(M) The Treasure of the Lost Mountains IC (bluemoon x Siks apocy RP) (M)

[bluemoon]

Ezra felt the passion of Jackal's kiss, the strength of his arms--but it was his words that brought her comfort. She felt content in the knowledge that she had been forgiven. She lay back with him, allowing herself to be pulled down by his side, his pet name for her playing through her head...Ezzy. It was something she could forgive...if not get used to over time. Wrapped tightly in his arms she resisted moving from his embrace, forcing herself to relax as a brief stir of panic rushed over her. She breathed in slowly, exhaustion creeping in and finally winning out as she fell into a deep sleep.

It was only a few hours later when she awoke, her body covered in sweat and her breathing labored. Sleep had never been easy for Ezra, her nights always plagued with nightmares, and this night was no different. When she awoke, the phantom smell of burning flesh clung to her, cloying, lingering, festering. Only this time it wasn't her flesh that had been burned...it was her mothers. She gagged, groping for the edge of the bed as she scrambled to get off. She fell, more than climbed from the bed, landing on her knees and crawling to the scrap bucket in the corner. She gripped its rim as she vomited, over and over, until the contents of her stomach had been purged. For a few seconds she breathed deeply, drawing the night air into her lungs, but the burnt smell was still there, lingering. Grabbing the bucket, she found her way to the other side of the room, unlocked the door, and descended the stairs.

It was only a few minutes that she was gone and she returned carrying the bucket and a jug--both filled with fresh water. Despite the coolness of the room she stripped and stood in the tub, wetting her skin and scrubbing the flesh with a soap cake until she beamed red. ...and then she washed again. Lastly, she cleaned her hair, pouring most of the remaining water over herself when she was done.

Clean, Ez ruffled through her bags until she found a multi-colored shirt that rested on the bottom. It was not one she wore often because it was much too large, the sleeves hanging well below her hands--it was an impulse buy--something she had purchased because it was soft and bright--a flight of fancy. She slipped it on, leaving it unbuttoned as she made her way back to the bed.

Ez tossed back the blankets, her hair still damp and her skin cool. She slipped in beside Jackal, pressing herself against him for warmth. She cuddled in, her hand moving over the back of his, her fingers interlocking. For a short time she lay there, wondering if he was awake--if he was playing opossum--then she began kissing him below his ear, gently, feathery kisses followed with light nips and the flickering of her tongue. She continued along the line of his jaw, until she found his mouth, hungrily sucking in his tongue until her desire was flaring. With her hand still gripping his, she guided him, first to move him to his back, then dragging his hand across her bare stomach and under the shirt to her breast. She held it there, gently massaging herself with his hand, her breath quickly increasing in tempo. She climbed astride him, controlling their movements and making love to him for the first time.

[SikstaSlathalin]

Ez's sudden wake up startled the tall man form his own slumber, but his body was heavy from coming out of such a deep sleep so he could only lie there as he listened to the woman's panic and subsequent vomiting. It pained him, but by the time he began to shift to full wakefulness she was already gone, he worked himself up to be fully awake and watched in silence as she bathed. He'd seen her naked before, and he'd seen her bathe before. But this time it seemed different, like she was literally washing the pain and doubt away between them. Maybe it was just the strange euphoria one gets shortly after waking up from a good sleep, but it was like she was a whole new person in his eyes.

The foolish part of him wanted to say it was love coloring his eyes. But he knew using the L word so soon would like scare Ez far away from him. And he really liked having her around, so he would keep his fool thoughts to himself for now. She was just as damaged as he was and if the situation was reversed he'd probably run away too. She finished her bath and he had to suppress a smile as she changed into a shirt that turned into a tent, she was absolutely swimming in it. And it kind of suited her cute, but also sensual. The euphoric feeling he had continued to grow and he decided to play along and pretend like he was asleep as Ez returned to bed. He let her control his hands and movement, but once she mounted him he decided to join in still letting her control his hand, but moving himself along with her.

The time passed into a blissful stupor, Jackal didn't want it to end even after they had finished and Ez, still in her big shirt had slipped into a more restful sleep. He couldn't sleep himself, his thoughts were a mess of memories, desires, and plans. He couldn't forget why he was out here to begin with, the treasure of the Lost Mountains. It was bigger than his feelings for Ez or her's for him, it was bigger than the petty jealously of Gabe or the mountains of sin committed by the Black Jacks. Finding the Treasure was the last best hope to bring Ragged America back to it's glory and save the human race.

The two of them were sleeping in a spooning position under the covers and it just felt right to stay like that. But as he looked at Ez's split lip and remembered what had actually led up to the fight he also felt it was right to deal with Gabe so something like this wouldn't happen again. He could easily just kill the man, but he promised Ez he wouldn't. And it was likely any and all blame would fall on him even if he made the killing look like an accident. He let out a sigh and nuzzled into Ezzy's clean hair breathing her scent in deep. He had to do something, he was an avenger of the beaten and abused and a more primal part of his mind hated seeing the woman he's fucked and gotten this close to hurt or in fear of anything or anyone.

Slipping out from behind her and climbed out of bed and kissed her softly on the cheek. "Gotta take care of some business Ezzy, keep the bed warm for me." With that he got his clothes back on and grabbed his two pistols after assembling the rifle and laying it by his bag on the floor. The new bandoleer pistol belt fit a little bit more snug than his first one, but it was also newer and needed some wearing in. The last thing he grabbed was the buck knife which he slipped into the back of his belt again. He quietly moved to the door and gave Ez one last almost loving look then turned the knob and opened the door, he locked it from the inside and crept out. He wiped the emotion from his face and stalked off into the night, the angel of death was aflight once more and God's mercy be with he who steps in the way of his righteousness.

