"Nine men lay dead or at death's door yesterday at noon following a gunfight between Lincoln resident Henry Hill, forty-five, and what patrons have called a 'kid'. A local miner has identified the kid as one Henry McCarthy...also known as William H. Bonney, nineteen or twenty. In a flaming shootout, the kid, Billy, killed Mr. Hill then took on an onslaught of Hill's partisans bringing the damage to six verified slayings. Bonney is believed to be the captain of a deputized gang and acquiesced the help of one outlaw, Kristal Starr. Starr is known to be the daughter of outlaw Queen, Belle Starr. This outlaw Princess, once thought to be dead, is a deadly rival for a young woman of eighteen. She is known to have four murders under her belt including a Marshall. This young lady has no qualms in killing men or women, having killed a lady friend of Mr. Hill's. In the gunfight with Mr. Hill, she was noted to have killed five of her own, with both knife and gun."

Doc lowered the paper he had just read and frowned, visibly shaken. His gaze shifted to Dick who took the paper from him and glared down at it. Doc was sure the whole damn town had probably read that by now, but his only thoughts were on a lovely China girl, hoping she didn't get the wrong impression of him.

They had made it back to town and were now hiding behind one of the large walls guarding the town. The group was tired, but tense and ready to snap, especially their true leader, Richard Brewer.

"Captain? Outlaw Princess? What the fuck is this!" Dick growled slamming the paper down.

Steve grumbled, appearing displeased, "how come it don't say nothing about the two I closed out. It mentions her and Billy, but not the rest of us."

Glancing at Steve while standing off to the side, Kristal glowered at the man.

"Shit, Dick, you sent a lamb into a slaughter and he walked out a king sheep." Charlie moaned and rested his head back on the wall behind him. "How the hell did they even know Kristal was with us?"

This time Kristal's gaze landed on Charlie, "because we didn't kill 'em all. If we would have, no one could have said a damn thing about any of us. Pretty damn sure our names wouldn't even be in the paper. They'd jus' be speculatin'." She was irritated by the paper's acknowledgement of her, especially of her so called wrongdoings.

Dick was about to respond to her, when Chavez spoke up, "El Chivato. Billy the Kid. And... Proscrito Princesa. Outlaw Princess, Kristal Starr." He was twirling his knife as he spoke and lifted his gaze to Kristal, a smirk on his face. He nearly laughed when the woman turned those sharp green eyes on him in a glare and lifted his hands in the air as if to surrender to her.

"Sounds like some badly written dime novel." Dirty Steve commented with a roll of his eyes.

"Murphy's gonna want blood, brains, and balls for this."

Kristal rolled her eyes at McCloskey's comment. They had more issues than just Murphy now. Green eyes watched the boy, a nagging feeling at the back of her mind. Something about him made her wary and she knew to trust her instincts.

Remembering when he had showed up at Tunstall's door step, a frown crept over her lips. McCloskey had worked for Murphy before. Could he still be working for him? The thought nearly made her eyes widen, but she caught it before she reacted. Was she the only one with suspicions? Hadn't Billy said something...? Maybe Doc? She couldn't recall, so that meant there was no one she could go to and it bothered her.

Noticing Kristal staring at him, McCloskey winked at her. Which she responded by glaring at him, hatred burning in her eyes and mouthed "asshole". He in turn chuckled at her reaction.

Billy came over then, after keeping a keen eye out and leaned against the wall. Doc eyed the fellow blond before noting that Kristal turned away from him. She had been avoiding Billy since the day before. He knew that she wasn't fond of Bonney, but this was even more extreme. The woman wouldn't look at him or go near him. It was as if she avoided his very presence in a wide berth. Peering through a small gap in the wall, he spotted the person he was waiting for. Yen Sun! Straightening his hair, he turned to meet her at the far end of the wall.

"Hey Doc!" Dick called out.

"What?" Doc paused and glanced back.

"Don't be stupid. You know they're going to be looking for us." Dick stated and then frowned seeing a green eyed woman glancing his way.

"Yeah, I know... I'll be back in a minute." And Doc took off.

Moments later, Kristal turned to walk away as well. Noticing, Dick called out to her, "now where the hell are you going?" Didn't she just hear him say that Murphy's men were looking for them? Wasn't it just like an outlaw to be selfish and think of themselves.

"Didn't realize I had ta answer ta you. Accordin' ta the paper, Billy's Captain of this so called Deputized gang." Kristal shot back, not in the mood to deal with Dick. "---not you."

Visibly bristling, the others all turned to watch the two in wide-eyed worry. "Well the paper's wrong. I'm in charge. Besides, you're just a damn outlaw. Out for herself. You didn't want justice, you just wanted to satisfy your own blood lust."

Kristal stood there frozen, her mouth parting slightly, as if Dick had just slapped her. She didn't respond right away. The muscle in her jaw clenched and unclenched as she glared daggers at the man. "This may come as a surprise ta you, Dick. But I saved yer worthless hide. All o' ya." Her gaze shifted between them all, their confusion caused her to frown before her eyes landed back on Richard. "D'ya realize what I have just done? The danger I jus' put myself in? I ousted myself. Everyone thought I was dead! I could have started over. The gang... the law... they all thought I was fuckin' dead! An' what did I do? I saved y'all. I could have ducked out, easily. Left you all to your own demise. But I didn't." Her hands were clenched into fists, nails digging angrily into her skin. "I bet what ya didn't know, the outlaws in that godforsaken shack, would have burned ya alive. They wouldn't have let ya take Hill. They would have laughed as they skinned ya, burnin' yer remains an' made it look like the natives done it. I know what they're capable of. You don't."

