The ride to Armadillo didn't take nearly as long as Jack thought it would; he found his thoughts were still with Bonnie, and how she would fair in the next several months without him and Maddie on her ranch. I just hope Nathaniel doesn't leave to go to Blackwater, he thought with a frown as he urged Sundance into a gallop to keep pace with his companion. He needs to be there for her, especially now that we'll be gone for quite some time. He rode abreast of Maddie and Gypsy, and despite being sleep-deprived, he looked around and pay some attention to the beautiful landscape of Cholla Springs and the rising sun that bathed the world with a watercolor palette of colors.

However, nature wasn't the only thing that caught his eye. More than once did he scold himself internally for staring at Maddie. The way her hair whipped and curled behind her entranced him; the way the dawn-light warmed her face and made it glow struck him with awe. He also noticed that she rode Gypsy with purpose, leaning slightly forward in the saddle and moving gracefully along with the mare's movements, her hands holding the reins above the saddle horn. She kept her hat tugged down low over her face and her scarf hiked up to her chin to fight against the biting wind. She was dressed to kill, as it were, with her four firearms and her other bounty hunting equipment, and he found that prospect both fascinating and ironic.

Within ten minutes, Armadillo was in their sights, and they eased their horses back into an easy lope. By that time, it was around seven o'clock, and the town was bustling with movement as travelers and townsfolk alike moved about their morning business. When they were within a hundred yards of the sheriff's office, Maddie pulled Gypsy into a walk. Jack did the same; the palomino stallion blew loudly, tired but happy from the morning ride.

As they rode around to the front of the sheriff's office, they were met by Jonah, who was leaning his elbows on the porch railing with a stupid, vacant expression on his face. He looked Maddie briefly over with an annoyed scowl, but when he caught sight of Jack, he jerked up straight with an incoherent curse and drew his revolver. Aiming at Jack's forehead, he hollered in his annoying, high-pitched drawl, "Well, isn't it the cock-suckin' bastard who shot me! The fuck you doin' back here in my town?!"

Maddie rolled her eyes as she and Jack stopped their horses before the hitching post. "Put your gun away, Jonah. We're here on business. Calm yourself."

The deputy acted as if she had never spoken; he drew back the hammer with his thumb and spat at Jack, "Last time you was in town, I had yer ass locked up in jail, 'n' fer good reason! You shot me, ya fuckin' prick! I oughta make a magget-hole in yer head RIGHT NOW 'n' be done with ya!"

Jack merely laughed and shook his head. "My, my, Jonah! I'm surprised you've got enough grit to stand up to me. As I recall, last time, you were shakin' in your boots. What happened? Did you finally grow a pair and become a man?"

"SHUT YER MOUTH, ASSHOLE!"

Jonah quaked with rage; Jack chuckled in the saddle.

"Oh, good Lord," Maddie griped with a roll of her eyes. She shot Jack an admonishing sneer though he could've sworn he caught a glimpse of amusement in her eyes and ordered, "Stop bein' a dick and shut your mouth." She looked down at Jonah with a nod. "And you. Simmer down and put the gun away. There's no sense in startin' up a shoot-out this early."

"Don't you be tellin' me what ta do, ya cross-dressin' whore!" he snapped back, his gun shaking in his hand. He glared maliciously at Jack. "This sum-bitch needs ta die, 'n' Imma be the one ta do him in!"

Before either men could blink, Maddie had dropped the reins onto her lap, drawn both pistols, and set her sights on Jonah's forehead. "Put. The gun. Away."

Jonah's eyes widened; Jack grinned as the deputy hastily holstered his revolver.

"That's a good boy," Maddie growled. "Now be a good little servant and fetch the sheriff, or do I need to ask you at gunpoint?"

"N-No, ma'am," he stammered and backed away towards the door. He lingered before the threshold, still throwing Jack a nasty look.

Jack nodded him onward and clicked his tongue twice. "Get to it, little man."

