© Becca, Dana Simmons and Starbright 2001 The Young Riders is an Ogiens/Kane Production, created by Ed Spielman.
We only borrow his characters for fun. No infringement of copyright intended. There is absolutely no financial gain for the authors. We survive on the feedback, and we need plenty of it.
2313
Chapter 12
Rachel watched Noah stand by the counter, clad in an apron, slicing
bread. She watched from behind the kitchen door ajar, glad not to be seen so
she could look. She loved watching him, specially when he didn't notice. Cody
stumbled around the table, setting it. Blocking her view occasionally as he
walked around it, his funny modus operandi when setting the table making Rachel
stifle an occasional giggle.
Noah watched Cody, walk to the counter, take one plate and arrange the fork and knife on it to then take the glass and carry the load to the table. Then he returned promptly for the next setting.
"Billy?" Noah cleared his throat, "wouldn't it be easier to put all the plates out first and then..."
"Shhh, Noah, I'm thinking here."
"What?"
"I have around five minutes to finish the breakfast fixin' schedule." Cody glared at Noah, stopping in the middle of the floor and looking lost for a moment before he realized he was getting another plate. "Rachel saved my butt last time and I'm guessing she's gonna hold it against me."
"The one you shoulda handed in three days ago?"
The blond logger cast a desperate glance over his shoulder, shrugging as an indication that his friend was right in his assumption. Scratching his head he fumbled with a memo-slot. Slowly he walked up to the counter again, deep in thought. Noah shook his head and returned to the task at hand. Then Cody sprang to life, a low chuckle escaping him as he leapt back to the table with the last plate and put it down triumphantly. "I have it!"
"Only you forgot the table cloth, it actually goes underneath the plates," Noah laughed while setting the breadbasket to its place at the center of the table. "Did you manage to schedule yourself out of all kitchen duties?"
"See I scheduled Kid and Lou for three mornings next week, thought they needed it. And then Jimmy and Kid for one and you and Rachel the rest."
"Kid's gonna kill ya, you have him cooking four mornings, not only is he gonna kill you, he's gonna kill us all."
"Shit!" Cody scratched his head, "shoulda started this earlier huh? Well how this...Monday; Kid and Lou, Tuesday you and Rachel, Wednesday Kid and Lou....or maybe Jimmy and Kid but the hell I know if I trust them two to..."
"Cody," Noah grinned, "are you on this list at all?"
Rachel had to pinch herself not to laugh out loud at Cody's ingenuity, he'd get himself out of this too if she didn't stop him. Smiling widely she pushed the door wide open.
"Me? I have all these other assignments to...oh hi Rachel!"
"Cute," Rachel said in Noah's direction, pointing at the apron.
"Thanks," Noah replied with a grin.
"Lookin' so cheery this morning Rachel!" Cody flashed her a smile too.
"Always cheery in the mornings Billy, what's this I hear about the schedule still undone?" Looking into the pot of oatmeal she hastily moved it from the heat, it had already taken on a nasty brownish color.
"Well..eh...there's some troubles making this list, not enough good cooks."
"Billy, you're not making a gala dinner, you're supposed to boil eggs and porridge, boil some water for tea and cafs and maybe slice some bread. That's all I ask."
"It's an art you know," Cody raised a finger demonstratively, "it's the oldest art-form in the history of mankind to ...."
"After the art of dodging duties," Noah intervened with a meaningful glance in Rachel's direction.
"And Billy does master that one, what about you and me redo that list Noah? High time Cody learns how to boil water too," Rachel pondered, "let's see Monday; Cody and Cody, Tuesday, lets see who's free, heck it'll be Cody and Cody again..."
"Now hold on Rachel," Cody protested,"ya wanna eat don't ya?"
"He's right Rach, he'll have us all suffering from different forms of food intoxication if we let him loose in the kitchen."
"Yeah, probably," Cody was fast to admit to his shortcomings in this area. "I should probably never...."
"Right, Noah," Rachel admitted, catching the humor in Noah's eyes, "so what will we have him do instead?"