Anger flashed in her eyes, hiding her more pained emotions. She was upset. She could have been free and not one of them understood. Not one of them realized what she had just done for them and for John. And if she were being honest, it hurt, but she wasn't about to show any of them that.

Pausing, Kristal pulled her hat off to run a hand through her hair in frustration. "Oh, but I'm fuckin' selfish right?"

Shaking her head, she looked at the other boys who hadn't said a word. Her brows drew together in thought, but before she could say anything else, Dick spoke up.

"Wasn't it you who said you could go in and slit the man's throat without anyone wiser. That you had no qualms in killing anyone. You live for the thrill, for the blood. You have more blood on your hands than anyone here. And you like it!" The dark haired man snarled, not backing down. Her words meant nothing to him. Everything she said he took with a grain of salt, not sure anything she said was even true. After all, hadn't she tried hiding the fact that she was an outlaw for so long. "Then again, you know all about outlaws. Like you said, you know what they're capable of, being one yourself."

Green eyes lowered to the ground, muscles tensed in her jaw as Kristal tried to keep some semblance of calm. He wasn't just attacking her, he was attacking her character and it was eating at her. "I did say that. An' I would'a slit the man's throat. But you said not to, an' I listened. I listened an' now I'm reapin' the consequences o' that." She shook her head, emotion flaring in her eyes. "It's funny, I ain't even the one that killed Hill? That would be Bonney. I only killed who I had ta. Ta get out... alive. An' I'm bein' harassed fer it."

"You're a fucking outlaw, Starr! You kill for the thrill, to satisfy your blood lust," Dick growled, "and believe me, Billy killing Hill was not part of our plan. He was reckless and it was uncalled for..."

"Then why the hell am I the only one gettin' her ass chewed?" Kristal interrupted.

"Because it all could have been avoided. You didn't have to kill anyone else! You should have followed Billy out and left well enough alone. But you didn't. You killed a woman, Starr!"

"Wait..." Kristal paused mocking realization washing over her. "Hold on jus' a second." Her words were slow as she tried to grasp his meaning and what Dick actually wanted from her. She didn't think he could be that delusional, could he? But she could be wrong.

"Ya realize those outlaws in there recognized me, right?" The woman's words started soft and slow, as if she were speaking to a simpleton. "They weren't gonna let me leave... an' if I had somehow managed ta get outta there, leavin' 'em all alive, they would have come after you... all of you."

Kristal held up a hand then to stop Dick from saying a thing as understanding washed over her. "No... Wait..." A icy chill crept down her spine wishing her conclusion was wrong. "Or is it that ya wanted me ta jus' sit pretty? Have them shoot me or worse take advantage o' me?" Her eyes lifted to Dick, an accusatory glare holding him in place. "Ya realize they only attacked after the gunshot sounded, right? I was trying to throw them off. Get them to leave y'all alone. But that don't matter ta you, right?"

Dick shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly cut off. Kristal was passed the point of listening to him."Keep yer damn mouth shut, Dick. I don't wanna hear it. I get it. Ya don't want me apart o' all this right? Ya'd rather me shot or worse? Ya've made that all too clear from the beginnin'." She paused, her eyes alight with angry green fire, which thankfully hid the pain she felt deep inside her chest. "But at least I had the balls ta deal with it all. I proved myself an' then some. So you can kiss my ass and fuck the hell off!" With that she turned to walk away. She had to before she lost control of her temper and did something rash.

"We never should have let an outlaw stay with us, let alone a female outlaw." Was Dick's reply as she started to storm away.

Kristal stopped abruptly, not even a few feet away from the infuriating man. If she wanted to, she could easily turn back and slide her knife across his throat. As tempting as it was, she merely turned her body and head slightly to glance back at him, "John didn't seem to mind a female outlaw staying with him. I find it hard to believe Tunstall let an ignorant asshole be his Foreman. The man's only fault, overlookin' yer inhibitions." The outlaw shot back, her words lashing now at Dicks character.

Without warning, Dick took a step forward, the back of his hand hit her cheek leaving a resounding slap as the other boy's eyes widened. Kristal's head jerked to the side at the force and she slowly licked her lips, stunned by Brewers action. Turning her head slowly back to him, she noticed the surprise in his eyes, but she didn't care. Her anger was palpable and it took everything in her to keep from returning his action. Mostly because she knew if she hit him, she might not stop until she killed the man.

"You ever hit or even touch me again, I'll cut yer goddamn hand off an' force it down yer goddamn throat. Because o' John, I'll let it slide this time, otherwise, ya'd be seein' what this outlaw could really do. An' believe me Dick, ya don't want that." Her words were soft, a whisper on the breeze, but held such hatred and malice that if he so much as looked at her wrong he would be dead. With that, Kristal turned and thundered away.

The tension was thick and no one spoke for a few minutes after Kristal disappeared. They just stared, frozen in place, disbelief washed over their features trying to grasp what had just happened.

And of course it was Billy who broke the silence first.

