Okay, so I know people are really enjoying this, and now it should be even more enjoyable. Why, you ask? Well not only was I helped by my good friends Just Thinking and Jersey, but the one who really kicked my ass into gear was Smacky 30. I didn't know how much better it could get, thanks for showing me the light.
The Other Side
Gil couldn't sleep. Roger, on the other hand, had quickly succumbed to the combination of alcohol and his injuries. He snored soundly while Gil sat, staring at the floor with his head held in his hands.
Jim entered right before dawn. "Sleep well?"
Gil raised his head and glared at his friend, "No." His voice was rough with exhaustion.
"Yeah, sorry about this, but I had to lock you two up for disturbing the peace." Jim unlocked the cell door. "You can go now." He hefted Gil's gun belt and handed it to him.
Gil took his belt and headed out the door. He only had one destination in mind: Sara. He strode purposefully down the walk, and without hesitation, entered the brothel.
Heather was enjoying her morning coffee when he walked up to her. "Where is she?" Gil snapped.
She set her cup and saucer down. "She's in the back bedroom." Heather seemed amused at the situation proving that her assumption was true.
Gil narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you happy now?"
"No," Her answer came quick, "I'm not." She lowered her head and Gil headed to the room where he had experienced a slice of heaven.
He pushed the door open slowly, giving a gentle knock as he entered. "Sara?" She was lying on the bed with her back to the door. Gil moved over and sat on the edge next to her curled up body.
Her face was bruised, lips swollen and cut. Gil used his hand and gently pushed several stray hairs away from her face. Sara's eyes slowly opened, but only as far as the swelling allowed.
His heart shattered. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "This is my fault."
Her voice was hoarse as she managed to whisper, "Don't blame yourself."
Gil reached to the bedside stand and offered her the cup of water. He supported her head as she took several pained sips. If he had only agreed to Heather's offer, she wouldn't be in this condition. She was so young; he couldn't help but wonder how on earth she became a prostitute.
"Sara…can I ask you something?"
She looked at him, hesitating before nodding slightly.
Gil sighed. "Why are you here, in this place?" He continued to stoke her soft curls, offering what little comfort he could. "You're so young and beautiful. You deserve better than this."
"I ran away from home when I was seventeen. My family had a small farm near the Mississippi River. Dad did the farming." She closed her eyes briefly as a lone tear escaped to roll down her cheek. "My brothers took jobs on the river because they didn't want to be farmers like my Dad, so I helped him with the fields."
Gil sighed. Many of the people in Sunset had run from something horrible that happened, and he was one of them. But this wasn't about him. "What did your mother do?"
She opened her eyes and they glittered with painful memories. "She died when I was ten."
"I'm sorry," he whispered softly, hoping to ease a little of her pain.
"It's okay." She took a moment then continued. "I helped my father for six years. At first, it wasn't so bad, but then…" her eyes welled up and she quickly brought a hand up to cover her face.
Gil gently pulled her up and cradled her as the sobs increased. He felt her tremble against him and he swore he could detect the scent of fear. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me about any of that."
What is it about this woman? What does she do to me that makes me want to take care of her? If people could see me like this my hard-assed reputation would be shot all to hell.
When her sobs had dwindled to sniffles, Sara continued. "Well, I left in the middle of the night and headed for Saint Louis. I stole one of my father's mules." She chuckled "I would love to have seen the look on his face when he went to the stable and found that mule missing."
He smiled and gave a chuckle of his own to join hers.
Sara sighed. "I sold the mule when I got there and bought a train ticket. I thought I was going east. By the time I realized the train was heading west, it was too late. I was in Dodge City and didn't have enough money to get back."
Gil continued to hold her, his body tightening in response to her as his hands rubbing her back in comforting circles
"I'm good at poker; my brothers played all the time, and I watched. That's how I met Heather." Sara drew in a shaky breath. "She was very kind to me, and told me that if I went with her, she would give me a job and a place to live."
"But she didn't tell you what she did, did she?"
Sara gave a negative shake to her head as it rested on Gil's chest. "No. She made it sound like the opportunity of a life time."
Suddenly Gil began doing the math in his head. "Sara, how…old are you?"
She buried her face in his shirt as she began to cry once again. All he could do was hold her until she stopped. "It took me six months to get here."
He sighed. "Please, answer my question."
"I'm eighteen."
Gil closed his eyes. Eighteen; she was still a child in his eyes. The first night he saw her, something deep down told him to stay away, but instead he listened to his body.
