Chapter Nine Happy Christmas

Hell Bent for Leather

By EmiliosLoofah (otherwise known as tk421beth)

Hey ya'll! Man…I do apologize for not submitting this chapter sooner! I work 40 hours a week, am a mother of one crazy four-year old boy, married, and I haven't had a lot of time on my hands lately. I know ya'll know where I'm coming from.

This chapter is for you all…the people that have kept with my story for this long. Sorry it took so long! Hope you like it!

Authors Notes:

Special thanks to Sue! Thanks for the comments, ideas and suggestions, as always! And Ernie…thanks so much for the help that I was seeking…I hope you had a GREAT National Cowboy Day! (It was July 22!)

Chapter Summary: It is Christmas 1878…Billy, Charlie and Jessie have been staying with the Maxwell's for a little while…


25 December, 1878

I woke up abruptly, chilled to the bone. Damn Billy for being a blanket-hog! I giggled under my breath, not wanting to wake Billy up yet. I gently pulled some of the blanket away from Billy; then covered myself, and cuddled up to him, feeling warm instantly.

I smiled, thinking that I wouldn't be so cold, if I had something to wear while I slept. 'I want to feel you against me, Jessie. Not some nightgown.' Billy had told me with a devilish smile, tossing it into the wood burning stove about a week ago.

'Billy!' I shouted from the bed, naked. 'What am I going to sleep in now?' I demanded, as he came back into the bed.

'Who said anything about sleep?' He chuckled, grabbing me. 'If you ever wear anything to bed again,' he huskily told me, his warm breath on my neck, 'I'll give you a sound spanking.'

Snuggling even closer to Billy, I felt relaxed for the first time in months. Billy, Charlie and I have been in Fort Sumner for the past two weeks. Pete was surprised, but pleased that Billy brought a Christmas tree for his home. Pete proudly set up the tree in the foyer for everyone to see.

The weather has been pretty bad, with lots of snow and freezing rain. The Maxwell's let the three of us stay in their home, and Pete had told Billy that we could stay as long as we like.

I was a bit surprised that we have stayed this long. Of course, the weather has been terrible, but that also means that no one is crazy enough to look for us during this harsh winter storm.

Billy turned towards me, his face in my neck, and his right arm went around my waist. "Merry Christmas, Jess." He whispered; his eyes still closed as he pulled me close.

I gasped, surprised to find out that he was already aroused this early in the morning. "Happy Christmas, Billy."

"Happy Christmas?" Billy laughed, holding me close. "I'll show ya a happy Christmas, Jessie." He teased, opening his eyes, and looking at me with a smile.

"Billy!" I gasped as he kissed me.


31 December 1878

My thoughts drifted as I realized that tomorrow I would be seventeen. My sixteenth birthday seemed so long ago and far away...

This past Christmas was one that I would never forget. I presented Billy with a Winchester rifle, which he seemed very pleased with. "Thanks Jess! Where'd you get this?" He asked, inspecting it with a trained eye.

"Roswell." I smiled, pleased that he was happy with it. Pete Maxwell had asked me if I wanted to accompany him to Roswell about a week ago. Billy and Charlie were out hunting for the day, so I went with him…Billy didn't even know I was gone.

"Your gift is outside, sweetheart." He said, taking my hand in his.

We approached the barn door. "Close your eyes, Jessie." Billy told me. I closed then, wondering what he was up to. Eyes still closed, he led me inside the barn.

"Open your eyes Jess." He whispered excitedly. I opened my eyes to see the most beautiful brown and white horse standing in front of me. "Bloody hell!" I exclaimed, walking up to him. He seemed to be about a four year old stud.

"I remember you sayin' once that you always wanted a paint." Billy chuckled, watching me pet my new horse. "His name's Pal."

I could feel my eyes water as Pal snorted and sniffed my hand.

"Don't ya like him?" I could hear Billy's voice behind me.

"Yes, I do…thank you, Billy." I turned, and gave Billy a hug, kissing his neck. "I'm just so happy!" I laughed, as a few tears slid down my cheeks.

