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The Untamed ( Katy1008 & CrimsonMaster )

Thomas knew very well that any normal Priest would be useless at a time like this, but Mathew wasn't a normal Priest and Katie should know that since she watched him in action against a group of Raf's men. But however wasn't thinking about Mathew, hell he didn't even notice that the Priest was gone.

Ben's right hand slowly moved down to the gun that he wore low on his hip. One of Raf's men saw this move however and placed a rile shot at Ben's feet. " That wouldn't be wise Ben! " Raf snapped out. " I'll deal with your betrayal of me soon enough........But first Katie!......You need to kill Texas Red and The Cherokee Kid for me! " Raf said as a smile played acrossed his face. He was in control here and no one was going to take that away. " Show Ben and everyone what a loyal whore you are to me........Kill those men in your cells and if those soldiers or Colorado try to stop you........Kill then as well! " Raf's voice rang out in a loud and strong tone. He then waited for Katie to do as she was told. Raf was waiting for his good little whore to jump at his commands.

JP laid in the middle of the street unmoving. From where people stood on the sidewalks watching this horrifying show, JP seemed very dead. Mathew had moved around behind the buildings until he reached the hotel. He climb the back stairs then slipped inside once he reached the top floor. Mathew made a quick dash to his bedroom where he grabbed some of his sliver stakes. He then went back out the way he came in.

Raf had expected that Katie wouldn't do as she was told, so he had those two other slip behind her jail. They were even now ready to beak in and kill everyone inside. The one man tried kicking the door in, but this door was made from very heavy wood. Colorado could feel in his gut that something was wrong. He had the two soldiers hide while Colorado unlocked the backdoor. The heavy wooden door opened just slightly which made Raf's men smile. They once again kicked at the door which made it fly open. The two men jumped inside expecting trouble was waiting, but all they found was the two outlaws. " Raf wanted us to welcome you both to town. " The first man said as they both raised their shotguns aiming at the outlaws. Suddenly Colorado appeared from behind Raf's men while both of his pistols in his hands. " And Marshal Brooks would like to welcome you to her jail!.......Drop those shotguns and get your hands up! " Colorado said as the two soldiers appeared with their riles ready to fire. Raf's men gave up without a fight. They were both disarmed and tossed into an empty cell.
 
Katie was suddenly aware of Ben's right hand moving slowly towards his gun. She reached out her own right hand equally slowly, intending to take hold of his left forearm; intending to signal that he was about to make a stupid move and that now wasn't the time. Before she reached it though, the bullet from rifle splintered the wood a few feet in front of where they stood. She looked around at Ben instead and stared at him, trying to tell him that he needed to wait. He met her stare for a few moments and she was sure that she saw the slighest of nods. And then she heard Raf use her name. She turned instead to look at him.

He stood in the middle of the street, black pants and a white shirt, the cuffs rolled up. He most certainly did not look he belonged there - he was no Wyatt Earp or Billy Clanton; there was far too much of the peacock about him. But he was confident and Katie was in no doubt that he knew what he was doing. And at this moment... he was most assuredly in charge of this situation. She stared at him. Part of her was consciously dragging things out; she was sure that the Priest hadn't made a hasty exit to save his own skin so he must have a plan and if she could give him a little time.... At the same time though, she was in no doubt that she was not going to commit murder on the order of Raf Hollister.

Suddenly she heard the noise behind her, off in the back room; someone was trying to kick in the door. If Ben or Thomas had heard it - which she was sure they had - they didn't show it. Maybe... if Colorado kept his cool...
Katie turned around slowly.

"Don't do anything stupid Ben." she whispered once her back was to Raf. "Just give it some time... " And then she took her own pistol out of the holster. It was partly for show; to make Raf think that she was about to do exactly what he had told her to. But mostly, it was about protecting herself from what she thought was about to come through the rear door.

Once inside and out of Raf's view, she moved quickly to the door frame between the two rooms. As she did so, she heard Colorado ordering someone to put down their guns and as she peered into the room, her own gun raised - ready - she saw her Deputy putting two more men in the cells. She smiled as she walked into the room.

"My word. I don't think this jail's ever been so busy. If we keep going at this rate, we're gonna have to build an extension." She walked up to Colorado's side and patted him on the back. "Nice job.". She looked around the room and made a count and then nodded to herself and then looked back at the Deputy who was looking a little like a cat who had just finished a plate a cream.

