Jaid: *tiredly* Hi guys.
Jad: What's wrong Jaid? Tired.
Jaid: Yes! And you would be too! Have you ever watched nine kids all day?
Jad: No. Watching you is bad enough.
Jaid: *death glare*
Jad: Heh, heh, why don't we do the story?
A/N: There's going to be some OOC in this story as well as some alternate pairings (at least at first). And before you ask what the heck was I thinking, this idea was trigged by watching Shanghai Noon, then reading GW's Blind Target and then playing GW cards while listening to the "Maverick" soundtrack. It does weird stuff to your head.
*********************************************************
To all appearances, it was a small, dusty, frontier town. But appearances can be deceiving. The G-gang was at an amusement park. It had been Duo's idea. He was at the front of the group with Mariemiea and the two of them were jumping around, almost singing with excitement.
"This is so cool!" Duo said.
"Look, Mom," Mariemiea shouted, "A gold mine! Can we go, please!"
"Go on." Une said smiling. Mariemeia whooped with delight as she and Duo both headed for the mine.
"Okay," Une said, turning back to the rest of the group. "We meet back here for dinner at six, okay?" The rest nodded, then split up.
Wu Fie, Sally, and Une were going to see "Chinatown". Hilde and Catherine wanted to have their pictures taken and were dragging Trowa and Midii with them. Lucrezia and Zechs went to look at the reproductions of several buildings. Dorothy and Quatre had headed toward a corral for a horse ride, while Relena and Heero followed Mariemeia and Duo.
"This is great!" Quatre said. Dorothy smiled.
"Yeah, it is kinda fun." She grinned at the blonde, then laughed.
"What?" Quatre asked.
"Nothing." Dorothy said. "It's just funny how excited you get about things."
"Oh." Quatre frowned. "I hope that's not an insult."
"It isn't." Dorothy assured him. "Hey, Quatre, want to go over there first?" she pointed to a dark building.
"No." Quatre answered. "I don't think it's got anything."
"Pooh." Dorothy said. "It looks interesting. Let's just take a quick look." Without waiting for an answer, she dragged the boy to the building. Walking in, they took a look around.
"I think it's supposed to be a saloon." Dorothy said.
"Maybe." Quatre answered, starting to walk up the staircase. Dorothy followed. They looked in the other rooms, but they stood empty.
"Hey this has something!" Dorothy said. Opening a trunk, she pulled out several costumes. "Cool!"
"What are you doing?" Quatre asked. Dorothy shrugged.
"Trying some on, I guess. It can't hurt."
Quatre frowned as she walked behind a screen.
"I don't know, Dorothy." He said.
"Oh, come on Quatre! Look, you put something on, and I'll take our pictures, then we'll put 'em away."
"I-"
"Quatre!" Dorothy came out from behind the screen. She was wearing a long sleeved white blouse, and a long green walking skirt. She also wore a green vest with gold buttons and embroidery. She had found gloves and a parasol to match. Seeing that Quatre was still indecisive, she chose a costume for him.
"Here." She said. "You can be the deputy. I can't find the sheriff's costume."
Quatre made a face, but didn't argue. He changed behind the screen. When he came out, he was wearing black pants, boots, a dark blue shirt and kerchief, chaps, and a leather jacket with a silver deputy's badge. Dorothy smiled and put a brown hat on his head, then handed him a belt with two guns holstered on them. Quatre frowned, but put them on.
"Okay, I'll take your picture and you'll take mine." Dorothy directed. This was done, then it was decided by Dorothy that she would go to the front and get Lucrezia and Zechs' attention so that one of them could take a picture of Dorothy and Quatre together.
"I'll be right back." She said. Quatre nodded, sitting on the bed. Dorothy opened the door. A wave of noise greeted them.
"What?" she and Quatre exchanged puzzled looks.
"Maybe the show hadn't started yet." He suggested. "They do have actors here, you know."
"Yeah." Dorothy smiled. "I'll be…" she looked at Quatre. "Would you come with me please?"
* * *
The two of them walked down the stairs, and to the swinging doors, pretty much unmolested. As they were about to exit, they ran into Lucrezia. She too was dressed in "cowboy" clothes, though her fashion was more of Quatre's caliber than Dorothy's. Her brown eyes widened and she grabbed the two of them, dragging them over to where Zechs stood. He was dressed in a white shirt, brown vest and a long gray overcoat with a shining sheriff's badge. He carried a gray hat in his hand.
