The Bounty Hunters'

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I watched Red walk out and I turned to the wounded man, "Dupree? are you sure?"
"Yes, Dupree.. My brother's are dead.." He sounded so forlorn, so heart broken inside.
"Your brothers?"
"Yeah.." He coughed, trying to sit up again, but my hand held him firmly to the bed. "They were shot, both David and Mark.. I had to get out of there, I don't know if they are alive or not.. I got to get out of here! Get back there!" He tried to move and ended up groaning out in pain and falling back in a shaking sweaty mass of weakness.
"david?....Mark?" I stepped back stunned a little just as Red came back in.
"Joe, I need to speak with you outside.."
I turned, nodding and followed her outside.
She informed me who he was, though I already knew.
"Yeah, I just gathered that. Let me go find out where they were hiding out and we can get on their trail alright?" I patted her shoulder, and jumped right back inside and into that bedroom.
I didn't care right now what wa son Red's mind just yet.
"Richard.. Tell me where they are, where they were so someone can get help to them!" I urged him, hoping he would cave in knowing he was too weak.
"Old caves.. Eastern bottom cave.. Between the gullies.." I laid back, panting for air, his eyes holding mine. Knowing I knew who he was.
"Do not tell another soul that information, got it!? No one." He nodded his head, and I knew I was breaking a law.
But a life for a life. Perhaps I could get there intime to save one of them, repay a debt I owed for Frankie.

******
Previous Night..


The Dupree men came down the gully and glanced around. David was deffinately dead and Mark was fatal, but alive.
"Boss said ta tell ya that waus pay back fer betrayin' him and not deliverin' yer part of that bargain. Just rewards mah boy, just rewards. Rot in hell!" With that he kicked Mark in the ribs and took the tethered horses.
Not caring for the loot or the Dalton's supplies they took off, trying to track down Richard. They seen him get away, barely wounded. He would talk if given the chance and they had to protect their boss's ass.
Kicking up a large cloud of dust they took off.
Meanwhile, cursing and swearing up a storm, his head throbbing with the fleshy would at his temple and the one buried in his shoulder through the back, he crawled as best he could towards the cave. Shaking, panting and damned near exploding with anger, Mark made it inside jut intime to pass out.
Nearby a lone coyote howled in the night. The scent of blood in the wind...
Sometime later, hearing the howling sounds of a near by pack, Mark managed to drag himself up a little wall to a ledge. Safety higher up, he was maybe six or seven feet up from the ground and a good forty feet from the cliff top. He might be safe there, granted he didn't die first from blood loss.
He passed out again, no thoughts of anything but flame red hair of someone who haunted his dreams.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I listened to Joe and watched her bound back into the house. Settling myself down on the porch I began to think of a bonified reason for Dupree to shoot up Richard Dalton, and probably the two brothers.

Well the thought of the bounty is a farfetched thought, Dupree had all the money and land he could ever need. It has to be something else, think Red.....think."

It hit me then of the possibility that Dupree had been aiding the Dalton's. They needed inside information in Tumbleweed and in Twinsprings. I knew exactly why they would not send David in for such a task, he was always to far into the whiskey, ladies, gambling and fighting to get the job done without blowing his cover. Richard wouldn't come to do it because he was the brains of the outfit and stayed behind to plan everything so perfectly. That left Mark, why would they hire Dupree when they could send Mark? That thought right there plagued me.