Sara hugged him tighter and he returned the gesture. Gil held onto her for several minutes as he let the information sink in. When he did pull back he placed a soft kiss on her lips. "You should rest. I'll be back later to check on you." She nodded and lay back down.
He stood and returned to the front and confronted Heather. "What do I owe you for last night?"
"I'm going to give Roger his money back." She said, knowing what he was asking.
Gil pulled the money from his pocket book. "That should cover it. I'm sorry for my actions."
Heather sighed, "You're in love with her Gil. No one can blame you."
"I wish I wasn't."
She smiled. "The heart does not listen to logic, only goes with what it feels." He nodded, acknowledging her comment. "So, where are you off to this time?"
"I was…ah…thinking about staying…for good." He appreciated the change of subject.
"Really?" Heather's mouth fell open in shock.
Gil sat down. "I've been shot before, but…," he sighed and adjusted his hat. "I was supposed to die this time. Only I had a reason to live."
"Sara."
He nodded. "It was her I was thinking about. She kept me alive."
Heather looked at him. "She's not cut out for this." She referred to her business. "She's more the housewife type, cooking and raising babies." When Gil gave the slightest nod she dropped the bomb on him. "If you're serious about hanging up your guns take her home with you."
Gil turned his head to look at Heather, his face full of shock and fear. "I couldn't."
"Gil, it's obvious you love her, so do just that. Love her."
He was looking at Heather, but in his mind he saw Sara; in his cabin, in his bed, cooking, heavily pregnant with his child. A smile crossed his face as he pictured her living with him.
"Then it's settled." Heather stood, picked up her cup, and proceeded to walk away.
"I need time." Gil blurted out. Heather stopped and turned to look at him. "This is all going too fast for me. I've never shared my life with anyone before."
"Of course, take your time. She can stay here in the mean time."
Gil remained seated at the table, his heart swelling at the thought of openly loving Sara. He hurried out, climbed on his horse, and high tailed it to the main house of Dr. Al Robbins.
He slowed as he neared the house, not wanting his approach to seem like a threat or give alarm to the household. Gil looked at the large home as he dismounted. If he was going to give up bounty hunting, he needed some source of income to provide for himself and Sara.
The door opened before he was able to knock. "Gil Grissom, what a surprise!" Al moved forward to embrace him. "To what do I owe the honor? No, wait…don't tell me. One of my guys is in trouble."
Gil gave a small laugh. "No, nothing like that. I'm here to inquire about a job."
Al's eyes widened in shock and his mouth fell open. "No more chasing outlaws?" Gil shook his head. "Hmm…" He thought briefly and his hesitation worried Gil. Then, a smile crossed his face. "You're in luck; my herd master was killed the other night."
"Where?" Gil quickly asked.
"He was in a card game with some folks from out of town. They beat him fair and square, but Dee couldn't hold his temper and drew on them. He was never fast." Al shook his head in disappointment.
"I'm sorry. Dee was a good man." Gil added, trying to comfort his friend.
Al averted his eyes to the barn sitting just to the east of the house. The bawls from the cattle were easily heard. "Can you start today?"
Gil smiled. "Yes, sir."
"Thanks." Al said, watching as Gil turned to step off the porch. "Gil…" Al added. "You'll still need those guns." With a slight grin of acknowledgement, Gil turned, mounted his horse, and rode over to the corrals that lay just out of sight.
Gil and three other hands spent the remainder of the day doing many tedious tasks. Calves were sorted and separated from their mothers before the cows were roped around the horns and back legs by Gil and another hand. While the cow was on the ground, the other two men ran over to put the mark of ownership on her hip. She smoked rose to the sky and the smell of burning hair filled the air. The hot sun watched on as they worked amongst the smoke and dust.
Before he left for the evening, Al gave him some money in advance. Gil tried to graciously refuse, but Al insisted and placed ten dollars in his vest pocket. He mounted up and headed off to his small home.
Gil stepped into the cabin and Nick quickly greeted him. "Hey, I'm going into town to get a bite, want to join me?"
"Are you going to the brothel?"
Nick grinned. "You betcha. I'm hoping to see Mandy again. She was something. She did this thing…"
Gil held up his hand stopping the young man. "Stop, I don't need details."
"So, I heard you got busted for fighting last night." With a slight nod from Gil, he continued. "I haven't been behind bars for a few months. Fighting." Nick shrugged his shoulders and tried to hide his grin.
"I think I'm going to stay in tonight. You have fun." Gil took a seat at the small table.
Nick clicked his tongue and headed out. "I'll say 'hi' for you."
Gil watched his temporary roommate leave and took in his surroundings.