"What the-?" Quatre asked.
"Yeah, I know." Zechs said. "I don't either. What happened to you too?"
Dorothy and Quatre told them, then Zechs and Lucrezia told what had happened to them. It was pretty much the same story, only Zechs and Lucrezia had found their trunk in the old jailhouse.
"I wonder if any of the others got in this." Lucrezia said.
"What do you mean?" Dorothy said.
"This is real, Dorothy." Zechs explained.
"What?"
"People recognize us." Lucrezia said. "We've stepped into some alternate dimension or something."
"This is nuts!" Dorothy cried. "Who am I supposed to be?"
"I'm really a deputy?" Quatre asked at the same time.
"Dorothy's some rich lady from back East. Yes Quatre, you are a deputy. Zechs is the sheriff, and I'm some ranching lady. Apparently, Hilde's my sister, but I don't know if the one we know is here or not." Lucrezia stopped to take a breath.
"What are we going to do?" Quatre asked.
"Well," Zechs said. "Until we can figure out to get to our own time, we play along."
"I think I can do that." Dorothy said.
"Oh, boy." Quatre murmured.
"I can't ride." Lucrezia whispered urgently.
"I'll teach you." Quatre said. "Come on."
* * *
Zechs sat at the desk in the jailhouse, trying to make some sense of the notes, wanted posters and letters. He wasn't getting very far. He looked up as Quatre walked in.
"How'd it go?"
"She's a fast learner." Quatre answered. He sank into a chair. "Dorothy had to go home. Some messenger said that her uncle was waiting."
"Uncle?" Zechs asked. "That's interesting."
"Why?" Quatre asked.
"No reason." Zechs sighed. "I don't know how I'm going to be sheriff. These reports are pretty incomplete."
"Well, I might be able to help. Apparently I'm pretty well known by, um, a lot of the female population." Quatre said.
Zechs grinned at Quatre's embarrassed look. "Well, well. Fancy that. Quatre's a lady's man." Quatre blushed even redder. Zechs chuckled, then got up and slapped his shoulder.
"Come on, we need some sleep."
* * *
Dorothy entered the house. It was quite nice she thought. A small black girl came and took her gloves and parasol.
"Mr. Barton's in the sittin' room, miss." The girl said.
"Thank you." Dorothy answered automatically. She looked around a bit, trying to find the room Trowa would be in. When she found it, she came forward cautiously, not sure if this was a different Trowa or not.
"Ms. Catalonia." Trowa said smiling. He took her hand and kissed it.
Definitely a different Trowa. Dorothy thought as she forced a smile. The two of them sat.
"I was told I had a message from my uncle." Dorothy said.
"Yes." Trowa took a letter from his pocket. "He asked me to give this to you. He said he hoped it might change your mind."
"Thank you." Dorothy bit her lip, not sure what to say next. "You do have a place to stay?"
"Yes thank you." Trowa stood. "I need to be going now. Good-bye Ms. Dorothy."
"Bye." She answered.
* * *
The next morning, Dorothy hurried to the sheriff's office, wearing blue. When she entered, she was surprised to find Une there, talking with Zechs. Quatre was no where to be seen.
"Dorothy." Zechs stood, with a smile on his face.
"Hello Ms. Catalonia." Une said politely then turned to Zechs. "You won't forget?"
"No, I won't. Thank you for your help." Zechs answered. Une smiled, then left the building. Zechs motioned to a chair and Dorothy sat down.
"What was that about?" she asked.
"Not sure yet." Zechs answered. "Why are you here?"
Dorothy took the letter from her hand bag. "Trowa Barton came by yesterday with this letter from my 'Uncle'. I think you'd better read it."
Zechs took if from her and began to read.
* * *
Quatre dismounted his palomino horse, and then helped Lucrezia down from her bay. Lucrezia winced.
"I hate this." She muttered. Quatre laughed as the two entered the genreal store. At the counter was a young Chinese girl. She smiled at them.
"Hello Ms. Nion, Deputy." She said. "Can I help you?"
"I have a list from my sister." Lucrezia said, handing it to her.
"Of course. Deputy?"
"Nothing for me, thanks." Quatre said smiling. The girl smiled back, then went to fulfill Lucrezia's order.