"We're not done yet. And I'm afraid you guys need to be dead!" She saw the smile almost instantly disappear off of Colorado's face and she couldn't help but giggle a little. "Don't worry... it's only gonna be temporary." She walked over to the still partially open read door. And then fired her pistol, emptying the chamber. Six shots; if she had only fired the three (one for each of the soldiers and one for Colorado) then there was always the chance that Raf would wonder how none of them had managed to get a single shot off in return. She then reloaded, not rushing, and fired two more - one for Texas Red and one for the Kid. She turned back and looked at the men who were now all staring at her.

"Colorado... you... you men..." she looked at the General's men. "You're all ghosts. Nobody is going to be expecting you out there. Go see if you can find a nice place to hide until whatever is gonna happen here, happens." She saw the smiles appearing on the faces. "But before you go... cuff the prisoners in the cells and make sure they can't call out for help." With that she headed back out, replacing the two empty shells in her pistol before slipping it back into the holster as she stepped outside where she took her place again next to Ben, finding the scene in the street exactly as she had left it.
 
As Katie slowly pulled the pistol from her holster, Raf's men watched her carefully in case she decided to something stupid. Raf let out a chuckle when Katie turned and walked into her office. " You see boys!......A good whore always does what she's told to do! " Raf said jokingly while his men laughed. Ben & Thomas also watched Katie walk into her office. Thomas wasn't sure what Katie was doing, but Ben trusted that she was doing the right thing. Suddenly shots were heard coming from Katie's office. 6 shots came first followed by two more. The men & women of Victorville who were standing along the sidewalks gasped when they heard those gun shots. Those people began to whisper that Katie had taken up with Raf and his plans.

Hearing the gun fire brought Mayor Harris running towards where the people had gathered. He found Raf and some of his men standing in the streets holding guns on everyone. Mayor Harris looked down at JP once he pushed his way through the crowd. He demanded to know what was going on here which made Raf laugh. Mayor Harris then walked up to Raf standing just a few feet in front of him. He again made a demand to know what was going on and just who Raf thought he was? Raf glared down at the Mayor then he raised his pistol into the air before striking Mayor Harris over the head. The Mayor fell to the ground at Raf's feet after the crushing blow. A broad smile was showing acrossed Raf's handsome face. Certainly it looked like Raf was holding the winning hand now that Katie had done as she was told. But the game wasn't over and it wouldn't be over until the wild card had been played.

Colorado was proud of the praise that Katie had given him. Even though he had fucked her that very morning, Colorado was still Katie's deputy and he wanted her to know that business was still business. Colorado and the soldiers cuffed and gagged Raf's men to keep them quiet while Katie reloaded her weapon. They then slipped out of the backdoor while Katie exited from the front. Raf was standing there with his left foot placed on top of the fallen Mayor's chest. " You see Ben!.......That's loyalty.........Katie's a good little whore!........And she knows who's in charge of this town! " Raf 's voice had a cocky tone to it as he spoke.

The mood changed quickly when a sharp snap was heard. One of the two men who was holding rifles, soon found his weapon missing. It had been ripped from his hands by a bullwhip. Then three gleaming metal objects came flying through the air striking the hands of Raf's other men. Those metal objects were sliver stakes thrown by Mathew who was standing on the over hang which covered the sidewalk in front of the barbershop. Colorado and the two soldiers appeared from another street just behind Raf and his men. Raf's men were quickly taken into custody by Colorado and the soldiers, but Raf wasn't done........yet!

Raf yelled for everyone to keep away or he would kill Katie! He pointed his pistol straight at her then he pulled back the hammer of his weapon. By now Raf could see that nosy Priest had returned and was keeping an eye on him. Raf ordered Mathew to come down which Mathew did. He jumped to the ground then stood just a few feet from Katie. Raf started to yell for someone to bring him a horse. He was slowly looking around glaring at Ben, Thomas, Katie and Mathew. His eyes wandered over just enough to a spot where Raf saw the dead rise! Raf turned as white as a bed sheet when JP stood up brushing the dirt from his clothes. " YOU'RE DEAD!!......I SHOT YOU!! " Raf's said as his voice rang out with the same panic which was showing on his face. " No.......I just acted like it.......You're a piss poor shot Raf! " JP said as he pulled back his black coat exposing his pistol. Raf started to move backwards as JP moved to where he was standing between Katie and Raf. JP's hand was hovering just above the handle of his pistol while Raf was shaking like a leaf in a strong wind.

