Original Wild West Stories

Chapter 1 - Winter Sky

Heather opened her eyes begrudgingly to the sound of Gunner winnying and huffing.
"Goddamnit, what time is it?" She muttered. The silver crested pocket watch she'd stolen yesterday said 7:30 but it felt and looked a lot earlier than that. "I'll have to go into town and get this damn thing checked. That can't be right."

Getting up off the hard ground was getting more and more difficult with each day. Heather knew she had to find a better place to pitch camp and soon. Winter was moving in, and as if to remind her there was a thin layer of ice over a bucket of water she'd collected the evening before.

Splashing her face with the frigid water was surprisingly pleasant, she poured the rest over the glowing embers of last night's fire and headed over to her favorite brute. He huffed once more as she dug out a sugar cube and started to brush his ashen mane.

She felt him before he spoke. God, what now.
"Miss!" Came a gruff voice behind her. Heather spun around cursing softly upon realizing her holster was still in her tent. She reached for her sheath instead.
"Can I help you, Sir?"
"I noticed you seem to be alone here. You're husband out hunting?" He smirked. It turned her stomach sour.

Unsheathing her hunting knife she stepped toward the man. It took her further from her weapons, but she couldn't show fear. "No husband to speak of Old Man."
He took in her appearance. The men's shirt. The scars. "You one of them 'liberated girls' huh?" Annoyed and tired Heather brought the blade from her back to her side.
"You sound educated too. Women like you is what's wrong with this country. Why don't you let me show you how nice it is to submit?"


Heather thought she might be ill. This pig.
"Get away from my camp before I gut you for catfish bait."
The man patted his horse's neck, weighing his options. He had a rifle and a shotgun on his horse. Could he pull one of them before she covered the few feet between them and made good on her threat?
"Breaking a filly like you is just something I don't have time for. Aren't you lucky? Hya!" He trotted away. Heather considered shooting him in the back. Gunner stomped his hooves for another sugar cube. "Not worth it huh boy?"

Heather figured it a sign to go ahead and find a better camp.
"Alright big boy. Let's get moving then."
They were on the road within the hour. Or so she guessed with the faulty pocket watch as her only guide. She planned to make a quick stop in Blackwater before heading for a cave she hoped hadn't changed since last winter. It'd be a great spot to hunker down for winter. It was dry and easy to warm. She could even fit Gunner inside if the weather got too intense.

Blackwater rose on the horizon. Heather really liked the smokey city. All the convenience of St Denis with less of the pretentiousness. She knew a barber who knew his way around a clock. She also suspected he was sweet on her. Surely she could charm him for a cheap repair.

"Miss Shepherd. It's been a while." Bo smiled warmly as the door chimed. "I was starting to worry you'd upset one too many of those Lemoyne boys."
"Oh Bo. You know me better than that." Heather dug out the pocket watch. "Damn thing seems to be losing more time than keeping it."
"Now Miss Shepherd. You wouldn't want me feeling as though you only use me for my skills, would you?"
Heather laughed. "You're right Bo. I'm sorry. It's been a rough morning. How are you, my friend?"
"Oh, you know Blackwater. As much a mess as ever. Business is good though. There's been an influx of 'nobles'."

The old friends talked for a while as Bo tinkered with the beautiful watch.
"It's your lucky day. I have got it going. It must have been dropped when you... acquired it."
Heather resisted rolling her eyes at his judgemental tone.
"Bo you promised me, years ago, you wouldn't look at me like that."
"I'm sorry Heather, you're right, I did." He smiled his charming smile by way of apology.
"Those charms don't work on me Bo." Heather laughed and walked out. "Be well Bo. I'll try not make it quite as long before I see you again."

After a few errands, Heather tethered Gunner at the Old Mare saloon. The haul she picked up with the pocket watch had turned out to be worth more than she anticipated. She figured she'd treat herself to a few drinks and a warm bed.

The saloon smelled of smoke and vomit. Laborers had been paid it seemed. She pulled a stool to the corner of the bar and settled in with a whiskey.
"Barkeep. Do you have a room available?" She yelled over the crowd.
"We do miss. Would you like to add a bath to that?" Heather swooned at the thought of soaking in a warm bath.
"That'd be lovely. Thank you." She put a note on the bar. "Keep the change."
"Thank you, Miss. Your bath will be ready in 15 minutes."

Just as Heather was considering scalping the third guy to bother her a sultry voice came from across the bar. "Miss. Your bath is ready." Heather picked up her whiskey and let the maid lead her upstairs.
"Those men are always harassing us. It's nice to see someone standing up to them.
"I've faced too many wolves to be worried by rats, Miss?"
"Leithe, but please, call me Emma." Her hazel eyes shimmered in the candlelight.
"Emma. Are you free to assist me with my bath?" Heather purred. Emma's already rouged cheeks flushed even more.
"Oh. Of course Miss. I'm at your service."

Emma left well before dawn to start her duties. It was for the best. She was a sweet girl; naive really. More than willing to go on the road with Heather after one night. In truth, Heather knew she'd probably be safer as a wanderer than in this brothel. So loosely disguised as a saloon. She also knew she couldn't take on the burden. She'd be bored in a week and Emma would grow to resent her. Instead, she left a note promising to visit.

The trip to Lemoyne would take a few days at best. The cave Heather hoped to find untouched was just north of St. Denis. A bit too close to the city really, but there weren't many warm dry places for the taking for people like Heather.

In the end, the trip was even longer than anticipated. Heather had managed some good hunting along the way though. Meats she could salt and dry. Herbs that would keep. Even with regular breaks in between Gunner was tiring of the long journey. Thankfully the cave was just about an hour away. They'd be able to rest soon. Patting his soft nose and handing him an apple she was overcome with emotion, thinking of the big beasts loyalty. He was strong and true, he'd even been known to nip and kick pesky visitors.
"Let's go boy almost there."

The cave appeared in front of them. Looking gloriously untouched. However, as Heather hitched Gunner and walked closer she saw wolf tracks. Lots of them. Wolves in the swamps hardly made any sense but the proof was right in front of her in fresh mud. To her relief, the tracks only led out. They'd left. Hopefully for good. She'd scope it out and light a fire. They wouldn't risk returning at the sight of fire.

She grabbed her trusty sawed-off shotgun nonetheless and proceeded cautiously.
"Hello."
She heard something in the back of the cave. A whimper maybe.
"Is someone there?"
The whimpers continued but no response.

As soon as she lay her eyes on the pup her heart broke. A wolf pup. Her leg, badly broken. The number of prints made sense now. A mother with pups. She'd made the impossible decision to leave her injured pup in hopes she and her other pups could get back to the pack.

