The Devilstone Registry: Female Troubles (8/10ish)
Length: 6,927w
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this, and since it takes place in like 1875 it obviously didn't happen. If one of the idols tells me they don't want to be in fiction I will change their character name to Lars and call it a day.
SUMMARY: Shortly after the Civil war, a meteor crashed into Devil's Tower and the earth began to change. Strange creatures roamed lands once safe except for the occasional rattlesnake. A new ore, Devilstone, was discovered, with truly unbelievable properties. Some folks thought it was the end of the world. Some folks thought it was a new beginning. Some folks turned tail and fled. A few years have passed since the Great Trembling, and a small town has sprung up outside of Deadwood to house the miners and adventure seekers that have come for the Devilstone and the monster-infested Badlands. One of these men is Dr. Adam Lambert, PHD in the new field of Abstract Science. To watch over his valuable inventions and keep him safe on expeditions, he has hired the famous gunslinger, Kris Allen, better known as Arkansas to his face, or Krissy the Kid behind his back. The two men form a fast friendship as they round up evil-dooers, battle real-live nightmares, and make a few important discoveries about Devilstone, the human heart, and each other.
Awww, shucks, that made me cry.
TL;DR: OLD WEST BUT WITH STEAMPUNKY MAD SCIENTISTS AND HORROR SHOW CREATURES.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for waiting, y'all! I had unexpected company over the weekend. But it's up now, thanks to a late night beta by janescott If you've been enjoying the story, leave me a comment! I'll always reply! Oh, and lyrics at the end are from a traditional cowboy song. I didn't make them up. Also, sharp-eyed readers might notice the "ish" next to the ten again. That's not a promise, it's just a guess.
BIG NEWS YOU GUYS! Someone over at the ontd_ai_gives community is offering to do fanart for donations! Wouldn't it be cool to see some scenes from Devilstone illustrated? Click here for details on this awesome cause, and I would love anyone forever who does this. I am unemployed, and already donated once this week. I WILL do it again as soon as I get more cash, but I thought I'd pimp it to you as well!
OK ON WITH IT!
Prologue:
Kristopher Allen loves Katy O’Connell
They were supposed to be practicing penmanship by copying sentences from the board and critiquing each other. When Katy saw what was written on the slate, she blushed a deep shade of crimson. All her friends teased her about having to share a slate with a boy, but there were odd numbers in the class and Miss Abdul had pulled her aside and asked if she would mind sharing with Kris, since he was the smallest and therefore the least threatening.
“So how’s my handwriting?” Kris asked, smiling at her. His eyes were big and brown and soft, and they twinkled mischievously. She could tell he was teasing her, but his eyes revealed something else too - that he was honestly hoping she might feel the same way.
“It’s awful,” she said honestly. Kris’s face fell, and she instantly regretted her choice of words, even if it did look like he wrote the message with his toes. “Your letters should look more like this.”
Katy O’Connell loves Kris Allen
She wrote, watching his eyes light up as he read the message.
“Katy.” Miss Abdul said, and Katy snapped to attention. “Why don’t you pass your slate around the room? You always have such nice handwriting.”
“I..I,” Katy stammered, feeling her heart race.
“Go on, don’t be modest,” Miss Abdul said. “Bring it up front and pass it around.”
Katy rose obediently and held out her hand for the slate. Kris moved to hand it to her, and Katy could swear she saw him wink. At the last second, he dropped the slate. It fell to the ground with a loud crack and broke into two pieces. Katy gasped, and a few of the smaller children “ooooooo’d.”
“Kristopher Allen!” Miss Abdul said, angrily marching to their shared desk. “How could you be so careless?”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. It just slipped out of my hands,” Kris said, wincing at the smack of the ruler on the back of his hand. Tears pricked at the corners of Katy’s eyes. He had dropped the slate on purpose just to spare her the embarrassment of showing it to her classmates, and now he was getting punished for it.
“Clean it up, Kristopher,” Miss Abdul said, returning to the head of the class. “See me at the end of the day. I’ll send your mama a note about replacing the slate.”
Katy waited for him behind the schoolhouse, waving to her friends. They all giggled at her. Katy flushed, but she didn’t care. Kris had been brave for her, she could be brave for him.
“Friends leave you behind?” Kris asked, slowing up when he saw her. “Go on ahead, Charles. If Katy’s by herself, I should at least walk her home,” he added, dismissing his best pal with a wave of his hand. Charles snickered too.
“He shouldn’t laugh,” Katy said, mildly annoyed. “He walked Mildred Thomas home all last month.” Kris didn’t say anything. Katy got nervous. When she was nervous, she talked. “I hope your hand doesn’t hurt. And I hope you don’t get in too much trouble with your momma. I…I have a nickel in my dresser at home. I could give it to you for the slate.”
“You don’t have to give me nothing,” Kris said. “But I have something I’d like to give you.” He held out his hand, fist clenched. She presented her palm, and into her waiting hand Kris dropped a small black fragment of the broken slate. “So you don’t forget,” he added.
“I won’t.” Katy said, feeling her heart rush. “Not ever.”
***
The Tale:
“Talk to me,” Adam said, laying his chin against Kris’s bare shoulder, inhaling deeply.
“Do I still smell?” Kris asked, wrinkling his nose. As soon as they had returned home, Lil had sent him to the bathtub with six jars of canned tomatoes. Adam had given him a thorough scrubbing, joking that he owed Kris a bathtime rubdown anyway.
“Mmm, like sweat and tomatoes,” Adam said, sniffing again. “I should sprinkle you with oregano.”
Kris chuckled, planting a kiss on his nose. He began his tale, filling Adam in on the details of the adventure. How the town had rallied around him, how the church ladies had prayed and baked, how Danny’s tribe of orphan children had brought pictures they drew of Adam for “missing” posters. He tried not to spare a detail, watching Adam’s eyes rapt with attention as he soaked up all the information and made connections. Kris wondered what it must be like to possess such staggering genius, feeling like Adam was thinking about at least fifteen things at once without losing track of anything.
“Now tell me yours,” Kris said, lacing his fingers lazily though Adam’s. The sun was just beginning to rise, and the sleep that he had managed to get, while brief, did his body a world of good.
“Well, you know when they kidnapped me, and how. I assume Scott told you,” Adam started, kissing Kris’s neck and inching himself closer so that their bodies were comfortably fitted together, like spoons in a drawer.
“Yeah, that part I know. I guess what I meant was … were you treated ok? They didn’t … hurt you or nothing?” Adam abruptly stopped kissing his neck and tensed.
“What did that bastard say?”
“He made it like he’d … forced himself on you, that is to say, what you and I do.” Kris swallowed hard, clutching Adam’s hand tight against his chest.
“Shh. He didn’t do that. Threatened to … I think he wanted to. But they didn’t want to risk my co-operation. They just wanted to scare me. They said all sorts of horrible things to make me work faster. Said you weren’t coming for me.”
“I don’t know what I’d do if he’d touched you,” Kris admitted, letting the tide of fury recede. “But Adam, of course I was coming for you. You had to know that.”
“I know they had your … the woman you’ve been looking for. Ten years is a long time to want someone, Kris. Didn’t you save her first?”
Kris closed his eyes a moment, hesitating.
“I sent Mac and Megan after her. Allison went too.”
“You didn’t go yourself?”
Kris swallowed as a wave of guilt washed over him.
“Should I have? It wasn’t easy for me to let them go in my place, but I couldn’t ride out after you both. It would have taken too long.”
“Why me?”
“Adam …” Kris said, shifting on his side so that their chests were close. “Do you really need to ask?”
“No, but I really need to hear.”
“I love you.” Kris slid his hand along Adam’s bare side. Adam still watched him. Clearly Adam was not willing to let the matter rest. “Adam, I loved her once. I’m sure you’ve loved before too. I spent a good chunk of my life thinking she was out there somewhere. It was hell. Nothing tasted right, sleepin’ didn’t bring me any rest. Hell, the sun might have refused to shine and I wouldn’t have paid it any mind. But a man can only go on like that for so long before the hurt starts dull into an ache. Once you let it scar over, it doesn’t hurt so much. I won’t deny that I’d like to see her again, that I care about her. Still love her in a way, part of me always will.”
“They told me you’d go to her. That if I didn’t build their bomb they’d ambush you, kill you. That if I did, they’d let you have the life you always wanted, that you were trying so hard to have. Don’t you think that once you see her -“
“Adam,” Kris said, taking Adam’s face in his hands. “Those men don’t know jack shit.” Kris pressed his lips against Adam’s softly, relaxing into the kiss as Adam opened his mouth. Kris rolled forward so that he was laying on Adam’s chest and sighed happily into Adam’s mouth. His eyes drifted closed as he mouth drifted lower, planting small kisses along Adam’s jaw. "Can't think of anything else with you here like this. Enough serious talk."
“Didn’t think I’d ever taste you again,” Adam mumbled as Kris’s lips grazed his throat. “Thought I was going to die.”
