Van Helsing came into the saloon to find quite a scene as Rue laid in Billy arms and Billy let out a scream. Billy held on out of pure will, refusing to pass out, though in obvious agony. He held onto Rue begging. 

"Ruechari, please! Please! Come back to me!"

VanHelsing ran and slid across the floor. He turned Ruechari's head and seen the wound and swore. "Has she been drained?"

"Not enough time," came the weak reply.

Van Helsing met eye to eye with the Queen but she was not quite so radiant as he she was when he'd last seen her. "You look like hell."

She gave a weak smile.

"If she wasn't drained then she can still be saved!" 

Van Helsing rummaged through his bag and found the vial of chrism oil. The same used to sanctify churches and make them holy ground. He knew it would work or it should in theory. He never had to use it before but he knew what it could do.

"Why are you hesitating?" Billy asked, too weak to move or he would have grabbed the vial out of his hand and been done with the deed.

"Because he fears what she may become."

"What do you mean?" Billy asked of the Queen.

"She has Drake's poison coursing through her veins. Who knows how that may cause her to change? He could save her and she is no different than she was today. Or he may have an even bigger monster on his hands with just about unlimited power to take us all down."

Billy face showed fear as he looked down at Ruechari. "Oh what have I done?" Her features were twisted with pain. He looked back at Van Helsing. "Save her! Please!" he begged.

"But what Liz says is true. What if I save Rue..."

"I'll kill her myself, even if it means ending me and sending me back to hell. Just do it, NOW!"

Van Helsing smeared the oil over the bite. It sizzled, bubbled and burned and sealed up the wound, but Ruechari's eyes remained closed.

"How long before we know?" Billy asked, but knew it must be soon as he could feel his own strength returning.

Jujube came crawling through the door. Van Helsing gave him a hand up. Jujube rested on him heavily. 

"I don't know. We'll have to wait and see."

The Vampires came back into the saloon. As soon as they saw their Queen they kneeled and pledged their loyalty. Several offering themselves for her to feed so she could regain her strength. To which she gladly agreed.

"Rue! Is she? Will she?" Jujube asked, looking down at her in Billy's lap.

Van Helsing shrugged. "She's in God's hands, only time will tell."

Another joined the crowd. He stood in the doorway. His eyes met Liz's and she suddenly felt hollow. "It is done then?"

"Our son is gone. He will no longer be able to inflict pain on another."

Liz ran to him and buried herself in his embrace. He stroked her hair and held her close as together the mourned the son they lost. Though they both knew they lost him long ago.

Jasper slipped through the crowd unseen. The saloon was filling up fast with vampires and werewolves but there was only one he wished to see. The black cat jumped up on Ruechari, nuzzled her face and under her chin.

Ruechari's eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Billy, and watched a tear run down his cheek. 

"Anyone ever tell you, you have the world's worst timing."

Billy let out a half sob, half laugh. Jasper had to leap out of the way before he was crushed. Billy just held her, and rocked her back and forth.

Jujube walked over and held out a hand to help her up. Billy was reluctant to let her go but did so. "Glad you're alive."

Ruechari smiled. "That wouldn't have anything to do with fact that you're still standing here would it?"

Jujube grinned.  "Can't say it's not a bonus."

"How do you feel?" Van Helsing asked, watching her closely. 

"Surprising well...considering."

"No different than before?"

Ruechari shook her head. "A bit more exhausted." She reached up and felt the scar, so it wasn't a dream. She had fallen far, into the darkness to be pulled out again. The Wraith, this time was much closer to a win. A dark queen to rule the land, but guess the Great Spirits have something else planned.

Seeing her frown. Jujube took off his bone and beaded choker. He pushed away her hand. He placed it around her neck and fastened it into place. "Think no more of it, Rue. Can we please leave this place?"

Ruechari smiled and she kissed his cheek. "Yes, I think our work here is done. Let's go home." But as they were about to walk away, Ruechari looked back and Billy was still sitting on the floor.

"I meant that for all of us," Ruechari said.

"I don't think I should come, Rue. Twice because of me, you almost ended up dead."

Ruechari walked back and knelt on the floor. "I wish of you to speak of this, no more. I've been through enough today. We are doing this my way."

She rose and held out her hand and he took it and stood. "I want nothing more than to go home. Is that understood?"

Billy didn't argue. He just hung his head and followed her. She stopped when she reached Van Helsing, "I believe this is where we part ways."

He tipped his hat. "Until next time, Rue."

"Screw that!" Her arms around him flew. He had to catch her in her embrace. "I owe you one. Anytime. Anyplace. You need me. I'll be there."

He pulled her away. Held her at arms length, mostly because of the look on the faces of the two men standing behind her.

"You've saved us all. Twice now, that should make us square."

"No one knows better than me the risk you took. This is a life debt, Van Helsing."

"In that case, I hope it's one you never have to repay it as that would mean I'd have to be at death's door." He gave her that cocky grin from before.

Ruechari grinned back.

She'd seen Liz and Doc standing by the saloon door.

"I am sorry I didn't save your son."

"You tried your best, Ruechari. Not every battle can be won," Liz said, though there were tears in her eyes.

"Thank you for coming, Rue. When I needed you. Given our past I was surprised you didn't hesitate."

"The past the is the past. It's the future that matters most. If we wish it to have meaning, we must react to our present and the opportunities it gives us."

"Can't say I would have done the same for you."

"Guess that's why I've been chosen to be Shaman of the West."

"Well... we're in good hands."

"Thanks, Doc."

Ruechari looked around. She didn't find the one person she wished to see. "Has anyone seen Jasper?"

Everyone looked around but he was nowhere to be found. She could only hope he showed up again. She owed him so much. Her hand drifted to the scar but now her fingers touched bone. She smiled at that little reminder of home.

They continued to ride until they reached the cave and took refuge for the night. It be just a few more days before they reached Busted Gulch. Jujube was looking forward to seeing Autumn again, but he was worried for Billy and Rue. Billy hadn't said much since leaving Crimson City and Ruechari just let him be.

The fires died down the rest of them were asleep.  Rue sat at the entrance to the cave, staring up at the moon and smiled. "I knew you'd come back to me."

"Guess there's no more sneaking up on you?"  came the voice that nearly held a purr. 

Ruechari's eyes flashed and were slit like a cat's. She had heard his approach since he reached the mountain pass. Though dark she could see him as clear as day. "No, I don't believe you can."

"You were looking for me?" He stood there as cocky as can be, now leaning against the cave wall.

Ruechari smiled a most wicked grin, she crooked her finger and he pushed away, to come to stand before her. She stood and grabbed his face. "Don't ever do that again? Next time you run away, there will be hell to pay."

Jasper rested his forehead against hers. "Does this mean no more alleys or dark places to sleep? A real home like you promised me?"

"YES!"

He loved that look in her eye. "You're powers have grown. Do they know?"

Ruechari shook her head, no.

"I'll be your guide. I'll teach you the way," he held out his hand. She took it. "Care for run?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

A black panther and golden leopard took off into the night. Planning on not returning until morning light.