Heather kneeled by the tiny pup. Her lantern showed no blood. Hopefully a simple break. God knows she'd had a few. The pup didn't even growl. She hardly knew fear yet. Heather pulled a piece of quail from her satchel. The pup gulped it down. Her tail wagging furiously.
Well, at least you are weaned little one. Let's get that leg splinted shall we?"
Her big blue eyes looked up at Heather while she licked her chops.

With some help from an old deer antler and some leather, the pup was splinted and even able to hobble a bit.
"I guess I'm stuck with you hmm?"
For every human she would kill, there was an animal she'd lay down her life for.

Heather ate some fruit and set up her bedroll. She dozed off without even starting a fire. Thankfully the wolves were long gong. As luck would have it some bounty hunters rode by in the night hoping to stumble upon someone with a head worth their time. With no sign of smoke or fire and Gunner sleeping nestled in the trees, they rode by unaware that a very worthwhile head slept peacefully just off their path.

The sound of gunfire awoke heather with a start. The entrance of the cave was ablaze with afternoon sunlight. How did I sleep so late?
Perhaps the trip was more exhausting than Heather had expected. She rubbed her face trying to clear her sleepy eyes. The gunshots had passed. Probably just a hunter. The sound of running water startled her, she spun around to find the pup pissing on her satchel.

"Jesus. No!" She ripped the satchel away and the pup dropped her ears in shame. Heather laughed.
"Better name you if I'm going to scold you. Hm?"
The pup hobbled over to her looking pathetic. Heather shared a piece of bread with it, as she studied its sweet face. She was so tiny and so determined. Not even a broken leg could stop her.
"Seras." She stated simply. She'd read once of an Italian creature who grew heavenly wings in darkness. The pup's tail wagged.
"You like it? Good. It suits you!"

She tied a leather string around Seras' neck. "Look at you, you're a real dog now!" Heather stood. "Let's go introduce you to Gunner." She picked up Seras. "Fair warning. He doesn't much care for wolves."

Heather carried Seras over to the big horse. She reached into her pocket. Best to lead with a snack she'd learned. Gunner whinied at the sight of her, or maybe the snack. She handed him the apple slice and he ate happily. Once he was done she held the tiny pup up to him. He studied it and to her surprise shoved his nose into Seras' belly and sniffed the pup. Seras looked frightened at first and Heather couldn't help but laugh at the irony. After a few seconds, Seras' tail started flying. She was clearly enamored with the big beast before her.

Heather smiled at the two. She wondered if Seras was part Husky. She seemed so domestic and Heather had heard of it happening before.
"Nonethematter." She smiled giving each of them a kiss. "I think we'll take a ride around St Denis today. See if we can get any leads on good scores. Assuming my face isn't plastered all over the place of course."
She'd heard from a friend that St. Denis was clear and as far as she knew it should be. She strapped Seras into a saddle bag. She didn't seem to mind at all. The trio headed for the 'City of Arts'.

She could smell it before she saw the first building. She truly disliked this city, but it was far from her problems and for once she felt like a bit of human interaction. The afternoon proved fruitful. Heather got leads on a few small jobs that wouldn't cause too much of a stir. Before heading home, she stopped by a sketchy looking saloon. She was almost certain she'd seen a rat but in truth, the big saloon down the road was too much for her. She transferred a sleepy Seras to her satchel and headed in. The bar was pleasantly empty. She sat herself right in the middle. "What'll it be Miss?"
"A whiskey, thank you."

Heather was admittedly a bit tipsy when a woman sat down beside her.
"That's a cute pup you have there. Looks like a wolf."
"Oh. Hi. Yeah. She is a wolf. Abandoned."
The woman patted Seras' sleeping snout.
"Well. Isn't she lucky you found her."
Heather took in the woman sitting next to her. She wore pants and had both a revolver and a knife on her hip. Sure the world was changing, still, Heather rarely saw a woman like her.

As if reading her mind the woman spoke.
"Nice to see someone who gets it from time to time. That's why I sat. The pup was a pleasant bonus." Her grin was infectious.
"Who says I'm looking for company?"
She laughed again. "I'd risk your blade not to speak to the morons around here."

Heather nodded and waved for two more whiskeys. The woman drank and spoke for a while. The sun started setting and Heather didn't want to navigate the unnerving swamps in the dark. She stood to excuse herself.
"I'm Charlotte. Maybe I'll bump into you and sweet Seras again."
"Heather. Maybe you will."
Charlotte snuck Seras an almond from the bar.
"Bye Seras."

Heather was in the sheriff's office bright and early.
"Sheriff. Good Morning."
"How can I help you, Miss?" He was polite but his gaze fell quickly to her weapons.
"I'm passing through. Wondering if there are any bounties I might help with."
"There's always bounties here miss. I just have to make sure there's none on you. A formality. You understand, of course."
"Of course, Sherriff." Heather moved over to the poster board, of course, she'd paid a street rat to scout ahead, but there was always a risk and her heart skipped a beat when she saw five women on the board. A rarity.

The sheriff looked form her to the board a few times.
"Looks like you're good to go Miss."
"Call me Emma, Sheriff."
"Well, Emma. I have one for you. She was last seen here in St Denis, buying a horse."
"Don't go giving me easy bounties because I'm a woman, Sheriff."

"To the contrary. This woman is ruthless. Known to shoot instead of run. Many a man, better shots than me, have fallen at her feet."
Heather frowned, "So what makes you think I'll live?"
The old man blushed and fussed with his hat. "Well Miss, you're very beautiful..."
Heather scowled.
He stammered, "No, uh. I mean there's rumors. That she. Well. Is of a certain persuasion."
Heather sighed, "She's attracted to women?"

The sheriff looked awkward. "Yes. Of course, they are only rumors, and I'm not one to judge. You're very pretty, though. If they are true maybe you're less likely to get shot on sight."
"You're putting my life in the hands of some rumors Sheriff."
"It is a risk of the job is it not? Besides, you'll be handsomely rewarded if you are successful. I can promise that."

Heather stifled another sigh and extended her hand for a poster.
"Oh, well. I'm afraid we haven't got a sketch for her yet, and she has so many aliases that a name wouldn't be much help either. I've heard she has long blonde hair and green eyes but more reliably, the horse she bought is a reddish brown thoroughbred. A fast beast. With an unusual white blonde mane."
"Seems strange that a fugitive would ride such a unique animal, but I suppose as you've said she isn't afraid of much." Heather tipped her hat. "I'll bring her in. Dead or alive."

Heather patted Gunner's nose and checked in on a sleeping Seras. Still too young to stay awake for any substantial amount of time. The first stop would be the stable boy who had sold her the horse. She needed a better description of this woman and an idea of her movements.

