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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: 2819574" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Once outside Jake sits on the porch with his back to the wall of the saloon, his hat resting on his knee. Looking at Ruby he says, "Greely's is not as relaxing as I expected."</p><p></p><p>Ruby opens her eyes at Jake but doesn't lift her head. "No, well, you didn't come here to relax, did you?" She blinks her cloudy eyes a couple of times, "And I didn't get to celebrate like I expected either."</p><p></p><p>"Frustrating, I agree." Jake glances up at the stars. "With perseverance and luck though, we still have each other. Therefore, we have more opportunities for relaxation and celebration."</p><p></p><p>"Yes darling, we still have each other." Ruby keeps her head down but closes her eyes again. "I need to get out of here, get back to the hotel." She turns her face away from Jake, trying to hide the soon to be bruise.</p><p></p><p>"I would like to speak with that Nolan Edwards character, but I will not leave you alone. You can wait here for me for a few minutes, go back with Katherine if I can convince her and I will meet you back in a short while, or if neither is to your liking I will just find him in the morning. You choose." Jake's tone is soothing and not at all condescending.</p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs, "What do YOU want to do Jake?" She realizes her little slip, picks up her head and looks around but takes another sigh when she sees that no one is around.</p><p></p><p>"I want to speak to him now and have you wait for me."</p><p></p><p>"I will wait if you want me too, you know I will. But I really want a bath and the doctor is going to meet me there soon too. I just don't want to stay here too much longer. I know you understand."</p><p></p><p>Jake nods in response, his face somber. He reaches out and gently touches her hand. "I will be quick."</p><p></p><p>He takes a few quick steps down the street and catches up with Nolan Edwards. He politely but firmly interrupts the man. "Sir, I heard what you said. Perhaps we can be of use to each other, though my plans for the next several days are unclear. However if my wife and I do not make it through the night alive I will not be much use to you... or worse. I seem to have made more enemies of vampires tonight, more than I already had if that is possible. Let us plan to meet for breakfast and speak further. What I need from you for tonight is some advice to keep us safe until the morning light." Jake clears his throat, "Especially since that larger one seemed to have influenced my wife during our little encounter tonight."</p><p></p><p>"You know sir, I like your style." Edwards says offering to shake Jake's hand. "I normally would decline your offer for breakfast, as I am usually a creature of the night like most of my prey but tomorrow my plan is to get my bearings around here so I will be up during the day. As for tonight, keep your windows closed tightly. I understand you are staying at the hotel, so that means they can enter freely, but normally they cannot enter private places without being invited first, something to keep in mind. Garlic does help keep them at bay, as well as a holy symbol if you have faith in it. If you and your friends can keep a watch at night you might be better off, at least if they come you will have warning. During the evenings it is best to keep away from people you don't trust. One look into the eyes of one of these creatures could be your doom. And drink or anything that dulls your mind is just and advantage to these creatures. They not only prey on your blood, but on your mind as well so it is best to keep it as sharp as possible. Good luck sir and I will see you tomorrow morning."</p><p></p><p>"Luck. Yes, luck to you sir." Jake stands there watching him walk away. "Mierda." </p><p></p><p>Ruby watches Jake stride back into the saloon. She closes her eyes again and starts quickly fading into her thoughts. <em>If Jake is there how can I get another bottle of laudanum? Especially since he will be watching over me like a hawk.</em> She squeezes her eyes shut even tighter. Her heart pounds in her chest, the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness beginning to overwhelm her. Even her clothes feel like they are constricting her and she starts desperately pulling off her ankle boots and stockings. After they have been removed Ruby looks up to the heavens once more and prays for a refreshing breeze but none comes. The air feels as heavy as her heart and she hangs her head again once more.