The Trouble with Drifters
Chapter 25: Ambush!
"Your right, this is a beautiful piece of heaven. How did you find this place?" Jonathon remarked standing by Inara. The pond was secluded about 100ft off the main trail with a small beach. Thor and Betsy were grazing lazily nearby on some tall grass. "I overheard some young girls talking about it after I first arrived in town. The more rebellious ones like to skinny dip here with their beaus." Inara answered then looked Jonathon in the eyes.
He knew what she was wanting. Jonathon wanted to release his anger and frustration too. There were several reasons why it was a bad idea. Inara couldn't see that through her pain though. "Inara, enjoyable as it would be it wouldn't be in your best interest." He said squeezing her hand. "You're angry with me, aren't you? I don't blame you for feeling that way." Inara replied letting go of his hand disappointed.
Jonathon put his hand on her shoulder once again. She stopped in her tracks as he began to speak again. "No Inara, I'm not angry with you. I've seen how being...raped affected other women during the Civil and Red River Wars." He said letting the words sink in. "You need to come to terms with what happened. Talk to someone you trust, maybe Sheppard Book or Dr. Frasier. Being touched in that way could hurt you more, both physically and mentally." Jonathon finished seeing Inara's shoulders droop.
Inara turned around then launched herself into his arms. 'Jonathon was right; she needed to get her head on straight first. Probably should get checked out by Janet as well. She still hurt from where Jeff... Jeff would never touch her again, never!' Inara thought to herself as she cried on Jonathon's shoulder.
Jonathon held Inara softly caressing her back in a comforting way. 'She's a tough lady, one that will come out on the other side stronger than before.' The Brazilian beauty pulled away after a few minutes looking at him with puffy eyes. Jonathon wiped away the few remaining tears seeing a small smile appear. "Thank you Jonathon, you're far to kind and wise to be the cold hearted bounty hunter you come across to be." She said standing up straight then kissing the man on his cheek. "Don't tell anyone, would hate for my reputation to be tarnished." Jonathon replied with a wink. "Too late for that, the whole town see's how Cassandra Frasier has you wrapped around her little finger." Inara answered walking over to Betsy getting her towel and soap. "In my defense Cassie bribed me with a hug." He said walking over to Thor grabbing his gun cleaning supplies and a cigar.
Inara just laughed as she walked to the edge of the pond. Jonathon had sat down on a fallen tree pulling out one of his pistols then proceeded to unload it. He also had his rifle leaning against the tree, presumably to be on the safe side. 'No one ever came around before, why would they now?' She thought then smiled. "Oh Jonathon..." Inara beckoned the man getting his attention. "Since bathing together isn't going to happen you can watch while I undress. You wouldn't want some Peeping Tom (A/N1) to see me naked." Inara said as she started unbuttoning her blouse. Jonathon didn't say anything because there was nothing to say. Inara was doing this more for herself than him. However that didn't mean he wouldn't enjoy the show. Once her clothing was discarded she entered the pond feeling the cool water against her skin. Inara waded into shoulder deep water and started bathing washing off her shame. She knew Jonathon enjoyed her striptease based on his posture. That made her feel better, she owed him that much.
Inara hummed to herself lost in her own world, a life full of love and babies. Malcolm's face appeared in her day dream walking into their cabin with a sandy haired little boy following. Yes this was the life she yearned for and would have. The little boy ran over to her open arms with a wide grin ready to say...'CRACK!'
Inara jumped as the sound of a bullet passed by her interrupting the day dream. When she opened her eyes she witnessed an Indian fall into the pond clutching his bloody chest. The Indian brave splashed water on her from the impact causing her to scream loudly. Another 'CRACK' from Jonathon's rifle landed near a rock ricocheting off. "Get the hell down Inara and stay down!" she heard Jonathon yell at her as another bullet passed nearby hitting a tree. He took cover while trading fire with another Indian.
Everything was moving in slow motion to Inara. Bullets were flying all around her yet she was frozen in place. Inara watched Jonathon fire several more times at a young Indian brave running on the other side of the pond. The brave slumped against a tree dropping his own rifle in the pond. She screamed once more as the young Indian brave fell backwards with a hole in his head. Inara turned around facing Jonathon as he scanned the area for more hostile Indians. "...behind you Jonathon!" she screamed trying to warn him.
