Chapter Ten The Arrival of Arkansas Dave

Hell Bent for Leather

By EmiliosLoofah (otherwise known as tk421beth)

Author's Notes: There is a little part in here where I wrote that Jessie likes chewing gum. I have to tell ya…they DID have chewing gum back in the 1800's! Cool, huh? Now, if there were computers, television, Marie Claire magazine, Burger King and the internet, I could live back then no problemo!

Also, did you know that Arkansas Dave was really called Dirty Dave Rudabaugh? Here's some history: Here's a little tidbit on him: On February 181886 Dave was involved in a gunfight with locals in the Mexican town of Parral. The fight began over a card game. Dave drew his pistol and killed two men and wounded another. He left the saloon unharmed but, unable to find his horse, re-entered a few moments later, which turned out to be a fatal mistake. He was shot several times from the shadows, and then was decapitated with a machete and his head was placed on a pole!

Dave Rudabaugh is best known from the movie Young Guns II in which he was played by Christian Slater. In the movie the character is known as "Arkansas Dave" though the historical Rudabaugh never used this name.

Chapter Summary: Billy had given Jessie a horse for Christmas! (Awww! LMAO!). New Year's and Jessie's seventeenth birthday have come and gone.

Special thanks to Sue, my beta! Thank so much for your input and corrections!

January 25, 1879

We've been riding since we left Fort Sumner about a week ago, and I was very glad that it had stopped snowing and the weather seemed to be cooperating with us. It seemed to me that Billy was heading us back to Fort Sumner, and I wondered why. There was no telling with Billy and his crazy ideas.

I smiled to myself, recalling what had just happened in Beaver's place just a few days ago...I had been waiting for Billy at the time, and gave up on trying to convince Garrett to stay and take over Beaver's Place…

I stood at the bar, and signaled Garrett for a drink. He smiled as he placed the shot glass in front of me. "This one's on me, Tunstall." He said, pouring the whisky in the glass.

"Thanks, Garrett!" I grinned up at him.

"So…did you have a nice birthday?" He asked me, continuing his big smile. I quickly drank the shot, enjoying the taste of the amber liquid burning down my throat.

"It was wonderful!" I replied, staring up at him. "And how are you doing today?"

"Good…now that you're here." He teased, holding my gaze with his brown eyes.

"What game are you playing Garrett?" I innocently asked him, as I gave him a defiant stare.

He just chuckled, shaking his head.

I smiled to myself, thinking that I've always been fond of Garrett. I believed the feeling was mutual, even though he teased me every time we saw each other. He sometimes ran the bar here in old Fort Sumner, when Beaver was out of town. Billy and I were always glad to see him. Garrett was a good friend and supporter of the Tunstall/McSween crowd.

It wasn't too busy at Beaver's Place, I had noted, quietly observing the room. There were a small number of men drinking, smoking and playing poker or faro. Local whores wandered in and out, and there was no one drinking at the bar, besides myself. Checking my pockets for chewing gum, I notice that I am out. I choose instead to light a cigarette, and got Garrett's attention again, asking for the whole whisky bottle this time.

The doors to the saloon opened, and I turned towards it, excepting to see Billy. Three Mexicans walked in, and approached the bar. Oh, God. It's Dirty Sanchez! Not again, I thought, shaking my head. These three Mexicans, including Sanchez himself were the meanest set of banditos out of south Texas. What are they doing here? Is Fort Sumner now the hideaway for other outlaws?

I sighed again, and took another drag of my cigarette; now more annoyed with Billy more so than ever. He was about an hour late now.

"Hola, Senorita!" I turned to see Dirty Sanchez himself flashing his yellowed teeth at me, while the other two ordered the drinks. Why is he talking to me? Doesn't he remember who I am? I ignored his salutation, and just stood at the bar, watching the smoke from my cigarette slowly drift away. I then watched Garrett pour some tequila for the Mexicans.

"Oh!" He laughed. "I remember you…Charlie's gal…back in Juarez, huh?"

I just stared at him.

"I'm talkin' to ya!" He said forcefully, probably upset that I was paying not enough attention to him. He then grabbed my arm, forcing me to look at him.

"You will remove your hand from my arm…or I will remove your head from your neck." I calmly requested, my cigarette dangling from my lips.

"So…you can talk!" He just smiled; his meaty fingers still grasping my upper arm.

"I'm warning you!" I hissed, disregarding his last inquiry. I used this opportunity to quickly jerk my pistol and point it in his face.

"Puta!" He spat, staring at me. "I'm Dirty Sanchez…what are you gunna do, you stupid bitch!" The other two men just stood there behind him, not sure what to do.

"So fucking what?" I countered. "Give me a reason not to shoot you, you greasy, fat son of a bitch!" I pulled the hammer back on my gun, chambering the round, preparing it to fire.

This actually scared Sanchez. His face turned white, as he slowly let go of my arm. I inhaled my cigarette, and blew the smoke in his face, as I thumbed the hammer back of my pistol slowly, so the pin wouldn't fire the casing.

