It was past noon before Joey again ventured back to his vantage point, leaving Ella once more waiting below. Ella found she was once again left with her own thoughts, a situation she was not comfortable with. If she didn't have to dwell upon the torrent of regrets and self pity that whirled around her mind she could cope, but as soon as she didn't have Joey to focus upon, to make sure she was only concentrating on what his next move would be, they slowly crept in around her.

She rested her hand absently upon her stomach, her palm molding to the slight curve of her abdomen. She glanced up the way Joey had gone as her mind was forced to fix upon that nagging, pulling thought that refused to let her be. What if she was carrying his child? She pulled her hand away from her stomach as if she couldn't stand to keep it there a moment longer before wiping her brow. Was Joey truly as cold as he had been that day back in Crow Town? Had he meant his violent words? Ella sighed, she didn't think she would ever understand what he felt, he kept all his emotions so tightly locked away that perhaps he himself had even forgotten what it was like to honestly feel something. But she knew this much, once she got away from him she wanted no ties, nothing to keep her bound to him, a child would not help that wish. She would get back to Maria and if she couldn't do that, she'd brave a whore house, who for a few coins would do the deed. She winced inwardly at the remembrance of what awaited her, she'd hoped she would never have to feel that again…perhaps this time she really would die from a stupid old woman and a knitting needle…. She could still taste the bitter gin on her tongue.

Ella shook herself not wanting to think upon that part of her life. It was done and she was here now, perhaps she hadn't really bettered her lot but she could turn that around, if she had the chance. She glanced up at the wisps of cloud and sighed again as her resolve faltered. Could she leave Joey? She strangely felt she owed him something, a part of herself. He broke through her walls when she'd been about to close herself off to the world after Dave's death, when she'd finished believing. He felt like sunlight burning inside her, beautiful and painful all within the same instant…

She wanted to fight back, to stop all this between them but she seemed to keep turning and running instead. Every move she made was the wrong one, each step faltered and this road was leaving her hollow. If she didn't get out she'd dry up into a husk of a person, following the only thing she could remember giving her any kind of life and then she would never get away from Joey. Ella had to admit she feared him too, she wasn't sure what he was capable of and it felt like he was just waiting for her next mistake to take out his anger on her… this wasn't a life it was a cage… Perhaps while Joey was killing this old judge, if she was alone without him near her she could make it, she could run…

She saw Joey climbing back down and patiently waited for him to walk over to her. He gave a firm nod that signaled they would move on, Ella narrowed her eyes slightly as he began to gather up his blanket.

"You don't expect me to go with you?" she said with a huffed laugh.

"Si." Joey replied simply. "I don't trust you to stay here alone."

Ella's eyes narrowed further and she was hit, like a bolt of lightning descending from the sky, with the fact that he knew her plan of leaving, that he had known all along. Just like John Wesley Hardin, Joey had the ability to easily read people, their subtle glances, body language… these things she thought she had hidden so well from him but every gesture of her own form had been betraying her from the outset, in some ways Joey knew her better than she knew herself. Ella shook the thought away, trying not to let it show that she knew she had been discovered.

"I don't want to watch a man die!" she said, her voice edged with anger.

"Then do not watch" Joey said, his tone casual.

Ella pursed her lips watching him for a moment, knowing that arguing would get her nowhere apart from perhaps forced once again onto a horse.

"Can we at least eat first?" Ella asked, wanting to stall for any small amount of time. She'd seen many men die before but it had always been a surprise to her, she'd never been privy to a murder plot beforehand.

Joey gave her an exasperated look, "If you must," he paused, "and if you are quick."

Ella set about the task, the distraction taking her mind off the unpleasant situation that lay before her. Joey had managed to purchase some bread and cheese from the decaying town they had stayed in, the bread was hard but still edible and the cheese was a good hard Mexican cheese that would keep for many weeks. She took out an old knife that Joey used for cutting food and sliced into the bread, she passed one slice over to Joey who sat upon his haunches watching her intently. Ella offered him a good chunk of cheese and glanced at him, their eyes connecting.

""Do you think…" She began slowly knowing that she was pushing the boundaries of tolerance with him. "You'll ever stop doin' this?" Perhaps it was a foolish question and indeed Ella felt like a fool for asking.

Joey took the cheese from her and bit into his bread, his deep blue eyes not leaving her face. "This?" he questioned.

"This life" Ella said, knowing that he knew exactly what she referred to.

Joey glanced up at the bright blue sky above them. "When I am dead." he said matter-of-factly.

Ella studied him, shocked a little by his blunt words.

Joey returned his gaze back to her wearing the ghost of a smirk. "Did you think I would want marriage one day…children…a good life?"

Ella's mouth fell open a little, she could not remember Joey ever being so open at least when he was sober, and she doubted it would last very long.

"These things mean nada to me."

Ella found his eyes once more with her own. "Do I mean nothin'?" She couldn't help but ask, it was a question she had always wanted answered.

