Birthday Bash! (Lewt's birthday party!)

[Jeremiah Benjamin Atkins]

The gang had a party to put together. Jeremiah decided he was going to be charge of it this year. They had decorated the sitting room by making it look like it was trashed. “You think he like this?” Joe asked as Jeremiah walked in the room.

Jeremiah came through to check the progress, he stopped to look at Joe. “Yes,” he paused, grabbed the bottle from Joe, “Save the drinking for later, you gonna be knocked out before Lewt comes back with or Angela /or and Rio, Jeremiah wanted to do this party with Angela and Rio out. He threaten the gang to be quiet. ” I he said smiling. “I finish it,” he said, pulled the flask up. Nothing come out. “OH! You pig!” he threw the empty jar at Joe, “Bastard!” the bottle fell down and broke. They all laughed at the broken bottle. Hell, they all drunk since they started this decoration.

“Keep working. Make it look like we trashed the place. Work harder! I go finish set up the fire works,” he told the gang. He stopped, they heard someone whistle. “Oh, someone is heading this way! It can be the trio coming back! Oh you know what to do!” He exclaimed as he quickly ran over to the entrance. He peeked to see who it was or who was warning who was coming. They had guards all over the place to warn when someone was coming.

The plan was the members run and hide. They wanted the place look it was torn apart. The prank was to make look like the gang was caught or whatever. They wanted to take this party a whole new level. This year Jeremiah wanted to be in charge of this party surprise.

He put extra effort on extra booze, food and fire works. it was going to be one party. They all got what gift they wanted for Lewt.

Through all this chaos, Jeremiah had been wondering what Curl has been up too. She enters his mind when he was doing something. Why was that? He should had killed her! She was a shrewd, and she was...something. It was mixing his thoughts up. Why did he not kill her? He tried to shove her out his head. "Women!"

Mike looked up, "What?"

"NOTHING! FOCUS AND SHH! We have to see what is going on outside! Blow the candles! We don't want to spoil this..or I skin you!"

[Lewt McConnell]

Lewton had gotten shot by his woman and to him (as painful as it had been) it was purely comical. The doctor had taken him in, pulled the lodged bullet from his flesh, and put his arm in a sling. The bullet had seared through and cracked his humerus bone. Fortunately, nothing was broken. As the doctor explained him to be careful in order to prevent any more damage, he and Rio headed for the canyons. He understood that Rio felt more terrible than he did. The entire scenario by the steps of the Blackbird Saloon looked more conspicuous than his intentions. His womanizing days were over, he felt no desire to loose Rio over another woman. As he explained this they both had come to an understanding. The journey through the desert and canyons was long. Yet the moon shone through and reflected it’s pale luminous light on the earth below. As they neared towards the hidden direction of the hide-out, the two ventured through the narrow pathway of boulders and rocks.

As they were in range of the hide-out, the moon’s glow cast across the stretch of desert land. The building in the distant lit up with fluoresce. Lewton’s eye’s sculpted out the familiar sight. “I reckon I’m goin’ in. Don’ know if th’ boys are here.” He said, turning towards Rio. As he dismounted he handed her the reins and kissed her softly on the forehead. “Ya do me a favor an’ take care o’ ol’ Lancaster.” He took a step back and smiled, looking down at his arm in the sling. “Looks like I’m too crippl’d fer now.” He included sarcastically. Before Rio could say anything more he made his way through the dark building.

It was quiet, oddly quiet. Lewton was quick to light a kerosene lamp at the end of the hallway perched on the table. As the living room filled with firelight, Lewton was taken aback at the mess. The place look torn up. Setting the kerosene lamp on the table he quickly drew one of his colts from their holster. “Come out ya, sunbitch. ‘fore I kill ya!” He shook his gun in the air and hid securely behind the hallway corner.

