Chapter Seventeen - Anticipation

After pursuing Lila back to Carpenter's ranch, the Winchesters dispatched most of the vampires, all except Carpenter himself, his twisted daughter and Rance. The Carpenters and their foreman had fled into town and Carpenter's money and power were now the determining factors in their survival. Money can buy a lot, even the lives of evil, especially when the townsfolk were used to selling their souls.

Carpenter rode into town proclaiming eternal life and all the money they would ever need if they would just rise up and vanquish the Winchesters. With an offer like that, he had no trouble raising an army to protect them.

Scott scouted out the town and rode back to Jake and Deke with the dire information: they had at least fifteen gunmen to face if they wanted to get to Carpenter, who was holed up at the bank.

"Well Scott, that's only five a piece." Deke grinned, shifting his weight to lessen the pain of his still sore chest.

"Yeah, but you aren't exactly up to your normal high standards there Deke." Scott replied.

"Yeah, but the good news is my lower level is still a hell of a lot better than those rent a gunfighters."

"Glad to see your confidence wasn't damaged by being captured and tortured by a lady." Scott couldn't resist ribbing his brother on his recent troubles.

"Brother, that was no lady!"

"Still dude, a girl?"

"Nah, refer to her by her proper name, the Hellbitch."

"Well bro, you always did go for the wild ones."

"OK boys; let's just figure out our next move." Jake cut in knowing his boys could continue on like this 'til sundown.

They decided to sneak into town at night, rallying any possible allies before facing Carpenter and his men at dawn. Deke wanted to head into town immediately, concerned for Gaby and Aggie's safety, knowing full well how Lila still wanted to hurt him and further knowing the best way to inflict pain on him was to hurt the women.

Jake convinced him to be patient; Scott had insured Gaby and Aggie were safely tucked away in a hiding spot from Carpenter. No need forcing their hand. Morning would come soon enough.

As soon as darkness overtook the town, they quietly rode in, keeping their presence concealed. Their search for allies started at the hotel, since saving Gabrielle should ingratiate them to her uncle, David Elkins. He offered them food and lodging for the night and agreed to arm himself and fight with them against the tyranny that had held his town hostage for too long. Unfortunately, he knew of no other soul in town who would join them in their stand against Carpenter.

Jake's old friend Cain would also take up arms beside them, but he could not be expected to offer up much fight, since he was still recuperating from his considerable blood loss and injuries at the hands of these vampires.

Five against eighteen was not what any betting man would consider good odds, but then again, you have to consider the men doing the fighting. The Winchesters had always fought against long odds and were still alive, fighting the good fight against evil.

Jake considered all their training and experience would sway the scales somewhat in their favor, but the most important element was their fortuitous good luck and ability to always persevere even in the most desperate of circumstances. He saw no reason to believe any different in this fight against Carpenter. After all, they were the good guys, and the good guys always win.

Mr. Elkins and Gabrielle were somewhat disheartened that no other townsfolk would fight to save their town, although the Winchesters were hardly surprised by that. They had seen evil incapacitate good on too many occasions. Most folks hope someone else will take care of the problem, the rest just don't care.

As Jake had so often reminded them, "Folks need time to work themselves up to doing the right thing. They need reassurance they'll not be alone in the battle. Justice and righteousness doesn't just happen. Folks have to convince themselves to do the honorable thing."

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Jake spent the first night in a long time, resting comfortably in Aggie's loving arms. Just lying there with her breathing softly beside him brought the peace he had not known in far too many years. Whatever it took to vanquish Carpenter and his band of cutthroats would be done, so he could once again savor the love of this good woman. He was not about to let this second chance elude him. Happiness waited after one more battle.

Deke took this opportunity to quietly spend time with this stunning woman, Gabrielle. Her beauty was a given, but her inner strength and courage in the face of danger had impressed Deke immensely. Here was a woman that might be able to hold her own against his own considerable personality. He admired her guts and her fortitude, and he was determined to get to know her better.

Scott spent his time preparing the weapons they would need in this encounter. He used the last of the dead man's blood they had collected to coat the arrows that could bring down these vampires. He cleaned all the weapons and double-checked their operation, not so much because it was needed since regular maintenance was the Winchester creed, but more to occupy his mind and fill his time.

He could hardly begrudge the happiness and good fortune of either his brother or dad, but he vowed on the next job, he got to take the lead and cut his brother off at the pass, staking out the beautiful women before Deke had any opportunity.

He had ended up the last one at this party and all the available good women were already spoken for. Damn, it seemed his brother always had the luck with women, not that he hadn't had his fair share of lovely ladies, just not so much recently.

