((Author note: possibly more trigger warnings. Violence, blood, mentions of possible rape, gruesome mutilation.))

******

It was nearly an hour later when Kristal pulled her horse to a stop, Billy and Doc right behind her. They were on a small rise miles away from their camp. Below them was a small fire, hidden from view by rocks surrounding it. An orange glow cast little dancing lights onto the ground from the holes between the rocks. Four horses lounged off to the side munching on dry grass and weeds. The distance along with the darkness of the night made it difficult to see where the horse's riders were.

"You gonna tell us what we're doing here, Kris? What's going on?" Doc queried in hushed annoyance. He was tired. Maybe he shouldn't have offered to go with the two wilder blonds of the group.

Billy ignored him, his gaze unreadable as he stared at the faint light below. "This got anything ta do with that man that bumped inta me back in that last town we was in?" He glanced at her, "that why you've been so distracted?"

Pressing her lips together Kristal nodded. She had to hand it to Billy, he was observant. "Yeah it is."

"Wait... What guy?" Doc was growing annoyed at being left out of the conversation.

When Kristal pressed her lips together, the observant blond noticed. "Explain," Billy demanded and then added a little softer, "I don't like not knowin' what I'm walkin' into."

Doc then frowned, "what the hell are you two talking about? I thought she was distracted 'cause of Kinney?"

Kristal scoffed, not answering Billy's inquiry. "That man don't bother me, Doc. There's a whole lotta other wolves out there an' they got sharper teeth n' claws than John Kinney."

A brow rose as Doc looked down at the dark camp. "And that man down there's one of them?"

"Hmm?" Kristal queried quietly, it took a second for Doc's question to register in her mind. So many thoughts were running through her head she almost hadn't heard him. "Oh hell no! Them down there are just scouts. Followin' me to see where I go, who I'm with an' the like. I'm not entirely sure what they're doin' or what they're plannin', but they can't go back to the wolf that's in charge o' 'em."

Doc was still terribly confused, "are we talking about wolves or people?"

A smirk flickered over Kristal's lips, "people."

"Okay..." The poet drawled out slow and deliberate trying to understand. "And what exactly are you planning on doing?" He was beginning to grow worried now.

"I'm gonna kill 'em."

The woman's words were so matter-of-fact, Doc found himself nodding in agreement before realizing what she said. "WHAT?!" Doc was now panicking. Was she serious? More killing. Hadn't there been enough?

Kristal just looked at Doc, a brow rising in the moonless night. It wasn't like she was speaking another language. Why was Doc having such a hard time grasping the situation? "They can't go back an' tell Ace where I am, Doc."

"Who's Ace?" Doc was so confused and continued to wish he had stayed behind.

Now Billy felt the need to chime in. He had understood everything so far. But when she started talking about this Ace fellow, he grew concerned. "I was wondering the same thing. That the man that bumped into me?" At her nod, he frowned watching her closely, "I see... who is this Ace to you then? Old lover perhaps?" Billy queried, his voice had dropped a little. The normal playfulness in his tone, gone. He was annoyed.

This time it was Kristal's turn to hiss, "what?!" She shook her head, her own annoyance rising. "Ace ain't nothin' more'n a snake in the grass. I already told ya I ain't ever had a lover." Did they think she was lying about that? Damn them! "Ace worked fer Belle. He got it in his head that he wanted me... kinda became obsessed. He wanted us ta be lovers... but I spurned him," she paused and turned away from the two blonds. "Not that the asshole still didn't try," Kristal added under her breath, an unwanted memory, one she had pushed deep down, threatening to surface.

Cornflower blue eyes flashed to Kristal. Her face was unreadable, hardened and cold. A distant look edged in her deep green eyes, one of regret and pain. What the hell had happened between them, he wondered. "What d'ya mean by that?"

"I don't wanna talk 'bout Ace, Bonney. He's an awful man. Killed many. Men, women... children..." Kristal's gaze fell before she turned to Billy. "He ain't someone to mess with."

"But you tried?" Doc couldn't help but ask. If she just left well enough alone maybe she wouldn't have been in so many awful situations. Shit! She was more like Billy than he realized.

Kristal let out a harsh dry laugh, offended by Doc's words. "I didn't have ta do anything for that asshole ta mess with me, Doc. It's jus' a shame some men don't know how ta take no fer an answer." The look in Kristal's eyes hardened and she glanced at both boys before turning away.

Brows furrowed across Billy's forehead, as he took in her words. What did that mean? "Did he force himself on you?" It was Billy's question that threw her. Direct and straight to the point.

For a moment, Kristal was lost in an awful memory. "Not... exactly..." she started and then quickly closed her mouth. It wasn't a lie really. The man had failed in the end, that was all that mattered. But it wasn't something she wanted to talk about. "I said I don't wanna talk about it." And Kristal was closed off again. The stubborn pressing of her lips was enough for both boys to know she wasn't going to answer any more questions. "But I ain't gonna let him know where I am..." And without another word she edged down the grassy knoll.

Both boys looked at each other with worry in their eyes. Did that mean this Ace had tried to take advantage of Kristal and failed? Or was it something else? With her lack of wanting to answer the question, it spoke volumes. If that were the case...

Anger erupted in Billy's eyes and a muscle twitched in his jaw. No woman should ever be taken advantage of or harmed in anyway, even Kristal despite how she dressed and acted. There was more to her than met the eye and he knew it, he just couldn't get passed the walls she had up. However, it made him feel oddly protective of her, and he wanted to make the perpetrator pay.

For Doc, the possible knowledge of Kristal being victimized caused the romantic's face to flush with fury. If his friend had been harmed in such a violating way, he wanted to take down the man that did that to her. He felt somewhat guilty for half accusing her that she had been at fault for the man's actions. He had no idea what those actions had entailed. But now that he did... Sorta... his features grew to an even deeper red wanting to hurt the man responsible for his friends pain. Catching Billy's eye, the other blond nodded and followed Kristal down towards the dark camp.

******

The woman stalked the outside of the camp taking stock of where the men were. There were three sitting near the fire to keep warm. Their voices were hushed and she could barely make them out. However, what concerned her was the fact the fourth man was missing. Stepping around a boulder, she glanced back to see Billy and Doc's dark silhouettes heading down the hill.

Rolling her eyes at their lack of being sneaky as well as being so far behind her, she edged closer to hear what the men were saying.

"This is bullshit! Why the hell are we out here in the cold." A grungy saddle tramp threw a stick in the fire, rubbing his hands together. The fire sparked and illuminated the area a little more.

"Ace wants Starr, jackass." Another man, with a large mustache answered.

"Yeah, I know. But why's it that we're here an' not goin' to where they got their camp? We could kill 'em an' grab the girl." The saddle tramp was scratching his head now trying to make sense of it all. "It's fuckin' cold. I'd rather be back at the cantina gettin' warm with a calico queen."

"Ya don't know Starr do ya?" The large mustached man rolled his eyes and glanced around as if she might be lurking in the darkness. Little did he know, she was.

"I 'spect she's awful purdy if Ace is wantin' her this bad. He only goes after them purdy ones."