He shook his head, long blonde hair tousling upon his shoulders. “I ain’t in no mood t’ be messed with, ya varmint. Git the hell out o’ here an’ fight me like a man.” He eyed the kerosene lamp upon the hallway table. “Surprise! Don’t shoot Lewt, it’s a surprise!” Shouted a familiar voice. Unsurely, he slowly lowered his Colt and peered carefully over the corner of the hallway. His eyes rested on Michael. Frowning, he made himself visible. The rest of the men jumped out unexpectedly. A smile lit up Lewton’s features. “Ya shoul’ of just said so. Went through all this ‘rouble to scare the hell out o’ me. Ya shouldn’ o’ had.” Lewt drawled.

He tucked the colt away into his leather holster and looked around at the ravaged room. He was grateful that they hadn’t actually went through the trouble of tearing the furniture apart. It all had been so damned expensive (even though they had stolen most of it). “What in good God happened to yer arm?” Questioned Michael, his arm looped around a unfamiliar woman. Lewton laughed heartily. “Big ol’ misunderstandin’ I ’pose.”

[Rio Daniels]

She had been absurdly quiet since the entire situation had gone down. Her pistols were firmly holstered on her narrow hips and she refused to even think about them and what she had just done. She had shot Lewt out of jealousy, out of hysteria and a small part of her would never forgive herself. She knew that she had shot him because she was terrified of losing him to another woman. It wasn't fair. This man had her twisted around his fingers and she couldn't, for the life of her, untangle herself. She was utterly and hopelessly in love with this man, as their declarations had proven. Shaking her head a moment, she sighed softly and looked down to the horn of her saddle. She didn't know how she was ever going to make this up to him, but her thoughts did wander to the gift for him in her saddle bags.

It was an antique pistol that she had managed to purchase from an arms dealer. She had actually paid for it with her own money, so this was an actual, genuine gift. It wouldn't make up for what she did to him but she hoped that it was a start. Sighing softly to herself, she pushed up the brim of her hat as she asked West to trot along behind Lancaster. Their pace was steady but easy, and the two horses wouldn't tire from a journey that they were so used to making. She let her fingers run along the paint stallion's neck before she focused on reaching the hide out. The doctor had been nice enough, but had found the situation to be rather different than he was used to dealing with. It was obvious that he had looked down at her because she was a woman, and even more so because she was a woman with a gun who didn't seem to know how to handle them.

Rio knew had to handle the weapons. She was quite skilled when it came to shooting actually, and her draw was one of the quickest out of the gang members. She hadn't been thinking and that was what scared her the most. She couldn't make mistakes like these. It was too dangerous for everyone involved. Trying not to dwell too much on it, she pulled West up as they reached the hide out. Blinking in quiet shock, she couldn't believe that they had already made it. It showed how much she was paying attention. Gingerly lifting herself from the saddle so she wouldn't reveal anything in the skirt she was wearing, she stepped down and then suddenly felt reins being pressed into her hand and a soft kiss on her forehead. Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, nodding softly to him. She didn't speak because she didn't trust herself to.

Leading the horses into the barn, she unsaddled one and then the other. Brushing both of them down until they shone, she took a lot longer than she normally would have. Rio put the tack away carefully, making sure everything was in its proper place. Once that was finished, she readied the stalls for the two of them, giving them fresh straw and hay, as well as water. She knew that she was stalling, she knew that she was taking too long but she couldn't help herself. And how she managed to keep this white corseted shirt clean was beyond her knowledge. The red skirt swirled around her ankles, layering upwards to reveal a bit of her long legs. She didn't know what she was thinking. She felt idiotic. Snorting at that thought, she turned West and Lancaster in for the night, dousing the lights as she traveled from the barn to the house, the saddle bag in hand.

Reaching the front porch, Rio could hear the voices inside. As one man, it sounded like Michael, asked Lewt what had happened to his arm, Rio froze on the porch. She didn't want the men seeing her in a dress for the first time ever and she didn't want to be there when Lewt told them what had happened. Despite the chill that was quickly filling the air, she left Lewt to celebrate with his men, not wanting to take him away from that setting. She lowered herself into one of the porch chairs, bringing her knees up to her chest and covering herself with the skirt fabric. Letting out a sigh, her bright blue eyes stared across the desert, listening to what was going on inside of the hide with a mild curiosity. She wasn't going to be responsible for ruining his birthday celebration even more than she already did.