“Some genius you are,” Kris said, sliding his spit-slicked palm between their bodies and settling himself between Adam’s legs. “Think I’d let you go without trying this at least once?” Kris gasped as he watched Adam shift to accommodate him, smiling like a schoolgirl with a secret.
“Suppose I’ll let you, just this once,” Adam said with a low, throaty chuckle, but Kris was too lost to notice the joke at his expense.
***
Kris rose from the bathtub, glad that his skunk-scent was barely discernible. He pulled on a fresh set of clothing and sighed, content with the world. Adam had gone back up to the lab to work on repairing Scott’s goggles. Much like the skunk smell, Kris felt that the malodor of recent events was beginning to fade, leaving him with the tentative sensation that things were starting to go back to normal. At least as normal as they could be around Dr. Lambert and company.
“Mornin, Lil,” Kris said, pecking the woman on the cheek. She swatted him reproachfully.
“It’s past noon, Arkansas. But I guess you and the doc had a lot to talk about.” She raised an eyebrow suggestively, and Kris laughed, too happy to bother concealing his glee.
“Yeah, we had a lot of catching up to do.”
“Mac’s here,” Lil said. “Outside with Scott and the horses. Brought that woman too, from the picture. And her two boys. They got here about eleven, so I fed them lunch and said I’d send you out when you woke up.”
The smile slid from Kris’s face and he felt his stomach flip-flop. Katy was here. She was right outside. Had been here while he had been … Kris’s mind wandered, imagining her taking tea in the parlor while he and Adam had been “catching up.” Kris set down his coffee and went to the window as if anticipating gunfire.
Scott was holding Conway’s lead in the middle of the paddock, cracking the whip to make her prance merrily in a circle. Two identical blond boys were on her back. Kris would have recognized them anywhere, they looked so much like Katy had as a child. A woman moved into his field of vision - she hadn’t been visible behind the swath of curtain Lil had hung in the window.
And there she was.
Kris’s breath caught in his throat. Katy, after all these years. Katy, after the duels and lynchings and bounties and countless miles that had brought him to this place. Katy, after ten years and two children. She was still Katy, laughing in her gingham dress, clapping her hands and cheering for her babies as Conway broke into a trot. She must have felt Kris watching her, or maybe Kris nudged the curtain and she saw the motion. Whatever the reason, she turned towards the window and narrowed her eyes. Her mouth opened in surprise, hand flying to clutch something at her neck.
They moved at the same time. Kris tore out of the house, running towards her as if afraid someone would snatch her from his grasp yet again. Katy O’Connell, alive and well and at last. Kris didn’t know what he had expected; he realized now that just as part of him had never given up hope, part of him had long ago surrendered to the idea that he would never see her again. As the years had gone by, that part of his psyche had put down deep roots. Yanking them out was difficult, almost painful, but here she was in his arms, laughing and crying and rewriting his definition of “belief.” Kris lifted her off the ground and spun her around once before setting her back down and brushing tears and golden strands of hair from her face.
They stood there like that, looking at each other for a long moment.
“Never thought I’d see you again,” he said sheepishly.
“Didn’t remember there was a you to see,” Katy admitted through a laugh.
“But you do now? How’d that happen?”
“It was Mac. When he said you had sent him, I just about fainted dead away. I mean, I had read about you in the Weekly for the past few weeks, but it was like reading a story. Mac showing up there … well, it meant you were real.”
“Some parts of that story aren’t so nice,” Kris said quietly. “I don’t know what you’ve read…”
“Some of mine aren’t either. But none of that matters now.” She said, gesturing to her two boys. They had dismounted Conway and were sprinting towards their mother. They hid behind her a bit shyly.
“This is Christopher” she indicated the twin on her left, “And this is Alan.”
Kris chuckled. “Pleased to meet you boys. I’m Kristopher Allen.” Katy colored as her boys stepped forward to shake Kris’s hand.
“You have no idea … when I remembered your name I turned the color of a beet. But part of me was happy too, happy that I didn’t forget. Not really.”
“That makes me happy too.” Kris said honestly.
“Run along and play with Mr. MacIntrye, Boys. Mommy and her friend have a lot of catching up to do.”
Catching up.
Kris closed his eyes and remembered the catching up he had already done that morning.
“I suppose we do,” he said, smiling and holding out his arm.
***
Adam saddled up Glamour and trotted her down the shady path that led into town. He tried not to think of what a pretty picture Kris and Katy had made sitting on a bench beneath the maple tree, catching up on old times and new. The way she looked at him was nothing short of adoring, and the way he looked at her … Adam spurred Glamour into a faster pace and forced himself to clear his mind. Kris should be the least of his concerns.
He had been taken to the remote laboratory in the Fragments, but as he had continued on the project Kara had been poring through his research notes and copying them into a separate notebook.
“Just in case you pull any funny business,” she had said, watching over his shoulder and making more notes as he progressed. A day before Kris had ridden in with The Snoop and Reverend Gokey, someone had arrived to pick up all of Kara’s notes on the Devilstone Device. The man had looked at Adam appraisingly, slowly examining every aspect of him as if studying what sort of man he might be. Adam didn’t think it was a sexual sort of leering, more a natural curiosity.
“Do you have any questions?” Adam had asked, venom in his voice.
“Just wanted to see what true genius looked like,” the man said, running a hand through his dark hair. His accent was strange; a Englishman who had clearly lived in the West for a long, long time. “I see it so rarely in this backwater country.
“You could always go back where you came from,” Adam offered.
“Oh, I doubt that. “ The man said, taking a small step forward into the light. “Once they through you out for treason they generally don’t want you back. Besides, there’s so much more here. More opportunity, more freedom. Why, out here a man can do just about anything he wants. Don’t you agree?” The look on his face had been all too knowing. “Certainly you’ve found that living out here affords you certain measures of privacy absent in your former locale.”
“There’s something to be said for the quiet life. If only I were back home, leading it.”
“Oh, come now, Doctor Lambert, don’t let’s be tetchy. I am merely pointing out that perhaps you and I don’t have such different aims. I want to create a free-thinking paradise, away from all the societal mores that hinder the eastern half of the country.”
“Sounds fabulous, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it.”
“Well you’re one to talk. You accepted $250,000.00 to build this Device for the US Government. Completion of such a device would make my quiet little revolution quite impossible, don’t you think? I have to resort to more … drastic measures.”
“Save your moral platitudes for someone that will believe them. Tearing the country apart isn’t going to get you what you want.”
“So you say. But in America, I am just an expatriated Devilstone tycoon. In the New West, I could be anything. I could be president. I could write all the rules. In America, you are just a crackpot scientist toiling away on a secret Device that no one really believes will work, desperate to hide the more unsavory aspects of your nature from the masses. In the haven I will build, what could you be, I wonder?” The man turned and strode confidently from the lab. “Think about it, Doctor.” He called over his shoulder, smiling.
Adam had shuddered. There was something cruel about the man’s smile. It bespoke of opportunity, yes, but at what cost?
Adam slid out of the saddle outside the jailhouse, where he knew Mac would be guarding their new prisoner. Sure enough, Mac had his feet propped up on his back table, reading the good book while Kara paced like a lioness in her cage.
“Afternoon, Sheriff.” Adam said, tugging on the brim of his hat.
“Dr. Lambert!” Mac said, rising up out of his seat to shake Adam’s hand warmly. “ So nice to see you back, safe and sound. I dropped off Mrs. Jones this morning. Hoped you would be awake, but I suppose you boys had a rough enough evening and used the extra sleep.”
“Glad to be back, Mac. I assume, given the presence of Dr. Dioguardi here, that the Reverend and Matty completed their mission.” Upon getting back into town, it was decided that Danny would accompany Kara into custody. Since she was riding on the back of Matt’s blue roan, Matt had agreed to go along.
“Yep. They came in just after midnight. Never thought I’d see the day when a preacher and a pianist bring in a criminal, much less someone like her. I’ma have to wire federal marshalls for sure. She’s up for treason, kidnapping, aiding and abetting, theft. Shame to hang such a pretty thing, but the law don’t discriminate. Justice is blind, they say.”
Kara had stopped her pacing to stare at Adam. There was something behind all her anger; something like fear. Having so recently hidden away his own fear of death, Adam recognized the look.
“I hear you, Mac. But let’s make sure Justice isn’t dumb either.”
“What?” Mac said, but Adam had moved towards the cell.
“Ain’t this a funny change in circumstance?” Adam asked, eyeing the prisoner.
“Ain’t?” Kara asked, eyebrows quirking. “You rode pretty close to that hic klast night, I think he rubbed off on you.” Adam and Kris, as the largest and smallest members of the party, had ridden back on Danny’s giant stallion Rascal. Once they parted company, Adam and Kris had walked Conway back to the ranch, neither wanting to let go of the other lest they be separated again.
“None of that, if you please. I won’t have you insinuatin’ nothing untoward about the good doctor and Arkansas. Why, he’s a man of science and a pillar of the community, and Kris, well, he’s got himself a sweetheart sure as you please.”
