"Don't ye jus' look bright eyed an' bushy tailed this mornin'?" Wilkes called out as Kristal approached the barn. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail, her hat covering her wild strewn blonde locks. "Yeh look like yeh didn't sleep a wink last night, lass," Wilkes added with a raised brow as he fed his horse a sugar cube.

"Not much. The fella in the room next to me was playing some sort of instrument an' he was God awful at it." Kristal frowned and ran a hand down her face. "An' I'm here talkin' to you instead of gettin' m' mornin' coffee like I usually do." Two nights had past and she had gotten very little sleep and it was starting to affect her mood.

The Irishman chuckled at her sour attitude. "Heaven help us, yeh need that black water lass." God did he miss having her around. She kept him on his toes and made life interesting just in her banter alone. And even though he had a feeling he had no chance in hell with her, he still enjoyed flirting and teasing with her. Though, he knew he needed to be careful not to upset her too much. She might actually follow through with her threats on him. He wasn't that Billy Bonney after all.

"Ah, 'afore I forget, 'ere lass, thought yeh might want this." Wilkes reached into his pocket and pulled something small out. The man held out his hand to her and upon opening it, there in his palm was the little wooden animal Billy had been carving.

Raising a brow she took it from him. The look on her face was confused. "An' why do I want this?"

The man shrugged, "I dunno. Thought yeh might appreciate it, since yeh like t' carve them too."

With a roll of her eyes, she shook her head stuffing the animal into her pocket, pushing it far from her mind. She had more pressing matters to deal with at the moment. "Can we jus' figure out what yer gonna tell Belle. I got a long day ahead of dealin' with Bonney an' I'm pretty sure it's gonna be tryin'."

"Billy?" Wilkes queried his head jerking up, surprised at this information and then turned to her. "What's this, lass? What d'ye mean?"

Kristal waved a hand as if in dismissal. "Not much to talk about. I lost a bet and he's takin' me somewhere ta make sure I eat? Apparently there's some talk on me not eatin' enough."

"Yeh mean he's takin' ya on a da---"

"To a grand ol' place that has the best food she'll ever have had in her life. Other than my own ma's cookin' that is." Billy said coming into the barn, grateful he caught them talking. Wilkes had almost ruined it. He knew if Kristal thought this was a date then she would back out. And he was NOT going to take that chance.

Kristal simply stood there staring at Wilkes with suspicion in her eyes before turning those fiery eyes on Billy. "There better be no surprises or anything underhanded goin' on, Bonney."

"No, nothing at all, Querida. Promise," Billy stated placing the flat palm of his hand to his chest.

The woman rolled her eyes noting that the moniker was back again. She had hoped he had grown bored with his little sobriquet for her. Apparently not. "Fine. After I'm done talkin' to Wilkes, I'll get m' saddlebag and we can head out."

Billy's eyes slid to Wilkes before landing on Kristal. Were they gonna discuss Belle? The very thought made the rage inside him spark to life again. He needed to quench the flames before he said anything he might regret. Just the name Belle caused him to see red. The more he learned of that hateful woman the more he loathed her. "Maybe... I can help."

The Irishman turned from his horse hearing Billy's offer with a raised brow. So the lad apparently knew what Kristal was planning then? Appeasing the old bitch. Wilkes hated it. If he had it his way, he'd put a bullet in Belle's head and be done with it. But he also knew how cunning the old bitch was too. It was scary. Only Kristal knew the woman's wily ways and everything that Belle was truly capable of. "Maybe we should let him, lass. Three heads are better'n two, tha' be true."

Eyeing both men with a tired frown, Kristal finally threw up her hands. "Fine, why the hell not. Since ya seem to want to ingratiate yerself inta my life so much..." Her tone had fallen to an annoyed rasp. "What idea might ya have, Bonney?"

The blond man watched Kristal before lowering his eyes to the ground considering what he was going to say. "Well, I don't like the idea of you tellin' her that Wilkes found your location. Why can't we say ya were here and moved on?" Billy questioned with a shrug. "Keeps her guessin'."

With a heavy sigh, Kristal shook her head, "'cause..." She paused to lean against the fence. "I'm protectin' Wilkes. If he goes back to Belle an' says that I was here an' he missed me... again... she's gonna think somethin's up. That he's protectin' me. That's what I'm trying to avoid."

Surprise lit Wilkes' features and he turned to face Kristal as if seeing a new side of her. "Yeh'r protectin' me, lass? How kind o' ye. I appreciate tha'. Yeh'r mam is a mean one an' would surely kill me if she knew I was workin' with yeh an' not her."

"Don't get sentimental, Wilkes. I just take care o' my own. Unlike her," Kristal pointed out, not wanting to discuss her soft heart. Dark blonde brows drew together in thought as she considered what Billy said. Perhaps his idea wasn't so ridiculous. "Although..," Kristal drawled out, "Bonney does give me an idea. What if ya say I'm here, but caught me movin' on the next mornin'."

Both men looked at Kristal confused. Wasn't that what she was already doing? Well, not moving on, but going away for a few days? Though if Billy could make their trip longer, he most assuredly would.

"Problem is, Lass... I'm gonna need ta keep track o' yeh. She wants me to know exactly where yeh are fer whenever she decides to intervene." Wilkes felt the need to speak up. He didn't want to ruin Kristal's plan, but did she really want Belle knowing her every move?

For a moment, Kristal grew silent. Lost in thought as she worked out different scenarios in her head. "Then do it. But ya'll always be one step behind." Her musings were soft at first, still thoughtful as she worked it through in her head. "What's she want ya ta do? Send letters to her? Or what?"

"I'm figurin' letters. I guess... She weren't real specific. Jus' t' let ' er know when an' where we found yeh an' t' keep track o' yeh. I'm guessin' letters might be the best way."

Clarity dawned over Kristal's face and a smirk lit her face, "so she jus' wants small little notes then. Nothin' specific." The more she said it aloud the more her plan formed in her head. "So what yer gonna do, like I said, ya'll always be a step behind. After we leave Fort Sumner ya'll send yer letter sayin' ya saw me here, but movin' on. Ya'll tell her yer followin' my trail. Then whenever we get to where Billy's takin' me, an' ya finally roll in too, ya can send her one from there."

Understanding washed over Wilkes' face. "I get it. So by the time Belle is gettin' me letter, yeh'll already be gone."

"That's right. She'll never know where I'm goin' exactly. Jus' where I was."

Wilkes whistled and stared at the woman with pride in his eyes. "Damn! Yeh are brilliant, lass!"

Shrugging, she noticed Billy's brows draw together, but she ignored it. "I'm sure she'll catch on eventually. But by then, I'll hopefully have everything figured out on how I'm gonna deal with her..."

"Wait... does that mean Wilkes is gonna be followin' us everywhere we go?" Billy finally questioned. It was a good plan, he had to agree, but he didn't like the idea of having Wilkes tag along on this little trip. He wanted alone time with Kristal, not have Wilkes there watching his every move.

"Yes and no..." Kris began slowly, her eyes lifting to Billy. "Wilkes will always be a few days behind. An' mostly invisible. Ya won't even know he's there. That's the point. Belle wants me watched but she don't wanna engage yet. She's waitin' fer somethin' an' I ain't too sure what it is..." And she didn't like not knowing. Kristal knew Belle was biding her time for something and somehow she needed to figure out what it was before the old woman did something bad.

The frown that had made its way over Billy's features deepened. He didn't like this idea. It was a brilliant plan, but he didn't want no one watching him and Kris, least of all Wilkes. "How's he gonna know where we're going?"

"You can tell him." Kristal stated with a shrug as if it were obvious. "So, where are we goin'?"

The frown suddenly disappeared and a grin appeared on Billy's face catching her sly effort in trying to figure out where he was taking them."Oh no, Querida. That'd be tellin'. An' I want it to be a surprise, so mums the word."

Rolling her eyes, she turned away, "fine." A frown slid over her lips as she considered answering Billy's question. "Wilkes is a decent tracker. Least he should be since I taught him how ta track..." Wilkes frowned at her sarcastic tone, but Kristal ignored him. "He can follow my trail, if I leave one. Which, I'm gonna have ta do. Belle will think I'm gettin' lazy. Or that I feel like I don't need ta be so careful with her not approaching me just yet."

