Disclaimer I own very little, especially not CSI NY.
Author Lily Moonlight
Notes Chapter 20: The morning brings a shock for Flack.
Thank you very much for reviews, please continue! They're a great help with writing, and I love knowing what you think. Thank you to Blue Shadowdancer for help and discussion with this chapter, to Ballettmaus for help and discussion with this and a few other ideas, and Brinchen86 (congratulations on your award!) for discussion of more ideas! Thanks also to Shining Zephyr for the LJ nomination
Once Upon A Time In the Old West
Chapter 20: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Flack:
Messer's snorin' wakes me way too early for my likin'. Bein' rudely woken by a sound akin to a hurricane blowin' through the room ain't my idea of a happy start to the day. Course it don't wake the perpetrator of the snorin', heck no! He stays blissfully asleep on the bed leavin' me lyin' on the straw mattress on the floor, wide awake and cussin' my generosity in lettin' him lodge with me for the night. Still, wouldn't have been the right thing to do lettin' him stumble back to his own place alone after the events of the day. Might've gotten himself into more trouble. Man like Messer needs a close eye kept on him at all times; guess once he and Lindsay are married, I'll be passin' on most of that responsibility to her.
Got no chance now of gettin' back to sleep, so I'm just gonna lie here for a time, hands behind my head, thinkin' over all that's happened the last couple days. Thinkin' and worryin', 'cause it's often the two go hand in hand, 'specially in the lonely hours of the mornin'.
What's worryin' me most is the threat still hangin' over us from the Railroad Company. We had Mac and Stell's escapade to distract us from that, and of course Messer and Lindsay's unfortunate experience, but now they're all back safe and sound, we gotta get ourselves focused again.
With all this snow, mail ain't gonna be gettin' through, so I don't expect we're gonna get any answer for a while yet to the letter Mac sent two days ago. Though in our favour, the snow'll likely delay the company themselves gettin' through. Railroad engines even with snow ploughs fitted to 'em, kinda struggle to make it to our little town after blizzards have swept through.
Can't understand all this business; we got a perfectly fine railroad station just outside of town, it don't need to be any bigger or nearer. Surely a town and its people are more important than a few more tracks and a fancier station? Guess that's the thinkin' of decent folks anyhow, but not the likes of Railroad folks. Nope, don't reckon they give a damn about us. Way I see it, it's all down to greed, and greed's a terrible thing. Greed for money 'specially; makes folks do all kinds of things they wouldn't normally do.
Man, these are deep thoughts to be thinkin' this early in the mornin', and before breakfast too! Ain't quite enough awake to be movin' yet though, another few minutes, then I'll stir myself. Can't take much more listenin' to this snorin'.
Lookin' up at the ceilin', I'm noticin' a large spider with real hairy legs spinnin' a web. Kinda hungry lookin' spider too - can practically see the fangs stickin' outta its mouth. Gets me thinkin' 'bout how easy it'd be to pluck it down from there and place it in Messer's open mouth; that might stop his snorin'...
It's a temptin' thought, sure, but guess I ain't quite got the energy to do so. 'Sides, it ain't fair on the spider to subject it to bein' placed in Messer's mouth.
So, decidin' I ain't gonna do myself any good lyin' here listenin' to the vibrations of his nasal passages, I heave myself up, drag on a few more items of clothin' and give myself a darn good stretch. Sure is a good feelin', gettin' all my muscles to stretch and kinda crack. Make a good loud sound, real satisfyin'. Sadly, it ain't loud enough to wake Sleepin' Beauty; he just kinda moves his head from side to side, wrinkles his forehead and lets out another snore that near enough shakes the walls.
What the heck was I thinkin' lettin' him sleep overnight?
Huh, guess that's what friends do though, and I'm fairly sure he'd do the same for me if I was ever in need of a place to stay. Didn't feel right lettin' him go back to his own lodgings after he was injured. Hell, when me and Miss Jessica burst into that place and saw him lyin' there on the floor, I ain't ashamed to admit I thought he was dead, and that thought near enough killed me too. Messer may be a man with a fair few faults to his character, snorin' bein' the least of them, but he's a friend, and as a friend, you gotta overlook certain faults. The snorin' though... Man! Ain't easy to overlook that, or block the sound from your ears. Got a feelin' that Lindsay ain't gonna be thrilled about that. Makes me glad I ain't the one marryin' him...
Which is somethin' of a disturbin' thought, and not the kinda thought a Deputy Sheriff should be havin', no sir! Get a shudder runnin' through me then, and I leave the room real hasty, leavin' Messer to his snorin' by himself. Best think on other things. If I'm lucky enough to be married, then there's only one person - one woman I want it to be. And I don't reckon Miss Jessica Angell snores.
