Disclaimer: I own none of the characters of this story. The WWE or themselves own them. No profit is being made from this story. It's purely for fun!
Chapter 12
Chris rode his horse quietly into the night. He knew that Taker was close and he had to talk to him. He knew things could get ugly real quick and it would be better to have the law on his side before everything went down. He grinned as he saw him standing next to the campfire.
Taker quickly looked up and smiled as he saw Chris coming towards him. He wasn't sure that he would come but he was glad that he did. They had a lot of catching up to do and if Taker had his way, they would be staying in contact from now on. Too much time had passed by already and Taker didn't want to lose another second of being a part of Chris's life.
Tajiri noticed the stranger walking into the camp and looked at Taker. He noticed the smile on his face. With a puzzled look on his face, he walked up beside of Taker. "Who that?" Tajiri asked watching as the long hair blonde man walked towards him.
"That, my friend, is Chris," Taker said patting Tajiri on the back. Taker had told Tajiri everything about Chris. He was the closest thing that Taker had to a son and he didn't want to lose him again, not after finding him after all this time.
"Wow," Tajiri said with a shocked look on his face. He had heard the tales about Chris but never thought he would ever meet him. He hoped Chris would stay in Taker's life this time. The big man hid a lot but he was really hurt by Chris leaving him with way that he did.
"Hey Taker," Chris said with a grin. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Tajiri, Tajiri Chris," Taker said making introductions.
"Nice to meet you," Chris said sticking his hand out for Tajiri to shake.
Tajiri liked him on sight. He had a big smile and he seemed to be genuinely happy to see Taker. He wanted him to know that Taker had never forgotten about him. "Hear lot about you," Tajiri said with a smile.
Chris laughed out loud. "I bet it wasn't all good." He could only imagine the things that Taker had told Tajiri about himself. He and Taker had had a lot of good times and a few bad times but Taker had made him the man that he was today and he wouldn't change Taker being such an important part of his life for anything in the world.
Tajiri shrugged his shoulders and went back to collecting wood. He needed to give the two of them a little time alone. Over the years, he had heard many stories about Chris but the one thing that stuck on in his mind was the pain in Taker's voice when he mentioned him. He hoped they buried the hatchet or whatever they needed to do; those two needed each other whether they realized it or not.
"So, who are you after this time?" Chris asked sitting down on a rock next to the campfire.
"I'm after a man that has been on my list for a long time," Taker said looking out into the sky. "I'll be glad to shut the book on John once and for all."
"John?" Chris said with a shocked look on his face. "There's only one John in town."
"John Bradshaw Layfield." Taker said confirming what Chris was thinking.
"Wow, what did he do?" Chris asked.
"Several years ago, back in Texas, this man reeked havoc everywhere he went. He was the meanest, drunkest man alive. He had a partner, a man by the name of Farooq. He was a black man who was more loyal to Bradshaw than anybody I've ever seen," Taker said shaking his head.
His eyes glazed over as he went back in time in his mind. He was silent for a moment and then shook his head of his thoughts. "Anyway, he ended up killing Farooq in a drunken saloon fight. I don't think Bradshaw meant to do it because those two were really good friends but he did; along with robbing the local bank before he left town."
Chris sat there with a shocked look on his face. He had seen J.B. around town and had a hard time imaging him as an 'Outlaw'. He just didn't seem the type with his boyish looks and charming smile. "When are you going to get him?"
"In the next day or so. I'm not real sure yet. You know me, I wait until my gut tells me that it's time. Some things never change," Taker said with a small grin on his face. "What about you? What are you doing here?"
"I have been working undercover for Shane McMahon," Chris said. "He's a good man who decided that he had had enough of his father's evil ways."
"Is his father's name Vince?" Taker asked.
"Yes sir, it is," Chris said with a grin. "I should have known that you would know him. Hell, you know every bad guy that walks the face of this earth."
"Not quite, almost but not quite," Taker said with a chuckle. "Vince has been in some pretty heavy shit lately. He's been robbing the army of their payroll on the trains. Nobody can figure out where he is hiding the gold. He has been real slick with the whole operation but they caught one of his men a few months ago, a man by the name of Jack Brisco. He sung like a bird when he was caught about the robbery but he didn't know where the gold was."