</p><p></p><p>Jake hurries back to Ruby. "I do not know if I am any wiser for that conversation." He offers his hand to her to help her up. "I suppose it confirms most of what we have learned on our own. Let us get you to the hotel." He retrieves his bag from the saloon and they leave.</p><p></p><p>Ruby lets Jake gently pull her up to her feet but then she pulls her hand away. "Let's get back." Ruby picks up her stockings and shoes and they walk across the street to the hotel. </p><p></p><p>Even as Jake is speaking to Edwards Nanuet is still trying to get Minerva to the hotel. "Oh, Nanuet, I feel like I could fly," Minerva laughs giddily and spreads her arms like a bird as she spins around. Nanuet deftly catches her in his arms to prevent her from stumbling to the ground. </p><p></p><p>She looks up at the bright moon just as a solitary bat flies overhead prompting her to recite another Carroll poem.</p><p></p><p><em>"Twinkle, twinkle, little bat! How I wonder what you're at! Up above the world you fly, Like a tea-tray in the sky."</em></p><p></p><p>"It is no wonder that Senorita Ruby professes to have so many headaches." she observes. From the confines of his arms. "Such a wonderful remedy, this lauda…lauda…laudanum. Not only do I NOT have a headache, but I am not even sure that I have a head!" she laughs and holds her head to stop the spinning. She halts in the middle of the street to dramatize another poem. </p><p></p><p><em>You are old, father William," the young man said,</em></p><p><em>"And your hair has become very white;</em></p><p><em>And yet you incessantly stand on your head--</em></p><p><em>Do you think, at your age, it is right?"</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>"In my youth," father William replied to his son,</em></p><p><em>"I feared it might injure the brain;</em></p><p><em>But now that I'm perfectly sure I have none,</em></p><p><em>Why, I do it again and again.</em></p><p></p><p>I wonder if Ruby has any more of this? It rivals the wine of the gods! You would like it."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet stops Minerva in her flutterings and forces her to look him in the eyes. "I am sure you will not understand this right now, but please at least humor me. This stuff you took, it can do you no good. It breaks your will and clouds your thoughts. In our situation right now those monsters could easily prey on your weak will. I do not wish to be the one to ruin your fun, so if we retire to the hotel we should be fine. At another time when your head is clearer we will discuss this. Until then, enjoy yourself but do not leave my sight." </p><p></p><p>"Are you implying, sir, that I am not myself?" Minerva grins. "Well that just proves that we have indeed fallen down a rabbit hole and that I am Alice! But does that make you the caterpillar?" she giggles and recites.</p><p></p><p><em>Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Alice replied, rather shyly, `I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'</em></p><p></p><p>Minerva can see that Nanuet is quickly losing his patience and so she tries to be serious for a moment.</p><p>"I promise," she says crossing her heart, "That I will not leave your sight. If you take me back to the hotel and give me a reason to stay in it," she says leaping into his arms and boldly kissing him long and hard. "So, do we have a deal?" she says saucily.</p><p></p><p>"That is an offer I can certainly accept my dear Alice, although I am no caterpillar." Nanuet returns the kiss happy to have her attention so that he can keep her out of trouble. He carries her back to the room listening to her ramblings and explanations of "Alice in Wonderland". Once he places her on the bed she sits up and unsuccessfully attempts to unlace her boots.</p><p></p><p>"Some day you will have to read that book to me, it sounds very... ummm... interesting. In the meantime Alice, will you answer me a question?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes mi amor, ask me your question and I will tell you no lies!" she responds with another giggle.</p><p></p><p>"How much do you love me?" he says with a smile, as he walks over to the bed and slowly and deliberately helps her unlace her boots.</p><p></p><p>"What do you mean how much do I love you?" she says laying on the bed and bracing her boot on his leg. "That is such an easy question. I love you more than the number of stars on the stairway to the heavens! Now you answer the question," she says lowering her bare foot and placing her other booted foot on his leg.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet slips the boots off and gently pushes Minerva back so that she is laying down. He slips his own moccasins off and climbs onto the bed next to her. "That is an immeasurable amount of love. Where do you keep it all?" he says nuzzling her neck gently.