The Bounty Hunters'

[Shoty98]

Red

Staring at my glass sitting in front of me i pick it up and down it. Looking to Joe "Yeah they're workin on the bath now, shouldn't take to long but ya never know." Staring off into space thinking about things in my life I hear Joe "Stop flirting a moment, we have a gang of worthless scum to track down, any ideas where we should look first?" I think for a moment "Well I heard that Twin springs...just a couple days north of hear....is growing at quite a fast pace and their bank hasn't been hit in years maybe they are in the high country between here and there, waiting, planning their move on it. You said you heard they were in these parts maybe that is their plan."

Basking in Reeces giant hug, I lived for his hugs, it was like a tradition. "It is good to see you to Reece....yes Belle will be upset, just between you and me I think she lives for our visits more than anything else. As for watching out for the crazy one, yeah I do my best, although I think it's mostly the other way around."

I took no offense to Joe wanting her own room we spend so much time together on the trail sometimes we need our own space. Bidding Joe goodnight I take another shot and quickly down yet another wanting to drown whatever it was that was clouding my mind tonight. My mind just couldn't seem to focus on one thing or another.

Turning to Reece "So Reece how has business been lately? And really how is Belle? I continue to eat this tasty steak and potatoes dinner Fung Su was great cook. Looking over at the marshall who looks as though he is thinking of something way to serious. I turn back to my food eating a few more bites and take down a couple more shots.

 

[ezzrunin]

Marsahll Winters

The Marshall walks over to Joe and Red's Table.

"Hey Joe you got me wrong before the Judge will be very happy with your work today. I think he would like that man to be in a world of hurt."

Sipping his drink he looks at Joe and Red. "Reece, do you think I could get some food."


Both Joe and Red look like have been on the trail to long, wild untamed. They never looked better.

"Red, Joe tells me your going after the Dalton Gang. My information tells me they are held-up down at the old Bar-X Ranch west of town. I have had a Deputy watching them for two weeks. He is an Indian, blends with the land. He sends me reports."


Let's not talk business now.

You to have been on the trail. It is time to enjoy good food and company.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

Sitting there quietly still enjoying my meal I look up at Reece noticing he still hasn't answered my question. I'll bet he is thinking about Joe, I see the way looks at her and watches her I think there is something brewing there.

Hearing someone walk up behind me I move my right hand slowly to the gun in it's holster on my hip. I hear the marshall's voice speaking to Reece, I relax a little, without turning around I speak in a gruff voice "You should not walk up behind a tired, worn women packing a gun. Joe has gone up to clean up would you like to join me?" Turning slightly I smile at him showing him I was kidding. "Please sit. Join me for a drink." Pouring myself another shot and downing it I begin telling him of my hunch. "Marshall I have a hunch that they will hit Twinsprings, the town has grown greatly in the years and their bank hasn't been robbed in years they would make a perfect target for the Daltons. What do you think?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Sofie and Butch finished filling the tub for her and made their exit. Putting the screen up around the tub, she stripped down and climbed in. Letting her hair down, she realized it needed cut again. It reached down past her ass, and would become a nuisence on the trail. She'd have to find Red after her bath and ask her to braid it for her again. She wasn't really good at it anymore. She seemed to forget alot of things, but how to cook and sew. It had been awhile since she was that newly married woman on her first homestead. Laying back in the tub, she let her head rest against the back of the tin wall. The water felt heavenly to her tired dusty body.

She looked down at herself, with no children and her current job, she had no fat on her anywhere. She was considered rather on the slim side for most males. Most men liked a woman with meaty thighs and a soft plump ass. She was hard all over, except her breasts. She still bound those down too, easier to hide her sex from her prey. Though they all knew once they were caught that Joe was a female, not a male.

She sighed, and started to wash her body. Her only splurged item she bought, Rose scented soap. It reminded her of her Mother. Also helped her to not forget she was a woman, and not some hardassed killer all the time. She would have to make due with her hair on her own, since she sent Sofie away. What a hassel, She needed it cut badly.

