Chapter Eleven

Previously. . .
. . .As a matter of fact when Tex saw me, he didn't even put up a fight. He just turned himself in without sayin a word. That's why we're here now. There's somethin I wanna appeal to you all about." Cocking her head, J.B. gently asked,

"Just what are you getting at, Bravestarr?" Hesitating he looked at her, then boldly turned and faced the audience once again. "To maybe. . .overturn the verdict given from his last trial." Now the courtroom exploded with a lot of loud shouting and mumbling.

"Overturn the verdict?!" Derringer stuttered out, "Are you serious?!"

"That's right. . ." Bravestarr said, turning until he was looking me square in the eye. Smiling he nodded and replied, "I truly believe without a doubt, that Tex isn't the same person anymore And if given another chance, he'd make things right somehow."

Slowly Billy Bob stood up among the crowd and gave him a solemn expression. "Marshall. . .this is all too much. I mean I know he seems different, but how can you prove that he's sincere? It's hard for a leopard to change his spots. And Tex has been that way for a long time. How do you know that once he's freed, he won't turn around and do it again?"

"Yeah?" Ezekiel said, now standing up beside him. Nodding Bravestarr replied,

"I'll tell you how. . .Because right before Stampede attacked him, when Tex was still old, worn out, and drawn in with evil, he looked him dead in the eyes and said that the years had made him tired, and that he'd had enough. . ."

Now the two prospectors glanced at the rest of the witnesses, including myself, watching as we all looked at them and nodded. Thereafter they could only stare ahead in silence, numbly sitting back down on the bench. Realizing he had somehow gotten through, Bravestarr shrugged, and said,

"So you see, in some ways his mind was already made up. And what's now on
the outside, is really what come from the inside. And I guess in some ways, Stampede already knew that. . .And if he saw it. . .then why can't we?"

***About thirty minutes later, everybody began to clear out of the courthouse except for the former jurors, and Judge J.B. From what I'd gathered, they were now going to re deliberate and decide Tex's fate once and for all.

What made it hard was the waiting! And during this time, there was no way that I wanted Tex to be alone. Having been escorted by Thirty-Thirty, I got to the Marshall's office to find Bravestarr and Angus McBride standing just outside the the somber looks on their faces, I could tell they were just as concerned as I was.

"Have you heard anything yet?" I asked, as Thirty-Thirty escorted me up to the two of them. With his train of thought broken, Bravestarr looked at me and replied,

"Uh, no ma'am. These things take time. Could be a few hours, to a couple of days. . .it all depends on how long the jury deliberates."

"So I guess that means Tex has to stay in jail the entire time, huh?"

"I'm afraid so. . ." Blowing out a frustrated breath, I looked away and stared at the ground. "But you can go talk to him if you want. Deputy Fuzz is in the front, but he'll give you some privacy."

Appreciating his kindness, I looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks Marshall." Just as I was about to go inside, he said,
"Oh by the way. I think I should warn you. He's not in a very good mood."

Looking at Bravestarr, I let out a painful chuckle and shook my head.
"Well, can you blame him?"

As I walked inside the Marshall's office, Deputy Fuzz, who was leaning back in his chair, quickly jumped to attention. "Oh! Well, good evenin Miss Carla," he cooed in a high-pitched babyfied voice.

Amused over how cute he looked and sounded, I smiled then said, "Hello, Fuzz."

"What can me do for you?"

"I came to see Tex. If that's ok?" I replied, watching as he came from behind his desk.
"Why sure. He in holdin cell out in back. Come. Fuzz take you to him."
"Thanks. . ." I said, as he led the way.

The closer we got, the more my stomach began to knot up as though sensing that something wasn't quite right. And by the way Tex looked, I immediately got my answer. In the distance I could see him sitting on the edge of his cot, staring at the floor in a manner that was so gloomy; it almost had me depressed. Feeling a gentle tug on my leg, I looked down to find Fuzz signaling me to come closer. "Tex be this way ever since he got here. He won't eat. . .or drink. . ."

Staring back at him, I then looked at Fuzz and timidly asked, "Can I have some time alone with him?"

Knowing my prior history, Fuzz looked from him to me and nodded. "Why of course you can." He loudly whispered, "I be in front. If you need anything. . .Just holler. Ok?"

Grateful over his consideration, I smiled, then nodded. " Thanks. . ."
"Anytime, ma'am. . ." he quietly said as he turned and walked away.

