Ella soon felt stable enough to come back around to the front of the saloon. Joey was inside partaking in some freshly brewed coffee the Judge must have intended for himself. Ella walked up the steps, gingerly avoiding the large body that swung gently in the wind. For some strange reason a fear that he would suddenly come back to life struggling and grasping trickled down her spine, the thought of one of his cold, fat hats curling around any part of her flesh made her skin crawl. She didn't look at Joey; she found that the task was too hard. His face had been a calm mask as always when he had murdered the Judge, his smirk the same cruel smirk he used on many occasions, but the way his fingers had curled and twitched as if he himself wished to be the rope, tightening, squeezing and strangling the life out of the man, his deep blue eyes had glinted in a strange kind of glee… Ella wondered if he looked this way every time he killed someone, if the thrill made him somehow happy. She suspected that it did, that in these moments of true power he felt akin to a god, in these moments he was free and happy. Ella knew he felt this way when they made love… perhaps that was the reason he kept her around, just like his rifle she allowed him a glimpse of true happiness if only for a brief time. Sex and death, she shivered. Ella wanted no part of either anymore.

The thoughts made the sickness that had abated rear a little once again; she didn't want to be compared to a weapon, to a lump of metal. She hurried over to where a jug of steaming coffee sat and poured herself a good mug full. She gulped a few mouthfuls in one go, the hot liquid burnt her tongue a little but the bitter sensation pushed back the nausea. She glanced over at Joey, he had his back to her and she felt she could deal with his presence for now as long as she didn't have to look into his cold eyes, to see in their depths that she meant nothing more than the gun he had slung carelessly over his shoulder, the thought repulsed her.

She was suddenly hit by the thought that she felt no remorse, no sadness for the man that was dead outside; her thoughts were only of herself and of Joey… always of Joey… Perhaps this made her a wicked woman - to not even care that a man had been murdered while she watched on. She felt like she should have felt guilty or at the very least melancholy that a life had been snuffed out and she hadn't been able to help, but she didn't, she didn't care about the dead man. It was true she had no taste for watching people die, she would not like to repeat the situation again but still the fact remained that she didn't care, not even a jot. Her thoughts were firmly upon other matters and even trying to scold herself for being so unfeeling over a man's life did not budge her resolve.

Finally she picked up her mug and walked over to the table; she pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Joey. Her eyes took in the dingy saloon, it was little more than a glorified shack, dirt was engrained in the tables, chairs, floor, even the very walls seemed coated in a dark layer of old dust, she sneered at it, the place somehow repelled her.

"We will not stay long." Joey's voice broke the silence as if sensing her very thoughts. "I will look to see if the 'Judge'" - he said the name with cruel, amused contempt - "has anything worth taking."

Ella wrapped her hands around her mug and looked up into his face. "Where will we go then?"

"After Call, he rode away on his own, I will follow him." He paused sipping again at his coffee. "Then I will find the others."

Ella suddenly felt a burning question form within her mind, she did not doubt for a moment that Joey would find all of these men and put an end to all of their lives if that is what he wished, but Joey's life and her own had surrounded this posse for so long that she found she wanted to know what came after… when it was over.

"And then?" she ventured.

Joey furrowed his brow slightly, saying without words that her question had been unclear.

"After they are dead, what then?" She glanced down at her hands and the liquid in the mug. "Will you go back to your Ma's?"

Joey smiled; it was small and brief, with the merest hint of humor. "No," he said simply, "I do not wish to return to the village."

Ella looked up once again, studying his handsome features, sometimes it still amazed her how he could steal her breath just from his looks alone, she would bet all the money she had, little as it was, that Joey Garza was the most beautiful man in Mexico. To her she supposed no one in the world would compare… but she doubted anyone could deny what a good looking boy he was, slender in body and delicate in features. But still… beauty could hide many faults and with Joey, Ella was slowly coming to see that it was perhaps his only saving grace, everything inside was rotten.

