Young Guns: Fire and Steel

Chapter 25: Bath Time Musings and Wedding Preparations

Standing by the stables alone, contemplating how his life ended up the way it did, Steve patted the nearby horse's head. Movement caught his eye and he turned to see Chavez walking over. He nodded to the Mexican-Indian and then spat on the ground. "Damn good riding with you, Chavez." It was as much of an attempt to let bygones be bygones as Steve could muster.

Eyeing the dirty boy, Chavez nodded leaning against the wall near Steve. "Many nights, my friend... many nights I put a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. I'm glad I never killed you, Steve. You're all right." The dark haired boy offered a half smile and held his hand out.

It took Steve a moment to let Chavez's words sink in. Blinking he eyed the man, before shrugging. He took Chavez's hand into his own and shook it. "Yeah? You ain't so bad either." A crooked smile worked its way onto Steve's mouth and he nodded again to Chavez. Funny how life worked. He once considered Chavez a rival, now the half breed was a friend.

The two boys stood there as minutes passed on by. Both seemed content just to sit in each other's presence knowing their future remained dangerously unknown. Neither one admitted to the fear that gripped at their hearts or the comfort a friend held just standing side by side.

After nearly ten minutes had passed, Steve glanced at Chavez. The silence was starting to get to him and he began to feel awkward. He hated feeling awkward. It always made him ramble or blurt out things. "So... uh... I think there's something going on between Billy and Kris." And, he did it again. Blurting out the first thing on his mind.

Chavez startled at Steve's interruption of his peace and quiet. He then jerked his dark eyes on the dirty boy, "what? Why do you say that?"

Steve spat on the ground and shrugged, eyes going to the horse next to him. "I dunno. After I found them at the spring, they were acting strange." He then smirked remembering the best part, "and, Kris was only half dressed. She's got some damn nice legs-- Oooof." Steve felt the wind get knocked out of him after Chavez smacked him in the chest. "What the hell was that for?"

"Don't talk about her like that." Chavez practically growled.

"What? All I said was she has nice legs. Strong, muscled, good looking legs --" Steve grunted again at being smacked harder this time. "Will you stop doin' that." The dirty haired boy grumbled.

Chavez just glared at him before turning his eyes to the ground ahead of him. "I knew he went off to find her..." Chavez grumbled under his breath. "But why was she hardly dressed?"

"Took a bath. She was dripping wet." Steve clarified keeping a careful eye on Chavez to make sure he didn't get smacked again. "Figured when she heard me she high tailed it for a large tree and to get dressed? Maybe? I dunno. But Billy seemed a bit... strange, flustered? Not sure what they were up to before I got there."

"What makes you think they were up to anything?" Chavez queried still staring down at the dirt.

"You know, you all think I'm just some dumbass, but I see things." Steve said moving to scratch the horse's neck. "The ground was soaked through near where Billy was standing. Figure Kris must have been standing there long enough for it to get so wet." He glanced at Chavez and frowned a little seeing the hurt on the Mexican's face. "I ain't sure what they were doing, but when Kris came out from behind that tree she couldn't even look at Billy and her face was redder than a tomato."

"You think they... did something?" Chavez queried slowly, his voice soft and uncertain.

Steve's frown deepened as he watched Chavez's shoulder's slump. "I ain't sure. It just seemed very... suspicious how they was acting."

"I see..." Chavez breathed and pushed away from the wall. "I think I'm gonna go for a ride. Make sure no one is out there looking for us." He started for the stables to retrieve his horse and halted his step halfway. "Steve... thanks..." He then continued his trek inside.