Miss Jessica Angell... Now the thought of that lady, my lady as I might be so bold as to call her, has brought a smile back to my face. Suddenly the mornin' don't seem quite so difficult. As I take a glance outta the landin' window, out at the snow that's settled overnight and the town lyin' peacefully, all its citizens fast asleep, then bein' up this early don't seem quite so bad. Though I'd rather be one of the fast asleep citizens than, as it seems, the lone wide awake one. This time of day, likely even Mac ain't awake yet.
Wonder where he slept last night? Huh. Now that's maybe an interestin' question, seein' as we left him and Stell by themselves in the Saloon last night. I've reached the landin' now, and I'm wonderin' about that... But if there's one thing all of us can be sure of, it's that Mac's a real chivalrous gentleman, and never one to overstep the lines of propriety. Stell too; she's a lady, and a lady who takes her good reputation real seriously. She don't stand for any slurs on it or scurrilous gossip about her. Though she ain't averse to keepin' an ear open herself to gossip that's goin' around town. Challenge her 'bout that now and again, and the reason she gives is that as a Saloon Owner, she can't help but hear gossip, and it's her duty to know what's goin' on in town, and hear all sides to a story.
Remember when I questioned her on the real reason she hosts quilting parties every Wednesday evenin' in the Saloon, and suggested in a round-about way that maybe it weren't due to the profit to be gained from sales of bourbon to little old ladies, but rather that they were a source of entertainin' gossip. She took a little offence, and it was only due to the fact that I'm quick and nimble in my movements, that I was able to dodge out of the way of her heel before it stamped down on my foot. Wasn't about to test how much protection my boots offered against the heels of an offended Saloon Owner. Always had a suspicion Stell deliberately chooses boots with extra sharp heels, and with extra pointy ends too 'cause she ain't averse neither to pokin' drunken customers in the ribs with the toe of her boot if they're snorin' too loud on the floor. Soon quietens 'em down. Maybe that's what I should've done to Messer...
As I'm makin' my way downstairs somethin' trips me, and I only just manage to grab a hold of the banisters in time to stop me tumblin' head over heels the whole way! Once I've recovered myself and finished all the cussin' I needed to do, bein' mighty glad Miss Jessica Angell ain't present, I look back and see what almost caused me to break my neck. A pair of Messer's boots. His only pair of boots. And the only reason Messer and his boots ain't in each other's company is 'cause I made him remove them last night. I gotta sleep in that bed again when he's out of it, and there ain't no way I'm sleepin' where his boots have been. Value my life too much. Stink of 'em's enough to kill anyone who gets too close. Maybe we oughtta use 'em against the Railroad Company...
Can't help shakin' my head as I make my way down the last few stairs, feelin' a little shaken myself. To have been almost killed by Messer's boots... Would never have lived that kinda' death down. Feel tempted to take a hold of 'em and hurl 'em outta the window! Reckon they'd come walkin' back by themselves though. Been on the feet of Messer so long they're now a frightenin' shade of black. Keep tryin' to tell him he'd do himself a mighty big favour if he got himself smartened up, but he just laughs and tells me he's got more important things to do, and that folks should take him as he is; patched boots, patched clothes and all.
Sure, he's got a point, I'm thinkin' as I make my way into the kitchen; like to think folks judge me on my deeds and character not just my appearance, but I never underestimate the power of bein' smartly dressed. It don't hurt when you're tryin' to impress folk, especially one particular lady. Know for sure Miss Jessica Angell wouldn't be pleased if I turned up to call for her for our Sunday afternoon strolls wearin' a torn shirt and trousers. She's a beautiful well-dressed lady, and the least I can do for her is be clean and fittingly dressed in her presence, 'cause it's a presence that calls for my full attention and effort.
Can't stop a smile spreadin' over my face as I'm thinkin' about her while I get my breakfast. Only a few hours to go before I'll be seein' her again, seein' as we arranged last night to eat lunch together today. So the sooner I get myself goin' and over to sort things out at the Sheriff's Office with Messer's brother and his crony, sooner I'll be with her. In no time at all, I got coffee boilin' and a pan full of bacon, eggs and grits sizzlin'. Sadly, it's too early to be callin' on the Hammerbacks for breakfast. Wouldn't be polite, and even though I reckon Mrs Hammerback wouldn't mind, I don't want to take advantage of the lady's kindness.
Once I got my plate heaped up and a large mug of coffee in front of me, I sit down by the window and tuck in. Don't take long for the plate to be lookin' empty; always troubles me that, to see how fast a plate of food can disappear. One of them mysteries of life I ain't ever gonna be able to fathom. Still, least I got a few pieces of bacon left in the pan which it don't take me a moment to transfer to my plate.
