Okay, just so that you guys know, I feel like really REALLY bad about not updating for such a long time. I was going through some stressful time and my muse seemed to have left me, but now I have the next 2 to 3 chapters ready, so yeah…. Soon more action will come in, don't worry ;)

So here you go, a nice and long chapter, ENJOY XD


Golden Sunset

Chapter 9 – How to avoid Rattlesnake Jake

Nearly two weeks had past and mission: How to avoid Rattlesnake Jake was a real success. I had been able to avoid him the entire time. I actually would have deserved a cookie or an award, you know.

At first I had told Rango repeatedly that I felt oh so sick and that everything hurt and that I just wanted to sleep and that I felt depressed.

Okay. He didn't buy the depressed part, but I still convinced him to send Waffles – one of his closer friends and the dude I once knocked over – to me with food and water and what not to keep me from going stir crazy. But the thing is, the little bugger was too stupid for words and after 9 days - so, the day before yesterday - I might have threatened to cut off his little prick if he didn't get the hell out of my house.

The sheriff then of course came over to scold me, telling me that if I was fine enough to threaten one of his men in such a way, I was fine enough to move my sorry ass out of my home and get something done.

He didn't say it like that, but you get what I mean, right?

But the best part of the entire thing was that I had lost my job at the saloon and was not allowed in there again until further notice. Those little fucking assholes. At least Buford had still paid me all the money he owed me, so I wasn't completely blank as I had been when I first came to town.

Yay. An improvement.

Please note the sarcasm.

So after two days of sitting in my room alone, I was just about ready to throw myself out of the window. Not that it would actually hurt me or anything, but still.

Only problem: Going outside meant being seen by Jake. Not on my to do list. I still felt ashamed for what happened and how pitiful I had been and that he had to see me in such a state. I still didn't know why it bothered me so much, but if I hadn't come to a solution by now I would simply have to go with - well – nothing actually.

Another aspect that I think I forgot to mention was that the Spider dude had actually still completed my orders. Guess he was too scared to be the next one twitching on the ground, so now I actually had some pretty nice furniture in my home.

The couches were of a creamy white, the table a dark brown painted wood, the bed too. The bed was my favourite new aspect in my life. It was so big, that I could fit in there twice, but the one wall of my old sleeping room had ceased to exist, as the bed hadn't fit into the one room, so now the entire upper floor consisted of my improved bedroom.

Currently I was lounging on one of my couches, staring off into space, trying to avoid having to think about going outside, but sadly it kept on clinging to my mind like a tick to its host.

'Oh hell. Let's get this over with. I need a job in any case! Not that anyone will have me, but I will be damned if I hide inside here until I die, just because of some stupid ass!'

Heaving a huge big sigh, I slid down from my couch and slowly slithered past my kitchen and towards the door, which would lead me to my doom and despair.

I really had to get out of here!

Opening the door, I had to close my eyes for a moment, due to the assault of the bright light, streaming down from the sun. Blinded for a second, I rubbed my eyes with my tail and blinked a few times, until my eyes had become used to the bright light of the desert sun.

Now I just had to find out where I should go.

Well, the saloon was out of the question, at this time of the day – afternoon – the lake would be filled to the top with smelly little critters, so also no, hanging around the house was also a no go, because a certain scaly somebody could any moment return to his own home and my mission had yet to be aborted, so yeah.

The only place that I could go to was the sheriff's office. No one in this stupid town liked me and as a matter of fact, I would have no problem to see them burn in hell either, but as Jake was the one who brought on the burn in hell shtick I would have to let them live and in any case, I had killed enough people for a certain amount of time.

Slowly I started to make my way over to the sheriff's place, having to smile when seeing the sign that still hung there on its one little flimsy chain. The Waffles dude had been the one to tell me what had happened to the sign. Rattlesnake Jake. Of course. I should have known.

Shaking my head I tried to get rid of my smile. I had to appeal to Rango's better nature and if I arrived at his place, smiling as if I was up to no good, I doubt he would waste his siesta time, putting up with me.

"Ey sheriff!" The poor chameleon who was snoozing a little on his veranda, nearly fell off of his chair in fright, surely not expecting me to have come from beneath my rock anytime soon.