"You sum-bitch," Jonah murmured with a deadly scowl before stumbling back into the building.

Maddie holstered her pistols with a sigh. She glared over at Jack. "Well, that was nicely handled, Marston. Now you've lost all chances of redeeming yourself with him."

Jack could've cared less as he chuckled back, "I couldn't resist."

She shook her head with disappointment.

Just then, Jonah re-emerged with the sheriff and Eli. Maddie and the sheriff tipped their hats to each other; Jack hesitated to do so, and only when Maddie elbowed him in the side did he do the same.

"Mornin' Miss Maddie," the sheriff greeted. "You're here bright and early. Glad to see you're doin' well, as always."

"Mornin', Hershel," she replied with a charming smile. "Glad to see this town's doin' well under your keen watch."

"Thank you, ma'am. I do what I can." The sheriff turned his gaze to Jack and looked him over. "And it's good to see that you're gettin' on the better road." His eyes narrowed accusingly. "You haven't tried to hurt this young lady, have you, boy?"

Maddie chuckled and shook her head. "There's no need to worry over this one, sheriff. He's about as mindless and harmless as your deputies."

At this, Jack, Eli, and Jonah gave her hostile glares. She laughed in return.

"Now, now," Hershel warned with an admonishing look. "Let's not get all heated up under the collar so early. It'll be a long day if you keep that up, Miss Maddie. Let's all just settle down and get right down to business." He waved her and Jack into the office. "Come on in, you two. You want some coffee? I just brewed myself up a pot. Looks like you two could use the extra kick this mornin'."

Maddie grinned down at him. "Sounds wonderful, sheriff." She dismounted her black mare, hitched her, and headed inside. Jack did the same and followed her in, leaving Eli and Jonah to guard the doorway.

"So how are things back at the MacFarlane ranch?" Hershel asked as he poured Jack and Maddie some coffee into two tin cups. "How's Bonnie doin'?"

"Things are goin' considerably well," Maddie replied. "Bonnie's doin' fine, and the ranch is still kicking."

"That's good." The sheriff turned and handed her and Jack their coffee. They took it from him and murmured their thanks. The man turned his scrutinizing gaze back to Jack and looked him over. He nodded to him and asked, "And how are things with you? You doin' better since I've seen you last?"

Jack sipped at his coffee and glared at him over the rim of the cup. As far as he was concerned, he didn't care to grace his probing with an answer.

Maddie rolled her eyes and answered for him, "He's doin' better. Still stubborn as a mule, but he's not as unpredictable and dangerous like he was about a month or so back." She took a drink from her cup before adding, "He wasn't as big of a pain as we thought, but he's still an ass at times, as you can see."

"Well, it's only been a month ago since he was arrested, miss," Hershel replied honestly. "He's not gonna change just like that." He snapped his fingers.

"I know, but he'll get there…eventually."

"That's what you think," Jack commented with a snarky grin. His humor faded quickly when Maddie and the sheriff threw him warning glares.

"So, what all do you have for us, sheriff?" Maddie offered, hoping to move things forward.

Hershel smirked at her straightforwardness. "Always right down to business. I like your style, Miss Maddie." He leaned back against his desk and twisted around, reaching for a stack of papers. He hefted up the pile, turned back around, and offered it to her and Jack. "I've compiled everything you've asked for, Maddie. Here's a list of Jack's bounties, as well as their files. You'll find all the facts right there in your hands. It shouldn't be too hard for you, miss. I've seen your track record, and I'm not worried about you." He nodded to Jack curtly and added, "It's him I'm wary of."

"He's nothing I can't handle, sheriff," Maddie chuckled as she took the stack from him and began thumbing through it. Her eyes darted across the pages, eagerly absorbing the information bequeathed to her. "Looks like a great range of men to bag and bring in. Do they all need to be brought in alive, or can we just kill 'em and be done with it?"

