Chapter Six

For the first few minutes, our ride to Fort Kerium was one of silence due from the shock of everything that'd just happened. Lying across my lap Scuzz instinctively held onto me, trying to steady himself the best he could. But it was no use. Every vibration from the stratostage caused him to jerk with agony. Looking down at him, I tenderly whispered, "Don't worry, Scuzz. We're almost there. . .We're almost there." As I cradled him a little closer, I noticed the way he stared up at me rather curiously. "Miss Carla. . ."

"Hmm?"

"You have young ones?" Rather surprised by his question, I shook my head and shrugged, "Well, no. Not yet."

"You sure act like it. The way you fret over me. . ."

"Well, Scuzz. You saved my life. "I've got to show my gratitude some kind of way." By the way his eyes weakly widened, I could tell he was a little thrown off by that answer. "Oh, Ma'am. Please no thanks. . .Me rotten person, and you so nice. Nobody ever treat Scuzz this way before."

Feeling like I could be honest with him, I gently replied, "Well, maybe. . .that's because, you never gave anybody the chance."

Before he could say anything, the stage came to an abrupt halt, causing Scuzz to whimper once again. Looking out the window, I was surprised to find myself staring at the front of the Marshall's office. In that instant, the door swung open, and Bravestarrs head poked inside. "Hey guys, Looks like we finally made it. How was the ride?"

"Pretty bouncy. . ." I answered.

"And painful! Me surprised me still in one piece!" Scuzz snapped, giving the Marshall a peevish glare. Looking from him to me, Bravestarr smirked, then said, "Well, the worst part is over. Come on. Let's get you inside."

Within minutes I followed the Marshall, who was carrying Scuzz into the medical unit, where a tall black man dressed in a cowboy outfit met us at the door.

"I got the call. Come on in, Marshall. I was expecting you."

Looking over at me, Bravestarr replied,

"Miss Carla, I'd like you to meet our town physician, Doc Claten. Doc, this is the brave soul I was tellin you about. Miss Carla Mea West."

Nodding, Doc smiled and said,
"Yes, It's an honor meeting you. Even if it is under the worst of circumstances."

"Same here," I replied, watching how he keenly observed our injuries.

"Hmm, looks like you're both going to need some bone grafts." he said, looking down at Scuzz. "What have you gotten yourselves into?"

Glaring up at him, Scuzz weakly snapped, "No time for questions, Doc! Just do something!"

"You can take care of him first. . ." I replied, "He's alot worse off than I am. . ."

Nodding at me, Doc Claten , "Sure thing. . .Lay him down over there."

Gently Bravestarr brought Scuzz down over to the examining table. Although Claten tried to be gentle, removing Scuzz's shirt was another painful event.

By the time he got it off, Scuzz was once again in tears. "Ok. Ok." Doc calmly whispered, "I'm going to examine you, now. Try to be still. O.k.?" Now he moved a huge camera over him, and turned it on. From the monitor we saw Scuzz's entire skeletal frame, with every cracked bone standing out like a sore thumb! "Umm-Hmm." He muttered, rubbing a hand on his chin. "Well. I don't see any internal bleeding, or skull fractures. But you do have four cracked ribs, a broken arm, and a broken foot."

Eyes widening, Scuzz hopelessly looked up at me and moaned, "Oh, no. . .

"
"Don't worry, none." Claten soothingly replied. "We're going to splice them back together." Very fascinated I asked,
"You can do that?"

"Sure can. The laser will graft his bones back in place. But the muscles will still need mending, so he'll be sore for a couple of weeks." Bending down, he said, "Now Scuzz, while the laser is working, you're gonna feel a warm sensation throughout your body. Let me know if you feel any discomfort, ya hear?" Glaring up at the ceiling, Scuzz crossly muttered, "Hmph! Can't get any worse than what it is, right now!" Looking over at Bravestarr, Claten then flipped on the switch. Within seconds I watched as every broken bone in his little body began to simultaneously mend at once!

"Incredible. . ." I whispered with awe. Now the arduous look on Scuzz's face slowly eased up, becoming more and more relaxed.

"There we go. . ." Claten said, turning off the laser. "Much better now?" In a lethargic manner, Scuzz's head slowly turned in his direction and shook. Thereafter his eyes fluttered closed, and he passed out cold. Startled, I asked, "What happened?"

"There's no need for concern. He'll be alright. He's just exhausted from all the trauma he's suffered." Now Bravestarr lifted the limp Scuzz up, and brought him into the next room. At the same time, Claten replied, "Come. Now it's your turn, young lady. . .