"Thanks fer yeh'r confidence Kris," Wilkes said flatly, not really sure she was praising him or criticizing him.

A smirk lit her face, amused at the red heads response, "anytime, darlin'." Turning to walk away, she waved a hand to the men. "I need ta get m' things an' have some coffee 'afore I deal with all this shit." She started to walk away and then paused to pull a silver plated pocket watch out of her pants, "give me ten minutes, Bonney. An' make sure yer ready by then."

"Sure thing, Querida!" Pulling his own pocket watch out of his vest, he nodded as his baby blue eyes scanned the rusted time piece. He was already ready, but he wanted to make sure he was done talking to Wilkes by the time she came back.

"So, where are yeh takin' the lass?" Wilkes questioned once Kris was out of hearing. His gaze lingered on the distant figure of Kristal before turning back to Billy, "an' did yeh cheat in this bet ya made with her t' go on this date with yeh?"

A laugh burst out from Billy as he shook his head. "No, I didn't cheat. I played fair an' square."

"I'm surprised, the lass is fairly good at gamblin' cards... Even though she hates it..." Wilkes trailed off seeing Billy shake his head and his brows drew together curiously.

"We didn't play cards. We played hide 'n seek." Billy's tone was filled with pride which caused Wilkes to raise a brow in disbelief.

"Yeh what?!" Wilkes was in shock. Kristal Starr did not seem like one for such childish games. "How the hell did yeh get the lass t' play a child's game with yeh?"

"I piqued her curiosity." There was still pride in Billy's voice. Proud that he managed to get the often stoic Kristal to lighten up and have fun. He was also proud of her for stepping up and giving into that playful side of herself. "She said she ain't ever played before. I made it sound interestin' an' she gave me her word."

"Aye, the lass is bound by her word," Wilkes agreed, knowing how she would go to great lengths to keep it. "So yeh bet her on who would win..."

"Actually, she offered up the bet too!" Billy clarified, a broad grin spreading over his face before he shrugged. "I know, surprised me too."

"So yeh two made a bet an' she lost? I'll be damned." Wilkes' tone was incredulous. "I would think she would win a game like tha'." Knowing how agile and lithe the young blonde was it surprised the Irishman.

Still grinning, Billy shrugged again, "what can I say, I'm just a fast runner." Sure he was being arrogant, but he loved a challenge. Though, he had been equally surprised that Kris had given him a run for his money. "I gotta say, she's quick on her feet though. Nearly had me beat." He then sobered a little, "I can't believe she's never played hide 'n seek b'fore... Or any of them kid games I used ta play as a kid. Thought it was a childhood staple."

It was not lost on Wilkes that Billy still didn't answer his first question about where he was taking Kristal. However, what the boy told him sadly did not surprise him. "Yeh don't know the ol' bag that be her mam. She's a real piece o' work tha' one. The lass was not allowed much o' the same kind o' lifestyle as yeh had or even me. She was shaped t' be a killer, not'in more."

The red head's gaze fell and he kicked at the ground, "I ain't known her long. At least not long enough for the lass to grace me with her deepest thoughts an' history. But she's been through hell with them that raised her. She didn't get a normal childhood from what I hear. All trainin' around men who were nothin' but assholes. Belle wanted her to become a weapon, a tool... An outlaw an' heartless killer."

"But she ain't like that. She's got heart an' a lot of it. If all she knew was Belle an' the gang then how..." He paused as he remembered Kristal mentioning the natives that had been a good part of her life. "The injuns... She was with them for a while..."

"Aye, she was. I dunno much about them though. She don't talk about them much." Wilkes shook his head, his expression sullen. He wished he did know more, but both Kristal and her ma were closed books on the subject. "An' Belle destests talkin' 'bout 'em. I think the old bat blames 'em for Kris havin' tha' heart yeh claim she's got."

"You don't think she's got heart?" Billy asked, his eyes narrowing accusingly at the man. Wilkes' comment rubbed him wrong.

"Nay, I do. I jus' don't get t' see it like yeh do, boyo. She's different 'round yeh an' them other boys." Wilkes then stopped considering Kristal's words from earlier. "Then again, she ain't ever talked about protectin' her own... Or that I was one of 'em. That was... new. Glad t' know she cares." The Irishman gave a soft chuckle a smile working at his broad lips. It made him feel far better about whatever possible friendship he and Kristal might actually have.

"She's loyal. That's for damn sure!" Billy admitted with a half smile of his own admiring her loyalty. However, his smile disappeared as he mulled over Wilkes words. Kristal did care. But how much did she actually care about Wilkes? His stomach started to twist into an uneasy knot. He didn't like where his thoughts were going.

"Agua Blanco." Billy said abruptly. He had grown tired of questioning Wilkes and wanted to be done with the man before Kristal returned.

"What?" Wilkes questioned in surprise not sure where the hell that had come from. What was he talking about about? "What the hell's that?"

"Means Whitewater. It's the town we're goin' too... Not so much a town no more. Growin' inta a city or so I hear."

"Wait... That's in Texas... Yeh know the lass is wanted in Texas...?" Worry crept into Wilke's voice knowing the law out that way was on high alert when it came to Kristal or any of the Starr Gang.

Nodding, Billy turned to move to his horse. He had prepared for the trip the night before so he was already ready to go. His saddlebag was hanging on the side of the stall ready to be attached to his saddle. "I know. We'll jus' keep a low profile. Most wanted posters are poor depictions of who they belong to. Have ya seen mine?"

Wilkes simply nodded and then reached into his saddlebag. The man searched for a minute and then pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Yeh ain't wrong. This be the lasses wanted poster. They got her lookin' more like one o' them natives she's so fond of."

Taking the paper, he eyed the image. The printed drawing did not do the blonde justice. Kristal's hair was dark and short, cropped to her ears. A feather in her hair was what made her appear more native born, along with a very square like manly jaw. Her lips were thin and her nose pointed. The only thing that looked like her was the eyes. He could almost imagine them being the fiery green he was so fond of.

"They say that's her?" Billy asked in disgust.

"I think they got her an' her mam confused. The jaw, lips and nose are definitely a part o' Belle's features," Wilkes explained. "Dunno where the hair came from... The lass hates that picture. Always tells me ta burn 'em when she sees 'em." He chuckled at the memory.

"She should. It's awful! That looks more like a man than Kris!" The very sight of the poster made him angry. Kristal was beautiful. Not that horrible mashup of what he guessed were different people.

"Now yeh see why she don't like it?" Wilkes shook his head and took the poster back to hide it in his saddlebag in obvious fear of the blonde returning and seeing it in his possession. "I only keep it for laughs an' t' remember, some lawmen don't know what she really looks like." But Wilkes also knew that there were others that knew exactly what Kristal looked like

"Well if that's the case, she should be jus' fine goin' to Agua Blanco." Billy's voice held confidence and a hint of excitement. He was looking forward to this trip.

"I suppose. Jus' be careful lad, there are still some who know what she does look like. She's got lawmen, bounty hunters, and even a marshall out fer her." The concern in Wilkes' voice was evident again.

"We'll be careful. I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to her." Billy was firm on that. He would protect and defend her even if it killed him. "I can promise ya that. As long as I'm alive an' she's with me, I'll make sure she'll be jus' fine."

The devout way the other boy said that made Wilkes' head tilt to the side, curiosity washing over his features. "Are yeh in love with her?" The Irishman's words spilled out, but he didn't care, he had to know.

A jolt went through Billy at Wilkes question. What was he to say to that? Did he even know the answer? He couldn't be in love, could he? But then why did he feel so strongly for the fiery girl? He kept pushing these thoughts aside but Wilkes boldly questioning him made all his feelings rush to the front. "I-I don't know..." It was the easy way out and he knew it. But he couldn't help but avoid the question. He did not want to have this conversation with Wilkes. He could easily admit, at least to himself that he did feel something towards Kristal. But was it love? And what if it was? But if he said it aloud it would seem so final, so real and then what? What could he even do about it? He knew how Kris felt about love. If he told her, she would run.

"Does it matter? Even if I did, you know how she is. She don't believe in any of that love nonsense. Her words, not mine. She thinks it's pointless and a waste. That it'll end bad, in heartbreak... And I don't want to lose her..." It was as honest as Billy could get without laying all his feelings down. "I can't lose her..." He added in a barely audible whisper.