[Jeremiah Benjamin Atkins]

No clue what was going on inside, Jeremiah heard Lewt's voice inside. That was the cue he needed to go start the fire works. Over at the barn, Jeremiah spotted someone taking the horse over to the barn. He figured it was one of the gang. He dismissed it, gone back to what he was doing.

Taking the flint, he was getting ready to strike the main fuse for the fire works. He was hoping to had the fireworks go as Lewt was inside being surprise, but that was okay. He licked his lips, before lighting the fuse. Was that a man he saw taking the horse back? It had no legs. The shadow of the night was playing with his mind.

There was all lot of fire works. The gang stole all lot for this party. There was a celebration shipment going to a town. It seemed no body won't celebrate there. He took the flame struck the fuse, he hid behind the cover. God, he hoped his talent was not going to fail him. He had everything stringed right to make it go off proper. That's what Jeremiah was good at. How to blow things up and how to get the best result. How? He just has this knack of a feel where to put them.

The fireworks shot in the air, he looked up. “damn I am fucking good!”

[Rio Daniels]

As she was sitting there, lost in her thoughts, she was suddenly aware of a rather loud bang coming from behind the hide out, and she panicked. It sounded like gun fire, and the blast of light that followed it was something that she couldn't even begin to explain. Launching herself out of the porch chair, she heard it topple over with a crash behind her, but she didn't pay it any mind. Sprinting from the porch, she landed on the ground, her booted feet scuffing the dirt as she gathered the dreaded skirt in her hands to allow her more room to run.

She reached the other side of the house in seconds, always having speed on her side ever since she was young. She skidded to a halt as she saw what was going on in front of her, her bright blue eyes lifting skywards to see the display that was happening in front of her. Everyone in Del Fuego would be able to see these! Her eyes widened in disbelief and a bit of awe at the display before her, but that awe and wonder was quickly replaced by anger and fury.

Her gaze cut across to the young man that was firing off the fireworks and she moved forward quickly, looking at him incredulously. "What are ya thinkin' ya fool?! Everyone in Del Fuego can see those! This is a hide out fer a reason!" She shouted, her temper from earlier this evening still obviously present. This day just kept getting worse and worse and she didn't know how to handle it. Looking at him with a vicious gleam to her eyes, she threw up her hands. "Ya wanna stick around for the authorities, be mah guest." She spat at him angrily, turning on her heel quickly. She knew that she was taking her anger and frustration out on Jeremiah, but right now she viewed him as an easy target. She needed some type of release. No matter how beautiful those fireworks were, Rio needed to find something to yell about. She wasn't usually this bad, and lately she had been rather amiable to be around. But after shooting Lewt, things were just going down hill, and fast.

(( I apologize for her attitude! She's having a rough day D: ))

[Jeremiah Benjamin Atkins]

The fireworks was great. It was one of his best. The boy genius when it comes to fireworks. He does not know how they make them, but he just knew how to put fireworks and dynamite to the max. Everyone knew it was his work.

"What are ya thinkin' ya fool?! Everyone in Del Fuego can see those! This is a hide out fer a reason!"

Not seeing Rio move up to him, but when she started to yell at him, he heard her, and tried to wave her away with his hand. “Shut up! I am watching!” He exclaimed.

Now, she was yelling at him, he stopped watching, turned his attention to her. God she looked like she was going to blow up. Who the hell she think she was? It was one of the new members. What was her name? Rio or something.

That woman had a problem, “damn it woman!” he yelled after her. “Aggressive. Go give Lewt some lovin' and blow off that damn steam. It's his birthday. Give him blow job for his birthday!” He yelled at her. "Hell, that's what he likes from you women."

