Valentine woke up at about 10pm in a cold sweat. She gasped for air as she looked wildly about tryin' to remember where she was. It all came back to her an' she heaved a heavy sigh of relief. She had 'drempt that the dark haired man an' the red head had captured her, 'shown her that her father was alive. Then, while forcin' her father to watch they raped her. Once they were done, they killed her father in front of her. She woke as his body hit the floor.  
 
 She settled herself down after a few minutes an' got up. She dressed quickly an' packed up her stuff back into her saddle bags. She didn't eat anythin' as the nightmare an' what she knew lay ahead of her left her feelin' sick. She sat on the bed for a while tryin' to gather her thoughts an' prepare herself for what could happen. She had been in a few bar type fights in her life, as flyin' lead her to some rough places, but she had never killed before, fought people that wanted her dead, nor had she ever fought on her own.
 
 At 11:00 pm she finally got up the nerve to go out an' start what might possibly be her final hunt for the people responsible for, as she saw it, ruinin' her life. She strapped on two .38 special revolvers in low slung hip holsters, placed a pair of 1911 .38 supers in shoulder holsters, an' thrust a 14"  Arkansas Toothpick in a sheath on her back. She then pulled on her brown duster, which had a couple speed loaders an' extra mags in the inside of it, an' finally tugged her oil skin outback hat down low on her head. She didn't have any bullet-proofin' on at all. She figured when they met it would be her last stand; Rome Italy would be her Alamo.
 
 She pushed her motorcycle outside the room an' locked the door behind her. She pushed the motorcycle down the road a ways before startin' it, to keep her leavin' quiet. Once out on the road she headed to down town Rome. Once there she parked her motorcycle in an alley an' walked the streets. She got a few hits on the picture she had. She only had one of the red head. Most of the folks questioned knew the picture from the news, but had not seen her personally. There were a few folks that she was sure knew somethin', but they refused to talk. When she was asked why she searched she either dodged the question or just said for personal reasons. One person told her that a cowboy that claimed to be from the SWA was also askin' about her, an' 6 other people. She asked if a dark haired man was one of the ones he was lookin' for. The person said yes, an' when asked for a description of the man in the picture the person described the dark haired man. She asked about the description of the cowboy, but the person merely shrugged. Said he wore black, was about 6', wide shoulders, big built, an' his name was Lynch, but his hat was pulled too low to make out the face. She thanked the person an' went on. Once she saw someone that looked to maybe be dressed in western garb, but it was at a distance, an' he disappeared into a shadow. Later she saw a black ford pick-up truck pass her as she stood in the shadows an' watched it pass. The windows were tinted so she couldn't see the driver, but the rig was very different from anythin' she had seen in Italy. It had a very strong American west look to it, yet it was very well put together. Not just a back country rig, but a truck made for a purpose. If there was one thing Valentine could really appreciate, it was a good built piece of machinery.
 
 By 1:00 am she had went to most every place in down town she felt she could go without endangerin' her mission. She had picked up some info on the possible whereabouts of the red head an' the dark haired man. They were supposedly seen at one of the upper class hotels in the area. She got on her Harley an' went there to question the door man. He told her that they had been there but had left earlier in the evenin' an' hadn't been seen since, but could possibly be back soon. She thanked him an' drove off a ways to a small alley, where she could watch the hotel an' not be seen.
 
 She sat in the alley for 1 and a half hours before anythin' came up, but it was not who she had been expectin' to see. A specially modified black Ford F-350 diesel pulled up in front of the hotel. She pulled a pair of binoculars from her saddle bag to have a better look. A man dressed in western clothes, all black, stepped out of the truck. He walked up to the valet an' the door attendant an' showed them some pieces of paper, which Valentine believed to be pictures. He was for all matters a well built man, sort of a rugged attractiveness hung on his form, though she could not make out his face as his hat shadowed it too much. After a few minutes he nodded to the men he talked to an' walked back to his truck. He stopped an' stood on the runnin' board for a moment he tipped his hat back enough for his face to show an' looked off into the darkness, as if he was lookin' right at her. She could see look on his face, it was a hard cold look, but yet lacked evil. He stood there for only a moment, but it seemed like an eternity for Valentine as it was as if he was starin' right into her very soul. He then pulled his hat back low, climbed into the truck an' drove off. Valentine decided to follow this strange man as she felt he might have the answers to complete her mission, yet a source of deep pride told her she didn't need his help, yet she wanted it.
 
 It was nearly 3:00 am when they arrived at a bar. She had followed way behind, runnin' with her headlight off, usin' only the street lights to show the way. The streets themselves were fairly empty, an' all the cops seemed tucked into a pastry shop somewhere. She stopped in a dark spot between two street lights an' watched. She waited until she was sure the man in black was inside the bar before she moved closer. She found an area across from the bar in a dark alley where she sat an' waited for him to come out.
 
 As she sat an' waited she recalled how he looked, more so his face. Though she only got a brief look at it she felt that she had a good mental image of it. At first all she could see was the cold, hard look it bore, but the more she studied the image in her mind the more she felt she could see a deep seated sorrow. As if one or more events of the past had left him broken of heart, an' torn in spirit. It was the look of hidden grief. Grief that he felt he could not share, so he hid deep. So deep that it took more intuition than sight to actually find it. She felt that this face, or more importantly, the man behind it could not only help her, but maybe even understood how she felt. Maybe he was someone that could help mend her hurt, someone that had felt her pain, someone that could care. She shook her head at the thought as she scolded herself an' her pride took over. "I don't need any help." she thought. "Besides he might not be like that. He might just be hard. Maybe even evil. For all I know he is with them!" She shook her head at the last two thoughts. He wasn't with them. If he was he wouldn't be lookin' for them. She also didn't believe he was evil. She had seen his eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, an' in what she saw, she saw no evil. But the fact still stood, she did not truly know him an' he did not know she even existed, or so she though.
 
 Her thoughts were broken when the cowboy in black emerged from the bar, climbed again into his truck an' drove off. Valentine was torn between wantin' to follow him an' wantin' to find out what info he had gotten. She knew he had stopped for information, as anyone after even a casual drink would have been in there longer. She decided that she was on her own so she started up her motorcycle an' pulled up to the bar's parkin' area. She sat on her Harley a moment as she watched the black truck fade into the distance, then finally dismounted an' entered the bar.
 
