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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2586014" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 139,“Promise City Departures”, Sunday, January 15th, 1882, Things continue to be calm over at the Lone Star. After all of the paperwork had been signed Mitchell Berg handed Tom the copy of Maggie's divorce papers for his signature, saying that they would be filed with the Judge the next day. Tom signed then and then told Berg "We'll be leaving before they are filed. Once the judge approves just mail my copy to the Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon in Denver." All of the Whipples head upstairs to pack then head over to the Comique for the remainder of the evening. Tony Lucky and Niles Hoover have no difficulty managing the six to eight customers there for the rest of the night. Word gets around town about the antics of Buffalo Bill Cody, spending the night at the Palace Saloon where he makes himself the center of attention. Billy Comstock and his friends avoid that place like the Plague, spending the night at the Gay Lady where they ask Chester to join them for a strategy session regarding their hunting trip into the mountains. Jake walks quietly back to the Lone Star. He arrives in time to help with the cleanup, much to his dismay. "So, how did it go. How is she?" Ruby corners him.  He answers, "I might as well have not even been there. She's going through the motions, and I mostly stood with my mouth hanging open." He sighs. "I don't know what I was thinking. At least I know she's in her room." He shrugs."You were thinking that you are worried about her. You can admit it. And she thinks you are a good man for a reason, even if you don't believe it." Ruby smiles and shrugs. "But we believe it." Jake can tell Ruby is thinking because she is twirling her hair around her finger. "Do you think I should go and check on her tonight? Or think she'll be ok until the morning? I am worried too but I didn't see her reaction. She just fell asleep crying. I am sure she is shocked but I more worried about when that shock wears off. Doesn't sound like it has yet. What was she thinking going with Booth tonight?" Ruby says shaking her head."I don't know what you can do for her tonight if she isn't talking." He frowns. "Go if you want, but we can't watch her every hour of every day. Yes I know, I just checked up on her. You don't have to throw that in my face." Ruby sighs. “I know I can’t keep watch over her all the time. And neither you or I can make it better.” Ruby looks around the now cleaned up bar. It looked very different with no one in it. Niles and Job bid them good night and go on their way, leaving Jake and Ruby standing alone in the dark bar. Ruby looks to Jake. “I guess we actually did it, huh? We must be crazy.” Jake smiles at Ruby, “Maybe crazy. Maybe not. Either way it’s no big deal, if we change our mind…” Ruby doesn’t let him finish his thought. “I’m not changing my mind Jake Cook! Let’s go upstairs and have a drink and go to bed. I’m not in the mood for celebrating anymore. We can do it another night.” Ruby takes Jake’s hand and they head to Maggie’s old room.With a few extra rooms now available Dorita and Pedro are able to find places for all of the people who were displaced from their homes, and the place is quiet by 10PM. Sonoma and Manuel spend the night in beds inside of his castle while Pedro and Dorita take Manuel's room. A short while later Jake heads over to the Marshall's office for a conversation with Wyatt Earp sometime Monday night after dinner. He strikes up a conversation out of earshot of the people in the jail. He once again reviews the facts about Weems being the person who hired the outlaws who shot Morgan. And then he tells him about the encounter with Adair, how Adair drew on him and then finally fired without provocation only to have his hand knocked aside by Van Horne. "We were seriously outnumbered, and even if I had killed them all I'm not sure Isby would have seen it my way the first hour on the job." Jake waits for Wyatt Earp's response before asking to be briefed on the job duties. Jake also makes sure that Wyatt knows he is part owner of the mine and the saloon, just so there is no misunderstandings. Wyatt will tell Jake "Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm meeting with the Merchant's Association tomorrow to see if they'll approve you as my deputy. Until then, please try to not kill anybody." "I think it was more the other way around, I was trying not to get killed." Jake laughs "I'll just relax, don't worry."After Jake had left Kate spent the night finishing off the bottle of