"Pshaw, Starr's got looks a'right. But that's all she's got goin' for her. She's a hellfire. Know them scars on Ace's face? I heard Starr's what gave 'em to 'im." Mustached man rubbed at his jaw, feeling antsy.

"Shit no way. She that bad?"

Kristal had to smirk from her hiding place. Apparently her reputation preceded her.

The saddle tramp continued, "then why's he want her so bad?"

The mustached man shrugged, "not rightly sure. Maybe he wants payback or..."

Finally the third man spoke up, cutting off the man with the mustache, "Ace has some kind o' obsession with her from what I understand. Can't see it myself. She's got a pretty face but she ain't normal. Dresses like a man an' I hear she's half injun. Learned how ta fight like that bastard Ace got workin' with us. But that's all neither here nor there. We're not supposed to grab the girl. We're supposed to let Ace know where she is an' he'll come an' get her. We're jus' waiting on that Apache asshole to get back. Where the hell did Tahakyk get to anyway?"

A frown shifted over Kristal's face and she swore silently. Of course Ace had that renegade come after her. That bastard was bad news. He was exiled from his tribe for a reason and it was a rather gruesome one. As she started to turn around a knife slid along her skin, stinging her neck. A body pressed against her back, as the knife held firm.

"Evening, Starr. Cold night is it not?" Came the somewhat broken English of the renegade Indian.

"Ah, Tak," Kristal hissed, making a mockery of his name. She knew he hated it when she shortened it. "Didn't realize ya were still workin' with Ace. Should'a stayed with us instead o' workin' with trash."

"Your mother hated me. That is why I got kicked out, along with Ace. Remember? Now stop talking. I know how you operate. Trying to ease a man into sense of security." The man growled and pressed the knife deeper. "Do not make me hurt you."

"I ain't doin' nothin' of the sort . However, if ya ain't careful Tak, ya'll be bringin' Ace a corpse." The blonde responded with a growl, feeling blood trailing down her skin. If she weren't careful, he could easily slit her throat open.

The Indian man chuckled, the sound cruel and cold, "apparently it has been too long. You have forgotten..." he pressed the knife even deeper, but just shy of doing any real long term damage. "I know how much pressure to use." His voice was in her ear as his lips brushed her skin. It was unpleasant and she fought off an icy shiver. "Any more than this, and you will need a grave."

Careful to not take too deep of breaths, Kristal smirked, "haven't forgotten, as much as I tried." Her words were cold, calculating. The knife and cut at her throat stung, but she tried to ignore it. Her mind was already trying to figure herself out of this situation but for now, she remained still.

He slowly moved his face away from her ear, a smirk at his lips. "You always were good student. Too bad you preferred old Red Hawk's teaching to my tutelage. I could have taught you much more." Tahakyk pressed her forward, so she would walk towards the men around the darkened campfire.

"I know what yer tutelage entails, Tak... I ain't one fer yer macabre, masochistic ways." Shaking her head, she tried to get an old memory out of her head. A scene she had walked into a few years ago. The man had been with a whore. It had been a bloody mess, and the woman had not made it out alive. It was the one and only time Kristal had ever felt sorry for one of the women of the night. And unfortunately, that scene was forever engraved onto her mind.

"Shame. You would have made good partner... for white woman." Tahakyk's voice was filled with mocking sarcasm and his lips were back at her ear as he whispered, "now you get to be Ace's whore. Funny how life is."

A muscle clenched in Kristal's jaw and had the knife not been partially digging into her flesh, she would have slugged him for those words. Hell, she would have killed him if she were able. She was no whore, nor would she ever be. "Oh, it's hilarious..." she growled under her breath, sarcasm flooding her words. "An' not gonna happen."

As they moved into the dim light, Tahakyk ignored her comment and a lantern illuminated the area. Swearing at the sudden shining light, she lowered her eyes to the ground needing them to adjust to the now bright area. The other men around the fire appeared startled and all but the man holding the lantern had pulled their guns.

"What the hell, ya startled us Tahakyk!" The mustached man had been scowling until he saw the woman and his face contorted into an awkward grin. Now they could head back; he was relieved. He was tired of being outside when the rest of their gang were warm and cozying up to a whore back in town.

"Shit! Ya got her?! How the hell? Thought we weren't nabbing her?" The one holding the lantern eyed her, a wary look in his dark eyes. He didn't trust the woman. She was wild and unpredictable.

It was the saddle tramp who stared at her with a wanton expression. "Damn! She is a purdy thing. Think we can have our fun before we give her to Ace?"

"Try me ass-face an' I'll rip ya a new asshole!" Kristal snarled as the man took a step towards her.

"Woah! She is a fiesty little thing. I can see why Ace has his eye on her. Maybe jus' a little bit..." His ratchety voice trailed off as he took two more steps towards her.

"Knock it off, Yancy! You touch her an Ace'll have yer hide." The man with the lantern was anxious. He didn't want Yancy messing with fire.

"Well what he don't know won't hurt him none..." Yancy came forward even more, and reached for Kristal's cheek. A knife suddenly went to his throat and he coughed, swearing at the slender nick the renegade Indian gave him.

"No one touches her. This one is Ace's. We will have ours when we get back." Tahakyk's authoritative tone made Yancy step back. "She decide to come to us. I not look a gift horse in the mouth." Lowering the knife from the man, he slid it back into his pant-waist, the blade in his other hand still at the woman's throat.

"Get that rope. Tie her." The Apache renegade commanded Yancy, watching him carefully. He then looked to the other two men, "she came here with two others. Find them, kill them." The two men nodded, set down the lantern and headed out into the darkness, pulling their guns as they went.

Hearing that they were going to go after Billy and Doc, Kristal struggled against Tahakyk's grip. More blood trailed down her collar as the man's knife slid along her throat, leaving a scarlet line in its wake. "Stop moving." He grabbed a wad of her hair, to hold her head still. "Ace prefers you alive, but I doubt he'd care much if I make you bleed."

Unable to move much, Kristal glared at the copper skinned man out of the corner of her eye. She desperately needed to get free, but how?

Think, Starr, Kristal silently chastised herself.

Yancy managed to tie her ankles together first, just as a gunshot rang out. Kristal's head jerked in the direction before she let out a slew of swear words at the searing pain in her neck. Some of the hair on top of her head ripped out of her skull at the Apache's hold, as well.

The renegade swore, both at the sound echoing through the air and his captive's quick jerky movement. Shifting to the side a little to let Yancy tie her wrists behind her back, the experienced knife wielder never moved the knife from her throat. He now stood in front of her, observing the damage he had done with a proud smile on his dark features. "I do not think Ace will mind. He might call it even after what you did to his face." Tahakyk's dark eyes held an evil glint as he waited rather impatiently as the fool Yancy finally finished wrapping the rope around her wrists and started on the knot.

Pressing her lips together, Kristal purposely fisted her hands to make them a bit bigger so the rope ended up being more loose around her flesh. "Ace deserved every mark I made on him." That man made her skin crawl. No other man had ever made her feel so... dirty. But Ace wasn't any man. He was the asshole who almost took things too far. If Belle hadn't stopped him...

