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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2820016" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Twenty-eight, “Partners”, Friday, May 26th, 1882, 9:00 P.M."Another wonderful performance," Jake says as he comes upon Ruby at the bar. "Mr. Alistair could not stop talking about it."   "Jake!" Ruby squeals and jumps into his arms. "Glad you and he liked it. Now," she says and taps her hand on the bar for Mr. Grappini to bring Jake a drink, "I want some romance and attention, I hope you're planning on giving it to me. I want to dance and..." she kisses his lips softly, "Other things."  "First things first," Jake says and pulls her away from the bar to the open dance area. He whirls her about and they nearly prance about to the music, one song after another. Finally, gasping for breath they return to the bar.Ruby giggles her way through dancing with Jake. At the bar another round of drinks is ordered and much laughing and whispering and drinking continues as they catch their breath. Finally Ruby puts a serious look on her face and says, "I have to tell you something," but laughs at the end.  "Do tell," he replies cheerily.She tries to squash her smile but it doesn't want to stay off her lips. "Well, shomething Jane told me." She pauses and rubs her lips before continuing, "She, uh, she... thinks she might pick shomeone, uh, for the ceremony tomorrow... she is worried about it."  Jake pulls Ruby close and nuzzling her neck whispers, "Why should we care about that?"  Ruby answers simply, "Becaush it's me."  Jake pulls his head back to look her in the eyes. "Sorry, you are taken. She will have to find some other delectable red head to feed her craving.""Sho... it doesn't bother you at all then?" Ruby returns the gaze, hoping to find the truth beyond her fuzzy head. "I thought of finding out about her and Red sho I started asking questions. I didn't know she... well, she was right about shomething. She shaid at the festival the goddess drew her to me while pushing you away from me."Jake snorts a derisive laugh. "I do not see why the gods are so interested in Jake Cook. They are likely not." He pauses to take a deep breath followed by a sigh. "I find it highly unlikely that every time I do something to endear you to me, or to annoy you that it is the gods at work. Seems to me they should have better things to do. Are they pulling everyone's strings? Jane may be directed by the goddess with everything she does, or maybe she just fervently believes that every decision she makes on her own is goddess inspired, or mayhaps Jane is selling snake oil and just uses the goddess as a convenient excuse so she can indulge in whatever she desires without guilt. How would this poor saloon rat know; I have never lived in her bloomers. I will tell you this, I have small respect for folks that cannot stomach making their own decisions and living with the consequences. Looking for someone else to place the blame." Jake laughs, "Listen to me rant! Just because you did something at the festival that made me angry does not mean I was pushed away. Pity the man or woman, even that night, that attempts to come between me and my Ruby West."Ruby listens intently as Jake rails on, with sentiment she has heard before. It felt good to know Jake really believed what he said and that his words held up over time. "You are sho smart and wise darling. Don't worry, no matter who tries to come between us your Ruby West is yours and always will be." She ends with a kiss, soft and sweet. After the kiss Ruby notices Red nearby so she calls out, "Mr. Patrick, come and dance with me." She turns back to Jake, "Just a couple more dances darling... I'll be right back." She kisses his cheek then bounces over to Red. She enjoys her dance with Red, another with Jake and afterwards one with Jane too while Red and Jake share a final drink of the night. Ruby pulls Jane over to Red and Jake and says, "Sorry I have to steal him away from you now," as she begins pulling at Jake's sleeve. "It's time for you to take me to bed baby!""You do not have to ask twice." Jake nods politely to Jane. "We will see you folks in the morning I trust." With that they wander away.  Ruby grabs a final glass of champagne as they make their way past the bar. She practically pulls Jake back to their room where she leans up against the wall next to the door while Jake fumbles for the key. She finishes her drink, gracefully extends her arm and drops the glass on the thick carpeting where it lands with a soft thud. “For houshekeeping,” she giggles. She lightly bites her lip as she continues to watch Jake open the door, looking him up and down with hungry eyes. “You know, I really like it here. I don’t want to leave.” The door opens with a click. "Leave? We just got here, and my mind is elsewhere," he says and pulls her giggling into the room.   