The next morning Billy was washing up by the river. The water was frigid, but refreshing. The cold did the trick and woke him up. Sleep had not been the easiest lately, but at least once he did fall asleep, he slept like a rock. Still, he was a lot more tired than he let on. As much as he really didn't care to lead the Regulators, he knew no one else could. Dick was gone. And despite how much he liked to butt heads with their fearless leader, he did miss him. His cornflower blue eyes scanned the horizon looking for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing. Good.

Taking in a deep breath, he continued to watch the horizon. This wasn't exactly what he wanted. What he had wanted died with Tunstall. It ate at him every damn day. He had the chance to have a good life. Settle down some day and have a ranch like Tunstall or maybe a farm. Being under Mr. Tunstall's employment had helped him see a future. He had wanted a family one day, but now it just didn't look like it was in the cards for him. His future died with Tunstall. It was a rather depressing thought if he wanted to go down that road, but he didn't like to think about it. Tunstall was gone and any shot he had at a life and a future was now gone with the British man. Especially now that he seemed to be wanted. Hell, he had a rather large reward on his head. As proud as he was of it, what woman in her right mind would want to spend a future with a wanted fugitive?

Without warning a green eyed blonde entered his mind. Damn! Why had she popped into his thoughts with his line of thinking the way it was? And even worse, why couldn't he get her off his mind? He was fixated on that hellcat of a woman like he had never been fixated on a woman before. Whores were his usual. They were easy. No strings attached. There was nothing beyond sex with them. Each of the boys had their share of a paid woman. Steven probably more than he had. Then again, he wasn't too sure about shy Charlie. He seemed to lose all sensibilities when talking to a woman. Well, any woman that wasn't Kristal. He had no qualms in talking with her. And there it was again. His mind kept straying back to Kristal.

"Shit! She ain't even my kind of woman!" Billy grumbled in a pouty tone to the air. No, she may not be what he normally preferred in a woman, but she was unique, different and quite striking in appearance and personality. Hell, he thought she was beautiful. Yet, it was her individuality that stood out to him. He had never met any other woman like her. Still, she wasn't no feminine portrayal. She didn't even wear a goddamn dress. What was so wrong with wearing a dress? He didn't understand it at all. However, what stood out the most to him was her tenacity, and loyalty, it was greatly attractive. He had to remind himself again that Kristal Starr was not his type of woman. It was just strange that he couldn't get her off his mind. Her firecracker attitude amused him making it so he wanted to ruffle her feathers more. He enjoyed it. His thoughts were gratefully interrupted as Steve appeared from around a bush.

"Ah, Billy! We uh... we got a situation."

A confused and frustrated Billy turned to Steve, pushing back some hair that was falling into his eyes, "what's wrong?"

Dirty Steve shook his head, "well, it's Charlie." He rocked back and forth on his feet impatiently before starting to walk back towards the camp expecting Billy to follow.

With a frustrated sigh, Billy started following briskly back towards their makeshift camp. He ended up passing Steve who had slowed his pace some. "Well, what the hell's the matter with him?" Billy called back.

"I... uh.. I dunno." Steve frowned, shaking his head trying to catch up with Billy's swift pace. "Well, he's jus'... he's jus' bellyachin' about somethin' or another." The dirty boy tried to make it seem like what Charlie was upset over didn't bother him. He played it off, but inside, he was just as upset as his friend. "Doc was readin' the newspaper. He got mighty spooked."

As they walked across the desert, Billy noticed Kristal. He frowned as she turned towards them a look of confusion in her eyes. She had been brushing down her horse, but had stopped to watch them. As they started to pass her, Billy heard her shout, "what the hell's goin' on? Yer movin' like ya gotta a fire up yer ass!"

Billy just glanced back at her, a smirk curling his lips at her reference. It was remarks like that that struck him funny. Not one woman he knew spoke like she did. And damn did he like it. "Hell if I know. Charlie's makin' a commotion." He made a shrugging gesture and continued toward the camp.

"Charlie? He seemed fine earlier." The outlaw interjected, announcing that she was following them, catching up quite easily too.

"Yeah, well, Steve said Doc was readin' him the newspaper and somethin' got him spooked." Billy wasn't really in the mood for this. The former turmoil of his chaotic thoughts about Kristal abruptly returned like a cascade at her close proximity. His mind shifted back to what he had been thinking about the blonde woman only minutes ago. And damn did he find her attractive. He wanted to stare at her, but she always caught him. He refused to look back at her again, for fear his crazy emotions would somehow be written on his face. Damn! He had to shake his head to clear his thoughts as they neared the other Regulators.

Watching the trio approach, Chavez and Doc looked grim. They had been listening to Charlie for a good twenty minutes now and his worry had soured both their stomachs. Things were not looking good for them and there didn't seem an end to it anytime soon. Unless they were caught, according to the papers.

