not_his_pa | Contention

The last days of the drive go by quickly enough, a heavy rain falls on the last day but they keep together. When they come in sight of Contention, Mark glances at his brother more, they've been here since it all got bad as they have to, but he worries. Their father was killed at the train station and he knows William saw it from the stockyards.

They're not the only herd coming into town and William ends up yelling and arguing before the stock is finally penned in.

Within sight of the stockyards, William finds a place for them to dismount and he leans against a hitching post, "I'll have to make the sale final and then I'll be able to pay you."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

luvs_yogurt

Michael does his best to mind orders and keep himself quiet - it doesn't take much despite the lingering watch he kept over the brothers through the ride.

He's gotta admit, it's nice to get away from the city again, away from what he knows lies ahead for him. At least here, with these good people, he can pretend that he won't have to make a very big decision any time soon.

"Don't worry about it," Michael stretches, giving him a stern look. "I owe you for what happened the other week." He doesn't want to say it in front of Mark, or Jack for that matter - but after William had his back in Miami, he couldn't take his money even if he needed it. "Or you can consider it payment for training me."

From:

jack_f_twist

Yep.

There's the rain, of course, pattering in heavy drops on his hat, soaking his shoulders and making it hard as hell to light his goddamn cigarette, considering his first match gets snuffed out and the second suffers damn near the same fate, no matter how closely he cups his hands.

It was a hell of job keeping the herds from mixing, and he'd gotten right in the thick of it, arguing with the other handlers until he's just about blue in the face and his voice has gone hoarse. Fuckin idiots, ever single one of 'em, it's the Chilean sheep up on Brokeback all over again.

They get them sorted out eventually, though, leading him to stand near the horses and try to light the fucking cigarette, glancing from Mark to Michael to William again, finally shrugging.

"Ain't worried on it none. Didn't come along for the pay."

Which might, he thinks, vaguely, beg the question of why he did, but ain't like anybody's exactly gonna ask him that here. Ennis ain't around; Sallie neither, and aside from them and maybe Hero, he couldn't say anybody else would care.

From:

not_his_pa

William feels awkward and goes off to take care of the money as Mark smiles at them, "Thank you. Will's not good at askin' for help but I don't mind. We needed you and know it ain't charity."

As the rain starts to slacken, a train whistle cuts through the air when William comes out the door.

He flinches at the sound before coming back over to them, "The hotel makes a good lunch and we've got enough profit to have it."

From:

luvs_yogurt

"Believe me, I wouldn't offer charity. Your brother did me a favor and to be honest with you, it's just nice to get out of the city for a while."

He offers Mark a soft smile, and the peers up at the drizzly sky before digging the zippo out of his pocket and leaning in close to Jack, cupping his hand over the flame as he lights it, hiding it from prying eyes that'd know it's out of place.

With a smile in his eyes despite the narrow line of his lips, glad to be rid of Jack's frustrated fight with the rain, he nods at William's offer. "Sounds like a pretty good idea to me."

From:

jack_f_twist

He gives Michael a nod of thanks; ain't like he minds his matches, much, but they can be a bitch in the rain and the Zippo's a hell of a lot easier to use.

"I could eat," he offers, with a cloud of smoke after a long drag and a crooked smile that flashes white teeth.

Not like it comes as a surprise: Jack can always put something away, even if he bitches the whole time about the quality.

From:

not_his_pa

Once he's sure the money's secure, William leads them and the horses over to the front of the hotel.

Its a half mile from the train station and fairly busy as the train's come in and all the drives.

Getting a table takes a little work but they find one and order, everyone's meal is the same and the coffee's warm.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Michael's not fond of crowds, especially crowds where a lot of people are armed. It's not unusual here, of course, it makes sense - but he's alert and ready to move if he needs to all the same.

After all the quiet time, it almost feels good to be ready warm again - like standing up and stretching his legs after sitting too long on surveillance.

"So, what's next?"

From:

jack_f_twist

"Gettin us 'n the horses back home, I guess."

Jack's kicked back in his seat, one worn boot crossed over the other, a tin cup of coffee in his hands. Blue eyes slide to consider William, while his free hand taps fingers lightly against his dirty jeans.

"What d'you say, boss?"

From:

not_his_pa

William takes a drink of his coffee as he thinks about that, one of the stables around here will probably provide a door. Its just he doesn't really want to leave Mark alone for too long.

Mark's frowning as he listens to some other cowboys sharing stories about what Ben Wade's done. When William notices, he spills some of his coffee, "Hell!"

"Will, what did you do that for?" Mark says and looks back over.

"Nothin'. Now I got to take care of these two, but you go to the general store and I'll meet you there."

"What do we need?"

"You'll see," When William finishes, he smiles at his brother and says his goodbyes to the others as William stands up. Once he sees that Mark's safely off, William takes them and the horses towards a likely door, "Don't know if this'll work but makes more sense that you'd leave here than at our place. Then Mark and I'll ride on home. Thank you."

