The Bounty Hunters'

[The_high_king]

Chester

Seeing as those two would be using the area over there, I decided to use the opposite end. Giving them thier privacy. I then came across a small spring that was vacant. Seeing that no one was around, I quickly stripped off, and dove in. Letting the water rinse me clean. The stars looked beautiful from here, but I decided not to relax too much. Even during an intensely relaxing wash at a spring, I had to keep my eyes open.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I washed myself up and climbed out. Pulling out some clean things from my pack, I got dressed and dried my hair. I didn't see Keith anywhere nor had he showed up.
Shrugging it off as to he needed time alone, I put everything away and headed back up to old Joe's place. I coralled Thunder and brushed him down as best I could given where we were, laid out my bed room under the stars and climbed in to sleep.
Morning dawned bright and early and I for once did not want to get up and start the day.
"Red, ya up yet?" I called out, her bedroll wasn't too far from mine.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

"Yeah Joe I'm up, have been for hours." Sleep had so easily evaded me last night. I had been out of bed and down to the river already, fire was going and I actually made coffee. The way I felt, it would greatly keep me going this morning. I poured Joe a cup and refilled my own, then stood and walked to where she was.

"Here you go Joe, thought we might need this today." I handed her the cup and crouched down. "I am at a loss on why Michaels would do this. Either he is very frightened or has finally gone over the edge. I know catching the Dalton's is important, but I think Michaels is too dangerous to let slide. Who knows what else he might do." I sighed softly and looked about, the morning sun putting a beautiful glow on everything it touched. I had a feeling deep down we were in for one hell of a day.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"Well I dont know where Chester and Keith are, but let's get going. I am not going to wait around all day." I packed up everything I needed, drank the coffee and saddled Thunder.
"Thanks for the coffee Red. Ready?" I turned to her, before I climbed up into Thunder's saddle.
There was no time to waste and I wanted Micheals gone. Taken care of and forgotten. The Dalton's were next on my list, and I didn't have my whole life to wait around to retire from this shit thankless job.
I turned Thunder around, checking my colts and the rifle. All was set, Now I just needed Red to get her butt in gear.
"Come on slow poke, havent got all day!" I teased her with a grin.
"This job is too serious, we need some fun ya know? Well perhaps later."



Catherine

I awoke and stretched, nothing much to do today but sit here and ponder life and spoil my son. Which sounded good to me. I could hear his little voice talking to Maria, the cook.
I rolled out of bed, Vicent long gone to who knows where today I caught sight of a letter on my nightstand.
Opening up I read it and gasped in shock. Shaking I stood up and sat back down. My eyes leaving then returning to the note.
Who was in my house and in my bedroom!?
I set it down and got dressed, I needed some answers and I needed them pronto.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

"I agree hole-heartedly Joe, having some fun would greatly improve our moods. And what do you mean slowpoke, look whose talking...miss linger in bed till after the sun has already graced the world." I chuckled and tightened the belt on my saddle. Once done I mounted up and was ready to go.

"You think he is still headed west Joe.? I am almost afraid that he followed the river his trail in the dead center of to keep from being tracked. Let's check the other side of the river and see if there are any tracks." With that I turned Diablo and headed toward the river.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Further down the spring from where Joe had taken her swim, Keith had laid his bedroll. He had wanted to be alone, to try and come to terms with the old man's death. To try and figure out why Brad Michaels had killed him.

Lying out and looking at the clear night sky, he also finds himself thinking about Joe. He realises that he did not react to her when she showed her concern over old man's death. But the shock had hit him. For some reason, he thought that the old man was going to live forever.

Slowly sleep claims him, his mind a jumble of Joe and the old man's faces going round and round. Before he knows it, it is sun up.

Always one for getting up at first light, he throws a hatful of water over him and then rolls up his bedroll and carries it along with his saddle back to the shack. Once there, he sees Joe just stirring. Putting his saddle down, he comes up to her just as she is calling out.

"Mornin' Joe!" He smiles, crouching on his hunches as he catches her by surprise. He notices that no-one else is up yet.

Joe returns his greetings and asks if he is alright.

"Yeah." He smiles.

"Look, Joe." He continues. "I just wanted to thank you for yesterday. For helping me with Old Joe yesterday and.. "he finds himself pausing as he leans forward and gently kissing her on the cheek, "for just being there. I appreciate it."...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I turned to see Keith coming up over the hill towards the Shack. He called a good morning and came over to me. Wondering what he was thinking and just where he had vanished to, but I said nothing. He kissed my cheek and said thanks for being there. I smiled and nodded my head, "No problem, its what friends are for.." I grabbed the saddle horn and climbed up. Swinging my leg over I sat back comfortable for the moment.
"Well you best hurry up Chester, Keith. I am ready to head out and I'm not waiting.." I turned towards Red and nodded, making sure all was set. Follwing her towards the river, I watched the ground for tracks.
"It doesn't look like he came back towards the river, If I remember correctly, he rode right through the garden heading south west.. I think we should head that way also.." I watched her looking around at the tracks around the place.

