A Given Purpose

Target Acquired

Sadie peered from over the slight ridge, her entire body coiled tighter than a cobra about to strike. They had entered William Burke's last known location and the adrenaline from the hunt was coursing through her veins.

Jack moved in beside her, binoculars already drawn. Excitement radiated from the young man, and she idly wondered if he'd ever done this before. Some may call her crazy, for inviting a possible newbie along for the ride. But as long as he listened carefully to her instructions then she knew they'd be just fine.

"Over there. By the woodshed. You see him?" Sadie questioned, lowering the binoculars in hand before reaching for her gun. "I see him." With a plan of action already thought out the Hunter slowly stood. "You wait here and cover me while I go in. Only saw a couple of 'em." The protest died on Jack's lips despite his desperate need to prove himself. And perhaps he would have pushed on further if it weren't for the glare Sadie threw his way, the one that rather resembled the cracking of a whip.

A single nod and Sadie began to descend the rocky slope, barely sliding or stumbling on the unsteady incline. With her guns fully loaded and her eyes locked onto her target she began to stroll towards the entrance, a cocky swagger in her hips as she was finally sighted.

Jack fidgeted from his hiding spot, his eye latched onto the scope of his rifle. He wasn't the best shot, having not listened when his Pa had tried to teach him. But he was good enough, his finger poised close to the trigger.

"Hey fella's. I'm lookin' for a Mister Burke if ya seen him around?" The ruse of politeness didn't sit well with the Hunter, the sickly-sweet smile all but ruining her facade. Not that she really cared. She expected this to become a shootout whether her acting skills were up to scratch or not.

Sadie dived for a nearby rock for cover as bullets began to spray her, her head momentarily coming up to peer over the boulder. "I guess we're doin' this the hard way then." She muttered offhandedly to herself, her own shots firing towards the closest threat. "Time to break up the party boys!" Sadie taunted, a bullet lodging itself in one of the men's chest.

Jack watched on in amazement as Sadie single-handedly eliminated every man in the area, his own bullets only managing to cover rather than kill. He knew she did this all the time, and sometimes had the help of his father many years ago but seeing her in action made him feel like he had a purpose again for the first time in a long time. Right then he saw his future, something that had always seemed so out of reach. Not too long ago he'd expected to receive a bullet or noose for killing Edgar Ross as an act of revenge. Now he knew he could do good, become good and finally make his Ma and Pa proud.

Sadie disappeared from his line of sight, apparently chasing down William who'd decided to run. For a brief moment he contemplated running after her, just in case she needed help although he knew that was probably unlikely. Still he began to head down the hill and around the buildings in the direction of Sadie's retreating form, doing his best to keep track of her since her stride was so quick.

Sadie practically flew down the slope, sure footed as she watched William stumble and slip. Without warning his footing gave way and he began to tumble down the hill, an action in which she was surprised didn't set off his drawn gun.

Sadie came to a halt at the bottom of the ridge, slight panic overtaking her as she lost sight of her target. "Mr. Burke. If you don't come out here I'll blow your brains from your skull." The hunter threatened, sensing he was still very much near.

Suddenly Sadie fell, crash tackled to the ground as the man in question used his full weight to bring her down. The revolver fell from her hand, landing meters away from the jarring impact and she quickly tried to scramble towards it.

The full force of the heavy-set man's weight was pressed on her then, her breath leaving her in a rush as she struggled to suck in air. Her face began to turn red as the man above her sneered in delight, his face filthy and teeth broken and missing.

"Oh we're gonna have some fun now." Taunted the big man, pinning Sadie's arm back down as she still struggled to reach for her weapon. When that fell short she stared defiantly, knowing not to let William's words get the better of her and she brought her knee up in retaliation, cracking him hard between the legs.

A pained grunt escaped him as Sadie twisted and launched towards the revolver, already hearing Mr. Burke start after her once more. She turned around, falling flat on her back again and just as she was about to fire another shot sounded from her right and the man instantly fell to the ground.

Sadie moved to stand, catching sight of Jack who emerged from the trees as he lowered his rifle. The hunter spat on the man's body as he held onto his leg in agony, red seeping from the bullet wound. A toothy grin spread across Sadie's features as she gave a nod in Jack's direction, silently thanking him for saving her life.

Sadie whistled for her horse and hogtied William, not sure if he'd bleed out or not before they reached Valentine. "You did good Jack. Real proud of ya." The praise made Jack's hardened heart swell just that little bit more, having not heard those kinds of words for quite some time.

Sadie mounted her horse and so did Jack, the two heading out back towards Valentine.

…

Sadie and Jack strode down the steps of the Sheriff's office and towards the horses much later that night. "You got a bank account I can put your share inta?" The ex-outlaw questioned as she reached for Hera's reins. Jack shook his head as he reached for Rachel's who nickered at her owner in greeting.

"Don't need it. Besides you did all the work." Jack replied with a shrug as he mounted his loyal mare, watching as Sadie did the same. "It's not about needin' it. You earned it, you saved ma life." It was very rare that Sadie Adler admit to such weakness, but in light of the recent turn of events she knew it was exactly what the youngest Marston needed to hear.

"Alright."

"Let's go home."

AN: One more chapter to go for this one folks.

I think I've said this before, but after Arthur Sadie is my all-time favourite character and one of the strongest in RDR.

Thank you to those still sticking with this story even though I know my writing isn't in fact top notch.

~xoUselessLesbianxo~