I heard Garrett's footsteps approach me from behind. "Tunstall…" He whispered.

"I can handle this, Garrett." I commanded, gun still pointed at Dirty Sanchez. I didn't take my eyes off the Mexican, or his compadres for even a moment. I leaned over and pulled my knife out of my boot so swiftly, it would have even impressed Chavez. I twirled the knife menacing towards Sanchez, giving him an evil grin.

I heard the saloon doors open, and the sound of footsteps approach. "What in the hell is goin' on here-JESSIE!" I heard Billy's voice right behind me.

"El Chivato!" Dirty Sanchez whispered, his eyes growing big, his full attention on Billy, who was now standing next to me . "The Sweetheart Shooter!" He gasped, turning back to me, his face even more white than before, slowly stepping away from me. "Dios!"

"God! I hate that damn name! Stop calling me that!" I screeched, at the now retreating Mexican, hastily leaving with his two friends.

"Damn it, Tunstall!" Garrett shouted. I see that he is holding his shotgun, his face now donning a more serious expression than ten minutes ago. "You're going to get killed one of these days."

"It wasn't my fault, and you know it!" I told him, trying not to smile.

"You enjoyed that, didn't you?" He asked me with revelation. I found myself smiling even more. "I think I finally figured you out, Tunstall…you're a crazy woman that has a death wish!"

"Shit, Jessie!" Billy laughed, interrupting Garrett, as I holstered my gun away. "I can't leave you by yourself, huh? You need me to take care of you all the time?"

"Shut the hell up, Billy, you talk way too much…I can take care of myself!" I glanced at the man that was standing next to Billy. He seemed a little familiar…brown hair, cocky smile…

"Jessie!" Billy laughed, enjoying my feisty response. "About telling me to shut up…I've killed men for saying less than that that to me."

I looked back over at Billy and smiled, as I twirled my knife back into my boot. "I'm so frightened! I'm shaking in my boots!" I laughed at his smiling face.

Billy suddenly grabbed me by the waist, and pulled me close. "You think you're so tough!"

"I have to be. I ride with Billy the Kid himself." I returned his smile.

"Shit, Jessie," Billy stated, as he pulled me even closer to him. "I don't know that I'd do without you." He whispered into me ear.

"I know! Maybe you would-…"

Billy then kissed me, an open mouthed kiss that shut me up.

Suddenly he broke the kiss, leaving me quite breathless. "Oh, by the way…this is Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh..."

"Oh!" I said, surprised that Billy had him join us. He was a former policeman from Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory…and just recently killed a Mexican there. The whole town was looking for him…Arkansas Dave had a price on his head. His hatred for Mexican and Indians was well known.

Dave wiped his hand on his leg, and gave me a smile, as he extended his hand out to me. "Please to meet you, Jessie." He said, squeezing my hand a little too hard.

I tried hard not to wince in pain. The bastard was trying to hurt me…seeing how far he could go. I stood my ground, and squeezed back, looking straight into his eyes. That surprised him, and he let my hand go as he chuckled.

"Are you ready?" Billy smiled at me.

"I've been ready for over an hour!" I shouted in his face. "What in the bloody hell took you so long?"

Billy just smiled, ignoring my question. "Let's go then!" He then looked over at Garrett. "Are you comin'?" He asked him.

"I'm ready." He told Billy, but looking straight at me.

What the hell was going on? Why was Garrett coming with us? Is he crazy? Pat Garrett doesn't have a tarnished reputation, like the rest of us. He is not a wanted man! What is he thinking?

"Where are we headed?" I asked, as we headed outside.

"The Mescalero Reservation." Billy replied, mounting his horse.

I mounted Pal. So, we were headed west. The Apaches liked Billy, so we would be safe. I noticed Arkansas Dave was mounting his horse as well. I groaned to myself, thinking why is he riding with us…why had Billy wanted HIM to come with us? He's not a Regulator OR a pal to me.

A few hours have passed. My thoughts drifted back to Dirty Sanchez for some insane reason. I supposed it was Arkansas Dave that made me think about Sanchez. They both are filthy, dirty men. Funny, they were so similar, would probably work so well together, yet Dave hated the Mexicans...and Sanchez hated the gringos. I hated both of them, for what they looked like and what stood for! I hoped that one day soon, they'd meet up and kill each other! Maybe I could arrange a meeting…that made me chuckle under my breath.

"What are you smiling at?" Garrett asked me, as he rode up next to me.

"I've been thinking about Dirty Sanchez!" I said with a laugh.

Garrett laughed with me. "Yeah, he's a real peach, huh?"

I continued to smile. "I do hope I never run into him again." I shuddered, thinking about how Sanchez had looked at me, full well knowing what he wanted to do with me.

"Don't worry, Tunstall. He knows who you are now, he'll leave you alone." He said, as if reading my thoughts.

"I hope so!" I glanced over at him to see that he was smiling at me.

