A/N: And I'm back with more Young Guns! Each chapter of this story will be a one shot, set on a specific day that had some significance for Billy and/or Jessie between the end of the Battle of Lincoln and the opening scenes from Young Guns II.

There will not be a specific timetable for updates on this one since I'll just be adding them as the inspiration to write each little moment strikes me. (But they will be in chronological order.)

Up first: July 19, 1878. I'm not sure what day the McSween fire/siege supposedly happened in Young Guns, so I'm going with the historical date.

And sadly, I do not own Young Guns, Young Guns II, or any of the recognizable characters, settings, scenes, plots, etc. Only my OC.

July 19, 1878

Smoke hung in the air even this far out of Lincoln, the acrid stench drifting from his clothes and hair. The bullet in his shoulder burned and stung.

But all Billy could really feel right now was relief. And pride.

Relief that it was over, that John was avenged now that Murphy and Dolan lay dead. Pride in his boys for backing him all the way and coming out on top, even with those blasted soldiers standing against them.

"What now, Billy?" Doc sat his stolen horse, Yen's arms wrapped around his waist.

"It's over," he said softly, the breeze tousling his hair. "We finished the game."

"What if they don't let us go?" Jessie left Chavez and walked her horse closer, the stench of smoke as thick on her as it was on the rest of them.

"Who's left to send them after us – Peppin?" Billy snorted. "He ain't got the nerve for that. All we got to do now is find somewhere to lay low until it all blows over."

"Not me, Chivato." Chavez backed his horse. "Our paths must split for now, I have to find out if there's anyone left of my people."

"But –"

"I will return." He reined his horse around to the West. "When I have finished my game."

"Be safe, Chavez," Jessie said. He nodded.

"You, too, Gata." Then he was gone, riding off into the distance. Billy stared after him until he was out of sight. Doc cleared his throat, bringing Billy's head around.

"We'll head up to Fort Sumner, it seemed safe enough before until Kinney showed up. As long as they don't come after us for this."

"Why should they?" Billy's horse sidestepped. "We won!" He flung his hand back in the direction of Lincoln. "We proved the Ring can be beaten." But not without cost. His throat closed as his last memories of Alex and Steve replayed in his head. "The governor can't sweep this under his rug, the whole country will hear about it and the President will have to do something."

"But what will he do?" Jessie shifted in her saddle and pressed a hand to her arm with a faint hiss. "Damn Peppin." She checked the damage. "He ruined my favorite shirt." Doc laughed, the sound only lasting a few seconds before he swallowed hard and stared back towards Lincoln.

"It's just us, now, huh?"

"Yeah." Billy looked down at his saddle, then around the ring of faces. Only five now, where there had been seven … he glanced over at Jessie. If she hadn't made Charlie stay in Juarez, would they be down to four? "They can rest easy, now, Doc."

"We'll see you, Billy." He reined his horse around; Yen waved good-bye with a watery smile. And then he was alone with the breeze and the mountains in the distance.

Again.

"So where do we go, Billy Bonney?" He jerked like he'd been shot.

"You're not leaving?" Leaving me, his mind added. She snorted.

"I am going back into Lincoln to deal with some unfinished business, but after that … I'm almost afraid to believe it's over."

"Your fa – Dolan's dead. Murphy's dead. Ain't no one left can pay that bounty." She gave him a sharp look, nudged her horse closer until the animals bumped shoulders.

"I said if you got us out of there, I'd follow you anywhere. So where to?"

"Jess –"

"Billy." They stared each other down for several minutes. Billy looked away first. Why did she have to be so damn loyal?

"You don't even like me."

"What difference does that make? We're both Regulators."

"Fine, Jess, but if you ever want to leave, go right ahead." She smirked.

"You first." He looked up and scanned the horizon.

"Patricio," he said softly. "That's where we'll wait it out." It shouldn't take long, and then they could do whatever they wanted, run cattle, or even bring John's dreams to life at last. Billy spared one last glance back at the plume of smoke that hovered over Lincoln.

"It's over, John."