Chapter 4: Despite

The trail from catching the coward McCall back to Deadwood had been a long one for both Bullock and Utter. But while Bullock dealt with his split head, Utter couldn't fathom the loss of his closest friend, even though he knew it had been coming.

Neither of them had spoken much, but they shared a sense of pride and justice at having turned McCall in at Yankton. And now as they came down through Wangdoodle Pass and the North Ridge, the sight of the camp nestled in its gulch was almost welcome.

"What's this?" Charlie muttered, drawing Seth's attention to a black mare tied to a tree. Bullock pulled his horse to, glancing around the trees curiously. "At least it don't bear the markings of an injun."

"At least," Bullock agreed, squinting in the sun, "you ride on to camp, I'll see if I can't find its owner."

"You be careful. Would hate to find you with another knob on your skull." Bullock looked to Charlie with a semi-amused smile. "See ya in camp." Charlie continued on down into the gulch as Bullock stepped down from his horse, cautiously listening.

He could hear footsteps through the crunching leaves and underbrush. Even the soft snapping of branches. Whoever this was, they were doing nothing to disguise their presence. Still his gun hand tensed at his side, poised at the ready, not willing to take a chance.

"Oh no," he heard a soft familiar voice, "not again." An exasperated sigh followed the words, and he moved around the tree, surprised to see the person on the ground, cutting at the hem of her dress.

"Ms. Hunt?" The words left his mouth before he realized it, watching her head shoot up, eyes wide with fright.

"Oh Seth," she breathed, visibly relaxing, "oh god you startled me."

"I didn't mean to. Are you alright?" He looked to the knife in her hand, ignoring the basket at her feet.

"I'm alright…my dress may be a lost cause though. There's a wicked briar that grows all over this mountainside."

"What brings you this far from camp alone?" She rose, placing the knife back in her basket, revealing the cut-up hem of her otherwise simple attractive navy dress.

"I was getting too homesick just sitting around camp," she said, a note of sadness on her voice, "so I borrowed a mount from the livery to seek some peace."

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you, but it's unsafe for you to wander here alone."

"I know it is…but I had to get out of camp," tears threatened on her words, "besides," she shook her head, breaking from her almost pleading look, "I've found some nice wild growing greens and even a few patches of berries in these old woods."

"You sure they're safe to eat?"

"Yes," she nodded, stepping over a log, coming to stand beside him, "I made sure to read up on botany before we came out this way. It seemed to fit in with everything else I suddenly found myself doing."

"How long had you been planning to come out west?"

"About seven years, right after my parents died," she said softly, "it took us that long to get enough money and supplies." She raised her right hand, turning it over, looking at it almost lovingly. "Would you believe I'm a really fine pianist? Was always asked to play at every social gathering, and, my how everyone loved it…," she shook her head, "seven years ago, piano playing and speaking French were my only skills. And now I've too many to count."

"Makes you all the stronger for it." She nodded silently, as though trying to convince herself he was right. "You look different." He suddenly said, studying her face closely. She quickly raised a hand to her eye, brushing a tear away before she nodded with something of an embarrassed smile.

"I forgot to put kohl this morning." She wiped gently at her cheek.

"Prettier without it." She turned her eyes from his in embarrassment.

"And now you tell me," she said softly at length, looking back to him again, "why you look so different."

"My path crossed with that of an Indian gaurding his friend's grave. He had to kill me to stay honorable," he swallowed hard, and Nora thought tears might be welling in his eyes, "it was one hell of a fight…axe clipped me before I knew I'd been hit," he swallowed hard again, "made me realize I was wrong. So McCall's down in Yankton."

"You caught him?" Seth nodded, not trusting himself to voice an answer apart from his overwhelming anger. "Then why are you still so angry?" A loaded question. It was something of a mystery even to Seth. But what little he did know, he couldn't bring himself to say, even to Nora whose crystalline eyes were begging to know.

Without another word she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him under his thick riding cloak, not minding the dirt and crusted blood. He enveloped her in his arms, holding her tight, enjoying the feel of her cheek's smooth skin.

"You're a good man Seth Bullock." She whispered quietly as he held her harder, wanting to believe it true. "Obstinate as hell," she continued lightheartedly, "but still a good man." He pulled her from him, sharing an understanding smile before they started walking back towards the road.

"I imagine horse riding and foul language were skills more recently learned." He commented, untying his mount.

"It was when I learned to ride I learned my foul language."

"They do go hand in hand." They shared a small laugh as he watched her mount up, slightly hitching her skirt once in the saddle. She couldn't help but notice his momentary stare at her legs before he mounted up and they continued towards camp.

"I'll tell you what I miss most," she said catching his attention as he looked over, "the music. Stone church pipe organs at Christmas, brass bands on the Fourth of July, string quartets at socials." Apart from the brass band, Seth couldn't say he'd heard the rest of what she listed.

"Sounds like things anyone would miss." He answered at length, unable to think of something better. Nora sighed softly, shaking her head slowly as though trying to shake memories away.

"Well once you've rested from your journey today, you and Mr. Star come by for dinner."

"Nora, please—"

"Haven't made anything since that cherry crumble last month, so I'm thinking a blackberry pie might be in order—made with blackberries picked and preserved by yours truly."

Seth could no longer find an argument.

xxxxxx

The Deadwood streets still frightened Nora. She never could be sure if the man she just passed wouldn't turn and attack from behind. It would be only too easy. She knew she was thin and didn't have much strength to her. Any man that wanted her would easily be able to take her.