Charlie stood his ground, watching Billy approach. He was fidgeting nervously, picking at the wall of dirt he was leaning against. What he had heard was bothering him a great deal. "Dirty Steve told me, Billy." He paused to swallow. "He told me what they're writin' in the papers." The curly haired boy kept his eyes on the blond boy, trying to appear braver than he felt after seeing Kristal following behind Steve. Somehow he needed to be braver than what he felt so Kristal didn't think lowly of him or pity him. He didn't know which was worse. He knew he was failing though. His nerves were getting to him.

Doc spoke up feeling the need to elaborate on what Charlie said. "Steven told him about the party Sheriff Peppin's plannin' for us."

Next to Steve, Kristal smacked the dirty boy's arm lightly. "I thought ya said Doc told him?" She hissed softly at him.

The man rubbed at his arm and glanced at her with a sheepish smile. He then shrugged, admitting that he might have had a hand in Charlie's paranoia.

Billy glanced over at Steve with a raised brow. So it was Steve who spooked Charlie, not Doc. He then shook his head trying to understand Charlie's fear. It confused him. His friend was afraid, but that didn't register with Billy. Fear was not something he allowed himself to feel. Fear was debilitating. So, he honestly didn't see the problem. "Party?" Billy paused in thought before realizing what Doc was referring to, still unafraid at the realization. "Oh! You mean the hangin'!" He found it amusing. A thrill and a challenge, much like he liked it. To skirt the law and the noose happened to be a fun challenge for him.

Chavez, who was looking off into the distance, frowned and turned to look over at Billy, "Callate Chivato." His Spanish words were firm and chastising. The Mexican-Indian boy knew this was not going to help Charlie any.

Hearing Billy's response, Charlie let out an exasperated, "God damnit, Billy!" Billy's annoying chuckle was not helping the curly haired boy's nerves at all. Unamused, Charlie continued, "You ever see a man hang? His face turns flat purple and his eyes come up on him." The very thought made him turn a little pale in color.

Billy nodded, appearing thoughtful remembering a time he had seen a man hang. "Yeah, I seen Red Smitty hang. His head come clean off." He laughed as if the memory had amused him. The blond boy failed to notice the sickly features of his friend as he glanced Kristal's way, smirking. He was trying to see what her reaction to all this hanging talk would be. "It was a hell of a sight," he added.

Steve pulled at his collar imagining the scene Billy spoke of and swallowed hard. He too looked a little sick.

"That don't always happen, Charlie." Kristal felt the need to point out in an effort to try and calm the boy down. She then looked Billy's way, a frown on her face. However, she didn't appear nervous or sick by the thought. She was calm and collected, unphased by their conversation. "I've seen a few m'self. It ain't pretty, but that don't happen very often."

It amazed Billy to see the woman so calm as she talked about seeing folk hang. She was right, he had to admit, it wasn't pretty. But it also wasn't something to get all worked up over like Charlie was doing. It wasn't going to help things any. If anything, it was going to make them more apt to make mistakes

"Billy," Doc began, glancing at Kristal and giving her a grateful nod. They were all defending their friend against a lunatic's crazed mindset-- and to Doc, that lunatic was Billy. "I don't think Charlie wants to hear about Red Smitty. I think what he'd like to hear is that we're not going to hang." He gave Kristal an exasperated look to which she nodded feeling the same way. Neither seemed to understand why Billy was trying to frighten Charlie more than he already was.

Suffice it to say, none of this was easing Charlie's concerns. Doc and Kristal seemed to be trying, but Billy was making it worse. Billy's careless attitude was making his nerves grow even more. The curly haired boy still looked pale against the dirty splotches over his skin."Y-you mess your trousers they say. Gals w-watchin' an' everything." He was stammering now and he was ashamed of himself. Especially in front of Kristal who he still couldn't quite look at. Sure they were friends, but she was still a girl!

Dirty Steve began to mirror his friend's expression not liking how this conversation was going. It was disconcerting. What if they ended up at the end of a hangman's noose?

Not one to sugar coat the reality of their situation, Billy sighed in answer. "Well if we get caught Charlie, we're gonna hang." He had to be honest. There was no way he was going to lie to his friend. But, at the same time, he felt that if they were careful and killed those looking for them before they were caught, they would be just fine.

Chavez and Doc exchanged dismal frowns at that thought. It was not something either boy wanted to think too deeply about. Hanging. It made all of them feel sick to their stomach. None of them were used to any of this attention or notoriety. All they really wanted was to be left in peace, but it was too late for that. Their vengeance for Tunstall's murderers had turned the Regulators into wanted men and the crazy William Bonney their ringleader.

Billy continued on unperturbed, a smirk lifting once again at the corner of his mouth. "But there's many a slip twixt a cup and a lip." And honestly there was. They just had to keep from getting caught and being one step ahead at all times.

It was then he caught Kristal's green eyes full of fire and disapproval. He raised his brow wondering what he'd done to her now. Her constant switch in attitude was making his head spin.

"Ya insensitive jackass." The blonde woman stepped forward, blocking Charlie's horrified gaze that had fixated on Billy. Maybe by getting the boy to focus on her, she could get him to calm down. "Charlie, long as I'm here, I ain't gonna let ya hang. I promise ya."

