WILD WILD WEST

[Jonas]

"Revolver, I've got trouble, but I've also got the best little family this side of the Mississippi." Lynn began to feel at his with his old pal. He could be a great friend, but he was a vicious enemy if he turned on you. Lynn new he had to handle him with care. The money, man that would solve a lot of problems, but what would Revolver want in return. They talked old times until the sheriff walked up.

"Lynn, Harley came in he got a trail on the night riders, and it's fresh. Can you get out to his place quick? I've got to hold the fort today."
"You know I'll ride Dickey," Lynn replied, "Those murdering scum have got to be stopped. Will you ride with me Revolver?"
"Alright Lynn, I could use some entertainment." Revolver stood and offered his hand to Dicky. "Am I a deputy."
"I trust Lynn's judgement, your deputised for the day. No money, but a good burial and sturdy box if your killed."
"Good enough sheriff." Revolver shook Dickey's hand.

The pair road out of town with Harley in the lead.
"Com' on boys we can get 'em if'n we hurry," Harley urged his mount faster. The gunmen stayed with him.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Revolver: as i got up on heero i Smiled at Lynn
"Just like the good old days eh Lynn?" i had figured out
from the fact that he was a lawman led me to belive these people dont know what he has done in his long illustrios career as an outlaw legend. so i decided to not directly say it. but hint about it enough to make him squirm a bit.
"y-y-yeah just like the good old days" he stammered a bit...yep it was, except this time instead of hunting lawmen we are riding with em. I smiled at him as we finally reached this "Harlys" place and we dismounted and headed inside to see what the lead was

[Edited by Roland Gilliad on 07-27-2000 at 08:56 PM]

 

[poohlive]

"No, she isn't here. I believe she went to that old Oak tree."
Lewis looked on, puzzled. Why would she go there, alone.
He couldn't understand it. Why would she go and be all by herself, but more importantly why would she be away from him, her fiance.
He shook his head in disbelief as he made his way to the Gold Digger Saloon.
There were three men who ran outside. One was Lynn, but he didn't recognize the other two. Lewis watched them leave, then went in.
Lucky was at the bar, as usual, cleaning a glass. He wondered if Lucky knew anything about Laura's disappearance.
"Lucky, you know why Laura would be by the old oak tree by herself?" Lewis asked, taking a seat at the bar.
Lucky looked up at the rafters, as if searchign for an answer, "I wouldn't know, but I do know she ain't alone."
Wha... "Who is with her?" he asked.
"John, the fella who was here last night." Lucky knew his mistake as soon as it left his lips.
Lewis knew the stories about Laura and John, but he never thought they were true. He even asked Laura about them, she said they were all lies. Now he knew who was lying.
"Thanks Lucky," Lewis said, a tear running down his eye.
How could she betray him like this. First she was so distracted at the picnic, then she posed herself against all of those men, and now, she was secretly meeting other people, who she might have loved five years ago.
Lewis started to wonder if she really loved him, or was he just a scape goat, someone to make her forget about John.
Another tear came down.
"You all right Lewis?" Lucky looked worried.
"Yeah, just fine, "he rubbed the tears from his eyes, "Could you tell me where Vixen's room is?"
"Upstairs, second door on the right," Lucky poined up the flight of stairs where Lucinda had fallen.
Lewis got onto his feet, and headed towards her room. He hoped he wouldn't run into Jake, he was going to get a few of her clothes, then be on his way.
Lewis entered the room. Seeing that the dresser was in the corner, Lewis started ruffling through the drawers, hoping he was doing the right thing. He wasn't sure if this was right, but he didn't want Licinda to be uncomfortable in his house, for some reason he felt she should feel as comfortable as possible.
Lewis took out a bag, and started filling it with clothes.

[Edited by poohlive on 07-27-2000 at 11:47 PM]

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen listened to the sobering news from Doc Halloway. There wasn't alot known about head injuries, the pain in her head could go away after awhile or it could lead to something worse. Vixen faced for the first time the real possiblity that she could die young. The thought terrified her. Doc tried to keep things optomistic but the truth was that he couldn't say for sure how bad her injury really was. He was concerned about the headaches and nautia but could only give her a mild prescription for it. He did say she should contact him immediately if the pain got worse. Worse? She thought horrified, she couldn't imagine surviving if the pain got worse.

She decided she had better go and face Jake after all. She was his employee and he deserved to know that she wouldn't be able to work for a while. She also needed some clean clothes and other feminine things of her own. She told Doc to tell Lewis she would wait for him at the Main Street Saloon. He tsked disapprovingly as it was clearly not the kind of place a lady should be frequenting. She smiled at this and just shook her head, taking the prescription from him after he told her she needed to take it three times a day with meals.