That's when he noticed she had a skirt on. “Oh,” he stopped. Did she try have sex with Lewt all ready?Oh...did he not...oh...the thoughts ran through his mind. Hogwash! Who cares! She could not get some from Lewt. That was fine. Lewt will enjoy his fireworks.

[Lewt McConnell]

The thunderous sound of fireworks made Lewton jump. “What in God’s name is goin’ on here?!” Lewton drawled slightly taken aback. Searching the men’s faces in the dim light he realized it was a surprise. Surprises called for fireworks. At least for the men. “Go look at ‘em, boss.” One of the men motioned towards the back of the building. Eagerly, Lewton made his way to the back of the dark building. Quickly, he burst through the back entrance of the building. His eyes catching on the luminous array of fireworks streaming through the night’s sky. The noise was as loud as gunshots. He winced slightly as each erupted from their shell. He glanced towards Jeremiah who stood back watching the colorful streaming of colors. “Ah, I see this i’ yer ruckus.” He laughed making his way towards the young man.

It wasn’t long after that Rio came racing towards the two men. Her eyes were ignited with fire and her voice was bitter. He could see the apparent rage written across her features and he furrowed his brow. He looked back at Jeremiah as he defended his reasoning. At that moment Lewton grew unsure if the two had noticed his appearance. As they begun to yell at one another he shook his head, long blonde locks tossing about his head. “Hey! Now! That’s ‘nough! Both of ya!” He shouted above the loud crackle of the fireworks.

Stepping forward, moonlight outlining his figure, he stepped between the two. damn, it was loud. The fireworks were spectacular. However, Rio did have a good reasoning. “Thank ya, Jer. For this good ol’ party ya set up. Now, ya two make amends. I ain’t gone be babysittin’ tonight.” He looked back at Rio and smiled warmly. “It’s alrigh’, freckles. Jus’ a lil’ celebration. I don’ think many folks would dare venture up here after all this.” He looked away towards the distance, watching the fireworks.

He wasn’t certain if they could be tracked from Del Fuego. He exhaled a deep sigh. “An’ if we ar’, looks like we’ll have us a good ol’ fashioned showdown.” He smiled warmly and nodded glancing back and forth between the two individuals.

He turned his face up towards the sky as he grew silent. The piercing noises broke the silence of the canyons, echoing through the atmosphere. “How bout I break out that good ol’ Kentucky bourbon?” He exchanged a couple of glances between the two and settled his gaze on Jeremiah. “Oh an’ if in case ya ar’ wonderin’, Jerry. Me an’ Rio ain’t like that.” He sneered and shook his head viciously. “No, no. We ain’t.”

[Rio Daniels]

Offense peppered her features as the man in front of her told her to blow off some steam and give Lewton a blow job. Rio was not that type of woman and she had never been that way. She didn't even know how to respond, so frozen in shock was she. The nerve of this reckless, idiotic pig. A vicious fire flared into her normally pretty blue eyes and she stood there, fuming silently, her eyes cutting across the space to see Lewton. She hadn't even noticed that he was there. Blinking in her shock once more, her cheeks suddenly flared red at the embarrassment of it all. Not only had she shot him, but she was now being accused of being a whore basically, because that was what Lewt wanted from women like her.

Rio's feelings were hurt. It was as simple as that. This was why she didn't get herself involved with people. It was safer, it was easier, it was less dramatic. She didn't have to worry about losing her temper when it was only her and West and she also didn't have to worry about looking like a fool in front of people that she was actually trying to impress. She wasn't going overboard with her attempts. It was a quiet attempt and one that she hoped would gain their respect. But apparently all of them thought with their head, and not the one sitting atop their shoulders. While Lewton had proved his innocence to her only an hour before, the man standing in front of her would never gain her respect.