"Ahhh, Roxy. Decided to reside amongst the livin' once again. Ain't that just fine." I rolled my golden eyes at his mocking attitude.

"Better be careful what you say there Rango. I'm walking a very fine line between being open to anything and wanting to kill every single one off you people! I have nowhere to go, nothing to do and no one to speak to! I'm not even allowed into the bar!" Pouting I came to a stop right at his porch.

"Well, ya could always chat with Jake." – "Shit. Jake! Where?!"

I had fallen for it. As soon as I saw the amused twinkle in the chameleons greenish yellow eyes, I knew I had given myself away. I was such a fool! "Not funny sheriff! That was just low!"

Rango just chuckled and rolled his eyes. "What's up with the two of ya anyways? The one day ya hate yer guts, the other day yer laughing t'gether and Jake's lookin' out fer ya and then yer avoiding him like the pest, not leavin' yer house for over a week. I really don't know what I should make of it."

Huffing I looked down the main road, not wanting to look at the reptile. "Nothing. Everything's fine. I just don't wanna see his ugly mug right now!" And then, in a very small voice "It was humiliating."

The sheriff frowned. "What was?"

Groaning I turned back to him. "Being all weak like that! I hate it when I can't look out for myself and that Jake had to help me, that was humiliating okay!"

My brows knitted together and my mouth in a grim line, I looked down onto the ground, before letting out a huge big puff of air. "But I don't want to talk about him now. Tell me, what have I missed? Anyone else been killed? Any need of a new waitress or something?"

I tried to cover up my unhappy mood, which I couldn't explain to even myself, and instead smiled a cheeky smile, which was answered with a warm one from the sheriff. I think, after that one night where he sat there with me and soothed me, we had formed a certain bond of trust, but now enough of the sappiness!

The chameleon smiled while rubbing his chin. "News. News. Hmmm. Well. Nobody was killed, but old Gordy was beatn' to a pulp the day before oh, an' we got ourselves some newcomers, so ya ain't the uhm newcomer anymore!"

At that I perked up. Newcomers? Newcomers equals greater amount of people to annoy! "Yeah, two badgers. The ol' Mr Greystone an' his daughter. Poor lassy. Her daddy has lost his marbles and she's gotta look after him. She's opening a hairdressers. Maybe she's got a space fer ya! Ya should go check it out. It's just down the road and in case yer wonderin', Jake is outta town right now."

It didn't sound too bad. A crazy old badger and his daughter. At this point I would do anything, as long as I had something to do and I didn't have to hide from Jake! "Okay. Then I guess I will be a good and noble citizen of this town and go greet them!"

Rango shot me a warning look which I chose to ignore, before quickly slithering off, down the main road and towards some fun, well, at least I hoped that it would turn out to be some fun.

Right at the end of the road, there where the old hair saloon had been, I could already spot a black and white figure hurrying in and out of the old shop. Once I got closer, I was finally able to see the figure properly. It was a young female badger of a rather stocky but still fine build with semi long pitch black hair on her head. She wore a white blouse and long black skirt. She really had a black and white thing going!

"Newcomers have to pay a toll you know!" The poor mammal nearly let the bucket of paint in her paws drop, she got such a fright.

Spinning around and looking up at me, her hazel eyes became the seize of saucers, before she quickly seemed to collect herself and to my big surprise, she actually puffed up her chest and stemmed her stocky little arms into her sides. "There is no such thing as a toll! I asked!"

She sounded somewhat like a petulant little child and I couldn't help but grin, when seeing her frown, while craning her neck to look up at me. "You're right. There's no such thing. Was just messing with you. But if there where, then I would get to kick those out of town who forgot to pay it, which would be rather ironic, since I didn't pay either…"

Realizing that I was trailing off, I shook my head and then held out my tail, for her to shake. "I'm Roxy."

Immediately the frown on her face vanished and was replaced by a laughing face. "Ha. Good one. I'm Olga."

I pulled back a little and raised a scaly brow. "Seriously?" Laughing once again, she shook her head, before grabbing hold of my tail and shaking it. "No. I'm Brooke."

Rolling my eyes and pulling my tail back, I couldn't help but smirk at her. "I like you. Finally someone with a real sense of humour in this town! But as much as I would love you to say, as a friend I tell you: Run! Run for your lives, before the crazy people get to you!"

