Anything Could Happen

[Elegant Ella]

Ella resumed the morning bandage change round that had been interrupted by Black Wolf's arrival.  She showed no sign of hearing Andrews continuing to moan and carry on about how much he was suffering.  Sean and the other two troopers who were ambulatory were eager to help, and quick to fetch water or anything else Ella needed.  Ella thought that they seemed embarrassed by Andrews.   

Ella left Andrews for last.  His leg wound was healing well.  The lack of any other bullet wound suggested that his horse had thrown him when the attack started. 

She went to the smaller room to check T.J. and John Smith, then to the cells to care for the prisoners.  After she finished, she went looking for Tensleep to ask him about the prisoners.  If Tensleep didn't need them, it would be easier on the wedding preparations if the prisoners were remanded to Army custody. 

[Tensleep]

"I love you too darlin'," Tensleep said as he pulled Becca down onto his bed. She sat at his side looking into his eyes, they showed her he meant every word that he had ever said to her.

"I'm 'bout ready to get myself up and goin' again. Got things I need to check on." His grin told her he was feeling better, his hands on her back made her tingle.

"If you see Ella would ya ask her to come see me?" The marshal winked and pulled Becca down for another kiss. "Think yer gonna like bein' called Miz Ross?

[Scarlet Angel]

Rebecca sat up and smiled while she looked like she was giving that some thought.

"Haven't given that much thought, folks mostly call me 'Becca...think I'm gonna go write it out a few times, see how it looks, let it sink in." She said teasingly.

Truth was she had already doodled on the back pages of one of the ledgers at the Ace. Hank had come out of her office asking if he could have a word with Mrs. Rebecca Ross.

"Oh" she said as she stood "Hank volunteered to be in charge of the "losing two more to matrimony" party." Rebecca chuckled. "Scarlet and I told him that was up to the men, we just requested nobody be hung over at the wedding. I think he'll be out here sometime today to see you and Fritz about it." 

Rebecca made her way to the door opening it just as Ella was getting ready to knock.

"Tensleep was hoping to see you." She said to Ella.

[Elegant Ella]

"Hi, Becca," replied Ella.  "I had completely forgotten about getting your wedding dress done.  Maybe I'll have some time once the Army takes some of their troopers back to the fort to finish hemming it.  And speaking of the Army taking patients away, Tensleep, is there any reason for us to keep the outlaw with the blown-up hand?  And what about the fellow that TJ was protecting?" 

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz stood back and looked.  "Finished," he said, to no one in particular.

The buttons cleaned up as well as the shoulder scales.  With those in place, the uniform was dazzling.  The leather was buffed, the uniform brushed.  All of it hung neatly on the door.

Scarlet moved in quietly behind him.

"My, you clean up well!"

[Elegant Ella]

"By the way, are we claiming any bounty on those outlaws?  We haven't taken the time to go through wanted posters to identify them.  I expect the survivor might be able to help put names to the rest of the band," continued Ella.

[Tensleep]

Tensleep sat up on the side of his bunk and had that far away look in his eyes that both women had seen before.

"I suppose that we should let the Army take what is theirs, that fellow with the blown up hand belongs to the Army by all rights too. I don't know 'bout tha feller TJ was coverin' for....

As for the reward money, I'll hafta look into that, plenty of paper ta go through if Patches ain't done it yet."

The marshal had slipped back into the western vernacular that was familiar to them both. It was sometimes hard to tell what kind of education he had. Most thought that he was a range bum risen above his station, but in court or in guarded moments his speech was of the best.

"Ella what I need to know is when tha devil can I git my sorry carcass up an' stir around, this leg is feelin' better ever' day. I need ta take care o' some bidness." He winked at Ella. "Got stuff ta do, hosses ta ride, sights ta see..... ain't gonna be ah free man much longer." The look with the crooked grin went to 'Becca this time.

[Elegant Ella]

"As long as you keep that bandage dry, you can do anything your leg will let you do," replied Ella.  "I'll ask Patches and Bill to talk to the prisoner about names right away, and I'll go through the posters to find the other three who tried to capture me.  The Army ought to show up pretty soon."  She failed to suppress a yawn, "And then I can get my nap.  Once John Smith is in the Army hands, I can go back to sleeping at night, instead of eating supper as my breakfast and breakfast as my dinner.  Blue Feather, Smith and TJ were the most worrisome cases, keeping me watching over them at night because fever most often strikes then."

[Tensleep]

"You head on out Ella, I'll call ya when the Army gits here. I need to send a wire ta Wichita Falls, one ta Tascosa an' one ta Ft Worth. I'll see what Patches an' Bill can do. Is Johnnie out there?

"Come on sweetheart," He stands and taking Becca's hand. "We are goin' for a walk an' git some air while Ella rests some."

[Scarlet Angel]

'Becca stopped in front of the mirror and mocked fixing her hair. "Alright Darlin' I'll walk with you for a while but then I got my own business ta tend to before I got a husband ta answer to." She said flashing her own wicked smile at him.

Becca then turned to Ella "Scarlet told me she'd asked you awhile back to be in the wedding party, it would make me so happy if  you stood with me as my matron of honor."

