So, we have finally reached the 100,000 mark! wow! I don't think I've written anything so long. I really do hope anyone still reading this is enjoying it as much as I am enjoying writing it.
I'd like to dedicate this to my soul mate and beta Chris, who I have been with for 9 years this month and it's also his birthday today! Thank you for encouraging me and having faith in me.
Also a huge hug and thank you to Virginia, I would never have meet you and found such a true and close friend without this story, I now hold both dear to my heart.
To all my reviewers and readers THANK YOU!
Thank you Beth, Diana, Larra, DustyRoad, Brainee, Winglo, Young-Guns-Chavez-Lover, buhtichki, Sk8er Chica, Damon's Puck Bunny, Reezon, luthien587 and everyone who has favourited my story or is finding some enjoyment in it, if I forgot to thank anyone I'm sorry and I thank you too ;)
Please enjoy :D
--
The air outside was crisp with cold and Bess could clearly see her breath appear before her as she was led over to where the horses were tethered. An old wooden open-top cart had been rigged to two of the horses and Bess guessed this would be their transport, the guards riding beside them.
Her eyes were drawn to the wooden fence that surrounded the cemetery; two burials were already taking place, Tommy and Charlie's. She closed her eyes tightly, fighting the burning sorrow that threatened to consume her, she wished to be standing beside the familiar faces that mourned her friends, mourning with them and saying her final goodbyes, but she would not be given that luxury. She glanced up and saw Billy's gaze was also fixed upon the proceedings, his eyes glassy, his lips a thin line.
Their attention was drawn away from the grim scene as a man made his way over from the cemetery towards them.
"Hola Pat" he said when he had gotten close enough to be heard.
Bess studied the man's features quickly and recognised that he was Pete Maxwell. She had never been formally introduced to him but she had seen him about town and knew Billy was a close friend of his.
He was dressed in a rough suit as if he was planning on taking an extended ride. His moustache was bushy and long, his black well-groomed hair in a fashionable style.
"Hello Pete" Pat greeted back.
"Can I speak to Billy?" he asked. His accent was thin, not quite as prominent as the other people who lived in the town.
"Just for a moment Pete, we're about to leave" Pat stated.
Pete gave Billy a warm smile, "Hola Billy."
"Hola Pete." Billy grinned, "Cuál es el problema?"
"Nada, Oí que usted había sido capturado." The man rubbed the back of his neck. Billy grinned and nodded. He looked back towards the cemetery, "Lo siento acerca de Tom y Charlie."
Billy gave a sad but certain nod as reply.
"Voy a decirles Doc y Chavez que tienen otras causas" Pete continued
"Gracias" Billy said, smiling.
Pete placed a hand upon Billy's arm, "Vuelva sin peligro mi amigo."
"Voy a." Billy grinned once more before turning back to the cart and letting the guards around him help him to his seat.
"Hey Pat" Billy said, turning to him.
"What?"
"If you could give Beever my bay mare, I owe him pesos."
Pat nodded, "Sure Billy."
Bess pulled herself up onto the cart and took a seat next to Billy. Dave took his seat opposite them and a guard sat next to him.
An older man took up the reins as Pat finished talking to Pete, instructing him on the handing over to Beever of Billy's mare.
Pat mounted his own horse and they began their journey. The cart lurched forward and began to rock gently as the horses plodded on at a slow trot.
Bess huddled against Billy for warmth; the blanket provided for them did little to keep out the chill air as they moved, but the pace was easy and the seating more comfortable than a saddle. Bess rested her head upon Billy's shoulder and closed her eyes, the gentle rocking of the cart and the nearness of his body working upon her and making her feel as if she could do nothing more than sleep. She felt Billy's fingertips brush her own underneath the blanket and grasped his hand, entwining her fingers in his.
--
Bess was jolted out of her light slumber as the cart came to an abrupt halt. She looked up to see a large town about her. She had no idea how long she had slept, but she assumed a good few hours had passed since she had last awoken half way through the journey and they had eaten an ample lunch at a small resting stop. She let her eyes take in the layout of Las Vegas, most of its buildings were brick or adobe but there were still a few wooden ones that stood. They were all ushered out of the cart and led towards a crude looking brick building. Bess guessed that this was the jail and she shivered. She became aware of many eyes looking their way and turned, a large crowd was gathering behind them, following their steps, many people pointed and whispered.