 Once inside she sat down at the bar an' ordered a whiskey. Valentine had never been one to drink. She knew the dangers of drinkin' an' had been taught in church how it was wrong, But he father had taught her a bit different. 'A glass of whiskey for a cold or some wine for a bad stomach are good remedies, even the Apostle Paul said so. ' He used to say. He also taught her all things in moderation an' to try to keep from the appearance of evil, but he also taught her to do what had to be done an' use common sense. She knew the barkeeper wouldn't talk unless she was drinkin'. She took the drink that the barkeeper gave her an' took a quick sip before askin' him anythin'. It burned her mouth an' throat, but she managed to conceal that. She asked about Laurie an' showed the barkeep a picture. He told her he had seen her here in company with another red head that he saw here more often. He also said that they seemed to be celebratin' somethin'. From the date an' time he gave she was sure it was the death of that cowboy on the news. She talked to him a bit more, disappointed that that was all he had. She hoped to bring more out of him by tryin' to look cute, usin' some feminine charm, but if he had any more information he was not sayin'. She was pretty sure he didn't though. Now she wished she had followed that cowboy.
 
 'She finished her drink an' watched the weather that was bein' shown on the TV when a news flash came on. 'Shooting at local Bar' the headlines read. The news anchor said that 2 locally know thugs that had been causin' trouble in town for years were now out of commission. 'locals reported that an unknown 'Lone Ranger' has busted up one thug an' shot the other with a revolver that looked like it came out of an old western movie. He then disappeared into the night. No one seems to be able to describe or identify the mystery man, but locals are calling him a hero,' said the news anchor. Valentine was sure that it had to be the cowboy. The news anchor continued, 'Police said they are not looking for suspects at this time as they believe the shooting to be justified. The sergeant on duty said that the mystery man did them all a favor. Next up on new channel 13 we will discuss a new study that shows what your pets are actually thinking, but first a word from our sponsor'  
 
 Valentine wrote down the name of the place an' asked for directions to it. The barkeeper gave her the directions an' she left. It didn't take her long to find the place. It was only a couple miles down the road. When she got there the police were still pretty heavily in the area. Again, she found herself a spot to wait it out.
 
 It was after 4:30 am before the police left the bar. She was droopin' a bit as the whiskey had relaxed her, but was holdin' up. She drove into the bars parkin' area an' did as before. This time the barkeeper had not seen the red head in the picture, but had seen a dark haired man that fit her description along with another red head. Valentine described to him the other red head that the other barkeep had told her about. He said the description was right. This worried Valentine a bit. How many people were involved in this? Where did they all stand? She knew now that this other red head she must keep an eye out for as the other two might have given the other red head information on her. Valentine knew now that she had to work quickly. She decided to ask the barkeep about the cowboy.
 
Valentine: Do ya know where the cowboy was that was in here earlier?
 
Barkeep: Cowboy? 'I know of no cowboy, Signorina.
 
Valentine: You don't hafta cover for him. He's a friend of mine (she lied). I need to see him, but I can't get a hold of him. He may be in trouble.
 
Barkeep: Trouble, him? I no think so . . I mean, it sounds like he can take care of himself. . .though I know him not, I never see. . .  
 
 Valentine: Don't worry, Like I said I'm a friend of his. I just want to help him. You want your hero killed?
 
Barkeep: No, NO. I see him, but I don't know where he go. Maybe bar on other side of bridge, 5 kilometers northwest. If he is at bar still looking for those bad people he look for, he will go there.
 
Valentine: Grazie, Signore.
 
Valentine got up an' walked out after downin' her whiskey. It didn't seem to burn as much this time. 'Maybe it was a better brand,' she wondered. 'She got on her Harley an' drove down to the third bar. She saw the black truck parked across the street, but could not tell if anyone was inside it. She went into the bar. She looked around but didn't see the cowboy in black at first. She walked up to the bar an' ordered a whiskey. She heard someone shift in a chair an' turned to glance at who it was, as she hadn't seen anyone in that direction. The door-way came into the room to make a covered entry way, but it also made a nook off to one side of the bar, there sat the cowboy. He was sittin' so his chair was beside the table, not facin' it. He was posed to move an' move fast if he had too, an' she knew he could, but he sat there with an' almost lazy ease. He was positioned so he could see the windows across from him, an' the door beside him in the bar mirror, but he could not easily be seen upon enterin' the bar. As soon as she caught sight of him she quickly snapped her glance back to the back of the bar, hopin' he didn't see her lookin' at him, but for some reason she knew he knew.
 
 She stayed where she was at, hopin' he would approach her, but he sat still with the same cold, hard look on his face, but it was twisted into a look of disinterest as well this time. She knew he saw everythin' that went on in there from where he sat, an' since he was still here he had either found what he wanted to know or was waitin' for someone. The only part that worried her was that he might be waitin' for her, but how would he know she was followin' him? She glanced at him again quickly to see him studyin' her with a more thoughtful look. Their eyes locked for a moment. She thought she saw a spark of fire leap in his eyes only to grow cold again. He held his gaze unashamedly, but she could not. She turned around quickly again to address the barkeeper. She asked him the same questions she asked the others. He told her all 3 of the folks she asked about had been seen in here. He also told her to watch out as they were bad an' they were bein' hunted. She asked by who. He told her certain people in certain government agencies. She asked why an' he said, 'Who knows? They are just bad.' When she asked who was huntin' them he said he wasn't sure all of whom were huntn' them. He said if she wanted to the cowboy at the table by himself might know more as he was huntin' them. She thanked him an' went back to her drink.
 
 'She sat at the bar for a bit tryin' to work up the courage to go talk to the man in black. After 10 minutes or s she finally worked up the nerve. She tossed back her drink an' stood up as two guys, obviously thugs but higher class thugs, walked into the bar. The first one walked up to her.  
 
Thug #1: Miss Patterson, I presume.
 
 Valentine wheeled around startled 'by someone callin' her by her last name. She hadn't even heard them come in or up to her as she had been lost in tryin' to convince herself that she needed some help an' couldn't do it alone know, even if dyin' doin' it was part of her plan.
 
Valentine: I'm sorry? Did you address me?
 
Thug #1: You are Maria Patterson, are you not?
 
Valentine: That is my name. I was not aware that anyone knew I was here.
 
She talked casually as she walked over to the edge of the pool table. There was a pool cue lyin' on the table an' as she sat on the edge she gripped it 'with one hand, but made it look like she was just holdin' on to the edge of the table.
 
 
Thug #1: EL Jefe Grande and Miss Laurie have extended an invitation for you to dine with them this morning. El Grande regrets that he could not be here to give you the invitation himself, but wants me to convey how honored he would be for you to join him at your last meal.
 
 Valentine had never heard their names before, but she was sure that this was them, an' they meant to kill her. She knew if she went with them now they would pat her down an' she'd never get a chance to shoot.
 
Valentine: I'm sorry, I can not accept at this time. How about if they both meet me in the park alone for lunch?
 
Thug #1: I'm sorry, I didn't make myself clear. This is not a request. It is demanded that you come with us now. If you cause a seen an innocent bystander could get hurt.
 
 She looked down at the floor for a moment. Someone innocent gettin' hurt was the last thing she wanted, but she knew she if she did as she said she would be dead an' her father an' 'uncles' would not be avenged. No, she could not die until she could be sure to kill them too.
 
