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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3392281" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 234, “Making Up” , Sunday, April 2nd , 1882, 12:30 AM </strong></p><p></p><p>The own named Luna finds Minerva. She has a note in one of her claws that the Priest named Trius has written out. It reads: "Currently one mile from town. Ran into more Cowboys so am waiting until they are gone to move on. We followed those with the books to a cave four miles from town. Maska indicates that it is the same cave where she, Nanuet and Cook had tracked the outlaws to a few months back. Costas and Qualtaqa have stayed to watch the cave. See you soon." Nanuet continues to wander, muttering to himself. He does notice Minerva receive something from Luna but says nothing, </p><p></p><p>Minerva studies the note carefully before looking for Nanuet. "Mi amor, we must go tonight and finish what we started." Nanuet looks at Minerva, obviously confused. "I uh, I really messed things up tonight. Maybe I should just stay here." "Nonsense," Minerva replies, kissing Nanuet's cheek. "You saved the life of the Priest. Now come on, let's go find Katherine. Read this on the way." She hands the note to Nanuet and they carefully make their way to the El Parador while she explains what the note says. As Minerva tells Nanuet he gets madder and madder. "Yes, we need to end this tonight." </p><p></p><p>Deputy Rodriguez arrives at the church with the wounded man. Father Valdez uses a healing spell to seal over the stump and then gives the man an elixir for the pain, which also lowers the man's inhibitions. Rodriguez questions him, finding that he is John Bell, one of Johnny Ringo's associates and a close friend of Rudy Foote and Alabama McNally. He says that he was one of three Cowboys assigned to the festival. The other two, Lester Olivier and George Otis Grosvenor, had invisibly taken up positions upon the roofs of the Deputy Sheriff's Office and Lester's Funeral Parlor. </p><p></p><p>Bell's job was to mingle into the crowds and then help to do what he could during the confusion following their shots so that all three men could escape. They were supposed to leave town on the eastbound road where another of the Gang's members would then meet them. He indicates that the shooters instructions from Ringo were to kill as many of the Greek/Roman Priests and Priestesses as they could. </p><p></p><p>Olivier's primary target was to be the Aphrodite Priestess who was planning to lead a worship service following her arousing veil dance. Grosvenor's primary target was the Arch-Bishop, who the man was personally familiar with from his time back in Philadelphia. Once Bell has told what he knows Rodriguez has Valdez give the man an elixir to make him sleep for the next eight hours. The two men carry him unseen over to the town jail where he is locked in cell. Eduardo then heads off to pass on this information to Helen and Chester. </p><p></p><p>Jake arrives at the Lucky Lady and waves to Niles and Henry who are both still busy serving up liquor. They look like they can use some help, but he is not in the mood. He continues his slow pace up the stairs. He enters the room and closes the door behind him. He looks down at Ruby who is on the floor in tears, but he does not speak. He moves to the far corner of the room and sets about disassembling his costume and leaving it in a pile. </p><p></p><p>As the tears fall off her face they mix with the costume glitter, forming sparkling white drops that land with heavy plops on her arms. Ruby watches them fall almost mesmerized as her arms grow wetter. She hears her door open and quickly wipes away the tears. Be brave Ruby, don’t be weak. She stands slowly from her spot on the floor. Trying to hold her head high she walks over to the closet near where Jake is and blindly chooses a gown. She carries it over to the mirror, where she lets drop the dirty white robe and the remaining scarves. She dresses slowly although she isn’t really paying attention to what she is doing. She straightens her hair and notices that most of her glittery mask is still intact. </p><p></p><p>She stares at herself in the mirror for a few moments and without breaking her stare at herself she says, “You’re right. I did feel the attention from the crowd. And the desire. And I felt powerful and like I was doing something worthwhile. And I enjoyed it." She pauses for a long moment before continuing softly, "But only because I thought I was doing it for you.” She finally turns her head to look at him, a sad smile on her face. “I guess I can’t change who I am. So now I’m going to go downstairs and get so drunk I don’t remember my name. And hope you’ll be here tomorrow.” She looks back at herself in the mirror, pretending to adjust her dress when really it is just to avoid looking into Jake’s eyes and seeing nothing there. </p><p></p><p>"I told you before woman, I don't waste time with hope." Jake has most of his costume off and seemed particularly relieved to get out of the shoes. "I'm either going to do something or I am not. Pretty damn selfish of you," Jake is looking at her face in the mirror while standing in his undershorts and shirt. "Going to have a drink and not even inviting me. Good thing I am a resiliant kind of guy. Somebody else might think that you were trying to ditch them. Those little subtleties can get lost on me." He takes his two pistols out of the gunbelt he had hidden under his costume and then slides them into their accustomed holsters that are hanging on his bed post. He puts his hands on his hips, "Well? I am not going to waste my time getting dressed if I am not invited." </p><p></p><p>Ruby turns to face Jake and says with no humor, "You're