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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2866651" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 130, “A Lazy Afternoon”, Tuesday, March 21st, 1882, 12:15 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>There is more silence but eventually Ruby relaxes again. “What do you think of each of our friends? I’m curious.” "Oh, no." Jake responds with a laugh, "Now you are abusing the question game. It really is supposed to be yes or no questions. It's fine that we broke that rule but now you think you are getting all those answers with one question? I'm not falling for that." He punctuates his last statement with a gentle poke on her nose. "Invalid question, ask again." </p><p></p><p>Ruby playfully acts shocked, "Abusing! Why I never... Ok, how about this one... what’s your favorite thing about me?" "May the gods have mercy upon my degenerate soul if I get this one wrong,” Jake says comically with eyes bulging. He taps his finger on her hand a number of times before he says, “You are more alive than anyone I have ever met." He stops tapping and smiles as if to say don't ask me to explain. The smile on his face slowly fades and a serious expression takes over. "Is your husband dead?" </p><p></p><p>“Yes, he’s dead,” she responds without much emotion. Ruby laughs at something unknown then continues, “And I only meant if you liked my butt or my lips or my something else…,” she smiles mischievously, “Better. Not all this deep stuff,” she giggles. “So what was this girl’s name? It wasn’t Mattie, was it?” "No, it wasn't Mattie." Jake laughs too. "No, not Mattie. Her name was Rachael." Jake goes back to tapping on her hand with his finger. "I'll give you a free question, I've suddenly lost the desire to ask any more today." </p><p></p><p>"How come?" Ruby asks curiously. "Wait! That's not my question. But I still want to know why... My question is... Will you take a photograph with me later this week...ppllleeesssseeeee...." Ruby gives Jake a huge grin and big green pleading eyes while she reaches up with both hands behind his neck and pulls his face towards hers, "Plleeeaaasssseeee, bbaaabbbyyyyy," she giggles. “Another unfair use of the question game," Jake laughs and throws her off his lap. "Cheater!" He cries. "Game over, I'll submit to having my picture taken but no more of this abuse of the sanctity of the question game." </p><p></p><p>“Heeeyyy…,” Ruby laughs as Jake pushes her. Her huge grin turns into a genuine smile as she looks back at him over her shoulder, “Good, I really wanted one, a picture of you and me. Now let me give you something you really want.” Ruby moves closer then pushes Jake gently down onto the blanket, face down. She straddles him and starts giving him a back massage. “Why don’t you just close your eyes and enjoy the nice weather? A nap would be so nice…” Once again, Jake doesn't resist. </p><p></p><p>Ruby slowly and deeply rubs the muscles in Jake’s back, eliciting some contented moans and sighs, herself taking satisfaction in making Jake happy and relaxed. It’s not long before she hears the soft familiar snoring that she loves so much. She keeps running her fingers over his back for a while before she climbs off gently and without waking him. She lays next to him, watching him sleep, brushing the hair off his face so she can admire him. She had been really scared the day before that they were not going to be together anymore and she really needed last night and today to get back to herself after the crazy week. Eventually last nights antics catch up to her and she falls asleep too. </p><p></p><p>Ruby wakes first after a short nap and again watches Jake, still sleeping soundly. She rises off the blanket and quietly goes about picking wildflowers. Humming to herself, she gathers a large bouquet full of variety, each flower seeming to be more full of scent and color than the last. She takes her time, enjoying the simple task, occasionally stopping to look back and smile at the sleeping Jake. Finally she sits on the edge of the blanket, her skirts pulled up again to enjoy the sunlight. She carefully places flowers up in her hair, occasionally stopping to smell one or run a soft flower over her lips. </p><p></p><p>Jake eventually wakes but he doesn't open his eyes. He can feel the sun penetrating the trees and its rays reaching his back. The sounds of the stream, birds and light wind are all soothing. He can also hear the slight rustle of someone sitting next to him and the aroma of flowers. If I open my eyes will it go away? He pops an eye open and watches Ruby. Her thick red hair burning over her white undergarments was striking. There was something peaceful and special about the look on her face, the flowers that adorned her and the way the sunlight danced on and around her this day. And as much as Jake admired and lusted after her shapely form, it was her face that always captivated him. He admired her high and delicate cheek bones, full rich lips that were almost as expressive as her eyes, and those eyes shaped like rich almonds that today contained dark emeralds that glittered and twinkled. He kept his breathing constant