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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: 2819658" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Aftermath Part III</span></p><p></p><p>Back at the Lucky Lady Niles breathes a sigh of relief when Ruby walks in with the beyond drunk Jake. She waves him off, indicting not now as she helps Jake up the stairs. She uses a towel to try to dry and clean him off a bit. "Baths later, when you wake up," she announces. She settles a compliant Jake into their warm and cozy bed before sitting in the comfy chair near the window to watch him sleep.</p><p></p><p>By the time Ruby wakes it is mostly dark outside. She rubs her neck and grimaces, stiff from falling asleep in the chair with her head hanging over. She stretches her long arms and legs but doesn’t get out of the chair. Instead she gazes out the window into the dusk sky.</p><p></p><p>Over their little city it was dark and the bright stars were starting to appear from their hiding spots. But in the distance Ruby could make out the sun setting into a haze of orange, pink and purple. She smiles and watches the sun disappear for another day.</p><p></p><p>Jake watches her silently from the bed. He remains still, his head held up by one hand and his elbow dug into the soft bed. There is still a dull throb in the back of his skull.</p><p></p><p>Ruby is slightly startled to see Jake's eyes open and watching her but she acts casually. "Oh, I didn't know you were awake." She stands and stretches again, this time Jake getting a much better view of her, caked in dried mud, her hair still stuck to her head, clothes ripped and filthy. "How do you feel? I bet you could use a drink." She walks to their little table and finds only one glass. She fills it and takes it and the bottle over to the bed. Sitting next to Jake she offers him the glass.</p><p></p><p>"I feel like an ass. I don't usually act like such a fool so early in the day. I usually wait until the sun is higher in the sky before I start." He takes the glass and sips from it. "Ah, hair of the dog." He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "How about if I buy us a bath? I am the cause of all this mud and your sore muscles, it is the least I can do. It is about time I come clean." Her face starts to react to his words but he reaches out and puts a finger to her lips before she can speak. "Make no mistake, I have not lied to you. Everything I said is true." While rubbing his forehead he remarks, "Surprisingly, I remember everything I said this morning, at least I think I do. What I need to do is explain myself better."</p><p></p><p>Tired and just a little confused, Ruby only nods. A bath seemed like heaven at this point and she wasn't about to turn it down. "I'll pack us some clean clothes." She sets about gathering the garments while stopping to take sips from the bottle every now and then. Jake drags himself out of bed slowly with minimal moaning.</p><p></p><p>They walk slowly and silently over to Gilson's, both hoping the bathhouse is still open. Jake knocks and as they wait outside Ruby comments, “You know Jake, you don't need to say anything, I mean explain anything, if you don't want to. I bet you're tired of talking."</p><p></p><p>"No, I want to say them. I need to clear these misunderstandings between us. I hope when I am done that your mind and heart will be at ease." He hears someone on the other side of the door. "If not, all that is left is to distract you from your suffering with compliments, gifts and affection." When Ruby glances up Jake is grinning and his eyes seem bright and happy.</p><p></p><p>“Alright,” she nods, returning his grin. It was the first really good moment Ruby felt since this morning’s conversation started. Ruby takes Jake’s hand in hers as Laurie comes to the door. “We’re clos…” she starts but her voice trails off when she sees the condition of Jake and Ruby. “Looks like you two need some hot baths,” she smiles, “Come on in.”</p><p></p><p>They wait patiently in the front room while Laurie draws their baths herself. She calls to them from the bath room, “You’re all set in here.” She walks back out to them. “I’m afraid to ask how the two of you got so dirty. I have some things to do upstairs so I won’t be around down here. I left extra water on the side cabinet, you’re going to need it. Do you need anything else?”</p><p></p><p>Ruby replies, “I’m sure everything is fine. Thank you Laurie, you’re a good friend.” Ruby kisses her cheek softly and heads into the room. The dark room is lit softly with candles and she can smell the scented bath soap and see the steam rising off the water in the candle light. Her sore muscles practically scream out for her to dive in but instead she waits for Jake.</p><p></p><p>He follows her in, reflexes and habit taking over in the dark room as he scans the corners quickly with his hand reaching around back to his derringer. He chuckles briefly and relaxes. "It smells good."</p><p></p><p>He starts to remove his clothes and begins speaking. "You have known me long enough by now, you know I do not hope or pray for things to go my way. I go out and act. Improve the odds and take action is my way. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but I always have confidence I can win." Once his shirt is off he tests the water with an arm and a satisfied sigh. He then works on his boots. "That works wonders when I am taking risks with things I am willing to lose. Confident, cool and in control; that is Silver Jake Cook. The truth is I bury my doubts and feed my bravado. I hardly ever know how I am going to accomplish what I start; I just decide I will come out ahead. Behaving that way has become as naturally as walking to me. I am nearly as good as fooling myself as I am those around me." The words spill out in a tone that is both pleasant and relaxed. Jake has an easy smile on his face.</p><p></p><p>Ruby slides her clothes off, throwing them into the corner with her foot, and she doesn’t hesitate to glide into the steaming hot water. After Jake is through speaking she lets herself slip under the water without comment. She holds her breath as long as she can and relaxes as her hair swims around her in the tub. Finally she comes up for air with a small gasp and just leans her head back on the tub, eyes closed. “So what are you fooling yourself about?” she asks without opening her eyes.