Once inside the room Ruby pushes Jake away from her with a gentle shove. "Lishten baby, you're going to have to do what I say tonight," she smiles devilishly, "Because I feel like it. Must be all the champagne." Ruby slowly pulls her long hair over her shoulder and puts her back to Jake. She looks back over her shoulder at him. "Help me with my dress," she says in a slightly demanding tone with the smile remaining on her lips and an eyebrow raised. Jake does so and takes the opportunity to breathe a little heavily on her neck and in her ear. Ruby moves seductively as she slowly pulls off her now loose gown, pushing it down. She uses a finger to guide Jake, pushing him back into the chair, causing him to fall into it. She pulls her underskirt high up on her thighs and places her foot between his legs on the chair. She offers him her leg, waiting for him to pull off her stockings. Taking his time, letting his eyes wander, he pulls off her stockings while his fingers lightly brush her skin.  Ruby smiles and pulls her leg off the chair when Jake is finished. She places her palm flat on his cheek and leaning forward, puts her face very close to his. "You're shuch a very good boy Jacob," she says in a low voice, letting her hair brush against his chest. Then she stands and walks over to the bed, leaning on one of the posters with her arms crossed. "Now abandon those clothes and join me, and don't keep me waiting too long." "As you wish." He leaves a leisurely trail of clothes from the chair to the bed. Ruby points to the bed as Jake walks towards her, and she waits patiently for him to get into bed before she joins him. She straddles him and smiles wickedly. "So... you ready to remind me how much you want me right now? And how much you need me?" She leans over and puts her face close to Jake's and waits for his response. "What, you have forgotten? I should be insulted," he says with mock indignation. "How could the woman whose warmth feels better than the sun, whose existence is the air that I breathe, whose smile nourishes my soul, and whose touch..." Jake then moves his hands to her, "... yes whose touch I crave like an addiction, forget? Perhaps you had other things on your mind." He allows a faint smile to creep onto his lips. Her smile softens just a bit as she places her hands over Jake's and guides him, pulling off her loose top, before putting his hands back on her waist. "No baby, I think we have the same thing on our minds," she says in a low voice while gently running the tips of her fingers over his soft lips. Then she kisses him hard, pressing her body against him and devouring him with a passionate kiss, which is only the beginning of their torrid evening. …………………… Late the next morning when Ruby finally wakes she finds Jake holding her tightly, staring at her. They exchange good mornings and sweet kisses before lying quietly with each other for a bit. Finally Ruby speaks. “Last night was fun.” "You will find no argument from me." “I enjoy being bossy,” she laughs. She does her familiar routine as she traces hearts along his chest, stopping every once in a while to kiss him instead. She lifts up her head and looks into his eyes, “I wasn’t kidding last night you know, about leaving. It does feel like we just got here but it’s almost time to go already. I do really like it here Jake.”  "Simple solution, we just keep coming back." Ruby is quiet for a moment, and she begins lightly biting her lip. "It's not that Jake. I feel safe here. Everyone loves us here, there is no one out to get us here."   "Ah, is that it. Well, if we stayed here all the time, we would get involved in Tucson or something else and then we would have worries here too. So best that we let our worries be elsewhere and come here now and then to leave them behind."  Ruby is quiet again and obviously uncomfortable. She continues to tap lightly on his chest. "I'm not so sure." He comments, "No?"  Ruby shrugs. "I guess you don't feel the same. It's just that sometimes at home it is so hard for us. Here we can do the things we want to, drink, gamble, be together, all in the comfort of this place." She waves her arm around. "No interruptions, no problems, no getting shot at and almost dying. I just want us to be together. And I'm having fun and we're so happy here." Jake sighs. "Princess, I do not believe it is all that simple. We would not have all this," he waves his hand around, "If Red and I were not friends. We did not become friends just by having a few drinks and having fun. We were there for each other. This is like a prison for him in some ways. He is a wanted man so he hides here. We would not have a fraction of the