[Elegant Ella]

Ella stood shocked for a moment, at a loss for words. Then she regained her composure and answered, "Of course I will be honored to stand with you.  Thank you so much for asking."

[Scarlet Angel]

The smile in Scarlet's voice told Fritz whatever she'd been up to for the last few hours she'd enjoyed it. She and Jimmy had disappeared shortly after Black Wolf and had been gone all morning.

Scarlet caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror; the tiny spatters of mud on her face she guessed was from chasing the horses by the watering hole. The blood on her shirt was from helping Jimmy pull the unfortunate outlaw from the booby trap she had left set at the line shack.

"But I'm a mess." She half smiled looking back at him. 

[1stSgt Fritz King]

He turned and took her hands.  "No...you're beautiful."

Scarlet blushed a little bit.  "You're silly...but sweet."

Fritz ran a hand across her cheek.  "Just as you are.  No compromises.  I love you, with the mud, and the blood...and the light in your eyes."

She leaned forward, kissing him gently.

"I don't want to wait a moment longer.  Please marry me." 

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet looked at him surprised, she didn't know what to say. She cupped his cheek and smiled. "I think you shall never cease surprising me Fritz. The wedding is only a few days away." She kissed him gently again "and my mother has not banished you from my room again that I know of."  Scarlet stepped back and looked at him. "You've always known how to get the attention of  that rebellious side of me that mother says makes her hair grey Darlin'. And with the Army only about twenty minutes out, they would keep folks busy for awhile.

Fritz could tell by the look on her face she was fighting temptation.

"You'll get plenty of the mud and the blood and the light in my eyes after we are married. The light you will put there, the rest is just what comes along with me." She stepped close enough they could feel the warmth of one another's bodies as she spoke softly. "Our courtship has been...." She was trying to think of the right words "unique from the very beginning."  She grinned "the only thing I may change is the blood shed, perhaps not, maybe that's part of what bonds us so close, we know what it would be like if we were to lose one another." She laced her fingers between his "Our life together will be unique because of who we are and what we do.

I would like for us to have a normal wedding; or as normal as a wedding here can be. I am looking forward to seeing you in that uniform and I am looking forward to putting that wedding dress on for you, exchanging our vows in front of witnesses, then going where ever it is you are planning to take me and showing you the passionate creature who's heart is forever yours." 

She gently caressed his face feeling guilty for suggesting him to wait after what he'd said.

"Would you really prefer eloping now and listening to your mother-in-law screech at you when she finds out?"

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Deep down, he knew she was right.

Okay...I'll wait," Fritz said.  "But I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve."

Scarlet slid her hand down her throat seductively, and opened the top button on her blouse.

"If you're a good boy, I might let you open something early." 

[Scarlet Angel]

She took a deep breath causing her shirt pull tight against her skin and gave him an alluring smile.

"I wouldn't want you desiring affection at the party Hank is throwing either as I'm sure it will be something else."

They could hear someone coming up the stairs, then a light tap on the door. "Fritz Army is coming down the road. In case you want be down there." It was Jimmy's voice.

He didn't wait for a response just kept going to Ella's room then tapped on her door.
"Army will be here shortly Ella." He waited to make sure she had heard him.

Scarlet kissed Fritz sensually. "Somethin' for you to look forward to coming back to later Darlin'."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet stepped back the most wicked smile parting her lips. "You had best go while you can make it out the door fully dressed. Just wouldn't do if any body requested to see you and that mischevious woman you live with wouldn't give yer clothes back."

She looked him up and down. "You should really have a talk with her about doing that ya know, although I can see why she does it." Scarlet giggled.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz pushed the door closed.  He unbuckled the prairie belt, and hung it on her bedpost.

"I don't want to go to a party.  I have all I need right here."

He grabbed Scarlet by the waist, pulling her close.  Their bodies radiated heat where they touched.

"And as far as the Army goes...I'm recuperating from my wounds."

He flicked the second button of her blouse open.  Her chest heaved.

Fritz smelled roses.     

[Elegant Ella]

Ella had not intended to fall asleep when she laid down to rest for a few minutes, but she had been going short on sleep for several days now.  With the Army taking away half of the patients, and the critical cases all out of danger, she should be able to return to a normal sleep cycle tonight. 

It took a few minutes before the sound of Jimmy knocking on her door penetrated enough to rouse her, and then another minute for her to wake up enough to respond, "Thank you, Jimmy".  She drank a glass of water, and checked the mirror.  She wanted to look smart and professional when she met the Army doctor, so she changed her waist, put her pockets on, and changed to a walking skirt.  She repinned her hair, and covered it with a white bonnet. 

[Scarlet Angel]

The army was just reaching the edge of the out buildings when Ella came down stairs. She looked at Jimmy  surprised they weren't closer.

"Scarlet and I passed 'em coming back. Army has orders to stay on the road, we don't." he chuckled.

The riders were told to stop near the infirmary. The men dismounted and waited while Ella approached.

Ella recognized the doctor, who was looking around curiously,  by Scarlet's description.

The doctor smiled politely at Ella as she approached. Scarlet had only said their healer was a woman and her name was Ella. He assumed the young woman approaching was the healer's assistant.

"Hello, I am Dr. Griffin. Is Ella inside?"  He said.