Valentine: OK, but give me your arm, an' user me out so everyone thinks we are together, an' so I know you won't hurt anyone here.
 
 The thug grinned as he thought he had won, but when he got close enough somethin' hit him in the back of the head an' he went down. Valentine had swung the pool cue at the right moment. Unfortunately the thug was only stunned an' not unconscious yet. She jumped up as he fell as the other thug went for his gun. AS his gun came up her pool cue came down hard on his arm with a loud *CRACK*. The thug screamed in pain as he held his now broken arm. The other thug had now managed to jump up, so Valentine swung the pool cue at him, but didn't get enough time to hit hard enough. The thug managed to catch it on his arm an' yank it from her grip, but this caused him to trip backwards. At which time Valentine grabbed a chair an' smashed it down over his head knockin' him out cold.
 
 'She looked over at the cowboy in the corner an' he was still sittin' there with the same look on his face. She swore under her breath an' wondered why she ever thought he might help her. Unknown to her he had a pistol on his lap ready to shoot if needed, but wantin' to know who he was dealin' with more, he had let her fight her own fight. He knew she needed help, but he knew that his own team couldn't afford to have someone that would need more protectin' than they would be of help.
 
 Unfortunately, by this time, the thug with the busted arm had ran out of the bar to get reinforcements. 'Valentine saw two more run up the stairs. She stood off to the side so that they ran in half way before they turned around an' saw her pointin' two pearl handle 1911's at them.  
 
Valentine: Put your hands up! NOW!
 
The thugs obeyed, with their guns still in their hands. Then a voice behind her spoke,
 
Thug #5: No put your hands up.
 
Valentine: You shoot me an' all have them dead before I hit the floor.
 
Thug #5: What do I care about them? I get paid either way.
 
 Slowly she started to put up her hands an' the other thugs started to drop their hands. Then she heard a dull thud followed by the sound of someone fallin' to the floor. The thugs across from her instantly put up their hands an' the sound of a large revolver cockin' was heard in her ear.
 
Cowboy: You heard the lady, keep them hands up. You're lucky today, I'd have shot ya just for the fun of it, but don't think that ifin ya get out of line I won't shoot ya with the lady present. Ya even look cross eyed at either of us an' I'll drop ya where ya stand.
 
The cowboy's manner was cool an' easy. He wasn't overly excited, nor showed that this was anythin' than normal for him. He acted with such ease an' talked with such calmness, even in his threats, she all of a sudden felt safe.
 
 The cowboy walked past her an took the guns from the thugs. She glanced down behind her to se the other thug out cold with a bit of blood on the back of hs head an' a knot formin'. Obviously the cowboy had knocked him out with the butt of his revolver, but why had he stepped in then an' not earlier.
 
 The cowboy forced the thugs to sit back to back in a couple chairs, an' tied them together. 'He walked up to the barkeep showin' him a badge of some sort.  
 
Cowboy: After we leave give us 15 minutes then call the police. Tell them that they were harassin' customers an' threatenin' them with guns an' you had to take them down.
 
Barkeeper: Si, Signor.
 '
Then the cowboy turned around an' walked up to Valentine.
 
Cowboy: Need to be more careful next time, Miss. Never let a door get behind ya like that unless you know you have back up right there an' ready. Even then it's not the best move ifin I can be helped.
 
Valentine: I can handle myself, Thank you very much!  
 
Cowboy (drolly as he nodded at the unconscious man): Yeah . . . I see that. But this one (pointin' to the man he knocked out) nearly did ya in.
 
Valentine: If you think I need so much help, why didn't you help me when that man attacked me?
 
Cowboy: It wasn't my fight. Besides, you seemed to know how to fight alright.
 
Valentine: But the other one could have shot me!
 
Cowboy: But he didn't.  
 
Valentine was mad at him, not because he had done anythin' wrong, but because her pride that told her she could do it all was hurt. That an' she now realized how much she doesn't know about this deadly game she was now playin' an' how much more the other side knew. They knew she was here, they knew her name, an' they knew her weaknesses. She wasn't mad at the cowboy, but she was confused. This made her feel even more helpless. To hide it she acted mad.
 
Valentine: Well, don't do me any favors! Now just leave me alone!!
 
Cowboy: The one with the broken arm is gone.
 
Valentine: SO?! Your point is?
 
Cowboy: His mouth still works. He'll have gotten other by now. Ifin ya don't want ta fight an army right here an' now I'd scoot out the back, an' ifin ya'll allow me I'll give ya a hand.
 
Valentine: Don't bother! I can take care of myself! An' Don't tell me what to do!
 
 Valentine stormed out the front door, her coat tails flappin' as she walked. The cowboy turned to the barkeeper.
 
Cowboy: Damn, that woman's gonna get herself killed, little fool. You give us 20 minutes before callin' the police, eh?
 
Barkeep: Si, Signor. But the Signorina . . .?
 
Cowboy: Don't worry. I'll watch out for her, fin I have to hog tie her an' haul her bodily to safety.
 
Barkeep: Grazie, Signor.
 
The cowboy walked outside the door an' looked around carefully. Valentine had gone to her motorcycle an' had prepared to start it when someone caught her eye. 'She thought she saw a red headed woman that looked like Laurie enter a buildin' around the corner from the buildin' across the street. She got off an' started to walk over. All of a sudden she heard the racin' of an engine an' the cowboy yelled for her to look out. A large van tore around the corner an' hit her. It wasn't a direct hit, but more of a glancin' blow off the fender. She didn't hit the ground, but was thrown back against a buildin'. She hit the wall hard an' addin' to the injuries sustained by the blow from the truck.
 
As she looked around here everythin' seemed to move in slow motion. The van squealed to a stop. Two guys jumped out of the front an' 3 out of the back. at the same time the cowboy was runnin' across the street at her, his black coat flappin' in the wind, teeth grit, revolvers in hand. Valentine managed to stagger forward an pull her 1911's as the 5 men that jumped out of the truck pulled their gun. 3 had pistols, 2 had '9mm auto machine pistols. The 3 with hand guns had started to shoot at before the cowboy could get there. Valentine managed to fire her guns, though everythin' seemed to be hazy an' moved in slow motion. She just 'fired in their direction an' kept firin'. Suddenly somethin' hit her left arm an' she dropped her gun, she didn't understand why she couldn't hold onto her gun nor lift her arm, she fired the other still but somethin' tore at her right leg, once then twice, an' she felt herself fallin'. Pain shot through her leg an' arm as she fell, but then somethin' caught her, picked her body upright an' held her tight. About the same time, everythin' around her seemed to return to normal speed. What had seemed like minutes had only been seconds. She had killed one of the thugs an' wounded another, but he was still shootin'. In the mean time the cowboy had ran across the street, grabbed her up an' held her close to him as they shot at his back. With his head low he covered them both with this black duster. She realized then that it was bullet proof an' he was sheildin' them. The pound of the high speed machine pistols hammered at his back, an' ricocheted off the wall by them. As soon as the machine pistols stopped she felt the cowboy drop her to the ground. He had waited for them to reload to drop her an' swing around. In his hands were Colt Anaconda .45 long colt double action revolvers. He fired at them yellin' for them to 'meet their maker' as he shot into them soon all 5 lay dead. Methodically the cowboy reloaded his pistols. An' put them back in his holsters. He then pulled his .50 cal Dragoon an' checked the loads in it. As he did so the man with the broken arm came from around the corner with an Micro-Uzi in his hand. The cowboy looked at him with the .50 cal in his hand, but hangin' down by his side.
 