Now, a stomach full of food and I'm ready to face pretty much anythin' I reckon. Sit back with a contented sigh, drain the last few dregs of coffee from my mug, and take a proper look out of the window. Sun ain't fully up yet, but it's light enough to see, and as I'm lookin' over towards the Saloon I see a mighty interestin' thing...
Well if that ain't somethin' to cause gossip amongst certain older members of the town, then I don't know what is! The door to the Saloon's opened and Stell has stepped out, closely followed by Mac. Meanin' my question of where the Sheriff of Hattanville spent the night has just been answered.
My eyebrows are near enough disappearin' off my forehead and if I don't close my mouth, I'm gonna be catchin' more flies in it than that fat ol' spider...
Gotta let out a low whistle and all. Who would have thought it? Not that I'm gonna be disapprovin' of 'em. And, after all, it could be an entirely innocent thing; Stell's got a lotta rooms in that there Saloon of hers, Mac could've slept in any one of 'em...
But geez! Can rightly say, I'm in a mild state of shock. Though not as shocked as I was at his fevered confessions yesterday; confessions that I heard by chance of course. Wouldn't have thought him the kinda' man who thought along those lines, and now he's gone and surprised me again.
Makes me realise that even when you've known a man for years, he can still surprise you.
I'm pushin' my chair back a little, so's I can see out without risk of bein' seen... They're talkin' now, but 'cause this window don't open, I can't make out what they're sayin'. Darn it! They're standin' together pretty close though... And wait... Has he? Yep, Mac's taken hold of Stell's hand - raisin' it to his lips no less! She sure ain't objectin', fact, she's got a real happy smile on her face. I'm smilin' myself and all, seein' the two of 'em together. Sends a warm sorta' feelin' through me to see two people I care a deal about lookin' so happy together. Taken 'em long enough to get to this point, and taken a fair few life-threatenin' adventures to get through too...
Now if that ain't a moment to savour! Wait till I tell Miss Jessica 'bout this! Outside the doors of the Saloon, in full view of the admittedly empty street, Miss Bonasera and Sheriff Taylor are holdin' hands and leanin' in closer and closer to each other. Ain't quite made it yet... Almost though... Almost...
Suddenly I'm struck with a feelin' of guilt, rememberin' yesterday evenin' when I yelled for 'em both to get back into the Saloon. Reckon I might've, entirely unintentionally, interrupted a tender moment between the two of 'em... Which I guess was the reason for the glare of death Stell sent me. Maybe I oughtta apologise... On second thoughts, maybe not - remindin' her of the incident might end in my death.
Nah, she wouldn't kill me; killin' innocent Deputies ain't her style. Might maim me a little though, and that ain't somethin' I want happenin'. Best say nothin'. Guess I won't say anythin' 'bout what I've seen this mornin' neither, 'cept to Miss Jessica of course, but I'm a firm believer in holdin' onto knowledge. 'Cause knowledge is a valuable thing, and of course, entirely different from gossip.
Can't resist takin' another peep at 'em though... and what I see nearly makes me topple backwards off my chair. Breakfast didn't prepare me for that sight! Though it sure is a sight to make anyone with a romantic heart in their chest smile in a goofy sorta' fashion!
In the middle of Main Street, of all places, Mac and Stell have got their arms wrapped round each other and nothin' less than a kiss is takin' place between them!
Ain't able to do nothin' but watch, grinnin' from ear to ear, but then it strikes me that I ain't bein' a loyal friend to either of 'em, spyin' on a private moment. Guess I don't want to be like them little old ladies, spyin' through their curtains on folks. So, a little reluctantly, I duck down outta sight and count off a few minutes crouchin' on the floor.
After I estimate enough time's passed for a kiss on a snow-covered street, I put my hands on the window sill and pull myself up to peep through the glass. Seems I under-estimated though, and have to duck back down for another couple minutes. Then when I judge it's gotta be safe enough, 'cause they're gonna need to be breathin' again soon, I take another look and see they've finally loosed hold of each other and are standin' sorta starin' into each other's eyes. They're still holdin' hands, both lookin' a little shy. Stell's the first to move, reachin' up and touchin' Mac's cheek. Makes him look even more shy as she's smilin' at him. She's the only person who can do that to the Sheriff of Hattanville, bring that look to his face. Somethin' about her, somethin' about her presence, means that whenever she's near him, and especially when she smiles at him, he sorta' melts.
Noticed somethin' similar happenin' to myself whenever Miss Jessica's nearby.
