Choices In Time

by Jeanette © 2001

Chapter V

Warning: This chapter contains mild adult content

New Orleans! The city that sits by the mighty Mississippi. Rich in culture and evergrowing pageantry. A booming city made prosperous by its abundant produce of tobacco, rice and cotton. It's shipping industry flourished mightily evidenced by the many vessels that traveled the path of the great river.

The steamboats that garnered her waters catered to the many Creoles, the wealthy of New Orleans society and others who came on board to enjoy the luxuries they had to offer. The food was great, the parties better, the women among the most beautiful in the South but it was the gambling that drew the many into her borders...

Lewis entered the finely decorated gambling hall on one of the most elegant, luxurious riverboats on the Mississippi, "The Southern Belle". Lavish was hardly the word to describe her. Catering to the most affluent of society, she lacked nothing of the finer things found anywhere. Crystal chandeliers adorned her ceilings, elegant wallpapered paintings imported all the way from France dressed her walls. Finely carved mohogany furniture from all parts of Europe found a home in her. The best china and silverware along with the best of New Orleans culinary and wine was also not lacking. She was a fine vessel indeed. The best of the best. Though she was a jewel on her own, "The Southern Belle" was better known for her massive gambling hall. A man or woman could find within her walls the most exciting and challenging of games and gamblers imaginable; poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, you name the game, you found it there. Her owner had obviously invested much into her and he cherished her more than even a woman. She was his life, his breath, his everything. It had been said he had betrothed her long ago.

"Lewis." greeted the dapperly dressed gentleman sitting behind the huge mahogany desk, his feet propped upon it. He was a handsome man. Younger than one would expect for the owner of such a fine ship. He was thirty-five years in age, dark curly hair, dark brown eyes and a killer of a smile. A man who was New Orleans bred and a former horse thief and cattle rustler; a man who in certain circles was known to have run with the infamous Jonas McBride. A man who knew no fear but put fear in the hearts of many.

"Glad to see you're back in town." he said as he tossed a golden coin in the air repeatedly. Lewis' eyes followed the golden piece as it ventured up and down once again into the grasp of its owner.

"I heard you were looking for me." Lewis replied. He stood confident before the intimidating figure.

"Yes, I was and now that you're here, I have a job for you." he stated sitting up in his chair.

A cocky glint, shone in his dark eyes. "Is it worth my while?"

"It can be, if you play your cards right."

"How much are we talking?" asked Lewis as he took a seat in front of Carson Moore.

Lewis had become a regular at Mr. Moore's establishement. Of course Carson had his suspicions about Lewis' great talents at the poker tables but he had grown to respect the rogue. Afterall, he'd never been caught cheating...yet. Carson appreciated Lewis' many abilities but his connections were worth even more. Carson had an agenda and time wasn't on his side.

"I'm sure you've heard that my good friend Jonas McBride has finally met his Maker." said Carson wryly.

"So I've heard. What does that have to do with me?" asked Lewis directly.

"My future. The future of The Southern Belle." Carson underscored, rising to his feet. "I ran with Jonas from the time I was a young lad. He found me cold, starved, half-naked. Took me under his wing like I was his own kin. Took care of me. He taught me just about everything he knew."

"Hmph, and now that he's dead where do you fit in?" Lewis asked smugly.

Carson snickered. "My place is here. My life is here. I have poured everything I have into making this riverboat the success that she is today. But you know Lewis, the funny thing about success is that it comes at a price and in my case it hasn't been cheap. I have greater things planned for her," he noted, taking a few steps behind Lewis, who eyed him as far as he could as he sat, his head unturned, "and I need the resources to accomplish my dreams."

"So where do all the pieces fall Carson? What are you up to?" Lewis questioned suspiciously. Lewis knew Carson to be a deceptive character. A man who's picture you'd most likely find next to the definition of ruthless. Lewis reckoned that's the way the man had to be to live the life he'd chosen to live. Lewis on the other hand was no fool. Though his life was filled with adventure, it was simple and worry-free, just the way he liked it. Being in the hire, more pointedly, under the thumb of a man like Carson Moore wasn't something he relished the thought of. And as Carson's reputation preceeded him, he was the type of man only a fool would double cross. What Lewis did like was a good adventure yet he wasn't one to put himself in the middle of a crossfire for anyone. He had survived this long by keeping one thing constant...he was number one on his list.