The stable boy was helpful. He could describe her and the horse in detail. By the time heather had finished asking around town, it was getting dark. She decided to head home and get some rest. Besides Seras was awake and restless in her saddlebag. She'd let her run around the cave where she could safely keep an eye on her.

Heather had strange dreams that night. She dreamed of Seras and her pack. She dreamed of winter storms. She even dreamed of Charlotte at some point. She was awoken during the middle of the night. Aware that someone else was in the cave. She slowly tried to reach for her knife.
"Don't bother, Wolf Whisperer." Came a voice. Heather froze as the barrel of a shotgun pushed into her lower back.

Chapter 2 - Wolf Whisperer

"Charlotte, we've been walking for hours. You have my guns. Can we take a break?"
Charlotte smiled a wry smile and removed the barrel of her shotgun from Heather's lower back.
"Fine. Sit." She nods toward a fallen tree and Heather obliges.
"How did you find me? Why are you doing this?" Heather sighed. She seemed more annoyed than afraid, even as Charlotte stood over her.

"I saw you paying our friend, the sheriff, a visit. Was I wrong to assume you were picking up bounties?"
"It's you! The oh so ruthless killer." Heather stated matter of factly.
Charlotte laughed at this. "You caught me." She threw her free hand up in mock surrender.
"Why haven't you killed me then?"
"Couldn't leave this sweet girl without a home." She pulled Seras from her satchel and put her on the ground to play. Seras hobbled straight over to Heather. Who picked her up and fluffed her ears.
"So now what happens?"
Charlotte eyed Heather curiously. "In truth, I was hoping we could work together. There's a few jobs in St. Denis, but they need more than one person. As you can probably guess I don't have many friends."
Heather took a sip of water from her canteen. "Are you offering or telling?"
"Jesus, Heather, I'm not a monster. As much as that sheriff would convince you otherwise. Of course, you have a choice."

"I'm not known for my ability to work well with others." Heather replied.
"Nor am I, but you are smart as a whip and I'd bet a great shot. Things are changing around here. It's getting harder to get by alone."
Heather thought about the horrible man at her old camp. How she'd lost track of her weapons.
"Fine. Tell me one thing though. Why did we walk all the way here?"
Charlotte giggled, playing tug with Seras who'd found a stick. "Oh. That was just spite for trying to kill me."

******

Heather was shocked to learn that Charlotte had a modest cabin at the edge of st. Denis. A city where she was very much a wanted woman. Again with her mind reading powers Charlotte smiled as she helped unload Gunners saddle.
"I'm not home much, besides, I am a fan of hiding in plain sight. It's always worked for me."
Heather nodded her acknowledgement. Charlotte's face hardened for an instant before she gathered herself.
"Look, I like you. I wouldn't be letting you stay here if I didn't, but I'm no idiot. You'll be leaving your guns with me at night, at least until we're better acquainted. Can't have you turning on me while I sleep."

Heather wanted to argue, for the principle of the matter, but the sight of a real bed and a fireplace ultimately changed her mind. Again she nodded instead of speaking. She put Seras down on the grass. She was getting stronger and stronger. She had a stroke of wild in her, but not a mean bone in her body. She hobbled after butterflies but never hurt them.
"Some guard dog you'll be while I have no guns." The pup wagged her tail and pawed at Heather's boot for a treat.

Night fell, Charlotte had gone hunting. Heather had plenty meat for them to share but the afternoon had been, admittedly, awkward. She was glad Charlotte was out. She sat on a soft blanket by the fire. Seras curled up in her lap, the flames reflected in her sleepy eyes. Heather stroked her head. She'd taken a big leap of faith on this collaboration with Charlotte. She hoped it wouldn't back fire.

Heather's dreams were a mess once again. She dreamed of fire dancing, this time, in Charlotte's eyes, of Emma's sleepy green eyes, of wolves on a snowy horizon. It was a fitful sleep. When Charlotte eventually came back she watched Heather twitch and mutter for a few minutes. She threw a scrap to Seras and pulled the blanket over Heather.
Who is this woman? Why did I bring her here. Have I caught that brain plague from the dessert?
She shook her head and poured herself some whiskey. She took the glass and Heather's holster to the bedroom and locked the door behind her.

***

"For God's sake Charlotte. What were you thinking?!" Heather yelled as she wiped blood from her chin with a dirty handkerchief. Charlotte scoffed, indignant.
"You know I'm an excellent shot. I had to kill him or he'd have killed you."
"That was way too close! You could have killed me!"
"Well. Fine. I'll leave him to it next time." Charlotte huffed childishly.
Heather spat blood from her split lip, and patted Charlotte's bruised shoulder roughly.
"Thank you."

The two had been running together for weeks. Winter had set in and Seras was out of her splint. It had been awkward at first but the two had become fast friends, both glad that they had taken that risk. Charlotte had been right too. Pulling jobs was much easier with two people. They still stuck to smaller jobs. Lemoyne stayed warmer through winter and they didn't want to have to leave.

They headed back to the cabin as the sun was setting. Seras jumped off of Charlotte's bed as the door opened.
"Seras, you're not fooling anyone." Heather laughed as she filled her bowl with some stew from the night before.
"We did good today." Charlotte said as she swept Heather's long auburn hair over her shoulder and clasped a silver necklace around her neck. "Keep that one. It's pretty on you."
"And worth a fortune, Charlotte. We should sell it."
"We're doing fine. Keep it."

"Are you going to see Hamish anytime soon? He's been lusting after you like a dog for weeks."
Charlotte scoffed, "He's a child. A spoiled one at that. I don't have time to mother him or teach him about this life."
"You're dramatic. He's only a few years younger than us, and quite handsome too." Heather retorted as she threw off her coat and put on a bed shirt. She couldn't tell if she'd imagined Charlotte staring or not.
"I suppose he is." Charlotte busied herself locking the day's earnings away.
"Good night Char." Heather smiled at her and called Seras to bed.

Heather awoke to Seras growling loudly. It had to be the middle of the night. She rubbed sleep from her eyes, trying to adjust her vision to the dark.
"Seras. Hush. What are you on about?"
Seras whined and growled some more just as Charlotte crept into Heather's room with her finger on her lips.
"There's someone outside. Keep quiet. "

Heather slipped from her bed, staying below the window line and grabbing her revolver.
"I'm going to let Seras out. Stay here."
She grabbed Seras' collar and crept to the back door. She opened it quietly. Seras knew exactly what to do. As young, as she was she was already quite big.
"Sha!" She whispered and Seras took off. She followed behind her with her back to the wall and her revolver raised. She heard her growl followed by a yell.