Makes me think about the times we've shared a few sweet moments of kissin'. Ain't been enough for my likin', but I know we got plenty more to come...
But bringin' my mind back to the present, I'm seein' Stell's put her arm round Mac and they've started makin' their way slowly up Main Street. Seems Mac's leg's still troublin' him, probably his ribs too, 'cause it's clear he's limpin' and holdin' himself a little stiffly. Should rightly be restin' in bed, but the man seems to have a hatred of restin', even though it was only two days ago he was lyin' unconscious and trapped under a heap of rubble. Guess he ain't ever gonna change though, and there are worse faults a man could have, snorin' for instance.
Reckon they're at a safe enough distance now, so I dust myself off and stand up, givin' my legs a shake. Got real stiff crouchin' all that time. Then as I turn and take a last glance outta the window, expectin' to see them safely headin' towards the Sheriff's Office, I see Stell hurryin' back down Main Street! Heck, I gotta hide, quick! Drop back down fast as I can, and hope to goodness she ain't seen me. Don't want her thinkin' I'd been spyin', could lead to terrible consequences for me...
Few minutes later, I stand up again cautiously, look out, and breathe a sigh of relief. Street's empty, so without further ado, I cram the remains of my breakfast in my mouth, pull my hat on and sally forth.
I was a little too optimistic though, 'cause as I close the front door behind me and step onto the boardwalk, Stell comes back outta the Saloon. She stops and narrows her eyes at me before walkin' purposefully over.
"Mornin' Stell," I raise my hat to her and look as innocent as I can. "You're up and about mighty early. Headed someplace?"
Her eyes kinda bore into me and I try not to blink.
"Mornin' Don. Could say the same to you, 'cause this ain't your usual hour for risin' and shinin'. I'm just headin' to the Sheriff's Office."
"Well ain't that a coincidence!" I exclaim as we fall into step. "That's where I'm headed too, we can accompany each other there."
"Guess we can," her eyebrows draw together. "Gives us chance for conversation."
"You know I always enjoy conversation with you, Stell," I reply, lookin' straight ahead and not stoppin'.
"Sure," she nods keepin' pace with me. "Enjoy it myself. But of course, neither of us are ones for gossipin' sorta conversations, are we?"
Riskin' a glance down at her, I see she's near enough glarin' daggers at me, and suddenly a speck of dust on my sleeve's in need of closer inspection.
"Surely you know I ain't a man for gossipin', Stell," I say in a hurt sorta tone, and she gives a disbelievin' sniff.
"Sure you ain't. Pardon me for even entertainin' the thought..."
I try distractin' her next. "Anyways, maybe you're wonderin' about how Danny is this mornin'?"
She don't fall for it though.
"I'm guessin' he's fine, seein' as you ain't said otherwise. But we ain't talkin' about Mr Messer here, are we?"
"Well, seein' as I know you like to know about folks, figured you'd be interested..." I cast her a sideways look and she snorts.
"I ain't the only one in town who likes to know about folks though am I?"
Curse the woman; she ain't gonna let me get outta this so easy. Gotta try a different tack. "Was there somethin' in particular you wanted to converse about, Stell?" I lengthen my stride a little so she has to quicken her steps.
"Nope, we're just havin' a general conversation. Though maybe I might kinda mention how ill-judged it would be to go havin' conversations with anyone else about things you overhear..." she darts in front of me and stops, meanin' I gotta stop too and face her gaze. "And things you might've seen when nosin' through windows. 'Cause those sorta things can easily be misinterpreted."
She's standin' there with her hands on her hips and a challenge in her eyes, but behind that, there's an implorin' look, and it makes me feel kinda mean about eavesdroppin' and spyin' on her and Mac. 'Cause if I'm honest, and I like to think of myself as such, then that was what I was doin'. As to misinterpreting though, there ain't no way anyone could misinterpret that kiss...
However, heavin' a sigh, I look her in the eyes. "Listen, whatever I overheard yesterday, and whatever I did or did not see this mornin', ain't gonna be told to anyone else. You got my word on that."
Guess me and Miss Jessica will have to find some other topics for conversation... Though I'm still gonna tell her about the kiss.
Stell nods slowly, her eyes never leavin' me. "Good, 'cause passin' on what ain't the whole story to folks ain't right nor fair."
"Couldn't agree more."
We hold each other's gaze for a moment, and then she sighs. "You're a real good friend to Mac and me."
Hearin' that makes me feel a whole lot happier. They're real good friends to me and all, and though teasin' 'em's one of my pleasures, the last thing I want to do is cause 'em distress.
"That's good to hear," I smile, and we resume our walk to the Sheriff's Office in a comfortable silence.