Raf's eyes became wider when Mathew stepped up and stood on JP's left. Thomas then moved from the sidewalk and took a spot on JP's right, leaving just enough room for Katie to slip in between them. Colorado walked over and stood next to Mathew while Ben formed up on Thomas's right side. Raf soon found himself almost surround, he had no where to go! The pistol in Raf's hand fell loose then slipped from his grip dropping to the ground. Even if Raf had fired and killed one or two, someone else would have taken him down. This game had come to an end and Raf knew it. " Katie.......You can arrest him now. " JP said as he let his coat come back acrossed and cover his pistol.
 
Katie looked at JP for a long moment, her eyes flashing anger.

"Oh... Now the local law is good enough to make an arrest is it?" She looked across at Colorado.

"Take the man in Deputy... And if you thought you'd seen enough ghosts for one day.. " she said to Raf as Colorado led him past her. "...you have one more surprise." Once Colorado had walked Raf past them all, Ben stepped over to the Mayor and put his hands to his neck. "He"s alive... For now, but only just I think." Just at that moment, the doctor appeared. "I"ll see to him. You men... Take the mayor over to my surgery." The friends watched as the mayor was taken care of and the town quickly seemed to get back to normal.

Katie walked over to JP and sttod in front of him, looking up at him.

"Are you sure you're okay? No holes in you that shouldn't be there?" JP smiled at her.

"No. I'm perfectly.... OWWW! What in god's name ..." Before JP had the chance to finish his sentence, Katie had punched him. It was as hard a punch as she could manage but nothing to what JP had experienced in the past and not one that was in danger of knocking him off his feet. It was hard enough to hurt Katie though and she swore almost under her breath as she cradled her hand.

"You scared the crap out of me." She yelled at him. "We thought you were either dead or lying here bleeding to death."

JP rubbed his jaw and then moved it gingerly from one side to another. The other men chuckled a little.

"Come on boys, lets go and see to our prisoners." the General said as he put one hand on a shoulder of both JP and Mathew and the three friends walked away talking over what had just happened. Ben watched then walk away for a few seconds and then looked at Katie. He stepped over to her and took her hand.

"Let me see."

"I'm fine."

"I said, let me see" he reached out his hand, waited, and after a few seconds, she stretched out her hand, the knuckles already swelling. He looked at it and tenderly moved here fiingers. "Come on. You need some ice. And if you intend to do that again, then someone needs to teach you how to throw a punch properly otherwise next time you are going to break your hand." He let go of her hand and instead placed his hand on the back of her neck, squeezed it and then guided her in the direction of the saloon.
 
Thomas, Mathew and JP walked to the jail then went inside. Colorado and the soldiers already had Raf locked up with all of his men. All three cells were filled which hadn't happen since Katie took over as town Marshal. Texas Red had been hurling insults at Raf since he entered the cell block area. Raf sat on a cot feeling disgusted since he had finally slipped up and got caught. Thomas, Mathew, JP and Colorado left the cells and went into the front part of Katie's office. Colorado poured coffee then handed out the mugs.

The four men sat around drinking their coffee and talking about everything that had been going on. Colorado filled JP in on the details that he missed while he was away. After telling JP about the goings on around town, Colorado left to get some sleep. The soldiers were watching those in the cells and JP was back in town so there was no need for Colorado to stay up any longer. JP, Mathew and Thomas stayed at the jail catching up with how each one had been doing since they last saw each other.
 
Ben walked Katie in Raf's saloon and after telling her to 'sit' at one of the tables near the bar, he disappeared into the kitchen. The bar was quiet, perhaps ten or a dozen men in there; none of the girls were working at the moment and there was no music. All of the men in there smiled though when Katie came in and they watched her, wondering... All of them had fucked her at least once over the last few nights.

