Well, Well, Well…Arthur and Sadie…sitting in a Tent, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. Our protagonists are growing closer to each other by the day. But…wait…What's wrong with Arthur? It can't be Tuberculosis… Arthur has yet to run into Mr. Downes…But already he's coughing blood and the pain in his chest is hurting. What on Earth could this mean?
You may all be thinkin' it's gotta be TB…But…is it really?
TB is a progressive disease, yet Arthur hasn't gotten it from Mr. Downes or any one of the latter. So…What exactly is wrong with Arthur?
Everyone here knows the Drill…
Only One Way To Find Out…
-Chapter 14- A Good story should provoke discussion, debate, argument…and the occasional Bar fight.
Horseshoe Overlook...
Arthur and Sadie rested next to one another. Sadie had taken off her Valdez Vest but nothing else. Arthur had unbuttoned some of his shirts a little, just to the point where his neck was free.
Sadie was in Arthur's arms, snuggling close to him. They were in Sadie's tent…unaware of what was happening outside the tent.
"Arthur!" The voice of Dutch called out from outside the tent.
Arthur jerked up, Sadie too. They hadn't realized how much time had passed since they had eaten.
"Shit, what time is it?" Arthur asked Sadie. Sadie checked a watch on the table.
"Jesus, it's already one o'clock," Sadie said.
"God Damn it," Arthur said as he got up from his cot.
"Arthur! Are you done in there?" Dutch called out from outside the tent, it sounded like he was close.
"Yeah, hang on Dutch, I'm comin'," Arthur said as he slipped on his socks and boots.
Dutch unzipped the tent to see Arthur putting his boots on and Sadie slipping on her black Valdez Vest.
"Hope you didn't have too much fun, Arthur," Dutch said with a smirk.
"Oh, Dutch, we didn't do nothin' serious," Arthur said, his face reddening from embarrassment.
"To be fair though, Arthur, we most certainly could've," Sadie said, with a devious smirk on her face. Arthur's face reddened a little more.
"Christ Sadie," Arthur said.
Dutch chuckled.
"Well, if you two are done, why don't the two of you go to the bar and check up on the boys," Dutch said.
"Yeah, sure, if Sadie's up for it," Arthur said as he looked at Sadie.
"Sure, better than just sittin' here bein' useless," Sadie said as she too slipped on her boots, which were Black Oakley Boots.
"Good," Dutch said as he was about to walk out of the tent.
"Make sure you give her a good time, Arthur," Dutch said with a smirk. Sadie got a laugh.
"Whatever you say, Dutch," Arthur said trying to ignore him.
"Damn it," Arthur thought to himself. Dutch chuckled a bit and left the tent.
Sadie stood up from her cot and brushed her hands on Arthur's shoulders.
"Come on, Cowboy, let's go for a ride you and me," Sadie said as she started to walk her fingers on Arthur's shoulder. Treating them as if her fingers were walking. Arthur could feel chills go down his spine and body.
"Yeah…Sure thing," Arthur stuttered…so they were really doing this? Arthur Morgan and Sadie Adler…A couple already.
Arthur stood up with Sadie following behind him.
They walked across Camp and made it to the horses.
Sadie's horse was happy to see her. It trotted over to her, it rubbed its head on her shoulder.
"Good boy, you missed me, huh?" Sadie said. Arthur watched on.
"You got one helluva horse, Mrs. Adler," Arthur said with a chuckle. Sadie looked at him with a smirk.
"Seems I also got one, Helluva man, Mr. Morgan," Sadie said with a wink. Arthur looked away, his face reddening again. Damn! She loved to see him act this way. He was a grown man and now he was acting all nervous and shit. He now knew how John felt about Abigail.
Sadie then mounted her Horse.
"Come on, Cowboy, let's not keep the boys waiting," Sadie said. Arthur mounted his horse. They both began to trot off toward Valentine.
[Time Skip]
Arthur and Sadie arrived in town. People were going by the day. The smell of sheep was everywhere, but Arthur and Sadie didn't mind it. They rode their horses next to the Saloon and hitched them there.