She walked towards the Saloon and saw John Cook on his horse on his way out of town. She frowned to herself as she vaguely recalled kissing him. She blushed at the memory and decided that at least he was available. She would just have to think of him everytime her heart fluttered around Lewis who definitely wasn't available to the likes of herself. She wondered if John was even concerned about her. She had only just met him after all. She smiled, course, he probably just didn't know where she was, as soon as he found out he'd come check up on her she was certain.

This in mind she walked bravely into the Main Street Saloon and was greeted with concern and warmth by Little John. The big bald man had a heart of gold and she'd never seen him raise a hand to anyone. Luckily his size kept most would be ruffian's in line. "Vixen honey, what happened last night? Jake was in a fine state when he got back from lookin' for ya."
Vixen smiled, "I had a little accident," she replied indicating the cut on her head.
"Little lady, are you okay?" He came around from behind the bar to look at her head. Vixen winced even though he barely touched it. He frowned with concern.
"I'm okay Johnny, really..." she mustered up a smile.
"Is Jake around? I really have to explain, I won't be able to work for a while, I've had headaches... can't trust myself up on stage at the moment."
"Course you shouldn't be workin' girl... you clearly need to rest!"
"Oh thanks a lot Johnny!" Vixen laughed trying to look affronted, "do I look THAT bad?"
"Nawww.. hon' you know what I mean.. you deserve a break anyhow, you work harder than all of us here!"
"Tell that to Jake!" Vixen smiled.
"Tell what to Jake?" Jake's familar voice startled her as he appeared by her side suddenly.
"Oh Jake! You startled me!" Vixen smiled
"VIXEN? Hell girl, I didn't recognise you... what the hell are ya wearing?"
Vixen looked suddenly self-concious, "it's just some clothes I had to borrow."
"Well they look god awful on ya, what are ya trying to pull off? Ms Innocence?" Jake laughed cruelly.
"I.. I kinda like it, it's awfully nice material Jake."
"Don't be foolish girl, it's like mutton dressed as ham is what ya look like."
Vixen flushed hottly with embarrassment as Jake voiced her own private fear.
"Well.. thats why I'm here... to get some of my own clothes."
"What do ya mean? You've already missed one nights work!"
"Jake... Doc Halloway said I needed to rest, I had a fall!" She showed him her cut.
"Don't be so god-damned stupid girl, your head is hard enough to handle a knock, you're an employee and you're clearly fit enough to walk, you're fit enough to entertain my customers!" Jake growled angrilly. Vixen remembered suddenly her drunken words to him from the night before and was instantly warey. He was mad as hell she could tell, she better tread carefully.
"Jake... " she started but from the cold gleam in his eye she should have seen what was coming. As it was she remembered Johnny's cry of alarm and then stars as Jake back handed her across the face. She fell hard groaning. He lifted her up and flung her over his shoulder and started to carry her upstairs. "Jake, damn it man, she's been injured!" Johnny cried.
"Little John... if you wanna keep your job here and you don't want no lawmen asking about you... you better shut up right now. She works for me and I own her lying ass, she was trying to break her contract with me and I won't have it!"
He stalked up the stairs to Vixen's room and threw her half concious body down on the bed. He ripped the dress from her leaving her in only her underwear and locked her in her room. He growled at a passing maid for her to get rid of the dress and he went to his own office for a drink while he decided what to do about Vixen.

 

[Moneytalks]

OOC: Poohlive.. hey sweetie.. i musta posted mine at the same time as you.. but i still think it kinda works.. looks like you'll have to come and save me ... AGAIN!... [winks]

 

[poohlive]

OOC: has this ever happened before? Oh gosh. Ok, well I am going to edite mine, take the Jake conversation out, and make another post after yours. That way it will smooth the things out. I hope, at least.

 

[poohlive]