always welcome with me. But I thought you were really mad at me." She tries to keep her eyes on him but can't, they keep drifting to the floor. "So you made me angry. I doubt it will be the last time. Next time it is as likely that I'll make you angrier than a nest of wasps whacked with a stick. You are the only one talking about leaving, Ruby West." </p><p></p><p>Jake is still standing with his hands on his hips. "I didn't want you to dance, but I was not angry just because you danced. I told you, don't give me assurances and then disregard them. That's done now. You believe what you like about the goddess. I am here because this is where I want to be, no more, no less. I give the deities their due, I'm not looking for their ire nor dependant on their largess. Silver Jake Cook is not a puppet on a string." He reaches down and picks up some trousers and starts to pull them on. "You said you are sorry, that is good enough for me. I could use a drink myself. For all the turmoil you caused me today, you're buying." </p><p></p><p>"I am sorry, really sorry and if I could take it back I would." Ruby takes a few steps towards Jake, stopping very close in front of him. She looks like she is going to say something but stops, a couple of times. Finally she looks up into his eyes, her green eyes red and puffy. "You don't think the goddess has anything to do with you figuring out you love me?" </p><p></p><p>He replies, "Anything? I'm not a damn fool to deny that the gods might have their hands in nudging us this way or that. Maybe she helped me figure it out. Maybe she tried to keep me from figuring it out until she wanted me to. How would I really know? I do know that Mr. Cook is madly in love with Miss West. I do know that it is not a glamour nor a dream, not a passing fancy nor wishful thinking. I do know that it is stronger than one disappointing evening." Suddenly Jake grins a little and a twinkle returns to his eyes, "Old Caleb White, he once told me when the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers." </p><p></p><p>Ruby seems reassured at Jake's words, and a slight rosey color comes to her cheeks. "Madly, huh?" A smile slowly forms on her lips. "That's what I told Red when I danced with him. That you figured out you were madly in love with me." Ruby finishes the distance, keeping only inches between them. She grabs a hold of his belt buckle and tugs on it. She continues softly, without looking up, "The prayers I didn't even know I was praying were answered when you came along. I'm just... just..." Her voice drops even lower, "Really scared you will leave me, I'll do something stupid and you will. Or I won't do something right and you will, leave me, and I'll be alone again." </p><p></p><p> "We can spend all our effort worrying about it not working, or all our effort making it work. I'm a pitiful worrier." He pushes up a little on her chin. "You have beautiful eyes, why do you make me work so hard to see them? I have heard it said that life is one fool thing after another. As far as I can tell love is two fool things after each other." With a gentle smile and his eyes gazing into hers, Jake says, "I will do the best I can to make sure you are in the bed with me each night and still there with me in the morning." </p><p></p><p>Ruby gazes back at Jake, her heart lifting. She releases one hand from his belt and runs her fingers softly over his lips. "You make me so crazy, I‘ve never acted like such a fool before." She kisses him lightly on his warm lips. "I'll try to stop worrying, I will." She kisses him again, this time wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him close. Some time goes by before Ruby pulls her face by slightly, "You still want that drink?" </p><p></p><p>Oh, you think a couple of enticing kisses can get you out of buying the drinks?" Jake puts on his fake British accent, "I hardly think so." He continues to keep his arms wrapped around her. "Naturally it is up to you where you acquire those drinks, they don't need to come from down stairs. Now that I think about it, I really didn't have to get dressed after all did I?" </p><p></p><p>"A couple of kisses doesn't do it, huh? I must be slipping." Ruby runs her fingers over Jake's smooth face. "You look so young..." she continues to stare at his features. Then she smiles, "I kinda liked that bossy Lord thing you had going on. Maybe I'll make you put the suit back on!" She pulls Jake over to their side table, picking up the bottle with the bourbon. They both take a couple of large swigs before Ruby pulls Jake over to the bed. Another round of swigs is had before she pulls him down on top of her. "I thought your lordship was going to bed the young lady who satisfied his whims tonight..." </p><p></p><p>He replies, "Yes, that wild thing from the dance floor. I do believe she will be just the thing his lordship needs tonight......." Ruby giggles as they roll around on the bed. Between kisses and clothes throwing she says breathlessly, "I want to... I want to get out of town. Can we go?" "Get me wound up and then run off?" He laughs Ruby kisses Jake passionately. "No, we take care of the wound up problem. We thank Aphrodite the right way..." She kisses him again. </p><p></p><p>At the Marshal’s Office Helen and Chester are comparing notes when Eduardo comes in. Chester say to him, "Is that guy going to live? It looked like someone cut his hand off with something sharp." Eduardo says, "He told me some guy dressed like Hamlet drew a sword and cut it off. But that's not the interesting part. Turns out he was in cahoots with the shooters on the rooftops. His name's John Bell and he was supposed to cover the escape of the three of them. The shooters were supposed to kill as many of the priests and priestesses as