Ben stepped back into the bar with a small chunk of ice. He slipped behind the bar itself and chipped the ice into smaller pieces before wrapping it in a towel. He had clearly done this before. Then he sat down at the table next to Katie. He reached forward and grabbed hold of the seat of the chair Katie was sitting on and he dragged it sharply across the short distance between them until it was practically set between his knees. He took her hand and placed it on the able and then gently placed the iced over her knuckles. She watched his every move but only once the ice was cooling her hand did she look at him.

"Do I need to arrest you too Ben?" Part of her wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.

"You don't need to do that Marshall." Katie stared at him. He was still looking at her hand.

"Is that what Raf is going to say? Is he going to have anything that takes you down with him?" Only then did he look at her and as he did so he placed his hands on the side of her thighs.

"I've killed people for him... All people who needed to be dead. Never a lawman. Never a judge. No-one who didn't deserve it." He smiled. "And no-one you will ever find the evidence for. Rag knows nothing that will hang me." She looked down for a moment as she felt his hands moving slowly up and down her thighs.

"You'd better hope so. Because if I don't arrest you the men sitting in my jailhouse right now sure will. And they won't stop because I say so."

"Hello sweetie. You're in here early today. Just can't stay away huh?" Katie jumped as Clara seemed to appear out of nowhere. She looked up as Clara stepped close and stroked a hand down her hair.

"No...I mean yes... I mean..." Ben smiled. It amused him the way that Clara seemed to fluster Katie so quickly. It amused him to see how Clara could make her squirm so. He wondered whether Clara would be hanging around or taking her money and heading on to another town but that wasn't a conversation for right now. "We just came in for some ice."

"oh my... You really should be careful sweetie." she drew the back of her fingers slowly down Katie's cheek and then leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Think about all the cocks you might want to stroke hard so they can fuck you." Katie shivered a little as she felt Clara's breath warm in her ear. She felt Clara place her fingers under her chin and turn her head to look at her.

"I... I need to get.. Back to work Clara."

"I'm sure no-one at the jail will mind you taking a few minutes. It's been a long hard morning for you" she leaned closer still and kissed Katie softly on the mouth. Ben kept moving his hands on her thighs as he watched Katie slowly begin to respond to Clara. He hoped this wasn't the last time he was going to see this and he hoped that he was still going to get the chance to keep fucking the marshal. He moved one hand and began to stroke Katie's pussy making her moan softly as she continued to wrap her tongue around Clara's. After a few more minutes it was Clara who broke the kiss clearly leaving Katie wanting.

"Hmm... I think you should go finish up what you need to, and when you get off work you, you need to come back here sweetie. doesn't that sound like a plan?" Katie nodded and Clara smiled.

"There's my good little whore. Just because Raf as gone... Everyone else is still here. And you need to take care of Ben here don't you sweetie? " Katie nodded again. Clara stood up and Ben did likewise and suddenly the spell was broken. She slid her hand from under the ice and flexed it and then looked at the two of them before heading out back to the jailhouse.
 
Back at the jail, JP was discussing what he thought would happen with the men currently in Katie's cells. He knew that whatever happened to these men would be up to the Judge once the trails had been held. But still JP was able to guess at the out come. JP pretty much knew that Texas Red would be take n back to Texas where he would be hanged. The Cherokee Kid was facing charges of killing two of Thomas's men during the gun battle where the outlaws were taken. He to would likely swing from a rope, but his murders took place in California, so the Judge could order his hanging here in Victorville.

Raf's men would most likely see jail time in one of California's State Prisons. As for Raf.....Well he was facing an attempted murder of a Federal Law Officer, plus ordering the murder of a Federal Judge. JP held out hope that Raf would also swing with Texas Red, but in his gut JP felt that Raf would end up behind bars for a very long time. Thomas agreed with how JP laid everything out. Even Mathew who wasn't from America felt that it sounded like how everything would finish up. It was then that Mathew brought up the fact that Ben worked for Raf. The men then started to talk over what should be done with him. Both Thomas and Mathew said that Ben did help with the capture of Raf and while JP was playing dead, Ben almost got himself shot trying to stop Raf. JP thought it over and didn't see any reason why Ben needed to be dragged into this. Raf and his men hadn't said anything about Ben since they were brought in. Sure Raf could say that Ben killed men over the years, but honestly Raf had no proof of this. He never once saw Ben kill anyone and for all Raf knew.....Ben could have lied to him about everything he had done.