Now it was Billy's turn to roll his eyes, like he had seen her so often do to him. "Don't be makin' promises ya can't keep, Kris." Her promise was ridiculous. There was no way she could be sure to keep any of them from being hung. She was lying to Charlie and it bothered him.

"Oh I'll keep it." Kristal announced with conviction. She'd been dodging a noose since the first job she pulled. There were ways of dodging the law and getting free of a hangman's noose. "I've been avoidin' a hang man's noose fer years. But fer you, Billy I'll make an acception."

The blond scoffed at her, and sent her a wink, finding her declaration amusing. "Oh you're too kind. Ya'd miss me and ya know it." He highly doubted she'd let anything bad happen to any of them if she were capable. But he knew that was an impossible feat.

Kristal lifted her middle finger to the man behind her and then stepped forward to place an arm on Charlie's. "It'll be okay, Charlie. Take deep breaths, darlin', it'll help. An' think positive. Ya dwell too much on it an' it'll jus' weigh ya down."

The corner of Billy's lips curled into a smirk. It was times like this that he couldn't help but stare at the woman. The rude gestures, the snarky attitude, not one woman had ever treated him that way before. They all swooned over him and his charm. No matter how charming he was, she was immune and it piqued his interest even more. Damn, was this why he liked the woman? Because she was so unlike any other woman he had ever known?

Chuckling to himself, he turned his gaze to the ground as he kicked at the dirt listening to her. It amazes him, how one moment she was sharpening her tongue on him and the next she was sweet as pie to one of the other boys. He half wondered what it would be like if she were sweet to him. As he watched her with Charlie, Billy had a revelation, imagining her talking and touching him like that. Good God, he'd be in heaven. He'd love every minute, every second, every tiny little moment of her treating him with sweet, gentle kindness. It was Charlie's sigh that caught his attention and he focused back on the curly-haired boy.

Taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself, Charlie's gaze finally focused on Kristal. He realized something in that moment staring into her concerned eyes, feeling her arm on his. He wanted... no needed to do something. It was important to him. He half considered asking the woman in front of him, but realized that may not go very well in his favor. Not that he wanted anything but comfort... but it still seemed too personal to ask her. Charlie sighed and turned his eyes away from her and onto his male companions, "We gotta do somethin' before they catch us. You all gotta let me do somethin'."

Kristal eyed Charlie with furrowed brows wondering what it could possibly be. He wasn't looking her way anymore though. In fact it seemed like he was avoiding looking at her. "Charlie... they ain't..."

A hand pressed against her shoulder and stopped her from making any more promises that they assumed she could not keep. Turning, Billy's gaze bored into hers, the humor and amusement gone in his blue depths. He shook his head at her, cutting off anything she had been about to say. "Let it go, Kris," he whispered to her with his own conviction in his voice.

Shrugging his hand off her shoulder, Kristal hid her wince, glaring at Billy. "Fine," she grumbled and moved away. They didn't think she would keep her promise, but apparently they didn't know her like they thought they did.

Doc and Chavez glanced at each other knowingly. They had an idea about what their friend might be wanting. The boy had never been with a woman. For a moment Chavez even thought he had been about to ask Kristal something and he felt a huge sigh of relief when he didn't. He didn't think that would have gone over well with the fiery blonde. In fact, he had a feeling it might have offended her.

Considering Charlie's words, Billy nodded in understanding. He turned away from Kristal, ignoring her simple response and looked at his shy friend. "Okay, Charlie." He was being sincere for once. Whatever Charlie wanted, he'd make sure he got it. He then motioned for the rest of the group to clean up their camp "Let's get this outfit picked up and headed out."

Before he moved to clean up his bedroll, he glanced at Kristal. She had already cleaned up her area and was ready to go. He watched her as she raised an eyebrow at Charlie before shaking her head and walking to where she had left her horse. Billy frowned. He needed to stop being so transfixed by the woman. Even now he wanted to go and talk to her, maybe tease her, maybe flirt. Damn, he didn't know what the hell was wrong with him. His emotions were so torn when it came to her. No woman had ever affected him this way. He admired her, that much he knew. But could there be more to it? Could he feel more...?

Maybe he should avoid her? He quickly shut down that idea. He couldn't. Hell, he didn't want to. Sparking her temper was what fueled him. It meant she had her attention on him, even if it were in a negative light. There was no way he was going to give that up. He honestly hoped he never had to.

***

Riding into a nearby town, the group seemed a little more at ease. All except Kristal who was tense and cautious. Kristal had been fidgety since Billy had announced they were going to a town so near Lincoln. She had made it known she didn't much like being so close to the town that was out to see them all hang. None of the boys listened, even though it made a couple of them a bit nervous. They were helping a pal out. After all, it may be the only chance they had.

As they slowed their horses down, Steve swore under his breath, "Damn Charlie, this is your last wish? Get your little carrot wet? You could'a done that back in Juarez."

Turning to Steve with a glare, Doc snapped back at the dirty man, "there's somethin' called a special woman, dirt face. Maybe you'll understand that someday." Doc doubted it though and moved to get off his horse. Steve had no desire for any sort of attachment.