A frown flicked over Wilkes' face. He did know about how Kris was. Her adversity towards love and feelings and emotions was tough. But if he were honest, he never thought she would become as close as she was with all the lads that call themselves Regulators either. "Well lad, sometimes yeh gotta take a risk. An' from what I've seen, yeh ain't afraid o' that." Wilkes led his horse out of the stables, "I don't wanna see her hurt. I care fer her. A great deal. She's done more for me than anyone ever has... If she would'a had me, I would'a taken it. But she shows me no interest. So, I'm merely happy t' be her friend, whether she acknowledges it or not."

The Irishman sighed and then shook his head, "but wit' yeh, boyo. She's different. Yeh rile her up like no one else an' yet she ain't killed yeh. That, in itself, is a miracle." He gave a slight chuckle as he mounted his horse. "I saw her wit' yeh last night. How she was dancin' and layin' her head on yeh'r shoulder. She ain't ever let anyone touch her like that... Not after..." His words fell off as he remembered the knowledge he had learned about Ace and Belle and decided not to repeat it. "Don't give up, lad. An' never let her go... Fight fer her, 'cause she's worth it. Might be hard an' tryin'. But, of yeh don't, well... yeh'll lose her fer good."

Billy was trying to absorb all of what Wilkes had just told him. It was a lot to take in, but good information nonetheless. It was a good thing he was stubborn then and liked a good challenge because that's exactly what Kristal Starr was. Wilkes has no idea that Billy was already fighting for Kristal. Chavez was... well, he didn't even know. Chavez still seemed hesitant. But Billy knew he would sure as hell fight for her. There was no question to that. He slowly nodded his head, before he realized the man was going somewhere. "What're you doing?"

"I'm gonna make sure Belle ain't send anyone else out this way. She's a paranoid type. I jes' wanna make sure." The man then smiled, "I may have no chance in hell with the lass, but I will look out for her... An' protect her if I can. Keep that in mind boyo." Wilkes flashed Billy a wily smile before he raced away as Kristal rounded the corner.

Billy half wondered if Wilkes was indeed in love with the woman too. How was it that this woman, with her coarse attitude and sharp tongue, managed to draw in so many men? She had a way about her that rallied them to her. They were either devoted by a platonic love like Charlie, Steve And Doc or by an unrequited love like Chavez, Wilkes, and unfortunately, he too was among that category. And yet, he knew he would do anything for her. Maybe he had lost his mind... Or his heart.

Shortly after the Irishman left, Kristal approached. Her questioning gaze turned to where Wilkes had disappeared and frowned. "Where's he goin'?"

"Scoutin' around. Makin' sure yer ma ain't got no one else followin'." Billy's tone was quiet, still lost in thought, considering what Wilkes had said.

"Ah, smart." She pulled her saddlebag from her shoulder and moved to the stall where her black mustang awaited. "Ready?"

A wide grin quickly stretched over Billy's face. It was easy to push aside all these crazy thoughts and emotions when he was looking forward to their time together."You have no idea! This is gonna be fun!"

Kristal rolled her eyes, "we'll see. Let's just get this over with."

********

Nearly two hours later the duo rode over the plains and deserts of New Mexico. Billy tried to make small talk, but Kristal was tight lipped, barely uttering a word. She wasn't in the mood to talk. She still had the lingerings of a headache from lack of sleep and it was starting to affect her mood negatively. As they rode, Kristal quickly guessed they were heading towards the Texas border and it was making her antsy. Where the hell were they going? Texas was a big state, but she had been all over doing heists. Many a lawman and bounty hunter were out looking for her and it made her nervous.

Unable to hold it in anymore, she glanced over at him. "Ya gonna tell me now where we're goin' or are ya still keepin' it a secret?"

Chuckling, Billy turned to her and shrugged. "I suppose it ain't gonna hurt none, now. We're headin' to Agua Blanco."

"Whitewater? Shit, Bonney! Are ya insane?! Ya realize I'm wanted in Texas? Dead or alive?" Kristal shook her head not sure about this trip. She wasn't looking for trouble and this made her instincts scream at her to turn back.

"We'll be careful. Promise." Billy turned his gaze forward, his smile turning crooked. "Besides, I bet those posters don't do ya justice. Nothin' like this..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the picture he and Kris had taken months ago. It seemed like forever since that had taken that picture together. "I got the best lookin' gal next to me here."

Kris rolled her eyes, "ya can't flatter me, Bonney." She remembered that photography session all too clearly and it still annoyed her. "I can't believe ya still have that damn thing."

"Ah, come now, Querida. I ain't trying to flatter ya. I only speak the truth." There was no way he was going to let her think otherwise. His gaze lingered on the picture, a soft smile curling at his mouth. "I keep it close to my heart. I don't plan on ever letting this one go." It was hard to tell if he was talking about the picture or the woman in the picture.

"Sure..." Kristal muttered under her breath oblivious to the added emotion in Billy's voice. She kept her gaze straight ahead, and alert as she pulled her hat down lower on her head in order to shade her eyes from the blaring sun.

As silence once again rested over them, Billy frowned. He hated the silence. It ate at him something fierce. It was like torture to him. But Kristal was quiet, once again barely responding to his efforts of conversation. Minutes turned into hours as they let the horses trot slowly so as not to tire them out too quickly.

Finally Billy couldn't handle it any longer. "Ya ever gonna talk about what Wilkes' said about that Ma of yours?"

A heavy sigh blew through Kristal's lips and she stiffened visibly. She knew it was coming, just didn't realize it would happen so soon. "Been waitin' ta get me alone ta ask me this?" Kris asked harshly. She still wasn't in the mood to deal with this.

A frown appeared over Billy's face, "I just want you to be able to talk about it. Ya can say anything to me. I'm here for you to talk to. No judgement. Just a friendly ear. "

"Maybe, I don't wanna talk about it. Ever think of that, Bonney?" Talking about it would unleash the turmoil and emotion that she was trying so desperately to bury deep inside her.

"Kris... Please.... Ya gotta---...."

"I don't gotta!" She snarled back at him, cutting him off. They were nearing a bend in the road and it made her cautious. Bends were often where outlaws liked to lay in wait.

"Kris, please---" he stopped all of a sudden as something caught his eye.

As they cleared the bend, there was a sorry sight. A broken down wagon sat dejectedly on the side of the road. Near the wagon stood a woman glaring at the wagon wheel, tears running down her face. She started pacing, her hands going to her pinned up dark hair, looking just as dejected as the wagon.

"What the hell?" Kristal's voice was a soft growl as her gaze carefully scanned the boulders, a few nearby trees and the rock formations around them. Something wasn't right and she immediately went into high alert.

Seeing the lady trying to lift the wheel, Billy took pity on the distressed woman. "She needs help. Maybe we can help her..."

"We?" Kristal growled low in her throat before shaking her head. "I think we should leave it alone. Somethin' don't feel right, Bonney."

"Stop being so paranoid, Kris!" Billy was now the one rolling his eyes. "It's just a gal. And she looks like she needs help."

"I ain't paranoid, Bonney!" Kristal snapped at him. "I get the situation looks dire. But I find it odd that she's out here all by her lonesome? Don't make no sense. Women like that don't normally venture into the wilds alone."

Shaking his head, Billy waved aside her worry. "Not all women are meek an' mild like ya think. My momma was a strong, independent woman. Worked hard before she passed." He kicked his horse forward, "I'm at least gonna see if she needs help."

Frowning at the boys words, Kristal watched as he approached the woman with a friendly "howdy". She always knew the blond had a soft spot for women, but seeing it first hand struck a nerve. He was far too trusting sometimes. "Damn good Samaritan..." She grumbled under her breath while keeping her distance.

Billy's greeting was sincere and caught the woman's attention. As she turned to look his way, he continued, "ya look like you're in need of some assistance ma'am."

"I... uh... I dunno. I don't know you... " The woman said backing away cautiously, fear edging from her features.

"I ain't gonna hurt ya, ma'am. I simply wanna help." Billy gave her a kind smile and then lowered his clear blue eyes to the wagon. "Looks like your wheel popped off your wagon... Mind if I take a look and see if I can help?"