trouble we had in Promise City if we were not helping Katherine, Nanuet or the others. What about Jane and all the trouble we got into because of her? You mean to tell me if Jane got into trouble here too you would abandon her? I think not. And the trouble that finds us when someone decides they must have Ruby West after seeing her perform? You so sure that could not find you here? Are you willing to cut stage performances out of your life to avoid that kind of trouble?" Jake shakes his head. "We could arrange to be so safe and secure that we would perish from boredom." Ruby’s looks like a child that has been scolded. She stops tracing hearts and lets her hand fall flat against Jake’s chest. “You’re always right,” she says dully. “I wouldn’t want to be bored.” Jake sighs again but remains silent. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I really don't want to be bored. But I also don't want to be dead and I worry about us, and this election. It's going to get ugly, I know it. Kate and Minerva are going to take vocal stands, and maybe even Nanuet too, I don't know. You willing to die for that Jake? Because while I want to stand by my friends, I don't want to lose you more." "I am not the kind of fellow who is willing to die for a principle. So, no, I am not willing to die to have a fair election. Nor am I willing to give my life to give women, non humans or donkeys the vote. However, I just have a hard time standing by when my friends are in danger. The same friends that were there for me when I was hurt, when you were missing, and when we had to go to Thomaswell." He lays a hand on the side of her face. "I did not mean that to sound like you do not care about our friends. I know you do. There just must be a way we can reduce the risk to ourselves while we look after those more principled types," Jake chuckles, "That we seem to have latched onto for friends." Ruby forces a fake smile onto her face. "Let's just try to enjoy ourselves while we are here and together then, ok?"  "Just try? I dare say we will do more than try," He says ignoring the obvious displeasure she has shown with his answer.  Ruby sits up in bed, taking the bed sheet with her. "Alright then. Let's get on with the day. I want to see the city of Tucson." She climbs out of bed and stands there momentarily, looking at Jake like she wants to say something else but doesn't. She dresses quietly, obviously lost in her thoughts. When they are both dressed and ready they leave their room.  Once Jake and Ruby finally emerge from their room they immediately search for their late breakfast in the kitchen. After they have scrounged some food Ruby decides to drag Jake for some sightseeing around Tucson. On the way out they bump into Jane. "Good afternoon Janie," Ruby smiles at the petite woman, "I have a question for you. I want to take a bath before tonight's ceremony. What do you do to get clean around here?"  Jane states, "What do I do? Ruby darling, I have a water pump and tub in my room. So does Red. You're welcome to go use it if you wish."Ruby states, "You have a tub in your room? I am SO jealous. I wanted that in the Lucky Lady. Anyway, I will take you up on that offer when we return. Thanks Jane." She kisses her cheek and off they go.  Jake and Ruby spend their day out lazily exploring the city of Tucson.  When they return they search out Red and Jane for dinner.They again enjoy a leisurely dinner in the partners room, full of much laughing, story telling and fun. Ruby is obviously getting fairly excited about the upcoming ceremony. When it was her turn to honor the goddess, she hoped she would send her a message, like she did for Jane. Maybe not exactly like she did for Jane, but something letting her know she was happy with her. Even the other parts of the ceremony seemed interesting to her and she hoped to enjoy it with Jake at her side. After dinner is over Ruby excuses herself and returns to their room. She gathers Jake's favorite green gown and heads to Jane's room. She doesn't find her there, but the door is open, so she enters her room and quickly draws herself a bath. Next to the bath Ruby finds fragrant soaps and oils and even flower petals so she makes herself a decadent mixture to add to the steaming hot water. She slips out of her gown and slides into the hot water with a satisfied "Ahhh." She leans her head back against the tub and closes her eyes, breathing in the calming scents and enjoying the relaxing feel of the hot water on her skin.   