The night stretched on and the silence was overpowering. The sounds of the battle would be loud enough come morning, so they all settled in for a long, peaceful night.

As they separated to tend to their own individual needs and concerns, Gabrielle gave Deke a tender, but needful kiss and looked longingly into his eyes. He took her hand and led her to one of the secluded bedrooms so they could spend some quiet time alone and undisturbed.

The passion in her eyes was inviting and he wondered if he had misinterpreted her intentions. He hesitated, not wanting to take this further than she was comfortable with.

She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Deke, you could die tomorrow. I can't stand the thought of losing you, I just found you."

While facing off against evil under overwhelming odds was a new, terrifying experience for Gabrielle, it was old news for Deke. He could hardly remember the number of nights he had waited in the dark wondering if he would survive the coming morning's battle.

"I'm a tough one to kill. I don't plan on leaving you now that I've found you. Don't worry, we always win." He comforted her.

"I don't want to miss out on the chance to be with you. I need you. I want you to love me tonight."

While that thought had crossed his mind, he hadn't been sure if she too wanted it, if she was ready for it, after all they had only known each other a short time. Her bold statement now indicated the field was wide-open and inviting.

"Have you done that before?"

"No. I love you. It's not wrong." She whispered, ignoring the mores of the day and the restrictions they imposed.

For the first time in his life, Deke really considered his next move, carefully. He thought through all the possible scenarios and considered the ramifications of them all before reluctantly speaking.

"Gaby, I'm not going to die tomorrow. I've got too much to live for. I love you, but I just want to hold you tonight. We have the rest of our lives, no need rushing things."

Deke knew this was the first time in his life he had turned down two beautiful, willing women in one week. Lila, now that was an easy decision. Gabrielle? Man, that was tough. He wanted her, wanted her more than he could ever remember wanting a woman. Damn, what was he thinking?

He gazed into her eyes, her face so sweet yet inviting, longing for him, desiring to be with him in the closest manner possible and he cursed his newfound respectability. Yet in his heart, he knew this was the right decision, his only decision. He knew because he loved her too much to make any other choice.

Gabrielle deserved more than a one night stand. If he were to die tomorrow, then that is exactly what this would become. For the first time in his life he considered that he wanted more, that he deserved more. He was planning on having this woman in his life for a long time. They both deserved the chance at something more. With a sly smile he remembered what he had told Lila: that the anticipation would be so worth the wait. Oh yeah!

His decision just steeled his resolve. He was going to kick some serious vampire butt in the morning and he was not going to die. He now had too much to live for.

He gently held Gaby's face in his hands, savoring her milky soft skin beneath his rough worker's hands, and gave her a passionate, intense kiss, a kiss to fulfill all the desires they felt for each other. They lay down on the bed, her body pressed tightly into his side, her hand gently caressing his bruised and battered chest, her soft touch easing the pain of his wounds, and he felt the simple comfort of just being with her.

As they lay there, feeling the warmth of each other, he started to talk with her. He wanted to know everything about her: her hopes and dreams, her hurts and regrets. And as she told him hers, he reciprocated for the first time in his life and let her share his.

As she snuggled into his side he relaxed and reveled in the peaceful tranquility of this calm before the storm. God, it felt good just to have her by his side.

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As the morning light filtered into the room, Deke stirred from the most restful sleep he'd had in a long time, perhaps ever. He smiled as he reflected on the intimacy of the night before. They had felt as one as they drifted off to sleep still entwined in their loving embrace.

Gabrielle woke from the steady stare she felt from her love. Deke was silently watching her as she slept, envisioning the love he knew they would soon share. She had amazed him last night with her kindness and empathy as he shared his fears and wounds, shared himself for the first time in his life. Gabrielle had seen into his inner soul and had not looked away.

It surprised him that he had been so forthcoming. He should have realized from the way she mesmerized him that first time he saw her that she was a special lady and he was fortunate to have her in his life. He would do whatever it took to come back to the safety of her arms after this battle. Of that, he was sure.

"Morning. You look rested." She murmured.

"Yeah, ready to face the day. Gonna kill me some vamps and come back to my lady." Deke grinned as he leaned in for a morning kiss.

"You promise?"

"I guarantee it. Remember, no worrying. We Winchesters know what we're doing. You just keep the home fires burning; I'll be back in your arms tonight."

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Thanks to all my readers and my faithful reviewers. I have really enjoyed writing this story and your enjoyment has been an added bonus. Special thanks to: IheartPadalecki, pandora jazz, LoveJeter, Pippen3, Littlewing, kokomocalifornia, and lifesafemaledog for their encouragement.

I believe this will be my first story to reach 100 reviews! Thank you!