I hope that everyone is still enjoying, I'm really enjoying writing this.
Again, big thanks to Scarlettt666 for her support, reviews and friendship :)
This is now the longest fic I've ever written! I'm quite proud of myself over that :D
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They rode on until the sun began to set upon the horizon. Bess sagged heavily in her saddle, the sweat beaded across her brow.
Tom was riding by her side looking as if he were about to faint dead away. Bess reached to the side of her saddle and grasped fruitlessly for a moment before her hand enclosed around the water-skin she carried. She pulled it up and uncorked the top.
"Tommy" she said, bringing the boy a little out of his stupor.
Tom gladly took the water-skin from her and had a long drink.
"You okay?" Bess added, concerned by the boy's fragile state.
Tom nodded and handed the skin back to her.
"Yeah" he said, sounding out of breath. "Never ridden so long without a break, we always used to stop at lots of places when we headed out somewhere."
Bess smiled reassuringly, "Well, we're nearly there." She gestured in front of them where a town could now be seen. Tom smiled weakly and bowed his head.
Bess saw Billy riding towards them and he smiled as he reined his horse in to ride alongside her.
"Almost there" he said cockily.
"Good" Bess stated in annoyance. "How's Chavez?"
Billy nodded, "Fine."
Bess forced a smile, "Keep a watch on Tommy; he's not lookin' so good."
Billy furrowed his brow but nodded slowly.
The familiar white town now loomed over them and Bess felt nausea welling up inside her. She glanced over at Billy but he seemed oblivious to her fears of returning to this town. Bess bit her lip; she couldn't deny the boys a good bed and good food just because the place held some bad memories for her. She looked over at the rest of them, at Chavez who looked near full asleep in his saddle; she felt a pang of guilt for even thinking badly of coming here. She glanced up again and was startled to see Dave starring directly at her, a cruel smile twisting upon his lips. She quickly looked away and took a deep breath stilling her panicked heart.
They rode slowly into the town and Bess looked down at the sign that read 'White Oaks' bringing back awful memories of that night. She closed her eyes, trying to control her emotions. When she re-opened them her attention was caught by a smaller sign that had been nailed below the place name.
"We will not tolerate scum"
Bess glanced around at the houses, feeling a growing sense of unease. She saw a few white lace curtains twitch in windows and knew they were being watched.
Tom looked over at Billy his brow furrowed.
"What's sc-sc..." he tried, his nerves getting the best of him.
"Scum" Billy finished for him. "Well Tommy that's the bad-types" he smiled slyly. "Politicians, cattle kings, newspaper writers, bankers… Scum." He gave Tom a cheeky grin.
Bess glanced over to Doc and saw he was giving Chavez a worried look, her nerves bristled.
They hitched their horses in a small barn at the side of the house and made their way up onto the wooden porch. Bess felt the sick feeling in her stomach rise; she didn't want to be here. She grasped Tom's hand for support and upon seeing her pale face Tom squeezed her hand for comfort. Billy glanced over, his brow furrowing slightly before he pulled Bess away from Tom's grip and took her hand forcefully into his own. He winked at Tom as if no more needed to be said.
Doc pulled on the ornate bell pull, resulting in a musical tinkling, and they waited. It was not long before a young serving girl opened the door and studied them for a moment; upon recognising some of their faces she opened the door wide, welcoming them inside with a gesture of her hand.
Bess stepped into that all too familiar room with its fancy rugs, bar and pictures, her stomach clenching into a painful knot which she tried her hardest to dispel.
Suddenly a woman came out of a side door; Bess instantly recognised her red hair and Bess' eyes narrowed in clear dislike. The woman before her was dressed in a fine crimson velvet bustle gown that clung to all the right places of her figure. Her hair was pulled on top of her head in a fashionable style, fixed in place with large amber pins. Her face was angular and pretty but Bess thought she would have looked better without the pounds of make-up she had slathered upon it. She didn't look any older than twenty eight and her firm, curvy figure stood testament to that.
"Well, I'll be hog tied and sent to Hades!" the woman cried in her sweet, gravelly voice. "Didn't think I'd see you again for a long while after last time Bonney" she stated, giving him a warm embrace. Bess narrowed her eyes further as the woman wrapped her arms around her husband. Billy smiled at the woman and Bess seethed.
"How many wicked boys did you bring?" she cried playfully, seeing the other men stood behind Billy, and began to count them silently with her finger. "Six wicked boys! Wicked and wanted or just plain wicked?" She winked suggestively at Billy and Bess bristled.
"Thousand dollars on me" Billy said proudly.
"I heard five hundred" Jane replied.
"You heard wrong" Billy stated with a grin.
"Well Jane," Billy said smiling, "we needed some help, figured you'd be the lady to do it" he winked.
Jane studied him for a moment.
"I never could stay mad at you Kid" she stated with a slight sigh and winked back at him. Bess stepped forward and grasped Billy's arm casually.