“Not now, Mac.” Adam said, not needing a reminder that Kris was probably back at the lab packing his bags to leave for Arkansas with his ready-made family. “I just don’t think we should hang Kara. She’s a middle-man, in a manner of speaking. “
“More man than you are you God-“
“Shut yer yapper, lest you want to forgo the hanging and settle up with your maker right now!” Mac shouted, taking an angry step forward. Adam put his hand on Mac’s chest, wanting to calm him down.
“As I was saying. “ Adam continued as if unfazed. “She was copying my work for a man, a delusional English chapper hell-bent on redrawing the borders of our fair nation. He’s got my research, or most of it, I should say, and it’s only a matter of time before he finds someone to replicate the work. Might work, might not. But if it does, we’ve got a mad-man with a very big bomb. If it doesn’t work, well, we’ll have an explosion big enough to re-draw some borders alright, but not in anyone’s favor.”
“Golly Moses,” Mac said, whistling. Adam took a step towards the cell and leaned in menacingly.
“So, Dr. Dioguardi, if you want to save that pretty little neck of yours, I’d start talking. Who is the Englishman, and where can I find him?”
“Go to hell, Lambert.” She spat, turning around and marching back to her cot.
“She’ll talk,” Adam promised. “Right now she’s hoping the Englishman will ride in here with his guns blazing. But he’s got the research. As soon as she realizes how expendable she is, she’ll talk.”
Adam had already mounted Glamour when he heard a familiar voice call out to him. The Reverend.
“Hey there, Doc. I was just on my way up to yours. Wanted to check in on ya.” Danny said, extending a friendly hand from the back of Rascal.
“Oh, I’m settling in just fine, thanks.” Adam said. “Bet your foundation was glad to have you back in one piece.”
“Yeah, about that,” Danny said, looking a bit uncomfortable. “I was hoping I could ask you for a favor.”
“Anything.” Adam said honestly. “I think I owe you one.”
“Well, the ladies planned a chili-social and dollar dance at The Golden Calf this evening. Guess they figured having me out of town was the only way they’d ever get a dance. It’s all for charity, for the Foundation. My followers have been pesterin’ me about your well-being ever since I woke up this morning, and I figured it would be real nice if you agreed to stop by The Golden Calf and say hello. Maybe buy a bowl of chili and dance with one of the widows. It would mean a lot.”
Adam laughed. Danny looked like he was asking Adam to go back to the Fragments and bring him a Belltoller corpse.
“Of course. I’d be delighted. Anything for the kids, right?”
“Oh, thanks Adam!” Danny said, excited now that Adam had agreed. “Hey, bring Arkansas too. And Lil and Scott. Everyone’s invited. Maybe Mrs. Jones would want to come too. Mac told me she was up at your place. I expect she needs a bit of cheering right now.” The grin fell from Adam’s face.
“Sure. Will do.” Adam said a bit sadly, trying to keep his expression even.
“Remember, though, it’s a dance. No lab coats allowed!” Danny tipped his hat and turned Rascal around in the other direction, leaving Adam to head home alone.
***
“You’ve talked about Dr. Lambert a lot. You must really admire him,” Katy said, leaning against the backrest of the bench. They had been talking for the better part of the afternoon. Lil had brought out roast chicken and spread out a checkered blanket. The boys and Scott had joined them for lunch, but after the meal Scott had ushered the kids over to the lab to work on a “secret science project.”
“I really do. He’s the most brilliant person I’ve ever met. You’d think that would make him stuck up or something but he’s the most generous, genuine, beautiful person on earth.”
“Beautiful?” Katy asked. Kris snapped his mouth shut and tried not to look flustered.
“Sure. I mean, everything he’s done for the town and all.”
“Oh. So you’re happy here,” Katy said, a hint of sadness in her voice. Kris blinked, not sure why she could be sad.
“Yeah! It’s a place to call home. Finally, after all my roaming.” Kris looked around at the ranch happily. “But, enough about me. Tell me more about your husband. I’m sorry, by the way.”
“He wasn’t my husband, Kris. He lied to me,” Katy said.
“Well,” Kris said, feeling awkward. “Well you said in your letter you grew to love him. You’ve got two beautiful children. Surely there were some happy times.”
“I don’t know what to think anymore,” she said, her face crumpling. “My whole life, Kris, stolen from me. Of course I love the boys, and Jon too, in a way. But I’m so confused and angry and it hurts. Everything I thought I knew has changed, and you’re the only thing that connects me to the way my life should have been.” She was crying openly, and Kris tugged the plaid bandanna lose and handed it to her. She covered her face with it, and Kris pulled her into a hug. “Jon’s dead, the boys don’t have a father, and I’m afraid to go back home because those men might come back. What’s gonna happen to us?”
“Shh,” he whispered, kissing her hair. “It’s ok. At least you remembered. You’ve got a long life to live yet, Katy. You’ll find somebody new and he’ll make you even happier than Jon.” For some reason that only made Katy cry harder. “Hey, hey now. Katy, talk to me.”
“It’s … it’s just something Mac said. It’s silly.”
“Well, are you going to tell me about it?”
“He said … he sorta made it sound like you still wanted - like you were still in love with me. And I know that’s not possible, not after all these years. But Kristopher, it hasn’t been years for me. It’s like I went to sleep in love with you and woke up ten years later. I still feel it like it was yesterday.” Katy reached down the front of her dress and pulled out something small and black, wound tight with a simple leather chord. “Remember this?” she asked, taking the necklace off and handing it to Kris.
Kris gulped. It was a piece of slate. The very slate he had broken in class the day he told Katy he loved her.
So you don’t forget. He had told her
I won’t. Not ever. She had promised, and kissed him, sweet as the summer rain.
“Katy, I …” Kris said, choking on the words. “I think I need my bandanna.”
“You don’t even have to say it, Kris. There’s someone else. I don’t know who she is but she’s a lucky gal. Hope she knows.” Katy looked miserable.
“Aww, Katy. There’s no other woman. Yeah, I’ve had girls along the way, but none of them serious. “ Kris phrased his words carefully, wanting to comfort her but not wanting to lie.
“You mean … you’d come back with me? Back to Arkansas with the boys. I know it’s been ten years, Kris, but I’d want to try. Take a chance at the life we were supposed to have.” Katy’s eyes were so hopeful that it killed him to say the words that came.
“I can’t. “
“Why? If there’s no other woman-“
“I can’t leave Adam.” Kris said, as honestly and as simply as he could. “He needs me here. Katy, he’s - well he’s my best friend.”
“And what am I to you, nothing?” She burst into tears all over again, apologizing for her outburst through the bandanna and her choked sobs.
“Come here,” Kris said, embracing her. “I’ll help you, Katy. I won’t leave you all alone in the world. Adam will help you to, I know he will. You’ll see. Everything’s gonna be alright. Just believe in me.”
Kris was so caught up in trying to comfort Katy that he hadn’t heard the approaching hoof beats.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
Kris jumped up off the bench and looked up at Adam. His face was inscrutable, as it often was when he was trying to cover up his feelings about something. Kris longed to reach out and grab his hand, reassure him that nothing had changed in his heart. Yet there was something in him that did wish he could take off with Katy, back to the low hills of Arkansas. It was as if going back there with her could take away the past ten years and remove all the black marks Kris was sure dotted his heart and soul. Yet Kris couldn’t bring himself to regret even his darkest hours. They had brought him to Adam.
“It’s fine,” Kris said, breaking the silence. Katy was frantically dabbing her eyes. “Dr. Adam Lambert, this is Mrs. Katy Jones. Katy, this is Adam.”
“I’m not Mrs. Jones, Kris, I wish you’d stop calling me-“
“This is Katy O’Connell then.” Kris corrected.
“It’s good to meet you. Kris has spoken so highly of you,” Adam said. Kris looked at him, surprised. He had barely spoken of Katy; hadn’t spoken of her at all before Matty’s kidnapping.
“Really?” Katy smiled. “He’s said a lot of good things about you too. Thank you for taking such good care of him. You’ve given him a nice home here.” She squeaked out her last sentence, clearly about to start crying again. “I’m sorry. There’s just a lot of -“ she stopped, unable to continue.
“Don’t worry about it. Actually I wanted to tell you something that might take your mind off … everything.” Adam said, offering her a silk handkerchief. Kris’s bandana was sopping wet. “Reverend Gokey’s Foundation is sponsoring a -” Adam took a deep breath “-Charity Chili Supper and Dollar Dance.” He smiled brilliantly, as if announcing the winner at a county fair. “I told him we’d all go …assuming you’d be up for it, um, Miss O’Connell?” Kris almost burst into laughter at Adam’s expression.
“I don’t get a say in the matter?” Kris asked, placing his hand on Adam’s shoulder to indicate he was only teasing.
“Are you or are you not my bodyguard? The Reverend is bringing his entire flock of eligible women and I legitimately fear for my life.” Adam squatted low in front of Katy. “But will you be alright? We won’t go if you don’t want to. I’ll make it up to Danny.”
“No, No. It sounds fun. Might be just what I need. Sounds like the lunch-box socials we used to have when we were kids, doesn’t it Kris?” Katy smiled up at her old friend, and Kris knew she was remembering the time he had outbid half the school to win her lunch-box. “There’s just one problem, though. I don’t have a thing to wear.”
