"I don't think I've ever seen you like that, Davy."
"You thought I was just going to sit there?"
"Nah…I was just surprised."
The two men were huddled near the fire, trying to keep warm in the cold night. By Jack's watch, the sun should be rising within the next hour or so, but for now the sky was pitch black. The four Parker boys were tightly bound together and sitting inside the cave. Jack had relieved them of all their weapons, leaving them unarmed and unable to escape. Once the sun came up, they'd start into town with the criminals. Jack figured they could situate the men on the horses, bound to the saddle so they couldn't fall off, and tie the horses together to keep them all in line. That would leave him and David to share a single horse. The thought of riding against David made him both excited and uncomfortable.
"Well, there's a lot you don't know about me, Jack," David said as he pushed another log into the fire. "Just like there's a lot I don't know about you." He left the comment in the open; he didn't push Jack for details or attempt to bring up the past. Still, Jack heard the unasked question.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, David."
David managed a small smile. "I know. I just felt kind of lost without you. I mean, before I met you, I never dreamed of doing the things I did. I felt and thought things I never would have before. You leaving felt like you were taking a part of me with you. I guess I resented you a little bit. You were out there living your life and I…I was just living up to the expectations my parents had set."
"What? Being a doctor? Don't you like it?"
"I like it well enough," he said with a shrug. "I mean, it's nice to make money and to help people. But I have to admit, just being out here with you for a day has made me feel more alive than I have in a long while. Even between the crummy food and having a gun pointed at me, it was exciting, something new. And, again, you're the reason for it."
"Nah, I just acted like a dumbass and ran out into the desert. You're the one who made the choice to come after me. And thanks for that."
They sat in silence after that, staring into the lapping flames of the fire. Neither wanted to say what they were thinking, afraid the other would react badly. The weight of their feelings hung heavily upon their shoulders, almost suffocating. Finally, Jack could take no more.
"Davy—"
"I'm going to try and get some sleep," David interrupted. "Just give me a poke when you're ready to go."
Jack inwardly groaned, but didn't try again. He watched as David made a small pillow with his arms and curled up on the ground. "Good night, Dave," he whispered.
They rode into town early the next morning with their prisoners on board behind them. Jack sat behind David on the horse, keeping a tight hold on the reins. David, who had never been on a horse, clutched the grip tightly and emitted soft squeals anytime the horse went faster than the slow gait.
"It ain't that bad," an amused Jack intoned. "You ain't about the fall off or nothing."
"I don't have as much experience with these things as you do," David replied between clenched teeth.
"Maybe I could get this girl going to a gallop, see how you respond to that."
"Don't you dare!"
"Relax, Dave. It's just a joke. Besides, we got too much cargo to gallop," Jack said, nodding his head back to the Parker boys in tow.
The town loomed before them and soon they were strolling past buildings with people greeting Jack. It was the early hours of the morning, but there were still men standing outside their establishments, sweeping the front walks, and women washing the windows as they prepared to open shop for another day.
As Jack and David rode past, all of them stopped to stare. Two men riding by with four others bound and slung over horses; it wasn't something you saw everyday.
"Jack!"
A man about their age wearing a ten gallon hat was racing toward them. His holster bounced with his steps, making his guns clap against his thighs.
"Monroe," Jack greeted. "I suggest you run and tell the Sheriff. We got the Parker boys."
The man—Monroe, David assumed—let out a squeal of joy. "I knew if anyone was to get 'em, it'd be you! The whole town will want to throw you a party, I'm sure!"
"For now, a nice beer would suit me fine. And one for my friend here," he said, nodding his head to David.
"Sure thing! I'll let Sheriff Donner know!" With that, the man ran off in the opposite direction, shouting out to all who would listen that the Parker brothers had finally been captured.
Jack pulled their horse over to the side. "I'll slide off first and then help you," he said. Once David was on the ground, Jack tied the horse off to the post. "We'll bunker here for the night. Then tomorrow I'll get you on a train to Las Vegas. Denton should be waiting for you there."