"I'm going outside and walk around a bit." Qutre said.
"Oh, I don't know –"
"You're doing fine." Quatre assured her, then walked out, nearly colliding with a young woman.
"Cat!" It was Hilde. Quatre almost didn't recognize her in the red dress she was wearing. Her hair was longer too.
"I'm so glad to see ya!" Hilde said smiling. "Walk me to Dorothy's house, please?"
"Of course." Quatre said, offering his arm. Hilde dimpled and took it. As they walked along, Hilde showed him a gold locket she was wearing.
"See?" she asked. Quatre nodded.
"Yes, it's very nice."
"Well?"
"Well what?" Quatre asked, feeling like he had missed something.
Hilde stopped walking and looked at him almost angrily. "I think you ought to remember what ya gave your girl for her birthday!"
"Oh, sorry, I just-" Quatre began, the stopped. "Wait, did you say 'your girl'?"
"Yes." Hilde frowned, then felt Quatre's forehead. "Are ya okay?"
"I'm fine." Quatre lied. "I just have been busy, that's all."
Hilde's features relaxed. "Have to be pretty busy if you forget your own wedding."
Quatre choked. "We're getting married? When?"
"Cat, I'm really worried about you."
"When?"
"We havn't decided yet." Hilde said. Quatre relaxed.
"Oh." They started walking again.
"You're my girl." Quatre repeated, after a little while.
"Yes."
"What about Duo?"
Hilde laughed outright. "Me and Duo Maxwell?"
Quatre grinned, not knowing what to say.
"You don't have to worry, Cat." Hilde said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I'm your girl and don't you ever doubt it."
Quatre swallowed hard.
* * *
"So you're part of a gang." Zechs grinned. "That's interesting."
"I fail to see the humor." Dorothy said coldly. "What am I supposed to do? Play along?"
Zechs gave her a look.
"Thanks a lot Marquise! That's all you can tell me?" Dorothy asked.
"What else is there?" Zechs answered. "Until we figure out how to get to the other dimension, we don't have a choice." He grinned again. "What, scared Catalonia?" Dorothy glared daggers at him as she folded up the letter and put it in her handbag.
She was about to speak, when Quatre burst in, dragging Lucrezia with him.
"Dorothy!" he gasped. "Good, you're both here."
"What's wrong?" Dorothy asked.
"It's Hilde." He answered, then told them all the conversation he had had with the dark haired girl.
When he had finished, Zechs leaned against the window, struggling not to laugh. Lucrezia's face twisted in a failed attempt to not smile and Dorothy just stared at Quatre blankly.
"What do I do?" Quatre asked.
"Play along?" Zechs suggested feebly.
"But I don't love her!" Quatre protested. "I love- "he broke off, blushing furiously.
"Well, we can't decide now." Zechs said. "There's too many things going on."
* * *
Dorothy went back home, and Lucrezia went back to the store to receive the rest of her goods. Zechs and Quatre decided to go to the hotel and eat some lunch. While they were eating, a girl, dressed in pale blue and white suddenly plopped down in a seat next to them.
"There you are!" she gasped, fanning her self. Zechs and Quatre exchanged looks; it was Relena.
"Relena?" Zechs asked.
"Yes. Don't you remember I was coming in today?" Relena looked slightly annoyed. "You promised to pick me up at the station. I waited all morning."
Zechs looked embarrassed. "Sorry, guess it slipped my mind. We've had quite a bit of trouble around here." "Ms. Relena." He answered. Relena raised an eyebrow.
"Miss?" she asked surpriesed. "Zechs, when did Quatre start learning manners?"
"Since he got engaged." Zechs answered mischievously, ignoring the glare that the red-faced Quatre was shooting in his direction.
"Engaged? To whom?" Relena asked.
"Hilde," Zechs paused, not sure if Hilde would be going by Lucrezia's name or if Lucrezia went by Hilde's name.
"Hilde Noin?" Relena smiled, then took Quatre's hand. "That's very nice for you Quatre."
Quatre mumbled something, then excused himself from the table.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Zechs asked.
"I'm not very hungry." Quatre answered. Relena's eyes followed him with concern.
"He doesn't look very happy." She commented, then turned to her brother accusingly. "You've probably been very unmerciful in your teasing, haven't you?"
"Me?" Zechs asked innocently. Relena's eyes narrowed.