and moved not an inch, knowing eventually she would see he was awake but wanting to cherish the scene for a little longer. </p><p></p><p>Ruby watches as a pair of birds fly together, dancing around each other to some melody she couldn’t hear and it made her smile. So far today had been so different from yesterday, so peaceful and relaxing and calm and full of happiness and laughter. She glances back over at her Jake, he would awake soon. Ruby quietly moves closer to him, trying to let his peaceful slumber remain a few moments longer. She lay next to him on the blanket, stretching out her legs then turning on her side to face him. She has a single flower in her hand and is smelling it when she catches Jake opening his eyes. She caresses his face with the flower as he yawns. “Hello sleepy head,” she says softly. “How was your nap?” </p><p></p><p>"Pleasant and rejuvenating. Quite a decadent treat for a saloon rat to lay about in the open air." </p><p>Ruby listens intently to Jake’s answer but remains silent. They lay there just staring into each other’s eyes. Finally Ruby speaks. “Baby, will you do something for me?” She pushes some hair off his face, “You once told me that I was yours, I want to hear it again. Tell me you’re mine, that you belong to me and that I belong to you. I want to hear you say it.” </p><p></p><p>"Ruby West, you are my girl." Jake replies without blinking. "I don't want anybody else. I am your man." Ruby smiles softly at his words. “I am your girl. I don’t want anybody else either. And I don’t want to think about a time when that won’t be true.” Ruby reaches out her hand and cups Jake’s face, her thumb caressing his cheek. She leans forward and kisses him gently, pulling away so slowly that their lips stick together after the kiss is over. Jake senses something different in Ruby, in her stare and in her voice, a tenderness he hasn’t seen before and even vulnerability. She stares up at Jake with big eyes, her emotions plain for him to see. “Will you make love to me Jake?” "Yes," he whispers and tenderly pulls her close, "Yes, of course." </p><p></p><p>Ruby kisses him again, taking much pleasure in the feel of his lips on hers. Jake runs his hand up and down Ruby’s thigh as they kiss. He puts his hand behind the crook of her knee and suddenly pulls it up to his waist, pulling her leg over his and forcing her closer. She pushes her body the rest of the way so she is leaning up against him. Ruby fights the fiery desire welling up in her again, and tries to hold back the longing to just take what she, and what she knows he, wants. These moments feel unreal to Ruby, like she is lost in some sort of dream or she is under a magic spell. Time is stopped and no one else exists but the two of them. Everything around them seems in slow motion, from the soft song of the birds being sung just for them to the leaves and flowers gently falling off the trees, drifting in the air weightless. </p><p></p><p>She takes Jake’s hand and puts it on her face, then guides it down her neck, ending between her breasts, over her heart. Jake can feel it pounding, and the beating grows with his touch on her. “I am so crazy about you, baby,” she whispers, “Whenever I feel like I should run away all I want to do is run to you; everything is right in your arms. I would do anything for you; do anything you asked of me. I never thought I would feel this way but I can’t help myself. I am so in love with you…” she says each word slowly and deliberately, “Jacob Alistair Cook.” </p><p></p><p>He pulls her over on top of him and kisses her lips hungrily. "Maybe the sun," he says panting slightly and nostrils flaring, "Will just freeze there in the sky for us... and let this go on forever." His hands slide smoothly under the garments covering her back. "Either way, I'm going to have to... give that clerk... a bigger tip." With his hands gripped tightly on her back, Jake’s hunger for her finally takes over and Ruby gives in to both of their desires, and they make love until early afternoon. </p><p></p><p>Resting afterwards contented in each other’s arms, Ruby runs her fingers across Jake’s chest, as she always does. “I will always remember this perfect moment with you Jake.” She seals her promise to Jake and herself with a romantic kiss. “I hope you will too.” He kisses her fingers, "It would be hard to forget." They linger lazily for some time before they reluctantly dress, pack and ride slowly back to Tombstone. As they ride away Ruby glances back at the grove over her shoulder and smiles.</p><p></p><p>Once back at the Grand Ruby and Jake tie up their horses out front and head back inside. Ruby stops at the desk and asks the clerk to get someone to draw a bath for her. The clerk indicates there is no note for her and she heads upstairs. </p><p></p><p>She arranges a fresh dress on the bed for after her bath and starts getting her new dress and accessories ready for this evening. Once the bath is drawn Ruby slips slowly into the hot water and bubbles. "I wish I had a bath in our room at the Lucky Lady," she say out loud to herself before leaning back. She glances at Jake but says nothing to him. After her bath is over and she is nice and clean and dressed Ruby suggests, "Let's check again downstairs if there is any notes for us, if not let's go over to the jail and find out if there is any new information."