- START -

They stepped out of the town hall, after the twenty minute visit with the territorial judge. The wedlock didn't last long, the court recorder doubling as the witness to the union. Both Eve and the gunslinger signed on the paper, ratifying the marriage. After the legal union was done, they left, leaving the court behind them.

"We need to go to the bank" Eve said, and the gunslinger nodded. His chalk and chalkboard were with him, but he didn't bring them out unless he really needed to. They walked down the dusty town road, across the street to the only bank in town.

First Territorial Bank Of Bisbee

The gunslinger was about to enter when he realized he was alone. He looked back and saw Eve standing before the building, looking at it with a tear in her eye. The gunslinger walked back to her, looking at the building, remembering what she said about her first husband and child. He took her hand, and held it with both of his. He couldn't say anything, but she got the message, and Eve continued into the back with the gunslinger.

An hour or so later, the gunslinger left, with a smiling Eve. They walked back to Pips, who was teethered to the front of the court. He neighed at the gunslinger, rubbing his muzzle on his master's arm. The gunslinger petted the horse, showing affection as he rubbed Pip's nose. Eve looked up to the gunslinger, silently for a moment, then she spoke.

"Thank you for all you've done. I know that this isn't for love or affection, but, if you ever do finish your quest, and find yourself lonely, come looking for me." Eve saw him staring at her with those blazing eyes, ones that sometimes held hate. They held something else this time. "You might even need another patch-up job." The gunslinger gave her a rare smile, and helped her onto Pips as he led them back to the house that they now owned.

The day hadn't gone long when they arrived, the sun now starting it's lowering faze. Eve, Pips, and the gunslinger walked slowly, knowing the ending time had come for them all. The gunslinger helped the old nurse down, as she smoothed her skirts after she landed. The ex-lawman fiddled with one of the saddlebags, and pulled out two objects. One was his holster, with it's shootin' iron. The other was a letter. The gunslinger gave the latter to Eve. He handed it to her, with a kiss on her cheek. Then, he saddled up on the horse, fixing the holster on his belt. Eve watched him trotting off, looking back once, with his shadow growing longer.

Unable to help herself, Eve opened up the letter, it's envelope addressed to her.

-Dear Eve,

I wanted to thank you again for your help. I know that you did it from the kindness in your heart. I myself have little left in me, but should I finish what I started to do, maybe we can meet under better circumstances.

I hope not to make you a widow again.

Yours truely,

Your new husband, Patrick.

Eve looked up again, swearing she could still see him off in the distance. She wasn't much of a jilly, but the fancy took her. She stood there, holding the letter, and looking off in the distance, and the small hope that one day, she could see the gunslinger again.

- END -

01/08/2004

Author's Note: Explainations: territorial judge - usually laws voted for by the citizens of a city or county, an elected official would uphold them. territorial bank - banks usually held moneies through property values and mineral rights in the regions they served. jilly - (slang)someone who is often taken with flights of fancies

Posted on 01/08/2004
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