Hello readers! I'm back :D

Did you miss me?

I've actually been hard at work on this fic, which I couldn't start posting until I had a suitable name.

I'd like to thank all the nice folks who threw ideas at me during #namemyfic :

Bonzie

Caystar

Geezerwench

Hitchy

MyNameisBob

Also, Geezerwench helped me by prereading and basically wrote my summary. Thank you so much! Sometimes I added something after she pre-read, so if you find any mistakes . . . they're mine.

I'm already 6 chapters in, so hopefully, I can keep the chapters rolling.

I hope ya'll like it!

Happyghost :)

Extra A/N: I did post this before. It was up A WHOLE DAY before I freaked and pulled it off.

I was going through something, but I'm better now.

To the 4 lovely readers who reviewed it. Thank you ever so much for your support. Sorry I lost the reviews when I pulled the story, and you don't have to re-review.

The saloon door swung open. The chilled night breeze blew in and brought two men with it, neither of them my father. For three long months I had watched the door and waited and hoped, but he'd yet to return.

Although I knew it was rude to stare, I couldn't tear my gaze from the new, odd looking customers. They were markedly different than the usual clientele. They were dressed in fine clothing and wore long duster overcoats which looked remarkably clean, but that wasn't the only thing that set them apart. They were also the strangest looking men I had ever laid eyes on. Both of them had skin was as pale as snow and long hair as yellow as corn-silk. It was obvious, from their looks, that they were related. The both of them stood tall and proud and seemed to glide across the room, but what drew my attention immediately was that they wore glasses with smoked lenses, the same style that was used for the blind, even though it was nighttime.

"Stop staring and go ask them if'n they want a drink." The gruff old barkeep glanced up at me with disdain before he resumed his work. His weathered hand pushed a damp towel across the brass railing that lined the bar. "Mebbe they'll take a likin' to ya," he chuckled.

My stomach clenched at the thought. "Perhaps one of the other girls would like to talk to them first," I offered shyly.

The men cut large and imposing figures, and they had purposefully sat at the table furthest from the bar. It would be a long, terrifying walk for me to make.

"Vicki's house, Vicki's rules. She says you have to make nice with them new customers before the other girls get a turn, and them's new customers. Don't be skeered. They come through here about a year ago. Didn't cause no trouble. Said they's Albinas."

"A-a-al-binas? What's that?" Feeling self-conscious of my ignorance, I played with the hem of my frilly white dress and averted my eyes. It wasn't really my dress. Miss Vicki lent it to me to wear because she wanted to advertise my innocence.

"Hellfire, girl. Bein' an albina is a curse! Don't you know anythin'?"

"It's pronounced albino," Victoria sneered as she sauntered across the wooden floor, "Don't you know anything?"

The barkeep crossed his arms. He didn't appreciate being corrected by a woman, even if that woman was his boss. "That's what I said. Albinas. They's brothers and they hafta wear those funny lookin' spectacles and hide from the sun cause they's so fair skinned. I hear tell some ol' witch put a curse on their Mama, and all her babies came out white as ghosts."

"Stop filling her head with that nonsense." Victoria hissed as she caught my arm with her perfectly manicured nails and dragged me from behind the safety of the bar. "Get over there and turn on the charm, just like I taught you. You do me proud, or I'll turn you over to James."

I shivered at the memory of the first time he had beaten me as I made my way across the room to greet the strange men.

One of them looked in my direction and smiled widely, while the other clenched his jaw and turned away.

The friendlier of the two tipped his hat. "Howdy, ma'am."

I bowed my head and focused on the floor. Although distinctly different, the men were attractive, and appeared well off. Someone was going to buy my virginity, and I'd have no say in the matter. It was a possibility that it could be one of them. They seemed like slightly better choices than any of the others that had inquired. I supposed it could have been worse. My lips turned up into a grimacing attempt at a smile. "Would you like me to bring you something to drink, or perhaps you might like some company."

"I'm sure I'd appreciate both." The one who spoke appeared to be the younger of the two, the friendly looking one. He leaned forward and inhaled deeply.

I couldn't see his eyes behind his dark glasses but felt sure that he was sizing me up in the same manner a fox stares down a rabbit.