"I'm really honored, truly, that you'd consider hiring a man like myself to help you fatten your skimpy lot in this miserable world we little ones have the unfortunate circumstance of living in but, I'll have to pass today." Lewis rose from his chair, tipped his hat at Carson bidding him farewell. There wasn't anything that Carson could've offered, at least so he thought that would make him change his mind but as his hand reached the door knob he heard Carson call out to him.

"Before you walk out that door Mr. Lewis, would you be so willing to turn your back on this offer if I told you it paid five thousand dollars?"

A crooked smile formed on Lewis. He turned to eye Carson. "Five thousand dollars?" he asked with raised brows, his hand letting go of the knob.

"Do I have your attention?"

"How in the world are you going to pay me five thousand dollars?" he was curious, "Afterall rumors do have it you may be in some financial difficulty yourself?" he half-questioned.

"Hmph...people talk, you should now better than to believe everything you hear." he added, flipping the golden coin in the air once more. "The question is, does five thousand dollars appeal to you or not?"

Lewis walked back to his seat. "I must say, you do know how to make a man think twice."

Carson noting that he indeed garnered the interest of the younger fellow got straight to business. "My sources have informed me that you've recently returned from Rock Creek."

Lewis nodded. "About two weeks ago. Why does that interest you?"

"Because McBride's lawyer made a special trip to that little town of Rock Creek. He delivered Jonas' instructions to a fortune in gold hidden somewhere here in New Orleans. You have connections in Rock Creek do you not?" Lewis nodded. "Did you hear any such news while you were there?" Carson inquired with peaked interest but Lewis shook his head, his trip to Rock Creek had been cut short by the unfortunate brawl he'd been involved in at the saloon.

"I can't say I did. Didn't stick around long enough anyway." he admitted.

Carson knew that Lewis could be a valuable asset in his quest for Jonas' money and so was the lovely personal secretary to Mr. Mercer, Jonas' lawyer of many years. Charming as he was known to be, he never took no for an answer, gaining the young woman's confidence readily until he was able to get the valuable information on the trip to Rock Creek. Only the name of the recipient he wasn't able to obtain but all the same it was a start.

Carson turned to Lewis, still seated on the wing chair and tossed the gold medallion to him which he caught in mid-air with his right hand. He clutched the coin, the size of a twenty dollar gold piece. Lewis opened his hand and eyed the piece in curious wonderment.
It was solid gold for sure, he could tell by the weight, finely crafted, unlike any piece he'd ever seen.

"Know what that is?" asked Carson.

"Lucky charm?"

"In a way I guess you could say so." Carson remarked, taking his rightfull seat behind his desk. Lewis continued inspecting the golden piece and it's engraved markings. He inquired of Carson about them; a series of dotted and straight lines.

"What does it mean?"

"It's a map. Jonas' map to his fortune."

Lewis was puzzled. "If you have the map why don't you get the gold yourself? Why bother with Rock Creek?"

"Because Lewis...it has friends."

"You mean..."

"Yes." replied Carson at once, interrupting Lewis' thought. "I only have one piece of the trail. There are two others just like it. To find the gold, I need to find them, to find them I need to find the other two people that have them."

Lewis now understood why Carson was so interested in Rock Creek. "How do you know it's a map?" he asked doubtingly.

"Well let's just say Lady Luck was smiling on me I reckon." Carson uttered, a smile breaking his lips.

"Huh?"

"You know how things fall into play sometimes Lewis. You're a gambling man just as well. My motto is never bluff a bluffer unless you're damn good at it."

"You mean to tell me you got it off some loser at a table?"

"No. Not just any loser...a big loser. He got in while the water was hot and got skinned. He didn't have enough to cover his loses so he compensated me with that."

