Plan in motion

[Lovely]

August 19, Year 1


"Looks as if Cody could show up... Ciara you had a plan there."

"well not exactly a plan, but an idea.." She was winging it. "So wish me luck Alex??" Smiles sweetly.

kisses her for good luck... and again just because.

Clings to his lips a moment longer, pulls back a little to gaze deeply, lovingly into his eyes. "You may not want to watch.." She whispers softly, wondering if he will anyway. "This is fairly harmless and for something good.. " She seemed to be reassuring herself as much as she was him. She was about to try turning her charms on a man... something she did not purposely do, and to a man she did not care much for as of late. Had Cody not been doing his best to get her in trouble and get into her affairs, she'd not have cause to be displeased with him, but as things stood.. she was.

"Can't help but watch.. been watchin' for months, kinda hard to stop now," he admitted shyly, the clever gleam shining lightly in the corner of his eye. He put his hands in his pockets, not sure what to make of what she had planned. He already didn't like the looks of it as she stepped away, slipping into her act like her layered skirt, letting the 'air' of her flirtation flow thickly around her that held his attention beyond what she'd garnered already.
Out in the open street, Cody was being his usual non-helpful self as he leaned outside Maggie's saloon, watching the ladies stroll by to the dress makers' shop and the station, offering wolfish grins as they passed.

Ciara appraoched Cody slowly, with a bit of an exxagerated pain in her gait. She started by him as if on her way to the dress maker as well, walking slow enough that he would see the shy smile directed at him. She seemed unsure as she chewed her lip, twisting a fallen lock of hair in her fingers... the gentle sway in her hips, even with the pain (her side did still hurt) was all for his benefit at the moment. She was in plain view of him as she chewed her pretty lip and glanced at him again. She 'changed' her course and started directly towards Cody, still approaching slowly, so he could see her pain and the sway and the entire 'ensemble' that was there for his benefit.

He watched from the end of the row, leaning low and unseen behind the rain barrel, doing his best not to be ill in it as he saw the target of her ruse and felt the heat rush to his forehead, wanting to toss Westgate out into the street and finish what they'd started a few nights earlier.

"Now who let you out so soon? Shouldn't you still be restin' Miss Palmer?" His words were ones of concern, but his tone relayed a cold playfulness. "Where's that... leprechaun or whatever he is? Seems you should have someone to lean on... t'ain't proper to have you limping through town like that." He peeled from his perch and stepped to her with an elbow to help ease her pain as she walked.

She frowned a little at his tone, though still as pretty with the look of hurt on her face. "Now Mr. Westgate... be nice.. at least in the pressence of a lady." She scolded lightly and gently. Her smile flashed for a moment as he offered his elbow. "Thank you." She murmured, slipping her hand to the crook of his arm and leaning into him lightly. "Leprechaun, you say? Then I suspect he's protecting his most valued treasure, right now, don't you?" She chuckled softly. "And doctor Carlisle couldn't keep me in that bed anymore, unless he was going to strap me down... I didn't like that idea, nor did my brothers. Though you can scold them for letting me limp around alone, when you see them." Her head tipped up and her smile was warm and amused. "I hear I owe you a large thanks.."

He gave her a warm smile, "That y'do... well, my horse really, for bein' as fast and gentle as he is, but you're more than welcome. Saw you fall... didn't know what I'd'a done if..." He paused, ... if Alex hadn't hit him and kept him from bringing her in himself. His hand strayed up to rub the jaw in memory as he walked with her. "Come to hear tell you got put on the wrong end of a gun."

[Lovely]

Her arm slid into Cody's as he watched. Turning away with a sting in his heart he couldn't explain, he felt his jaw set and grind, reminding himself he needed to let her do what she had in mind. He couldn't abide by Cody being unsupervised with her though he trusted her with his own life. To be fair, Alex skirted around the back of the buildings and came up through the causeway by the water tower behind Maggie's place where loads were taken up off the train, the crates lining and littering the street, providing him a vantage point for a minute. He didn't trust Shortshaft far as he could throw him... likely not even that far, especially with Ciara.

