Chapter 8: Next

The birds didn't sing much in the early Deadwood mornings. Nora guessed even they had sense enough to stay away. The only familiar sound that greeted her ears morning after morning was the almost ominous cawing of the crows. It made sense that only they could make a living here.

And she'd had plenty of time to lay around and think about everything from the birds to why they had decided on Deadwood to the loss of her child. Seth had come to see her a week or so after she'd been released from the Doc's, and told her. True enough she hadn't even known she was pregnant. Part of her was saddened and enraged, but she couldn't help almost being glad. Unwed and pregnant in this place was as good as a death sentence.

Although she knew Seth wouldn't have abandoned her. The look on his face as he told her the news was all too telltale that he would have supported her had things happened differently. He had asked her what happened and before telling him, she made him swear he wouldn't do anything about it. Reluctantly he gave his word, and Nora could just about see the steam as she told him.

"I don't want things to get worse for any of us." She had told him. And true to his word, Bullock never said a word to Swearengen. Although he couldn't help the overwhelming disgust and rage he felt every time business required they meet.

Nora was back on her feet much sooner than the Doc expected her to be. He guessed she didn't have any cracked ribs after all, as she was able to walk with no pain, other than the healing bruise on her stomach. The scratches on the side of her face were healing nicely, leaving thin white scars in their wake. Seth had come to trace them with his fingers and tongue so many times, she really didn't mind they would always mar her face.

But her scarf covered some of them today. Today was the Reverend Smith's funeral. Nora and Andy had never actually met the man. He was too far into his ailment by the time they had learned about him from Seth and Sol that they never got the chance. But they had been asked if they would come to the small service.

It hadn't been much of a service really since there was no longer a preacher to reside over such events, so it had just been a small gathering. Probably the way the Reverend would have wanted it, just a few close friends and acquaintances. The guitarist was there, and just a few hymns were sung as he was finally laid to rest.

Bullock had admitted to Nora he felt guilty having been short with the man on occasion, and while never being a particularly religious man, he saw the hole the minister would leave behind in the camp. And even though they'd never met the man, both Andy and Nora attended the service, her dressed in a black, complimenting dress, a deep purple scarf respectfully covering her raven hair.

Bullock wondered if it was a sin to think her so simply beautiful at a funeral. They shared a small, secretive smile, their eyes speaking volumes their lips could not in public. But before either had the chance after the service, Andy whisked her back off down the hill towards the camp, helping to steady her still unstable steps.

But Seth figured he'd see her later that night. And sure enough, as an orange dusk settled over the smoky hills, Nora knocked on his door, and together they spent the night, despite a growing incessant pounding the back of Seth's head.

xxxxxx

U.S. Telegraph Office, Deadwood.
Dr. P. White
19 Westside, Richmond, VA

Esteem'd Sir—
Require more aflatoxin. Attempts to cultivate here contaminated. Send care of special courier. Payment received on arrival. Close to breakthrough. My regards, best wishes of success to all.

Y'r obd't sv't.
A. Hunt

xxxxxx

"No good man is minutely gladdened by the death of his wife."

"You what?" Nora asked in disbelief, rolling over to rest her chin against Seth's chest, looking him in the face as he stared at the far wall.

"My wife was my brother's widow. My son, their child," he shook his head, "I wish to God Robert had never been killed, then maybe none of it would have happened."

"Had you even met them before?"

"Once," he said distantly, "it was as if Robert was already dead, but none of us saw it coming." Nora turned her face, laying her cheek on his chest, feeling him intake a deep breath.

"How awkward that must have been for you both." She said quietly at length.

"We didn't do it for ourselves. We did it for the boy."

"Only a good man could be so selfless."

"Not anymore…the moment I read that letter, couldn't help but feel guilty and relieved all at once." He breathed deep, a quiver on his voice.

"Anyone in said position would feel the same Seth. Stop beating yourself for it," she turned her face, seeing the anger she'd frequently seen strewn across his face. She raised a hand to his chin, turning his face to hers. "You're only human. Stop killing yourself for it."

"You're the only happiness I can say I've known." She smiled softly.

"I'm glad to have loved you too Seth Bullock." She leaned up, kissing him gently, feeling his hand travel up her back, tracing circles on her neck.

xxxxxx

The headache had not gone away. In fact, if anything since the Reverend's funeral, it seemed to grow worse. At times, he felt as though his head and the rest of his body weren't even connected. But Bullock hadn't dared to say a word to anyone about it. Not even to Nora, who was starting to grow increasingly worried as they spent fewer nights together.

Not that he didn't want to be with her, but he just felt off. He couldn't help but remember the Reverend and his fall from health and sanity. He could just hope it would pass, and that's what he forced himself to believe.

But right now, he needed to go pay a visit to Mrs. Garret. He'd heard she'd taken ill and he felt obligated to make a call. Bullock grabbed his hat and jacket, and started down the thoroughfare. A briskly cool breeze was blowing through the camp, brining just a hint of winter with it. He figured that's what was making his eyes water, distorting his vision.

But then suddenly he felt so lightheaded and dizzy, his brisk pace slowed near to a stop, and he reached a hand out for something to brace against. His vision was spinning, his head fuzzy, and it was all he could do to keep standing.

He took deep breaths, hoping it would ease whatever the hell of kind of spell it was. For a moment his vision straightened and he let go the post, confident the spell had passed.

He didn't even take two more steps before consciousness failed him completely and he crashed to the porch.

xxxxxx

The dull pounding in his mind was almost too much. Seth couldn't ever remember feeling this sick. Not even when he sustained his arm injury.

That had been something external. But this was something internal. Maybe that's why it frightened him…especially having seen it first hand with the Reverend.

"Good morning." He knew her soft voice instantly, finding it a most welcome change from the thoughts in his head.

"What happened?"

"You passed out while walking down the street, to hear Sol tell it. He saw you stop against a porch support for a minute, and then over you went."

"What'd the Doc say?"

"Said it could be anything—exhaustion, lack of food, nerves or stress, sickness," Nora shook her head, "any number of things." He nodded his head slowly, suddenly realizing how warm he was. "And now you're burning up. Have been for a good hour or so. That's when Sol called me in."

"Glad he did." Seth offered up a weak smile.

"This fever of yours leads me to think its illness that caused you to black out." She said, concern on her voice.

"I hope not." He shifted his head on the pillow, feeling the sweat soaked cloth were his head had been. Nora wrung a cloth out before applying it to his forehead, patting gently down to his neck.

"We've done all but strip you bare in attempt to cool you down."

"Well it'd be a waste since you couldn't join me." She felt her cheeks flush as a smile came to her face.

"You get yourself well, and I won't spend a night away from you. But now you need sleep."

"Promise?" She moved closer to him, running a finger across his cheek.

"Promise." She kissed his cheek before rising.

thanks for readin'! next chapter should be up in a day or so.