It's been a while since I've posted to FanFiction, most of my time is dedicated to Archive of Our Own but since I posted this story to that site and realized how much fun I'm having writing this one I figured I would post it here.

-Eros

Bonnie MacFarlane was never a lady for sympathies, but not even she could ignore a man laying on the side of the road near death.

"Amos stop!" She gasped and hopped off the stagecoach, nearly falling as she saw the lame man.

"Miss MacFarlane are you nuts! We're right in the middle of gang territory!" Amos scolded in a harsh whisper as he yanked on the reins of the horses.

"There's a man!" She said and scampered to his side.

"He'll die we have to go!" Amos growled.

"Shame on you!" Bonnie snapped and looked back to the pale man, her violent blue eyes making Amos back up a few paces, she took her glove off quickly and reached down, feeling his jugular. "He's alive! Amos help me!" She ordered not leaving any room for argument as she wrapped her arms around him beneath his shoulders.

Amos looked around with his rifle in hand, glancing to Fort Mercer, no bodies moving it seemed... He cursed under his breath and rested a hand on Bonnie's shoulder before handing her the gun to protect them as he dragged the half-dead man into the coach. Once he was inside, he and Bonnie quickly got back onto their ride and galloping off towards the property.

As they entered the Armadillo on their way back to the ranch, Bonnie bust through the door to the doctor's office. He was closing up shop and jumped at the sudden intrusion.

"Miss MacFarlane what on earth-"

"I have a dying man!" She interrupted and the doctor's brows raised quickly as Amos began dragging the limp stranger into the building.

"G-Get him in the back! Any idea what happened?" The doctor asked.

"N-No idea! We found him just on the outside of Fort Mercer, I'm pretty sure we are safe to assume he was shot I didn't get a chance to examine him." Bonnie said and the doctor nodded before following Amos into the back as he carried the seemingly lifeless body.

It felt like ages, but the doctor finally came out late into the night, Bonnie was exhausted and Amos was asleep on the bench in the waiting room. She stood up and rubbed her hands in one another in a fidgeting fashion as the doctor took off his bloodied gloves and his apron.

"Well..?" She murmured.

"He's gone through the worst of it, I got the bullets out, lucky for him they didn't puncture his lungs nor any major vessels..." He said and Bonnie sighed in relief but his next questioned stunned her. "Miss MacFarlane, I know you don't know this man but I don't have the room to store him 'til he wakes... Any room on your homestead while he heals?"

"I-I... Well... I suppose." She said and quickly swatted Amos as he snored and woke, smacking his lips for a moment before he turned to Bonnie.

"What is it? Can we go home?" He asked and Bonnie nodded.

"Yes, after we load mystery man up." She snorted and Amos raised his brows.

"Are you sure that's wise? We found him outside Fort Mercer, who knows how dangerous this man is..." He said folding his arms over his chest.

"Well, the doctor can't hold him up so it's our duty to get him back on his feet." Bonnie said and Amos sighed and shook his head, knowing arguing with her was pointless.

Loading the stranger into the back of the stagecoach, Bonnie knew she would get her rear torn apart by her pa when she arrived back home but hopefully he'd understand.

Bonnie and Amos carried the unnamed unconscious man into a spare shack they used for storage that wasn't being rented out at the moment before carefully resting him onto the mattress. She figured he would be out for a little while but she looked at his face, he was quite the man. Many scars aligned his cheeks and on the bridge of his nose. Knowing her lucky he was a criminal who would go on a rampage once he woke up but... She was willing to take that chance for now. Placing his hat on a shelf she yawned and looked at the moon, she only had an hour or so before she had to get back up. She should just start brewing coffee, after quietly shutting the door to the strangers quarters she turned her head to see her father storming in front of her still in his night clothes.

"Bonnie MacFarlane where in the hell have you been!?" He howled.

"Pa, please don't wake the whole homestead..." She sighed.

"Excuse me? You left at midday and you've been gone ever since! I thought you were dead-"

"Pa!" Bonnie barked and motioned him to approach as she reopened the shack door.

Peering in, Drew's eyes widened as he saw the unconscious man who had bandages wrapped around his midsection. He seemed to simmer down and she shut the door once again.

"What happened?" He questioned.

"I don't know, we were on our way back and we found him outside of Fort Mercer-"

"Fort Mercer!? Are you out of your mind?" He asked. "He could be a thief, a rapist, who the hell knows!?" He asked.

"Pa he was dying! What was I supposed to do? Leave him on the side of the road? What kind of folk would that make me?" She asked and before Drew could argue some more. "Look, everyone forgets I can actually take care of myself, I ain't a damsel and I came back in one piece... Even if this man is a criminal, I doubt he could take on the whole settlement, besides... The doctor said he couldn't put him up..." She sighed.