Sadie quickly started to put her hair in a braid.
"Arthur, I'm gonna go buy me some clothes, I won't be too long," Sadie said.
"I can go with ya if you want," Arthur said. Sadie looked at Arthur for a short moment.
"They boys can wait," Arthur said. Sadie smiled.
"Sure then," Sadie said, they both walked to the General Store. Entering the door.
"Well, Hello, new faces, come on in, if you can't find anything on the shelves the catalog's right here for ya," The Store owner said.
"The lady is in need of a change of clothes," Arthur said.
"Alright, the Wardrobe is in the back, just down the hall, take a left and there'll be all the clothes you need," The General Store owner said. Sadie looked at Arthur. Arthur gestured his hand to go on. Sadie smiled and walked to change her clothing. As Sadie walked down the small hallway, the General Store owner watched her go by until she went into the wardrobe.
"My good sir, you have quite the woman," The Store Owner said. Arthur chuckled and nodded his head.
"That I do, I guess," Arthur said.
"Is there anything you want in particular, good sir?" The Store owner asked.
"Uhm, nothin' that comes to mind, but, I'll take a look at whatcha got," Arthur said as he opened the catalog.
He skimmed through the pages a bit, looking to see if he needed anything. So far, nothing too important. However, Bill did ask for Hair Pomade earlier. Probably should get that.
"Could I get a thing of Hair Pomade," Arthur asked.
"Course," The Store owner said, he looked behind him and opened the shelf where multiple items were stowed. He grabbed one of the Hair Pomades and set it on the table.
"That'll be 50¢," The Store owner said. Arthur put the change on the desk as the Cashier took it. Putting the Hair Pomade on the counter.
"Wanting to make yourself look good for your Lady?" The Store owner asked.
"Ah, it ain't for me, a friend asked for it," Arthur said as he took the hair Pomade and put it in his satchel.
"Well, you're very kind to your friend," The Store Owner said. Arthur chuckled a little.
"I guess," Arthur said.
"Will that be all?" The Store owner asked.
"I think I'm good, but, the lady's still fixating on her clothing," Arthur said.
"Is that a problem, Cowboy?" The voice of Sadie was heard. She was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. She had a yellow long-sleeved shirt, with suspenders on her shoulders, black pants, and brown boots. She also had a Gambler's Hat on. Slightly different from how Arthur's looked, with a bit of tan brown to it. Her hair was in a braid.
"Well…You uh…it suits you," Arthur said. Sadie walked to Arthur with a smile.
"Thank you, Cowboy," Sadie said, she looked to the Store Owner.
"How much is it?" Sadie asked the Store Owner.
"Let's see, the shirt, the suspenders, the pants, and the boots, along with the hat…That's around $60," The Store Owner said. Sadie dug through her pockets to see if she had the cash, she had some of the money from the O'Driscoll Heist in Valentine. Roughly $160.
"Here," Sadie pulled out the stack of cash and set it on the Table. The Store Owner took it happily.
"Thank you, folks, have a good day," The Store Owner said. Sadie and Arthur nodded as they exited the store.
They both made their way to the Saloon. They pushed the door open, and Arthur held the doors open for Sadie.
Sadie smiled and walked in. Arthur followed after. They quickly saw Javier and Charles speaking with some of the Saloon Girls. Both wore dresses. One had ginger hair. The other was a Native American with black hair and a side ponytail.
"Ah, Arthur, Mrs. Adler, come on over here," Javier called.
"Looks like they're gettin' some ladies themselves," Sadie whispered to Arthur.
"I guess," Arthur said.
"Must've had the same idea as you," Sadie whispered with a smirk. Arthur didn't quite know how to react as Sadie grabbed Arthur by the arm and wrapped it around his.
"Ladies, this is Arthur, and this is Sadie," Javier said introducing the two ladies to Arthur and Sadie.
The girls were leaning against the bar.
"Well, look at you, ain't you a strong mountain man. What's a man like you doin' with a woman wearing pants?" The ginger-haired girl said.
