Wesley finally let her up. Stella straightened slowly; she could already tell that she would have a large bruise upon her back in the place his knee had pushed against. She studied the thin, sharp featured man before her, noticing that he had several days stubble and looked a little older than he had the last time she had seen him. It was strange, but looking at this scruffy man she felt a renewed wave of warmth flow through her body, perhaps it was her pride coming back after being locked away so long. There had been no point having pride when it was stripped from you every night by a man stronger than you…

"Get packin'" Hardin said, putting his gun back into his holster.

"But…" Stella hesitated, perhaps now was not the time to point out that he had already paid for her services, his mind was obviously on other things than taking her to bed. "Yes" she nodded, and got up. She pulled out a large cloth bag and began to throw various clothing items into it, she would leave anything that she did not need, taking only essentials; and if she was honest, she wanted none of the luxury items Johnny had bought her, they all held soured memories. It did not take her long before she was ready for travel; she changed into a plain day dress and wrapped a warm woolen coat around her shoulders. Her Diamond costume that now lay discarded in a pile on the floor would not be travelling with her, she never wanted to hear that name again, from now on she would just be Stella and nothing else, she didn't want another stage name…

"You ready?" Hardin asked, sticking a small cigar between his lips and lighting it.

Stella nodded. "I'm ready… but Johnny isn't goin' to just let me walk out with you, carrying a bag, he'll know I'm leavin."

"Don't worry" Hardin said distractedly, more interested in smoking his cigar.

Stella rolled her eyes a little at the statement, until she was miles from this place she would worry. Johnny had threatened her and all the girls with a good beating if they ever tried to leave.

"Come on." He didn't look at her but made his way to the door. "You sure you got everything?" He didn't turn or alter his pace as he asked the question. "I ain't comin' back for anythin' once we leave."

"I have everythin' I need till I can make some money."

"Okay." Hardin blew out a large cloud of smoke and fully exited the room.

The brothel was abuzz with music and chatter, men awaiting a free girl sat downstairs in the parlor, smoking and drinking until their time came to have a little fun. Stella could see Johnny before they even began their descent down the stairs, she wanted to halt, to turn back and run to her room before he saw her and vented his anger. What if this man she was now placing all her trust in wasn't as tough as he looked? Johnny would kick him out and then she'd be left at his mercy, worse off than she had been before. The thought made her shiver but she stilled herself and began to follow Hardin as he made his way down the large staircase.

Johnny saw them before they reached the bottom and as he began to make his way over to them Stella felt her heart begin to drum hard, it felt as if it was hitting her very ribcage with every beat.

"Goin' somewhere Mr. Hardin?" Johnny said, his fake grin plastered just below his styled and curled mustache.

"Why yes I am Johnny, I'm leavin'" Hardin said, giving him a small smile, his eyes glinting with a crazy light, he was enjoying every moment.

"Well, seems one of my girls is followin' you."

Hardin turned and looked at Stella. "Looks like" he said calmly.

"You wouldn't be thinking of tryin' to take one of my girls now, would you John?"

Hardin narrowed his eyes slightly. "Now Johnny, you know I don't like that name, I told you to always call me Wes, it sounds better." He gave a small laugh and took another puff of his cigar.

"Sorry, Wes" Johnny corrected, the false manners continuing but becoming strained on his part. "You takin' one of my girls?" he asked again.

"Looks like." Hardin gave a callous grin with the cigar still stuck between his teeth.

"Well, Wes you know I can't just let you take my livin'… I own this girl."

"I say you don't own shit." Hardin's grin fell, his eyes glinting with that same crazy light. "Step aside or you'll wish you had in about five minutes."

Johnny gave an amused laugh, he didn't believe the hype that surrounded this man, they said he'd killed someone for snoring too loudly but Johnny knew better than anyone how stories could be started out of nothing and grow to become legends.

"Don't be stupid Wes, just go on your way an' we won't have any trouble."

"Did you just call me stupid?" Hardin asked with a smirk.

Johnny finally saw the crazy glint lurking within the man's gaze and found that he now wasn't so sure about himself and what he knew, there was something about this man that wasn't right. "I didn't mean it as an insult Wes."