"How much was his treatment?"

"Fifteen dollars." Bonnie muttered, watching her father cringe.

"I hope you know when your doin'." He said and retreated back to the house.

"Same here, pops." She said in an unenthusiastic reply before she too walked back to the house.

Two days passed and the man she used a lot of valuable money to save hadn't awoken yet, she feared he was perishing but she checked his wound every few hours and while it was swollen there was no redness and no worrying sign of infection. As her chores for the second day came to an end, she filled a bucket of water and entered into his residence. Sitting at the edge of his bed she leaned down and wet a cloth, wringing out the excess water and she gently cleaned his face and placed the cool damp cloth on the underside of his neck, but when his eyes began fluttering she raised her brows.

"Uh... Mister?" She asked and amber eyes blinked pathetically, but he pinched his eyes shut again as the light stung them like a cheap perfume.

"Can you... Close the door, miss?" He murmured, his voice raspy and hoarse.

While she wasn't inclined to do so, she still had her pistol fastened on her hip, and she was pretty sure he couldn't attack her in his state. So she got up and shut the door softly and returning to his side, seeing him release a sigh of relief. She then took a small metal cup off of the nightstand next to his bed and dunked it into the pale next to the bed, filling it with water. As she brought it to his lips she gasped as he snatched the mug as he gulped down the water sloppily, coughing as it went down the wrong pipe and cringed and held his bandage.

"Hey now don't choke yourself after I put so much into saving you, Mister..?" Bonnie inquired as she refilled the cup.

"Marston... John Marston." He responded, his voice a bit less dried out as he rehydrated.

"Good, cause 'the stupid man' won't do forever..." She chuckled and brought the cup back up to his lips and allowed him to drink some more as John groaned.

"How long has it been, Miss..?" He asked her back.

"Bonnie Macfarlane." She mused. "You've been out for a few days. What you were doin' up at the Fort is a tale for another day, for now, you need to get some rest..." She said and stood. "I'll leave the pail here in case you need more, I'll come back in a little while with some food for you." She mentioned and walked back to the door.

"Ma'am, wait." John called weakly, watching the woman turn after opening the door, the sun-rays highlighting her golden hair. "... Why did you save me?" He asked.

"Because everyone deserves another chance... Sleep well, Mister Marston." She said and walked out of the shack.

John sighed and leaned his head back, sleep was not hard to come by...

His eyes opened again as Miss MacFarlane returned, opening his door, a tray in her hands. He narrowed his eyes, trying to see what was on top of it but it didn't take long to figure it out, the smell hitting his nose like a freight train and his stomach roaring with hunger. Glancing to the window above him the sky was dark, he wondered what the time was but right now all he could think about was stuffing himself like a turkey. Bonnie then sat the tray upon the nightstand and towered over John before leaning down and helping him sit up, hearing him groan in pain.

"Calm down, let me do it..." She scolded softly. "You got shot in your abdomen, sitting up could rupture those stitches and since I own them, you do what I say." She joked and while John felt his pride practically disappear as he let this lady help him sit up against the headboard, she brought the tray over to him. "S'not a lot... I was never much of a cook... But you'll eat it since you don't got a choice." She stated and John looked over the tray, while Bonnie insulted her cooking, but both smelled and looked delicious.

Grits, biscuits, and jerky, definitely would fill him up, he didn't hesitate on shoveling the first bite in his mouth and his eyes rolled back. He definitely missed a home cooked meal... He missed Abagail even though she couldn't really cook. Thankfully Miss MacFarlane spoke to bring him out of his depression.

"I see you slurped down that water, want some more? Or some lemonade?" She asked.

"Water would be just fine Miss if you don't mind." He quickly stood up and fetched some more water from the

Bonnie quickly stood up and fetched some more water from the faucet in by the store, returning and filling the cup back up. Her eyes widening as she saw that John had already eaten half his meal.

"Good Lord, calm down or you'll make yourself sick." She scolded and John looked over to her.

"I suppose you're right... Sorry, I'm makin' a pig of myself, ma'am. I don't remember the last time I had a good meal." John replied and used the cloth he had before to wipe his mouth.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Bonnie chuckled.

"It's no flattery, Miss MacFarlane." He replied. "It's honesty."

"I only cook for my pa and me now... I normally don't go into too much detail with the food anymore but... I'm glad it's enough for you." She said and John nodded.

"It's been months at least... My wife would kill me for saying it but you are a much better cook." John chuckled quietly and Bonnie almost had it in her to blush but she scoffed once more.

