"You're the one who should be in bed and don't you dare rip open that wound, it took me an hour to sew it up small enough." I went to take a drink from the bottle I had but it must have been left on the bar? He basicly walked me right out of the saloon, he was not a small guy neither.

"Alright, I'll go.. If you tell me who 'she' is?" My eyes met his, looking for something to give away his cryptic words. "And why did she leave you?" Hearing the glass clinking and such behind him, I tried to peek over his shoulder but didn't manage. My eyes trained back on him and tried to remain there, but it was growing increasingly difficult with the earth spinning faster than it should be.

 

[Funloving62]

Mona

Smiling down to him as she ran a hand thought his hair softly watching him cares his guns like the lost lady he longed to hold again.. yes she was the one that loaded it she knew he would want it close at hand and loaded and ready to go. she called out to Jane to bring her that broth sitting on the counter she readied from him hoping he would want something to help give him back his strength as she listened to his every word. Yes, there was a connection there a strong one but what she was not fully sure but knew she wanted to be near him and no gunslinger was keeping her away and if she would be able to help in any way she sure would.

"At least watch your coming and going from my room closely...and see if you can notice anyone who pays attention to your movements?"

She smiled with a nod agreeing with him if someone thought they had been close even in the lest they might try to get to her in some way and find out his routine to get to him. That was something she wouldn't let happen. at least not is she could help it in the least.

"It's good to be back, Mona, and better to be seeing...you" he did smile her way as she winked back taking the bowl from Jane and setting it to the side lowering over to help him sit up slowly propping him up on a pile of pillows as he griped to her arms reaching out to kiss her softly. She returned it sweetly as she winked, picking up the bowl and spooning his some broth to his lips watching him down it.

"Lets get some of this here soup into you Dirk, and then you can kiss me up one side and down the other and I will repay the favor OK. She chuckled " But eat first."

She wasn't about to tell him she did notice two hard looking wranglers in the bar tonight ogling her and spending money like water running from there fingers but she would alert Joe to that fact, once she saw her again and made sure Dirk was all right. Someone told her Joe and Nick where seen already heading in fro the night and the saloon was closing down for the night she decided she would stay with Dirk she knew he would try and get up again and she wanted to be there to at least try t o stop it before he hurt himself or ripped the stitches or something.

She feed him seated beside him even wiped his chin and helped him get washes up some running the warm damp cloth over his chest feeling his muscles flinch as she let her hand run behind the wash cloth." Now you do need to hurry up and get better don't ya you laying here all warm and so close to me... Your giving me ideas Dirk. " she shook her head as she again pressed her lips to his salty letting it linger there yet holding herself up of his body not wanting to press against him and harm the work the Doc did earlier.

 

[poohlive]

"Of course, yes. Uh huh," The general agreements spewed from his mouth as he took her outside. (outside? I thought there were rooms in the saloon, you want to sleep outside? Hee hee, now that's kinky)
"Just a little drink. I know how it goes," He found her getting heavier and heavier as they moved along. She already seemed lost in her own little drunken world. He didn't want to shatter that for her. Drunk people don't like to be taken away from their happy little world, especially when they were drunk.
It was a general rule.
"My sister," He lied, "She left with this guy in Chicago, and I never heard from her again. She died in a bar fight, really ugly."
Well, it wasn't all a lie. His sister did go to Chicago and was killed. That was years and years ago. He didn't bother to think about it much. No use dwelling on the memories of the dead when there are problems with the living.
"Come on, we'll get you in a bed, and to sleep."
In the back of his office was a small room with a single cot. It wasn't much, but it worked when he got too drunk to go home, or if he spent late hours in the office and didn't feel like riding back to his ranch. He took her there, getting in the back door.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

(when you said "home" I figured that meant heading back to her rented house??)

IC:

Walking along, I listened to his half-detailed story. "That doesn't seem to be the right 'she', but I am sorry you lost your sister." I stumbled into this little room and had NO idea where I was? The little cot wasn't too roomy but it looked good enough to sleep in for the night.

Sitting down on the floor, none too gently, I tugged off one boot and then the other. Looking up at Nick, I wanted to ask him something but the thought had vanished? Unstrapping the gun belt it rested on the floor where it fell as I stood back up.

The room spun again and my hands gripped his shirt for a second. "I gave up drinking like this awhile ago, but I always.. do stupid.. shit and end up regretting it." the halting words gave edvidence to how drunk I was.
"Thanks." I muttered, releasing him and stripping off my shirt without care of the buttons. Next went the pants, I needed to be comfortable to sleep, drunk or sober. Standing in a camisole, I turned back to Nick and studied him again. "You joining me Mayor?" I winked at him and moved towards the cot sitting down on it and bouncing a little. "This isn't too bad, a little stiff however. Where are we?"

 

[poohlive]

(How would Nick know where her home is?)


Nick helped her lie down, letting the covers come over her. It was hot this night, and the stuffy air did little to help the fact, but as soon as he let the door open, and some fresh chilly air sweep through, it seemed best for the both of them.
"Just an old room of mine. Nothing special, but I use it to sober up once in a while."
He pulled a chair next to the bed, relaxing in it. It felt nice to get off of his feet. Carrying her out her had drained more of him than he cared to let on. He wiped the sweat from his brow, searching through thearea close to him for something to drink.
A nice old bottle of Kentucky red. Oh, that would be most helpful.
It only had about a quarter of a bottle left in it, but he felt that would be enough for the night, on his own.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Sitting up and pushing the covers off, I watched him settle into a chair. This wouldn't do at all, he was hurt and tired. Wasn't he? My eyes scanned him up and down a moment.

"Nick you need to rest, and not in a chair. How about if I use the blanket on the floor and you take the cot?" I moved my legs over the bed and bundle up the blanket in my hands. "You can't remain in that chair all night, you can't get back to the saloon or home. So?" I eyed him expectantly, knowing he might very well argue with me about it.

Rising from the cot, I placed the blanket on the floor next to my feet. That took a hell of alot of coordination I did not have. Brain Foggy and in need of sleep, I sat on the floor looking at him.

"If you are going to remain here, get into the cot before you hurt yourself. please?"

 

[poohlive]

For a moment he laughed, taking another hard sip from the near empty bottle.
"When I want to go to sleep, I'll go. Ain't nothing you're gonna say or do that'll make me think otherwise."
He swigged the bottle.
"Besides, what makes you think I wouldn't use the cot if you were in it? Last time I checked there was plenty of room for two."
Apart from the small bed there was also a tiny desk. Nothing compared to the mammoth inside his office, now riddled with bullet holes, but it served its purpose.
He searched through a drawer, finding another half of a bottle. A weak sort of whiskey, but it had enough punch to get the job done.
"I don't feel a thing sweety, I'm on cloud nine thanks to all the drugs and alcohol. Hell, I don't think another few bullets would ruin the smile on my face."
He cheered to the woman now on the floor, taking another fine little gulp.
"Ahhhh," He wiped his lips, "What a fine night... A fine fine night."