"Wait... why the hell are we here?" Kristal was beginning to get a sour feeling in the pit of her stomach as the pieces slowly began to be put into place. Her gaze shot to Steve at his comment, confusion in her eyes. And then it dawned on her, Charlie wanted to be with a woman, intimately. A scowl worked its way onto her face as she turned away from the boys, "good god, ya gotta be kiddin' me."

Billy chuckled and eyed the woman. "What's wrong Kris? Ya opposed to a little lovin'?"

The woman refused to look at him, her gaze was on a group of kids playing ball down the street. "I don't believe in love. But that ain't lovin' that's jus' fuckin'. No strings, no attachment, jus' a paid fuck."

"What?!" Nearly all the boys gaped at her. The only one who agreed with her happened to be Steve, who was nodding.

"See, she gets it." Said the dirty man pointing to her before spitting a wad of tobacco out of his mouth. "That's what I've been saying this whole time!"

"Shut up, dirt face." Doc growled and pushed him aside.

"What do you mean you don't believe in love?" Doc's question sounded like he was in disbelief, a pang going through his heart. He couldn't understand how someone didn't believe in love. Then again, Doc was a romantic at heart. The man still had hopes to woo his beloved Yen Sun. He just couldn't fathom that someone he admired did not believe in love. "Love is special. How can you not?"

Kristal opened her mouth to answer Doc, or at least kind of explain herself, when Billy suddenly interrupted.

"And how would you even know anyway? If ya ain't been in love or had sex, then I don't see how you can have a say in the matter." Billy questioned looking at her strangely.

"Look, I ain't sayin' I got a say in the matter, Bonney. Never claimed to. All I'm sayin' is I jus' don't wanna be privy to this, is all." Kristal defended, motioning to the saloon and whorehouse. "To each their own, but it ain't fer me." She refused to answer Billy's question more than that. It wasn't any of his business.

However, she couldn't quite look towards Doc. The angst in his voice made her feel guilty for some reason but she did try to answer his inquiry. "I....its a long story... an' not one I like ta talk 'bout ta just anyone... or out in the open."

"Are ya sayin' ya know 'bout love and sex then, Kris? 'Cause yer confusin' the hell outta me." Billy wasn't about to let it go. "You've been in love? And gone an' done the deed?" He was curious as to what she would answer. And by her not answering made him try even harder.

The blonde woman frowned at Billy. This was not how she wanted to discuss this. And how each and everyone of them looked at her made her feel awkward and dirty. Even Chavez and Billy looked at her with a strange look in their eye. "Yer a persistent son of a bitch, Bonney. Why can't ya just leave shit alone." Breathing out a sigh, she turned her gaze away from them. "But if ya must know... no, I ain't ever been in love. As fer sex... I don't really think it's any o' yer goddamn business... but," Here she paused, unsure of how to even explain this one. "I'll tell ya this, No. I ain't ever been intimate with a man. Not in the sense you're meanin' at least."

The boys were confused. What else could she be referring to? Sex was sex wasn't it? What other sense was she referring to?

A frown shifted over Billy's face. He was growing tired of being left in the dark. The sheer annoyance at her secretive nature was getting to him. He could be patient... sometimes. But with her secrecy, it was beginning to wear thin. "That mean ya won't tell us? Like usual?" Billy snapped.

"Goddamn, Billy! I ain't talkin' 'bout it right now." Kristal exclaimed exasperated. "I don't get why the hell it even matters."

It mattered to Billy. He wasn't sure why it mattered to him. But it did. And her vague answer both confused and angered him. "Figures..." He mumbled and then shrugged, not at all surprised she wasn't going to explain to them; it was getting old. He doubted she'd ever explain it to them, at least without him being the persistent son of a bitch he was known to be.

Kristal stared at him hiding the hurt she felt at him pressing the issue. Her brows furrowed before she turned away. What did it matter anyway? "We'll talk 'bout this later..."

A scoff sounded from Billy and he rolled his eyes. He didn't believe her. "Yeah sure." He wasn't going to let it bother him. Instead he turned to Charlie and smiled, "all right gentleman, time to square up and shell out for Bowdre."

"I ain't bein' privy ta this." Kristal grumbled, gaze landing on Charlie, who refused to look at her now.

"Funny, didn't think ya would have anyhow." Billy shot back and gave Charlie the money. "Probably don't like whores either."

"I don't." All eyes turned on her again. She was again looking off into the distance, avoiding the accusatory gaze she knew they were giving her.

It was Steve who spoke up, "how? Why? What? That's crazy! What the hell a whore ever do to you, huh?"

"I ain't sure I should answer that. Not with the way y'all are lookin' at me." Kristal felt once again like an outcast. "All I'll say is we ain't ever got along, whores an' I." Her gaze flicked to Charlie, "sorry... I'll jus' wait elsewhere till y'all are done. Don't wanna be puttin' a damper on yer little party..." Normally she wouldn't give a rat's ass but, in their short conversation, something got to her.