"I never woulda pegged you for bein' married up at Fort Mercer... Did you go up there to die?" She inquired.

"... I guess maybe in a way... Williamson and I used to be friends, ran together... Did a lot of bad things together... Went to give him a chance to surrender." John explained.

"You must be a bit stupider than I thought. Williamson and his band of misfits are the most violent bunch in this county... What made you think he'd surrender?" She asked with curiosity.

"Honestly I don't know... I didn't wanna kill him, we were friends after all." John sighed putting another spoonful of food into his mouth.

"... Can I ask why you went after him in the first place?"

"I don't mind you asking as long as you don't mind me not telling... It's just for your safety ma'am, I did a lot of bad things back in the day." He stated and Bonnie, while she wanted to know more, she didn't want to risk making her guest uncomfortable.

"I guess I understand, I only saved your life." Bonnie mused but she shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't mean to sound like I was pryin'." She added to make sure her previous statement wasn't taken too seriously.

"It's alright, you had a right to ask... How much were my treatments?" John asked, nervous to know the amount.

"Fifteen dollars." Bonnie replied matter-of-factly and watching John cringe.

"I'm sorry, miss you shoulda let me die." He snorted.

"Why? I can hold this against you forever." She giggled softly and then shook her head. "It's fine, I couldn't have just let you die even if I wanted, my daddy taught me better than that." She said.

"Well... I owe you a lot and I'll do whatever I have to do to repay you." He said seriously and Bonnie rolled her eyes.

"You won't do anything until your better, killing yourself will do neither of us good..." Bonnie said as she watched John finish his food.

She took his tray and carefully laid him back down. John hated being so dependent on someone, especially since that someone was a woman, and he hated inconveniencing a woman, especially when his woman was in trouble. This blonde haired beauty seemed like a hard worked and she looked exhausted but he knew better than to tell her that. Perhaps he could help her out over the next few days when he was able to get up to give her a break.

"Miss MacFarlane?" He asked. "Thank you." He said and she smirked and rolled her eyes.

"Mister Marston?" She questioned back, watching him turn his attention back to her. "... It's Bonnie, you fool." She chortled with a small wink before walking out of his space.

John couldn't help but release a small chuckle himself as he watched her walk out. She was quite a woman, just from their short conversation he could tell. She didn't mention a husband but he was certain she had one. Who wouldn't want to marry her? She was what every man wanted, at least, she was the kind of woman he would want if he weren't married. He figured tomorrow he would try to get up and start repaying his debt to Miss MacFarlane... Or rather, Bonnie.

Though John wanted to get up the next day, he didn't wind up standing until a few days later. He sat up and groaned softly, running a hand over his face and turning his dark gaze out the window. He noted that the place he was staying was rather lively, there were quite a few people walking around and doing work outside. However, he noted his hat was missing, thankfully though he saw it on a shelf. He meandered over and placed it comfortably back onto his head where it belonged before he walked outside. The sun stung his eyes as it had before but thankfully his hat protected his optics from being fried out of his skull.

He grumbled quietly before he scanned the property where he was being held up and hummed quietly before noticing the blonde woman he had been fed by earlier walking into the largest house down the dirt road. He began walking in that direction, a small pain radiating in his rib cage as he did so, watching her glance back as he approached.

"Well, look at this, the dead have risen!" She joked in greeting, watching John shake his head with a small smile.

"I suppose so, ma'am." He chortled with a weak smile. "But to be fair, I would be dead if you hadn't picked me up... I intend to repay that fifteen dollars. Is there anything I can do to start?" He inquired.

"Well... I suppose the first thing you can do is do a quick perimeter with me so I can show you the grounds, Mister Marston. Mind saddling up, or are you still sore?" She asked and John shook his head.

"No, Miss, I'm ready when you are." He said and Bonnie smiled before motioning to a few horses that were hitched by the corral before she trotted down the steps to face him.

It was now that John really got to look at Bonnie, she had tawny buttermilk skin, with a few dark spots on her face most likely from her hard work on the ranch in the sun, her hair was a shimmery golden blonde like a Tuscan sun and her eyes were pools of cobalt... And her lips were silky rouge. But before he could look lower she passed him towards the horses and he was sure to follow.

Mounting a bronze stallion with a sable mane and tail, he pulled back on the reigns, earning a small huff from the beast beneath him as it back up a few paces, while Bonnie climbed upon a ginger mare with a splotch of chiffon upon her rear end. The two horses walked side by side towards the main road until the woman beside him kicked the sides of her horse, causing her to speed up to a canter to which John reciprocated by catching up to her as they rode.