Thug: I'm GONNA KILL YOU!
 
Cowboy: Go ahead, Punk. Make My Day!
 
 As the thug thrust the Uzi out in front of him to fire the pistol in the cowboys hand came up so fast that no one could see it move. The Gun boomed thunderously then there was silence. The thug was thrown back about 10 feet an' lay on the pavement, not to move again.
 
 The cowboy reloaded the big 50 an' then walked over to where Valentine lay.
 
 Cowboy: are you gonna be alright there, Miss?
 
Valentine: I think so, but I hurt bad.
 
Cowboy: Can you breathe alright?
 
Valentine: It hurts a bit, but not too bad. I think they shot me in my left arm an' right leg.
 
 The cowboy looked at her leg, movin' it a bit, as he looked. She sucked in air through her teeth tryin' to hold back the pain.  
 
Cowboy: She's not broken, but we need to bandage her. This isn't a good place. The police will be here soon an' will want answers I can't give them right now.
 
Valentine: We can go to my hotel room. It's only a couple miles from here.
 
Cowboy: ok. Hold on.
 
 The cowboy lifted her up as gently as possible, but fast. Valentine squeaked as she tried to hold in yellin; or screamin' from the pain. The cowboy walked quickly to his truck, deposited her in the passenger seat, 'jumped in, an' speed off, squealin' the tires as he went.  
 
The cowboy handed Valentine a bandanna to press into the wounds on her leg. The arm would have to wait. She told him how to get to her hotel, an' they were there in less than 5 minutes. The keys were in her left pants pocket, so the cowboy had to get them out himself. She blushed a bit, though in pain as he did so. A slight smile danced across his eyes then vanished, otherwise his facial expression remained much the same.  
 
After unlockin' the door the cowboy picked her up out of the truck an' laid her down on the bed. After he had got a bag  
from the truck he locked the room door.
 
Cowboy: I'm sorry, Miss, but I'm not great at this stuff, nor do I have all I need. I have some whiskey in a flask to clean the wounds with, but it will hurt like hell. I can't take you to a hospital either, lessen they haul ya away. I could get ya back, but they might not be able to protect you like my group can.
 
Valentine: I understand. I don't know you, nor do I know who you work for, but you risked your life for me. For that I trust you.
 
Cowboy: Thank ya, Miss. I'll explain more of who I work for later.
 
Valentine: I understand, please Call me Val. It's Short for valentine. I only let my friends call me that.
 
Cowboy: I thought that thug said your name was Maria.
 
Valentine: 'That is my first name. My middle name is Valentine. That's what I usually go by.
 
Cowboy: I see.
 
 The cowboy took a knife from his belt an' cut off her jeans from around the bullet wounds on her leg.
Cowboy: These will need stichin' but they aren't too bad. I can clean them an' bandage them. Boss man will hafta stitch ya up.  
 
Valentine: Boss man? You don't run your group?
 
Cowboy: Naw, it's hard to explain though. Let's just say we are just a couple friends doin' a job together. The Boss man leads, I just do. He's not really a boss, an' it ticks him off sometimes when I call him boss, but he gets over it. His real name is Fernando.  
 
Valentine: Well, I know your friends name but I still don't know your name.
 
Cowboy: This is gonna hurt.  
 
The cowboy poured some whiskey from his flask onto her leg wounds. She gasped an' sucked air in fast, tryin' her best to stay quiet, an' she did good.
 
Cowboy: Sackett. Hondo Sackett.
 
Valentine: What?
 
Hondo: that is my name. Hondo Sackett.
 
Valentine: Thank you Mr. Sackett.
 
Hondo bandaged her leg with some clean bandannas an' some gauze.
 
Hondo: Just call me Hondo.
 
 Hondo bandaged her arm too, which would need stitches as well, but was still minor. He took off her button-up shirt an' raised her white t-shirt enough to inspect her midriff without exposin' her top. It was obvious through the t-shirt that she didn't wear a bra, or he'd have had her take it off. It's not that she was small chested at all. She was medium chested, probably 'C' cup, but was firm enough to go without an' probably often did. Hondo tried not to think on it, for she was beautiful, in a rugged, womanly way, yet with enough child in her to be cute. But it wasn't just her body, it was somethin' in her eyes. Yes, they held a sadness an' loss, but Hondo could see beneath it. She might be someone he could love very easily. He thrust the thought from his mind as he finished doin' what he could for her. He had lost too many lovers before now. This gal was nearly lost today. He couldn't bear to have his heart broken again, nor see this lovely little gal killed because of him.
 
Hondo: Here drink this.
 
 Hondo gave her the last of the whiskey in his flask to help dull the pain.. after she was done he took the flask from her an' wrapped her in her coat.
 
Hondo: we'd better get goin'. I want you looked at soon. That van might have done more internal damage than we know. I don't see any signs of internal bleedin' other than a few bruises, but I don't want to chance it.
 
Valentine: But I haven't paid for the room yet.
 
Hondo I'll take care of it.
 
Valentine: An' my motorcycle! I can't leave it to be impounded. It's all I have left of . . Pa's.
 
 Valentine hung her head low, slumpin' where she sat. a small tear flowed down her face, her face showed sorrow, but her eyes showed hate.
 
Hondo: We'll get it if we can. I have to ask you somethin' first, but we'll talk about that in the truck.
 
 Hondo picked her up an' carried her back to the truck. After he got her settled in he ran to the front office, paid her bill, an' returned the room key. Once back in the truck Hondo started the engine an' drove off toward the bar. It was now almost 7:15 am. Hondo spoke as he drove, takin' his time to go around the back way.
 
Hondo: Why were you askin' about Laurie, El Grande, an' Annie?
 
Valentine: I really don't want to talk about it.
 
Hondo: I need to know.
 
Valentine: Please, I don't feel well.
 
Hondo: I have to know right NOW!
 
 The tone of his voice scared her a bit but after a moment she answered.
 
Valentine: I think Laurie an' El Grande killed my father an' some of his friends that were like uncles to me an' now they want to kill me.
 
Hondo: You think or you know?
 
Valentine: I don't know.
 
Hondo: What? You go against them an' you don't know?!
 