</p><p></p><p>Jake's smile grows broader. "That I am confident, cool and in control." He drops the rest of his clothes and climbs into the water. "Oh, yes. That will do." He turns his charming smile directly towards her face. "You will have the good taste to keep that to yourself, won't you?"</p><p></p><p>He grabs some soap and starts rubbing it on his arms distractedly. "What happens when you discover that there is one thing that you just could not bear to lose? A little fear, a little uncertainty, a little doubt creeps into your being. The small voice of worry that I usually ignore starts sounding louder and louder. Suddenly, to my dismay, my approach to overcoming problems does not work for my new found treasure."</p><p></p><p>Ruby opens her eyes and slowly turns her head towards Jake. "Oh really?" she smiles just a bit, "I don't believe that Silver Jake Cook could ever be unsure of himself, especially when talking about treasure." She looks back to the ceiling. "So what are you saying Jake?"</p><p></p><p>"Did you ever notice that I can talk my way out of nearly anything with most folks but at times my tongue gets tangled up in knots talking to you? Why is that?" Jake finally slides his head beneath the water and comes back up shaking his head and blowing. He turns again towards her. "Why does your smile light my day brighter than the sun? Why does the sound of your voice even saying the simplest of words play like heavenly music in my ears? Why do your tears darken my world and make my chest ache? Why does the slightest fear of losing you bring a tremble to my hands and terror to my heart? I have said it before and I will say it again; It is because I am in love with you." Jake chuckles lightly. "Am I still talking in circles girl? The treasure is you."</p><p></p><p>"So what am I to do? Stop loving you?" He shifts his body to the edge of his tub and rests his chin on the lip. "I would sooner stop breathing."</p><p></p><p>"You say that our being together is destiny, maybe you are right. What do I know of destiny? Is it something arranged by the gods? If so, I will accept their help and be grateful for that aid in keeping Ruby West at my side. What if the gods decided we should not be together? What if their whims now choose a different destiny? I would not be deterred. We belong together because we have decided that there can be no one better. For you I would happily defy my destiny. I would do exactly what I do today, whatever it takes to keep you by my side." Jake rests his arms along the lip of the tub with his hands under his chin. He is still relaxed and smiling. "I will not ask you to release your belief in destiny, do not ask me to surrender my belief that I make my own."</p><p></p><p>Ruby stops rubbing the scented soap over her arms and listens to Jake intently. Her eyes twinkle as she speaks softly, "Darling you make me so happy when you tell me how much you love me. I never want you to stop loving me or following me. Ever. There was a day when I was so sure I could get you to fall in love with me, because that is what I used to do, what I’ve always done, what I am good at. And then there was a day that I just wasn't sure anymore, wasn't sure because I realized I loved you and wanted you to love me for who I am and not what I could do, that might not be real. And then that day came and made me happier than I've ever been."</p><p></p><p>She turns and with bubbles running down her face from her hair she gazes at Jake. "I would never ask you to give up what you believe in. If you think we can make our own destiny then we can, do it together. I think we can do anything if we do it together. You know I never cared for the gods until… well, until my dream. I thought I was abandoned. But now it is clear that Aphrodite wishes us to be together, she sends us her blessings, I believe it to be true. I won’t turn that down as much as I know you and I can do anything together. We don't have to choose, we can have it both ways."</p><p></p><p>She begins again rubbing the lavender soap lazily over herself, stretching her long bubble covered legs one by one into the air, too lazy and tired to reach for them. "But then I get confused, some things I don’t understand. If Silver Jake Cook makes his own destiny than how are you so sure that you could or would make me hate you? Build a cage for me? I mean, I'm not trying to convince you to marry me, that point is past, but you seem so sure that you would become your father or that Luther or something even worse. So if you control what happens why can't you control that too?"</p><p></p><p>"You took a chance taking me to bed with a bottle of bourbon that night so long ago." Her lips turn up at the fond memories flooding through her, of the first night Jake bedded her, the first night of the beginning of her new life. “You, me and that bottle of Kentucky Bourbon. Those are good odds. But I just don’t understand the rest.”</p><p></p><p>"I didn't say I would become my father, just worried that I could and stacking the odds is comforting. He is the last person I want to be like." Jake's eye look down to the floor between their tubs. "So, you have had no doubts on your own abilities, will power, or worth? You have not wondered if your past will make it difficult to be who you may want to be in the future and in our relationship? I know you have and I am not troubled by it. You asked me about marriage and I panicked." He looks up again and adds, "I told no lies. I just unintentionally shared my worries in a harsh and exaggerated way."