"I got you somethin' else, sweetheart." Billy said, cupping my face and wiping the tears away with his thumbs.

"What?"

He laughed loudly. "This!" He unexpectedly grabbed my hand and placed it on his crotch.

"Billy!" I laughed as he gently pushed me down into a fresh pile of hay.


I rode Pal this afternoon with Billy and Charlie keeping me company. The snow had stopped, but it still was a very cold afternoon. We had a great time, and Pal is a wonderful horse…everything that I have always wanted in a horse.

Much later, as the sun was setting, I found myself lying on top of the already made bed, dog-tired from today's ride. I closed my eyes, and smiled. Thoughts from this afternoon in the barn made me dizzy with desire. It was only just a few hours ago, and I wanted Billy again.

"What the hell are you doin'?" Billy demanded, bursting in the room. He was clean and dressed in new clothes. "You need to get ready."

"For what?" I yawned.

"It's New Year's Eve…and everyone's wants to celebrate your birthday!" He laughed. "You didn't forget it was your birthday, did you?"

"I thought you did." I confessed.

"Don't be silly!" He laughed again, helping me off the bed. "C'mon, Jessie…get dressed." He urged.

"When's your birthday?" I questioned. Billy is very private about his personal life, even though I am a major part of it. He wanted to know all about me, but hardly offered anything about himself in return. It was beginning to get on my nerves.

"Never you mind." He answered with a smile. Why is he so damn guarded?

"How old are you, anyway? Twenty-two?" I pressed further.

"If you must know," He grinned. "I'm nineteen."

I raised an eyebrow with surprise. Getting information out of Billy was usually the impossible.

Laughing, Billy pulled me off the bed, and brought over my saddle bags. "I won't wear a dress." I reminded him.

He flashed me that crooked grin of his. "I understand." I had told him the whole story about meeting Dirty Sanchez for the first time back in Juarez. "But at least put on something clean."

"But of course!" I told him, stripping off my clothes. There was no need for modesty anymore.

"I see that you still wear that necklace I gave you." Billy commented.

My hand touched the silver heart that Billy gave to me some time ago. It was engraved with our 'notorious' initials, B.T.K. + S.S. on the frontand 'More than pals' on the back. "I love this necklace, Billy." I told him as I dressed. "I'll never take it off."

Billy gave me a grin as he leaned back on the dresser, watching me dress.

A few minutes later, I was dressed in a clean white shirt, brown vest and brown trousers. We just about matched, I observed with a grin. I decided to keep my hat here, and wear my hair up. I knew Billy liked it when I wore my hair up.

I checked my six shooters, and made sure they were loaded. With my three knives in place on my person, I picked up my shotgun.

This made Billy laugh. "What are you so worried about? This is your party, Jess."

I rolled my eyes. "Billy! Don't you think that we should take some precautions?"

"At least keep your shotgun here!" He insisted with a wiry smile. "You look kinda cute though! You alone could be the local militia!"

"Cute? You think I dress like this to look cute?" I snorted, as I lay my shotgun on the dresser.

"Let's go, sweetheart!" Billy laughed, kissing me on the cheek.


The party was in full swing by the time we got there. Shouts of 'Happy New Year!' were mingled with 'Happy Birthday!' wishes.

Billy proudly escorted me around the plaza as he introduced me to some new faces, as I became enveloped with hugs and kisses from some people better known.

"See?" Billy pointed out, as a lit birthday cake made its way towards me, carried by Paulita Maxwell, Pete's younger sister. "You have nothing to worry about here. We're with friends, Jessie…amigos…pals!"

"Make a wish, Jessie!" I hear some people shout, as Paulita presented me with the cake. As the guests began to sing their drunken version of 'Happy Birthday' in both English and Spanish, I closed my eyes and made my wish. I want to stop running and live a normal life. Opening my eyes, I blew out the seventeen candles that decorated the huge cake.

