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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3142330" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 185, “Magical Lessons“ , Sunday, March 26th, 1882, 10:00 PM Downstairs, Jake helps Harry cleanup the main room, or more accurately helps as little as possible and sips a drink. Jake locks the doors again.  Once downstairs she heads over to Jake and proceeds to tell him in detail what happened, explaining about how she detected Roy's thoughts, found the invisible dynamite and disarmed it but not whomever set it, and questioning the cowboys. She also includes what happened with Jeff and her concern that he really did believe her and might not be coming back."That explains one of my questions. Need a drink?" Jake asks holding up the bottle he has been hovering over.  "Yes," she grabs the bottle and takes a swig, "Which question was that? And that leads me to believe there are more..."   "The ones I babbled on about when we were walking towards the jail a little while ago. Big Mr. Foote did have nimble fingers."  Ruby rolls her eyes. "You never give up when you have something in mind, do you?" She takes another large swig out of the bottle. "Yes I found some tools of the trade in the stuff you gave me. I'm guessing that the knife is magical and there is some kind of potion in the whiskey bottle. I don't know about the other stuff Jake. You have to ask someone who might have the answers, it's not me. Go ask Dorita about the potions, she might know. Maybe Mr. Gonzales knows about the invisible stuff." She takes another swig. "What else do you want to know?"Jake shrugs. "But speaking of never giving up when I have something in mind...." He says and lets his eyes travel up and down her figure. She takes another gulp, then a smile comes to her face. "And what did you have in mind then?"  He replies, "I was thinking it was time for bed."  "Before we go upstairs I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind." "Go ahead." Jake replies unconcerned. She says, "Well, it may not seem that important to you but it's really important to me. You know, the whole kiss incident. If you hadn't told me I might never have found out about it. But you did tell me. You were honest, even though you did something really," she continues with emphasis, "Dumb, and hurt my feelings by doing it, at least you were honest about it. I really appreciate that and admire you for doing it. Telling me the truth, that is, not the kissing part." Ruby puts her hand on Jake's face and looks him in the eyes, "I want us to always be honest with each other." "I agree. Not about it being dumb but about telling the truth." Jakes smirks and says, "It hasn't been easy teaching this dog a new trick though. I'm trying hard." "Oh, so you're saying it wasn't dumb..." Jake can't tell if Ruby is joking or not. "I believe there is something in the US Constitution about self incrimination.... I have already apologized and said I would refrain from any similar activities in the future." Jake smiles disarmingly, "What else did you want to talk about?" "I don't see any constitution here," Ruby says without a smile before breaking into giggles, pressing herself up against him tighter. "I was only kidding silly. I know you are trying really hard and you're mostly doing a great job. I just wanted you to know. And for us to agree about telling the truth to each other." "Good. Just like we said before." "But it's important to say it again and be clear, right?" Jake nods in agreement. "As for what else, you and I have some business to attend to tonight. But before we do I'm going to move some valuables to the El Parador where they will be safer."  "All I have in there is the tiara with your ring, the legal papers for the saloon and the silver mine, and some cash. You know safes better than I, and how protected things are at the El Parador, put what you think is wise there. Just leave some cash." "That's all? Those two items of jewelry are worth more than our share in this saloon. The safe IS safe, but I'm not sure it could withstand am explosion fueled by a room full of liquor. The El Parador? It's untouchable." "Which means I probably can't touch it. You know better, go ahead. You seem sure that it makes sense. I trust your judgment." Jake gives her a little squeeze around the waist and has another sip of the whiskey. "No, you can't touch it. But I can. I'll take care of it now." She pulls away from Jake but doesn't leave. She pulls her hair off her face and says softly, "It just seems to me that they aren't going to stop until they actually blow this place up. The only REAL things I care about are you and the puppies. Of course, our friends too but I can't keep them locked away," she laughs lightly. "And you and the puppies I can't live without." She shrugs. "The other stuff... well, why not be prepared." "Being prepared makes sense." Jake looks around surreptitiously and speaks softly. "No, they aren't going to stop until their leaders are gone. Therefore I still believe my plan is correct. A saloon can be rebuilt. If there is another attack on the saloon just make sure you aren't taking too much risk saving the saloon that I lose my Ruby West....." Jake fixes a look into her eyes and smiles gently. "You seem worried about the saloon and who knows what else, probably with good reason. I am just tired of worrying. Instead, I am just going to do things about it. If you are worried about the saloon, and Cowboys and what ever else don't let that worry to extend to you and me, we are fine. We are better than fine. Ruby West I love you and I am confident in you. If you would like me to act more worried about the troubles the outside world pushes on us, I can work on that... tomorrow." Jake gives her another smirk. 