Sadie felt slightly offended but let it slide for a moment.
"Women shouldn't wear pants, it's an unfit fashion for us ladies," The other girl said.
Arthur was about to say something until Sadie let go of his arm and stepped forward a little.
"Well…if Women shouldn't dress in Pants…then maybe men shouldn't dress in skirts," Sadie said as she gestured her hand at the ladies. The ladies seeing at how they were offended, walked away at the comment of Sadie. Javier and Charles tried to get them to stay. Javier failed, but Charles managed to hold the Native American girl's hand. They gently brushed their hands until the Saloon girl walked off.
"Mrs. Adler's a real charmer, aye Arthur," Javier said as he got a small glass of whiskey in his hand.
"That she is," Arthur said. As he leaned on the bar and got a glass too. Charles and Javier had bought at least two others for Arthur and Sadie.
"You are a dangerous woman, Mrs. Adler," Charles said leaning against the bar.
"Well, thank you, gentlemen," Sadie said, grabbing a small glass. The four of them drank their shots in perfect synchronization and unison. Arthur set his glass down. He felt a heavy pain rise in his chest. He started coughing again, it wasn't major though.
"*Cough* *Cough*" Arthur coughed. Sadie placed her hand on his back.
"Arthur, you alright?" Sadie asked worriedly. Arthur tried to shrug off the coughs.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just, a little coughin' is all," Arthur said.
"Arthur, you were coughing blood up at camp, you're clearly sick," Charles said.
"You should take it easy, Arthur," Sadie said, brushing his back gently.
"I'll be fine, don't worry about me," Arthur said.
Bill came in through the bar, a man ran into him. Bill looked at him with an angry expression. Charles, Javier, Arthur, and Sadie had their attention on Bill.
"Bill, don't do it," Arthur whispered.
The man shoved Bill, but it barely moved him, so Bill shoved him back into the Poker table, causing it to flip over… and also flip off a bunch of angry men who were playing said game.
"Ah shit, here we go," Arthur said. Javier grabbed a bottle and hit it on a man's head. Causing him to fall forward.
A bottle was thrown at Sadie, but she dodged it with ease, leaning her head to the side as it hit the counter.
Arthur got into the fight as he punched a man in the face. The man tried to retaliate back by throwing a right hook, but Arthur blocked it and slammed his head into his. Charles was wrestling another man in the corner of the saloon. A man walked up to Sadie like he was about to punch her.
"What, you gonna hit a lady, is that it," Sadie said, the man threw a punch but Sadie caught it, twisting it and pulling his arm behind his back. Sadie then slammed the man's head into a wooden pole that was in the middle of the saloon. It knocked him out and also caused his head to bleed. Sadie dropped the man to the ground, she heard Arthur coughing again, but also getting beat in between. She looked to her left and saw Arthur being heavily beaten by two men. Each taking turns to punch him in the face, Arthur was pinned against the counter too.
Sadie charged over and quickly grabbed one of them by the collar and his hair. Without a second wasted, she slammed his head down on the bar, quickly knocking him out cold. The other man was about to grab her but was backhanded by Sadie's right hand. Which also knocked him out. Arthur breathed heavily, his face slightly beaten and bruised, and his lip was bleeding again.
"Damn Sadie…" Arthur said as he took a moment to recover. Sadie looked at him and helped him stay balanced. Putting her arms under his chest.
"I knew you was strong but…to knock out men like that? Damn," Arthur said.
"These ain't men," Sadie said.
"What's Going on down here?!" A big man said as he walked down the stairs. He was twice the size of Arthur.
"Stay outta this, Tommy!" The Barkeeper shouted as he hid behind the counter.
Arthur walked over to him and punched the man in the face, only for it to do nothing. Sadie was about to intervene, but she was hit hard in the back by a wooden chair. The man wrapped his arms around her neck and tried to choke her out. Sadie tossed around to break free.
