25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020
Day 16 - Christmas in a Small Town
Prompt from FanFiction User lisamarie1987jan: Western AU. [Full prompt located at the end].
"Whoa," Beca Mitchell called out, pulling on the reins to bring the horse to a stop. Steely blue eyes squinted as they surveyed the small town just below where she had stopped. Having been through these parts before, the owner of those steely blue eyes knew the town was called Barden. A town her cousin filled pages about in her letters to Beca.
Barden was a town that consisted mostly of women; women who loved women. Beca smiled beneath the bandana covering the lower part of her face to keep from inhaling the dry dirt the wind was whipping around. This was her kind of town.
Beca was a small, but commanding presence sitting on her trusted black steed in her black denim trousers and a red and blue checkered mackinaw covering her black button-down shirt, with black boots on her feet, and a black hat pulled low over her forehead.
Beca used her heels to gently touch the horse's sides, urging him to start moving again. The trusty steed walked at a slow steady pace toward the town, taking guidance from the reins held loosely in the steady hands of its rider.
As Beca reached the outskirts of Barden, she took everything in as she looked right then left. There were a few faces watching from various windows as she slowly moved down the main road. Each eying her with scrutiny as only a woman could. Beca smirked behind the bandana covering her face.
Beca stopped in front of Chloe's Boardinghouse for Women and dismounted, sliding gracefully from her horse. She tethered the reins around the hitching post and slowly made her way to the entrance.
Beca looked at the sign by the door.
"Boardinghouse," she read and snickered.
Remembering Stacie's letters, she knew that the Boarding House was a polite name for a brothel. Only this one catered to both the townswomen and the occasional male traveler. Beca pushed open the door and walked in.
"Hi, stranger," a female voice said, causing Beca to look at her. "May I help you?"
Beca removed her hat, shaking out her long brown hair. She then pulled her bandana down, tucking it under her chin.
"Beca!" the woman squealed and grabbed Beca in a hug.
"Hi, Dr. Conrad," Beca said.
"Stop with the Dr. Conrad business," Dr. Conrad said. "Everyone around her just calls me Stacie."
"Sorry, Stacie," Beca said. "I'm just so proud of you becoming a doctor."
"Nothing to fret over," Stacie said with a smile. "What are you doing here?" Stacie's face turned serious. "You'd better not let Aubrey see you."
"Aubrey?"
"Sheriff Posen," Stacie said. "Your picture is up all over her office."
Beca sighed. "What am I wanted for?"
"Murder. You supposedly killed some guy named Bumper Allen in Dodge City."
"I haven't been anywhere near Dodge City in over a year," Beca said. "And I certainly didn't kill anyone named Bumper when I was there."
"I believe you, Beca," Stacie said. "But you know how these things happen. The person who actually killed him probably claimed to be a witness and identified you as the killer. Everyone knows the name Beca Mitchell as that of a gunslinger."
"Just because I can handle a gun," Beca said. "Doesn't make me a murderer."
"I know that," Stacie said, hugging Beca. Stacie pulled back and looked at Beca. "You still haven't told me why you're here in Barden."
"Christmas is in a few weeks," Beca said. "Can't a girl visit her cousin for the Holidays? You talked so much about this place in your letters, that it sounded like my kind of town. I thought I'd check it out as I might be looking to finally settle down."
"That's great, Beca," Stacie said.
"Thanks, Stacie, I've got this," a sweet angelic voice called from somewhere behind Beca. "May I help you?"
Beca turned to see who was speaking and froze on the spot. The woman was about her age, with red hair, and the bluest eyes Beca had ever seen. She was also the most beautiful woman Beca had ever seen. The woman smiled at Beca and Beca smiled back.
"Sorry, ma'am," Beca said politely. "I'm just looking for a room for a few days."
"Chloe," Stacie said. "This is my cousin, Beca Mitchell. Beca, this is Chloe Beale."
At hearing Beca's name, Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. Chloe recovered quickly and her smile was back in place.
"Your wanted poster doesn't do you justice," Chloe said, staring at Beca.
Beca let out a laugh.
