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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2608260" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p><strong>Investigation</strong></p><p></p><p>Chester strolls into the El Parador. He stops by the bar to pick up a mug of beer. He sits at the table with the others. "Have you found anything out about Turner? Helen Barker hasn't heard anything."</p><p></p><p>Ruby comes down without Katherine, Jake wonders if that is significant. He tries to be patient and gives her a moment before asking, "Was Gonzalez able to help you?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks up at Jake over his glass of whiskey that she is still sipping at. </p><p></p><p>"Yes, he, uh, helped. And I feel much better," she lies and keeps the fake smile on her face.</p><p></p><p>Jake looks at her silently and decides to believe her. A few minutes later Katherine comes down to meet them. </p><p></p><p>"Before you all run off, I thought you'd like some compensation from the Cowboy gang for all the trouble they caused you." He unobtrusively hands Chester, Katherine, Minerva and Nanuet each a small packet of money. "It is $300. I paid our excavation crew about $150 for labor and rentals. I am going to settle with Pierre in a few minutes, he'll get $300 for his loss as well." He hands Katherine a bundle of small bills and coin in a bag. "We had $30 left, use it for Ginnie's school fund or whatever." </p><p></p><p>"Gracias Senor Jake, I will add a portion of this to the church fund... and I could use some new ceremonial robes, something with more color perhaps," she says with a mysterious smile, thinking about her previous night with Nanuet.</p><p> </p><p>"And some new gowns as well. These past few weeks have been rather harsh on my wardrobe." She chuckles in dark humor thinking of all the all the tears that she has not yet mended and all the blood stains and red dirt that she has not yet had time to wash out of her gowns as a result of the many dangerous activitities that she has been involved in since her arrival in town.</p><p></p><p>Chester's eyes widen when he accepts the money. "I've never seen that kind of money before. Thanks. I didn't know being a Cowboy paid that well. Getting out is rough though."</p><p></p><p>"Let us meet back at the Lucky Lady before dinner time and review whatever we have learned. Keep asking around about Turner, somebody someplace must know about him." Jake looks to Chester, "Are you going to tell your suspicions to Berg about the two dead people? If you don't think that is a good idea, find out where the bodies are so we can make sure they don't come back as monsters. We will need to do that before dark."</p><p></p><p>Minerva shudders at the thought of the gruesome task that lies ahead and says with grim determination "We will need to make sure that that does not happen. I have continued my research on such monsters. We will need to bring stakes with us. I will continue my reading and let you know what else is required when I see you." She turns to Kate and Ruby. “I know that this has been especially frightening for you. It is not necessary for the two of you two participate in what must be done next, yet you should not be left unguarded after dark and I cannot think of a safe place for you if you are not with us." She smile optomistically "However, I have been praying and I am certain that I will have better luck warding you against Turner's influence now that Sr. Gonzales has removed his taint."</p><p></p><p>"I'm not sure I'll tell Berg what Turner really is,” Chester said. He might think I've been hitting the bottle. But I will tell him that Turner is probably our prime suspect. Doc Eaton should know where the two dead people are."</p><p></p><p>Ruby gulps but keeps her comment to herself. The thought of stabbing someone through the heart, dead or not, churned her stomach. She wasn't sure if that was normal or still Colin's influence over her. </p><p></p><p>Ruby continues to smile as Jake speaks but isn't paying attention to what he says. She needs some time alone to think but knows it's going to be hard to get it.</p><p></p><p>When they are all done Jake and Ruby head over to the National back to deposit the french money for conversion and the gold dust to his and Ruby's accounts. He chats with Paul Stevens a bit before leaving. </p><p></p><p>Then they stop in at the gun shop to see Pierre and return to him some of the ammunition that was stolen. He also gives him $300 in cash taken from Ringo's gang to help compensate for his losses. "I'll be busy for a few days or so but when I am done my Colt here," Jake pats his fast draw Colt Peacemaker with it's holster hanging low on his right leg, "is overdue for some care by a master gunsmith. I keep her clean enough, but she gets plenty of use. I am loathe to be without her...." </p><p></p><p>Pierre chuckles, "Oui, monsieur, I understand. When you are ready I will take good care of your prized weapon. You may rely on me." He smiles in a reassuring way at Jake. </p><p></p><p>"I must sound quite silly," Jake says with a bit of a sheepish grin. </p><p></p><p>"Oui et no, monsieur. Je comprends." Pierre says with a slight nod. </p><p></p><p>"Heh. I believe you do." Jake tips his hat to the master gunsmith and departs. </p><p></p><p>Outside he says, "Let's go back to our place and cleanup." They make their way to the bedroom avoiding any conversations with folks. Before changing his clothes and washing up, Jake shuts the window and then stays away from it so he is not an impediment to her reopening it.