Two days later, still no success in finding Billy or the others. Every hour that went by, I was beginning to regret even making the decision. Did I really want to be an outlaw? I had gone through three towns, and found no trace. I was leaving my forth town, still unsuccessful. I had gotten into one fight at a saloon, about four miles west of here. A fist fight yes, but instincts took over and I won. I scuttled out of there before the sheriff could check things out. This town was a small but loud town. When I first came rode it, I had a gut feeling that I struggled to control. It told me to turn around and run for the mountains. Not because it was a dangerous town, or I was scared. Far from it. But because I felt like I had just missed the boys I was looking for. Just barely. It was weird. But I searched the town anyway, feeling like it was to late to start after them anyway. A few men on horse back rode in, stopping to let the ladies cross the street. Some children played in the street with a ball or stick, while the older boys grouped together arm wrestling, wrestling, racing and having competitions. It made me think of Keith and the others. Quickly I pushed the thought away, feeling a little sick. I was just about out of town when a kid about Keith age, came in front of me.

"Howdy." He said, tipping his hat. I looked around my horse's head at him. No one had really talked to me I this town. Like I was a pass by soon to leave and not worth the time. But this boy had actually stopped my horse, and had a strong gaze back at him. He had ruffled black hair and bright blue eyes. A few freckles spotted across his nose. A regular shirt, vest and torn pants with a belt, hung loosely on his body. By the look of his build and hands, he was a farm boy. Strong and sturdy. But some farm boys have been known to cause trouble. I didn't know which one to set him as.

"Hi." I said back, in a kind voice. Underneath the disguise I was annoyed and angry, "Can I help you with something?"

"Um, yes you can." He said, holding my horse reigns, and petting him with such a sence that it made me think he was going to steal it. My mind flashed the my holsters. Empty. I had put my pistols away. What about my rifle? Slow down, I told myself. You're thinking to fast here. He might be a nice kid. "A telegram just came in for you." A telegram? And how exactly would that be possible. It was then I decided this kid was not to be played around with.

"A telegram huh?" I said. The boy nodded, looking up at him. His blue eyes starred straight into mine. They reminded me of Billy's, and for a second, I was distracted. "Scram kid." I said, and kicked my horse forward. But he pulled the reigns down, which made my arm jerk towards my rifle. I stopped myself. I didn't want to start another fight here. Especially after I was just about to leave.

"Aren't you Elisha?" he said. I stopped. How did he know my name? Maybe he was right about the telegram. But whoever sent it would know nobody knows me out here, so they would give a description… along with a name. Crap.

"How do you know my name?" I asked.

"The… telegram." He said slowly, "You know…"

"Yes I got it, thank you. Now scram." I snapped. But the boy did not let go. He kept his gaze firm on mine. What could he possibly want? My hand snaked around the saddle bag, and curled around one of my pistols. I pulled it out, keeping my movements hidden. I leaned forward in the saddle, and motioned for the boy to come closer, as if telling him a secret. "Look, I can't stay." I said, luring him closer. Two steps closer, and he was almost a foot from my face. I jerked my hand around, holding the pistol in his face. Nobody saw, because it looked like I was just leaning over in the saddle talking to him. The pistol was hidden, except for the mine and the boys eyes. "I've got business elsewhere. You want to stop me, you're gonna need more then a smart mouth." The boy starred at the gun, and gave a queasy smile.

"They said you would pull a gun on me. Said you'd be a lot of trouble to." he said. I starred at him. What was he talking about?

"Who's 'they'?" I asked quietly. He kept still, his eyes on the barrel.

"Jesse, and the others." He said. I starred at him hard. He was talking about Jesse James. The James Younger gang.

"Who are you?" I asked, "And don't make me ask twice."

"Whoa, whoa… hold on there. I didn't mean no harm." He said.

"I said don't make me ask twice." I said, cocking the pistol.