I shrugged it off for the moment, stood and went back into the house to find Joe. Peering in through the door I raised a brow at Joe. "How is he?" I whispered.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"He's passed out from the blood loss and trying to get his stubborn ass out of bed. He told me where it happened.. Let's get going."
I turned and walked outside, telling Doc to keep him here, don't let Richard get anywhere, and We'd be back. He muttered and grumbled under his breath about me out and about with an injured arm.
"Red, we best be careful, just incase they are still around. As far as I know they could still be there.." I kicked Thunder and took off. Racing through the tumbleweeds, past the hotsprings and up on higher ground. Heading due south and watchful for anything coming.
I heard someone shout my name and turned my head, It was Catherine on a horse. I pulled up and slowly stopped.
"What do you need Miz Dupree.." I was in no mood for frivolous twits today.
"I can't find Vincent anywhere and I was left a note... Have you seen him?" She looked a little worried.
"Nope, sorry can't say that I have. Try in town." I barked at her with my words, but I had no time for this.
"alright, thanks Joe. Red." She nodded and took off.
Shaking my head, I nudged Thunder on again and we started climbing and weaving along the rock formations. Heading deeper into the gully.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I raced on behind Joe following her, she obviously knew where she was going. Our ride was halted for a moment as Catherine called out to Joe, I pulled up beside her and took every bit of reserve I had and held my face straight as Catherine mentioned that her husband was missing and she had recieved a note. Soon she would find out so much more about her husband than she ever thought possible.

Quickly I returned her nod and watched for a moment as she rode away headed for town. The trail as we continued on was winding back and forth. I was begining to wonder if Richard had been mistaken and if he hadn't how he had made it all the way to the Doc's home. We round a couple more turns, first left and then right. After the second bend the gully opened up a bit further and a form was seen laying on the ground.

"Look Joe, there!" I pointed out the person and picked up Diablo's pace. Nearing the fallen person the sight was, to say the least, more grusome at each nearing step. There was dried blood matted in the man's hair, his position on the ground made him look like he had fallen from somewhere. "Do you think it is one of his brothers Joe......" I paused for a moment, something just didn't seem right, didn't feel right..... "Joe something is not right..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I halted in my steps after tethering Thunder.
"My god thats just nasty!" The smell alonewas sickening. I walked closer and looked down at the face.
"It's David Dalton...." I winced a little at the hole in his skull. That was stomach churning, I glanced around. Looking for Mark, but not seeing him.
"Where is Mark? Did they take him? From what Richard said they were all right here...."
I moved further back and caught the drag marks and paw prints.
"God!" I gulped down, hoping I was wrong.
"Looks like coyotes may have had a meal out of Mark.."
I turned, sorrow in my eyes for Red. I knew she cared about that man.. Reguardless if he was wanted or not.
Hearing something above me, I ducked as a small scatter of pebbles came tumbling down onto my head. Ducking and covering my head, I moved out of the way.
"What the hell!?" I backed up, further and further til I was backed against the gully's opposit wall.
"Red, there's a foot up there..."
I wondered if the rest was there or not? Actually it was a boot, but still the same damned thing.
"What'll we do now? Want me to climb up there, or you up for it?" I wondered just how in the hell that body got up there?! Unless it was one of Dupree's men?

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I felt my heart stop beating at the mention of Mark being taken, but at the moment only my subconcious knew why. Carefully I eyed the drag marks and the coyote tracks, I imagined that my look had to have been one of horror at the thought, that the coyotes had dined on him. I didn't know whether or not it was because I didn't have the opportunity to take him in or the secret that my mind had so neatly tucked away.

Pulled from my daze I heard the rustling of the pebbles that had fallen I turned to see Joe backing all the way against the far wall. I saw the look upon her face and turned my gaze to find what she was looking at. I had to back up and get closer to where she was to see what she was looking at. I gasped as a booted foot came into my view, Joe had told me it was a foot but it didn't quite register until I saw it myself.

I looked back at Joe "I'll go, you are in no shape to climb. I reckon since there is no movement, if it is one of Dupree's men he won't put up much of a fight." With that I turned and headed for the steep grade below the foot. Grunting with each effort I found one place to put a hand and pull up, one after another until I had almost reached the ledge where whatever it was, was lurking or laying.

A jolt ran through me at the thought of what I might find up there, and hoped to god if it was dead it was a whole body and not just the damned leg. I shook it off and finshed my way up and knelt with my feet over the edge of the ledge. The man's back was to me and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I reached out and laid a hand on his arm. Feeling the little bit of warmth beneath his shirt sleeve caused me to let out the breath I didn't know I had held. Carefully I pulled him to his back and nearly cried out as I saw his face. It was Johnny.....no Mark, my mind told me. I was at that moment torn between sorrow and anger, but still I felt for a pulse. I sighed softly and brushed his black hair from his eyes softly whispering to him... "Your still alive, granted I don't kill you myself."