</p><p></p><p>There are no notes downstairs. They hear the train whistle in the background and the clock reads 4:30 PM, indicating that the train that had arrived from Tucson is now leaving to return to there. As Jake and Ruby go to head out of the front door of the Grand Hotel they nearly collide with Helen Barker, who is coming back into the hotel. She is wearing traveling clothes and carrying a large cloth travel bag with a paisley design on it. Jake is polite, "Mrs. Barker, Good afternoon," and he tips his hat. </p><p></p><p>"Helen," Ruby says curtly. "Send George off with a proper farewell?" She replies, "Yes, as a matter of fact I did. He departed from Tucson on an westbound train at noon. He's probably out of the Territory by now. I told you yesterday that your scheme has failed. I can now guarantee that it has. It is safe to say that you won't be seeing Georgie ever again."</p><p></p><p>"You SO sure it has failed, Mrs. Barker?" Ruby grabs Jake by the belt and kisses him very passionately in front of Helen. "Hear that baby? We don't ever have to see him again. If only I could say the same about Helen here." Helen marches indignantly into the Grand Hotel without responding. </p><p></p><p>Jake and Ruby heard over to the Marshall's Office and Jail. The building is locked and dark inside. Nobody appears to be around. They knock, to double check that no one is there. After that they head over to Fly's to try to find Cassidy and Fly and get the information from them.</p><p></p><p>Mary Edith Goodrich and Camillus Sidney Fly invite Jake and Ruby in. In response to the inquiry they say, "No, they left a few hours ago, we haven't seen them since." As Ruby and Jake are leaving Mary Edith says, "And call us Mollie and Buck, everybody else does." "Thanks Mollie!" Ruby calls back over her shoulder. </p><p></p><p>Next they head to the Crystal Palace Saloon and the office on the second floor. There are three offices on the second floor. One belongs to the Circuit Judge, the second to Sheriff and the third to Marshall. The Marshall's is the only one open at the moment, with Marshall Virgil Earp sitting behind the desk.</p><p></p><p>"Good afternoon Marshall. My condolences to your family on your loss. I was looking for Wyatt." Jake says solemnly. Virgil looks up and says, "And exactly who are you again?" He replies, "Ah, yes, forgive me. I am Jake Cook and this is Miss Ruby West. We own a saloon over in Promise City."</p><p></p><p>Virgil says, "Oh, yes. You looked familiar. Morgan introduced me to you at the train station a couple of months back. Mr. Cook, I know that Wyatt has said before that he trusts you, and normally that alone would be good enough for me. But under the present circumstances I'm not inclined to trust lots of the people I know. You're a stranger to me."</p><p></p><p>"Quite understandable given the circumstances. You will not be offended then if I admit the same for you. We will make ourselves available to you when you feel comfortable then, we are staying at the Grand." Jake looks at Ruby for a brief moment and then back to Virgil. </p><p></p><p>"I have information to share with Wyatt regarding the Cowboy gang, I am a member of the Merchants Committee sent from Promise City to speak to Wyatt, and I was the one who told Deputy Williams to keep his little problem secret this morning until you and your brother arrived back in town to decide what to do about it." Jake offers his arm to Ruby. "I might add I am probably the most sympathetic member of the Merchants Committee that was sent to speak to your brother."</p><p></p><p>Virgil looks Jake in the eye and says, "I don't know where he is Mr. Cook. That's the truth. That's how Wyatt wants it. He's trying to keep me out of this so that I can continue to do my job here." Jake answers, "I'll take your word for it. Unless you wish to suddenly have some trust in me, let me know when we can talk. I can appreciate your caution, I have had too many close calls with the Cowboy gang in the last week myself." He turns to Ruby, "An early dinner at the Grand then?" "Certainly." She takes Jake's arm. "Goodbye Marshal Earp." She nods to him. </p><p></p><p>Once outside the Saloon, "Where else can we look? Maybe the train station? Or do you really just want to go for dinner?" He says, "Williams, Fly, Cassidy and now the Earps all know where to find us now. All of Cochise country probably does. If they want or need us, they will find us. Just because Virgil doesn't know where Wyatt is, doesn't mean he doesn't know how to get word to him. Let's have a leisurely dinner." </p><p></p><p>Jake guides her towards the hotel. "What scheme?" "You're right baby, as usual. Let's have a nice dinner." She pauses the blurts out, "But I'm not dressed for dinner yet!" "Scheme? What are you talking about?" He replies, "We have plenty of time, you can take your time getting dressed." They take some more steps quietly and says, "Helen said something about a scheme. Of course it did get me a rather forceful kiss, for which I am grateful."