Please see Chapter 1 for Warnings and Disclaimers
A/N: I know it's been forever guys and I'm sorry but my life is just super busy! I am really short on time these days so this probably does not have quite the proof reading as some chapters, but I wanted to get it posted. Big thanks to Wolfpyre for input on this chapter!
Chapter 14
Buck studied the mahogany-haired child at his side as they walked toward the school. The thought of all she'd had to endure made his stomach turn. The good-hearted peacekeeper could not really comprehend the world that the girls came from. Still she didn't seem mean-spirited to him, just without direction. He supposed it now fell on him to offer that direction.
"Why did you pull all those pranks?" Buck queried. "I mean I get why you'd pull 'em on True, but why everyone else?"
Naomi looked up at the tall dark-haired man and shrugged. "It was fun," she replied. "Besides, I couldn't very well frame True without pulling the pranks."
"And it didn't bother ya none that folks might get hurt?"
"No one got hurt. They weren't dangerous."
"Well, I'll tell you right now having poison ivy all over my whole body wasn't all that pleasant." He didn't bother to mention the black eye that he'd received from a certain fiery tempered redhead.
"Itchy but not painful," Naomi defended, "Besides, I'm sure Rhianna healed you right up."
"One way or the other it was miserable and though Rhianna did heal me, she couldn't do nothin' for poor Elle without lettin' on about her abilities."
"It's hardly my fault you tend to get horizontal with anyone wearing a skirt!"
"Hey, now," Buck interjected but Naomi continued.
"Besides I'd say the tart probably got what she deserved. Professional hazard and all that," Naomi chuckled.
Buck stopped in his tracks and took a firm hold of Naomi's arm, a shadow crossing his normally affable face. Little did the girl know that she had managed to hit on one of Buck's few sensitive areas.
"Now you listen sharp, little girl. I hear you talkin' like that again and I'll tan your britches. You've got no right judging another soul in this town or lookin' down on people you don't even know. I'm tellin' ya right now you'd best learn to show folks a little respect."
Naomi was taken aback by Buck's reaction but she wasn't one to be cowed. "Respect has to be earned," she stated resolutely, lifting her chin.
Buck studied the girl before him. "Ya know that chip on yer shoulder is gonna sink you right down to the bottom of sea of trouble one of these days. You'll get a lot further in life if you show people just a touch of respect and kindness in the start. Sure not everyone's worthy of it but there's plenty who are."
Naomi didn't reply and Buck decided she'd had enough of a lecture. They continued on their way to the school. Lauren was grading schoolwork at her desk when they entered. Buck waved her back into her seat as she made to stand and then led Naomi forward to make the introductions.
"Lauren this is Naomi. Naomi this is Miss Willis. Naomi here has somethin' to say to you," Buck stated nudging the girl at his side.
With a heavy sigh Naomi looked straight at the young schoolteacher. "I'm sorry for the pranks I pulled in your classroom."
Lauren eyed the girl before her speculatively, noting the wary dark eyes. Vin had told her all about Naomi, where she came from, and all that she had been through. As angry as she was at the turmoil the girl had brought to their lives, all the young teacher could see before her was an anxious little girl in a strange place and unsure of her future. Her heart went out to the child.
"You have caused a great deal of trouble young lady," Lauren observed, allowing none of her compassion to show in her voice.
Naomi didn't really know how to respond to that so she stayed silent.
Lauren picked a ruler up off of her desk and motioned the girl forward. After a push from Buck Naomi approached slowly, wary of what the young woman might have in mind.
"Hold out your hand, please."
Naomi paused and looked up at Buck but when he inclined his head, indicating she should do as she was told, she did so - willing herself to show no indication of her inner trepidation.
"When I was in school and children misbehaved the teacher would rap their hands with a ruler. I never really approved of such a practice as I believe it impedes the writing process. I have no compunction, however, about using this on a naughty child's backside. You had best remember that in the future." Lauren paused. She didn't really have the heart to physically punish the girl, knowing what she had been through, but she knew from dealing with True that she needed to establish her authority early.