"I a Younger brother! I swear." He said keeping quiet, "Jesse's and Frank are my older cousins. Cole and Bob are my older brothers!" I caught his gaze.

"Names Jim, right? Jim Younger?" I said. The boy stopped, and looked up at me.

"How did you know… my name?" he asked. I chuckled and unlocked my pistol, putting it away.

"None of your concern." I said, with a smile "Why are you here? Why did you stop me? Is there really a telegram?"

"Well, no. Sorta. See, I have a message for you. I was suppose to hang back and give it to you." Well, he just proved my gut feeling of just mssing them was right.

"What's the message?"

"Oh um…" he cleared his throat, and his eyes went off to the side, trying to remember, "Jesse would like you to accompany him to dinner tonight, if you want to… show… no that's not it… um… if you want to disappear, please come." I stopped. How did Jesse know about the disappear thing? Billy. He had talked with Billy. No way. I scoffed, shaking my head.

"Where is this dinner?" I asked.

"Well I'll show you." He said, and took off. I kinda stood there dumbfounded for a second, wondering if I should follow. But he came back, this time on top of a horse. He led me out of town and towards the mountains. I wasn't sure I should follow him, but I had not gut feeling against it. So I kept my path straight, and followed. Just beyond the mountains ridge, as we followed a old dirt path, a house came to view. Smoke came from the chimney, and over five horses were tied to the fences. Jim went over and tied his, and tied mine for me. I dismounted, and pulled my gloves off looking around. "I'll.. go announce you're here." Jim said, his voice cracking with excitement. He went on ahead into the house, and I followed behind. I was about to just charge in, but I stopped myself and knocked. The door opened instantly, revealing Jim. Beyond him, was a sight I'll never forget in my entire life for as long as I live. Beyond Jim was a dinner table, covered in foods I never imagined. The smell made my stomach grumble and mouth water, but that's not what was so intriguing. Around that table were men, all standing up for the presence of a lady… me…. Those men were Jesse James, Cole Younger, Doc Scurlock, Shavez, and William H. Bonney. Never in my life would I have imagined this happening to me. Never.

I stepped in, a little unsure. All eyes on me. Billy's blue ones were unchanging, and for the first time, I could get nothing from the gaze. What would he say. Was he going to say anything? There was an empty seat at the head of the table, and one for Jim, further down. The table was nicely set with shinny plates and silverware. Jim pulled my chair out for me, and gave me a slight bow as I took my seat. Jim raced to his seat and took it. They all bowed their heads, and said grace. I did the same, with a silent prayer to keep this dinner without lead. We began to eat without a word. I was sure everybody wanted to say something, and kept thinking about saying it. I was. But I kept my mouth shut, and full of food.

"I talked with Billy eairler." Jesse broke the uneasy silence, "Told me all about you and that hand of steel you got." I said nothing, "told me it stared out as a kidnap. Ended up you saving their necks. He also told me, you knew their names, past lives, experiences and even some of their hobbies."

"Luck." I said, "Nothing more."

"Yeah, she knew my name to. She put her gun away right after she found out who I was." Jim said at the end of the table, "How does she do that?" everyone was quiet.

"So you going home?" Shavez asked. I stopped eating.

"I don't have one." I said. Everyone looked at me except Billy.

"Thought you lived in Lincoln?" Doc said. I frowned.

"It's complicated." I answered.

"Billy met you in a jail house right?" Steve said. I nodded, "And you got out all on your own, without raising so much of a spec of dust of alarm.' I nodded again. My eyes flickered over to Billy. He was starring at his food, unlike everyone else who's eyes were on me.

"Where is this going? You know all these answers." I said, setting my fork down.

"How come you ain't wearing iron?" Billy finally asked. Everyone was quiet. I licked my lips. I couldn't bring myself to look at him.

"I don't see where this is going." I said quietly. Billy blew. He jerked up, sending his plate across the table, and his chair crashing to the ground.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Billy yelled, looking straight at me. I forgot he had a heck of short leash on that temper of his. Everyone else was frozen, almost afraid to challenge his anger. I pushed my plate away, stood up calmly, and got in his face.

