Chapter Six…Welcome Back OR Maxwell's House…Good to the Last Drop!

Hell Bent for Leather

By EmiliosLoofah (otherwise known as tk421beth)

Chapter Summary: Jessica Tunstall has just passed away and the household is in mourning. Aubrey retires to her room, and experiences the third stage of grief: acceptance, accompanied by sorrow.

In her repose, Aubrey takes solace in her Aunt's diaries.

Special thanks to Tom and Sue!

Pantz...this one's for you!

Late July, 1878

I couldn't stop thinking about what just happened. I closed my eyes; thinking that my emotional pain was much more overwhelming than my physical pain. I thought of Alex, still wondering why he was so insignificantly gunned down, when all he had in his hands was the Holy Bible. It seemed that there was no way to halt the nightmare…the horror that ended the Lincoln County War that kept replaying in my mind.

I will never forget the look on J.J. Dolan's face, as he held the lifeless body of Lawrence Murphy in his arms. "You limey fucking whore!" He had shouted, aiming to shoot me. And Dirty Steve…knocking me down, taking the bullet that was meant for me.

"You betcha ass it ain't over, Bonney!" I could still hear Dolan's voice. "I'm gunnin' for ya! The army is gonna be gunnin' for ya! The whole goddamned New Mexico territory is gonna be gunnin' for ya…you and your limey sweetheart shooter, too!"

No one seemed to be following us, for which I was grateful. All I wanted to do now was to get some sleep. My eyes drooped with fatigue, as I held onto Billy's waist, my face against his back. We made it to old Fort Sumner right at dusk.

Riding up to Beaver's place, Billy quickly dismounted his horse, and gently helped me down. "You okay?" He asked me. "You want a drink? Are you hungry?"

I looked up at him. "No. I'm fine." The truth was, I wasn't fine…I was emotionally drained at this point, my eyes hurting from crying so much.

Billy held my hand, as we walked past Beaver's place, and headed for Pete Maxwell's residence. "Let's see if Pedro can set us up, okay sweetheart?"

I nodded, too worn out to speak, and just barely able to keep up with Billy's fast pace walk. Pedro, or mostly known as Pete Maxwell, owned old Fort Sumner, and he had the biggest, most beautiful house in De Baca County. I didn't know the Maxwell's that well, and what Pete thought of me and Billy, I really had no idea.

We were greeted at the door by Deluvina Maxwell, Pete's loyal Navajo servant.

"We need to see Pete." Billy told her with a smile.

Deluvina smiled back, as she led us into the foyer, and requested for us to stay there. I collapsed into a comfy couch, as Billy stood, looking out of the window. Eyes heavy, I leaned back, and felt myself drift off into an uneasy sleep.

"Billy?" I heard a deep male voice say a few moments later. I slowly opened my eyes to see Pete standing in front of Billy, a worried expression on his dark face. "What happened?" He asked; his brown eyes full of concern, as he looked me over.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Where do I begin? My lower lip trembling, I looked over at Billy for help.

"We need a place to stay for a few days." Billy explained, telling Pete about what just happened in Lincoln.

"Dios!" Pete gasped, his face turning pale. He looked down at me and sighed. "You both may stay here."

"Thank you…" I told Pete, finding my voice once again. "Thank you so much!"

"I'll tell Deluvina to get a bath ready for you." He said, patting my shoulder as he smiled at me, leaving the room with Billy.

Clad in a bathrobe, I followed Deluvina to a spare room. She lit the large lantern that was next to the bed, and lit a small fire in the wood stove that heated the room quickly. I thanked her, as she left, quietly closing the door. I flopped onto the bed, exhausted, wondering what was going to happen next.

Yawning, I got up, and checked the wound on the side of my head. It would heal nicely, and not leave much of a scar. After my bath, I had put some aloe on that particular wound and other various gashes and cuts I had received in the past few days.

Sitting in front of the dresser, I peered into the mirror. I was surprised that I was still alive. I was even more surprised that Billy hardly had a scratch on him.

Sighing, I pulled out two leather strips from my medicine bag, and began to braid my hair. As I slowly twisted and plaited, I thought about the first time I met Billy…

I was busy fixing supper, and just placed an apple pie out on the window sill to cool down.

"Apple pie…my favorite!" I heard Steve's voice shout with glee.

"Steve Stephens!" I yelled out the window. "You leave that pie alone! It's for dessert tonight!"

"Aw, Jessie!" Steve smiled at me, as Charlie walked up to Steve, probably wondering why I was yelling. "I just wanted a little taste!"

"Do I need to come out there?" I threatened.

Steve laughed. "What are you gonna do? You're just a girl!" Charlie joined in the laughter.

I turned around, and threw my apron on the table. I checked the corn bread and beef stew. They were all right for the moment. I hurriedly walked out back, looking for Steve.

"Gotcha!" I heard Steve's voice from behind, as his arm reached out and grabbed me around my throat and his other arm tight around my waist.

"Steve!" I was furious that he caught me off guard!

"Remember what I taught ya, Jessie!" Charlie told me, walking over with a lariat in his hands. "Git him good!"

