The room was small with only an old looking bed, a table and one chair. Upon the table was a bowl for washing but the rest of the dingy room was bare. Joey strolled in, not even glancing at his new surroundings as if he had seen this room many times before and again Ella felt that unpleasant pang of jealously. She quickly walked over to the bed and let the bags and other items she had been carrying fall gently onto it, the action distracting her for a small time. She watched Joey for a moment as he took off his hat, gloves and poncho, laying them all carefully upon the table, before starting to remove his gun belt.

Ella wandered over to the small dirt smeared window at the end of the room and glanced out onto the darkening street below. She distractedly ran her fingers through her hair, shaking some of the plains sand from the tangles. In the town below all seemed quiet, she could see no one. She knew that would change once darkness set in, men would come flocking to the saloon for drink and pleasure, she'd seen these kinds of places before.

She felt regret rising within her like foul bile. She was trapped, no way of escape and even if there was Ella knew she was miles away from anything she knew. She felt reluctance to take that step into danger although her subconscious screamed at her that she was fully in the grasp of danger already. What did any of it matter anyway, she gave a small, heavy sigh. Her eyes still gazed across the street but saw nothing, the thought of what would become of her now…she didn't want to dwell on it. But Ella knew only too well that the fear for the man she now travelled with had nested within her mind. She hated him and wanted him, she couldn't understand how anyone could feel two such strong emotions for one person.

She jumped slightly as Joey rested a hand upon her shoulder, the shock shaking her from her deep thoughts and returning her to the current situation. She felt him slip a hand around her middle and his lips pressed against the exposed skin of her neck. Ella tried to push away the small thrill the contact sent shooting through her body. She stiffened, not wanting to give in this time.

"How long are we goin' to stay here?" she asked, wanting to make him stop without angering him.

"A night" Joey said in-between kisses.

"You been here before then?" She knew her voice sounded far too stiff for such a simple question.

"When I was younger" Joey said, for once humoring her.

"How young?"

Joey furrowed his brow and pulled away a little, his eyes hinting with irritation. "Why does it matter?" His tone was lazy but Ella knew he was quickly becoming annoyed.

"It doesn't." Ella held no conviction to the statement.

"You are jealous" Joey huffed and pulled fully away from her, busying himself with sorting through a bag.

"I ain't jealous!" She was aware she sounded like a whining child that could not get its own way.

Joey glanced at her his deep blue eyes glinting slightly with cruel amusement. "It would not make you angry to hear I have been here many times then?" He wore his smug smirk. "I even had a favorite girl."

Ella continued to look out of the window, now more annoyed that he was trying to rile her, she remained silent.

She heard his footfalls cross the floor accompanied by the jingle of spurs, he came to a stop a foot or so behind her. Joey leaned forward, his lips brushed delicately against her ear making her shiver at the contact despite herself.

"I think she still works here."

Ella set her jaw, trying to control her anger, knowing that he was just playing a cruel game with her, but it was a useless battle and as so often happened, her anger won through. She spun around, her dark eyes blazing with burning temper.

"Well why don't ya just go find which room she's in and bed down with her!"

Joey studied her, his smug smile not moving from the corner of his mouth.

"You are jealous" he stated again.

Ella gave a huff of annoyance and turned back towards the window. She felt Joey move closer, his hands snaked around her hips, molding his palms to the outline of them. He kissed her neck softly once more, nipping lightly at the skin at the curve leading to her shoulder. Ella closed her eyes as the anger was forcibly wrenched away as Joey worked his power on her mind and body once again. She felt his hands grasping at the folds of her skirts, pulling them upwards to allow his hand access to the split in her pantaloons. His gentle nips became lingering bites as his fingers sought forwards and upwards, roughly moving back and forth with carnal need, bringing harsh gasps from her. Ella's head lolled backwards onto his chest, her hand came back to caress his cheek, her fingers ran through his hair, feeling its softness, every texture seemed to heighten the passion she already felt.