"It is very nice to meet you, Chloe," Beca said as they continued to stare at each other. "Do you have a room for me? Preferably long-term. I have a feeling I'm going to be sticking around for a while."
~~ Day 16 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Beca had been in town for three days before Sheriff Posen came to see her. Beca was in the dining area of the boardinghouse with Stacie. They were both enjoying the stew that Chloe had made for her lunch special.
Beca kept staring at Chloe, and Stacie noticed.
"You like her," Stacie said. "You should tell her."
Just then the door opened and Sheriff Posen walked in with her Deputy, CR Adams.
"Hey, Aubrey," Chloe called out. "Hey, CR. You two here for lunch?"
"Not right now," Aubrey said as she made her way to Beca's table.
"Sheriff." Beca nodded in greeting.
"Beca Mitchell," Aubrey said. "We should be here to arrest you, but, um, we're not."
Beca was confused. "Why not? Isn't that your job?"
"My job," Aubrey said. "Is to keep the citizens of Barden safe. And we have a situation that is going to lead to some safety concerns."
"What does that have to do with me?" Beca asked.
"There's a ranch about ten miles from here," CR said. "Owned by Jesse Swanson."
Beca sat up straight in her seat and looked at Aubrey and then at CR.
"Jesse Swanson?" Beca repeated. "I don't know who that is."
"He was best friends with Bumper Allen," CR said.
"And I have it on good authority," Aubrey said. "That he knows you're in Bardan and is planning something to take his revenge against you killing Mr. Allen. He's calling his plan to get you, the Christmas surprise."
"I didn't kill Bumper Allen," Beca said. "He had a lot of enemies, but I wasn't one of them."
"Let's say I believe you," Aubrey said, crossing her arms and looking at Beca. "Swanson thinks you did. And he's about to enter my town to make you pay. I can't have that."
"Why aren't you putting me in your jail so he can find me easily, or are you planning on just handing me over to him?" Beca asked.
"If I do either of those things," Aubrey said. "He'll think he can come into my town and do whatever he likes and we won't do anything about it."
"That's where you come in," CR said.
"What are you asking Beca to do?" Stacie asked.
"We want her to help us get rid of Swanson and his men when they come for her," Aubrey said.
"Her reputation as a gunslinger precedes her," CR said. "We need her talents with a gun to help save our town."
Beca looked down at the table, then looked at Aubrey.
"What's in it for me if I help you?" Beca asked.
"I won't arrest you," Aubrey said. "And no one outside of Barden will know you're here."
"You can't be serious, Aubrey," Chloe said. "There's got to be a better way to get rid of Jesse and his men than using Beca as bait."
"I'm not using her as bait," Aubrey said. "She was already here and Swanson somehow found out about it. I'm giving her a chance at keeping her freedom. If she helps us I won't be sending a telegram to Dodge City informing them that we have her in custody. No one will come here looking for her."
"You should do it, Beca," Stacie said. "Aubrey wouldn't make the request if she didn't really need your help. And she's right about him and his men coming back here thinking they can do whatever they want."
Beca sat back and thought about Sheriff Posen's offer.
"I have a counteroffer," Beca said.
"I'm listening," Aubrey said.
"In order for the law in Dodge City to leave me be," Beca said. "I'm going to have to be dead. So, I want you to send a message to the Sheriff in Dodge City that I was arrested and then killed while trying to escape. That should stop them and everyone else from looking for me."
"That's actually a good plan," Aubrey said. "Okay. You agree to help us and once Swanson is done away with, I'll send the telegram."
"So, you want me to kill Jesse Swanson?" Beca asked.
"Yes," Aubrey said. "But, I'm sure he'll give you no choice. His ego will cause him to want a showdown with you, to prove his manhood. I have faith that you will win that showdown."
"So, I guess that means we have a deal," Beca said.
"Yes," Aubrey said. "I guess it does."
~~ Day 16 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
On Christmas Eve morning, Beca was having breakfast with Chloe in the boardinghouse. Chloe was nervous for Beca and took every opportunity to try and talk her out of having a showdown with Jesse Swanson.