</p><p></p><p>Ruby notices Jake close the window but does nothing. </p><p></p><p>She dresses for the evening, unsure if she should make herself a target by going on the stage, unsure if she even has the stomach to sing at all. She haphazardly gets ready for the night, not paying close attention to her clothes or makeup. As she dresses she eyes the window but keeps herself near the bed. Her long hair still wild looking she faces Jake. </p><p></p><p>"I'm going to go look for Colin at the boarding houses. He has to be staying somewhere." Finally she walks over to the window and opens it with a sigh as she gets hit with the cooler breeze. She looks back to Jake, "What? It's hot in here."</p><p></p><p>Ruby spends the afternoon using her charms to try and get information from the various boarding houses while Jake accompanies her, keeping a very close eye. Most are fairly tight lipped about their customers and several also were unable to keep good records with the festival overcrowding all of them. Ruby was getting fairly discouraged by the time she got to Fly's Boarding House when she finally got a lead. She entered the building to find Janet Fly sweeping the floor briskly. Janet is a bit surprised to see Ruby there thinking she may be looking for something to do with the photography studio but her mood changes when she hears the name Colin Turner. </p><p></p><p>"Oh my yes, Mr. Colin Turner, such a handsome and charming man. He stayed here during the festival, but he left last night. Roger took care of some business for him I believe, and actually asked me to leave the room alone and that he would take care of it. I didn't think much of it, one less room for me to take care of if you know what I mean. Roger is over at the studio now, maybe you should talk to him about it?" </p><p></p><p>At that moment Roger Fly walked into his boarding house, looking a bit weary. "Hello my dear," he kissed his wife's cheek and nodded, "Mr. Cook, Miss West. What brings you around here? Run out of space over at that saloon of yours? Seems to be growing every time I walk past the place."</p><p></p><p>Ruby flashes a dazzling smile and shakes Roger's hand. "Oh no, Mr. Fly, I'm very nice and cozy right where I am..." She glances at Jake and sighs to herself <em>Here's hoping I can stay that way...</em> "But yes, we've been getting very busy and growing, it's a wonderful thing." </p><p></p><p>"Mr. Fly, I'm wondering about a customer of yours, Mr. Turner?" Ruby bluffed, "We met and became friends over at the Lucky Lady and I'm trying to find him. Any idea where he went? Mrs. Fly says you helped him with some business so perhaps you have an idea?"</p><p></p><p>"You became friends with that odd bird? That man was the strangest one I have ever met. Here, lets go in the office where we can talk." </p><p></p><p>Roger Fly leads Ruby and Jake into the office of his modest boarding house and offers them a seat. "Whiskey?" he says grabbing a decanter off a shelf. He leaves it on the desk in front of them with a pair of glasses and continues. </p><p></p><p>"I figured somebody might come asking about Mr. Turner one of these days, he just struck me like the sort that might get into trouble. Fact is I was glad to see him leave last night, especially with the tip he left me."</p><p></p><p>Ruby pours a whiskey for her and Jake. She furrows her brows, "What do you mean, odd bird?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, he booked the room a while ago, not that strange because he had been here before on business, but when he booked the room he requested that the room be prepared with dark curtains tacked to the windows." </p><p></p><p>He pause before continuing, trying to gauge whether Ruby or Jake thought he was crazy. When they seemed to understand him, he continued. </p><p></p><p>"Then the weirdest thing was that he had a coffin delivered from the funeral parlor. No idea, why and I didn't ask as he had taken good care of me, paying me up front for everything and tipping me plenty." </p><p></p><p>"I was definitely confused when he came in last night. Woke me up and told me he was leaving, and asked me to ship his things. Gave me $50 and told me to keep the change."