Both of us started laughing and a weight that I hadn't known even existed, seemed to vanish from my heart. "So. I heard you and your crazy dad are opening a hair salon." However that's when I noticed the flat look she shot me. "Not that I think your dad's crazy or anything. I don't even know him and ah – and I think I will just shut up now."

To my surprise however, Brooke simply waved it off. "It's true. My dad's really not completely there, sanity wise. He's old you know. And yes. As soon as I have rebuilt this stupid piece of junk, I will be able to open my own salon. I'm really excited, but I guess it could still take a while. I never would have thought that this place would be so run down."

Brooke shot the old and very run down hair salon an exasperated look. That's when I had an idea. "If you need someone to help fix the place and you don't pay too shabby, I would stand to your service!"

The badger looked up at me curiously. "Well. I could always use someone your size and we can settle a reasonably sum for payment, but don't you already have a job?"

"Eh. Not anymore. Used to do waitressing here, but was fired when I killed someone, because that someone stabbed me. The norm here. Trust me." I had expected Brook to give me a horrified look and then run off screaming, but instead she just started laughing. What do you say about that?

"Hahaha. The norm ey? I like you and at least we won't be bugged with someone like you around. Come on. You just gotta duck when coming inside, we'll have to change that, if you will be working here in the future!" And already the busy badger was off with her bucket of paint. I followed as quickly as possible, ducking while trying to squeeze myself through the narrow door of the to be hairdresser. Once inside the old house however, I could straighten up once again.

"What do you mean? If I will be working here in the future. I just said that I would help you build this!" I was a little confused, but tried to hide it behind a gruff voice. Brooke however took no notice of it.

"Nonsense! I'll teach you and you'll become an awesome hairdresser!" I had to roll my eyes and snicker.

"Brooke. You know, I kinda don't have any hands…" I trailed off and Brooke swirled around and then looked me up and down.

"Oh. That puts a dumper on things." She put the bucket of paint down and then started rubbing her nose.

"You don't say!" I exclaimed and shot her a look, but she just shrugged it off, seemingly not even realising that she was dealing with a venomous snake – me, who else - that was fife times her size and could kill her any given second.

"Well, we'll find something!" And with that she reached for a big paint brush and handed it over to me, before taking one herself.

"Why do you want me to stick around so bad? Normally the people go running, screaming blue murder, or red murder in my case. No one wants anything to do with me and I don't really want to be around them either, but you … geese. I just can't figure you out and it's driving me berserk!" I frowned, while lowering myself to a more comfortable hight and so that I didn't have to look down anymore.

"Well. You're one of the first, except for the sheriff, who has talked to us, well me and from passing the other people actually gave me the creeps, so I figured out who I would prefer to have around: Some creepy buggers or a big freaky looking snake with a sense of humour who can scare off all the loons. And in any case. I have never had any problems with a snake, so why should I be scared of you? You seem perfectly friendly, well, except maybe for the killing that one guy part, so … yeah …" The badger then just shrugged, pushed some hair out of her face, before opening the lid of the bucket, revealing a lavender colour.

"Hugh. First time someone chose me over the others. I think your dad isn't the only one who's lost some important screws. Where's he actually?" I grinned over at the young woman, who simple rolled her eyes but smiled at the same time while dunking the brush into the pain and then starting the rather boring – at least to me – job of painting the old wooden walls.

"I locked him up in his room up-stairs." She stated with a real poker-face.

"Bahahahaha! You locked the nutter up? Seriously?! Brooke, I think this is the start of a wonderful friendship!" Both of us still laughing about the fact that she had locked her mentally instable father up in his room, both of us started painting the walls with the lavender paint and for once I had the feeling that I had found a friend, who was just as weird as myself.

Today hadn't turned out as dreadful as I had anticipated!


"I think the cashpoint should go over there!" – "You stupid? I said already that your god damn cashpoint won't fit over there!" – "No! You said it wouldn't go over there!" – "Yeah, well the stupid thing also won't go over there either! Just look at the corner, stupid woman!" – "The corner's fine and don't call me stupid woman you old bag of scales!" – " Who are you calling an old bag of scales, honey guts!" – "You already going senile, prickly pear? The only one around here that could be a bag of scales is you!" – "Bitch!" – "Hmpf!"