Over at Doc's office, the Mayor came through the surgery with flying colors. He would be laid up for a spell, but Doc felt that he would make a full recovery. Doc would pass the word along as soon as he got cleaned up and changed into some fresh clothes.
 
As Katie walked out of the saloon she tried to shake the desire to stay in there from her head. She had work to do and just because the federal law was in town, it didn't give her a reason for not do her job. But she knew that Clara had planted the seed of an idea and she knew it was going to be hard not to go back to the saloon once she was done. As she walked up the street, she ran into the doctor who told her the good news about the Mayor and as she was talkiing to him, Ben suddenly reappeared at her side. When the Doc said his 'Good Days', she stood and looked at him for a moment.

"What now?" He shook his head.

"Nothing. Figured I might as well come with you. If Raf is going to set me up for something, then I wanna put my case Marshal. Now... if I was trying to hide something... if I thought he could prove anything, would I voluntarily walk in their with you... with a Federal Marshal and an Army General in there. Not to mention a very weird priest." Katie could help but smile as she started walking again towards the jail house with Ben at her side.

"Okay... let's find out whether you get to join them all in my cells."

"Hate to remind you Marshal, but you aint got no more cells left."

"Then we'd better hope that you are gonna be walking out of here of your own volition then."

The two of them walked into the jail house to find the three friends relaxed and drinking coffee.

"Well it's about time. We're not being paid to watch your prisoners you know." JP stood up and as much as his words portrayed an annoyance his expression made it clear that he was joking.

"Is that right Marshal? An hour ago, I couldn't even arrest them. Now suddenly they are my prisoners."

"For now" Thomas laughed as he responded and then his laugh was cut short as he was suddenly taken by surprise by a long yawn.

"Couldn't have said it better myself Thomas." said Mathew. He stood up and walked over to Katie.

"We haven't slept for days. So I think the three of us will take advantage of your hotel, get a hot bath and a warm bed."

"Capital idea Mathew."

"Can you manage on your own Katie?" JP asked. She looked at him, glaring in mock annoyance.

"Yes JP... we might not be a experienced as you Federal boys, but Colorado and I... and Ben... can manage to keep three prisoners fed and watered. General, you might want to giv your men some time too. I'm sure they can get rooms at the saloon."

Having them go and rest up for a while was convenient as far as Katie was concerned. It meant that she and Ben could hear what Raf had to say - if anything - without any other law officers there to make an independent assessment. She was silent praying that Raf had nothing. She didn't want to have to arrest Ben and she most certainly didn't want to see him hang. But at the end of the day, she might not have any choice. Five minutes later, JP, Mathew and Thomas had headed off together towards the hotel indicating that she shouldn't expect to see any of them at least until the morning. The General had indeed let his men go to the saloon but he reminded them that he expected them to work out a duty rosta and at least one of them needed to return in the morning.
 
JP and Thomas went to the hotel for some rest, Mathew on the other hand had been in town since last night and had already slept. He would take the chance to explore the town of Victorville since it wasn't often that Mathew could do that. His work was done during the night time hours then he would normally leave once his job was over. The America West was so different from other places where Mathew had visited. Mathew was use to seeing buildings which had been standing for years and in some cases those builds were 100's of years old. But in the American West, many of the towns were only a few years old and many still growing. One other big difference was the fact that many people carried some type of firearm. This wasn't seen in Europe, or in Asia. Only in America did one find people wandering around the towns carrying weapons.

Mathew again paid a visit to the church in Victorville were he told the local Priest that his special work was over. The two Priests enjoyed a cup of tea while Mathew said that he would be leaving soon. Mathew would be heading East towards New York where he would board a ship and head for France. He would make his way to Rome after that unless the church sent word about another mission. There were always other missions for Mathew, his job seemed to have no end.
 
Ben and Katie were left alone in the jailhouse again. Ben stepped next to Katie as he watched the last of the soldiers leaving; all three of them seemed eager to get to the saloon and have a drink... and maybe a little more.

"Don't you think Raf would have already said something to them... tried to make a deal if he was going to?" Katie looked at him and shrugged. "Probably. Shall we go and find out?"

"After you Marshal." Ben stepped to one side and let Katie walked passed him towards the cells. He took a breath. He knew that whatever Raf might try and accuse him of, he had absolutely not proof. He had been honest with Katie when he had said that the men he had killed deserved to be dead... He hadn't told her that one of them had been the man that fucked her in the barn; the man that Mathew had finished up saving her from. He followed Katie in. Raf smiled as the two of them came and stood in front of his cell. He stood up.