"Seras! Back." Heather called and Seras ran to her side. "Put your goddamned hands up!" She growled. The figure stood slowly. Easily over 6ft.
"That's a pretty dog you got there." He replied. His face still in shadow.
"I won't ask again." Heather pulled the hammer back on her revolver.
"Now. Now." He drawled. "How about we talk?"
"I don't think so." Came Charlotte's voice behind him followed by the sound of a shotgun cocking. Defeated, the man removed his hand from his holster and raised his hands lazily.
"Who sent you?" Charlotte said in his ear.

"The sheriff, naturally."
"Jesus. When will you idiots get the message? I'm not going in and you are not taking me." Charlotte growled behind the bounty hunter.
"Calm down Sweetheart. I'm not after you. I came for the redhead."

Heather's heart skipped a beat. There had been no signs that there was any amount on her head. Or that anyone even knew who she was.
"That's impossible. No one knows me in st Denis." Heather spluttered.
"I don't know about that Baby, but everyone knows you in Valentine."

"Heather. Take Seras inside." Said Charlotte calmly.
Heather was shell shocked. It had been nearly a year since the mess in Valentine. How were they still chasing her? She grabbed Seras' collar and led her back inside. She covered the pups ears just as two loud shotgun shots rang out. Followed by a chorus of ravens taking flight.

An hour had passed by the time Charlotte came back, covered in blood and mud.
"Heather. What was that? What are Valentine bounty hunters doing after you?"
Heather tossed a rag to Charlotte.
"Some really bad stuff went down there last year. I thought it was over, it's been so long."
Charlotte sighed, gesturing at their life together. "This only works if we are honest with one another Heather."


"I know. I'm sorry. I really thought it was over.
"Charlotte stripped out of her dirty clothes and Heather turned away shyly.
"I don't think we will have to run right now. Must be quite a price on your head for him to come all this way. I doubt he would have shared that information."
Heather nodded. Charlotte always managed to be logical and calm. Meanwhile Heather felt she might faint, reminded of that night in Valentine. \
"I'm going to get some rest." She hugged Charlotte tightly. "Thank you."
Taken aback Charlotte only nodded as she watched Heather close the bedroom door. She wrapped a blanket over her bare shoulders and sat by the fire with Seras at her side. They had to be more alert for a while. At least make sure no one followed the man.

When Charlotte woke Heather was nowhere to be found, panic spread through her chest like ice. She threw a shirt on and ran out the back door. Gunner was gone as well.
"Heather! Heather where are you?"
Charlotte spun around desperately searching. Then she saw Seras trotting up to her happily, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Heather would never go anywhere without Seras. Just as she was handing Seras a bone she heard Gunner's heavy hooves cross the train tracks. She'd grown to love the big brute almost as much as Heather did, but she still couldn't imagine taking on the cost of feeding a shire.

"Are you Charlotte?" Came a voice Charlotte didn't know. She spun around pulling her revolver, and dropped it just as quickly. The sight before her made her chest tighten and her vision blur. A young woman in a bright green dress steered Gunner. Heather was slumped over his neck, her blue shirt stained crimson.
"What happened?" She yelled. She ran forward as the woman dismounted carefully and tried to lift Heather off of Gunner's back.
"Move!" Charlotte grabbed Heather, "Help me get her inside."
They lifted her onto the bed. Other than a few groans she hadn't said a word. The front of her shirt was such a mess Charlotte couldn't find a wound straight away. She ripped the shirt open and saw the bullet wound, just below the color bone.

"She's lost a lot of blood. She kept muttering about not going to a doctor. I wasn't sure Gunner would let me ride him."
"I have a kit in the bathroom. Go get it." Charlotte growled and the girl nodded, disappearing.
"Heather. Can you hear me?" She softened, as she put pressure on the wound. Another incomprehensible groan.
"Oh, Heather, Talk to me."
"Is this it?" The girl said behind Charlotte and she jumped.

She took the kit and cleaned the wound. She slipped off her belt and put it to Heather's lips.
"Here, Honey, open your mouth." Heather obeyed groggily. Charlotte slipped the belt into her mouth.
"Bite down on this."
She started to dig around the wound looking for the bullet. She found it relatively quickly and stitched the wound. Heather groaned and bit down hard at first before passing out.
"She's passed out. She won't feel it now." Said the girl as she helped lift Heather's shoulder to bandage it.

As soon as Heather was settled Charlotte turned on the strange girl.
"Who the hell are you? What happened to her?" She said with her knife in the girl's face.
"I swear to God. If she dies I'll kill you."
The girl placed her hand gently on Charlotte's arm.
"It's okay. I'm a friend. My name is Emma."

Chapter 3 - Whiskey Nights

"She's going to be okay Charlotte. You did a wonderful job stitching her up." Emma smiled pouring whiskey into two chipped tumblers, handing one to Charlotte. "She lost a lot of blood, she just needs to rest."

Charlotte nodded, only half listening.
"She told me about you. Said she met you in Blackwater. What are you doing in St. Denis?"
"It was Heather actually. She was worried about my safety, convinced me I deserved better. I knew that I did. I needed to hear it from someone else. I'm handy with a needle so I decided to try one of these fancy new tailors down here. I got lucky, a sweet man with the store on the square took me on as a seamstress."

Charlotte let slip a wry laugh.
"I meant, what were you doing that led to my... to Heather getting shot. I don't care for your sob story."
If Emma was stung by her words it didn't show.
"I was cleaning some cloth out behind the store. Some street rats came out of nowhere. They knocked over my bucket. They were going to..."
"Got it." Charlotte growled.
"Well, she must have heard me scream. She came running. As she is one to do."

Charlotte downed the whiskey and poured herself another.
"That she is, the moron."
"The shock of seeing me must have distracted her The biggest one managed to get her gun. Luckily he was an awful shot. The others ran off when the gun went off. I took my washing board to his head and he dropped the gun and ran."

"A washing board?" Charlotte laughed, despite herself. "You and Heather are better matched than she let on."
Emma blushed and smiled. Finally, as rage left Charlotte's vision she was able to take in the girl in front of her. She was a tiny thing. Tough as nails it would seem.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't a very welcoming host was I?"
Emma took her hand, "I think your behavior can be excused this once." Charlotte nodded and tipped her glass to Emma's.
"This Once."

A cough from the bedroom broke the somewhat awkward silence. They both jumped to their feet and ran to the door.
"How are you feeling Crazy Girl?" Charlotte asked softly.
"Like I was dragged by a carriage," Heather replied hoarsely.
"Emma. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine but I wasn't the one who was shot."
Heather looked at her wrapped shoulder.
"I've survived worse."
"Indeed you have." Laughed Charlotte, "If I have to stitch you up anymore you'll look like my old rag doll."