</p><p></p><p>Ruby and Jake are not surprised by any of Roger's information. Jake barely waits for Fly to stop speaking before he butts in, only slightly losing his cool, "Where did he ask you to ship his belongings?" Jake realizes his jumpiness so he delibertly picks up his whiskey and slouches back in his chair. "You know, it means a lot to Ruby to find him."</p><p></p><p>"He a friend of yours or something? Not that it matters I guess. Thomaswell, New Mexico; put it on the stage this morning. Should have been on a train out of Tombstone this afternoon."</p><p></p><p>No emotion registers on Ruby's face with the new information on Colin. Some part of her had hoped they didn't find out where he was but she could see an eagerness and anger in Jake's eyes. She almost felt...sad. Nevertheless they had found where he was and she was positive Jake would want to hunt him down. </p><p></p><p>She quickly drinks down her whiskey and stands. "Thanks Mr. Fly, very much, for the information. We'll have to get together soon so you can tell me how well you did at the festival." With a smile she nods and heads out to the porch. </p><p></p><p>She starts walking quickly back to the Lucky Lady.</p><p></p><p>"Nice going." Jake says matching her pace. "I wonder where Thomaswell is?" Jake takes a few more strides. "You don't want me to go, do you?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, he said New Mexico, right? So New Mexico is the answer to your question." </p><p></p><p>She continues to walk a whole block before she answers Jake's other question. "It doesn't matter, you're going to go, right? So what I think doesn't matter."</p><p></p><p>Jake abruptly stops walking. "Is that what you really believe? Is that how I treat you?" He removes the hat from his head and holds it in both hands in front of him. "You tell me how else I can make absolutely sure he doesn't come and take you away from me and I will do it."</p><p></p><p>Ruby stops when Jake stops. She reaches out to touch his arm but thinks twice and pulls her hand back. She holds his gaze, looking deeply into his brown eyes, "No," she says quietly, "You don't treat me like that at all. You treat me better than anyone ever has. Better than I deserve too." </p><p></p><p>She breaks his gaze and drops her head so she is looking at her feet. "I can't tell you how to make it so he doesn't come. I don't know. And if I did...I'm...I...." Ruby kicks some dirt with the toe of her boot, making a little cloud of dirt rise into the air. </p><p></p><p>"I'm sorry." Her face pained, "I'm really sorry."</p><p></p><p>"What are you apologizing for?" He crossed the short distance and takes her left hand in his right. "Starry nights and certain love, Ruby West. Don't be abandoning me so soon, forever is a long time." He kisses her hand. "Now, tell me what you are NOT telling me. It could be that I already know."</p><p></p><p>She is momentarily brought back to herself with Jake's sweet words and a small but genuine smile comes to her lips. She reaches to touch his cheek, "I will always love you Jacob Alistair Cook, that includes forever." </p><p></p><p>But the moments quickly pass and the feeling fades. "You already know what?" Her confusion is obvious as she locks her eyes on his. She shakes her head then breaks his gaze and glances around the street. "This might not be the best place..." </p><p></p><p>Jake has a firm grip on her hand, keeping her in place. "Ok, fine." Once again, she locks eyes with him. "What is your worst fear, Jake?"</p><p></p><p>"Don't I have enough to worry about without ranking my fears and making sure I didn't miss any?" He keeps a gentle but firm hold on her hand as if just holding it can keep her from being lost to him. "I do worry that he will make you work against me to take you away, that he might even be doing so now. Since I won't let him have you so long as I am breathing, there is really only one way for him to have you. I could not stand to put you out of my protection for my safety unless I knew without doubt that he could not reach you. Will you let me hunt him down and destroy him without you? If not, then we are at an impass Miss West." </p><p></p><p>Jake rests his black hat on the top of his head and takes her other hand. "You believe he will be back, that he will not leave you be. I believe in taking control of our destiny and in improving the odds of our luck. My worst fear is I will fail you again. So what are we to do?"