"You did!" Hardin said, before dissolving into a deep chuckle, he looked back at the man who called himself The Duke and expected to be treated like one. "I don't like you much, I think I like you even less now I know what an arrogant sunavabitch you are, I can't stand arrogance." His laugh had died to small huffs.

Stella watched the scene playing out before her, her heart hadn't stopped its drumming and her mind couldn't make up its mind as to whether it wanted her to stay or run for the door - she found she was rooted to the spot.

Johnny narrowed his eyes at Hardin and within a split second he had decided what was to be done, he went for the gun at his hip; he managed to pull it from his holster but he had underestimated Hardin's skills. Hardin already had his gun in his hand, the hammer cocked, before Johnny had even aimed.

The gunshot resounded around the parlor like a sharp crack of wood breaking and splintering. Stella jumped at the sound and her breath caught within her throat, she fully expected to see Johnny lying upon the floor, a bullet firmly planted into his head, but Hardin's shot had not been for the kill. Johnny was lying on the floor, that much was true, but he was not dead, he just rolled and writhed in agony, his hands clasped over his groin as blood poured over his britches, coating them a sticky red.

Stella couldn't help a small huff of laughter escaping her at the sight, although she wasn't laughing through amusement but shock and surprise. She supposed later she would laugh at the situation and really mean it, after all what good was The Duke without his crown; Hardin had taken it from him as well as a lot more.

"Come on," Hardin said sharply, tugging at her arm, "lawmen will be here in the next hour when they can put down their whiskey, I'd like to be a few miles further on when they sober up."

Stella obeyed his tug and walked behind him, she glanced back over her shoulder, she knew she would never forget the image of Johnny Duke holding his groin and shrieking inaudible words in a high pitched voice. Many years later she would look back and laugh at the remembrance.

---

Stella found riding two to a horse was not her preferred method of travel; in fact the animal didn't seem to think much better of the arrangement. As they rode Hardin talked and talked and Stella drifted in and out of listening to his tales. She didn't really think he even cared if she was listening, he liked the sound of his own voice and talking about himself, it made him quite a jolly companion for the first hour or so.

But Stella was tired, she wanted to stop and sleep but instead they rode and rode far into the evening and even into the night. Hardin assured her that he knew his way over this country well enough to guide his horse in the dark but finally they did stop and sleep. But it was only for a few hours, Hardin wanted to get to their destination, he had other places to be and he was determined they would make it in the next few days. It took them nearly four days altogether to reach White Oaks. The town came into view and Stella studied it with wary eyes.

"Well this is your stop, I ain't goin' into town so you'll have to walk the rest of the way, it ain't far."

Stella slid down from the saddle and he handed her the cloth bag she had brought with her before she looked up at him, studying him once more.

"I would say thanks but holding a gun t' my head kinda makes me want to tell you t' go t' hell, so I guess I'll just say goodbye instead."

"Seems fair" Hardin said with a sly smile. "See you around Diamond, I might come an' check on you in a few months."

"Can't say whether I'll be willin' to spend a night with you Wes, but then anger dulls with time so I hear."

"I heard that too, load of shit if you ask me." He winked at her and then spurred his horse onwards leaving the young girl to her fate, whatever that may be.

---

Stella reclined on her bed eating a freshly baked piece of sticky honey cake, the sun outside her window was warm and welcoming and her thoughts were as lazy as the summer's day. She had been at Jane Greathouses' establishment for just over four months.

She had knocked timidly upon the door of the large house the day John Wesley Hardin had 'rescued' her from the life she had lived before. Jane had answered the door; she was a beautiful and striking looking woman of twenty nine. She had large, thick hair that fell in bright red waves, her eyes were a vivid green and she loved the latest fashions, especially bustle dresses, she had at least ten of them in varying colours. Jane had welcomed Stella into the house with a warm smile and later a warm meal too. There were only five other girls living and working there but they all had similar stories to Stella and with this bond between them they all got along well and treated each other with respect.