whiskey. She didn't sleep. Many hours later daylight crept over the horizon and she was still in the chair, finely dressed and still as a statue, staring into space.Ruby wakes and can tell its late morning and then remembers she is in the Lone Star. Her Lone Star. She turns to look at Jake before untangling herself from him. He is staring at her, and he smiles faintly when she turns, "Morning." He runs his finger along her check and chin, "Still want to do shooting today?" “Morning,” she whispers back. Ruby sleepily smiles at Jake. “How else will I be able to save your life if I don’t learn how to shoot the right way? Besides I need to blow off some steam today.” Ruby’s face gets serious for a moment. “But really we have been shot at way too often lately for me to not know what I am doing. Lucky will only get you so far…” as the smile comes back to her face, “Unless you have a lucky hat, of course…” Ruby gives a little sigh and nestles closer to Jake. “I really don’t want to get up though.” She lays still for a few moments before finally dragging herself out of bed. She moves slowly as she throws on Jake’s shirt and not bothering to button it she walks around the room. Jake gets out of bed, pulls on some trousers and says, “I’ll be back in a minute.” She smiles at Jake over her shoulder as he slips out. Half asleep she claws through her pile of clothes in the room to get dressed. She grabs her leather pants and a white button shirt, just long enough to cover her but short enough to not need to be tucked in. With a sigh she also grabs the riding corset that came with her riding outfit. “So much for being able to move,” she thinks. She grumbles to herself about the injustice of corsets as she gets dressed. She slips her riding boots on under her pants. She grabs the new unused holster and her pistol and her new leather jacket just as Jake returns to the room. She plops back down on the bed and watches Jake prepare. Once again Jake gathers up the extra ammo and some ruined clothing that he has accumulated to use for target practice. He dons the leather duster and his hat. "I like those leather pants, not like I like the green dress, but variety is nice, eh? I have some guns and all the ammo we'll likely need. What are you bringing, besides that pistol? What else do you own?" “Yes variety is nice, at least when it comes to most things. And I will admit, the green dress is especially,” a knowing smile crosses her face, “Tempting. Now, what am I bringing? I only have my pistol and my derringer. What else should I bring? You want me to get some lunch or something?  He says, "No that's good. You have a shotgun too, it's here with mine. We'll go over to the El Parador and grab something from Dorita on the way out. If it's leftovers, I hope all the dwarven delicacies are gone by now." He wrinkles his nose. “I have a shotgun?” Ruby says surprised. Jake just smiles. “Ok I do. But I want one of those nice rifles that shoots really far… I agree about the dwarven stuff by the way. Eewww.” Jake checks with Jeff Mills and Niles Hoover to confirm that the Whipples all left on the morning's stagecoach. On the way over to the El Parador and Ruby keeps turning and looking at the Lone Star with a gleam in her eye. They grab some food from Dorita; bread, fruit and cheese. They go out and prepare their horses for the day. They ride out slowly and again Jake seems to take special pleasure in the landscape. The scrub brush, cactus and mesquite trees all seem to be greening up from the rain. Ruby notices Jake admiring the landscape. “What are you looking at? It’s just some trees and grass.” Jake just smiles and doesn't answer. Ruby continues to look around trying to figure out what Jake is looking at but gives up after not too long. They get to a good spot and hobble the horses. "Let me see that pistol." Jake holds out his hand. "Double action, good choice for single handed shooting. This thing needs cleaning. I'll teach you how to clean it, or I'll do it. Either way that's no way to treat a gun you depend on to save your life." He shakes his head and gives her a serious look.  