Ruby enjoys a nice long bath. She doesn't hear Jane enter the room until the Priestess is almost to the tub, at which point Ruby opens her eyes. Jane smiles and says, "The tub is one luxury I truly appreciate. I see that you do as well."Ruby states, "I really do. When I was young I had a private bath but after I left home I've had to use bathhouses. You know, it's just not as relaxing as having your own. And you have all the nice extras, I'll smell nice for the ceremony." "Can you do my back?" Ruby asks, then leans forward in the tub and grasps her knees to her chest. "I am looking forward to it, you know, the ceremony. Except for the festival I've never really done something like this. I hope the goddess has been pleased with me lately. I'm sorta hoping she will give me a sign of some sort."  Jane rubs Ruby's back and softy says, "We're here along together in my room darling, I would take that as a sign."Ruby suddenly realizes that Jane wasn't really kidding about her feelings towards her. She grabs her knees even closer to her chest. "Uh, Jane, I really only wanted a bath. Honestly, I like you, but things are different for me now. I love Jake. And won't do anything to mess what we have up, not if I can help it. I thought you liked Red or at least was thinking of him..."Jane steps away from the bathtub and walks across the room. The petite woman sits down on a velvet-covered lounge chair, lowers her head to her hands and begins to cry. "I do love Red!" she exclaims. She sobs some more and then gets up and walks over to the bar.  She picks up a crystal glass but instead of pouring a drink she walks a few feet towards the side wall and then throws the glass right at the wall and into a framed photograph of her and Cornelius Van Horne standing together in front of the Three Gods Meeting Hall. The glass shatters, also breaking the glass in the picture frame."Jane!" Ruby exclaims while she quickly stands and wraps herself in a towel. Dripping with water she hurries over to her friend. She lays her hand on Jane's arm. "Jane... what is it? Please tell me."  Jane exclaims” It’s HIM! Van Horne! Red's planning to be him yet again tonight!"   Ruby states, "And...? I don't follow what the problem is."Jane answers, "Truth Ruby, the problem is truth. When I do my dance....the Goddess shows me who to be with....but Red is always one of his alter egos, usually Van Horne and never himself. The Goddess requires love to be true, and truth means the true person, she would never draw me to a false personae." Jane returns to the bar and now pours herself a drink. She takes a sip and then continues, "On Saturday's we have our biggest crowd, members are allowed to bring guests and any one of those guests might be a person who would recognize the face of Patrick O'Brien. So it is safer for him to play Van Horne. But if he's not himself during my worship service then how will I ever know?"Ruby grasps the towel tighter to herself as she carefully steps over the glass and retrieves the picture of Jane and Red. She looks at it for a long moment before walking back to Jane.   "I understand now. I always try to be truthful with Jake, he is the first and only person I've ever wanted that with."  She reaches out her hand to Jane, handing her the picture. "What is in your heart Jane? Maybe the goddess wants you to make this important decision yourself."Jane smiles and says, "You're right Ruby, what you said earlier about not being a Priestess of Aphrodite. It's hard for me to explain, but I don't make decisions about love for myself, I couldn't ever, that would be turning my back on my faith."   She finishes the drink and says, "Take a look in the closet over there, I picked out some gowns for you earlier today. You might find one that you like." She then eyes Ruby's shapely figure beneath the towel and adds, "I think I guessed your size correctly." Jane then leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.When Jake has Mr. Patrick alone for a few minutes he asks him, "In what name would you like your five percent of the Lucky Lady?"  He smiles and replies, "How about Cornelius Van Horne. That will drive Adair absolutely crazy. It would also explain my sponsoring the Poker Tournament there. It might also help if I tell Adair that I won it in a poker game from you, and considers me an inside source of information for him. However, he might also be too suspicious to share anything with me going forward."Jake exclaims, "Done. Van Horne it is. I will take care of that when we get back. You are probably right on both counts, but it seems the wisest choice. I will use that story if anyone asks."  Red replies, "He might buy it, after all, he won the Palace Saloon in a poker game. I have an idea, why don't you play Mr. Van Horne tonight and lose that share to him at a table full of witnesses. That'll really confirm the story. I can even make sure that a newspaperman is present to report it."  Jake states, "You are a conniver after my own heart. This will be fun."</blockquote>

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