"There's that one thing you know," Noah smiled back at her, knowing she knew.
"Oh that!" Rachel covered her mouth in disgust, "but Noah no, that's not...it's too cruel!"
"I know," Noah said sadly, "but someone has to do it, unfortunately. And I think it's kinda in Billy's nature, spreading crap seems to come naturally to him. Besides, he owes you big for saving his sorry butt."
"WHAT!" Cody hollered. His eyes darting between the too, a slight expression of panic in them.
"The manure," Rachel and Noah chorused.
"No way," Cody said, waving his finger in their direction, "I simply refuse to sit on the manure spreader once again, I just won't do it."
"But Billy, you were so good at it last time," Rachel said sweetly. "And so good-looking."
"I was?"
"Oh yeah, very stylish."
"Well I surely know how to drive a horse don't I? But Rachel, please, anything but the fertilizing!"
"It's that or not seeing Amanda O'Connell arrive today, take your pick."
"What?" Cody glared disbelievingly at Rachel.
Noah had turned his back on them both and Rachel saw his shoulders shaking with laughter. She had a hard time staying serious herself, watching Cody's frenetic trial to dodge the chores. "Billy? The manure or no Amanda?"
"I'll take the damned manure Rachel. But it's the last time I do it. I swear, this is pure blackmail. The worst kind!"
"I knew you would sweetie, now while we're on it, go see if they need help in the barn. I'll help Noah finish here, I'll even get that schedule done for ya. Breakfast will be ready in five."
"Thanks Rach, " Cody said and turned to the door, as he reached it he stopped with the hand on the doorknob. Then he turned and watched Rachel standing by the counter. "What the hell am I thanking you for exactly Rach?" He pondered out loud. Then a wide grin spread over his face, "you're good Rach, darn you're good!"
Rachel leaned back onto the counter and smiled as Cody closed the door behind him on his way out.
Noah scooted closer, stepping up to stand in front of her, resting his hands on either side of her he framed her with his body. Rachel looked calmly into his eyes. And there was that subtle tease again. "You're good," Noah admitted.
Rachel's eyes glittered, "you gotta learn how to handle men Noah, it's easy when you get the trick. Nothing to it."
"Oh yes?" Noah asked and moved closer to her, their bodies separated by an inch. His eyes still boring into hers. "So how about handling me for a while?"
"Noah!" Rachel let out a short laugh and pushed him away from her, her hands on his chest. But Noah didn't budge. He didn't try to intrude either, he just stood there, looking at her, awaiting an answer. When it didn't come he bowed his head to the side and smiled, "why not Rach?"
The green eyes glittered again, a gleam of mischief passing before she restored her gaze into the usual neutral mode. "As Lou says, it's goddamned dangerous."
Momentarily caught off guard Noah watched Rachel slide away from his vicinity, taking the pot of water and carrying it to the table.
"Sam and Emma are comin'." She nodded to the window and Noah saw the two approaching.
With a sigh he freed himself of the apron. "I thought you were the kind of woman who loved a little danger," Noah said softly. Taking the porridge he followed her to the table.
Rachel skidded away, casting a glance over her shoulder. For a moment Noah was taken aback from the expression in her eyes. There was something he had never seen before, something so sad in the brief glance she threw him. "Rach?" he asked, touching her arm. Already hearing the front door close.
"Noah, you don't know nothing about me," Rachel replied.
Sam's and Emma's voices were nearing the kitchen door, they were just about to step inside.
"I'll learn," Noah whispered his promise into Rachel's hair, "if you let me."
Rachel slid out his reach once again as the door opened.
"But Teaspoon, why the hell are they sending them characters here?" Jimmy grunted. "Isn't it enough they sent us Cody?"
Cody glared from the other side of the table, scooping some egg yoke into his spoon before Emma spotted his intentions and stopped him.