Ella allowed herself to be swept away easily. What did any of it matter anyway, nothing mattered… she was trapped by her own actions and thoughts, it wasn't Joey who kept her bound to this. She knew it was the truth, somewhere deep inside her, that she could make it stop if she wanted… but it was easier to just allow the freefall to continue.

Joey removed his fingers and pulled her around to face him, his mouth sought hers in a violent, needy kiss - the force of it carrying them back until Ella felt the wall against her back. Her fingers wrestled with the buttons on his shirt and fumbled clumsily as her whole body began to tremor with need, she soon abandoned the chore, it would take too long and the waiting was unbearable, she focused her attention instead upon his belt and after a moment he was free of some of his clothing. Using the wall behind her as leverage she helped him guide her onto his hips and in one swift thrust they were connected once again in that blissful way that gave them both a long moment of contentment. Ella clutched at his shoulders as he thrust upwards, their eyes connected and held. She adored looking at him in these moments, his eyes lost all anger, all cruelty… he was just her Joey now. She caressed his smooth cheek and watched in heightened pleasure as his lips parted in breathless gasps caused by the sensation of being inside her, of being hers… Supporting her Joey guided them over to the bed where they reclined back and enjoyed the moments and waves of emotion that came with the near explosive bliss, it was a small moment and it passed all too quickly but Ella knew in some aspects they both lived for those small glimpses of true happiness.

---

Ella lay awake as Joey slept beside her, his arm was casually wrapped around her middle, his body pressed lightly against her back. She vaguely guessed that it was near dawn, they had been awake for many hours, wrapped in each other's arms before the need would wash over them once again and they would satisfy the craving with heated touches and soft caresses, bringing each other to the brink and giving the last push over the edge.

Now all was quiet, the passion finally appeased, leaving them exhausted and emotionally spent. But Ella found she could not sleep, even though her body and mind cried out for rest. She lightly touched the back of Joey's hand, her thoughts wandering in the darkness. She knew she would have to leave him soon, she could not go on like this - this life was too much. No matter how she tried to justify his actions she knew that Joey would never change, that no amount of love would break the barrier he had surrounded himself in, sweet words and promises meant nothing… inside he was broken and she could not fix him. Perhaps she had always known this fact, after all if Maria had not been able to get through to him who was she to think she could fare better. She slowly became aware that this would be the last night they would spend like this, it seemed like a strange thing to be so certain of, after all no one could see into the future but Ella knew in her gut that they would never lie beside each other like this again and as the dawning awareness washed over her Ella felt as if her heart would break from the pressure.

---

They were risen and dressed before mid-day, they packed up their belongings and ventured downstairs. The bar was once again near empty, Ella noticed a few of the girls who must work there were enjoying a late morning meal. Joey ordered them a simple beef broth and a good tot of whiskey each. They ate heartily, the food and drink bringing renewed vigor into Ella's body. She glanced around the room and quickly noticed a woman staring unashamedly their way… or rather right at Joey. Ella knew instantly that this must have been Joey's 'favorite' girl when he frequented this place. She was Mexican, pretty, taller than Joey by a good few inches and quite plump, the added weight giving a pleasant curve to her figure. Her brown eyes continued to watch Joey, her expression stating for all to see that she wished for him to glance her way just once, to acknowledge he knew her… Ella wondered if he had this effect on all women or just gullible ones like herself and this dove. She knew if she was in this girl's place she would be doing the same thing, looking towards the near unattainable man sitting mere feet away, wishing for a scrap to be thrown her way… The thought made Ella feel sick and she glanced at Joey, silently pondering when he would decide to cast her aside and ignore any hint of her presence as he now seemed to be doing to poor Katia. But then such thoughts didn't matter as Ella had no intention of staying long enough to find out.