I peered over the edge, knowing Joe would want to know what I had found. I cleared the lump that had formed in my throat and spoke up "Joe it's Joh.....it's Mark. He is alive, but his stomach is in pretty bad shape, He might live iffn' we can get him down from here and get him tended to. Will you grab the new medcine kit from my saddle bag and the rope off my saddle...." As I waited for her to do so I talked to him trying to keep him here. Softly and gently I leaned in and brushed my lips feather light over his. It seemed to stir him for a moment but never brought him to conciousness.....

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I let out the breath I was holding, then sucked it back in. Dammit, He was alive!? Shaking my head, I walked over to the saddle and grabbed the rope and medical kit. Tossing both up, I mounted Thunder and moved below the outcrop of rock.
"Alright you onery beast, Dont move.. Hold still boy.." I put him against the gully wall as I swung both legs over the other side.
"Red tell me somethin'..... How in the FUCK! do female's ride side saddle?? My god this is a pain.." I grumbled as I bent down and slipped off my boots. Better grip with no boots and socks. Taking off the socks I stuffed them in the saddle bag and looked down at my boots in the dirt.
"Dammit, I just had to polished too.." I stood up in the saddle and looked over the edge at Red and Mark.
"Well Here I am..." I grinned broadly. "Who needed rope?!" The outcroping was only seven or so feet off of the ground.
"He's one lucky cuss to get his ass up here before they ate him.. Now if he can battle for his life to stand trial for his crimes.."
Always count on Joe for doom and gloom. I was good at it. I felt my heart lurch in my chest at the sight of Red leaning over him. She really did love this vile little shit, I sighed.
"Think of some place safe we can take him Red.. Perhaps the old medicine man towards Deltree? We take him into Tumbleweed he's going to be arrested..." I was giving up my reward money and my stud farm for her happiness.. I was sick in the head or something.
"Help him down to me Red, Hurry up. He's bleeding all over the place and we need those wounds cauterized as soon as possible.." I prayed to god and what ever else was working here to keep Thunder still, Mark passed out, and my strength stayed.
"If.. If you pass him to me, legs first and backwards. I can keep him pinned that way, you can crawl down onto Thunder with me, I'll slide into the saddle, you ease him down? Sound good?"

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I took the rope and the kit and set them beside me where I could reach them easily. Opening the kit I took out the fresh clean cloth bandage, moving his hands out of the way I folded the cloth in half and placed it over his wound. I continued on grunting with an effort to lift and wrap the other cloth around to hold the bandage all the while talking to Joe "Side saddle? Oh...yeah, yeah I think that most women are born with asses shaped just perfectly to fit in the saddle sideways.....we are but a fortunate few who aren't."

Course I was kidding I had no idea how the half-wits managed to ride like that, but it sure sounded good. I thought for a moment playing out what exactly we needed to do to get him down, the scene Joe just decribed us doing, ended with Mark hurt further, and her and I hurt as well. That would surely do us no good to say the least. "Joe" I hollerd "Do think me some kind of greek god or something, neither one of us would be able to lower him down alone. Can you get up here and help me lower him down. I think once we get him close enough I can hold him just long enough for you to climb down and direct him into the saddle.....He's just to heavy."

