I sincerely apologize that this is insanely delayed. Life has been beyond hectic, and I appreciate everyone's patience. Although I'm not sure of the reactions I'll get at the end. I am me after all.

Thanks a million, zillion to Smacky 30, yeah it needed a lot I'll admit. I just didn't want to deal with it at the time. And thanks to Sidle 77 for helping proof these chapters. You guys rock!


The Other Side

Chapter 8

Sara remained in town visiting with her friends and rode back home with Al. They were laughing when they walked through the front door of the house, but it quickly died when they noticed Gil sitting in the other room.

He was slouched in one of the chairs, a glass of whiskey in one hand, and the half empty bottle in the other. The pup Sara had brought home was faithfully lying at his feet. Gil narrowed his heavy eyes at Sara. She said a quiet goodnight to Al and went to her husband.

Sara kneeled in front of him and cleared her throat. "How does your leg feel?"

Gil brought the glass to his mouth and swallowed the remainder of his drink. "It hurt like hell." He set the glass and bottle down. "Now… I can't feel a thing."

"Gil…I'm sor…"

"Save it." He quickly interrupted her. "You're right. I'm a selfish bastard. You've been here since the beginning to help me, and I've been too wrapped up in my own affairs to realize it." Gil pushed himself to his feet and tested the pain in his leg.

Sara stood with him. "It's okay."

"No it isn't. I hurt you. The last thing I want is to see you in any kind of pain." Gil ran his hands through his hair and exhaled deeply, the smell of alcohol permeating the air between them. "You deserve better than I can give you."

"Gil…" Sara started as he began limping towards the stairs. She followed. "You're drunk, and not thinking clearly."

He made it up the stairs and to their room. "I may be drunk, but I'm thinking clearer than I ever have." He closed the door and locked it.

Sara struggled with the knob trying to open it. "Please…don't do this."

After several minutes of silence, Sara went back down and took the puppy outside. She sat on the porch as tears filled her eyes and she clutched the small dog for comfort. "Why is he doing this?" She pulled the pup closer. The sound of the door opening startled them and the pup let out a soft bark.

Gil walked past, his spurs jangling with every step. Sara knew what he was going to do, and started following him.

"Don't do this, please, Gil." Sara began pleading. He didn't respond. "You can't leave us."

He stopped and turned around. "You and Al will be fine." He squinted as the rays of the setting sun hit him right in the face.

"I'm not talking about Al and me." Sara moved so he wasn't looking into the sun. "I'm talking about 'us'." She moved her hands down to her stomach.

Gil cocked his head and scrunched his face. "What do you mean?"

Sara took several steps until they were barely separated by air. "I'm pregnant." His face instantly turned to shock. "I wanted to tell you earlier but…"

"I was selfish again. This is what I'm talking about." His eyes fell to her hands as they protectively covered her belly. Gil lifted his head and locked eyes with Sara. A grin broke through the tough exterior. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Sara reached out and took his hand. She placed it over where their baby was growing. They stood silent for a moment. "Stay."

Gil felt her desperate plea stab him directly in the heart. Things had drastically changed in a matter of moments. He was going to be a father. Pride welled inside him. No matter how he thought of himself, the urge and desire to protect his unborn child was stronger than the need to get away from his feelings. All he could offer Sara was a smile, and she returned it with a kiss.

He wrapped his arm around his wife as they started back towards the house. The pup ran up to them as they approached. "He needs a name."

"Why don't you name him?" Sara offered.

Gil shook his head. "I'm not a naming person."

"Just try." Sara smiled.

After a slight hesitation Gil blurted out, "Tuff." Sara stopped and looked at him. "Hey, you told me to try."

"No, I like it. It fits his past." Sara kneeled and patted the dog. "Tuff. Do you like that name?" The dog wagged his tail as she petted him. "Tuff it is."

That night Gil held Sara in his arms as she slept. He didn't sleep. His mind was racing about her pregnancy and the future. He was hoping that with the fall season approaching, Sam might back off and things might settle down. What if Sara wanted to join them in the cattle pens? Would he be able to convince her to watch instead risking injury to the baby?

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Fall was soon upon them. And as if the universe was heeding his wishes, the issues with Sam cooled with the changing weather. Nick and Mandy had gotten married and were making plans for the arrival of their baby. Even though Mandy was much closer to delivery than she was, Sara had been showing for the several months, and with every passing day, Gil became more and more nervous.

Al decided to take the men hunting. Since he had pulled his cattle from the north pastures the fields began to fill with mule deer. Al was sitting patiently in his wagon while Bobby and Nick took high positions looking down into the thicket. Greg, Warrick, and Gil were going to drive the deer towards the shooters. The three rode slowly through the brush and managed to scare up several bucks. Just as they had hoped, the deer ran towards where Nick and Bobby were positioned.

