AKA Kansas Part 1

[filemyclaim]

She didn't plan on seeing Doc again. After the way she walked out on him there was no going back, and she doubted he wanted to talk to her, let alone remember the innocent love they'd once shared.

But all of a sudden, there he was, all spangles and blunderbuss, promising her a new life. And damn him - it seemed so easy, tempting after the uncertain see-saw of her life with Brisco.

She lets him kiss her, hold her. Doesn't even seem to mind it.

And in the end she gets Brisco his info.

But she'll be damned if she doesn't feel a little twinge as she waits for him with her little snifter of brandy, all glamorous and restrained in her woe.

She'll lean on him for just a little bit - to figure out where she really belongs, and where she's going.

Comments

[harvard_bounty]

There's a polite knock on her door.

Despite the somewhat difficult circumstances for the both of them, Brisco is, as ever, a gentleman.

[filemyclaim]

Why does he always knock?

He has never, nor will he ever, need to knock.

She opens the door just a crack and eyeballs Brisco. He looks dusty and exhausted, which is enough to make her worry. "You look awful."

Then she reaches to peck his cheek.

[harvard_bounty]

"Thanks," he replies dryly, returning her kiss with a wry grin. He'll let the minor blow to his ego slide.

"How'd things go?"

It's vague enough to let her steer the discussion however she needs to.

[filemyclaim]

"Sometimes a lady has to pick between the truth and flattery." She slides back onto her heels, and then slaps some of the dust out of his riding jacket. "I'll flatter you later. Come in."


Then when he does, and asks that question...it's enough to remind her. She takes a deep breath and shrugs. "He said he wants to run away with me. Tried to get me to run away with him..." she scoots away, then leans against her dresser, feet dangling for a moment. "Bought me champagne and peaches, the same kind he bought the first morning of our honeymoon."

[harvard_bounty]

He nods. He knows the two of them had had some decent times together... but he also knows she remembers the reason she left.

"What'd you tell him?"

[filemyclaim]

That earns him a glare, a crossing of her arms, and a tilting her head. "I'm here." Which ought to tell him everything. "I put him off. Told him I had to think about it."

If she hadn't met Brisco she would have run off with him with no questions asked.

[harvard_bounty]

He's highly aware of that fact.

"Are you okay?"

Really should have asked that first, boy-o.

[filemyclaim]

"Well, that's a fine thing to ask," she says, hands on her hips. "I'm fine. It's not easy being around Doc, but I can take care of myself."

[harvard_bounty]

"I know you can. I wouldn't have asked you to do this if I didn't think you could handle it."

He still worries though. She knows how to handle herself, but that doesn't mean she's invulnerable.

[filemyclaim]

"I never told you how we broke up," she says, making it a statement. "Being with Doc is like getting a case of the flu. You go through it, it wrecks you for a week, and you come out the other end stronger. But I won't say I'm not a little afraid of catching him again."

[harvard_bounty]

"I guess I understand. You're not quite...immune to that particular strain."

He reaches out to offer her a hand to hold...if she wants to.

[filemyclaim]

She gives him a fond little smile when he offers her his hand - he's terribly sweet when he wants to be.

"I think I'm building up a defense against it."

[harvard_bounty]

He tries. He honestly does.

"I knew you could do it."

[filemyclaim]

"Only because you're such a nice guy." She turns away and fluffs her hair in the mirror. "Just give me another afternoon. Not," she says heavily. "A night."

[harvard_bounty]

"Right."

He knows she knows her limits, and she can defend herself if she needs to. He's still going to be nervous until this is all over though.

"Have I ever told you how amazing you are?"

[filemyclaim]

And it's all his idea, using her as a decoy. No wonder he's squirmy with guilt.

"You don't have to," she teases, "The gun in your pocket's all the flattery I need."

[harvard_bounty]

Yep, pretty much. He grins at the remark, though.

"Well for the record, I am happy to see you."

[filemyclaim]

She turns back toward him, then. Yep. Time to nuzzle!

"And when was the last time you had it...oiled?"

This is a lot easier than thinking about Doc and having to remember all of the crap he's put her through, and worrying about what sort of grandstanding he's going to put her through.

[harvard_bounty]

"Is that an offer?"

He's missed their flirting. A lot.

[filemyclaim]

"Only if you'll shine my trigger." She reaches up for a kiss. "It's been too long."

[harvard_bounty]

"Any time."

He's missed this part too.

[filemyclaim]

This part is the best part.

Especially when she's kissing him and pulling off his hat.

They'll polish her dresser table thoroughly too.