possible, but the main targets were the Arch-Bishop and a local priestess of Aphrodite. </p><p></p><p>Once that was done, they were going to leave by the eastbound road. During the chaos, Bell grabs Mrs. Kale's arm and then 'Hamlet' attacks him. I haven't been by Doc Eaton's office, so I don't know how the Arch-Bishop is faring." Chester says, "I think I have an idea who our swordsman is. I hate to have to bring him in. He was probably protecting Kate. Thanks, Eduardo." After Chester meets with the other deputies, he sends them home. There was no sign of the cowboys on the rooftops and Bell was safely locked up. He makes his way back to the Gay Lady to walk Clarisse home. Then he walks back to the Lucky Lady. </p><p></p><p>Minerva and Nanuet head in the direction of the El Parador and see Katherine about to turn in for the night. "Miss Katherine, wait!" Nanuet calls out. "We have a problem." He hands Kate the note. Kate sat down on the porch for a few minutes, breathing the cool night air. Just as she was going back in, Nanuet and Minerva came down the street toward her. "What happened? Is the Arch-Bishop alright? Everyone else?" "He is," Nanuet replies. "Minerva and I called on the power of our gods and healed his wounds. They were serious. Jake was protecting Ruby the last I saw. Chester was doing law-man stuff. I think everyone is alright." </p><p></p><p>She took the note Nanuet offered and read it. "I don't know if I'd call it a problem. It's what we had planned, really. You want to take care of it tonight?" "Of course," Minerva replies, "We can't leave it until tomorrow they may be gone by then." Kate replies, "And they may not be expecting it tonight. They will need rest just as we should. I was about to go to bed, but I guess that's changed.” Nanuet states, But that is the plan we decided all along Minerva. To track them and then wait for tomorrow. Why change it now? </p><p></p><p>Kate states, “Come inside for a minute, let's talk to Mr. Austin." They stepped inside and Kate showed the note to her teacher. "I just thought you'd want to know." "What did you have in mind?" he asks. Kate replies, "Nanuet and Miss Florencia want to go tonight. I'm not sure if they would be surprised if we came now, or if they will have extra eyes out waiting for the law to come after them. Miss Florencia thinks they may move on if we wait. We'd have the help of the two priests and Qualtaqa, but I imagine we'd still have them tomorrow. It's unfortunate we've already used all our stealthy skills today. I'd like to go, but I'm not sure I'm up to another row with Ruby about it. And I'm not even sure she's wrong." </p><p></p><p>Gonzales suggests that they maybe split the difference as it is only four miles away and dawn won't be for another six hours-and-a-half hours. They could rest and still arrive while the Cowboys are sleeping. Kate says, "And that would give them just enough time to think the law isn't coming. It sounds good to me, and I could really use some sleep. If Nanuet and Miss Florencia agree? Someone will have to tell Jake and Ruby. We can meet here at oh, 4:00 A.M.?" </p><p></p><p>Gonzales instructs Dorita to go get a specific tea. He says, "Take this before going to bed and for whatever amount of sleep you get your bodies will act and feel as though it was twice that amount." Nanuet states, “I only need a few hours, so I am fine. I agree that we should wait. We never did say what we were going to do after we tracked them. It would be crazy to go now tired and unprepared. </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "We are agreed then. Four AM, here. We humans will be fine with Dorita's tea and a nap. Like a new day for us. If you would both let Jake and Ruby know, I know you have to go back to the Lady anyway Nanuet, yes? I'm going to get myself to bed." Nanuet says, "Well I guess I should head back to the Lady, at least to tell Jake and Ruby the plan. Minerva should I walk you back to the Comstock house? Should I take some tea for them also?" Kate states, </p><p>"Yes, take some, we should all be well rested." Minerva takes his hand. "I will go with you to tell Senor Jake and Ruby." </p><p></p><p>After Dorita brought out her teas, Kate packed them up with Nanuet and sent them on their way. She asked her teacher if he had any more tricks up his sleeve for them before she turned in. Once upstairs in her room, she saw Ginnie already changed back to her own face and curled up on her cot. She was not asleep of course, but she would be before long. It only took Kate a few minutes to settle herself, then she drank the tea and slept for a few hours. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet squeezed Minerva's hand slightly as she held it. "Let's go." Nanuet takes the package from Kate and heads to the Lucky Lady with Minerva. Minerva goes into the kitchen and stokes the fire in the stove. She adds a couple of logs and puts the kettle o to boil. She rummages through the cupboards and puts together a late night snack of cheese and bread while she waits for the others to return. Chester hears the fuss in the kitchen. He unholsters his Remington and creeps downstairs. He gets behind the bar. "Who's in the kitchen?" </p><p></p><p>"Senor Chester? " It is Minerva. I am in the kitchen. por favor. I need to speak to you." Chester comes into the kitchen and Chester uncocks his revolver asking, "What are you doing up at this hour?" </p><p></p><p>Minerva hands him the plate of cheese. " Bring this out to the table in the other room. Senor Jake and Ruby and Nanuet should be in soon." She takes the kettle off of the stove and follows him into the other room. After placing everything on the table she hands him the note. "Luna delivered this to me ." Chester reads it and says, So you want to go out there now? I guess there's no time like the present. What's the tea for?" Minerva says, "Dorita gave this to us. It'll allow a person to be rested with less sleep than normal." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet wastes no time and heads right upstairs. "Can you put some water on for the tea Minerva. I will go get them." Nanuet continues up the stairs to Jake and Ruby's door. Normally he would listen first, but this time he just knocked loudly. "Jake? Ruby? I need to talk to you for a minute." he says in a loud but tired voice. </p><p></p><p>Jake groans, "Nanuet, can't it wait until morning?" Nanuet replies, "It is about the morning. I need to speak with you now, I don't care what you are doing this is more important. You can do that any time you want." Jake growls, "That's easy for you to say." He gets up off the bed and opens the door. "Actually that would be easier for me to say. What is so darned important Indian?" </p><p></p><p>Nanuet states, "It is not easy for me to say because I have not lain with a woman in a long time. Listen I don't need an attitude from you white man. We are going to go to the caves where the Cowboys are hiding out at dawn. You can come with us if you want." Nanuet shoves the package into Jake's arms. "This tea will help you to gain double the rest from the short sleep you would get were you to join us. I asked Minerva to put some water on for you. Sorry to disturb you. I will be leaving now." Nanuet turns around abruptly and begins walking away. </p><p></p><p>Jake exclaims, "Hey, what's wrong with you? You'd probably have scalped me by now if I interrupted you and the Senorita. We are going out tonight? Errr, tomorrow early?" Nanuet stops but doesn't turn around. "Yes, I probably would have. We are meeting at 4:00 AM at the El Parador. Should I expect you there?" “You make it sound like I have let you down before." Jake says quietly. "I'll be there Nanuet." This time Nanuet does turn around. The Indian says, "No, you have never let me down. I didn't mean that, I just didn't enjoy the reception I got at your door. I just thought this was more important. </p><p></p><p>Ruby yells out, "Jacob Alistair Cook get back in here and take care of your business!" Nanuet says, “Go, enjoy some time with your woman. Apologize to Ruby for me. I am leaving now. I will see you in a few hours. Sleep fast." Jake comes back in the room and relates the conversation he just had with Nanuet. "How'd you like some tea instead?" he offers weakly. "Tea? I don't want tea...I want..." her voice trails off as she sees Jake's face. "Fine. Tea." She climbs out of bed and puts Jake's shirt on. "Let's go drink tea before we might die." She heads for the door. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet comes back downstairs to see Chester talking with Minerva. "Ahh food. That is a great idea!" Nanuet says as his stomach rumbles. "Jake and Ruby won't be joining us, they are err, umm, busy." Nanuet sits down and begins eating slowly, minding his manners. "What do you mean, they are NOT coming down." Minerva says narrowing her eyes. "They can do THAT anytime." she says taking a seat. She pushes the plate of food toward Chester. "Por Favor Senor, Eat. I will explain while you do so. Perhaps they will come down shortly." Minerva explains about the tea and that they are to leave at 4:00 AM </p><p></p><p>Ruby and Jake do soon join them. Once downstairs and enjoying some tea, Jake asks "Are we riding out? Do we know anything about what we are up against?" Chester explains, "We caught one of the cowboys, John Bell. Eduardo told me that Bell spilled the beans about the plan. He was on the dance floor to cover an escape. There were two shooters on the rooftops. The main targets were the Arch-Bishop and a local priestess of Aphrodite who was supposed to be on stage at midnight. Bell grabs Kate and Conrad Booth chops his hand off. That's how we caught Bell." Ruby shrugs, "I guess they think that's me then, since I was on stage at midnight dancing. Another fun and exciting reason for them to shoot me." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet states, "I would imagine that we are riding out, but other than that I don't think we have much of a plan. Just trap them in them caves where we you and I went a few months back and try and see if we can end this." Minerva suggests, "Perhaps we could remove the magic from the area as well. Nanuet has a powder. Maybe we could place it at the cave opening?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby exclaims, "This time the plan is don't let any of those bastards get away." Ruby drinks her tea with a scowl. Jake replies, "Fine, I'm tired of complicated plans. Especially my own. I'll meet you at the El Parador." Nanuet says, "I like that plan Miss Ruby. You all have a good night. </p><p>When Ruby is ready Jake follows her up the stairs. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, Minerva, you need to rest. I can bring you back to the Comstock House or you can come to the grove with me and take your rest there. I am going to change out of these clothes and get my things." Nanuet gets up from the table, taking some food with him when him when he leaves for his room. He heads to his room and changes his clothes back to his usual vest and buckskin pants. He gathers all of his weapons and the magic powder from Kajika then returns downstairs. "So, have you decided?" </p><p></p><p></p><p>Minerva drinks her tea and yawns. "Mi amor, I would like to go back to the grove with you. It will be simpler than sneaking out of the house at 4:00 AM. Bea has keen hearing and an eagle eye and would surely insist on an explanation. I will sneak in now instead and get some clothing for tomorrow. I would sleep better in your arms mi amor" Minerva says and puts her arm around him. The two head for the Comstock house and Minerva sneaks up the stairs. She quickly puts her clothing and weapons in a pile. She sneaks back down the stairs and makes her way to the grove with Nanuet. He places a blanket down for her and holds her as she drifts off to sleep. "I love you Nanuet" she mumbles before the tea and the events of the day overtake her.