</p><p></p><p>"Our destiny," she smiles softly, "I really like that." Ruby looks up at Jake from under her lashes, biting her lip. "Jacob Cook, you've never failed me. Ever. I don't know why you think you have." </p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs as she grips his hands tighter in hers and steps closer. In a soft voice she continues, "Our fears are not so different. My worst fear is something happening to you. Something bad. Something that would take you away from me. And even worse would be me being the one to do it. I couldn't live with myself." She locks her eyes on Jake as her lip trembles slightly. "I know your strengths... and your weaknesses." She lets that tidbit set in. "And you know mine." Quiet again. "We're the best weapons against each other." </p><p></p><p>"Mr. Gonzales said Turner could make me hurt you and I just can't do that Jake, I can't let it happen." Ruby's voice cracks but she keeps her eyes on his. "So you see why I can't...I have to...," her voice trails off. "I want some time to think but I don't have it. I don't know what to do. How can I leave you? You're <em>everything</em> to me. But how can I stay? You wouldn't stay if you thought you could or would hurt me." </p><p></p><p>"I can only figure if I leave and go to him alone I might have a chance..." Ruby doesn't finish her thought.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, but less chance than with help. Why should we waste all that effort, each of us trying to be more devious than the other in getting to that monster first? So he can do his worst to us one at a time? Ruby West if you leave me behind I will still come after you. Doing this on your own and failing makes certain that I would have to get past you to slay that fiend. Then what?" Jake lets the question hang in the air. "Instead, why don't we spend our time making you free of his influence and then finding out how to keep him from doing it again. Instead of us worried about him intruding on our home, we will intrude on his sanctuary. Instead of us running away and looking over our shoulders for years to come we put an end to it. Ruby, when I am convinced we can do this together we go put him out of our lives. Otherwise, you'll have to beat me to him and I won't make that easy." Jake keeps her from pulling away or looking away. "One step at a time, we can do this. WE can do this. How about it? For now we just worry about breaking his influence."</p><p></p><p>Jake held Ruby's attention with his piercing gaze that she always felt looked right into her. She knew that she wasn't going to win this arguement with Jake, and even more importantly, he didn't understand what she was trying to say or how scared she really was. For once she doubted being honest with him, now he only had more to worry about. </p><p></p><p>She gives him a reassuring smile, "His influence is gone. Mr. Gonzales cas... did his thing. It's broken, his power over me. I don't know if it will come back or how not to make it come back. He's very powerful, Colin that is." </p><p></p><p>She grips Jake's hand tighter. "But you're right. We can do it together." She tries to be cheery, "So let's go tell the others and pack for our trip."</p><p></p><p>"Not so fast." Jake says, "I'm not sure we are packing today, we still need to prepare and plan a bit. If at all possible we need to discover how to keep someone from falling under his influence. Perhaps the priests have discovered something about that." </p><p></p><p>Jake's face turns grim for a moment. "We will go as soon as we are ready and not before I am certain without a doubt that his influence over you is broken. It is hard for me to say I doubt you, and likely hard for you to hear. I'm not ready to put our future back in your hands just yet. When we go against him I expect the same from you, next time it could be me under his influence. I need to trust you, again, without question because both our lives will depend on it."</p><p></p><p>The knife in her heart twisted again. Jake was right, it WAS hard to hear he didn't trust her, that he doubted her, even if he had good reason. Her fake cheery attitude dropped. "Then Jacob Cook you have a decision to make," Ruby returns the grim face. "Because you're not going to get what you want." She releases his hands from hers. "Just because his influence is broken now doesn't mean it won't be just as easy for him to do it again. And you're not going to know one way or the other." Ruby takes a few steps towards the Lucky Lady, then stops again. "And what do you mean you being under his influence next time? You're under his influence <em>now</em>. And you've got <em>our</em> future and destiny in your hands."</p><p></p><p>"No my dear Ruby West, I AM going to get what I want. First we make sure your thoughts are all your own, that is the influence I am speaking about. Then we find a way to make it harder for him to influence anyone of us again, you in particular. Lastly we work out some ideas to make sure that when we next meet Mr. Turner his existance is short lived. That way it does not matter so much if he attempts to control someone." He closes the distance to her again. "I am worried too but I believe we will defeat him. I refuse to believe otherwise." He takes her thorn scarred hand and turns it palm up before putting his palm next to it. "You are wrong about one thing. Our destiny is in OUR hands." </p><p></p><p>He clasps those hands together for a long moment before releasing her hand. Jake encircles her waist with his left arm and steers her slowly towards the Lucky Lady again. "Now, let us go back to our room where you can close the windows. After which you will look me in the eyes and tell me, with words from your heart, that you feel no compulsion to open the window..." He gives her a slight squeeze about her waist. "...then Silver Jake Cook will tell you some of the ideas he has been thinking about, including the one you just gave him not two minutes ago."