Several gunshots rang out, echoing across the open fields. They all smiled as they neared where the deer had fallen. Nick and Bobby were quickly descending from their positions. Warrick and Gil pulled their knives and began to field dress the deer. Greg watched and Gil noticed as his face began to turn white.

"You okay, Greg?" He asked with a smile on his face.

Greg nodded but his eyes and the tight set of his mouth told another story. "I've never seen this before."

Al stopped his wagon some distance from where the guys were dressing the deer. Several large rocks and the dense thicket prevented him from getting any closer. He draped the reins over the front as the horses settled and stood quietly. He turned in the seat to observe his friends.

Gil turned his attention to Al when he heard his wagon stop, and with a smile continued to work on the deer. Not moments later another set of pounding hooves got his attention. Gil's eyes widened when he saw Al surrounded by three armed men. Al sat frozen on the wagon while Gil and the others scrambled to their horses.

The laugh emitted by the men was a sickening thought, and just as they had all mounted a number of shots rang out. Al's horses were startled into a run as bullets ricocheted around their feet. The men continued to laugh as they spurred their horses in the opposite direction of the runaway team.

Warrick, Bobby, and Greg headed after the men while Gil and Nick chased the runaway team.

Gil could see Al struggle to stay in the seat as the team of horses ran carelessly though the brush and over rocks. He felt most helpless as he neared the back of the wagon. Nick was right behind him and moving up the opposite side.

"Hold on, Al!" Gil yelled over the noise of the quickly deteriorating wagon. His plea came too late as the wagon lurched violently tossing Al into the back. Gil knew that he was running out of time.

Suddenly one of the horses tripped and fell taking the other one down as well. The wagon flipped over the team. Nick was able to avoid the wreck, but Zeke was too close to stop and fell over the two horses. Gil was thrown clear of the falling horse, but hit the ground hard.

The pain coursed through his body from the impact and he groaned as he attempted to get to his feet. He coughed as the dust settled. Finally able to struggle to his feet he yelled, "Al?"

"Over here!" Nick's voice called out to him.

His body hurt with every step but he quickly found them. "Oh my God." He kneeled next to Al as Nick tried to stop the bleeding. Al had been thrown from the wagon and impaled on the branch of a mesquite tree. "Hang on."

Nick looked hopelessly at Gil. Al reached up and took Gil's hand. "You take care of Sara." His voice strained.

"Just hang on." Gil pleaded.

Al coughed up blood. "Too late. I know you'll do the right thing." He took in a deep breath, and it was his last.

Gil and Nick looked on at Al's lifeless body. He cleared his throat. "Let's get him off of this." Gil instructed Nick.

Once they had Al's body free of the tree, they walked back over to the horses. Zeke was standing a few yards away munching on some grass. The team of horses was still on the ground, tangled in their harnesses. Gil pulled his knife and began cutting the leather to free them. One stood instantly as Nick pulled on the bridle. The other struggled to get up, but eventually stood. Gil pulled the harness from the gelding and assessed his injuries.

"How's that one?" Nick called to him.

Gil shook his head at the gelding's leg. He put his hand on the horse's hock and shook the elevated leg. "He's got a broken leg."

Nick made eye contact with Gil as he knew the fate of the animal. Gil tried to lead the horse away from where the harnesses lay. He removed the bridle and pulled his gun. Nick looked away and even though he knew it was coming, the shot made him jump.

"Nick." Gil called to him. "Lead that one back. We'll put Al on your horse." Gil's eyes scanned over the accident scene; the wagon was near shambles with a broken wheel and tongue. Gil kicked through the pile of leather harness. He was able to salvage the rear breeching of both sets and the head stalls, but the rest was cut apart in attempt to free the fallen horses.

They gently put their friend over the saddle and tied him on. Gil tied on the salvaged harness pieces to Zeke and led him while Nick led his horse. The surviving driving horse was tied on to Nick's and followed as they all began walking home.

Shortly they met up with Warrick, Greg, and Bobby. "How did you guys come out?" Gil asked.

Warrick snapped back from staring at Al's body and said, "Um…yeah. We got one guy tied in the brush just over the rise. The others got away."

Nick climbed onto the back of Bobby's horse while Gil and Greg rode Greg's. Warrick tied the hands of the man they had caught to his saddle horn, and practically dragged him all the way back to the barn.

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Mandy had been staying at the house with Al, Gil, and Sara as she got closer to her delivery date. She and Sara were discussing baby names as they sat on the large porch when they noticed the beat up group approach the barn. Stunned, they both headed out to see if they could help.

Nick slid off Bobby's horse and quickly embraced Mandy. Sara was at Gil's side in an instant. "Gil, what happened?" He could only motion to the lifeless body of their friend. "Oh my…"

Gil called into the barn for Jose and the young boy quickly emerged. "Would you unsaddle him and tend to his wounds?" He passed the reins to Jose.