I could here Mark groan in pain as I rolled him to his side and stuffed the rope beneath his back. "I'm sorry" I whispered to him "It is for your own good, we have to get you out of here." I rolled him back and to his other side pulling the rope through beneath him. Quickly I tied a slip knot in the rope around his chest, and waited for Joe. "Yes Joe I think the medicine man would be our only shot." I peered at the edge of the ledge at her and smiled slightly "Now are you coming up here or am I to pretend I am Hercules?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I shook my head and laughed at her comment, "Yeah grateful my ass isnt shaped that way.. Alright I'm coming up, Make room.. Though it would be interesting to see you play Hercules.." I chuckled as I climbed up, my face dead serious when I crawled over the ledge and sat down.
"He looks pretty bad Red, you sure you want to do this?" I knew the answer before she nodded her head, so resigned we were doing this either way. I helped her get him up right.
Taking the rope into my one good hand and Red taking it in her two good ones, I pushed him over the ledge with my bott in his ass.
"Hey dont look at me like that! He threatened my life and here I am saving his worthless hide!" We got him lower, inch by slow agonizing inch until he boots hit the saddle.
"Alright hold him!" I let go slowly, worried she would topple forward under his weight. She struggled, Her face turning red to match her hair and her arms strained. She whispered breathlessly, "Hurry Joe!" I went to the edge and climbed halfway down and dropped the last two feet. Grabbing his legs I got them Positioned around Thunder.
"Let go Red!" as I crawled up into the back of the saddle.
He came down hard, knocking the wind out of himself and sending sharp pains shooting up my arm.
"OH Fuck! That hurts.. that hurts big time.. Damned outlaws!" He bent forward over Thunder's neck, breathing and moaning in pain.
"Get down here Red, and hold him upright!"
Red scurried down and held him up as best she could. Thunder started to side step and rear his head, unused to this weight on him.
"Whoa boy.. Hold on there hun..It'll be alright..." I soothed him as best I could. Standing up, and moving infront of Mark's near dead form.
"Grab my boots after you secure him to me. And let's get to that medicine man.."
Red secured him to me, My boots picked up, I grabbed the reins and slowly led Thunder towards Deltree. I just hoped we made it in time to save his worthless hide.
And that Keith didn't kill me when he found out, and if he found out.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"You look tired, Chester. " Keith tells him, sitting back in his chair as he washes the contents of his mouth down with black coffee.

Chester just comments that he had a bad night. Before he says anymore, the waitress comes up and dumps his breakfast on the table.

"Marshall says he'll be here this afternoon." Keith says.

Chester nods as he gulps down his food.

"Reckon he'll be looking fer a new sheriff. Who knows, it could be you."

He grins as he sees Chester almost choke on his food.

"Well, come on. We are running late. Better get on with our rounds." Keith says, getting up. A spluttering Chester quickly follows him as they leave the Inn...

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

"Me as the sheriff? thats really funny Keith", I said, as I followed out the door. The first thing that I thought we would do was find Red, and Joe. I had no idea where they were, and most likely, neither did Keith. "Where exactly are we headed Keith?", I asked.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"As I said, we are doing the rounds." Replies Keith. "And why cant you do the Sheriff's job? Now that you got yerself a gal."

"What?" Chester says, stopping in his tracks.

"Yer gal, Red!" Keith grins with amusement. "The way ya fawned all over her yesterday. Ya were practically sobbering."

Keith laughs at Chester's expression on his face...

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

"You think Red is interested in me? you gotta be kidding me. Besides, you know shes sensitive about, 'the incident'. So I'd appreciate it if you would stop calling her my gal", I said. It was true, I did have feelings for her. However, I was worried that it might be lust, and not love. Besides, I doubted she had any feelings for me.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"A sore point! Methinks that the man protests too much!" Laughs Keith. "Anyway, let's go over and check on the Doc."...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

ooc: Now don't go thinking Richard is going to reveal anything to you two lawmen He's my character


IC:

We rode at an agonizing slow pace, the weight behind me, bending me over more than once and putting presure on those uncomfortable places. But little could be done with Mark. Neither one of us wanted to try to get him behind Red. The sun was high and beating down on us, unforgiving and taunting.
I shifted in my saddle a little, making sure not to move too much. I didn't want Mark being dumped in the sand, though it would be a good place to leave him in my book.
"How much longer you think?" I called out to Red who led the way.
"Not far, almost there.." She worried her lip as she glanced around the terrain. God, I hoped we weren't lost. That would look rather pathetic, two bounty hunters lost in their own area. I chuckled a little and winced. My arm was throbbing painfully, the whole length.
I was about to call halt to our progress when Red sat up in the saddle and pointed to an old log cabin.
"We're here.."
I let out a long breath and mumbled, "Thank god!"