"I'm begging you, Beca," Chloe said. "Please don't do this. I like you and I don't want you getting hurt or end up dead."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Chloe," Beca said, standing and going upstairs to her room.
Chloe sat with her head in her hand. Stacie came in and walked over to Chloe.
"Are you okay, Chloe?" Stacie asked. "I thought Beca was having breakfast with you?"
"She was," Chloe said. "Until I opened my big mouth about not wanting her to go up against Jesse Swanson."
"Don't worry so much, Chloe," Stacie said. "Beca knows what she's doing."
Both women looked up when they saw Beca come down the stairs carrying a rifle.
"Where are you going, Beca?" Stacie asked.
"I saw some wild turkeys not far from here," Beca said. "I thought I'd try and bag one for Christmas dinner."
"That sounds wonderful," Chloe said. "I'll plan a nice Christmas meal for everyone. Thank you, Beca."
Chloe kissed Beca on the cheek, causing Beca to blush.
"Well, I'd better get out there," Beca said.
Beca returned a few hours later with two wild turkeys strapped to her saddle.
"Beca!" Chloe squealed excitedly. "The girls are going to love you for this."
Beca blushed and got off her horse. She reached up and untied the turkeys, handing them off to Chloe and Jessica.
"What are we going make to go with the turkey?" Jessica asked as she and Chloe took their turkeys into the boardinghouse.
"Mashed potatoes for sure," Chloe said. "I think I may have the fixin's for an apple pie."
Beca watched as Chloe and Jessica walked off together.
"Tell her," Stacie said from behind Beca, causing Beca to jump.
"Don't sneak up on me like that," Beca said.
"I saw the way you were watching Chloe," Stacie said. "You should tell her you like her. She already said she likes you."
"I don't think I can," Beca said.
"Beca," Stacie said. "This is Barden. No one here cares who you like or love."
"I know," Beca said. "I'm just not used to being so open about who I like, especially when it's a woman."
~~ Day 16 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
That night, Beca was nervous. She sat with Stacie, Chloe, and Sheriff Posen. She and Sheriff Posen were discussing the best way to handle Swanson and his men.
During a lull in the conversation, Chloe leaned over and whispered to Beca, "Are you okay?"
"Who? Me?" Beca mumbled. "I'm fine."
"You seem nervous," Chloe whispered, her breath tickled Beca's ear, causing a shiver to run down Beca's back.
"Maybe a little," Beca admitted.
"I can help you relax," Chloe said, standing and reaching out a hand to Beca. "Come with me."
Beca looked around the table and then back at Chloe.
"Come on," Chloe said, with her hand still held out to Beca.
Beca stood and took Chloe's hand. Chloe led Beca up the stairs and into her room.
~~ Day 16 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
The next morning, Beca came downstairs to find Stacie, Aubrey, and CR sitting at a table, eating breakfast.
"Good morning, Beca," Stacie called out, smirking at Beca. "Sleep well?"
"Yes, I did," Beca said, flashing a smirk of her own. "I slept very well. Thank you for asking."
Chloe came out of the kitchen with a plate of food.
"Good morning, Beca," Chloe said and placed the plate on the table. "This is for you."
Beca looked at Chloe and smiled. She walked over to her and gave her a quick kiss.
"Thank you," Beca said and sat down to eat. "Merry Christmas everyone."
The sound of thundering hooves stopped any further conversation.
"I guess Jesse and his men are here," CR said.
Beca, Aubrey, and CR got up and walked outside, ready to face whatever was to come.
Stacie, Chloe, and the others looked out the windows and waited.
Jesse and his men remained on their horses staring down at Beca and the Sheriff.
"Sheriff Posen," Jesse said. "Let's make this real simple. You hand over Beca Mitchell and we'll leave. No muss, no fuss."
"I can't do that," Aubrey said. "She's my prisoner and I'll be turning her over to the Marshalls when they come for her."
"I guess we'll just take her then," Jesse said.
All Jesse's men pulled their guns on the group. Aubrey and CR pulled their guns as well. Stacie, Chloe, and a few others came out holding rifles and guns at the ready.