</p><p></p><p>"You like forceful kisses? No, not MY Mr. Cook..." Ruby smiles and takes Jake's hand as they walk. "You wanted to be rid of Mr. Eastman, right? I really didn't come here to see George, even though you don't believe me," Ruby doesn't let Jake interrupt her, "But it seemed as good a time as any to deal with this. I don’t want you and I to fight about it anymore." </p><p></p><p>Ruby pushes some stray hair off her face, "Helen thinks we're grifters, trying to con George out of his $50,000. She threatened me, said she didn't like what we were doing and wasn't going to allow it. I reminded her of an incident we had when we were younger and she denied it. Got defensive. She was already my enemy, Jake, she put herself in that position. Stanley was never coming back to the Lucky Lady and neither was she. She invited George here to prove what a bad wife I'd be. She challenged me by saying that I had lost this hand." </p><p></p><p>"So in the end, I scared her by telling her I was going to love being cousins with her." Ruby laughs. "It got her to wire him to make sure he never comes back, just in case. Of course, she didn't realize that was the goal all along."</p><p></p><p>He answers, "Don't be so defensive yourself. Someone walks up to us and says our scheme isn't working might just catch my attention. Some places put you in prison for schemes." He pinches her on the behind. "I have tried hard to avoid prison. I am not going to lament the loss of Helen Barker as a customer. What's done is done. We do have a business to consider, so we just need to minimize any bad blood or problems she could cause. There are other folks who want to spend their money at the Lucky Lady, they just don't know it yet. Who wouldn't want to hear Ruby West's golden voice?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby squeal at the pinch and giggles. "Right... who wouldn't want to hear me sing." She is quiet then until they get back to their room. Finally she asks, "You don't have any comment about Mr. Eastman? I thought you would be pleased." He says, "Ruby, what do you wish me to say? I AM pleased that he's gone. I AM glad you took care of it. It just seems whenever we even talk about that guy there is trouble between us. I AM trying to make this a pleasant trip away for you, for us. I am happy to just have him fade away."</p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs. "You wanted him gone and I made him leave. Yes, I thought you would be happy. I wanted him gone too, for us. You'll probably get mad but I want to tell you one final story about George Eastman, but it’s really a story about me." Before Jake can interrupt, she pushes him down in the chair. "Just hear me out ok?" </p><p></p><p>"When I was a child, I was always surrounded by people being fake, wanting to be around me for my parents money or because they wanted something, you know... boys," she laughs, "They were always pestering me. When I was twelve, they would follow me around like little puppy dogs. Hoping to get on my good side so they could marry into the family fortune I suppose. Not that I cared much, but it kept me from having any time alone or pursuing other activities not proper for a young lady with my heritage." </p><p></p><p>Ruby starts to dress as she speaks. "So one day, there were about six boys over. And I wanted them to leave me alone. So I took off my platinum ring, the one inscribed with a C, and threw it in the lake. I declared that whoever found it, I would marry. Well, they all dived in and tried to find it, including George. And they all gave up after not too long, the pursuit boring them I guess, or me just not being important enough," she shrugs and laughs. "But not George. He came back, every single day that summer, swimming in the lake, looking for that ring." Ruby has a far off look in her eyes. "No one ever found it." </p><p></p><p>"The point is," Ruby steps up to the mirror, smoothing out her dress, "that before YOU, George was the only one who truly cared about me, even if he cared about someone he didn't know anything about. In my life there haven’t been many I ever felt really cared me. How could I disregard that, however misguided the feelings were? That is the reason why I can't hate Mr. Eastman.” She pins her hair up into a fancy style. “I know you are jealous and you don’t believe me, but you have no reason to fear him anymore, actually you never did. I never loved him and I never will.” Ruby walks over to her bag, taking out Jake’s tiara. She places it on her head and pins it on. “And now he is gone and we have no reason to ever talk about him again.” </p><p></p><p>“And I am here with you. YOU are the only one to ever really care about ME, you know me, who I really am, you look out for me, you do things no one else ever has. And I love YOU. I can only hope that one day you would jump in that lake looking for my ring.” She turns to face Jake, her new rose colored gown in place. Besides the tiara she wears her heart shaped earrings and the diamond ring on her right hand. She approaches him and puts a finger under his chin, gently forcing his face up to look at her. “I told you earlier today I would do anything for you. YOU are my knight in shining armor. And now,” she smiles at him, “It’s just us, a fairy tale knight and his princess.” Jake sits there quiet for a while just looking at her, looking for something to say. Finally all he can say is, "You look lovely, every bit the princess that you are."