"You shouldn't have done that Dick," the blonde boy said quietly. Cornflower blue eyes had watched the fiery woman storm off, his cheek numb from gnawing on the inside flesh in thought, "I was the one that killed Hill." Billy turned to face Dick, who was scowling at him.

"Believe me, I know it. I'm not happy with your actions either Billy! We are supposed to uphold the law. Not undermine it." Richard said in exasperation, shaking his head trying to wrap his mind around what he had just done. While also trying to keep from shuddering at the menacing look in the female's sharp green eyes. It has been the first time he had seen the true outlaw in her come out. It was unnerving.

The blond man shrugged and turned back to where the woman had disappeared to, "do you honestly think they're going to do anything to uphold justice, Dick? Murphy's got them all in his pockets."

"It don't matter. We swore to uphold the law. And that's what we're going to do. When Doc gets back, we're skinning out of here."

"We're not leaving without Kristal, are we?" Charlie hesitantly spoke up, his brown eyes looking between the two men. He was concerned for her, but he didn't want to undermine Dick's authority even if he didn't agree with what he had just done.

"I think we shou-"

"We're not leaving without her, Dick." Billy stated, his voice firm. He was fighting off anger now. Dick's actions had surprised him and spiked a flicker of anger in his gut. It was hard for him to not send his fist into Dick's jaw for laying a hand on a woman. And because it was Kristal, he knew that if he hit Dick, he probably wouldn't stop. Clenching his fist, he pressed it against his leg so he didn't act on his feelings.

"I'm not sure it'd be smart ta get her," Steve commented wisely. "She's angrier than a wildcat with its tail pulled."

Billy rolled his eyes. "I don't think it's smart to let her storm off in a town full of Murphy's men... Alone."

"She's strong, Chivato. And smart," Chavez chimed in quietly.

"I know she is, Chavez..." Billy was concerned though. He wanted to make sure Kristal was alright. "I think we should probably see if she's okay."

McCloskey then spoke up, offering an eager smile, "I'd be happy to get her and see how she's doing."

"You ain't going near her, McCloskey." Billy snapped, his normal jovial demeanor darkening.

"Why not?" McCloskey whined, wanting to follow the blonde woman.

"Yeah, what's the big deal?" Steve asked confused, spitting on the ground. "I doubt she'll come back on her own. If you haven't noticed, she's stubborn as hell."

Glancing at Steve with a raised eyebrow, Charlie blinked, "didn't think you noticed. You never paid a whit towards her."

"Don't need to. You all do that enough. 'Tween pissing her off, annoying the shit outta her, ogling her, or being smitten with her, I think I'm good where I am." The boy shrugged, answering Charlie. He honestly didn't see what the big deal was. She was just a girl. A stubborn feisty one, but still just a girl.

"Uh..." McCloskey started breaking the silence as they all simply stared at Dirty Steve. "I still volunteer to go and get Kristal."

"You are not going," Chavez commanded, twirling his knife in hand, not even bothering to look up. "She don't like you."

"What-" McCloskey whined.

"Well someone needs to go..." Steve grumbled.

With a frustrated sigh, Dick leaned against the wall, taking his hat off to run a hand through his hair. This was ridiculous. He didn't see what it mattered if McCloskey went or if Billy and Charlie went. "Fine! Billy, you and Charlie can go bring her back, since you're both so concerned. Because we're leaving as soon as Doc gets back. With or without her."

"This is bullshit," McCloskey grumbled under his breath slumping back down against the wall. "I offer to help, but ain't allowed to go."

Warm brown eyes then turned on Billy questioning him. Once Billy nodded, and jerked his head in the direction Kristal had gone, Charlie bolted to his feet. He liked Kristal. Not romantically or anything. Mostly because he knew she wouldn't give him the time of day, but she was interesting and he liked talking to her. He felt like they had a sort of kinship, a friendship and he didn't want to give that up. "Where do you think she went, Billy?"

"Not sure, but hopefully nowhere that anyone will notice her." Billy glanced back at Charlie a smirk on his face, "keep your head low, Charlie. We don't want anyone to notice us."

Charlie nodded and did what the other boy said. He was careful to avoid eye contact with anyone they passed, and was even more careful to avoid Murphy's men as well as Sheriff Brady's.

"Hey, Billy, what do you think Kristal meant when she said she put herself in danger? What kind of danger does she mean?" The woman's words had been bothering Charlie. He couldn't help but wonder if she was hiding something.

That same question had been nagging at the back of Billy's mind too. What had Kristal meant? "I'm not sure. Reckon it has something to do with the law? Or maybe her old gang? She did mention them."

Charlie nodded, "yeah, she did. Something about them thinking she was dead. Ya think it has anything to do with when John found her? And that bullet in her?"

"I dunno. I'd ask her but..." They rounded the boardwalk and nearly ran into Mrs. Ellis, Billy's words were quickly cut off. He tipped his hat to the elder woman and smiled brightly. "Oh, excuse us ma'am. I'm so sorry."

"Oh!" The woman began surprised before smiling at the sight of them. "My! It's quite alright. It's good to see you boys. I just saw Miss Starr too. This is a pleasant surprise indeed. How long are you in town for?" The woman said and then lowered her voice, "by the way, good on you all for taking out Hill and his ilk. They deserve to be punished for what they did to poor John."

A charming smile grew over Billy's features and he nodded, "happy to hear you say that ma'am. I wish more agreed with you."