The cabin was small, but to him it was perfect. Along the far wall, just a few feet from the table where he was seated were two small beds. The thought of Sara here with him was unnerving. Gil considered himself to be a very private person, but there was just something about Sara that made him want to open up. Since the cabin was one room, and he never cooked, there wasn't really a place designated for cooking, other than a long table near the fireplace. Now the thought that she wouldn't approve began to weigh on his mind. He wanted something so much better for her. She deserved it.
With the dark quickly engulfing the area, Gil lit a fire in the fireplace and decided to do some rearranging. He left the beds alone but moved the long table to the wall perpendicular to the fireplace. After surveying the area, he decided that the space looked empty. He then remembered about a trunk that sat outside next to the rock chimney.
Gil took a lantern out into the darkness and easily found what he was looking for. He kneeled and brushed the dust off before opening it. Much to his surprise it was packed with cast iron skillets, tin plates, and eating utensils. With a grunt, Gil lifted one end of the trunk and dragged it into the cabin.
He began to unpack the cookware then suddenly realized there was no place to store the items. Gil pursed his lips as he looked at the cabins bare walls. He knew there was no way he could build any type of a cabinet; he was good with a gun but not with a hammer. After thinking the situation over, he decided to have one constructed by the carpenter in town. As of now, he had nothing to spend his money on, and after his bounties, he had plenty stored up.
After a night of busying himself, Gil slept fairly soundly. He was buckling his spurs on when Nick stumbled in. The smell of alcohol was wafting off the younger man as he collapsed onto a bed. Gil pursed his lips as he watched his friend drift off into a liquor induced sleep.
The slowly rising sun provided just enough light to saddle his horse and make his way towards the Robbins' homestead.
As he rode up towards the corral, several of the other hands were standing around the freshly made fire waiting on him. Their faces told him something was wrong.
"Gil, several head are missing from the north flat." One of the men spoke up.
"Did you look for them?"
"Yeah, and the guys looking after them up there can't find 'em neither."
Gil drew in a deep breath and held it as he tried to think of the best course of action. His second day of work and things were already falling apart at the seams. Then it hit him. "Doesn't the north flat border the Braun ranch?" The three cowboys nodded. Gil pointed to them. "You guys get that pen of calves branded and turned out. I'll take care of this mess."
He reined his horse towards the main house and met up with Al as he was coming out. "Ah, good morning, Gil."
Gil waved before giving the news. "We're missing cattle from the north flat."
Al stopped his progress into his buggy and glared at Gil. "Damn that Sam!" He climbed down and approached Gil. "I've had my suspicions that Roger's been rustling cattle from that section for a while now." Al turned his back to the buggy driver and put a hand on Gil's bay horse. "Gil, can you take care of this for me? Name your price."
He knew exactly what Al was asking him to do. Gil gave a slight nod, and it was returned by a reassuring smile. After Al's carriage took the older man away, Gil spurred his horse and headed north.
Gil easily found the group of Hereford cattle grazing next to a creek. He dismounted his horse and remained on top of a hill overlooking the cattle. It was nearly three hours before he heard hoof beats approaching. As he watched, several mounted riders came over the rise and slowed as they approached the cattle. Instructions were barked out and he immediately picked out Roger's voice.
When the four intruders disbanded, Gil remounted his horse and headed around to come up and flank the men. He watched from the cover of some brush as they cut about twenty head from the herd. Just before they got organized to drive them off Gil confronted the men, gun in hand.
"Hold it, Roger." He pointed the six-shooter at the leader. "You boys best get off this land."
Roger chuckled and looked over to his cohorts. "Gil, you're a dammed fool. You're outnumbered."
Gil slowly, without the others noticing, placed his reins around his saddle horn, freeing up his left hand. "I'm only saying it one more time, if I was you, I'd leave."
The four men laughed at him. During their discussions, the cattle had returned to the larger group, leaving Gil at a standoff with four rustlers. Roger's laugh died down and then he stopped suddenly. Gil knew from experience that negotiations were over.
As if they were reading each other's thoughts, the four men went for their guns. Gil squeezed the trigger with his already drawn weapon as he pulled the other from its holster.
It was over faster than it had started. He shot Roger first, knocking him from his horse, then moved to the man beside him. As he pulled his second gun, Gil shot several times at the remaining two, striking them both. Three of the four slumped over their horses before falling to the ground.
Gil jumped off his horse and started checking the men. They were dead, but Roger was not. He coughed up blood. "Damn you, Gil."