Billy smiled at Jane in a knowing way and absent mindedly wrapped his arm about Bess' shoulders. This seemed to grab Jane's attention to finally seeing the young girl among all the men. She stared at Bess for a long moment.
"And who is this?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow at Billy.
Billy looked down at Bess as if just fully noticing she was there also.
"Oh," he said, and grinned, "Jane, meet Bess, my girl."
Jane smiled at Bess a little sourly.
"Another girl Billy?" she sighed.
Bess narrowed her eyes, her thumb touching the ring upon her finger for reassurance.
"You didn't have to bring one" Jane continued, and gestured to the large table behind her where seven elegantly dressed women sat playing a game of cards. "You know we'll always entertain you for free here" she smiled slyly.
Bess scowled, this dressed up whore had just called her a whore! Bess felt her temper boil over.
"Say that again you God damn bitch!" Bess spat, starting forward, her anger and patience snapped. Billy grabbed Bess' arm and pulled her back, giggling softly.
"Quiet Bess" he scolded playfully and Bess glowered at him. Billy pushed her back to Chavez who held her gently preventing her from causing any trouble.
Billy was still smiling, but it was a fake smile, the kind that signalled his mood could change if he didn't get what he wanted.
"Jane," Billy said, his voice teetering on annoyance, "she ain't no Dove, she's my girl."
Jane studied him, slightly shocked by his tone and words. "Watch what you say or I'll get mad." He watched her expression intently, his eyes dancing. "Besides, I think she could take you in a fight, she's tougher than she looks." Billy smiled cheekily, and Jane let out a sweet laugh.
"Well stone me Bonney" she cried, fully amused, "didn't think you were the sort." She glanced at Bess, her eyes twinkling with humour.
Jane walked towards Bess and Bess glared at her.
"Well, Honey, excuse my rudeness." She held her hand out and Bess stared down at it as if it were a dead weasel.
"No hard feelings for bad mistakes" Jane said, smiling kindly. Finally Bess nodded slowly, knowing full well that any kind of fighting would put them all in danger. Chavez let go of his grip on her and Bess grasped the woman's hand in her own and shook it, eyeing her reproachfully.
Jane smiled and beckoned them further in.
"Chavez needs some attention" Billy said, glancing back at his friend. Jane bustled forward to Chavez and slowly unwrapped the scarf around his forearm.
"Jesus, Chavez… that's nasty!" she said, pulling a face. "Sallie, you tend to this."
A pretty woman with blond hair rose from the table and walked up to Jane.
"Her daddy was a doctor, 'fore he was killed," Jane said, looking at the young woman, "she'll tend to your wound."
Sallie beckoned Chavez upstairs.
"I guess you'll all be wantin' a bath." She wrinkled her nose at their combined aroma and gestured to the small serving girl to prepare baths.
Jane led them to the bar where everyone took up a seat as Jane poured them a tot of Bourbon each. She glanced over at Bess again her eyes lingering upon her face.
"My, Kid!" she exclaimed. "She's a pretty little thing ain't she." She smiled at Bess, "Wish I'd found her first, business would sure pick up with a pretty fresh face like that." She gave a rasping laugh and Bess narrowed her eyes.
"Ya have a copy of the New Mexican Jane?" Let's see what they're sayin' about me today" Billy said, ignoring Jane's comments and winking at Bess.
"They're sayin' you don't have long for The Territory Kid" Jane said, picking up a newspaper and handing it to Billy.
"We don't" Billy said, taking the paper from her. "We're goin' for the border."
"Garrett's in there too" Jane said, gesturing to the paper, her face twisting in disgust. "What the hell is Patrick playin' at? Chasin' y'all?" Her brow furrowed and her dark green eyes seemed pained some. "Always liked him, I just don't follow this" she sighed.
"I guess he needed a job." Billy said coolly.
"Well, he ain't welcome here no more." Jane stated with a sniff.
Billy nodded in appreciation and smiled.
He began to scan the newspaper and then his eyes lit up, although it was hard to tell if it was delight or anger.
"Pat's married!" He sounded half amused and half shocked.
Jane nodded and poured herself another drink.
Bess stared at Billy, puzzled "Married, when?"
"Two weeks back at Fort Sumner, a Mexican woman." Billy's brow furrowed, "It was just after we set out." Billy glanced over to Doc who sat nursing his glass. "You remember Patsy having a long term woman?" he asked.
Doc shook his head, "Many one time women" Doc said dryly, and Billy nodded.
"Seems odd he married so quick."
Doc held out his hand for the paper and Billy passed it to him.
"It's only being reported cause of you Kid, cause he's on your trail."
Billy nodded.
Charlie glanced about nervously, "You sure we ain't got nothin' to worry about Billy?"
Billy nodded, "I got us outta worse Charlie." He winked knowingly at his friend and Charlie nodded reluctantly.
Billy glanced over at Jane, bored by the talk.
