Momochan77: Hello friend! After one of the most stressful weeks of my life I finally found some calm time to sit, breathe, and edit this chapter so I could post this weekend. I hope you enjoy it - I sure enjoyed writing it! A very odd feeling of missing Billy came over me that I can't really put words to. I'm not sure how I can miss someone I never met, but I guess that's part of what makes Billy a great legend. Anyway, I hope you like the chapter! :)

Chapter 18

As Larry and Lancelot pushed on into the Asian wing Anna did her best to keep Billy away from the knight.

"Bowdre had more loyalty in one finger." He muttered and she did her best to console him. She knew Charlie Bowdre had been one of Billy's dearest friends. So much so that after their deaths they'd been buried with their third buddy Tom O'Folliard. The friendship was so strong and so well known that in the year or so that followed their burial someone snuck to the gravesite and scribed the word 'Pals' on their shared headstone. There was also a guilt that Anna felt Billy had always kept buried. Both his buddies had been killed in attempts from Pat Garrett to kill the Kid. Tom had been shot one night when they'd been riding back into Fort Sumner, he'd died surrounded by his enemies taunting him until his last breath. Charlie had been bunking down with Billy and some others in a shack. He'd gone out to feed their horses when the sheriff's posse opened fire thinking it was Billy who'd stepped out of the cabin. Charlie had been riddled with bullets like Tom had. Bullets all meant for Billy. And through it all Pat didn't care. He showed no remorse for the people he killed on his mission to murder Billy Bonney. Pat had been gunning for him like some prize that would win him a seat in the senate. His dream of doing better off for himself. How he'd been played. Made a pawn of. He'd been an idiot, thinking the Ring cared about him and his future goals. They only wanted Billy out of the way, once that was done Pat had been left high and dry. The governor didn't even give him the reward, he had to petition for it - twice. He'd murdered his own friend and in the end got barely anything for it. No notoriety. No glory. Nothing. He didn't even get reelected as sheriff.

Anna continued to pat Billy's back and rub her hand in circles as Larry led them into the adjoining room which was filled with glass display cases. Small ones lined the walls of either side of them while wider ones stood in two rows leaving a path that cut through the center of the room. Many held ancient scrolls with various Asian flora with precise handwritten lines under red stamps. In the center a robe was on display surrounded by jewelry.

Red banners were hung from high and rested above the display cases giving a splash of color to the grey room. At the opposite end there was a stone staircase that led to the next room in the Asian wing. But before they could take a step a small gold creature that looked like a monkey with wings and a headdress clinked its way in front of them a raised a single hand.

"Oh hey guy. We're just passing through." Larry greeted.

The creature looked into the room behind it them shook its head at Larry and chattered away something unintelligible.

"It's a Garuda from Tibet." Teddy informed him.

"A Garuda? Okay hi Garuda how you doing?"

"Garuda!" It cried giving a jump them spreading its arms, "How you doing?"

"Cool. Great." Larry took a step forward. The Garuda tiptoed quickly to the right to block his way keeping its arms spread. Larry tried to walk the other way only for Garuda to do the same thing to the left.

"Okay we just. You know what buddy we just got to get through. I don't have time."

But Garuda stayed in place holding its arms out to stop them. Billy chuckled.

"I wish we had little critters like this in New Mexico." Anna nodded, forget New Mexico she wanted a Garuda for her apartment. Though Larry was getting frustrated Anna couldn't help but be amused as he ran back and forth as Garuda kept up with him, its little toes clinking against the stone floor while it chittered away.

"I'm not going to play this game with you I've got to go through, really."

Larry cut around Garuda and the others followed, Anna kept her eyes on Garuda as they passed and the little creature shook a finger at her before jabbing its thumb over its shoulder. Looking up all Anna could see was a single stone sculpture in the center of the room. It didn't look like a threat – until it moved. It heaved with a large breath as it slept and it turned its head just enough that they could barely see the side of its face. Everyone jumped back to either the left or right side of the doorway.

Larry and the others all ended up on the left while, Nick, Lancelot, Anna and Billy were crouched on the right.

"A dragon." Lancelot said in excitement.

"No it's not a dragon." Larry corrected reading the plague on his side, "It's a, Xiangliu. Mythical Snake Demon."

"Do you wish you had one of those in New Mexico too?" Nicky asked Billy.

"Nick?" Anna piped up.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

"It looks like a dragon." Lancelot continued, "I say we kill it."

"What? No, it's asleep."

He shrugged, "You're right. It's not very sporting to kill it while it's asleep. Let's wake it up then kill it! I shall go first and I shall take the boy."

"What are you – no. You're not going to take the boy."

"Why not?"

"Because he's a boy."

Billy scoffed, "That means nothing."

"Larry, there comes a time in every man's life when he must slay his own dragon."