She was a little shocked by his answer, she had always assumed that if she did stay they would return back to Maria's when it was all over, she knew Maria would accept him back into her home, she would never turn her son away. She remained silent, her eyes glancing across his smooth features.

"I want to go to Mexico City" he stated.

"Mexico City" Ella repeated, she had never been but she had heard it was a huge place full of people and buildings.

Joey nodded. "I like it; it is big, not like the village or other places here." His mouth turned slightly in disgust.

"I've never been to a big city" Ella said, her voice sounding small to her own ears.

"You will see it soon" Joey said casually, his words stating that he expected her to accompany him.

Ella looked at him unsurely, although she could not deny that she loved him, perhaps more than any person should rightfully love another and wished for nothing more than a simple life in which they were both content and not pursuing or being pursued by a posse; she could not see herself living with Joey in a little house somewhere in Mexico City, settled and happy. She did not think Joey even knew what these words meant, nor did she think that is what he wanted when they arrived, she didn't know what he wanted… maybe he didn't either.

"There is a big cathedral in Mexico City," Joey said, leaning back into his chair, "I like to go and stand in it sometimes, inside is quiet and the ceiling is high… I like the smell, like musty wood."

Ella watched him a moment, enjoying his words, for some reason she couldn't fathom they touched her deeply. She nodded, a smile finding a warm place upon her lips.

"I'd like to see that" she said with meaning.

Joey's eyes connected with hers, holding her gaze in an unbreakable grasp for a moment. Finally he looked away and drained the rest of his mug. Without glancing at her again he rose from the table and began to search the bar. It only took him a short time to realize there was nothing that would interest him, he walked behind the bar where a narrow door led into a small, cramped room. He looked about, wrinkling his nose slightly at the unappealing smell of sweat and unwashed clothing, this was the Judge's private room where he slept and kept his personal belongings. He quickly searched through a small set of drawers and found no more than a handful of dollars; Joey suspected that the fat old man spent his money as soon as he got it on more drink or the favors of women. He took the small amount of money anyway and let his eyes take in the dirty room once again. His gaze finally rested on an object sat upon a small table beside the unkempt, potent smelling bed. He had not noticed it as its back was facing him, it was a photograph frame. Joey walked a few steps forward and picked it up, turning it over, he was pleased to see that the frame was silver and good quality by the look of it, this would do nicely for his collection. He liked to collect things from the people he killed, they served as memories that he could hold, the objects seeming to keep some of the enjoyment he had felt within those moments.

His eyes wandered to the photograph that was encased in the glass. It was a professionally taken shot; it must have cost the Judge a pretty dollar or two to have taken. He had seen such photographs before, bought by men who had too much money and little sense. The Judge sat among a crowd of beauties, all whores by their dress, no more than corsets and underwear, showing their legs and breasts off to the best advantage. Joey wondered which one had been the Judge's favorite, perhaps he had all six of them and counted them all equal, the thought of any woman willingly wanting to sleep with such a whale of a man was a mystery to Joey, but then whores had no morals, no dignity… no meaning other than to please.

He studied each of their faces closely, fascinated for a moment that ugly Roy Bean could have bedded with such pretty girls. His eyes widened slightly, his grip tightening around the frame… a small girl stood to the side. She was young, perhaps not in her sixteenth year, the slight chubbiness of youth clung to her face but her curves and breasts were fully developed, dark long hair cascaded in heat made curls down her shoulder and her corset was studded with what appeared to be jewels, most likely colored glass. Joey's jaw tightened, perhaps he was mistaken… His fingers worked clumsily on the back of the frame but his gloves hindered his work and he lost his patience. He brought the glass down hard upon the corner of the table, shattering it in one swift movement, he pulled out the photograph, it was a stiff cabinet card and he bent it a little in his hurry, creating a small crease down the middle.

He brought the picture closer to his face, studying it intently. Finally he turned it over and there upon the back was scrawled messy writing.