He was dumbfounded. Jake had carried her right into the room, threw her down on the bed and left. She looked hurt, and there was a beginnigns of a black eye on her right.
Lewis threw down the bag. He went to her, "Are you ok Lucinda?"
She was uncounscience, he could see that she wasn't going to answer him.
"Come on," he picked her up, "We are getting out of here."
Lewis left the room with Lucinda in her arms.
"Where do you think you are going," Jake was standing outside the door, hands crossed on his shoulders. He was much bigger than Lewis. Lewis didn't know if he could beat Jake. He guess today was as good as any to try.
"She is coming with me," Lewis put a matter-of-factly tone in his voice, but it still seemed weak to him.
"That little slut is staying here, she belongs to me."
Lewis carefully put her down on the floor, making sure she would be away from the fight that was about to commence.
"I believe you owe the lady an apology," Lewis rolled up his sleeves.
"You either leave on your own, or I am going to drag you out. It is your choice pretty boy."
Lewis had never been called a pretty boy before. He looked over at Lucinda, she was awake now. That couldn't be helped.
Lewis rushed Jake, hitting him square in the stomach. It didn't seem to wind the brute, only make him angrier. Lewis saw the flaw in his plan, now Jake had a great position, and Lewis, didn't.
Lewis tried to hit him, but Jake easily picked him up over his head. Jake threw him like a rag doll into the wall. His back instantly flared with pain, he slumped to the ground.
Lewis quickly recovered, the pain and hatred entering his mind at once. There it mixed with the adrenaline, now he was ready.
Lewis ran up to him, slamming him with a right. Jake, taken by suprise, was knocked to the floor. He was up quickly though.
Lewis' mouth was bleeding, and there was a throbbing in his head that wouldn't go away.
Jake came at him with top speed. Lewis didn't know if he should duck, or stay where he...
Jake hit him squarely in the mouth, he could feel something rattle inside his head. There were black spots coming into his vision. The room started to swirl. There was Jake, his hand was bleeding now.
Lewis took a daring chance. He saw Jake was close to the stairs, if he could land a kick, just right.
Lewis flung his foot at him, landing right on the chest. Jake's arms flayed out, he tried to grab onto something, but it was too late. He went down the stairs, landing hard on his back. Lewis' mind raced to last night when the same thing happened to Lucinda.
Lewis realized he was about to fall down the stairs too. His footing must have been...
From behind Lucinda caught him, making sure he wouldn't fall too. Lewis took a step back, turned around and hugged her.
"Thank you for saving my life," he whispered in her ear.
"Thanks for saving mine," she whispered back, he could tell she was crying. If there were a better time, he didn't know about it.
"Come on, let's go home."

 

[Jonas]

"See there! The trail heads of to the hills." Harley pointed to the signs. Lynn knelt and inspected the trail.
"Six horses, umm, see this shoe, the cut on the top. That mark will make it easy to track this bunch. Thanks Harley, you coming with."
"Hell no, you think I wanna git myself shoot." Lynn nodded and remounted.

Revolver and Lynn followed the trail for several hours. It finally lead down a narrow canyon, barely wide enough to fit one horse at a time.
"I don't like it Lynn. This is a place where I'd bushwack the posse." Revolver tipped back his hat smiling at the deputy.
"Well, today you are the posse, and we ARE following." Lynn pulled out his Henry rifle and lay it across his saddle. "Stay ready. I'll go first."
"The hell you will!" Revolver cantered his steed into the canyon. Lynn followed close behind.

A quarter mile in it began to widen. The men started to relax. Then the shots started echoing, the lead splintering of the rocks, striking the dirt with thuds.
Lynn, rifle in hand dove off his horse and took cover behind a large rock. He could make out smoke from one of the shooters. He aimed, waited, the man came up to fire and took Lynn's wellplaced shot in the head. Lynn couldn't see where Revolver ended up.
"Where you at? Ya hit?"
"Not hit yet Lynn. You stir'em up some more with that rifle. I'll see if I can get closer. I counted 4."
"Just three now..go on three....one...two...three.!" Lynn broke cover and started firing. He saw farther up the canyon that a shack and corral sat by a spring. They had found the hideout of the night riders. All they had to do was survive.

[Edited by Jonas on 07-28-2000 at 06:21 AM]

 

[ShyGoddess]

Laura:

She sat there for what seemed like hours, shaking her head at her foolishness. John wasn't coming. She got up from her spot beneath the tree and started the slow walk back to her little house. Now she knew what they were, and she had hurt and embarassed Lewis with her antics. She had to talk to him, she should have done that first, explained everything to him and married him right away. She was stairing at the ground, lost in thought, so she didn't hear the horse approach her until a familiar voice caused her to stop.

"Laura?"

 

[Darb]

As John approached the tree on the outskirts of the town he saw Laura sitting there. She was so beautiful. Easily the most beautiful in Promise Valley. He had loved her with all of his heart. They were destined to be together. Nothing could have kept them apart. He knew that he had broken her heart when he rode out of town that day, but he didn't think she would understand. Now seeing her here, his heart began to race. He pulled his horse up close. She was in deep thought and hadn't realized he was there.
"Laura" he said softly.
Her lifted and met his. They just stared at each other. This was the first time since He'd been back that they'd been alone together. John flashed his sexy smile at her. "It is so good to see you!" He wanted to go to her and hold her, but there was still an awkwardness to the whole situation. She just stared at him, somewhat in disbelief.
"Laura, I need to explain some things. See.."
"Wait!" she interrupted.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Revolver: i ran towards the 3 shooters under bushcover. i had my colts in my hands half cocked and hair triggered. eventually i got about 50 feet away and they were firen at lynn who seemed to be reloading....time to get down. i put up my colts and decided to use deadly force. Bam Bam Bam , 3 perfectly aimed head shots. and i did it without missing a beat. i stood up a little and motioned to lynn to come over, he looked a little ticked.
"why did you do that! we needed to take em alive!"
"calm down lynn theres gotta be 2 more inside. i wont kill them..i promise" as we headed to the mouth of the cave to listen to the outlaws converation

 

[Jonas]

The men quietly approached the shack by the cave. They took positions on either side of the window. No sound came from inside. Lynn motioned Revolver to the door. He stood ready and signaled. Lynn smashed out the window with his rifle butt while Revlover kicked in the front door guns ready. The shack was empty.