</p><p></p><p>"Well, You will just have to search for it won't you?" she teases.</p><p></p><p>"You forget I am a ranger before I was a cleric, finding lost things is one of my specialties. But first I like to know as much as I can about what I am searching, so tell me of this immense love, what defines it?" he says as he removes his vest then again kisses Minerva on her slender neck.</p><p></p><p>Minerva snuggles in closer enjoying the sensation. "What defines it?" Minerva says trying to focus on his words through the buzzing in her head. "It has no definition, Mi Amor and knows no bounds!"</p><p></p><p>"Well then I will have to be cautious while tracking this indefinable prey if I am ever to truly behold it." Nanuet deftly begins undoing buttons on Minerva's dress. "I think I know where I should start my search though."</p><p></p><p>Back in their room Ruby wearily sits on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry Jake."</p><p></p><p><em>Are you sorry my love? Or do you simply regret the current predicament?</em> Jake thinks as he taps his lips and stares at her, looking every bit forelorn. "Ruby you know I will do everything that I can to keep you safe, and keep us together." He sits on the bed next to her, puts a hand behind her neck and with the other he closes her eyes. He holds her firmly as she tries to pull back. Jake kisses her forehead, holding that moment. He then says, "Open your eyes." When she does she can see his face is close and he is observing her eyes. He sighs, kisses her on the lips while removing the small container at her waist.</p><p></p><p>He releases her and begins to balance the silver container on his finger tips, passing it back and forth across them. "What could you possibly need old saw bones for? You can just sing a little and cure whatever little cut or bruise you have left. Unless of course you need to fill this little flask up again?" He looks away from her and continues talking. She is not sure if he is talking to her or himself. "Fool that I am, so in love with you that I did not see it. Right in front of my eyes, but blind to any faults you could have I am. Perhaps it is for the best for now...." </p><p></p><p>He finally turns and looks to her. "Is that what you want from the doctor? More headache medicine?"</p><p></p><p>There is a knock on Ruby and Jake's door. "Doc Phillips here," a weary voice says. "They summoned me to take a look at Mrs. Jacobs."</p><p></p><p>The crimson blush that has been frequenting Ruby’s face recently returns to her cheeks. But it is obvious to Jake that Ruby isn’t playing, but honestly embarrassed. She is considering telling Jake everything but is interrupted by the knock at the door.</p><p></p><p>Jake thinks a minute, and remembers seeing the Doctor during daylight so he walks to the door and opens it. "Come in Doctor. Thanks for coming at this hour. Here she is. She had quite a shock besides the bumps and bruises. It was a frightening time at the saloon. Terrible time for her to have run out of headache medicine," Jake slips the container unnoticed into his pocket, "I hope you have some of that to help her rest over the next several days."</p><p></p><p>The doctor looks past Jake and eyes Ruby. "Headaches seem to be an epidemic around here. What were you taking for your headaches ma'am and was it working for you?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby sits on the bed, still looking dazed. "Uh, laudanum. Yes it has been working," she says hanging her head as she speaks. "But I wanted you to check my head and my arm too. I don't want to get a scar."</p><p></p><p>The doctor looks over to Jake first to make sure it's OK that he comes into their room. He heads to the bed and lays his case on the bed, flicking the latches open with a practiced hand. </p><p></p><p>"Yes, I heard you got pretty banged up over at Greely's. Damn ruffians, taking their problems out on women now too. Here, let me see your arm first."</p><p></p><p>The doctor takes his time and does a gentle but thorough exam on Ruby. He does not have a full bottle of laudaunum with him so he offers Ruby a dose to help her sleep and requests that she comes to his office the next day.</p><p></p><p>"That way I can take another look at your face and arm and we can talk about the headaches."</p><p></p><p>She silently takes the dose in a small bit of whiskey. She looks up at the doctor, "Am I going to get a scar on my face from this?" she points to the mostly healed over cut. "And how long am I going to have this bruise?"