One of the men made a move, and then he and two others yelped and jerked their hands back as their guns went flying to the ground.
Beca twirled her gun and replaced it back in its holster. She smiled up at Jesse. "The next shot will be right between your eyes."
Jesse's jaw clenched as he looked at Beca and the women behind her.
"I don't think so, bitch," Jesse snarled.
"Oooo, a tough guy, huh?" Beca drawled.
Jesse's face turned red with anger. "I'll show you how tough I am. Meet me at Noon in the middle of town so we can settle this."
"Let's just do it now and get it over with," Beca said. "I have lunch plans."
"If that's the way you want it," Jesse said. "Let's go."
Jesse dismounted and told his men to stay put.
"Hold up there," Sheriff Posen said. "We need to make a few rules before this can happen."
"What kind of rules?" Jesse asked.
"Rule number one," Beca said. "After I kill you, your men will leave and never come back to Barden."
Jesse and the men laughed. "Rule one is fine with us because I won't be the one dead."
"Rule number two," Sheriff Posen said. "Your men will surrender their guns to me and Deputy Adams now. They will be returned when this is over."
"Agreed," Jesse said and looked at his men. "Hand 'em over, boys."
Stacie and Chloe held their guns on the men as they started tossing their guns to the ground at Aubrey and CR's feet.
Jessica and two other women collected the guns and took them inside. Beca nonchalantly reloaded her gun.
Jesse stood watching as Chloe ran and grabbed Beca in a hug.
"Maybe after I kill you," Jesse said, smiling. "I'll have a little fun with your girlfriend."
Chloe flinched and Beca's face hardened. She kissed Chloe and turned back to Jesse.
"Let's do this."
Beca turned to Aubrey and said, "Watch for Jesse's men. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a few of them hiding around town."
Aubrey nodded as Beca followed Jesse to the middle of town. Jesse stopped and turned to face Beca. Beca stopped about six feet away from him.
Jesse shifted to move his jacket away from his gun. Beca watched him. Jesse made a move for his gun; so did Beca. Two shots rang out.
A few seconds later, Jesse fell face-first into the dirt. A cheer went up from the women. The cheer died when another shot rang out.
Across the street, a man fell off the balcony of the mercantile. CR holstered her gun and Beca looked back at her with a smile.
"Stacie!" Beca called out. "I need Dr. Conrad."
Stacie and Chloe went running over to Beca. Beca was holding her side, blood was seeping through her fingers.
"Oh, Beca," Chloe cried, grabbing Beca in a quick hug.
"Let's get her to my office," Stacie said.
Chloe helped Stacie. Aubrey and CR kept watching Jesse's men to make sure they didn't try anything.
Aubrey looked at one of the men. "Get Jesse and the other one and get out of my town."
Four men dismounted and ran over to get the two bodies. The others slowly rode their horses over to them and the bodies were thrown over the backs of two. The four men mounted their horses and looked at the women; the women all held guns on the men until they had made it out of town.
"Take off your shirt," Stacie told Beca as she gathered a few things.
"Chloe, can you help me?" Beca asked grimacing.
Chloe unbuttoned Beca's shirt and took it off her. Stacie looked at the wound.
"It's just a graze," Stacie said as she wiped away the blood. "I'll have to stitch it up."
Beca grimaced and nodded. "Do what you got to do."
After Stacie stitched Beca up, the three women went back over to the boardinghouse. As soon as the townswomen saw Beca they cheered.
Beca blushed and pulled Chloe to her. Chloe put her hand on Beca's face and turned it toward her.
Chloe looked into Beca's eyes and whispered, "I love you."
Beca's eyes widened. "I love you, too," she said, just before their lips met.
Full Prompt from FanFiction User lisamarie1987jan: Western AU. Beca is a drifter and Chloe is a widow running a bar/brothel. Beca comes through town seeking a place to stay and ends up falling in love. But there ends up being trouble (the Treble gang comes through town) Aubrey and CR are the Sheriff and Deputy and they ask Beca for her help. Stacey is the town Doc.