Adam smiled at her and tilted her chin up with his hand.
“Don’t worry, my dear, I’ve got just the thing. It might take a bit of tacking, but I’m sure Lil’s up to the challenge.”
***
Kris waited nervously outside of Adam’s room. He was wearing his best cream linen coat and trousers, with a light-blue shirt beneath a brown waistcoat and cravat he had borrowed from Scott. It wasn’t quite evening wear, but Kris didn’t attend many fancy-dress occasions. He rapped on Adam’s door.
“Anytime tonight, Adam,” Kris joked, wondering what could possibly be taking him so long. Adam threw open the door and Kris felt his jaw literally drop.
Adam wore a thigh-length black frock coat, trimmed with a deeper black silk. A black cravat peeked over his high-collared white shirt and deep navy waistcoat. The high-waisted, smooth front pants matched his coat, a charcoal black linen with think stripes of black silk. His pocket watch gleamed a bright blue, and Kris ran his fingers along the fob.
“Silver, plated with Devilstone.” Adam explained, catching Kris’s hand in his own. His hands were clad in blue silk gloves.
“Of course,” Kris said as Adam brought his hand slowly to his lips, kissing it lightly behind the knuckles.
“Oh! The finishing touch -“ Adam went to his bedside table and donned a black top hat. “Well?”
“You look too good for this two horse town,” Kris said honestly. “Too good for this ol’ gunslinger.”
“Then why don’t you come in here and take it all off,” Adam teased.
“Don’t tempt me. We still gotta go see Katy,” Kris admonished. Adam’s face fell a bit, and Kris winced. “Adam …”
“No, you’re right. I bet Lil’s just about done with her now,” Adam said, brushing by him down the hall.
Lil was standing guard at the entrance to the parlor, arms spread wide so the men couldn’t enter. Lil herself was enchanting in a gown of green silk, cut to enhance her figure.
“Are you ready Miss Katy?”
“Oh, Mama Lil, don’t make a fuss.” Kris thought Katy sounded much more cheerful. Lil dropped her arms and Kris strode into the parlor.
For the second time that evening, his jaw dropped.
Katy was wearing a familiar dress. Deep blue silk with black trim, tightly corseted about her waist. It was the very dress that Adam wore the first time Kris had laid eyes on him.
“Does it look ok?” she asked, a pale hand lightly covering her bosom.
“You look enchanting, dear.” Adam kissed her hand lightly, making Katy flush.
“You match,” Kris said, rather dumbly. Adam and Katy turned to him, a veritable sea of black and blue.
“Oh dear, I hope you don’t get us confused.” Adam said, which made Katy laugh. He only quirked an eyebrow at Kris and waved the entire group out the door and towards the carriage.
***
The Golden Calf was a sea of swirling colors. Matty banged on the piano, dancing with it more than playing on it. No one could blame him for his enthusiasm; Allison Iraheta was on stage and singing like she owned the world. Megan wore a shimmering, feathered, slinky dress that Kris was pretty sure was illegal in some counties. There were no complaints from this town’s lawman who was dancing with her, his cheeks every bit as pink as the fabric on her dress.
Lil and Scott danced uncomfortably, neither of the two wanting to be mistaken for a romantic couple. Danny danced with every eligible woman in the place at least twice, and still got more invitations to dance. Kris danced with Katy, leading her awkwardly across the dance floor as best he knew how. She looked radiant, and he told her so. It was enough to take him back through time.
“I’m still wearing that necklace. I was wearing it the day I got snatched up and I’ve been wearing it ever since. I always knew it meant something,” she whispered as Allison crooned a sad love song.
“I’m glad,” Kris said, pulling her a bit closer. “I really am.” Over her shoulder, Kris saw Adam standing by the bar, whiskey in hand. Adam hated whiskey.
“Katy?” Kris said, separating a bit.
“Yes?” She was breathless, tilting her head up towards him.
“I’m gonna go check on Adam. He hasn’t been dancing much and I don’t want him to feel lonely,” Kris said in a rush, trying not to acknowledge the rush of sadness on her face. “The Snoop will dance with you, won’t you Snoop?” They had been dancing close to where Anoop was standing, notebook in hand.
“I will? I mean, of course, I will.” Anoop smiled his biggest smile. “Always room on my dance card for the prettiest woman in the room.” Kris put her hand in Anoop’s, shooting Anoop a warning glance not to pull any funny business.
This wasn’t fair. Not to anyone. Kris couldn’t divide himself in two, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t please both Katy and Adam all at once.
“Outside,” Kris said to Adam, frustration coloring his normally gentle voice. “Now.”
Adam finished his drink and sighed in resignation. He followed Kris, who circled them around behind the Golden Calf.
“I know. You don’t have to pretend anymore. When are you leaving?” Adam said, before Kris could even open his mouth to speak.
“What?” Adam’s comments caught Kris off guard. He reached forward and took Adam’s hand. Adam pulled away fast, like Kris’s hand was full of Redfire blossoms.
“With Katy. Kris, it’s fine. She’s everything you’ve ever wanted and I can’t compete, I understand that. But I can’t watch you fall in love with her.” He looked miserable, pulling his blue handkerchief from his coat pocket and turning away.
“Adam -“ Kris started.
“God, Kris, let me have my dignity. Just leave.”
“Adam, I’m not leaving,” Kris finally said, feeling a rush of relief falling from his chest as he spoke the words. Saying them aloud made them real. “I don’t know what Katy’s going to do, but I already told her. My place is here, with you.”
“You told her that?” Adam asked, still hiding his face.
“Adam, my heart is here, with you. “ Kris slid his arms around his lover, pressing his face against Adam’s back. “I don’t know why you insist on doubting me every chance you get.”
“Oh, Kristopher.” Adam turned in his arms to face him. “I’m so sorry. I just thought you’d want to be with her, or at least give it a try. You looked to happy with her.”
“Of course I’m happy. Adam, I spent ten years thinking she was dead. I want to help her, and yeah, part of me wishes I could make her life complete again. But I won’t tear us apart to do it. I couldn’t, even if I tried. Even if I left with her tomorrow, I’d be taking the first train north once we arrived. I’m so tangled up in you that I wouldn’t know where to start unraveling even if I wanted to. And I don’t.”
“Forgive me, Kris. I shouldn’t have doubted you,” Adam said after a long, silent moment.
“No, you shouldn’t have. But I can see why you did.” Kris sighed, letting go of the tension that had been clenching his heart all day. “That dress, Adam, were you trying to break my heart?”
“It looks pretty on her!” Adam insisted. “The colors are perfect.”
“Looked right pretty on you too. Though I think I like you like this better,” Kris leaned into kiss him soft and slow, hoping that Reverend Gokey wouldn’t decide that this would be the perfect time for a breath of fresh air. Adam returned the kiss, but lifted his head after the brief contact. Kris understood. It was a risk, and even with their popularity in town most people wouldn’t take too kindly to the sight of two men kissing beneath the stars. Not yet. Maybe someday that would change.
Instead, Adam pulled Kris even closer and held him, swaying ever so slightly back and forth in time to the music that drifted out into the evening air.
Down in the valley, the valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Writing this letter, containing three lines
Answer my question, will you be mine?
Will you be mine, dear, will you be mine?
Answer my question, will you be mine?
***
EPITAPH
Well, folks. I am sure you’ll pardon my absence last week once I tell y’all what old Snoop’s been up to. Incidentally, I do hope y’all liked the lyrics. Though after this, I think Matty’s goin’ to have to pen a whole new set of verses.
You’ll all remember that when we last parted ways, Doctor Adam Lambert had been captured by the separatist group calling themselves “The Sons of the West.” Apparently, they thought to make use of the Doctor’s propensity for explodin’ things to build some sort of doomsday weapon to further their agenda. Well, being the fine, upstanding American the doctor is, he beat them at their game and exploded their whole laboratory. Lucky for us, their laboratory was in the middle of the Fragments. Lucky for Adam, he had some help from a few good friends: Reverend Danny Gokey, Arkansas himself, and you guessed it, Yours Truly.
All the juicy details wouldn’t fit into this column, but rest assured I won’t leave you in the dark. You can order my upcoming book via the Weird West Weekly’s catalog department.
In more recent news, The Westport Children’s Fund raised itself another $2,000.00 by throwing a Chili Supper and Dollar Dance evening at the Golden Calf this last Tuesday. I got to cut a rug with none other than Mrs. Katy Jones, recently rescued from the Sons of the West by our own Mac Sarver and friends. She only had eyes for one man, though, everyone’s hero Krissy the Kid. Is romance in the cards for our plucky adventurer? Speaking of romance, Westport’s most eligible bachelor spent the night cavorting with plenty of ladies from the Foundation. At least that’s what my spies tell me. Perhaps the dashing Dr. Lambert will start a few fires of his own - preferably ones that don’t end in giant explosions.
Well, better luck for me next time, I guess! My book will be coming out next month, so save your pennies! This is one you won’t want to miss!