She also needed to go see Father Thomas. She had alot on her mind lately, and wasn't really sure she would be able to ever get over the death of her husband at the hands of those Indian raiders. She knew he would listen to her, without prejudice. Give her good advice, even just listen to her without giving her a rash of shit. Perhaps it would help ease the nightmares that haunted her nightly?

 

[Angelus]

David Dalton

David rode into the town and looked around. This place really was a shithole and he didn't think there would be anything worth taking in here. He had been told by his two older brothers to check out the place as nobody would think of him twice. He hated them for that but he did need some time away from them, even if it meant coming to this town.

He then saw a pair of women as they walked quickly across the street and smiled, maybe there was something to this town after all. He stopped his horse and his smile got even bigger when he saw the saloon- which was usually his second home.

He got down from his horse and tied him up then turned to a drunk that he saw laying down on the ground.

"Watch that horse. If he runs away then you will have to buy me a new one and trust me he does love to run away."

David walked past the drunk before he could get a reply and walked straight into the saloon, looking around. He breathed in the air and almost coughed before he said, "Holy hell, you could cut this air with a knife."

He saw that nobody even looked at him and shrugged then walked to the bar and said, "Bartender. Hey, bartender! Get me a drink!"

 

[darrenfate]

REECE

"Red, now forgive me I wuz just settlin a little dis-pute there. Seems like the cowboy yonder paid for two o' my girls but after he made it with the first one there was no wind left in his sails! Wanted a refund he did. Told him to get lost. Belle is fine, although where she is I still don't know. Biz is good, you know me I always have an ace in the hole if things get too tough. "

Well, lookie here. A Dalton boy in my place.

"Watcha have cowboy?"

In a low voice so that no one else could hear, he said to David Dalton

"You are welcome to stay as long as you like. We want no trouble in here tonight though."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Josephine finished her bath, and got dressed in cleaner clothes. She would have to have these laundered soon as possible. Drying her hair, she pulled it back into a ponytail, and put her hat on. Picking up her change pouch, she walked back down to the bar. Sitting at the end, she watched Reece talking quietly to a new comer.
"Hey Reece, when you get a moment, could I have another whiskey?" She turned around and watched Red talking to Marshall Winters. She whistled a little ditty she heard in Tuson.

 

[Kineser]

BELLE

Belle came down the stairs slowly, she stumbled a bit on the second to last step but quickly held on to the bannister to prevent falling. She had a terrible headache earlier and laid down to rest in her room, after taking some of Dr.White's elixir. Now she felt much better, and needed to be downstairs to look after business.

In her late forties, Belle still looked glamorous and beautiful. Her long dark tresses were only a little bit sprinkled with silver. Her skin was still porcelain-smooth and her dark eyes always sparkled mischievously. Her full bossomed and full hipped figure was a feast for the eyes, and her humor and kindness like water on the parched souls of her wards.

Yes, she was Tumbleweed's brothel's madam. But the girls that worked under her regarded her more as a mother or an older sister, coming to her with ails and complaints about just anything. She had salves and elixirs for aches and pains, and she always listened to tales about broken hearts and unrequited love. She would laugh and joke with her girls about the customers and other townsfolk, and life in general. She was that way with them, because she was one of them herself, not so long ago.

Orphaned at 2, she only had Old Wang to look after her. Old Wang was her only relative until he left town to go west with Joe and Red. Who knows if he'll ever come back. He was distantly related to her mother, the half breed of an English lady and a Chinese pirate. He worked building the railroads, but was also very good in martial arts. Belle's mother was very beautiful and when she was 16, and French gentleman rode into town and captured her heart. They married a month later, and had 3 children: two sons and a girl, Belle. Unfortunately, the family was wiped out by the pox, leaving Belle an orphan.

Belle was a budding beauty even at the tender age of 12, when she was kidnapped and raped by a gang of bandits, regardless of being adept in martial arts. She was simply overpowered and outnumbered. Wang rode out to get her back and also killed three of her captors. The others ran away and haven't been seen again in Tumbleweed.