"Shut up, Charlie!" Steve barked at him. I took this opportunity to jab my elbows into his belly. "Shit!" He yelped, letting me go.

I danced in front of Steve, just how Charlie taught me, my hands now fists. "I warned you to stay away from my pie!" I laughed.

With an evil grin, Steve quickly threw a punch towards me. I ducked, and punched him in the side.

"Make me proud, Jessie!" Charlie cheered me on.

Steve tried to hit me again, but I quickly moved away; Steve's fist just missing the side of my face. I laughed yet again, marveling on Charlie's skill of being quick on your feet. He had taught me well.

With a wild yell, Steve sprinted towards me. Before I could step away, he knocked me onto the ground.

"Get off of me, Steve!" I shouted in his face, as we rolled around, thrashing about.

"I don't think that would be wise." I suddenly heard Chavez solemnly state. "Remember what you have heard about a woman's scorn?"

"Shut it, Chavez!" I told him, as I heard him laugh quietly.

"What in the hell-Steve! Jessica! Stop it!" Dick's voice was louder than I have ever heard. He threw Steve off of me, and helped me up.

"Aw, damn!" Charlie swore; disappointed that the fight was over. Ever the pugilist was Charlie.

"You all right, Jessica?" Dick asked me, his hands on my shoulders.

"Oh course I am!" I dusted some of the dirt off my pants, and then glared at Steve. "I had him right where I wanted him."

"Jessica!" Dick sighed, as he pulled a piece of debris out of my hair. "You're a complete mess! Is this any way for a young lady to act?"

"He was trying to eat the pie that I made for tonight." I tried to explain, but to no avail.

Dick gave me a frustrated look, then his eyes looked past me. "John's back!" He shouted, "Wash up and get into your supper clothes. Let's go!"

Turning around, I saw Father with Doc, and a stranger was in the back of the buggy.

Father stopped the buggy, as Doc jumped out to greet Dick.

"John take another hard case in?" Charlie asked Doc.

"Shit!" Dirty Steve exclaimed, spitting some tobacco on the ground. "It ain't another Mexican, is it?"

I roll my eyes in disgust, as I notice Chavez give Steve a killer look, as Dick instinctively steps between the two.

"Mexican-Indian, you son of a bitch!" Chavez hissed.

"That just means you need your ass kicked twice, Chavez!" Steve laughs, as Chavez tried to make a move, his large knife out. I give Steve a fierce look as Dick holds Chavez back. "Navajo! Navajo!" Steve taunts Chavez.

"Who is that?" Dick suddenly states, watching Father, as he led the young stranger towards the main house.

"The stew!" I just then remembered dinner simmering on the stove. It should be ready by now! I hoped it didn't burn!

I scrambled into the kitchen, out of breath, and sprinted towards the stove, to turn off the burner. I turned off the oven as well. The cornbread was just right. I quickly began to set the table, as Father and the guest walked in.

"Jessica!" Father smiled at me. His smile quickly turned into a startled look. "What happened?"

"Uh…Steve tried to take the apple pie I just made, and I went out back, and…uh…" I looked up at Father. I could feel my face turning red.

Father laughed loudly. "Never mind, Jessica...I'd like you to meet William Bonney, the newest Regulator. William…this is my daughter, Jessica."

"Hello, Mr. Bonney." I smiled at him. He was a few inches taller than me, with light hair and blue eyes. He had a nice smile, I noticed. "Very nice to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you...and you can call me Billy." He smiled back at me, taking off his hat, and extending his hand out.

Billy's handshake was as warm as his smile. I wondered what he was doing here…

"You look like a little kid, with your hair like that."

I snapped back to reality, spinning around to see Billy standing in the doorway, a crooked grin on his face. He also just had come from his bath, and was wearing an identical bathrobe as myself.

"Bloody hell, Billy…you scared me!" I told him, laughing.

He also laughed, as he walked into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Are you staying in here tonight?" I asked him, as he sat on the bed.

"Where else would I stay?"

"Uh…" I felt my face flush, as he chuckled. I knew it wasn't proper that we were together…and not being married. Obviously, Pete didn't care about that.

"Billy…we need to talk."

"Okay…" He patted the space on the bed next to him. "But come here."

I walked over to Billy, and sat next to him. "I think it would be a good idea to visit Charlie for a while. To make some plans for…the future." I wanted to say our future, but I didn't. There was other unfinished business that needed to be taken care of. "We need to get Colonel Dudley, Billy. He willingly let the Murphy/Dolan men set fire to Alex's house! And they killed Alex…and Steve…" Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I blinked them back, not wanting to cry again. "They need to pay for what happened." I sighed, and looked to the floor. "That's what I believe. The Lincoln County War may have ended…but it's not over, Billy."

"That is exactly how I feel, sweetheart." He told me, as he held my hands in his, causing me to forget my plans and doubts for the moment.

I looked up at him, to see that he was smiling at me. "Billy…"

Billy looked into my eyes, as if trying to read my soul. I didn't move, but parted my lips slightly in anticipation of Billy's kiss. I didn't have to wait long. His mouth was suddenly on mine, hot and demanding, drawing a moan deep within my throat.

Well, I hoped you all liked it! Please review! I heart reviews!