Valentine: I saw them threatenin' Pa with a gun the night he disappeared. He was a pilot an' I think they hi-jacked his plane an' threatened to kill me if they didn't. Somethin' happened, maybe they knew I saw them, but they came back to kill me. Several of Pa's friends came to my aid. One snuck me out while the others attacked the thugs they sent. All of Pa's friends were killed that came except the one that got me out. I vowed then to kill the ones that ordered their deaths even if it meant my own death.
 
Hondo: Ok
 
Valentine: Why did you have to know?
 
Hondo: I had to make sure you were on the right side. Your thinkin's screwed up but your cause is just.
 
Valentine: So tell me your reason.
 
Hondo: It's personal.
 
Valentine: So was mine. I trust you, but you should trust me too.
 
Hondo: You haven't done anythin' to earn my trust yet.
 
Valentine was silent as Hondo pulled up down the road from the bar in a clear area.  
 
Hondo: I'll be right back.
 
 Hondo jumped out an' walked down the street to the bars parkin'. The police were still cleanin' up down the street, but were too busy to see him. He wheeled the Harley back down the street an' to the clear alley where the truck was parked. Once there he used a board in the back of the truck as a ramp an' pushed the bike up in. Only then di her really realize how badly the bullets had bruised his back an' legs. He realized too that he was hit in the front too, but the vest had stopped them. He thanked God that they were usin' only 9mms.
 
He strapped it down an' drove off. After about 15 minutes of silence he spoke.
 
Hondo: Laurie was my wife.
 
Valentine: What!?!
 
 Hondo gave her a stern look that made her shrink back into her seat.
 
Hondo: I was married to her. Her an' I made a great pair. A friend of mine, his wife an' sister 'in-law were kidnapped by El Grande to try to force my friend into a deal.Laurie, my friend,I an' some hired toughs went after them. Once at his base we destroyed it, but we took some fire, the toughs freaked, an' Laurie took a couple bullets for me. We were sure she was dead, but a medical crew found her right after we left an' managed to revive her, though I don't know how. The ambulance wrecked on the way to the hospital, which gave her a concussion. She was found by El Grande an' taken to the hospital. She lost all her memory from the trauma. He then took her in, an' trained her as his assistant. She believes I tried to kill her. She tried to kill me or I'd not of known she was here.
 
Valentine: You were the cowboy at the gas station?!?!?
 
Hondo: yeah.
 
Valentine: But they said you were dead!
 
Hondo: naw, they just think so, or thought so. Now they know different. Anyway, El Grande is an' ld enemy that predates Laurie. I thought I killed him before I ever met her. His name was Hatfield in those days.
 
Valentine: What about Annie?
 
Hondo: Well, she tried to kill the Boss man, an' wants to kill me an' the boss man's wife as well. El Grande is a drug dealer, so he helps Annie to make himself look good to the drug community as we tore it apart a while back.
 
Valentine: That was you?! I heard about it.
 
Hondo: Not Me. Us.
 
 Both were silent for the rest of the trip.. Valentine pondered on what was to be done an' on what kind of man had saved her. Hondo pondered on what he was goin' to do with her an' how Fernando was gonna take it when he brought home a stray.
 
 It was 8:00 when the houses gates came into sight an' Hondo nearly panicked at the sight of the SWA clean-up crew's presence. He floored the truck, makin' the engine roar an' the tires squeal as he did so. The gates were open so he flew up the drive an' squealed the tires as he stopped.
 
Hondo: Somethin's wrong. You wait here. I'll be right back.
 
Hondo jumped outta the truck an' walked briskly into the house, hand on his revolver

OOC: Sorry it's short. :BIC
 
 
Hondo walked out to the car and climbed in. after he gave the car his name an' password the engine started.
 
Hondo: Alright, set GPS to the department store in Rome. No driving help needed.
 
 His requests were confirmed so he took off. The time was 9:30 am
 
 Travelin' to town took less time in the car as he could go faster easier, since the car was low to the ground, but it was still a long enough time for Hondo to think. He was a bit distraught with it all. He wondered if he had done the right thing in bringin' her to the safe house. He knew if her story was true an' she was interrogated by the police it would be all over the news an' Annie, Laurie, an' El Grande would make themselves harder to get, if not go underground completely for a while. They would also probably have every 2 bit scum bag and back shooter after Fernando, an' his group. 'Hondo wanted to believe her an' her eye seemed to speak truth, but he'd been tricked by women before. His lonesome heart wanted to believe her, an' to possibly love her, but as soon as that thought came into his mind he shut it out. He had been hurt too much before. He had a mission to complete, he told himself. She will only get in the way, she's more trouble than she's worth, was what his mind told him. He was unable to love again, he told himself, but was it true? Was he just too scared of bein' hurt again? How could a man like him, that could an' almost had charged hell with a bucket of water be afraid of a little woman? But it was not the woman that he feared as much as his own heart. Man may lose his body in a fight to the death without a second thought, but the break of a heart he will shun every time.
 
 He arrived at the department store at 10:15 an' went inside. As he got out of the car he winced an' stretched out his sore muscles. he had hurt before, but sittin' made him all the stiffer. It'd be even worse on the trip back he knew, an' this brought no comfort. It didn't take him long to shop as he went in with a purpose. He wasn't sure which brand to buy so he bought her a black an' blue pair of Levi jeans an' the same in Wrangler, all boot cut medium waist cut. He then grabbed a black, grey, an' brown flannel shirt, an a pack of woman's medium t-shits that came in a mixed pack of grey, black, an' white. he also grabbed her a pack of cotton bikini underwear of the same color as that of the t-shirts. He was not sure what else she'd need or if she would even live long enough to use what he had so he figured ifin he had to he could always come back. Shoppin' an' checkout time wasn't more than 30 minutes, so Hondo was back in the car headin' to the safe house by 10:45.
 
 Lunch rush hour traffic slowed his return time by 15 minutes, which only gave him all the more time to think. He hoped Fernando wasn't mad at him an' hoped he knew that Hondo would do nothin' to jeopardize the mission or any of their safety, but ifin he didn't by now he probably never would. Hondo Sackett only took chances with Hondo Sackett, not with anyone else. Hondo hoped Fernando an' Valentine might get to talk before he gets home in case he was wrong so Fernando would shoot her instead of him havin' too, though he would shoot her ifin he had too. Hondo also pondered on why Fernando had him take the Porsche. His reason seemed valid, but why was he worried about her? He seemed more angry that she was here, so why would he worry about scarin' her? Hondo tried not to think about her. He could not love again, an' he could not let her cloud the mission. AS he thought 'bout all that he remembered what a friend of his from Australia once told him, "Some people want things, possessions, riches, but all of that can be taken away and in the end all your left with is your story. Your story is only made by following your dream, but if you have no love in your heart you have no dream, and no story."
 