</p><p></p><p>Ruby nods her head and lets Jake lead her back to the Lucky Lady.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2608260, member: 12815"] [b]Investigation[/b] Chester strolls into the El Parador. He stops by the bar to pick up a mug of beer. He sits at the table with the others. "Have you found anything out about Turner? Helen Barker hasn't heard anything." Ruby comes down without Katherine, Jake wonders if that is significant. He tries to be patient and gives her a moment before asking, "Was Gonzalez able to help you?" Ruby looks up at Jake over his glass of whiskey that she is still sipping at. "Yes, he, uh, helped. And I feel much better," she lies and keeps the fake smile on her face. Jake looks at her silently and decides to believe her. A few minutes later Katherine comes down to meet them. "Before you all run off, I thought you'd like some compensation from the Cowboy gang for all the trouble they caused you." He unobtrusively hands Chester, Katherine, Minerva and Nanuet each a small packet of money. "It is $300. I paid our excavation crew about $150 for labor and rentals. I am going to settle with Pierre in a few minutes, he'll get $300 for his loss as well." He hands Katherine a bundle of small bills and coin in a bag. "We had $30 left, use it for Ginnie's school fund or whatever." "Gracias Senor Jake, I will add a portion of this to the church fund... and I could use some new ceremonial robes, something with more color perhaps," she says with a mysterious smile, thinking about her previous night with Nanuet. "And some new gowns as well. These past few weeks have been rather harsh on my wardrobe." She chuckles in dark humor thinking of all the all the tears that she has not yet mended and all the blood stains and red dirt that she has not yet had time to wash out of her gowns as a result of the many dangerous activitities that she has been involved in since her arrival in town. Chester's eyes widen when he accepts the money. "I've never seen that kind of money before. Thanks. I didn't know being a Cowboy paid that well. Getting out is rough though." "Let us meet back at the Lucky Lady before dinner time and review whatever we have learned. Keep asking around about Turner, somebody someplace must know about him." Jake looks to Chester, "Are you going to tell your suspicions to Berg about the two dead people? If you don't think that is a good idea, find out where the bodies are so we can make sure they don't come back as monsters. We will need to do that before dark." Minerva shudders at the thought of the gruesome task that lies ahead and says with grim determination "We will need to make sure that that does not happen. I have continued my research on such monsters. We will need to bring stakes with us. I will continue my reading and let you know what else is required when I see you." She turns to Kate and Ruby. “I know that this has been especially frightening for you. It is not necessary for the two of you two participate in what must be done next, yet you should not be left unguarded after dark and I cannot think of a safe place for you if you are not with us." She smile optomistically "However, I have been praying and I am certain that I will have better luck warding you against Turner's influence now that Sr. Gonzales has removed his taint." "I'm not sure I'll tell Berg what Turner really is,” Chester said. He might think I've been hitting the bottle. But I will tell him that Turner is probably our prime suspect. Doc Eaton should know where the two dead people are." Ruby gulps but keeps her comment to herself. The thought of stabbing someone through the heart, dead or not, churned her stomach. She wasn't sure if that was normal or still Colin's influence over her. Ruby continues to smile as Jake speaks but isn't paying attention to what he says. She needs some time alone to think but knows it's going to be hard to get it. When they are all done Jake and Ruby head over to the National back to deposit the french money for conversion and the gold dust to his and Ruby's accounts. He chats with Paul Stevens a bit before leaving. Then they stop in at the gun shop to see Pierre and return to him some of the ammunition that was stolen. He also gives him $300 in cash taken from Ringo's gang to help compensate for his losses. "I'll be busy for a few days or so but when I am done my Colt here," Jake pats his fast draw Colt Peacemaker with it's holster hanging low on his right leg, "is