"Well not this kid, all right. He still hasn't finished all this thank you notes from his bar mitzvah. Anyway that's just an expression -"

"Not where I come from."

"He's not going to slay his dragon right now. Okay, we're going to go around it, we're going to go around it now or else we're gonna lose the signal. Come on."

The others all filed in behind Larry. Lancelot looked bummed about it as Garuda took tiny steps peeking out to watch them. The snake continued to snore and occasionally flick its tongue. Anna worried that it would sniff them out and their scent might wake it.

Larry led them around the left where a covered hall much like the one in the medieval room was. The center of the room where the snake was had four sets of small steps leading to the wrap around hall where the red fence separating the pathway was open. Anna stayed on Billy's left side as they followed Larry past the steps – and their most vulnerable position.

Of course that's when things took a turn for the worst.

The tablet in Ahkmenrah's hands glowed green as the corrosion spread. He groaned and fell off balance as Larry caught him and they slid to the ground. Teddy began stammering before he shouted, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!"

"Teddy Shh." Larry tried to quiet him. Sacagawea froze and her eyes glazed over. The snake stirred at hearing Teddy and Attila screamed.

Billy grabbed the center of his chest and fell to his knees on the floor before falling the rest of the way and sliding into the stone steps on his side. Anna bent down beside him as he tried to catch his breath but all that came out was a sick choking sound.

"Charge!" Teddy shouted among his inconsistent jabbering. The snake uncoiled and nine heads rose ready to strike.

"Fantastic! It's awake." Lancelot shouted with glee, "Now we can kill it."

He drew his sword and ran straight at the Xiangliu hitting one head after another with precision. One head was able to grab his sword sideways in its jaws and pushing forward forced Lancelot back toward their group. He pulled his blade free and continued to strike.

"Dad!" Nick shouted and Larry left Ahkmenrah and tried to get across the room to his son but the multiple heads easily stopped him.

"I'll get the boy!" Lancelot shouted fighting off one head and running for Nick. At the same time another head curled around Larry and lifted him into the air.

Billy started to choke out something that Anna couldn't make out.
"What?" she asked leaning closer.

"Behind you."

She tuned and saw a head coming right for them. She pushed Billy out of the way and jumped back as the snake struck the steps where they'd been just a moment before. She was forced to continue backward, dodging the snake as one after another tried to take a chunk out of her. She'd never been more grateful for recess jump rope then right now.

Behind her Lancelot passed Nicky a dagger to fight with while Larry freed his flashlight and defended himself from the sharp teeth.

To the side Attila was crouched near Ahkmenrah while not far Billy laid on the steps still looking in a great deal of pain as he kept a hand to his chest just over his heart.

As Anna ducked and jumped over the striking snakes one caught her off guard. After it missed her it flailed its head knocking her in the back and throwing her to the steps. Landing on several corners of stone didn't feel good and she rolled onto the flat surface behind the red fence hoping to have enough cover to catch her breath. Behind her Teddy stood making a speech.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!"

Looking up Anna had lost the attention of the snakes as they focused on Larry, Nick and Lancelot. She crawled back over to Billy and rested her hand over his.

"Gun." He gasped.

"Huh?"

He nodded his head to the side and she turned and saw the Winchester Teddy had dropped when he'd started reciting lines. Billy was in no condition to shoot, but Anna could.

Billy took a moment to take in the sight of the arcade she'd brought him to for their date night. It wasn't every night they went out but their outings had become more and more frequent as the years passed. Anna had taken to keeping some modern day clothing in one of the lockers in the night guard office for Billy. Which was how he was in jeans, a grey tee shirt and a flannel over the top of it right now.

The dark room and neon lights flashed around signs atop each game. Anna knew with his sharp reflexes Billy would probably be great at all of them - even with some like the claw machine being rigged so you'd lose no matter how accurate you were. But there was one she was most excited to show him. She'd never been a gun enthusiast but the game Big Buck Hunter had been a favorite of hers since she was a child, and learned she had quite a knack for it. And, she'd chosen a night where the arcade wouldn't be too crowded.

Though even without a throng of people Anna had underestimated how difficult it would be leading Billy to the game. Every machine they passed he eyed and asked what it was and what it did. She answered the first two or three times before simply rolling her eyes and urging him to follow her, promising they'd have time to try everything, it was only ten o'clock and the arcade stayed open til three. When they reached the game she had in mind Billy almost instantly became focused once he saw her pull the green shotgun from its place in the slot. A smile took over his face as she put the money in and hit the button to start. Holding the gun in front of her abdomen Billy looked like he was almost transfixed.

"I've never wanted you more." he said still grinning as he walked up to her, their noses almost touching, "You look good holding a shotgun."