It had been going on like that for hours and both of us were having the time of our lives. Already right in the beginning we hadn't gotten very far with painting, because Brooke had accidently painted a part of my scales, causing me to tip the paint over her head, which again resulted in her chasing me around and hugging me, smearing all the lavender paint all over me.

Then her father had started demanding food – in a very loud manner – and I got to meet him for the first time. Given, he thought I was Paris Hilton – don't ask why – we hit it off quite nicely, well, more likely I hit him unconscious after a while, nicely. Brooke wasn't too upset.

After that she had proclaimed to have lost her artistic muse and that she couldn't continue painting the walls. Of course a fight had broken out when I tried to tell her – in a very friendly way – that painting a stupid wall in one colour didn't require an artistic muse. That's also when the name-calling started.

Up until now, we had come up with some pretty weird insults, but I think by now we had used up the really good ones and I was also starting to get tired, after having to push her stupid, pre-built cashpoint all around the big salon, her never being able to decide where to put it or me telling her that her choice was stupid.

"Fine. Put it there, shortly before the door and then let's get out of here before my dad recovers from your punch. I don't want to deal with him right now and I am dead!" Sighing Brooke leaned against the door, while I pushed the cash point into its final position.

"You are dead? I WAS THE ONE WHO HAD TO PUSH THIS THING ALL AROUND THE WORLD!" I exclaimed, before rolling around onto my back and closing my eyes.

"Oh stop being such a drama queen Rox and get that red behind of yours outside. I need a drink!" Groaning I rolled back onto my stomach and followed the bossy badger outside and into the light of a setting sun.

"I wasn't being a drama queen." I made my best version of puppy eyes – didn't really work due to the slit pupil and that whole thing – while slithering with my entire body on the ground, next to Brook.

"Yeah yeah. Sure. Now where is the saloon again? I need something to drink!" At that I looked at her with a wicked grin.

"Remember when I told you that I killed the one guy?" Brooke nodded, a worried look on her face. "Well. I had been waitressing in the saloon and that one guy was just too weird and I might have provoked him, causing him to stab me – I even have the scar to prove it" I quickly showed her the hardly visible scar that had formed in the last couple of days. " and I bit him and he died and I was fired and am now not allowed to enter the saloon anymore, so yeah. I doubt that having a drink now will work."

Brook just waved it off. "Pappalapap! I don't care and I mean you're the biggest and deadliest thing around town! What are they supposed to do?"

"Shoot me would be the first thing and I am not the biggest or deadliest around town, believe you me." My face had lost the smile and I was glowering at the sand, while slithering on, slowly enough that Brooke didn't have to run.

"Okay okay. I know. These guys don't have a problem with shooting anyone, but what do you mean with not being the most dangerous and largest thing?" Brooke actually had a worried look on her face and was looking around as if something would jump out of the shadows and kill her at any moment.

"Ach. Don't worry about that. You're safe with me, well, most of the time and to your question, the only person you should mostly stay clear of is Rattlesnake Jake, the Grim Reaper, Snake from hell, ringing any bells yet?" Brooke was now more white thank black and white.

"The Grim Reaper?" Her voice was nothing more but a squeak and I actually had to laugh.

"Don't worry. He's really just an asshole with a loaded gun and an even more so loaded ego. Well, I guess he can be kinda fun, you just got to tease him a little first." I smirked over at the badger, who was looking very worried.

"Please just promise me, that you won't pick any fights with a guy who is called the Grim Reaper, while I am around, okay? Pretty please?" She clasped her paws together in front of her chest and looked at me pleadingly.

"I'll try. That's all I can promise. Now, let's get something to drink and try not to get shot!"


The moment we entered the bar, everything was quiet, just like the first time I ever walked into the saloon. Everyone was staring at me and shooting me worried looks, while looking at Brooke curiously at the same time. Weird critters I tell you.

We slowly made our way to the bar, where Buford was standing and watching us, well me really, warily. "I thought the sheriff told ya that ya ain't allowed in 'ere Roxy!"