</p><p></p><p>"I don't think you'll get a scar. Keep your face clean and if possible uncovered so it stays dry and it should heal fairly quickly. The bruise will probably take a couple weeks to completely fade away. That is some bruise, did he just hit you or was there something else?"</p><p></p><p>"He hit me, then he threw me across the room. But they aren't human, they're monsters!"</p><p></p><p>She looks down to her feet and says quietly. "A couple of weeks?" She shakes her head then throws herself down on the bed.</p><p></p><p>Jake approaches the doctor, "You can see she isn't feeling well. We'll see you in the morning."</p><p></p><p>"Sleep well, I'll be expecting you tomorrow."</p><p></p><p>Yeardly Phillips takes his leave of the "Jacobs" and heads back to his office.</p><p></p><p>Ruby keeps her head low. "Jake, I need a bath. Please find out if I can get one."</p><p></p><p>Jake heads downstairs to the main desk and rings the bell.</p><p></p><p>Victor Bishop answers the bell in a timely manner. He is wearing a smile when he comes to the desk. "Good evening sir, what can I do for you?"</p><p></p><p>Wearily Jake returns his smile. "Good evening. I was wondering if I might trouble for you a bath for my wife. We had some trouble over at the saloon and she needs a little bit of relaxing."</p><p> </p><p>Bishop's face shows his surprise. "Oh my, trouble you say. Is that why the doctor was here? Is she OK." He wrings his hands. "Forgive me, I should not be troubling you with questions. I will get a bath drawn for you right away."</p><p></p><p>Jake keeps his smile on. "It's alright. She going to be fine, she just needs some rest. It was some ruffians who need to be dealt with. Seems you have a lot of troublemakers around." Jake drops a dollar on the desk. "Thank you for the bath, we appreciate it."</p><p> </p><p>"You are quite welcome sir, whatever I can do to help."</p><p></p><p>Jake nods and heads back upstairs. He informs Ruby that the bath will be drawn and good to his word the clerk soon arrives. Ruby remains quiet and refuses to look Jake in the eyes. Jake pulls the chair across the floor, placing himself in front of the window.</p><p></p><p>Once the clerk leaves Ruby slowly starts pulling the shoulder off her dress but she stops suddenly. She looks up to Jake, "I don't want you to look."</p><p></p><p>A look of concern immediately crosses Jake's face. "Ruby what's wrong?"</p><p></p><p>"I just don't want you to look is all," she says, almost shyfully.</p><p></p><p>Instead of arguring Jake nods, "Alright Ruby." He turns his head to look out the window.</p><p></p><p>Ruby again undresses, this time faster than before. Jake can't help himself, his concern overwhelms him, so once she has her back to him to get into the tub he takes a quick peek. Ruby is covered in bruises, literally from head to toe. Jake winces but quickly recovers and looks away as Ruby leans her head back on the tub and looks at him. "Ok, you can look now."</p><p></p><p>Her body stiff and sore she gingerly cleans the dirt and grime off herself before closing her eyes and waiting for the opium to kick in.</p><p></p><p>Time goes by before Jake wonders if Ruby is asleep. He approaches the tub and when he touches her arm she jumps. The doctor had given her a larger does then she was used to taking and it affected her quickly. Jake suggests she gets out of the tub before she falls alseep for good and they have a repeat of the last time he tried to get her out of the tub.</p><p></p><p>Ruby again makes Jake turn away when she gets out of the tub. She dries off and crawls into bed, pulling the sheet up to her chin. Jake sits on the edge of the bed next to Ruby but she turns away from him. "Good night," she says softly and Jake takes the hint.</p><p></p><p>He sighs and goes back to his chair near the window, waiting to hear the tell tale sounds of her sleeping. Then he takes the garlic that Minerva gave them and puts it on the window and door and all around Ruby's bed. He settles himself into the chair by the window and starts going over in his mind what he will say to Ruby in the morning.</p><p></p><p>Kate was conveniently given the room across the hall from Maddie. She stopped in that room to fetch her bag, leaving a few things in Maddie's room to make it look occupied. Her pocketbook would not be able to keep up this masquerade for long. </p><p></p><p>Once in her own room, Kate got ready for bed and wondered why she had ever wanted to return to her own persona. Truly, she felt great relief to be in her own skin again, but Kate's reception was rather less than she might have hoped for. </p><p></p><p>Still, it was a productive night. She was sure now that O'Neill was not a vampire, just a scoundrel out for himself. They had a lead on who the vampires were, and the monster hunter was here. Hopefully before long they could leave this town and Kate could go back to her own life. Perhaps her resolution to stop holding herself apart from the others had been wrong.