"Are you hungry?" Emma asked.
"I am a little."
"I'll get you something." Charlotte started.
"Don't be silly, sit. I'm sure I can put something together." Emma turned tail for the kitchen.
"She's sweet," Charlotte said laying on the bed next to Heather.
"Mmm, too sweet."

Half an hour later Emma walked in with two bowls of oatmeal and some fruit. Heather put her finger to her mouth shushing her. Charlotte was fast asleep on her good shoulder.
"You're supposed to be the one resting." Chided Emma.
Heather stifled a laugh and took an apple slice from the tray.

"Is Seras okay?" Heather asked, slipping off the bed.
"She is. She's sleeping by the fire."
"Emma, will you stay the night? It's dark and I obviously can't take you."
"Oh, I don't want to be a burden." She replied timidly.
"A burden? If not for you I'd be dead."
"If it weren't for me you wouldn't have been shot at all."
"If it hadn't been you, it would've been some other poor girl. One not so handy with a washing board."

Emma laughed, " Fine I'll set some blankets by the fire. Seras can keep me company."
Heather pulled blankets from a chest.
"Actually, I was hoping, I could."



Charlotte woke with a stiff neck. She was slightly disappointed to find the bed empty.
"Heather, you should be resti- Oh." She stopped when she opened the bedroom door to find Heather, Emma and Seras curled up in front of a dying fire. A pang of jealousy hit her and she called Seras over.
"Want to come into town with me, sweet girl? Go see Doctor Martin."
Seras jumped up wagging her tail. No one else stirred.

"Miss Locke. You've been away some time." Doctor Martin called as Charlotte walked in. "Seras is getting big!"
"She grows an inch a day, I swear. I'm in need of some wound dressing and something for pain."
"I know it's not my business but are you okay?"
"It's for Heather, it's just a flesh wound. She's okay."
"Oh, Dear. I am sorry to hear that. I'll gather what you need."

Charlotte left the doctor and a thought crossed her mind. She whistled Kane over and started the short ride to the tailor with Seras trotting behind her, stopping to bother the friendly, old butcher for scraps.

Heather's shoulder was in agony when she woke up. She groaned and stretched gingerly as she stood.
"Good morning, you're up just in time for breakfast," Emma said cheerfully behind her.
"Is Charlotte up?"
"Her, Kane and Seras are gone. I suppose they left early this morning."
"Oh, okay," Heather said as she sat at the kitchen table.
"I gave Gunner some apples, I wasn't sure what he usually gets."
"That's perfect Emma. Thank you. When Charlotte is back I'll ask her to ride you into town."
"Oh, I don't want to trouble her. It's not far at all. I can walk. I just wanted to make sure you ate first. The tailor will be wondering what happened. I'll have to head out now."

"Okay, be careful, please. Do you have the knife I gave you?"
"Yes. I do. Thank you. I'm glad I saw you again. Even if the circumstances were a mess."
"Me too. I'll visit you in town."
Emma smiled, "Of course. I'd like that."



Charlotte's Andalusian Kane raced through the streets of St Denis like lightning. People cursed her as they dove out of the big horse's way. Seras followed not far behind, panting as she tried to keep up with Charlotte.
"I knew it. I fucking knew it." Charlotte cursed as she raced along the main road leading out of the city and towards her cottage. She was so consumed with her own thoughts she didn't notice Emma pull her hat down over her face, walking the opposite direction, as Charlotte flew passed her.

Charlotte jumped off Kane before he had even stopped. She burst through the front door Seras at her heels. Heather dropped her coffee and the cup shattered.
"Are you crazy?" She yelled as she bent to pick up the shards.
"Where is she? Where is Emma?" Charlotte demanded.
"She left this morning. Why are you shouting?"
"She's lying to you. She doesn't work at the tailor in the square. Or any tailor in St Denis."
"Calm down Charlotte, what are you talking about?"

"I was at the doctor's getting supplies for you and I just had a feeling, so I decided to check on her story."
"You're stalking her?"
"Luckily I did because the tailor has never heard of her. Neither have any other tailors in the area."
"So she lied about where she works. She's probably at another saloon and was embarrassed." Heather sighed cleaning the floor with a rag.
"That's not suspicious to you at all Heather?"
"No. Frankly, if I didn't know you better I'd say you were jealous."

Charlotte recoiled and hurt flashed across her face.
"Yes, I'm jealous! I'm in love with you. Is that what you want to hear?"
"What?" Heather stammered.
"Oh come on you're not that dense. Even if you were, there I've said it loud and clear, but I need you to trust that, that is not what this is about. For once just fucking trust me." Charlotte spat the last part like venom. Seras tucked her tail and slipped under the table. Heather was taken aback. She stood staring at Charlotte's reddening face. Her bright eyes blazing like they were on fire. She couldn't muster a response.

In two strides Charlotte closed the space between them. She grabbed Heather's face and before Heather could take a breath Charlotte's mouth was on hers and it felt like lightning. After what felt like forever Heather broke the kiss to catch her breath.
"I trust you. Of course, I trust you. She didn't leave too long ago. We can catch her. Let's see what this is all about. Okay?"

Chapter 4 - Dandelions

Emma had made it a considerable distance by the time Charlotte and Heather caught up. The ride hadn't been easy, Heather couldn't ride with her shoulder but she had just as hard a time holding onto to Charlotte.

"Emma wait! Heather called, as Kane skidded to a stop a few feet away.
"Heather? What are you doing here?"
"Tell me the truth," Heather said flatly while Charlotte helped her, gingerly, off the horse.
"I know you're not working at any tailor in St. Denis, so what are you really doing here?"
"You're following me?"

Charlotte scoffed loudly but Heather's warning glance kept her from speaking.
"I'm just worried about you. Are you in some kind of trouble?" Heather softened, "We can help you."
"Heather, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"I, I have to go."
"What on earth are you talking about? Emma wait!" But it was too late. Emma darted down a dark alley.

"Heather! Get down!" Charlotte screamed as she tackled her. Pain shot through her shoulder as she hit the ground hard. A squeal of pain escaped in place of words. Even if she had been able to form angry words it wouldn't have mattered. Charlotte was up and moving towards a rat of a person, pistol drawn. He shot first but Charlotte dove to the side and shot from there, hitting the man in the shin just as he was aiming at Heather, as she scrambled to cover. His scream was deafening as he fell. The people in the slum around them took to the safety of their homes. The law was no friend of theirs either. No one would try to call for them.

Heather managed to drag herself to her feet. She walked to where Charlotte had her shotgun trained on the man's face.
"Who sent you?" She spat.
"Valentine sheriff." He spilled.
"How does he know where I am?" She kicked the man's wound and he gagged.
"Why not ask that little vixen you was just talking to huh? You called her Emma, no?"