"So, how are you feeling, Mister Marston?" She asked casually as she began leading him towards the back end of her house.

"Fair enough, I'm a little tender in some places but overall I'm okay thanks to you." He said, sending her a sideways glance.

"Good Lord, Mister Marston, keep thanking me like that you'll give me my own precious male ego." She giggled. "Honestly, you don't have to."

"Well when someone saves you from dying on the side of the road, you tend to feel a bit grateful, Miss Macfarlane." He said earnestly, earning a small subtle blush from the stoic woman beside him.

"Well, it was costly but... For now, I don't regret it. Shall I start the tour?" She requested.

"Of course." John stated and kept up with her.

After disposing of some well-despised pests in Bonnie's garden, John also found out the woman who saved him was actually a good shot as well... She seemed like a good woman and a well sought after woman, as they rounded the final corner of the impressive settlement.

"So? What do you think? It's nothing fancy but it keeps us from living in the slums of Thieves Landing I suppose." She said.

It's actually pretty superior to other places I've seen, most ranches don't have their own store." John replied with a small nod.

"It's blossomed from the little farm it used to be but we do alright for ourselves. Wanna come in for a glass of lemonade? I know you men never show your discomforts but I'm sure those stitches aren't feeling too great." Bonnie offered and grinned playfully.

"That or whiskey." John snorted as they led the horses to the hitching post.

John dismounted his horse with a small pained grunt. He reached down and gently rested his palm onto his wound as Bonnie got off her horse and approached him. She then gently touched his forearm and motioned to the house. He followed suit, climbing up the stairs carefully and walking into the house. It was a nice place, something he could see his own family living in.

"You've got a nice place here, Miss Macfarlane." He complimented and Bonnie looked back to him.

"Thank you, if you want you're welcome to rest your bones. I know you're still healing so I won't push you so hard, I'll go get you a drink." She said and smiled before wandering into another room.

John sat down in a chair by the door, but before Bonnie could even return with his lemonade, he was unconscious. His dreams were filled with Abagail, Jack... Dutch and Bill... He had a nasty job to do in the next few months. However he was woken with a slight jump as Bonnie walked into the room.

"Mister Marston, you're awake." She said and John rubbed his eyes.

"How long was I out?" He asked.

"A few hours. Mind riding with me tonight?" She asked as she held two rifles in her hand, watching John stand.

"Not at all, what for?" He questioned.

"The wild never sleeps, gotta make sure our assets are protected during the night." She replied and tossed him the extra rifle she carried.

John caught it and tilted his head, examining the hardware and looking down the barrel. This was a nice rifle.

"This is a fine weapon, miss." He commented and Bonnie shrugged her shoulders.

"You're welcome to keep it. I just got a new one so I have no use for it." She said as she walked out the door.

Damn, she saved his life and now she was giving him a rifle? What kind of person was she? Did she have an angle? He couldn't tell but he said nothing as he followed behind her without hesitation, mounting his horse from earlier and riding along side her. Thankfully their little round trip wasn't deprived of action, he was able to exterminate some more vermin from eating Miss Macfarlane's chickens before the night was over.

"Don't you ever sleep Miss MacFarlane?" He asked curiously.

"I sleep enough I suppose, sometimes I wish I had some more time to myself but I remember that I chose this life." She said with a fond smile as they walked back towards the house.

"Doesn't your husband help you out?" John asked, raising a brow.

"What husband? I'm too independent for most men, besides I really don't leave the ranch unless I'm grabbing supplies so I don't have many opportunities to meet men." She snickered.

"I'm surprised." John commented.

"Why?" Bonnie asked.

"I'm just surprised that you aren't married, you seem like the perfect woman, pardon if I sound too friendly." He explains and Bonnie feels more heat coming to her cheeks.

"Well, considering I found you outside Fort Mercer, I can only assume what kind of man you are, more men like little damsels and I ain't one of those." She chuckled and looked over to him, John shrugged his shoulders.

"Their loss then." He said matter-of-factly before the two dismounted their rides.

"Thank you for accompanying me, Mister Marston, it's always nice to have someone with me every now and again." She said and flashed a smile at John. "But if I don't want to be exhausted tomorrow I should go to sleep, shall I see you in the morning?" Bonnie inquired.

"Perhaps, Miss MacFarlane, perhaps." He said before tipping his hat slightly to her before turning around to walk towards his shack.

"Bonnie you fool!" She called with a soft cackle in her tone before heading inside.

John turned his head back towards the farm house and shook his head with a slightly exasperated smile. Miss MacFarlane, or rather, Bonnie, was quite a character... He liked her.