"I don't..." The woman began her tone soft and unsure, her gaze moving from Billy to the shadowed figure behind him. "I can't pay you..."

"No need to pay me. I'm just happy to help." Dismounting from his horse, he approached the wagon, his gaze focusing on the wheel and asked, "what happened?" He paused and motioned to the wheel, "come right off your spoke an' your horse's must'a ripped right off their halters when the wagon went down..."

The woman shook her head as if the logistics of the wheel coming off was foreign to her. "We came around that bend too fast," she claimed pointing to the bend that Billy had just ridden through. As the woman eyed the bend, her blue eyes slid to the figure in the distance. The shadowed figure made her nervous. "We heard howls an' I thought it was wolves... The wheel broke and the horses bolted. And I've been stranded here for hours." The memory caused the woman to start to cry again, her body shaking with fear.

"Now, now miss... It'll be alright. We'll help get your wagon back in order. Won't we Kris?" Billy called out over his shoulder, noticing how his female companion was making this woman nervous.

"For someone who's been out here for hours, her clothes look awful clean." Kris said, still astride her horse. With a soft clucking sound, Kristal urged Midnight forward at a slow canter. "An' there ain't no wolves out this way... Coyotes though..." she added with a shrug, still cautious.

"Why... You're a woman!" The woman exclaimed in shock.

"Sure am... An' yet folks always seem surprised." Kris rolled her eyes, before glancing around again. She was still on high alert. This situation was anything but normal.

"Come an' help me with this, Kris," Billy called out hiding his smirk at the fiery woman's abrasive response.

"Yer serious?" Kristal's eyes shot to her fellow blond with a frown.

"Course! She needs help. An' I know your strong enough to help me." Billy was already lifting the wagon wheel trying to get it back on the axle.

With a frustrated sigh, Kristal dismounted from Midnight. As she did, she muttered under her breath about this being a bad idea. "Shit, Bonney. I've got a bad feelin' 'bout this."

Moving to the wagon, she helped Billy roll the wheel to the axle and used her back to lift the wagon bed a little so they could slip the wheel back on the spoke. As the wheel slipped back on, Billy pounded the wheel back onto the axle so it wouldn't come off again. Neither Kristal or Billy noticed as the woman edged away from them.

As the two were finishing up, a gun cracked nearby, the shot echoing out through the canyon. Both blond's had a gun in their hand faster than anyone could blink. As they turned, a group of men were surrounding them. About ten men in all, sat on their horses with their own weapons aimed at Billy and Kristal.

"Drop your weapons, you're surrounded." A man astride a large buckskin horse drawled out.

"I think you're making a mistake. We don't want no trouble," Billy explained to the man, his gun never leaving his hand. "We were just helpin' this lady..." Billy's voice died in his throat as the woman approached the bearded man on the buckskin. The man leaned down and caressed the woman's face, before pulling her up behind his broad stature. Billy's brows drew together realizing that she had tricked them.

This was an ambush.

"Damn straight you want no trouble, but ya got it nonetheless." The man cocked his gun and trained it on Kristal. "I'll kill your friend if ya don't drop your weapons."

Gritting his teeth, Billy glanced at Kris, worry in his eyes. There was no way he was going to allow Kristal to get shot... again. He promised he would not let anything happen to her and yet here they were, in trouble. If only he would have listened to Kristal's instincts.

"Do not lower yer weapon," Kristal hissed at him. Lifting her gaze, defiance in her eyes, she stared at the bearded man. "I ain't lettin' go o' my gun. So, if ya want a fight, ya got one. However, if ya value yer life, I suggest ya let us pass. I'll have yer little lady dead in the span it takes fer ya ta breathe in... So, if your willin' ta gamble with her life..." Kristal shrugged as if she didn't care about what happened after. The lady had decieved them and in Kristal's eyes, she was expendable.

The bearded, broad shouldered man laughed, "a lady gunslinger. Well, I'll be damned. Ain't see many o' them. Hell, I think you're the first." His grin turned dark as he glanced at the blond man. "You willing to gamble your female companion's life?" He cocked his gun and every other man did the same.

"Are ya willing to gamble yours?" Unknown to Billy, Kristal also cocked her gun, and slid a knife into her other hand. "Don't listen to him. I'll be fine."

Swallowing heavily, Billy noticed how every man had turned their gun on Kristal alone. There was no way she would survive if they all shot her down. And there was no way he could shoot enough of them that Kris wouldn't get hurt. He could not let her get hurt. He eyed her, his gaze filled with fear and worry.

"I have to..." Billy relented, his arm lowering. "I can't take that chance." As he dropped his gun on the ground, he grimaced at the shocked look on Kristal's face. He then turned to the man on the buckskin. "Do not hurt her or you'll regret it."

"I don't think you're in a position to make demands, son." The bearded man's gaze then slid to the woman. She was staring at her companion in shock. "Well, as entertaining as this is, all we want is your valuables. Money and the like. Horse's too. And y'all can be on your way."

Shaking the shock from her eyes, Kristal eyed her mustang outside the circle. Turning her gun, she aimed at the ground near Midnight and fired. The dirt kicked up at the mustangs hooves and the ebony colored stallion reared. Kristal whistled and odd sound and the equine raced off, away from them at high speed.

"Guess yer down one horse," Kristal growled as one of the men tackled her. The two went down and Kristal struggled with the heavier weight on top of her. The two rolled in the dirt, a cloud of dust billowing in the air. The ebony handled colt was forced out of her hand. But she didn't stop fighting. She still had her knife.

The blade lifted catching the man in his shoulder and he swore reaching for her throat. Lowering the knife, she shifted her hold and then pressed it into the man's stomach. He gasped and fell off of her.

Breathing heavily, she moved to go after the man again but stopped as a gun shot rang out again. "That's enough!"

Turning, she noticed that the bearded man was now holding his gun on Billy. And was Billy holding his arm? "We ain't got no damn money, so yer outta luck," she spat out. "So it'd be in yer best interest ta let us go."

The head man's expression darkened, his gaze narrowing on the woman, "tie 'em up and blindfold 'em. They're coming with us."

"But sugar, that ain't what we do." The woman that had tricked them was staring at them, her eyes landing on Billy.

"Change of plans. This gal thinks she's strong and smart. Let's see how smart she is all tied up and weaponless." The leader of the gang smirked, "then she'll be helpless... And weak. Maybe then she'll be worth something to us."

As the bearded man nodded, two men came forward at the signal and grabbed Kristal. Two others grabbed Billy. The men took their weapon belts and tied their hands in front of them. Kristal refused to look at Billy as a cloth was placed over her eyes.

The last thing Billy saw was one of the men running a hand over Kristal's cheek and then hoisting her up onto a horse before darkness enclosed on him.

Nearly an hour later Billy was battered, bruised and the gunshot graze on his arm that the bearded fellow had done when Kristal had attacked that man, burned. They had tied him to one of the horses and made him walk behind with the damn blindfold on his face. He had tripped and fallen to the ground several times. Billy had learned quickly that if he didn't hurry and get to his feet that they would simply drag him behind. It had been a struggle. But he worried more for Kristal. What was happening to her? Was she okay?

As they slowed to a stop, Billy was pushed and prodded forward before jerked to a stop. Being forced to his knees, he was suddenly pushed back and felt the wind knock out of him as his back hit something hard. His hands were untied and then forced behind him and tied again around something firm. No one spoke the entire time, even though he tried his best to listen.

A hand gripped his face and the blindfold was pulled off. Before him sat the woman he had tried to help. His brows drew together as he looked around to see Kristal tied to another tree a few feet away from him. Her head lulled to the side and she looked unconscious.

"What the hell happened to her?" Billy growled fighting his bindings to try and go to the woman that had transfixed his very soul.

"She uh... Well, she fought Tex and fell off his horse." The woman explained, her voice timid and soft.

Shit! That sounded like Kristal. Fighting to the bitter end. But that didn't explain why she was unconscious. "Then how..."

The woman stood up and moved to Kristal's prone side. Taking off the blindfold, she tilted the blonde woman's head to the side. There Billy saw a large gash on her forehead, blood trickling down her face. "She hit her head..." Taking a rag, the woman wet it and started to clean the wound. "I'm surprised... She didn't pass out right away. Tex put her back on his horse, but it took a little bit for her to succumb to her injury."