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 3392281, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 234, “Making Up” , Sunday, April 2nd , 1882, 12:30 AM [/B] The own named Luna finds Minerva. She has a note in one of her claws that the Priest named Trius has written out. It reads: "Currently one mile from town. Ran into more Cowboys so am waiting until they are gone to move on. We followed those with the books to a cave four miles from town. Maska indicates that it is the same cave where she, Nanuet and Cook had tracked the outlaws to a few months back. Costas and Qualtaqa have stayed to watch the cave. See you soon." Nanuet continues to wander, muttering to himself. He does notice Minerva receive something from Luna but says nothing, Minerva studies the note carefully before looking for Nanuet. "Mi amor, we must go tonight and finish what we started." Nanuet looks at Minerva, obviously confused. "I uh, I really messed things up tonight. Maybe I should just stay here." "Nonsense," Minerva replies, kissing Nanuet's cheek. "You saved the life of the Priest. Now come on, let's go find Katherine. Read this on the way." She hands the note to Nanuet and they carefully make their way to the El Parador while she explains what the note says. As Minerva tells Nanuet he gets madder and madder. "Yes, we need to end this tonight." Deputy Rodriguez arrives at the church with the wounded man. Father Valdez uses a healing spell to seal over the stump and then gives the man an elixir for the pain, which also lowers the man's inhibitions. Rodriguez questions him, finding that he is John Bell, one of Johnny Ringo's associates and a close friend of Rudy Foote and Alabama McNally. He says that he was one of three Cowboys assigned to the festival. The other two, Lester Olivier and George Otis Grosvenor, had invisibly taken up positions upon the roofs of the Deputy Sheriff's Office and Lester's Funeral Parlor. Bell's job was to mingle into the crowds and then help to do what he could during the confusion following their shots so that all three men could escape. They were supposed to leave town on the eastbound road where another of the Gang's members would then meet them. He indicates that the shooters instructions from Ringo were to kill as many of the Greek/Roman Priests and Priestesses as they could. Olivier's primary target was to be the Aphrodite Priestess who was planning to lead a worship service following her arousing veil dance. Grosvenor's primary target was the Arch-Bishop, who the man was personally familiar with from his time back in Philadelphia. Once Bell has told what he knows Rodriguez has Valdez give the man an elixir to make him sleep for the next eight hours. The two men carry him unseen over to the town jail where he is locked in cell. Eduardo then heads off to pass on this information to Helen and Chester. Jake arrives at the Lucky Lady and waves to Niles and Henry who are both still busy serving up liquor. They look like they can use some help, but he is not in the mood. He continues his slow pace up the stairs. He enters the room and closes the door behind him. He looks down at Ruby who is on the floor in tears, but he does not speak. He moves to the far corner of the room and sets about disassembling his costume and leaving it in a pile. As the tears fall off her face they mix with the costume glitter, forming sparkling white drops that land with heavy plops on her arms. Ruby watches them fall almost mesmerized as her arms grow wetter. She hears her door open and quickly wipes away the tears. Be brave Ruby, don’t be weak. She stands slowly from her spot on the floor. Trying to hold her head high she walks over to the closet near where Jake is and blindly chooses a gown. She carries it over to the mirror, where she lets drop the dirty white robe and the remaining scarves. She dresses slowly although she isn’t really paying attention to what she is doing. She straightens her hair and notices that most of her glittery mask is still intact. She stares at herself in the mirror for a few moments and without breaking her stare at herself she says, “You’re right. I did feel the attention from the crowd. And the desire. And I felt powerful and like I was doing something worthwhile. And I enjoyed it." She pauses for a long moment before continuing softly, "But only because I thought I was doing it for you.” She finally turns her head to look at him, a sad smile on her face. “I guess I can’t change who I am. So now I’m going to go downstairs and get so drunk I don’t remember my name. And hope you’ll be here tomorrow.” She looks back at herself in the mirror, pretending to adjust her dress when really it is just to avoid looking into Jake’s eyes and seeing nothing there. "I told you before woman, I don't waste time with hope." Jake has most of his costume off and seemed particularly relieved to get out of the shoes. "I'm either going to do something or I am not. Pretty damn selfish of you," Jake is looking at her face in the mirror while standing in his undershorts and shirt. "Going to have a drink and not even inviting me. Good thing I am a resiliant kind of guy. Somebody else might think that you were trying to ditch them. Those little subtleties can get lost on me." He takes his two pistols out of the gunbelt he had hidden under his costume and then slides them into their