</p><p></p><p>Ruby stops suddenly, soap in hand and glances at Jake before staring down into her tub full of bubbles. Jake detects an unusual blush creeping onto Ruby’s cheeks. “I will admit something to you. I never thought about getting married all that much before. Actually I did think about it and what an awful, horrible idea it was. But all of a sudden it just seemed like the right thing. Especially since I think, I KNOW we’re always going to be together anyway. If we’re going to be together then why not? And then,” the crimson blush grows deeper, “When you said what you said my feelings got hurt badly. I’m not used to getting turned down or turned away and I felt foolish.” She quietly swishes some bubbles in the tub. “I don’t know why, I just couldn’t help myself.” </p><p>"I was beside myself with worry over the interloper from Thomaswell at the time you brought it up. I was not very tactful. Forgive my petty fears and missteps. You should be flattered that I spend time worrying over nothing." Jake grins and splashes water at her. "You should be flattered that I spend so much time improving the odds of having you safely by my side. I have told you things I have never told anyone else, and likely will never tell anyone else. You even pointed it out yourself, you know my weaknesses. If that does not tell you I trust and have faith in you completely I do not know what will."</p><p></p><p>Jake releases the side of the tub and fishes around for the soap he dropped. Finding it, he goes back to cleaning himself. "I had to learn to walk, grant me a little time to learn how to bring that same every day confidence to us. It will come, it has come a long way already."</p><p></p><p>"Do not mistake my doubts," he says as he distractedly continues to clean himself. "There is no doubt that I want you, no other. Do we want the same future? The future I want is with Ruby West. Today I have no greater ambitions. I am certain that some day I will acquire higher aspirations, just as I am certain achieving them would be meaningless without my partner, friend and lover." Jake stops washing and fixes his gaze back on her. "There can be no one better for me than you, it is as simple as that."</p><p></p><p>Ruby sits quietly again, listening to Jake pour his heart out while she lazily rubs soap over herself. But she has a hard time trying to keep the smile off her face as Jake's words warm her heart. She looks into his twinkling eyes from across the distance between them. "You feel so far away," she smiles. "But you seem like you're in a good mood now baby."</p><p></p><p>"And why not, I have everything I desire. Don't I?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes," Ruby's soft smile grows, "You have me. What else do you need?" Ruby gets back to scrubbing, a little rougher to get the tough spots of mud off. Finally she pulls her knees up to her chest, wraps her arms around her bubbly legs and rests her wet head on her knees. Staring at Jake with her big green eyes she continues, “So, what do you think is going to happen to us, Jake?”</p><p></p><p>"We are going to live happily ever after princess. I mean, why not? Even if I do not have everything figured out, the desire is there."</p><p></p><p>“I think you have things figured out pretty well, Mr. Cook. You have all the advantage over me, you always have.” Ruby gazes at the flickering candle and Jake notices her face go a little blank before she snaps back into reality. She keeps her head on her knees and smiles softly as she continues.</p><p></p><p>“You know, you’ve left me twice. You left me here in Promise City twice to go see Red in Tucson without bringing me with you. I didn’t know if you would come back. I hoped and maybe even prayed in my own way, that you would. And you did. You proved that you would. And I love you for that.” Ruby is silent for a moment. “But I let you go.”</p><p></p><p>Her eyes wander up to meet Jake’s. It is obvious by the look in his face he doesn’t know where she is going with her speech. “Jake, you say I am free to do what I want, but I’m not. I’m not free, after today I realize that, even after this mornings declarations of feeling free. Even if I could make myself leave, you have me caught in your spell.” Ruby looks away from Jake’s gaze. “Earlier you made it so I couldn’t leave. You said some things… you drank yourself into oblivion…” Ruby sighs lightly but her small smile remains. “I don’t mean to relive it. You just took what I thought I needed to do in a bad way.”</p><p></p><p>“My point is, I am not as free as you think I am, or even as I thought I was. You didn’t want me to leave, I know. And you made it so I really wouldn’t, because I love you and don’t want to hurt you, don’t want you to think I’m testing you and didn’t want you to think there was a chance I wasn’t coming back.” She looks into his eyes again. “But it’s ok. I don’t want you to want me to leave. I want you to try to stop me, to make sure I don’t do something silly. So now that I think about it, I really don’t mind so much. It means that you care about me. But to think that I’m free would be foolish on both of our parts. To me, what we have is like what goes with the ring, just without having the ring. We’ve already promised each other so much more than what the ring carries with it. So... I'm not free, but that's the POINT. I WANT it that way.”</p><p></p><p>Before Jake can interrupt Ruby continues, “I promised you forever and I meant it. I fully intend to keep that promise, to do whatever I can to make sure it happens. Our future is simple, it’s the same, it’s the one that both of us are in together. I know that now. I accept you don’t want to get married to me and it’s ok. I guess I have my silly reasons for wanting to but I don’t need to. I guess I thought it would be some grand adventure for Jake and Ruby to take, the dream ending, or beginning, to my fairy tale of us. The one I really never dared to dream before. The Princess and her Knight in shining armor live happily ever after," Ruby smiles, "Just like you said."</p><p></p><p>"But YOU are so much more important to me than any want that I have. And even more important than some needs I THINK I have,” she says as a small laugh escapes her lips. “So the thing is, you are happy as we were. I’ve given you all my love and my heart and my soul, everything I can give. So there is no where else to go for us. Which is good because you like it that way. And I do too.” She shrugs. “You have me, you have everything you want. So our happy ever after has already begun. I’m not going anywhere, ever, and nothing is going to change.” Ruby pauses. “Well, I guess eventually I will grow old and things will sag. Maybe. So I guess that will change. But none of the other stuff.”