The Big man punched Arthur in the face. Hard. Arthur was sent to the counter, he leaned on it to catch his breath. But then he started coughing heavily again, this time there was blood. But that didn't seem to stop Tommy from beating him harshly. Tommy grabbed Arthur by the back of the head, slamming his head down on the counter, he pulled it back and did it again.
"ARTHUR!" Sadie shouted, trying to break free from the man who still had his arms around her throat. Sadie quickly tried to elbow the man in the gut. Elbowing it hard. He let out grunts of pain.
Tommy threw Arthur down to the ground. Arthur tried to back away from him, but his coughing, more blood. Tommy picked him up by the shirt and slammed him against the Counter again.
Sadie then slammed the back of her head into the man behind her. Causing blood to splatter from his nose, most likely breaking it. The man loosened his grip, but Sadie wasn't finished yet, she rammed her elbow into the man's gut, which was followed by a punch in the face. Knocking him out cold.
Tommy slammed Arthur on a table. Continuously smashing his head on it. Sadie rushed over to stop him.
"Getchur Damn hands off of him!" Sadie shouted as she grabbed Tommy by the shoulder turning him to face her, she threw a punch in Tommy's gut, causing him to grunt slightly. She threw another to his face, forcing his face back. But Tommy retaliated by punching Sadie in the face. Nearly knocking the wind out of her. The punch was so hard it turned her around and knocked her hat off. Tommy grabbed Sadie by the back of her shirt and threw her across the table. Arthur had fallen on the ground, coughing heavily.
Sadie flipped over on the table and fell to the floor near the window.
"You want some too, huh, Lady?" Tommy said sternly as he came around the table, grabbed Sadie by her shoulders reeled her back, and threw her out the window. Her back went first as she broke out the window, shattering it to pieces, Sadie flipped over on the flooring. It was raining now, the mud was wet, Sadie flopped over in the mud. Getting her clothes all muddy.
"God damn it, I just bought these," Sadie said weakly as she got back up on her feet. Tommy came out the door and into the street. A crowd was gathering around them, nearly the entire town.
"Don't worry, Hot stuff, I'll go easy on ya," Tommy said as he got in a fighting stance.
"That'll be the call to your grave," Sadie said sternly as she got up, putting her fists up. Heavy mud covered her body. Tommy inched forward, his massive size could easily crush Sadie's smaller body. Sadie would have to play it smart, her body may be smaller than his but it most certainly wasn't weaker.
Once Tommy was close enough he threw a punch at her, but Sadie easily managed to avoid it. Moving to the side and throwing a right hook to Tommy's face. It didn't seem to do much, however. Tommy threw another punch, this one connected, hitting Sadie in her jawline. Forcing her back, nearly causing her to fall to the ground. Tommy got closer to her grabbing her by the arm and pulling her back to land another punch in her face. Sadie fell on her back, her mouth started bleeding heavily. Tommy wasted no time, grabbing Sadie by the shoulders and throwing her deeper into the circle formed by the crowd.
Some of the crowd seemed to enjoy Tommy beating Sadie.
"Rip her apart Tommy!" One of them shouted.
Sadie quickly got back up on her feet as Tommy threw another punch, but Sadie stopped it by putting her arm up, what followed after was a smash in the head. Forcing Tommy back a little. Sadie rushed at him with a fierce and fiery rage. Punching Tommy in the face, one hook after another. Sadie's reflexes were far too fast for Tommy. The punches came fast and hard. Tommy tried to throw another punch, but Sadie grabbed it with both hands and threw Tommy over her shoulders. Slamming him to the ground. Sadie quickly put her foot on Tommy and pulled his arm. Twisting it, but not breaking it. Tommy yelled in pain.
"Come on Tommy, Don't let a woman beatcha now!" One of the bystanders in the crow shouted.
Tommy grabbed Sadie by her leg, trying to remove it, but Sadie kept a strong grip on Tommy.
Tommy reeled his fist back and smashed it into Sadie's knee. Causing her to yell in pain. She fell to the ground. Tommy took a moment to recover. Sadie groaned in pain, she clenched her knee. It felt dislocated. She grabbed a firm grip on it, breathing in and out heavily. She took a deep breath in and twisted her ankle back in place, causing most of the people watching to look away in disgust and greatly disturbed by the show that they were putting on.