"Emma." She growled as she grabbed Charlotte's pistol from her holster. She ran down the alley Emma had escaped through. Adrenaline numbed her shoulder and rage narrowed her vision. Charlotte was yelling somewhere behind her, unable to coax Kane through the narrow alley. The streets of St. Denis were a maze but Heather just kept running. She'd find Emma if it was the last thing she did.

Charlotte had to stick to the main roads with Kane. He was as panicked as she was. She raced up and down the crowded streets yelling for Heather. Kane stopped eventually, exhausted. Charlotte was losing hope when she heard people screaming for the law. She hitched Kane and prayed street rats wouldn't take him. She followed the screams to the garden in the middle of St. Denis.

Heather kneeled with her knee on Emma's chest. Emma had tears streaming down her face. Charlotte took an unconscious step back. Heather's face was empty, so fare beyond rage.
"Heather. Please. Think about what you're doing." Charlotte said softly.
"Stay out of this Char! I never should have brought you into this." Heather begged. "And you. You lying bitch." She turned her attention to Emma.
"Why would you do this? Why would you sell me out to those pigs?"
"You have some nerve calling anyone a pig." Emma retorted with surprising confidence. "I've slept with some vile people in my line of work, but you. It turns out no amount of money can wash the stench of your evil from me."

Heather heard Charlotte ask something but she couldn't make it out over the blood rushing in her ears.
"You know nothing about me!" Her knee pressed harder into Emma's chest, but instead of shrinking away Emma managed to spit in Heather's face.
"You burned a man's family and home to ashes! So I do know about you, all about you."

A crowd had gathered. Even two lawmen stood aghast. Charlotte realized her face was wet with tears, although she had no idea when she had started crying.
"Did you ever think, for a second, to ask me what happened?"
"There is no reason good enough for me. When the sheriff told me what you did to his family I would have done what I did for free. You were so easy to fool too, thinking I could have feelings for a monster like you. When you left I thought it was over, that I had missed my chance to get out of this damned country. Then came your letter telling me exactly where you'd gone. That bounty is going to take me somewhere tropical."

Heather stood slowly. Despite what she'd just heard, Charlotte couldn't help but feel her heart breaking for the defeat in Heather's eyes. Then she saw a flick in Heather's good arm. A flick she'd seen a million times.

The gunshot was deafening as she ran to Heather's side. It was too late. Blood trickled down Emma's forehead and splattered the dandelions behind her. The pistol hit the floor, the sound seemingly jarring everyone out of their stupor. Heather kneeled down and raised her good hand in surrender.

Time seemed to stand still as the two lawmen drew their weapons. It felt like minutes but in reality, it took Charlotte only a few seconds to take them both down. She pulled Heather to her feet and dragged her through the yards of mansions back to where Kane waited patiently.

"Come on Darling. Come back to me!" She yelled as she tried to shake Heather from her haze.
"Get up here, one foot. There you go. Now hold on to me."
Kane took off. Charlotte's mind was racing. She needed to stop at the house and get their valuables and get them on the road. It would be safer for them to keep moving.

***

"I knew I loved you, you know?" Heather said softly.
Charlotte looked up from the fire, startled. Heather hadn't said a word in almost 24 hours.
"You did?" She asked.
"I did. Our partnership seemed more important though. I didn't want to risk that or our friendship."
"Nor did I, seems silly now, doesn't it? A lot of wasted time." Charlotte mused.
"No. No. None of it was a waste. Every minute with you has been well worth it." Heather smiled across the flames at Charlotte and saw a blush creep up her neck.

The two fell into an amicable silence. Charlotte busied herself with cooking while Heather seemed caught up in her own thoughts again. They ate some turkey and stale bread. Charlotte had grabbed what she could carry but it wasn't much. They'd have to hunt soon, or at least she would, Heather's shoulder was still pretty immobile.
"Heather, do you think you could tell me what happened with the Valentine sheriff?"
Heather looked up from her whiskey. She sighed, looking dejected.
"Of course. You trusted me. You deserve to know."

Charlotte sat down beside her and refilled both their glasses. Heather took a deep breath.
"Like I told you, it all started more than a year ago. The Sheriff and I had our issues, mostly small things. He couldn't seem to make anything stick, but he was hell-bent on putting a noose around my neck after he caught me kissing his daughter."
Charlotte snorted.

"Don't laugh!" Heather smacked her playfully. "I didn't know who she was, we were drunk. He walked into the saloon and lost his mind. He was raging but he's a smart man. He didn't make a scene in front of the townsfolk, for all my bullshit, people liked me in Valentine. He was mad at his daughter too. I bumped into her in town the next day. She had bruises up and down her arms. She wouldn't look at me, much less talk to me."

Charlotte rubbed Heather's neck with her free hand. "That poor girl."
"I was furious, she begged me to leave it be. Naturally, I couldn't do that. I should have. God knows I should have." A tear ran down Heather's cheek. She wiped it away before Charlotte saw it. "She was just a kid. I went over to the sheriff's house that night. I wasn't armed. I just wanted to talk, clear the air. Protect her somehow. When I got there all I could smell was smoke. The horizon was bright orange. The Sheriff's house was burning. I ran towards it to see if anyone was inside and I saw the sheriff walk out the front door. I asked him if he was okay. He pointed his shotgun at me and started yelling that I'd burned his house down. Neighbors swarmed and it became a manhunt. They all believed him. I could hardly blame them either."

"But who did start the fire?" Charlotte asked looking shell shocked.
"I don't have proof, but I'm certain he did it himself. He had a nasty affair come to light, then the scandal with his daughter. I- He's an evil man Char. I can't prove it but I know it. He was so desperate to bury his scandals and the temptation to take me down with them got the better of him."



Chapter 5 - Forrest Fire




The morning air was crisp. With all that had been going on Heather had barely realized that winter was working its way back around. Charlotte was still fast asleep when Heather slipped out of their tent to watch the sunrise. She wrapped her wool coat tight around her shoulders and listened for any signs of people but none came. The woods around her stirred gently to life.

"You're up early." Came Charlotte's sleepy voice.
"Yeah. Couldn't sleep anymore. Listen, Char. I need to leave. I was going to do the cowardly thing and leave while you slept, but that's not fair. It's not safe for us to be together. I know he's still looking for me. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you because of your association with me."

Charlotte tried to shake the haze of sleep from her head and process what Heather was saying.
"What on earth are you talking about Heather? You can't leave we can do this together. I know how to look after myself."

Heather sighed and took Charlotte's hands in hers, "Of course you do Darling, but I can't put you in danger any longer than I already have. You shot two lawmen in front of a massive crowd. You can't spend your life like this; on the run for something you had nothing to do with."
"You didn't do anything either!"