Looking back at Billy, the woman sighed. "I'm sorry. Normally we don't take hostages... But your woman had to make Marcus angry. He don't like being showed up. Especially by a woman." She then bit her lip and her gaze fell to the ground. "Nor does he like losing one of his men. Barry is dying from that knife wound she gave him."

The knowledge of one of these bastards dying gave him little satisfaction. They hurt Kris. And though it was hard for him to fathom, this woman was a part of it. "You tricked me... For this... Why?" Billy asked merely glancing at her before his gaze fell on Kristal again.

"You don't know what my life was like before." The woman felt the need to defend her actions, even though her face was filled with guilt. "Marcus treats me decent... He don't hurt me at least. Gives me things, money, food, a place of my own, a sense of belonging... As long as I draw in the innocent."

"You steal from innocent, hard workin' folk. That ain't right. An' look, now Kris and I are here, wounded... and we shouldn't be. We were tryin' to help ya!" Billy was exasperated. He couldn't believe how this had played out. They were supposed to be going to have a good time in Agua Blanco. Not dealing with outlaws. Ironic.

"I know... I'm real sorry about that. I didn't want this to happen. Hell, it ain't ever happened before." The woman sighed and shook her head, avoiding Billy's blue gaze. "I'll try and talk Marcus into letting you go... Once he has your money and valuables he should be okay with it. He's got a couple of his men looking for your friend's horse..." Finishing up Kristal's forehead, she got up and left with quick steps.

Billy was left there staring at Kristal's unconscious figure. The gash on her head started bleeding again and Billy worried at how bad it was. His gaze then slid to the small encampment. There were a few makeshift tents littering the sparse outcropping of trees. The largest one sat in the middle on the far side of the camp fire. That was where the woman had gone.

As Billy watched Kristal, the one that he assumed was Tex came over a few times to see if the blonde had woken up. Each time, the skinny dark haired man would touch Kristal on the face, on the arm, smell her hair or play with it. Once Billy even caught the man's hand roaming down Kristal's chest. At seeing such a perverted display, Billy had started shouting and causing a ruckus which caused Marcus, the leader, to come over. Not that the head man cared much. But he did tell Tex to leave Kris alone until she woke up.

The light of day was starting to disappear and Billy was growing increasingly worried that Kristal had not woken up yet. His gaze constantly moved to her chest just to make sure it was still rising and falling. Seeing her breathing was a relief, but he was still worried. As the shadows grew longer, the dark haired woman that had tricked him returned and sat across on a rock opposite of his tied up form.

"You watch her like you're in love with her." The woman's blue eyes turned to Kristal and she frowned. "She is your woman? Your wife? It's sweet how devoted you are to her."

Billy coughed at the woman's assumption and shook his head. Though, her words had lodged into his heart and his gaze lifted to Kristal. His woman... His wife... God did that sound... nice. "No... No she ain't... she uh... she's just a friend. A very dear friend."

The woman's brows rose in surprise. But then understanding dawned on her face. "Oh, so a friend you sleep with?"

"What?! No!" God damn the mention of that shook him to his core. Mostly because he didn't want Kristal to hear. He cared far too much about what the feisty woman thought about him. "If she heard you, she'd have both our heads. Kris is just a friend. Nothing more." Even though he longed for it to be more.

The woman somehow picked up on that because her head tilted to the side considering his words along with his actions. "But you want her to be don't you?"

"Why do you keep saying that?" This woman was making him uneasy. He hated that he couldn't move his hands to fidget nervously. If Kris heard any of this, he would be done. They might as well skip this trip because he very much doubted she would want to continue it.

"Because I can see your face. The way you look at her. The fear and worry in your eyes. You love her." It was said so easily that the woman really believed that he did love her.

"N-no... I-I don't." God he was treading a thin line.  If Kristal woke up and heard any of this he would be in trouble. "We're friends like I said. That's it." And yet he was quietly marveling at how this woman had assumed he was in love with Kristal. It matched what Doc had said to him. Damn... did he love her? Was he so transparent that anyone could see how he felt? And why couldn't Kris? Then again, maybe it was a good thing she didn't. It scares the hell out of him that she would run if he knew his true feelings.

"So then you are a free man? I could..." The woman came closer to him and placed a hand on his arm, her fingers slowly trailing upwards. "...I could do this to you..." Her hand slid to his shoulder and then down towards his chest seductively. She leaned in even closer, her eyes never leaving his face.

A shiver went through Billy and he tried to move away from her but the tree and his bindings wouldn't budge. "Look miss..."

"Marsa," the woman purred pressing her body closer to Billy, her voice tickling his ear.

The woman's voice was different than Kristal's in his ear. Billy felt nothing. Not like when Kristal's voice whispered in his ear. Both times had been a thrill giving him pleasant chills. Kristal's voice had drawn him in. This woman's voice was almost an insult to Kristal's. "Miss Marsa. I ain't about to do anything with you..." His voice trailed off as she started to trail kisses down his neck.

"You said you werent tied down to anyone. That she isn't your woman. That you don't love her..." Marsa lifted her eyes to his, awaiting an answer. "So, I assume... You have no woman and are free to enjoy..." The woman paused as she pressed a kiss to his chest. "... a woman's touch."

"And what about your man? Marcus is it? Wouldn't he disapprove..." Billy tried again. He needed this to stop but her touch was lighting a fire inside him. He hadn't had a woman in a while and he had to admit, he missed it. He missed the feel of a woman's soft lips against his skin, a gentle touch, and a warm embrace. Only problem was, whenever he thought of any of that, all he wanted was Kristal. "Miss Marsa..."

"Marcus doesn't own me. I can seduce whoever I please... And you... You are just so sweet and incredibly handsome. I've wanted you since the moment you offered to help me. I didn't believe gentlemen like you existed... And lo and behold here you are." The woman slid her hands beneath Billy's shirt and she grinned when he inhaled at her touch. "And as much as you keep denying it, I think you really do want it." Her fingers slid over his chest again, moving to unbutton his vest and shirt.

"I'll admit, I haven't been with a woman in quite some time. But I am not looking to be with one now." Shit, this was becoming harder and harder. A few of the men that walked by chuckled at the sight. Clearly the girl was well known as the camp whore. "I... God damn... Miss Marsa.... Ah shit... I must insist... This... this has got to stop..." Fuck! Her hands were all over his chest now, her lips once again trailing kisses downwards since she had managed to undo his vest and shirt. He shivered at the feeling of longing washing over him. "I don't... I can't..."

The woman's curly head stopped at the top of his pants. Her gaze slid up to him. "If you really want me to stop..." She paused, kissing around his naval and then back down. "I will... But you have to make me believe it." She started to work at his pants with a sly smile on her face. "You are not fighting very hard, handsome... I think you do want it..."

"I... Uh... I don't... I swear... I don't....shit!"

"If ya don't... get yer damn hands off him... like he asked... When I get free... I'll carve ya into... little pieces... bit by... fuckin' bit." Kristal's voice growled out in ragged breaths.

A shock went through Billy and his gaze moved up to Kristal. She was watching them from behind strands of her hair. Her face looked pale and she appeared to be in pain, but those eyes... There was a fire in her eyes that shined with her inner strength.

Marsa also glanced towards Kristal and frowned. "He said you're not his woman. So he's free game. And believe me when I say, I can tell when a man likes to be touched."

Billy couldn't deny that. He did like to be touched like this... But not by her... Okay maybe he was liking Marsa's touch. What man wouldn't? But he really did not want it. His body was betraying his heart. And especially here... in front of Kristal, it felt wrong. Hell, even if Kris wasn't there, it would still feel wrong. Because he only really wanted one woman. A jolt went through as he thought that and it cleared his mind. "I said to stop," Billy's voice was firm now, without the struggle clouding of his mind.

Marsa frowned, her fingers lingering at his pants as she glanced between the two of them. "You said you didn't love her... That you're just friends. So why the hell can't we?"

Swallowing hard, Billy glanced first at Marsa's anguished face and then at Kristal's. He couldn't read the blonde's expression. Hell, he wasn't even sure she was awake... Her eyes were closed. But then they opened and Billy inhaled sharply. Damn. That fire unravelled his very soul. "Because she's my friend and..." Billy wanted to say so much more. To speak what his heart longed to tell Kristal, but he was terrified that if he did she would run off and he'd never see her again. "I won't disrespect her like that. She means more to me than your passionate plea for pleasure." Damn, had he just sealed his fate? Had he let his heart speak for him instead of his mind.

