New Clothes & Lessons

A/N: This story is in the process of being re-written to make it flow better. I'd love to get your feedback, good, bad or otherwise. Enjoy.

Adios.

...

A week after the skirmish with the Murphy boys my arm had healed properly and I was back on full duty. My skills at knife throwing were coming along and my friendship with Chavez was growing fast. I was working with Charlie and Steve on their manners towards ladies and fending off Billy's advances as I went, even though Billy was at loggerheads with Richard over the leadership of our group.

One morning Billy had me backed up against the water tank and was plying his case when John came over.

"I know for a fact that the both of you are lacking in fine clothes, so you are to come into town with me and get fully kitted out."

We looked at each other in surprise. "Thank you, John," we replied and we then made plans to head off in a few days.

Once John went back inside Billy turned back to me. "Now where was I?"

"Taking a hike," I replied stepping around him and walking over to Charlie. "Something wrong?" I asked.

"There's someone walking up the track," Charlie pointed out the gate.

I looked to where he was pointing and swore under my breath, causing the others to look over as well.

"What's the matter Jackie?" Doc asked coming over.

"That piece of chicken shit was part of the posse who arrested and nearly hung me!" I seethed as the young man walked past.

He went up to the main house and knocked. When John answered he said his name was McCloskey and that he'd been fired from Murphy's group for calling him a fat sow. John seemed to like that and pointed him in the direction of the bunkhouse before heading back inside. To get to the bunkhouse the new guy had to pass through our group, and I moved to stand in his way.

"Where do you think you're going?" I asked hotly.

"To put my things in the bunkhouse, I'm the newest member of your group."

I spat on the ground. "Do you recognise me you dung heap? You tried to hang me a few months ago!"

He looked at me a little closer and his eyes went wide. "You're the one who shot me last week!"

Charlie came up next to me. "Yes, and you're the one who needs to learn how to address a lady properly," he said looking McCloskey up and down.

McCloskey narrowed his eyes and glared at Charlie. The tension became almost palpable.

Richard stood up and moved in between us. "Dick Brewer," he said "I'm John's foreman and I won't tolerate backstabbing from anyone." He gave Charlie a quelling look. "I'll show you where you can put your things."

I glared at McCloskey as he followed Richard into the bunkhouse. "What's his game?" I asked out loud.

"Maybe he wants to take us out from the inside?" Billy suggested leaning against the tree behind him.

I turned around and raised an eyebrow at him. "What?"

"Then again," Billy said with a wink "he could just want to be part of my Regulators."

"I still won't trust him," I glanced back at the bunkhouse and wished harm on our new 'friend'.

I watched McCloskey closely and grudgingly put up with his presence next to me at lunchtime. I refused to be nice to him and I noticed Billy also keeping an eye on him, but it seemed like everyone else was being swayed by his charm.

A few days later Billy and I joined John in the buggy as we headed for town. We stopped outside John's store and Billy offered me his hand as I was getting off. "Thank you," I replied with a smile as I placed my hand in his. Once on the ground I followed Billy and John into the store and was amazed by the variety of clothes.

"Go and pick anything you like," John said with a smile. "A long coat will also come in handy."

I looked around and located the coats then began searching for one I liked. I pressed on to trawl through the numerous racks and ended up with a new waistcoat, boots, a new shirt and trousers, gloves and a hat. I took them over to John and saw Billy had almost the same pile. John placed a few boxes of ammunition on top and the shopping was done. Once everything was wrapped and paid for, we put it in the back of the buggy and headed for home. When we arrived Billy and I headed for our rooms to change. Once I'd finished braiding my hair I went to see what the boys were up to and found Chavez was showing off his knife throwing technique.

"You want to show them how your practice is going, Gatito?" he asked with a smile on his face.

"Sure," I took the knife from his hand and aimed carefully, just like I'd been taught, and let fly. The knife embedded itself deep into the wood and a small cheer went up.

"Nice one Jackie," Doc said cheerfully.

"Thanks, Doc." I looked at the ground and nudged a rock with the toe of my boot.

"Aw look what ya did Doc, you made our tough girl blush." Charlie came over and clapped me on the shoulder.

"Stop it, Charlie." I gently shoved at him and went to stand by Doc as Chavez continued showing off.

All of a sudden a hail of bullets hit the bucket and surrounding dirt and we all ducked for cover with our weapons drawn. Laughter broke out as the dust settled as we looked up and saw Billy on the roof with his guns out. We got up and put our weapons away and I was pleased to see McCloskey stayed wary. I was about to yell at Billy for the scare when John came out of his house.

"Regulators!" he paused seemingly for effect. "Let's dance."

We set off for Lincoln and when we arrived the party was in full swing, with the band playing a quick dance tune. We secured the horses and dispersed into the crowd with the promise to meet up later.

"Care to dance Jackie?" Billy asked holding his hand out.

"Sure," I replied. We did a few turns and the song was over before I knew it. A slow song started playing and Doc came up to us.

"May I have the pleasure of this dance?"

I giggled. "Of course, kind sir."

A few hours later I had danced with all the boys, except McCloskey, and had a spin with John and was now sitting next to Doc because I was plum tuckered out.

"Having a good time Doc?" I asked as I took a sip of my drink.

"Yeah, you?"

"This is the best night of my life," I looked at Doc and saw he was distracted by something. It was then I noticed he was watching a young Chinese girl in Murphy's company.

"What are you waiting for? Go ask her to dance," I nudged his shoulder.

"You really think I should?" he seemed nervous.

"Yes, you should," I replied. "Get moving before she goes home."

Doc nodded and stood up, running a quick hand through his hair and straightening his collar before making his way through the crowd. I leant back against the table and swept my eyes over the crowd. Billy was dancing by himself in the middle, Chavez was dancing with a young girl, Charlie, Steve and McCloskey had just made their way back into the press of people, Doc was enjoying his dance and Richard was playing cards on the edge of the dance floor.

I searched the crowd for John and found him talking to his lawyer, Alex McSween, and his wife Susan. I closed my eyes and thought back to my life before I'd met John and the boys. I was truly grateful for what John had done for me. He had given me a reason to live and shown me there was more to life than being on the run. In the boys I had found friendship and, though I didn't want to admit it, Billy's cheeky smile was starting to win me over.