"You may put your hand down. For your pranks in the classroom I think you can stay after school for the rest of this week and next. You can clean the chalk boards for me and I can assess your academic level, then you can work on some extra assignments."
Shaking her head, Naomi was ready to argue but Buck cleared his throat. She looked up to her guardian then back to Lauren, who still held the wooden ruler in her hand. After her earlier discussion with Buck, she didn't really think that he would object to the teacher using it on her.
"Yes Ma'am," the girl finally answered.
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"So you gonna tell me what's eatin' at you?" Conall asked as he watched Rhianna gently run her hand across one of the new Remington's his dad had just got in.
"What do you mean?" Rhianna replied turning to the dark-haired youth in surprise. He'd had a growth spurt in the last couple of weeks and she had to look up a ways to meet his serious grey eyes. She idly wondered if he would be as large as his father when he reached manhood.
Conall sighed in exasperation. "Usually, my Da gets a new shipment of guns and you're like a fox in the chicken house. You've barely said two words since gettin' here."
"They are an admirable addition to his stock," Rhianna replied looking away.
"Come on, tell me what's wrong."
Rhianna exhaled a heavily. "Family matters," she finally answered despondently. "I apologize. I know I am not particularly good company right now. I probably should not have come, but I really wanted to get away for awhile."
The dark-haired teenager took her hand with a grin, an errant curl falling into his eyes as he led her to a wooden bench and took a seat. "I'm glad you came, but you'll feel better if you talk about it."
"It is…complicated," Rhianna replied, but Conall just looked at her expectantly his dark brows knit in concern. "Conall, if I tell you some things, some things that might seem unlikely or strange, can you just accept them as truth and not ask any questions or share it with anyone else?"
"Of course."
Rhianna bit her lip. It really would be nice to talk to a friend, someone outside of the situation. "Buck's daughter just came to town. She is going to be living in the boarding house with us. In my room in fact," the blond added, her frustration with the arrangement evident in her tone. "She and True – well to put it mildly they are at odds."
"How can they be at odds if she just got to town?"
"This is the part that is going to seem far fetched, and well, strange," her green eyes met his imploring him to just accept what she was about to tell him without demanding further explanation. "True, Naomi, and I are all from the same place. We all knew each other before coming here."
Conall nodded, without comment. "Guess that's why you and True speak Gaelic."
"We speak what?"
"Gaelic. Least that's what I figured it was, sounds like my Gran used to and the bits my Da uses."
Rhianna tucked this bit of knowledge away for future investigation. She also noted that she and True might need to be a bit more circumspect in their use of the Clan tongue. Deciding not to comment, she just pushed on. "Well, True and Naomi used to have a bit of a rivalry, back in the day, and well, you know the pranks that have been happening around town?"
"You tellin' me it was this new girl's doin'?"
"Yes, and as you know, most everyone has believed it to be True. In fact she framed True quite handily, and myself as well to some lesser degree." Rhianna proceeded to tell Conall what had transpired the past few days, omitting a few details here and there. She was not yet ready to reveal her abilities or True's and she didn't bother to try and explain where it was that they actually came from. True to his word, Conall refrained from asking prying questions.
"Oh, yeah, I can see where True would be fit to be tied," Conall nodded after Rhianna had filled him in.
"I admit I was none too pleased myself, but," here Rhianna paused not sure how to explain her compassion for Naomi without revealing too much to her friend. "Naomi has been through a great deal. She has lived through a war and seen those she cares about killed only to be uprooted and land here with a father she does not even know." After what she had shared, Rhianna knew that Conall probably had his suspicions about Naomi actually being Buck's daughter, but he did not challenge the claim.
"And with a heap of folks mad at her to boot."
"Well, that was her own doing."
The boy nodded, "Reckon you're right about that. Still can't believe she pulled that prank on Mr. Larabee. She must be plum crazy or mighty brave. I'm guessin' he skelped the skin right off her."
Rhianna grinned at that offering a nod in the affirmative, though in reality she thought Chris had been fairly lenient. Of course he wasn't finished with Naomi yet either, so time would tell.