[bluemoon]

"Mmmm," Ezra murmured, mumbling incoherently to herself as Jackal kissed her and made his exit. Some part of her heard the door open and close and she tugged her shirt tighter around herself to make up for the loss of warmth. But as the seconds, then minutes ticked by, she realized she was becoming more awake, something nagging at her by his departure. She sat up, looking about the room, the moon's glow only providing a small amount of visibility. She had heard him gathering up his weapons...but too many for a call of nature surely. She slipped out from under the covers, immediately coming awake from the chill in the room. Shivering, her bare feet recoiled from the wooden planks as she walked to the window to look out--seeing nothing of note.

"Jackal..." she said softly, mostly to herself, as she knew he was not in the room with her, not even in the shadows. He was gone, but where? She sat at the table, ignoring the nagging of the hangover that was just starting to make its presence known. She poured a glass of water and drank it slowly, waiting. ...and the time she waited stretched on longer...and longer...until thoughts of looking for him came to mind...and were promptly dismissed. She told herself she had to trust him if they were going to make a go of this...relationship...thing...if that was what they were doing.

Ez rose and began pacing like a wild animal--this room her cage. "Jackal," she said again, louder and with more force, as if saying his name would make him magically appear. Finally she forced herself to stop and sat on the sofa, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders and sitting erect. Time ticked by slowly and with its passing, her eyelids gradually became heavy. When her head felt back on the cushions she slipped deeply into slumber.

[SikstaSlathalin]

In the dimlit recesses of the Rascal House the sounds of bear-like snore commingled with the quiet whispers of passion. But upstairs, behind a door marked restroom another sound all together could be heard. It was the quiet and somewhat long yawn of a woman followed by a few pained curses, a few seconds later the door opened and out walked a young woman, no older than seventeen.

Her bare feet shuffled along the old shag carpet that ran the length of the hall. She let out another long yawn stretching up on her bright yellow painted tip toes. Her legs were long and smooth and she was wearing bubblegum pink short shorts and a short powder blue halter that barely worked to contain her large melon like breasts. She continued to stretch tall, her nipples poking out from under the thin fabric of her top and her breasts bouncing slightly. She felt he joints pop pleasantly then brought her hands down and ran her yellow painted fingernails through her bleach blond hair. She let out a sigh and slowly undid the stupid pigtails she had jutting up from either side of her head beginning to walk slowly down the hall. She slipped the bright purple scrunchies around her left wrist then brought her hands up around her neck rubbing the rope burn painfully.

In the relative quiet of the hall the young woman began mumbling softly to herself.
"I gotta talk with Simon, I hate doing these fetish characters, I'm seventeen for crying out loud...not twelve." As she approached her door for the night she began putting her hair back up in those obnoxious pigtails still griping to herself. "I don't look twelve even dressed like this and doing that high-pitched little girl voice is killing my throat and I fucking hate the name Candy." She reached the door and pressed her ear against it listening intently. As she heard the rough ragged breathing of her john she let out a sigh of relief and turned the door knob slipping quietly back inside the room locking the door behind her. The distressing sound of the man's snore intensified. But she could tell he wasn't going to wake up anytime soon, which suited her fine.

He was a freak by the name of Gabe something, apparently he'd spent the entire day drinking and partying with some of his White Eyes friends in one of their old safehouses. He was celebrating...something...Candy had no clue what but he loved talking about it. And even being part brothel the Rascal House has business hours, and by the time Gabe showed up the bar was shut down, but he still tossed Simon a full silver chip and bought her for the whole night. Luckily though the "full night" only meant one round cause after a few minutes he was done and flat on his back asleep. She then freed herself from him, chucked the condom, and put her clothes back in place tossing the rope away and walking over and slipping into the other bed hoping to catch some sleep before he woke up.

It started out normal enough, he wanted her to fight so she did the whole running away thing, then as he caught her she squirmed feebly trying to get away, but eventually she let him lead her to the bed and start taking advantage of her, she did the whole spiel calling him mister, sir, and sensai in that little girl voice acting like he was the first man she'd been with and saying how much her mother and father would disapprove of these lewd actions. Usually that enough for the johns, but then he wrapped the rope around her neck and demanded she fight him harder. It scared her, but she did as he wanted he did lost long after that and Candy was glad for it. She'd been with pain freaks like that, but she hated everyone of them. Gabe let out a particularly wet snore and a fart that made the working girl shake her head in disgust and begin moving back to the other bed. As long as she was gone before he woke up in the morning she wouldn't have to go through that rope shit again.

As she neared the bed though she suddenly became aware of some kind of presence in the room with her and Gabe, but before she could turn to see a pair of arms shot out of the shadows in the corner. One wrapped around her waist and pulled her into the corner while the other hand came up and covered her mouth. She let out a stifled squeak instantly wishing to fight, but the sound of a hushed male voice in her ear. "You picked the wrong room to walk back into girl."

Candy panted lightly nodding her head looking over at Gabe as expecting him to wake up and come save her. The man chuckled still whispering in her ear.
"Oh he won't come help you, he's gonna be out of it for awhile yet. Tell me girl, you ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

Candy, still frozen in place shook her head fearfully. The shadow chuckled again.
"Good, do you want to?" The girl tensed up feeling the cold muzzle of a gun press between her shoulder blades. She quickly shook her head frantically and relaxed only a fraction as the gun moved away. The shadow's voice, even hushed sounded familiar the more she listened to it and soon she put two and two together and knew the identity of the shadow, Jackal Lawless. But her mouth was still covered so she kept it to herself.

Jackal laughed relaxing his arm around her waist, but kept his hand over her mouth.
"Smart girl, now leave and don't come back." He moved his hand from her mouth.

Candy quickly nodded and stepped away.
"T-thank you, Mr. Lawless." She took a few quick steps to the door but froze again as Jackal spoke his voice sounding surprised at her knowing his identity.

"Stop, you're smarter than I thought. What's your name kid?"