---

They were mounted soon after they finished their meal, the town was left behind and the plains once again spread out before them. The travel was silent and Ella once again felt as if her presence had been forgotten as indeed perhaps it had. Joey only seemed to take any notice of her when he wanted something from her. She was slightly surprised to find she didn't really care…it was as if something had snapped deep inside her and the only thing connecting them now was lying together and the seeming addiction they both had to each other, like an old drunkard and his whiskey bottle…Ella had no intention of ever taking another swig if she could help it, she didn't want to feel that way again, the regret far outweighed the pleasure.

Ella and Joey spent one night out under the stars before moving on once more and just after mid-day coming to at a sheltered clump of rocks by a small but dry cave. They dismounted and Joey sorted out what belongings he needed, he pulled out his spyglass and slinging his rifle upon his shoulder he climbed nimbly to the top of the cave, giving himself a good vantage point. Ella tethered the horses to a nearby bush and waited in the shade.

Joey enjoyed the warm sun upon his back for a moment before he pulled the spyglass out to its full extended length and raised it to his eye. After searching briefly in the direction he knew he wished to look he located the small homestead. He took in all the outbuildings and studied all escape routes; his mind settled upon a disused looking barn, this place was perfect for his needs. He turned his attention back to the main house and just as he had expected, there was the posse that was meant to be tracking him. He looked at each fool in turn, enjoying the ripple of power at the knowledge that they did not even know their quarry was watching them right at this moment, that he had already out smarted them; his lips curved into a smile. He studied the men, he knew instantly that the fat man with a long bushy beard was Judge Roy Bean; he acted as if he owned the house and all the land around with the way he moved. A young man was making his way inside eager for a drink, he had a badge, perhaps he was one of the deputies… to Joey he looked like he wouldn't know which way to hold a rifle never mind go chasing after a bandit like himself. A stuffy, portly man with thinning hair and round spectacles looked even more out of place than the young man, he looked like a gentleman from the north and Joey's smirk widened at the thought, what use could this man be to a posse… Joey recognized the old Indian man with them, it was the tracker Famous Shoes, so he was working for Call. This fact was slightly annoying but Joey did not dwell upon the matter as his attention was caught by someone else, another face he knew - if only briefly. He studied the man closely, watching as he removed his hat, revealing the shaggy head of blonde hair… Joey glanced down to where he knew Ella awaited before pursing his lips and returning his gaze back to the men. But his attention was quickly caught and there was Woodrow Call himself, the great killer. Joey hadn't quite known what to expect but it was certainly not this, the man was large, broad-chested and strong looking but he was old, very old… When he walked his legs appeared to hold a stiffness to them, he was no longer at his best, of that Joey could be sure. Finally feeling he had seen enough he collapsed his spyglass back to its compact state and began to make his way back down.

---

It seemed Joey had been gone for quite some time but Ella soon heard the sound of him descending down back to the ground. He placed his spyglass back into his saddle bag and began checking his rifle bullets and other items as if preparing for something important.

"What were you looking for?" Ella asked, her brow furrowing.

"Call and his men are not far" Joey replied matter-of-factly, no concern in his tone.

"Call!" Ella breathed. "Well shouldn't we move on?"

Joey shook his head slowly. "I am going to kill the old man and all that ride with him." He gave a smug smirk. "But first I will make him look bad, a fool… I will kill Judge Roy Bean after he leaves."

Ella's eyes widened, "Why?" She paused, waiting for him to answer but he remained silent. "What's this Judge ever done t' you Joey?" She finally said hating the silence hanging around them.

"Nada, I told the old killer, Hardin, I would kill him for sport… I will."

"But… if he isn't a threat…"

"You do not understand" Joey said lazily, his tone stating clearly that if she was so simple to not understand his motives he would not waste his time explaining them.

"No, I don't" Ella whispered, "I'm glad I don't."

Joey cast an irritated look towards her, before closing his eyes slowly and going back to the job he had set himself. Ella grabbed a blanket from her horse and huddled upon the ground, letting the soft wool warm her tired body. She knew she could not talk Joey out of killing this man and so there was no point arguing about it. If Joey wanted this Judge Roy Bean dead then he would die, she just hoped that it would at least be quick for him.