Arthur, Bill, Charles, and Javier watched as Sadie fought the large man. When it got to Sadie fixing her dislocated leg, The boys couldn't help but cringe at the sight. Bill looked away. They could even hear the bones snap back in place.
"You got one helluva woman, Arthur," Javier said.
Once Sadie took deep breaths in and out, she got back on her feet, and so did Tommy.
"Still want more, Huh?!" Tommy shouted, but you could tell he was getting tired of it.
"You know it," Sadie said as she charged forward and threw a punch at Tommy. Tommy hadn't the time nor the strength to react. Sadie's fist collided with Tommy's forcing him back a little. Tommy threw a punch of his own. Hitting Sadie in the side of the face. Sadie tried to stay on her feet. Tommy grabbed Sadie by the throat. Trying to choke her out. Sadie grabbed Tommy's arms and tried to break free. She started choking, trying to gasp for air.
Without much else to say, Tommy picked up Sadie off the ground and slammed her down on the muddy street. Tommy got on top of Sadie and pushed her head down into the mud, trying to drown her.
Sadie grabbed Tommy by the shirt and attempted to free herself, but Tommy kept it strong. Tommy used his other hand to pin Sadie's left arm. Sadie's head sank deeper and deeper into the mud.
It looked like Tommy would win the fight. Until Sadie bit Tommy's hand. Sinking her teeth down on his skin. Causing Tommy to yell in pain, releasing his grip from her. Sadie let go of his hand and punched Tommy in the face. She slid her leg under him and kicked him in the crotch. Causing him to become physically limp. Tommy fell to the ground right next to Sadie. But Sadie wasn't finished yet.
Sadie got on top of Tommy, grabbing him by his collar. She punched him in the face hard, which was followed by more punches. She beat him heavily, causing his face to bleed. She punched him over and over, her rage was overtaking her.
"Hey, stop that!" A voice called out. But Sadie didn't stop, she continued to punch the man in the face, over and over, and over.
Until a man came forward and stopped Sadie.
"Stop! Stop, please madam, I beg of you, you won the fight surely that's enough," The man pleaded as he begged Sadie to stop. Sadie looked at him, breathing heavily, mud covered her entire body, her mouth was bleeding slightly, and she had a few bruises on her face.
She let go of Tommy as he fell back, nearly unconscious.
"What business is it to yours?" Sadie said sternly and exhaustingly. The man coughed a bit.
"No business ma'am, just please, I beg of you-" The man said. Sadie pushed passed him and through the crowd, which started to disperse. Some were a bit afraid of Sadie now. Many walked away in fear that a woman could beat Tommy.
Sadie weakly limped over to the General Store. She walked up the steps and placed a hand on the post.
Arthur walked over to her, his face was beaten pretty heavily too. He patted Sadie on the shoulder gently.
"Thank you, Sadie…I owe you one," Arthur said as he gently helped her sit up a little. Sadie spat some blood from her mouth.
"You owe me nothin'. He was gonna kill ya, so I got in the way," Sadie said, taking in a few heavy breaths, though she tried not to breathe so loudly. Arthur began to cough again. They were smaller, but they were still there.
Arthur turned away from Sadie as he coughed in his sleeve.
"Making new friends again, I see, Arthur," A voice called out. Arthur and Sadie looked to see who it was.
Dutch came forward with a man.
"Look who we found, sniffin' about," Dutch said.
"Josiah Trelawny," Arthur said, he coughed a little more.
"The very same," Dutch said.
"This fine young woman right here knows how to pack quite a punch, wouldn't you agree, Arthur," Josiah said to Arthur. Sadie spat out more blood as she tried to readjust her jaw a little more.
"She basically saved my ass, twice, but yeah, she is one dangerous lady," Arthur said. Sadie didn't have much to say at the moment, other than the fact her jaw and right leg hurt like hell still.
"Arthur and she have been going sweet on each other recently," Dutch said with a smirk.