Hershel blinked with surprise. "Alive, of course. He needs to bring them all in alive. Jesus, Maddie, I didn't think you were that thirsty for blood. I know you sometimes bring 'em in dead, simply because it's easier that way, but the last three bounties you've brought in were alive. Why the sudden cold change?"

"I'm just asking, sheriff," she said. "Besides, this list and all the hard work that it'll bring is all for him, not me. I could care less how he wants to go about bringin' these men in. All I care about is makin' sure he does his job right. I'm here to make sure he gets pardoned and does it in an honorable way."

"I know," Hershel replied with a nod. He took a large gulp of his coffee, looking from Jack to Maddie and back again. "You two look like quite the team. This list shouldn't take you long at all. You'll be pardoned in no time, Mister Marston. Let's just hope that you stay that way after all is said and done."

Jack opened his mouth to reply, but Maddie said, "Don't worry. I'll make sure that he does."

The sheriff smirked at her. "Very good, miss."

"So do you want us to bring all these men in back here or to the closest jail cell we are at?"

Hershel chuckled and shook his head. "Just bag 'em and bring 'em in however you choose. It doesn't matter where they get thrown into jail, just so long as you call me and let me know where you've brought 'em in." He motioned to the list in Maddie's hand. "The first two or three should be easy. They're nearby, so I'd just bring 'em in here for starters."

Maddie and Jack nodded. It was just common sense to do as the sheriff said. Without looking at him, Maddie passed the papers to Jack and sipped at her coffee. Jack took them from her and began looking through the stack. He stared at the first page; his heart fluttered in his chest as he read the list of fourteen men he was to bring in: Charlie Mash, Maurice Sweet, Harlan Forbes, Roscoe Duffy, Quinn Mallory, Irvin Pennick, Isiah Greeley, Dakota, Moses Lowson, Wade Basset, Americus Roe, Melvin Spinney, Hestor Frith, Zebedee Nash. His eyes scanned the list several times; it hadn't sunk in yet that this list represented fourteen criminals, men who were just as dangerous, if not more, than him. He felt a pang of guilt and unworthiness. He flipped through the rest of the papers, skimming over each bounty target's file. This is just weird, he thought. A twisted frown threatened to ruin his unemotional visage. It's like poetic justice, a criminal going after criminals. He smirked inwardly. That could be a book right there!

"Marston? Hello? You alive over there?"

Jack blinked and looked up from the papers. "Hmm?"

"You just looked a little…funny just now," Maddie commented, looking him over with a cocked eyebrow. "You doin' all right?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

Maddie and Hershel exchanged puzzled looks. Maddie finished her coffee and handed the empty cup to the sheriff, who took it and set it behind him on his desk.

"So…when do we start?" Jack asked, his gaze resting on the sheriff.

Hershel grinned. "So eager to get back on track, eh, Marston? I like that." He snorted through his nose. "Maybe you are changing. I sure hope so."

"Gimme the details, point me in the direction, and I just might surprise you, sheriff." Jack motioned to the papers. "So these are all the people I have to go after. Should I know anything about them?"

"Maddie and I were just discussing that, or were you tuning out?"

Jack frowned. "I guess so. Sorry."

Maddie lightly smacked his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I'll take you through all the steps. I'll tell you everything we were talking about when the time comes to it. For now, let's get something to eat. I'm famished, as I'm sure you are."

"Can't argue with that, Miss Maddie," he replied and downed the rest of his coffee. He set the cup onto the desk with a slight bang.

The sheriff offered his hand to Maddie. She took it, and they shook each other's hand in an aristocratic way. "It's always a pleasure doin' business with you, Maddie. Keep up the good work and bring this boy back over to civilization. You do so much for this town, and for this ever-growing nation."

"You're too kind, Hershel," she replied. "I'm just doin' my job, that's all, but I thank you nevertheless."

They shared a brief smile before the sheriff turned and extended his hand to Jack. He looked him in the eyes as he said, "And good luck to you, young man. I'll be looking forward to seein' how you fair after this is all over."

