Chapter 4

I should've seen it before she thought. That man with the southern, very polished, southern accent suffered from consumption. Two of a kind she thought and heard her self laugh in her head. A grin grew on her face. It looked silly.

"What are you smiling about?" Ike asked harshly.

"Well, that's something you'll never know," Charlie said and drank from her cup.

Ike just grumbled and continued with the game.

XXXX

Charlie laid another winning hand down.

She had on a Cheshire cat smile, "Say something witty."

Ike glared madly at her, pounded on the table and left the Oriental with less than his dignity. Almost everyone else at the table somewhat agreed with Ike. It's not worth it to loose all your money when it's clearly obvious that it won't be won back. As those people left more people joined. Curly Bill and Ringo were among those people who left. Charlie decided that she's done. She grabs her money and starts walking with it in her hands and slowly sliding it into her bag. She turns her head up and faster than she could question it her eyes were blocked from view as she slipped slightly. She was caught. But caught by whom?

"Darling? Are you quite alright?" slurred but quick words floated out of Doc's mouth. His hand was still gripping her arm ensuring that she wouldn't lose her balance. In his other hand was her hat. He held it up so it would be in her view. "I believe you left this at the table in which you recently deserted."

She smiled as she reached for her hat. "Uhm thanks." She keeps hold of it and starts walking off.

"Wait, won't you have dinner with me?" Doc asked with a wave of his hand, trying to be charming and not failing.

"It's two in the morning." She was amused at his question.

"How about an early breakfast, only we'll have steak." Doc held out an arm hoping she would take it. Although, he wouldn't admit it, he feared she would reject it.

Charlie just looked at his arm. She was debating whether or not she should take it.

Doc noticed her hesitation but continued to hold it out.

She linked his arm and said, "On one condition."

Doc smiled brightly, "What would that be, Darling?"

"We have chicken."

"Deal."

They walked out of the Oriental. Each was smiling without the other's knowledge. Instead of a nice night waiting for them, Ringo waited there with two other cowboys.

"I've been waiting for you, Holliday."

Both Doc and Charlie reached for their guns despite them being a tad bit wired.

"Don't you worry about a damn thing, Darling," Doc glared at Ringo, fire was blazing in his eyes. He held his guns up. It had only been a few days since the gun-mocking routine with the cup. They were great foes. As Doc glared at Ringo, Ringo glared at him. Afterwards, he shifted his gaze to the young lady who was also on guard.

"I can't let you have all the fun," Charlie cocked her pistols. Doc grined at her. He is full of southern refinement.

"Well, hello. Aren't you the little lady who was beating Ike at the faro table? Why don't you just run along now? I wouldn't want you to dirty your dainty hands." He didn't show the fear in his voice for which he was feeling. He was trying to be a gentleman. He failed miserably. Besides, Charlie didn't buy his speech. However, she was looking at the man starngely. There was a certain familiarity in his face and voice.

"Cut the crap…" Charlie started. Doc interrupted.

"What do you want now, Ringo? Did ya come back for another mortifying experience?"

Passer Byers were now eyeing the scene curiously. Although, they kept on walking, quickening their pace. They didn't want to be caught up in this.

"How about we cut to the chase?" Ringo quickly raised his gun and aimed, as does his posse. All guns are pointed at Doc, but before Ringo has a chance to pull the trigger, Doc's gun fired a bullet hitting Ringo's gun out from his hands. Doc looked surprised.

"Nice shot, eh?" Charlie thought aloud.

Ringo looked like he was just about ready to chew someone's head off.

Doc was drunk, though, causing him to miss his actual target. Right when he pulled the trigger he stumbled a bit causing his gun to change aim.

Ringo turned around spying his gun laying about three yards away from him. He bent to grab it and scampered off with the other cowboys. The duo watched this and continued on their way. But what they didn't notice was a woman spying on them. She was clearly a prostitute. This was Big Nose Kate.

Meanwhile, off in some alley, Ringo was blowing up at the other two cowboys.

"Why didn't you guys back me up, huh?"

"We didn't think we would make it," One of them said.

"Yeah," the other one agreed, "Once we shot at them they would have shot back, and maybe that time they would have actually hit something critical."

"Fine, but we're brothers. Brothers by blood, remember? We're supposed to stick up for each other." Ringo said this while knowing he was being a hypocrite. If he was in their situation, he would have protected himself whichever way was possible.