"Looks like they fled," Lynn said as he entered the shack.
"In a hurry to, look here." Revolver pointed to the table. Lunch was still sitting on plates. There was a pile of cash and jewelry, the result of the last raid. There was also a note on plain paper. Revolver picked it up and read it aloud. "The set ups on for tomorrow night. Our man at the Lewis ranch will signal. Be ready at midnight. Stay out of site until then. It's signed J.M. Who do you figure that might be."
"Jake McCloud." The name was a curse on Lynn's lips. "Come on Revolver we've got to get back to town fast. It's time to settle a score."

The men rode out of the canyon and headed to town at a fast pace.
"Hey, Lynn what about those bodies back there."
"Let'm rot."

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen couldn't believe the bravery she had just witnessed. Jake was easily bigger than Lewis in a brutish sorta way. Yet he had fought him for her. She starred at him in awe. Then she cried out seeing the blood on his face.

"Oh my Lord, you're hurt!" She grabbed her peticoat and tore off some of the material and dabbed the blood gingerly afraid to hurt him further. He just grinned at her, he grabbed her hand in his, forcing her to look into his eyes. What she saw there, NO!... She thought, she must be crazy thinking there was something there other than gentlemanly concern. He was engaged, she managed to remind herself.

"Mr... Sutherland... thank you for... for what you've done but... but in a way Jake was right... he... I... I owe him a lot. I am under contract... I... I shouldn't have gotten you involved..." she finished, not wanting to look him in the eye for fear of the distain she was sure she would see there.

"Since when did I become Mr. Sutherland Lucinda?" His deep voice asked. She felt her whole body respond to that voice, but her mind kept screaming at her not to be stupid, he was just being nice...

"I... I..." she stuttered...
"You...," he finished for her, "are beautiful, too beautiful to be bullied around and treated like a whore, and certainly to beautiful to be staying here when you need to rest!"
Vixen sighed in consternation. She was trying to give him every opportunity to let her go, to let himself get out of his truely kind offer of a room at his house, in the broad light of day she could see it would cause him nothing but scandal and she just couldn't bring herself to let that happen to him, no matter how much she wanted to stay at that beautiful ranch, with it's equally georgeous owner.

"Mr. Sutherland," she said harshly, "I... I'm very grateful for all your... help... but... I really must insist that you leave me here. I can handle Jake, he'll understand when I explain to him... " She saw Lewis's angry reaction and automatically ducked. He was dumbfounded. Did she really think he would lay a hand on her? She crouched trembling before him and he felt horrible. "Lucinda, sweetheart... " he forced to keep his voice calm. Clearly this wasn't the first time she had been hit by a man, he began to wonder if Jake was the only one in her life who did, and why in hell's name she stayed if that was the treatment she had received.

"Lucinda," he said insistantly, resting his hands on her shoulders until she relaxed enough to look up at him. Her eyes large with uncertainty. "I have never... ever hit a woman in my life and I don't intend to start with you."
Suddenly Vixen burst into tears, throwing herself into his embrace. He held her closely wanting to protect her from all the demon's that haunted her. He wanted to make her life perfect, to erase that fear he saw in her eyes.

Next thing he knew she was pounding his chest. He almost laughed, the little fist barely made any impact. Finally he could make sense of her muffled words, "you stupid man!" She sniffled, "why won't you let me be a lady, I'm trying to give you a chance to get out of your offer to let me stay... why won't you take it???" She wailed. Now he was really confused, why did she want him to take back his offer to stay at his ranch he thought?

Vixen stepped back from him, her eyes bright with the tears she had shed. She wiped them on the back of her hand and made one last attempt to get him to see reason. "Mr.. Sutherland... Lewis... you're engaged to be married... I... I may be considered a low life around these parts... but... but I'm no husband snatcher." She lifted her head proudly and took a deep breath to keep herself steady. She started to feel the mild throbbing in her head that she now realised came just before the mind splitting headaches she had told Doc Halloway about. 'God NO!' she thought, 'just let me stay standing until Lewis leaves, please... I can't let him see me in pain...'