"Well well... look what the cat dragged in - a bastard and a whore." The two men in the other cells looked on interestedly, wondering what was about to happen. Katie smiled whilst Ben stood just behind her and to her left and looked stoically back at his former boss.

"You finally grew a backbone then huh Ben... you think you're smart enough to get along without me telling you what to do all of the time?"

"I'll manage just fine Raf, I'm sure. And I think you'll find I'm the one who cleared up after you - not the other way around." Katie looked at Ben. She was surprised by the comment; it was practically an open invitiation for Raf to confirm everything that Ben had done.

"Yeah... should have made sure I had some proof about all of that shouldn't I."

And there it was. Raf knew what Ben had done at his bequest but he was also smart enough to know that he couldn't prove one iota of it. Nothing.

"And my perfect little cock-sucking whore. You really don't belong in here you know. You belong down the street, in a saloon and either on your knees or on your back." Katie swallowed hard as she felt her cheeks flush a little. She was more than aware that Texas Red and the Kid were listening to everything and she could tell that suddenly they were listening a lot more. She took a quick look at them. They were both staring back at her, checking her out from head to toe. Raf suddenly grinned wide.

"How about one last time - for old time's sake. You could do all three of us... condemned men's last request." Katie was aware of the other two really taking an interest. Raf turned his head and started talking to them. "You won't believe how much of a whore our pretty little Marshal is boys. She can suck cock better than any woman I know and take more of it that any woman I've ever seen. And if you hadn't been stupid enough to get yourself caught, she would have been servicing you better than you have ever had in your life before."

Katie looked at the three men and she shook her head. She stepped a little closer to the bars of Raf's cell.

"The only time... quite literally... you are going to see me like that again is in your dreams." And with that she turned and walked back into the main room. At that moment, she wasn't thinking about her promise to Colorado. She had forgotten that she was supposed to please him 'every morning'. Ben grinned back at him. "Whereas me... I'm gonna keep on getting it... whenever I want... however I want." With that he tipped his hat and followed Katie out.

She was pouring coffee and he walked over to where she was stood at the stove. She looked up at him, hesitated for a moment and then handed him a mug. He took it, the merest hint of the grin on his face as he looked back at her. He was already thinking about being with her later. The rest of the day was quiet. Ben headed back to the saloon after he had finished his coffee to find that Clara had indeed packed up and gone. He was pretty sure that once the trial was done, the government would seize all of Raf's assets, but he had enough put by that he could take his time in deciding what to do next.

Katie did as she promised and returned to the saloon after Colorado had come in. She and Ben spent the night together in his room; much to the disappointment of most of the people in the bar there was no show but the other working girls kept the men apply enough.

The following morning, Katie headed across to the jailhouse to find that the judge had arrived at dawn. Colorado couldn't quite hide hs disappointment. Over the next two days, the law officers worked with the judge to set the trial up and to get a jury from the men in town. Everything went almost exactly as JP predicted. Texas was to be taken back to his home state to be executed. The Kid was going back to Sacramento to face his executioner. Raf was sentenced to hard labour for the rest of his life. The general was going to escort Texas back and JP and Mathew were going to take the kid. The judge would get the federal prison authorities to fetch Raf but in the meantime he was going to reside in the jail.

And so the morning after the trial, everyone was ready to leave.
 
The Federal Judge left early that morning after saying his goodbyes. Raf's men would wait for their trail until the circuit Judge was in town. He would take care of their case and he was due in town the following morning. Raf's stay in Katie's jail would be a short one. US Marshal's from Los Angeles were already on their way to pick him up and take him to prison. Texas Red was brought out of the jail and helped up onto his horse by Thomas's men. Thomas stood in front of Katie and shook her hand while telling her that he was honored to have met her then he leaned in kissing her on the cheek. He pulled back from the kiss then climbed onto his horse after saying goodbye to everyone else. Thomas rode out of town followed closely by his men and Texas Red.