Blowing out a nervous breath, I timidly approached the cell and cleared my throat loud enough to get Tex's attention. At first his head snapped up rather alarmed. But when he saw it was me standing there, he looked away from me bitterly staring across the room.

"What are ya doin here?" he muttered in a low voice. Trying to be as gentle as possible, I drew closer, until I was gripping one of the cell bars.

"I. . .I came to check up on you. . .to see how you're holding up. . .Are you alright?" My question caused his eyes to shift upward, until they were coldly gazing into mine. "Do I look alright?!"

Knowing he was under an immense amount of stress, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and not take anything personally. Giving him a warm gaze, I replied, "No. That's why I'm here. . .I just came to let you know that the meeting just finished. And everybody's cleared out, including the Marshall and Thirty-Thirty. They're right outside the office, and Angus McBride is with them too. For some reason, he seems to be the most concerned out of everyone."

Immediately I noticed a troubled look wash over Tex's face. Letting out a scoff of disgust, Tex stood up and flung both hands in the air.

"Hah! I'll bet he is! He'd probably love ta see me swingin from a rope!" Rather surprised by that outburst I asked, "Tex. . .Why in the world would you say that?"

"Oh, come on Carla! Look at him! You never wondered how he got into that chair?"

"No. It never really occurred to me. Why?"

"Because I put him there, that's why!" he snapped, slapping a hand on his chest. "A long time ago. . .when I was greedy and very stupid! He was my partner when we first got out here. But I had other plans! After we finished mining, I tied him up, robbed him blind, and was goin ta leave him here ta rot!"

Although stunned, I could do nothing but stand there and listen. "When I took off, the vibrations from the ship caused the cliff he was on ta collapse. And for a long time, I thought I'd actually killed him. Until I saw that I'd crippled him instead! And then after all that time, I had the nerve to rub his nose in it! So you see, I'm sure this is probably one of the sweetest days of his life! For him, and everybody else in that court house!"

Now before Tex could rant any further, he was cut short to the sounds of low whirring, which grew louder and louder. This in turn had him looking past me, until a very startled expression crept over his face. Glancing over my shoulder, I was shocked to see McBride slowly hovering to us in his stratochair. By then Tex's eyes began to narrow with aggravation. "Well speak of the devil. . ." he sarcastically mimed, as McBride got a little closer to the cell.

"Aye, Tex. . .I need to talk to you. . ."

"Yeah, right. . .Ya mean gloat. . .don't ya?"

"Of course not. . ." he replied. Hesitating for a minute, he shook his head and replied, "Honestly Tex. . .I never imagined you to be here of all places, in this situation. But, now that you are. . .I feel obligated to. . .tell you some news. . ."

Caught off guard by his serious response, Tex's defensive guard dropped turning more into suspicion.
"What news? What are ya talkin about?"

Blowing out a heavy sigh, McBride swallowed hard, as though gathering his nerve together. "It's about your family. . ." he answered, as Tex's eyes widened with some apprehension. "W-What about um?"

"Tex. . .I don't know how to tell you this. . .But. . .your pop. . .He passed away less than a month ago. . ." he whispered. "It-It was from cancer. . ." McBride sadly concluded.

For a minute, Tex could only gaze straight ahead with a devastated expression on his face. Swallowing down a lump in his throat, he numbly whispered, "What about. . .my maw. . .How's she takin it?"

"She's strong, Tex. And she's not alone. You're sister is staying with her right now. . ." Gradually Tex's glistening eyes found his, and widened.

"Eleanor?"

Giving Tex a gentle smile, McBride nodded. "Aye. . .Your little sister is now a grown woman, with two teenage sons. They moved in with your mum for the time being. . ." Marveling through his tears, Tex could only stare at McBride with shocked disbelief. Then gradually the impact of everything began to set in, causing his eyes to tightly close, and his to shake with denial. Turning away from us, Tex slowly walked away until he was in the corner of the cell. Little by little his stiff posture began to buckle under the grief, until his head was leaning against the cell wall.

By the way Tex began to tremble, I could tell he had broke down and began to cry. Getting a lump in my throat I watched as he hoarsely wept, weakly beating a fist against one of the cell bars.

"I should've been there." he cried in anguish. "I should've been there with him, and with her! All that time was wasted! And now there's nothin I could do ta change it. . . Nothin!" Crying even harder he weakly added, "It's too late. . ."