--------------------------
 
10:00, Valentine woke up from her chloroform induced sleep. She woke slowly an' was confused as she woke. At first she thought she was back home, but as she recognized the room as unfamiliar, an' as she started to feel pain again she became worried an' a bit scared. She forced herself upright in bed, though it took a couple tries. She looked around at the room then down at her self, she was still half under the blankets, but the bathrobe she wore was open at the top an' showed that she had nothin' else on. She could see the bandage on her arm, see the bruises on her ribs, an' stomach, an' after she uncovered her legs she could see the bandages there an' more bruisin'. It all came back to her in a flood of memory. It all seemed so unreal to her, the van hittin' her, the men shootin' at her, her shootin' back, then this mysterious cowboy in black that used his body as a shield to protect her from the bullets, then he turned coolly, an' without fear shot down the thugs that had tried to kill her. She remembered the last one the best, the man with the Uzi. The cowboy spit out "Make my day" in such a cold manner that it sent shivers though her as she thought about it again. He then without any emotion blew the thug away with what appeared to be a hand cannon as if he was swattin' a fly. She barely remembered their conversation on the way here, an' she was pretty sure he had carried her up here, but was not positive. She remembered a dark haired squirrel in dark shades an' an Asian lookin' mouse, but she was not sure who they were. Was that Hondo's Boss an' his wife? she wasn't sure.
 
 Valentine sat on the bed for 5 minutes before tryin' to move. She hurt badly, but wanted to see Hondo an' find out what was goin' on. She sat on the edge of the bed an' tried to stand, but her leg was too stiff an' sore to hold her weight. After lookin' around for a moment she saw a cane leanin' at the end of the bed. She scooted to the foot of the bed an' grabbed it. With this in hand she was able to stand an' hobble about a bit. After she got her leg lose enough to stand without leanin' on the cane she tied shut the bathrobe she had on. As she looked around she determined this must be Hondo's room, as some of the times in 'there were western. The room itself was clean, an' well maintained, but was furnished plainly but efficiently. This suited her well as she'd never been one for frivolous decorations. After a bit she decided to venture out of the room. She didn't know when they might check on her again, an' she didn't feel like waitin'. Also, bein' hurt made her feel helpless an' even more alone. She just needed to see or hear someone, hopefully Hondo, but she'd take any friendly face, though friendly would not define the face she would first see.
 
 As she walked out of the room she looked around. I was The area appeared to be the sleepin' quarters of the house, an' one bathroom was seen on the hall as well. She found a stair case an' looked down it not seein' anyone below. She called out Hondo's name softly, but heard no reply. As she descended the stairs she saw the kitchen off to her left an' the livin' room out in front of her. Once at the bottom of the stairs she called out Hondo's name again. Then a voice answered an' scared her. It was familiar but unfamiliar at the same time. Who ever it was had been in the kitchen area close to the stairs an' she hadn't seen him.
 
Voice: Hondo is not here right now.
 
She jumped, spun, an' would have fallen down had the man the spoke not had caught her from fallen.
 
Valentine: I'm sorry you scared me.
 
Squirrel: Well, If you aren't who Hondo believes you are you should be afraid.
 
Valentine: Where is he? An' Who are you?
 
Fernando: I am Fernando. I own this place. Where Hondo is now is no concern of yours, but he'll be back soon.
 
Valentine: Your Hondo's Boss. You patched me up, didn't you?
 
Fernando: Yes.
 
Valentine: You don't trust me, do you?
 
Fernando: You have not given me any reason too.
 
Valentine: Hondo said the same thing.

Valentine went into the bathroom to change. She took off the bathrobe an' looked at herself. She was black an' blue from right below her breasts to her knees. Large white bandages covered where she had gotten shot. She could feel the stitches under the bandages. She had a bit of a headache too, which she figured was not only from her accident but from the whiskey she consumed. She had been drunk before, though not of her own choosin' an' knew it took a lot for her to lose control, an' that was not enough, but it was enough to give her the headache an' make her feel like not eatin', but so does a van in the ribs. She turned around to try to see her back as well, some bruisin' there too, but not as bad. Her muscles ached mostly an' she did not like them bein' so stiff. Openin' the medicine cabinet she found some muscle ache rub, she took her time rubbin' it in an' it felt good, though for a moment the thought crossed her mind that she'd rather have some cowboy doin' it for her. The thought quickly left. She didn't plan to live long enough to get into a relationship, an' the thought of a relationship scared her. She hadn't trusted her heart to a relationship. She never thought she was good lookin' but she remembered how those males engineers had treated her as just a sex object. Were all men like that, she wondered. She kinda liked this cowboy, though. She did own him her life, after all, an' he was a man with physical desires. He She remembered how he had looked at her when he patched her up the first time. He didn't ogle an' was very respectful, but a certain light crossed his eyes at times as he looked at her, though he seemed to chase it away. An idea formed in her mind, one that she'd have to think on a bit.
 
 Valentine finally finished with the muscle rub an' put on her t-shirt. She looked at the jeans an' frowned. Hondo had cut up the leg before he had bandaged up her leg. The right leg was nearly cut off as is, so she found a razor knife an' made some shorts out of them. She slipped the jean shorts on an' tucked in her t-shirt. She limped to Hondo's room where she found her boots. She sat on the edge of the bed an' pulled them on. after she found her hat an' pulled it one. She was missin' her overshirt an' hated not havin' it so she borrowed a black work shirt of Hondo's. It was large on her so she didn't bother snappin' it up. She stood up an' limped around a bit. She decided not to take the cane with her as her muscles were looser now, but she knew if she sat down to long they would stiffen up on her. She looked at her guns that lay on a chair in the corner. She picked up one of the revolvers an' held it for a moment. She hadn't been without one, even at her own place for a while. She laid it back down on the chair. If she was to earn trust she would wait until they said she could carry her gun.
 
 Valentine limped back down the stairs. Fernando was mostly done with his breakfast when she made her appearance again. She had no stomach to eat right now. Fernando made her a bit nervous but she tried not to show it. She had a job to do, an' these people could help, but more importantly she owed them her life, especially Hondo. She like Fernando's manner somehow an' she wanted to make sure she played by his rules so she came down, besides, she wanted to check over her Harley in case she needed an out. Fernando was one she realized would be good to have on your side or the worst possible person to have against you, much like Hondo she guessed.
 
She stopped an' stood by the table an' waited for Fernando to address her.

Hondo stepped out of the Porsche, an' as he did so, he saw Fernando an' Tammy retreat into the house. He heard an old engine idlin' behind his truck. He grabbed the bags on the passenger seat an' strode to the truck. Valentine was dressed an' on her knees. She stood up when she saw Hondo an' turned off the Harley. As she stood there in her cut off jeans an' t-shirt, a bit of grease on her cheek, she looked like a million dollars to him. 'She smiled as he came up.
 
Valentine: Your back! Fernando helped me get my bike out of your truck. He thinks my carbs are out of sink an' said you might have a syncro-meter.
 