The girl stopped her voice subconsciously slipping into the little girl voice.
"Candy...with a Y."

Jackal partially emerged from the shadows his eyes glowing like fire again and the shadows of the room making him look 8 feet tall.
"No...you're real name."

The girl cleared her throat inching for the door more.
"Sa-Samantha Green...s...sir."

There was silence for a few seconds and Samantha could only stare at the unmoving shadow watching her with unnaturally glowing eyes. She wasn't sure if she should run or scream or take her top off and try to appeal to his more base nature for leniency. But as he began moving towards her she just dropped to her ass covering her head and cowering some. She stayed there for a few seconds until she felt something smooth and kinda heavy drop into her lap. Looking down she saw it was a pistol bandoleer belt and a pistol. She looked up confused and grew even more confused as she saw the shadowy lawman pull three silver chips out of his pocket and place them in her stunned hands.
"Take these and get out of this life now Samantha. The chips will be enough for you to buy a horse and some supplies and the gun will keep you safe. Ride two days West until you reach the the town of Carousel. It's a good town and a smart girl like you can easily find work that doesn't involve you playing sex games with dumb drunks. Now go and tell no one I'm here or where you got the gun and chips understood?"

Samantha nodded quickly and clutched the gun and chips to her chest before scampering out of the room. She closed and locked the door and Jackal could hear her nearly running down the hall back to her personal room. There, one good deed to make up for the bad he was about to commit. He pulled off his coat and placed it delicately across the table, next he pulled a pair of leather gloves out of his back pocket and slipped them on wriggling his fingers a little bit to get the fit perfect. He unwound some rope from around his torso and proceeded to tie Gabe's hands and feet to the bedposts. The swine grumbled a few times, but never woke up. Once every limb was secure Jackal pulled a dirty sock from out of Gabe's boot and quickly gagged the man with it tying the garment around the back of the Black Jack's head. This worked to awaken Gabe and boy did he awaken, his first instinct was to try and swing his arm around and smack whatever touched him, but Jackal was quicker and easily slipped out of the man's range slipping back into the shadows. He watched in silence as Gabe thrashed around snarling at whatever shadows his drunken eyes thought were threat. The bed twisted and groaned under the man's wild movement, but the ropes held firm and the beds themselves were built to withstand a lot of wild movement.

Soon Gabe tired himself out flopping back on the bed panting around the disgusting sock already wet with his spit bringing the stink right up into his nose. His head and eyes continued to scan the room though, but this time Jackal stepped out into the moonlight that was filtering through the shut blinds. For a brief second the lawman saw fear cross Gabe's disfigured face, and in response he just smiled a toothy wolf like smile his eyes seeming to glow with mirth and hatred. But the fear was gone quickly and replaced with more anger, the man even tried to shout and cuss him out through the gag, but all that came out were a series of mad dog like snarls. Jackal pulled a pair of rusty pliers from his pocket and examined them in the light for a few seconds before speaking. His voice was different then it was before when talking with Ms. Green, it still sounded amused, but with a more psychotic enjoyment as if he was looking forward to doing what he planned next.

He walked slowly over to Gabe's bed spinning the pliers around his gloved hand as he moved. Gabe kept snarling at him finding some more energy to try and break his bonds with. The Angel of Death simply laughed though shaking his head. "Try all you want mutt, those knots would hold an angry Grox in place. Besides you'll want to save your energy for screaming." He quickly spun the pliers downwards and with all his might he jammed the blunt tool into the exact middle of Gabe's breastbone, a pressure point that instantly sent waves of red hot pain through the man's entire body. He screamed behind his gag. With an evil smile Jackal followed up that jab with a dozen more, all at separate pressure points but all with the same force. Gabe enraged muffled screams and frantic movements increased with each successful hit. Jackal was thoroughly enjoying himself though his eyes glinted with a sadistic joy and his wolf smile never shrunk. The lawman stood up letting the crook squirm and flail about for a few seconds while he went to pour himself a glass of water. He studied the rusty pliers as he finished the cup.

At first he was gonna use the pommel of the buck-knife for this part then cut off one Gabe's fingers with the blade, but he saw these nifty little things jammed into a mousehole in the corner and decided that blunt force trauma and a little dental work would be the better option. He still wasn't sure how Ezra would react to seeing her Number two busted up, but something needed to be done. He turned back to Gabe who was glaring daggers at him. Jackal let out a small laugh returning to the man's bedside. He pulled the chair up closer and leaned forward examining the pliers some more while he talked. "I'm sure you have all kinds of questions and concerns about what's going on here, so let me set a few things straight. I spared you in the oasis, because I didn't want to waste a bullet on you, and the only thing that has kept you alive these past two days is my promise to Ms. Bastian to not kill any of you fools unless you drew on me first. But now you are at the end of my good graces, I saw what you did to her and I heard the lies you told about me to smear my good name." He jammed the pliers into Gabe's collarbone making the man hiss, but he refused to scream anymore. "Now in that big dumb head of yours, did you really think that continuing the experiment your masters tried to do by dirtying up my name would work this time? Especially since I killed all of your masters afterwards?"

He set the tool against Gabe's ribs and began twisting it between them in an almost bored fashion.
"Honestly I thought you'd tell a different lie or just shoot me in the back. But you did what you did and it actually made Ez and I closer after I set her straight so I guess I could thank you for that...or I can do this!" He stabbed Gabe in his hipbone with the pliers sending another shockwave of pain through him. "Now I will give you one last warning you dumb mutt, cross me again or do something to harm Ezra again and you will learn the true meaning of pain and suffering then I will kill you even if it's in full view of Ezra and the rest of the men. Do I make myself clear?"

Gabe snarled again trying to mouth some words. This was all part of the game for Jackal so he nonchalantly pulled the gag away and leaned in closer. "What was that mutt?"