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

"No arguement here Joe", I said, as we rode towards the garden. My eyes glared open. I wasn't a garden, I was fucking farm land. However, dispite the vastness of this, "garden", I did notice some tracks. And as Joe said, whoever killed the old man, was heading sout-west. We were close, I could feel it, "so, shall we ride on?", I asked.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"Yes Chester, we should get going.." I glanced at keith, he had a look of promised pain in his eyes. IF he got to Micheals first, Micheals would be in a world of hurt. I moved over towards Keith and reached out, taking his hand in mine.
My eyes met his, "Are you alright hun?" I asked softly so no one else could hear.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Watching the others mount their horses , Keith moves over to his own mount, his hand toying with his badge.

The bastard!

He feels something in the pit of his stomach, growing larger with every passing minute.

"Are you alright hun?" He finds himself looking deeply into Joe's eyes, her hand holding his and, for the moment at least, he feels his anger abate.

"I'm okay." He smiles. Then, on impulse he almost tells that he had he wished he had asked her to be with him last night. But instead: "Let's go."

All mounted, the four of them continue their hunt for Michaels...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I nodded my head, I understood he was hurting and wished to be left alone. So I gave him the space he needed.
Riding along, it was nearly mid-day before we stopped along a narrow pass.
Shot's rang out and bounced over my head, I jumped down from Thunder and turned him around towards a boulder. It richoceted through the canyon and stopped somewhere.
"MICHEALS! Give yourself up!" I hollered out as we all dashed for cover.
"NEVER! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" He yelled back. I had a feeling he meant Old Joe not the Sherrif.
"Come on Micheals, dont be stupid now! You .."
"NO! I will hang! I know I will, the old guy was pretty bad... I wont die for an Accident!" he shot out twice more. I motioned red and Keith, "Go up and around, get over him. Me and Chester will keep him occupied with gun fire.." I whispered quietly as I slithered out on my belly towards another rock. A few shots rang out and thudded in the dirt just inches from me as I high tailed my ass to the next Boulder.
"Dammit Micheals! Dont make me fuckin' kill you!"
"Ha ha ha Joe! I know better Miss Bounty Hunter! I'm dead either way! and I am taking a few of you assholes with me!" He shouted out, giving me a general idea where he was up high and to the left of me.

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

I turned to Joe, and said, "this guy is pissing me off". I quickly stood, and fired a few rounds, all of them inches aways from his body, then ducked back down. I could've killed him right there, but I didn't want too, not yet a least. Then my eyes opened. I realised something, I knew who he was.
I saw him when I went brawling all the time. Now I definitly had to kill him, or he would give away my secret night life. Then I would have a lot of explaining to do. Something I didn't like doing. As soon as he finished, I made a quick stand, fired another couple of shots, then squatted back down. I had no choice, but to shoot fast, or he'll recognize me, if I stand still enough.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Getting off his horse, Keith, with Red beside him, silently crawl away from the others. Once hidden by the rocks, they then make their way up the side of the rock overhanging the pass, slowly navigating the boulders and rocks as they draw up over the Michaels who is still exchanging gunfire with Joe and Chester.

Finally, he had Michaels in his sights. Had the bastard who had killed his old friend. His gun in his hand and aimed at the outlaw, he feels his finger tighten around the trigger. It is so easy to shoot him here and now.

No! Old Joe wouldn't like that!

Instead, he aims at the rock in front of Michaels and fires. The man instantly freezes.

"Hold it right there, Michaels! Your next move will be your last!" shouts Keith from his cover...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

Micheals had that cornered animal look in his eyes and I didnt like it one bit. I could see him clearly when he stood up.
"Die Fucker!" He aimed right at Keith and fired....

Time stood still as I called out a warning to Keith. two shots rang out, but so timed in unison that only one echoed. Keith stood tall as Micheals crumpled and fell to the dirt floor below.

He was screaming like a mad man on his way down, a sound I never wanted to hear again. Sagging with relief, I sat down hard on the boulder, my body tense and my head pounding from just a few seconds... This job was breaking me.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Keith looks down at the crumpled body on the ground below.

You have been avenged, old friend! He thinks with a grim satisfaction that has a hollow feel to it. Hoistering his gun, he follows Red back down to join the others.

Back at the bottom, he finds himself relieved to see that Joe is okay.

"Let's get the body and go back to town."...