Swallowing thickly, my hands fussed with the garish pink bow Miss Vicki had made me wear in my hair. She had taught me that men liked to unwrap women like presents, and the things they might expect me to do for them in private. I felt my face heat with blush at the remembrance of our conversations.

"Bring us both a shot of whiskey."

Nodding apprehensively, I backed into an adjacent table and nearly toppled to the floor. "Yes, sir."

As I turned and scurried away, I could hear the pale brothers arguing in hushed tones.

Victoria was waiting for me by the bar with her hands on her hips. "Well?"

"They said they'd like some whiskey."

"And?" Her foot tapped the floor impatiently. She wore a stern look across her painted face. "Did you mention your availability?"

"N-n-not yet. I asked if they'd like some company."

Victoria huffed and rolled her eyes. "If you want something done right . . ." She sighed in exasperation. "You stay here for now. I'll call you over if we reach an agreement."

With trembling hands, I focused on pouring the liquor into two shot glasses and placed them on a serving tray. In the smoked glass mirror behind the bar I watched Victoria, in all her feathered finery, negotiate my virginity away on the other side of the saloon. Every now and then she would throw her head back and cackle loudly. It was part of her act. She told me that men like to feel important and that I should always strive to make them the center of attention. She'd given me lessons because she expected me to continue working for her, at least until I had earned enough money to pay off my debt.

Or rather, my father's debt. He had left me in Miss Vicki's care while he traveled out west looking for work. He never returned. Miss Vicki had housed and fed me for months longer than my Paw had paid for, so she decided I would work for her to settle repayment. It turned out that she wasn't as nice a person as she had led us both to believe.

She had been parading me around for a week and a half, but no one had come up with the exorbitant amount that she was asking for the honor of being my first. It was a rare thing to find a virgin in a saloon, and even though she longed to be rid of me, Miss Vicki was aiming to hold out for top dollar.

Just then I was startled from my thoughts by another round of Vicki's raucous laughter and noticed her waving me over. "Bring the whole bottle, Bella. Drinks are on the house."

Making an effort not to stumble, I carried the tray over to the table.

She merrily grabbed the bottle and passed the drinks around.

I didn't want to drink the shot of whiskey she shoved into my hand, but felt obliged. The liquid flowed cool past my lips, but burned like fire all the way down my throat and heated my belly.

"It's all been settled! You can go pack up your things. Hell, you can even keep that dress," Victoria laughed.

I had never seen her in such a joyous mood. The whiskey had made my head spin and her words didn't make any sense. I didn't understand why she was telling me to pack. "I beg your pardon?"

She motioned with her hand as she introduced me to each of the pale men. "Jasper and Peter have paid your debt in full, and then some, to have you leave with them tonight."

"Them? Tonight?" I repeated the words, my mouth dry. "But I thought—"

Victoria cuffed her arm around my shoulder, pulled me into her bosom, and hissed into my ear. "You aren't my concern anymore. You go with them, and find a way to please them, because I don't give refunds." She dug her nails roughly into my side, before shoving me away. "Now go pack."

I nodded and made my way solemnly to my room to retrieve my scant belongings, all the while praying that these strange looking men would treat me kindly, or at least a bit better than Miss Vicki and James.

It didn't take long for me to collect my things, but by the time I had returned, the men had vanished. My breath hitched as I considered that they might have changed their minds. It was then that I realized how desperate I was to leave the saloon. Even being forced into the unknown was preferable to another one of James' brutal beatings.

"There you are, dear." Victoria's emerald eyes flashed with delight, as her painted lips spread over her teeth in a fake forced smile. She took my chin between her fingers and raised it, demanding I meet her gaze. "They went to fetch a carriage. Be sure to remember what I've taught you, and everything will be fine."

She pressed her lips together when she noticed the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. "Don't start crying now. If they think you're unhappy they might bring you back and then I'd be forced to give you something to truly cry about." She pinched my chin so hard I was sure it would leave a mark. "Show me your smile."

I complied and managed a small awkward grin.

"Good," she said as she finally removed her fingers from my face.

"Miss Vicki, if my father returns—"

"He won't." Her voice sounded cold, hard, and resolute. She spoke with finality. "Go now. Don't keep them waiting, and do your best not to upset them, Bella. Remember what will happen to you if they bring you back."

As if I could ever forget any of her violent threats.