Lewis laughed, finding the affair ironic. "And your ties to McBride? Didn't he know?"

"Not many people do Lewis, and it has worked to my advantage so far." Carson eased back in his chair and took a deep breath. "You believe in destiny Lewis?"

"Not really. A man makes his own destiny, that's whay I believe."

"You could be right you know but sometimes things happen for a reason. I look at that map and I see my destiny. A future of bigger and better things and it is a fitting symbol of how I will attain it."

"I could see that only if you get your hands on that gold first."

"Oh I plan to. McBride will pay for his betrayal of me even from the grave."

"I gather you weren't on good terms with the old man Carson?"

"To say the least." he replied smugly. "We parted on relatively bad terms and swore we would not cross each other's paths ever again, or one of us would end up dead."

"Sounds like some really old wounds eating at ya." Lewis pointed out as he handed the medallion back to Carson.

"Right." he simply stated, not going into details of his past relationship with Jonas.

Lewis had one pressing thought, the most obvious he discerned. "Let me ask you, how do you plan on getting your hands on the other two pieces? You don't even know where to look. That means Rock Creek means nothing."

Carson gave Lewis a devilish grin. He leaned forward on the desk, his arms crossed, both elbows resting across a map spread on the platform. "Maybe not. But that gold is here in New Orleans." he pressed his finger on the map. "If I don't get to the missing pieces first, whoever does is going to need this piece." he emphasized, holding the gold piece between his thumb and forefinger. "And that means they have to come to me and when they do, I'll know exactly who they are and where my destiny lies." he ended as he tossed the coin on the fancy desk. It hit with a heavy thud as the incomplete trail that led to Carson's dreams and Lewis' reward stared at both men, beckoning a call of wealth and greed.

There was a knock on Victoria's bedroom door. It interrupted a letter she was busy writing. She placed the fountain pen back in the ink well as she rose to answer the door. It was Rachel.

"Sorry to bother you so late but I saw your light was still on."

"It's no bother really." Victoria smiled, as she invited Rachel inside. "I was up packing some things for tomorrow."

Rachel took a seat on the bed, her countenance draped with concern. Victoria noticed it right off. That was Rachel, always worrying about them. This little trip of theirs weighed heavily on her mind. She hated the fact that they would be away so far from home without the support or help of the family here. She didn't even want to ponder the dangers that would surely meet with them. Maybe she was worrying too much, but the thoughts had stolen her sleep right now. She sat on the bed, glancing over the few odds and ends that would soon find a spot in Victoria's luggage.

Victoria sat next to the stationmistress, taking a hold of her hand in comfort. "I know you're worried, please don't be. I know you think this is crazy me going along and all, but I have to Rachel. I know I'm by no means wilderness material but I'll be all right. I just can't stay here wondering what they're doing, wondering if they're okay or not. This is Jimmy's dream, it's important to him...so it's important to me." she said with heartfelt conviction.

"But you don't know what dangers you'll be up against. There are ruthless people out there that'll kill for so much money." underscored Rachel.

"I know, believe me I know it's risky. But, when I look at the boys, at Lou, I know where they've been, the hard road they've been made to walk." She stood, slapping her hands against her lap saying, "I've never had to fight for anything. Ever since I can remember I've had everything handed to me. The best clothes, the best schools, the best trips...everything." She turned back to Rachel, looking into her green eyes. "Most of my friends lacked nothing. I took that for granted because I never had a need to reach out for anything. Sure I felt pity for those I saw that weren't born in my status...I always wondered, 'Why me?' What did I do to deserve the life I was blessed with? My mother always told me that somethings in life just don't make sense. Wasn't she right. Dreams are what makes us human, aren't they Rachel? To reach out for them makes us whole. My money, all that I have, it was all given to me. It's not the case with Jimmy and the rest of the boys and Lou. Jimmy sees this money as a missing piece to his dream. A dream I want to be a part of. If getting that money is what it takes for me to have him...I will do whatever it takes because I can't live without him. He is my dream and I'm not going to let that go."