"But... But... You said you didn't love her... I wanted... I hoped..." Marsa shook her head, tears springing to her eyes. "You were the first man... that was kind to me...I just wanted a piece of it... A piece of you. To feel what it was like to have someone... something... good."

"Well, he said no, so back the hell up off him." Kristal's growl was a little stronger this time and she straightened a little against her tree.

The woman, backed away from Billy, tears now falling from her eyes. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean... I just... I'm so tired of all this..." Marsa concluded waving a hand to include the encampment.

"Then why are you here?" Billy questioned fighting the cold chill that went through him now that Marsa's warmth wasn't against him. It didn't help that his vest and shirt were left open. Still, he hated to see a woman cry. It did things to his heart.

"My momma was a whore in a saloon down in San Antonio. When she died, it was all I ever knew, I became one too... Marcus was one of my customers. He'd come in just to see me... But he wasn't my only customer." The woman went silent as she struggled to explain. Marsa stood and paced a little before pausing, wringing her hands feeling nervous.

Billy's gaze watched the woman and then turned to Kristal. He was relieved to see her strength returning. She still looked pale but there was some color in her cheeks. Hopefully, that was a good sign that she would be okay. However, that injury above her eye was still bleeding. It worried him.

"I had a customer come in one day that was awful mean," Marsa continued drawing Billy's attention back on her. "He hurt me... And so I refused him service. Next thing I knew he claimed I stole something of his." Marsa's lower lip quivered. "He planted his gold pocket watch in my dresser. Darden, the saloon owner, refused to listen to me. He cast me out and took all my earnings. I was poor and on the streets... But Marcus showed up and offered me a job to be here... Work for him... An' provide my service to him and whoever else might need it."

"Sounds like ya need a push ta be more independent and not let no one treat ya like shit," Kristal told the woman, her head tilted to the side so the blood didn't drip into her eyes. "Men'll take what they want unless we fight them for it."

"Oh! You're still bleeding!" Marsa got up and retrieved a rag. Moving to Kristal's side she gently dabbed the wound. Heaving a sigh, the dark-haired woman shook her head. "Men are stronger. We're weak, helpless. We need men to take care of us."

A scoff left Kristal's lips. "Maybe some do. But I sure as hell don't."

"And yet you're tied to a tree and at Marcus' mercy," Marsa said, her tone full of sarcasm. She ignored the blonde's pressing of her lips. "I would have died if Marcus hadn't taken me in."

Frowning at the women's exchange, he watched them both carefully. He wasn't sure he trusted Marsa, not after her deception. Yet, he still wanted to help her. "I'm guessin' that weren't the life you wanted, ma'am?" Billy asked while watching Kristal wince and grumble at her injury.

Sighing, Marsa dabbed at the wound and Kristal hissed. "Oh... Sorry..." She then glanced back at Billy. "No... I wanted to be a school teacher."

"Do ya know how ta read, write and work sums?" Kristal asked curiously before hissing again.

"I do. I went to school. I was hated, but the school marm, she was so nice and let me stay." Marsa's eyes looked over Kristal's wound and she nodded. "I don't think there's much more I can do. I'm not very good at patching up wounds."

"It'll be fine. Jus' leave it." Kristal said shooing her away before growing quiet. After a moment of silence, Kristal lifted her eyes to the woman, "ya can always get outta here... We're gonna get free an' when we do, ya should take that moment to get yerself somewhere far away."

Billy smirked at Kristal's confidence and then turned to Marsa. "I know a lady in Santa Fe who would help you. There's a little seamstress shop called Alejandra's. She will help you if you give her my name." He grew silent as the man that had thrown Kristal on his horse came towards them.

"Marsa, Marcus wants you," the man growled, his eyes narrowing on Billy.

Only Kristal was able to see the fear on Marsa's face before she nodded, "ah okay, Tex. Thanks." She stood up and sighed, "none of that seems likely for me. Appreciate it though."

Tex watched Marsa walk off before he approached Kristal. "Marcus said I can have you..." He reached out to touch her face but laughed when she pulled away from his touch. "An' I'm looking forward to it."

"Leave her alone!" Billy shouted fighting his bindings again to try and get to Kristal.

The man turned back to look at Billy and smirked. "Nah! I think I ain't... not like you can do anything about it. You're gal will be mine an' all you can do is sit here an' wonder what I'm doin' to her... the pleasure she'll provide an' then be wishin' you protected her better."

"Yeah? When I get free, I'm gonna make your sorry ass eat those words!" Billy growled, hatred forming over his face. This man disgusted him.

The man laughed, stood up and moved towards Billy. Without warning, he punched Billy in the stomach and then in the face. "What can you do, boy? You're helpless." He punched Billy again and laughed when Billy's head lulled to the side. "Don't mistake bravado for foolishness. I'll have my way whether you live or die."

Billy spat blood at Tex, in a last attempt to try and keep the man from Kristal. "I don't care what ya do to me, just leave her alone."

The man slowly licked his lips, anger burning in his eyes at the blood spittle on his chest. "You stupid son of a bitch!" He punched Billy again and again, ready to kill him.

"Stop! Leave him alone an' I'll go with ya freely. I won't fight ya." The sound of Kristal's raspy tone rang clear causing Tex to hesitate. "But if ya kill him, ya'll wish ya had killed me too, that I promise ya." Her threatening tone was low, a promise full of confidence. She knew she was bound to get free eventually.

Glancing back to Kristal, he stood and approached her with a toothy grin on his face. "I'll keep yer man alive, I guess... for now. Probably be more painful listenin' to me havin' a good ol' time with ya anyway." Tex untied the rope around the pole but left her hands tied tightly behind her back. Pulling her to his chest he forced her to look at Billy. "Say good bye to your man, missy. You won't be seein' him for a while. You and me gonna have quite a bit of fun."

"Kris..." Billy breathed, concern and fear for her in his voice. He had to get free to help her.

As she stared down at him, Kristal's expression softened a little. "It's gonna be alright, Billy. Trust me."

Cornflower blue eyes pleaded for her to be safe. "I do trust you... ya know I do... I jus'... hate doin' it." It always meant she was going to take some kind of risk and it worried him. He didn't want anything more to happen to her.

To his surprise a grin curled at her lips, her green eyes were alight with mischievous mirth. "I know." She even had the gall to wink at him. "I'll be alright. An' I'll see ya soon."

"Like hell you will. I'm gonna keep you in my tent. Yer gonna be my own whore since Marcus makes us pay fer Marsa. Bastard. He can sleep with her anytime he feels but we gotta pay him. That's bull shit. You're gonna be mine. And I'll make the others pay me to have you." Tex growled, bitterness in his eyes. He led Kristal away and only Billy caught sight of the knife in her hand working at the ropes.

"Be careful Kris..." He whispered.

Time passed slowly as the darkness closed in. The campfire was dwindling and it made the shadows grow around him. However, Billy's eyes remained on the tent on the far left side of the encampment.

When no sign of Kristal was to be seen, he started to worry. Desperate, he tried to work his hands out of the rope. He had big wrists and little hands, it had always done him well in the past. However one of the men walked by, a lookout, and noticed what he was doing. "Stop that!" He growled and kicked Billy in the ribs. Coughing, Billy glared up at his attacker.

"Stop staring at me like that ya lousy son of a bitch!" The lookout hit him in the face and Billy's head sagged.

Fighting off the spots that danced before his eyes, Billy spat out the blood that formed in his mouth and felt the ropes around his wrist tighten. He swore under his breath as the man walked away, whistling happily.

The whistling grew further away and then died away into silence. Frowning, Billy tried rotating his bruised jaw while staring out at the darkness hoping to see something that would give him hope. What had caused the lookouts whistling to stop, Billy wondered. He tried lifting up a bit higher to peer into the darkness.

"Miss me?"

A voice suddenly purred in his ear from behind. It startled Billy at first. He hadn't been expecting Kristal.

"I thought I told ya, that ya can always trust me, Bonney." Her words were still near his ear as she pressed close to him and worked at the ropes that kept him against the tree.