'What did I just tell you? The only things in here I care about are you and the puppies, and our friends, who can take care of themselves. So that leaves me to take care of the puppies and you." She wraps her arms around Jake again and kisses him. "But I will take your advice and not be foolish in the future. Ok, I will TRY not to be foolish." She gives Jake his smile, "I love you too and I'm confident in you too, baby. Now let me go do that stuff." Ruby kisses him again then swings her hips as she walks away, and glancing back at him over her shoulder, she winks at him. "The only thing better than a good saloon," Jake says out loud to himself, "is a good saloon with a view."   Ruby runs up the stairs and gathers together the diamond ring, tiara, paperwork for the Lucky Lady, the silver mine and her green dress. Jake walks her over to the El Parador and Ruby makes him wait downstairs while she runs up and leaves the items in Gonzales secret room. They head immediately back to the Lucky Lady.Ruby grabs Jake’s hand and leads him upstairs to their room. Candles are lit and the curtains are pulled. “Now, everyone has been instructed not to bother us tonight baby. We have some work to do or some fun to be had, depending on how you look at it. You ready?” Ruby smiles and raises her eyebrow. "Work? Since when has coming to bed with the candles lit been work? I think the staff already knows not to bother us when the bed is squeaking." Jake chuckles and then gets a slightly hesitant look before saying, "Ready for what?" "Don't get all nervous on me now," Ruby smiles. "We're going to play..." she raises an eyebrow, "With magic." Before Jake can protest Ruby continues, "You NEED to be more comfortable with this, especially if we’re to go up against Ringo and his gang. I've never known you to not take advantage of things that can help, you and us, make things easier and give US the advantage in situations. The more you know the more you can use it to benefit us and it will also help you in case people try using it on you against your will. Besides," she leans in close to Jake, "It'll be fun, I promise." "Heh, it was really fun last time." Jake walks over to the small table that holds the decorative drink containers. He selects the whiskey, pours a double shot and drinks it in one motion. "Ahh." The glass returns to the table with a satisfying 'thuck'. "I am ready. I am also muy loco." "It was only not fun because you weren't ready for it. And you're not crazy, you just need to be... adventurous. You can do that, can't you?" Ruby takes Jake by the hand and pulls him to the bed. They sit down and Ruby pulls her feet up underneath her. "Get comfortable honey," she instructs. "Now... tell me something that you desire." "There is nothing magic about that..." Jake says with a grin and reaches for Ruby. Ruby giggles and playfully slaps Jake's hands away. "Come on Jake, I'm being serious." "What," Jake feigns being insulted, "you think I don't desire you? Hmmph." He scratches the side of his face and says, "Desire? What do you mean desire? I've got what I want. You want me to wish for something? Like a new pair of riding gloves? I don't understand what you want me to do." “Oh, I know you desire me, you can’t help yourself. But that’s for later.” As Ruby talks she pulls her legs out from under her and pulls off her garters and still wet stockings, throwing them on the floor. “There that’s better.” She looks up at Jake. “I just meant something simple that you would like. Forget that, we’ll start with something else. Let’s play cards.” Ruby reaches into Jake’s pocket and pulls out his silver card case. She takes out the cards, shuffles and deals them. “Before we start I’m going to cast a spell on you. Don’t resist it; I want you to learn what it feels like. We can practice another day on you resisting me, although we both know how hard it is for you,” Ruby laughs. “Ready?” "Don't resist it!" Jake looks a bit uncomfortable. "Sure, I'm not resisting. At least I don't think I am." Ruby recites an incantation that Jake hasn’t heard from her before. “Now,” she says with a smile, “Let’s make a wager on this game, shall we? What will you ask for if you win, Mr. Cook? I already know what I’m going to ask for. I want that ruby ring that we saw in the jewelry store a while back. He doesn’t know someone already bought it, but it will get my point across. And I want YOU to buy it for me; I think it would be really special to come from you. And like my beautiful earrings every time I look at it I’ll think of you. So if I win, that’s what I want.” "Errrr, I don't know what I want." He still looks a little uncomfortable, but not as bad as earlier. "What I mean is, there isn't anything as valuable as that ruby ring that I am currently hankering for. If I win, you will have to surprise me."  “Alright, I’ll surprise you then.” They start to play and Ruby moves close to Jake, sitting next to him. Jake can smell Ruby she is sitting so close. As she looks at her cards, “You know, I want that ring so bad, and it would make me ssssooooo happy to have it, and I would be so grateful if you just let me win.” She leans over his hands that are holding the cards and kisses him slowly. “I know you never let me win at cards, you always want me to do it on my own, but maybe just this once…” She smiles at him as she looks up from under her eyelashes. "Let you win? What fun would that be for you? You are a good enough card player to beat me, you just don't believe it. I'll take two" Smiling, he locks eyes with her and holds her gaze so she doesn't see him palm his discards. Ruby laughs as she stares back into Jake’s twinkling brown eyes. “It would be fun because I would get what I want and I’d be happy. And I know how much you like to make me happy.” She kisses him again then sits back suddenly. “I’ll take one.” She throws one card down and deals Jake his two and her one with a mischievous grin on her face. Jake takes his two and arranges to miss a flush by one card, discarding the palmed cards when Ruby glances down at her hand. Ruby smiles as she places her hand on the bed, a straight, nine high. "Well?" she looks at him, waiting for him to drop his cards.  Jake puts his cards down deliberately. Four clubs and a diamond, jack high. "Looks like you won." “Yay!” Ruby claps her hands together. “I won,” she says again looking Jake directly in the eyes. “I guess you have to buy me that ring now!” Ruby picks up the cards and shuffles them in her hands as she talks. “Oh and baby, something else I’ve been thinking about lately. Your gun,” she says moving closer to Jake again, lightly fingering his gunbelt. “You know, your gun, your Colt. I mean, it has so much history for you and I know how much you love it and depend on it. But I was thinking that maybe you’d want me to have it. I mean, we could get you a new one, nice, shiny and new, and it would mean a lot to me if I got to carry it around…What do you think?” "My Colt?" Jake's voice cracks. "Why would you want my Colt? OK, I mean I did shoot you once with it, but that was an accident. Mostly, you know, I mean... err not my Colt." Jake looks at her with some surprise. "You don't really want me to give up my Colt?"  "Yes, I want you to give me your Colt or I wouldn't have asked." Ruby lips start to form into a pout. "But why wouldn't you want to give it to me? I asked nicely, I've been a good girlfriend, haven't I?" She again moves closer to him and whispers in his ear, "I promise I'll take good care of it, just like I take good care of you." She pulls her feet underneath her and leans back only slightly, "PPLLLLEEAAASSSEEEE, Jake..." "Ruby," Jake has a confused look on his face, "I don't want to give you my Colt just because you want to carry it around. I would gladly give it up if it meant preventing something bad happening to you. It's not a bloody piece of jewelry; it's how I stay alive. Any plain new gun is not just the same."   “No, I want it to protect myself. Don’t you want me to protect myself?” Ruby starts to look upset. “I didn’t say it was jewelry, I know it’s important…How could you think I would think so poorly of your precious Colt? Won’t you even think about it?” "Think about it? I am thinking about it, because you asked. I just don't understand. It doesn't make any sense; you don't use a single action revolver." Jake frowns, "If it means that much to you, I'll teach you how to use a single action and have another one built for me...."  “Oh baby,” Ruby starts to smile, “I knew you would give me what I wanted, that’s why I love you soooo much…” Ruby leans over Jake again and kisses him hard. “You’re the best.” "Ruby girl, you just hold on here a few minutes, I need to step outside for a minute. I'll hurry back." Ruby starts to protest but Jake moves quickly out the door and closes it behind him. After he is gone for over ten minutes she starts looking for her shoes to go find him, but instead she hears foot steps coming up the stairs. The door opens and Jake comes back in, smiling broadly but his left sleeve is torn and blood stained. Ruby jumps off the bed, looking extremely concerned. "Jake, what happened to you? Where did you go? What happened to your arm?" "My arm?" Jake looks down at his arm and frowns. "Must have happened when I broke the window." The smile comes back to his face.  "What window?" Ruby still has a look of concern on her face. She tries to take Jake's shirt off but he resists. "I'm fine, don't worry about my arm. The window in the door that was locked." He starts fishing in his pocket for something, still grinning ear to ear. "What the hell is going on, Jacob Alistair Cook?"  "Don't be angry, I'm just trying to make you happy." Jake's left arm is hanging loose. He loses his smile and says almost pathetically, "I thought you really wanted this?" Displayed in the palm of his hand is a ring, a glint of red flashes in the candle light. Ruby looks curiously at the ring in his hand, not registering it is the ring she wanted. She sits next to Jake and puts her hand on his face. “I know you are trying to make me happy,” she sighs, pulling her hand back. “It’s not your fault. But you’re going to be really mad at me in a minute.” Ruby starts to move her hand but Jake grabs her wrist.   "No, princess I'm not mad. Should I be?" The pathetic look is replaced by Jake's trademark grin. Then he starts to laugh and Ruby notices he is holding her wrist with his left arm and the bloody torn sleeve is dangling but his arm does not seem to have any blood on it.</blockquote>

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