Rachel's heart went out to Victoria after such an impassioned plea. All she could do was sigh knowing full well that no words she'd utter would change Victoria's chosen course of action. "I must be getting old." she finally managed to say, standing up. "I remember being young and full of adventure, feeling I could go out there and conquer the world, tackle whatever stumbling block was set before me. Don't think I don't understand." Rachel empathized, placing an arm around Victoria's shoulder, her eyes glistening. She had become fond of the young woman and felt she was as dear to her as Lou.

"You're not old Rachel, you're a mother. To the boys, to Lou...to me."

Rachel's heart sunk. It wasn't because of sadness but honor. Honored that they all thought of her as a mother. These were her children. She loved each and everyone of them. Rachel felt her eyes well, and pressed her fingers against her lips trying to contain herself for she knew she'd fall apart. She managed not letting herself crumble. She looked at Victoria as she gave her an endearing pat on the back.

"Don't stay up too late."

"I won't."

As they walked to the door, Victoria knew that Rachel would worry regardless of how many assurances they could give her. The homestead was going to be one pretty quiet place without them. They shared a hug, bidding each other goodnight and soon Victoria heard Rachel enter her own room and the door shut.

Victoria returned to the vanity and resumed her correspondence, re-reading what she had written. The letter started...

"Kid! Could you tie down the trunk so we can get outta here." came the impatient yell from Jimmy. They were already an hour behind schedule and he wanted to get on the way.

"I'm coming!" retorted Kid with rope in hand as he approached the buckboard.

The rest of the Express family had gathered nearby to bid the traveler's a safe journey. Teaspoon charged the boys to take care of the girls or not bother to even show their tails back home. "You hear that Jimmy? You hear that Kid?" The old Marshal was just having some good ol' fun with his boys. Then in a most caring of tones told them, "You boys ride safe." They simply nodded at the fatherly tone.

Jimmy turned from Teaspoon and called out to the girls, "We better get going." They had been saying goodbye to Rachel for fifteen minutes already.

"Here." Rachel said, handing him a package wrapped in brown paper. "It's for Nathan."

"What is it?" asked Jimmy.

"It's some overalls and a little shirt with a matching cap. I thought it would be adorable on him."

"Ahh...Rachel...don't you think Nathan's a little too old to wear that sort of thing?" teased Cody.

"Hush you. It's for the baby!" she cried.

"Thanks, I'm sure Celinda will love it." Then urging the girls to get on board was interrupted once more by Teaspoon's "Hold your horses there Hickok! We've got us a present for your little nephew too." Jimmy regressed. Teaspoon, along with Noah, Buck and Cody each handed him a small parcel.

"What's all this?" he had to ask regretfully.

"Toys Hickok!" cried Teaspoon. "A boy little Nathan's age needs a healthy stock of toys, you know, to build the imagination."

Jimmy sighed, shaking his head as he placed the armful of small packages into the wagon.
"Can we go now?" he asked, his patience running thin. Kid had finally finished tying the trunk and Jimmy's palomino to the buckboard and at once, they said a final farewell, wishing them a safe return. Lou and Kid rode on their mounts while Jimmy and Victoria would travel in the wagon. He snapped the reins and soon the wagon started off as a rain of waves and good-bye's rang through the homestead once again.

The trip to Nathan's and Celinda's would be two days long. They had ridden for most part of the day due to their late start and soon had to set up camp for the night. After dinner, the four friends sat about the fire, talking and laughing, enjoying the warmth on this cool night. Lou sat between Kid's legs, his arms draped around her as Victoria and Jimmy sat next to each other her arm threaded around his.

"I can't wait to see what New Orleans really looks like!" cried Lou.

Kid shared her excitability. "Yeah, ever since Ulysses mentioned New Orleans, I've always wanted to go."

"Who's that?" Victoria inquired.

"He was a friend we knew; a runaway slave." answered Lou.

"A runaway?" Victoria asked intrigued. This was one story she hadn't heard!

"Yes. When we lived back in Sweetwater, he rescued a young colt that belonged to us during a storm." Jimmy filled in.