Trying to keep those unwanted thoughts out of her head, her gaze slid over Tahakyk instead. The renegade had changed since the last time she saw him. His once long black hair, was cut short. He was dressed in a simple pair of brown pants with a white shirt and black vest. To her surprise he was wearing boots. When he had been a part of the Starr Gang he had preferred to be barefoot. It helped him stay more quiet, or, so he told her, and she found it to be true. There were times Kristal had gone bootless, after learning that valuable piece of advice and it had indeed helped when she had the need to be stealthy. However, the man was wearing boots now and that surprised the hell out of her. And that wasn't all, the old trinkets and totems that Tahakyk had used to wear from his old tribe were long gone.

The renegade's eyes caught her watchful gaze, "not what you are used to, hmm?"

"Nah, jus' surprised ta see ya fully abandoned yer heritage." Kristal tried to shrug, not really caring.

"What heritage? They exiled me," the man spat with vehemence.

"Ya raped an' killed yer chieftain's daughter. Way I hear it, ya mutilated her corpse so she couldn't be sent to the spirit world. An' if that weren't enough ya slaughtered half the children after they punished yer ass, an' burned their sacred totem. Can ya blame 'em?" Kristal looked away feeling Yancy fumbling with the knott.

"You do not know what they did to me. That punishment... It was," he paused trying to think of the word that would mirror how he felt. "Hell! Like burning alive but not dying."

A scoff blew through her lips, "sounds tame considering what ya done." Kristal shook her head, "ya murdered children! Innocent kids who done nothin' ta you!"

"The elders castrated me!" Tahakyk hissed out of anger, to which Kristal's eyes widened. She clearly had not known that. And by the look of disgust on her face, she still wished she didn't.

The renegade's knife, slid over her cheek, the blunt side of the blade leaving a trail of blood but no new injury. He was angry that he had blurted out his secret. Kristal had a way of getting a man to reveal deep rooted private thoughts; he knew that and he fell for it. Oh, how he wanted to carve out her face for her deception, but Ace wanted her. Ace liked the soft golden tan of her features and those sharp, fiery green eyes that, at the moment, Tahakyk wanted to rip out. "You are lucky woman. I would cut you up for that knowledge."

The man behind Kristal froze, "ya got no balls, Tahakyk? Shit! How is it ya still fuck them whores?"

The Apache swore under his breath. He forgot about Yancy. That man would need to die, but for now he had his uses. Instead he ignored the dirty saddle tramp and his idiotic question.

Once again that horrible memory of Tahakyk with that whore accosted her, and it all suddenly made sense. Her eyes narrowed on him. She already knew where her luck stood. It was nonexistent. But she didn't believe in luck anyway so it didn't matter. "It all makes perfect sense now. Ya act like ya like it, like ya want it. But it's all a ploy. Ta make everyone think yer all fine an' dandy. 'Cause ya know, if Ace knew ya lost what makes ya a man, he'd abandon ya jus' like yer tribe. That why ya kill 'em Tak? That why ya kill whatever whore yer with? 'Cause ya don't feel nothin' no more? Or is it 'cause in a way, yer tryin' ta get back at yer tribe?"

Without warning the man backhanded her. His knife slid across her cheek leaving a long gash. "I am a man!" He shouted in a rare show of wild emotion.

The force of the hit had made her head snap to the side. It was a good thing his knife was no longer at her throat or she would have finally met her maker. Her cheek and the corner of her mouth stung from the force of the blow. Blood pooled in her mouth and she spat it out at Tahakyk's booted feet, not caring if it got on the leather. The bastard had hit her, it was the least she could do.

The man drew close, grabbing her face. His grip was painful, fingernails digging into her cheek and jaw. "I kill them because I enjoy watching the fear in their eyes. Just like when I killed Adsila. If only she had wanted me like I wanted her. I showed her in the end. Just like every other whore. Be grateful, Starr. Be grateful that you are not one of them."

"Oh believe me, Tak. If'n ya tried, ya'd lose more'n jus' yer balls." It was hard to speak, but somehow she managed to spit the words out dripping with contempt. Her eyes never left his deeply tanned face, thinking up ways to make him suffer... painfully.

Her glare made him smirk. "You are fire, Starr. You have no fear. That is what I have always liked about you. Again, it is shame you did not let me teach you. I could have made you great." He released her jaw and patted her cheek, the force of it sharp and harsh before his gaze turned to Yancy. "Are you done?"

The man had finished tying her hands minutes ago. He just stood there, gaping at the Indian man. "Uh... yeah."

"Good." Tahakyk turned back to the woman. "Sit." He grabbed her shoulder and forced her down to her knees."Stay put. Yancy, watch her but do not touch her. You will die if you do."

All Kristal could do was glare and mull over what she had learned. However, realizing Tak was about to leave, her gaze snapped up to the saddle tramp, a smirk working over her face. "Yeah, Yancy... don't touch me." She mocked. "Ya don't wanna die."

The Indian turned to her and grabbed her face, lowering his head inches from hers once more. His expression was filled with cruel malice. "Do not try me. I will make your friends die most painful of deaths." Releasing her, he then turned and stalked off into the night.

Rotating her jaw at the Indian-man's bruising touch, she glared after him. If ya harm them, I'll kill ya in the most painful o' ways, Kristal's dark thoughts followed the Apache's disappearance. Her gaze then turned on the saddle tramp as he stood across from her.

Once Tahakyk disappeared, Yancy's gaze shifted to the woman. He might fear the Indian-man, but this woman was oh-so-tempting, especially tied up. What could she possibly do to him? His eyes trailed over her entire body, dark orbs flashing with desire. His desire was growing, the more he looked at her. She was helpless. Easy. He could take what he wanted from her and be done by the time the Indian came back. What Tahakyk didn't know wouldn't hurt, right? Besides, maybe he could use the leverage of what he just learned against the Apache. He doubted Ace would be too happy to find out his murdering Indian was less of a man.

Watching the man look her over was disgusting. Kristal could see the lust in his eyes and it made her stomach churn. She needed to figure herself out of this situation and fast.

"Purdy thing like you should be wearin' a dress. Make ya look more like a lady rather than some ratchety desperado." Yancy licked his lips, wanting the woman more than anything.

"That right? Sorry to disappoint?"

"No matter... kinda funny how ya still look girlie in them clothes ya got on. It don't hide yer figure none. Makes me..." Yancy didn't finish his thoughts. He shivered and stepped towards her. "D'ya know how long it's been since I've had a girl... two god awful months."

"Am I supposed ta give a shit?" Kristal snapped irritable. She couldn't move much, but thanks to the loose rope around her wrists she was able to reach for the knife she had hidden in her boot. "'Cause I really don't. Not sure how any girl would want ta be with ya anyhow. Even paid whores would find ya disgustin'."

The man's gleaming eyes lingered on her chest, ignoring her words. He was fixated on her body, her curves, the blood flowing down between her breasts. "Oh lookee there, you're hurt. I don't think cleanin' the blood on ya counts as touchin'."

"Sure it does. Yer jus' an idiot." Once again she snapped at him, knowing it was only a matter of time before he ignored Tahakyk's warning.