Ruby puts on a little pout like a child who has been scolded. “Well, how am I supposed to know how to clean it if no one ever showed me! You can clean it. You do such a good job cleaning yours. I would think that gun of yours means more to you than anything else.” Jake raises an eyebrow. "Not hardly. Treat her right, she'll be there for you." He hands her back her revolver and then whirls, lightening fast, draws his own and shoots a cactus in the midsection. He drops it back in the holster before saying, "When somebody else is reaching for their holster you get less than a second to beat them to the shot. If yours jams or misfires, well... usually the first shot wins." Jake's face turns from serious back to his smile. She says, “I guess you are right about that. But I can’t do what you just did so I hope I don’t ever get into that situation. Ok, I will try to keep the thing clean. Now show me how to use it.” "Seems to me I've done this recently." He says to himself. "Now listen up. No fancy shooting, when you point it is because you intend to kill. No trick shots, no taking out an arm or a leg, no trying to shoot their weapon out of a hand. Aim at the chest, shoot to kill. Your pistol is double action, pull the hammer back on the first shot if you can. Steady this baby with both hands or lean it on something when you have the opportunity. The full trigger pull on a double action moves the weapon a bit in your hands." Jake gets a little grin. "The most important part is how you move the trigger. You don't PULL the trigger that will jerk the gun. You squeeze the trigger like your lover. Like this,” and he takes a short break from the lesson. Ruby gives a little laughing squeal at her squeezing lesson. “So, is this is same lesson you gave Kate?” Ruby asks with a mischievous grin.   He says, "Oh, yes. I look forward to this part of the lesson with all the ladies. It's a dangerous job with so many guns about though..." Jake rolls his eyes. “Are you saying that I am exaggerating your standing with the ladies?” she smiles. “No matter, I like this part of the lesson best, so far anyway…” She leans in and gives him another kiss. Some time goes by and Jake talks some about weapon ranges and shooting characteristics. He then watches her shoot a bit before he offers any more help. "You have a damn fine natural ability, we just need to fix a couple of things." He moves her legs for better balance and adjusts the way she grips the rifle and shows her how to steady it with her other hand. Ruby takes in Jake’s instructions. She cocks her head and closes one eye and tries to focus on a faraway cactus. She unknowing starts swinging her hips back and forth to help get a better position. She lets the shot go but it does not hit its target. This puzzles ruby so she tries again, using the same technique. She hears Jake standing right behind her snickering and she tries to ignore him but can’t. “What is so funny, Mr. Cooke?” she says while still trying to concentrate on the shot. "I like the show, but it isn't good for shooting." He moves up to her and adjusts the rifle. "Plant the feet and don't move. Just before squeezing the trigger take a short breath and hold it. Even the rise and fall of your chest while breathing will throw your shot off." “What show?” Ruby has a quizzical look on her face. “I’m not moving. But I will try holding my breath. I want to be good at this.” She tries the shot again. "Your not moving sure has a lot of interesting wiggle in the posterior," Jake tells her with an amused tone. Ruby narrows her eyes at Jake and tries to looks over her shoulder at her butt. “Well, I don’t know what you’re talking about. But I’m going to keep practicing this shot until I get it.” Ruby keeps taking shots, getting closer to her target with each one. She continues to practice until she is satisfied, although she never quite stops the wiggling. They spend some time with the derringer and then Jake says, "Where do you keep that derringer? Show me how you get it." Ruby laughs at him. “You know where I keep it,” she says reaching down her shirt and into her corset. “And when I need it I just grab it.” "The derringer is a close up weapon and you don't get many shots with it. If you can arrange it, shoot within twenty feet, but ten is better. The best way to do that is to not have them know you have it." Jake opens his right hand and turns towards her, moving his hand towards his boot. He looks up and stops, standing straight and revealing the derringer in his left hand. "Now, you're as good as me at that, maybe better. But it has to be in a place that will allow you to do that." Jake shows her his derringer holster that he keeps attached to the inside back of his trousers. "Reaching your arm down the front of your dress is... well... not exactly drawing attention away from you." He finishes with his palms up and shrugs. “Yes but if I need it I don’t normally care who sees me get it,” Ruby responds. “Where else can I keep it? Oh, my leather jacket has lots of nifty spots for stuff, including the derringer. But I won’t be wearing that most of the time.” Ruby pauses and sighs. “I’m not used to having to know this stuff, Jake. I’m used to avoiding it. And I can usually talk my way out of anything. But having