Mister Quaid: 1800s: I Will Always Find You... (WLW)

Part One, 1873: Chapter Eight

August 30th, 1873, Outskirts of Yellowstone, Hendrix Homestead

Alice's eyes fluttered open as the first morning light flooded into the room and she twirled her fingers along something familiar. She always seemed to wake with something twirled around her fingers. Her body was as stiff as a board, yet warmed by someone sleeping beside her. Turning her head toward the person, she found Pete resting at her side, her face mere inches away. Pete mumbled in her sleep and ran her hand unconsciously up and down Alice's shoulder. She glanced down to her hand and found part of Pete's pullover string wrapped around her fingers like she'd been playing with it in her sleep once more.

Letting her shirt go, Alice stared at her and took in all the small details of her face. While from afar Pete could be described as somewhat handsome, yet still quite average, from up close she was actually rather breathtaking. It was strange, but something about Pete had changed in Alice's mind. Something she had never really noticed and was for some reason still unknown to herself. She raised her hand and brushed the backs of her fingers through her unruly blonde hair and smiled when a lazy grin stretched across Pete's face.

She had bruises along her right eye and the side of her chin was swollen, but she was alive. She was okay and in one piece.

Alice felt a twinge of pain resonate from her abdomen and through her belly letting a small whimper escape her lips. When she made the sound, she cupped her hand over her mouth and peered back up at Pete, but she looked no worse for wear, considering they were both in tatters. She grunted, rubbing her cheek along Alice's shoulder and wiggled her nose as her long, dark locks tickled it. Alice suppressed a chuckle and went back to playing with her hair.

What am I doing? She is not a man.

She pulled her hand back and gazed up at the ceiling, but the pull to look at Pete was too great, too enveloping. Turning her head back toward her, she looked over her face once again. There was a small cut under her bottom lip that looked as if it were a bite mark. Her eyelashes, long yet not as thick as her own, moved as her eyes roamed the landscape of her dream. Little beads of sweat glistened on her forehead and Alice fought the overwhelming urge to brush them away.

What had gotten into her? Pete may have worn mens clothing and passed for one very well, but she wasn't one. Although, she sounded more like a man than a woman by the way she described herself, her feelings, to her on their first night at the homestead.

Maybe she is a man, maybe she is not, but... What is wrong with me? What would Walt think if he could see me now?

There were so many new emotions broiling just beneath the surface and she couldn't make sense of a single one of them. Something about Pete, not just her life or their adventure, and it had been quite the adventure, was so...alluring. Not because it was so different or something to be considered abnormal, unless there were more than just two women in the world who adopted the persona Pete had which she was sure there had to have been, but because it was the exact opposite. Everything about Pete completely fit her. She carried herself with natural prowess and the confidence it made Alice more intrigued than anything.

Pete was kind, but hardened by the world. A fierce protector, yet unforgiving with those who crossed her. Loyal, but not to a fault, and so headstrong Alice found herself worrying for her well-being. How would she go back home knowing Pete was out in the world risking her life every single day? How could she just forget her once their journey was done? Did she want to forget her or did...did she want more? More of what, though...?

Alice needed to know more. It wasn't a matter of aimlessly wanting anymore. She needed to know so much about Pete. What was it that drove her to take on her guise? Why was she so hardened? Who had hurt her enough in the past to scare her from making any further connections aside from those she already carried? Could she ever fully trust Alice?