"You got any taffy Jane?"
Jane let out another rasping laugh and bent over the counter, retrieving a glass jar full of candy. She handed it to Billy who quickly fished a piece out and popped it into his mouth.
"Always keep a jar for you Kid" she smiled. "I guess the rest of you boys'll be wantin' some fun upstairs" she stated.
Billy nodded, "Bet they would" he said with a sly smile.
Dave grinned, got up from his seat and walked toward the table of women. He grabbed hold of a woman and helped her up from the table. The woman gave a girlish giggle and began to lead him upstairs. Bess noticed with a sickening lunge to her stomach that the girl bore a slight resemblance to herself. Dave mounted the steps, turned and gave her a sly smirk. Bess looked away not wanting to dwell on the darker thoughts inside her mind, of what he would make the young Dove do to better believe it was Bess he bedded.
"I guess you'll be wantin' your own room" Jane said to Billy, bringing Bess out of the awful thought. Billy nodded and Jane turned to Bess, her eyes narrowing playfully.
"How old is she anyhow?"
"I'm seventeen" Bess said sternly before Billy could answer, annoyed by the woman's seeming reluctance to address Bess herself.
Jane regarded her and then cracked a smile.
"She's got spirit, Kid" she said with a raspy laugh. "I guess she has to, to be around you."
Billy laughed with her.
"Hey Billy," Jane continued, turning back to him, "ain't it your birthday tomorrow?"
Billy smiled and nodded.
"Well then," Jane said, "we'll have to make y'all a good meal tomorrow." She walked forward towards Doc.
Bess noticed that Tom had already gone to a Dove's side and was helping her out of her seat, she couldn't help but wonder if it was the same one he had bedded the last time he was here.
Jane caught Doc's hand. "You fancy some entertainment Doc?" she asked huskily. "'Been a long time."
Doc smiled warmly, "I'll drink with you Jane but that's as far as it goes."
Jane seemed to look a little disappointed but quickly regained herself.
"Well, a drink sounds just fine" she smiled.
"Ma'am," Charlie said timidly, "I'd rather sleep alone, I'm a married man."
Jane glanced him over and smirked approvingly. "Two good men here tonight." She laughed sweetly, "I'll be out of business!"
Doc laughed and offered his arm to her. "Want to join us in a drink Charlie?" he asked.
Charlie nodded and they made their way upstairs.
"Let's go up too" Billy said, grabbing Bess' hand and pulling her towards the stairs. Once at the top of the steps he led her to one of the many side rooms. Inside was clean, a freshly made bed stood near a window and the largest bath Bess had ever seen stood by the fire, wisps of steam swirling from the water within it.
On a table near the bath were two plates of hot potato stew and a bottle of bourbon. Bess quickly began to eat and within minutes had cleared the plate. She then wasted no time in peeling off her dirty, sweat covered clothing and easing herself into the hot water as Billy himself undressed. He laid his holsters over the back of a chair and then climbed into the bath opposite Bess.
Bess picked up the wash cloth and lathered it with soap before cleaning her body and rinsing her hair. She wiped the water from her eyes and passed the cloth to Billy. Billy took the cloth but did not set about washing himself; instead his eyes remained fixed upon Bess and her half concealed naked body, the soap suds now hiding most of her modesty.
Bess looked over at him and smiled uneasily.
"What?" Billy asked.
Bess looked down at the water. "Didn't think we'd end up here together is all" Bess said.
Billy's eyes danced with amusement for a moment.
"Jane's my friend, and a Dove." He paused watching her expression, "Nothin' more."
Bess looked up at him; he was now washing himself clean.
"Besides," Billy said smiling, "I have you."
Bess smiled, her fears eased. Billy glanced at her, his eyes raking across her face, neck and tops of her breasts, he sighed longingly.
"You look good tonight" he smiled cheekily, his eyes now dancing with desire.
Bess smiled and nudged his thigh playfully with her foot. Billy grinned, took a deep breath and disappeared under the water. Bess laughed and then gasped in surprise as she felt his hand upon her leg. Billy resurfaced, his face now inches away and his body pressed against hers. Bess smiled as his lips found hers in a deep passionate kiss and his hand found her breast, kneading it gently between his fingers. He abandoned her lips and began to trail soft kisses down her chest, then, giving her a mischievous grin he submerged himself underwater once more. Bess' brow furrowed questioningly until the touch of his mouth between her thighs made her throw back her head with unexpected pleasure and a low moan escaped her lips. He kissed, teased and licked for a few moments before resurfacing again, a sly smile upon his lips. He buried his face into her neck sending shivers through her skin at his touch. Her hand entangled into his wet hair as he nudged her legs apart and then slowly eased himself into her, letting out a sharp gasp of enjoyment. They grasped onto to each other as they took their pleasure, the water splashing over the edge of the bath tub in small waves onto the wooden floor with each thrust… all doubts forgotten.