friends and people to care about, well, you want to make sure you can protect them too if you can, right?” "I agree, talking first, shooting very last." Jake gives her a weak smile. "I hope having folks to care about doesn't mean more shooting." “Me too,” Ruby replies with a shrug. “But it’s not looking that way so far.” After practicing for a long while Ruby walks over to a shady tree. “I’m taking a break!” She plops down on the grass. Jake grabs some water for them and wanders over to sit with her. “So, are you ready to start running the Lone Star? I wonder what we are getting ourselves into…” "I'm generally not ready for anything I start." He says matter of factly. "Why should this be any different?" He takes a long drink of water. She smiles at him. “Good sound business plan. I can live with that.” Jake leans himself up against the tree and Ruby sits in front of him, leaning back on him. “So, you asked me what I wanted to do with the Lone Star. What do you want to do with the Lone Star or what do you want to get out of it?” Ruby keeps her head against Jake’s chest but looks up at him curiously. Jake looks down and smirks at her. "To me it's just a place to stow my gear, play some poker and keep Ruby West content for a while. I kinda like having her around." He looks off at the mountains in the distance that leap up sharply from the flat terrain. "Sure, I'll figure out how to make a buck there, and maybe even come to like it. Truth is I don't give a rat's tail about the Lone Star." He starts to look a little uncomfortable. "Now don't start on me, and start fretting about whether I'm happy or not. If you are going to start that bull crap I'll stop telling you the truth. You gave me what I asked for, so why can't I make happen what you want? Besides I figure I'll still get my ribeye, bourbon and other benefits." He looks back down and the smirk is back, but his eyes tell a more serious story. "Ok?" Ruby turns half way to face Jake, putting her hands on his face. “I will never complain about you giving me what I want. Ever. And I don’t need to fret, I know you are happy, you told me so just the beginning of this week. And I know you like me Jake, just like I like you.” She turns fully and sits on Jake lap, facing him. “But I hope you’ll always tell me the truth. I don’t always tell the truth but I always tell the truth to you and I would hate to think you weren’t giving me the same courtesy.”  "Truth is you looked awful sexy sitting in my shirt during breakfast yesterday." Jake is grinning ear to ear. "Damn. I should have made you put clothes on, but I was enjoying the view too much." “You know how to get my clothes off, Jake, I’m not sure you know how to make me get them on,” Ruby laughs. “I’m glad you enjoy the view. I would consider giving it to you now but I’m sure you are busy and just have to get back to town, one of those important business appointments or something like that…” Ruby cocks her head and gives Jake his smile while reaching for a button on her shirt. “Well?” "No, I understand Promise City closes on Monday. Well it ought to anyway. It is as far as I'm concerned." Jake rubs his hands on her legs. "Watch the cactus." “Cactus? Maybe I’d better stay right here,” she smiles mischievously and leans in to Jake, while throwing her shirt off, revealing the corset she cursed over earlier. She was glad she had it now to tease Jake with. “We wouldn’t want to mess with the cactus, would we?” She doesn’t give him the chance to answer before kissing him… Later as they are riding out to see Flint, Ruby comments with a smile, “I like my lessons, we’ll have to do that more often, what do you think?” "I always pleased to oblige." Jake says happily. "I just hope I can still find something you don't know." Ruby flips her head and her hair, “Oh, I’ll always be able to use some practice with those guns of yours. Can never be good enough, right?” Jake nods slowly and laughs.They arrive at the ranch and find Sonoma there and doing work towards having it ready. Jake says a quick hello and leaves Ruby and Sonoma to talk. Jake gets his saddlebags, finds Flint and walks back to his cave with him. The women see them talking, Flint looks serious but then laughs heartily at something Jake says. Jake gives Flint the $300 from his share of the wagon before the two of them go into the cave where Flint gives Jake the six sticks of dynamite he requested plus fuse material. Jake reviews the proper igniting procedure with him again and promises to describe in great detail any time where he finds a use for it and the resulting carnage. I like this guy, thinks Jake not for the first time. Jake carefully stows the sticks and fuse in his