"And Katy from a fire." added Kid, remembering how close he'd come to losing his faithful horse. "He was a good man."

"What happened to him?"

"Well he left for Canada." Jimmy started. "Said something about joining up with the underground railroad."

Victoria sat up with peaked interest. "The underground railroad?! That's the passage some have used to help slaves escape to freedom. There were rumors of its existance up North in certain circles but I never knew for sure."

A slight scowl appeared on Kid's forehead. "You know I don't agree with slavery but if you ask me, it don't matter how they're doing it. These abolitionists are making the problem worst."

Victoria sensed his disdain. "For whites?" she wryly asked. "When are you going to get it through your head Kid that you can't keep people in chains like animals. A man will fight for his freedom at all costs and it doesn't matter how he gets it as long as he knows he can."

Kid's voice became stern, the furrow in his brow deepened. "This country's on the verge of war because of what they're doing!"

"The abolitionists or the slave owners?!" she cried in retaliation.

"Alright you two." interjected Jimmy. He didn't want this seeming discussion to become another Kid/Victoria rift. They were both two impassioned people on opposite sides of a very sensitive issue. It was a wonder to Victoria how Kid and Jimmy ever became such good friends seeing they too had differing views.

Lou took the opportunity and broke the stiff silence that followed by asking Kid to go for a walk. He agreed, leaving the campsite to his friend and stubborn other half. He loved Victoria but boy could she get on his nerves sometimes.

"I did it again didn't I?" she pouted.

"What? I didn't notice anything?" teased Jimmy.

"I'm sorry. I just wish Kid would see our point of view. No man is any man's property. It's not right." she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I know." he comforted kissing her forehead. "But you gotta understand Vic; Kid was raised different from us. He was taught that slavery was okay. We were taught it wasn't."

"Your father, he was an abolitionist wasn't he?" her eyes looked up at his. "Many people admire him for the things he did." She paused, not really sure if she should ask her next question but gathering enough courage she finally dared, "How come you never talk about him?"

He sighed, shifting in his seat. "Victoria, my father did a lot of good things for other people, not his family. His mission in life was first. His family wasn't."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"What's in the past is in the past Vic. I can't change it. After he died, I tried to forgive him. I'm still trying. I don't know how Celinda has been able to. But, that's Celinda. Always the kind, forgiving woman she is."

"You always speak so fondly of her. She must be a remarkable woman."

"Yeah, she is remarkable. After all we went through she still saw the good in him." he replied softly.

Victoria rested her head on his chest, playing with one of the buttons on his shirt. Jimmy loved the feel of her simple touch. It made their love ever more real. Ever more sure.

"I hope she likes me."

"Who Celinda? Why wouldn't she? You're smart, and beautiful." he told her kissing her tenderly on the side of her head.

Victoria sat up to look at those brown orbs of his. "How do you know for sure?"

"Because I love you. That's all that matters." Jimmy leaned into her soft lips, kissing her slowly, carefully yet passionately. Victoria melted into him, his expressions spinning her head into a whirlwind of desire. She always felt such vigor, so full of life everytime Jimmy kissed her, she was convinced that his every expression, inculcated his love deeply within her. She slowly opened her eyes as they parted. Jimmy brushed the soft hair from her shoulder, bringing his hand to the back of her neck. He pulled her to him once more. This time, the kiss was fuller, more passion-filled. Victoria sensed that Jimmy strove to pick up where they'd left off that day out by the hothouse.

She pulled away from him, swallowing hard, trying to regain her breath. Her hands were as cold as ice; she was nervous. "I better...go see if...Lollipop is all right." she uttered, her breath still short. Jimmy just smiled, sensing that she wasn't ready for another try.

Victoria rested her hand on his shoulder, pushing down on it as she raised herself to her feet. Jimmy let out an uncomfortable whince as she'd put pressure on it.

"Jimmy, is that shoulder still troubling you?" she asked with concern.

"Ah Vic, it's just a little sore." he replied, minimizing the pain that shot through him.

"That's what you've been saying for the past week!" she scolded, recalling the day he'd been thrown off breaking in the new stock. Victoria knelt directly in front of him, slightly shaking her head disapprovingly.