I simply scoffed. "Sure did, but I decided to ignore it. I am thirsty and hungry and if you don't want to serve me, then I will just have to look for someone else to fill me up! And in any case. I am here with a friend!" When saying someone, the toad visibly paled, but else kept his cool, while some of the closer standing people drew in sharp breaths, ignoring Brooke, who was watching the entire thing with vivid interest. 'Thanks for the help, sweetie.'

"Okay okay. No need fer that, but if ya start any trouble I have no problem shooting, ya, got that?" Buford grumbled.

"Loud and clearly frogman, now give us some water and – Brooke? What do you want?" – "Water's fine, thanks Rox." – "Yeah, just a big mug of water!" With a sour look on his face, Buford turned around and filled a big mug with water, before handing it to me with two additional glasses.

I turned around and then guided Brooke to one of the tables, where she sat down on one of the old chairs and I draped my spikey coils on the opposite end of the table, before pouring her a glass of water and pushing it carefully over to her, none of us saying a word.

"One to zero for the bag of scales." I stage whispered over to her, the young woman answering me with a devilish smile, before taking a sip of her water and sighing.

"It's so good to just relax for a few moments! All that planning has made me so tired!" Brooke slumped down in her chair and closed her hazel eyes for a moment, me grinning slightly.

"Yeah, thinking is real tiring for the likes of you!" I snickered when she shot me a nasty look, but suddenly something in her demeanour seemed to change and her eyes grew bigger, something that she seemed to do often when confronted with a new situation.

"Hey, uhm, Rox. Eh, Roxy –" Brooke seemed to trail off, not knowing what to say, while staring right past me. Maybe she had inherited the mental issues from her father. That would explain why we were getting along so well…

"What's wrong now Brooky? Please don't tell me that you've gone brain dead!" I drawled while leaning back, only to come into contact with a very large body.

"Shit!" I jerked away, nearly flipping over the table, while trying to bring some space between me and the rattlesnake with the raised eyebrows and the annoying smirk on his face.

"Stupid asshole! Why do you always have to sneak up on me?" I hissed at the larger snake with narrowed eyes, while trying to hide how embarrassed I really was. Hadn't Rango said that he was out of town? That little shit must have lied to me! 'Or Jake simply returned now that it's getting dark already' a sneaky little voice added in my head.

"I didn't sneak up on ya, woman. Yer simply deaf." Was his only reply.

I lifted up my head and straightened up, before turning my back once again and pretending to be very interested in my glass of water, while ignoring the stares of both Brooke and Jake, but the ignoring of the later became a little difficult, when suddenly cold metal touched the area where I had been stabbed.

"Why'd ya lock yerself up the last couple of days?" His tone was casual, well, as casual as he could manage.

"Eh, don't like the rain?" Was the only thing I could come up with in short notice, causing Brooke to shoot me a strange look and Jake to look at me flatly.

"I was trying to overcome my severe claustrophobia?" Jake just kept on staring at me flatly, while Brooke placed one of her black paws over her mouth, to hide the smirk.

"I was doing an undercover mission? Oh come on! What do you wanna hear?!" I now glowered at the larger snake, who simply shook his head and sighed.

"Ya sure ya didn't get a knock to that pretty head of yers, miss Roxette?" I couldn't help but smile wickedly at that.

"Awww, you think I've got a pretty head! Did you hear that Brooke?" I smirked over at Brooke who my now was pressing both of her paws to her mouth, trying to keep from bursting out laughing. Why had I even been afraid to talk to Jake again? I seriously couldn't remember.

"Last I saw ya, yer where bleeding te death. I think anything would be an improvement te that." He replied flatly.

I couldn't come up with areal reply, so I simply shrugged, before half turning back to Brooke. "But where are my manners. I've forgotten to introduce the two of you!"

"Ya know what manners are?" I simply ignored the sneaky comment from the rattlesnake and continued on.

"Jake, this is Brooke Greystone. She and her wacko dad moved here recently. Brooke. This is Rattlesnake Jake, the mighty Grim Reaper!" I snickered when Jake shot me annoyed look and nearly full out burst out laughing when Brooke shot me a doubtful look.

"That's not the Grim Reaper Rox! Everyone knows that he's a skeleton dude with a black cloak and a freaky scythe! Seriously, haven't you ever watched a horror movie!" Due to the fact that she looked completely serious, I couldn't help but burst out laughing, only being fuelled by the annoyed hiss coming from Jake.