Jack chuckled as he shook the man's hand. "I'm right there with ya, mister. Thank you."

For the first time that morning, Hershel grinned amicably at him. He spoke no further as he and Jack let go of the others hand and the two bounty hunters turned and exited the building.

Jonah and Eli were waiting for them out on the porch. Maddie strode confidently forward, not even acknowledging the two imbeciles as she passed them and unhitched her horse. The deputies made way for her and didn't speak a word to her. However, they treated Jack differently as he crossed the porch and went to unhitch his horse as well. Jonah blocked the way just as he reached the steps. He glared venomously at Jack; his hand hovered over his holstered revolver.

"I dare ya ta come back here 'n' start shit up again," Jonah warned quietly as he shoved his face into Jack's. "Next time, I'm gonna shoot you down in a good ol' fashioned duel. Just you 'n' me, boy! Hell, I might just give you extra time to draw on me!"

Jack leaned toward him with a smirk and murmured so that only he could hear, "Next time, I won't miss your heart. Think about that, deputy."

Jonah's face went white with terror, and he and Eli stumbled back into the office. Jack watched them go, snickering all the while, before he unhitched his horse and walked alongside Maddie and her mare.

As they led their horses to the livery, Maddie elbowed him in the side and scolded, "Goddamn it, Marston, you just had to open your mouth and be a smart-ass. Don't you realize you're startin' out on a bad foot? It's not even mid-day, and you've already guaranteed yourself two enemies. Way to go, princess."

"Do you really think I give a damn?" he laughed back. "Those boys are as stupid as mud, and they sure as hell don't have the sense or the balls to shoot me down. I think I'm good and square with them."

"Oh, I doubt that. They may be dumber than bricks, but they still know how to shoot a gun. I'd watch your back while we're still in town. They just might act on foolish impulse and fulfill their threats. That, and with all the families you've ruined in this town after your little robbery escapade, I'm sure there will be more than one set of cross-hairs on your hide. Keep in mind they all still think you're a murderin' outlaw."

Jack scoffed. "That may be, but keep in mind that those two worthless deputies are afraid of me. Let them try to best me in a game of wits and guns. I'll be more than happy to prove them wrong."

"Okay then. It's your funeral. But what about the civilians of Armadillo?"

"What about them?"

"What if someone recognizes you while we're in town? I'd hate to see you gunned down in the street or hung by a tree within the next hour or so. If I lose my bounty hunting partner on the first day, I'll be pissed."

He shrugged. "Hopefully there won't be too much of a ruckus. I mean, we're leavin' first thing tomorrow, right?"

She nodded. "We might as well get a room and stay in there until tomorrow. That way people won't be tempted to shoot you down."

"That's a smart idea, Miss Maddie."

They left their horses to the care of the stable boy. Maddie tipped the boy and gave him instructions to have them fed, watered, and be saddled before dawn before she and Jack walked to the saloon. They ate their fill of what the saloon had to offer, paid for a room, and retreated immediately into it. Jack felt a sense of déjà vu after realizing he'd stayed in the same room so many months ago. He hesitated to follow Maddie into the room, recalling that the last time he was here, he was drunk and in no condition to think.

Maddie looked back at him with a peculiar expression. "You okay?" she asked as she set her bags on the bed against the farthest wall nearest the armoire.

He cleared his throat and entered, closing the door behind him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired is all." He tossed his belongings on the other bed before sitting heavily onto it, making the springs shriek and moan in protest to his sudden weight.

For a while, silence pervaded the room as they rummaged through their bags. Maddie cleaned her guns as Jack searched through his things. He was amazed to find that she had packed rather well: there was a spare set of clothes, a week's worth of food rations, a cleaning kit for his firearms, extra ammunition, flint and steel, and a make-shift tent and bed roll. He laid his supplies out on the bed and surveyed it all, impressed.

"You sure know what you're doin', I'll give ya that."