"I bet I know somebody that would know where the gold is," Chris said with an amused look on his face. Everything was finally starting to fall into place. With a little help from a few friends, he could finish up what he came here to do. "Are you game to working with me again Taker? It's been a long time but I think I remember how everything works."
"I just might be," Taker said with a small smile on his face. He could tell by the look on Chris's face that there were a lot of things that Chris could tell him. "Tell me what you know."
Christian and Tomko crept up behind the bank without anybody noticing them. They were waiting for J.B. to leave the bank and they didn't have to wait long. They smiled at each other as they heard J.B. talking with Orlando.
"Will that be all sir?" Orlando asked.
"Yes, I believe that it will. I'll seen you in the morning," J.B. said with a smile and not a care in the world.
Christian and Tomko waited until they heard J.B. and Orlando's horses ride off before grinning at each other. Quietly but quickly, they removed the window on the back of the bank. Tomko quickly hoisted Christian up while Christian scrambled to get in.
He slithered his way in until he felt his hands on the floor. He then pulled his legs in. He got up and walked over to J.B.'s office window. He then pulled the curtain closed that was on the door. He needed to light a lantern and didn't want the light to attract anybody's attention. He quickly found the lantern, lit it, and smiled as he looked at the safe behind his desk.
"Come to papa baby," Christian said with a smile.
He bent down and within a few turns of the combination lock, had the safe opened. "Yes!" he exclaimed softly almost wishing that it wasn't so easy but then again it should be. He had spent a lot of months in that office talking with J.B. and watching his every move when it came to that safe. He quickly pulled the lantern where he could see and his eyes almost popped out of his head.
Tomko stood outside getting worried. He knew that Christian knew what he was doing but it didn't stop him from worrying about him. "Everything ok boss? Tomko said from the outside.
"Everything is more than ok," Christian said quietly. "I'll be done in a second."
Christian quickly went to grabbing money and then stopped when he noticed names on them. He grimaced as he put the money back. He never stole from honest people. He might be a crook but at least he was an honest one. As he put the money back, something caught his eye.
He noticed an envelope that had J.B.'s name on it. Curiosity got the best of him and he opened it. There were several gold coins and diamonds, enough to set all three of them up for a life of luxury. He quickly grabbed the envelope with a smile on his face.
He quickly stuffed the envelope in his jacket and locked the safe back. He then put the lantern back, blew out the light, and reopened the curtain. He quickly took a run and jump feeling Tomko's hands grab his hands from the outside. Quickly but quietly, Tomko pulled Christian out of the bank.
"Did you get it boss?" Tomoko asked.
"My friend, we are never going to have to work another day again. Come on; let's get the window back on. We've got to get Trish and get the hell out of here," Christian said with a grin.
Chris rode back into town quietly thinking. It was nice having Taker back in his life. He was the only 'father' figure that Chris had ever known. He knew he would never be able to repay Taker for everything that he had done for him. He also knew that he was glad that Taker was part of his life again.
He stopped his horse in front of the saloon and noticed Dave sitting inside. He nodded his head and Dave came walking out. Show and Benoit were already on the porch and were a little puzzled by Dave. The questions showed on their faces because Chris grinned when he saw them.
"It's okay, he's on our side," Chris said with a slight grin on his face. He knew the men would have a hard time trusting Dave but that was their problem. Chris knew he was a good man and that was all he needed to know.
"How do we know that we can trust him?" Benoit asked the distrust evident on his face. He had seen Dave around town but had never had any dealings with him. Given the fact that he was part of the Evolution gang, Benoit couldn't help but wonder if he was really a man that could be trusted.
"I give you my word. I know that it's not much but it's all that I have," Dave said in a serious calm voice. He knew that a lot of people in town looked at him as part of Evolution. He also knew that he was never a part of the family but the people around town didn't know that. They only saw him with his brother and father and just assumed he was just like them.
"You do know that I will kill you with my bare hands if you screw us over, right?" Show asked with a calm look on his face. He wasn't sure about how this man got to Chris but he did. Show was a big believer in giving people second chances but he wasn't sure that anybody in Evolution could be considered trustworthy.