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2866651, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 130, “A Lazy Afternoon”, Tuesday, March 21st, 1882, 12:15 P.M.[/B] There is more silence but eventually Ruby relaxes again. “What do you think of each of our friends? I’m curious.” "Oh, no." Jake responds with a laugh, "Now you are abusing the question game. It really is supposed to be yes or no questions. It's fine that we broke that rule but now you think you are getting all those answers with one question? I'm not falling for that." He punctuates his last statement with a gentle poke on her nose. "Invalid question, ask again." Ruby playfully acts shocked, "Abusing! Why I never... Ok, how about this one... what’s your favorite thing about me?" "May the gods have mercy upon my degenerate soul if I get this one wrong,” Jake says comically with eyes bulging. He taps his finger on her hand a number of times before he says, “You are more alive than anyone I have ever met." He stops tapping and smiles as if to say don't ask me to explain. The smile on his face slowly fades and a serious expression takes over. "Is your husband dead?" “Yes, he’s dead,” she responds without much emotion. Ruby laughs at something unknown then continues, “And I only meant if you liked my butt or my lips or my something else…,” she smiles mischievously, “Better. Not all this deep stuff,” she giggles. “So what was this girl’s name? It wasn’t Mattie, was it?” "No, it wasn't Mattie." Jake laughs too. "No, not Mattie. Her name was Rachael." Jake goes back to tapping on her hand with his finger. "I'll give you a free question, I've suddenly lost the desire to ask any more today." "How come?" Ruby asks curiously. "Wait! That's not my question. But I still want to know why... My question is... Will you take a photograph with me later this week...ppllleeesssseeeee...." Ruby gives Jake a huge grin and big green pleading eyes while she reaches up with both hands behind his neck and pulls his face towards hers, "Plleeeaaasssseeee, bbaaabbbyyyyy," she giggles. “Another unfair use of the question game," Jake laughs and throws her off his lap. "Cheater!" He cries. "Game over, I'll submit to having my picture taken but no more of this abuse of the sanctity of the question game." “Heeeyyy…,” Ruby laughs as Jake pushes her. Her huge grin turns into a genuine smile as she looks back at him over her shoulder, “Good, I really wanted one, a picture of you and me. Now let me give you something you really want.” Ruby moves closer then pushes Jake gently down onto the blanket, face down. She straddles him and starts giving him a back massage. “Why don’t you just close your eyes and enjoy the nice weather? A nap would be so nice…” Once again, Jake doesn't resist. Ruby slowly and deeply rubs the muscles in Jake’s back, eliciting some contented moans and sighs, herself taking satisfaction in making Jake happy and relaxed. It’s not long before she hears the soft familiar snoring that she loves so much. She keeps running her fingers over his back for a while before she climbs off gently and without waking him. She lays next to him, watching him sleep, brushing the hair off his face so she can admire him. She had been really scared the day before that they were not going to be together anymore and she really needed last night and today to get back to herself after the crazy week. Eventually last nights antics catch up to her and she falls asleep too. Ruby wakes first after a short nap and again watches Jake, still sleeping soundly. She rises off the blanket and quietly goes about picking wildflowers. Humming to herself, she gathers a large bouquet full of variety, each flower seeming to be more full of scent and color than the last. She takes her time, enjoying the simple task, occasionally stopping to look back and smile at the sleeping Jake. Finally she sits on the edge of the blanket, her skirts pulled up again to enjoy the sunlight. She carefully places flowers up in her hair, occasionally stopping to smell one or run a soft flower over her lips. Jake eventually wakes but he doesn't open his eyes. He can feel the sun penetrating the trees and its rays reaching his back. The sounds of the stream, birds and light wind are all soothing. He can also hear the slight rustle of someone sitting next to him and the aroma of flowers. If I open my eyes will it go away? He pops an eye open and watches Ruby. Her thick red hair burning over her white undergarments was striking. There was something peaceful and special about the look on her face, the flowers that adorned her and the way the sunlight danced on and around her this day. And as much as Jake admired and lusted after her shapely form, it was her face that always captivated him. He admired her high and delicate cheek bones, full rich lips that were almost as expressive as her eyes, and