Chapter 27

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Nova smiled as she watched Jax at work. Rob had a game today, and Jax was coaching him and the others to an easy victory. She loved watching Jax work. It was a nice way to relax. Novas phone buzzed in her pocket and she checked it. A few new bounties had dropped and she scrolled through them on her feed. She swiped down the screen, looking through the missions. She had to do a double take on one of them. She scrolled right past it at first but then immediately scrolled back up. Her eyes widened. "Shit." She whispered. The bounty was $30,000 and was placed on Charley Jetson. Also known, as CJ. Nova took a screenshot of the bounty and sent it to CJ. "Look out" she sent. A few minutes went by and CJ still hadnt seen it. Nova started to become nervous. She knows the other bounty hunters on this feed, and she knows that they wont hesitate to kill CJ if necessary. She looked back up at the game just in time to see Rob win it at the last moment. The crowd went wild and stood up as they cheered. Nova clapped and Jax looked back at her. She immediately saw how uncomfortable she was and raised a finger to her. Nova nodded and sat back down.

"What's going on?" Jax asked. "She didnt ask this time, but CJ needs our help again." Nova said. "What? Right now?" Jax asked. Nova nodded. "Look at the bounties on my feed." She handed her the phone. Jax raised an eyebrow. "Does she know about this?" She asked. "I sent it to her but she hasn't seen it. Im afraid she may have been caught already." Nova said. "Ugh! I cant catch a break with this girl. I love her but damn! Did she have to get captured during my busiest season?" Jax groaned. "Its ok babe. Ill go. You stay here with the team. Ill be back." Nova said. "Are you sure?" Jax asked. Nova nodded. "I'll be fine." She assured her.

Nova made it to CJs town and was kinda stunned. Things were looking so much cleaner since she had last been there. CJ had told everyone her story at the meeting, but seeing the output was crazy. She walked over to CJs territory and looked around. It was looking better than ever. As she strolled through the town, she searched for CJ but couldn't see her anywhere. She decided to ask somebody. Nova saw a man grooming a horse and walked over to him. "Hello sir? Do you mind if I ask you a question?" Nova asked. "Good afternoon city girl! You go right ahead missy." He smiled politely. "Do you know where CJ is? Im friends with her and she hasn't been answering her phone." Nova said. "Oh you wont find her here! Word is that her girlfriends sport season started and she left to go watch her play." He explained. Nova breathed out relieved. "Then she's safe" she whispered in relief. "You lookin to buy a horse? No better place than here!" The man gestured to his shop. Nova looked at the horse. It was really big and had black and white splotches on it. "She's a beautiful mare sir, but I couldn't. Thank you though!" Nova declined politely. He smiled and nodded. "You have a good day city girl." He said nicely. "You too." Nova walked away. She went straight for Leons office. If CJ isnt here, then at least she can tell Leon about the bounty, and then maybe he can keep her safe while she is here.

Nova walked in and marched right past the receptionist. "Hey! You can't just go back there!" She yelled. Leon heard the yelling and looked over right as Nova opened the door. "You? You're one of CJs friends. What did she do now?" He asked, tiredly. "Listen, Im a bounty hunter. I have been dreading the day that I see CJs bounty, because I knew she had one. Well I finally got it, and Im afraid I know other bounty hunters who wont be as nice as I am." Nova explained. "A bounty? Let me sssee" Leon said. Nova gave him her phone and he looked at it. "Oh no. That is worrisssome. Are there any hunters in particular that you know will go after thisss? Ones that even CJ couldn't take down?" He asked. "I think so. Ranger Melbourne and Jack Reagan. They've always been assholes, and they don't ever play fair." Nova said. Leon nodded. "Just them?" He asked. Nova nodded. "Ok. Ill have to sssend out a watch, but I worry that if CJ couldn't take these two down, that Adam most definitely will not." Leon said. Nova got an idea. "Let me do it. I know those knuckleheads better than anyone. I can take them down" she suggested. "Are you sure? I dont want to just shove you into danger." Leon said. "Oh Im sure. Those assholes will be here soon enough, and Ill make sure they never wanna come back." Nova assured him. "Ok then. Be careful, and thank you for what you're doing for CJ." He said. Nova nodded and left.