accustomed holsters that are hanging on his bed post. He puts his hands on his hips, "Well? I am not going to waste my time getting dressed if I am not invited." Ruby turns to face Jake and says with no humor, "You're always welcome with me. But I thought you were really mad at me." She tries to keep her eyes on him but can't, they keep drifting to the floor. "So you made me angry. I doubt it will be the last time. Next time it is as likely that I'll make you angrier than a nest of wasps whacked with a stick. You are the only one talking about leaving, Ruby West." Jake is still standing with his hands on his hips. "I didn't want you to dance, but I was not angry just because you danced. I told you, don't give me assurances and then disregard them. That's done now. You believe what you like about the goddess. I am here because this is where I want to be, no more, no less. I give the deities their due, I'm not looking for their ire nor dependant on their largess. Silver Jake Cook is not a puppet on a string." He reaches down and picks up some trousers and starts to pull them on. "You said you are sorry, that is good enough for me. I could use a drink myself. For all the turmoil you caused me today, you're buying." "I am sorry, really sorry and if I could take it back I would." Ruby takes a few steps towards Jake, stopping very close in front of him. She looks like she is going to say something but stops, a couple of times. Finally she looks up into his eyes, her green eyes red and puffy. "You don't think the goddess has anything to do with you figuring out you love me?" He replies, "Anything? I'm not a damn fool to deny that the gods might have their hands in nudging us this way or that. Maybe she helped me figure it out. Maybe she tried to keep me from figuring it out until she wanted me to. How would I really know? I do know that Mr. Cook is madly in love with Miss West. I do know that it is not a glamour nor a dream, not a passing fancy nor wishful thinking. I do know that it is stronger than one disappointing evening." Suddenly Jake grins a little and a twinkle returns to his eyes, "Old Caleb White, he once told me when the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers." Ruby seems reassured at Jake's words, and a slight rosey color comes to her cheeks. "Madly, huh?" A smile slowly forms on her lips. "That's what I told Red when I danced with him. That you figured out you were madly in love with me." Ruby finishes the distance, keeping only inches between them. She grabs a hold of his belt buckle and tugs on it. She continues softly, without looking up, "The prayers I didn't even know I was praying were answered when you came along. I'm just... just..." Her voice drops even lower, "Really scared you will leave me, I'll do something stupid and you will. Or I won't do something right and you will, leave me, and I'll be alone again." "We can spend all our effort worrying about it not working, or all our effort making it work. I'm a pitiful worrier." He pushes up a little on her chin. "You have beautiful eyes, why do you make me work so hard to see them? I have heard it said that life is one fool thing after another. As far as I can tell love is two fool things after each other." With a gentle smile and his eyes gazing into hers, Jake says, "I will do the best I can to make sure you are in the bed with me each night and still there with me in the morning." Ruby gazes back at Jake, her heart lifting. She releases one hand from his belt and runs her fingers softly over his lips. "You make me so crazy, I‘ve never acted like such a fool before." She kisses him lightly on his warm lips. "I'll try to stop worrying, I will." She kisses him again, this time wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him close. Some time goes by before Ruby pulls her face by slightly, "You still want that drink?" Oh, you think a couple of enticing kisses can get you out of buying the drinks?" Jake puts on his fake British accent, "I hardly think so." He continues to keep his arms wrapped around her. "Naturally it is up to you where you acquire those drinks, they don't need to come from down stairs. Now that I think about it, I really didn't have to get dressed after all did I?" "A couple of kisses doesn't do it, huh? I must be slipping." Ruby runs her fingers over Jake's smooth face. "You look so young..." she continues to stare at his features. Then she smiles, "I kinda liked that bossy Lord thing you had going on. Maybe I'll make you put the suit back on!" She pulls Jake over to their side table, picking up the bottle with the bourbon. They both take a couple of large swigs before Ruby pulls Jake over to the bed. Another round of swigs is had before she pulls him down on top of her. "I thought your lordship was going to bed the young lady who satisfied his whims tonight..." He replies, "Yes, that wild thing from the dance floor. I do believe she will be just the thing his lordship needs tonight......." Ruby giggles as they roll around on the bed. Between kisses and clothes throwing she says breathlessly, "I want to... I want to get out of town. Can we go?" "Get me wound up and then run off?" He laughs Ruby kisses Jake passionately. "No, we take care of the wound up problem. We thank Aphrodite the right way..." She kisses him again. At the Marshal’s Office Helen and Chester are comparing notes when Eduardo comes in. Chester say to him, "Is that guy going to live? It looked like someone cut his hand off with something sharp." Eduardo says, "He told me some guy dressed like Hamlet drew a sword and cut it off. But that's not the interesting part. Turns out he was in cahoots with the shooters on the rooftops. His name's John Bell and he was supposed to cover the escape of the three of them. The