Hondo nodded: Yeah I got an' older model one, but it should work. You are lookin' better than when I saw ya last.
 
Valentine: Fernando patched me up good, but he said I need to stay here an' heal for a while. He said if I take off anytime soon my stitches could pop an' I'll bleed to death before I can do anythin'.  
 
 Hondo narrowed his eyes at that. He had seen the wounds. They were not pretty, but they weren't gushers. He decided to ponder on it, but he was pretty sure why Fernando would say that. Hondo remembered what he had to go through to win Fernando's trust. He had done that faster than most, an' most flunked out. They wouldn't have been friends like they were now ifin they hadn't been through the first mission together. That mission built a lot of trust, of which Hondo was glad for, but Fernando ever bein' Fernando he still acted like he didn't trust Hondo too much, but Hondo knew different. Hondo didn't fault Fernando for it, though. He hadn't been there nor seen the truth in her eyes, but even seein' it firsthand Hondo did still not trust her totally.  
 
 Hondo decided to talk to Fernando later about her. 'Hondo was almost afraid to love again, an' even if he decided to he didn't know if she would reciprocate it, but he knew his heart was fightin' what his mind told him was a bad idea. He worried about his judgment, whether or not he could see her for who or what she was, without blinders on.
 
 Hondo: Hmm, well ya'd better listen to him. He knows his business. Oh, I got this for ya in town.
 
 Hondo handed her the bags wit the clothes in it. Her eyes got wide as she dug around. She looked up at him 'an' smiled. He thought he could almost see a tear in her eye.
 
Valentine: That's where you were! How can I ever thank you. Ya'll have done so much for me. I don't deserve all you've done an' I don't know how to pay ya back.
 
Hondo: Don't worry about thankin' me. You prove to be who ya say ya are an' I'll take care of the bill. I made a little money last time I was here. But what do ya mean by not deserve?
 
Valentine hung her head: My Pa an' his friends died because of me. I should be dead not them. I don't deserve to live or be helped.
 
Hondo frowned an' spoke gruffly: Now I'll have none of that! That's damned stupid talk! I put my life on the line 'cause I saw worth in ya, as did your Pa an' his friends, or they would not have done what they did! You want revenge for what they did? Stick with us, but don't throw your life away. They are scum! They aren't worth throwin' your life away!
 
Valentine: But I have nothin' left in life . . .
 
Hondo raised his voice: Ta hell ya don't!! You lost some folks you cared about, well that happens. Life is only as good or bad as you make it. You have a chance here an' now to make some new friends. Even ifin ya don't care for us there will be other folks. You ride an' old Harley. That speaks volumes. Only a good mechanic can keep those old bikes runnin', I know. I saw how you faced them down, an' pulled your guns even though knocked sill by that van. You have talent an' guts. You can go a long way ifin ya get rid of that poor me attitude!
 
 Hondo started to walk away from her toward the house. Valentine was in tears an' yelled back at him.
 
Valentine: What do you know about losin' everyone or everythin' you care about!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE!!!
 
 Hondo stopped an' looked down at the ground. He stood there for a few seconds but to both it felt like eternity. He finally turned around an' walked back up to her. His face held a cold, hard look that could chill one with one look, but his eyes were only sad. He spoke quietly an' slowly.
 
Hondo: 'I know all too well. Don't think for a moment that you're the only one that has ever lost anythin' or anyone they cared about.
 
 He started to turn away when she grabbed onto his sleeve.
 
Valentine: I'm sorry. I just don't know how to deal with what I feel. I didn't mean to '. . .
 
Hondo: It's alright. Just forget it happened an' lets start over. If you need help talk to one of us. Any of us, Fernando, Jeanie, Tammy. Well, be careful with Jeanie. She's a bit of a loud mouth, but don't throw your life away.
 
Valentine: An' if you need to talk to someone about what happened to you . . .
 
Hondo cut her off: I don't. Don't bring my past up again. It is past an' I don't care to dwell on it or publicize it.  
 
Valentine nodded.  
 
Hondo: Now ya should put your clothes away upstairs. You can stay in my room. I'll sleep in the basement.
 
Valentine: You don't have to. That bed is big enough for two.
 
Hondo: Yes I do. Just leave it at that.
 
 Valentine looked at him for a moment then wrapped her arms around him an' held him tight.
 
Valentine: Thank you.
 
Hondo grimaced: Watch it.
 
 She let go of him quickly.
 
Valentine: What's wrong?
 
Hondo: That bullet proof jacket an' vest I had only stops penetration. Every slug is like getting hit with a baseball bat. I'm pretty sore all over.
 
Valentine: Are you gonna be alright? Did you tell Fernando?
 
Hondo: I'll be fine, just bruised up. An' no I'm not tellin' Fernando, an' it would displease me ifin he finds out.
 
She shook her heard in understandin' but was worried about him. She had hear the bullets hit. Fernando should know, she knew, but she didn't want to hurt Hondo's trust, but would it help Fernando's trust of her if she did tell. She figured Fernando to be the harder one to gain trust but she wasn't so sure anymore.  
 
Hondo spoke up after a moment: Might as well put those clothes away. They aren't very fancy, but they should get you by, I know you can't have a lot in those packs other than a few supplies an' ammo, eh?
 
Valentine shook her head yes.
 
Hondo: Well let's go inside. I need to check in with Fernando. I'm sure plans have changed since the house was attacked. From now on I think we're gonna have to stick together. No more single man searches.
 
 Hondo started off into the house without waitin'. Valentine grabbed her bags an' followed.

Hondo took the items handed him an' observed them. One thing he learned with Fernando was he expected you to inspect an' learn yourself then ask questions. He never took kindly to someone askin' what somethin' was before they examined it.  
 
 Hondo looked the items over. He had a 2 way radio that looked like a watch, a transceiver (12 channels), a couple receivers, a micro Leatherman, an' a small camera.
 
Hondo: Spy gear, mission team communications radios, an' bomb detonator, eh?
 
Fernando: yeah. I figured you'd know what to do with some of that. The radio and micro Leatherman are yours. If Valentine eats, is well enough, and you think she's trust worthy enough, she might get one too and help out.
 
Hondo: What are your plans for the bomb stuff?
 
Fernando: we'll talk about that later. Right now you need to worry about that gal. Remember what I said earlier.
 
Hondo: I remember. Been thinkin' on it too. I understand where yo' are comin' from, an' I appreciate that you hold me in high enough regard to say that this place is partly mine too. You've been a good friend, an' I'd not do anythin' to jeopardize that or any of ya. I don't completely trust Val, but at the same time I believe her. Had I not felt in my gut that I could believe her I'd not risked bringin' her here first. I'd have taken her to a hospital an' let the police take us. I'd take a bullet for any of you, even Jeanie, though I can't stand her at times, anytime. Even though I'm not immortal like you an' Tammy here are. I'd rather be shot up an' even dead than to let anythin' happen to you all because of my actions or lack of them.
 