Heather turned her back to Charlotte. She could barely look at her, now panicked, face.
"I love you so much, Char."

Charlotte sobbed but no sound came from her, she jerked Heather around to face her, "If you leave me now that's it. There is no more us! If you walk away today don't bother looking back. I killed with you and for you. I love you! If that isn't enough to trust me on this revenge plot of yours then I don't know what will ever be enough for you."

The words stung even though Heather knew she was just speaking from a place of hurt. She deserved it too. She'd never wanted to hurt Charlotte. She already had in so many ways. It had to end, and that end would be today.
"I'm so sorry Charlotte."

She stood and grabbed her duffel bag and her small gear bag. Seras stirred beside the fire. She'd agonized over Seras too. The right thing, the safe thing, to do would be to leave her with Charlotte, but she was selfish and didn't want to be completely alone. She whistled for Seras to follow her. Charlotte was on the ground. Head in her hands. She was shaking, whether from anger or sobs Heather couldn't tell. She wanted, so desperately, to hold her, kiss her, one last time. Instead, she tied the bags to Gunner's saddle and got on. Seras looked lost and tried to lick Charlotte's face, she pushed her away.
"Come on sweet girl. Let's go."

Charlotte watched Gunner's shape disappear over the horizon. She felt like her world was crashing down around her. She felt her heart break in unimaginable ways. Memories of fleeing her brother's house years before. Memories of the long lonely nights on the road. Of the years and months, she spent avoiding people. How it all changed that night in the bar when she had met Heather. Of Seras growing and learning to hunt. Their first kiss. The few kisses after it. Sobs wracked her body so viciously she could hardly stand. Or breathe.

__________________________________

Weeks passed in a daze for Heather. The journey up to valentine had been long and agonizingly slow. Seras and Gunner were not themselves and only managed small distances each day. Seras had only just begun to eat again. Heather hadn't realized the hold Charlotte had, had on them as much as her own heart.

They had set up camp about two miles from Valentine. It was bitterly cold but she had to keep a low profile. She didn't want any news of her getting back to the sheriff. She'd poured over all the ways she'd kill him once she caught him. So much rage bubbled over in her it was hard to keep a level head at times, especially with no one but the animals to talk to. Seras nudged her hand and stirred her from her thoughts. She looked down to see that Seras had caught a hare.

"Look at you! You're getting better and better at that." She said as Seras tried to offer her the carcass. She Grimaced. "That's all yours girl."
Darkness was setting in quickly. Heather ran through her plan in her head one more time. A young deaf boy she'd met along the way had done some scouting for her in town. The sheriff had hired a second deputy upon hearing she was on the move. She liked that. She wanted him to be afraid. At night he worked with just one deputy. A ruddy old alcoholic. Not much of a man really, but the talk of the town was that he is a great shot.

She'd chosen Monday because the saloon closed up early to do inventory and clean up a bit. This meant the town would hopefully be dead by midnight, other than the sheriff station. Heather stood downing the last of her whiskey and attached a rope to Seras' collar.
"Time to go girl. Let's get this over with." Gunner whinnied where he was tethered and heather gave him sugar cube. Her and Seras would be going in on foot. Gunner was much too big to risk riding in. They'd be spotted a mile away.

Seras walked silently beside Heather as midnight approached Valentine appeared on the horizon. A few lanterns burned and horses brayed but otherwise, it was a ghost town. Heather and Seras moved like ghosts themselves crouched behind building moving along to the end of the main road where the jail stood. Lit up like a bonfire. The big deputy stood outside smoking. The cloud of smoke illuminated in the lantern's light looked ominous.

Heather picked up a small rock and threw it just to the left of him. Further from the front door.
"Hey! Who's back there?" He bellowed, "I am armed and I will shoot." He waddled over to investigate the sound. Heather told Seras to stay and snuck up behind him. In one swift movement, she dug a throwing knife into the nape of his neck and up into his head. He was dead before he hit the ground.

"Wallace? I heard you yell. Everything okay?"
The sound of the sheriff's voice was a sound she thought she'd prepared herself for but it turned Heather's blood to ice. She took a moment to steady herself and listened for his heavy boots coming around the corner when he did he found himself face to face with a sawed-off shotgun and a woman he'd been chasing for years.

"Miss Shepherd," he laughed. "I thought you'd died in St. Denis."
"No, you didn't. You have been tracking my every move."
"Ah, I guess you're right about that. Except for this move of course. I thought you'd be on the run with that pretty girlfriend of yours."
"Don't you dare bring her up! You have no right!" The shotgun shook furiously in Heather's hand.
"Oh dear, it would seem I've lost my manners. Why don't we go inside?"

Heather nodded and pushed the shotgun into his back as he turned and walked inside.
"Is it safe to assume poor Wallace has met his end then?"
She nodded again, "And you will be next, old man, but first we have to have a little talk."
The sheriff sat at his desk, hands raised his head. The years had not been kind to him. He looked old and haggard. Perhaps his demons weighed heavy on him too.
"You know I'm not afraid of death Miss Shepherd." He nodded to the shotgun.
"I had a feeling you might not be, but you'd be surprised the things you can survive." She whistled sharply and Seras bound through the door, all 120lbs of her. Fear flashed across his face when he saw her, but he composed himself quickly.

"Of course someone like you would do something as unnatural as befriend a wild beast." The word unnatural dripped venom and she knew just what he was referring to.
"Whatever you may think of her she is very well trained. I will have her rip you limb from limb if you don't answer my questions. One hand moved towards his desk and Seras let out a low warning growl, prompting him to put his hand right back on his head.

"What is then that you want to know?"
"Why did you do it? Why did you kill them?"
He paused, he looked genuinely surprised.
"Smarter than I gave you credit for, or rather, more intuitive." His eyes darkened and leaned forward, "They shamed me, Heather. First, my wife decides she's going to leave me. Leave me! The sheriff of this town. What a fool she'd have me be?"
"You betrayed her! What did you think was going to happen?"

"Of course, you wouldn't know this but a wife is meant to stand by her husband no matter what. I would have looked a right idiot if she left me. And don't get me started on that whore daughter of mine. Can you imagine the press? 'Sheriff's daughter caught canoodling with a known criminal!' A woman no less? I'd be run out of town. What man can be expected to run a town when he can't even run his own family."

Heather couldn't believe what she was hearing, "You are sick! You are a fucking monster."
"How dare you? How dare you, call me sick!" Spit flew across the room as he yelled, but then his voice softened, "God will welcome me, Miss Shepherd, for I have done his word justice."
"I'm bored with your rambling old man. So here's what we're going to do. You're going to write up a suicide note. In this note, you will absolve me of burning down your home and consequently absolve Miss Locke of her part in the trouble down in Lemoyne."