'The Great Judge Roy Bean'

It was easy to see the Judge thought far too highly of himself but such thoughts did not stay with Joey long. He read on.

From left to right: Beautiful Bella, Rosy Lipped Blanche, Sweet Katie, Black Pearl, Little Diamond Stella and Wicked Annie.

Joey stared at the name 'Little Diamond Stella'. He turned the photograph around once more, studying the young girl gazing out at him with sad, dark eyes, her look seemed haunted but it did nothing to stem the anger that had already begun to burn inside him… she had lied. He felt her presence at the door, heard the soft scrape of her boots as she came to a standstill.

Joey was hunched over something, his body seemed tightly wound, his shoulders tense. Ella had come quickly over to the room Joey had entered after she had heard the smashing of glass, she had thought perhaps he had cut himself or at least something unforeseen had happened - Joey was always careful and never clumsy.

"Are you okay?" she ventured, feeling suddenly uneasy at the sight of him, "I heard a noise."

For what seemed a long amount of time Joey did nothing, he did not move, as if he had suddenly become frozen to the spot, then he pushed something into a frame and without warning he whirled around. His blue eyes appeared almost black in the dimness of the room, the effect was disquietening and made Ella back up a step, she sensed something was wrong, badly wrong and he was about to take it out on her. Without a word being spoken he hurled the photograph frame he had been clutching in her direction, she just managed to side step out of its path, avoiding a cruel blow.

"You lied to me" Joey hissed.

Suddenly Ella wished that he had screamed those words at her, the hissed tone of his voice was so menacing that her blood ran cold within her veins, making her feel as if it had been replaced by icy water.

"Wha…" Ella began, but he cut her off.

"You are a whore!" His voice was bitter and disgusted; he took a few steps forward and Ella's eyes widened, not only at his words but at the look in his eyes. They shone with clear hatred, a look he so often directed at Maria, a look that stated if she made the wrong move he would kill her where she stood… It was not a simple threat; she knew in that moment that he would not think twice about drawing his blade across her throat if it suited him.

Ella backed away; her feet uncertain and she stumbled more than once. He stooped and picked up the frame and flung it near her feet, his advance stopped as he stared at her with pure loathing.

Ella glanced at him warily, knowing that he wished for her to pick up the frame, slowly she bent and scooped it up, her eyes never leaving him, certain he would lunge at her at any moment. She took a quick look down noticing it had a photograph wedged within it. She pulled it out and studied it briefly; one glance was all she needed to know why he was upset. Staring out at her was her own face, several years younger, dressed in her work clothing, her 'Diamond Stella' costume… Her mouth suddenly went dry, she tried to swallow but found the action was painful, she was breathing too hard.

Ella glanced up, her eyes saying she was determined not to plead or beg for his forgiveness. "It was a long time ago," she said in a whisper, "you never asked about my past, I didn't think there was much point going into it, I knew you'd just get mad."

Joey gave a low chuckle; it was a cruel and callous sound.

"You lied to me" Joey repeated.

"No, I never lied," Ella corrected, "I just never told you." She paused, "I told you, I was young and stupid then… I needed the money." She paused again, unknowing if her words were leading her down a path she would not return from. The fact that the man she thought she loved so dearly was also fully capable of snatching her life away was a chilling thought. "It's not who I am anymore."

"How many men did you have?"

Ella was taken aback by the abrupt question, it was not a question she had ever expected Joey to ask, she had expected him to beat her, perhaps threaten to kill her but instead he was asking her a pointless question, a question that she could never give an answer that he would be satisfied with.

"I don't know!" she said, a little too harshly. "I don't like thinkin' about it, it was just a job!"

"Did you lie with him?" Joey said, indicating with a nod towards the Judge.

Ella followed his gaze. "I don't remember." It was the truth, she didn't remember although she thought maybe she would have remembered such a man. "I didn't think about it when it was happenin', Christ most beat me an' just took me anyway." She looked away, wiping her hand across her brow. "I needed the money to live!"