"Si." Jose took Zeke into the barn.

Greg and Bobby took the banged up driving horse into the barn along with their own. Nick and Gil gently removed Al from Nick's horse. They carried him into the barn and set him in the back of the spare wagon. Gil removed his duster and placed it over the body. He heard the man they had captured cussing outside, and stormed out of the barn.

Gil reached up and took the rope from Warrick. The man taunted him as Gil pulled him closer with the rope. "What the fuck are you looking at? Ohhh…big bad Gil…everyone says you're so tough, you look more like a pussy to me." The instant the man finished his sentence; Gil drew back and punched him, knocking the wind out of him. The man huffed and groaned from the hard blow as he stumbled back.

When the man fell on his back, Gil kneeled on his chest and put his gun to the man's head. "Who put you up to this?"

"Fuck you!"

Gil cocked the hammer. "Last chance."

Everyone stood back and watched not wanting to disturb Gil in his agitated state. The man lay wide eyed as Gil pressed the barrel of the gun harder into his temple. He only managed a slight shake of his head.

"Tell me!" Gil pushed as hard as he could.

"If I tell you, I'm dead anyway!"

"Was it Sam?"

"I can't tell you!" The man screamed.

"Tell me or I'll put a bullet through your brain!" Gil screamed back. His frustration was driving him towards the edge as saliva dripped from his mouth onto the man's face.

Warrick finally decided to step in. "Gil…let's just calm down."

"He killed Al, and now he's going to pay." Gil's teeth were clenched.

"Gil, this territory is about to become a state. Let the law handle this." Warrick pleaded.

Gil took several deep breaths and gave one last hard press of the gun into the man's temple. The man's eyes were tightly closed awaiting his fate, but all he heard was the clicking of the gun hammer disengaging. Gil stood and stormed back to the house.

Warrick pulled the man to his feet. With Greg's help they tied his hands up over his head and to the rafters. Bobby, Greg and Warrick headed to the bunkhouse, leaving their guest to suffer through the night. Nick, with his arm around Mandy, slowly strode towards the main house.

Sara had followed Gil inside, but let him storm up the stairs alone. Angela entered from the kitchen. "Sara, what's the matter? I saw them ride up, where's Al?"

"Angela, sit down." Sara tried to convince her to sit. "Please…sit down." When Angela finally sat down, Sara told her that Al had been killed, and as she expected the other woman began to cry. Her sobs were soft at first, but as the reality sunk in, her body shook as the tears fell. Sara put her arms around her friend and held her.

It was several hours later when, exhausted from crying, Angela finally drifted off to sleep. Leaving her on the couch, Sara went to bed.

Sara was expecting to see Gil in the bed when she entered the room, but he wasn't. He was sitting in the dark corner with Tuff sitting in his lap. She unconsciously ran her hand over her belly and went over to him. Sara placed the pup on the floor and sat in his place on Gil's lap.

Gil was quick to wrap his arms around her. She leaned back into him and sighed. He put his hands over their baby and kissed the side of her neck. Neither of them spoke as they sat together.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sara woke up in bed the next morning, alone. She quickly dressed and went downstairs. Angela and Mandy were sitting at the table drinking tea. "Hi." They smiled as Sara sat down lettting the silence engulf them.

Gil, Nick, and Warrick took Al and his killer to town. Bobby and Greg stayed behind to look after the place. Nick drove the wagon with Al's body in the back, while the man walked behind, his hands tethered to the back.

As they entered the town, people began to stop and stare. Gil stopped his horse in front of the sheriff's and yelled, "Jim!"

They sat patiently as Jim casually made his way out. "What's the ruckus about?" He stepped out just far enough to see the body in the wagon. Jim walked down and lifted the duster. At the sight of Al's body his face paled.

"There were three of them, but we got one." Gil motioned the man on his knees breathing heavily.

Jim cut the rope with his knife and pulled the man to his feet. "Get up." He took the man inside and locked him up, then returned. "Gil…" Jim knew revenge was on all of their minds. "Please don't take matters into your own hands, let's do this the right way."

Gil narrowed his eyes at Jim, and then reined his horse away. Nick and Warrick followed. They stopped at the undertakers, to prepare Al's body for burial. As they were heading out of town, Jim stood in front of his office and watched them pass. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop whatever they may be planning.

When they arrived back at the barn, Gil rallied the guys. "Okay, Sam has taken this to a whole new level. Right now, this is our place and we need to defend it." He walked in a circle surrounded by the others. "Warrick, take Greg and Bobby, drive the rest of the cattle to the train depot. Take whatever you can get for them. Right now, we need to focus on getting rid of Sam. Nick and I will remain here and begin to scope out places to gain the upper hand. Maybe even steal a cow or two." He shrugged when they laughed. "If you guys run into anyone that might be of help, bring them back."