"I wish that too, young man." Eliza smiled sadly and shook her head, "was there anything I could do for you?"

Charlie shuffled his foot, and shifted uncomfortably. "Well... uh... we were actually looking for Miss Starr. You said... you saw her?" He stumbled a bit shy.

"Oh, yes! She was a might bit upset. Got into a bit of a tiff with Mr. Brewer, huh? That poor girl. He really shouldn't be so hard on her. From what little she's told me, she's been through more than anyone should." The seamstress sighed and then motioned in the direction of Tunstall's store. "She was heading to John's old shop. It's still closed. But I think Alex is considering reopening it in memory of John. I think it would be a grand idea."

"It would be. If you see Alex, would you let him know we think he should?" Billy asked and then nodded to the lady. "Thank you for your help, Mrs. Ellis. We'll be on our way."

Smiling after them, Eliza waved. "I surely will, dear. And be gentle with her, she's in a vulnerable state."

The seamstress' words caused both Billy and Charlie to look at each other. What did she mean, 'vulnerable state'? Surely Kristal couldn't be? Could she? She was always so strong, so sure of herself. "You go talk to her first. She likes you more'n me." Billy stated as they drew closer to John's shop. Trying the door, it was locked and there was no sign of Kristal.

"Maybe around back." Charlie suggested. He then gave Billy a quizzical raise of his brow, "why me?"

Rolling his eyes, Billy headed for the back. "Because she's kinda not happy with me right now."

"Dare I ask what you did now?"

"Why do you assume I did something?"

Charlie just gave Billy a pointed look, stopping in the alley way.

"Fine, I might have... sorta... kinda kissed her." It was uncommon for Billy to feel or even act sheepishly, but he was.

"You did what?!" The other boy stared at him in shock, wondering if Billy really was that crazy. "How did..." He stopped deciding to rephrase his question, his curiosity shifting to what he really wanted to know. "Did she hit you?"

"What?! No... no she didn't." Billy quickly corrected, his voice fading as he pondered on why she had refrained from physically harming him once more.

"I'm surprised. She seems the sort to not put up with that kind of shit." Charlie stated and started moving again. "I don't get how you kind of kissed her though. How do you kind of kiss someone?"

Billy reached out and grabbed Charlie's shoulder to stop him hearing a voice. "I'll tell you later. I think we found Kristal..."

Sure enough, it was Kristal talking and she didn't seem happy, which wasn't much of a surprise. But her voice wasn't the only voice they heard. There were two others with her. Males, and they didn't sound happy either.

"I'm warnin' ya. Back the hell off an' get away from Tunstall's store." Kristal growled.

"We ain't doin' nothin' wrong lass. The Englishman is dead, he don't need nothin' in his store no more." Came an accented voice, "we can go inside an' discuss it more... comfortably."

"But Sean... she jus' threatened us. Since when do we let a little woman talk down to us?" Came the other man's voice.

"It's still stealin' assholes. An' I ain't goin' no where with you. I ain' lettin' ya step foot in Tunstall's store."

"Who's gonna stop us? Ye be a tiny little lass. What could ye possibly do?" The Irish man questioned.

A scuffle sounded and a groan and Billy and Charlie looked at each other curiously. What the hell was going on? They hurried forward and found one of the men on the ground out cold, and a red haired man stepping away from Kristal's knife. "What the hell's going on here?" Charlie called out to her.

Not even glancing behind, just simply recognizing Charlie's voice, Kristal answered, "I found 'em tryin' ta sneak into John's shop. I stopped 'em an' then they thought they could attack me."

"That's not true, we were the ones to find the lass. She was the one breakin' in. An' when we tried to stop her, she attacked us."

"Hate to break it to ya, but we're with the 'lass'." Billy explained a cool smirk on his face, noticing how the woman tensed as he spoke. "And if she wanted to go into Tunstall's store, she damn well can. So your story, mister, don't add up."

The Irish man's expression paled, and he eyed them all. Contemplating his escape, he went for his gun. Before he could lift the weapon though, a knife went into his wrist making him drop it. "You stupid bitch! I'm gonna kill you!" He launched himself at Kristal, tackling her to the ground.

Surprise lit Kristal's face as she found herself falling backwards. As she landed on the hard ground the air rushed out of her lungs and she gasped unable to make a move to defend herself. Pain then surfaced through her cheek and mouth, as the man punched her with his good hand. "Son of a..." She cursed, but got no further when he punched her again and again. She was disoriented, trying to push the man off of her, when he was suddenly grabbed and hit over the head. The man went limp and Billy and Charlie pushed him to the side.

"Are you okay?" Charlie asked kneeling next to her, concern shining in his eyes. Concern once again for her. It was a rare find and Kristal cherished it.

"Yeah..." Spitting out blood from the pool forming in her mouth due to the cuts that had formed along her lip, Kristal glared at the body. "I'm fine. Bastard took me off guard." Which rarely happened. Was she going soft? "We can't leave these assholes here. An' we can't take 'em to sheriff asshat. So, what're we gonna do?" She spat out some more blood and felt a warm trickle of wetness fall from her eyebrow. "We leave 'em, they may try an' break into Tunstall's store again."

"Here." Billy held out a handkerchief to her and ignored the glare that came at him as she took it. "I'll take care of it. Charlie, make sure Miss Starr gets back to the other's. We'll need to leave soon. I don't like being around here longer than necessary." He then turned around without another word and walked off.