"It's the Kid, Billy the Kid." The announcement rippled through the crowd as eyes stared and lips parted in awe. Bess glanced over at Billy who was now also facing the crowd, wearing a broad grin.
"Sir, Sheriff Garrett!" A voice shouted from within the crowd, a small man in eye-glasses pushed his way to the front of the throng of people, he waved his arms over-dramatically.
"Sheriff, if I could get a few words from Mr. Bonney for the paper?" he asked, gesturing to his pad of paper.
Pat seemed to hesitate for a moment and then he nodded.
"Go ahead, make it brief."
The reporter grinned and began to scribble furiously upon his pad.
"You appear to take it easy Billy" the reporter said, addressing Billy and adjusting his spectacles.
"Yes!" Billy said gleefully, "What's the point of lookin' on the gloomy side of everythin'." He paused and gave the reporter a winning smile, "Laugh's on me this time." He winked and lifted his shackled hands for the crowd to see.
The crowd murmured laughter and Bess saw many of the faces smiling at Billy admiringly. Bess thought it strange so many people had come not to condemn him but to see him, as if Billy were some great Politician.
"Sheriff," the reporter continued, turning back to Pat, "who is the young lady travelling with you?" The man's eyes fell upon Bess and she shifted uncomfortably.
"This is my niece and is no concern to any paper" Pat stated flatly.
"Has she travelled with you? With the Kid?"
"Part way, but I won't allow her to be interviewed" Pat said glancing at Bess.
The reporter nodded.
Billy gave them all once last smile and a faint wave before Pat led him into the jail, Bess followed.
Inside the jail it was near freezing, a small fire burned as best it could, but the slightest draught took any warmth with it.
Billy turned and let his eyes fall over the cell he would soon be pushed into with Dave.
"Pat, this ain't fit enough for any dog!" he scolded. Pat ignored him and went over to a man that sat by the fire and began a hushed conversation. Bess peered into the small place covered by bars and could see at least two other men inside the cell.
Billy's voice distracted her as he began to speak.
"There was a big crowd gazin' at me wasn't there?" he grinned.
Bess nodded, "Yeah, it was a big crowd" she said faintly.
Billy's face flickered with a serious expression.
"Well, perhaps some of them will think me half a man now; everyone seems to think I was some kind of animal." He gave Pat a look of distaste.
Pat turned, having finished his talks.
"The papers like their tall-tales Billy, you know that better than anyone." Pat stated flatly.
"I guess so Pat." He smiled sourly.
Pat walked forward ignoring Billy's cool manner.
"Come on Bess." Pat said taking hold of her upper arm and giving her a gentle tug.
Bess' eyes found Billy, her panic fluttering.
"Where you takin' her Pat?" Billy asked and Pat turned to face him.
"She'll be stayin' at the hotel just across the street; she'll have her own guard."
"When will I see him again?" Bess asked quickly, her eyes flicked to Billy.
"Tomorrow I guess, come on."
Bess had no chance to say anymore as Pat led her away from the jail and Billy.
The hotel looked small but well presented; fresh red paint gleamed off the wood and welcomed her inside.
A woman sat at a large wooden desk. Pat walked towards her, his hand still wrapped around Bess' arm.
"One room please?"
"You stayin' together?"
"No, it's just for her" Pat said, gesturing casually to Bess.
The woman took Pat's money and handed over a small brass key. Pat led the way up the stairs and to the right door. He unlocked it and indicated for Bess to go inside.
"I'll come by in the morning" Pat said, and then, giving her no chance to reply or even turn to face him, he left. The key clicked in the lock and she was once again alone.
Bess leant back against the door, her heart still hammering harder than normal within her breast. Slowly she sank down to the floor and hugged her knees to her chest. She took in large gulps of air trying to still the panic that still threatened to rear within her, she hadn't expected so many people to have gathered to see Billy and the encounter had left her reeling, bringing the fact fully to her just how well known he was and for what actions he had thoughtlessly been accused of.
Finally feeling she had regained her composure she pushed herself back onto her feet and surveyed her new surroundings. The room was small but clean and well furnished. A single brass bedstead heaped with quilts stood in the centre, a wash-stand beside it and a free standing mirror stood at the end of the bed. A fire burned happily in a small hearth.