those eyes shaped like rich almonds that today contained dark emeralds that glittered and twinkled. He kept his breathing constant and moved not an inch, knowing eventually she would see he was awake but wanting to cherish the scene for a little longer. Ruby watches as a pair of birds fly together, dancing around each other to some melody she couldn’t hear and it made her smile. So far today had been so different from yesterday, so peaceful and relaxing and calm and full of happiness and laughter. She glances back over at her Jake, he would awake soon. Ruby quietly moves closer to him, trying to let his peaceful slumber remain a few moments longer. She lay next to him on the blanket, stretching out her legs then turning on her side to face him. She has a single flower in her hand and is smelling it when she catches Jake opening his eyes. She caresses his face with the flower as he yawns. “Hello sleepy head,” she says softly. “How was your nap?” "Pleasant and rejuvenating. Quite a decadent treat for a saloon rat to lay about in the open air." Ruby listens intently to Jake’s answer but remains silent. They lay there just staring into each other’s eyes. Finally Ruby speaks. “Baby, will you do something for me?” She pushes some hair off his face, “You once told me that I was yours, I want to hear it again. Tell me you’re mine, that you belong to me and that I belong to you. I want to hear you say it.” "Ruby West, you are my girl." Jake replies without blinking. "I don't want anybody else. I am your man." Ruby smiles softly at his words. “I am your girl. I don’t want anybody else either. And I don’t want to think about a time when that won’t be true.” Ruby reaches out her hand and cups Jake’s face, her thumb caressing his cheek. She leans forward and kisses him gently, pulling away so slowly that their lips stick together after the kiss is over. Jake senses something different in Ruby, in her stare and in her voice, a tenderness he hasn’t seen before and even vulnerability. She stares up at Jake with big eyes, her emotions plain for him to see. “Will you make love to me Jake?” "Yes," he whispers and tenderly pulls her close, "Yes, of course." Ruby kisses him again, taking much pleasure in the feel of his lips on hers. Jake runs his hand up and down Ruby’s thigh as they kiss. He puts his hand behind the crook of her knee and suddenly pulls it up to his waist, pulling her leg over his and forcing her closer. She pushes her body the rest of the way so she is leaning up against him. Ruby fights the fiery desire welling up in her again, and tries to hold back the longing to just take what she, and what she knows he, wants. These moments feel unreal to Ruby, like she is lost in some sort of dream or she is under a magic spell. Time is stopped and no one else exists but the two of them. Everything around them seems in slow motion, from the soft song of the birds being sung just for them to the leaves and flowers gently falling off the trees, drifting in the air weightless. She takes Jake’s hand and puts it on her face, then guides it down her neck, ending between her breasts, over her heart. Jake can feel it pounding, and the beating grows with his touch on her. “I am so crazy about you, baby,” she whispers, “Whenever I feel like I should run away all I want to do is run to you; everything is right in your arms. I would do anything for you; do anything you asked of me. I never thought I would feel this way but I can’t help myself. I am so in love with you…” she says each word slowly and deliberately, “Jacob Alistair Cook.” He pulls her over on top of him and kisses her lips hungrily. "Maybe the sun," he says panting slightly and nostrils flaring, "Will just freeze there in the sky for us... and let this go on forever." His hands slide smoothly under the garments covering her back. "Either way, I'm going to have to... give that clerk... a bigger tip." With his hands gripped tightly on her back, Jake’s hunger for her finally takes over and Ruby gives in to both of their desires, and they make love until early afternoon. Resting afterwards contented in each other’s arms, Ruby runs her fingers across Jake’s chest, as she always does. “I will always remember this perfect moment with you Jake.” She seals her promise to Jake and herself with a romantic kiss. “I hope you will too.” He kisses her fingers, "It would be hard to forget." They linger lazily for some time before they reluctantly dress, pack and ride slowly back to Tombstone. As they ride away Ruby glances back at the grove over her shoulder and smiles. Once back at the Grand Ruby and Jake tie up their horses out front and head back inside. Ruby stops at the desk and asks the clerk to get someone to draw a bath for her. The clerk indicates there is no note for her and she heads upstairs. She arranges a fresh dress on the bed for after her bath and starts getting her new dress and accessories ready for this evening. Once the bath is drawn Ruby slips slowly into the hot water and bubbles. "I wish I had a bath in our room at the Lucky Lady," she say out loud to herself before leaning back. She glances at Jake but says nothing to him. After her bath is over and she is nice