They were quickly got into town and had gone to the hotel where Brakenreid, George and Julia was supposed to stay in Winnipeg. They helped William, still ailing, to descend from the carriage and go into the building.
-We need a fourth bedroom, threw the Inspector.
-You do not want rather take him to the hospital? Launched the hotel watching William supported by Julia and George, because he looks really bad.
-No hospital, muttered Detective Murdoch.
-We have a doctor, said Brakenreid, then you still have a spare room?
-Yes, on the same level as yours.
-Perfect, sighed Brakenreid taking the keys he held out.
They then joined the elevator and went up all four. Once upstairs, they entered the room, the closest of the four. Inside, they went to bed while Brakenreid looked the room with interest.
-Rather pretty, mine is smaller.
But his colleagues didn't paid him any attention, accompanying William onto the bed to sit in a sigh of pain.
-George, can you help me to undress him, please? Julia whispered.
Her friend just nodded and pulled William's shoes of while the young woman was about to open his pants. He put his hands on hers and looked at her. When caught her eye, she froze.
-I better look clean laundry to clean your wounds, I am not? Murmured she.
William nodded and Julia immediately get away to go to the bathroom adjacent to which the Inspector Brakenreid admired decoration.
-Do you need your medecine bag to treat Murdoch?
-Yes, it stayed at his hotel, there will be disinfectant, syringes, bandages.
-I will ask Crabtree to take it and restore Murdoch's things at the same time.
-Thanks, Julia whispered by filling a basin of water and seeking towels.
Brakenreid didn't wait a second longer to leave the room, she did the same a few short minutes later, holding in her arms a basin.
She came into the room again and found William sitting on the bed, his back to the amount of dark cloth, a blanket amount onto his waist. She smiled and approached him slowly, noticing he was alone. She put the bowl on the bedside table before dipping a cloth and put it to the young man who just watched in silence.
She applied the cloth on his skin and he closed his eyes to this contact, smiling shyly. Julia did the same, watching him a few seconds before applying to clean his chest, watching with interest the way of the wet cloth. She noticed that sometimes William tended stifling a sigh of pain when she approached of some injuries. She took advantage of the fact that he had his eyes closed to focus on his face and clean the blood was still there.
-Do you have wounds on the legs or back?
-Back, William murmured, opening his eyes, but it is alright Julia, I ...
-Rise up, she ordered yet with tenderness.
-They are not deep and ...
-And they could become infected, cut the young woman, I owe you clean and when George bring me my bag I will also disinfect them, I do not want your condition worsens in the coming days.
-You brought your medicine bag?
-I know you Detective, Julia replied with a smile, I knew you would not be prudent.
-Says the one that has crossed half the country knowing that she threw herself into a trap to meet me in an abandoned cabin without taking the time to call for reinforcements.
-I left a note before leaving your room, Julia was shocked, and I had a gun, and now picking up.
He sighed, shaking his head from side to side a few moments before obey her, somehow. Julia leaned over him, placing a hand on his chest to help him stand out in that position. He struggled a moment, biting lips, but yet he savored the sensation of Julia's fingers on the skin of his back and his chest. He felt again a lock of her hair caressing his cheek as she was near and he closed his eyes to savor the closeness. Then she made him lie down again, leaving drag the clothes in the tub again but not removing her hand was on his skin.
He then looked carefully before gently grab her hand and his fingers tighten it. Julia finally looked at him and he couldn't help to gently take this curl of her face to put behind her ear.
-I meant what I tell you in this meadow Julia, he said softly, letting his hand stroking her hair, I admire you. You are a strong and brave woman, scandalous and brash, bounded, gentle, loving, compassionate, and beautiful, incredibly beautiful.
She smiled shyly and slowly he brought his face close to hers to come stroking his nose with hers.
-You were incredible today. But I fear that this will haunt you throughout your life. You killed a man Julia.
-This man threatened your life, he hurt me several times. There a few years ago I killed a man William, to defend myself and I felt remorse but not today. I knew that I was taking the weapon to use it against him.
-I understand that you had an idea in your mind, he smiled, you had that look that you sometimes have.
-I had to kill him for us, and I am at peace with myself.
-You are the most amazing woman that I have met , but promise me that if one day remorse haunt you, if your nights are overgrown nightmares, you will speak to me.
-I promise you, Julia whispered gently stroking his cheek.
He smiled and leaned forward to touch her lips with his few seconds.
-You are hurt William, your lips ...
-Nothing is sweeter than your kisses, gently cut the young man on her lips before kissing her tenderly, and I want to know this the rest of my life.
-Well, in the meantime I advise you to rest.
-I can not when you are with me.
-You were at the gates of death William, Julia threw away some of him, we have all the time to love later, but please get some rest.
-Give me a kiss, just a kiss, he said almost pleading smiling.
She did the same and didn't resist any longer, capturing his lips and just after slipping her tongue into his mouth for a long, deep kiss that made them forget everything except their love to each other.
-I have your bag and Doctor ...
They parted in a jump when George entered the bedroom. They just looked and the young man stood there in silence.
-Bring it to me please, Julia threw the most innocent of the world, William must be treated quickly.
George came and Julia reached into the bag a few minutes before removing what she needed to take care of William.
-I'll get the rest of your things I brought yours too Sir. frankly, there was not much in your room. I bring you back everything here, it's down the hall.
The couple just nodded and in a clearing of the throat, George left the room, closing the door behind him. Therefore Julia didn't gave a look at William, trying to focus on the task and not succumb to his body that she knew almost naked in front of her. She tried not to be attracted by the desire to kiss his chest, by the desire to remove the blanket that covered him to make her way with him. She fought with all her strength and she felt a young man's hand stroking her thigh and gently back on her hip, she couldn't help but bite her lip.
-Do not do that William, I beg you. You really need to rest and ...
He didn't answer, and took again her hand to kiss it and drop his gaze deep in hers.
-I was also serious when I told you that I loved you and I wanted to marry you.
-I was telling you that you must you rest.
He didn't answer and two shots were worn on the wood of the door.
-Doctor? Inspector? May I come inside?
They exchanged glances and laughed softly as Julia left the bed.
-Yes, George, William launched.
He entered with the bags they had brought and Julia packed, then she turned again to William.
-Rest, I gave you a dose of heroin, it will knock you a bit but it will ease the pain. I go to my room to freshen me and change me, I'll come back later to see your status.
He nodded and smiled before Julia walk next to George and take her own suitcase.
-Thank you George, she said softly before leaving the room and giving a tender look at William before leaving.
He stared a moment where she was stay, not noticing the presence of George, who was still looking.
-Well I'll let you sleep, sir, 'he said softly, as the Doctor said, added the young man, pointing to the door.
-Before that, I have a favor to ask George if you do not mind.
-I am listent to you.
-There are a few money in the wooden box you see there, can you get me something to eat with this? Bread, ham, what you can pay with, oh and also a bottle of absinthe.
-Well, sir, 'replied the young man opened the box.
He took the coins between his fingers and a piece of braided leather and tied to form a circle.
-And give me this too.
-You need it for an invention? George threw leaning toward him to hand him. It is very beautiful, it is looks like a ring.
He locked eyes with William who smiled an embarrassed air yet.
-I see, George whispered, smiling also, I will try to find what you ask me and I will round to the nearest park, just to see if there is a corner out of sight of sight where you can be still an hour or two.
-Thank you George, William replied shyly.
He smiled again and left the room, leaving him alone. William immediately closed his eyes, finally savoring the quiet, warmth and peace. Heroin should take effect, fatigue also because in a few seconds, he fell asleep peacefully.
To be continued...