saddlebags. The three of them bid Flint good day and head off. They ride back to Promise City and the El Parador barn to put away their horses. Ruby and Jake make a swing by the Lone Star to drop off the weapons from practice. While there, they see Nanuet working on the third floor. Jake takes a few minutes to give him his $300 from the wagon. After that Ruby and Jake do a little shopping. First they get what they can at Reston's and then finishing at Lacey's. They Pick up miscellaneous supplies like candles, matches, twine, rope, a lantern, oil, blankets, leather water bottles, hammer, iron spikes, grapple hook, a shovel and a couple of back packs. Ruby makes sure to catch Judge Lacey's attention, giving the man a even mix between flirtation and guilt over the way he treated her last. Lastly before heading back to the Lone Star they stop and see Senor Valdez. Jake gives him a $20 donation to help the poor, and thanks him formally for his assistance when Ruby was 'ill'. He tells the story of how it didn't go quite that well, and they all laugh. At least Jake does, Ruby and Senor Valdez seem a little uncomfortable at different portions of the story. Jake then inquires about healing from the gods that might be purchased and used by those without the special calling like Senor Valdez (e.g. non clerics). Jake is especially interested in something, whether it be salve, drink, bandage or whatever, that would be powerful enough to keep a fatally wounded person from dying. It wouldn't need to make them as good as new, but strong enough to remove a bullet and stabilize. Does such a thing exist and would Senor Valdez have one, or be able to make one? And would he sell to Jake and at what cost? Valdez says that such items do exist but he himself is not powerful enough to create them. he says that he has connections in Mexico who might be able to locate such items but that the cost would probably be quite high." It's been a long day, Ruby and Jake head back to the Lone Star to clean up and drop off their supplies. They decide that they will meet up their friends at the El Parador for dinner. Prior to the close of business that day Jake stops in at the post office to give his change of address, and to apologize for his rudeness the other day. He offers the Post Master a free drink the next time he visits the Lone Star. The Postmaster Eddie Palmer says "I'm glad you stopped in Mr. Cooke. A letter for you came in for you on today's stagecoach." He hands the letter to Jake.  Jake realizes that it is far too soon for him to be getting back a response to either of the letters he sent and that nobody else would know he was here. Well, not quite nobody..... He steps away from the counter. Ruby asks "Who is it from?" He replies "No return address." He opens the envelope and removes the letter. It consists of just a single sentence followed by a name: Please meet me at the Water Hole Saloon in Tucson at your earliest convenience. RedRuby and Jake step outside the Post Office and he shows her the letter. "I guess I was right.  Manuel Gonzalez is going to Tucson to meet with Maggie, remember?" Ruby tugs on his arm. She whispers, "He's probably not going to take the stage." Jake pales for a moment. "How... Nevermind. Am I never going to be finished with these Whipples?" He takes Ruby's arm and starts to escort he to the El Parador. "I need to go, and soon, to find out what is going on."Ruby says, "Well, Maggie isn't that bad, not like her father and brother. And I'm sure going with Mr. Gonzales will be quite safe and quick. But Jake, I don't want you to go to Tucson at least, not without me. How will I know you are coming back?" "I'm coming back, don't you worry. What you think I'm gonna run off with Maggie and do social work?" He makes an ugly face.  "One night a couple of weeks ago you wanted to know why I was in Promise City and I told you and Katherine it was because I’m not somewhere else.” He laughs. "Well I have reasons to be here now. You just make sure those reasons stay here while I'm gone.""Well, how do I know you won't get there and find something better?" Jake can see that Ruby is genuinely concerned. "Oh forget it," she continues quickly. "I guess we'd better get you to Mr. Gonzales before he leaves so you can make your plans." Ruby and Jake head back to the El Parador and they go up to Mr. Gonzales room. He answers the door and lets them in."Hello my Golden Eagle, it is so nice to see you again. So Mr. Cooke, things seemed to have gone well last night at the Lone Star. Nobody ended up dead or in jail and you enabled a dozen people to have somewhere warm and dry to spend the night. So tell me Mr. Cooke, do you like the improvements