"Callin' me names sugar ain't gonna help yer situation any." He came closer and reached out to her.

Kristal flinched as his fingers touched her neck. He had a handkerchief in his fingers and he started to wipe the blood that had trailed down her collarbone to between her breasts. He didn't stop there either. His hand started to move inside her shirt where he discarded the handkerchief. She glared at the man, disgust coursing through her. She had to fight off the cold shiver that threatened to work up her spine. "Callin' ya names may not help, but it sure does make me feel better. Now get yer damn hand outta m' shirt."

Little did he know, she had finally managed to grab the knife hidden in her boot and she was already making short work of the ropes at her ankles. If she had to stomach the man's unwanted touching for much longer, she was going to be sick.

"Tahakyk ain't here. Yer friends ain't here. Probably off dyin'. There ain't no one to protect ya." Yancy was breathing heavily and moved in closer to her. His hand had since disappeared inside her shirt, his fingers searching. His free hand grabbed her arm to hold her close as she tried to back away from him. "I get ya all ta myself, so stop yer squirming." He leaned down to breathe in her scent, his nose in her hair.

Kristal swore as his hand started to slide under her chemise, it was only a matter of time before... And the ropes were finally free around her wrists. A smirk was at her lips in a flash, a dark, sly fire ignited in her eyes. Her expression caused the man to hesitate as he lifted his head back up to look at her, his gaze growing confused at the triumphant look that washed over her features.

"Who says I need protection?"

The ropes fell from around her wrists and she twisted her knife and brought it up and into the side of Yancy's throat. A gurgling sound came from his lips as he spat out blood. Spatters of blood sprayed over her face and as the man fell backwards he grasped her shirt, ripping a couple buttons off of it as he collapsed.

"God damnit, I just fixed those!" Sewing buttons onto her shirt was surely getting old. Why couldn't men keep their damn hands to themselves?

Standing up, she kicked the dead Yancy, angry with him for ruining a perfectly good shirt and touching her without her consent. "Stupid asshole, ya deserved what ya got." As she looked up, movement caught her eye and Doc came into view. "Scurlock!" God, was she happy to see him.

"Oh God, Kris you're okay!" Doc's voice was a comfort and he rushed over and hugged her. The form of affection surprised her. When he pulled away he looked her over, unashamed. "Your face... and wait... what happened to your neck?" His face then reddened and his eyes quickly darted elsewhere. "And your... uh... shirt?"

The woman waved aside his worry and questioning, quickly realizing Billy wasn't with the man. "Later. Right now I'd like ta know where Billy is?"

Doc frowned, but didn't press for answers. He simply shook his head, "I dunno. We got separated. A man came at us. We both shot at him. He dropped dead and another came out of the darkness. Billy drew his attention and ran off. Before he did, he told me to find you and make sure you were okay."

Another gunshot sounded and Kristal's gaze turned to the darkness that surrounded them. Her brows furrowed looking for any sign of Billy - a shadow, a silhouette, something. "We gotta find him. Tahakyk is out there." She worried what the renegade would do to Billy if he found him.

"Who?" Doc asked stupidly. Of course it didn't matter who this person was, just that he would do harm to their friend, but he was worried too. He might not like Billy's way of doing things, but he didn't want to see the man harmed.

"He's a renegade Indian," she explained as she started to move in the direction Tahakyk had gone. The soft glow of the bound fire, barely cast any light out this far from the center, nor did the lone lantern near the fires base. The darkness was hindering her search.

"He was part of an Apache tribe 'fore they exiled him. He's good at hidin', sneakin', an' stealth killin'," Kristal continued, not bothering to add that he liked to mutilate his victims before he killed them. She didn't want to worry Doc more than he already was.

"So, he's like you." Doc was still trying to understand.

"Yes an' no." Kristal sighed, searching the darkness for any sign where the man might have gone. But without more light, it was practically useless. "Tahakyk has been known to kill anyone for the right price, even women and children. He's also known for raping, scalping, and burning folk alive."

"So, not a good man."

Kristal rolled her eyes at Doc's assumption. "Quite the opposite actually."

Another gunshot echoed across the hills, followed by two more. Kristal and Doc looked at each other with worry, trying to pinpoint the direction the sound came in. The two were about to run off and hope for the best when William Bonney was pushed forward into the dim light on the far side of the makeshift camp. A rope circled his neck and he was covered in dirt; the blue-eyed man did not look happy at all. Tahakyk stepped into the light behind him with a gun trained at the blond boy's head.

"Missing someone?" The renegade sneered. He eyed the fiery woman noticing she was free of her bindings and shook his head. "Should have known you would get free." His gaze turned to the dead Yancy a few yards from her. "And you killed Yancy. I can not say I am sad about that. You did me a favor, saved me killing him later. He knew too much."

"Course I got free! Did ya have any doubts? Ya should know me better'n that!" Kristal kept her eyes on him, trying to find a way to keep the man from doing any harm to Billy. "Ya were a fool ta think the dead dumbass was capable o' holdin' me."

The copper skinned man scoffed, "It might have crossed my mind that you would get free. Yancy was not smart, no. But I am no fool. That is why I thought to have some leverage." He motioned to the blond man with his gun. He then tilted his head, gauging her reaction. To his dismay, she didn't give much of one. That needed to change and with a pull of his hand, he yanked hard on the rope around Billy's throat.

A sharp, pained gasp rushed out of Billy's mouth surprised at the sudden tightening against his wind pipe. The action and Billy's struggle for air caused Kristal to swear, her hand reaching out as if to stop the Apache, but it was in vain. She was too far away to do anything to stop the man.

As the rope then loosened a little, Billy coughed and shook his head to clear it. He kept his gaze down, angry and frustrated that this man got the drop on him. He couldn't bare to look Kristal in the eyes. A bunch of crazy ideas popped into his head, but he banished them for the moment. As long as Kristal's life was threatened, he would not try anything so daring.

The Apache's dark eyes took in Kristal's expression and how much she actually worried for the man. He found it interesting. "It good thing I found your man fumbling around in the dark. He lost his way. Maybe I help him find it." He cocked his gun and pointed it at the back of Billy's head.

The sight of the gun's glint at Billy's skull made her freeze, Kristal knew she couldn't show any emotion. However, as it was, she had already shown too much and now Billy's life was dangling from a thread... because of her. Tahakyk looked for weakness to exploit and she knew that. Damnit all, she knew better! "He ain't m' man, Tak. He's a friend. O' course ya don't know the meanin' o' havin' friends, though." Maybe, just maybe she could turn this around in her favor so Billy and also Doc wouldn't be harmed.

"Friends are weakness. They get you killed. If you did not care about this man you would attack me or walk away. But you do not. Why? Because you care that this fool-man might get in the way and he get hurt in process or that I might shoot him here and now."

Kristal swore inwardly, Tahakyk was right. Making friends was a form of weakness, but not having friends was worse. That had been her life for eighteen years; it had been a lonely existence. That had since changed. In the beginning, they might have had a rough start. Friendship had seemed impossible. But now these boys meant a great deal to her. More than she ever thought possible. And maybe Billy was close to being a part of that too... maybe. Still, she should have known the native-man always had an extra plan to fall back on. He had been prepared, trying to use her friendship as a means to gain the upper hand. "Let him go Tak... ya don't want him."