She looked up from disassembling one of her semi-automatic pistols and smirked. "When you live out in the wild, you tend to figure out a way to live on very little and how to pack your things proficiently. I travel light—I don't burden myself with unnecessary treasures or luxuries, and it's been workin' out for me quite well." Her eyes lingered on him for the longest second before she returned to her firearm.

Jack watched her as she took apart her weapon with skilled hands, laying out the parts before her on the bed. She took up her cleaning kit and began wiping the parts clean, lubricating wherever necessary, and investigating for any abnormalities in the steel. She looked down the barrel to check for any debris and gunpowder she'd missed before reassembling the gun.

"So…what's the plan?"

Maddie loaded her weapon and explained, "Well, from what Charlie Mash's file says about him, he's awfully wary about anyone ridin' around his hide-out, which isn't something to take lightly. It's common sense to be vigilant for strangers and potential lawmen when you've got a bounty on your head and you're hidin' from the law in the hills. We'll ride out to Rattlesnake Hollow and take our positions long before dawn so he and his gang can't see us. The second we're able to see better, we'll open fire and pick 'em off one by one until Charlie's the last one standin'. I'll shoot his leg or disarm him, whichever I feel like doing at the time. Then you'll rope the bastard, hogtie him, and throw him on the back of your horse. It'll be easy as hell and we'll be back before lunch." As if she'd timed it perfectly, she finished loading the clip before injecting it back into the handle of her pistol.

Jack snorted through his nose. "You make it sound so simple."

"That's because it will be," she remarked with a grin. She holstered her pistol, took out the other one, and began taking it apart. "You're thinking too much on it, Marston. You just shoot and kill. That's all there is to it. That, and ropin'. Shootin' and killin' shouldn't be a problem for you, since you've killed fourteen people."

He glared at her. "That was different."

"How? How was that different?"

"We're goin' after gang members and outlaws. Those people I killed were not criminals. Most of 'em were lawmen, and there were a fair few that weren't."

"You mean the innocent woman you shot down out of mere impulse?" she questioned darkly, her eyebrows narrowing as she paused in her gun care.

He sighed haughtily and snapped back, "Yes, her. It was an accident. And all those lawmen I killed were…in my way."

Maddie shook her head. "You're unbelievable." She went back to her gun.

Jack situated himself on his bed so he faced her fully. He gave her a sour scowl as he demanded, "How am I unbelievable? Explain that to me, you judgmental brat. I did what I felt was necessary at the time, and back then I was different. Back then, I was fightin' to survive; I did what I had to do, in some circumstances. This bounty huntin' thing is my chance to change, isn't it? Well, since I have no other choice because I'm bein' forced to do it, I might as well go through with it. Just be happy I'm this compliant and not plantin' my boots in the ground like I should be."

She looked back up at him with a curious look, her hands pausing from their meticulous work. Yet again, the parts of the pistol were spread out before her on the bed. Her brow furrowed as she said, "I am surprised you're conformin' so willingly to this change in your life." She cocked her head to the side. "Why is that, Jack? Are you finally startin' to see the error of your renegade ways?"

He shrugged and confessed, "I honestly don't know…I mean, it's nice to have a place to stay and somethin' to do with my time and all, but…I'm still…"

"Lost?"

Their eyes met in a moment of understanding. Jack nodded. "Yeah. I guess I have been ever since Pa was killed…and then when Ma got sick and died. That was the last straw there, I guess. Then it all didn't seem to matter after that."

"Young adults tend to feel that way after losing a parent," Maddie commented flatly as she cleaned her other pistol. No emotion crossed her face as she worked. "I know how you feel."

"I know that you do…and I'm sorry."

She shrugged nonchalantly. "It's life. It's like an unruly horse: it bucks you off and tramples you, but then you get back up and mount up again…until the next time you get thrown off. Then the cycle starts all over."

He smirked. "You're quite poetic sometimes, miss."