"Hahahaha! She's right Jakey. Shame on you! Hahahaha!" Both Brooke and I kept on laughing, right up until the distinct cocking of a gun. Immediately both of us shot up and Brooke dove behind me, when seeing the pissed off look on Jake's face.

"Ya were saying?" He spat out between clenched jaws, his bright fire red and yellow eyes seemingly glowing in the dull light of the saloon, while all the inhabitants of the bar were watching with scared looks on their faces.

"Nothing." Both Brooke and I quickly quipped.

"Good!" Jake made to turn away, but I quickly stopped him by wrapping my tail around his gun and giving it a gentle tug.

"Oh come on Jake. Don't be insulted. We were just messing with you and if it helps at all, I think you're a kick ass Grim Reaper, and Brooke started it!" –"Ey!" – "We're just bored that's all, it's Brooke's fault!" – "Roxy!" – "What?" Brooke was glowering at me and Jake just heaved a sigh.

"I don't know why I put up with ya, crazy woman." Jake slowly settled down next to me, but then looked up again. "Why are the two of ya actually covered in purple paint?"

"It's lavender!" Was Brooke's immediate reaction. "Brooke's fault!" Was mine. "That's not true!" – "Sure it! You painted me first!" – "Yeah but you dumped the paint over my head!" – "Okay but you hugged me!"

Suddenly the was a low growl next to me and the next second Jake was slowly slithering off, muttering something about mental woman beneath his breath.

"Now look what you did Brooke! You scared him off! Nice job sweetie!" – "I scared him off? You're the mentally handicapped one!" – "Says the woman with a nutter as a dad!" – "You knocked him unconscious!" – "What's that got to do with anything? And the wacko old dude called me Paris Hilton!"


At some point during the night we had gotten tired of arguing about pointless things and had instead settled my payment and then said goodnight. Brooke had grabbed a meal for herself and her dad and had then wandered off, telling me that I didn't have to come with her. She was a tough black and white woman who needed no protection. Her words, not mine!

I had stuck my head out of the saloon and had spotted Jake still curled up outside of his home, even due to the late hour and the lack of sun and a bad conscience had overcome me. He had been so helpful when I had been stabbed and I repaid him by avoiding him and then insulting and making fun of him.

Quickly I slithered back to the bar. "Hey, frogman, a cactus juice to go please!" Buford shot me a doubtful look, but handed me the drink with a shrug. He couldn't care less I guess.

Careful not to prick myself with the bottle, I made my way outside and then over to Jake, who was seemingly staring into the night.

"Hey there." At the unusual softness in my voice, Jake immediately turned his head to me and grew a look of surprise, when I handed him the bottle.

"A little sorry for behaving like an ass earlier on. I didn't mean to insult you, you know." At that Jake smirked and shook his head slightly.

"Where did ya get that idea from, woman?" Sighing I rested my body down next to his, however made sure that we weren't touching.

"That stuff with the Grim Reaper. It really wasn't meant as an insult, just some good natured fun." I looked at him with puppy eyes, causing him to snort.

"Ya didn't insult me. Take's a bit more for me te feel insulted by something coming from yer mouth." When he smirked at me I couldn't help but grimace. He was right. Stupid ass. Why did he always have to be right?

"Well, and I guess I should dig out that one word. Or two, if you think about it." Now Jake was looking at me funny.

"Gratefulness. I looked it up and added it to my dictionary, so I guess, uhm, thank you, uhm, for staying with me and helping me out, when I was doing my best incorporation of dead-meat. Rango told me you had to haul my heavy ass back home. That really wasn't necessary you know." I didn't dare look at him instead I simply stared down at the dark sand beneath me, trying to ignore his staring.

"I found out that I was number one on that stupid list of yers. Didn't wanna lose my place too soon." At that I snorted and had to choke back a laugh.

"Oh what have I done? You'll never let me live that one down now, right?" Jake just shook his large head with the black hat on top, grinning evilly.

"Never."


Reviews? Anyone? So sorry again for the long wait :/

So, Roxy's finally got a friend who is just as crazy as her! Poor Jake, now he has to deal with both of them. Poor guy, but oh well, we live in a cruel world XD