Teaspoon looked around the table, watching his protégés stare blankly at him, obviously blaming him for the decisions made far above his head. It wasn't his idea to baby-sit criminals. "Now listen up," he started, "it wasn't my idea. But we gotta do what they ask us, y'all know that. They're sending them here to help rebuild Sweetwater, that's all. You'll just have to abide."
"We coulda done it just as fine by yourselves," Kid mumbled.
"Only it woulda taken you forever," Jimmy retorted.
"Group!" Teaspoon cut them short before another famous round would begin. "They'll do the dirty work, you outta be thankful. They'll do all the digging and building, ya'll just be there to help and supervise. Sam'll see to it everything stays cool, Sam and Jimmy. It'll be all right."
"You're saying that twelve convicted criminals just around the corner will be all right?" Noah asked, "Teaspoon, I've read them files and I'm telling you...."
"Son," Teaspoon prompted, "everybody deserves a second chance, everybody."
"But right here?" Ike moaned, "we'll be hard pressed for time anyhow, the settlers will arrive within weeks."
"Even if everything works smoothly there's a lotta work to be done," Buck pointed out, "don't know if we can make it anyhow."
"We'll do out damnedest son, that's what we'll do. We just need to get the self-contained system working, the settlers will bring their own dwellings. We'll make it," Teaspoon declared.
"And then?" Kid asked.
"And then?" Teaspoon echoed.
"I heard the criminals will be permanent inhabitants of this community," Jimmy clarified, "that's the part I really don't like."
"Second chances Jimmy, second chances."
"To kill and destroy you mean," Kid spoke silently.
Jimmy threw him a glance, "don't forget rape!"
"Okay," Teaspoon sighed deeply, "I know you don't like this, but the thing is, we have to keep this people somewhere. And they will be closely monitored, every minute of every day. They won't get the chance to do anything, they won't be able to even think of doing something. They all carry a M-EA. You know what that means, even their thoughts will be monitored, they don't stand a chance to get away with anything. The thing is that they're coming here, they'll help out and eventually, maybe, they will become a part of this community. Like everybody else. That's it, if you don't like it you just have to leave!"
"Doesn't that sound familiar," Kid grunted.
Lou looked over at Kid and Jimmy, seeing the glances they threw each other, sensing they were hiding something. They acted like they knew what was going to happen, or at least feared the possibilities.
"It's your pick, son. Stay and handle the situation or leave."
"Ain't always quite that simple," Jimmy mumbled. Scooping the last of the egg into a spoon, "I wish it would be that simple."
"I gotta go," Kid mumbled and clattered with he plate as he rose. "I'll go hitch the horses."
Lou watched him rise and nod a thanks in Noah's direction, clearly uncomfortable with all the eyes resting on him. He mumbled something before he walked rapidly out of the room. Jimmy mumbled his thanks too and followed him out. The rest remain looking at the door Jimmy closed behind him.
"What the heck was that all that about?" Cody asked.
Teaspoon's eyes followed the two young men walking outside until they vanished out of sight. The silence in the room had him divert his eyes back to the table. He found them all looking at him, waiting for an explanation of some sorts. Lou's eyes rested unyielding on his, asking him to say something. He would have liked to tell them all that he knew what was going on, but he just didn't. "I'll talk to them Lou, y'all just go on with your duties. Rachel and Noah, you go with Sam and Emma to clear the field of that wild oat. I'll muck out the stalls. All right? The rest of you, get yourselves to the platform at Sweetwater."
He nodded reassuringly at Lou, "just finish your breakfast. "
Jimmy watched with weariness the ASA hover over the plain. Three self-contained modules already unloaded an hour ago, laying in perfect line, waiting for the inhabitants. Jimmy shrugged, he just knew he'd be facing trouble. A lot of trouble. Twelve men of disputable reputation were going to inhabit two of the barracks, the third by that woman, Amanda O'Connoll. Probably a do-gooder, a softy, ready to lay her life on the line to rehabilitate the others. Reinstate them into society, Jimmy smiled bitterly at the thought. She was one of those who refused to see that there was such a thing like pure evil. When would they ever learn, there was no way to rehabilitate those kind of men.