overdue for some care by a master gunsmith. I keep her clean enough, but she gets plenty of use. I am loathe to be without her...." Pierre chuckles, "Oui, monsieur, I understand. When you are ready I will take good care of your prized weapon. You may rely on me." He smiles in a reassuring way at Jake. "I must sound quite silly," Jake says with a bit of a sheepish grin. "Oui et no, monsieur. Je comprends." Pierre says with a slight nod. "Heh. I believe you do." Jake tips his hat to the master gunsmith and departs. Outside he says, "Let's go back to our place and cleanup." They make their way to the bedroom avoiding any conversations with folks. Before changing his clothes and washing up, Jake shuts the window and then stays away from it so he is not an impediment to her reopening it. Ruby notices Jake close the window but does nothing. She dresses for the evening, unsure if she should make herself a target by going on the stage, unsure if she even has the stomach to sing at all. She haphazardly gets ready for the night, not paying close attention to her clothes or makeup. As she dresses she eyes the window but keeps herself near the bed. Her long hair still wild looking she faces Jake. "I'm going to go look for Colin at the boarding houses. He has to be staying somewhere." Finally she walks over to the window and opens it with a sigh as she gets hit with the cooler breeze. She looks back to Jake, "What? It's hot in here." Ruby spends the afternoon using her charms to try and get information from the various boarding houses while Jake accompanies her, keeping a very close eye. Most are fairly tight lipped about their customers and several also were unable to keep good records with the festival overcrowding all of them. Ruby was getting fairly discouraged by the time she got to Fly's Boarding House when she finally got a lead. She entered the building to find Janet Fly sweeping the floor briskly. Janet is a bit surprised to see Ruby there thinking she may be looking for something to do with the photography studio but her mood changes when she hears the name Colin Turner. "Oh my yes, Mr. Colin Turner, such a handsome and charming man. He stayed here during the festival, but he left last night. Roger took care of some business for him I believe, and actually asked me to leave the room alone and that he would take care of it. I didn't think much of it, one less room for me to take care of if you know what I mean. Roger is over at the studio now, maybe you should talk to him about it?" At that moment Roger Fly walked into his boarding house, looking a bit weary. "Hello my dear," he kissed his wife's cheek and nodded, "Mr. Cook, Miss West. What brings you around here? Run out of space over at that saloon of yours? Seems to be growing every time I walk past the place." Ruby flashes a dazzling smile and shakes Roger's hand. "Oh no, Mr. Fly, I'm very nice and cozy right where I am..." She glances at Jake and sighs to herself [I]Here's hoping I can stay that way...[/I] "But yes, we've been getting very busy and growing, it's a wonderful thing." "Mr. Fly, I'm wondering about a customer of yours, Mr. Turner?" Ruby bluffed, "We met and became friends over at the Lucky Lady and I'm trying to find him. Any idea where he went? Mrs. Fly says you helped him with some business so perhaps you have an idea?" "You became friends with that odd bird? That man was the strangest one I have ever met. Here, lets go in the office where we can talk." Roger Fly leads Ruby and Jake into the office of his modest boarding house and offers them a seat. "Whiskey?" he says grabbing a decanter off a shelf. He leaves it on the desk in front of them with a pair of glasses and continues. "I figured somebody might come asking about Mr. Turner one of these days, he just struck me like the sort that might get into trouble. Fact is I was glad to see him leave last night, especially with the tip he left me." Ruby pours a whiskey for her and Jake. She furrows her brows, "What do you mean, odd bird?" "Well, he booked the room a while ago, not that strange because he had been here before on business, but when he booked the room he requested that the room be prepared with dark curtains tacked to the windows." He pause before continuing, trying to gauge whether Ruby or Jake thought he was crazy. When they seemed to understand him, he continued. "Then the weirdest thing was that he had a coffin delivered from the funeral parlor. No idea, why and I didn't ask as he had taken good care of me, paying me up front for everything and tipping me plenty." "I was definitely confused when he came in last night. Woke me up and told me he was leaving, and asked me to ship his things. Gave me $50 and told me to keep the change." Ruby and Jake are not surprised by any of Roger's information. Jake barely waits for Fly to stop speaking before he butts in, only slightly losing his cool, "Where did he ask you to ship his belongings?" Jake