and clean and dressed Ruby suggests, "Let's check again downstairs if there is any notes for us, if not let's go over to the jail and find out if there is any new information." There are no notes downstairs. They hear the train whistle in the background and the clock reads 4:30 PM, indicating that the train that had arrived from Tucson is now leaving to return to there. As Jake and Ruby go to head out of the front door of the Grand Hotel they nearly collide with Helen Barker, who is coming back into the hotel. She is wearing traveling clothes and carrying a large cloth travel bag with a paisley design on it. Jake is polite, "Mrs. Barker, Good afternoon," and he tips his hat. "Helen," Ruby says curtly. "Send George off with a proper farewell?" She replies, "Yes, as a matter of fact I did. He departed from Tucson on an westbound train at noon. He's probably out of the Territory by now. I told you yesterday that your scheme has failed. I can now guarantee that it has. It is safe to say that you won't be seeing Georgie ever again." "You SO sure it has failed, Mrs. Barker?" Ruby grabs Jake by the belt and kisses him very passionately in front of Helen. "Hear that baby? We don't ever have to see him again. If only I could say the same about Helen here." Helen marches indignantly into the Grand Hotel without responding. Jake and Ruby heard over to the Marshall's Office and Jail. The building is locked and dark inside. Nobody appears to be around. They knock, to double check that no one is there. After that they head over to Fly's to try to find Cassidy and Fly and get the information from them. Mary Edith Goodrich and Camillus Sidney Fly invite Jake and Ruby in. In response to the inquiry they say, "No, they left a few hours ago, we haven't seen them since." As Ruby and Jake are leaving Mary Edith says, "And call us Mollie and Buck, everybody else does." "Thanks Mollie!" Ruby calls back over her shoulder. Next they head to the Crystal Palace Saloon and the office on the second floor. There are three offices on the second floor. One belongs to the Circuit Judge, the second to Sheriff and the third to Marshall. The Marshall's is the only one open at the moment, with Marshall Virgil Earp sitting behind the desk. "Good afternoon Marshall. My condolences to your family on your loss. I was looking for Wyatt." Jake says solemnly. Virgil looks up and says, "And exactly who are you again?" He replies, "Ah, yes, forgive me. I am Jake Cook and this is Miss Ruby West. We own a saloon over in Promise City." Virgil says, "Oh, yes. You looked familiar. Morgan introduced me to you at the train station a couple of months back. Mr. Cook, I know that Wyatt has said before that he trusts you, and normally that alone would be good enough for me. But under the present circumstances I'm not inclined to trust lots of the people I know. You're a stranger to me." "Quite understandable given the circumstances. You will not be offended then if I admit the same for you. We will make ourselves available to you when you feel comfortable then, we are staying at the Grand." Jake looks at Ruby for a brief moment and then back to Virgil. "I have information to share with Wyatt regarding the Cowboy gang, I am a member of the Merchants Committee sent from Promise City to speak to Wyatt, and I was the one who told Deputy Williams to keep his little problem secret this morning until you and your brother arrived back in town to decide what to do about it." Jake offers his arm to Ruby. "I might add I am probably the most sympathetic member of the Merchants Committee that was sent to speak to your brother." Virgil looks Jake in the eye and says, "I don't know where he is Mr. Cook. That's the truth. That's how Wyatt wants it. He's trying to keep me out of this so that I can continue to do my job here." Jake answers, "I'll take your word for it. Unless you wish to suddenly have some trust in me, let me know when we can talk. I can appreciate your caution, I have had too many close calls with the Cowboy gang in the last week myself." He turns to Ruby, "An early dinner at the Grand then?" "Certainly." She takes Jake's arm. "Goodbye Marshal Earp." She nods to him. Once outside the Saloon, "Where else can we look? Maybe the train station? Or do you really just want to go for dinner?" He says, "Williams, Fly, Cassidy and now the Earps all know where to find us now. All of Cochise country probably does. If they want or need us, they will find us. Just because Virgil doesn't know where Wyatt is, doesn't mean he doesn't know how to get word to him. Let's have a leisurely dinner." Jake guides her towards the hotel. "What scheme?" "You're right baby, as usual. Let's have a nice dinner." She pauses the blurts out, "But I'm not dressed for dinner yet!" "Scheme? What are you talking about?" He replies, "We have plenty of time, you can take your time getting dressed." They take some more steps quietly and says, "Helen said something about a scheme. Of course it did get me a rather forceful kiss, for which I am grateful." "You like forceful kisses? No, not MY Mr. Cook..." Ruby smiles and takes Jake's hand as they walk. "You wanted to be rid of Mr. Eastman, right? I really