Wang realized that he couldn't look after Belle all the time and asked Miz Louise, his best friend and madam of the whorehouse to take Belle under her wing. As she was ruined anyway, Wang didn't think she'd have a chance for a good marriage. As a beautiful whore, she would be popular and self sufficient. She might even snare a rich husband. Belle took to whoring with enthusiasm. She just loved it! And she loved it when men fought over her. She liked having various sexpartners, and decided she didn't want to get married.

When Louise passed away, Belle had just about enough money saved to take over the whorehouse. But the adjacent Saloon was bought by Reece, who had just come into a sizeable inheritance, or so he said. Reece had been a regular customer at the whorehouse for some time, and has always treated Belle with respect. This was many years ago. Since then he had been her partner in business and more.

A few years after Belle took over the whorehouse, she found a little girl wandering around town, half starved and cold. Her name was Red, and her family had just been murdered by Vincent Dupree and his band of men. She took Red under her wing and nursed her back to health. Together with Reece, they raised her. Reece taught her horse riding and shooting, while Wang taught her and another girl, Joe, the martial arts. Belle taught her manners and everything a girl needs to know. Belle loves Red as her own daughter, but Joe is just as close to her heart. The two girls have been vast friends for as long as she can remember.

-------------------------------
As Belle enters the saloon, she feels like her old self again. She smiles at the assembled crowd, and looks at Reece who cocks his eyebrows as to question where she had been. Belle waves her hand at him in a gesture that means everything's fine.

Her smile grows wider when she spots Red having dinner by herself. So the girls are back in town with their latest catch. Good.

 

[darrenfate]

REECE

Reece finished his conversation with the Dalton boy by saying

"No one here recognizes you but me. Let's keep it that way, I'm not saying anything to anyone. This drink is on the house"

___________________________________________________________________


Looking up at Joe, he waved a greeting. Joe looked truly terrific. Amazing how much a woman she could be if she wanted to. Of course any man who dared get close had to be on his best behavior or chance getting his head blown off! Reece grinned, high risk, high reward. He sidled up to her with the ever present whiskey bottle poured her another and said -

"Well now, you look like a new woman, all cleaned up. You must have had five layers of trail dust on you! "

Well look what the cat just drug in. Belle! C'mere and say hello lady!"

 

[ezzrunin]

Marshall Winters

Red looked wonderful. There was a certain attracting between them. Red the woman excited the Marshall. He kept their relationship professional, but there was a growing desire inside for more, which he suppressed.

"Red, the Dalton Gang is very close to town. They are coming and going right in the town. I am letting them have their freedom. Hell, I could round them up with posse, but at the expense of to many life's.

The Marshall look towards the bar, "David Dalton is very close to town right now." He looked around the room and relaxed, David was alone.

He turned back to the converstation. To arrest David would just mean an attempt at a jail brake by the Daltons. No better to get him a woman and have him content and distracted for a night. It was not Daivid time, unless he wanted it to be.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

She thanked Reece for the drink and winked at him, "Don't go getting any ideas Reece. You wouldn't live through it." And she wasn't referring to shooting him with her gun either. They both new that. She turned to see Belle coming out of hiding.
"Hey there Belle, How is things tonight?" She was friendly with all those she knew, but didn't get to close. She didn't want to suffer anyone she cared about dying on her again. Truth was, she loved them all as if they were life long friends, and it scared her sometimes. She glanced down the bar at the new comer, wondering to herself why he looked familiar to her?

Belle came over and sat down next to Joe, she looked damned good for her age. joe only hoped she kept her beauty as long.
"You know Belle, male whores would be useful around here." She giggled, The expression on Reece's face was comical. Belle gave her a sassy wink, and gave her attention to Reece once more.
Joe turned in her chair, watching Red and the Marshall speak in monitones. Not to be over heard at all. Grabbing the whiskey bottle and another shot glass, she walked back over to the table.
"Hey girly, Here I am with our nightly sleeping drought." She winked and set the whiskey down.
"Am I interrupting something here?" She acted innocent, but seen the heat in the Marshall's eyes. She wondered if Red knew he wanted to get her into bed? Poor Red looked flustered a little, it was cute.