"No. But Ace wants him dead." The man scoffed and pulled the rope tighter. Pain flickered over Billy's face and he reached up to try and loosen the thick cord while gasping for air. "I can give him that."

Panic arose inside her. Panic for the boy she often claimed to loathe, for the boy she might consider friend despite how much he drove her crazy. She was not one to panic easily. Very few things scared her. But now, this was like nothing she had ever felt before. So why was she feeling it now and with Billy of all people. Damn her, she cared for the asshole just like Tahakyk claimed. She still couldn't stand him half the time, but she cared enough to not want him hurt. "You kill him, I kill you and neither you or Ace gets what ya want."

The renegade mulled over her words and he tilted his head and gave a weighted nod knowing that to be true. She was a far better gunhand than he was. If he strangled the blond man to death, Kristal could pull her gun and shoot him. He was not willing to lose his life like that. He was a warrior, he would die fighting. "Then we are at a stand still." He loosened his grip on the rope so Billy could breathe again, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

Once again Kristal eyed Billy. His head was still bowed and she noticed how his right hand kept moving to his left arm. Was he favoring it? Was Billy hurt? Wait, was that blood? It was hard to tell in the dim light. Anger flooded her features and her eyes lit with fire. Billy was hurt! She had to get him to safety, but how? Tahakyk was right, they were at a stand still. Then a thought came over her. Not the best idea, but it was better than nothing. "No, we ain't... I'll take his place."

Tahakyk coughed out a dry, humorless laugh. "I do not believe you. You must think I am..." he got no further as she started to move, his previous words dying in his throat. "Wait, what are you doing Starr?"

Already anticipating that he was not going to believe her, she rolled her eyes and started to unbuckle her gun belts. "What's it look like?" Men could be so dense. Holding out her belts to Doc, she asked him if he would take them and he did with his mouth agape.

"Kris... what're you doing?" Doc was afraid of her answer. He had an idea of what she was planning and didn't like it at all. Wasn't there some other way?

"Disarmin' m'self. Can't very well take Billy's place with all these weapons on me." She made a show of taking each knife out of its hidden spot on her body, holding it up to Tahakyk and then setting it down on the ground.

Watching her, Doc was surprised to see that she had so many knives hidden on her. As she moved to the one strapped to her thigh, he shook his head. "There's gotta be another way."

"Not that I can see, Doc. I ain't thrilled about this either. But none o' ya are gonna die fer me." As she tossed the last one on the small pile of blades, she tilted her head back to Tahakyk. "There. That's all."

Finally Billy tilted his head up to look at her, confusion in his eyes along with worry and wonder. "Yer not doin' this Kris. I'm not goin' anywhere."

Tahakyk smirked, "sounds like he does not mind dying for you."

Ignoring the Apache, she shook her head and stepped forward. "Like hell yer not. Start walkin' Bonney." Holding her hands out so the man could see she was not going to do anything funny against him, she took another step.

Tahakyk watched her while keeping his gun trained on the blond man. Holding the rope tightly, he waited till the woman got half way before he released his grip. However, Billy didn't move. Irritated, the Indian man fired at his feet before shoving him forward. "Move before I put a bullet in your head."

The man took a step at being pushed and then stopped. His eyes were locked on Kristal's and she could see the concern he held for her. "It's a'right Billy... it'll be jus' fine. Jus' walk over ta Doc... please."

"I ain't gonna let them get ya Kris. I ain't movin'." Billy said stubbornly. "If I'm ta die, then so be it."

Swearing, she stood completely vulnerable at the halfway point between Doc and Tahakyk. Why was Billy so damn stubborn? Couldn't he just do as she said. Another gunshot sounded this time at Kristal's feet. She merely flinched as dirt sprayed over her.

"Move, or I hurt her. She easy target from where I stand." Tahakyk growled, cocking his gun again.

Billy frowned not knowing what to do. Kristal's plea had made his brows rise in surprise. But didn't she see? He had gotten himself into this mess, either he got himself out of it or he died trying. However, the threat of Kristal being hurt made his blood boil. "Hurt her and you will regret it."

"I do not think you are in a position to be making threats." Tahakyk said and turned his gun on Billy. He fired and the bullet purposely grazed his already injured arm.

"No!" Kristal shouted.

Billy hissed in pain, his right hand moving to cover the new graze. This one was deeper he could tell. But what affected him most was Kristal's panicked shout. Looking up he could see the fear on her face. It tore at him. He wanted to rush to her and tell her it was going to be just fine, but he knew better.

"Next one will be through your back. Or do you want me to shoot her? It is gamble... if you do not move. Now get going!" The renegade was growing annoyed and fast.

"Billy... it'll be fine. Jus' walk ta Doc. Please." Kristal tried again, noticing the bloom of blood over his dirty white shirt. Her eyes pleaded with him to start walking.

Heaving a sigh, Billy stared at her. Those eyes were a glow with the dim light of the fire. It made his breath hitch and he nodded. "Alright." He took a step and frowned feeling like every move forward was putting Kristal in more and more danger.

"If you stop walking, white boy, I will shoot you." Tahakyk growled, his gun trained on the man. "And who knows, maybe Starr will get caught in that fire. I only need her alive, but I can make her bleed." The renegade then snarled, "and with you dead. Ace will not have to worry about anyone coming to aid her."

Kristal could see the muscles in Billy's jaw tense as he approached her. His eyes however never left her. His gaze searched her, lingering on her cheek, neck and shirt. A darkness crossed his eyes and she noticed him clench his fists.

As he approached, Kristal had to resist the urge to reach out to him. "Keep Doc safe, Billy. It'll all be okay." Kristal said loud enough for Tahakyk to hear before adding in Spanish, her tone hushed, "si llega la oportunidad, dispárale."

Billy gave her a quizzical look before nodding, his head turning as he passed her, "ya got nothin' to worry about Kris. Doc an' I will be fine. Promise." As soon as he reached Doc, Billy whirled around, pulling the rope off his neck and gripping a gun in both hands despite the pain in his left arm. To his dismay, that Indian bastard already had her.

The renegade had one arm around her chest and his gun pressed against her temple. "We shall be taking our leave. Do not worry. Ace will take good care of her... Tied to his bed." The man smirked at the anger that crossed both the blond's faces. "Do not follow. It will not end well for you or for her."

***

To say Kristal hadn't been terrified for Billy's life would have been the largest understatement of her life. Fear had filled her very being. She knew what Tahakyk was capable of -- Cold blooded murder. And he liked to make a show of it, to cause pain to those watching. Which is why the man had nicked Billy's shoulder. To send a message to her that he was done messing around. The next bullet would kill him. That was why she thought up the idea to trade places as soon as Billy had stepped into the light with a rope around his throat and gun at his head. If there was one thing about Tahakyk, he saw things to completion. He would want her, in order to give her to Ace and he knew if he killed his leverage, she would kill him.