"And if I don't?"
Heather took a deep breath, her patience wearing thin, "Let me make this very clear to you. This is the end of the road for you. Regardless of whether or not you write that note, you will be dying here. However, if you do not write the note your exit from this world will be very painful and incredibly drawn out, at the hands, or rather teeth, of this here wolf. I don't expect you to make an honorable choice but I do know you are a coward and you will make the smart choice."

The sheriff saw the fire in her eyes and knew, just then, that she meant every single word. He reached slowly for a pen, eyes locked on Seras, and he began to write.

Chapter 6 - Mountain Tops

"Miss Charlotte! Miss Charlotte! The paper is here, and I think it says something about your Heather."

Charlotte looked up from, what had become her morning whiskey. The innkeeper Mr. Rudd's young daughter Eloise was sprinting, haphazardly across the street, dodging people and horses. She caught herself smiling, she'd been teaching Eloise, or Eli as she called her, to read while staying at the inn. She had no mother and between running the inn and looking after her, her father hadn't kept up with her reading and writing.

"I'm serious!" She squealed as she ran smack into Charlotte. "Big H, e-a-" She began. Charlotte was shocked. There had been many false alarms but this actually might be it. She grabbed the paper from Eli and poured over the front page.

'Valentine Sheriff Gives up the Ghost.'

Underneath the title, there it was, Heather Shepherd. "It is her Eli! Great job."
"I knew it! What are you going to do now, Miss Charlotte? You must go find her! You must!"
Eli was pattering on but Charlotte was distracted. She'd done it. She'd gotten the bastard to absolve them both. She doubted, very much, that the man had shot himself though.

Eli's squeals brought her back to reality. She was right. It absolutely was time to go find Heather, but she had no idea how.
"She always called Valentine home before this mess didn't she?" Mr. Rudd said, appearing out of nowhere to brush Eloise's mop of hair. "Do you think she'll stay, even just to see old friends?"

"You're right! I'll have to hurry then, won't I?"
"I'll help you pack!" Eli ran up the stairs to Charlotte's room.
"I'm happy for you, Charlotte. Now go on, go find her." Mr. Rudd gave her a tight squeeze and nodded towards the stairs.

Charlotte slammed her glass down and took the stairs two at a time. Eli had already pulled out her old rucksack and shoved so clothes into it.
"They'll never fit that way, silly." Charlotte chided. She took a shirt from Eli and showed her how to fold it neatly, "Now you do one."
Eli's tiny hands folded away as the two filled up the bag.

"How come I've never seen you in a skirt, Miss Charlotte?" She asked as she held up a rather extravagant blue skirt. Charlotte took the skirt and laughed,
"I'm actually quite fond of them, but they aren't very practical for holsters, riding or running. Which I do a whole lot of."
"Oh, that makes sense. I can never run and play with the boys when Daddy makes me wear my Sunday clothes."

Within 20 minutes the two had packed up Charlotte's meager belongings. She headed to the stables to load up her camping gear and get Kane ready to go.

"Mr. Rudd, I can't thank you enough for what you've done."
"Charlotte, you were a paying customer. No thanks needed."
"You know very well I don't mean the room." She laughed, "You and Eli kept me sane, during what has been one of the hardest times of my life."
"We were glad to help, Eloise has grown to be such a good reader, thanks to you."

Mr. Rudd grew serious, "I know you are excited, but if things don't turn out the way you hope, know you are always welcome to call this home. Rhodes will be a sight emptier without you here."
Charlotte teared up and threw her arms around him, "I will visit soon. Regardless of how things turn out." She hugged Eli tightly and whistled Kane over. He mirrored her excitement, stomping, and whinnying restlessly.

The sun had moved well into the middle of the sky when Charlotte got moving. She'd ride through the night at least, see how far she could get and then after some rest on to Valentine, to Heather. Kane hadn't had much chance to stretch his legs since they had settled in Rhodes and he was happy to push on. His nose in the air taking it all in.

-------------------------------------------

The smell of Valentine had never been more welcome. The sun was setting and Charlotte could just make out the farming town on the horizon. She was so nervous she felt ill. What if it was too late? What if too much had happened for them to find their way back to one another?

She shook these thoughts from her mind, spurring Kane into a gallop, she followed the distant hum of music towards a brightly lit saloon. She stood before the lit doorway for what felt like forever. The piano was blaringly loud and the cheers of drunk folk filled the air. Someone would know where Heather was.

"You look lost Missy."
Charlotte turned to see a big drunk oaf behind her.
"Leave me be."
"Aw, now. I'm just making sure you're alright. This ain't one of them fancy towns where a lady is safe just wandering about alone." His hand moved quickly considering his drunken state, he pulled her away from the door and down the dark alley beside the saloon.

Rage boiled in Charlotte. She could not handle anything else standing between her and finding Heather. She pulled her revolver out and smacked the large man across the face. He bounced back unphased.
"You little bitch!" He grabbed her collar and threw her towards the street. Before she could stand he was on top of her trying to choke her. She punched him a few times, finally knocking him off of her, she straddled him. Sending punch after punch to his head in a blind rage.

She barely registered a crowd cheering her on, or cheering the fight on. All she could hear was blood rushing in her ears. Then it happened. A voice broke through the noise.
"What is all this? We're supposed to be celebrating my freedom. Y'all can't help your damn selves, can you?"

Charlotte stopped. She had no idea how long the man had been blacked out, that didn't matter though. A figure pushed through the crowd drunkenly. A gold pin shimmering on her hat. Charlotte stood and rubbed mud from her eyes but she already knew exactly who it was.

"Heather?"

Heather's drunk eyes faught to focus on the person calling her name, but she sobered the second she saw the long blonde hair.
"Charlotte- I." Before she could find words Seras pushed passed her and ran to Charlotte. She was knocked back into the mud where she cried and hugged the big beast's neck.
"It's her." A few people muttered, realizing she must be the woman from the article. The love Heather spoke of.

"Go on get! The lot of you. Drinks on me." The crowd ambled back into the saloon. An older woman patted Heather's shoulder and smiled at her.
"Charlotte. It's really you." She pulled Seras off and helped Charlotte stand.
"In the flesh, Darlin'"
"I- I thought you wanted nothing to do with me?"
Charlotte put her hand to Heather's cheek, "I was angry and scared. You have to know I didn't mean those things."

Heather threw her arms around Charlotte and it felt like she was soaring, well above the mountain tops, watching it all happen in slow motion. And finally, she kissed her. Kissed the woman she'd loved since before this life. The woman she'd love long after this life.