The girls could take any man they pleased, it was up to them who they slept with and what they did. Jane was fiercely protective of all her employees and most men knew not to cause a stir if they came to her house, they would get what they were given or they were shown the door. Stella found that she enjoyed this life much more than she expected, she worked during the day, sewing and darning clothing, this money took care of her food and board, for any other luxuries she just needed a man to pay her. She had two regulars and rarely took any new men into her room, they came by now and again bearing gifts and flowers, if Stella felt like entertaining them she would, if not she may just have a drink and dance with them, they still paid her at the end of the night but it was considerably less.

But Stella didn't mind, as long as she felt happy and Jane was happy with the way she worked, she didn't have any other worries. Of course most of the other girls were nothing like Stella, they wanted money to get out of the lot of selling themselves completely, to find husbands and livelihoods, have children and crops, so they took most men that came their way. Stella didn't have any longings for any such life, for the first time she actually felt content.

"Afternoon" Jane said in her usual musical and slightly amused voice.

Stella sat up and finished the last chunk of her cake. "Hey Jane." She smiled, she found that it had taken her a while to drop the act of being cruel, but with Jane and the other girl's help Stella was finally returning to who she really was.

"A little bird told me we're goin' t' get some special company this evenin'." She smiled her beautiful smile.

"Oh, who?" Stella asked in genuine interest.

"Billy Bonney's gang" she smirked.

"Billy the Kid?"

Jane nodded.

"You never told me he came here" Stella said, licking a little leftover honey from her fingers.

"He's an old pal of mine" Jane said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Well, it'll be interesting to meet him, though I hope you intend to make them bathe before they decide which girls they want." She glanced at the window, the late afternoon sunlight still warmed all that it touched and she smiled slightly at the sensation.

Jane laughed sweetly. "You always like your men clean" she commented, making her way out of the room and leaving the young woman to prepare for the night ahead.

---

The outlaw gang arrived just after darkness had fallen; it was the best course of action for them as prying eyes would be less likely to see them under the cover of the night. The Kid was a well known outlaw and one of the citizens of White Oaks might fancy collecting the bounty of five hundred dollars that was on his head. Sometimes one of the other girls would read a new article out loud if it was interesting and many of them over the last few months had been about William Bonney, he was being hunted by nearly all the lawmen in New Mexico, perhaps this newly appointed Sheriff of Lincoln County, Pat Garrett, would finally catch him, the newspapers seemed to think so.

Jane made sure all the men could have a bath, although they only had two baths in the whole household, so they had to take turns, using the same water. Stella and the rest of the girls sat absently playing cards as they came back out, a considerable difference in appearance from the scruffy, dirty looking men who had walked in. It was instantly noticeable who the leader was, he was handsome with blonde hair and blue eyes that danced with a secret amusement or mystery only he knew. There was also a tall Indian with long black hair; he too was easy on the eyes, although his presence was austere. A young boy of about fifteen glanced about nervously as if he wasn't sure his mother would approve of him being in such a place. Another blonde man appeared, his hair was shaggy and he had a well trimmed beard, he nodded towards all the girls and greeted them with a warm smile, Stella could tell this man had real manners, what most would call a real gentleman. Last to show himself was a dark haired man with sly features and a wolfish grin, his laugh was almost infectious and his wit, quick and a little coarse.

His dark brown gaze instantly fixed upon Stella, his eyes glinted with desire and longing as his gaze grazed over her, taking in every curve and she could have sworn for a moment that through his hungry stare she could almost feel his hands upon her. Stella gave him coy little looks, looks that beckoned, for she too could feel the pull between them. It didn't take him long to find a reason to talk to her.

"You have a bad hand" he whispered softly into her ear, his breath dancing across her skin.

Stella glanced up at him and smirked before looking at her cards. "I fold" she said to the other girls, placing her cards down upon the table, glad of the excuse to focus her full attention upon the man beside her.

"I reckon that was a good move" he said, straightening up as Stella again turned to look at him. "I'm Dave Ma'am." He extended his palm out to her and Stella took it softly, her eyes never leaving his.

"Stella" she said with a smile that mirrored his, full of hidden desire…