Her plan had gone off without a hitch and now she was at the bastard's mercy. Or at least that's what Tahakyk thought. As annoying as it was, she was relieved to know that Billy and Doc were safe. Now, she just needed to figure herself out of the situation she had gotten herself into. Her mind was working over time. There was no way she was going back to that jackass Ace.

The Apache whistled for his horse and waited patiently as it trotted over on command. She had to keep her eyes off Billy and Doc as they watched her. She could see their worry and anger and it was distracting. Already she was working out a plan. It was kind of reckless, but nothing else came to mind.

Soon enough, the man's horse came close and he urged her towards it. Silently apologizing to the horse, Kristal pulled a sharp thorny stick from her pocket. She hadn't bothered to clean out her pockets from their escape from Kinney and now she was glad she didn't. The thorns on the stick from those prickly plants they rode through would work perfectly. As she was forced over to the horse, Kristal slid the thorn covered plant beneath the saddle. Any slight pressure would make the horse want to shed the weight bearing pain. Again, not the best plan, but if it worked, it would serve its purpose. If it didn't work, well, she'd figure that out after

Placing her foot into the saddle, the horse was already growing uncomfortable. It bobbed its head and shifted. Tahakyk shifted his gun into the other hand in order to grab the horse's reins to keep the beast steady. Lifting herself off the ground, the horse reared, letting out a shrill whinnied squeal. The force of the horse's rearing, threw her back into Tahakyk and the large creature took off at a run.

As the two landed on the ground, the renegade's gun flew from his hand. Winded, Kristal pulled herself up, only to have a fistful of her hair yanked backwards. An arm wrapped around her throat as she fell back into the renegade.

With all her strength, she elbowed the man in the stomach several times until he finally let her go. Coughing she scrambled away from him and turned to face her would-be captor.

"I thought I've told ya... never underestimate me." Kristal hissed, her voice raspy, her throat sore from the knife and the tight hold.

"I will admit, you are a crafty she-demon." The man watched her, eyes darkening with anger. "What did you do to my horse?"

"A girl never reveals her secrets," Kristal claimed, a smug smirk lifting the corner of her lips. "I ain't goin' back ta Ace. I'll die first."

"I can make that happen." He pulled a large knife from his belt and swiped at her. "You are more trouble than you are worth."

Jumping back, she smirked at his comment and the sound of hurried footsteps caught her hearing. She glanced to the right to see Billy and Doc approaching. Billy had his guns in hand ready to fire as soon as he got a clean shot. Doc had his rifle at the ready as well.

Tahakyk lunged, taking Kristal down to the ground before the men could get off a shot. She landed with a thud, the back of her head hitting the hard dirt ground. The man's knife caught her in the shoulder. Thankfully not too deep, but it did draw blood. That didn't deter her, even though she was weaponless. Grabbing a handful of dirt, she threw it into Tahakyk's eyes.

Swearing profusely, the man's empty hand swung at her, his fist connected with her face while using the back of the hand holding his knife, to wipe at his eyes. Using the small moment of reprieve, Kristal twisted her leg around his and pulled him to the side, trying to get him off of her.

Instead of being thrown to the side like she wanted, he held on and she ended up on top of him. He grabbed a fistful of dirt and tried to throw dirt into her eyes as well to level the playing field and then lifted his knife to slow her. Thinking fast Kris knocked his dirt filled hand back and grabbed his bladed hand, pushing it away from her. The Apache growled, dropping the dirt to grab her free wrist and pulled her upwards while also using his lower body to launch her over his head.

Kristal sailed forward, above and over Tahakyk's head. Seeing the ground coming at her, she ducked her own head in order to somersault and used the momentum to get back to her feet. Thankfully, the Indian had released her in an attempt to do the same.

"Damn, she's good." Billy breathed, proud of her offensive and defensive techniques. Before pulling his gun and firing at Tahakyk's feet now that Kris wasn't entangled with him. He could have killed him. Hell, he wanted to kill him. But he held back, if only for a moment to see what Kris wanted to do with him. "Don't move dipshit or I'll make a pin hole right 'tween yer eyes."

Following Billy's lead, Doc lifted his own gun after flinging Kristal's gun belts over one shoulder, keeping them close. She had entrusted them to him and he would keep them safe.

A smirk hinted at the edges of Kristal's lips knowing both her friends had her back. It was almost as if there hadn't been a time where she had questioned their loyalty and friendship to her. It was a nice switch from the beginning of her time with them.

Tahakyk swore in native and spat on the ground, trying to search for a way out of his situation no doubt. His words were cold, cursing them all to the depths of hell.

Chuckling at his actions and the debasing words he used, even if they were in a foreign tongue, Kristal couldn't help but be amused. She knew some of the Apache language, mostly the foul words that most tribes would not dare utter. At least not in front of their women. Tahakyk had never cared about his tribes morals, or women in general. Hell, she knew the man to be a sore loser, and his expletives were proving that to be true. The renegade's pride was wounded. She knew the warrior in him wanted to fight to the death, or in her case until she couldn't fight no more. He had another thing coming this time around. "Guess ya lost, Tak ol' boy," Kris taunted.

"No. You cheated. You had your men protect you. It is an unfair advantage. Not the warrior way." He spat again, this time at her feet. "If you fought me fairly, you know you will lose." Tahakyk was glaring at them. His deeply tanned face covered in dirt.

Kristal scoffed, feeling the need to defend her pride, "that right?" Holding out her hand, she didn't even glance back at the blond boys. "Doc, hand me m' knife, if ya would?"

The whimsical poet stared at her in shock. Wait, was she serious? He just shook his head not wanting to oblige. "What?! Kris ya ain't thinking..." The Indian had baited her. And she took it!

"Jus' give me m' knife Doc. Now... please." The woman's tone was firm and serious, leaving no room to argue.

Grumbling under his breath, he pulled the Bowie knife she had in the fancy sheath on her gun belt. Placing the hilt into her hand, he stared at her, but she didn't bother to look at him. Her eyes never left the renegade. "You got nothing to prove, Kristal," Doc tried again.

"I know, I don't. But I do enjoy puttin' an asshole in their place." Kris knew Doc didn't approve. The man didn't seem to approve of any of her actions. Now Billy on the other hand... if she could get him to trust her and lower his weapon, she could finish this. "Stand down, Billy."

Stubborn as always, Billy shook his head. Even as he noted that she had actually said his name numerous times that evening, rather than using his last name like she normally did. He liked hearing it on her lips. Still, if she thought he was going to simply let this man hurt her... "No. I ain't gonna."

Sighing, she shook her head. Her gaze never moved from her opponent, but when she spoke, her words switched to Spanish leaving both Doc and the renegade to only wonder at what they were saying. "Chivato, tengo esto. Confía en mí."

Surprise filled Billy's features, forgetting momentarily that she was just as fluent in Spanish as he was, despite her earlier quick request. It hadn't even phased him until now. Her every word was perfectly enunciated like she had learned the language at a young age or had been immersed in the culture. It made him wonder how she knew the language so well. Yet, her request frustrated him. She wanted him to trust her. He did trust her. It was the ass-hat injun he didn't trust. "Confío en ti. Es en él en quien no confío. Él ya te lastimó."

