About Time, Sheriff!
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Blakely sighed after pacing for some time in the county jail, with Kowalski and Rico watching him. "I don't get why-" A shot rang out, followed by the screams of his people and scared neighs of the horses. All three men reached for the pistols strapped to their legs and turned to the source of the sound.
"Skipper!" Blakely narrowed his eyes as the other two turned to look at him. "I request your presence, Oh High Sheriff! Show yourself, old friend!" Blakely gritted his teeth and glared at the double doors while the other two looked at each other in surprise.
"Skipper. It's..." Kowalski hesitated a second. "He knows who you are...and he found you..."
"Come out now," the voice from outside continue to shout, "if you want your boy and your beloved to live!"
Skipper marched out of the building, despite the protests of his close friends, and met with the man he had loathed since his betrayal.
"Skipper." Doors and windows slammed shut as the citizens locked themselves in, not wanting to be a part of the duel.
"Hans."
"Ah, if it isn't the High Sheriff. How are you?"
"Where are they?"
"Straight to the point. That's the Skipper I know. Alright." Hans gestured with a hand and Skipper turned to see Marlene and Andrew struggling against the men holding them.
Both captives stopped when they saw the Sheriff. "Blakely/Daddy!"
"Let them go this instant, Hans. This is between you and me."
"Precisely," the pistol in Hans' hand was raised and pointed at him, "why you should give yourself up now," he pulled the safety slowly and let the sound echo, "and say goodbye to everyone you know."
"No!" Marlene screamed as she continued to struggle. "Blakely, no! Let go of me, scoundrels!"
One of her captors placed a hand over her mouth. "You git quit' a mouth, Miss." The lady mumbled angrily into the hand, still trying to get away. Andrew sniffled beside her, and the sight made Skipper release a sigh of defeat and hold up his hands in surrender.
"Goodbye." Hans grinned as his finger touched the trigger, just as an Indian call rang out from above.
"What the." Hans looked up as Rico slammed into him, having swung down from the water tower nearby.
At the same time, the black horse barreled to Skipper, who took no time to climb atop and lead it toward them. The minions pulled out their weapons, which were shot out of their hands by Kowalski, who pulled arrow after arrow at them before climbing upon his own horse.
"Go," Hans scrambled to his feet as Rico did the same, "go!" He started running, with Skipper hot at his heels. When the Sheriff was close, he jumped off the horse and tackled the man, sending the two rolling across the ground. Rico noticed this and went to help Kowalski, howling and swinging his tomahawk like crazy.
The men holding onto Marlene managed to regain from their shock and pulled out their own pistols. "Release another arrow, cowboy," one of them called out to Kowalski, "and I will shoot her!" Kowalski lowered the quiver slowly, noticing the way Marlene's eyes darkened. "That's it. Now, git down from that there horse and go stand ov'r, OW!" He shook his hand after it got bit and then started jumping about when a heel met his foot.
"That is for touching me!" Marlene reached out for the parasol hanging from the black horse as it trotted by and swung it to meet the head of the other man. "This is for getting my dress dirty!" He staggered back and she swung again, making him fall to the ground in a slump. "This is for mistreating a lady!" She swung the parasol to the first man, letting it meet with the same fate as the other. "And that was for making my boy cry!"
She whirled about and glared at the still shocked man holding onto Andrew. "Let him go." She ordered with the parasol raised to swing again. The man released the grip on the boy and held up his hands in surrender. Andrew ran to Marlene and hugged her as the lady raised her head, flipped her hair over her shoulder and picked the boy up. "Cowards." She cradled Andrew and walked away as Rico tied the unconscious men and Kowalski handled the third one.
Meanwhile, Hans and Skipper were still a tussle. Neither side were losing, nor were it winning. That is, until Skipper sent the final cut, making Hans stumble about. He looked up a little disoriented at the smirking man before him, watching as he picked up his hat, which had fallen in their scuffle, and placed it on his head.
"You're under arrest, Hans Raffles." His head lolled back and he dropped to the ground as the whole town burst out into cheers and calls.
Hans glared at everyone from the small barred window in the door of the carriage he was tossed in. "This is not the last of me, Skipper! I will come back, and I will," the carriage jerked forward as the horses moved.
"Bye bye, bad guy!" Andrew waved cheerfully from Marlene's arms and high-fived Rico as the man did the same beside him. This was followed by a yawn, which he covered with his hands. Kowalski noticed and patted the boy on the head.
"Somebody's tired." Andrew pouted and swatted his hand away, tiredly though the action.
"I'm not tired." He yawned again and fought to keep his eyes open. "I wanna defeat more bad guys."
Skipper chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Maybe next time, Andrew. Send him home, Rico." Rico nodded and took the child from Marlene. The boy let his head droop on the man's shoulder and soon drifted off.
Marlene watched the two with a smile before turning to the other two, still keeping the smile as she ignored Skipper and addressed Kowalski.
"Well, I suppose I better be off too. Have a lot of work to do at the ranch."
"Your hat, Miss Marlene." Kowalski handed her the article, which she took with another smile and placed it on her head.
"Thank you, Kowalski."
"And your parasol, madam," he tapped his fingers on the small object with a grin, "which I have to say came quite in handy today."
"Thank you." She repeated and took the item. "Good day, gentlemen." She curtsied a bit and walked away. Kowalski looked after her before clearing his throat loudly, causing Skipper to turn to him with a raised brow.
"Something wrong, Kowalski?"
"Uh, don't you have something to do, sir?"
"Nope." Kowalski narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Go talk to her, Skipper. Or I swear I'll tell her myself." Skipper thought it over as Kowalski added. "And I warn you, my man, I wouldn't be too kind about it." The Sheriff sighed as the other patted him on the back. "Go."
"Miss Marlene!" The lady stopped and turned to him as he ran up to her. "Miss Marlene." He greeted with a slight nod and took off his hat.
"Sheriff Blakely? Or should I say Skipper?"
"Uh..." He rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I can explain?"
"You're a bounty hunter. What else is there to explain?"
"A whole lot, actually, my lady."
"I have time, Blakely."
Skipper sighed. "For one, my lady, my name is Blakely Vanover. Skipper is just the name I use in my olden days." She didn't acknowledge him and stared off into the distance. "I am sorry that I did not tell you this earlier. It just seemed better to not let anyone know."
She looked at him with a frown. "Don't you mean easier?"
"How about we discuss this over supper, my lady?"
"I have plans, Blakely." He let out a sigh at the name, as it was a sign that she was at least willing to listen.
"And none for me, my lady?"
"No. Now excuse me. I have to change." She gestured to her tattered dress and turned on her heel, but he stopped her. "What is it now?"
"I am willing to spend time with my lady if she would permit it."
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes as it was not ladylike. "Fine. Just tonight, after I change."
He raised her hand and kissed the back of it, looking over at her blushing face. "Thank you, my lady. You will not regret this."
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That's the End, folks!
Have a nice day!