David couldn't hide his disappointment. He'd imagined that, now that they had been reunited after all these years, they wouldn't be parting so soon. "Right," he said, trying to keep a smile. "I guess he'll be pretty worried."
"Well, can you blame him? You left him on the train while you ran into the desert after me. I'd be worried about you."
"You know, you could always come with me," David suggested. "I mean, I'm sure Medda and the other guys would love to see you too."
"Maybe," Jack replied noncommittally. He brushed the offer aside like a bug from his shoulder. "I suggest we get some real food in you, though. And beer."
"I don't really drink beer."
"Fine, then whiskey or whatever your poison is."
"I don't really drink at all."
Jack held back a laugh. "Well, then you've come to the wrong place. Out here, any respectable man could set his breath on fire."
"I didn't exactly choose to come here." David felt the irritation rising up again. He knew Jack was patronizing him and he hated it.
But they didn't have time to continue to budding spat. At that moment, Monroe rounded the corner with an older man who wore a silver star on the lapel of his shirt. His hair was white and a walrus mustache covered his upper lip. "See? I told you, Sheriff! Jack really did it! He got those Parker boys!"
"So he did." The Sheriff nodded to Jack, offering a hand to him. "Well done, Agent Kelly. I'm sure I speak for the town when I say we are indebted to you."
"It wasn't nothing, Sheriff Donner. In fact, my friend Davy here did most of the work."
"Davy?" Sheriff Donner said, likewise offering David his hand. "But what happened to Willy?"
"Dead, sir. He was shot on the train."
"I see. And where is the body?"
"Should be at the Santa Fe train station. We had to leave it on the train."
"I'll have someone go collect it. He'll be given a proper burial."
"Thank you, sir."
Sheriff Donner turned back to David. "And you are?"
"David Jacobs. I'm from New York."
"You're a long way from home."
"Yes, sir. I came down here with a friend, on our way to Nevada. I ran into Jack and…well, I wanted to help."
Jack slung and arm over David's shoulder. "Davy and me go way back."
"Well, I'm sure you'll need some lodging for the night, Mr. Jacobs."
"Yes, something cheap please." He realized with great embarrassment that he'd left his money with Denton.
"Nonsense! You're a hero! Every innkeeper in town will want you to stay with them, free of charge."
"I couldn't accept that."
"Of course you could, Dave!" Jack intervened. "We both will."
"As for you boys," Donner said, turning to the Parker brothers who had been dismantled from the horses, "I see a noose in all of your futures."
The brothers were led away toward the jail house to be incarcerated until their trial. David imagined that the trial would be swift with little doubt of the men's fates.
"We'll send word to Nevada," Monroe said. "Make sure your friend knows you're both okay. I can get you settled at the inn on Jefferson St. I suggest you both get ready for the party tonight at Town Hall! Everyone there will be buying you drinks!"
David and Jack were given twin rooms at the inn, with one bath area connecting the two. Neither had much in the way of luggage, nor were they presentable for any sort of party. The local clothing shop offered them new suits, free of charge, as thanks for ridding the town of the notorious outlaws.
David changed after a short wash. The suit was a little big, but he could make do. He buttoned the cuffs and slipped on the jacket, turning to examine himself in the full length standing mirror in the corner. He felt strange, so dressed up. The last time he had worn such a suit had been Les' wedding and the only time before that had been Sarah's wedding.
"Not bad, Jacobs."
He whirled to see Jack standing in the doorway of their shared bath area. He, too, wore a new suit, but he managed to look quite at ease in it.
"Uh, thanks."
"I'm not used to wearing this fancy kind of clothes," Jack said, likewise examining himself in the mirror. David found himself looking Jack over as well. The suit seemed to fit him just right, as though it had been made for his body. Jack had trimmed his facial hair, making him look less like a rugged frontiersman and more like an ordinary citizen of the town. The cowboy hat looked perfectly in place atop his head.
"It suits you." The moment David said the words, he felt a blush creep into his cheeks.
Jack gave him a side-long glance, obviously amused. "Well, thanks, Davy. That means a lot coming from you," he said, giving David a pat on the shoulder. He let his hand rest there for a few seconds, almost lingering.