Finally she turned her eyes to Billy, knowing that both blondes had their guns on Tahakyk. Green eyes pierced his, the deep jade color willing him to believe her. "Entonces confía en mí. Él no va a ganar. Prometo." She needed him to believe her. To have that faith. This time, she was going to win and Tahakyk was going to lose. "Ten fé en mí."

Something stirred in Billy, his heart pounded at those words. Have faith in me. He had been foolish too many times to not have faith in her. His gaze shot to her shoulder, a twinge of guilt coursed through him. He would not make that mistake again. A smirk quirked at the edge of his mouth, his normally light blue eyes, now dark in the night, sparkled with pride. "Siempre, querida." As she turned her head back to Tahakyk, the man lowered his gun. Billy hoped Kristal would kick that jackass to hell and back again. But he would also be watching closely. If things did go south, he would kill the man to save the fiery woman.

The only sign that Billy's words had affected Kristal in any way was the slight downwards tick of her brow. She couldn't dwell on what his words might mean. Always, darling. Damn, did that man confuse the hell out of her. Yet, why did those words also make her feel a little... strange. Later! She would think about it when she wasn't about to square off with one of the best knife fighters she had ever known. Chavez and Nashkoba Red Hawk being the only others.

Not bothering to move, Tahakyk sneered at them. "Do you think I am not smart man? If I attack, he will shoot me. Is that not what you two just said in your strange tongue?"

"Actually, no. I told him to let me kill ya. He obliged. Ya wanted a fight, ya got one. Jus' don't let it hurt yer pride too bad when ya lose,'' Kristal claimed, her confidence high.

"You are too confident, Starr. That will be your downfall." As soon as the last word exited his mouth, he was running at her with his Bowie knife held high and his other arm low to block any major organ or artery she might try for. A blood curdling war cry left the renegades lips as he prepared to leap at his opponent.

Standing her ground, Kristal dug her back foot into the dirt to give her a foothold so she wasn't pushed back. As the man closed in, her gaze watched his every movement while gripping her knife in hand so the flat side of the blade was flesh against her wrist and arm. Once he was close enough the man brought down his knife, towards her shoulder. Pressing her lips together, Kristal twisted her shoulder back, away from his knife and grabbed his upper arm with her empty hand to push him to the side. The knife in her right hand, flicked forward at the slightest jerk of her wrist, catching Tahakyk in the side as he was pushed passed her, leaving a large gash. The renegade corrected and turned, back handing her across the face.

A growl escaped her gritted teeth. That was the last time he was going to hit her in the face! If she didn't end up with a black eye by morning, it would be a damn miracle. Her face hurt, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Backstepping, she rotated her aching jaw and spat out the blood once again pooling in her mouth. Seeing her hesitation, he came at her again, his knife swinging in an arch towards her chest. Again she tilted back, barely missing the sharp edge of his knife. The man didn't stop there, seeing that she had dodged, he lifted his foot and kicked her in the stomach.

The force of the kick left her winded and she stumbled back a few steps away from the Apache renegade. Hearing the clicking sound of a gun, she raised her hand, eyes staring at Tahakyk. The man's expression was triumphant. He already felt like he was winning. Good. That's what she wanted. Keeping her head down, to keep her hair covering her features, even as she watched him through the strands of gold, Kristal smirked. Tahakyk was now confident in thinking he was about to win. He assumed she was taking a breather, when she was ten steps ahead. Her mind had already worked out the plan and path she was going to take to end Tahakyk.

Lifting her bladed hand, her thumb dabbed at the blood edging at her lips. She could tell her nose was bleeding as well. Let the man think that he had overpowered her, she was just biding her time.

"No le dispares. Estoy bien." Kristal called out in Spanish knowing it was Billy who had cocked his gun. It was strange to know they were watching her back, looking out for her. She had to admit it was nice. For once she didn't feel alone or like she needed be so guarded.

The renegade Apache warrior twirled his knife expertly, waiting and watching her. "I'm tired of this strange tongue you speak. I will end this. Maybe I cut out your tongue then you can no longer speak like slippery tongued snake." The man sprang forward again, switching the knife to his left hand.

This time he brought the knife down low in order to swipe up. Straightening, she twisted to the side and brought her pointed boot up to kick the man in the side. Her boot connected and the man grunted at the steel tip breaking his lower ribs. But he was not to be outwitted; he switched his knife into his other hand at the last minute and swung his arm in a backwards motion cutting her thigh as she pulled back.

Kristal didn't make any notion that he had cut her, even as her leg bled profusely. With a quick twist, her knife switched to her other hand and she was on the attack again. She feinted low, but when he moved to block her as Kris knew he would, the woman whirled high, her speed a blur as her knife slid across his collarbone. The gash was deep, and it made the man step back to reassess.

However, Kristal didn't give him the chance to pause and take a breath. Closing in, Kristal Starr was a whirlwind of movement and it was all Tahakyk could do to try and block her blows. She cut him again, this time across the stomach and again across his bicep. In a vain attempt to stop her, he caught her chest, but it was a shallow cut. He tried again to attack her but the man was slowing from blood loss and exhaustion. Still he shot his arm out in a wild arch. The blonde dodged her head and Tahakyk was relieved to see that his knife had managed to catch her jaw.

Swearing, Kristal was done playing cat and mouse. As he tried to bring down his knife, in a blinding flash of movement she grabbed his wrist pushing his arm with her forearm before twisting her wrist, the Bowie knife rendered flesh apart and dug into the muscle of the Apache's arm. He lost all muscle movement and his knife dropped. She caught it and grinned giving it a little triumphant flip in the air before catching it again.

"Yer weaponless, Tak. What now? Ya wanna continue? Or ya wanna give up?"

With another ear splitting war cry, the man rushed her in the hopes to overpower her. Standing her ground, waiting patiently, Kristal watched the angry man running at her. As he got close, he tried to jump at her. Instead of tackling her to the ground, Kris sidestepped right before he reached her and her knife lodged deep into his stomach. The man gasped freezing as she held him there. "Like I said. Ya underestimated me. Bet ya won't let that happen again," she whispered into his ear before pulling her knife out of his stomach and the man fell to his knees on the ground. Gut wounds were almost always a death sentence, Tahakyk would surely die.

Turning back to Billy and Doc, they both stared at her trying to register what they had just witnessed. The woman was a fighter like they had never seen before. They stood there a moment before hurrying over to her. Doc again wrapped her in a hug, and she winced.

A relieved grin spread over Doc's face and he nodded. It was a little hard for him to comprehend what he had just seen. He had never seen a woman fight like that. Chavez maybe, but he was a man. With a shake of his head, to break him out of his reverie, Doc offered her gun belts back. "These are yours, I reckon."

"Thanks Doc." She nodded back, but didn't smile. Smiling pulled at the cut on her cheek and it stung.

"Anytime, Kris." The man patted her shoulder gently and moved away.

Feeling a gentle touch at her cheek, her gaze shifted to Billy. She half expected that wild, teasing light to be shining in his eyes, but instead she saw concern and... pride? "It's jus' a cut, Bonney. It'll heal."