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

I could breath properly again. I was satisfied that Micheals couldn't tell who I was. Getting up, I walked over to the corpse, to take a look. Even in death he looked like a psycho. Keith knew that I could have taken him in down in the first few shots. I could only hope that he was too busy too notice. I hoped.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I nodded my head and helped Keith tie the body to the back of Micheals horse which we found just a few yards down into the crevice.
"Guess I was right, but I wonder still who killed the wanna-be sheriff?" I was thinking aloud, but did not care for an answer or not right now.
Once we were all loaded back up we headed back towards Tumbleweed. It would be good to get back and get in some clean clothes and some hot food that wasn't beans.
Then we would move on to the Daltons and Dupree. I watched Red out of the corner of my eye. For all appearences she appeared to be feeling and acting normal, but I still had this sensation deep down she was angry, hurt and scared still.
"Hey Red, we should go see Dupree when we get back into town.." I smiled a knowing look at her and mounted Thunder. Gathering the reins in my hand, I clicked my tongue and off we went.
It was evening by the time we reached Tumbleweed. I bid Chester and Keith good bye and headed for the Inn. Doc was still busy with someone or another, so I would have to see to my own wounds. Stop by and check on Thomas, and see that the insurance place was telegrammed tomorrow to get the Saloon rebuilt.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Dropping the body off at the morgue, Keith and Chester then take their horses back to the stables before going back to Sheriff's Office.

"I'll telegram the Marshall tomorrow about what has happened here." He says, flopping down on a chair. "Think I will get a bite at the Inn and then hit the hay. How about yourself?"...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I walked into the stables and handed Thunder over to Tucker.
"See he gets treated real well and I will pay you double for the night Tuck.." He smiled and shook his head, "That's not needed today Joe. Go get some rest.."
I thanked him with a hug and made my way into the Inn. Heading up to a vacant room, I had a bath brought to me and I sat soaking in it for an hour. I finally felt clean and got out.
Dressing in something clean was going to prove to be hard. All my clothes got burned up. Elijah's wife borrowed me a simple dress and I thanked her. Blushing a little at wearing this stuff, I wasn't going to care tonight. I needed clean, good food and sleep. In that order.
Walking back downstairs I put myself in the darkest coolest corner and ordered some hearty food.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Leaving Chester at the Sheriff's Office for the time being, Keith enters the Inn and takes his favourite table. Immediately, the waitress is there to serve him.

"Steak and beans. Rare on the steak." He says pleasantly, returning her smile.

Fifteen minutes, she returns with a plate full of steak in one hand and a jug of beer in the other.

"Tell me if you want anything else." She smiles.

Hungrily, he digs in...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I watched as Keith came in and sat down. Eating his dinner I waited until he was done before walking over to him. I lightly touched his shoulder, "Hey there, Want some company?" I wondered for a moment what he would think when he saw me looking like a female, but brushed it off.
It was a little weird but given the circumstances I couldn't complain too much.
I sat down opposit of him when he offered me a chair and smiled, "How are you feeling tonight?"

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"I'm okay." He replies, finishing the contents of his jug.

In fact he does feel better. It's amazing what a decent meal can do.

"You? Are you - you- you.."

It's then he realises that she is wearing a dress.

"You-you are wearing a dress." He says stupidly...

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

"I'm also going to grab some dinner, then I got go... somewhere tonight Keith", I said, as I grabbed my hat, and left. I was going to an out of town inn. I jumped on my horse, and rode off. The sun was setting, and the air was a bit breezy. I galloped off for several miles.
When I got there, there was nothing but a seedy looking in. I really creepy place to get the spine going all tingly. I walked in casually. Inside was nothing but whores, out laws, and a bartender. I went up to him slowly, everyone had their eye on me. I leaned on the counter, and quietly said, "hats with wings", and the bartender smiled. He turned an old bottle on the shelf, and the counter began to move back. Under the counter was a man-hole with a ladder. It was all lit up down there. I smiled, and tilted my hat towards the bartender, then went down.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I chuckled and nodded, "Yes I am Keith, good of you to notice." I brushed back a stray lock of hair, leaving it hanging down was a little different but I was too tired to care tonight.
"All my things were burned up in the saloon, I had to borrow this from Elijah's wife until the store opens tomorrow." I picked up the glass of water and took a drink. Wiping my mouth I glanced back up at him.
He was staring at me like I grew horns while he was gone.
"Alright, what is it? I know you are dying to say something.. Or are you having heart failure?" I smiled as I teased him.
Bet he didnt know I could look like this when I wanted to.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

He feels himself blushing as she grins at him, making him feel even more uncomfortable.

"It-it-it's just that I didn't realise you were so beautiful!" He feels himself wanting to crawl away somewhere as soon as he blurts it out.

Why did he just say that?...