"What kind of question is that? YOU sent for me. YOU gave Jim the message for me to come here. So YOU tell me, why am I here?" I said. Billy glared, though I could tell he was a little taken aback I had stood up to him. But not surprised. He had no answer for me though. I waited. To my surprise, he picked up his chair, and sat back down, like he was giving up. He knew exactly how to break me down. I flopped back in my chair, rubbing my temples. "I don't need this right now." I said, "I know all about you guys. The outlaw life, and how it came to be and all that. Jesse, Frank, I'm sorry about you're mother. Jim, Cole, Ben, I'm sorry about you're family. Shavez, Doc, Charley… Billy… I'm sorry about John. To you it may have seemed like the world was lost. But what I lost…" I took a breath. It was now or never, "Really was a world. I can't tell you the meaning behind that, because you'd think I'm crazy. You'd think I've lost it and need to be behind bars for safety. But I have to figure out how to get back home. The only thing this mess left me in the beginning, was the clothes on my back. That's before I stole a horse and got a job." I felt tears choke back in my throat, "I don't know what I'm suppose to do."

"Then come with us." Billy said.

"Dang it Billy I CAN'T!" I yelled, "You don't get it do you!"

"I don't get why you're throwing away something that makes you smile! I don't get why you were living in that heap of a town with so called friends and family, and pretending like it would work! Then you find something you like, and dang good at it to, and you won't take it! You've obviously had a tough past. No one can imagine the pain and desperation you feel for that! You're trying to fix it… I got that much. But you just made up a fake life that don't suit you a bit. Then when the right one comes… you walk over it like dirt! You're right! I DON'T get it!"

"Billy…" Doc said, warningly.

"What you think becoming an outlaw will get me home Billy?" I yelled back. Doc looked at me, wondering if he should warm me to. But my eyes were a lit with a flame that scared him. "How? Huh Billy, HOW!"

"Connections!" Billy answered, "We look. You're an outlaw, you don't need to pay to get home. You jump a train, you steal a horse, food. Less time, even less money. How can we NOT find it!" I let out a loud frusterated growl, clenching my fists.

"BECAUSE IT"S NOT HERE!" I screamed, "It's not in the mountains, not the plains, tundra, west, east, south, north, or even over seas!"

"So you don't have one?" Cole said.

"Then why you look'in!" Billy said. We both ignored Cole, to caught up in our argument, "Why are you look'in for something that ain't there?"

"It IS, I just… it's not… AHHHH! I can't explain it! Alright? You won't believe me.

"Try me!" Billy snapped.

"NO!"

"WHY!"

"Because!" I yelled, I didn't know how to explain it without making me sound crazy. I could just tell them, they didn't get it so all I had to do was just say it. But there was no way.

"Just because?" he said dryly. I nodded, "Stop being so stubborn women! Why can't you just tell me!" I couldn't answer. The tears were burning in my eyes, but I refused to let them out. Billy saw I was trying not to cry.

"You are such an emotional, stubborn, self centered girl. I never should have even bought the cookies, and kidnapped you. You are just a load of trouble, like every other girl. Slash some words, push around, get what you want and cry. Cry, cry, cry. Typical girl." He said. I don't know what happened, but something snapped inside me. Before I could stop myself, I swung. Fists clenched tight, and a rage that led my kuckles to his face, I punched Billy the Kid across the face. He fell back and onto the ground.

"How's that for a typical girl." I snapped and stormed out. I walked right up to my horse, mounted, and spun it around. But I froze. There was shadows coming from the hill up in front of me. A lot of them. Ten…twenty people on horses. I looked up. It was the sheriff from the town, with a posse. But they weren't looking at me, they were looking at the door. I looked back. I had left it wide open, and a man was peeking in. He saw the fugitive, slammed the door and ran back to his horse next to the sheriff