</p><p></p><p>She took a picture out of her bag that she hadn't dared display in Maddie's room and said quietly, "I am only Katie for you, my dear. Never for anyone else." She smiled a bit through the shimmering tears in her eyes. "And Papa. But you never really minded sharing with him, did you?"</p><p></p><p>After a few more quiet minutes she sighed and went to bed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819574, member: 12815"] Once outside Jake sits on the porch with his back to the wall of the saloon, his hat resting on his knee. Looking at Ruby he says, "Greely's is not as relaxing as I expected." Ruby opens her eyes at Jake but doesn't lift her head. "No, well, you didn't come here to relax, did you?" She blinks her cloudy eyes a couple of times, "And I didn't get to celebrate like I expected either." "Frustrating, I agree." Jake glances up at the stars. "With perseverance and luck though, we still have each other. Therefore, we have more opportunities for relaxation and celebration." "Yes darling, we still have each other." Ruby keeps her head down but closes her eyes again. "I need to get out of here, get back to the hotel." She turns her face away from Jake, trying to hide the soon to be bruise. "I would like to speak with that Nolan Edwards character, but I will not leave you alone. You can wait here for me for a few minutes, go back with Katherine if I can convince her and I will meet you back in a short while, or if neither is to your liking I will just find him in the morning. You choose." Jake's tone is soothing and not at all condescending. Ruby sighs, "What do YOU want to do Jake?" She realizes her little slip, picks up her head and looks around but takes another sigh when she sees that no one is around. "I want to speak to him now and have you wait for me." "I will wait if you want me too, you know I will. But I really want a bath and the doctor is going to meet me there soon too. I just don't want to stay here too much longer. I know you understand." Jake nods in response, his face somber. He reaches out and gently touches her hand. "I will be quick." He takes a few quick steps down the street and catches up with Nolan Edwards. He politely but firmly interrupts the man. "Sir, I heard what you said. Perhaps we can be of use to each other, though my plans for the next several days are unclear. However if my wife and I do not make it through the night alive I will not be much use to you... or worse. I seem to have made more enemies of vampires tonight, more than I already had if that is possible. Let us plan to meet for breakfast and speak further. What I need from you for tonight is some advice to keep us safe until the morning light." Jake clears his throat, "Especially since that larger one seemed to have influenced my wife during our little encounter tonight." "You know sir, I like your style." Edwards says offering to shake Jake's hand. "I normally would decline your offer for breakfast, as I am usually a creature of the night like most of my prey but tomorrow my plan is to get my bearings around here so I will be up during the day. As for tonight, keep your windows closed tightly. I understand you are staying at the hotel, so that means they can enter freely, but normally they cannot enter private places without being invited first, something to keep in mind. Garlic does help keep them at bay, as well as a holy symbol if you have faith in it. If you and your friends can keep a watch at night you might be better off, at least if they come you will have warning. During the evenings it is best to keep away from people you don't trust. One look into the eyes of one of these creatures could be your doom. And drink or anything that dulls your mind is just and advantage to these creatures. They not only prey on your blood, but on your mind as well so it is best to keep it as sharp as possible. Good luck sir and I will see you tomorrow morning." "Luck. Yes, luck to you sir." Jake stands there watching him walk away. "Mierda." Ruby watches Jake stride back into the saloon. She closes her eyes again and starts quickly fading into her thoughts. [i]If Jake is there how can I get another bottle of laudanum? Especially since he will be watching over me like a hawk.