"

It turned out that my wrist was fractured, as well as my thumb and index finger! Apparently brought on from the way I'd fallen down. Although the bones were grafted back in seconds, the tendons still hurt something awful, which had him putting my arm in a temporary splint. Once he was finished, Claten replied,

"I'll give you some medication for the pain, but you're safe enough to leave if you want. I'd like to keep an eye on Scuzz overnight. He seems to have trouble staying awake. Which makes me think the concussion might be more serious than I thought." Immediately concerned I replied,
"Well, then I'm staying too. I don't want him to be alone. He needs somebody right now."

For me, this turned out to be one of the longest nights since I'd been to New Texas. Although given my own room to rest in, I still couldn't sleep from a mixture of pain and worry over Scuzz. So instead I found myself moving into his room, reclining in a chair next to his bed. All through the night I watched as he weaved in and out of consciousness. Which in turn had Doc Claten coming in every thirty or so minutes to check up on him.

But aside from all of this mayhem, my mind was swimming with worry of another kind. Namely, Tex. After all, this was the first time I'd actually left the Hexagon in nearly two months. And then, under horrible circumstances. For a minute, I almost pictured him pacing back and forth, looking out to see if we were coming. Or. . .Would it even matter at all?

I know one thing was for certain. Regardless of how he felt, I knew personally, that my being there wasn't the same. For the first time I realized that in spite of everything that had happened, I was actually beginning to miss him.

"Carla. . ." Scuzz's voice echoed in my dreams. "Miss Carla. . .Wakes up." Quickly my eyes fluttered open to find Scuzz sitting up in bed! Immediately I could feel the relief washing over me. "Scuzz! Oh. . .I'm so glad to see you're awake! For awhile I was really beginning to worry about you. . ."

"You mean. . .you stay with me all night?"

"Of course. . .I could've never left you alone. You needed me."

Looking away from me, his head slowly began to shake.
"Scuzz never thought he'd need anyone. . .but. . .me so glad you here." By the way his voice cracked, I could tell he was getting all choked up. Managing to find my eyes, he replied, "Thank you, Miss Carla."

Before he had a chance to say anything further, a light knocking was heard and Doc Clatens head popped through the door. "I thought I heard voices in here." He said, as he walked inside. "Good morning to you."

"Good morning, Doc." I said, as he sat on the side of Scuzz and gently pulled his arm out. Putting a cuff around it, he began to take his blood pressure. "And how are we feeling this morning?" In response, Scuzz's good hand went up until it was rubbing the top of his head. "Got bad headache. . ."
"Well you should. You have quite a nasty bump up there." Looking over to me, he asked, "And how about your arm? Can you move it?" Shakily I attempted to lift my hand up. "Ohhh. . .It's very stiff. . .and a bit throbby. . ."

"But at least you're moving it, and that's a good sign. Remember that the muscles have to have time to heal. . .And it could've been alot worse. . ." he said looking over at Scuzz. "Just think of the shape you'd be in if the Marshall wouldn't have brought you here." Putting his head down, Scuzz thought it over, then mumbled, "Me know. . .Thanks, Doc." By the shocked expression on Doc's face, I could tell that this was the first time Scuzz ever showed him any kind of gratitude.

"Why. . .You're welcome, Scuzz." He said, giving him a touched smile. "And if there's anything else I could do, you just let me know, ya hear?"

Thinking it over for a minute, he shyly replied, "Well. . .There be one thing I want."

"And what's that?" Looking from Claten to me, Scuzz hopelessly sighed then whispered, "Me wanna go home. . ."

Although it was rather early to be released, Claten honored Scuzz's request, and before I knew it, I was back at the Marshall's office. Sitting at the computer, Bravestarr went to press the numbers to Tex's com, then hesitated. Looking up at me out the corner of his eye, he replied, "Uh. . .you know. . .I heard that Clyde was buried this morning." Getting a knot in the pit of my stomach, I couldn't look at him.

"I know. . ." I whispered,

"That could've been Scuzz. . .or even you, Miss. . ." Eyes rolling with frustration, I looked down at him and sighed, "I know, Marshall. . ."

"And you still want to go back, in spite of what almost happened?" Knowing deep down he was genuinely concerned, I could only shrug with hopelessness.

"I have to, Bravestarr. I have to finish what I started. . ." Shaking his head, he sighed heavily then replied,
"I don't know, Miss Carla. In the beginning I understood. . .But now. . .I'm starting to wonder where your motives are truly coming from. . ."

For a minute, I actually began to wonder that myself. As he began to dial the numbers, I let out a weak chuckle and muttered, "Yeah. . .me too. . ."

At the pressing of the enter button, I watched as the monitor began to blink in the two interval pattern. Only this time I didn't even have a chance to get nervous. Within seconds Tex's face appeared, almost as though he was waiting there the entire time! Getting a knot in the pit of my stomach, I could only mutter, "Hello, Tex. . ."