Billy's brows furrowed, finally noticing something was off with her. "Hold on up a sec, Kris." He then turned to Charlie, giving him a pat on the back, chuckling a little. "We'll be in the den. Yell if ya need any help."

Doc smirked at Billy's comment and couldn't help but tease, "You know what to do, don't you?"

Kristal paused as the Regulators heckled Charlie before watching the boy disappear through the adobe doors. Why was she even waiting? What the hell did Billy want? She dismounted from her horse, and waited though she didn't know why she did.

Finally Billy turned towards the blonde outlaw, "ya gonna join us inside?" His gaze ticked over her, "ya should at least get something to eat."

"Ya want me ta join ya in the saloon?" Kristal began raising a brow. She then gave a half hearted chuckle, noting their faces. "No ya dont. I can see it on yer face. Y'all think I'll ruin yer fun." Weren't the first time anyone thought she wasn't fun. "It's fine, I ain't hungry anyway. I'll be fine waiting fer ya out here. I'll just take a little stroll around. Keep an eye out. No worries."

"Kris it ain't like that...." Billy called out, but the woman was already walking away. "Kris!" But either she didn't hear him or chose to ignore him. The wild blond boy looked towards Chavez, concern in his eyes. They had struck a nerve with her somehow. He didn't know how or what they did, but she was clearly upset.

The Mexican-Indian man understood completely. If there was anything he and Billy agreed upon, it was Kristal's wellbeing. Without a word Chavez moved after her while the others went inside.

***

Music entered their hearing as soon as they opened the door and stepped down into the building. Charlie had already disappeared where the single nightly rooms were. His mind wasn't on bedding a whore, he just wanted to hold a woman and to be held back. Some kind of comfort in the midst of all the chaos, but he couldn't tell Kristal that, not with the other boys right there. Maybe he'd tell her later. He didn't want her to think poorly of him.

The rest of the Regulators, except Chavez, moved to an empty table. Minutes later Chavez entered the tavern with a frowning Kristal in tow. Her gaze took in Doc and Steve with Billy at a table. They eyed her and Billy motioned for her to join them. Chavez didn't wait for her, he moved to sit down and a woman brought him a whiskey as if she knew him. Purring softly, she moved to sit behind him before running her hands over his chest, massaging as she hummed in his ear.

Disgusted by the sight, Kristal ignored the boys and went to the bar ordering nothing more than a water. Despite Chavez's pleas about getting something to eat, she still wasn't hungry. Why she had let the dark haired man talk her into coming into the bar was beyond her. Seeing that woman with Chavez bothered her. She didn't know why, but her heart hurt a little. Pausing in taking a drink, her gaze ran over the room taking in every person there. Again, her heart felt like a sharp knife went through it seeing the same woman pressing little kisses to Chavez's ear and neck.

Why did it matter what the woman did? Chavez wasn't hers. She didn't claim him. And he had made no effort towards her. Except for the other night when he stormed off thinking Charlie and her had a thing going. But she had cleared that up. It didn't matter anyway, she had to remind herself. Relationships and love were nothing more than a nuisance which led to eventual heartache. She didn't need it.

A deep man's voice caught her attention pulling her out of her reverie. Irritated at the interruption, Kristal glanced at the man who stood with a woman at the opposite end of the bar. Taking a sip of her water, she listened to the man boasting about his skills.

"Darlin' when a man rides two hundred miles to do a job, you can bet your Spanish land grant that he's gonna get that job done." The man had a large mustache under his nose, which moved as he talked. He smiled at the Mexican woman at his side unaware of the eyes on him. "Now if this Billy the Kid's around town like people say he is, two hundred dollars flat dead on this bar." He hit the bar to elevate his point.

Inwardly Kristal groaned at the egotistical piece of work. Of course they were going to run into someone who was out for Billy's head. But that wasn't the only thing that set her off balance. There was something else about this man that made the hairs on the back of her neck rise up?

The Mexican woman giggled with amusement and the sultry vixen leaned towards him a little, "you can't kill what you can't catch. You know these mestizo. They say that Billito's half horse, half devil." She gave a soft laugh, flirtatiously batting her lashes at the man. "But who knows. Maybe a strong, big Texas man like you can do the job..."

When the word Texas hit her hearing, Kristal frowned and dipped her hat lower on her head. Shit! She was wanted in the state of Texas for a rather high amount. Oklahoma Territory too, though it had been some time since she had last been there. This could be bad if she wasn't careful.

It was then that Billy's slow saunter caught her eye. He moved to the bar between her and the Texan. She knew shit was going to go down when the blond man looked at her and winked. What the hell was he going to do? She tried to give him a pleading look to not start anything. But he just raised a brow in confusion. Of course Billy would do something. The idiot Texan had said Billy's name and the blond boy couldnt resist messing with the man.

"Are you really gonna kill Billy the Kid?" The boy was smiling, brows raised curiously, interrupting their conversation. From her vantage point Kristal cringed.

