Chapter XIII Epilogue
Promises and Dreams
By tk421beth
A/N: Well, here it is folks…the ending of 'Promises and Dreams.' I can't believe I finished it! This is the first fan fiction that I have ever finished!
By the way…I kept Charlie Bowdre alive! Truth –vs. - fiction: Charlie didn't die at the McSween shoot out in Lincoln! Besides, I wanted to keep him in my story! How I adore fan fiction! I can do anything I want! (Insert evil laugh here).
History lesson! Did Billy the Kid really kill Lawrence Murphy? Nope! As much as Billy hated Murphy, he did not! In 1877 Murphy was diagnosed as having terminal cancer of the bowels (gross!) and left the running of his business to James Dolan. Murphy drank loads alcohol, per his doctor's orders, to kill the pain of his cancer, and spent much of his time in a drunken stupor. He died in Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 20, 1878.
Thanks to Tom, my best friend, husband, and writing partner who at first, told me that this "fan fiction thing" I was doing was stupid and gay; but he is now totally involved in this story! Thanks also to Sue, my friend, co-worker and beta! Thanks for correcting my simple spelling errors that I didn't catch, giving me some great ideas and the support I needed before I uploaded new chapters! (I need a lot of encouragement!).
A lot of hugs and kisses to my ever faithful reviewers: Jo, Amber, Tiffster aka: Emilio's Toothbrush (where are you?), MizNite, Moki, and Dana! Thanks so much to each and every one of you for reading and reviewing my story! And to my other reviewers that I did not mention here: Thank you so much!
Chapter Summary: Jessie just killed Lawrence Murphy, and barely gets out of Lincoln alive. Billy, Charlie, Chavez, Doc, Jessie and Yen escape and head for old Fort Sumner.
The sun was beginning to set as we rode towards the direction of old Fort Sumner. I was thankful that Billy has not said one word to me, because right now, I feel emotionally drained at this point.
I carefully touch the right side of my head, hoping the bleeding had stopped. I was shot at while trying to ride away on the back of Charlie's mare. I am fortunate that I'm still alive. The bullet only seemed to graze the side of my head. My head did hurt, but the wound wasn't fatal. I wondered who else was hurt.
I softly weep over the loss of Alex and Steve. Poor Steve…shot dead at only twenty years old. And what was Susan going to do now? What was I going to do now? Does Billy want me to stay with him? Am I going to be sent to live with Susan?
I recollect about myself killing Lawrence Murphy. An eye for an eye. A part of me felt that vengeance had been met.But as Dolan told Billy, this wasn't over. What is going to come about? Will we be running from Murphy's men all our lives?
Billy's strong arms were around me, as he navigated his horse around the wild terrain. "Remember, sweetheart…I'll take care of you." He spoke softly in my ear.
Billy had got me out of Lincoln alive, as he said he would. He keeps all of his promises.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I vaguely become aware of Doc, Yen, Charlie and Chavez still riding with us. My heart soared at the sight of them.
We all stopped riding just outside of old Fort Sumner to say our goodbyes. Billy dismounted quickly, and then gently helped me get off his mare. He looked at the side of my head his face full of worry.
"Let me check her, Billy…" Doc walked up to me, staring at me with a worried look.
"It's not much of a wound…the bullet hardly hit me, Doc." I explained, standing still as Doc's skillful hands checked the wound on the right side of my head. "I kept pressure on it, like you had explained in the past, to do with a injury like this." I smiled over at Yen, who was still on their horse. She smiled back at me.
"The bleeding has stopped. You were right…the bullet just barely grazed you." He smiled. "You're going to make a great doctor, Jessica." He smiled.
Doc seemed torn…I think a part of him wanted me to go with them, as he tried to persuade me to go, but I declined the offer, informing Doc that he needed to take care of Yen now.
"You take care of yourself, you hear me?" Doc told me, his blue eyes watering a little, as he hugged me tight. "You know how I feel about Billy," he whispered into my ear. "Don't let him hurt you, Jessica." I returned the hug, my own eyes damp. Doc spoke to Billy for a moment, shook his hand, and was then off with Yen.
Charlie was going back to Juarez, old Mexico to be with his wife. He told us that we could visit them anytime we wanted. I tried to give him his 30-30 back, but he told me to keep it. "You'll need it, Jessie." Charlie told me, his face red, as he quickly hugged me, and then Billy.
Chavez was headed out of New Mexico, and wanted to spend some time in California and old Mexico. "I think you should come with me, Bonita." He told me in his usual low voice, cupping my chin, forcing me to look up into his brown eyes.
"Chavez…I can't. Not now." I glanced over at Billy, who had his hat off, waving his good-byes to Charlie. "I don't want to leave Billy." I tried to explain.
Chavez chuckled as he mounted his horse. "Remember, Bonita…there is a difference between infatuation and love. Be mindful to where you place your affections." He smiled down at me. "Love given without merit may perceive as foolish folly."
I glared up at him, making Chavez laugh even louder. "You sound like Doc." I finally said with a small smile, when he was done laughing. It was hard to smile though, when the people that I have been close to for the last two years were leaving me.
"Our paths will cross again, Bonita." Chavez told me, as Billy walked up to us, and shook Billy's hand. "Take care of her, Chivato."
"I plan to." Billy told him, with a wide smile. Billy does plan to take care of me! I could feel my heart swell with happiness. He wants me to be with him!
Billy and I were the only ones left, watching the sunset. We were the only ones who didn't leave New Mexico. We had no where to go, no kin to take us in.
"I guess it's just us you and me, huh, sweetheart?" Billy asked, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
"I guess so." I shrugged, still not sure how he felt about me.
"Well, don't sound so damned disappointed, Jess!" He laughed, pulling me closer to him, gently kissing me.
"You okay now?" He asked, breaking off the kiss, checking my injury.
"Yes." I agreed, smiling at Billy. He smiled back, as he quickly mounted his horse. Billy then held his hand out, and I accepted it, mounting his mare, sitting behind him this time. "Where to, pal?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his waist.
He turned and grinned at me. "How about we go to old Fort Sumner? We can stay there for now."
"I don't care where we go…as long as I'm with you." I boldly told him, as we rode into Fort Sumner.
"Oh, you'll be with me, sweetheart. I'm gonna take care of ya, remember?" He then laughed. "More than pals, sweetheart…more than pals."
The further adventures of Jessica Tunstall continue in my next story "Hell Bent for Leather" coming soon! Stay tuned to see if Jessie and Billy stick it out together!
Thanks again for reading and reviewing! You all make me want to write more! I LOVE YOU ALL!