Little Death Strike: I'm glad you enjoyed! And I guess you get your wish, because I decided to update even though I ONLY got 8 out of my 9 requested reviews. I got bored so I decided to post. Hope you like this chapter too!
lil' LIK Star: Thanx for reviewing once more! And you get your wish too: I reveal my mystery woman in this chapter! Hope you like!
bobby: Thanx for the review! Enjoy!
owl13: Well, as much as I hate to admit it, you are pretty close about my mystery woman. You have the position pretty down pat, just not the character. Hope this doesn't disappoint.
deathlioness: Well, yes she is that type of person, you and owl got pretty good guesses. Unfortunately, you were both off on WHO the person is, but not WHAT. Have fun!
Jeanniestorm: Sorry to be so RUDE! Haha. It's my way of having alittle fun and whatnot. So, once again I'm leaving you in suspense until you get to the end. It is there that I shall reveal my singer's identity! Hope it's good!
Digital-Dragon-Master844: Would you really like it to be BB/Terra? Because I can totally do that. I haven't really given much thought to that couple in this story, but if you would like it, just reply and let me know!
Lain the Fluff-Master: I'm glad you checked your e-mail too! And don't worry, as much as I hate to disappoint you, Beast Boy does not yet make an appearance. But I PROMISE you that he will be here next chapter. Indefinitely. As for Miss Purty? I will be nice and give you that one in this chapter. Review and let me know what you think!
Wild, Wild West: Chapter Three
Richard gulped as he grabbed the doorknob and entered the room, nervous beyond all reason at meeting this unbelievable performer. The room he entered was very quaint, covered in yellow paint with a white couch in the middle of the room, a double bed shoved over in a corner, a door leading out to a balcony, and over to his right stood a small dresser, a mirror and a changing screen from which all the noise was coming from behind.
"Um, Hello?" he called out, shutting the door but not moving from his spot. "Miss Purty?"
"Hello there," a voice purred from behind the screen. "Don't mind me, I'm just getting a bit more comfortable. Why don't you make yourself at home on the couch and I'll be out in a moment?"
Richard did as she asked, noticing the subtle disgust and terror evident in her voice, something she clearly was trying to disguise; he sat there twiddling his thumbs as the air around him making him feel very nervous and he suddenly suspected something was sorely out of place here. He looked over his shoulder to see if Miss Purty was done yet and was met with a very confusing sight: a pale, slender hand reached out from behind the screen and deposited a long, red wig onto a stand on the dresser. A wig?! He thought, swivelling back around as if he never saw anything. She was wearing a wig? I wonder why? Maybe she's horribly disfigured, which would explain the scarf over her face....
His thoughts raced over all the possibilities that this 'Miss Purty' would bring and he was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he failed to notice the drapes being closed, darkening the room considerably and all the candles being lit. He was finally shaken from his wandering thoughts as he heard Miss Purty walk over to a small phonograph behind him and play some soft romantic music, filling the room with an uneasy air as he instantaneously caught the reason why Sheriff Wilson's words had unnerved him so much.
Before he could do or say anything, a small pair of hands looped around him from behind and he felt tiny kisses being placed along his neck and shoulder-line; one hand rubbed against his face while the other one took up its own course, heading for his chest and unbuttoning his shirt and vest. Before he knew it, his chest was exposed and the kisses had stopped, but only long enough for the young woman to move around in front of him, capturing his mouth with hers. He began to lose himself as he felt Miss Purty straddling his thighs and her tongue gently asking permission into his mouth, to which he readily consented and let his own tongue roam about in her mouth.
A tiny moan escaped her and he felt her stiffen for a moment before she shook herself out of whatever stupor she had gotten into; she broke away for a breather, reaching to undo his belt, throwing it over her shoulder and starting to undo his pants and Richard took the break as a chance to try and interrupt because he was here for a reason and, although this was nice, this wasn't it. He opened his eyes to get her attention and caught her staring at him.