Mathew came up to Katie as Colorado led The Cherokee Kid from the jail. The Kid was helped up on his horse then he waited for the others. Mathew reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a necklace. It was the same skull with angels wings as he wore as a tattoo. " If you should ever need help again.......Just show this to any Priest......He'll know what it means and help will soon be on it's way. " Mathew said as he placed the necklace around Katie's neck. " Take care of yourself Katie. " Mathew added then he leaned down and place a kiss against Katie's cheek. He pulled back smiling at Katie, then Mathew climbed onto his horse. " You can catch up with us JP. " Mathew said then he took the reins of the Kid's horse into his hands. He wheeled his horse around then the two slowly started to ride out of town pulling The Kid just behind him.

JP slowly walked up to Katie, he removed his hat. He looked down at the sidewalk staring at Katie's boots, then his eyes looked up into Katie's. " I owe you so much Katie.......You've become a close and very dear friend. " JP started out as sadness was showing in his eyes. Katie had helped JP through the toughest spot of his life and he was grateful, but part of him didn't want to say goodbye to her. But from everything that JP had heard since he returned, Katie had found what she wanted and JP was no longer needed. JP felt that if he had stayed in Victorville things could have been different and perhaps he and Katie could have built a life together. But that ended when Katie found Ben and he was able to do just what Katie wanted and needed.
 
Katie stood on the boardwalk, arms folded as she watched Texas being led out of her jailhouse and helped onto a horse. She couldn't deny the fact that she was looking forward to having her jail empty again and maybe life would get back to normal. But then what was normal in this town or for her?

She smiled as Thomas came up in front of her; she shook his hand and returned the kiss on the cheek.

"It's been my pleasure General. I wish you well and if you are ever passing this way again, be sure and call in if your orders allow." He tipped his hat and then she watched as the small group headed out of town at a general trot.

Next came Mathew. She was sure there was still much to learn about this priest but clearly she wasn't about to be let in on it now. She took the necklace and stared at it intently. The silverwork was intricate and there was something beautiful about it; but equally something dark. She didn't pretend to understand but she nodded.

"I'll do that. You... you take care of yourself Father and... " she took a quick look across at JP. "... I would take it as personal favour if you would take care of him too, although I suspect that you two have been watching each other's backs for a long time." She kissed him and gave him a hug and then watched as he too mounted up and headed out of town with his prisoner in tow. She took a deep breath. She felt JP looking at her, but she didn't want to look back. She didn't want him to see the unshed tears in her eyes. But he moved in front of her. And after a moment his eyes met hers. He started to speak. She lifted her hand and placed her fingers softly over his lips. She forced a smile and she shook her head a little.

"You saved my life in so many ways. And you gave me a new one... here. But it's not a life you would choose for yourself. You... you need to be out there, catching bad guys. If you stayed... sooner or later you would resent me for it. You need your freedom." She stood up on tiptoe and kissed him hard on the mouth, holding him close for what seemed like forever, not really wanting to let go but knowing that she had to. When she did, the unshed tears had now soaked her cheeks.

"Go... but don't forget the way back."
 
JP felt the gentle touch of Katie's finger against his lips. This simple act made JP stay silent as Katie spoke. Her words came from the heart and told how much she appreciated what he had done for her. But Katie's words also carried the truth about JP. His job working as a United States Marshal had become his life. Since his first loved died all of those years ago, JP found a new life in the west. Sure it was a hard life, sleeping on the ground most nights while on the trail, but it had shaped JP into who he was today. A defender of those who can't fight for themselves. A man on the side of justice facing down those who seek to do evil against their neighbors. Perhaps JP would find someone to share his life with, but that wasn't in the cards.....at least not now.

JP closed his eyes when Katie wrapped her arms around him. At this moment JP would give anything, even his soul if this moment could last, but sadly it ended so quickly. JP felt a sharp stabbing pain in his heart. It felt like someone had driven a knife deep into his chest then broke the blade off. JP raised his hand and using his fingers, he gently wiped away to wet streaks from Katie's cheeks. The fingers of his right hand slowly drifted over and lightly brushed acrossed Katie's lips. JP wanted to tell Katie how he really felt about her, but that seemed pointless now. He knew that when another outlaw needed caught, the Government would call upon JP and he would be gone again. JP fought to put a smile on his face when Katie told him to go, but not to forget the way back. He was sure that at some point in time there would be a reason to return to Victorville. JP slowly placed his black hat back onto his head. " You take care Marshal. " JP said as he turned slightly then stepped from the sidewalk out to the street. He climbed onto his horse then rode to the middle of the street. JP removed his hat and bowed to Katie. He replaced his hat then kicked his horse which took off like a rocket. In a short time JP had caught up with Mathew and The Cherokee Kid. The three men continued to ride slowly away from Victorville until they disappeared from sight.
 