The Snoop
The whistle is a-blowin and the train is a-leavin town - Next Chapter
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this, and since it takes place in like 1875 it obviously didn't happen. If one of the idols tells me they don't want to be in fiction I will change their character name to Lars and call it a day.
SUMMARY: Shortly after the Civil war, a meteor crashed into Devil's Tower and the earth began to change. Strange creatures roamed lands once safe except for the occasional rattlesnake. A new ore, Devilstone, was discovered, with truly unbelievable properties. Some folks thought it was the end of the world. Some folks thought it was a new beginning. Some folks turned tail and fled. A few years have passed since the Great Trembling, and a small town has sprung up outside of Deadwood to house the miners and adventure seekers that have come for the Devilstone and the monster-infested Badlands. One of these men is Dr. Adam Lambert, PHD in the new field of Abstract Science. To watch over his valuable inventions and keep him safe on expeditions, he has hired the famous gunslinger, Kris Allen, better known as Arkansas to his face, or Krissy the Kid behind his back. The two men form a fast friendship as they round up evil-dooers, battle real-live nightmares, and make a few important discoveries about Devilstone, the human heart, and each other.
Awww, shucks, that made me cry.
TL;DR: OLD WEST BUT WITH STEAMPUNKY MAD SCIENTISTS AND HORROR SHOW CREATURES.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for waiting, y'all! I had unexpected company over the weekend. But it's up now, thanks to a late night beta by janescott If you've been enjoying the story, leave me a comment! I'll always reply! Oh, and lyrics at the end are from a traditional cowboy song. I didn't make them up. Also, sharp-eyed readers might notice the "ish" next to the ten again. That's not a promise, it's just a guess.
BIG NEWS YOU GUYS! Someone over at the ontd_ai_gives community is offering to do fanart for donations! Wouldn't it be cool to see some scenes from Devilstone illustrated? Click here for details on this awesome cause, and I would love anyone forever who does this. I am unemployed, and already donated once this week. I WILL do it again as soon as I get more cash, but I thought I'd pimp it to you as well!
OK ON WITH IT!
Prologue:
Kristopher Allen loves Katy O’Connell
They were supposed to be practicing penmanship by copying sentences from the board and critiquing each other. When Katy saw what was written on the slate, she blushed a deep shade of crimson. All her friends teased her about having to share a slate with a boy, but there were odd numbers in the class and Miss Abdul had pulled her aside and asked if she would mind sharing with Kris, since he was the smallest and therefore the least threatening.
“So how’s my handwriting?” Kris asked, smiling at her. His eyes were big and brown and soft, and they twinkled mischievously. She could tell he was teasing her, but his eyes revealed something else too - that he was honestly hoping she might feel the same way.
“It’s awful,” she said honestly. Kris’s face fell, and she instantly regretted her choice of words, even if it did look like he wrote the message with his toes. “Your letters should look more like this.”
Katy O’Connell loves Kris Allen
She wrote, watching his eyes light up as he read the message.
“Katy.” Miss Abdul said, and Katy snapped to attention. “Why don’t you pass your slate around the room? You always have such nice handwriting.”
“I..I,” Katy stammered, feeling her heart race.
“Go on, don’t be modest,” Miss Abdul said. “Bring it up front and pass it around.”
Katy rose obediently and held out her hand for the slate. Kris moved to hand it to her, and Katy could swear she saw him wink. At the last second, he dropped the slate. It fell to the ground with a loud crack and broke into two pieces. Katy gasped, and a few of the smaller children “ooooooo’d.”
“Kristopher Allen!” Miss Abdul said, angrily marching to their shared desk. “How could you be so careless?”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. It just slipped out of my hands,” Kris said, wincing at the smack of the ruler on the back of his hand. Tears pricked at the corners of Katy’s eyes. He had dropped the slate on purpose just to spare her the embarrassment of showing it to her classmates, and now he was getting punished for it.
“Clean it up, Kristopher,” Miss Abdul said, returning to the head of the class. “See me at the end of the day. I’ll send your mama a note about replacing the slate.”
Katy waited for him behind the schoolhouse, waving to her friends. They all giggled at her. Katy flushed, but she didn’t care. Kris had been brave for her, she could be brave for him.
“Friends leave you behind?” Kris asked, slowing up when he saw her. “Go on ahead, Charles. If Katy’s by herself, I should at least walk her home,” he added, dismissing his best pal with a wave of his hand. Charles snickered too.
“He shouldn’t laugh,” Katy said, mildly annoyed. “He walked Mildred Thomas home all last month.” Kris didn’t say anything. Katy got nervous. When she was nervous, she talked. “I hope your hand doesn’t hurt. And I hope you don’t get in too much trouble with your momma. I…I have a nickel in my dresser at home. I could give it to you for the slate.”
“You don’t have to give me nothing,” Kris said. “But I have something I’d like to give you.” He held out his hand, fist clenched. She presented her palm, and into her waiting hand Kris dropped a small black fragment of the broken slate. “So you don’t forget,” he added.
“I won’t.” Katy said, feeling her heart rush. “Not ever.”
***
The Tale:
“Talk to me,” Adam said, laying his chin against Kris’s bare shoulder, inhaling deeply.
“Do I still smell?” Kris asked, wrinkling his nose. As soon as they had returned home, Lil had sent him to the bathtub with six jars of canned tomatoes. Adam had given him a thorough scrubbing, joking that he owed Kris a bathtime rubdown anyway.
“Mmm, like sweat and tomatoes,” Adam said, sniffing again. “I should sprinkle you with oregano.”
Kris chuckled, planting a kiss on his nose. He began his tale, filling Adam in on the details of the adventure. How the town had rallied around him, how the church ladies had prayed and baked, how Danny’s tribe of orphan children had brought pictures they drew of Adam for “missing” posters. He tried not to spare a detail, watching Adam’s eyes rapt with attention as he soaked up all the information and made connections. Kris wondered what it must be like to possess such staggering genius, feeling like Adam was thinking about at least fifteen things at once without losing track of anything.
“Now tell me yours,” Kris said, lacing his fingers lazily though Adam’s. The sun was just beginning to rise, and the sleep that he had managed to get, while brief, did his body a world of good.
“Well, you know when they kidnapped me, and how. I assume Scott told you,” Adam started, kissing Kris’s neck and inching himself closer so that their bodies were comfortably fitted together, like spoons in a drawer.
“Yeah, that part I know. I guess what I meant was … were you treated ok? They didn’t … hurt you or nothing?” Adam abruptly stopped kissing his neck and tensed.
“What did that bastard say?”
“He made it like he’d … forced himself on you, that is to say, what you and I do.” Kris swallowed hard, clutching Adam’s hand tight against his chest.
“Shh. He didn’t do that. Threatened to … I think he wanted to. But they didn’t want to risk my co-operation. They just wanted to scare me. They said all sorts of horrible things to make me work faster. Said you weren’t coming for me.”
“I don’t know what I’d do if he’d touched you,” Kris admitted, letting the tide of fury recede. “But Adam, of course I was coming for you. You had to know that.”
“I know they had your … the woman you’ve been looking for. Ten years is a long time to want someone, Kris. Didn’t you save her first?”
Kris closed his eyes a moment, hesitating.
“I sent Mac and Megan after her. Allison went too.”
“You didn’t go yourself?”
Kris swallowed as a wave of guilt washed over him.
“Should I have? It wasn’t easy for me to let them go in my place, but I couldn’t ride out after you both. It would have taken too long.”
“Why me?”
“Adam …” Kris said, shifting on his side so that their chests were close. “Do you really need to ask?”
“No, but I really need to hear.”
“I love you.” Kris slid his hand along Adam’s bare side. Adam still watched him. Clearly Adam was not willing to let the matter rest. “Adam, I loved her once. I’m sure you’ve loved before too. I spent a good chunk of my life thinking she was out there somewhere. It was hell. Nothing tasted right, sleepin’ didn’t bring me any rest. Hell, the sun might have refused to shine and I wouldn’t have paid it any mind. But a man can only go on like that for so long before the hurt starts dull into an ache. Once you let it scar over, it doesn’t hurt so much. I won’t deny that I’d like to see her again, that I care about her. Still love her in a way, part of me always will.”
“They told me you’d go to her. That if I didn’t build their bomb they’d ambush you, kill you. That if I did, they’d let you have the life you always wanted, that you were trying so hard to have. Don’t you think that once you see her -“
“Adam,” Kris said, taking Adam’s face in his hands. “Those men don’t know jack shit.” Kris pressed his lips against Adam’s softly, relaxing into the kiss as Adam opened his mouth. Kris rolled forward so that he was laying on Adam’s chest and sighed happily into Adam’s mouth. His eyes drifted closed as he mouth drifted lower, planting small kisses along Adam’s jaw. "Can't think of anything else with you here like this. Enough serious talk."
“Didn’t think I’d ever taste you again,” Adam mumbled as Kris’s lips grazed his throat. “Thought I was going to die.”
“Some genius you are,” Kris said, sliding his spit-slicked palm between their bodies and settling himself between Adam’s legs. “Think I’d let you go without trying this at least once?” Kris gasped as he watched Adam shift to accommodate him, smiling like a schoolgirl with a secret.