She laughed softly as she looked down the barrel, making sure it was clean, before she began reassembling her weapon. "Yeah, I suppose. It's what happens when you read a lot, especially Shakespeare. He had a way with words, no doubt."

"I wouldn't know. Never read his books."

"Plays, you mean," she corrected, flicking her gaze up at him in annoyance. "Or sonnets. But not books."

"Whatever. So what's your favorite?"

"Well, I finished The Taming of the Shrew not too long ago, and I can honestly say it was…interesting. Not one of my favorites, but still up for debate. I like Katharina's character, but how she simply chose to give in at the end to Petrucio, after fightin' with him through most of the play, baffled me. Either she faked her pledge of love to him or she finally fell for him and decided to give him her heart. Either way, if I were her, I'd keep fightin'. No man as tenacious and cocky as Petrucio would be a match suitable for me, that's for sure. Nor would I want to submit to any man…" She paused to reload the clip before continuing, "But I'd have to say Hamlet would be my favorite. A young man, betrayed by his uncle who murdered his father and the king, seeks revenge, only to lose his lover and kill so many people in the end, including his mother and several followers, and of course his uncle. Still, it is a masterpiece. What I would give to see the play in person!"

"Maybe the theatre in Blackwater will perform it someday," Jack said. "I'm sure that place has thought about puttin' on shows like that."

"One can only hope," Maddie said with a glint of optimism in her eyes. "If ever the time comes, I'll be the first to witness it."

"I'm sure you will, Maddie. And you'll be quotin' all of it, won't you?"

"Not all," she said with a smirk. "Maybe most of it, but not all." With both pistols ready for the next day, Maddie holstered them before taking off her gun belt and standing up off the bed. She crossed the room and set her pistols in the armoire before returning to her bed and sitting back down. She picked up her Henry repeater and began taking it apart.

Jack noted how methodical she seemed as she took care of her firearms. "Do you do this all the time?"

"What do you mean?"

He nodded to the firearm in her hands. "Do you always clean your guns before you bring a bounty in?"

She chuckled. "I clean them whenever they need it, Marston. It's not like I do this every single time." She shook her head as she worked. "Yet again you're over-thinkin' things."

"Hey, I'm new at this. It's not like I know how you do things, anyways. I'm just being observant is all."

She harrumphed in reply and kept her concentration on her gun.

"So…," he began, even though he was running out of topics to talk about.

She glanced up at him through her eyelashes. "So…?"

"So how many bounties have you brought in? What will the count be for this one tomorrow?"

"I didn't care to keep track after ten, honestly. It's just another bounty, just another handful of cash for me, a transaction, if you will." She paused in her dismantling to ponder on his inquiry. "If you combine the bounties I've bagged in Mexico with the bounties in the States, I guess it's up to twenty or so."

Jack narrowed his eyes at her. "Get off your high horse and come straight, Maddie. Don't make up some number to impress me."

She shot him a testing sneer. "I'm not lyin', Marston. I've brought in that many bounties. You don't believe me? Ask Bonnie or any other person on the ranch or here around town, or hell, even over in Blackwater, and they'll give you the facts. I'm good at what I do, and I make an honest living."

"I'm not saying you don't. I'm just sayin' it's hard to believe you've brought in that many people when you're only eighteen."

"Nineteen, Marston. I'm nineteen."

"Whatever. Nineteen. Anyways, I'm just bein' "

"A pain in my ass?" she interjected with a quirky grin. "What else is new?"

"Oh, shut it, Maddie. If it weren't for me, your life wouldn't be interestin'. You'd just be off gettin' bounties and workin' on Bonnie's ranch if I wasn't around to keep you on your feet."

She rolled her eyes. "You're far from interesting, boy. If anything, I'd say you're a tragedy. Hell, you'd almost fit perfectly in a Shakespeare play. You're like Hamlet, or some other bandit, but with a less interesting storyline. An utter failure of a poet, flamboyantly-dressed, no less, is what you'd most likely be."