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

I opened up the doors to the doctor's office. Everything seemed normal enough. The doctor was there, doing a few notes in his little schedule. A patient was there too, who looked pretty badly hurt. He was resting right now, and according to his heaving chest, he was breathing. Everything seemed normal. But if everything was normal, why do I have a feeling that Red and Joe were here?.

 

[Sweetp4u]

*sighs*

ooc: Richard is at the Doc's house, not the doctor's clinic...

 

[The_high_king]

ooc: I never said the man's name was Richard. I didn't mention his name period. Touche.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"What can I do you for?" Doc says almost abruptly.

Keith notices the tone.

"You okay, Doc?" He asks.

"Yes. Why shouldn't I be?"

Is the Doc nervous?

"No. Simple question. Just popped in to see how you are. Howdry, Grogan." He says to the man on the bunk.

"Howdy, Keith. How's things?"

"Busy. You know how it is. Say! How come you are here anyway?"

"I feel off my dang hoss. Twisted my ankle. Doc's gonna to take a look." Replies Grogan.

Keith laughs.

"And I thought it was because yer wife just plumb tuckered you out." He grins. "How many have you got now?"

"7 boys and 5 gals." Answers Grogan with a grin on his face.

"Holy Christ!" Exclaims Chester.

All this time, the Doc is filling his case.

Where is he going? Thinks Keith.

"Anyway, Grogan. We have to leave. Got work to do. Nice seeing you. You too, Doc." Keith and Chester leave.

"Wow! 12 kids!" Says Chester in disbelief but Keith isn't listening.

"I wonder what the Doc's up to?" He says aloud.

The question catches Chester by surprise.

"Uh?"

They turn a corner in the main street before Keith comes to a halt.

"Doc usually takes morning surgery at this time. But he was packing up and was ready to leave. Why?"

Chester couldn't answer...

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

I couldn't answer. Suddenly I said, "maybe hes... no, no, thats not it... perhaps its... no, can't be that... how about... nah, I doubt it... you know, just maybe hes... no, dammit, that can't be it". I was fresh out of ideas, and still thinking. Perhaps Keith could think something.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I sighed silently as Rex's cabin came into sight. Surely he could fix Mark up. I didn't know for sure, but knew full well for me....he would give it his very best effort. "Just a few more minutes Joe...we're almost there..."

As we neared the cabin I called out "Rex!" there was nothing for a few minutes when we pulled the horses to a halt in front of the cabin. My excitment of being there was begining to fade with each passing moment of silence. Rex was the only one I could trust to fix up Mark and do it quietly, if he wasn't here Mark would surely die. "Rex!" I called out louder this time.

My heart stopped suddenly as a shot rang out from within the small cabin. I ducked to my left and felt the heat from the bullet that passed by my ear. I grinned slightly and turned to look at Joe. "He's hear alright." I turned back to the cabin "Dammit Rex....It's Red and Joe, put that dammed gun down and get out here and help us. We have a wounded man who needs your attention....." There was a long silence, then finally the old indian man emerged from the building looking weary until he saw us.

Climbing down from Diablo I hurried to Thunder and began to pull Mark down. I knew full well what was about to happen....Joe was not strong with her arm and the old man wasn't very strong either and before I knew it Mark and I were in a heap on the ground. It didn't take much time for the three of us to get Mark in the cabin and for Rex to get started healing him. I quickly gathered everything that Rex had sent me for and set it beside him and Mark. At that moment I had so many things on my mind I needed a few minutes alone "Joe, Rex I'll be right back" with that I left the cabin and strolled over to a tree and sat down.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I got down off of Thunder and helped Red get Mark off of her. I knew this was a serious matter but I couldn't help chuckling. It was pretty funny at the moment.
Helping to get his very heavy ass carried into the log cabin I sat down Rex helping him with various items. The knife, some herbs, the whiskey to clean it out. Pulling hairs from Mark's head to stitch with.
Once it was all done, I sat back a second and wiped my sweating brow.
"I'm gonna go find Red, Thanks Rex.. I owe you one.. Well actually Red owes you.." Stumbling outside into the cooler air, I sat down beside Red.
"Whatcha contemplatin girl?"