“Suppose I’ll let you, just this once,” Adam said with a low, throaty chuckle, but Kris was too lost to notice the joke at his expense.
***
Kris rose from the bathtub, glad that his skunk-scent was barely discernible. He pulled on a fresh set of clothing and sighed, content with the world. Adam had gone back up to the lab to work on repairing Scott’s goggles. Much like the skunk smell, Kris felt that the malodor of recent events was beginning to fade, leaving him with the tentative sensation that things were starting to go back to normal. At least as normal as they could be around Dr. Lambert and company.
“Mornin, Lil,” Kris said, pecking the woman on the cheek. She swatted him reproachfully.
“It’s past noon, Arkansas. But I guess you and the doc had a lot to talk about.” She raised an eyebrow suggestively, and Kris laughed, too happy to bother concealing his glee.
“Yeah, we had a lot of catching up to do.”
“Mac’s here,” Lil said. “Outside with Scott and the horses. Brought that woman too, from the picture. And her two boys. They got here about eleven, so I fed them lunch and said I’d send you out when you woke up.”
The smile slid from Kris’s face and he felt his stomach flip-flop. Katy was here. She was right outside. Had been here while he had been … Kris’s mind wandered, imagining her taking tea in the parlor while he and Adam had been “catching up.” Kris set down his coffee and went to the window as if anticipating gunfire.
Scott was holding Conway’s lead in the middle of the paddock, cracking the whip to make her prance merrily in a circle. Two identical blond boys were on her back. Kris would have recognized them anywhere, they looked so much like Katy had as a child. A woman moved into his field of vision - she hadn’t been visible behind the swath of curtain Lil had hung in the window.
And there she was.
Kris’s breath caught in his throat. Katy, after all these years. Katy, after the duels and lynchings and bounties and countless miles that had brought him to this place. Katy, after ten years and two children. She was still Katy, laughing in her gingham dress, clapping her hands and cheering for her babies as Conway broke into a trot. She must have felt Kris watching her, or maybe Kris nudged the curtain and she saw the motion. Whatever the reason, she turned towards the window and narrowed her eyes. Her mouth opened in surprise, hand flying to clutch something at her neck.
They moved at the same time. Kris tore out of the house, running towards her as if afraid someone would snatch her from his grasp yet again. Katy O’Connell, alive and well and at last. Kris didn’t know what he had expected; he realized now that just as part of him had never given up hope, part of him had long ago surrendered to the idea that he would never see her again. As the years had gone by, that part of his psyche had put down deep roots. Yanking them out was difficult, almost painful, but here she was in his arms, laughing and crying and rewriting his definition of “belief.” Kris lifted her off the ground and spun her around once before setting her back down and brushing tears and golden strands of hair from her face.
They stood there like that, looking at each other for a long moment.
“Never thought I’d see you again,” he said sheepishly.
“Didn’t remember there was a you to see,” Katy admitted through a laugh.
“But you do now? How’d that happen?”
“It was Mac. When he said you had sent him, I just about fainted dead away. I mean, I had read about you in the Weekly for the past few weeks, but it was like reading a story. Mac showing up there … well, it meant you were real.”
“Some parts of that story aren’t so nice,” Kris said quietly. “I don’t know what you’ve read…”
“Some of mine aren’t either. But none of that matters now.” She said, gesturing to her two boys. They had dismounted Conway and were sprinting towards their mother. They hid behind her a bit shyly.
“This is Christopher” she indicated the twin on her left, “And this is Alan.”
Kris chuckled. “Pleased to meet you boys. I’m Kristopher Allen.” Katy colored as her boys stepped forward to shake Kris’s hand.
“You have no idea … when I remembered your name I turned the color of a beet. But part of me was happy too, happy that I didn’t forget. Not really.”
“That makes me happy too.” Kris said honestly.
“Run along and play with Mr. MacIntrye, Boys. Mommy and her friend have a lot of catching up to do.”
Catching up.
Kris closed his eyes and remembered the catching up he had already done that morning.
“I suppose we do,” he said, smiling and holding out his arm.
***
Adam saddled up Glamour and trotted her down the shady path that led into town. He tried not to think of what a pretty picture Kris and Katy had made sitting on a bench beneath the maple tree, catching up on old times and new. The way she looked at him was nothing short of adoring, and the way he looked at her … Adam spurred Glamour into a faster pace and forced himself to clear his mind. Kris should be the least of his concerns.
He had been taken to the remote laboratory in the Fragments, but as he had continued on the project Kara had been poring through his research notes and copying them into a separate notebook.
“Just in case you pull any funny business,” she had said, watching over his shoulder and making more notes as he progressed. A day before Kris had ridden in with The Snoop and Reverend Gokey, someone had arrived to pick up all of Kara’s notes on the Devilstone Device. The man had looked at Adam appraisingly, slowly examining every aspect of him as if studying what sort of man he might be. Adam didn’t think it was a sexual sort of leering, more a natural curiosity.
“Do you have any questions?” Adam had asked, venom in his voice.
“Just wanted to see what true genius looked like,” the man said, running a hand through his dark hair. His accent was strange; a Englishman who had clearly lived in the West for a long, long time. “I see it so rarely in this backwater country.
“You could always go back where you came from,” Adam offered.
“Oh, I doubt that. “ The man said, taking a small step forward into the light. “Once they through you out for treason they generally don’t want you back. Besides, there’s so much more here. More opportunity, more freedom. Why, out here a man can do just about anything he wants. Don’t you agree?” The look on his face had been all too knowing. “Certainly you’ve found that living out here affords you certain measures of privacy absent in your former locale.”
“There’s something to be said for the quiet life. If only I were back home, leading it.”
“Oh, come now, Doctor Lambert, don’t let’s be tetchy. I am merely pointing out that perhaps you and I don’t have such different aims. I want to create a free-thinking paradise, away from all the societal mores that hinder the eastern half of the country.”
“Sounds fabulous, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it.”
“Well you’re one to talk. You accepted $250,000.00 to build this Device for the US Government. Completion of such a device would make my quiet little revolution quite impossible, don’t you think? I have to resort to more … drastic measures.”
“Save your moral platitudes for someone that will believe them. Tearing the country apart isn’t going to get you what you want.”
“So you say. But in America, I am just an expatriated Devilstone tycoon. In the New West, I could be anything. I could be president. I could write all the rules. In America, you are just a crackpot scientist toiling away on a secret Device that no one really believes will work, desperate to hide the more unsavory aspects of your nature from the masses. In the haven I will build, what could you be, I wonder?” The man turned and strode confidently from the lab. “Think about it, Doctor.” He called over his shoulder, smiling.
Adam had shuddered. There was something cruel about the man’s smile. It bespoke of opportunity, yes, but at what cost?
Adam slid out of the saddle outside the jailhouse, where he knew Mac would be guarding their new prisoner. Sure enough, Mac had his feet propped up on his back table, reading the good book while Kara paced like a lioness in her cage.
“Afternoon, Sheriff.” Adam said, tugging on the brim of his hat.
“Dr. Lambert!” Mac said, rising up out of his seat to shake Adam’s hand warmly. “ So nice to see you back, safe and sound. I dropped off Mrs. Jones this morning. Hoped you would be awake, but I suppose you boys had a rough enough evening and used the extra sleep.”
“Glad to be back, Mac. I assume, given the presence of Dr. Dioguardi here, that the Reverend and Matty completed their mission.” Upon getting back into town, it was decided that Danny would accompany Kara into custody. Since she was riding on the back of Matt’s blue roan, Matt had agreed to go along.
“Yep. They came in just after midnight. Never thought I’d see the day when a preacher and a pianist bring in a criminal, much less someone like her. I’ma have to wire federal marshalls for sure. She’s up for treason, kidnapping, aiding and abetting, theft. Shame to hang such a pretty thing, but the law don’t discriminate. Justice is blind, they say.”
Kara had stopped her pacing to stare at Adam. There was something behind all her anger; something like fear. Having so recently hidden away his own fear of death, Adam recognized the look.
“I hear you, Mac. But let’s make sure Justice isn’t dumb either.”
“What?” Mac said, but Adam had moved towards the cell.
“Ain’t this a funny change in circumstance?” Adam asked, eyeing the prisoner.
“Ain’t?” Kara asked, eyebrows quirking. “You rode pretty close to that hic klast night, I think he rubbed off on you.” Adam and Kris, as the largest and smallest members of the party, had ridden back on Danny’s giant stallion Rascal. Once they parted company, Adam and Kris had walked Conway back to the ranch, neither wanting to let go of the other lest they be separated again.
“None of that, if you please. I won’t have you insinuatin’ nothing untoward about the good doctor and Arkansas. Why, he’s a man of science and a pillar of the community, and Kris, well, he’s got himself a sweetheart sure as you please.”