Just then a glossy black passenger coach pulled up beside the saloon and I fled into the darkness, relieved not to have to spend another moment in that horrid woman's presence.

It was well past the midnight hour, the late winter wind was frigid, and I had only a thin shawl to shield me from the cold. After handing my small suitcase to the driver, I stepped up to the waiting carriage. A large, pale hand, as cold as ice, reached out and helped me into the waiting cab.

"Sit here by me." It was the older brother, Jasper. His voice was deep and held authority. Despite my fear, I did as I was told. He let go of my hand, stood, and removed his long overcoat. He covered me with it as I took my place beside him on the bench. "You don't need to be afraid."

He must have noticed my trembling hand because I had worked hard not to let my nerves show. "Oh, I'm not—"

"You don't have to explain. We're used to it." The younger brother, who Victoria had introduced as Peter, removed his hat and ran his fingers through his chin length blonde hair. Then he removed his dark glasses.

"Oh!" I sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of his eyes. I had never seen anything so horrible before. Red. Even in the dim light of the carriage I could see them clearly. His eyes were strange, unnatural, the eyes of a devil. I forced myself to turn away, afraid he could peer into my very soul.

"You should have waited," Jasper growled, chastising his brother.

I covered my mouth to stifle a scream at the realization that he too must possess the same disturbing eyes, hidden behind the smoked glass lenses.

Peter shrugged it off, and leaned forward, even closer to me than he was before. "She was going to see eventually. Are you scared of me, darlin'? You don't have to be. I hope we can get acquainted real nice and proper."

Jasper reached over and placed his arm across my body in a protective gesture. "Stop scaring her." He lowered his voice then and then spoke soothingly and reassuringly. "I apologize for my brother, ma'am. He's always been uncouth and extremely forward when dealing with people concerning our condition."

Their condition. Their terrible affliction.

They couldn't help the way they looked. All at once I felt horrible for reacting so badly to their obvious deformity.

Forcing myself to be brave, I lifted my eyes to Peter's face. If it weren't for the shocking color of his red eyes against his pale white skin, he would be considered strikingly handsome.

A strange calm feeling washed over me, and I attributed it to the whiskey I'd had earlier. I braced myself against the carriage wall fearing I might faint. Everything had happened so suddenly. My head began spinning with worrisome thoughts. Would I be spending this night in bed with one of these men, or possibly both?

"Is she all right?" Peter wondered aloud.

"Does she look all right to you?" Jasper snapped back, his voice laced with malice.

I felt his weight shift as he stood, muttered a few profanities at Peter, and then tapped on the roof of the cab to alert the driver.

From the corner of my eye I watched as he twisted his long, lean body halfway out the side window as he gave directions to the driver. For a moment he was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight and the sight took my breath away. Jasper was beautiful. His skin looked like porcelain, his hair like silk, and the line of his jaw was strong and masculine, much like the rest of his body.

I bit my lip as I wondered what his eyes looked like beneath the dark smoked lenses he wore. Could they be the same horrible red color, just like his brother's? I wanted to know, and wished that he'd remove his glasses, but even in the privacy of the carriage, he kept them on.

"We'll be staying at a hotel tonight, and tomorrow we will take you to our new home," Jasper explained.

It made me feel safer; somehow knowing that tonight I wouldn't be entirely alone with them. Surely, they wouldn't be so brazen as to attack me in a hotel full of people. I nodded in understanding not knowing what to say.

"The driver will secure our rooms, but if anyone were to ask, we will say you are my wife, to avoid scandal."

"Your wife?" I repeated. Until that moment it had been unclear which one of the brothers meant to rid me of my virginity. I hadn't been sure which one of them had paid for me, and I surely wasn't bold enough to ask. For all I knew they both meant to use me, but at least now I was pretty sure that I'd be spending tonight with Jasper.

From what I could tell, he seemed to be a gentleman. He had given me his overcoat, which showed that he had concern for my comfort. I buried myself down deeper under its warmth and breathed in its scent. His scent was clean and spicy, like some wonderful cologne. He certainly smelled better than any of the patrons I'd come across at Miss Vicki's bar. They usually smelt of stale sweat and sour whiskey.

It was then that I decided that I didn't care about his deformity, if he had strange red eyes or not. If he could show me the least bit of kindness, I'd do anything to please him, anything to keep him from taking me back to that horrible saloon.