The arrogant Texan didn't even bother to look Billy's way, just grabbed onto the woman pulling her close, responding with a flippant, "does a horse piss where she pleases?" He fondled the whore through her dress and she in turn giggled playfully, swatting his hands away as if in protest.

However, Billy found the man's response funny and chuckled. Kristal glanced back at the boys behind her to see Doc pulling his gun and cocking it. He casually laid it down on the table. Steve had his hand on his gun and Chavez shooed the whore away, pulling a knife. Well, that was a relief. At least they all had Billy's back.

The Texan, Joe Grant, finally turned to the boy and nodded. "Yeah, if he's man enough to come around here. Doubt he's got the balls to do it though."

The blond boy nodded considering his words and then glanced down at the Texan's holster. Pointing, Billy smirked, "Is that the gun you're gonna shoot him down with?"

Grumbling about her inherent bad luck, Kristal sat and took another drink of her water. This was bound to end bad and she knew it. She just wasn't sure which one of them would end up making the first move.

Much to Kristal's surprise, she heard Billy ask the man, "Can I touch it? Please?" Kristal knew the boy was crazy, but this... damn, he was insane -- much like her. She had a tendency to taunt her prey before she killed them too. Billy's actions reminded her too much like her own.

Acting all innocent, Billy continued, "ya know sir, I do admire you. And I sure would like to touch the gun that's gonna kill, Billy the Kid."

Intrigued and impressed by the younger man's praise, Grant pulled his gun out of it's holster at his waist. He made a show of twirling it in hand, before flipping it so the handle was held towards Billy. "You know iron boy?"

Billy nodded, simply answering with a, "yes sir."

The man smirked and held it out towards Billy before faking, pulling his hand back. He chuckled and then held it out to the kid. "Well, go ahead then, have a look." Grant watched him for a moment, before grinning and turning back to the senorita at his side. Lifting a finger, he stroked the little woman's chin, enjoying the shiver that passed through her at his touch. Then as an after though, he added, "then pass her back. That there gun killed Ed Rollins."

Watching as Billy pretended to be impressed, Kristal frowned hearing him question the man further, "is that right?" To her surprised amusement, Billy mocked the man silently, 'sure it did'.

Kristal had to run a finger over her lips to keep from laughing at the boy's mocking. Her gaze lowered watching Billy remove the bullets from the man's gun. When she looked up, she found the blond watching her and wagging his brows in her direction. She gave a slight shake of her head, but the smirk on her face betrayed the amusement she felt.

"Hey barkeep, lets have a little round for every lady in the house." The Texan grinned and turned to look around at all the ladies working their trade. That is before his sight caught Kristal sitting on the other side of the blonde boy. He smirked at the sight of her. She wasn't dressed like the other Mexican Senoritas, it was her different attire that drew his attention not to mention her stunning green eyes, high cheekbones, and perfectly sculpted lips.

"Well hello there little lady," the Texan man greeted, his eyes tracing her every feature. "You look familiar, have we met before darlin'?"

Kristal eyed the whiskey placed in front of her and then gave a side glance towards the Texan. She inwardly groaned realizing he was speaking and looking in her direction. "Can't say that we have."

"You sure? Then again, I'm sure I'd remember a lovely lady such as yourself." The Texas man grinned her way, leaning towards her.

"Ain't no lady. And I'm pretty damn sure I'd remember you, Mister." Kristal gave a mockingly sweet smile before rolling her eyes and looking back down at her drink.

"Joe Grant at your service Ma'am," the Texan replied, introducing himself.

"Pleasure, I'm sure..." came her response, a hint of sarcasm in the depths of her drawl.

The corner of Grant's lips quirked into an amused smirk before turning half his attention back on the blond boy with his gun. "Okay pass it back son." The Texan said, his eyes moving from Billy back to the blonde fiery woman as he spoke. "Stroke a gun like that, you might as well be strokin' a man's woman." He pursed his lips together and kissed the air Kristal's way. "Speaking of strokin' a woman..." He eyed her up and down suggestively, "I could make you mine and show ya just what that might entail."

A look of disgust washed over Kristal's face. Was this fool seriously flirting with her? With a woman already hanging on his arm? One small glance towards the Senorita next to him, caused Kristal to sigh inwardly. This was why she and whores didn't get along. The Senorita was glaring at her with such hatred, most would cower away. Maybe the best way to handle this was to ignore him.

Next to her, Billy glanced between Kristal and the Texan. Something seemed strange about the whole thing. The woman seemed oddly tense which was interesting. And this man appeared to be far too focused on her ignoring the senorita he had been talking to moments ago. Billy nearly laughed out loud as Kristal deliberately ignored the Texan.

Nodding to Joe, he started to hand the gun back, but then let it drop, faking him out, and acting like he was gonna shoot him. "Whoop!" Billy chuckled, joking around with the man like he had done to him.

The man eyed Billy with a raised eyebrow, leery of his strange behavior. He then smirked not about to lose face in front of the ladies around him. He was also trying to not be put out by the fact that the blonde woman hadn't responded to him. "Now you best be on your way before you get hurt." He motioned for Billy to leave. "'Sides, I got this pretty thing to convince in bein' mine." He waved the blonde woman over and patted the bar top next to him.