Full of tears McBride quietly hovered up to Tex and whispered, "No, it isn't. It's never too late to start over. . ." he choked out, as Tex weakly looked over at him. Still very grieved stricken, Tex could only marvel at him with amazement. Slowly shaking his head he choked out,

"I don't get ya, McBride. . .After everythin I done ta you. . .Why would ya even bother ta tell me at all?"

"Because. . .no matter what happened, you were still my best friend." McBride choked out, as Tex's lip began to quiver. "And even though we separated on bad terms, that never changed. I never gave up on you, and still kept in touch with your folks as much as I could, because they were so worried about you. Your folks didn't want to accept the way you were, and I supported that. I told them that you weren't yourself and that maybe one day by a miracle you'd be normal again. And I was right. It took a long time. . .but you're back. And trust me, Tex. . . your pop knows. . ." he whispered, putting a hand on his shoulder. "And I'm sure he's smiling down on you right now. . ." Completely overwhelmed, all Tex could do was slowly rub a hand over his eyes.

Thereafter his guilt-ridden gaze gradually found McBrides tearful one.
Swallowing hard he whispered, "I know. . .I cn never make up for all that I've done. . But I hope you can forgive me, Angus. . .I-I'm sorry. . ."

On the verge of breaking down himself, Angus reached forward and grabbed unto Tex's hand as it was squeezing the cell bars. "Aye, Tex. To me, that's more than enough. But the best thing you can do now, is to make good use of the time you have left. . ."

Although still very upset, Tex scoffed through his tears and choked out.

"Hah. What time?! I don't have a future anymore, remember?" Right when he said that, Bravestarr and Thirty-Thirty walked into the room.

Turning back to Tex, McBride smiled at him and replied,

"Don't be so sure. . ." Immediately Tex roughly wiped his eyes and put his head down, But it was no use. Deeply moved over his broken down state, Bravestarr looked at McBride and asked, "Did you tell him?"

"Some of the news. . ." he inclined. "But not everything. . ." Slowly Tex's head raised until his disheartened gaze met the Marshall's. "What is he talkin about?"

Looking toward Thirty-Thirty, it almost seemed like Bravestarr was fighting with all he had to keep a straight face. "That a decision has been made on your behalf."

Turning away from him, he looked down at the floor. "That soon, huh? Well? After hearing this, maybe I am better off! Come out with it, Marshall? When am I leavin?"

"Within the hour." Swallowing hard, Tex closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Where?"

Narrowing his eyes in an artful manner, Bravestarr replied, "From here you will be escorted to the courthouse where you will sign a paper stating that you will receive a ten year probation period. Not just on New Texas, but anywhere you decide to travel from this point on. . ." Breathlessly I watched as Tex's head slowly lifted, eyes widening with disbelief. Slowly Bravestarr leaned forward, earnestly gazing into the shocked expression on Tex's face. "Tex if you mess up one more time, your former sentence will be reinstated, and you will receive life on the prison planet. . .Is that understood?"

Completely stunned, all Tex could do was nod with disbelief, watching as
Thirty-Thirty approached and handed me the keys. Nodded at me he winked and replied, "Go on, Miss Carla. Looks like he's your problem now." As I reached forward to unlock the cell, I was shaking so much that I could barely get the key in the hole! As the door slowly slid open, Tex made no attempt to leave his cell. Instead, he only stood there rather doubtful and uncertain. Almost as though he weren't sure this were really happening.

By then Bravestarr was grinning at him, playfully asking, "What's wrong Tex? Cat got your tongue?" Completely unamused and full of suspicion, Tex stared hard at his enemy for over a decade, and asked,

"Somethins tellin me that you had a big part in this? Why?"

"What difference does it make?" Bravestarr replied, with a shrug. "What matters is that you've been givin a second chance." Slowly he leaned forward once again, raising an eyebrow in an artful manner. "I wouldn't waste it if I were you. . ."

Completely overwhelmed, all Tex could do was stare back at the Marshall and shake his head. Thereafter he looked at the pleased expression on McBrides face and for the first time, smiled with appreciation. "I won't. . .Believe me I won't." Now I watched as his eyes shifted on me full of love.
"Carla. . .Do you know what this means?" Feeling the butterflies in my stomach, I whispered,

"Yes. . .I think so." Smiling down at me, Tex got even closer until we were inches apart. "Good. . .Cause I meant everythin I said, last night. Everythin. I'm not wastin anymore time." Timidly grasping my hand, he earnestly gazed into my eyes. "I want ya ta be my wife, Carla. Marry me today. . ."