Emery Pike and his brother, Frank. Sentenced for rapes, murders
and kidnappings. Inumerable accounts of extortion. Devilish minds. They'd hardly
settle for rebuilding Sweetwater, they try to take it over and run it as they
pleased.
Cole Lambert, a protor gone bad, one of the best in his time. Until he was let
out in the free, until he found that serving the people wasn't what he wanted.
Using them was more like it. Having run the Willow Creeks settlement to its
knees, all the provisions somehow ending up in his pockets, and the team members
all dead. Half of the settlers' community too. He knew all the tricks, and he
used them all to his benefit. And he wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
And LeRoy and Dennis Ewers, old acquaintances, from his old neighborhood. He
glanced at Kid standing at his side, watching the ASA waiting to land. Kid met
with his eyes calmly, but the gaze showing a cold determination that told Jimmy
Kid knew exactly what Jimmy felt in that instance.
"Starting to look like our old neighborhood, don't it?" Jimmy grunted in a low voice, trying to keep his words for Kid to hear only..
Kid let out a snort of bitter laughter. "Only difference is that back there them guys ran the place, Jimmy," he mumbled back.
"Give these here blokes two weeks and the same will happen over here, I guarantee you that."
"No Jimmy, never again. I've learned my lesson. It won't happen again, I guarantee you that."
Jimmy watched him intently, maybe Kid was right, they were older now. Wiser. And now they had more options. They were not scared kids any longer, they were men. "Let's just make sure it don't, Kid."
"You got it Jimmy."
Jimmy turned back to watch the vehicle when the sound of the frontpanel opening caught his attention. Matching Kid's stance with arms crossed over his chest Jimmy waited for the unloading of the vessel.
Lou let her eyes wander between the two men standing in front of her. Both with squinted eyes, glaring at the vessel. There it was again, that deep bond between the two of them, and the silence. The secrets shared. The rivalry forgotten by the notion of danger. It seemed like an age old pattern of behavior, something they had done inumerable times before. However hard they tried to conceal the bond it always shone through in times like these. They might not like each other very much, but they knew they could depend on each other. Even if they weren't willing to admit it.
More than ever Lou felt she needed to know. And why all of a sudden they both had felt the urge to step in front of her, like sheltering her. They stood there with their backs to her, blocking her vision. Ike threw her an amused grin at the sight and Lou felt ridiculous. She did surely not need the protection of these two. She was woman enough to stand on her own. She would just have to show them.
The frontpanel opened and she decisively pushed Kid to the side to get a clear view of what was coming to disturb their peace.
The woman came out alone. She stopped for a while, looking at them all standing there, ogling her. Then she hid a smile and started walking up to them.
Cody was the only one acting with some degree of civility. He stepped up to her and extended a hand. "Miss Amanda O'Connell I presume? Just don't tell me it's missis!"
Amanda laughed, "Mister William Cody himself, right?"
"Yes," Cody beamed, "I see my reputation proceeds me."
"More like follows you like a bad omen," Amanda leered.
At Cody's baffled expression she laughed, "I'm sorry Mr. Cody, I musta been thinking about your historical namesake. Heck you even look like him! It's truly amazing."
"Well, thank my parents for that, they made that damned, genetic aging test what's it called...."
"GeFa," Lou intervened, "Hi, I'm Louise, but call me Lou."
Amanda threw her a hearty smile, " I've been reading about your work, impressive."
"..that's right, the GeFa, and the database sprang up a pic of William F. Cody. And I ....."
""Thanks," Lou said, smiling at the woman in front of her, shaking her hand. She liked her already.
"...must say I like bearing his name. He was a true pioneer. In fact reading about him made me...."
"You know we have a James B. Hickok too," Lou giggled with a glance over at Jimmy. He just arched his eyebrows slightly at her remark, he was obviously used to it.
"I know, kinda amazing really," Amanda said and extended her hand to Jimmy. "Nice to meet you Mister Hickok."