"So I was told... that you had Alex take me in and ran the way behind... running for my brothers and all." She smiled, sweet and seeming very grateful for 'all' he had done to make her safe and well. Making it seem as though she believed him to have helped more than he actually had. She rubbed his arm with her other hand as she looked up at him. "Might not be standing here if you.. well, I suppose it's better not to think of such things." She looked away, covering her mouth with her hand for a moment. "And I had been so.. so cross with you.. " She looked back at him, her eyes a little damp as she seemed to compose herself a bit. "You have been friends with my brothers for.. well just about forever.." She chuckled softly. "I don't want us to be.. upset with each other."

Alex could have laughed at the sound of the words if he could hear better around the crew that popped open one of the crates near him, discussing the contents. It took his attention away a moment as he heard the name 'Murphy' tossed about. He looked back at the crew and the contents stating 'china' on one and 'crystal' on another, neither of which interested him anymore than passing curiousity about the connection with the teacher his brother was seeing. He turned back to watch finding Cody and Ciara had moved past already. He followed and stayed in shadows, watching as he could from the distance.

"Never had no reason to be cross with none o'y'all, Miss Palmer. Was Chance's idea to lift the rifle on me in the shop, though I ain't paid him no mind before. Seems you've just been cross with me when all I been doin' is bein' polite to lend a hand"

"You got me into it something good... with my brother about this whole Alex, misunderstanding... " She said softly. "So I was upset with you, because he was upset with me." She frowned. "Wasn't very.. nice of me... and I'd had an awful run in with that nasty Carlisle brother, Patrick.." She shuddered where she stood, showing just how much the incident upset her. "I hope you'll accept my apologies and forgive me for being so upset with you."

"Much obliged if it wins me a smile, ma'am. There you go, now," he said, accepting the apology and seeing her expression as she mentioned Patrick. That was one character he tended to steer clear of, not liking the looks of him or his usual tone when he staggered in to Maggie's to retrieve Alex on occassion. "What sort of run in are you talking about? Did he hurt you on top of your pains?"

Ciara shook her head and declined to say much. "No.. he didn't.. hurt me.. he.. Oh he.. scares me... " She sighed softly. "I can't see at all what Lilian would want to be around him for." She shook her head, as if just mentioning it casually in passing.

He'd moved to the corner near where they'd stopped, hearing Pat's name and the contempt with which she said it. Whatever deal his brother had with her, she despised him for it. Alex hoped that the anger stayed directed at that target and away from himself.

[Lovely]

"Lili... Lily? My sister? Carrying on around that devil? He's scary, alright. Hear tell he plays with knives and all when he's short on female friends. Seen him come in all cut up before. What business would my sister have with the likes of him?"

She seemed to startle a little and looked up to him with wide eyes. "I.. I ..don't rightly know.. I.. I just.. well saw them together a few evenings... and.. I.. I'm sorry.. I shouldn't have mentioned it." She seemed terribly upset and frightened at more mention of Patrick and his playing with knives. "He said to me.. that he'd thought of courting me... but I plainly refused him.." She chewed her lip, leaving the rest unsaid and letting Cody come to his own conclusions.

He shook his head, letting the words sink in. His sister was only a young girl and wouldn't know to defend herself if... "A few nights... when.. where? Looks like I might have to pay another Carlisle a visit," he said, spitting to the dust. "Begging pardon, Miss Palmer, but have you seen Lily around today?"

"Lily?" He whispered under his breath, putting the conclusions together on his own. The girl was likely only 16 he thought.. if even that and Patrick was... Alex even paled to think of his brother and his unusual ways around women, remembering a few times he removed the boy from Tess's where he'd since been barred from returning.

Ciara shook her head. "No.. not today.. I .." She swallowed, paling a little. "I am sorry Cody... " She chewed her lip, letting go of his arm. Not entirely sure, she'd done the right thing in telling him about Lily and Patrick, though... "I didn't mean to cause you distress, but if anything happened to Lily... " She was torn in her fear of retaliation from Patrick, wanting Lily to be kept safe, wanting Cody focused on something besides Alex and herself, and wanting to give Patrick a taste of what he'd given her. She was trembling slightly as she took a step from Cody.

Alex listened only so long to hear the apology before he peeled away and stole back behind the buildings, going the long way around so Cody wouldn't see him as he headed to the back door of the mercantile.