"Don't suppose that did anything to soothe True's ruffled feathers, though."
"No, and when True is riled, she gets herself in trouble. In fact Chris was going up to have a little 'chat' with her right before I left. It is just so hard. I hate the rift between True and Vin. I hate that True is hurting and getting herself in trouble because of it. I feel bad for Naomi. I just do not know what to do to fix this!"
Conall shook his head, "Whoa there. I know you like helpin' Nathan in the clinic and aim to be a nurse or some such thing, but this isn't the type of thing that even the best surgeon in the world could just fix up or cure. Doesn't fall on your shoulders either. Your whole family is gonna half to work it out and I'm guessin' it's gonna take some time."
Rhianna sighed heavily. She knew Conall was right, though she didn't really like his answer much.
"You're welcome to come over here any time to get a break from it all, though," Conall offered with a grin, gently knocking her shoulder with his own. "And if it gets real bad I'll even sneak one of Da's guns out and we can go shootin'."
"Thanks. And thank you for listening, and not asking questions that I am not at liberty to answer."
"Maybe someday you'll be able to tell me all of it, and I'm guessin' that will be a real interesting tale."
"Indubitably. You are a good friend Conall, and a good person."
"So good that you'd let me steal another kiss?" he asked his eyes dancing with humor. Ever since that dance he'd been trying to get up the nerve to kiss her again.
"So good that I'll offer one freely," Rhianna answered, leaning up to gently press her lips against the young man's, hiding her amusement at the look of utter astonishment on his face.
"Conall, lad? Ye be in here?" Mr. McGowan's booming voice drew the attention of both young people.
"Here, Da," the boy replied, coming quickly to his feet. "With Rhianna."
"Oh, hello, lass. Conall show ye m' new shipment?" Though the gunsmith had originally found it odd for a female to show such an interest in his wares, he could not deny the pride and satisfaction one got from somebody appreciating his work. He had become quite fond of the girl and had grown accustomed to her interest in the guns he stocked and altered.
"Yes, sir, some very nice additions," she said with a big smile.
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As they headed out of the schoolhouse, Buck veered off toward a large oak behind the school rather than heading in the direction of the boarding house. Naomi followed, curious where he was leading her now.
"Thought maybe you and me should get to know each other better," Buck offered.
"Okay," the girl shrugged.
"Here," he said patting the wooden seat on the rope swing that was hanging from the tree. "Why don't you sit here while we chat?"
Naomi did so without argument, though she thought it was kind of silly. Buck gave her a push and set the swing in motion.
"So what sorta things do ya like to do? 'Sides bein' a rascal and pullin' pranks on folks."
Naomi had to smile at that. "I like to swim. I love the water. Someday I want to live in a house beside an ocean. Maybe have my own boat," she answered stretching her legs out toward the sky as the swing took her up and away from the peacekeeper.
"That's a mighty fine dream," he commented offering another push as the swing returned the girl to his reach. "Maybe we can take a train over to San Francisco some time."
There was a companionable silence for a while, and much to her surprise, Naomi found the simple activity a rather pleasant and relaxing distraction.
"How about you? What do you like to do besides spend time with the ladies?" She asked cheekily.
Buck chuckled. "Well, lets see. I like to dance, but then that tends to require one of those lady friends you mentioned. I enjoy a game of poker now and again and like to sit down and share a drink with friends. Take pleasure in sittin' down to a good home cooked meal, too."
"I like to dance, too," Naomi offered thinking back to some of the clan festivals. From the time she could walk she had loved to join in the songs and the dancing. She could still remember standing on her Papa's feet and him dancing her around the floor.
"Town has a social every now and again so I reckon you'll get the chance for that. The lake and even the river are good for swimmin' in the summer too."
"They're good for swimming now," Naomi said with a chuckle.
"It's mighty cold for that, little rascal," Buck said with a shake of his head, continuing to push the girl on the swing, though her momentum no longer required his assistance. "So do you have any other questions for me?"
"Do you have any family?" Naomi asked. "Any REAL family?"