Eyes widening at the sight of my presence, Tex scoffed,

"Hello?! Is that all you gotta say?!" He snapped, throwing a hand on his hip. "I was up half the night waitin for ya'll ta come back! I mean, the least ya could have done was call!"

Before I had a chance to reply, Bravestarr intervened and said,

"It's not her fault. Scuzz had some trouble, and he had to be kept overnight."
Giving him a rather suspicious glance, Tex asked, "What sort of trouble? What are ya talking about?"

Raising an eyebrow, Bravestarr folded his arms and firmly replied,

"Head trauma, Tex. He's got a very bad concussion that kept him unconscious for half the night." Immediately I could see the look of guilt wash over his face. Looking away from Bravestarr, Tex put his head down and muttered,

"Well. . .Will he be alright?"

Completely staggered with his unexpected show of concern, Bravestarr looked from him to me, to notice the content expression on my face, as though to say,

"I told you so." Thereafter he nodded, and replied, "Yeah. He's fine. All his bones were mended back together. But I think their injuries caused him and Carla to lose a few marbles!"

"Why ya say that?"

"Cause they both want to go back over there!" He mocked, giving me a playful glance. As I smiled, Tex gave the Marshall a sarcastic peer, then snapped,

"Hmph. . .Well it sounds like they got perfect sense ta me!"

"Which is why we called. . ." I said, interrupting their little rift. "We're about to head over there for you to come pick us up. Meet us at the normal spot, Ok?"

Staring at me rather hard, Tex then looked away and nodded,

"Yeah. I'll be right there." Then before I had a chance to say anything else, his face quickly disappeared. As I stared at the empty screen, I had a bad feeling that somehow, things weren't going to be the same.

Within the next thirty minutes, we met Tex and Vipra at Ambush pass, where a very sore Scuzz attempted to step down from the stage. Meeting us at the door, Bravestarr replied, "Hold on, a minute. . ." Although confused, Scuzz's eyes widened when he handed him a small cane! "Uh. . .I thought you might need this. You know. . .just till ya well enough ta get around on your own."

Looking up at Bravestarr, a touched expression crossed over his bruised up little face. "Thanks Marshall. . .for everything."

Moved by his unexpected appreciation, Bravestarr smiled and said, "Hey. . .Just stay away from them cannons for awhile, hmm?" Actually letting out a weak chuckle, Scuzz shook his head and replied, "No worry. It be long while before Scuzz touch any gun!"

By the time we arrived to the Hexagon, Scuzz was so sore from the bumpy ride that he could barely move. Jumping from his Skullwalker, Tex looked up and saw the way he was literally doubled over. Cocking his head, he had the nerve to ask, "Well? Are ya comin or not?"

Although very annoyed by Tex's insensitivity, I felt more for Scuzz. Aside from being in intense pain, I knew he was very humiliated. Trying to hide it all, he inhaled a deep breath and said, "You go ahead, boss. . .Me catch up, later." By the way Tex flung a hand on his hip, I could tell he knew better. "Scuzz. . .How stupid do ya think I am? Have ya forgotten that I've been through the same thing?"

Realizing he meant the time he broke his ribs, Scuzz weakly looked away from him and put his head down.

Rolling his eyes, Tex done something that shocked us all. Sighing with frustration, he snapped, "Come on, you varmint. Slide on down, and I'll catch you." At first Scuzz could only gape down at him, completely caught off guard by his unexpected gesture. This caused Tex to glare up at him with aggravation.

"Well? What are ya waitin for?" He fussed, holding his hands out. "I haven't got all day!"

This caused Scuzz to slowly move forward, weakly jumping off the skullwalker until Tex roughly caught him in his arms. Moaning loudly, beads of sweat began to break out all over his forehead. Although greatly troubled over the way Scuzz was hurting, I could tell Tex was trying not to show it. Inhaling deeply, he asked,

"Well? Where do you wanna go?" Turning pale as a ghost, Scuzz weakly panted,

"Room. . .Take me to room, please?"

Not saying another word, Tex turned and began to walk away with him. Feeling obligated to continue caring for Scuzz, I quickly followed. And within the next few minutes, Scuzz was comfortably perched in his own bed, nestled back on several pillows. "Ahhh. . .This be more like it. Thanks Tex. . ."
Now instead of leaving like I thought he would, Tex sat down on one of the stools across from him. Staring at him only for a moment, he asked, "Scuzz. . .What happened?" Deep in thought, Scuzz looked Tex dead in the eyes and shrugged.

"Boss. . .Me idiot. . ." By the way Tex looked away from him, I could tell he was fighting with all he had not to laugh out loud.

"Yeah, I'll say. A darn lucky one, if ya ask me! And I'll show ya why." Reaching underneath his bed, Tex's hand suddenly emerged holding Scuzz's old top hat. Only it was flattened like a pancake! Immediately Scuzz's swollen eyes widened with shock. "Whoa!" he muttered under his breath.