Lewis frowned. She was right, he was engaged, but damn it... he was so confused right now and all he seemed to be able to think about was Lucinda and keeping her in his life. He noticed she looked suddenly pale and next thing he knew she moaned and crumpled before him. He barely moved quick enough to catch her in time. Her hands clenched him with super-human strength as she whimpered clearly in pain. Without giving it a second thought he scooped her up into his arms and nearly jumped down the entire flight of stairs. He was at Doc Halloway's in a matter of minutes. Lucinda was still trembling and her face was wet with sweat like she was feverish or something.

"DOC! DOC!! Lucinda... she's... "
Doc Halloway quickly grabbed up a needle full of morphine and jabbed it into Vixen's arm. Her rigid body finally began to relax and the large dose knocked her out. Lewis lay her down on the examining table carefully. He turned to Doc Halloway. "What the hell is wrong with her Doc?"
"You mean she hasn't told ya yet?"
Lewis frowned indicating that SHE hadn't.
"I'll tell ya what I told her, she's been having those headaches since the accident, we don't know a lot about head injuries, I've got so many reports, some people never have a problem, live to 100... others... have headaches like Ms Malone's there but they fade, still others again... " he paused, "others have been known to die several weeks after an accident. We still don't know enough about the human brain to figure out why."
"She... she could die?" Lewis asked.
"I said it's been known to happen, I don't like telling people they only have a few weeks to live when in all likely-hood they could live to a hundred!"
"She... you told her this... all of it?"
"Yes I told her, she has medication to take 3 times a day... should keep the pain under control..."
Lewis looked at the sleeping woman and wondered what he was suppossed to do now?

 

[ShyGoddess]

Laura:

"Wait!" She had to tell him what she knew, and her decision about it. "Before you start, there are somethings you need to know." She took a deep breath, it had never been this hard to talk to him before.

"I was outside the sheriff's office last night. I know why you came back, and it wasn't to see me. Please don't give me that look, I know about that stuff you're looking for and I also know where to find it." A look of stunned disbelief came over John's face.

"How?" he breathed.

"Well, that day you rode off, well, I just sat her for a while, until almost dusk, and I had on a very dark dress that day, I guess that's why they didn't see me. Well, anyways, those indians that came that day, they buried it not far from here. I didn't really think about it all that much at first, but then I heard about them being part of the reason you left, so I came back out here and dug it up. So, now I'm the only one who know's where it is."

"Laura, you have to tell me. You don't know what that stuff can do, it ruins lives."

She put up her hand to stop him. "I know John, it ruined my life too. That day I lost a lot more than just you. I lost trust in people. That day you left me, I lost the ability to trust anyone, especially you. So you see, I don't believe you when you say you're going to destroy it."

"Laura..."

"The way I see it," she continued as if he hadn't spoken, "If I'm the only one who knows where it is, no one can ever be hurt by it again, and if those men come back for it and they find out I know where it is, I'll take my secret to the grave. So, now it's your turn."

She waited for him to digest the fact that she wasn't going to tell him what he wanted to know, because she didn't trust him.

"Well, I haven't got all day, John. I still have to talk to Lewis and explain everything to him. Not that there's anything to tell. There isn't anything between us anymore. I just wanted to tell you everything so you would leave and I could marry Lewis in peace."

John's eyes turned a little colder at her speech. She could have cried at that look. It was one she had never seen in his eyes when he looked at her. But that was the way it had to be.

 

[Darb]

OOC:


SORRY ALL BUT I"M GOING TO HAVE TO STOP POSTING

it really sucks...hopefully I'll be back soon

until then

shygoddess will be posting for the character I've created


c-ya

 

[poohlive]

He knew one thing. Lewis had to get Lucinda to his house. Somehow he knew everything would be better if he could just get her home.
"Please," he said, scooping her up in his arms, "Please make everything better." He didn't know who he was talking to, but Lewis was sure he was listening.
Lewis cleared some room in the carriage, and put her inside. He didn't want her to feel the full force of the sun, not in her condition. Lewis got up on the seat, he started off to his ranch.
He couldn't think of anything. His mind just refused to work. He tried to think of the farm, the new seeds were supposed to go in soon, but he couldn't. He tried to think of Laura, and they had to talk, there were some issues that they really had to discuss, but he couldn't. His mind just didn't work.
Lewis came up to a clearing, there were two paths, one to the right, and one to the left. Lewis knew the right was to his home, but the left, the left was where Laura was. The old Oak tree, she would be there now, with John.
Lewis shuddered, he didn't want to disturb them, yet it was his fiance. He had every right to disturb them. He looked back at Lucinda, she looked so peaceful, so pretty.
He had to talk to Laura, he wanted to know if it was over, or if there was still something there, if there was still loe. Lewis looked inside, did he still love her, unconditionally? He didn't get an answer.
Lewis turned the horses left.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen felt groggy, but good. It felt like sunshine was singing in her veins. She vaguely recalled feeling pain and being carried in Lewis' arms to the Doc. Then there had been a kind of blissful warmth and then nothing. Now she felt the familiar rocking of a horse drawn carriage under her. She smiled to herself wondering where she was going. She tried to focus a little but was finding it hard and so she just gave up letting the gentle rocking sooth her. She felt so strange. Her mind seemed, calm and kind of airy. She guessed it was something the Doc had given her, all she knew was she felt better than she had been feeling for a while.