"I would expect no less. I'm only asking for a chance to prove myself," Dave said looking Show eye to eye. He could understand their hesitation. All he wanted was the opportunity to prove that he was nothing like his father or his brother. It was all he could ask from anybody.
"Look, we've got a lot to discuss. Let's get to our meeting place," Chris said walking around the corner of the saloon.
Chris stood there waiting for the other three to show up. He was running out of time and he knew it. He just knew that it was time to put all their cards on the table and let them fall where they may as long as Stephanie didn't get hurt. In his mind, those were their main and only concern, protection for Stephanie at all costs.
Christian and Trish were traveling in the dark of night without a care in the world. They had packed up what few belongings that they had and loaded them up in the wagon. There was no need to wait until daylight to begin their journey. They had Tomko to lead the way. Besides, all hell would break lose once J.B. opened his safe in the morning. The further away they were, the better off they were.
"I can't believe by this time tomorrow, I'll be a married woman," Trish said with a giggle. She had paced the floors, worrying and waiting, while Christian and Tomko were gone. She knew that they things could go wrong and she was scared. When Christian returned home, she cared less about the money and more about him. It was funny how life turned out sometimes.
She wrapped her arm around his arm that held the reins and snuggled up to him as close as she could. She then leaned her head against in shoulder and closed her eyes. She could see their future and it was just as bright as the sunshine on a spring May morning. "I love you Christian."
"I love you too sweetie and I can't wait to marry you," Christian said with a grin. He leaned down and kissed her on top of her head. "It won't be long and we'll be the married couple that everybody talks about."
"I don't care what anybody else thinks about us any more," Trish said with a smile. "I just care about being with you."
Chris walked into the saloon with a mission. He walked straight up to Stephanie with a gleam in his eyes. He was tired of being interrupted and he was tired of hiding his feelings. After talking with the guys and making their plan, he had one more thing on his list to do and he wasn't leaving this time until he got it done.
Stephanie noticed out of the corner of her eye that Chris had walked into the saloon again. Her heart started racing and she felt almost faint. Surely, he felt the same things that she was feeling every time they were together. It couldn't be all on her side. She turned her head slightly and noticed him standing in front of her.
"Hello Chris, can I get you something?" Stephanie said with a smile.
"Yes you can but not a drink," Chris said with that same gleam in his eyes that he walked into the room with. He was going to kiss her one way or another. There would be no interruptions this time. "I need to be alone with you for one minute. Is that possible?"
"Sure," Stephanie said with a puzzled look on her face. He just looked so serious and determined. She almost asked him what was wrong but decided against it. "Follow me."
Stephanie came out from behind the bar and walked across the saloon to a little hallway located beside of the dancing/singing stage. She went down the hall and into her office. She turned around and watched as Chris walked in and shut the door. "Now, what is it that you want?"
"This," Chris said walking over in front of her with a determined look on his face. He looked into her blue eyes and felt as though he was melting right then and there. He had to do it now because he was getting ready to explode. "I've been wanting to do this since the first time I saw you."
He leaned down and softly kissed her lips. They felt as soft as rose petals and tasted like ripe strawberries. Her mouth parted in surprise and he took advantage by slipping his tongue in her mouth smoothly without hesitation. He knew that kissing her was going to be everything he dreamed and then some, but he never dared to think a kiss could make him loose all train of thought. He quickly put his arms around her desperate to feel her body against his for the first time.
Stephanie moaned as she felt his tongue moving against hers. For so long, she had day dreamed of this moment with him. It was as if her hands had a mind of their own, she slowly felt them wrapping around his waist. She had drunk whiskey before and it was the only thing that could come close to what she was feeling, even though it wasn't the same. The warmth that she felt from the whiskey paled in comparison to the warmth and heat of the kiss. She had never felt anything like this in her life and knew in her soul that she never would feel this way with anybody else other than Chris.
Finally, sanity reared its ugly head. Chris knew that he didn't want to stop kissing her but reality was slowing sinking back into his mind. The door wasn't locked and anybody could walk in. Chris pulled away with a groan and out of breath. He leaned his head on her forehead just looking at her. "I'm sorry but I couldn't wait any longer. I had to kiss you."