She wasn't going to take this. She wasn't going to stand for this. As Lewton told them to settle down because he didn't plan on babysitting anyone tonight, Rio shot her gaze to him. This was why she didn't even want to get involved with his party. It wasn't fair to him. He was supposed to be having a good time celebrating, not worrying about the members of his gang arguing. She would be the bigger person for once in her life. She would not ruin Lewt's night anymore than she already had. Fixing a smile upon her face that she hoped appeared to be genuine, she took a deep breath and exhaled softly. Turning her eyes to Jeremiah, she spoke quietly, withholding all emotion from her tone of voice. "My mistake. Great fireworks." It didn't sound forced, but it was apparent that she didn't stand by her words. She was doing this for Lewton.

Turning her gaze back towards Lewt as he defended their relationship, Rio didn't even bother on commenting. It wouldn't make a difference if she did or not because Jeremiah wouldn't believe her. Giving Lewton a more believable smile, she walked up to him, wanting to pacify him before she left him to his boys for the night. Her hand went to his waistline, slipping up before resting on his chest. Leaning in, she kissed him softly upon his lips and rested her forehead on his good shoulder for a moment. "Have fun cowboy. Happy birthday. I got somethin' for ya later. A gift. Bought it mahself." She said in a whisper to him, for if Jeremiah heard he would probably assume that she meant she'd sleep with him.

That wasn't it at all. Rubbing Lewt's back in a soft hug, she looked pulled back from his shoulder, giving him a small smile before pulling back. Turning on her heel, she dropped her gaze right to the ground so she didn't have to look at Jeremiah and feel the disgust rise within her stomach. She nearly jogged to the house, her boots carrying her up the front steps as she hurried to her room to change into something more her.

[Jeremiah Benjamin Atkins]

The smile on Rio did not seem right. It was like one plus one equals three. It did not add up right. Do not worry, one plus one equal is two. However, Rio's smile did not match her eyes. It was smile and anger in eyes. Jeremiah did not care Rio did not like him. Lewt did not tell everyone they had to like each other. They had to tolerate each other. Hell, Jeremiah would do whatever for the members, but he was not going to pretend he like you. He might not show it. Heck, he was just a trouble shoot.

“Oh an’ if in case ya ar’ wonderin’, Jerry. Me an’ Rio ain’t like that.” He sneered and shook his head viciously. “No, no. We ain’t.”

Jeremiah gave Lewt a look. What in the world was Lewt was talking about? “She's fire like a wild horse,” he replied. “You do know what that means...roughness in bed,” he said after she jogged away. That's when he saw a look in Lewt's eyes, and he saw the injured arm. “What happened to your arm?” he asked, looking down at it. The fire works about to stop just a few more. The other men where watching. It was a terrific show.

“Okay, we go you drink, but remember it's your party and we will get you drunk,” he told Lewt. The other guys are smiling. They got members who can play music instruments.

[Lewt McConnell]

He knew very well that Rio wasn’t pleased with Jeremiah. He watched her solemnly as she grew hesitant. Then a smile appeared fresh upon her lips. She proved a valid point of the fireworks. When hiding out, one had to be very cautious. He kept solemn as she drew forward and planted a kiss upon his lips. Lewton’s cornflower blue eyes glistened eagerly in the moonlight as he watched her. “Alright, now.” He spoke in a hushed tone of voice as she was near. “Thank ya, ya didn’t have t’ get me anything. I reckon ya know that.” As she finished she allowed their gaze to linger and she turned and jogged away. Exhaling a deep breathe he returned his eyes in the direction of Jeremiah.

He laughed softly as he spoke. Shaking his head. “Be careful what ya say ‘bout my old lady, compadre.” Lewton answered sarcastically, a prominent smile fresh upon his lips. He glanced back to her figure disappearing in the darkness. “She’s a good woman. Ya may not jus’ see it yet, but she is.” His voice grew dry and serious. Looking back at the young man before him he smiled once again. It seemed he couldn’t hold off long without a smile.

As Jeremiah questioned him about his arm and he sighed deeply. Hell, he couldn’t keep a secret from any of his men. He would explain it in such a way Jeremiah would understand both sides. He didn’t need his men despising Rio. Tilting his head he looked up at the burst of fireworks and colors in the sky. “Quite a lon’ story. A saloon girl was attemptin’ seduicin’ me. I reckon Rio walked in at the wrong time. Though’ I was foolin’ ‘round like the ol’ days. Well, she feels mighty awful ‘bout it. Don’ bring it up, she won’t forgive herself. I understand how she felt. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, my friend.” He furrowed his brows and shook his head.