Gabe lunged at Jackal trying to bite him, but once again Jackal was quicker and smashed the pliers into the former Black Jack's jaw actually knocking one of his rotten teeth out. The man groaned the spat out a gob of blood trying to hit the lawman but missing by a mile. He growled at Jackal glaring at him. "Why the fuck do you even care! It's not like I fucked the bitch or anything! She never liked the rope trick, she went limp as a fish after we had our little chat."

Jackal chuckled flipping the plies around his hand again.
"And then so did you." The new honestly surprised him, he knew Ez liked the rough stuff and figured choking her with a rope would be the ultimate aphrodisiac. It pleased him to no end that she draws the line there and he wasn't getting the mutt's sloppy seconds. But he wasn't going to let Gabe see that. The gunman slowly rubbed his still scuffily chin as Gabe snorted and glared.
"Yea, so fuckin' what she wasn't a great lay the first time, just an easy one." The goon finally found a needle he could poke back with. "As I'm sure you know full well, I hear tell she dropped her panties real quick after you scared the owners of the Den. Tell me Lawless how was it?" Gabe let a smug smile cross his face, but it was quickly smacked off by another pliers filled backhand by Jackal. But still the vigilante's face stayed bored looking. "I wouldn't worry about that, what I would worry about though is all those rotten teeth in your mouth, here let me help you." Jackal grabbed Gabe's face and held him down, the taking the rusty pliers began yanking the man's teeth from his head.

Gabe's mouth was too full of Jackal's hands to scream aloud, but by the time Jackal was done five brown bloody teeth were in his gloved hand and Gabe was unconscious from the pain. Jackal chuckled opening the window and tossing the teeth into the pig sty below, the big hairy beasts squealed in surprise then began fighting among themselves to try and eat whatever was thrown into their midst. Jackal turned back to the room and gathered his things. He untied Gabe and rolled him to his side after pouring alcohol into his mouth to kill infection. If Gabe died tonight, it wouldn't be Jackal's fault. Jackal threw the pliers as far into the night as he could then followed them out the window before shutting it behind him. His job was done here and he wasn't sure if Ez had noticed he was gone yet, so he should hurry back.

Once again vanishing into the night he returned to the Den. He was quiet as he entered the room being careful to not wake up Ez if she wasn't already up. As he crept in he saw the woman asleep on the couch and smiled shaking his head. He pulled his clothes and weapons off staying in his jeans, he yawned lightly feeling all kinds of tired and the twinge of hunger in his stomach. He just realized he hasn't eaten since breakfast yesterday. That would be something to remedy in the morning, judging by the moon it was well past midnight now and sleep would be important since they would be hitting the trail tomorrow. He smiled fondly and walked up to the sofa picking up the woman kissing her forehead a little whispering in her ear. "I asked you to keep the bed warm Ezzy, not the sofa, come on let's get some sleep." He carried her to the bed and laid down freeing the blankets from her clutches and wiggling himself under them wrapping a securing arm around her waist and kissed the back of her neck snuggling in. "Good night Ezzy." With his nose full of her scent he settled in slipping into a deep sleep.

[bluemoon]

Ezra woke with the sun, feeling refreshed, with only the faintest trace of a headache nagging at her temples. She pushed herself up on her elbows, glancing over at the sofa, then at the vigilante beside her, a bit anxious that she had not awoken with his return last night. She rose, a scowl on her features, as she rolled the long sleeves of the large shirt up and stared at his prone figure, knowing he had to be awake now. Her shirt hung open, barely covering her as she stepped over to the bed, dropping to her knees and leaning in close to his ear.

"Where were you last night? I waited up...a long time." Although her voice was steady and without inflection, there was still a hint of sadness, shown mostly in the set of her shoulders. She did not wait for an answer. Instead she made her way to the clothes and weapons that he had discarded in the night, seeing dried blood on them.

"Whose blood is this Jackal?"

The lawman woke with a shiver and a slight groan as Ez woke up and pulled the blankets away. It only felt like he had only fallen asleep two hours ago even though it was much longer. He yawned and slowly rolled himself up and off the bed. It took him a few seconds to realize what she had just asked, he knew it would probably come up sooner or later, but that didn't mean he wanted to answer so soon.

What could he say? Tell her the full truth? He tortured and disfigured Gabriel last night for running his mouth? Tell a full lie? He was out for a walk and decided to check on Vash? And the blood was just from an accident where he walked into a nail in the Stable? The tall man walked over and kissed Ez on the head moving past her and looking at the blood frowning, he thought he was more careful than that last night. Did he really want to start whatever kind of relationship this was with lying to her? She'd likely figure it out as soon as she saw Gabe at formation this morning.

It seemed like one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. So he decided to play it light, knowing how she felt about Gabe especially after what happened last night between them. He looked up smiling softly. "Just some dumb drunk who needed some teeth removed, I was out for a walk last night and heard some unpleasant sounds coming from the Rascal House and decided to offer him my expertise." He walked over and wrapped his arms around Ezra lifting her up onto the front of his waist planting a firm kiss to her lips. "Just doing my civic duty ya know." He moved his hands to her ass supporting her full body weight with his hands and arms smiling down at her.

"Hmmm..." she responded, returning the kiss before shifting out of his hold and slipping easily to the floor. There was more to his story than he was telling her--she wasn't stupid--but she also wasn't going to push him, the memory of his fierce anger last night too fresh in her mind. If she had had any doubts about the level of fear he induced in others before, she didn't have any now.

She put her hand against his cheek, giving him a small smile. "Dental work, eh? I'll keep that in mind."

He smiled nuzzling into her hand some and kissing it before shifting away to once again inspect his bloody shirt. He knew his dodge hadn't fooled her, Ez was a smart woman, she would have to be, to survive in this world. "Yes the man was quite a bleeder a bit whiny too. I actually haven't eaten in two days, care to join me for some breakfast downstairs Ezzy?" He began redressing waiting for her answer.