“Not now, Mac.” Adam said, not needing a reminder that Kris was probably back at the lab packing his bags to leave for Arkansas with his ready-made family. “I just don’t think we should hang Kara. She’s a middle-man, in a manner of speaking. “
“More man than you are you God-“
“Shut yer yapper, lest you want to forgo the hanging and settle up with your maker right now!” Mac shouted, taking an angry step forward. Adam put his hand on Mac’s chest, wanting to calm him down.
“As I was saying. “ Adam continued as if unfazed. “She was copying my work for a man, a delusional English chapper hell-bent on redrawing the borders of our fair nation. He’s got my research, or most of it, I should say, and it’s only a matter of time before he finds someone to replicate the work. Might work, might not. But if it does, we’ve got a mad-man with a very big bomb. If it doesn’t work, well, we’ll have an explosion big enough to re-draw some borders alright, but not in anyone’s favor.”
“Golly Moses,” Mac said, whistling. Adam took a step towards the cell and leaned in menacingly.
“So, Dr. Dioguardi, if you want to save that pretty little neck of yours, I’d start talking. Who is the Englishman, and where can I find him?”
“Go to hell, Lambert.” She spat, turning around and marching back to her cot.
“She’ll talk,” Adam promised. “Right now she’s hoping the Englishman will ride in here with his guns blazing. But he’s got the research. As soon as she realizes how expendable she is, she’ll talk.”
Adam had already mounted Glamour when he heard a familiar voice call out to him. The Reverend.
“Hey there, Doc. I was just on my way up to yours. Wanted to check in on ya.” Danny said, extending a friendly hand from the back of Rascal.
“Oh, I’m settling in just fine, thanks.” Adam said. “Bet your foundation was glad to have you back in one piece.”
“Yeah, about that,” Danny said, looking a bit uncomfortable. “I was hoping I could ask you for a favor.”
“Anything.” Adam said honestly. “I think I owe you one.”
“Well, the ladies planned a chili-social and dollar dance at The Golden Calf this evening. Guess they figured having me out of town was the only way they’d ever get a dance. It’s all for charity, for the Foundation. My followers have been pesterin’ me about your well-being ever since I woke up this morning, and I figured it would be real nice if you agreed to stop by The Golden Calf and say hello. Maybe buy a bowl of chili and dance with one of the widows. It would mean a lot.”
Adam laughed. Danny looked like he was asking Adam to go back to the Fragments and bring him a Belltoller corpse.
“Of course. I’d be delighted. Anything for the kids, right?”
“Oh, thanks Adam!” Danny said, excited now that Adam had agreed. “Hey, bring Arkansas too. And Lil and Scott. Everyone’s invited. Maybe Mrs. Jones would want to come too. Mac told me she was up at your place. I expect she needs a bit of cheering right now.” The grin fell from Adam’s face.
“Sure. Will do.” Adam said a bit sadly, trying to keep his expression even.
“Remember, though, it’s a dance. No lab coats allowed!” Danny tipped his hat and turned Rascal around in the other direction, leaving Adam to head home alone.
***
“You’ve talked about Dr. Lambert a lot. You must really admire him,” Katy said, leaning against the backrest of the bench. They had been talking for the better part of the afternoon. Lil had brought out roast chicken and spread out a checkered blanket. The boys and Scott had joined them for lunch, but after the meal Scott had ushered the kids over to the lab to work on a “secret science project.”
“I really do. He’s the most brilliant person I’ve ever met. You’d think that would make him stuck up or something but he’s the most generous, genuine, beautiful person on earth.”
“Beautiful?” Katy asked. Kris snapped his mouth shut and tried not to look flustered.
“Sure. I mean, everything he’s done for the town and all.”
“Oh. So you’re happy here,” Katy said, a hint of sadness in her voice. Kris blinked, not sure why she could be sad.
“Yeah! It’s a place to call home. Finally, after all my roaming.” Kris looked around at the ranch happily. “But, enough about me. Tell me more about your husband. I’m sorry, by the way.”
“He wasn’t my husband, Kris. He lied to me,” Katy said.
“Well,” Kris said, feeling awkward. “Well you said in your letter you grew to love him. You’ve got two beautiful children. Surely there were some happy times.”
“I don’t know what to think anymore,” she said, her face crumpling. “My whole life, Kris, stolen from me. Of course I love the boys, and Jon too, in a way. But I’m so confused and angry and it hurts. Everything I thought I knew has changed, and you’re the only thing that connects me to the way my life should have been.” She was crying openly, and Kris tugged the plaid bandanna lose and handed it to her. She covered her face with it, and Kris pulled her into a hug. “Jon’s dead, the boys don’t have a father, and I’m afraid to go back home because those men might come back. What’s gonna happen to us?”
“Shh,” he whispered, kissing her hair. “It’s ok. At least you remembered. You’ve got a long life to live yet, Katy. You’ll find somebody new and he’ll make you even happier than Jon.” For some reason that only made Katy cry harder. “Hey, hey now. Katy, talk to me.”
“It’s … it’s just something Mac said. It’s silly.”
“Well, are you going to tell me about it?”
“He said … he sorta made it sound like you still wanted - like you were still in love with me. And I know that’s not possible, not after all these years. But Kristopher, it hasn’t been years for me. It’s like I went to sleep in love with you and woke up ten years later. I still feel it like it was yesterday.” Katy reached down the front of her dress and pulled out something small and black, wound tight with a simple leather chord. “Remember this?” she asked, taking the necklace off and handing it to Kris.
Kris gulped. It was a piece of slate. The very slate he had broken in class the day he told Katy he loved her.
So you don’t forget. He had told her
I won’t. Not ever. She had promised, and kissed him, sweet as the summer rain.
“Katy, I …” Kris said, choking on the words. “I think I need my bandanna.”
“You don’t even have to say it, Kris. There’s someone else. I don’t know who she is but she’s a lucky gal. Hope she knows.” Katy looked miserable.
“Aww, Katy. There’s no other woman. Yeah, I’ve had girls along the way, but none of them serious. “ Kris phrased his words carefully, wanting to comfort her but not wanting to lie.
“You mean … you’d come back with me? Back to Arkansas with the boys. I know it’s been ten years, Kris, but I’d want to try. Take a chance at the life we were supposed to have.” Katy’s eyes were so hopeful that it killed him to say the words that came.
“I can’t. “
“Why? If there’s no other woman-“
“I can’t leave Adam.” Kris said, as honestly and as simply as he could. “He needs me here. Katy, he’s - well he’s my best friend.”
“And what am I to you, nothing?” She burst into tears all over again, apologizing for her outburst through the bandanna and her choked sobs.
“Come here,” Kris said, embracing her. “I’ll help you, Katy. I won’t leave you all alone in the world. Adam will help you to, I know he will. You’ll see. Everything’s gonna be alright. Just believe in me.”
Kris was so caught up in trying to comfort Katy that he hadn’t heard the approaching hoof beats.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
Kris jumped up off the bench and looked up at Adam. His face was inscrutable, as it often was when he was trying to cover up his feelings about something. Kris longed to reach out and grab his hand, reassure him that nothing had changed in his heart. Yet there was something in him that did wish he could take off with Katy, back to the low hills of Arkansas. It was as if going back there with her could take away the past ten years and remove all the black marks Kris was sure dotted his heart and soul. Yet Kris couldn’t bring himself to regret even his darkest hours. They had brought him to Adam.
“It’s fine,” Kris said, breaking the silence. Katy was frantically dabbing her eyes. “Dr. Adam Lambert, this is Mrs. Katy Jones. Katy, this is Adam.”
“I’m not Mrs. Jones, Kris, I wish you’d stop calling me-“
“This is Katy O’Connell then.” Kris corrected.
“It’s good to meet you. Kris has spoken so highly of you,” Adam said. Kris looked at him, surprised. He had barely spoken of Katy; hadn’t spoken of her at all before Matty’s kidnapping.
“Really?” Katy smiled. “He’s said a lot of good things about you too. Thank you for taking such good care of him. You’ve given him a nice home here.” She squeaked out her last sentence, clearly about to start crying again. “I’m sorry. There’s just a lot of -“ she stopped, unable to continue.
“Don’t worry about it. Actually I wanted to tell you something that might take your mind off … everything.” Adam said, offering her a silk handkerchief. Kris’s bandana was sopping wet. “Reverend Gokey’s Foundation is sponsoring a -” Adam took a deep breath “-Charity Chili Supper and Dollar Dance.” He smiled brilliantly, as if announcing the winner at a county fair. “I told him we’d all go …assuming you’d be up for it, um, Miss O’Connell?” Kris almost burst into laughter at Adam’s expression.
“I don’t get a say in the matter?” Kris asked, placing his hand on Adam’s shoulder to indicate he was only teasing.
“Are you or are you not my bodyguard? The Reverend is bringing his entire flock of eligible women and I legitimately fear for my life.” Adam squatted low in front of Katy. “But will you be alright? We won’t go if you don’t want to. I’ll make it up to Danny.”
“No, No. It sounds fun. Might be just what I need. Sounds like the lunch-box socials we used to have when we were kids, doesn’t it Kris?” Katy smiled up at her old friend, and Kris knew she was remembering the time he had outbid half the school to win her lunch-box. “There’s just one problem, though. I don’t have a thing to wear.”