Both Kristal and Charlie blinked after him. "Where the hell's he goin'?" Kristal queried dabbing at the cut on her eyebrow.

"Dunno... But I'm going to do as he said." Standing up, Charlie offered her his hand. He was pleased when she took it and he helped her up.

Once standing, Kristal wavered slightly, to which Charlie helped steady her by placing a hand under her elbow. "Thanks..." she breathed. "My head's throbbin' a bit."

"I can imagine. He hit you good. You might even get a black eye." He pointed to an area under her eye where it was already starting to darken.

"Well, damn. Gonna lose whatever good looks I got left." Kris attempted to joke and ended up wincing.

Shaking his head, Charlie frowned. "I highly doubt you have anything to worry about."

A soft smile curled one corner of her lips, mostly because the other side hurt too much. "Yer sweet Bowdre. Yer one of the good one's ya know that. Not like Billy and certainly not like Dick." She scowled simply mentioning Dick's name.

"Uh, yeah..." The man began blushing slightly at her compliment. "I heard you're angry with Billy..." Charlie hesitantly mentioned and then sighed. "As for Dick, he takes his roll as leader and as John's old foreman seriously. He just worries. I do think he cares. He just... maybe... doesn't know how to show it."

With a roll of her eyes, Kristal shook her head. "Darlin', ya don't need to stick up for Dick. There's no changin' how much he's got a stick up his ass. He hit me, Charlie... I don't take kindly ta that. He can kiss m' ass fer all I care. He ain't m' leader. I'm only here fer John... " She was about to continue when Charlie interrupted.

"Not for any other reasons? Like maybe you made a friend or two?"

Kristal chuckled and then winced at the pain in her face. The laughter felt good after her fight with Dick and being accosted by the Irish boys. "I dunno... did I make a couple friends? I guess Doc could be considered a friend, and Chavez. But... who else...?"

"That's not funny, Kris..." Charlie stated, even though he was smiling.

"Bowdre," the blonde began, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "You have probably become the dearest friend o' them all."

Charlie was now grinning, "really? You mean that?"

"I do, darlin'." Kristal stated firmly, giving the man a gentle squeeze in the way of a hug before letting go. "Now Dick can rot in hell... and Billy can join him. Hell, so can McCloskey. He gives me the creeps."

Chuckling, Charlie shook his head, "Steve ain't that bad either, you know."

Kristal just shrugged, "I suppose. He kinda stays to himself. But he seems decent enough. Could use a bath though..." She mused, eyes dancing in the sunlight.

Charlie was now laughing, "fair enough. Come on. We should get back. You are still with us, right?" He gazed at her with worry in his eyes. He didn't want her to leave.

"Yeah, Charlie. I'll see this through... fer John. An' fer you, darlin'." Kristal released him and started back to where the others were waiting. "But, I can't promise I won't end up beatin' the shit outta Dick... maybe Billy too, if he doesn't knock his shit off."

- Hours later -

The Regulators were a good distance from town, making camp among some sparse trees not far from the river. They were on the trail of their next quarry, which they should reach by late morning if all went according to plan. The boys were setting up their bedrolls as the sun set in the distance. Kristal was catering to her horse as Doc prepared to make something to eat for them all.

"Starr!" Dick shouted the woman's last name in detest. "Charlie. We need some firewood. Chavez and McCloskey can go hunt down something to eat, remember to remain quiet. Bonney, Steve, you can finish setting up camp."

Patting Midnight's flank, Kristal moved away from her horse, to do as requested. Her footsteps made no sound as she made her way into the darkening tree line. The moon was nearly full as it chased the sun down the other side of the horizon. The sky was cast in beautiful shades of reds, oranges, pinks and purples streaking over the blue heavens as it gave way to the darkened midnight and a litter of stars. Thankfully, even as the light dimmed, the moon was bright above giving enough illuminance to be able to search for what she needed for the fire. Stopping in mid step, her gaze lifted to the beauty of the sky and she took a deep breath trying to forget about the previous day's problems.

Being out here, in the wilderness was where she felt most at home. In the wild, among the rocks and trees, under the open sky. She had camped out in the open, under a canopy of trees and nothing more than her bedroll and a makeshift tent, more in her life than she had ever spent inside a home with a roof over her head and a soft bed under her. Pressing her lips together, she knew she needed to get to doing the job that she had been assigned to and not let herself get so distracted. Continuing on, she began to pick up kindling to help get a fire started and hoped that no one would be close enough to their location to seek out the source of the light or smoke.

A twig snapped and the woman froze.

Another twig snapped and she jerked her head to the left in the direction of the sound.

A shadow appeared in the distance, approaching slowly. Her hand instinctively went to her knife, knowing to not make a sound. Her eyes narrowed, trying to make out who it was coming towards her. "Who's there?" Her voice was low, cold with a hint of menace. Fingers curled around the knife's hilt at her waist prepared to throw the weapon if the shadowed person didn't respond.

"Hey - Kristal! It's just me! Please don't shoot or anything!" Charlie's voice called out, hushed, but loud enough to hear.

The warm sound of the man's voice put her at ease and she relaxed her grip on her knife. "Oh, God... Charlie. Yer lucky. I almost used you as a pincushion." She teased, a smirk lighting her face.