"You," she said breathlessly, a glimmer of relief, happiness, and confusion flashing in her bright eyes. "The man from the front table. How do you know the Sheriff?" Now is probably the only time I will ever actually enjoy this horrible life, Miss Purty thought, staring into the very handsome man's amber eyes, full of lust, nervousness, and familiarity? But I can't help but wonder how he got mixed up with a creep like Wilson. Why is he looking at me like that? Like he knows me or something....
As he opened his eyes at her words, his own caught in his throat and he knew now why he had fallen under her spell on stage. He couldn't see her face clearly when she was performing, but at this close range he could see everything about her and he saw now she was not a natural redhead and the reason why she had worn the wig. It's no surprise that I fell for her the way I did, Richard thought, trying to calm himself down, some parts more than others. It's kind of easy to fall in love so fast with someone you never fell out of love with in the first place. Those eyes have haunted me for years, those damnable, but oh-so-hard-to-resist, beautiful eyes. Unmistakable they are...
Miss Purty struggled to decipher the look on his face, but most of all, she wanted to continue her boss's wishes, a very rare moment indeed. She always hated having to comply to the libidos of Wilson's buddies, despising who she had forced to become because she was too strong-willed and stubborn to give in to the despicable man. Up until now that is, she thought, still amazed that this handsome man had somehow caught the interest of her employer. She moved in closer once more to claim this unknown prince of hearts and was stopped by his hands on her shoulders and his head hanging down; Now what? She thought, confused more than she had ever been. You didn't seem to have a problem a few minutes ago.
"Is something wrong, Mister, um.. I don't think I caught your name," she questioned, narrowing her eyes playfully at him.
"I, I... I can't do this," he stumbled. "Not here, not now, not with you." The young singer shot up at his words and glared at him.
"What do you mean, not with me?" she asked harshly, balling up her fists now laying listlessly at her sides. "What in the hell is that supposed to mean? Whatever is was didn't seem to bother you when you let Wilson bring you up here, and now you seem to get a conscience? What kind of sick game are you playing here?"
She sprang up off of him and he instantly regretted his words, wishing her warm body was still resting upon his, making him feel completely under her control, something he would never admit to liking.
"Wait just a minute," he said softly, grabbing her wrist. "Let me explain, please?"
Normally she would have yanked her hand out of his grasp and slapped him hard across the face, but she heard the sincerity in his voice, the pleading, and she relented. She lowered herself back down by his side on the couch, her hand still in his.
He took her silent submission as his chance to explain his actions.
"First of all," he started, staring deep into her sparkling pools. "My name is Richard Grayson and what I meant was that, as much as I would love to do anything to you, now is not the time or the place. And there's a reason why you're so special, but I have a feeling that you might not believe me if I tell you truth." He took a deep breath, watching her as she eyed him warily, the extreme displeasure with losing her greatest conquest ever written over her lovely features. "But right now, I need to know something: would you be willing to help Victor and I find some of our friends? Maybe you know where we could find some of them?"
Miss Purty just sat there and stared at him; she heaved a major sigh and turned to face him, her bright eyes showing trust.
"Rich?" she asked, cocking her head slightly to the side. "You really think I'm special? I don't know how you can say that if we've never met before, but still, no one has ever said that to me, so...I guess I might be willing to help you."
Rich grinned and placed a hand on her thigh. "You really are incredibly beautiful, you know that Miss Purty?"
She just laughed and placed her hand on top of his. "Yeah," she said. "So I've been told. And hey? The name's not Miss Purty, Rich. It's-"
"I know what it is," he interrupted. "Don't ask how I know, I just do, okay? Now, why don't you tell me what's going on here? Because it kinda looks like Wilson is selling you out here, and that doesn't exactly seem like your M.O."