She looked up, her eyes connecting to his. "You have parts of your life you don't like thinking of, you didn't have a choice an' neither did I!" She was aware her voice held a note of pleading and she hated the sound.

Joey continued to stare at her, his eyes burning with a mixture of disgust and anger… and perhaps hurt too; he looked as if the situation had stung him a little. Ella knew if this was true it would be his pride that was injured more than anything else... or perhaps she wanted him to be hurt, to show any other emotion than anger, maybe it was her wishful thinking that had caused that glimmer to appear.

"You knew I had a husband, what's the difference?" she blurted, grabbing at anything that would take that look from his eyes, she suddenly changed her mind, wanting to see his cold gaze and wipe the uncertain, unreadable expression he now wore from her mind. "You knew I wasn't…" She turned away, the sickness rearing in her gut once again.

Joey remained silent; finally after a few moments he walked over to her with confident, casual strides, he pulled the frame and picture from her grip and began to make his way out of the saloon.

"Joey" Ella said, going after him. It was strange in a way, she had almost hoped that he would leave her in the last few months, if he left it made it so much easier on herself, he would be walking away not her… She had never expected it would hurt so much to know he was leaving because of her, that he didn't want her by his side. She realized what a strange occurrence it must have been to him, to bring someone with him, to almost constantly be in someone's company, perhaps he had loved her after all in his own way. This knowledge caused a strong emotion to boil within her, she couldn't let him leave without explaining, without letting him know everything that was now happening was for the best…

Ella grabbed his arm, the act a last clutch at their life together and releasing it all within the same action. This contact proved too much for Joey to take and his calm resolve faltered, he turned on her, his eyes blazing, not seeing the woman before him, only seeing another whore, just like his mother… Someone who let men use them again and again without flinching, content to live a dirty, pathetic life under overweight men that made them go all fours like animals while they took and took… She was no better than any of them, he had been a fool to think any different and Joey hated feeling like a fool. He advanced on her, lithe and fast, his hand lashed out, connecting with her cheek and then his other hand slapped her other cheek. Ella fell backwards, the blows knocking her off balance; she quickly regained her senses and tried to fight back as Joey's body began to weight her down. His legs pinned her down to the ground as she struggled, her eyes widening slightly as she tried to judge what he would do next. She assumed he'd resort to his fists as most men would but once again she had misjudged him. Within a split second his soft gloved hands were about her throat, they tightened and tightened, the pressure near unbearable.

Ella spluttered, feeling his fingers dig and squeeze, she clawed uselessly at his hands and then at his face, her attempts becoming less and less strong. He was easily able to move his head so only her fingertips brushed his cheeks in a feather light touch, almost a caress. Finally she knew she couldn't fight him, he was stronger than she was and he had her in a place she couldn't get out of, she was reminded bitterly of the night in Crow Town… How could she have stayed with him, thought of loving him after that… she was worse than foolish. Ella was suddenly hit by the knowledge of just how she had done nothing to stop this, to stop Joey. She'd just lain there and taken everything, the pleasure, the pain…had she really expected it to end any differently, she'd known somewhere inside her that Joey would kill her if she stayed… one day.

She finally allowed her hands to come to a rest at her sides, letting him have the power he so craved. She looked up into his face, it was twisted and ugly in this moment, his mouth curled into a snarl… and only a few moments ago she had thought him handsome. He glanced at her, his expression relenting, the pressure relaxed around her neck as their eyes connected and he finally let go. Ella was aware that tears were running down her cheeks, she had been weeping for some time, had it been her tears that made him relent? He pulled his hands fully away from her and got to his feet. She gave a few half hearted strangled coughs.

Ella found that she couldn't move, she felt as if all the energy had been sucked from her very bones leaving her useless. She was aware that he was leaning on the post where the hang rope was tied off, looking out across the plains, his expression in deep thought, his head bowed…no not thought… regret…she liked to think it was regret…

Ella felt a strange sleep begin to cover her and she welcomed it, she felt so very tired.