"That's not very reassuring." The man responded, yet was smiling as he came into full view.

Kristal shrugged, "a gal can't be too careful, Bowdre." Noticing the man's arms full of wood for the fire, Kristal shook her head. "Yer quick." Her gaze then shifted down to her pathetic handful of kindling, "think ol' shithead Dick will be understandin'?" The look on Charlie's face said it all. "Yeah, I didn't think so either... kissass."

"What? Just lucky, I guess. " Charlie began, feigning offense before eyeing her curiously. "I'm not a kissass, but I also wasn't distracted. Which by the look on your face, I'm guessing you were."

Now it was Kristal's turn to act offended. "What? I ain't distracted... 'sides what would I be distracted by?"

"You've been dealing with a lot. Your outlaw buddies, if they can even be called that, Dick's blatant disliking of you, the kiss with Billy -"

"What?! Who told ya 'bout that damn kiss?" Kristal's expression darkened as she looked at Charlie. "Let me clarify, I thought he weren't breathin'. I've dealt with m' share o' folk drownin', an' I..." She stopped seeing Charlie shaking his head. "What?"

"Billy's the one what mentioned it... that he kissed you." Charlie stated, eyeing her to gauge her response. To his dismay she seemed to close off. "Kris, I don't think..."

"Don't. I don't wanna hear that it was an accident or whatever the hell yer gonna say in defense o' him. I don't give a rat's ass. He's lucky I didn't slit his throat after that." The blonde was getting upset and it showed all too clearly on her tanned face.

"I wasn't going to defend him, and it sounds like you don't want to talk about it, so I won't."

"Good. 'Cause I dont!" Kristal snapped.

Charlie sighed, "but I want you to know, I am here if you want to talk, about anything. Be it Dick, your past, or even the present. I'm your friend, and that's what friends do."

The man's words moved Kristal and she felt a little guilty for snapping at him. Did Charlie really feel that way? He wouldn't have said it if he didn't mean it right? She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to sift through her wayward emotions. Most of these emotions were new to her, the value of a friend, a confidant. But could she truly open up to him? That was the key question. She didn't quite know. Her life had been hell. Sure it had also been thrilling and exciting, but love and loyalty were not things she truly knew at least not towards her. She was often loyal to a fault and even tried loving, it just didn't exactly go her way. "I - I appreciate it, Charlie... an' maybe one o' these days I'll take ya up on it... but right now... I jus'... can't."

With a small nod, Charlie sighed. "I understand. Can you at least answer me one thing?"

Hesitant, Kristal opened her eyes, the green orbs rested on him, raising a brow. "I dunno... depends I guess... What's yer question?"

"I'm dying to know why you didn't slit Billy's throat or at the very least punch him or something." Charlie was all smiles again which made Kristal laugh.

Giving him a playful nudge, Kristal shrugged, "I honestly don't know. Maybe part o' me thought o' John an' that he wouldn't o' wanted me to. Though, if he kisses me again, I might not be able to hold back."

"I'll take a kiss anytime." Came a familiar voice and the two turned to see McCloskey.

"What d'ya want?" Kristal snarled, all joking gone and hatred in its place.

"Woah, I was only joshin'. Dick wanted me to see what was taking so long." The man said with a crooked smile on his face. "He needs the firewood. Y'all done?" He asked eyeing both their supply.

There was a look in McCloskey's eyes that bothered Kristal. "No, I ain't done. Charlie's got some ta at least get something started, though."

Charlie glanced between the other man and Kristal. Something wasn't right here, but he couldn't quite place it. "Maybe I should get these back to Dick."

"Yeah, go ahead, Bowdre. I'll get some more an' head back in a minute." Kristal stated and turned her back on both boys to gather more fuel for the fire.

Venturing further into the growing darkness, Kristal picked up a few more sticks, adding it to the pile in her arms. Maybe just a few more and she could call it good...

"Need help?"

The voice startled her, and half her bushel of sticks fell to the ground. Turning, her heart hammering in her chest, she saw McCloskey standing there. The moonlight cast odd shadows over his face and she swore inwardly. How had she missed the fact that he had followed her?

"No, I'm fine." Growling, Kristal knelt down to pick up the wood she had dropped. Without a word the boy approached, kneeling in front of her. He was close. Closer than she liked.

"Let me help. It's the least I can do for scaring you."

Another growl began in her throat at the assumption. "I wasn't scared. Ya don't scare me, McCloskey."

A smirk curled on his lips, giving off a dark and demented shadowed expression. "No, I don't do I? What does scare you, Kristal?"

The words elicited the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. Why did she feel that was more a threat than a question? "You were there when I told Dick... I ain't afraid o' nothin'. So, jus' go back ta camp, McCloskey. I don't need nor want yer help."

He chuckled and his hand lifted to touch her cheek where the corner of her eye was darkening with a bruise from earlier's assault. "Everyone is afraid of something."

The blonde froze at McCloskey's fingers touching her sensitive flesh. Flinching, she jerked her head away from his touch. "Only those who ain't been through hell." Standing up, she looked down at him. "Don't touch me, McCloskey. I've tortured a man fer less." With another glare, Kristal turned to walk away. She got no further than a couple steps when her foot twisted and she fell forward. The already aching side of her head hit the ground and she lost consciousness.