Flinging it on the bed, Tex nodded, "Yeah, you're tellin me. I gotta feelin that if ya wouldn't have been wearin it, that bump on yer noggin would've been a lot worse." Hesitating, he added, "I might've been buryin you the same way they buried Clyde."

Realizing he was telling the truth, Scuzz feebly replied, "Me know. . ."

By then Tex could barely look him in the face. Putting his head down, he sighed,
"Scuzz. . .You know, I wanted ta be there. . .but I couldn't. . ."

Completely dumbfounded, I watched as Scuzz gaped at Tex with disbelief. "Oh, boss. Me know that. Scuzz understands. . ."

Now I noticed the way his stare bitterly shifted toward mine. "Yeah, well. . .at least somebody does!"

Mouth falling open from that unexpected allegation, I watched as Tex stood up and silently walked out of the room. At the same time, Scuzz slowly shook his head. Looking at me, he replied, "Miss Carla, I no think he mean anything by that. . ."

Gritting my teeth, I jumped up and snapped, "Yes, he did!"

After all I'd been through, there was no way he was going to get away with that! Stepping out in the hallway, I came out just in just in time to catch him heading for the kitchen. Angrily I followed him until I was standing in the doorway with my arms tightly folded. I watched as he reached in the icebox, reaching for a bottle of sweetwater.

"Excuse me. . .but just where do you get off trying to make me feel guilty! If anybody should be mad right now, it should be me! Not once since this happened have you even bothered to ask, "Carla, are you alright? Carla, are you hurt? No, not you. . .I guess given your bad reputation, that's too much to ask, huh?"

By the way he slammed the door shut, I knew he was insulted and now very angry. Trying the best he could to control it, he turned around and glared at me.

"Ya think I don't feel bad about what happened to ya?! I was up half the night worried sick, if ya must know!" Looking down toward my bandaged arm, his head began to shake. "But none of this would've happened, if ya wouldn't have stuck your dang nose where it didn't belong!"

Giving him a look of sheer exasperation, I snapped,

"Well what else was I supposed to do?! Just sit around abandoned inside of an empty campsite, while there's shooting going on?!"

Looking away from me, Tex could only stare down at the floor with guilt and aggravation. As he looked up at me out the corner of his eye I angrily added,

"Frankly, I don't what's your problem! I've already been here a month and a half, and not once have you attempted to rob, steal, or do any kind of crime! Why?! I mean, I came here to observe normal criminal behavior. . ." I stressed, as his eyes narrowed with aggravation. "And when you finally do break down, you don't even let me in on it!"

Slamming his glass down on the counter, he snapped, "Well maybe that's cause I was tryin to protect you! Cause I didn't want you in the middle of it!"

"But you still should've told me, Tex! At least I could've made a choice!" I sharply replied, as his eyes rolled upward with defeat. "But nooo, not you! You had to go right on being deceitful!"

Hesitating for a moment, I sadly asked, "Which has me wondering . .if what happened to us at the lake. . .wasn't a set up too?" Completely thrown off guard by my question, the annoyed expression on Tex's face immediately disappeared, soon replaced with a very marred one. Sighing heavily, his head slowly began to shake.

"Carla. . .How in the world could I set up somethin that I'm not used to?" he stressed, looking away with humiliation. "It's been a long time since I've let any female get that close ta me. And ta be honest it felt. . . kinda nice." He shyly hinted as I smiled at him. Awkwardly he looked away from me and muttered, "And knowin what I was finally gonna do, only made it worse!"

"Why?" At first he couldn't answer. Then sighing with frustration, he irritably answered, . "Cause. . .I didn't want you ta be disappointed. . .Alright?"

Marveling from his answer, my head slowly began to shake. "Why would I be?" I asked, getting a little closer until I was standing right on the side of him.

"Look. . .I never came into this thing blind, Tex. . ." I stressed as he soberly looked at me. "I knew the risks from the beginning, and I certainly know what I'm getting myself into now. Nothing that you'd do would surprise me. . .Except for when you lied. . ."

Giving me a very hurt look, Tex put his head down and whispered. "I know. . .And I'm sorry. . ." Full of compassion, I reached for him. His eyes fixed on my hand as it gently covered over his. "Just forget about it." I whispered as he turned toward me. "And remember, that if you want to rob and steal. . .that's your choice. I'm not involved in what you do. . .so it shouldn't matter." Giving me a hard look, his head cocked then slowly began to shake.

"Ya know. . .in the beginning I would've agreed with ya in a minute. But now that I've really gotten ta really know ya . .it does matter!" He irritably muttered under his breath.
Thereafter he slowly turned and walked out the door.

To be Continued. . .