Joey squinted as the sun appeared from behind a cloud, casting a warm ray of light over them both. "You," he said, avoiding looking at her, "you were not what I expected."

Ella furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

"I like being alone," he stated, "I don't like people." He paused, his eyes once again finding her face. "They annoy me."

Ella waited patiently for him to continue but he remained silent for what seemed a good while.

"You do not annoy me as much as others." He glanced away. "But you still annoy me" he added, as if tacking on the cruel words covered his own tracks.

"Why did you bring me?" Ella asked suddenly. "Do you…" She paused, knowing the question would gain no answer, it was pointless.

"I brought you because I wanted to" Joey stated as if she were simple.

Ella went back to eating her food, but she could still feel his eyes upon her, his expression was of deep thought and also vexation.

"Your husband," he said lowly, "were you married to him long?"

"Dave?" Ella asked, startled. She did not want to talk of her past, for some reason she wanted to hide what she had been from him, she wanted him to think she was a good woman. It was ridiculous - after all he was not a good man, he was what most would deem a cold blooded killer and wasn't that worse than being a whore…. Wasn't it? She glanced away, knowing he knew she was hiding something from him.

"Near on three years, though I hardly saw him, we maybe spent six months together in all that time… He drank a lot so even when he was there…. he wasn't there…" Ella's words faded, seeing Joey watching her intently.

"Why did you marry him?" He cocked his head as he voiced the question.

"I don't know!" Ella said a little too forcefully. "I was young and stupid, I didn't know better." Her own words stung her, it seemed old habits died hard, she still didn't know any better.

"Did you love him?" Joey's eyes bore into her making her feel uncomfortable.

"I thought I did" Ella whispered. "I guess love is complicated, but no I guess I didn't, I guess I was just in love with love at the time."

"And what about the other man?"

Ella's eyes jerked to his, "What man?"

"The light haired man I saw you with."

His words brought back a flurry of memories, Doc kissing her, his promises, her first meeting with Joey and where it had led, it took her a moment to answer.

"I don't know…" Ella said truthfully. "Your Ma thought I should leave with him, start a new life… but he never wrote like he promised… I guess he changed his mind, he never came to get me." She paused "I reckon I would have gone with him if he'd come back." She stared past Joey seeing into a future that could have been and couldn't help a small smile turning the corners of her mouth as she remembered Doc's smiling face.

Joey's brow knitted slightly. "Perhaps he did not want you knowing you were once his friend's."

Ella's attention was jerked painfully back to the man before her, his words were nettled and stung bitterly, it was what their purpose had been. Ella looked at him, trying to control her anger but at the same moment wondering why he wanted to wound her.

"That was low," she whispered, "there weren't any need." She glanced away, not wanting him to see just how much the words had affected her. "Besides, Doc wasn't like that."

Joey finished his meal and rose to his full height; he came to Ella's side and offered her his hand, the gesture almost akin to a peace offering. Ella glared at the outstretched gloved palm a moment before finally giving in and slipping her own hand into his grip, he aided her onto her feet. Joey pulled her to him, pressing their bodies together for a moment.

"I do not like this man, do not defend him" he said, his eyes glancing over her features.

"Doc?" Ella questioned, her face clearly showing the surprise she felt at his words. "You didn't even know him."

Ella studied his face; the side of his mouth gave a small twitch and his eyes flashed for a moment before his lips connected roughly with hers, need and passion mingled with aggression, his arms wrapped around her possessively. Ella allowed it as she always did and through the haze of lust that began to rear in her body and mind Ella wondered if he was just a little jealous.

---

They set out on their way, Joey once again leading her horse onwards. He stopped many times, bringing out his spyglass and checking if all ahead was clear and safe. Soon an old barn came into sight and Joey led them both behind it, the building offered them both cover and also gave Joey a good vantage point with his rifle. Ella chanced a small glance around the side, she could see that a small saloon, dirty and ill-kept looking was a few hundred yards ahead, a large porch was laden with tables and a few chairs and in one of these sat a large man with a rounded belly, he seemed to be dozing in the late afternoon sun, a newspaper still held in his hands. Ella retreated back into the safety the back of the building offered and watched as Joey checked his rifle, his fingers glancing over the metal in a way that made Ella shiver with remembrance of gentle caresses.

Joey glanced at her and motioned for her to stay near the ground and to watch the horses. Ella nodded that she understood and pressed her back against the cool wooden wall. Already her heart was beating hard in her chest, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut, refusing to open them until it was all over. The first shot rang out, leaving a sickening echo in her ears. A few moments of silence passed before a volley of shots were fired, she knew they weren't Joey's - they were too exact - it was the Judge trying to save himself or else angry he'd been ambushed. Two more controlled shots permeated the air, Ella became acutely aware of how different Joey's rifle sounded to the other gun she had heard, it was softer somehow, less brash... it was a strange way to think of a gun.

Within a moment Joey was beside her, pulling her to her feet and pushing Ella onto her horse. He swung himself up into his own saddle and began to lead them out.