"So much as a scratch shows up on her, I'll be much obliged to you knowing who the criminal is, Miss Palmer," he nodded, a little pale in his anger. "Thank you for your insightfuling information." Again, the words he pulled out sounded bigger than his mouth seemed to be able to manage, but his intent was not lost. Patrick had some explaining to do and his sister needed watching.

Seeing his anger touched off a fear deep inside her, but not of Cody.. of what might happen if Cody confronted Patrick. She nodded, swallowing and turning to hurry off as quickly as the pain in her side would allow. Her heart was racing and tears spattering her cheeks as she reached the merchantile. She went directly to the back room and out the door, turning to the side and sagging as the sobs overtook her. She trembled and sank to her knees, not even seeing Alex or anyone else who might be there in the blur of her tears. She was truly terrified of Patrick Carlisle... She'd not told Alex nor shown either him or Patrick how very afraid of the man she was. Ciara had put up a courageous front and stood her ground, though inside she'd been petrified. She had heard worse stories about Patrick than anything she'd ever heard about Alex. Her hands covered her face as she whispered softly in plea to the heavens, that he'd not come after her or Alex.

[Lovely]

He'd been there a moment longer and waited in the shadows beyond the step where she'd found him before. He watched a long moment as she let her tensions go before he crept up quietly, gently kneeling before her to take her hands and curl her to him, wary of her still-tender wounds. He kissed her temple and waited as she regained her strength.

She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Oh Alex.." She breathed quietly, hoping she'd not made even more trouble for him and knowing if she had.. it would be the last this town ever heard of her. She turned to kiss his cheek, wondering what he was thinking of. She looked at him for a moment, reaching her hand to wipe her cheeks. "You didn't hear anything I said, when I came out here, right? You just walked up?" She nodded her head at him, as she pulled herself together.

"I can as easily put it out of memory," he said quietly, having heard everything she uttered. "He's m'own brother... not likely he'd take to anything rash on me.. or on you."

"No.. of course not... he'd let my brothers do that.. at least to you." She looked away from him, her jaw working in anger. "And I doubt he's ever looked at you like.." She shook her head and sighed. "I hope that you're right.. and that I am wrong." Her voice a low whisper.

"Hmm... not likely either... seems a few things you missed while you were sleeping," he grinned. "Seems me and your brothers have come to a bit of an understanding, while Patrick isn't winning any new battles... even with Joshua."

She slowly brought her eyes up to his. "You really think so?" Of course she didn't know all that had transpired while she was 'resting'. "What sort of understanding do you have with my brothers?" A tiny bit of a smile curled her lips at such thoughts.

He sighed, his grin fading a little. "That Sloane won't try to shoot me without good reason... and seemed fit to let me stay with you while you slept.. Sam being in and out of the room of course."

She nodded, her smile not coming out any further. "That.. is good... but should Patrick say anything to them.. " She chewed her lip. "Do you think my brothers will revert quickly to disliking you?"

"Not certain," he said, sitting back and brushing her cheek. "He'd have to be very good at explaining himself and very forthright... what exactly did he tell you that sparked all this?"

"You." She said softly. "He said.." She paused to remember his words, correctly. "He wouldn't want you to think your heart wasn't in danger of being broken.. if it was?" She chewed her lip. "Yes.. thats.. what he said. And then about making sure my heart was also safe.. about keeping you from straying.. from going to another woman... woman's bed." She sighed again. "Oh.. and being accountable for your actions.. that he wanted to see you accountable for once." She frowned and shrugged looking at Alex. "Other than a few remarks.." She blushed. "Those were the biggest parts of the conversation and of course the blackmailing me bit."

[Lovely]

"Well lass, rest assured that your kisses and your coins can remain pursed, hm?" The gleam twinkled brighter. "Beat him at his own game... I see now. Only way he could truly try to sway your brothers now is to have them think.. something they already know isn't true."

She shook her head giving him a small smile. "But we do not need him stirring any more trouble." She sighed. "A kiss or a coin everyday until.." She stopped her words and leaned to kiss Alex, tenderly. "I don't care, very much for that brother... good thing you have plenty of others." She leaned her forehead against his, cupping his cheeks in her hands. "Wait.. what? What do you mean convincing my brothers of something they already know isn't true?"