Again Billy looked between the big Texas man and Kristal. Seeing her glaring at the man, caused him to chuckle to himself at the wildcat of a woman's reaction. She looked like she was about to rip his head off. This man clearly didn't know what or rather who he was dealing with.

"I ain't nobody's. Never will be." The blonde's growl sent a chill through Billy. At least this time it wasn't directed towards him.

Turning back to the mustached man who appeared a little perturbed by Kristal's vehemence, Billy nodded, "Um... I'm leavin' right now. And uh, I wanted to know what to look for in case I run into him and I'll come back and tell ya." He was acting all innocent and pretending to be helpful.

The Texan grunted, eyeing the frustrating woman before turning to the little senorita who had wrapped an arm around his to recapture his attention. "Ah, well he's a good lookin' kid."

At that Billy looked at Kristal wagging his eyebrows at her to which she scoffed.

Grant then continued, caressing the cheek of the woman who reclaimed his attention. "He has a way with the women."

Now Billy was smirking at her and mouthed, 'I sure do. I treat 'em good too. Not like that fool.'

Again the outlaw rolled her eyes.

"Dresses like a dandy and he's a left-hander." The Texan added.

Billy was laughing now, finding the whole thing humorous. His back was turned toward the Texan, his cornflower eyes roving over his friends at the table and then landing on the female in their group. 'I ain't left handed.' The boy mouthed again.

"People say he's fond of whistlin' sad ballads. Now, you get out there on the street and you see somebody that fits that bill, well, you just come whisperin' to me."

Billy turned back to Grant and nodded as if in full agreement. The man didn't seem to take notice that Billy had been playing with him the entire time. However, Billy wasn't done just yet, and prepared to pretend to leave.

Taking that chance, the Texan whispered something to the senorita at his side before sliding over to the pretty blonde. The senorita glared after them both, her eyes filling with hate as they landed on Kristal.

"Well, miss, ya haven't touched the drink I bought fer the ladies." He grinned and leaned against the bar, resting his arm along the tabletop. "I meant no disrespect in wanting to make ya mine. Just find ya awful striking and different than the other ladies here. Be nice to get to know ya better."

"Still ain't no lady." Was Kristal's only response, sipping her glass of water. She then took the glass of Whiskey and slid it back to the Texan. "Don't want yer drink nor care ta get ta know ya better. So figure ya can skedaddle back ta yer whore an' leave me the hell alone."

"Ah come now, don't be like that. Yer more lady than some of them women that are in here." His eyes trailed her figure. Watching the drink slide back to him, his eyes darkened a little before he shook his head. "I'd normally take the hint, but I think yer jus' playing hard to get." He moved closer, setting a hand around her waist possessively.

Fire formed in her eyes at the touch. "I ain't no saloon whore ta be propositioned with money or flattery. Ya can take all yer sweet words an' shove 'em up yer ass." She glanced down at his arm, "now get yer hand off o' me 'afore I cut it off."

Before the Texan man could respond to the blonde woman, Billy stopped, his eye catching his reflection in the mirror behind the bar. "Hey! I see him!"

The Texas man tore his gaze away from Kristal, a frown etching his lips. His hand fell from her waist and he glanced around both confused and annoyed at the little asshole's interruption. "What?" Grant grumbled.

"Right there! Right there! Don't ya see him?" Billy laughed pointing to the mirror. His light blue eyes turned from the mirror to land on the man with a smirk. He had to force himself to ignore the woman next to the Texan bounty hunter. That fire in her eyes always did something strange to his gut.

"That so now," the Texan began growing agitated, glancing at the mirror to only see the boy's image. "Ya know boy, I'm gettin' a little tired of your wise lip. Now you uh, get yourself someplace before I have to drop your britches in front of all these fine ladies and spank your little bottom blue." Finding his statement funny, he gave a dry chuckle and turned back to the golden haired beauty.

"Ya touch me again an' I'll kill you." Kristal threatened noticing how Grant moved to put his arm back around her. How was it that she was always drawn into this kind of bull shit?

Billy smirked at her before starting to whistle a sad ballad. Not only was he trying to test this Texas fool's patience, but he was honestly trying to help his female companion out.

The Texan's arm hung in the air frozen. He was about to ignore the woman's threat. Surely this spritely little thing couldn't do a damn thing against his tall, masculine self. Turning back to the boy, Joe cast an annoyed glare at the young blond man. "Yeah sure, you're a testy little cuss." He moved to pull his gun and aimed it directly at Billy and pulled the trigger.

Click.

He tried again.

Click.

The Texan appeared shocked, looking at his empty gun before a gunshot sounded and the man flew back, a bullet hole in his chest. The now dead Texan slid to the ground, a pool of blood forming beneath him.

Stepping back unphased by the whole thing, Kristal tossed a coin to the barkeep. "Fer the mess."