"Yes, you." She answered. "I know you Zechs Marquise. You're enjoying this whole thing a little too much." Zechs leaned back thoughtfully. This Relena was very new to him.
"How were things back East?"
Relena shrugged. "I couldn't wait to get back home." She murmured, then paused. "Have you seen anything of Heero Yuy?"
"No."
"Oh." Relena frowned, looking a little disappointed. "Well, it can't be helped. Are you finished? Good. We can go get my trunk now. I can't wait to get home."
* * *
Hilde and Dorothy had a long talk. Dorothy had found that it was no trouble to get Hilde to talk about things, a few guiding word or sentences were all that were needed. After the girl had left, Dorothy wrote down everything she had learned for Zechs and Quatre.
Zechs and Quatre, she wrote, Here are some interesting tidbits about ourselves and others that I thought might come in handy. You can share them with Lucrezia if you get the chance.
Une owns the saloon and hotel. No one knows how she acquired them, but it is definitely known that she did not buy them. Catherine Bloom and her brother Triton run the saloon for Une, and sometimes take responsibility for the hotel when she is away.
A little warning for Quatre: apparently Catherine and Hilde were competitors for Quatre's affections and Catherine has not taken defeat lying down!
Hilde says that Triton is all right, although very quiet and gives people strange looks.
Relena has been in the East to complete school. She has returned to the West to be a schoolteacher.
No one seems to know much about either Heero or Duo, except that they have come into town several times and you, Zechs, do not like Heero very much (big surprise, huh?)
Wu Fie Chang and his wife Mieran own the General store. He is a quiet bookish person. Mieran is more talkative. Apparently, the marriage was arranged, and both are famous for their arguments.
Sally Po is the area doctor, and even acted as a semi-sheriff before you and Quatre were elected the law-men. She is very respected in the town and good friends with both Lucrezia and Mieran.
Zechs Marquise is known as the "silent, strong" type. You are pretty well respected, but there is a rumor that you are running from something in your past.
Quatre Winner has a basic history: All he knows of his family are his name, and the pictures of his parents that he has. He gave his mother's locket to Hilde after he asked her to marry him. He was moved around in orphanages a lot in the East, then finally made it out West at fourteen, traveling with whomever would accept him. Known for his marksmanship.
I am as close too "society" as this town gets. I am the town's only "true lady", apparently. The reasons I came out West are obscure though.
This is what I have gleaned. Hopefully, I'll have more. D.C.
Reading it over, she nodded her head, folded the letter and put in an envelope.
* * *
"Quatre?" Zechs entered the room, and smiled at the sight that met him. Quatre had fallen on the bed and had immediately fallen asleep. Zechs pulled off his boots and jacket, then placed a blanket over the younger man. As he left, he blew out the lamp.
Walking down the stairs, he found Relena at the kitchen table, quietly sobbing.
"Lena?" he asked. "What's wrong?"
Relena looked up startled, then quickly wiped away her tears. "I'm fine." She said. "Just tired. That's all. I thought you were going to bed."
"No, I just went up to check on Cat." Zechs explained.
"Oh." Relena stood. "I suppose I'll go to bed too. I really am worn out from the trip and school starts next week." She walked to the door way, then paused.
"Night." She said.
"Good – night." Zechs answered.
* * *
Dorothy was awakened by a shower of pebbles against her window. Standing up, she threw a shawl over her shoulders, opened the window and leaned out. Trowa stood below.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
"Dress and come quickly." Trowa called softly. "I'll give you ten minutes." Dorothy frowned, but obeyed. Ten minutes later, dressed in a plain black dress, her hair in a net, and the shawl over her head and shoulders, she shook her maid, Janet awake. The young black woman looked confused as Dorothy put a letter in her hand.
"Make sure this gets to the sheriff." Dorothy said quietly. "I have to go. Don't tell anybody but Sheriff Marquise or Deputy Winner, all right?"
Janet shook her head obediently. Dorothy smiled. "I'll be back as soon as possible."
Going outside, she found Trowa waiting. He helped her mount his horse, and together they rode off into the night.
**********************************************************
Jaid: Where do I come up with this stuff?
Jad: Me? And Naga.
Jaid: Yeah, it's all your fault that I'm up at two in the morning writing this stuff….
Jad: *sweatdrop* Please Review peeps!