Katie watched him ride away. There was a part of her that wanted to shout out... to stop him... but she believed what she had said to him. If she had asked him to stay, sooner or later, he would have resented it and eventually he would have left - hating her. She couldn't deny that she loved JP and loving him enough to let him go was one of the hardest things she had ever done. She took a deep breath and wiped the remaining dampness from her cheeks. Then she turned around and went to head back to the jail when she saw Ben stood propped up against the door frame of the saloon, chewing on the end of a cigar. He just stared at her, the hint of a smile playing around his mouth. She looked at him for a long moment, smiled back and then headed to the jailhouse.

That night and for many nights to come she went back to Ben. Once the Federal Government had seized Raf's property, including his ranch outside of town, Ben had bought it and made his reputation as one of the best cattlemen around. Katie and Ben never married but they were a couple by any other name for the rest of their lives. Katie never 'worked' another night in the saloon; Ben was all she needed.

And Colorado never asked her to 'service' him again. Whether it was seeing her father's potential mortality or seeing her own, Sally decided that she wasn't going to wait until she and Colorado were married and once that happened, Colorado was smitten even more completely. They did marry of course... within a few weeks. And at regular intervals over the next decade, the family expanded by one new member until COlarado was a father of 6. Once they were married, Katie quit her job as a Marshal and she successfully persuaded (not that he needed that much persuading) the Mayor to make Colorado a full Marshal and appoint his own deputy.

Raf's saloon was sold off, ceased to be a saloon and became another (larger) general store. The working girls including Rosie were long gone by that time. Whilst the building was in the control of the government it was closed so there was nowhere for the girls to work.
 
In a few days JP & Mathew arrived in Sacramento with The Cherokee Kid in tow. The two friends parted ways here, Mathew headed east for New York where he would return to Europe. Once back, Mathew would take up his manhunt of his oldest enemy. This hunt would led Mathew to a woman who would change his life forever. Mathew would never see any of his friends again.....or at least not that they would know of. He would make other trips back to America in the early part of the 1900's. But Mathew by this time wasn't a Priest any more. During a business trip to America, Mathew made a stop in Victorville. He chanced too see an elderly woman who was wearing the necklace that Mathew had given to Katie.

Mathew just smiled as he sat quietly in the restaurant not far from where Katie was sitting. She didn't seem to take any notice of this handsome stranger. Mostly likely because Mathew still looked very much as he did back when he first met Katie. Mathew hadn't aged in all those years because he found out that he wasn't fully human. He was born the son of a human mother and a vampire father. Mathew was what legends called a Dhampir. He had his own family by this time. A wife named Rose and two children, a daughter named Lilly and a son named Andrew. Mathew and his family lived in France and would soon find a new enemy to fight when the Nazi's took control over that country.


JP headed south, going back to Tucson Arizona after watching The Kid hang. He stayed a Untied States Marshal until well into his late 60's. JP only returned to Victorville twice since he left. But JP felt as if he was in the way with Katie & Ben. After his second visit, JP never returned again. It broke his heart to know that he had found love once again and once again lost it. In 1921 JP died of Pneumonia while living in Phoenix Arizona. He was 71 years old and died alone.

Brigadier General Thomas Harper and his men took Texas Red back to Dallas where Red was hung. Thomas returned back to his home at Fort Apache in Arizona. He would remain living there even after the fort had been given over to the Apache Tribe. Thomas stayed because both he and his wife Abby had taken on Indian lovers. The two had discovered the joys of living in an open marriage. Abby even found that she enjoyed sharing Thomas's lover. Thomas retired from the Untied States Calvary a Major General. He died of natural causes in the year 1928 at the age of 79.

A few days after the Federal Judge had left Victorville, a group of US Marshals came for Raf. Raf Hollister spent the rest of his days breaking rocks at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth Kansas. He died after only 10 years of serving his life term when another prisoner stabbed Raf for stealing cigarettes.

THE END
 
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