The older man tipped his hat, grateful, watching her as she stepped over the dead man, grabbing her half empty glass, moving to a free spot. However, the little senorita glared at her, whispering Spanish slurs under her breath as she huffed away. Kristal clearly heard her but made no motion that she understood except for a slight eye roll.

Not paying attention to Kristal, Billy was laughing at how that had played out. He had fooled that dumbass Texan and possibly helped Kristal out. The man spoke big, but Billy bested him in the end. Still laughing, he turned to the Regulators. "Hey, Doc, how many does that make? 25?"

Doc lifted up a hand, "five."

A disappointed pout washed over the crazy man's face. "We'll call it ten. Ten even. How'd that be?" He claimed, his trademark smirk returning.

Doc shrugged and placed the gun he had picked up in order to defend Billy back on the table. "Whatever you say." He wasn't going to argue. Doc knew it'd be pointless anyway

Leaning back against the bar, Billy glanced at Kristal. "What'd ya think o' that?"

"Don't think what I think really matters none." Kristal took a sip and looked at him without another word. Her eyes searched his features somewhat amused by his carefree attitude.

"Sure it does. You matter ta me." Billy blurted. Realizing what he just said he quickly retracted his words, "I mean... not that... I meant ta say what you think matters to me."

"Don't rightly understand why... but..." Kristal shrugged, making it known she didn't care to try and figure it out either. She then raised a brow, her gaze lingering on him, unreadable. "I think ya enjoyed that a bit too much. But I ain't one ta criticize. Id'a pro'lly done the same thing. Playin' cat 'n mouse, tauntin' 'n messin' with yer prey." She shrugged again, "kinda m' thing."

Cornflower colored eyes watched her, curious as to her reaction, while processing what she had said. "Ya approve? Really?"

"Why so surprised? Have I really disapproved of any o' yer actions that have led us ta this point? I ain't Dick, Billy." She finally turned those fiery green eyes away from him. "At least, where John's justice is concerned I've been fairly acquiescent. Granted, with that Texas fella, that weren't justice... that was jus' dealin' with a prick. If ya want ta justify it, he did pull his gun on ya first. Though, if ya hadn't killed him, I would'a." She tilted her head from side to side weighing what might have been in her mind, "did me a favor I guess. Or maybe him a favor. Had he touched me again, I would'a cut off his hand first, then killed him."

Remembering the dismembered finger from their meeting with Wilkes a few nights ago, Billy didn't think she was bluffing. "Happy ta oblige."

Before Billy could say anything more, Charlie rushed in, his face white as a sheet. "It's John Kinney! He's here! Looking for us!"

The boys exchanged glances and hurried out of their seats. Billy followed behind with Kristal, "guess that means it's time ta get gone." As he said that a man bumped into his shoulder as he was entering the tavern. "Excuse you." Billy called back over his shoulder, not bothering to stop.

"Might wanna hold off on the---" The man that ran into Billy stopped a look of surprise flicking over his features at seeing the blond's female companion. Dark eyes followed her as she walked passed him. "Starr? That you?"

Ignoring the man, the blonde outlaw kept walking. However, Kristal recognized the man but didn't stop to acknowledge him. She simply grabbed Billy's arm and led him out of the building as quickly as she could, over to where the others already had their horses. She didn't bother to look back as they swung onto the back of their mounts and rode off. Although, a worried frown had cast a dark shadow over her face and Billy noticed. He wasn't the only one. Charlie also was watching her with concern as she urged her mount forward.

***

"Kris?" The man had called out having followed her outside, but the group was already riding off. He stared at their retreating figures, stroking the dark shadow that crested his chin. "Smart girl... ignoring me."

"Boss?" A man came up next to him questioning his actions.

"I'm pretty damn sure that was Kristal Starr." A wicked smile curled over his broad lips. "Weren't sure the papers were telling the truth. It's funny how she keeps surprising me."

"Ace?" The man to his right continued to question. "You sure it was her? Wouldn't she have gone back to her ma?"

The man called Ace, chuckled, "not if my Kitten's tasted freedom. She was with that blond fella. Wonder who that was..."

"Maybe that Billy Bonney? The papers said she was his mistress."

Dark eyes narrowed before he shook his head, "nah, the picture of Bonney showed a dark haired man. My kitten ain't anyone's mistress... that's where the papers got it wrong, I know it." He motioned to two of his men who were heading towards the saloon. "Get Tahakyk. Tell him to follow Starr's trail. You two can go with him. I want her found! But don't engage. Just track her. I wanna get her myself."

Ace's right hand man, Dade frowned, "what about Belle? She's lookin' for the girl too, Ace."

The dark haired man laughed, "Belle can go fuck herself. She was fool enough to lose Kris. And even more fool to kick me out, all 'cause Sam and I were pals. Sam knew what I wanted. He didn't see it being a problem. It was Belle who stood in my way. She won't again. Nor will anyone else."

Dade sighed and stared off into the distance. His boss was obsessed. Sure, he thought Starr was quite the looker too, but she had nearly killed Ace. Twice. Her attitude alone was deterrent enough. He didn't see why his boss-man was so taken by her. "Whatever ya say, Boss."