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Jesse's P O V
God it felt good to be back. Three weeks after we started that god damn war with the railroad we had taken out four camps of Pinkerton's and five camps of hired gunmen. Everyone was tired this was takin' a lot out of us we figured we'd take out a couple more camps and head back to Tennessee. Pinkerton was tired of chasin' us and he pulled all of his men out of Missouri. All we had to worry bout was the hired guns. Cole had made this personal he swore he wouldn't go home till it was done. The way we were goin' it wouldn't be long before we were home. I was glad we were doin' this as much as she didn't want to come with me I still loved Zee and I'd die if somethin' happened to her. My sister has taken full responsibility for this even though it's not her fault she swore there wasn't goin' to be no more killin' of Liberty residents even if she died makin' sure of it. Nobody like the sound of that especially Jim. We rode into what was the last camp of hired guns. Guns a blazin' until the last one was dead. Then I seen Jim leaned over the horn of his saddle spitin' up blood. Cole and me grabbed his arms and we rode to where we knew there was a cabin far enough in the bush no one would find us. We sent Bob and Frank to get the closes doctor they could. Billie had put on a brave face until we got him to the two room cabin and then she flung herself in to Cole's arms and started to cry. He looked at me like he didn't know what to do. I sure as hell didn't either. It was two hours before Frank and Bob were back to my amazement they'd come back with my uncle John Mimms , Doctor John Mimms, who was more than willin' to help. He stitched Jim up he had taken a bullet to the left side thank god. Doc said any further right and he would have been dead. Bob took him back to the rode in. The doc said that if he woke up in the next three days he'd pull through for sure if not to go and get him. We were all pretty silent. Billie wouldn't come in the cabin she hadn't since we got there. We went outside to tell her what happened with the doctor. She was sitin' on her horse with Jim's duster in her hands tears still streamin' down her face.
"Billie come on come inside." I said but she shook her head.
"Billie he's goin' to be fine." Cole said.
" I'll come in when I'm good and ready and right now I'm neither." She said it was the most since it had happened.
"He'll pull through." Bob said as we turned to go in.
"He has to, he's still a boy." Cole said.
"He's not a goddamn boy anymore." Billie yelled then she grabbed the reins and took off. Cole and me went to go after her but Frank stopped us.
"She'll come back when she ready trust me. There's more to that statement than you comprehended."
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Cole's P O V
It took me a while to realize what Frank meant but I understood Billie just fine. At that point I was about ready to kill Jim myself. Then I though about how many people would like to the same to me if they found out what I did to there sisters. Jesse just shook his head and went inside followed by Bob and Frank I stayed out awhile longer. I think that's went I figured out why Billie went to me once we got here. I lost Cassie. I'd been there. She need to be alone just like I had. It was well after dark when we heard someone ride in. I figured it was Billie but you can never be to sure so we cocked our guns. Sure enough it was her. She said nothing but she unsaddled her horse took her saddle in put out her bed roll as close to the door where Jim was as she could and went to sleep. Everyone includin' myself did the same. It was obvious the next few days would be rough. I'd been sleepin' on and off but I woke to the sound of gun fire in the middle of the night. I grabbed my colts and went to see what it was. I wasn't about to wake everyone else for nothin'. I walked outside to that damn girl sittin' about a hundred feet from the house firein' into the night. I didn't make sound . Then she took the gun and pointed to her head.
"Billie don't you dare." I said runnin' towards her.
" Leave me alone Cole." She sighed puttin' down the gun.
"God damn it girl I thought you were smarter than that."
"Than what Cole I got nothin' left Jimmy was my life. I can't live without him."
"Yeah and he can't live without you. If you were to do that he'd die for sure. How would I tell him tomorrow that the love of his life killed herself cause she lost faith in him."
"Cole he's lost more blood than anyone I know dead or alive there is no way..."I cut her off.
"Now stop that right there. If your brother had said that how many Liberty boys would be dead right now. If your Ma had said that your brothers wouldn't have made it home. I've been where you are now you know. And if I'm not mistaken it was a certain little brunette that told me that there more people that needed me. " I said sittin' down beside her. She wiped the tears away.
"Cole I'm scared out of my mind. Jim's always been the one savin' me it's not supposed to be this way."
"Really see I was gone to war you'll have to fill me in on this in mornin'. For now I reckon we go back to sleep."I got up and extended my hand to her. She got up and we walked to the door. "You know kiddo I'll keep this between me and you on one condition." She looked at inquisitively. " Don't do it again."
"Deal." She walked over to where her bed roll was at first I thought she might go in and see Jim but she didn't she went to sleep. Once I was sure everyone was asleep again. I walked over to the door and went in to see Jim. This is insane I thought before I opened my mouth.
"Hey little brother it's me. I have one thing to say to you and that is you better pull through cause that girl of yours is diein' without you. She needs you more than you know." I said a prayer one of the rare occasions. "And Ma James this would be one of those times we need a miracle so if you don't mind."
