Parker had sent Kaylee back to Doc Mitchell's place when they could hardly see outside anymore. He told her to get some sleep and that he would be there after he gets everything ready. She was suspected he was going to do more than just that as his voice was hushed when he and Sunny walked away talking. Before they were out of range she heard something about a platinum chip and couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to do with the checkered suit man he mentioned earlier.
Her night brightened even more when Michael had woken up for a few minutes. His voice was weak and he still looked pale, but his fever had passed. Kaylee informed him that Parker would take her back to Nipton and would come back for him when he was ready. He confirmed that he understood through a few mumbled words. The Doc had moved him to the bed so she took the couch. It wasn't very comfy though she was sure that it was better than the floor.
She found she couldn't sleep as her mind was on the lessons that Parker had given her earlier. She didn't want to forget anything that he taught her as it was a skill she now wanted more than ever after her short trip out into the Mojave. As time passed by, Parker walked into the room with his boots thudding softly against the floor. She stiffened, trying to lie as still as she could.
"Thought you would be asleep by now," he spoke softly.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Why not?" he questioned.
A moment passed before she replied, "I don't think I want to go back… I mean, I want too…" She couldn't help but think of Kyle and his rude advances at the dance. Everyone in town was expecting him and her to get married and have a family. She didn't want to disappoint her mother either after taking care of her since her father had died when she was seven.
"Got problems back home?"
"I think I just want to be away from there for a change. Been there my whole life and never left before." Kaylee sat up and looked at him. He was leaning against the book shelf with his hands in his pockets.
"Get away by traveling the Mojave?" he questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe…" her eyes dropped to the floor feeling like his gaze was judging her absurd idea of wanting to walk the desert.
"What about your friend?"
"I don't mean to spend my life doing it," she bit her lip before continuing, "just a week or so. I think it would be good for me."
"It's not worth the danger," he put simply, "now get some sleep."
Parker lowered himself onto as Kaylee laid back down. Maybe he was right. She spent half a day out there and her friends father had perished and as well as her friend. A feeling nagged at her. She knew what the feeling was. She didn't want to end up working at the general store until she died or gave in to marrying Kyle.
It was late morning when Kaylee woke up to Parker shoving a plate full of food into her face, "Come on, time to wake up and eat."
She took the plate and ate as fast as she could. Parker was sat in a chair across from her and proceeded to start checking a varmint rifle. He never glanced up at her though she watched him intently as he did the same for the 10mm that Michael had given her.
"Where did you get that rifle?" she questioned after swallowing another bit.
"Sunny gave it to me, she had a spare."
He set down the 10mm and picked up the rifle again and reached into a nearby bag and pulled out a scope. Attaching it to the rifle, he aimed towards the wall away from them and looked down the sights. She couldn't help but notice the focused look on his face as he got up from the chair and looked out the window. He was expecting something, but what she couldn't fathom.
"Kaylee, why don't come into the kitchen and eat? Doc Mitchell suggested from the hallway.
Before she could respond there was shouting outside followed by a gunshot. Her hands began to shake at the sound that she had to set down her plate to keep from dropping it. She gulped as she stood up and inched her way over to the window by Parker. The shouting continued and she could swear she heard someone say Ringo. Glancing out the window, she could see the man from the night before walking down the road. Joe brought friends though, five others in clothing marking that they were from a prison.
"Powder Gangers," Parker whispered before heading to the door.
She followed him, "And you're going out there?"
"Stay in here," he stressed, "and don't go outside till I come back."
With that he opened the door quietly and slid out. She rushed to the window and peered out waiting to see Parker walk by, but he never did. The Powder Gangers continued to walk down the street. They constantly howled out Ringo's name as they moved towards the saloon. There was a large explosion several moments later after she had lost sight of the men, though she could see the dust that it had kicked up into the air. Gunfire filled the air instantly after the sound of the explosion faded.
"Kaylee…" a voiced called out weakly. She hurried into the other room to her friend sitting up.
"Michael everything is fine," she tried to reassure him. She wasn't even sure if everything was going to fine. She grabbed his hand and held it gently and gave a smile.
"Are you sure? I thought I heard dynamite, and is that gunfire?" he attempted to keep his eyes open.
"No, shhh, just go back to sleep," she wanted to kick herself for that. How could he go to sleep with gunfire outside? She began to rub his hand with her thumb and let a smile spread across her face. She swore her heart almost burst as another explosion sounded out.
"Okay that was definitely an explosion," he breathed out attempting to sit up.
"Please," she pushed gently on his shoulder, "lie back down."
He eyed her suspiciously since she was clearly afraid, "Alright."
As Michael lied back down, there was nothing but silence. Kaylee's hands began to shake involuntary. Was it over? And if it was, was everyone okay? Was Parker? She stood up and gulped as she inched her way back to the other room letting Michael's hand slid out of hers. She looked back to see her friend's pale face giving her a concerned look.
She could hear voices coming closer to the house. Peering out the window she could see a few men heading towards the house though she couldn't make out any their faces. Her heart settled as she took in their clothing. A few seconds later the door flew open and the men walked in, dragging a man in who was cursing up a storm. Kaylee looked at each man that entered hoping it to be Parker, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Kaylee?" Parker spoke rounding the corner, the varmint rifle in one hand.
"Y-you're fine," she scanned him from head to toe.