From:

luvs_yogurt

Michael rolls with the routine, but when William says they'll ride back alone, his mouth draws up in a clearly unimpressed frown.

"It's a long ride, are you sure about this? I wouldn't mind riding back with you."

From:

jack_f_twist

It's not a bad point, considering how jumpy William is and how he keeps sending darted looks about them, like he's listening or looking for something particular -- or maybe some one, Jack ain't sure. Still, he shrugs, tips his head towards Michael.

"Might not be a bad idea. Ain't sayin you can't take care a yourself 'n your brother, but couldn't hurt."

From:

not_his_pa

"If you don't mind, mean this has taken up a good bit of your time. I was goin' to get Mark some rock candy and maybe somethin' nice for our Ma before we headed back with some of the profit. If you truly don't mind, sure Mark wouldn't,"

What's got him nervous is this is Contention and maybe someday he'll feel sure of himself here. At least the ride back should go faster without the herd.

From:

luvs_yogurt

The grim line turns up the corners of Michael's lips until it's nearly a smile and he reaches out to clap William on the shoulder.

"You ever known me to leave a job half done? You need me, I'm there brother."

It's a sentiment he's lax to use in front of Jack, but it's the truth, William's a good kid - a good man - and he'd follow him to Hell and back if need be. Not enough good people in any world.

From:

jack_f_twist

"Hell, it only makes sense."

That's Jack's take on it, anyhow, shrugging off any concerns, though his blue eyes twinkle in the shade under the brim of his hat. "Ain't like we're in a rush, exactly. May as well stick around and help out."

Hell, what's waiting for him back at the bar? Nothin. Even less in Childress.

"You got to do any kinda supply run while we're here?"

From:

not_his_pa

"We don't need too much just to pick up a few things that are harder to get in Bisbee," As they've been talking, one of the men who had been going on about Wade gets up to leave and stops. "Hey, boy, I know you. You rode with Wade through the railroad tunnel, few years back?"

William sits up straight and answers quickly and quietly, "My Pa and I helped transport Wade to the Yuma train, sir."

"Yeah, but you didn't let my boss in the railroad have him," He gets closer as William stands up, he's not as tall as the man but tries to look certain.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Even if he hadn't heard tone of the other man's voice, Michael would have been quick to respond to the sudden stiff readiness William showed before he pushed up on his feet.

Michael doesn't follow him up, he understands the importance of letting William stand up for himself without someone hovering over him as backup, but he does silently thumb open the snap on his holster and let his palm rest on the butt of the gun. His knees part just enough to set his stance to take out the guy's legs if he doesn't draw a weapon.

If there's going to be a problem, he's going to be ready. God help him if he draws a gun on William Evans.

From:

jack_f_twist

The unclicked snap is a familiar sound. It shivers into Jack's back like a dart thrown and stuck there, and someone watching him closely might note the sudden tension stringing through him like a wire, the way he shifts, just slightly.

It's not much. Just enough to remind the man that William might still be kind of a kid, but he's got two grown men here with him, and that Jack might not look like much, sitting there all slouched and half-sprawled, but he can sure give out a licking if he needs to.

Not like Ennis. Ennis was the one of them who went in swinging and came out last man standing, but Jack ain't bad, and he ain't that small, neither. Blue eyes watch the new man, keen, though his voice is lazy.

"We ain't got no business with you, mister. I suggest you keep it that way and keep on walkin."

From:

not_his_pa

The man ignores Jack and Michael focusing on William and pushing him, "Yeah, your Pa wanted his money real bad didn't he, too bad it got him killed."

"Don't you talk about my Pa, you don't know how it went down," William says as he clenches his hands into fists, he just wants to his this man and people are looking at them.

"Who says I don't, boy. Hell, most of Contention tried to kill your Pa cause Prince paid better."

As that's said, there's the whistle from a train and the man smirks before hitting William in the stomach.

Suddenly the hotel is full of people trying to find a place to watch the fight or get into it. William takes the punch before attacking the man, though he's smaller and gets hit more than he hits.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Michael glances at Jack and then nods toward the guy William's taking after as he rises to his feet. It won't take much to bring the guy down but he'd rather not blow his cover too badly either - brawling it is.

With swaying steps, he swings around the back of the larger guy to get away from William's fists and manages to grab the guy's off arm and wrench it hard behind his back. "I think you need to leave the kid alone." He growls in an authoritative tone before locking his elbow around the man's neck and applying just enough pressure to let him know he means business.

From:

jack_f_twist

Some guys just spoil for a fight. They go looking for 'em, go into a bar or a game or a dance just to come out swinging, which, to Jack, sure seems like a waste of liquor and football and a dance floor, but there's just no reasoning with some folks.

He ain't exactly a fan of fighting, himself, so it's a good thing Michael's around, a thought that'll make him grin later on, as this rolls across his memory, considering how he'd been grateful for the man's attitude but confused by his presence.

His spot is between William and the asshole pushing him around; Michael's at his back, and Jack shoves at the guy's shoulder, none too gently, pushing him away from William and towards Michael.