She shook her head, turning away to start gathering her things. "Not hungry," she lied, "...but you go ahead." Her hand came up, wiping at her cheek. "I have a lot to do...hitting the road in an hour." In reality, her part was done, other than gathering her things--she had Deck getting the furs and other items traded up for supplies this morning. He had been instructed to get ammo for everyone, including Jackal, for the trip ahead, as well as flour, rice, and beans. She grabbed up her clothes, pausing, as regret filled her. The privacy the room afforded would not exist on the trail and she had enjoyed most of the time she and Jackal had spent within its walls.

She went over to the man and slipped her hands onto his shoulders and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. She let her lips linger for the briefest moment before turning away again.

Jackal frowned, he could tell she was lying, and the sinking feeling of guilt in his own gut was quickly killing his own appetite. Once again he was at an impasse, does he tell her and take that fallout which could end either well of bad or not tell her and let that pain of lying fester even after she saw Gabe. He decided to go for broke. He grabbed her hand and sighed pulling her into a hug. "I"m sorry, but Gabe deserved it. Not just for what he did to you, but to what he was doing to the young girl he had bought over at the Rascal House last night. Guess I should've said so from the start...I was just...afraid." He sighed again letting her go to take whatever licks he had coming.

Ezra was taken aback, not by his admission that it is was Gabe, but by him saying that he was afraid. ..and he had mentioned a girl--his only true weakness. She wanted to focus on the reason for that fear, but anger welled up inside her at his deceit, the reaction coming unbidden--too many years of using it to hide her true emotions leaving her vulnerable to its power over her. She stormed up to him, her hands clenched...and stopped just short of hitting him with her fists like a spoiled child. Much to her surprise, he flinched in apprehension, the motion causing her to pause again.

"Okay..." she said through clenched teeth, her breathing starting to relax through forced will. She backed away, sitting when she felt the mattress behind her knees. "Okay...just don't do it again." She laughed lightly, a heavy weight lifted with the truth revealed and her anger conquered. She looked up at him, almost shyly. "I think I'm hungry after all, still up for breakfast?" Jackal agreed readily, taking her hand in his and promising not to keep anything from her again.

[SikstaSlathalin]

Ezra and Jackal shared a quiet, but pleasant breakfast. Like yesterday they decided to keep whatever this was between them on the down-low, though as is the case with small towns and even smaller groups it was likely everyone already knew, but no sense in rubbing it in all their faces. The lawman could already hear the remarks and see the jealous glares. The only woman in the whole damn group and she was basically off-limits upon pain of death by Jackal's gun.

Though he knew Ez wouldn't feel that way it did make some stupid side of him happy. Not that Ezra was the group plaything at all, but she was a woman of the wastes. And you do what you need to to survive or get ahead. And for women that meant, take a few for the team from time to time to use an old term, but now it was like she was safe from having to sell her body to get ahead. Now all she needed to do was say his name and he'd be there like the Angel of Death he was with gunpowder and lead.

Once again not that she needed it, but he was a romantic like that and the idea of coming to her rescue made him smile between bites of his food. He didn't know what was going through her head right now, but he just hoped she wasn't regretting anything that happened in the last two days. They soon finished their meal and went to the meeting point.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

The meeting hour came and went and they were still missing a few of their band. Jackal expected this honestly, the men who decide to come along on prospecting tours like this are rarely in an excess of professionalism and/or willpower. Ez was visibly annoyed as she looked over the inventory done up by Deck and the group manifest she drew up herself before leaving Carousel.

The short Cook didn't have any issues with getting supplies, but his wagon was well-stocked and he was a bit wide to get in and out of it so he might need to take a few extra minutes to move things around. Ez was smaller and could fit, but she couldn't be both the Assistant Cook and Expedition Leader. Jackal was reclining in Vash's saddle puffing slowly on his pipe and studying the map. The sun was getting high and traveling would be slow and miserable in the wastes. And the map said the next place to stop was another small oasis about a day's ride East. And they would be riding through a known Raider route, the Salt Flyers they called themselves. They weren't the most vicious or notorious raiders blowing through Ragged America, but they were known for targeting women. Kidnapping them, raping them, and sometime just hitting a group to take them and ignoring whatever else they had on them. Luckily Ez could pass for a small man at a distance if she put her hair up under her hat and kept her head down. But that guise would fall apart if they got within fifty yards of the band.

The man looked up frowning a little as a young man walked up and gave Ez a couple of notes. She looked at them and scoffed handing them to Jackal already beyond pissed. He smirked around his pipe quickly rolling his map up and reading them out loud. "Well Dako was killed in a drunken knife fight last night and Haxniks has decided he can make better money and live longer being a clerk in Grey's General Store." The tall man laughed sardonically shoving the notes into his pocket then flipped the kid a steel chip. It was then he noticed someone else riding up to them, it was a woman and she was on a young dapple horse. She almost looked familiar and as she drew closer, his eyes quirked lightly as the girl, as he could tell by now looked up blushing gently at his gaze, her eyes dropping some. The girl from last night...Samantha Green if he recalled correctly.

He almost didn't recognize her, she was dressed in old green cargo pants, black boots, a long duster style coat, a pink t-shirt with a red cross on the front, and a green cowgirl's hat. The bleach blond hair dye was washed out and her now dirty blond hair was up in a short ponytail. He saw her face and it was still very pretty, but much more natural looking with soft triangular features. Her eyes were large and a bright green color. She was a little pale, but she looked much healthier and a lot happier, he even noticed the rope burn under her red balaclava scarf, but she quickly pulled the scarf tighter so it was completely hidden now. Her horse's saddlebags looked a little empty, but what was more interesting was the olive green satchel with a bright red medical cross on the front she had slung across her body either unconsciously or more likely consciously as he guessed by how red her face got when he looked her over the strap separated and showed off her impressive bust.