realizes his jumpiness so he delibertly picks up his whiskey and slouches back in his chair. "You know, it means a lot to Ruby to find him." "He a friend of yours or something? Not that it matters I guess. Thomaswell, New Mexico; put it on the stage this morning. Should have been on a train out of Tombstone this afternoon." No emotion registers on Ruby's face with the new information on Colin. Some part of her had hoped they didn't find out where he was but she could see an eagerness and anger in Jake's eyes. She almost felt...sad. Nevertheless they had found where he was and she was positive Jake would want to hunt him down. She quickly drinks down her whiskey and stands. "Thanks Mr. Fly, very much, for the information. We'll have to get together soon so you can tell me how well you did at the festival." With a smile she nods and heads out to the porch. She starts walking quickly back to the Lucky Lady. "Nice going." Jake says matching her pace. "I wonder where Thomaswell is?" Jake takes a few more strides. "You don't want me to go, do you?" "Well, he said New Mexico, right? So New Mexico is the answer to your question." She continues to walk a whole block before she answers Jake's other question. "It doesn't matter, you're going to go, right? So what I think doesn't matter." Jake abruptly stops walking. "Is that what you really believe? Is that how I treat you?" He removes the hat from his head and holds it in both hands in front of him. "You tell me how else I can make absolutely sure he doesn't come and take you away from me and I will do it." Ruby stops when Jake stops. She reaches out to touch his arm but thinks twice and pulls her hand back. She holds his gaze, looking deeply into his brown eyes, "No," she says quietly, "You don't treat me like that at all. You treat me better than anyone ever has. Better than I deserve too." She breaks his gaze and drops her head so she is looking at her feet. "I can't tell you how to make it so he doesn't come. I don't know. And if I did...I'm...I...." Ruby kicks some dirt with the toe of her boot, making a little cloud of dirt rise into the air. "I'm sorry." Her face pained, "I'm really sorry." "What are you apologizing for?" He crossed the short distance and takes her left hand in his right. "Starry nights and certain love, Ruby West. Don't be abandoning me so soon, forever is a long time." He kisses her hand. "Now, tell me what you are NOT telling me. It could be that I already know." She is momentarily brought back to herself with Jake's sweet words and a small but genuine smile comes to her lips. She reaches to touch his cheek, "I will always love you Jacob Alistair Cook, that includes forever." But the moments quickly pass and the feeling fades. "You already know what?" Her confusion is obvious as she locks her eyes on his. She shakes her head then breaks his gaze and glances around the street. "This might not be the best place..." Jake has a firm grip on her hand, keeping her in place. "Ok, fine." Once again, she locks eyes with him. "What is your worst fear, Jake?" "Don't I have enough to worry about without ranking my fears and making sure I didn't miss any?" He keeps a gentle but firm hold on her hand as if just holding it can keep her from being lost to him. "I do worry that he will make you work against me to take you away, that he might even be doing so now. Since I won't let him have you so long as I am breathing, there is really only one way for him to have you. I could not stand to put you out of my protection for my safety unless I knew without doubt that he could not reach you. Will you let me hunt him down and destroy him without you? If not, then we are at an impass Miss West." Jake rests his black hat on the top of his head and takes her other hand. "You believe he will be back, that he will not leave you be. I believe in taking control of our destiny and in improving the odds of our luck. My worst fear is I will fail you again. So what are we to do?" "Our destiny," she smiles softly, "I really like that." Ruby looks up at Jake from under her lashes, biting her lip. "Jacob Cook, you've never failed me. Ever. I don't know why you think you have." Ruby sighs as she grips his hands tighter in hers and steps closer. In a soft voice she continues, "Our fears are not so different. My worst fear is something happening to you. Something bad. Something that would take you away from me. And even worse would be me being the one to do it. I couldn't live with myself." She locks her eyes on Jake as her lip trembles slightly. "I know your strengths... and your weaknesses." She lets that tidbit set in. "And you know mine." Quiet again. "We're the best weapons against each other." "Mr. Gonzales said Turner could make me hurt you and I just can't do that Jake, I can't let it happen." Ruby's voice cracks but she keeps her eyes on his. "So you see why I can't...I have to...," her voice trails off. "I want some time