I looked down at Pal and suddenly noticed that he was acting a little strange. His ears were pricked back, and he displayed some other general edgy behavior, as if other horses were nearby. I kept on glancing behind me, but saw no one. We were in the middle of nowhere, and I wondered if we were being tracked. Pal reared a little bit, his front legs kicking. Something was wrong. I haven't had Pal for long, but I knew something was amiss.

"Are you all right?" Garrett asked me, obviously noticing my full concentration was now on Pal.

"What is it?" Billy questioned, riding up on the other side of me.

I was quiet for a moment, and then again looked behind me. "Something's wrong with Pal. I think we're being followed."

"Shit!" Billy exclaimed loudly. He knew that I was right about these things. "We need to hide…" He started to tell Charlie, Dave and Garrett.

"I have an idea…" I started to smile. "We'll play possum…it just may work!"

"God damn, Jessie…what are you up to?" Charlie chuckled, riding up to us, swigging on his whisky bottle. He offered me a drink, and I took it.

I gulped down the alcohol, and then passed the bottle to who I thought was Billy. Warm fingers wrapped around mine, and I gasped, surprised to see Garrett. He gave me a warm smile, and caressed my fingers before letting my hand go, and taking a drink.

I mumbled a curse under my breath, and dismounted Pal.

"What's the plan, sweetheart?" Billy asked me.

"Okay…listen up…" I started to explain.

"You do have a death wish, Tunstall!" Garrett told me in a low voice.

"Hush!" I commanded. Garrett and I were crouched down behind a large cedar bush, his six-shooters drawn, and I had Charlie's 30-30 rifle ready. Dave was behind another cedar, and Billy was the one playing dead. 'This plan's gonna work, sweetheart…' He had told me. 'Good idea!'

"Where's that famous shotgun of yours?" Garrett whispered.

I pointed at my back, and Garrett nodded an acknowledgement.

"You take pleasure in doing this, don't you?"

I couldn't help but to grin. I glanced over at Garrett, who was also smiling.

"It's a good idea…but risky."

"Still, being alive is risky too." I sighed, looking up into the sky. I placed a few pieces of meat around Billy's area, and the buzzards where now circling above. Good! They'll be here soon…I hope.

"Don't you want to stop running and settle down?"

I laughed quietly. "Where, Garrett…where would I go? Who would take me in and hide me? I'm an outlaw…just like Billy himself. I have no alternative." I rolled my eyes. "As for getting married…who would have me? I've been with Billy…even you know that!"

"Shut the hell up, you two!" Billy called out. "I can hear you all the way over here!"

"Sorry." I told him.

We waited quietly, and then I heard them. Five men rode into the area, where Billy was laying on the ground.

"See!" The leader stated, dismounting his horse. His eyes carefully looked around. "I told ya, Billy the Kid was seen around here!"

The five men noticed Billy lying on the ground. "I wonder how much I can get for his trigger finger." Another man had stated, delighted to see Billy.

"I wonder what happened to the Sweetheart Shooter." The leader spoke again. "Now that's one little filly I wouldn't mind havin' between my legs!"

They all laughed, as my face went grim. Almost there…come on…

The 'trigger-finger fella' crept up to Billy, and took his left hand in his. I tried not to laugh. Billy is not left-handed! As his knife went to Billy's hand, Billy suddenly opened his eyes. The man gasped with surprise, as Billy raised his gun and shot the man in the face.

Garrett and I stood up at the same time, blasting away the other two, as Dave stood from his hiding place, also shooting at the moving targets.

Garrett shot one of the men, still on horseback. The horse was shot in the neck, as it fell, still with the rider on it. He was trapped.

I sighed, and wandered over to Garrett, the 30-30 still in my hands.

Garrett stood, his six-shooter in his hand, aiming at the man trapped on his horse. "Wait." Garrett said. "Do I know you?"

"Yeah, you do know me!" The man desperately affirmed. "Travers…from Tularosa."

"Travers…" Garrett whispered, thinking for a moment. He looked over at me and smiled. "Nope." He smiled, and shot him.

"Well, ain't this a dandy!" I heard Billy remark, picking up one of the dead men's hat.

As I looked over at Billy, I noticed one of the men still alive. He slowly rolled over onto his stomach, a pistol in his hand.

"Billy!" I shouted a warning, aiming my 30-30 and shooting at the man. As I shot him, he managed to take a shot himself and strike Billy in his left leg. "Oh, God!" I exclaimed, rushing over to Billy, as he fell over.

I dropped to my knees, inspecting Billy's leg. The wound wasn't too bad…he'd live. "Billy…I have to get this bullet out right away." I told him, as Garrett helped him to stand.

"Sweetheart…let's wait until we get back to Beaver's." Billy said with a smile, as I stood up. He put his arm around me for support.

"All right then." I agreed. So, Fort Sumner it was again. I was right.

"Shall we give him a proper burial?" Billy chuckled, kicking up some dirt with his good leg. Charlie, Dave, Garret and I laughed, as we followed Billy's lead.

I know…it's been forever! Please…read and review! Thanks so much!