"Of course," spoke offended, but a grin forced its way onto his face. "Get your bag, we're leaving soon."
She went and grabbed her bag from by the couch and went to find Parker. She had questions to ask him though he seemed to just want to start the trip to Nipton. He was talking to the Doc so she sat back down by Michael.
"I thought you said everything was fine," Michael chuckled which turned to a cough.
"And you should be asleep," she teased. "I guess you can't now that there is so much noise."
"You're going back today right?" his expression became concerned.
"Yeah," she gave a weak smile. "Any chance you might be able to make the trip."
"No, feels like my leg is on fire and I can barely move it," he looked passed her. "Can you trust him?"
Kaylee followed his gaze to Parker, "Do you trust Doc Mitchell?"
"He kept me alive," Michael shrugged his shoulders.
"Well he trusts him."
"I just want you to be safe." His eyes dropped, "This is all my fault…"
"Don't say that. You were just trying to be nice. I enjoyed everything up to Primm…"
"Are you ready Kaylee?" Parker questioned walking up to the bed.
"Yeah, I am."
"Parker, you'll keep her safe right?"
"Of course," he replied with a nod, "and when you're ready I'll come get you."
Kaylee kissed Michael on the cheek and turned to follow Parker. Before turning the corner, she glanced back and gave a wave which he returned. It was a relief to her that her friend was on his way to recovering.
Parker led them south out of town, they kept off the road. He remained silent as they walked through the rocky terrain. His eyes were always searching for some unseen threat causing her to not want to disturb him. She wanted to know what happened with the Powder Gangers, let alone where those men came from. It was sometime after noon when they finally stopped for a bite to eat. While they ate, Parker scanned the area through the scope on his varmint rifle.
"Been a bit quiet," he pointed out.
"So have you," she countered.
"Was waiting for you to ask something."
"What happened earlier?" she refrained from blurting out.
"I helped the town take care of a few goons," he said with a shrug.
She sighed aggravated, "What was with the explosions?"
"Sunny was on the roof of the saloon and tossed a stick of dynamite on them. Only got two of them. As I'm sure you heard, there was a firefight and I stopped one of them from throwing a stick of dynamite at the saloon. One of the folks got shot but that was really the worse of the damage."
"Where were you? I didn't see you walk past the window or anything."
"I snuck up behind them."
"And you weren't scared in the slightest bit?" she starred at him unconvinced.
"It's not the worst situation I've been in before," he raised a hand to stop her question, "I'll tell you some other time."
"You better," a grin crossed her face. "How was the town ready for them?"
"I talked to a few people last night, told them my plan."
Cries of geckos nearby echoed off the rocks. Kaylee froze in her where she sat with fear crossing her pain. Parker wasn't even fazed by it. It helped her slightly, to know that he wasn't afraid. She relaxed a bit and kept eating her late lunch.
"Get up," he spoke suddenly standing and walking to her. When she didn't he took her by the hand and pulled her up gently. Handing the rifle to her, he asked, "Give me your pistol."
She hand him the gun and took his confused. Grabbing her hand again, he led her further into the rocky terrain. The cries of the geckos became louder causing each of her steps to become more forced. He peaked over a rock and motioned for her to look as well. She found it hard to but found herself looking over it to see three geckos milling about.
"Ready for some target practiced?"
"At those geckos?" she almost hissed with fear.
"You need to learn how to shoot at moving targets. Just take aim and fire. You may have to lead if it's not coming straight at you."
She took a deep breath and raised the rifle. Her hands were shaking so much that she couldn't even get one the things in sight. "I can't stop shaking."
Parker placed a hand on her back, "I'm to take care of what you don't get."
Taking another deep breath, she steadied herself long enough to get a gecko in sights. She went over the few things that Parker had taught her. She pulled the trigger and the shot echoed off the hills. The gecko's sprung into a scared frenzy and began running all over the place.
"Take another shot," he directed.
Kaylee looked down the sights again, and caught sight of the one she shot at. It was dragging itself across the ground with one of its legs covered in blood. She hit it. She couldn't help but be proud. Calming herself again, she pulled the trigger and finished it off though the other two were charging her and Parker now. She panicked and fired the last three shots. When they missed she dropped the gun and began to back up. As they rounded around the rock, Parker pegged the two in the head, ending them quickly.
"Not bad on the first two shots," he said casual tone, "The other three were expected."
Kaylee stood as if a she was a statue watching Parker take out a knife and gut the animals. Moments passed before her heart finally began to settle again. By that time he was done and had the meat he cut off wrapped and in his bag. She went and picked the rifle back up.
"Here," she handed it back to him.
"Just hang onto that."
They continued on and passed on through Primm. They were stopped by an NCR guard warning that they should avoid the town as convicts from the correctional facility nearby had escaped and took the town over. Parker explained that they were just passing through and the guard let them passed. Kaylee had asked then who the Powder Gangers were and was told that they were just convicts from the prison.
They came across a few giant ants down the road that Kaylee, surprising herself, asked if she could take a few shots off at them. Parker had agreed. She did much better than she had before. Her hands still shook, but she didn't panic when they started to charge them. Having enough time, she reloaded the gun and emptied the clip. She took two down total and Parker finished the rest with a few simple shots to the heads. He congratulated her on the improvement, but stressed that they should get moving if they were to make it before sun down.