to think but I don't have it. I don't know what to do. How can I leave you? You're [I]everything[/I] to me. But how can I stay? You wouldn't stay if you thought you could or would hurt me." "I can only figure if I leave and go to him alone I might have a chance..." Ruby doesn't finish her thought. "Yes, but less chance than with help. Why should we waste all that effort, each of us trying to be more devious than the other in getting to that monster first? So he can do his worst to us one at a time? Ruby West if you leave me behind I will still come after you. Doing this on your own and failing makes certain that I would have to get past you to slay that fiend. Then what?" Jake lets the question hang in the air. "Instead, why don't we spend our time making you free of his influence and then finding out how to keep him from doing it again. Instead of us worried about him intruding on our home, we will intrude on his sanctuary. Instead of us running away and looking over our shoulders for years to come we put an end to it. Ruby, when I am convinced we can do this together we go put him out of our lives. Otherwise, you'll have to beat me to him and I won't make that easy." Jake keeps her from pulling away or looking away. "One step at a time, we can do this. WE can do this. How about it? For now we just worry about breaking his influence." Jake held Ruby's attention with his piercing gaze that she always felt looked right into her. She knew that she wasn't going to win this arguement with Jake, and even more importantly, he didn't understand what she was trying to say or how scared she really was. For once she doubted being honest with him, now he only had more to worry about. She gives him a reassuring smile, "His influence is gone. Mr. Gonzales cas... did his thing. It's broken, his power over me. I don't know if it will come back or how not to make it come back. He's very powerful, Colin that is." She grips Jake's hand tighter. "But you're right. We can do it together." She tries to be cheery, "So let's go tell the others and pack for our trip." "Not so fast." Jake says, "I'm not sure we are packing today, we still need to prepare and plan a bit. If at all possible we need to discover how to keep someone from falling under his influence. Perhaps the priests have discovered something about that." Jake's face turns grim for a moment. "We will go as soon as we are ready and not before I am certain without a doubt that his influence over you is broken. It is hard for me to say I doubt you, and likely hard for you to hear. I'm not ready to put our future back in your hands just yet. When we go against him I expect the same from you, next time it could be me under his influence. I need to trust you, again, without question because both our lives will depend on it." The knife in her heart twisted again. Jake was right, it WAS hard to hear he didn't trust her, that he doubted her, even if he had good reason. Her fake cheery attitude dropped. "Then Jacob Cook you have a decision to make," Ruby returns the grim face. "Because you're not going to get what you want." She releases his hands from hers. "Just because his influence is broken now doesn't mean it won't be just as easy for him to do it again. And you're not going to know one way or the other." Ruby takes a few steps towards the Lucky Lady, then stops again. "And what do you mean you being under his influence next time? You're under his influence [I]now[/I]. And you've got [I]our[/I] future and destiny in your hands." "No my dear Ruby West, I AM going to get what I want. First we make sure your thoughts are all your own, that is the influence I am speaking about. Then we find a way to make it harder for him to influence anyone of us again, you in particular. Lastly we work out some ideas to make sure that when we next meet Mr. Turner his existance is short lived. That way it does not matter so much if he attempts to control someone." He closes the distance to her again. "I am worried too but I believe we will defeat him. I refuse to believe otherwise." He takes her thorn scarred hand and turns it palm up before putting his palm next to it. "You are wrong about one thing. Our destiny is in OUR hands." He clasps those hands together for a long moment before releasing her hand. Jake encircles her waist with his left arm and steers her slowly towards the Lucky Lady again. "Now, let us go back to our room where you can close the windows. After which you will look me in the eyes and tell me, with words from your heart, that you feel no compulsion to open the window..." He gives her a slight squeeze about her waist. "...then Silver Jake Cook will tell you some of the ideas he has been thinking about, including the one you just gave him not two minutes ago." Ruby nods her head and lets Jake lead her back to the Lucky Lady. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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