The girl stopped a few feet short of Jackal and Ez ignoring the whistles and lusty eyes from the men, she'd been with a couple of them since they arrived in town, but that was a different girl. That was Candy with a Y, she was Samantha Green now, amateur medic and hopefully brand-new Treasure Hunter. She sat tall her face still a little red, but she put on as much of a professional face as she could. Jackal pulled the pipe from his mouth smiling.
"Can we help you young lady?" He had told her to act like they've never met before, so he was going to do the same.

Samantha nodded adjusting her hat so it tilted cutely to the side.
"Yes, I heard along the grapevine you lost a couple of men, I'd like to join your expedition please, Mr. Lawless."

The lawman kept a smile on his face, but he wanted to tell the girl how stupid she was.
"Oh really? Who are you? And what can you offer the group?"

The girl cleared her throat lifting up the medic bag opening it and showing off the impressive assortment of medical supplies inside. She likely spent the bulk of those three silver chips he gave her on filling it up.
"My name is Samantha Green, or Sammy for short. And before my parents had to...settle a bad gambling debt." She frowned lightly saying this last part kind of quietly. "I was being trained to be a Doctor by them, I've kept up on the skills and had some money saved up from working to restock my father's medic bag with new items. I can also cook some if needed, but I'm not great." She lost some of her confidence again her cheeks reddening even more under Jackal's constant stare.

The Vigilante nodded looking at Ez smiling lightly, he knew he'd get an earful later. But a medic could be quite useful to them.
"Hmm medical knowledge is quite valuable, but it is not up to me Miss Green. Ms. Ezra Bastian here is the expedition leader."

Samantha frowned lightly then looked at Ezra for the first time her face clouding with deep embarrassment at not realizing the wild looking woman was in charge.
"I'm...I'm sorry, I didn't realize, may I join Ms. Bastian? I'll earn my keep I promise, I can remove bullets, stop most kinds of bleeding, stitch cuts, cure some poisoning. I even learned how to properly amputate a limb." She looked down respectfully and gave the intense woman a weak smile, but a few times her eyes glanced quickly over to Jackal as if hoping he would speak on her behalf.

[bluemoon]

From the moment the blonde girl arrived, Ezra's already agitated mood worsened. She didn't need any further headaches--they were already running behind and short handed, and now this. She intently watched the interaction between Sammy and Jackal and quickly picked up on the subtle nuances of their body language and facial expressions during their exchange. She was sure they were acquainted... Now, even with the girl addressing her, her hazel eyes rested on the vigilante, a scowl painted on her face. She regarded him silently, finally turning her attention to the blonde when she finished describing her attributes. Ez studied her attractive young face for a moment, and against her better judgment, finally gave the girl a nod, "Sure, why not..." she responded, once again turning her attention to the lawman for a brief moment.

With a sudden pull on the reins, Ez clicked her tongue, moving Clove outside the ranks of the group and turning to address them. Almost as if it had never been there, the earlier agitation was gone...the scowl erased. Her face was set on neutral, the leader in her emerging.

"Seems we have a new recruit...and you will all treat her with respect...or answer to me. We only have a short days ride today, so any of you still suffering the effects of the past two days need not worry. We will, however, be entering the badlands and you will need to keep alert at all times. No one is to go anywhere alone...buddy system only. I will take the lead with Gabe...Lawless, you and Deck will hold the rear..everyone else pair up and ride side by side. Deck has made up a dry goods pack for everyone--enough to last a few days if you get separated for any reason. If you get lost, Outpost 4 is your destination. Gabe will rendezvous with you here in 2 days time to bring you back."

"What if Gabe is busy?" Jones shouted from the back, elbowing Owens and getting a few chuckles.

"Then I will come get you," she returned, fixing him with a cold stare. "...but don't get lost--few of you will survive the trip."

She looked out at the group and wondered if they would make it though the wastes without major casualties now that they were a couple guns short. Gabe barely looked as though he'd make it through the day, let alone a few weeks. His head was hung low and he groaned with every motion...but he was here and she had to give him credit for that. Even his usual attitude was still intact, his cold stare often focusing on Lawless while she spoke. With a sigh, her attention turned back to the men she was being paid to lead.

"For those of you here for the scaving, we will reach our destination in 2 days. Afterwards, any of you interested in continuing are invited to join us to the Lost Mountains. Mr. Lawless has promised a small share of any treasure found for anyone who puts in their gun. If you choose against staying, once again, Gabe...or I....will return you here...where you will have to find your own transport home." She paused, finally nodding her head. "That's it...go ahead and get your supplies from Deck...he also has extra ammo for each of you."

As the men moved towards the cook to pick up their packs, Ez called out once more.

"Not you Mr. Lawless. I would like a moment of your time please...alone."

Sammy smiled quickly, but controlled herself enough to not shout. She didn't actually expect to be allowed in without some kind of fight. But she was glad for it, and after casting a pleased glance at Jackal before turning and finding a place in the back of the line. She knew this Deck man probably wouldn't have any drygoods pack for her, but maybe she could help out.

Jackal let out a chuckle as Ezra so quickly allowed this random girl to join them. But he knew she wasn't happy about it by the way she kept looking at him. He'd have to set the girl straight sometime today to avoid any bad blood between her and Ezra. And as the woman called him aside he knew he was in for something unpleasant. So he extinguished the pipe and tossed the ashes into the quickly blowing breeze whizzing past before walking over to Ezra. He waited until the men were all busy getting their goods or eye-humping Sammy before speaking.

"I told you I saved the Hooker Gabe was abusing. But I told her to head for Carousel not join us."