The carriage lurched to a stop, and Jasper leapt out to speak with the driver.

"Your coat," I called after him. He was clothed only in a thin buttoned down shirt.

Peter moved and once again I was caught by the pull of his shocking red eyes. I froze, unable to speak or move or even have any coherent thoughts.

"You hold onto the coat, darlin'. The cold don't bother us."

We sat in silence, not taking our eyes off one another. He studied me as I studied him.

Finally, Jasper returned in a gruff mood and broke the tension. He shoved a key into his brother's hand, and then helped me down from the carriage.

The driver handed him my suitcase, and we made our way into the inn, and then down a short hallway to our rooms. Two rooms side by side. I realized that neither of them carried any luggage of their own. It was a good sign. Their house must not be too far from the saloon where they found me. I still hung on to a shred of hope that my father might return, and I wished to stay close to where he had left me, so that one day we might find each other again.

"Go wait in the room. I'll see to Bella," Jasper directed, and with a sharp nod, Peter was gone.

I shuddered as the door closed with a click. It seemed things had been decided.

We were alone in the room and it was dark, apart from the light of a small oil lamp that sat on a bedside table.

I wracked my brain, trying to recall Miss Vicki's lessons on how to please a man, but all I could think of was how scared I was. Afraid of the act itself and doubly afraid that he'd find me completely lacking, and rush me back to the saloon come morning.

His cold hands wrapped around my shoulders as he helped me out of his overcoat. "Go get ready for bed."

I could feel his eyes watching me from behind his dark glasses, and I'm sure, to him, I must have appeared to be insane. I flitted to my suitcase, and then decided not to open it. I trudged over to the wash basin, nearly knocking it over, as I attempted to wash my face with trembling hands. And there it was again, a feeling of calm. Like the eye of a storm. In that moment of clarity I became resolved. This was my situation, my fate, and like it or not, I had to accept it. Accept him.

I made my way to the bed, pulled down the coverlet, and laid down. My fists clenched to my sides, my eyes clamped shut.

After a moment I felt the bed dip down beside me under his weight, and then his hand brushed my cheek.

I dared not open my eyes.

"You are a virgin, aren't you?" His voice was filled with awe as he marveled at me.

It was obvious he hadn't completely believed Miss Vicki's claims, and I couldn't blame him.

"Open your eyes, dear one."

Despite my warring nerves, I managed to fulfill his request.

He was smiling at me, but the curl of his lips hinted at sadness. "She didn't tell you, did she?"

"Tell me what?"

"We told Miss Vicki we were taking you with us to be our housekeeper."

"H-h-housekeeper?"

He nodded. "We didn't buy you for pleasure. Our appearance makes it hard to find and keep good help. Everyone is under the assumption that we're cursed. My brother and I felt appalled at your situation and hoped that you might consider working for us for a few months, in exchange for the payment of your debt. We know it's not proper, but we thought it might be preferable to being used by the drunkards in that dreadful saloon."

I nearly jumped out of the bed as I sat up in excitement. "Oh, sir! She didn't tell me. I would be honored to work for you and your brother."

"I'm sure Victoria didn't believe us. That must be why she didn't tell you our plans. We assumed you needed help. I want to know how a sweet girl like you found herself in such a predicament, but not tonight. Go to sleep now. I'll be staying next door with my brother, if you need anything. In the morning, if conditions are favorable, we will ride to our new home. There will be plenty of work for you there, as we have not yet finished moving in.

"Yes sir." I nodded happily and sighed in relief. "I'm a hard worker. I won't disappoint you."

He paused, his hand on the door knob. "I'm sure you won't. Goodnight, Bella."

"Goodnight, sir, and thank you."

With a small bow he was gone, and for the first night in months, I was able to get some restful sleep.

Yet another A/N: My buddy GeezerWench has been nominated in the TwiFic Fandom Awards.

In THREE catagories!

1. Swoony Scene

2. UNF Scene

3. What if? Fic

Please go vote for her!

twificfandomawards dot blogspot dot com

Also there is an awesome contest that you should go check out!

The Get Your Southern On Story Contest

It's on FF! and it has it's own blog too!

getyoursouthernon dot blogspot dot com

Where you can vote for "Reader's Choice"