didn't come here to see George, even though you don't believe me," Ruby doesn't let Jake interrupt her, "But it seemed as good a time as any to deal with this. I don’t want you and I to fight about it anymore." Ruby pushes some stray hair off her face, "Helen thinks we're grifters, trying to con George out of his $50,000. She threatened me, said she didn't like what we were doing and wasn't going to allow it. I reminded her of an incident we had when we were younger and she denied it. Got defensive. She was already my enemy, Jake, she put herself in that position. Stanley was never coming back to the Lucky Lady and neither was she. She invited George here to prove what a bad wife I'd be. She challenged me by saying that I had lost this hand." "So in the end, I scared her by telling her I was going to love being cousins with her." Ruby laughs. "It got her to wire him to make sure he never comes back, just in case. Of course, she didn't realize that was the goal all along." He answers, "Don't be so defensive yourself. Someone walks up to us and says our scheme isn't working might just catch my attention. Some places put you in prison for schemes." He pinches her on the behind. "I have tried hard to avoid prison. I am not going to lament the loss of Helen Barker as a customer. What's done is done. We do have a business to consider, so we just need to minimize any bad blood or problems she could cause. There are other folks who want to spend their money at the Lucky Lady, they just don't know it yet. Who wouldn't want to hear Ruby West's golden voice?" Ruby squeal at the pinch and giggles. "Right... who wouldn't want to hear me sing." She is quiet then until they get back to their room. Finally she asks, "You don't have any comment about Mr. Eastman? I thought you would be pleased." He says, "Ruby, what do you wish me to say? I AM pleased that he's gone. I AM glad you took care of it. It just seems whenever we even talk about that guy there is trouble between us. I AM trying to make this a pleasant trip away for you, for us. I am happy to just have him fade away." Ruby sighs. "You wanted him gone and I made him leave. Yes, I thought you would be happy. I wanted him gone too, for us. You'll probably get mad but I want to tell you one final story about George Eastman, but it’s really a story about me." Before Jake can interrupt, she pushes him down in the chair. "Just hear me out ok?" "When I was a child, I was always surrounded by people being fake, wanting to be around me for my parents money or because they wanted something, you know... boys," she laughs, "They were always pestering me. When I was twelve, they would follow me around like little puppy dogs. Hoping to get on my good side so they could marry into the family fortune I suppose. Not that I cared much, but it kept me from having any time alone or pursuing other activities not proper for a young lady with my heritage." Ruby starts to dress as she speaks. "So one day, there were about six boys over. And I wanted them to leave me alone. So I took off my platinum ring, the one inscribed with a C, and threw it in the lake. I declared that whoever found it, I would marry. Well, they all dived in and tried to find it, including George. And they all gave up after not too long, the pursuit boring them I guess, or me just not being important enough," she shrugs and laughs. "But not George. He came back, every single day that summer, swimming in the lake, looking for that ring." Ruby has a far off look in her eyes. "No one ever found it." "The point is," Ruby steps up to the mirror, smoothing out her dress, "that before YOU, George was the only one who truly cared about me, even if he cared about someone he didn't know anything about. In my life there haven’t been many I ever felt really cared me. How could I disregard that, however misguided the feelings were? That is the reason why I can't hate Mr. Eastman.” She pins her hair up into a fancy style. “I know you are jealous and you don’t believe me, but you have no reason to fear him anymore, actually you never did. I never loved him and I never will.” Ruby walks over to her bag, taking out Jake’s tiara. She places it on her head and pins it on. “And now he is gone and we have no reason to ever talk about him again.” “And I am here with you. YOU are the only one to ever really care about ME, you know me, who I really am, you look out for me, you do things no one else ever has. And I love YOU. I can only hope that one day you would jump in that lake looking for my ring.” She turns to face Jake, her new rose colored gown in place. Besides the tiara she wears her heart shaped earrings and the diamond ring on her right hand. She approaches him and puts a finger under his chin, gently forcing his face up to look at her. “I told you earlier today I would do anything for you. YOU are my knight in shining armor. And now,” she smiles at him, “It’s just us, a fairy tale knight and his princess.” Jake sits there quiet for a while just looking at her, looking for something to say. Finally all he can say is, "You look lovely, every bit the princess that you are." [/QUOTE]
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