“Too bad I can’t play the banjo tonight.” He chuckled and shrugged, motioning for the men to come inside as the fireworks tapered off.

[Jeremiah Benjamin Atkins]

Jeremiah sighed, “Boss man I am sorry I got her upset. I got spare fireworks. I shoot fireworks near another ranch. So the folks think there is celebration goin' out over there. And draw attention away from us, okay?” he asked as he turned back to Lewt. “O, happy birthday, old man!” He patted Lewt's back.

“So, you ain't messin' around with the girls at Blackbird? And you two are at it,” he said waving his finger at Lewt. “She shot you,” he said, rolling his eyes. “You see why I do not want a woman? If I had one like Rio. She shoot me here,” he placed his hand on his chest. “I am not readin' to settle down so I can be shot dead. No way, man! Hell, it explains yea happiness. Did ye know that, eh? You been extra happy. Me and the boys wanted the stuff you had. It's Rio. She's good, eh? You two really serious?”

The man turned to look over at Rio, where she was gone. “Fine,” he said, moving his foot in the dirt. “I nuthin' against her. Except, she and you, dang, you settlindown? Those girls at the Blackbird saloon won't be happy, but, Rio shoot them. Ah there is nuthin' to worry about, eh?” he said with a smirk. “I can be the shoulder fer them to cry on.”

“Yea, no, Banjo,” he added. “We can get by, I guess. Your only Banjo player in the gang. Why did she had to shoot you there? Woman!

[Lewt McConnell]

Lewton shrugged as Jeremiah offered to light another batch of fireworks. His shook his head and smiled. “If I get drunk ‘nough, perhaps.” As they made it into the kitchen he lit a small kerosene lamp and laid it out on the bar. Eagerly he grabbed the strongly brewed bourbon on the very top shelf of the bar. Snatching several crystal glasses he begun to pour each man a drink. Before Lewton could hand each drink out it seemed the men grabbed a drink one by one, eagerly. Lastly, he handed the drink to Jeremiah and tilted his glass up. “Cheers!” He took a drink from the strong alcohol. Cleansing his palette, he exhaled a refreshed sigh. “Thank ya men. I reckon for all these years for stickin’ by an ol’ fool like myself. Seems to me we’ve gotten ‘erselves in quite a ruckus from time to time. But we’ve always managed to stay on top.” The men commented in response, the room filling with mumbles.

He shot Jeremiah another gaze as he asked him about the Blackbird Saloon girls and he chuckled. “No, no. Seems to me as I age I reckon I ought to start thinking’ ‘bout stoppin’ my womanizing streak.” He looked away and watched the rummage of the room. The men started putting things in order. Fortunately, the mess wasn’t too horrendous. It certainly fooled him. He looked back and smiled, taking a sip of his bourbon before responding. “Oh, it ain’t so bad as ya think. Rio is a fine, lovely woman. Ain’t like them sleazy Saloon girls. Man, I’ll tell you what. She’s as beautiful as they come. An’ you may think I’m just a smitten ol’ cowboy but she certainly is one hell of a woman.” His brows rose as he spoke enthusiastically.

He laughed heartily in response to his comment and shrugged again. “Ah, well. They always knew I wasn’t their man to begin with. Now, they’ll go chasin’ after ya.” He shoved Jeremiah with his elbow and finished his drink. He was quick to pour another. “Oh, I reckon she broke one lil’ ladies nose down there this evening’.”

“Before no time I’ll be up an’ playin’ the banjo like no other.” As he said so one of the men begun to play the piano. Another pulled out a harmonica. Although, a peculiar mix it seemed to chime a lovely hymn in the atmosphere. “So, how ya faring with women. Now that ya speak of so, I’m just curious fer yerself.”