to the jacket?""Folks may believe otherwise, but I don't really like to shoot people." Jake laughs. "If by improvements you mean the change of color and style, I do. Thank you very much, you do fine work and I do appreciate your assistance." Jake gives a little shiver. "This whole thing about," he says the next word quietly, "enchantments" followed by another slight quiver, "is a bit spooky. I am a practical guy though, so a tool is a tool."Ruby gets right to the point, "So, Mr. Gonzales, Jake needs to go to Tucson, Can you take him with you? I figure if he goes with you he gets there and back quicker." Gonzalez replies "Well, I was planning to leave for there in a little more than an hour from now, to find and help Maggie Whipple. Two of us could travel as easily as one. Why don't you pack up whatever you might need and come back in about an hour." Jake and Ruby head downstairs and head back to the Lone Star for him to pack. When he arrives Wyatt Earp is sitting there waiting for him. Wyatt stands and approaches him. "Mr. Cooke, I'm sorry to have to tell you this but I'm going to have to ask for that badge back." Jake gives it back to him readily. "I can't say that I'm surprised." And relieved he thinks. "Who doesn't like me?" Wyatt says "The three leaders of the Promise City Vigilance Committee, Dr. Eaton, Great Western Boarding House owner Bill Watkins and Silverbell Mining company owner Elton Hubbard were opposed to someone with your reputation getting a badge. Two saloon owners, Burton Lumley of the Gay Lady and Evan Adair of the Palace were also strongly opposed. Parker Baxter added a few negative words as well. Then Hamiliton Fisk made an impassioned plea to reject you and most others gave in. But if it makes you feel any better Zack Morand, Al Brower, Mitchell Berg and Morgan Condon all had good things to say about you." After Earp leaves Jake hurries upstairs and puts together a change of clothing, his long barreled revolver, and the gold box with the foreign money all into a travel bag. Everything else stays in the pile on the floor. He dons his duster and hat, grabs the travel bag and looks at Ruby. "I'll take the jewels and see if I can sell them in Tucson. Anything else we need there? Otherwise I guess I am ready." He puts an arm around her, "I would rather he was leaving in the morning, but I suppose tag-a-longs can't be choosy."She says, "I can't think of anything we need there. But please try to be careful. You can't be sure that guy is really Red, can you? And yes, it will be hard to sleep alone after having someone warm to cuddle with all week." She smiles at him. "But hopefully you'll be back soon and we won't have to worry about that anymore." Ruby takes Jake's hand and they walk back to the El Parador to send Jake on his way.Jake and Ruby head back to the El Parador. They head back upstairs to Manuel's room. Ruby notices that Manuel has moved his brazier and other spell paraphernalia needed for the teleport spell out into his regular room, apparently not willing yet to show Jake his mansion. Gonzales looks towards Ruby and says "Do not worry my golden eagle, I will keep him out of trouble, if that is possible."Jake says, "Heh. Not impossible, just unlikely. Senor Gonzalez could I trouble you for the box of jewelry? I'm going to see if I can get a good price for it in Tucson. Minus the one item which is, you know, um... special." Gonzales replies "You may have most of the jewels, but the magical ring is not for you to sell."   He asks for Jake to step back out into the hallway while he gets them from safekeeping.  "You two spend this time to say goodbye.  It might be several days until we return."Ruby and Jake stand out in the hallway, waiting for Mr. Gonzales. Ruby doesn't say much, just stands around looking at her feet. She hears Mr. Gonzales finishing up, getting closer to the door. "Have a good trip, Jake. I hope you find what you are looking for." She gives him a smile and stands a little closer. "I'll miss you, so hurry home." She puts her hands on his face and gives him a long passionate kiss, so no matter what he encounters he'll want to come home."Mmmmm." Jake smiles when they finish. "Have one of those ready when I get back." Manuel interrupts the moment with "I am ready." and gives him the loose jewelry, which Jake awkwardly stows in a pocket, not having come prepared for them not being in the box. Jake gives Ruby one last quick kiss, "I'll be as quick as I can." "You do that," Ruby whispers as Jake walks back into Manuel's room. She barely hears the words of a spell then all is quiet. She goes off to find Kate.</blockquote>

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