"You men..." she sighed, exasperated. "Let me take a look at it." she said, kneeling right before him as she hesitantly brought her hands to the buttons of his black patterned shirt. She continued on as she undid the first button. Her eyes glanced up to his and his stare made her uneasy. She began unbuttoning the second but felt his stare heavy on her, she couldn't go on, bringing her hands to her lap. She whispered, "Why're you staring at me like that?" not being able to look at him.

"Like what?"

She didn't answer just shook her head again bringing her hands to his shirt. Her hands though, shook nervously to the point where she couldn't get the button through the hole. Jimmy held her hands, halting her motion. His hands were warm and inviting.

"Why don't you let me." he offered.

Jimmy undid each button as her eyes followed the trail until his shirt was opened. He untucked it from his pants and thoughts of his body ran through her mind. It wasn't that she'd never seen him shirtless, but this wasn't the same feeling. She took off his shirt.

"Now what?" he asked, sitting there in his long john top.

Her heart raced. "Uhm...You-you have to take that off too." she answered. Her face was burning hot as she blushed immensely.

"Alright." he simply said. He hoisted his arms above his head, taking the top off. Victoria's eyes found full pleasure in his contoured physique. His chest was nicely defined, spotted with two dark, sensuous circles, his stomach like a washboard, his arms so toned. This was a very pleasurable but disconcerting situation. Kid and Lou could return any minute and what excuse would they possibly have? She tossed the thoughts aside, afterall, it was very innocent. They weren't doing anything.

"I-I have to put some pressure on your shoulder." she alerted as she moved behind him, placing both hands on his sore shoulder. Her hands were soothed by the warmth of his body, as she commenced the gentle massage on the injured area. He moved slightly at the discomfort but soon found the kneading technique begin to loosen the tightness he'd been feeling.

Victoria liked the feel of her hands on his bare skin. The smoothness of his skin, the peaks and valleys of his muscles. The imprints of his body she etched carefully in her hands. She closed her eyes as her pleasure mounted. She looked down on his neck and God!, she was dying to place a sensual kiss right there, on the crook of his neck but she was too scared. Jimmy was enjoying the massage but he reveled in her sweet touch more. He had no idea what he was doing to her!

"I've waited a long time to do this." she thought. She had indeed. She had been thinking about it many more times than she'd rather admit to herself.

After a few minutes of massaging both shoulders and neck, feeling how his body had come to relax she announced she was all done. She made herself stop. She knew she could've continued all night long and it was overwhelming her. Victoria began to ease up when he reached over his shoulder, taking hold of her wrist, making her kneel again. He turned slowly towards her, his eyes focused on hers, was led to ask in the softest tone, "Where'd you learn that?"

"England." she whispered weakly as he rose on to his knees, kneeling closely in front of her.

"I feel better already." he whispered back, his hands holding her mid-section.

There was silence. A hypnotic stare began weaving between them. He felt her breathing become hard, his hands resting comfortably on her torso, feeling each intense breath. He leaned into her, bringing his mouth to her neck, showering her with tender, seductive kisses. Her lips parted softly, her eyes closing in surrender as his lips traveled over her. He kissed her up to her chin and soon captured her mouth in a sensual kiss. She was being carried away, away to a place she'd never dared venture before.

She felt his fingers soon snap open the bottom button on her black vest, then the next, yet another, until the fourth one released the garment. She quivered. She didn't stop him, she didn't want to. Jimmy looked down on her bosom as it rose up and down, each breath more intense than the last. He felt her body tremble and brought his hands to her face as he kissed her again softly. Jimmy's own heart thumped wildly in his chest. Anticipation. Realization. Could this be it? He felt himself stir quickly to life. He wanted her so bad he thought he would break! He'd thought about this so many times it'd almost drove him insane. But now his patience would be rewarded for he knew she wanted him now just as much. He felt his desire in the pit of his stomach as his heart continued to thunder.