[/i] She squeezes her eyes shut even tighter. Her heart pounds in her chest, the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness beginning to overwhelm her. Even her clothes feel like they are constricting her and she starts desperately pulling off her ankle boots and stockings. After they have been removed Ruby looks up to the heavens once more and prays for a refreshing breeze but none comes. The air feels as heavy as her heart and she hangs her head again once more. Jake hurries back to Ruby. "I do not know if I am any wiser for that conversation." He offers his hand to her to help her up. "I suppose it confirms most of what we have learned on our own. Let us get you to the hotel." He retrieves his bag from the saloon and they leave. Ruby lets Jake gently pull her up to her feet but then she pulls her hand away. "Let's get back." Ruby picks up her stockings and shoes and they walk across the street to the hotel. Even as Jake is speaking to Edwards Nanuet is still trying to get Minerva to the hotel. "Oh, Nanuet, I feel like I could fly," Minerva laughs giddily and spreads her arms like a bird as she spins around. Nanuet deftly catches her in his arms to prevent her from stumbling to the ground. She looks up at the bright moon just as a solitary bat flies overhead prompting her to recite another Carroll poem. [i]"Twinkle, twinkle, little bat! How I wonder what you're at! Up above the world you fly, Like a tea-tray in the sky."[/i] "It is no wonder that Senorita Ruby professes to have so many headaches." she observes. From the confines of his arms. "Such a wonderful remedy, this lauda…lauda…laudanum. Not only do I NOT have a headache, but I am not even sure that I have a head!" she laughs and holds her head to stop the spinning. She halts in the middle of the street to dramatize another poem. [i]You are old, father William," the young man said, "And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly stand on your head-- Do you think, at your age, it is right?" "In my youth," father William replied to his son, "I feared it might injure the brain; But now that I'm perfectly sure I have none, Why, I do it again and again.[/i] I wonder if Ruby has any more of this? It rivals the wine of the gods! You would like it." Nanuet stops Minerva in her flutterings and forces her to look him in the eyes. "I am sure you will not understand this right now, but please at least humor me. This stuff you took, it can do you no good. It breaks your will and clouds your thoughts. In our situation right now those monsters could easily prey on your weak will. I do not wish to be the one to ruin your fun, so if we retire to the hotel we should be fine. At another time when your head is clearer we will discuss this. Until then, enjoy yourself but do not leave my sight." "Are you implying, sir, that I am not myself?" Minerva grins. "Well that just proves that we have indeed fallen down a rabbit hole and that I am Alice! But does that make you the caterpillar?" she giggles and recites. [i]Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar. Alice replied, rather shyly, `I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'[/i] Minerva can see that Nanuet is quickly losing his patience and so she tries to be serious for a moment. "I promise," she says crossing her heart, "That I will not leave your sight. If you take me back to the hotel and give me a reason to stay in it," she says leaping into his arms and boldly kissing him long and hard. "So, do we have a deal?" she says saucily. "That is an offer I can certainly accept my dear Alice, although I am no caterpillar." Nanuet returns the kiss happy to have her attention so that he can keep her out of trouble. He carries her back to the room listening to her ramblings and explanations of "Alice in Wonderland". Once he places her on the bed she sits up and unsuccessfully attempts to unlace her boots. "Some day you will have to read that book to me, it sounds very... ummm... interesting. In the meantime Alice, will you answer me a question?" "Yes mi amor, ask me your question and I will tell you no lies!" she responds with another giggle. "How much do you love me?" he says with a smile, as he walks over to the bed and slowly and deliberately helps her unlace her boots. "What do you mean how much do I love you?" she says laying on the bed and bracing her boot on his leg. "That is such an easy question. I love you more than the number of stars on the stairway to the heavens! Now you answer the question," she says lowering her bare foot and placing her other booted foot on his leg. Nanuet slips the boots off and gently pushes Minerva back so that she is laying down. He slips his own moccasins off and climbs onto the bed next to her. "That is an immeasurable amount of love. Where do you keep it all?" he says nuzzling her