"I know... it's just..." Billy shook his head, at a loss for words. Finally he blurted, "I'm glad you're okay."

The woman chuckled and placed her hand on Billy's shoulder, "I thought ya had faith in me."

Billy's grin was swiftly back. "Like I said, always, Querida. But, I still worried." His grin faltered as Doc moved away from her. The cut on her cheek wasn't the only injury she carried. Seeing the gash on her chest and the bloody line across her neck, the concern returned to his eyes. "An' rightly so. He hurt ya."

"He did cut you up good, Kris. That leg wound looks bad."

Doc's concern reached her ears and she glanced down to see the cut in her pants and the blood staining the cloth. "I'll bandage it up an' it'll be right as rain. Nothin' ta fret over boys." Taking a deep breath, she glanced back at Tahakyk who was now curled up on the ground. "Seems like we're done here. Le'me get m' knives an' we can head back."

"Sure thing Kris," Doc acknowledged with a nod watching her move to the pile of knives. "You're a brave woman Kris. I can't believe you took him on all by yourself." He shook his head still in disbelief. With a sigh he motioned to the darkness, "I'll go get the horses. I'll be grateful to be back on my bedroll and get some much needed shut eye." The man turned to retrieve their mounts, leaving Kris and Billy alone with the half dead renegade.

As Kristal slipped each knife back into their hide-y hole, Billy stared down at the gun he had in his hand. Doc might be surprised at the woman's courage, bravery, and selflessness, but he wasn't. She was a remarkable woman and it had scared the shit out of him that she might have not made it through that fight. Movement caught his eye, and he looked up to see Kristal strapping her gun belts around her waist. He chewed on the inside of his cheek mulling over his feelings. She amazed him in more ways than one. But, he knew that if he were to tell her that she'd get that confused look in her eye and then shut him out. He was tired of being shut out. He wanted so much more than that... But what more did he want exactly? She ain't your type, he chided himself, remembering those thoughts from before. But what if he wanted her to be his type? It was something he might need to think more thoroughly over.

It was then a blur flashed in front of him, his heart leapt to his throat seeing a knife glinting in the dark. It was streaking towards the preoccupied Kristal. Her back was facing the blur of movement and he found himself once more fearing for her life. His breath caught in his throat as he lifted his gun and popped off three shots at the man rushing at Kristal.

Startled by the sound of gunshots, Kristal whirled around, her eyes wide to see Tahakyk only a few steps away from her. Any closer and he could have... It was not a pleasant thought. The renegade's hand was held high, the knife falling out of his still good hand, as he stumbled back. The copper skinned renegade was covered in blood, the bullet holes oozing red ichor like a flower blooming at the sight of the sun. He uttered something in Apache that made Kristal press her lips together before blood started spewing from his mouth like a fountain. The man then fell to the ground, dead.

Hurrying to Kristal's side, he reached for her to make sure she was okay. Her eyes turned to him and he let out the breath he had been holding. "Yer okay...?"

"Yeah... I uh... am..." Her tone sounded confused and unsure. "Thank ya, Billy. I didn't even hear him..." It sounded like she was bothered by that knowledge, or maybe it was more how close she had come to death's door, he couldn't be sure.

"Course!" Billy's heart was still pounding and he realized he hadn't released her arm yet. He was holding her wrist as if it were a lifeline, to feel her heart pumping in her veins. Damn, that had been close. Too close and it worried him. He didn't know what else to say. She seemed spooked and he wasn't sure exactly why. Was it because she had almost been killed by the man's knife? Or was it something else? "I got yer back, darlin'." His voice was void of any of his normal teasing and playful tone. He meant those words with all his heart.

"I heard the shots! What happened?" Doc rode up with Billy and Kristal's horse in tow. He eyed the two and raised a brow as Billy dropped Kristal's arm. His gaze then landed on the dead Indian only a few feet from Kristal before shifting to the woman. She was staring at Billy with a curious look on her face. Doc felt like he had missed some important exchange.

"Billy killed Tahakyk. He came at me... I didn't even know... I didn't hear him..." Her gaze shifted from Billy to Doc and then down to the dead man. "Seem's I owe ya, Bonney."

The mischief was quickly back in Billy's eyes. "I can think of a few ways ta pay me back." He winked at her and then chuckled as she rolled her eyes. "Kiddin'. Ya don't owe me nothin', Kris. It was my pleasure. Couldn't let that jackass hurt ya."

"Even still... ya need anything Bonney, don't hesitate ta ask." She hated to be in debt to anyone. And the thought of being in debt to Billy made her stomach churn a little. "Within reason o' course."

Billy smirked and shook his head. He should have known she was going to be stubborn. "Of course! But like I said, ya don't owe me a thing. I'm just glad yer okay."

Watching the two, Doc raised a brow. They were acting strange. Well, Billy always acted strangely. But Kris was being a bit weird too. "Okay...? Well, since we're all alive, can we go back to camp? I'm exhausted."

Amusement lit Kristal's eyes and she moved towards her horse. On the short trek there, she placed a hand on Billy's uninjured arm as she walked by, giving him a small grateful nod before letting it drop. It was a small gesture of gratitude, one that was not lost on the wild blond.

Reaching her horse, she pulled herself up, wincing some at the stinging sensation in her thigh. "Yeah, Doc. Let's head back. I'm quite tired too." For the moment though, she had a plethora of emotions warring inside her. How had she not heard Tahakyk come at her? Where had that knife come from? How was it that Billy had stopped the Apache when she hadn't? And had she let her guard down? Was she going soft? She should have made sure Tahakyk was truly dead. However, the feeling that dominated all of that was that she was again free of that asshole that wanted possession of her. It was a good feeling. Ace wouldn't know where she was, and she wouldn't have to worry about it for a while. She was once again out of Ace's clutches and it was a relief.

~~~~~~~

((Again, the Spanish/English translation for those not fluent in the language. And let me say, I am not fluent in the language at all. I know some, took Spanish classes and half my family is of Mexican/Spanish decent. I hear it often, but don't speak it. If, for whatever reason I got any of this wrong, I apologize. I'm trying my best.

Kristal - "si llega la oportunidad, dispárale" = "if the opportunity should come, shoot him."

Kristal - "Chivato, tengo esto. Confía en mí." = "Billy, I got this. Trust me."

Billy - "Confío en ti. Es en él en quien no confío. Él ya te lastimó." = "I do trust you. It's him I don't trust. He already hurt you."

Kristal - "Entonces confía en mí. Él no va a ganar. Prometo." = "Then trust me. He's not going to win. I promise."

Kristal - "Ten fé en mí." = "Have faith in me."

Billy - "Siempre querida" = "Always, darling."

Kristal - "No le dispares. Estoy bien." = "Don't shoot him. I'm fine."

Also, I know some don't like long chapters, and this one got quite long. I am sorry. As I went through to edit I ended up revising it a great deal. Originally it was only 6000 words. Now it's almost twice that. I'm sorry my darlin's. That's partially why it took longer than planned.

I still hope you enjoy.))