She giggled and stepped back pulling out the orange gun and passing it to him. "Alright Kid let's see what you've got." she challenged as she slammed his button to start and the screen transitioned to their first level. They both took their stance and aimed, cocking the guns as fast as they had to in order to keep up with the fast pace.

"No, no not fair!" Billy protested. "I thought the critters were supposed to be a distraction. You never said they gave extra points for 'em!"

Anna laughed and Billy grabbed her with his free arm. It coiled around her waist like a snake and held her back to his chest. He bent slightly making it difficult for her to aim, and impossible for her to reload. He however, was crafty and kept sliding the barrel along his knee to cock the toy weapon as he aimed and fired one handed. When Anna wriggled anough to get free Billy's hand clawed into her stomach tickling her so hard she laughed at the top of her lungs. Normally in a public place she'd be embarrassed beyond belief, but with Billy she just had a good time. Manuvering herself she was finally able to tickle him back making him loosen his grip enough that she could get back to shooting too. Their laughter growing louder then the game itself.

Quickly she ran for Teddy's rifle and picked it up. It wasn't much different from the toy gun with the game, though it cocked differently, but it was easy enough to figure out. She just really hoped it was loaded. Sitting up on her knees behind the red fence she aimed at one of the heads and fired. Her first shot was a direct hit, but it captured the attention of several of the others heads around the one she'd hit. And her bullet hadn't killed it, only stunned the snake as it shook its head and tried to stop the disorientation. Cocking the gun she fired again plugging one after the other, it helped Lancelot and Nick as they moved about striking the heads and adding to their disorientation.

"Doing a heck of a job Brownie."

Anna caught sight of Larry who had managed to get one snake to tie itself into a knot. Then he ran for the wall and grabbed a yellow box. Tossing it onto his back he grabbed two panels and Anna realized what it was. He leapt, using one attacking snake as a springboard and flew into the center of the Xiangliu.

"Clear!" he shouted before making contact and the electricity of the defibrillator made the whole creature spasm before it collapsed unconscious to the ground, a mess of snake bodies and heads.

Larry stood and caught his breath, "These things really do save lives."

In the doorway Garuda leapt left to right chattering away happily. Then it fell back on its wings with its limbs shaking in the air before it got up clapped it's hands together and walked off.

Anna dropped the gun and returned to Billy. He didn't look in pain anymore but was taking deep breaths as his head rested back on his hat that had fallen off.

"Are you alright?" she asked and he nodded.

"I'm going to need a minute."

"Okay, take it easy." She said as he tried to sit up on his elbows.

Behind them Ahkmenrah got back to his feet with Attila while Teddy and Sacagawea embraced.

Larry leapt off the Xiangliu and made sure Nick was okay. Then he retrieved his phone from under one of the snakes. The screen was cracked and dark, too broken to be useful anymore.

"How are we going to find them now?" Ahkmenrah asked seeing what had happened. Before Larry could answer Teddy walked up behind him both his expression and Sacagawea's grim.

"Lawrence? I fear we've turned a corner." Teddy said raising his hand, "I'm becoming wax again son."

Anna looked to Billy worried, she'd gotten him upright enough to sit on the steps with her and he had his elbows resting on his knees as he caught his breath. His inhaling was still too deep for her liking and after seeing him crippled by agony she wondered how much worse could it really get for him?

Larry looked as horrified as she felt. "All right, we'll look for them later. We've got to get to Egypt now."

"Wait, shouldn't we keep looking for Jed and Octavius?" Nick asked as Anna helped Billy to his feet.

"Nick is right. A true knight never shirks his duties." Lancelot added.

"Oh now you think that." Billy muttered as Anna helped him follow after the others, staying close by in case he got winded.

"If we don't get to Egypt soon we're not going to save anybody." Larry deadpanned as he marched off.

They all followed behind though Anna was having trouble keeping her head focused on the present. Her mind now drifted back to the arcade date night, the memory fresh in her mind.

"If that cord didn't have to attach it to the game -"

"I won." she said smiling as she held onto Billy's arm as they walked down the sidewalk back to the museum. No matter the excuses she'd gotten more shots in then Billy the freaking Kid.

"I'll get better at it." he promised excited for the challenge. She giggled again. "There's never been a sport I didn't get great at. You wait." he turned her to him still smiling, "I'll have my rematch."

He rested his forehead on hers, waiting. She was the one to close the gap and kiss him deeply, the adrenaline from their fun was still fresh in her veins and that combined with the kiss made her tingle all over.

When she pulled back the words just spilled out "I love you."

Her eyes were still closed when she said it, if not she probably wouldn't have had the courage to take the step she just did. She felt Billy's chest move as he chuckled and felt his breath fan her face, "Te amo." he replied. She knew enough Spanish to understand it and smiled before he kissed her again.