She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before setting off to meet her brother. The dry goods had gone up in price much to her dismay. That would mean a little less food if they intended to keep to budget. Dodging a deep mud puddle, she decided it wouldn't too difficult a hardship, but just something else to mention to Andy.

She suddenly smiled as she noticed Seth Bullock weaving his way through the moving crowd, his severe eyes almost daring anyone to challenge him. Nora couldn't help but think him handsome as ever.

"Good morning." She said politely.

"Morning."

"I trust it finds you well." Memories from dinner the previous eve flashed in her mind.

"Well enough. What are you about?"

"Purchasing more supplies. Andy's out as well. Just trying to get out before the rain clouds get here."

"Good luck." He said, smiling with lighthearted doubt.

"What of yourself?"

"I've business to attend to with the Widow Garrett regarding her husband's claim."

"Good for you."

"I hope so," he tipped his head politely, "have a nice day."

"You too." She nodded as he brushed past, continuing with that brusque walk of his.

She continued on down the street, sighing silently, attempting to reign in her thoughts on the man. Being around him just made her heart race and head spin. A sudden powerful hand grabbed her by the arm, holding her close.

"Miss Hunt, Al Swearengen would like to see you."

"Al Swearengen?" She asked unsteadily, nervously as Dan Dority continued to half drag her down the street.

"Owner of the Gem Saloon. Saw you from his office balcony…been interested in you ever since." The man with the dark curly hair and beady eyes.

"Why yes," Nora suddenly said, "I think I would like to meet him."

Seth, who had turned around in hopes of catching a glimpse at her retreating backside, felt his blood boil as Nora went willingly with Dan Dority into the Gem.

Once inside and upstairs, Dority opened a door, holding out a hand directing her in. Her eyes found Al right off, sitting behind his desk, a composed look across his rugged face.

"Nora Hunt, hunh?" Al shook his head in disbelief. "Why last I saw you, you were still clinging to your mother's skirts."

"Yes, you were considerably older. Probably how you managed to so successfully run away. Never saw Aunt Agatha or Uncle Percy again after you left, Cousin Al."

"Well Cousin Nora, she found me, then dumped me in an orphanage."

"I imagine between your brother's death and your leaving, it was all Aunt Ag could bear."

"Yet she gave me away still. Really broke her fucking heart I'm sure," his face hardened, "try again Nora." Al kept the distant angry tone to his face and voice as Nora could find nothing to say. "So how's Andy these days?"

"He's just fine. Has been ever since you left."

"Still have his little chemistry set does he?" Nora easily picked up the twinge of curiosity, maybe even fear on Al's voice.

"Only it's not so little now. He's become quite adept with it—studied it at a university even."

"Why should I fucking care?"

"Surely you remember."

"How could I forget? Your bother had quite a talent for slipping me things that never failed to bust my balls."

"He always did have a smooth hand despite." She said almost proudly.

"He can't get me here."

"You think so?" He looked back at her, unsure if she was really challenging him or just bluffing.

"He here to do some prospecting?"

"He hasn't said yet what he plans to do—"

"Doesn't sound like the Andy I used to know. The Andy I used to know had a keen eye for seeing plans way in the future."

"He's still half blind, and you know it." She ground out, not wanting to hear anything else Al had to say. Deep down she'd always hated him. Ever since he pulled those stunts with his brother, treating him as spectacle every time a fit would come upon him.

"Yes…half blind…a fact I'm keeping damn well guarded. And you'd do well to fucking remember that."

"What are you saying?"

"You think your business would continue, or he'd be able to do shit in this town if word got 'round that he couldn't see? Blind is blind, don't matter if its half or no." Nora found nothing she could say. She knew he was right, knowing that if anyone found out about Andy's lack of eyesight that would mean the end of him ever finding decent work.

"And just what do you want from me?"

"Free services from you. Whatever I require around here that needs a so called 'woman's touch' when tending to the whores or anything else in this place, laundry, you name it—I expect to get from you…free of charge."

"Go to hell Al Swearengen." Al chuckled almost silently as he rose from behind his desk coming over closer to her.

"I like your spirit cousin Nora, makes a man feel like fucking something," his face deadpanned as he stopped before her, "do we have a deal?" He asked, his beady eyes fixing on hers.

"You're no more special than any other customer Al. If its 'family discount' you're looking for…you abandoned this family a long time ago."

"You're telling me?" She nodded, fighting not to be nervous.

"I'm telling you." She said softly, but Al noticed the nervousness she failed to hide on her voice. Before she could blink, he flew at her, gripping her throat in his hand, slamming her against the wall.

"No one ever tells me what to do…no one ever has," he squeezed harder, watching her struggle for air and feebly fight against him, "and no fucking cousin will be the first. I expect free services rendered dear Nora, or good luck on your brother and you finding shit here in Deadwood." He threw her roughly against the wall, the rush at which air filled her lungs knocking her down.

She sat in a rumpled heap on the floor, tenderly rubbing her red neck, fighting for her breaths to even out. Al hovered over her, feeling certain he'd made a lasting impression.

"Now get the fuck out. Dan'll come 'round when I need you." Al moved back to his desk without further gesture or word. Unsteadily, Nora rose to her feet, her world still spinning.

next chapter up in a day or two. thanks fer stoppin' by!