shooters were supposed to kill as many of the priests and priestesses as possible, but the main targets were the Arch-Bishop and a local priestess of Aphrodite. Once that was done, they were going to leave by the eastbound road. During the chaos, Bell grabs Mrs. Kale's arm and then 'Hamlet' attacks him. I haven't been by Doc Eaton's office, so I don't know how the Arch-Bishop is faring." Chester says, "I think I have an idea who our swordsman is. I hate to have to bring him in. He was probably protecting Kate. Thanks, Eduardo." After Chester meets with the other deputies, he sends them home. There was no sign of the cowboys on the rooftops and Bell was safely locked up. He makes his way back to the Gay Lady to walk Clarisse home. Then he walks back to the Lucky Lady. Minerva and Nanuet head in the direction of the El Parador and see Katherine about to turn in for the night. "Miss Katherine, wait!" Nanuet calls out. "We have a problem." He hands Kate the note. Kate sat down on the porch for a few minutes, breathing the cool night air. Just as she was going back in, Nanuet and Minerva came down the street toward her. "What happened? Is the Arch-Bishop alright? Everyone else?" "He is," Nanuet replies. "Minerva and I called on the power of our gods and healed his wounds. They were serious. Jake was protecting Ruby the last I saw. Chester was doing law-man stuff. I think everyone is alright." She took the note Nanuet offered and read it. "I don't know if I'd call it a problem. It's what we had planned, really. You want to take care of it tonight?" "Of course," Minerva replies, "We can't leave it until tomorrow they may be gone by then." Kate replies, "And they may not be expecting it tonight. They will need rest just as we should. I was about to go to bed, but I guess that's changed.” Nanuet states, But that is the plan we decided all along Minerva. To track them and then wait for tomorrow. Why change it now? Kate states, “Come inside for a minute, let's talk to Mr. Austin." They stepped inside and Kate showed the note to her teacher. "I just thought you'd want to know." "What did you have in mind?" he asks. Kate replies, "Nanuet and Miss Florencia want to go tonight. I'm not sure if they would be surprised if we came now, or if they will have extra eyes out waiting for the law to come after them. Miss Florencia thinks they may move on if we wait. We'd have the help of the two priests and Qualtaqa, but I imagine we'd still have them tomorrow. It's unfortunate we've already used all our stealthy skills today. I'd like to go, but I'm not sure I'm up to another row with Ruby about it. And I'm not even sure she's wrong." Gonzales suggests that they maybe split the difference as it is only four miles away and dawn won't be for another six hours-and-a-half hours. They could rest and still arrive while the Cowboys are sleeping. Kate says, "And that would give them just enough time to think the law isn't coming. It sounds good to me, and I could really use some sleep. If Nanuet and Miss Florencia agree? Someone will have to tell Jake and Ruby. We can meet here at oh, 4:00 A.M.?" Gonzales instructs Dorita to go get a specific tea. He says, "Take this before going to bed and for whatever amount of sleep you get your bodies will act and feel as though it was twice that amount." Nanuet states, “I only need a few hours, so I am fine. I agree that we should wait. We never did say what we were going to do after we tracked them. It would be crazy to go now tired and unprepared. Kate says, "We are agreed then. Four AM, here. We humans will be fine with Dorita's tea and a nap. Like a new day for us. If you would both let Jake and Ruby know, I know you have to go back to the Lady anyway Nanuet, yes? I'm going to get myself to bed." Nanuet says, "Well I guess I should head back to the Lady, at least to tell Jake and Ruby the plan. Minerva should I walk you back to the Comstock house? Should I take some tea for them also?" Kate states, "Yes, take some, we should all be well rested." Minerva takes his hand. "I will go with you to tell Senor Jake and Ruby." After Dorita brought out her teas, Kate packed them up with Nanuet and sent them on their way. She asked her teacher if he had any more tricks up his sleeve for them before she turned in. Once upstairs in her room, she saw Ginnie already changed back to her own face and curled up on her cot. She was not asleep of course, but she would be before long. It only took Kate a few minutes to settle herself, then she drank the tea and slept for a few hours. Nanuet squeezed Minerva's hand slightly as she held it. "Let's go." Nanuet takes the package from Kate and heads to the Lucky Lady with Minerva. Minerva goes into the kitchen and stokes the fire in the stove. She adds a couple of logs and puts the kettle o to boil. She rummages through the cupboards and puts together a late night snack of cheese and bread while she waits for the others to return. Chester hears the fuss in the kitchen. He unholsters his Remington and creeps downstairs. He gets behind the bar. "Who's in the kitchen?" "Senor Chester? " It is Minerva. I am in the kitchen. por favor. I need to speak to you." Chester comes into the kitchen and Chester uncocks his revolver asking, "What are you doing up at this hour?" Minerva hands him the plate of cheese. " Bring this out to the table in the other room. Senor Jake and Ruby and Nanuet should be in soon." She takes the kettle off of the stove and follows him into the other room. After placing everything on the table she hands him the note. "Luna delivered this to me ." Chester reads it and says, So you want to go out there now? I guess there's no time like the present. What's the tea for?" Minerva says, "Dorita gave this to us. It'll allow a person to be