Nova spent the next couple of days in town, getting to see the sights while she searched for the bounty hunters. One thing kept catching her eye while in town. The horse that the merchant had offered to her. It seemed to be pulling her in. For some reason, she really wanted that horse, and she visited it everyday. And on this visit, someone else appeared. "Do eyes deceive me? Is that Nova?" A man asked. She turned to him. "Jack?" She asked. "I didn't think you did 'out of town' bounties." He said. Nova smiled politely and shrugged. "If I had known youd be here, I wouldn't have even bothered. I bet you're already way ahead of me huh?" He asked. She smiled. "Something like that." She replied. Jack shrugged. "Whatever. Theres another one near here that I wanna go after anyway. Looks like you're gonna have to fight Ranger for it. I saw him come in earlier. I think he's staking out." He said. "Thanks Jack. See ya." Nova said, and Jack walked off. "That your boyfriend?" The merchant asked. "Huh?! Hell no! We're not even friends." Nova said. The guy shrugged. "You know, if you dont buy that horse, she's gon be real sad when you leave, city girl." He said. "You think?" Nova asked. He nodded. "She's made an imprint on you." He said. Nova looked back at the horse and sighed. "Alright fine. I give up. How much?" She asked.

Nova trotted down the street, looking for Ranger. "Woah!" Leon rode up to her. "You know for a moment, I really thought you were CJ. You just need the earsss and the tail." He laughed. An idea sprung into Novas head. "Thats a great idea! I know how to catch the last bounty hunter, but Im gonna need your help. Are you in?" Nova asked. Leon tipped his hat to her and she smiled.

Leon got Nova a clip on tail and two ears on a headband. Then he gave her a cowboy hat and she was ready to ride. "Wow. This is almost too convincing. Ugh... I bet Rob would call me a furry if he saw me like this." Nova looked in the mirror. "You ready?" Leon yelled through the door. "Coming!" Nova walked out and they went outside. "And you're sssure this will work?" Leon asked. "Yeah. Thanks for your help Leon." Nova got on her horse and rode off.

She trotted around with her head down, hoping Ranger would see her soon. She closed her eyes and tuned in to her super-hearing. "Come on. Where are you Ranger?" She whispered. She could hear everybody in town, and was shuffling through their noises as fast as she could. Then she found it. "Gotcha. Stupid cowgirl-" Ranger huffed. Nova glanced down and saw a small red dot on her chest. She quickly spun around and galloped towards the laser. It caught Ranger off guard. "Hey Ranger! The bounty said 'alive' you know. Dead isnt gonna get you anything!" Nova smiled as she ran up to him. "Nova?! What are you doing dressed like that?!" He shrieked. "You should look closer at your targets." Nova growled. She quickly jumped down and punched him in the jaw. He was taken back. "Are you protecting her?" He asked. Nova didnt answer. She only swung at him again. She tackled him to the ground and he threw her off him. Nova took off her tail and held it firmly. "Ha! What do you plan on doing with that?" Ranger laughed. Nova rushed towards him, slid behind him, and kicked him in his back. He fell forward and she bent down to him. She swiftly wrapped the tail around his neck and pulled as hard as she could, choking him. "You listen to me you fucker. CJ is one of my best friends. You come after her, you get me. Got it?" Nova asked. "Screw... you..." Ranger choked. "Fine. Have it your way." Nova growled. She let him go and kicked him in the face, knocking him out. "I never liked him." She sighed.

Nova returned the costume to Leon and gave Ranger to Adam. As she was heading out, she ran into CJ coming in. "Hey! What are you doing here?" CJ asked. "Protecting you. You're welcome." Nova smiled. "Oh. More bounty hunters coming to get me? Ha! I've been fighting them off for years. Thanks for the help. I see you made a friend." CJ looked at the horse. "Yeah. I guess I did. Good thing Jaxs town allows horses. Ill see you around CJ." Nova smiled. "See ya Nova." CJ rode past her and Nova went home.

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