</p><p></p><p>“So you see, you DO have it all figured out. You have everything you want and need. Which is why I can see now you wouldn't want to take a chance on change.” Ruby hasn’t moved though her whole little speech, she just keeps smiling and keeps her twinkling eyes on Jake.</p><p></p><p>Jake watches her as she talks, never taking his eyes off her. "I think you just said you are happy. All that makes me extremely happy. That is a far cry from what you were saying to me this morning, telling me you need to go away and think about your future." He raises his hand to stop her from speaking, "Yes, I know I did not give you time to explain yourself. I just heard you were leaving and I just could not face it. Comparing that to when I went to Tucson is not quite the same. If you had said you needed to visit your sick Aunt Edna in Flagstaff I would not have reacted the same way." He smiles again. "I AM sorry about this morning. I do want you to feel free, not too free mind you,” he chuckles, "But free enough to travel if you need to, free enough to have some time to yourself if you need it. As long as you promise me you are coming back." He pauses and the smile fades. "What you said now is a big change from what you said this morning. I ... I hope that it is, but are you sure your heart is made up?" </p><p>“Yes Jake, my heart is made up.” Ruby shrugs, keeping her head on her knees, but a smile comes to her face, “We’re meant to be, no matter how hard we try to screw things up.”</p><p></p><p>Then she hugs her knees tighter, sighs and looks away from Jake. “I know what I said is different than what I said earlier. It’s my head that seems to have problems understanding. It’s my head that is making me crazy. My heart says ‘Just love him Ruby West and let him love you. It’s simple, you don’t need anything more’. But my head keeps finding ways to doubt, to confuse things, to not understand, to fight what my heart is telling me is right.” She looks back to Jake, “So what am I to do?”</p><p></p><p>Jake gives her a cat ate the mouse grin and replies, "Listen to your heart, we will figure out the rest as we go along."</p><p></p><p>"This coming from the boy that plans and plots everything as much as he can?" Ruby gives a small laugh before sighing again. "I've been trying that, it doesn't really seem to be working, does it?"</p><p></p><p>Jake stands up abruptly and the water runs off him back into the tub. "I have explained that before, I plan when I have to and just take it as it comes when I do not." He steps out of the tub and grabs for a towel. "I know you feel some anxiety, but I thought otherwise things were working, that you and I were good together." He dries his hair with the towel. "We have come a long way, you and I, in many ways. And yes, we have a ways to go as well." He wraps the towel around his waist and sits on a nearby stool. "I have tried to give you everything you have desired. I know I have messed up sometimes, but I have tried to make good of it, tried to show you that you can trust me, that I will not leave you." He runs his fingers through his wet hair, combing it back. "I admit I over reacted this morning, I should have trusted you more. I will. When I first met you, I was so sure I would lose the best thing ever to happen to me... well it has taken me a while to let that fear go away and I have, some, um, short lapses."</p><p></p><p>He plants his hands on his thighs and continues. "Do you believe that I do not think you are good enough? Is that it?" Jake shakes his head. "No, Ruby, I am just not as certain as you that the institution of marriage is beneficial. I have tried to explain it, and each time I end up offending you and making you think somehow you are not good enough." He looks around suddenly wishing for a drink. "For now, I am done explaining. It just makes matters worse. I am just going to ask you to believe I am doing what I think is best for us right now. Time will go by and perhaps I will come to see things your way, or you will come to see things my way. Or maybe we will never agree on that matter. Either way we will still see things together."</p><p></p><p>Ruby shivers, suddenly feeling the now cool water. She climbs out of the tub and wraps herself in the big fluffy bathrobe that Laurie had laid out. She leans her head forward, drying off her long hair before wrapping it up in a towel. A couple of times she looks like she will speak, but she remains quiet. She pulls her clean clothes out and lays them on the counter. Without looking at Jake she says softly, “I’m very tired, it’s been a long day and every muscle in my body hurts. I want to go home.”</p><p></p><p>Jake nods, finishes drying and gets dressed silently, as does Ruby. Jake waits while Ruby peeks upstairs to speak with Laurie. He can hear the two women’s voices but cannot hear what they are saying. Ruby descends the stairs but says nothing and they return to the Lucky Lady in silence.</p><p></p><p>Once they are back Ruby pulls her dress off but leaves her white lacy undergarments. She sits at her vanity and mindlessly brushes her long damp hair, lost in thought. She stares off into the mirror but isn’t looking at anything as her arm moves up and down, up and down. Eventually she finishes and she crawls into bed, pulling the sheet up high around her.</p><p></p><p>Finally she speaks, her tone weary. “You told me that we could talk about anything as long as I wanted for as many times as I wanted and now you are saying there is something you won’t talk about.” She pauses for a moment. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore either, I don’t want to because it hurts when we do.” Silence again. Ruby rolls to her side and pulls up her knees, cuddling with her pillow.</p><p></p><p>Jake sighs, "You are right I did. I just became frustrated because I cannot seem to talk about it without making you angry, upset or hurt." He pulls his boots off and falls into the stuffed chair. "I stand by what I told you the first time, I will do my best to answer your questions." He rubs his eyes and face and then drops his hands on the arms of the chair.