 

[ezzrunin]

Marsahll Winters

"No, Joe - no. We were just discussing business. Red can fill you in on it later."

Marshall Winters watched the mirror in front on him. He could see David Dalton in the mirror, but David cold not see him. He wanted David to be comfortable, find a woman and go up stairs for the night, peacefully.

The Marshall could see David watch Joe. He watched David smile at Joe's body. If David found a woman the town would be very safe for a while.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

She smiled, and sat down. The Marshall wasn't to bad of a guy. Even if he was the law, and she was a boarder walker. Fine line between her job and the law, and the bad guys. She had to watch herself.
She eyed Red, she seemed a little lost for words.
"Well red, We will head out bright and early, perhaps pick up the Dalton's trail?" She nodded and Red excused herself from the table going to go and bath. She turned to the Marshall, "i'm going to go check on my horse, I'll come by your office in the morning for any paper work, ok? Have a good night Marshall Winters."
She left the whiskey on the table with the glasses, and got up. heading outside to stretch her legs. She walked to the stable and spoke gently to her stallion. Thunder was quiet as she was, but she could tell he was antsy to ride. Or Perhaps a mare was in heat? She didn't know but she stroked his nuzzle.
"Well Ol boy, its just you and me tonight. Not much to do in this small of a town but get drunk and get laid."

 

[Shoty98]

Red

"No harm Reece, boy he sure should know better by now. I'm glad your both doing well and I'm not sure why I still worry with all those ace's hidin up your sleeve, but I do and always will." I hear some cowbot bellowing at the bar and watch as Reece heads there to tend to him.

Turning my attention back to the marshall, he was a hansome devil. I always felt a little attraction to him, but hid it well not wanting people thinking I was soft. I am a lady deep down there somewhere, Belle had taught me well, but nobody needed to know that. I have a reputation to uphold. Speaking to him in a tone barely audible between the two of us "You mean they have been comin in and out of town and your lettin them. Aren't ya a little concerned they may cause trouble and hurt someone?"

Watching him glance at the bar I look and see a new man standing there...he must have been the one bellowing for the bartender, couldn't see much of him but seeing the look on the marshall's face I new it was someone he didn't much care for. Out of the corner of my eye I see Joe headin down the stairway all cleaned up, she has always looked good cleaned up the men always watching her. Within a few moments I see Belle emerge from wherever she was hidin, with the wave of her hand I new she was alright and watched for a moment as she sat next to Joe.

Turning back to the marshall "A jail break by the Dalton's wouldn't be wise. I heard that last time they handled a jail break three deputies and a marshall were gunned down. That is good thinking, keep him busy and occupied." I look up just in time to see Joe walk up with a bottle and a couple of shot glasses "Hey girly, here I am with our nightly sleeping drought." giving me a wink and asking if she was interrupting something. "Not at all Joe, we were just talking about the next length of our treck after the Dalton gang and the marshall was telling me they have been in and out of town here. So they are very close by, but we should talk about it later, when there are less people around." My voice still low key not wanting anyone to hear.

Taking the bottle from her and a glass I pour myself a shot and slam it back. Setting the glass back down I slowly rise from my seat turning to the marshall "Well marshall thank you for your company and the info, it's much appreciated. Joe I am off to clean up, we should talk later and I will fill you in." heading for the bar walking up beside Belle "Hi Belle." giving her a giant hug "God you look great, can we chat later I was just heading up to clean up a little?" Giving her a nod I head for the stairs and on up, tracking down sophie "Will you transfer the bath back to my room and fill it with the hottest water ya got.......Thanks." I walk down the hall and enter my room leaving the door open for sophie I sit on the bed waiting for them to finish.

 

[ezzrunin]

Marshall Winters

He watched David Dalton, watch Joe, as she walked out the saloon. He seemed to enjoy watching her.

 

[ezzrunin]

Marshall Winters

"I will talk to you soon Red"

The Marshall nodded to Reece. His glance told Reece, he knew David where here, and asked if Reece needed anything.