"None by blood. It was just me and my Ma growin' up and she's gone now, God rest her soul. Chris and the rest couldn't be any more like family if they were my own flesh and blood, though. Think you'll come to see that."
"I doubt it," the girl replied stubbornly letting go of the rope and flying from the swing to land solidly on her feet.
"Guess we'll just have to wait and see," Buck answered knowingly.
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Chris pulled a chair out for Mary, brushing her cheek with a clandestine kiss as he did so, bringing a pretty flush to the newspaperwoman's cheeks. He had not been able to spend as much time with his fiancé as he liked and he was rather missing her. Perhaps, they could take a stroll later this evening, just the two of them.
Nettie hid a grin as she witnessed the intimate moment, realizing that the two probably needed a bit more alone time. Chris might never get around to marrying her otherwise. The gray-haired widow's brow furrowed as she deposited the potatoes on the table. This rag tag family really needed her and it was difficult to do everything she would like to for them and keep her small homestead running as well. A problem that definitely warranted some thought, but not this very moment.
Imitating Chris, JD pulled out a chair for Casey, bringing a big grin to the teen's face. Vin and Lauren were already seated, as was most of the family. Mrs. Whittaker was tucked into bed where she would stay for at least another twenty-four hours per Nathan's orders. He didn't like how her cough had developed or the fact that her fever was on the rise.
"Where's Rhianna?" Chris queried looking in True's direction.
"Don't look at me. I've been in my room," she replied somewhat querulously.
At Chris's raised eyebrow, she meekly ducked her head and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. His belt had made a good impression and she did not want any more of that type of attention for a long while.
"Sit yerself down, Chris," Nettie instructed, "Girl's probably jest runnin' late."
The large boarding house table was definitely pushed to its full capacity as Nettie asked Josiah to say grace. Just as he finished, an out of breath Rhianna entered the room.
"Sorry, I am late," she offered taking her seat.
Chris offered a glare for his charge. "Where exactly have you been?" he demanded.
"With Conall. His dad got in a new shipment of pistols and he was showing them to me. I just lost track of time. Sorry, it will not happen again."
"See that it doesn't," Chris growled.
Billy grinned, ready to offer his own commentary on what she and Conall were probably doing but a pinch and stern glare from his mother put an end to that idea right quick. The family meal progressed normally, with chatter and banter which was quite an experience for Naomi who was somewhat awed by the novel experience. She found it difficult to concentrate on eating as she listened and watched all of the friendly interactions.
"Ain't ya hungry?" Buck asked. "Not many around can rival Nettie's cookin'."
"Oh, ah, yeah," Naomi replied stabbing a piece of meat bringing to her mouth. Once she started she realized that Nettie was indeed an excellent cook.
To top of the sumptuous meal, the crotchety matron had baked both an apple pie and, Ezra's favorite, a peach pie for dessert. Though she would never admit it she loved to indulge her adopted family. She may not have the money to shower them with fancy gifts but she could provide them with their favorites now and again.
"Ah, my dear lady, Ezra intoned dramatically. I might just have to ask for your hand in marriage."
"Ya do, and ya' ll be gettin' the flat of a wooden spoon ta the back o' yer trousers, young man," Nettie scoffed, though she was secretly pleased with the compliment.
"Billy, have you finished your homework?" Mary asked.
"No Ma'am."
"I guess we'd better head home, then, after I help Nettie clean up."
"Rhianna can see Billy home and help with his homework," Chris suggested.
"Of course," the blond girl agreed, aware that Chris wanted some time with Mary.
"Casey'll help me clean up, Mary, and the young'uns can clear the table 'fore they head off in different directions. Ya jest stay there an' relax a spell."
"Aw, Nettie," True started to complain.
"I don't wanna hear it from you, little miss."
"Naomi and I are due for a discussion upstairs," Chris stated firmly, thinking it best to get that over with so he could spend the rest of the evening with Mary. He had a promise to fulfill to the newcomer after all.
"No, I don't reckon ya are," Buck interjected.
All eyes turned toward Buck, stunned by his declaration. A small smile crept to Naomi's face. She had known Buck was a wise choice as guardian.