"Is he dead?" Ella called. Joey didn't answer.

They rode at a stiff trot out into the open, towards the house. Ella's eyes widened as she saw that the Judge was not dead at all, he was badly shot up, his stomach, leg and shoulder all bore bloody wounds but he was still breathing and what was more, still fighting. He was currently trying to get an old rusted handgun to fire; he banged it in frustration upon the floor swearing harshly.

Strangely Ella felt no fear that he would get that gun to fire and even if he did she knew Joey would get off the first shot, Ella only felt pity. She glanced at the cocky man upon the horse before her, he bore even less concern than herself. She returned her attention back to the Judge who continued his torrent of abuse to no one in particular.

"Shoot dammit shoot! You rusty son-of-a-bitch!" he shouted before finally he collapsed onto his back, the gunshots too much for him to bear.

Joey didn't pause, they rode right up to the porch where he dismounted in one graceful jump before gesturing with a lazy hand that she should come down too.

"He ain't dead!" Ella whispered, her stomach lunging sickeningly as the man squirmed in pain. "Shoot him quick, he's gut shot."

Joey gave her a dry smile before taking his rawhide lariat from the saddle and walking with casual, certain steps over to the bear of a man. Joey's face bore no concern over what the Judge would do, he knew he had already won the battle; he wrapped his horse's reins around a post, securing it lightly.

"You arrogant pup, do you plan on hangin' me?!" the Judge roared.

Joey remained silent, the hint of a smirk appearing upon his lips at the man's distress.

"Joey," Ella breathed, "just shoot him, please."

Joey did not look her way, his mind was set.

"I'm the law west of the Pecos, or ain't you heard? I'm the one that hangs people 'round here. Get away from my saloon, you damn cub!" He glanced at Ella as if only just seeing her, his eyes widened slightly with surprise at seeing a woman alongside the infamous Mexican bandit. "You an' your whore, get away from my saloon!!" He said his voice growling like a bear warning an unwelcome visitor off from its cave.

Ella watched him a moment, the sick feeling not abating, in fact it was getting worse as she saw the scene before her unfold.

Joey casually slipped a noose over the Judge's head, letting it rest at his neck, ignoring the man's insults. Then he reached up, slipping the rope over a beam that was secured to the roof before walking back to his horse and tying the rope to his saddle horn.

"Cub! Whelp! That's what ya are!" The Judge cried, his breaths now sounding more forced.

Joey picked up his reins and began to lead the horse away. Ella watched in dismay and frozen shock as the slack tightened, slowly lifting the man onto his feet: he gave several gargled noises; she glanced at Joey who still walked in certain, lazy steps, his pace unhurried. The Judge began to struggle, twisting this way and that but it was all for naught, the rope would win out in the end and he knew it. He tried to dig his fingers between the rope and his neck but the look upon his face said all too well that he knew it was useless.

"Whelp of a whore!" His words were near strangled.

Ella watched in growing horror as his whole body began to shake, his feet were only a few inches from the ground, such a small amount of space, so close to the stableness of the floor and yet he was still slowly dying, her eyes widened with disgust and revulsion at what she was witnessing. Joey finally turned the horse about, wanting to watch his idea play out in full. He leant lazily against his horse's side, watching with glinting eyes, a small smile appearing on his lips. His fingers curled and twitched as if he could hardly contain his enjoyment, he let out a small breathless chuckle.

Finally the Judge's body stopped its fruitless struggle and became limp and still… he was dead. Ella watched as his great mass of a body swayed in the slight breeze, the rope let out an eerie creaking sound. Joey quickly tied off the rope, leaving Judge Roy Bean to dangle for all to see, his little warning to Call and his posse. Despite her distaste over what had just occurred Ella had to admit that Joey would shame all the men after him. He had outsmarted them and sneaked past right under their very noses, she doubted they would live such a thing down; they may even be mocked for it.

But the feeling did not last long as a new wave of sickness covered her; Ella retreated to the side of the house as Joey ripped open the shirt of Roy Bean, wanting to see the handy work he and his rifle had caused. Ella blocked out the sight with the wooden wall and pressed her hand against it, glad of the steady comfort of something solid to lean upon. She fought with the nausea a moment, pushing it back and willing herself not to vomit, but the sound of creaking rope would not abate and it did not help the queasy feeling in the slightest. Finally she managed to gain back control of her body, the sickness was dulled to a throb somewhere deep within her stomach. She touched her abdomen gingerly as if she expected something to happen upon contact.

She had had no other symptoms since Crow Town, it was true she was still late and her flow had not come but she told herself once again now was not the time to dwell upon it, it had been this late before and she had pushed all thoughts of it from her mind. She had told herself she would deal with it once she got back to Maria's and she had been heartened by the fact that she had had no other tell tale signs… but this bout of feeling sick had shook her to her very core and the worry was once again worming its way back into her mind. She silently hoped that it was just the sight of the dead body that had caused it and the fact still remained that even if she was carrying Joey's child she could do nothing about it, not in this moment…