He made his way to a dark corner of the saloon, where he could watch everyone and not be seen. He looked up at he window. A deputy was posted.

He sat down and waited.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

She spent a few more minutes with Thunder, wondering where everything in her life went wrong. She was brought up to be a perfect lady, have children, spend her life in a sewing circle. And here she was toting a gun around, shooting up bad guys and hauling them in. She knew how to read and write, she could sew a perfect stitch. She could bake bread and clean her house at the same time. Why was she doing this? Because she had an empty homestead, and no way to run it. She couldnt legally claim it without another husband, and she didn't want that again. Not there. Not in the house she shared with Micheal. She felt a tear slip down her cheek and Thunder nuzzled her shoulder. She smiled and wiped it away, I'm alright Thunder, just a little of the grumps." She patted him once last time, wiped her face, and headed back into the saloon. She needed sleep, without any nightmares to wake her. One night wasn't too much to ask for. She came back in. The stranger at the bar still a little grumpy looking to her. She gave him wide bearth and sat at the end of the bar. Red was bathing, and readying herself for bed. She should get there too. Nothing else to do tonight anyways.

"Reece, do you have some water back there somewhere for me?" Her eyes were dark and clouded, but she didn't give away her thoughts. Just sat in silence, wondering how she could fix her life. Once the Dalton Gang was brought in, and reward paid, She could settle into a normal life. Tumbleweed would be the perfect place to do that too. Perhaps she could find a way to buy a homestead without having to have a husband?

 

[ezzrunin]

Marshall Winters

He noticed Joe come in. Staying in his chair, he watched from the shadows. Joe looked fresh, natural a pure beauty. There also seemed to be something about her, a wildness. He could not label.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

She turned around on the stool spotting the Marshall slinking in the corner. Well that wouldn't do at all. Why was he watching her? She wasn't going to shoot anyone, well not tonight anyways. She got up with her glass of water and walked over to the corner he was hiding in.
"Hello again Marshall. Enjoying the view?" She sat down, not waiting for an invite to do so.
"How about you tell me why you are hiding over here in the darkest corner being so behaved?"

 

[Kineser]

Belle

Seeing that everything was going well in the saloon, Belle went off to check on her girls. At the moment she had 12 girls working for her, ranging between the age of 18-26. She didn't want them to start too young as she herself once did, and hoped they'd be married by the time they became too old and used up. The customers liked them young and sweet. So all of her girls were pretty or at least good looking.

She walked up the stairs and came into the boudoir, the common sitting room. A couple of her girls were sitting there, talking to 3 gentlemen. It seemed like the gentlemen came as a group and couldn't make up their minds who could go first, as all the other girls were at the moment otherwise engaged.

Belle smiled as she came up to them, and asked the blonde girl: "Sara, what's the problem?" "Oh hi, Belle," Sara said, "these three gentlemen can't make up their minds who must go last. They all want to be serviced right now." Belle turned to the men: "Well, as you all want to go at the same time, why don't you all go together. I'll give you the biggest room with the extra large bed, that will easily contain all 5 of you." "Oh yes, " Sara exclaimed, "that'll be fun!" , while the men all nodded their heads and smiled.

That settled, Belle went on to check on all the other girls, all were engaged, and she could hear moans and soft cries coming from their rooms. Belle smiled, as she knew that they were all enjoying themselves. One of her first rules in accepting whores was that they truly enjoyed sex.

Smiling, Belle went back down to the saloon, to see whether there were any more potential customers for the night. Although she was not actively working herself anymore, she still liked men. And on the occasion that there were more customers than available girls, she would. Also on special requests, when a man (young or old) wanted an older woman, or when someone specifically wanted her. But it always was her choice to accept or decline.

As she entered the saloon again, she saw that Red had left, presumably to bathe. Joe was sitting in a dark corner with the Marshall, who seemed like he was watching someone, and not too pleased that Joe had joined him. Reece was tending the bar and watching the stranger she noticed before, out of the corner of his eye.