"Suppose that's my responsibility now, Stud," Buck continued locking eyes with his old friend. Chris gave a slight nod, letting his friend know that he admired his decision.
Naomi's smile slipped. That didn't sound so good. Though she figured any correction Buck offered would be far more moderate than Chris's.
"Fact is, I reckon True was right about what she said earlier. She was switched and I suppose Naomi deserves a taste of the same, so I guess she and I need ta take a bit of a walk."
Naomi's jaw dropped and shock was evident on everyone else's face as Buck came to his feet. Rhianna and True shared a surprised look. Buck had never offered more than a swat or two to True and not even that to Rhianna. Had he really just said he was going to switch Naomi? It was True's turn to sport a grin as Buck ushered the newcomer out of the boarding house.
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"You don't really mean to give me a whippin'? Naomi demanded incredulously.
Buck continued walking, one hand on the girl's back. "You ever been switched?" he asked.
"Yeah. You?" she replied insolently.
"Yeah," the tall peacekeeper replied softly, "Just once," Buck paused. "By a school teacher...for somethin' I didn't do. Promised myself I'd never use one on anybody."
A small sigh of relief escaped Naomi's lips. She hadn't thought Buck was the type and after the friendly conversation they'd had earlier, she'd actually gotten the impression that Buck might actually like her just a little bit.
"That's what makes this so hard. Much as I'm opposed to usin' a switch on anybody, I honestly believe you deserve a taste of what True got. Partly 'cause ya don't even really think what ya done was wrong, and partly 'cause ya don't seem ta care none about the hurt ya brought ta other folks."
"But, but, Mr. Larabee, he already spanked me."
"Yes he did, and I know Chris don't do nuthin' by half measures, but it don't seem ta me that ya learned yer lesson. 'Sides Chris promised ya another lickin' for all yer trouble."
"But not with a SWITCH!" Naomi argued.
"Sorry, darlin'," Buck said shaking his head as he pulled out his knife and reached for a wispy green tree branch. "The way I see it, you've got this comin' an' as much as I don't like it, I'm the one that has to deliver." He started to methodically strip the bark and nubs from the switch.
"No you don't! Ya really don't! I promise I have learned my lesson and I'm really sorry and I won't do anything like it again."
"I truly hope ya won't," Buck said with a nod, cocking his head toward the boarding house indicating that they should return.
Naomi gave a furtive glance in the opposite direction.
"Sweetheart, ya really don't wanna go makin' this any harder than it already is. You run from me and I'll just have ta catch you and paddle your hind end before I carry ya on up to the boarding house to finish the job. Neither one of us wants that."
Wrinkling her brow, the girl had to admit she really did not want that and she knew that Buck's long legs would catch her quickly if she made a run for it. She just couldn't believe this turn of events, though. There had to be some way to dissuade the lady's man.
"But I thought we were gettin' on good, earlier," Naomi whined, willing to try anything to avoid that vicious switch.
"I reckon we were and I hope we have some more of those opportunities, but that don't change the fact that right now, I have make sure you understand that those pranks you pulled and all the rest that went along with it was wrong and hurtful. I surely won't enjoy it, but that don't change the fact that I need to do it." He paused examining the girl's anxious face.
"Best we just get it done and over with," Buck insisted softly, putting a hand on her shoulder to prompt her to start moving in the right direction.
Before she knew it they were in the peacekeeper's bedroom. It was smaller than the one she shared with Rhianna and his larger bed took up much of the limited space. There was a wooden bureau with a mirror hung above it and a cloth covered chair by the window. A small table beside the bed held a lamp and a few other sundries.
"Okay, bend on over the bed, Rascal," he instructed softly.
Furrowing her brow at the nickname, but seeing no other option, Naomi did as she was told. Hoping that by some miracle he would change his mind. The first stinging lash brought with it the realization that her hopes were in vain. She gasped as the fiery pain blossomed in her rear. As thankful as she was for the woolen trousers, they did not dampen as much of the impact as the girl would have liked. The second strike caused her to yelp and tears to spring to her eyes. Biting her lip, Naomi tried to brace herself against the pain as the switch connected a third time with the seat of her britches, but could not help the hitched cry that escaped her lips.