"He more than makes up for every sermon Gully's ever spoken with his ill ways, I'm afraid," he said shaking his head as he thought of Pat's pranks. Looking at her a long moment as she asked her question, he thought best how to explain. He moved her hands into his from his cheeks, holding them lightly on his knee. "If Patrick believes that... that I've deflowered you, your brothers and Sam can flatly deny it."

"I'm sure my brothers would not believe I'd be so free with my .. but Sam? I don't understand, why would he even become involved in this?"

He swallowed roughly, embarrassed more for her for what had transpired with him in attendance. "I owe you deepest of apologies, Ciara, for... we didn't see anything but your side, mind you, but... Sam... he wasn't certain that your... that the gunman hadn't...," he tried to find the words to gently let her know. "I was there with your brothers when Sam examined you."

"Examined me.. I'm not sure.. You said all you saw was my side... why would you apologise for that? If you hadn't brought me in when you did.. It was only my side... Sam checked for other wounds?" She watched his face, the distress as he seemed to try and tell her something she wasn't comprehending. "I'm not angry that you stayed... I am in some way glad to know that you were concerned enough to stay with me."

"Sam checked to be sure you hadn't been...," he couldn't say the words, the thought, seeing her there in front of him made him ill to think it could have happened. "To be sure that you're as pure now as I had left you after our adventure," he whispered out, turning pale.

"He..??.. oh.." Her voice was barely a whisper as she sat with eyes widened for a few moments. "So.. you all know.. that I am?" She was breathing slightly heavier and looked down away from him. "I suppose.. you also know.. that they tried to... change that."

"They... meaning the ones who...," he broke off, nodding, taking her fingers to his lips. He let go and stood to help her up. "From the bruising it was more than apparent... according to Sam."

She nodded gently, chewing her lip and watching his lips over her fingers. She reached and leaned to him as he helped her to her feet again. "I'm sorry.." She whispered quietly, regretful of how close she'd come to not having that to offer him, should they ever... She said a silent thanks, for being spared further harm by the men and grateful that it had only been almost.

[Lovely]

"You've next to nothing to apologize for," he grinned. "Your life, your health and your future happiness intact for someone you love... much to be thankful for, rightly."

"I am sorry that I was so foolish.. so reckless and risked everything.. because.." She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I was... so stupid.."

"Say no such thing," he shushed her gently. "They were bad men and you were in the wrong place, nothing more. Of course seeing that you aren't in that position... at least not alone again... would be a wise change, hm?"

She nodded and gave him a questioning look. "You.. seem not angry that I was doing what I was doing... only at what happened coming back.. " She reached to take his hand as they stood there, her thumb brushing over his knuckles.

"Why on earth should I be angry? It's activities like that that keep my brothers in business," he teased. "The constable, the clergy, the correctional and all the while we're making the irons for the jailer." His words teased but his expression warned, not to get caught by any of his brothers, especially Everitt who'd spent the greater portion of the year looking for the ring of thieves.

"Of course." She whispered, wondering now if it was wise of her to continue. "May have to find other ways.." She trailed off as she had done so often in their talks, not finishing her thought. "I should get to work... can't pay the banker if I don't start selling things." She chuckled softly and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I have double duty.. have to repay that doctor as well."

"No you don't... Sam's been paid," he grinned. "Work only as hard as you have to... maybe one day, I'll see to it that you won't have to at all."

She closed her eyes and leaned her head to his shoulder. She wanted to tell him... but she couldn't. She couldn't tell him yet why she was doing what she had been doing that night. With regret filled eyes, she gazed on the back of the store that her family kept working for and that kept working to keep them fed and clothed. "I don't think that's possible." She whispered softly.

"Running away on me now, are ya, lass? One favor to earn before I can make it so."

She tilted her head up and smiled sweetly at him. "No, not running away from you."

He smiled wider, running a knuckle under her chin. "Go..work... off wi'ye," he smiled. "I'll be by later with a surprise."

"If you insist." She chuckled and leaned to his cheek again, softly brushing her lips over his skin. "I will see you later, then."

"Most definitely you will... most definitely," he said, bouncing off the step to the hard ground below with the aide of the crates and sacks that were stacked there. "Not a word to your brothers about what I said... what I told you. It may be m'only defense if Patrick needles his way around."

Ciara nodded and smiled as she watched him jump down, appreciating how limber and light on his feet he was. She blew Alex a kiss and giggled as she turned to go inside.