Ezra nodded. "I'm sure you did...and this is all just a big misunderstanding," she said sarcastically. "But let's just say we were both surprised by her arrival...you still must realize the position you are putting me in--I can't just leave her to go alone now...her fate would be on my hands...and she would most likely die. It is obvious she is not trail ready...and since she is your friend, I am making you responsible for her training and protection. I will not babysit her. You will teach her the ropes, show her how to survive, how to shoot...what ever she needs. She can not be slowing us down or causing problems. If you need assistance, I am sure Deck would be happy to help--he is the only one I trust in her presence...and her presence is going to be a problem here--your problem--the men know what she is...was...and I will not have her whoring her way through my camp."

She stopped, staring hard at him, just barely controlling the anger that was boiling inside. "...and make sure she does something about her wardrobe. She needs to cover up her assets a little better or I will be the only one who's watching the trail today. Understood?"

Jackal chuckled again, he could see the little twinges of jealously in Ezra's demeanor and tone. He patted her thigh reassuringly.

"Hmm never had a deputy before. Don't worry Ezra, she's a smart girl, just like yourself. I think she's worried I'll kill her if she whores again so that shouldn't be an issue, but as you wish I will keep an eye on her. She can be Deck's assistant, she's small enough to move around his wagon without issue. As for her assets, I don't know if she brought any other shirts with her, but stick her in the back of the party with me and Deck and she'll be fine. But when night time comes you may have to keep her company instead of me."

"I wo..." she started, realizing it was that or having the girl sleep with Jackal. She let out a heavy sigh and gave a nod, surrendering to this one condition. She turned from him then, waving her hand in a forward gesture for the others to follow. Her eyes were on the wastes, but her mind was on Jackal. She found his calm demeanor very aggravating and right now she wanted nothing more than to slap that look right off his face.

[SikstaSlathalin]

As expected the day dragged on under the boiling sun above. The men carried on in silence, some even vomiting from the effects of the boiling sun and their hangovers. But there was plenty of water for now so no one was going to die right away. But beneath the sun there was a visible tension, the separation of Jackal and Ezra was the few words of conversation among the men who trudged on between the two.

Even when they were talking with their designated partners they kept stealing glances at one another. Eyes clocking for a few seconds before their attention was called elsewhere. The lawman knew that the talk this morning was only the beginning of potential problems between him and the woman. But he was at a loss, when he saved Sammy from the whore's life he honestly didn't expect her to seek him out and tag along on the mission. But each time he looked at her he saw the blush on her pale cheeks and noted the way she fidgeted around him. Like she wanted something, but couldn't bring herself to asking. She had a crush on him, and he could see her appealing features very well. But his mind was was split over it, he was with Ezra now at least in some sense. And he really didn't want to scare her off, but in the ultimate end to this journey Ezra might not be what he needs her to be. But Samantha, was younger, more amicable and possibly more viable for what he needed. Less time spent out in the irradiated wasteland.

He was unsure, but soon decided that only time would tell. Maybe Ms. Green wasn't viable either then he'd need to find yet another for the end game. But how many women could possibly be between here and the Lost Mountains? He pushed those worries aside for now and continued young Sammy's education in the way of the wastes. Ez's first impression proved mostly right, she knew how to use a gun and a knife to defend herself, but actual survival was a mystery. She'd spent most of her life in Outpost 4 and the only times she went out beyond the gates was to gather food or be used as a bartering chip for would-be raiders. He marveled at her resilience though, going through all that at such a young age, but she was very careful about always using condoms to keep herself clean and babyfree. Whores who have kids often aren't long for this world, and generally the child is sold into slavery. And the lawman saw a promising lust in the girl's eyes as she scanned his body.

But once again he kept things neutral. Simply remarking on her intelligence once again. He went over as many tricks of the trail as he could remember, Deck throwing in two sense of his own every now and then. It continued on like this until dusk when they reached the oasis that would mark their next nightly camp. It was quite like the others they've been too, there was no higher vantage point, but the large pool was upon a platform of sandstone and was sheltered by trees all around it and many rocky outcroppings jutted out from the rock. But it looked like they would all be camping much closer to each other tonight. The only good land that wasn't all rock was the crescent shaped beach that went half way around the water, there was a few isolated rocks for privacy should anyone want it though and a much smaller sort of wading pool was upon a flat rock at the very end of the beach itself.

The group stopped and the order came down the line to dismount and begin setting up camp. Jackal picked a spot besides one of the rocky outcroppings to set himself up, and as expected Sammy was there as well already eyeing up the water for some cooldown time. Jackal chuckled dropping from Vash's back and snapping his fingers. "Work first, play later come on I'll help you get a fire going."

The girl smiled broadly and jumped from her horse pulling her long coat and bag off before following the lawman to gather wood.

[bluemoon]

Like so many in the group, Ezra couldn't help but notice the uncomfortable silence during the blistering ride to their next camp. Motes of dust dotted the horizon with images of ghostly mirages fading in and out to peak one's interest, but little else. It put her into almost a trance-like state as Clove plodded along, his sides covered in a thin sheen of sweat. Her "buddy" was just as silent. Having Gabe by her side put her on edge, but she had chosen to ride with him in case the altercation with Jackal last night had put any ideas of revenge in the cold-hearted bastard's mind. But he was like everyone, at least at first, brooding, and occasionally glancing back at the vigilante as if to make sure he wasn't riding forward to exact more revenge.

After several hours the Black Jack's mood changed and he reined his horse in closer to Ezras, instantly putting her on guard. His demeanor was off, a tic-like motion in his eye as he leaned in a bit, first licking his dry swollen lips and swallowing hard.

"Bastard fucked up my mouth good. Ripped out my teeth. Guess you're not going to want to kiss me now." He laughed, a nervous chuckle that only succeeded in disgusting her. "Shoulda seen the gleam in his eyes--he likes the hurting Ez. Never seen a man go after another with such glee." When she didn't respond, he laughed a bit louder. "Yeah...he's a crazy bastard. ...and ignoring me isn't going to make me go away. We're partners--you and I--I'm you're second."