"I gave you a choice." He kneeled next to the injured man. Roger opened his mouth and spit blood on Gil's shirt. "You son of a…" Gil leapt to his feet and put several more bullets into the chest of the already wounded Roger.
Gil looked around before deciding on where he was going to put the bodies. Spotting the perfect place he set to work, but not before he took their guns and ammunition. Once he had them piled in the brush, he gathered their horses and headed back.
It was dark as he rode up to the stables. A young boy greeted him. "Evening, Sir."
"Jose, how are you?" Gil asked the young boy that worked in the barn for Al.
"Fine, Sir."
"Would you take these horses and unsaddle them?"
The boy took the reins, "Yes, Sir."
Gil turned and, before he headed off into the dark, noticed Al standing on his porch. He maneuvered his horse to the bottom of the steps.
"There's blood on your shirt, are you injured?" Al asked as he pointed at Gil.
He looked down at the blood splatter. "No."
Al gave a nod. "I saw the horses, how many were they trying to take?"
"Twenty."
"That no good son of a bitch, Braun." Al ranted. "What do I owe you?"
"I actually need some help at the cabin. I might be having a lady friend moving in."
"Ahhh, Gil my friend, have you been bitten?" Gil looked at him confused. Al smiled, "You have. Tell me, who is the luck lady?"
Gil grinned, "Her name is Sara."
Al gasped. "The girl from Heather's?" Gil nodded and Al beamed. "She'll be good for you, Gil. So, what do you need?"
He told Al of his plans and was assured not to worry about it. Instead of riding back to his home, he headed for town. The need to see Sara was tugging on him, and he couldn't resist.
Gil took the slicker from his saddle and put it on to hide the blood on his shirt before entering. Everyone waved or yelled some sort of greeting as he walked up to the bar.
"Give me a bottle and two glasses." The man tending bar didn't hesitate at the request, and set a bottle of whiskey with two tumblers in front of Gil.
He set down several dollars and gathered his goods. Heather smiled at him, and pointed to the door leading into the back. Gil gave her a thankful nod and went into the back.
Sara was laundering some clothes when she heard him enter. Without turning around, she said, "I should have these done shortly."
"Personally, I don't care." He smiled at her as she turned to look at him in shock.
"Gil." It was barely a whisper and she quickly crossed the room.
He pulled her into him and let their lips find each other. He tried to be mindful of her wounds, but she kissed him hard. It was a kiss of desperation and one of wanting to forget. Sara remained in his arms as he broke away. "I needed to see you."
"And I missed you."
Gil smiled at her sincere remark. "Come, sit." He ushered her over to the nearby chairs and set the whiskey and glasses down. "Sara, I need to talk to you."
"Okay." She sounded nervous, as if she was unsure about what he might be want. She watched him as he opened the bottle and poured their drinks.
"Right now, I'm being overwhelmed by lots of emotion, and I don't know what to do with them." He paused to take a sip and watched as she mimicked him. "I care deeply about you, I really do." Gil let a nervous chuckle escape. "Al calls it love, but…"
Sara reached across and took his hand. "But you're not sure about it." He gave her a half smile. "I may be young, but I'm not dumb. What I'm feeling may include lust, but I know that deep down I've been captivated by you."
Gil let his eyes travel over her bruised face. He noticed that most of the swelling had gone down. "How are you feeling? I mean, you look like you're feeling better."
She laughed. "Way to change the subject."
"Sorry."
"It's okay." She took another sip and watched as he downed his. "After our first night, I've wanted nothing more than to be with you."
Gil poured himself another glass and looked into Sara's eyes. He didn't know what to say, so he threw his glass back and gulped the burning liquid.
"Do you want the same?" She asked and set her drink down.
He sighed and looked down at their still intertwined hands. "Sara, when I was shot I was supposed to die. But I kept thinking about you, and how short my time was with you. All I kept telling myself was that if I pulled through, I would tell you how I felt. Now I'm not sure how I feel."
Sara released his hand and her face fell.
Gil quickly scooped it back up. "No, no. I really care about you Sara, I do. I just need time to adjust to these feelings. Can you wait, just a little bit longer?"
His eyes pleaded with hers to agree. After a long moment, she nodded. Gil smiled and leaned forward to capture her lips. Their lips lingered for a moment before breaking away to give soft pecks until he captured her mouth for a deeper kiss.
Pulling away, she moved out of her chair to straddle his lap. Gil moved his hands up and gently cupped her face, his forehead resting against hers, his breath tickling her skin. "God, Sara. I think I'm falling in love with you."
Wow, so things are starting to get good huh?
TDCSI