She heard a warm deep voice, Lewis', clicking the horses to keep them moving. She felt her heart sing at the sound and for once didn't feel any remorse over the feeling. Why was she so attracted to him she pondered. He belonged to another, was she just a sucker for punishment? In her hazy mind she began to see images of John, Jake and Lewis all mixed together. She saw flashes of the greedy glint in Jake's eye, the reserved look in John's and the concerned look in Lewis'. She saw flashes of the accident when she fell, she saw the ranch in all it's splendor, the saloon full of people. In the very back of her mind she wondered if she was going crazy.

[Edited by Moneytalks on 07-29-2000 at 06:33 AM]

 

[Jonas]

Lynn and Revolver rode back to town, stopping at the sheriffs office. Lynn told Dicky of the trail and the shoot out. Dicky made him go over every detail.
"Lynn, if we find that marked shoe on any horse Jake owns I'll bring him in myself. Otherwise you don't have enough to charge him." Dicky played by the rules.

"I'll find that shoe and more!" Lynn stromed from the office over the wooden sidewalk into the street beyond.
He knew McCloud was guilty..he had to prove it. He made a bee line for Jake's place. There was a ruckus going on inside. He found Little John inside and got the story.

"So Jake just got up and walked out of the saloon."
"That's right Lynn. Took a couple of the boys with 'em and let out a here like a cat with a peppered ass." Little John
had never lied to him. Lynn knew what was next.

"The Lewis ranch. He's gonna hit the Lewis ranch."

 

[poohlive]

There is was, the oak tree. Lewis stopped the horses under the shade, he didn't want Lucinda in the heat. The sun was blazing overhead, but he could see it would be set in a matter of hours.
Lewis walked out. He could see Laura clearly. She seemed to be staring off into space. Lewis felt he had to go to her, to hold her, to hug her.
Then he saw John. There they were, together. A sting hit him hard in the chest. She had betrayed him, she had used him. He felt so awful, dirty. Lewis couldn't see Laura now, he had to leave.
His stomach felt like it was turned inside out. It was almost like something was jabbing it, why was there so much pain. Lewis remembered the fight, it had made him weak, but seeing Laura with John had somehow hurt him more.
Lewis kneeled down to the ground, and puked. He saw that most of it was blood. Lewis got up, he didn't have time for that now, he had to get home, had to get Lucinda home.
Lewis got up on the carriage, and sped off.
He checked back to see if Lucinda was all right. She was breathing a littl better, but he couldn't tell if she was awake or not.
Lewis didn't take the main road home, he decided to take a short cut. It would save on time, and provide for more shade. Lewis just didn't feel like being in the sun anymore.
He cursed himself, he had to talk to Laura, why hadn't he? Why?
Finally they came up to the ranch. Hank greeted them.
"Take the carriage and the horses to the barn. I am going to get her to bed."
Hank nodded.
"Lucinda?" she didn't move. Must still be asleep. Lewis picked her up again, the third time today. He headed for the house.
"Boss, you expectin' company?"
Lewis looked off in the distance, on the main road there seemed to be a group of men on horses. They were coming up the road fast. Lewis was curious.
"Not that I know of. I wonder what they want?" he asked.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen felt the warm protective arms pick her up carefully. She tried to open her eyes a little, but failed. She breathed in and smelt Lewis' particular cologne. She felt blissfully happy. She pressed her cheek into his chest and felt the warmth of him.

She heard his rumbling voice, but couldn't quite make out what he had said. She clutched at his shirt hoping to catch his attention. Her mouth felt so dry. As she stirred, Lewis looked down at her flushed face, and suddenly realised she was only in her petticoat and light underwear. He blushed as his gaze travelled down to the soft swell of her breast, still fully covered, but... so enticing. She was breathing easier, he tried to tell himself that was why he was staring.

"Lewis?" Vixen frowned with the effort of speaking, her voice sounded so hoarse in her ears.
"It's okay Lucinda, you're back at the ranch with me, you'll be safe now."
She smiled at this and he took her back upstairs to his room. He lay her gently down on the bed and called out to Sarah. When she came down the hall he quickly told her that Lucinda had taken ill while in town. He saw the old woman's eye brow rise as she saw Lucinda's severely underdressed body on his bed. He ignored it, and told her to make Lucinda as comfortable as she could and to send Janet out for some clothes in her size as she would be here for as long as it took for her to recouperate. At his words Sarah instantly became the mother hen, shooing him out the door so she could take care of her patient.