"...decide to join HuRec. Always wanted to live in the wild, heck when I was young I read all...."
"Jimmy, it's just Jimmy." He took the hand extended to him, not exactly sure about the woman yet. He had thought she'd be different, not this, this outspoken and frank. Her humor didn't match the picture he had made up of her. Letting go off her hand he watched her intently and Amanda let him, she just glared right back. Confidence was the word that struck Jimmy.
"...the stories about the old west as they called it. Anybody listenin' to me?" Cody asked, annoyed at their complete disinterest.
"No," Buck and Ike said simultaneously
Amanda laughed and turned to them. "Let me see, you must be Ike McSwain, and you don't talk very much."
Ike looked baffled.
"I know Emily," Amanda clarified, smiling knowingly at the young man. "We worked together on a project a year ago. Heard all about you."
Ike blushed fiercely and Buck laughed. "Oh man, I wonder what she said?" Turning to Kid he shook his head, "See what I mean, never tell women anything, they're bound to use it against ya!"
"Hey!" Ike glared at Buck. Lou crossed her arms over her chest and did the same.
"Buck Cross?" Amanda interrupted them, her eyes darting between them all, amusement twitching her lips.
"Enchanted," Buck said, "me and Ike just..."
"I know," Amanda said, "friends for a very long time I hear."
"Emily?" Buck asked with a soft smile, revealing the affection for the woman that had his friend tied around her little finger.
"No, the grapevine,"Amanda chuckled.
"Just wait till I call Emily tonight," Ike gruffed in Buck's direction. "I'll tell her about how ya..."
"...have you practically owning me your firstborn? Yep, she'll be delighted."
"Oh shut up," Ike moaned.
"See," Buck laughed in Amanda's direction, "you've gotten more words outta him than most folks do in weeks."
Kid walked up to Amanda, smilingly shaking his head at Ike's and Buck's squabbling. "Nice to have you here Amanda."
Lou found herself stepping up closer to the Kid, wanting to kick herself as she did.
Amanda glanced briefly at her, before turning to Kid; "John McCloud?"
"Kid." Lou answered in his place, baffled over the possessive tone in her own voice. "I mean, we all call him Kid."
"You related?" Amanda asked, flicking her index finger between the two of them.
"No," Kid shook his head, a small guilty-looking smile on his lips as he glanced at Lou standing close by his side. Lou looked up at him briefly and diverted her eyes hastily when she noticed him looking.
"Not yet," Amanda chuckled, suddenly understanding the reason for their behavior. She laughed even harder when both of them blushed. "So where's the old geezer? And the rest of the gang?"
"Mr. Hunter? You know him?" Jimmy asked. "They're back at the station, had work to do."
"Teaspoon, ya mean. Oh yeah, we're practically related."
"That explains a lot," Cody grinned, "ya got his way of talkin'."
"Watch it Cody," Amanda warned with an amused smirk, "that's not all I've learned from him." Watching them all cast her a grin. "But it's high time you meat your collaborators and their warden. This is gonna be a fine couple of weeks before we get this town readied." She looked at Jimmy standing at her side, "I've told Barnett to bring them out."
"Barnett?" Jimmy asked.
"The warden."
In silence the watched thirteen men step out of the ASA and line up. All but one equipped with M-EA's. Some of them glaring hatefully at them, others refusing to raise their eyes and meet with theirs. Looking down on their heavily soled working shoes. Their coverall's shiny and new.
"I guess it's gonna be you and me on this one Jimmy," Amanda sighed. "Hope you're well trained in baby-sitting scum."
Jimmy looked over at the Kid, meeting briefly with his gaze. Kid too was calmed by the confidence in Amanda, the air of determination and wit. But he did step up closer to Lou, getting an irritated glance as thanks. Jimmy turned away to not let them see the smile he felt threathening before he turned his attention back to the woman at his side. "It'll be a pleasure Amanda."
"Yeah right," Amanda groaned.
Jimmy's smile grew even wider as he realized he really was looking forward to working with her.
TBC
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