neck gently. "Well, You will just have to search for it won't you?" she teases. "You forget I am a ranger before I was a cleric, finding lost things is one of my specialties. But first I like to know as much as I can about what I am searching, so tell me of this immense love, what defines it?" he says as he removes his vest then again kisses Minerva on her slender neck. Minerva snuggles in closer enjoying the sensation. "What defines it?" Minerva says trying to focus on his words through the buzzing in her head. "It has no definition, Mi Amor and knows no bounds!" "Well then I will have to be cautious while tracking this indefinable prey if I am ever to truly behold it." Nanuet deftly begins undoing buttons on Minerva's dress. "I think I know where I should start my search though." Back in their room Ruby wearily sits on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry Jake." [i]Are you sorry my love? Or do you simply regret the current predicament?[/i] Jake thinks as he taps his lips and stares at her, looking every bit forelorn. "Ruby you know I will do everything that I can to keep you safe, and keep us together." He sits on the bed next to her, puts a hand behind her neck and with the other he closes her eyes. He holds her firmly as she tries to pull back. Jake kisses her forehead, holding that moment. He then says, "Open your eyes." When she does she can see his face is close and he is observing her eyes. He sighs, kisses her on the lips while removing the small container at her waist. He releases her and begins to balance the silver container on his finger tips, passing it back and forth across them. "What could you possibly need old saw bones for? You can just sing a little and cure whatever little cut or bruise you have left. Unless of course you need to fill this little flask up again?" He looks away from her and continues talking. She is not sure if he is talking to her or himself. "Fool that I am, so in love with you that I did not see it. Right in front of my eyes, but blind to any faults you could have I am. Perhaps it is for the best for now...." He finally turns and looks to her. "Is that what you want from the doctor? More headache medicine?" There is a knock on Ruby and Jake's door. "Doc Phillips here," a weary voice says. "They summoned me to take a look at Mrs. Jacobs." The crimson blush that has been frequenting Ruby’s face recently returns to her cheeks. But it is obvious to Jake that Ruby isn’t playing, but honestly embarrassed. She is considering telling Jake everything but is interrupted by the knock at the door. Jake thinks a minute, and remembers seeing the Doctor during daylight so he walks to the door and opens it. "Come in Doctor. Thanks for coming at this hour. Here she is. She had quite a shock besides the bumps and bruises. It was a frightening time at the saloon. Terrible time for her to have run out of headache medicine," Jake slips the container unnoticed into his pocket, "I hope you have some of that to help her rest over the next several days." The doctor looks past Jake and eyes Ruby. "Headaches seem to be an epidemic around here. What were you taking for your headaches ma'am and was it working for you?" Ruby sits on the bed, still looking dazed. "Uh, laudanum. Yes it has been working," she says hanging her head as she speaks. "But I wanted you to check my head and my arm too. I don't want to get a scar." The doctor looks over to Jake first to make sure it's OK that he comes into their room. He heads to the bed and lays his case on the bed, flicking the latches open with a practiced hand. "Yes, I heard you got pretty banged up over at Greely's. Damn ruffians, taking their problems out on women now too. Here, let me see your arm first." The doctor takes his time and does a gentle but thorough exam on Ruby. He does not have a full bottle of laudaunum with him so he offers Ruby a dose to help her sleep and requests that she comes to his office the next day. "That way I can take another look at your face and arm and we can talk about the headaches." She silently takes the dose in a small bit of whiskey. She looks up at the doctor, "Am I going to get a scar on my face from this?" she points to the mostly healed over cut. "And how long am I going to have this bruise?" "I don't think you'll get a scar. Keep your face clean and if possible uncovered so it stays dry and it should heal fairly quickly. The bruise will probably take a couple weeks to completely fade away. That is some bruise, did he just hit you or was there something else?" "He hit me, then he threw me across the room. But they aren't human, they're monsters!" She looks down to her feet and says quietly. "A couple