When she came to, thankfully only minutes later, Kristal gasped seeing McCloskey over her. What the hell was he doing? Trying to move, a soft groan escaped her lips at the throbbing in her head. Son of a bitch, what the hell happened? She tried to think back on it, but she was beginning to get a rather massive headache.

"Shhh, you fell. I'll take care of you..." The man said, his voice low and husky. "You have nothing to worry about." He held up a canteen to her lips. "Here, drink this... you'll feel better."

At the last minute she remembered the New Years Eve party. Kristal frowned and shook her head, which only made the pounding in her skull worse. "Shit..." She whispered and the canteen was at her lips.

"Hush now... this'll make you feel as good as new." The grin on his face sent a chill down Kristal's spine.

"Get that shit away from me!" Kristal growled pushing it away.

Shaking his head, McCloskey pushed harder, irritation lighting his eyes. "Don't fight it, Starr. Just relax. It'll be fine..." He whispered.

A chill crept up her spine, feeling the canteen at her lips again. He was tilting it back, trying to force the liquid in her mouth. Anger coursed through her, as well as a sense of protecting herself and her virtue from this leering asshole. Again, she pushed the drink away, though this time it was more of a fight. "I'm warning you, McCloskey." Her head might be hurting, but she would fight this man's advances if it killed her.

"Ahhh, it'll all be okay..." McCloskey whispered. His hand was curled around the back of her neck and slowly lowered down her bare flesh. When she tried to push up, he pushed her back against the tree holding her there.

"I'm warnin' ya McCloskey. Let go, before I lose my patience."

A grin curled at his lips, "nah... You're gonna take a little nap. Besides, no one will believe you anyway. Dick hates you. Doc loves someone else. Steve don't give a shit about you. And, the others doubt you already." His finger started trailing her flesh again. "You're all alone..."

McCloskey's words chilled her. Was what he said true? Was she alone even with the other boys around? His hand pressed against the open portion of her shirt. She still hadn't had the chance to fix what that Clem asshole had done to her shirt and now she was regretting it. "I've been alone all m' life. I'll kill ya, an' not give a damn what anyone else thinks." As she spoke, her hand was going down to the knife at her boot.

Before McCloskey could try again, or Kristal could get to her knife, another voice called out. "Starr! McCloskey!"

The sound of footsteps tromping through the thicket came closer and Kristal heard the boy over her swear darkly. He glared down at her, "another time then", she heard him say, his finger lifted from her chest to brush her lips sending a chill through her. The man then stood and called out, a little too loud, "We're over here. Kris had an accident."

No sooner did those words leave his mouth, Billy came rushing from around a tree. "What? What the hell happened?" His eyes were dark and he glared at the boy standing over her. "What did you do?"

"Me? I didn't do anything. Why would you think...?" He frowned shaking his head. "She tripped over that tree root and fell. Blacked out for a few minutes. Good thing I was here to help her." McCloskey explained feigning innocence.

Billy stood there, his expression unreadable in the waning moon light. He simply stood, unmoving staring at McCloskey without a word. Kristal stared up at him wondering what the hell he was doing out here. Why was it Billy of all people that had to come to her aid. Not that she needed it, she had to remind herself. She was perfectly fine. Trying to move to sit up, so she wasn't laying helpless on the dirt floor, Kristal swore as the trees started spinning around her. "Son of a bitch..." She hissed, her hand gently touching her aching head.

"See. She got hurt. I was helping." McCloskey tried.

"Shut the hell up. I don't care. You can pick up her bundle of sticks and take them back. Dick needs them. I'll help Miss Starr." Billy stated firmly, giving no room for arguing.

"But..."

"I don't want your buts, get your ass moving!"

If it was even possible, Billy's expression turned deadly and the other boy swallowed and gathered the wood into his arms and hurried away.

Before Kristal knew what was happening, Billy picked her up into his arms, to which she quickly protested. "Billy Bonney, put me the hell down! I can walk!"

The darkness was now gone from his expression as he turned to her, his eyes dancing in the moonlight. "Can you? Are you sure?"

"Yes! Put me down." Kristal grumbled, wiggling in his arms before she suddenly stopped as the spinning begun once again. "Please... put me down." Her voice had softened, her hand resting against her head, yet she refused to look at him.

"Very well, if that's what ya wish." Billy lowered her to the ground, not releasing her completely until she seemed to be able to stand firmly on her own. "Are ya alright, Kris? McCloskey didn't do anything did he?"

Hearing the concern in the blond boy's voice, Kristal turned her head to him, eyes searching his features. However, her balance wavered and she nearly fell over. The man quickly caught her, wrapping an arm firmly around her waist. "Kris?" He questioned again, his voice in her ear, sending a shudder through her.

"Yeah... yeah, jus' tired I think. I'm fine..." She knew it wasn't the exact truth, but she didn't know what else to say. Billy's expression had surprised her. That normal wicked amusement that lit his face was gone and in its place was concern and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. It unnerved her, but not in the same way McCloskey did. "What do you care anyway?" The words blurted out before she could stop them, her head still tilted towards him.

A hint of sadness and possibly pain shifted over his features before he replaced his smirk hiding any and all feeling. "Of course I care. We're all in this together. But, I've told you before, I don't trust McCloskey." He then added as an afterthought, "in more ways than one."

