Old Problems, New Love

Chapter 4

"Bonnie!" John cried, cutting the rope from around her neck and helping her down gently. Most of Bill's men were lying dead around them and the Marshal and his deputies were clearing out the stragglers. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine, John." Bonnie assured, coughing slightly and clutching her chest in pain. By the look of her, she wasn't. Her belt and shirt had been ripped open, revealing her… delicates… and her gorgeous face was covered in cuts and bruises. She leaned up to hug him tightly. From the general direction of the boys, John heard a wolf whistle. "Thank you. What took you so long, anyways, you stupid man?"

"You weren't exactly helping me, Bonnie." He laughed, receiving a light slap to the back of the head. He set her down and she scowled at him, putting her hands on her hips.

"If you think I'm going to lower myself by making a joke about being "all tied up," you've got another thing coming. Come on." She said, making her way over to John's horse. He was immediately at her side, helping her onto the beast and climbing on after her, allowing her to hold on around his waist.

"I'm gon' get her home!" John called out to Leigh, receiving a thumbs up and a nod. He drove his spurs downwards and held the reigns tightly.

It was a fairly comfortable ride, seeing how he hadn't ever been that close to her for that long. However, questions made him break the comfortable silence they had been in. He had heard her sniffle a few times and was overcome with fear. What had they done to her?

"Bonnie?" John asked, moving one of his hands to pat her knee in a comforting way. He heard her make a noise of approval to carry on talking. "They… they didn't…you know… did they?"

He heard her chuckle slightly and felt slightly better.

"Naw." She assured, leaning her head onto his back. "One guy tried to get funny on me one time… I wasn't so ladylike and he didn't try it again, nor no one else."

"You'll be glad to get home, huh?" John smiled, relaxing at the knowledge of her safety.

"Definitely." She laughed, wiping what was left of her tears away from her eyes and shaking her head. "I don't think I've ever wanted to be home so badly."

"Yeah, well." John sighed, taking his hat off and plopping it down on her head. "I'll have you home soon enough. Now rest."

Three Hours Later

The horse slowed as they approached the MacFarlane's house. John smiled and turned to face his bride-to-be.

"Okay Bonnie." He said gently, taking his hat back from her. "Home sweet home."

He hopped down and reached up, taking her by the waist and helping her to the ground. He received a confused look from his fiancé and shrugged.

"I wasn't sure if you would be able to." He explained, gesturing to her battered form. "What with all of the cuts and bruises you've got there."

"Thanks." Bonnie said softly, blushing and watching as John hitched the horse to the post. "Come in for a drink? You've earned it."

"I think I'll take you up on that offer." John laughed, wiping his forehead of sweat. He hovered beside her, making sure she didn't fall or trip, to which she swatted his arms away and scolded him thoroughly.

"I gave as good as I got, Marston." She said, wagging her finger and reaching out for the doorknob.

"Mr MacFarlane! Drew!" John called, opening the door and ushering Bonnie inside. Receiving no response, he shrugged. Bonnie just rolled her eyes and shooed him further inside, towards the kitchen.

Two Weeks Later

"Chupa-feckin-rosa?!" Irish exclaimed, running a hand over his scruffy beard and sighing. John looked at him through narrowed eyes and he quickly backtracked. "Oh, I'll take you there, John. I'm real popular down there. You just meet me at the ferry. I've got lots of friends down South."

"Yeah…" John laughed sarcastically and shook his head in disbelief. "I'll see you at the ferry, Irish!"

"Okay…" The other man said, his voice high and resigned. "I'll just get me things."

"I'm sorry about this, John." The Marshal muttered, coming to stand next to John, who was lighting up a cigarette. "I guess you'll be heading to Mexico, then?"

"You'd have guessed right." John laughed, flicking tobacco off the end of his cigarette. "I just don't know if Bonnie'll let me live long enough to see Mexico."

"Ah, I understand. It must be hard for you; leaving your fiancé behind." The Marshal said sympathetically and patting John's back. "Besides, Bonnie know's why you're doing this. She'll understand."

That Night at MacFarlane's Ranch

"Mexico?!" Bonnie shrieked when he told her. Her hair was up in its usual bun and she was cooking up dinner. "You're going to Mexico?!"

"I have to, Bonnie." John sighed, running his hand over his brow in frustration. "You know I have to."

"You're going after a group of… of… bastards!" She shouted, shocking him to his very core. Never had he heard her use such language. Nor any woman. "After everything they did to the people who live here… to me… to you, for crying out loud!"

"Bonnie…" John groaned, running his hand through his hair. And leaning back in his chair. "You know why I have to do this…"

"It doesn't mean I have to like it!" She shrieked, slamming the bowl down on the counter. "I mean… how long are you gonna be gone for? Weeks? Months?"

"A couple of weeks at most." John replied. He stood from his chair and walked around to stand next to her. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug and kissed the top of her head. "And when I return, I want to make you Mrs. Bonnie Marston."

"Don't try that John." She warned against his chest, trying desperately to wriggle out of his grip. "Don't dare try to use the whole 'wedding' spiel."

"Bonnie, the whole reason I'm here in the first place is to kill Bill Williamson." John whispered, still not letting her go. "Just… take some time to think about it? Please?"

"Fine." She huffed, hitting him away successfully and swatting him with her towel. "Now, out with you! Go on!" She shooed him out of the room and rested against the counter.

"Holy hell, MacFarlane…" She muttered to herself, groaning slightly. "Why couldn't you have a normal relationship? Get married to a rancher… have a bunch of kids…"

"No, you had to choose a goddamned outlaw!" She exclaimed, running her hand over her face and shaking her head madly.