</p><p></p><p>“No Jake, I don’t want to talk anymore.” With that Ruby turns her back and shuts her eyes tight.</p><p></p><p>Jake sits in the chair a while, watching her. When he decides she is not getting up again to talk, quietly slips into bed. "Good night princess," he whispers so low that the words hardly make a sound.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819658, member: 12815"] [SIZE=3]Aftermath Part III[/SIZE] Back at the Lucky Lady Niles breathes a sigh of relief when Ruby walks in with the beyond drunk Jake. She waves him off, indicting not now as she helps Jake up the stairs. She uses a towel to try to dry and clean him off a bit. "Baths later, when you wake up," she announces. She settles a compliant Jake into their warm and cozy bed before sitting in the comfy chair near the window to watch him sleep. By the time Ruby wakes it is mostly dark outside. She rubs her neck and grimaces, stiff from falling asleep in the chair with her head hanging over. She stretches her long arms and legs but doesn’t get out of the chair. Instead she gazes out the window into the dusk sky. Over their little city it was dark and the bright stars were starting to appear from their hiding spots. But in the distance Ruby could make out the sun setting into a haze of orange, pink and purple. She smiles and watches the sun disappear for another day. Jake watches her silently from the bed. He remains still, his head held up by one hand and his elbow dug into the soft bed. There is still a dull throb in the back of his skull. Ruby is slightly startled to see Jake's eyes open and watching her but she acts casually. "Oh, I didn't know you were awake." She stands and stretches again, this time Jake getting a much better view of her, caked in dried mud, her hair still stuck to her head, clothes ripped and filthy. "How do you feel? I bet you could use a drink." She walks to their little table and finds only one glass. She fills it and takes it and the bottle over to the bed. Sitting next to Jake she offers him the glass. "I feel like an ass. I don't usually act like such a fool so early in the day. I usually wait until the sun is higher in the sky before I start." He takes the glass and sips from it. "Ah, hair of the dog." He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "How about if I buy us a bath? I am the cause of all this mud and your sore muscles, it is the least I can do. It is about time I come clean." Her face starts to react to his words but he reaches out and puts a finger to her lips before she can speak. "Make no mistake, I have not lied to you. Everything I said is true." While rubbing his forehead he remarks, "Surprisingly, I remember everything I said this morning, at least I think I do. What I need to do is explain myself better." Tired and just a little confused, Ruby only nods. A bath seemed like heaven at this point and she wasn't about to turn it down. "I'll pack us some clean clothes." She sets about gathering the garments while stopping to take sips from the bottle every now and then. Jake drags himself out of bed slowly with minimal moaning. They walk slowly and silently over to Gilson's, both hoping the bathhouse is still open. Jake knocks and as they wait outside Ruby comments, “You know Jake, you don't need to say anything, I mean explain anything, if you don't want to. I bet you're tired of talking." "No, I want to say them. I need to clear these misunderstandings between us. I hope when I am done that your mind and heart will be at ease." He hears someone on the other side of the door. "If not, all that is left is to distract you from your suffering with compliments, gifts and affection." When Ruby glances up Jake is grinning and his eyes seem bright and happy. “Alright,” she nods, returning his grin. It was the first really good moment Ruby felt since this morning’s conversation started. Ruby takes Jake’s hand in hers as Laurie comes to the door. “We’re clos…” she starts but her voice trails off when she sees the condition of Jake and Ruby. “Looks like you two need some hot baths,” she smiles, “Come on in.” They wait patiently in the front room while Laurie draws their baths herself. She calls to them from the bath room, “You’re all set in here.” She walks back out to them. “I’m afraid to ask how the two of you got so dirty. I have some things to do upstairs so I won’t be around down here. I left extra water on the side cabinet, you’re going to need it. Do you need anything else?” Ruby replies, “I’m sure everything is fine. Thank you Laurie, you’re a good friend.” Ruby kisses her cheek softly and heads into the room. The dark room is lit softly with candles and she can smell the scented bath soap and see the steam rising off the water in the candle light. Her sore muscles practically scream out for her to dive in but instead she waits for Jake. He follows her in, reflexes and habit taking over in the dark room as he scans the corners quickly with his hand reaching around back to his derringer. He chuckles briefly and relaxes. "It smells good." He starts to remove his clothes and begins speaking. "You have known me long enough by now, you know I do not hope or pray for things to go my way. I go out and act. Improve the odds and take action is my way. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but I always have confidence I can win." Once his shirt is off he tests the water with an arm and a satisfied sigh. He then works on his boots. "That works wonders when I am taking risks with things I am willing to lose. Confident, cool and in control; that is Silver Jake Cook. The truth is I bury my doubts and feed my bravado. I hardly ever know how I am going to accomplish what I start; I just decide I will come out ahead. Behaving that way has become as naturally as walking to me. I am nearly as good as fooling myself as I am those around me." The words spill out in a tone that is both pleasant and relaxed. Jake has an easy smile on his face. Ruby slides her clothes off, throwing them into the corner with her foot, and she doesn’t hesitate to glide into the steaming hot water. After Jake is through speaking she lets herself slip under the water without comment. She holds her breath as long as she can and relaxes as her hair swims around her in the tub. Finally she comes up for air with a small gasp and just leans her head back on the tub, eyes closed. “So what are you fooling yourself about?” she asks without opening her eyes. Jake's smile grows broader. "That I am confident, cool and in control." He drops the rest of his clothes and climbs into the water. "Oh, yes. That will do." He turns his charming smile directly towards her face. "You will have the good taste to keep that to yourself, won't you?" He grabs some soap and starts rubbing it on his arms distractedly. "What happens when you discover that there is one thing that you just could not bear to lose? A little fear, a little uncertainty, a little doubt creeps into your being. The small voice of worry that I usually ignore starts sounding louder and louder. Suddenly, to my dismay, my approach to overcoming problems does not work for my new found treasure." Ruby opens her eyes and slowly turns her head towards Jake. "Oh really?" she smiles just a bit, "I don't believe that Silver Jake Cook could ever be unsure of himself, especially when talking about treasure." She looks back to the ceiling. "So what are you saying Jake?" "Did you ever notice that I can talk my way out of nearly anything with most folks but at times my tongue gets tangled up in knots talking to you? Why is that?" Jake finally slides his head beneath the water and comes back up shaking his head and blowing. He turns again towards her. "Why does your smile light my day brighter than the sun? Why does the sound of your voice even saying the simplest of words play like heavenly music in my ears? Why do your tears darken my world and make my chest ache? Why does the slightest fear of losing you bring a tremble to my hands and terror to my heart? I have said it before and I will say it again; It is because I am in love with you." Jake chuckles lightly. "Am I still talking in circles girl? The treasure is you." "So what am I to do? Stop loving you?" He shifts his body to the edge of his tub and rests his chin on the lip. "I would sooner stop breathing." "You say that our being together is destiny, maybe you are right. What do I know of destiny? Is it something arranged by the gods? If so, I will accept their help and be grateful for that aid in keeping Ruby West at my side. What if the gods decided we should not be together? What if their whims now choose a different destiny? I would not be deterred. We belong together because we have decided that there can be no one better. For you I would happily defy my destiny. I would do exactly what I do today, whatever it takes to keep you by my side." Jake rests his arms along the lip of the tub with his hands under his chin. He is still relaxed and smiling. "I will not ask you to release your belief in destiny, do not ask me to surrender my belief that I make my own." Ruby stops rubbing the scented soap over her arms and listens to Jake intently. Her eyes twinkle as she speaks softly, "Darling you make me so happy when you tell me how much you love me. I never want you to stop loving me or following me. Ever. There was a day when I was so sure I could get you to fall in love with me, because that is what I used to do, what I’ve always done, what I am good at. And then there was a day that I just wasn't sure anymore, wasn't sure because I realized I loved you and wanted you to love me for who I am and not what I could do, that might not be real. And then that day came and made me happier than I've ever been." She turns and with bubbles running down her face from her hair she gazes at Jake. "I would never ask you to give up what you believe in. If you think we can make our own destiny then we can, do it together. I think we can do anything if we do it together. You know I never cared for the gods until… well, until my dream. I thought I was abandoned. But now it is clear that Aphrodite wishes us to be together, she sends us her blessings, I believe it to be true. I won’t turn that down as much as I know you and I can do anything together. We don't have to choose, we can have it both ways." She begins again rubbing the lavender soap lazily over herself, stretching her long bubble covered legs one by one into the air, too lazy and tired to reach for them. "But then I get confused, some things I don’t understand. If Silver Jake Cook makes his own destiny than how are you so sure that you could or would make me hate you? Build a cage for me? I mean, I'm not trying to convince you to marry me, that point is past, but you seem so sure that you would become your father or that Luther or something even worse. So if you control what happens why can't you control that too?" "You took a chance taking me to bed with a bottle of bourbon that night so long ago." Her lips turn up at the fond memories flooding through her, of the first night Jake bedded her, the first night of the beginning of her new life. “You, me and that bottle of Kentucky Bourbon. Those are good odds. But I just don’t understand the rest.” "I didn't say I would become my father, just worried that I could and stacking the odds is comforting. He is the last person I want to be like." Jake's eye look down to the floor between their tubs. "So, you have had no doubts on your own abilities, will power, or worth? You have not wondered if your past will make it difficult to be who you may want to be in the future and in our relationship? I know you have and I am not troubled by it. You asked me about marriage and I panicked." He looks up again and adds, "I told no lies. I just unintentionally shared my worries in a harsh and exaggerated way." Ruby stops suddenly, soap in hand and glances at Jake before staring down into her tub full of bubbles. Jake detects an unusual blush creeping onto Ruby’s cheeks. “I will admit something to you. I never thought about getting married all that much before. Actually I did think about it and what an awful, horrible idea it was. But all of a sudden it just seemed like the right thing. Especially since I think, I KNOW we’re always going to be together anyway. If we’re going to be together then why not? And then,” the