"I'm just sorry that you had to wait so long," Stephanie said a little breathless herself. She had never imagined in her wildest dreams how much their first kiss would have affected her. She knew, in her heart, that this was the man that she had been waiting for her entire life. She had finally, after all this time, found her one true soul mate.
Chris chuckled and hugged her. He was content to hold her in his arms forever but he had work to do. He pulled back and kissed her nose loving the way she blushed. Finally after all the years of being a loner, he didn't feel alone any more. He knew she was the woman that he had been searching for his entire life. "You know this means that you are my woman now, don't you?"
"Just as long as you understand that you are my man," Stephanie said with a grin.
"I've been your man since the first time I saw you. Woman, I have never, ever in my life been this attracted to a woman the way that I am you. You are everything that I've been looking for in life," Chris said his facial expressions matching the seriousness of the conversation.
"I've never felt this way about any man in my life. I knew you were different the first time I saw you. There was just something about you that cried out to my very soul," Stephanie said with a few happy tears rolling down her face. "I never thought that I would find anybody to share my life with."
"You have now," Chris said humbled by her words. He felt chills going up his spine when she mentioned his soul crying out to her. He knew right then and there that he was right; she was the one. "Mark my words woman, I'm going to marry you."
Stephanie's eyes lit up and she laughed out loud. "You damn right you are!"
Chris pulled her in for another hug. Finally, after all the longing glances and daydreams, reality was finally working with him instead of against him. He could only hope that everything went as planned tomorrow. It had to; he wasn't giving himself a chance to fail, not when he had so much to lose.
Besides, keeping Stephanie safe was the main priority. After talking over with the men, they had decided to keep her in the dark for now. There was no need to worry her about it; the ones that cared about her the most were bound and determined to stop it from happening.
Dave walked into the house quietly. He knew it was time for his father to be in bed but he was never sure about Hunter. Hunter never had a set schedule and never would. He just wasn't that type of man. He didn't want to look at his brother. He just felt so much anger at his family for turning into monsters. Then he felt guilt at going along with it, letting it happen.
He walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink, thankful for the alone time. He turned the shot down, grimacing as he felt the burn from the whiskey. He was never much of a drinker but he needed something to take the edge off. He poured himself another and started to drink it when Hunter walked into the room.
Hunter had been a foul mood ever since Trish had left. He couldn't believe the audacity of the little whore just ending things with him with no warning at all. It didn't work that way, not in his town. He noticed Dave and decided to take some of his anger out on him. "About time you got your ass got home," Hunter said with a pissed off look on his face. "Where in the hell have you been?"
Dave slowly turned and looked at Hunter. He wanted to walk up to him and punch him for even considering putting his hands on Stephanie but he couldn't. He had to remain calm but he didn't have to be that calm. "What the hell do you care?" Dave said.
Hunter stopped walking in mid stride absolutely stunned that Dave spoke to him like that. Dave had never even raised his voice to him before. He felt as though something wasn't right and started to feel the first inklings of anxiety. He couldn't lose Dave, not now, not when he had everything to lose. He looked puzzled at Dave and said, "I do care. You are my brother."
Dave looked at him with disbelief on his face. He couldn't believe that his brother would even think to go that route with him. "Yeah right," Dave said with a sarcastic grin. Of all the times for his brother to try and butter him up, he decided to play the family card now. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Only when you need me to scare the shit out of somebody or you need more help on the ranch."
"That's not true," Hunter said trying to figure out what in the hell was going on. Dave was acting so weird. He was always a little on the weird side but Hunter chalked that up to his Indian mother. He couldn't believe what he was hearing coming out of Dave's mouth. "You're my family, you know that."
"No, I don't," Dave said before turning his shot glass up. He had enough of the bullshit session. He needed to get away from Hunter quickly and clear his head. Hunter had gone too far this time and he was not going to let him get away with it. He grimaced again and said, "Good night Hunter."
Hunter watched with shock and surprise in his eyes. He had never seen Dave like this ever. He was always so agreeable, always so Dave. He shook his head of his thoughts. Everybody was entitled to a bad day, even Dave. "It's better that he gets it out of system now. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."