She only nodded. "I know, but there's nothing I can do about it; Wilson practically owns me and I can't get away from him. It's either do what he tells me to do, or get killed, and I'm not the cowardly type who just lets her problems run her life into the ground. I hate what he's making me do, but if it keeps him from getting his hands on the city, then I'll do whatever I can to keep him away."
Richard looked at her with sorrow evident in his eyes and grasped her hand in his.
"That's awful. But why does the Sheriff want Jump Town? And what do you have to do with it?"
"You really aren't from around here, are you?" she smirked. "You see Rich, my parents used to own Jump Town and everything in it; but about six months ago, they died when our house burned down. My parents weren't careless enough to let something like that happen, so I know they were murdered and I know Wilson was behind it. He hasn't always been the sheriff either; it used to be Victor Stone actually, and his deputy was this funny little guy I grew up with, Gar Logan. But when my parents died, the bank repossessed everything and Wilson kicked them out and placed himself into that position.
"But he still can't own Jump Town, which is his main goal, because of a little clause my father cooked up. Wilson can't gain control of the town until either I turn 25 and sign it over to him or unless he marries me; personally, I think he's hoping for the latter to happen." She shuddered for a moment, but continued on.
"I'm sure nothing would make him happier than to just kill me and get it over with, but if he does that, then the town goes to government control and he can kiss running it goodbye. So instead he makes my life miserable, making me his personal slave, hoping one day I will just break and agree to marry him. Unfortunately for him, I tend to be a bit on the stubborn side."
She laughed mirthlessly at that, making Richard's insides warm at the sound.
"Well, let's make a deal: I'll help you find a way out of Wilson's grip, if you agree to help me find the rest of my friends. Sound fair?" She seemed to consider it, weighing the options, and then she smiled back at him.
"Sounds fair enough."
He shook her hand and tried his hand at seeing what she knew.
"Alright," Rich said. "My friend that I'm looking for, is quite strange indeed. She's quite tall, with tan-ish skin, long red hair, and really bright green eyes. And my other friend is about the same height, looks a hell of a lot like me, save his hair is an orangish color, short, and his eyes are blue."
She looked at him with a confused glance, biting on her lower lip.
"Geez, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were looking for my cousin and her husband... but I have no idea how you would know them. Especially if you've never been here before."
Richard's mind started to think quickly, Slade wouldn't have done something that obvious, would he? I mean, yeah, he likes to put this out there for me to find, but I find it hard to believe he would relate all my friends like this.
"Well," he asked. "What are their names? You never know."
"Kori and Roy Harper," she responded, shaking her head. "They live just in the next town over, called Gotham Village."
"Son of a bitch," he murmured, scratching his chin. "He really did do it." Looking up at her dazed facial expression, he nodded to her. "Yeah, that would be them actually," he said, not believing Slade would make it so easy for him. "What else can you tell me about them?"
"Not much really," she answered. "I don't get to see Kori that often, only when Wilson decides I can have a weekend off or something. She's kind of a ditz, but she used to be the big talent around here until she met Roy and they got married last year. That's why Wilson makes me wear the wig, he thinks I draw more people in because I look like her sometimes. They own an Inn in town there."
Suddenly, her head snapped up, as she heard the unmistakable footsteps of the sheriff coming down the hallway.
"Shoot!" she whispered. "Wilson's coming! He's probably coming to check on me and make sure I haven't left or something! Oh, what am I going to do?"
Richard could see the panic and fear written across her face and he didn't know what to make of it. "What do you mean," he demanded. "Why would he check on you? I don't understand."
"Listen," she hissed, leaning close so her voice wouldn't carry. "When Wilson brings his 'friends' to me, it's for one purpose and one purpose only; to make their stay here the best it could possibly be. The walls aren't very thick, so I'm sure he can hear if something's not going as he planned."
