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Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: Ain't mine.
Author's Notes: The character death in this story is a surprise, but
she
has given me complete permission and support to take her DOWN! (Wave
to
Kim!)
feedback welcome! eagleimaggs_7@yahoo.com
***********************
The dirt in the streets was being kicked up as the afternoon breeze
wafted through the town. It was about five minutes until noon and the
townsfolk were running for cover. A telegraph had been delivered that
morning to the seven from Judge Orin Travis alerting them to a showdown
in the center of town come high noon.
Chris Larabee had alerted the patrons to the possible shoot out and
positioned the protectors' accordingly to keep the battle from getting
out of hand. The only problem with the warning was the judge hadn't
given any names or descriptions. So the boys were flying blind and
as
antsy as the people of the town.
Buck Wilmington glanced at his gold pocketwatch, sighing as he noticed
they still had two minutes left.
"Who do you think it is, Buck? Maybe somebody famous?" JD Dunne bounced
excitedly on his toes as he ran his gaze around the street.
"The only people famous in this town, JD, is us." The gunslinger smiled
at the naive' boy as he too glanced at their surroundings. He saw Chris
and Vin Tanner posted on the porch in front of the saloon, then he
noticed Ezra Standish lounging outside the hotel. He and the kid were
standing on the jailhouse walk, while Josiah Sanchez and Nathan Jackson
finished the circle in front of the Clarion.
They had each done a sweep of the town, but hadn't recognized any
strangers who may be the culprits', so they waited. Buck withdrew his
watch and found noon on the dot. He straightened up and could feel
the
tension and anxiety radiating from each of them although they were
at
least 20 yards away from one another.
Wilmington scanned the streets and was about to suggest this was a total
waste of time when JD's gasp caught his attention.
"What, kid?" The gunslinger quickly swiveled his head to search the
street.
"Theres one." JD pointed to a lone gunman with a buckskin coat emerge
from the alleyway beside the general store. The figure didn't look
much
like a threat, that is until you saw the six-shooter strapped to their
waist.
Each of the seven immediately became alert. They swiftly surveyed the
town for the other gunman, but instead of a potential threat, a form
dressed in a purple jacket much like Ezra's favorite coat, strode from
the direction of the undertaker's and took a seat in front of Ms.
Potter's store. The stranger tilted the chair back and propped their
feet on the nearest post. This was apparently a spectator not afraid
of
stray bullets.
The time seemed to drag by as they waited for the second in the conflict
to appear. As the evening sun began to cause droplets of sweat to slide
down the nape of their shirts, the creak of the livery doors announced
the last arrival.
The black clad figure emerged slowly. They were dressed much like Chris
and the pearl handled pistol on their side told that they meant
business.
Larabee felt it was his duty as the leader to inform the two, about
to
engage in the fight, of the potential consequences.
"Alright. I just want to say one thing." The gunslinger walked forward
until he was positioned between the two at a safe distance and not
in
the direct line of fire. He glanced from the black clad form to the
buckskin and almost choked as their identies hit him. "What the hell
is
going on here?" Chris pushed his hat back a couple of inches and glared
first at one girl then the other. Neither spoke, but the purple coated
spectator answered for them.
"Better stay outta this, Larabee. They've thrown down the challenge
and
this is the only way to end it." Kelly dropped her feet soundly back
to
the sidewalk and stood slowly to face the three in the street.
"What kind of challenge?" JD looked skeptically from the two poised
for
the fight to the onlooker providing the answers.
"She done stepped over the line. Nobody, but nobody tells me whether
I
can or can't kill the Vinster." Maggie raised her head until her dark
eyes were level with Kim's. "You got any last words, pard?" The dark
haired girl had lost all her congenial attitude and was ready for a
showdown.
"Nope. Just that I'll miss ya, pard." The buckskin fanfic writer grinned
slightly as she flipped the latch holding her gun in place.
Maggs followed suit and then they positioned their hands loosely over
the weapons. Chris finally had the good sense to step back onto the
sidewalk and swapped puzzled looks with his best friend.
"What the hell they talking about, Chris?" The tracker quirked an
eyebrow at his friend but Larabee could only shrug his shoulders in
a
confused gesture.
The chatter stopped and the wind picked up, causing the dust to swirl
like little tornadoes around the face off.
"I really didn't want it to come to this, Kim. You can back down."
Maggie wanted to give the other girl every chance in the world to give
up, but the determined look that suddenly creased the other's features
spoke louder than words.
"'Nuf talk, Maggs. Lets do this." Kim flexed her fingers and watched
the
dark haired woman's face for any indication of action, but nothing.
Not
even a drop of sweat.
The seven had stopped breathing as they watched patiently, and Kelly
kept glancing from one to the other also waiting. Then it happened.
Two
shots almost simultaneous. The eight people watching stood stunned
as
they saw both women still standing, but as if in slow motion, the
buckskin clad girl sank to her knees then fell face first into the
dirt.
"Never tell me who I can and can't kill." Maggie reholstered her smoking
pistol and swiveled around to head back to the stable.
Kelly sighed as she too began to exit. "Guess that conflict has been
resolved."
The protectors' were still trying to recover as they stared dumbfounded
at the prone form lying face down in the street.
"What should we do now?" Buck stepped into the dirt and looked
expectantly at their leader.
"Give her a proper burial and hope no more souls dare to cross the
maniacle one." Chris breathed in sharply as the figure he just mentioned
reached the livery. The dark haired girl never glanced back at her
handy
work as she disappeared inside the building.
*********************
The End
TBC....The Black Rose (Sequel)
