Young Guns: Fire and Steel

Chapter 4: Trust, or Lack There Of

Thankfully a few days had passed by and Murphy had kept to himself. No more accusations, threats, or complications came Tunstall's way. The boys had worked relentlessly for the Englishman taking care of the cattle as well as many other chores that needed to be done on Tunstall's ranch. Billy was still taking care of the hog but he had graduated to helping out with the cattle, when needed, since they now had McCloskey to help as well. Every evening they would sit for dinner together and then read or write. It was an odd sense of family among the males, a kinship and bond grew between them. The blonde woman often found it fascinating as well as curious. To have such a bond was beyond her. Outlaws, at least none she knew, had that sense of comeraderie, let alone friendship.

Kristal however, was bored as ever while letting her wound heal. It was taking far too long as she knew it would. At least she was able to go outside every now and then. Her strength was slowly returning, but in her opinion, it was taking its sweet ass time. Most of the time, Kristal was found reading one of John's plethora of books, sprawled out in a chair in the living room or laying on the bed in what was now dubbed her room. The books helped pass the time and she even started a journal, per John's request.

Days after the confrontation with Murphy, Kristal was sprawled out on a chair reading a book after a hearty breakfast. Most of the men had left the house to go work on chores. John had also gone out to the barn because one of the mares was expecting a foal. Richard and Chavez had been nominated to clean up their breakfast and Billy was purposely lagging behind to annoy her.

"You always have your nose stuck in a book," Billy commented leaning against the wall, pale blue eyes watching her.

"Shouldn't ya be off annoyin' the pig?" Kristal questioned and smirked seeing the sour look he gave at her snide remark.

"It's a hog and it's warmin' up to me just fine -- more than you are," came his snappy response.

A soft chuckle sounded from behind the book and she lowered it enough to look at him. "Guess I didn't know I was supposed ta warm up to ya. But if ya want me ta put a fire under yer ass, I can do that too." He just stared at her which made her smile inwardly and she raised her book to continue reading.

"What're you reading now?" Billy's bitter voice questioned and he pulled the book from her hands.

"Hey!" The blonde tried to protest, but grimaced as she reached for the book. She hadn't even noticed Billy approach. "Give it back Bonney!"

"I don't think so." The boy was smirking, that fire in her eyes fueling him. "Let's see what this one is... What the... Pride and Prejudice? Ain't this a love story? One of those gushy romances? Didn't take you to be into that tom-foolery."

A frown pulled at Kristal's lips, "there's more to it than that. It's overcomin' pride an' prejudice, thus the name o' the book ya ignorant asshole." She held out her hand, gaze sparking with untold irritation, expecting him to give it back.

The boy laughed, "well, in that case..." He started to hand it back before lifting it away from her again, and shuffling through it. "Can't believe you like this stuff. It's so very... Feminine of ya. Doesn't fit your rough and tough profile."

"'Cause you would know," Kris now growled. She was at a good part in the book and she wanted to read more. But this fool was harassing her.

"Ya know what I think?" Billy continued without missing a beat, waving the book in the air just out of reach, a smug grin on his face.

"No one cares what ya think, Bonney."

Billy ignored her. "I think, underneath that mean exterior, is a woman just dying to come out. One that likes pretty things and attention, affection, even...," he motioned to the book, "...romance!" He laughed still swinging the book just out of reach. "It's okay to admit it, Miss Starr. It's okay to be... dare I say it... girly."