"And what about you? What would you be, some renegade princess ridin' around on her horse with your hair blowin' in the wind and firin' bullets into the sunset?"

"Maybe so, Jack, but I'd say that's better than bein' a "

She was cut off by the sounds of moaning and the thumping of a bed frame against the wall from the room next door. Her jaw dropped in horror and disgust.

For the longest second, Jack and Maddie sat staring awkwardly at each other. Jack felt his face flush terribly; not knowing what else to do, he laughed weakly and gave his companion an uncomfortable smirk. When the erotic noises intensified, Maddie pounded her fist three times on the wall and hollered, "KNOCK. IT. OFF! THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO DON'T NEED TO HEAR THAT!"

The couple next door, most likely a working girl and her client, abruptly stopped. Silence reigned for a lengthy minute before Maddie was able to give a relieved sigh. She hastily cleaned her repeater before reassembling it.

Jack had to chuckle at this. "Maddie, you do realize this is a saloon. Things like that are bound to be happenin'."

"Trust me, I'm aware of that," she huffed back. "I've endured my fair share of sleepless nights in a saloon, but if it's all right with you, I'd rather not try to talk over them while they're doing the deed over there."

"Fine by me."

"Now where was I before I was so disgustingly interrupted?"

He grinned. "You were saying something about me being a poet or something…?"

"Ah! That's right. Anyway, I think all in all we'd suit just fine in a Shakespeare play."

He rolled his eyes as he stuffed his belongings back into his duffel bag. "I wouldn't be so sure about that. I'm not one for poems and songs and tales of the olden days, not that far back at least."

She smirked and looked him over with a flicker of affection. "That's true, I suppose. But didn't you say you wanted to become a writer or something?"

He paused in his packing and frowned with sadness. "I did…once. Now I'm not so sure."

"Why not?"

Jack shoved the last of his belongings into the bag before dropping it on the floor beside his feet. He leaned down and began taking off his boots. Grunting with effort, he said, "Too much has happened to me to pick up on a dream long since lost. I don't think it would suit me well even if I tried."

Maddie's face softened into a sympathetic countenance as she encouraged, "But you should at least try. Hell, who knows what you might discover? You could write a best-seller and be well on your way into literary history like Shakespeare."

He scoffed as he took off his bandolier and guns. "I doubt it, Maddie. You said yourself my writing would be absolute shit." He stood and walked over to the armoire to retire his things within it.

Maddie watched him with a slight frown. "Yeah, but I was jokin', Marston. That's just how I talk to people."

"You could try bein' nice for a change," he said as he walked back to his bed. He took his hat off and placed it carefully atop his bag. "But I know you won't," he added as he took off his duster and tossed it over the edge of the bed frame.

"You'd be surprised, princess.I can be a lady sometimes. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's a rare and beautiful gift."

Jack guffawed as he sat down heavily on the bed. "I bet. But until such day comes, I'll keep believin' you're a bitter woman with a backbone made of steel."

"One day, I'll surprise you," she responded playfully, flashing her eyebrows. She stood up and retired her gun in the armoire. She took off her duster, vest, and hat and set them inside the armoire as well.

Jack watched her all the while, blushing slightly for some reason. When she turned and walked back to her bed, he averted her gaze.

"One day, I'll be the nicest woman you've ever met," she continued as she sat down on the edge of her bed. Her hair draped down her front and sides like a dark blanket of silk as she bent down and took off her boots. She flung back the bed sheets and climbed into bed with an exhausted sigh. "But," she said with a grin, "until such day comes, I'll just keep bein' myself."

Jack snorted through his nose. He too climbed into bed tiredly. "Somehow, I don't doubt that."

Maddie laughed as she drew the covers to her chin. She ran an arm underneath her shoulder and flicked her hair out from underneath her before settling into bed. "Get some sleep, Marston. Tomorrow, we bring in your first bounty, and we're gonna need all the preparation we can to be successful."

"Alright, then. 'Night, Miss Maddie."

"'Night, Jack."