Warrick, Greg, and Bobby left right away. Gil and Nick were standing in the doorway of the barn watching the sunset. "So…I guess we're officially at war huh?" Nick pondered out loud.

"We've been at war, or at least I have." Nick looked at Gil confused. "Al took me in when I was fourteen. I was riding through and starving." Gil shrugged. "I shot one of Sam's cows. Al hid me out while Sam was gunning for me. I learned how to shoot from the hands, then one night I left. Just like that. I don't know why, but something drove me to go. That's when I started bounty hunting."

Nick smiled. "I was raised in Texas. My father was a small time farmer; we didn't have anything when I was growing up. I hunted deer a lot."

"Gil…Nick!" Sara yelled from the porch startling them. "Help!" Her cry was panicked and they ran to the porch. Nick beat Gil as he was more concerned that something had happened to Mandy. "We need your help, Mandy's gone into labor."

They rushed into the house and instantly Mandy's cries filled the air. Sara led them to the back bedroom where Angela was applying a cold cloth to Mandy's forehead.

Nick rushed to her side. "I'm here, it's okay I'm here." Mandy scrunched her face in pain as another contraction took a hold of her.

Sara grabbed hold of Gil's arm. "We need more water." He quickly went to get what she needed. She took a deep breath and thought about her own delivery and how much pain Mandy seemed to be going through. Gil returned within minutes. "Gil, you're going to have to deliver the baby."

"Ah…what?"

"I clearly can't do it, and you're stronger than Angela if she needs help."

Gil was stunned. "How do you know so much about this?"

Sara shrugged. "I've foaled out many horses."

He pointed towards the bed. "She's not a horse."

"Same general idea." She left his side and checked the progress of the labor. Sara then moved over and dipped another piece of cloth in the cool water and placed it on Mandy's forehead. "Just breathe."

Mandy was huffing and puffing as her contractions were quickly becoming closer. Nick was holding her hand as he sat on the bed next to her. He was full of excitement and fear. Sara and Angela helped her through her contractions as Gil stood against the far wall.

His eyes locked on Sara's belly, on the place where his child was growing inside his wife. A slight bit of anxiety made him shudder as Mandy screamed and gritted her teeth through the constant onslaught of pain. Gil didn't want to see Sara go through that, but knew it was inevitable. He only looked away when Sara checked to see if she could see the baby emerging. His face remained neutral until Sara waved him over.

He took several deep breaths and rolled up his sleeves. Gil positioned himself between Mandy's legs and filled his lungs with air. His nerves were on fire and he felt his face flush as he lifted the blanket covering her. The sight of the head crowning panicked him momentarily. Gil let the air go from his lungs and gathered himself. "Mandy, you need to push." She painfully nodded and with Nick, Sara, and Angela's encouragement pushed on every contraction.

The baby wasn't making much progress as Mandy screamed through gritted teeth and tried to push the baby out. He could hear her tiring and knew she was running out of energy. Gil gently threaded his fingers around the edge of the baby's head and waited for a contraction. "Push!"

Mandy was teetering on the edge of complete exhaustion until Gil told her to push. With the help of Angela and Sara, Mandy pulled the last ounce of energy she could find and pushed. Her throat burned and her mouth went dry as her scream mirrored the pain and burning sensations she was experiencing.

With that last push, Mandy felt everything let go and the pain diminished. She fell back onto the bed as the room fell silent for a few seconds, and then the sound of the infant crying filled the room. Sara helped Gil clean off the baby. "It's a girl." She announced and placed the baby in Mandy's waiting arms.

Nick and Mandy were overjoyed with their new baby girl. Angela stayed to make sure things were okay, while Sara and Gil left them alone to bond.

"I'm hungry." Gil laughed at Sara's remark. "What?"

Gil shook his head. "Nothing. What do you want?"

She shrugged and picked up a chunk of bread. "I don't know." Gil watched as she took a bite. "What?"

"You're beautiful."

"Ha, I'm fat." Sara opened a jar of preserves and spooned some onto the small piece of bread. Gil smiled. "Here." She held out a piece of the bread covered with the preserves.

Gil leaned in and using his mouth took it from her finger tips. He let his lips slowly slide over her fingers. "Mmm…you taste good."

Sara laughed. "Charming."

Gil leaned back against the counter. His mind was racing with all possible scenarios that could occur with Sara's delivery. He had heard of many women not surviving child birth and feared for her safety.

Sara noticed him. "What are you thinking about?"

"You." He let out a heavy sigh.

"Gil…" She walked forward and into his open arms. "I'll be fine."

In a way he believed her, but his mind wouldn't let go of the fact that anything could happen.


Well…what can I say. You knew I would kill someone eventually. Sorry, there's more action and adventure to come.

TDCSI