Richard sat there, stunned, as the footsteps drew even closer; finally, he did the only thing he could think of at the moment. He pulled her on top of him, taking her mouth into his and, needless to say, enjoying it immensely. She squeaked as she was caught off-guard, but she soon understood what he was doing and complied with his intentions. Richard tossed his shirt aside on the floor and quickly undid the buttons on the back of her dress and hiking her skirt up. At the last possible second, he pulled away and flipped her over so he was on top and wrapped her leg around his waist.
No sooner had his tongue found hers than he heard the door open and Wilson walk in. "I trust everything is going we--oh!" he exclaimed, as he saw the young couple in the throes of passion on the couch. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Grayson. I just wanted to check and make sure Miss Purty was accommodating you well; I got worried when you had not returned yet."
Richard looked up at him, sending a glare his way that silently chastised the man for interrupting the risque moment. "Arg, Sheriff," Richard said, leaning up on his elbows. "Everything was going fine until you barged in."
Wilson stuttered to explain himself, "Again, my apologies, friend. I did not know. Mr. Stone merely questioned your whereabouts and so I set out to look for you. I will take my leave now and let you two continue."
Wilson smirked to himself, seeing the look of absolute disgust written on his pet's face; obviously she wasn't as taken with the forceful young stranger as she had let on earlier.
"What time is it anyway?" Richard grunted, looking from Wilson back to the mussed-up girl beneath him.
"It's almost five o'clock, sir," Wilson responded, looking confused.
"Hmph," Richard sighed. "Well then, I really must be going, Victor and I have plans to meet an old friend tonight yet and we have a ways to travel. So, if you don't mind Sheriff, I'd like just a few more minutes with little Miss Purty here before I go. But I will definitely make sure I come back in the near future and finish getting acquainted, the very near future."
Richard winked at her and Wilson grinned, "Of course sir," he answered gladly. "I shall inform Victor that you will be down shortly and I'll leave you now to, ahem, finish up."
With that, he closed the door and headed back downstairs, pure contentment resting on his lips. Back in her room, Richard couldn't resist and he kissed her tenderly one last time before he sat up and brought her along as well.
"I can't believe that worked," she muttered, not bothering to fix her hair or clothes, clearly disappointed once again that he had stopped.
"Hey, it's no problem," he said, pushing a stray hair out of her face and cupping her chin. "Anything for an angel." He gently kissed her again and stood up to leave. "Listen," he said, staring down into her enchanting orbs. "Is there some way you can arrange to get away for the weekend? Maybe go and visit your cousin?"
She shook her head, never breaking her gaze. "I'm not sure, but I think so. I haven't gone away in awhile, so he might let me leave. Why?"
"If you can make it," he said, finally bending down to find his clothes and getting dressed. "Then meet me at the Inn tonight, around ten o'clock. That way we can talk in private and maybe you can help me some more, or I could find some way to help you out as well."
"I'll see what I can do," she promised him, walking him to the door. "I'm glad I met you tonight, it was a real pleasure. Good night, Richard." Richard smiled and kissed her hand, walking out into the hall.
"Hopefully I'll see you later, but if not, then I'm glad I met you tonight as well. Good night...Raven...."
With that, he went down the hallway to find Victor and to tell him what he had learned, hoping that he had found where Garfield was at. But even more than that, he hoped that Raven would be able to get away tonight, because, finally after three years, he was going to finish what he started with his amethyst-haired, no matter what the cost.
Messed up memory or not, he thought, smiling to himself. Maybe this is the chance I have been waiting for all along; the chance to be with Raven and not worry about hurting her. He found Victor waiting for him outside and as they walked on to find Garfield Logan, Victor talking animatedly about what he had learned from Terra; all Richard could do was think of those shining, purple orbs so full of love as he lost himself once more as the night descended upon them.
Woot! Next Chapter: Richard tells Victor all about Miss Purty being Raven and Victor tells him about his little talk with Terra as they set off to find Garfield. Afterward, they head to Kori and Roy's Inn in Gotham Village and try to get their friends to remember who they really are. With one day down, will Raven will able to meet Richard and will they get to reunite as Richard wants them to?