Lewis smiled ruefully to himself, wondering if Lucinda would actually thank him for placing her under the fussing Sarah's care. He shrugged and heard Hand call out to him from outside in alarm. He ran down stairs to see what the fuss was about.

 

[Jonas]

"OK Lynn let's ride," the sheriff grabbed a scatter gun from the wall rack and followed his deputy out the door.
"It's up to you Revolver, I'll not ask you to risk your life again," Lynn mounted his horse and let out after the sheriff. The Lewis place was better than a hour out of town. Time was not on there side.

"hoo.. Listen Lynn," the sheriff held up a mile away from the Lewis place. "You hear that..gunfire, rifle and handguns."
"Hope it's not to late." Lynn urged his steed ahead, pulling out his rifle.

 

[poohlive]

Lewis was afraid of this, but Jake had come so soon. He didn't know Jake would come this soon.
Lewis ran downstairs, and out the door.
There were five of them, Jake being the leader. All of them on horses, and all of them with 2 guns. Lewis swallowed, hard.
"Hank, go inside. Make sure everyone is safe," he leaned close, making sure no one else could hear him, "Hide Lucinda in the secret place. I don't want her found."
Hand nodded, and went in the house.
Lewis stepped out to Jake.
"You got some nerve Jake. Five against one? That's pathetic."Lewis laughed, knowing it was useless.
"No more talkin. Lewis, you got somethin of mine. If I get it back RIGHT NOW, I won't kill you, I will just burn the house."
Lewis shook his head, "You know I can't do that, anymore than I know you can't just turn around and leave."
"Then, you are going to make this simple. On the count of three, me and my friends here are going to shoot. You can take it like a man, or you can run and hide, then we can hunt you down like the dog you are, your choice."
Lewis turned to run back in the house, but he stopped. He knew it would do no good, Lewis stood his ground.
"One," Jake had an evil smile on his face.
Lewis looked up into the window. He wished he could see
her face one last time.
"Two."
Lewis lowered his head. Thoughts of Laura came back to him, she hadn't been all that bad, she had just made a couple of mistakes is all. He really did want to marry her. They could have lived a nice peaceful life. Lewis didn't know why...
"Three!"

 

[Moneytalks]

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Vixen screamed out the window.
"JAKE NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Jake looked up at the face staring down at him through the upstairs window. He could see an old woman trying to pull the girl back in. He watched as she shrugged the woman off and disappeared.

Hank tried to stop her but she was small and quick, the morphine hiding any pain she had felt in her arm and leg. She scampered down the stairs and flung open the front door of the house and only then did she feel the affects of her sudden movements. She swayed slightly and leaned against the door frame glaring at Jake. She was like a little spit-fire cat all riled up. She took a deep steadying breath and Lewis almost moved to help her but he wasn't sure that would be appreciated at the moment.

She was staring Jake in the eye and Jake didn't seem at all preturbed by it. "You're a coward Jake, taking on an unarmed man five to one," she whispered.
"Awww now honey, is that anyway to talk to the man who came especially for you?"
She scowled at this comment, "to collect me you mean? Like I'm some prize cow who belongs to you?"
"Vixen darlin', you're much much more precious to me than any old cow."
"You KNOW what I meant Jake, I'm not fit to do your show, just ask the Doc... I'm not trying to get out of my contract... look, theres no way you'll get away with this..." she said pleading with him.
Jake's eyes hardened. "I may not be able to kill him with a witness, but I'm sure as hell not leaving here till I settle my score with your new boyfriend here."
Vixen blushed, "he's not my boyfriend Jake, unlike some people though, he is a gentleman..."
Jake didn't take kindly to this, his horse shifted uneasily feeling his rider's tension.
"Look," Vixen tried to reason with him, "I'll... " she looked up once at Lewis who was still watching her with concern, "I'll go back with you Jake..." she finished softly.
"What was that?" Jake smiled at Lewis triumphantly.
"NO! Lucinda!" Lewis exclaimed grabbing her hand, trying to catch her eye. She looked away, unable to look at him after what she had said.
"It'll be okay Lewis, it's for the best, I never wanted to cause you no trouble."
Jake nodded to one of his henchmen who dismounted and took Vixen by the arm. Lewis held on to her, still not convinced she wanted to leave. "Lewis," she stated, "I'm going, let me go please."
He let go of her arm and felt suddenly hollow inside as she was escorted firmly to the man's horse and lifted up onto it. He didn't see the tears in her eyes.