"That so? I'm happy for you, dear boy," Trelawny said. Arthur coughed a little more.
"Thanks, I'm sure as hell lucky to have her," Arthur said.
"You sure are," Sadie said as she stood up, having recovered from the fight.
"To who do I owe the acquaintance of meeting this fine young woman," Trelawny asked.
"Sadie. Sadie Adler," Sadie said.
"Pleasure to meet you, my dear," Trelawny said as he bowed to her all fancily. Sadie nodded her head.
Bill, Javier, and Charles came around.
"Ah, Javier and Charles, I've missed you. And Bill looking as fine as ever, Gentlemen, always a pleasure," Josiah said with a small bow.
"How are you?" Arthur asked Josiah.
"Quite well, actually. Word about you boys spread rather quickly," Trelawny said.
"Yeah, Blackwater was a mess," Dutch said.
"We left a lot of money back there," Arthur said.
"And young Sean, it would seem," Trelawny said.
"Sean…You found him?" Dutch said.
"Yes, he's being held by some bounty hunters, Trying to see how much the Government will pay for him, I know where they are…but, there's talk of them moving," Trelawny said.
"If we step foot in Blackwater…Well, we're dead men for sure," Arthur said as he stepped down off the General Store porch. Sadie followed after.
"If we can get him back we gotta try," Dutch said.
"Course," Arthur said with a sigh. Suddenly, the coughing got worse. And blood came out again.
"*COUGH* *COUGH* *COUGH*" Arthur coughed heavily as blood coughed out his mouth too. Everyone's faces around Arthur grew with concern. Sadie placed a hand on his back and tried to sit him up.
"Arthur, you're not well," Sadie said.
"I'm…*Cough* *Cough*...fine," Arthur said.
"No, you're not, son, you need to rest. I want you to head back to camp and get some medicine or something to relieve your pain," Dutch said, intervening.
"What about Sean?" Arthur asked, coughing a little more.
"Charles, Javier, and Sadie can handle it, you need to get rest," Dutch said.
"I can still fight, Dutch," Arthur said.
"Arthur…I know, but…you're putting yourself at too high of a risk, I won't stand for it," Dutch said. Arthur felt slightly angry at the moment, but at the same time, he felt glad that Dutch had his back.
"Arthur…Charles, Javier, and I got this, you need rest," Sadie said as she put a hand on his back, brushing it gently. Arthur looked around, quickly seeing he was outmatched.
"Fine," Arthur said reluctantly.
"Good…Charles, you go ahead and find out whatcha can, Josiah, take Javier. Sadie, getchurself cleaned up, join them when you're ready, Arthur, Head back to camp and Get. Some. Rest," Dutch said.
"What about me?" Bill said to Dutch. Dutch looked at Bill.
"Well, Exactly, what about you?" Dutch said. Bill threw his arms up.
"What does that mean?" Bill said.
"Ah, Bill...Come on," Dutch said as he gestured for Bill to follow him, which he did.
Arthur walked away as Sadie gently held his hand. Arthur looked at her in the eyes as they stood in between the General Store and the Saloon. They looked at each other in the eyes.
"I would kiss you but…I don't know if it's contagious, whatever the hell I got," Arthur said. Sadie felt a little saddened but looked up at him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. She stayed there for a few moments. Until she released him.
"I'll be fine…Take care of yourself, Arthur," Sadie said.
"You too…And Thank you…for savin' my life," Arthur said as they both separated from each other.
"Course," Sadie said. She walked over to a barrel full of water. She got her hands wet and started to splash the water on her face. Washing the mud off.
Arthur mounted up on Mary and galloped back to camp.
Sadie walked back into the saloon, where quite a few of the men who got involved in the bar fight were slowly starting to wake up. Sadie picked up her hat off the ground and put it on her head. She exited the Saloon and mounted up on her horse.
"Alright…Blackwater," Sadie said as her horse started to trot off. Heading to the Belly of The Beast. Where the Pinkertons resided…and possibly… O'Driscolls.
To Be Continued…