Jonathon turned just in time as an older Indian warrior jumped at him. The warrior had his tomahawk (A/N2) raised ready to strike. She watched as Jonathon blocked the intended death blow with his rifle then thrown to the side. The warrior recovered from being tossed aside coming to a stop in the dirt not far for her. Inara didn't dare come out of the water as she was frozen with fear. She had heard stories about fighting Indians, now she had front row seat.
Inara watched as Jonathon went to shoot the warrior from the hip only to have the rifle jam. The warrior charged Jonathon, tomahawk held high, letting off a war cry. Inara thought the bounty hunter was done for as his rifle no longer worked. To her surprise and the warriors Jonathon clubbed him breaking the stock off in the process. The warrior stumbled back falling on his backside dazed and bloodied.
A fourth Indian brave jumped out of the woods firing two shots from a pistol, one grazing Jonathon's right leg. He tossed the now useless rifle aside drawing one of his pistols turning quickly to the left firing four shots in quick secession. The brave fell dead at Jonathon's feet bleeding from three bullet holes in the chest. He quickly turned his attention back to the dazed warrior who was reaching for the tomahawk inches away. Jonathon stepped on warriors' hand driving his boot heel into it hard. To the credit of the Indian he didn't yell out holding in the pain. Inara listened as Jonathon spoke to the warrior in a language she didn't understand. The Indian spoke back then spit on the bounty hunter. He wiped the spit of then gave the warrior a devil may care smile. She jumped as Jonathon promptly shot the warrior in the head without remorse.
Inara just stood there in the pond, arms covering her breasts, taking in what just happened. The whole fight seemed like it lasted forever yet it was only a few minutes. Four Indians attacked and four were now dead. Inara watched as Jonathon scanned the area with his other pistol drawn.
She finally came out of the daze realizing Jonathon was calling her name. "Inara are you okay? Inara answer me! Don't make me come in after you!" He said finally getting her attention. "Yes...I...I'm fine. Where did they come from? I didn't hear anything Jonathon." She said from the pond still too scared to move. "Inara, we need to move and quickly. That means you need to get dressed!" Jonathon replied going into the pond when she didn't move quick enough. Much to Inara's surprise he threw her over his shoulder without a care. "Jonathon, put me down. I can walk on my own!" He sat Inara down looking her over seeing no signs of injury. "Good, that means I won't have to dress you to!" Jonathon answered back then picked up his damaged rifle sticking it back in the scabbard.
Water dripped from both of them as they went about getting ready to leave. Jonathon reloaded his pistol then retrieved the dead Indians lining them up next to each other. "Were they Comanche Jonathon and what are you doing with them?" Inara asked as she dried off and dressed quickly. "Yes, they are Comanche. They are coming with us once I retrieve their horses." He answered listening for the sound of their steeds. "Why are you bringing them with us? Shouldn't we just leave them for their people to bury?" she asked not understanding. "The town folk need proof that these Comanche can be beaten. They also need hope. Far as I'm concerned their souls can rot in hell!" Jonathon replied slipping into his old self without realizing it.
Inara looked back at the four Indian ponies with their former owners draped over them. Jonathon had retrieved the horses then secured the dead Comanche by rope. This made her feel uneasy wondering why it was necessary. "Explain to me again why we are bringing...them with us back to town." She asked noticing they were nearing Haven. Jonathon took the cigar out his mouth tapping in on the saddle. "Based on what I read in the paper no one has laid eyes on the Comanche. That's because they take their dead with them. They leave the bodies of their victims behind as a warning..." He explained then smoked a little more of his cigar." Bringing in one dead Comanche is big, but four. That will get people's attention, maybe give some men courage to take up arms and hunt them down." Inara thought about what Jonathon said. He was right; no one has seen a Comanche live or dead. Maybe this would spur the sheriff into action to save face. The question is will Jonathon be willing to lead if Pete isn't?
"You do realize we will be the center of attention. Not to mention Walter will want to interview us." Inara said with a smile. "Oh, for crying out loud!" he bemoaned dropping his cigar making Inara laugh.
A/N1: The 'Peeping Tom' reference dates back to 1043 in Coventry, England and Lady Godiva. Long Story short her husband, Leofric III Earl of Merica, agreed to reduce local taxes on one condition. Lady Godiva had to ride through town naked on a horse. Everyone in town covered their eyes except for a tailor named Tom. Legend has it he was struck blind after seeing her.
A/N2: A tomahawk is a type of single handed axe used by indigenous peoples and Nations of North Americans.
LoneWolfO'Neill