Mac's sittin' at his desk when we push the door open, and after he and Stell exchange a glance that speaks volumes, we greet each other politely, and no more is said on the matter.
But there's a black look on his face as he holds up a letter.
"Reply from the Railroad Company," he says. "Or so it claims."
Stell's frownin. "That ain't right. No way there's been enough time for your letter to reach them and a reply to come back."
"My thoughts exactly," Mac's voice is real grim, "Which leads me to believe that somethin' suspicious is goin' on..."
A cackle of laughter from the cells startles us before Mac can tell us the contents of the letter, and it's followed by the voice of Louie Messer.
"Somethin' suspicious, Sheriff? You don't know the half of it. Ain't gonna be much longer before you'll be wishin' it was only a Railroad Company you had to deal with!"
"And what in hell's that supposed to mean?" Mac's shoved his chair back and is stridin' over fast as he can manage, Stell and me close on his heels. "You got somethin' to tell me, then tell me straight!"
His friend's sleepin' soundly on the bunk, but Louie's sittin' in the corner of the cell with a blanket round him. He gives us a scowl, but then as a series of soft thuds are heard from outside, his face freezes.
"You hear that?" he says hoarsely, huddlin' into the blanket, his eyes dartin' round the room. "That sound..."
"Ain't nothin' but snow fallin' off the roof," I scoff. "Surely you ain't scared of that?"
"Weren't snow," he says shakin' his head and lookin' terrified, which leads to Mac gettin' impatient.
"What's happened to all your tough-talkin' of yesterday huh? What about the threats you were handin' out to us? Gonna say anythin' more on that?"
Louie shakes his head again and scoots back into the corner. "Ain't gonna say nothin' more," he mutters. "Said too much. More than my life's worth. You're gonna have to find out yourselves."
"Find out what?" Stell demands, her hands back on her hips.
"You'll know soon enough. Then you're all gonna be sorry, real sorry." Louie pulls the blanket over his head and presses against the wall, his body shakin'.
The three of us look at each other, and I gotta confess, we're all baffled by this turn of events; how in a few minutes a man can go from tauntin' us to terrified. Guess all his toughness was for show. But something's definitely up here, and we're determined to find out what.
Seems Louie's equally determined not to let us. Man's clammed up and much as we hate to do so, after a fruitless half hour or so tryin' to get him to talk, and even makin' a few threats ourselves, we gotta admit defeat.
"What now?" I ask Mac as we're stood around his desk again, the letter laid out in front of us.
He rubs his hand over his face and his exhaustion's plain to see. Reckon the best thing for him to do would be to go and get some rest. Know that ain't gonna happen though.
"Ain't a lot we can do," he says wearily, and Stell squeezes his shoulder. "Other than keep those two outlaws where they are for the present, and try and figure out what to do with this letter..."
At that, Stell picks it up, folds it, and stuffs it into her pocket. "Well gentlemen, I got a suggestion," she announces. "No need for us to be stayin' here in this freezin' cold office of yours when I got a fire blazin' in the Saloon and plenty of food in the larder. We'll take ourselves there and discuss matters over a real decent breakfast," she gives me a wink. "I'm sure you ain't gonna refuse a second one."
I maintain my dignity. "Nothin' wrong with appreciatin' good food."
"There ain't," she smirks. "And I know there's no one more appreciative of food than you."
Even Mac's got the ghost of a grin on his face, and I know there's no one more appreciative of that than Stell. She takes his arm with a smile, and they walk out the door together with eyes only for each other.
I'm right behind 'em, meanin' I almost crash into their backs when they stop dead on the boardwalk.
In front of us is a semi-circle of armed men, and slippin' like shadows from between the houses are more and more of 'em. Somehow I got a feelin' they ain't here to pay us a social visit, and I ain't gonna get my second breakfast. We're surrounded before we know it, all escape routes cut off, and as we're standin' there breathin' hard with a dozen and more pistols lookin' our way, one man swaggers forward.
"Well ain't this a pleasant start to the mornin'," he drawls, his face cruel and his six-shooter pointin' right at us.
"What are you doin' in my town?" Mac growls as his hand hovers above his holster, whilst all around us is the sound of weapons bein' cocked.
The man smiles and takes aim.
"Best say your prayers, Sheriff..." His finger curls round the trigger. "'Cause this ain't your town any longer!"
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you've read, please take a minute to review and let me know what you thought. I hope this doesn't sound ungrateful (or paranoid :P) but I'm a little worried as the last couple of chapters don't seem to have been quite as popular, so if you have any thoughts on this, good or bad, please let me know! Many thanks, Lily x