"Well now, all things seemed settled, except for one..." He nodded to two of his men who immediately lit torches and threw them into the barn. It lit up quickly, the smoke billowing black. Lewis heard a woman scream shrilly and realised it was Vixen. "Jake!!!... JAKE!!! What are you doing???!!" Jake laughed a truely vicious laugh before the five of them turned their horses and galloped off, several of his men firing victory shots with their weapons into the air.

Lewis didn't have time to think, the barn was well alight by now. He hollared to Hank and the two of them opened the barn doors to let out their horses. The horses were wild with panic and almost stampeeded them...

 

[Jonas]

Lynn and Dicky pulled up as the fire raged. Lynn jumped of his horse and raced up to Lewis.

"Where are they man?" Lewis looking pale and shaken answered weakly.
"They took Lucinda. Rhode out and set the fire. We got to find them."
"Dicky! I'm going after them!" The sheriff, who had been helping with the fire, grabbed Lynn's arm.
"I'm staying to attend to things here. Then I'm going to town to raise a posse. Look at those shoe tracks. You were right, there's the marked shoe. You trail them, but stay back. We'll catch up with you."

Lynn set out after the men. His tired horse snorting as they broke into a run. He wasn't sure what he'd do when he caught up to them, but he was going to catch them. That was I thing he was dam sure about.

[Edited by Jonas on 07-30-2000 at 07:13 PM]

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen was horrified by what she had just seen. She knew Jake could be a vicious bastard, but even she couldn't believe what he had just done. She squirmed uselessly in the arms of his henchman Jodie. Even if he had let her go, the fall from the galloping horse would probably kill her she thought. She stopped realising she was just wasting her energy. She could still see in her mind, the violent flames as they enveloped the barn, could hear the screech of the horses trapped inside. She felt ill. She hoped that the fire wouldn't completely destroy that beautiful ranch. The ranch she had day-dreamed about, like girls do, even knowing that she could never live there with Lewis, wearing that fine dress, she had let herself pretend for a brief moment that she was the lady of the house. It had been a sweet dream. Only a dream, she realised, and because of her, he might lose it all. She sobbed silently. Jodie tightened his arms about her as if fearing she would try to struggle again. She sat limply in his arms, the jolting of the ride barely registering, her mind was numb.

Finally they reached a small cabin in the woods. She hadn't realised they had travelled so far. It was late in the day, the sun was still up, but here, it was darker and she felt cold. Still dressed in her damn petticoats, she shivered, the biting cold finally penetrating even her numb mind.

Jake dismounted and they all followed suit. Jodie gripped her arm tightly making her wince in pain, as if warning her to just try and run. She knew better. Jake's men were all crack shots, and after what she had seen, she was sure none of them would think twice about shooting her if she tried anything. Jake laughed and they dragged her into the cabin. Jodie found some rope and tied her up securely. The rough rope chaffed at her delicate skin but she was beyond caring about that now. She shivered as the rope was tied around her wrists so that they were forced behind her back, around her torso strapping her arms close to her body, more rope about her legs and ankles. She wasn't going anywhere soon. They sat her down on a hard chair.

"Get rid of the horses, they're too tired to be of any use now," Jake ordered Donald to take his horse over to McKinick's place and swap them over. He leered down at Vixen who's head was lowered. He lifted her chin with surprising gentleness so that she was forced to look him in the eye. She looked defeated, finally that spit-fire flame had been tamed he thought to himself. "You think your boyfriend is gonna save ya now?" He taunted. Her eyes looked blankly ahead, past him. "Answer me you bitch!" he yelled, backhanding her so that her head snapped back with the impact. She moaned, feeling the warm metalic taste of blood filling her mouth. Her cheek throbbed where his hand had connected. Tears filled her eyes but she couldn't shake herself out of her cocoon. She was so numb.

"Jake!" Donald was back. He burst into the cabin. "I think we were followed!"
"Shit!" Jake cursed, he glanced down at Vixen.
Jodie asked, "are we taking her with us? She could be a good hostage if they catch up with us."
Jake looked at him coldly, "I'm going back to the Saloon, they can't pin anything on me for this, I'm a business man... " he looked at Vixen again seeing only a shell of the woman he had lusted after for so long, "yeah, you guys can take her... if she survives the journey... send me word, I'd like a taste of her when you're done with her."
Jodie's eyes gleamed maliciously. "Sure thing Jake, we'll make sure there's some left over." He winked.
Jake ignored him and mounted a fresh horse. Leaving Vixen in the henchmen's hands.

She was lifted off the chair and slung over someones shoulder. She could feel her head starting to pound. She moaned. The morphine had definitely worn off. She was thrown roughly face first over the front of a horse. She could see the dirty leather boots of the rider. His knee shoved into her cheek. She moaned as she felt the horse move out. Each stride of the horse causing her breath to be forced out painfully. After 10 minutes her mind finally gave in and she lost conciousness.