Bess walked forward and her eyes fell upon the ample window that looked out to the street below. She could see the jail a little way off down the street and wondered if Billy was alright amid the cold conditions of the place he was being kept. She shuddered at the thought and looked up at the sky, the light was already beginning to wane and Bess started to become fully aware of just how tired she felt. She quickly unbuttoned her blouse and removed her skirt. She shivered despite the fire and quickly got under the covers of the bed. She continued to shiver for several minutes before her body heat warmed the material around her and made it snug. Bess sunk further into the quilt and listened to the crackle of the fire as the light in the room darkened further. She closed her eyes and imagined Billy sleeping next to her, his arms wrapped around her middle, the warmth of his body against hers and his slow calm breathing as he slept deeply.
--
Bess awoke suddenly to the sound of harsh rapping upon the door. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and glanced out of the window, the sky was light; it was a few hours after dawn she guessed. The knocking sounded again and she hurriedly pulled the quilt around herself and got to her feet. She reached out to the door and then her hand fell as she realised she had no key to open it with.
"Hello?" she ventured.
"Morning Miss," replied a woman's voice on the other side of the door, "Sheriff Garrett asked me to bring you a few things and set up your bath, are you decent?"
Bess glanced down at the quilt and decided this would be enough to cover her modesty.
"Yes, come in." Bess stood back from the door as it clicked open and a middle-aged woman bustled into the room. She carried two large buckets of hot water; Bess saw there were several more waiting outside in the hallway. The woman emptied the buckets into the bath and repeated the exercise until the tub had enough water in it for Bess to bathe.
Bess looked over at the guard that must have been sat outside as he came in and placed a plate of breakfast and a mug of steaming hot coffee upon the wash-stand. The older woman hurried out of the room one last time and returned carrying Bess' saddlebag, she handed it into Bess' hands.
"Sheriff Garrett said to be ready within the hour, your cousin sure locks you up tight Miss, not that I blame him in these kinds of towns." She looked Bess up and down, "After this mornin' he's not takin' any chances though, I bet." The woman placed her hands on her hips.
"What do you mean?"
"He's having to move the prisoners on to Santa Fe, you'll all be catching the train… lynch mob turned up wanting Dave Rudabaugh, not that I blame them; he killed our deputy a while back. Sheriff wants to move out before things get any worse than a rowdy crowd." The woman made for the door, "He said he come get you when it was time."
"Are the prisoners okay?" Bess called after the woman.
The woman stopped and turned around, she eyed Bess suspiciously.
"I expect so, Sheriff knows what he's doin'." She turned once more and walked out of the room, followed by the guard.
Bess ate her breakfast in rushed gulps and drained the mug of coffee.
She quickly bathed and dressed herself in the last clean clothing she had, a dark green simply printed dress. She rummaged around in her pack and brought out her comb and after combing her damp hair she fixed it up on her head in a smart bun. She turned and looked at herself in the mirror, the fashionable style made her look quite severe, bringing to attention the sharp almond shape of her eyes, the darkness of her lashes and eyebrows beside her pale skin. Bess thought she actually looked quite respectable for once, she smiled a little sadly as she thought of Billy, he would certainly dislike it, he preferred her hair free and wild about her shoulders. There had been times when they had lain together in the dim candlelight and he had stroked and touched her hair for hours, content in the moments after their love making.
She smiled again at her reflection, at the thought of seeing him again, each night that passed without him beside her felt like a month now that their love was back to how it should always have been.
A knock sounded from the door and Bess called for the person outside to enter. Pat opened the door and seemed to do a double take as his gaze fell upon her.
"You look better than yesterday; I guess long journeys are no place for a lady." He paused, studying her face. "I don't think the life you been leading is the life for a lady" he ventured.
Bess regarded him coldly and then slung the saddlebag over her shoulder.
"Don't lecture me Patrick," she seethed, "just take me to the damn train."
Pat ignored her sour words. "Everyone's waitin' for us; I guess we should go now if you're ready."
Bess nodded and followed him out of the room. Pat glanced at her over his shoulder as they began the descent down the stairs.
"Crowd's gettin' ugly; we need to move on quickly."
Bess nodded, "So I heard." She quickened her step.
Translations:
Cuál es el problema – What's wrong
Nada, Oí que usted había sido capturado – Nothing, I heard you had been captured
Lo siento acerca de Tom y Charlie – Sorry about Tom and Charlie
Voy a decirles Doc y Chavez que tienen otras causas - I will tell Doc and Chavez if they come back
Vuelva sin peligro mi amigo – Return safely my friend
Voy a – I will