His fingers soon traveled to the buttons on her delicate white blouse, undoing each one carefully. He was nervous, though well hidden. He opened her blouse, his eyes touching her exposed skin. With opened hands he felt the softness of her satin lingerie down the sides of her body. Jimmy felt wanton pleasure that she'd allowed him to go this far. Victoria acknowledged it to herself too. She wanted it to go further yet a sense of uncertainty clothed her.

Jimmy's hands slipped under her blouse, sliding the garment off her shoulders, down her slender arms. Her arms tingled from his touch, her hairs rising to the occassion. Soon, he brought his mouth to her bare shoulder, kissing up to the crook of her neck, to her ear so softly, so tenderly. She felt all strength drain from her. She was powerless, like a fall leaf blown away by the gust of the autum wind.

"I want to make love to you Victoria." he uttered softly as their eyes met.

Victoria peered into his brown eyes, how they transcended into her soul. She loved him, she did. More than she could've ever imagined loving someone. She wanted to share everything with him. Not just her hopes and dreams, all of herself. The raging ocean inside of her beckoned for release. She looked at him again, her face flushed. It felt so right. So right.

"Okay." she agreed with a whisper.

Another kiss, fuller, impassioned, lasting, enveloped them as he positioned her on his bedroll, laying her back gently. She lay there so innocent, so pure. His hands met her shoulders as he once again caressed her slender arms. He leaned over her, kissing her mouth, his body beginning to find its place on top of hers, his scorching kisses venturing south from her lips, down her throat and soon to her heaving, thundering chest. She welcomed each one on her heated skin. Her fingers streaked through his hair as he continued on, the well inside her flooding and she couldn't stop now even if she tried. His mouth soon found the mound of her righ breast and Victoria sprang up from her bedroll, shaking like a leaf. She gasped for air, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of her. Her brow and hair were dampened by a cold sweat. She looked about her anxiously. Her eyes wide with fright.

There was Jimmy laying not far from her on his own bedroll and when he heard her gasp was at once awakened. He asked was she all right? She felt feverish, her face on fire.

"Are you alright?" he asked once more, noticing that it must've been a horrible nightmare that had disturbed her.

Victoria gave no response. She just looked over at Jimmy trying to gather her senses, the question he'd asked finally breaking through.

"Yes. It was just a dream."

Jimmy got up, wrapped himself in his blanket and sat with her. He cradled her in between his legs, wrapping her inside the blanket too. Victoria nestled comfortingly in his embrace. A thousand thoughts ran through her head but there was one thing she had to say, she needed to tell him.

"I love you Jimmy."

He smiled inwardly, finding the moment odd for such an expression. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I just wanted you to know that okay? With all my heart." she confessed, nestling closer as a child would, trying to find security.

"Okay." Jimmy held her tight. Whatever it was that roused her in such a manner must've been terrifying he thought but all he knew was that he had to be there for her. That was the important thing.

The following morning as she folded her bedroll, Kid approached. He noticed she seemed somewhat tired but in a deep pensive state. He called her name twice before she answered.

"What was that Kid?" she asked, trying to hush the voices in her head.

"I wanted to apologize for last night."

"For what?" Victoria didn't really want to get into this right now, she was rather irritable, the scenes of her dream last night flashing constantly in her head.

"We tend to get into these squabbles about who's right and who's wrong."

She had to gain composure, and just gave a loud sigh. She'd have to think about that dream later.

Kid continued, "I know we both have strong feelings for what we believe Victoria but we shouldn't let it get in the way of our friendship."

"What about if it can't be helped Kid? You've heard the reports. How this coming war is already turning brother against brother, father against sons, friends against friends. Both sides cannot win Kid. What's going to happen to us? Are we going to survive what's coming?"

"If we stick together...as a family...nothing, not even the hell of war can tear us apart." he tried reassuring her.

Her eyes were full of pain and uncertainty. She wanted to believe him but they were the perfect proof that sometimes the best of intentions could be undermined by one's strong beliefs.

She wished she had Kid's confidence and wanted to tell him so but reserved not to. She just smiled at him...her friend. If only things in life were so simple.

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