Adam smiled at her and tilted her chin up with his hand.
“Don’t worry, my dear, I’ve got just the thing. It might take a bit of tacking, but I’m sure Lil’s up to the challenge.”
***
Kris waited nervously outside of Adam’s room. He was wearing his best cream linen coat and trousers, with a light-blue shirt beneath a brown waistcoat and cravat he had borrowed from Scott. It wasn’t quite evening wear, but Kris didn’t attend many fancy-dress occasions. He rapped on Adam’s door.
“Anytime tonight, Adam,” Kris joked, wondering what could possibly be taking him so long. Adam threw open the door and Kris felt his jaw literally drop.
Adam wore a thigh-length black frock coat, trimmed with a deeper black silk. A black cravat peeked over his high-collared white shirt and deep navy waistcoat. The high-waisted, smooth front pants matched his coat, a charcoal black linen with think stripes of black silk. His pocket watch gleamed a bright blue, and Kris ran his fingers along the fob.
“Silver, plated with Devilstone.” Adam explained, catching Kris’s hand in his own. His hands were clad in blue silk gloves.
“Of course,” Kris said as Adam brought his hand slowly to his lips, kissing it lightly behind the knuckles.
“Oh! The finishing touch -“ Adam went to his bedside table and donned a black top hat. “Well?”
“You look too good for this two horse town,” Kris said honestly. “Too good for this ol’ gunslinger.”
“Then why don’t you come in here and take it all off,” Adam teased.
“Don’t tempt me. We still gotta go see Katy,” Kris admonished. Adam’s face fell a bit, and Kris winced. “Adam …”
“No, you’re right. I bet Lil’s just about done with her now,” Adam said, brushing by him down the hall.
Lil was standing guard at the entrance to the parlor, arms spread wide so the men couldn’t enter. Lil herself was enchanting in a gown of green silk, cut to enhance her figure.
“Are you ready Miss Katy?”
“Oh, Mama Lil, don’t make a fuss.” Kris thought Katy sounded much more cheerful. Lil dropped her arms and Kris strode into the parlor.
For the second time that evening, his jaw dropped.
Katy was wearing a familiar dress. Deep blue silk with black trim, tightly corseted about her waist. It was the very dress that Adam wore the first time Kris had laid eyes on him.
“Does it look ok?” she asked, a pale hand lightly covering her bosom.
“You look enchanting, dear.” Adam kissed her hand lightly, making Katy flush.
“You match,” Kris said, rather dumbly. Adam and Katy turned to him, a veritable sea of black and blue.
“Oh dear, I hope you don’t get us confused.” Adam said, which made Katy laugh. He only quirked an eyebrow at Kris and waved the entire group out the door and towards the carriage.
***
The Golden Calf was a sea of swirling colors. Matty banged on the piano, dancing with it more than playing on it. No one could blame him for his enthusiasm; Allison Iraheta was on stage and singing like she owned the world. Megan wore a shimmering, feathered, slinky dress that Kris was pretty sure was illegal in some counties. There were no complaints from this town’s lawman who was dancing with her, his cheeks every bit as pink as the fabric on her dress.
Lil and Scott danced uncomfortably, neither of the two wanting to be mistaken for a romantic couple. Danny danced with every eligible woman in the place at least twice, and still got more invitations to dance. Kris danced with Katy, leading her awkwardly across the dance floor as best he knew how. She looked radiant, and he told her so. It was enough to take him back through time.
“I’m still wearing that necklace. I was wearing it the day I got snatched up and I’ve been wearing it ever since. I always knew it meant something,” she whispered as Allison crooned a sad love song.
“I’m glad,” Kris said, pulling her a bit closer. “I really am.” Over her shoulder, Kris saw Adam standing by the bar, whiskey in hand. Adam hated whiskey.
“Katy?” Kris said, separating a bit.
“Yes?” She was breathless, tilting her head up towards him.
“I’m gonna go check on Adam. He hasn’t been dancing much and I don’t want him to feel lonely,” Kris said in a rush, trying not to acknowledge the rush of sadness on her face. “The Snoop will dance with you, won’t you Snoop?” They had been dancing close to where Anoop was standing, notebook in hand.
“I will? I mean, of course, I will.” Anoop smiled his biggest smile. “Always room on my dance card for the prettiest woman in the room.” Kris put her hand in Anoop’s, shooting Anoop a warning glance not to pull any funny business.
This wasn’t fair. Not to anyone. Kris couldn’t divide himself in two, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t please both Katy and Adam all at once.
“Outside,” Kris said to Adam, frustration coloring his normally gentle voice. “Now.”
Adam finished his drink and sighed in resignation. He followed Kris, who circled them around behind the Golden Calf.
“I know. You don’t have to pretend anymore. When are you leaving?” Adam said, before Kris could even open his mouth to speak.
“What?” Adam’s comments caught Kris off guard. He reached forward and took Adam’s hand. Adam pulled away fast, like Kris’s hand was full of Redfire blossoms.
“With Katy. Kris, it’s fine. She’s everything you’ve ever wanted and I can’t compete, I understand that. But I can’t watch you fall in love with her.” He looked miserable, pulling his blue handkerchief from his coat pocket and turning away.
“Adam -“ Kris started.
“God, Kris, let me have my dignity. Just leave.”
“Adam, I’m not leaving,” Kris finally said, feeling a rush of relief falling from his chest as he spoke the words. Saying them aloud made them real. “I don’t know what Katy’s going to do, but I already told her. My place is here, with you.”
“You told her that?” Adam asked, still hiding his face.
“Adam, my heart is here, with you. “ Kris slid his arms around his lover, pressing his face against Adam’s back. “I don’t know why you insist on doubting me every chance you get.”
“Oh, Kristopher.” Adam turned in his arms to face him. “I’m so sorry. I just thought you’d want to be with her, or at least give it a try. You looked to happy with her.”
“Of course I’m happy. Adam, I spent ten years thinking she was dead. I want to help her, and yeah, part of me wishes I could make her life complete again. But I won’t tear us apart to do it. I couldn’t, even if I tried. Even if I left with her tomorrow, I’d be taking the first train north once we arrived. I’m so tangled up in you that I wouldn’t know where to start unraveling even if I wanted to. And I don’t.”
“Forgive me, Kris. I shouldn’t have doubted you,” Adam said after a long, silent moment.
“No, you shouldn’t have. But I can see why you did.” Kris sighed, letting go of the tension that had been clenching his heart all day. “That dress, Adam, were you trying to break my heart?”
“It looks pretty on her!” Adam insisted. “The colors are perfect.”
“Looked right pretty on you too. Though I think I like you like this better,” Kris leaned into kiss him soft and slow, hoping that Reverend Gokey wouldn’t decide that this would be the perfect time for a breath of fresh air. Adam returned the kiss, but lifted his head after the brief contact. Kris understood. It was a risk, and even with their popularity in town most people wouldn’t take too kindly to the sight of two men kissing beneath the stars. Not yet. Maybe someday that would change.
Instead, Adam pulled Kris even closer and held him, swaying ever so slightly back and forth in time to the music that drifted out into the evening air.
Down in the valley, the valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Writing this letter, containing three lines
Answer my question, will you be mine?
Will you be mine, dear, will you be mine?
Answer my question, will you be mine?
***
EPITAPH
Well, folks. I am sure you’ll pardon my absence last week once I tell y’all what old Snoop’s been up to. Incidentally, I do hope y’all liked the lyrics. Though after this, I think Matty’s goin’ to have to pen a whole new set of verses.
You’ll all remember that when we last parted ways, Doctor Adam Lambert had been captured by the separatist group calling themselves “The Sons of the West.” Apparently, they thought to make use of the Doctor’s propensity for explodin’ things to build some sort of doomsday weapon to further their agenda. Well, being the fine, upstanding American the doctor is, he beat them at their game and exploded their whole laboratory. Lucky for us, their laboratory was in the middle of the Fragments. Lucky for Adam, he had some help from a few good friends: Reverend Danny Gokey, Arkansas himself, and you guessed it, Yours Truly.
All the juicy details wouldn’t fit into this column, but rest assured I won’t leave you in the dark. You can order my upcoming book via the Weird West Weekly’s catalog department.
In more recent news, The Westport Children’s Fund raised itself another $2,000.00 by throwing a Chili Supper and Dollar Dance evening at the Golden Calf this last Tuesday. I got to cut a rug with none other than Mrs. Katy Jones, recently rescued from the Sons of the West by our own Mac Sarver and friends. She only had eyes for one man, though, everyone’s hero Krissy the Kid. Is romance in the cards for our plucky adventurer? Speaking of romance, Westport’s most eligible bachelor spent the night cavorting with plenty of ladies from the Foundation. At least that’s what my spies tell me. Perhaps the dashing Dr. Lambert will start a few fires of his own - preferably ones that don’t end in giant explosions.
Well, better luck for me next time, I guess! My book will be coming out next month, so save your pennies! This is one you won’t want to miss!
The Snoop
The whistle is a-blowin and the train is a-leavin town - Next Chapter