Much to her surprise and relief there was no fourth strike. She took several deep breaths and exhaled, then felt herself lifted from the bed. Buck took a seat and settled her between his legs, gently wiping a tear from her cheek.
"Now you've had a taste, just a taste, of what True got. You can go braggin' to her how you didn't get a full on whippin' with this switch, and then you and I can come back up here and finish the job, or you can keep your mouth shut and think twice before trying to pin your wrongdoin's on someone else ever again."
Naomi nodded. "I'll keep my mouth shut," she agreed, as relief flooded her. Those three licks had hurt plenty and she had no desire for any more.
"That's good."
"Uh, can I go to my room now then?" Naomi asked uncomfortably.
"Oh, no little one, we're not done here," Buck corrected lifting a hairbrush off the bedside table. "This was my mama's. I used to love to watch her brush her hair at night. She had the most beautiful hair. Didn't love it so much when she used this on my backside, but if I remember right it was a pretty good deterrent." With that Buck pulled the girl over his knee and brought the brush down on the seat of her trousers.
Naomi's gasp was more one of surprise than anything. The flat of the brush did hurt over the lashes of the switch, but were it not for the wicked stripes from earlier, she wouldn't really have thought it hurt much at all. The brush fell again, no harder than the first time.
"Now, while you're over my knee, I want you to give some thought to what you done that was wrong and why it was wrong," Buck instructed bringing the brush down again.
The paddling was uncomfortable, but Naomi was happy to note that Buck didn't seem to be near as handy with the brush as Mr. Larabee was with the spoon yesterday. If it weren't for the three lashes, this might very well be the mildest spanking that she'd ever received. Off handedly she wondered if she ought to yell and fuss a little so that Buck didn't catch on to that fact. This must be the first time he'd done this and the girl certainly did not want him to realize he wasn't doing it right.
She squirmed a bit for effect, realizing as she did so that there actually was a bit of heat building in her nether regions. Buck continued to bring the brush down methodically first on the top of the bottom across his lap, then right in the center, then down on the lower curve. He didn't use much force, but in another couple of minutes, Naomi was wiggling in an attempt to avoid the rhythmic swats.
With his free arm, Buck circled her waist and drew the girl in close, keeping her in position despite her twisting and wriggling. Naomi sniffed. Though, Buck had not increased the intensity of the swats the cumulative affect was creating a serious burning sensation in her rear. Not to mention there was no talking or anything to distract her from the cadence of the hard wooden brush connecting with her backside. In another couple of minutes, Naomi burst out, "Okay, okay, OUCH! Enough already. I get it. I shouldn't have pulled all the pranks. It was wrong. I'm sorry."
"I'm glad to hear you know it was wrong," Buck commented without slowing at all. "Now how 'bout you tell me why it was wrong."
"Well, b-b-be-because, um well it made people feel bad or, or scared or upset or embarrassed, I guess and, and, and," Naomi had started crying now and was having a hard time talking through her tears. "And it caused trouble between people."
"Yes it did," Buck agreed, still not ceasing his relentless assault on her the girl's upturned bottom. "You told me before that your pranks weren't dangerous, that you didn't hurt anybody, but I'm here to tell you that you did hurt folks, and sometimes those inner hurts are worse than physical ones."
"I-I-I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"
"Okay then," Buck said stilling his movements. "I want you to understand. Just because you're hurtin' inside, don't mean it's okay trying to go around makin' others hurt too." With this last statement, Buck raised his knee tipping his charge forward and brought the brush crashing down three more times with some force.
Naomi squealed and then burst into sobs. Buck laid the brush down, and lifted the girl up, flipping her over and cuddling her into his chest. She cried for a good long time and he smoothed her hair and rocked her, just letting her cry. When she finally quieted, Buck continued to rock until her rhythmic breathing told him she had fallen asleep. With a kiss to her brown he carried Naomi to the room she shared with Rhianna.
TBC…