Ezra spared him a glance then, frowning. "Shut up Gabe...you're stupid is showing."

He gave her a wide grin, ravaged and bloody gum tissue showing where previously there had been rotten teeth. Even those that remained were suspect, the man's dental hygiene never perfected. "I wasn't lying to you...not about Frankie's family...that one is true....told it just as I heard it."

Ez puffed out a breath, giving him a stern glare. "Enough!"

The man sighed, then smiled again. "Okay, lets talk about something else. How about our new girl Candy. Pretty hot...and those big boobs. I think you made a mistake letting her in. Your boy is going to be all over her--drop your skinny ass in a heartbeat. I'll make you a wager...3 days and he's down with that whore." He made a lewd gesture with his hands, simulating intercourse, and thrusted with his pelvis. "At least that whore will know how to pleasure him. I tell you, she is one good fuck."

Knowing he had overstepped his bounds, Gabe gave his mount a kick to increase the gap between him and Ez. He glanced back at her, reveling in her expression, his mood lifted by her discomfort. Further back the lawman was deep in conversation with Candy. "Yep...three days...maybe sooner."

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

The rest of the trip continued in silence between the two forward riders. Once again, Gabe had pulled her thoughts towards situations that caused her to feel ill at ease. She didn't have to look back to know that the well-endowed blonde was pretty. Ez has etched her face into her memory already. ...and although Ez had never questioned her own looks, she also knew she was best described as "easy on the eyes". She couldn't compete--either Jackal would fall for the new arrival or he wouldn't. But she didn't plan on sitting by and letting nature take its course either...she would fight for him if she had to...he wasn't like any man she had been with before--she felt different with him...better.

When the camp finally came into sight Ez sighed with relief. She dismounted, noticing right away that Jackal and Samantha were setting up camp together. She was hot and tired, and the water by their choice looked refreshing. She turned away and squared off her shoulders, finding a site closer to the edge of the sandy beach. She was going to have to talk with Jackal and soon...staking her claim if she could.

[SikstaSlathalin]

Sammy and Jackal had returned from gathering wood, and were crouched next to each other as Jackal tried to get a fire going. But the young girl had taken this chance to squeeze in real close to her mentor placing her hand on his leg under the guise of keeping herself balanced as she watched him. But the closeness was distracting the man.

Luckily a snort from Vash made her look up and see Ezra coming their way. So she quickly scooted away and stood up waving at the woman cheerfully, she wanted to be friends with Ezra and maybe learn some things about being a tough woman in the wastes. "Hello Ms. Bastian, you may have to come over and show my mentor how to make a fire. He seems to be having trouble." She let out a young woman's giggle at Jackal shaking his head.

Ezra nodded, giving Samantha a forced smile. She kept her expression guarded, pretending not to have noticed the girl remove her hand from Jackal's thigh. "Do you think you could give us a few minutes Sam...alone? Deck could use some help getting dinner ready."

Sammy frowned a little, but knew better than to argue. So she threw Ez a smile and cute salute and pulled her coat back on. "Ok Miss Bastian you can count on me! Hope you get the fire figured out Mr. Lawless it gets cold out here at night."

Jackal sighed standing up watching the girl go shaking his head. He then looked at Ez nodding.

"What do you want to talk about Ez?" He approached her stretching his back out some from the long ride.

"She's like a puppy," she stated with a light chuckle. "..one that's pretty attached to you." She stepped closer to him, her hand gently touching him on the thigh--on the exact spot that Sam had been resting hers. "Seems that makes two of us." She rose to her tiptoes and kissed him gently on the lips, pulling back to look into his face, trying to read him. "...about this morning...I'm...um.. I'm sorry."

She kissed him again, lingering for a moment before pulling back. She knew they were trying to keep things quiet between them, but she had to assert her claim or lose him. ..and after Sam's forward attempt at flirting, she knew she had to do it soon.

Jackal was very surprised by Ez's actions. He had been dreading this moment all day, he could read the woman well most of the time, but she still had an unpredictable streak in her. As always he enjoyed her kiss and by luck no one seemed to be looking. But still he pulled her down behind the rock next to them kissing her back again even slipping his hands under her shirt to squeeze her breasts fondly. He kept his hands there for a few seconds smiling at her.

"It's ok Ezzy, I honestly never expected her to show up." He pulled back removing his hand reluctantly from Ezra's body. "Besides why do I need a puppy when I have an eager bitch like yourself to play with?" It was an attempt at dirty talk, but he was never any good at it. "You're not worried are you?" He asked watching her a little.

...puppies are cuter... she thought, but forced a smile, unable to remove her worry despite his reaction to her and his words. She considered lying to him about her fears, but decided the truth would serve her better. Grabbing his hand and placing it back inside her shirt, she started kissing his neck.

"Yes...a little. As for being an eager bitch...you're going to have to wait to find out just how eager." She allowed her hand to graze the front of his pants as she untangled herself from him and stood up. Her eyes drifted down and she smiled. "Keep that warm for me...for later." When she turned away she glanced over at where Deck and Sammy were working together to get dinner ready. She hated to make this into a game, especially since she had genuine feelings for Jackal, but she couldn't help but feel she had won the first round.

Jackal felt an instant heat spread through him as her touch and words. So strange how quickly she could do that to him. Not even Evy had that skill. But he shook his head standing up adjusting his pants a little. He came up behind Ezra and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her close. "Well I don't think you have much to worry about." He brought his hand down and spanked her ass lightly. "Now you best get back to the main camp before I decide to take my eager bitch now. "

She leaned into him, enjoying the closeness for a moment longer before pulling away. They were in plain sight and she didn't react more to his tease because of it. "Until later then," she promised.