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I turned to face Joe, lacking the smile I normally fronted, and swallowed the lump of emotion in my throat. "Contemplating? There is so much here to contemplate. I have broken the law and drug you into it as well, saving an outlaw who is wanted dead or alive. Wisked him out here to Rex's, which now involves him. I find I have feelings for him and when he is better, he will probably want nothing to do with me, after what happened. And even if he did Joe where would we go, we would have to live in hiding forever." I sighed softly and turned away from her, gazing out into the woods that surrounded us. "I feel like I have made the biggest mistake Joe, one I cannot change. I feel I have cheated you out of your stud farm with this decision."

Unconciously I pulled my knees tightly to my chest and rested my chin upon them, all these things going through my mind were confusing. "I am sorry Joe, too many things on my mind to keep straight and be able to think right." I sat there in silence, thinking of the best possible solution..

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I began to think and when I got to thinking I was quite dangerous.
"Talk to him Red... If he agrees to stop this shit, he has a new identity.. Johnny.. Or did you forget? No one knows wat Mark Dalton looks like any more than they know exactly what Richard Dalton looks like. If he is finished with his stealing and ready to settle down, with you.. You have a saloon to run that will be ready to rebuild, and money for it in a week max.." I sighed, looking over at her and smiling.
"A stud farm would be nice.. Settle in Tumbleweed with.. Well that doesn't matter just yet. I have some things to settle with Keith and Chester... The marshall will be coming shortly.. Now what I've got to do is get back to Tumbleweed and spin a nice tail.. I dont think of it as breaking a law, but merely saving love. And besides the Money they stole is in that cave.. I will take care of it and no worries.. Now it is up to you Red." I turned to her, giving her a very serious look over.
"You convince him to be Johnny and work for a living with you by his side and all will be perfect. If he won't agree.. You know what you have to do.. Can't take him in once I let the world know what 'happened' to him.. Think about it all, I will see you in Tumbleweed in a few days time? Right?" I leaned over and put an arm around her, hugging her to me quickly.
"Be safe Red."
Standing I mounted Thunder and turned him around. Glancing down at her, I smiled, "There is hope and with that little grain of sand blooms a wild raging sand storm.. So keep ahold of that grain until he's all better. He should wake up sometime today if the herbs did their magic on him and Rex is damned good with that stuff.. See ya soon partner." I tipped my hat and nudged Thunder into a gallop. Heading back to the caves, David and the whole mess..

 

[Shoty98]

Red

"Thank you Joe" I called out behind her as she rode away. It was all I could manage. I sat there for a bit longer thinking about all that she had said. It could be done and wouldn't be all that hard, no one knew and that would make it easier. That is if Mark wants to be with me and settle down. I hoped like hell he would, because I didn't want to kill him.

Ok, Red....stop it. You will cross that bridge when you come to it. Until then go see how he is doing.

I shook the thoughts from my head and pulled myself upright, striding into the house calling out for Rex. When I found him he was kneeling over Mark. "How is he Rex?" I said softly as I walked and stood over the two of them.

"He is still out of it, and far from danger, but I am hopeful. His pulse is strong and growing stronger as time passes. You I am afraid look like hell, let me fix you a bit of food and set you up the bath, with some clean clothes." He stood and looked at me with that no-nonsence look that said you will do it or I force you to. I sighed softly "Ok Rex, I will not fight you. Those things don't sound all that bad anyway. I'll just wait here let me know when your finished." With that said I watched him quickly leave the room. I knelt down beside Mark, brushing away a lock of his black hair and placing a gentle kiss on his temple.

He groaned and a soft smile touched his lips, but soon it was replaced by a horrible look of anger I had never in my life seen before. As I stood to leave him the look became softer, I smiled down at him wondering if he was ready to settle down to a normal life. That thought passed I left the room to find Rex and the tub with hot, hot water, as well as a clean change of clothes.