Reading the situation, Belle came up to the stranger, and smiled at him. He was good looking enough, but with a cruel twist to his mouth, and a merciless glint in his eyes. "Would you be requiring any company tonight, Sir? I have a few of girls that can make you forget all your troubles."

 

[Guest]

David Dalton

David looked at the woman who had come up to him and smiled at her, wishing that she would move away from him. He just wanted to have his drink, probably play some poker and then leave town. But then again some company for the night wouldn't be too bad.

"Ummm, yeah. I'll have some company for the night. I can't spend it alone- what would I do with myself?"

He watched as the woman turned and walked off and went back to his drink, humming a tune to a new song. He liked this saloon- it was actually a pity that they were going to have to destroy it. He turned and looked around the large room and saw someone leave one of the poker tables, obviously not in a good mood and with a grin walked over to the table.

He sat down at the table, causing everyone to look at him and said, "Whoa, easy guys. I am just here to play a game of poker. God, I would hate to have to kill you just for that."

Everyone started laughing at that as one of the men at the table said, "Okay, you're alright. You can play."

"Why thank you my dear chap. I hope that I don't take all of your money."

 

[Angelus]

Sorry about that.... that was me.

 

[ezzrunin]

Marshall Winters

Looking deep into Joe's eyes, piercing her soul, in low voice, "I am waiting for you."

He grabbed her hand and pulled into the chair next to him and whispered into her ear, "Don't turn and look. Look in the mirror at the poker table. David Dalton. We want the hole gang at once. Let him have fun, get laid and take us to the rest of the gang. He is being followed. Now pretend you like me."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

She tensed up imediately, reaching for her colt. Damn she wasn't wearing it! She cursed under her breath, very unlady like too. She looked into the mirror, watching the Dalton's face. Now she knew why he looked so damned familiar to her, though the drawings on his wanted poster didn't do him justice. They missed the coldness in his eyes. He had two whores next to him, vying for his attention. He didn't appear to be cheating at the poker table. Which was amazing, most outlaws cheat, lie, and steal. Not to mention murder and rape too. Her eyes narrowed slightly then she turned to the marshall at his next words.

"Now pretend you like me."

She turned around and looked right at him, her eyes curious now.
"Pretend I like you? what do you suggest Marshall?" He had her full attenion for the moment. She was still dressed as a man, breeches and a flannel shirt. If David Dalton couldn't see her face, then how would he know? Then she realized her hair was still down from her bath. "Damn"

No guns on her, she could go to her room or one of the whore's rooms and find a dress. Get closer to the Dalton, but that thought was not appealing in the least.
"Well Marshall I am all ears here. What would you have me do? Sit on your lap perhaps?" Her cocky smile appeared, and her eyes deepend in hue before his eyes. The little flirt was returning from being hostage by the Bounty Hunter.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

As Sophie and Butch finish filling the tub I slip off my boots and remove the piece of cloth tied around the bottom of my long braid. Standing slowly all my muscles protesting from our last treck out, it seemed we were gone for an eternity.

Walking over to the door, handing them each a few coins and thanking them I close the door. Removing my gun belt, drawing the revolver from it's holster I place it on the bathing table next to the bath supplies and throw the belt onto the bed. "Don't want to becaught off guard." I mutter to myself as I walk to the mirror.

Standing there in front of it I slowly undress looking at my reflection, wondering where I had gone wrong, why didn't I have a man in my life to love me and care for me. Maybe it was all the hatred for Vincent Dupree that I toted around and the vendetta I had planned. Shrugging my shoulders I begin to unbraid my hair letting it all fall down around my body, it was long and i liked it that way but being on the trail made it difficult to deal with sometimes. I stepped into the tub letting out a low groan as i sink into it feeling the hot water flood over my body, relaxingevery inch of me.

I began to wash my body trying to wash away all the feelings of longing, lonliness and the desire to be a lady. Taking a gruff tone "What are you thinking, your a bounty hunter and it has provided for you so far. Stop it! Think of something important." Quickly I wash, rinse and wrap my hair in a towel. I lean back just soaking, waiting for the water to cool giving me a reason and motivation to withdraw.