of weeks?" She shakes her head then throws herself down on the bed. Jake approaches the doctor, "You can see she isn't feeling well. We'll see you in the morning." "Sleep well, I'll be expecting you tomorrow." Yeardly Phillips takes his leave of the "Jacobs" and heads back to his office. Ruby keeps her head low. "Jake, I need a bath. Please find out if I can get one." Jake heads downstairs to the main desk and rings the bell. Victor Bishop answers the bell in a timely manner. He is wearing a smile when he comes to the desk. "Good evening sir, what can I do for you?" Wearily Jake returns his smile. "Good evening. I was wondering if I might trouble for you a bath for my wife. We had some trouble over at the saloon and she needs a little bit of relaxing." Bishop's face shows his surprise. "Oh my, trouble you say. Is that why the doctor was here? Is she OK." He wrings his hands. "Forgive me, I should not be troubling you with questions. I will get a bath drawn for you right away." Jake keeps his smile on. "It's alright. She going to be fine, she just needs some rest. It was some ruffians who need to be dealt with. Seems you have a lot of troublemakers around." Jake drops a dollar on the desk. "Thank you for the bath, we appreciate it." "You are quite welcome sir, whatever I can do to help." Jake nods and heads back upstairs. He informs Ruby that the bath will be drawn and good to his word the clerk soon arrives. Ruby remains quiet and refuses to look Jake in the eyes. Jake pulls the chair across the floor, placing himself in front of the window. Once the clerk leaves Ruby slowly starts pulling the shoulder off her dress but she stops suddenly. She looks up to Jake, "I don't want you to look." A look of concern immediately crosses Jake's face. "Ruby what's wrong?" "I just don't want you to look is all," she says, almost shyfully. Instead of arguring Jake nods, "Alright Ruby." He turns his head to look out the window. Ruby again undresses, this time faster than before. Jake can't help himself, his concern overwhelms him, so once she has her back to him to get into the tub he takes a quick peek. Ruby is covered in bruises, literally from head to toe. Jake winces but quickly recovers and looks away as Ruby leans her head back on the tub and looks at him. "Ok, you can look now." Her body stiff and sore she gingerly cleans the dirt and grime off herself before closing her eyes and waiting for the opium to kick in. Time goes by before Jake wonders if Ruby is asleep. He approaches the tub and when he touches her arm she jumps. The doctor had given her a larger does then she was used to taking and it affected her quickly. Jake suggests she gets out of the tub before she falls alseep for good and they have a repeat of the last time he tried to get her out of the tub. Ruby again makes Jake turn away when she gets out of the tub. She dries off and crawls into bed, pulling the sheet up to her chin. Jake sits on the edge of the bed next to Ruby but she turns away from him. "Good night," she says softly and Jake takes the hint. He sighs and goes back to his chair near the window, waiting to hear the tell tale sounds of her sleeping. Then he takes the garlic that Minerva gave them and puts it on the window and door and all around Ruby's bed. He settles himself into the chair by the window and starts going over in his mind what he will say to Ruby in the morning. Kate was conveniently given the room across the hall from Maddie. She stopped in that room to fetch her bag, leaving a few things in Maddie's room to make it look occupied. Her pocketbook would not be able to keep up this masquerade for long. Once in her own room, Kate got ready for bed and wondered why she had ever wanted to return to her own persona. Truly, she felt great relief to be in her own skin again, but Kate's reception was rather less than she might have hoped for. Still, it was a productive night. She was sure now that O'Neill was not a vampire, just a scoundrel out for himself. They had a lead on who the vampires were, and the monster hunter was here. Hopefully before long they could leave this town and Kate could go back to her own life. Perhaps her resolution to stop holding herself apart from the others had been wrong. She took a picture out of her bag that she hadn't dared display in Maddie's room and said quietly, "I am only Katie for you, my dear. Never for anyone else." She smiled a bit through the shimmering tears in her eyes. "And Papa. But you never really minded sharing with him, did you?" After a few more quiet minutes she sighed and went to bed. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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