"You're lookin for a fight, bud, I c'n see plenty a folks here a hell of a lot closer to your size. Or are you just the kinda cowardly snake goes after a boy half your age?"

From:

not_his_pa

When Jack and Michael get between him and the man, William stares. He's not used to anyone fighting alongside him and the crowd starts to break up as the man grumbles, "What'd you pay 'em, Evans?"

Once William has his breath back to talk, he took a hard hit to the stomach, he says, "Don't matter. Come on, let's get goin'."

Mark's going to be looking for them and he was hoping that Michael and Jack wouldn't hear anything about how his family is thought of out here.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Part of him wants to snap the guy's neck - all it would take is to slip his elbow back and turn. But, a bigger part of him knows no life-or-death threat has been made and William wouldn't exactly be happy it happened... It's just not the way Michael is no matter what the file under his name says. He kills when he has to, and this one doesn't need to die. Not today.

For a moment, he looks William straight in the eyes, watching him closely as he tightens his forearm across the man's throat - cutting off his oxygen until he passed out.

"We're done here," he said quietly as the large man dropped to the floor. "He won't be out long."

From:

jack_f_twist

It's fuckin creepy as hell, is what is is, the way Michael just waits, watching William until the guy makes a weird little choking noise and slumps, like gravity's suddenly hitting him harder than the rest of the room.

"Shit," he says, looking down at the guy. "That really fuckin necessary?"

From:

not_his_pa

The way the man just drops is unnerving and makes William think about Katya with all her coiled power.

It takes him a moment to get his thoughts together as his stomach hurts and he can taste blood in his mouth.

As he's thinking, the hotel owner starts to come towards them and William swallows before heading to the door saying, "Sorry, we're leavin', hell."

From:

luvs_yogurt

Michael's attention turns to Jack - his cold eyes softening slightly when he replies with the slightest hint of regret; "I'd rather drop a man from lack of oxygen than beat him senseless."

He barely tosses a look over his shoulder when William turns to leave - following him without question. As far as he's concerned, the Evans boys are why he's there - and he's willing to go a hell of lot further than knocking a guy out to keep them safe.

From:

jack_f_twist

"Don't seem much point to droppin him at all," Jack mutters, but it's low, and mostly to himself, and he takes up the rear with a glance back at the owner that slants around the room, takes in the hardened eyes of the people standing by, watching them go.

Family trouble. Ain't nothin too new, but it mighta been good to know before, considerin they coulda got jumped at any point, here in Contention, over a squabble Jack'd know nothing about.

Not that he'd have to, but a man likes to know why somebody's takin a swing at him, most days.

Still, he clumps out after William and Michael, sparing a last glance before he slides a cigarette out from behind his ear, lights it on the way out.

From:

not_his_pa

Its old trouble and isn't usually this much of a problem.

Outside, he looks along the street but Mark seems to be in the general store.

So he moves between two buildings and leans against the wall, "I'm sorry. It happened a few years ago, but some folks just never forget."

From:

luvs_yogurt

"You don't have to explain yourself," Michael's quick to reply - thinking about the guy that jumped him in the men's room back in Miami. Not once did William question him - not about anything. "All that matters is someone tried to pick a fight and you stood up to him. Me and Jack had your back."

Again, his eyes dart back to Jack, searching for some sort of resonance in what he's saying but seeing only the twitch of his lips around the cigarette.

"I can go get Mark if you don't want to go in there."

From:

jack_f_twist

Jack sucks at his teeth, spits. Scuffs a derisive toe at the damp spot, like it might be that asshole's face.

"Ain't our concern," he says, brusque, but not unkind. "Your business's your business. Ours is workin for you til we get back."

And past that, sure. He likes the kid, all stubborn, fiery determination.

"Some people just make it a point a shovin their noses where they don't belong."

From:

not_his_pa

"I'll get Mark, but I should explain. You should know why it happened. A couple years back, Ben Wade and his gang stole the payroll from the railroad not far from our land. They briefly got away before being caught in Bisbee and he was goin' to be put on the 3:10 to Yuma from here. My Pa said he'd help take him for some money, they hid Wade at our place before leavin'. I went after 'em and it didn't go well. We passed the railroad tunnel, they were buildin' that back then, the foreman caught Wade when he'd escaped from us and were torturin' him. We got him away cause he was goin' to stand trail but Doc Potter got killed. Then when we got here, my Pa was the only one who would take him the last half mile, he told me to stay with the Pinkerton. I got out in time to see Pa get Wade on the train and then Wade's gang killed him. Wade killed his gang and got on the train."

He says all the words to the ground and quickly, telling this story never gets any easier and its harder being here.

From:

luvs_yogurt

Michael listens quietly, expressionless, as William tells his story.

It's not the worst he's heard, but it does make William's relationship with his father make a little more sense.

He shakes his head and reaches out to pat William's shoulder; "Thank you for telling me... us, I wish I could make it easier for you."