Fernando: I know.
 
Hondo: Of all of us I know ya do, but with that said I'm not askin' ya to trust Val right now. I appreciate the advice, an' I will take it to heart as I know you have all our best interests in mind. I will take what ya said an' use it the best I can. I'll use the room still, though I hadn't planned to, but understand this, just 'cause I draw a line somewhere that is considered old fashioned doesn't mean that I'm not open to exceptions. I might act odd sometimes, but some things I hafta work out on my own in my own way in my own time. Oh, an' if any bastard makes any comment about me as to why I am a bit shy of women right now, not havin' it on with a gal right now, or struttin' my stuff 'round one or more, have them come tell me to my face. I'll deal with them.  
 
Fernando: You know you don't hafta explain to me. Just don't let your past ruin your future.
 
Hondo: Don't worry 'bout me.
 
Fernando: I don't, but I do. I think you understand.
 
Hondo: Yeah. I'll go talk to Val an' leave you an' Tammy to talk. I'm sure you have things to explain to her before her agency folk get here.
 
Hondo walked up the stairs. He barely heard the comments made behind him as he left.
 
Tammy: He is a good friend to have, isn't he?
 
Fernando: More than he'll even know.
 
 Hondo walked upstairs to his room. Valentine sat on the bed cleanin' her guns.  
 
Hondo: Ifin ya plan on bein' able to use them ya'd better eat up like Fernando said.
 
Valentine: I just don't have much of an appetite. Besides, I'm fine, I know I am.
 
Hondo: The Boss Man says you aren't. Until further notice, what he says goes.
 
Valentine: I'm fine, besides, why do you call him Boss? He said he is not.
 
Hondo: Well, he might as well be. Listen, he knows more about this business than anyone can. F he says it, ya might not agree with it, but ya'd better at least consider it. He don't speak just to hear himself. He only speaks like that when he has somethin' to say, so when he talks listen well. He says you need to eat. I did first aid on ya. Your ribs are stickin' out, your paler than ya should be, your eyes are blood shot, an' your hand shakes.  
 
Valentine looked down at the floor.
 
Valentine: Please don't worry 'about me. All those who do end up dead.
 
Hondo: well, ifin I end up dead It will probably be from savin' your butt 'cause you didn't eat an' wasn't able to hold up your end.
 
Valentine stood up fast as she was a bit miffed, but staggered. Hondo reached out an' grabbed her good arm.
 
Hondo: Now, see that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. Your strong, but you body is weak due to lack of food.
 
Valentine sighed: I guess your right. I'll eat soethin'.
 
Hondo: you'll eat a lot of somethin's. Now let's go down stairs.
 
 Hondo walked beside her, but she made it fine. She was weak due to lack of food, but tried not to show it. She was proud an' strong, though not puffed up. It was a silent pride that would only let someone that she really cared for help her.
 
 Once down stairs they entered the kitchen. No one was there so they had it to themselves. Hondo grabbed out some meat, cheese, an' bread for her to make a large sandwhich, an' she got out some chips, dip, an' salad stuff. They talked as they worked on makin' her a large emal.
 
Hondo: When the SWA get her do as Fernando said, you know nothin'.  
 
Valentine: I don't like to lie.
 
Hondo: I don't care to either, but in this business you have to for now. Not just for your safety but for all of ours. They decide you know more than you are sayin' or have knowledge of what happened, they will drag you, I an' anyone else they care to out of here, strap us down an' force us to tell all we know. That would be very bad.
 
Valentine nodded: I understand. I was goin' to do as Fernando said, but I just wanted to point that out.
 
Hondo: No need to. We all do things we don't like to in this world. I still am learnin' to do things I don't want to do. You are involved in a game of life an' death. The other side plays by no real rules. We have rules but we cannot afford too many rules or they will win. What we do, Fernando, Tammy, an' I, is fight for those who can't fight for themselves. We fight for our own first an' foremost, but it is not for our gain. Thus we sacrifice some of our values. This is the price to free some that can't free themselves. Freedom does not come cheap, but some of us are willin' to pay the price. None of us is promised tomorrow, but if we can make a good tomorrow for even a few that would not have it otherwise we've been successful.  
 
Valentine: I see.
 
Hondo: I'm not sure you do, but ifin ya stick 'round here you will.
 
Valentine: I'll stay at least until we get these people. I will not be able to rest as long as they live.
 
Hondo: Ok then. Oh, an' we are sharin' a room. Another compromise that we have to make to keep the SWA dumb to goin's on.
 
Valentine: there's room enough for two on that bed.
 
Hondo: There is a chair as well.
 
Valentine looked a bit dejected at that statement.
 
 Valentine: You don't like me enough to share a bed with me?
 
Hondo: The opposite is true. I like you too much to want to have bad spoken 'bout you 'cause of me, no matter what you've done in the past.
 
Valentine: Don't worry about that. I owe you everythin' I have an' am. I've never been with a man before, but if you want.. . .
 
Hondo cut her off: Whoa right there! I am askin' nothin' of the kind of ya. IF we live through this an' want to maybe become more than friends then we'll talk 'bout things, but if we do it will be because we care 'bout each other. Not for payment or lust. Now get to eatin' we'll talk more later.
 
 Valentine thought, did I hear him right? Does he like me? She liked him for some reason, though she barely knew him, but it lifted her heart. He actually said somethin' about goin' further in their relationship if all went well! This brought back her appetite with a vengeance. She added some macaroni salad to her mix as well as she started to eat. In the back of her mind she worried that he might change his mind, though or he was just sayin' that to keep her quiet. She was scared to a bit, but she knew she owed him an' wanted to make him happy, though it would be a first time for her, an' she only wanted to do it with him. She thought on what she must do to repay him an' keep him. The answer kept comin' to her but she did not like it.
 
Hondo wondered what had gotten into that sckull of hers. She liked her, an' he did not see her to be a player, but she worried him a bit. He only hoped she'd throw him no curve balls while they shared a room. He worried that even to his iron constitution that the temptation would be too great. It'd been a long time since he'd been with a woman, an' there were times he ached to be again.
 
Hondo walked towards the livin' room to look out the window as he heard a dog bark down the road. Barkin' dogs always caught his attention as usually it meant a change in somthin'. As he looked out he saw some vehicles approach the house. Tammy came up from the basement as he turned 'round.
 
Hondo: Damn!
 
Tammy: What's wrong?
 
Hondo: The SWA, your bosses. Hey are here! Quick, Help Val get her food up to my room an' have her stashed away. Please.
 
Tammy: Sure Hondo.
 
 Tammy ran over to Valentine who had already started to gather her stuff Hondo walked quickly down the basement stairs.
 
Hondo: Boss man, SWA. They're back.