"Mi querida!" Billy breathed, his heart was relieved at the sound of her. Her husky messotone was music in his ear. God damn did he love the sound of her voice. He felt her loosening the ropes around his wrists and once he was free he turned to her. "You're alright?"

"Course I am..." she scoffed and rolled her eyes, "these assholes call themselves outlaws... They ain't nothin' more'n wanna be shitheads. He was easy ta..." She got no further when Billy wrapped his arms around her. Kristal's eyes went wide as held her tight.

"I was worried..." Billy breathed unable to contain his worried feelings. "You were takin' forever... I thought..." He held her tight, relishing the feel of her in his arms. God she felt so perfect in his embrace he didn't want to let her go. Feeling her in his arms was comfort, a salve to the worry he had been anguishing over. "I was worried that asshole took advantage of ya."

"Tex is dead, Bonney. He caught a knife in his throat the moment we entered his tent. He didn't do a damn thing to me. However, his death weren't as quiet as I had wanted it to be," here Kris paused and shook her head, "his buddy heard his strangled gasp and came barging in. Killed him too. Just took longer'n I anticipated. Sorry." Kristal explained while also apologizing for worrying him needlessly. As he continued to hold her, Kris lightly patted his back, unsure what more to do. Hugging wasn't exactly her strong suit. "I'm okay Bonney... I swear it."

Swallowing hard, Billy slowly released her but held her at arms length so he could look in her eyes. "I'm just glad your okay. You're really, okay, right? You ain't just sayin' that?" His gaze slid to the gash on her forehead and he reached up to brush some of her hair away from the wound.. "This was not what I had planned for this trip..."

"Well, I sure as hell hope not." A hint of a smirk graced her lips in an effort to lighten things. This was all becoming a little too sentimental for her. Shrugging, Kris pressed a gun into his hand, trying to push past the tender moment. It was starting to make her panic a little on the inside. "It ain't yer fault, Billy. I didn't think ya had deceit, outlaws, and bein' attacked on yer list fer this trip. Ya got nothin' ta worry 'bout."

Billy stared deep into Kristal's eyes for a moment, curious as to her response to his hug and what he said. For once she stared back, her eyes getting wider the longer they stayed like that. She didn't say a word, but he thought he could feel an uptick in her heart rate as he held her. Questions ran unchecked in his head and his mouth started to move, to speak what his heart wanted. However, movement behind the wild blonde woman caught his eye.

"Hey!" A voice shouted from where the tents were pitched. Another one of the gang caught them escaping. "You ain't going no where's!" The man lifted his arm to shoot Kristal in the back.

Gripping Kristal's shoulder, he pulled her to the side while lifting the gun she had given him. Two shots rang out, both from Billy's gun and the man fell dead. His moment to tell Kristal what was on his heart was gone. He swore under his breath and started to move into action. "C'mon we need to get our shit and get out of here."

Kristal nodded in agreement, "right behind ya," she called out to him noticing that the entire camp was now alerted to their escape.

"The prisoners are free!" Shouted one man who was shot dead as soon as the words left his mouth.

"I'm gonna get our gun belts," Kristal announced and ducked behind a nearby tree. She then raced off towards the tent Tex had gloated about to her. Damn fool thought that by bragging about all their ambushes and where they kept things would make her like him more. It only served to give her the information she needed to get their personal effects.

As the blonde woman ran towards the tent, Billy watched her back. Two more men tried to go after her, but Billy brought them down in quick succession. Within minutes, Kristal exited the tent with her gun belt around her waist. A gun was in her left hand and a knife in her right. Billy's gun belt was slung over her shoulder as she strolled forward with confidence.

Seeing a man trying to move behind Billy, Kristal quickly gunned him down. Turning his head to the side, Billy saw the man fall to the ground with a bullet in his head . A smirk lifted the corner of his mouth noting the woman's accuracy, grateful to have her watching his back.

The last two men, other than their boss, tried to flank the wild duo. As Kristal reached Billy, she tossed him his gun belt and immediately turned to set up a shot to take one of the outlaws down. Billy followed suit. As soon as the men tried to rush at them, Billy and Kristal fired simultaneously and both men fell to the ground dead. All nine of Marcus's little outfit were now dead. The only one left was the head man himself

"Don't shoot or I'll kill Marsa." A voice called out from the center tent.

A moment later Marcus stepped out from behind the tent flap with a gun aimed at Marsa's head. Tears streamed down the woman's face as he maneuvered himself towards the horses while using the woman as a human shield. "Just let me leave and I'll let her live."

"How about you let her go and we might let you live," Kristal snapped at the man, her gun already aimed at the man's head.

Marcus gave a deep laugh, his wild eyes flashing between Billy and Kristal. "Do you think I'm stupid? I let her go and you'll shoot me."

Billy smirked, "still look pretty stupid cowering behind a woman." He glanced at Kristal who raised a brow at him as if to ask if he had a good shot. He did. He raised a brow back. She smirked. They both had a perfect shot to take down the man.

"Yer one pathetic excuse of an outlaw," Kristal stated with a roll of her eyes. "More like wannabe outlaws. We took down yer men easy. They were mere child's play to a more... seasoned outlaw," Kris drawled out, taunting Marcus.

"What do you know?!" The man scoffed and waved his gun hand. "We've been doing this for years. Got money to last, and the law ain't any wiser. You know nothing about outlaws."

A cool smile, appeared on Kristal's face, and her eyes flashed with a wild glint. "Darlin', I know more about outlaws than you'll ever have the chance to know..." Seeing him scoff, Kristal's smirk dark and wicked. "Ya sure are a dumbass ain't ya? You didn't even see when ya had a wanted outlaw in your midst."

"I call bullshit!" Marcus snarled out.

A cold chuckle let Kristal's lips, and her stance became smooth, like liquid grace. "Darlin', I'm Kristal fuckin' Starr. You just missed out on a lost opportunity."

The man's eyes widened. He stared at her and paled. "Y-you're part of the Starr gang. You're wanted for five hundred dollars."

"Damn straight. Like I said, yer one hell of a dumbass." Amusement lit Kristal's features as the man recognized her by name alone. Kristal watched with interest as the man began to panic. He knew his time was up. The Starr Gang reputation usually meant that not a soul was left alive, unless they wanted it to be. It was clear on Marcus's face that he knew not even Marsa as his shield would protect him.

The blonde glanced at Marsa, fire in her eyes. "Darlin', it's time ta take your life into your own hands. You gonna let him continue to use ya and sell ya to men? Or do you want to try your chances elsewhere?"

"You can stand up for yourself now. Ya just gotta take the first step." Billy added making a motion with his foot.

Confusion crossed Marsa's eyes before realization dawned on her face. She did want to take her life into her own hands! Gritting her teeth, she slammed her heel hard into the top of Marcus's foot and then dropped to the ground. The panic on Marcus' face was priceless as he gasped at the pain and frantically lifted his gun now that he was no longer holding Marsa. Both Kristal and Billy fired and Marcus fell dead with a bullet between his eyes and in his heart.

Walking over to the woman, Billy offered his hand to help her up, "nicely done, Marsa. You're a free woman now."

The woman smiled up at him, swooning at his smile. Taking his hand, she stood up shaking a little at what had just happened. "I... Uh... Thank you. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself now... But thanks to you, I won't be used any more." The woman's gaze was focused on Billy, holding tight to his hand. "I owe you my life and more."

Pressing her lips together, Kristal strolled forward, eyeing the woman. Her gaze then lowered to the dead man and she grew thoughtful. "Ya won't be used by this bastard no more at least. It's up to you ta make yer own decisions now, Marsa. Don't let assholes make yer choices for you."

Taking a deep breath, Marsa turned to the woman and nodded knowing she was right. "I don't want to go back to being a whore. I..." The woman paused and looked out at the darkness as if a whole new life awaited her, "I wanna start over."

Still staring down at the dead man, Kristal knelt besides him. She pulled Marcus' gun and knife and handed it to Marsa. "Take these. Use 'em if ya need to. But only in defense. An' God forbid, ya do kill someone, ya run." Kristal knew what awaited a woman who killed a man even in self defense. Life was not kind to women who stood up for themselves. "Move to a new town far away. Change yer name. Do what ya must. Most men protect their own, they don't care if a woman kills in self defense. So ya run. But I hope it don't ever come to that." She paused as Billy brought over a horse for the woman. "I know the town o' Lawton in Oklahoma Territory is lookin' fer a school teacher. They got a home fer their teacher to stay in too. It ain't much, but it's enough to live and start over. You can do it if ya got a mind to. 'Less ya wanna go to Santa Fe. Ya got options. Make the best of it."