By then I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I just couldn't contain myself. Before Tex knew what was happening, I threw my arms around his neck and embraced him tightly. "Yes, Tex. . .Yes I'll marry you!" I happily exclaimed, as he tightly rocked me back and forth in his arms.

Although overwhelmed with joy, Tex and I looked sideways to notice the bewildered expressions on the Marshall's and Thirty's faces. Completely stunned by what was happening, Bravestarr lifted a hand up, until he was slowly scratching the side of his head. "And I thought I've seen it all. . ."

One hour later. . .
Knowing that Tex wasn't ready to face the people yet, we decided to have the ceremony right there in the Marshall's office. The only ones present were the J.B. the Mayor, McBride, Handlebar, Fuzz, and Scuzz who he'd actually sent for to be his best man!

So imagine Bravestarr's surprise when Scuzz came back with Vipra, Sandstorm, Thunderstick, Catcushead and Hogtie who all wanted to witness this historic event. Talk about a combination! Outlaws and Lawman all in the same room?! It was almost comical!

"Tex Theodore Montgomery. . ." J.B. said, as she stood in the front of us. "Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health? Till death do you part?" In an almost dreamlike manner, Tex stared down at me and replied,

"Sure do, Judge." Grinning over the way he answered, J.B. shook her head then warmly looked at me. "And Carla Mea West. Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health? Till death do you part?" Gazing into Tex's eyes, I whispered,

"I do. . ."

"Then by the power invested in me, and the planet of New Texas, I now pronounce you husband, and wife." J.B. said, as she closed her book. Proudly smiling at the excited expressions our faces, she nodded then replied, "Tex. . .you may kiss your bride."

Warmly smiling down at me, Tex's hand reached down until he was cupping
the underneath of my chin. As he tenderly kissed me, the entire room began to clap
and cheer. At the same time, Bravestarr shook his head and sighed.

"Congratulations, Tex. I don't know if you realize this or not. . .But you've just made the history books. . ."

Although amused by that statement, Tex gazed at the Marshall full of sincerity.

"Well, I never thought I'd hear myself say this. . .But- I really owe you one." He shyly muttered, watching as the group stared at him with awe Still taken back over Tex's drastic change, he actually let out a chuckle then playfully raised an eyebrow at him. "Just stay out of trouble."

Squeezing me close to him, he nodded, "Don't worry, Marshall. With her by my side, you cn count on it. Cause I know she'll keep me in line!"

As his gift to us, Handlebar gave us one of his boarding rooms to stay in while the freighter was being repaired. And in spite of the Tex's heartbreaking news, our wedding night together. . .was simply beautiful. . .

The next morning, I woke up to find Tex staring down at me with a very tired expression on his face. Sleepily I smiled up at him, and whispered, "Good morning," "Good mornin, Mrs. Montgomery. How did you sleep?"

Grinning up at him I replied, "Very well. And how about you?" Now I watched as he hesitated, then looked away. "You didn't sleep at all, did you?" Slowly his eyes shifted back to mine. "No. . ."

"Why?" Growing very serious, he shook his head then replied,

"Because everything that's happened ta me. . .good and bad, feels like a dream, Carla. And I'm afraid that I do sleep, I'm gonna wake up back in the same nightmare I was in before. . .trapped and alone. . ." he whispered, very troubled.

Trying to comfort him the best I could, I gently replied, "No. That won't happen again. Ever. I'm here. . .and I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me for better and for worse. . ."

"That's good ta know. . ." He whispered, now reaching for my hand. "Because if I ever lost you, Carla. . .I-I don't know what I'd do." He choked out in a cracked voice. Getting a lump in my throat, I slid my arms around his neck and pulled him close to me. As I hugged him tight I whispered, "Oh, Tex. Sometimes you can be so sweet. . ."

Slowly his head lifted, until he was looking into my eyes. "I know. . ." he mimed, as we both chuckled. "Still my only regret. . .is that I got off ta such a late start." This had my hand reaching up, until it was caressing the side of his face.

"Me too. . .but remember, it's not how you start off that counts. . .but it's how you finish." I inclined, giving him an artful grin. As if Tex caught on, I found myself being swept up into his arms, until he was amorously kissing me. Pulling back just for a second, Tex gave me a devilish grin and whispered,

"Hmm. . .you got that right. . ."

Needless to say. . .our morning got off to a great start. . .

To Be continued