"Jack…I…"
The door opened and Monroe peeked in. "Well, we got everything all set for you fellas! The food and drinks are all set up, the bands a'playin', and all we're waiting for is our guests of honor!" If Monroe's flushed appearance was any indication, he'd already enjoyed his share of booze. When David passed him, he noted the definite stench of alcohol on Monroe's breath.
"Can't keep the public waiting, huh, Dave?"
"I guess not," he mumbled.
When they stepped out into the town, the sun had already started to set and a cool, thin fog had settled around them. Amid the dark was a large mass of light located at the end of the street. The doors and windows of the Town Hall were open, letting out streams of light. The walls of the building seemed to vibrate as it tried to hold in the music and revelry. So full was the hall that some people had taken to enjoying the festivities outside, with more than one couple seeking comfort in the shadows for some canoodling.
"Don't it remind you of Irving Hall?" Jack asked as he and David made their way to the party.
At that David grinned, recalling thoughts of nights spent sneaking into the show, hiding in the wings as they enjoyed all kinds of acts, ranging from ventriloquists to acrobats. They—him and Jack and, on occasion, Les—would watch each act with wonder, entranced by the bright lights and loud music. Jack would whisper things to him, often disparaging remarks about the poorer acts or lascivious comments about the showgirls. David could remember the way Jack's mouth would sit right beside his ear, his breath brushing against David's skin, his arm slung lazily across David's shoulders. It always made his cheeks turn red. He always claimed it was the scantily-clad girls making him blush, but it wasn't. They were his least favorite part of his trips to Irving Hall.
"Remember the rally?" Jack continued, his own eyes glazing over as he recalled memories of New York and his time with the newsies. "Remember you, me, and Spot up on that stage, get everybody worked up? I never told nobody, but boy was I scared shitless up there."
That was a shock to David. "You were?"
"Well, yeah. It's not easy work going up against powerful guys like Pulitzer and Hearst. And all these guys looking up to me, expecting me to have all the answers? It can make a guy sweat."
David remembered sweating. He remembered sweating up there for a number of reasons, not all of them pertaining to the strike.
"So what were you saying before, Davy?"
"Huh?"
"Up there, in front of the mirror. It looked like you were going to say something."
David feigned ignorance, suddenly shy about continuing his previous thought. "Oh…I don't really remember."
"Oh. Okay. Well, if you do remember," he said, holding the door open for David, "I'm all ears."
They stood in the doorway of the hall, watching the party unfold. A band was on the stage playing as a woman in a red and black dress sang a rousing song, calling upon the townspeople to join in. The bar was open, the liquor flowing freely, and empty shot glasses covered the bar and tables. If you got rid of all the cowboy hats, it would look like your average vaudeville theatre, except rowdier.
The woman on stage took note and pointed to them mid-song, calling for everyone to welcome their heroes. The crowd surged forth and grabbed them, pulling them to their places of honor. They were practically shoved into their seats with fresh drinks placed before them. Before either of them could even get in a word, the women had surrounded Jack, with a pretty blonde perching herself on his lap.
"It was just so brave the way you went after the Parker boys," she cooed.
"Were you scared?" another asked.
Jack was taken aback by the sudden attention, but handled it with his same collected calmness he always had. "Actually, Davy did a lot of the work." But his words were in vain. The women had already latched onto him and there was no dissuading them.
David felt an anger bubble inside of him as he watched. He half-listened as a few other townspeople commended him for a job well-done. His hand clutched the drink; he didn't know what it was and he didn't ask.
"Dance with me?" one of the girls asked, pulling Jack to his feet before he could respond.
And off they went, stomping and twirling across the floor, keeping a haphazard beat in time with the band. Jack mostly let her lead, allowing himself to be pulled along for the ride.
David grabbed his drink and knocked it back, the strong taste only barely registering. He slammed the glass back down on the table, his eyes still affixed on Jack and his partner.
"Another drink, sir?"
"Yeah," he muttered, "and keep them coming."