"Damn! That's probably the nicest thing she's ever said or done for anyone." Billy mused and shook his head. "An' I've known her for a while now."

"Shut the hell up Billy," Kristal growled at the blond ignoring him as he laughed. "I can be nice when given reason to be."

"I'm only kiddin' Kris," Billy chuckled some more and then winced at the sharp pain in his face. The beating his face took must mean he had a split lip and brow. Felt like it anyway.

"Are... you... really Kristal Starr?" Marsa asked hesitantly, her voice soft and afraid. She was afraid to ask at first, but with how kind Kristal had been, she figured why not throw caution to the wind.

Pausing in her trek towards the darkness, Kristal glanced back her, eyes narrowing on the woman. "Yeah, I am, why?"

The woman lowered her gaze and shrugged, her eyes were trained on the weapon in her hand studying the simple design. " Well... it's just, you ain't like what the papers say..." Swallowing, Marsa lifted her eyes to Kristal, a small smile lighting her face, "thank you, for your kindness."

"Yeah, well..." Kristal shrugged and started to walk away again. All this sentimental talk made her uncomfortable. "Don't tell no one, I like ta keep it a secret." A smirk then crossed Kristal's lips even though Billy and Marsa couldn't see it, and added, "I much prefer folk thinkin' I'm mean an' scary. Keeps 'em guessin'." The woman disappeared into the darkness after that.

A soft laugh slipped out of Marsa's lips, before she turned her attention onto Billy. There was sadness in her eyes but also understanding. "I can see why you're in love with her. Lucky gal. And she doesn't even know it, does she?"

At first Billy couldn't say anything. Then all he could do was shake his head. If he admitted it out loud it would feel too real. "I'm the lucky one..." Was all Billy said before changing the subject. He knelt down and sifted through Marcus's pockets and found a roll of money. Standing back up, he held out the money to Marsa. "This is the money I found on Marcus. You take it. You're going to need it."

"Oh no! This is too much! You keep half. It's the least I can do for the trouble I caused. I owe you this and more for all your help," Marsa argued trying to give half back to Billy.

Shaking his head, Billy refused. "You need it more'n me. Just don't flash it around. You don't need no one wondering where you got it all."

"Thank you. So very much." Tears of emotion started to well in Marsa's eyes as she slipped the money into the cleavage of her dress. The knife and gun she hid in the garters around her legs that was hidden by her long skirt. "I wish there was something I could do to repay you."

Waving a hand, Billy shook his head. "It's nothing. I'm glad it worked out. And no harm done. Just... no more trickin' folk, okay?"

Marsa gave a little dry laugh, "I promise not to trick anyone like this ever again. It's the straight and narrow for me."

A smile lit Billy's face, "that's what I like to hear." He then tilted his head a little to look her in the eye. "You gonna be okay? If you wanna wait, you can ride into town with us." He motioned to the horse standing near him. "It's not a problem."

Marsa shook her head. She knew she needed to get away from the camp. There was too much death and unwanted memories. "No, there's a small town south of here. I'll go there and figure out where I'm gonna head after. Oklahoma Territory or New Mexico." Taking a deep breath she tucked a strand of hair behind an ear. "It's a clear shot to the town. And I know the old doctor there. He's a sweet man, he'll let me stay the night with him till I figure out what I'm going to do."

With a nod, Billy held out the horse's reins to the woman. "Well, in that case, I wish you the best of luck Miss Marsa."

Without warning, the woman stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Billy. She pressed her lips against his, Kissing him passionately for a good minute or so. When she finally released him, Billy was speechless and breathing a little heavily. As was Marsa. She kept eyeing his lips like she was contemplating on kissing him again. Instead she stepped away with a heavy sigh.

"You are probably the sweetest man I've ever met. If that gal doesn't see what she's got in front of her, then come look me up. I'll be all to happy to have you." Marsa smiled at him before pulling herself up onto the horse. Blowing him a kiss, she turned the horse and kicked the beast into a run, disappearing into the night.

"Looks like she was grateful."

The sound of Kristal's voice startled Billy and he turned around so quickly he nearly fell over. "Oh... uh... you think so?" He wondered what exactly Kristal meant by that. And more importantly what might she seen? Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, he tried to catch her expression in the waning firelight. God, he hoped she hadn't witnessed the kiss. He would have explaining to do otherwise.

A muscle tensed in Kristal's jaw before she shook her head. "I dunno why the hell I even care..." She mumbled under her breath and then stepped towards him. "Here. I found a lot o' money and some valuables if we wanna try an' fence 'em. Some o' their weapons are valuable too. Take what ya want." She lowered a coat she had turned into a satchel to the ground. It opened and guns, knives, trinkets, and money formed a small pile of valuables.

"Kris..." Billy began but she just disappeared into the darkness once again without a word. Minutes later he heard a loud unique whistle echoed out through the brush and trees.

Minutes ticked by as he waited for her to return. With nothing better to do, Billy separated the spoils of the camp into different piles. He looked up when he heard the sound of a horse approaching. Kristal's black stallion came into view with the woman at his side. When she stopped walking, the horse nudged her shoulder. Reaching up, she rubbed the horse lovingly along his neck. "Why didn't Marsa ride with us? Would'a been safer."

"She wanted to get away from all the death." Billy said waving his hand to all the dead bodies. "Said she was going to some nearby town. She knows the Doc there and can stay with him till she figures things out."

"Ah..." Kristal said appearing thoughtful for a moment. "Probably the town o' Clovis. I can't really blame her fer wantin' ta get outta here... Pro'lly a lot o' not so pleasant memories." Her gaze darkened as if she was remembering something from her own past. "We should pro'lly get outta here too. It's gonna start smellin' soon." That did not sound agreeable to her.

"Well, why don't we finish up here and we can ride ahead for a few hours before stopping for the rest of the night?" Billy suggested. He had hoped to get a lot further than they had, but he would make do. Hell, he didn't mind it taking a little longer if it was needed. Though he could have done without being shot at, beat up, and tied to a tree. His gaze shifted to Kristal and the gash peaking through her blonde hair. He could have done without her getting hurt either.

Again, Kristal shrugged and wiped at her brow before wincing. She forgot about the gash on her forehead. "Sure," she said simply and eyed the separated piles. "What the hell's this?"

"Figured we can split the money, and separate the rest between us." Billy shrugged and offered her half of the money.

Taking the money, Kristal did a quick count and nodded, "these bastards must have been doin' this for a while. Got a good amount of money and valuables. The horses are in good condition too..." Kneeling down her gaze roamed the separate piles. "Did you already take what ya want?"

Shaking his head Billy waved a hand, "nah, ladies first." He chuckled as she looked up at him with a glare. "I mean it, take what ya want. I don't need much."

Raising a brow, Kristal sifted through the different items and took out a pair of guns, a few knives, and a couple odd trinkets, one of which was a silver cased mirror. She held the item as if it contained some kind of meaning before standing up. "I got what I want, ya can have whatever's left."

Eyeing the woman, Billy frowned. Something didn't sit right with him where she was concerned. She was acting... odd. "Like I said, I don't need much." Moving to where she previously knelt, he used his foot to sift through the objects littered about. Leaning down, he took two guns, a small knife, and a few small trinkets before leaving the rest. "It's a shame to leave the rest. Including the horses."

"It'll go ta good use," Kris said simply staring off into the distance.

"What do you mean?" Billy was curious by her assured tone. She apparently knew something he didn't.

"There's an Indian party up north of us. I already signaled them. They'll take the horses and whatever we don't take. But we'll need to get outta here quick." The look on Kristal's face was shadowed, but her lips were set in a firm line. "I don't know these natives... I ain't too sure if they'll be friendly or not."

Billy's eyes widened and he nodded a cold chill gripping his heart at what she said. There was no way he was going to stick around if that was the case. He already had his run in with natives, he didn't want to do it again. "No need to tell me twice. Let's get movin'."