rested with less sleep than normal." Nanuet wastes no time and heads right upstairs. "Can you put some water on for the tea Minerva. I will go get them." Nanuet continues up the stairs to Jake and Ruby's door. Normally he would listen first, but this time he just knocked loudly. "Jake? Ruby? I need to talk to you for a minute." he says in a loud but tired voice. Jake groans, "Nanuet, can't it wait until morning?" Nanuet replies, "It is about the morning. I need to speak with you now, I don't care what you are doing this is more important. You can do that any time you want." Jake growls, "That's easy for you to say." He gets up off the bed and opens the door. "Actually that would be easier for me to say. What is so darned important Indian?" Nanuet states, "It is not easy for me to say because I have not lain with a woman in a long time. Listen I don't need an attitude from you white man. We are going to go to the caves where the Cowboys are hiding out at dawn. You can come with us if you want." Nanuet shoves the package into Jake's arms. "This tea will help you to gain double the rest from the short sleep you would get were you to join us. I asked Minerva to put some water on for you. Sorry to disturb you. I will be leaving now." Nanuet turns around abruptly and begins walking away. Jake exclaims, "Hey, what's wrong with you? You'd probably have scalped me by now if I interrupted you and the Senorita. We are going out tonight? Errr, tomorrow early?" Nanuet stops but doesn't turn around. "Yes, I probably would have. We are meeting at 4:00 AM at the El Parador. Should I expect you there?" “You make it sound like I have let you down before." Jake says quietly. "I'll be there Nanuet." This time Nanuet does turn around. The Indian says, "No, you have never let me down. I didn't mean that, I just didn't enjoy the reception I got at your door. I just thought this was more important. Ruby yells out, "Jacob Alistair Cook get back in here and take care of your business!" Nanuet says, “Go, enjoy some time with your woman. Apologize to Ruby for me. I am leaving now. I will see you in a few hours. Sleep fast." Jake comes back in the room and relates the conversation he just had with Nanuet. "How'd you like some tea instead?" he offers weakly. "Tea? I don't want tea...I want..." her voice trails off as she sees Jake's face. "Fine. Tea." She climbs out of bed and puts Jake's shirt on. "Let's go drink tea before we might die." She heads for the door. Nanuet comes back downstairs to see Chester talking with Minerva. "Ahh food. That is a great idea!" Nanuet says as his stomach rumbles. "Jake and Ruby won't be joining us, they are err, umm, busy." Nanuet sits down and begins eating slowly, minding his manners. "What do you mean, they are NOT coming down." Minerva says narrowing her eyes. "They can do THAT anytime." she says taking a seat. She pushes the plate of food toward Chester. "Por Favor Senor, Eat. I will explain while you do so. Perhaps they will come down shortly." Minerva explains about the tea and that they are to leave at 4:00 AM Ruby and Jake do soon join them. Once downstairs and enjoying some tea, Jake asks "Are we riding out? Do we know anything about what we are up against?" Chester explains, "We caught one of the cowboys, John Bell. Eduardo told me that Bell spilled the beans about the plan. He was on the dance floor to cover an escape. There were two shooters on the rooftops. The main targets were the Arch-Bishop and a local priestess of Aphrodite who was supposed to be on stage at midnight. Bell grabs Kate and Conrad Booth chops his hand off. That's how we caught Bell." Ruby shrugs, "I guess they think that's me then, since I was on stage at midnight dancing. Another fun and exciting reason for them to shoot me." Nanuet states, "I would imagine that we are riding out, but other than that I don't think we have much of a plan. Just trap them in them caves where we you and I went a few months back and try and see if we can end this." Minerva suggests, "Perhaps we could remove the magic from the area as well. Nanuet has a powder. Maybe we could place it at the cave opening?" Ruby exclaims, "This time the plan is don't let any of those bastards get away." Ruby drinks her tea with a scowl. Jake replies, "Fine, I'm tired of complicated plans. Especially my own. I'll meet you at the El Parador." Nanuet says, "I like that plan Miss Ruby. You all have a good night. When Ruby is ready Jake follows her up the stairs. Nanuet says, Minerva, you need to rest. I can bring you back to the Comstock House or you can come to the grove with me and take your rest there. I am going to change out of these clothes and get my things." Nanuet gets up from the table, taking some food with him when him when he leaves for his room. He heads to his room and changes his clothes back to his usual vest and buckskin pants. He gathers all of his weapons and the magic powder from Kajika then returns downstairs. "So, have you decided?" Minerva drinks her tea and yawns. "Mi amor, I would like to go back to the grove with you. It will be simpler than sneaking out of the house at 4:00 AM. Bea has keen hearing and an eagle eye and would surely insist on an explanation. I will sneak in now instead and get some clothing for tomorrow. I would sleep better in your arms mi amor" Minerva says and puts her arm around him. The two head for the Comstock house and Minerva sneaks up the stairs. She quickly puts her clothing and weapons in a pile. She sneaks back down the stairs and makes her way to the grove with Nanuet. He places a blanket down for her and holds her as she drifts off to sleep. "I love you Nanuet" she mumbles before the tea and the events of the day overtake her. [/QUOTE]
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