crimson blush grows deeper, “When you said what you said my feelings got hurt badly. I’m not used to getting turned down or turned away and I felt foolish.” She quietly swishes some bubbles in the tub. “I don’t know why, I just couldn’t help myself.” "I was beside myself with worry over the interloper from Thomaswell at the time you brought it up. I was not very tactful. Forgive my petty fears and missteps. You should be flattered that I spend time worrying over nothing." Jake grins and splashes water at her. "You should be flattered that I spend so much time improving the odds of having you safely by my side. I have told you things I have never told anyone else, and likely will never tell anyone else. You even pointed it out yourself, you know my weaknesses. If that does not tell you I trust and have faith in you completely I do not know what will." Jake releases the side of the tub and fishes around for the soap he dropped. Finding it, he goes back to cleaning himself. "I had to learn to walk, grant me a little time to learn how to bring that same every day confidence to us. It will come, it has come a long way already." "Do not mistake my doubts," he says as he distractedly continues to clean himself. "There is no doubt that I want you, no other. Do we want the same future? The future I want is with Ruby West. Today I have no greater ambitions. I am certain that some day I will acquire higher aspirations, just as I am certain achieving them would be meaningless without my partner, friend and lover." Jake stops washing and fixes his gaze back on her. "There can be no one better for me than you, it is as simple as that." Ruby sits quietly again, listening to Jake pour his heart out while she lazily rubs soap over herself. But she has a hard time trying to keep the smile off her face as Jake's words warm her heart. She looks into his twinkling eyes from across the distance between them. "You feel so far away," she smiles. "But you seem like you're in a good mood now baby." "And why not, I have everything I desire. Don't I?" "Yes," Ruby's soft smile grows, "You have me. What else do you need?" Ruby gets back to scrubbing, a little rougher to get the tough spots of mud off. Finally she pulls her knees up to her chest, wraps her arms around her bubbly legs and rests her wet head on her knees. Staring at Jake with her big green eyes she continues, “So, what do you think is going to happen to us, Jake?” "We are going to live happily ever after princess. I mean, why not? Even if I do not have everything figured out, the desire is there." “I think you have things figured out pretty well, Mr. Cook. You have all the advantage over me, you always have.” Ruby gazes at the flickering candle and Jake notices her face go a little blank before she snaps back into reality. She keeps her head on her knees and smiles softly as she continues. “You know, you’ve left me twice. You left me here in Promise City twice to go see Red in Tucson without bringing me with you. I didn’t know if you would come back. I hoped and maybe even prayed in my own way, that you would. And you did. You proved that you would. And I love you for that.” Ruby is silent for a moment. “But I let you go.” Her eyes wander up to meet Jake’s. It is obvious by the look in his face he doesn’t know where she is going with her speech. “Jake, you say I am free to do what I want, but I’m not. I’m not free, after today I realize that, even after this mornings declarations of feeling free. Even if I could make myself leave, you have me caught in your spell.” Ruby looks away from Jake’s gaze. “Earlier you made it so I couldn’t leave. You said some things… you drank yourself into oblivion…” Ruby sighs lightly but her small smile remains. “I don’t mean to relive it. You just took what I thought I needed to do in a bad way.” “My point is, I am not as free as you think I am, or even as I thought I was. You didn’t want me to leave, I know. And you made it so I really wouldn’t, because I love you and don’t want to hurt you, don’t want you to think I’m testing you and didn’t want you to think there was a chance I wasn’t coming back.” She looks into his eyes again. “But it’s ok. I don’t want you to want me to leave. I want you to try to stop me, to make sure I don’t do something silly. So now that I think about it, I really don’t mind so much. It means that you care about me. But to think that I’m free would be foolish on both of our parts. To me, what we have is like what goes with the ring, just without having the ring. We’ve already promised each other so much more than what the ring carries with it. So... I'm not free, but that's the POINT. I WANT it that way.” Before Jake can interrupt Ruby continues, “I promised you forever and I meant it. I fully intend to keep that promise, to do whatever I can to make sure it happens. Our future is simple, it’s the same, it’s the one that both of us are in together. I know that now. I accept you don’t want to get married to me and it’s ok. I guess I have my silly reasons for wanting to but I don’t need to. I guess I thought it would be some grand adventure for Jake and Ruby to take, the dream ending, or beginning, to my fairy tale of us. The one I really never dared to dream before. The Princess and her Knight in shining armor live happily ever after," Ruby smiles, "Just like you said." "But YOU are so much more important to me than any want that I have. And even more important than some needs I THINK I have,” she says as a small laugh escapes her lips. “So the thing is, you are happy as we were. I’ve given you all my love and my heart and my soul, everything I can give. So there is no where else to go for us. Which is good because you like it that way. And I do too.” She shrugs. “You have me, you have everything you want. So our happy ever after has already begun. I’m not going anywhere, ever, and nothing is going to change.” Ruby pauses. “Well, I guess eventually I will grow old and things will sag. Maybe. So I guess that will change. But none of the other stuff.” “So you see, you DO have it all figured out. You have everything you want and need. Which is why I can see now you wouldn't want to take a chance on change.” Ruby