Young Guns: Fire and Steel

Chapter 14: The Whirlwind of Reaping

A day later, they were camped out in the wilderness, growing antsy. Billy had decided they were going to Lincoln to take care of Brady and his ilk. Doc and Billy had argued this fact, but Billy ultimately won. Now they were a day closer and settled in for the evening. The weather was starting to warm a little during the days now that it was mid April. But the nights remained chilly, so the group of Regulators settled around the fire.

The young blonde woman had taken up residence near a large boulder just barely along the edge of the fire's warmth. She preferred to keep her distance. She was still sore with them all and ignored Billy the majority of their ride.

The blond man she was ignoring was staring at her from across the way, being sure to keep his distance. Billy had a blue neckerchief around his throat to hide the small but deep cut the blonde had given him. He sighed and leaned back against his saddle to rest trying to keep the woman from his thoughts.

Steve and Charlie were off to Billy's left chatting about something they had seen in the newspaper. Apparently there was some kind of stage play in Santa Fe and the reviews about it were amusing the two. Laughter echoed out and Steve hit the paper in hand finding one of the reviews particularly funny.

Earlier in the evening, Chavez had disappeared into the night. Nobody knew where he went except that he didn't take his horse, so they assumed he was coming back.

The other blond in the group also eyed the woman, watching as she struggled with replacing the bandage on her shoulder. Doc hadn't really talked to her much since he had returned the day before. Though, Charlie had filled him in on what he had missed. He wasn't too thrilled knowing Billy had nearly killed Kristal, or the fact that Kristal had nearly killed Billy. But he had been grateful that she had returned Dick to them. It had meant a lot to him knowing his friend was laid to rest and he could pay his last respects. He had said his peace to his friend before they had rode out. He missed his friend dearly, quietly wishing he was still there, riding with them to help keep Billy in check.

Shaking his head, the man grabbed a bowl of the stew Charlie had made and stood up. As he approached, his shadow blocked her light and she looked up, expression dark. However, at the sight of him he noticed her visibly sigh. "Scurlock," her husky tone drawled. "Somethin' I can do fer ya?"

"Brought ya something to eat. Mind if I sit?" Doc held up the bowl and moved to sit at her nod.

"Obliged. But I ain't really hungry." The blonde was no longer looking at him. Her attention was back on trying to wrap her chest and failing miserably. It was difficult without the use of both arms.

"You haven't eaten since we left camp yesterday. You have to be hungry." He wasn't about to let it go. He was worried for her. She needed her strength. Chavez had told him she had been out cold for two full days and they had worried that she wasn't going to wake up at all.

Green eyes turned onto the bowl as Doc held it out to her. "Keepin' track o' m' eatin' habits, Doc? One might get the suspicion that ya care." At his indignant expression, she gave a soft chuckle and shook her head. "Fine. Let me finish this an' I'll eat a little. But I really ain't hungry. Kinda haven't been feelin' m'self lately."

Realizing she had been teasing him, Doc let go of her comment. Of course he cared. He hoped she knew that. However, the blond man then rose a brow, concerned. "Are you getting sick?"

Kris shook her head, "I haven't been sick since I was ten."

"If that's true, then what do you mean?" Came Doc's quick but concerned response.

The woman sighed and paused in her wrapping once again, "I really shouldn't have said anythin'... I've jus'... I dunno."

Something crossed her eyes, and Doc could almost swear it was sorrow, maybe even pain? "Kristal, you can tell me anything."