Billy grabbed me and placed a massive, wet kiss on my lips. This caused everyone to hoot and holler even louder than before. When he broke off the kiss, the crowd whistled and cheered.

"C'mere, birthday gal!" I heard Charlie shout, grabbing me from behind. He threw me over his shoulder, and slapped me on the behind. "That's one!" He shouted, obviously drunk. "Only sixteen more to go!"

"Billy…help!" I yelled in between fits of laughter.

"You're on your own, sweetheart!" Billy teased, slapping my behind as well! "Fifteen more now, pal!"

"You bloody bastards!" I shouted over Billy and Charlie's laughter. I wasn't angry at all; I was just hoping that Charlie wouldn't drop me!

As the music started again, Charlie proceeded to parade me around the party, with me still over his shoulder.

"May I cut in?" I heard someone ask Charlie. Upside down, I could see that it was Pat Garrett.

"Garrett! Help! Get me down!" I giggled, as he easily slipped me off Charlie's strong shoulders.

"She's all yours, Garrett." Charlie slurred, drunkenly walking away.

"Thank you!" I smiled up at Garrett. Feeling dizzy from being held upside down for so long, I tried to walk, but ended up stumbling into Garrett. "Sorry!" I told him, falling against him for a second time.

Garrett laughed, his hands on my shoulders, trying to steady me. "Are you drunk?"

"No!" I looked up at him with a smile. "I'm a little lightheaded. Charlie's had me upside down for quite a long time!" I laughed, tucking some stray hair behind my ears.

"Well, happy birthday, Tunstall…let me guess…eighteen?"

"You guessed wrong, but close. I'm seventeen." I said, noticing Billy out of the corner of my eye. He was standing with several men, Charlie included. He was laughing loudly, spilling his drink all over himself. He started to dance a little jig, still laughing with his friends. I couldn't understand how Billy could be so loving and warm when we were alone, and then so completely immature at times like this. I couldn't help but to think of what Chavez had told me…"Love given without merit may perceive as foolish folly."

"May I have this dance?" Garrett interrupted my thoughts, holding his hand out. I looked at his hand, and then back to his face. He was smiling; his brown eyes seemed to twinkle down at me. I felt my face redden, as I slipped my hand in his.

Garrett pulled me close to him, and soon we were dancing.

As we danced, Garrett entertained me, talking about his recent trip to Louisiana. "Have you ever been there?"

"No."

"That's a shame, Tunstall. It's beautiful down there. Perhaps I will take you someday."

I looked up at Garrett. I was shocked he would say something so forward like that. Garrett was bold, knowing that I was Billy's girl. "That would be wonderful!" I told him, feeling my face redden once again.

I suddenly heard a burst of laughter not too far from Garrett and myself. I turned to see Billy dancing with Paulita. Usually, it was like a blow to the gut when I watch Billy dance with other women…but I knew Paulita well, so I wasn't worried at all. I turned my attentions back to Garrett. "Bartending again, Garrett?" I inquired.

"Yes."

"Well…I'll miss you when we leave again." Depending on the weather, it should be a few days.

"I'm coming with you." He smiled down at me.

"What? No!" I told him. Garrett wasn't an outlaw. He was a decent man. "Why?"

"Billy asked me to come."

I groaned with annoyance, as Garrett and I continued to dance. First Charlie…and now Garrett…why? Hell, I knew why…the more the merrier! Billy liked to be surrounded by friends. Who wouldn't?

"You don't want me to come?" Garrett asked me, with a raised eyebrow. "And I thought you and I were friends, Tunstall."

"It's not that." I told him. "You're…you're not wanted by the law. Why would you risk you reputation?"

"For Billy…he's my friend."

"Bullocks!" I spat, making Garrett laugh. I looked up at him. "You'd do anything for a friend?" I questioned. "Even risk your reputation?"

"Hell, yes!" He answered so quickly, and with so much passion, I had to grin.

"Pals, Garrett?" I asked him.

"Pals, Tunstall!" Garrett responded.

I know…you waited SO long…please review! Thanks so much!