A soft sigh escaped her lips and she nodded before wincing. "Yeah... I know." She then raised a brow wondering what he meant by that little addition. Did Billy suspect like she did? That McCloskey was a sneaky bastard and probably not true to who he said he was?

"Did something happen?" Again, the concern edged his tone, even though his smirk didn't waver.

"I tripped, I guess... Which is strange... I didn't see a root... An I ain't really clumsy... But, I s'pose it's possible..." Kristal began trying to think back on it, but her head still throbbed incessantly. "I fell and hit the side o' m' head that... well, ya know." She motioned to the bruised cheek and slightly purple edges to her eye. "I must o' blacked out like he said. When I woke up, he was standin' over me. Then he tried gettin' me ta drink from his canteen." Billy startled her by swearing profusely, the deadly darkness once again washing over his features.

After a few moments of swearing, Billy's gaze softened back on her. "You didn't drink it... Did'ja?"

"No, I refused. He got a little pushy after that, but then you called out and..." Kristal paused remembering the angry darkness that had overcome McCloskey's features. She also didn't bother to say that the man had touched her, or what he said. She couldn't help but admit, his words bothered her.

"And?" Billy pressed gently which surprised her.

"Nothing... I jus'... m' head hurts." Kristal said choosing to keep everything else from Billy. She wasn't sure what Billy might do or say. And hadn't she already caused enough problems? Maybe McCloskey had been trying to help her? No matter how much she tried reasoning with herself, she knew that wasn't the case. His touch and his words had been chilling.

A frown pulled at Billy's lips, something Kristal rarely saw on the normally happy-go-lucky man. Most of the time he was smiling even if it was with mischief. "I see... well, we should get you back to camp. You should rest."

With great effort, Kristal nodded. "Yeah, yer right... We got a big day t'morrow."

Pressing his lips together, Billy nodded and moved to release her once more. He started towards camp, making small talk as he moved. "You realize you walked quite a good distance from camp, eh Kris?"

When she didn't answer, Billy looked back to see her still standing in the same spot he left her at. Concern once again entered his eyes, "ya coming?"

"I..." Kristal began and tried once more to step forward to follow Billy. But every time she moved the world around her began to spin and her head felt like a herd of horses were running through it.

Without a word, Billy was by her side again. He offered his hand to her, his brows rising. "You need help, but I'm not going to take the chance of getting bitched at again by you. I'll help, if ya want me to."

Billy's words caused her to blink and she stared at his offered hand. Her stubborn nature was screaming at her to ignore him and keep trying to walk, but deep down she knew she'd end up falling flat on her face once more. "Fine... I'll...." She clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. This was harder than she thought. "I'll... accept your... offer o' help."

The grin that spread over Billy's lips instantly made her regret her admittance. He moved all too quickly, his arm wrapping around her again. "I promise, you're safe with me, Kris." He lowered his blue eyes on her, which were dark among the night sky.

The promise Billy made, caused Kristal to lower her own eyes to the ground. Most men made her roll her eyes when they made promises. She knew they wouldn't keep it. But Billy was different, something in her told her she could trust that his word was law when it came to him. She didn't bother to respond. Just slowly began walking next to him, her own arm wrapping around him in an effort to help keep her steady.

"I... uh... should apologize." Billy suddenly said out of the blue. "For yesterday... the... you know."

"Mhmm..." Was all Kristal responded with, her lips pressing together in obvious irritation.

"Look, I shouldn't have kissed you... I took advantage of the situation." Billy blurted, his eyes moving ahead. "I honestly had no idea what you were doing. I thought... but then, I jumped to conclusions. I should have known better."

Again, Kristal's response was curt. "Yeah, ya should'a."

The boy sighed and stopped walking. His gaze turned on her. "I'm sorry I took advantage of the situation. It was uncalled for. And... I should probably thank you too..." He smirked again, when her brow rose out of curiosity. "For not killing me or doing bodily harm to me. As well as for pullin' me outta the river. I could'a really drowned if it weren't for you "

Now it was Kristal's turn to smirk, if only slightly. "You're welcome. It took every ounce of will power to hold back." She then added a sigh, "I couldn't let ya drown, Billy. I kinda felt... responsible."

"Well, I'm glad ya did hold back." Billy was smiling, genuinely down at her their faces were close, to which he didn't mind one bit but it made her feel a tad uneasy. "I'd like to hope that... we can move passed it and be friends."

Both Kristal's brows rose, "don't push yer luck, Bonney."

"Yeah, you're right. C'mon, lets get back."

They arrived back at camp without anything else said between them. Billy helped her over to her bedroll, with the rest of the boys watching them surprise in their eyes. Doc offered her something to eat, but she politely declined, claiming she just wanted to sleep. Billy who had moved away was frowning once again and he glanced at Chavez.

"You ever see her eat?" The blond asked.

"Not much." Chavez shook his head. "You're worried, Chivato, I can see it in your eyes."

Shaking his head, Billy smirked, "me? Nah. Just an observation." But he wasn't sure if he was just trying to fool himself or Chavez, because it did concern him. Despite always wearing that duster, he knew she was thin. Hell, he had been surprised when he lifted her in his arms. She was lighter than she appeared. MUCH lighter.

Chavez just eyed Billy. "Come on, Chivato. Let's eat. We can make sure she eats in the morning." When the blond nodded, Chavez clapped him on the back and they headed to get some grub before preparing to settle down for the evening as well.