hasn’t moved though her whole little speech, she just keeps smiling and keeps her twinkling eyes on Jake. Jake watches her as she talks, never taking his eyes off her. "I think you just said you are happy. All that makes me extremely happy. That is a far cry from what you were saying to me this morning, telling me you need to go away and think about your future." He raises his hand to stop her from speaking, "Yes, I know I did not give you time to explain yourself. I just heard you were leaving and I just could not face it. Comparing that to when I went to Tucson is not quite the same. If you had said you needed to visit your sick Aunt Edna in Flagstaff I would not have reacted the same way." He smiles again. "I AM sorry about this morning. I do want you to feel free, not too free mind you,” he chuckles, "But free enough to travel if you need to, free enough to have some time to yourself if you need it. As long as you promise me you are coming back." He pauses and the smile fades. "What you said now is a big change from what you said this morning. I ... I hope that it is, but are you sure your heart is made up?" “Yes Jake, my heart is made up.” Ruby shrugs, keeping her head on her knees, but a smile comes to her face, “We’re meant to be, no matter how hard we try to screw things up.” Then she hugs her knees tighter, sighs and looks away from Jake. “I know what I said is different than what I said earlier. It’s my head that seems to have problems understanding. It’s my head that is making me crazy. My heart says ‘Just love him Ruby West and let him love you. It’s simple, you don’t need anything more’. But my head keeps finding ways to doubt, to confuse things, to not understand, to fight what my heart is telling me is right.” She looks back to Jake, “So what am I to do?” Jake gives her a cat ate the mouse grin and replies, "Listen to your heart, we will figure out the rest as we go along." "This coming from the boy that plans and plots everything as much as he can?" Ruby gives a small laugh before sighing again. "I've been trying that, it doesn't really seem to be working, does it?" Jake stands up abruptly and the water runs off him back into the tub. "I have explained that before, I plan when I have to and just take it as it comes when I do not." He steps out of the tub and grabs for a towel. "I know you feel some anxiety, but I thought otherwise things were working, that you and I were good together." He dries his hair with the towel. "We have come a long way, you and I, in many ways. And yes, we have a ways to go as well." He wraps the towel around his waist and sits on a nearby stool. "I have tried to give you everything you have desired. I know I have messed up sometimes, but I have tried to make good of it, tried to show you that you can trust me, that I will not leave you." He runs his fingers through his wet hair, combing it back. "I admit I over reacted this morning, I should have trusted you more. I will. When I first met you, I was so sure I would lose the best thing ever to happen to me... well it has taken me a while to let that fear go away and I have, some, um, short lapses." He plants his hands on his thighs and continues. "Do you believe that I do not think you are good enough? Is that it?" Jake shakes his head. "No, Ruby, I am just not as certain as you that the institution of marriage is beneficial. I have tried to explain it, and each time I end up offending you and making you think somehow you are not good enough." He looks around suddenly wishing for a drink. "For now, I am done explaining. It just makes matters worse. I am just going to ask you to believe I am doing what I think is best for us right now. Time will go by and perhaps I will come to see things your way, or you will come to see things my way. Or maybe we will never agree on that matter. Either way we will still see things together." Ruby shivers, suddenly feeling the now cool water. She climbs out of the tub and wraps herself in the big fluffy bathrobe that Laurie had laid out. She leans her head forward, drying off her long hair before wrapping it up in a towel. A couple of times she looks like she will speak, but she remains quiet. She pulls her clean clothes out and lays them on the counter. Without looking at Jake she says softly, “I’m very tired, it’s been a long day and every muscle in my body hurts. I want to go home.” Jake nods, finishes drying and gets dressed silently, as does Ruby. Jake waits while Ruby peeks upstairs to speak with Laurie. He can hear the two women’s voices but cannot hear what they are saying. Ruby descends the stairs but says nothing and they return to the Lucky Lady in silence. Once they are back Ruby pulls her dress off but leaves her white lacy undergarments. She sits at her vanity and mindlessly brushes her long damp hair, lost in thought. She stares off into the mirror but isn’t looking at anything as her arm moves up and down, up and down. Eventually she finishes and she crawls into bed, pulling the sheet up high around her. Finally she speaks, her tone weary. “You told me that we could talk about anything as long as I wanted for as many times as I wanted and now you are saying there is something you won’t talk about.” She pauses for a moment. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore either, I don’t want to because it hurts when we do.” Silence again. Ruby rolls to her side and pulls up her knees, cuddling with her pillow. Jake sighs, "You are right I did. I just became frustrated because I cannot seem to talk about it without making you angry, upset or hurt." He pulls his boots off and falls into the stuffed chair. "I stand by what I told you the first time, I will do my best to answer your questions." He rubs his eyes and face and then drops his hands on the arms of the chair. “No Jake, I don’t want to talk anymore.” With that Ruby turns her back and shuts her eyes tight. Jake sits in the chair a while, watching her. When he decides she is not getting up again to talk, quietly slips into bed. "Good night princess," he whispers so low that the words hardly make a sound. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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