October 26, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I limped down the street with my cane towards Thomas. “Hey my love, how are you feeling?” he asked, looking me over. 

“Hello, dear! I needed to get out of that house. I was going stir crazy.” 

“I bet. I did too. The fresh air feels good. Wanna go into the Russ and have a bite to eat?” 

“That sounds great, dear,” I said and leaned in to kiss his cheek. 

Thomas smiled and hugged me close, kissing my cheek softly. He took my hand and led the way to the Russ where he pulled a chair out for me and I took a seat. “For you my dear lady,” he smiled. 

“Such a gentleman darling. Did you sleep alright? I didn’t see when you left this morning. How are you doing hon?” I asked as the waitress came over with a pot of coffee. 

“I am doing ok I guess. Jimmy took it hard when I told him about his pa. He told me last night that Natalie told him you were shot, but didn’t say anything else,” Thomas told me. 

“I told her that the man who shot me was dead and wouldn’t come after me anymore. I didn’t tell her who the man was,” I nodded. “She wanted to know why I was injured, I couldn’t lie. But she didn’t need to know it was Jimmy’s father who did it.” 

“I understand. I am glad, I am not sure if Jimmy could have taken that on top of the news. I told him what happened, not all the details, but what cause his pa to die, and that it was saving yours and Zan’s life. But he still doesn’t understand how his pa was here, or why he would hurt others.” He thanked the waitress and started to drink his coffee as we talked. 

“Natalie said that they talked about putting up a tombstone in the graveyard for James. I think that’s a really good idea. It will help you and Jimmy remember the good times. Though those are harder to remember, I’m sure.” 

“Well I am sure its easier for Jimmy than me. I am still trying to get over his last words. I never thought he ever really loved me. He never acted like it.” 

“That was hard for me to hear as well, especially after he’d admitted to wanting to ruin your life. Not to mention that he tried to destroy mine.” 

“Maybe Jess wasa right. Maybe he really did have a problem we didn’t know about. I mean why else would he have gone off doing the things he done.” 

“I have no idea dear... People do things for strange reasons. I’ve been a detective a long time and can tell you why some people do things but... others are a mystery.” 

“You know something baby, I really do love you. No matter what happened, I am so glad we found one another. You are a bright wonderful change in my life I have needed for a long time.” 

I smiled and reached over to hold his hand. “I love you too dear. I couldn’t bare the idea of you doing something in revenge against your brother. It just about killed me. I know we’re not married but... I just don’t want to rush into that too quickly because most marriages I’ve seen around here end a month or two after they start. Plus... I already feel like we’re a family and I have you in my heart.” 

He squeezed my hand and said, “I know baby, and I understand. To be honest though, in my heart, I feel like we are married in a certain way. Even though we don’t have the rings, and we never took our vows in a church, I feel our hearts and souls are already married because we love one another so much. I can say, I don't need a preacher and vows to know I love you no matter what.” 

“I feel the same way, love. I’m glad we agree about that. This necklace around my neck and yours... it’s a symbol of that love. I can’t wait until you adopt Jimmy. I think it’s so great that you are now free to do that without any fear of violent consequences,” I interlaced my fingers with his. 

Thomas smiled and held the heart necklace around his neck. “Yes it does my love. I think you stole my heart that first day I saw you on the street. The dust in your hair, and the sun gleaming in your eyes. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. I haven’t told you yet cause I am still waiting on word from Mayor Wise, but I put in my application to be deputy sheriff here in Tombstone.” 

I raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Oh, Thomas... That would be wonderful! You would be such a good deputy! We could work cases together and turn this town around! Oh darling, I’m so proud of you. I hope you hear back from him soon! I would even help train you,” I winked. 

He smiled and lowered his voice in a mocking town. “Yore under arrest, throw up yore hands and drop your guns!” He laughed and nearly fell off his chair as the waitress came over with our food. 

“See? It sounds perfect coming from you!” I giggled. 

“I am so going to try and clean up this town when I become a deputy. My goal is to fix it to where all people entering Tombstone will have to turn in their guns to the sheriff office until the leave town. That way it will fix the violence problem we seem to have in this town.” 

I gave a bit of a smirk and looked at him. “Good luck with that dear. People aren’t going to give up their right to protect themselves very easily. Can I please be there when you tell that to Lot so that I can save your life when he shoots at you?” I winked again. 

He laughed and leaned across the table to give me a kiss. “Well, ummm, I might let you tell him. Maybe he wont shoot at you, and if he does, while he is busy shooting at you, then I can shoot him.” 

“You’re funny….” I laughed. “Seriously though dear, that’s going to be a really hard thing to enforce. People are pretty protective of their weapons and their right to defend themselves.” 

“Yes, but see, if we can enforce it, maybe talk Lot and even Mac into joining in the fight against this violence, then it would help others to follow and see what we are trying to do. I want to see it where only law officials are walking around with guns in town. Then people wouldn’t have to feel they need to carry their guns.” 

“Well I wish you luck with that dear but I’ve been in this town for over a year and well... I have the feeling you’ll be met with opposition.” 

“I am sure, its just a thought I would like to pass before the town council eventually. I know it would have to be accepted and made law by the Mayor and city council first. But could you imagine living in Tombstone where only the lawmen and women were the ones carrying guns? What a glorious day it would be.” 

I sighed, seeing his excitement about the idea, but I knew it was going to be trouble. “Just... tread lightly, baby. Be careful, alright?” I finished my meal and looked at him. “Well that lunch was delicious. Do you want to go for a little walk? Maybe some exercise will help my leg heal faster.” 

“I will my love, and I dont mean to permanently give up their guns. I mean only while they were inside the city limits, they would turn their guns in to the local office until the leave town. I would not be the first to ever do it. Wyatt Earp did it in Dodge City, Kansas years ago.” 

“Sure, dear,” I nodded. “All I’m saying is tread lightly, please? I worry about my love.” 

Thomas wiped his mouth with the napkin and then paid for the meal. “Sure my love, a walk would be nice this time of day. I promise to be careful dear. Its just an idea, and I will tread carefully I promise.” 

I stood and used the cane to balance myself. “It’s been a couple of days. I had wished this leg would heal faster but I guess the bullet had really been lodged in there.” 

“Well it nicked the bone baby. I am just glad you didn’t lose your leg.” 

“You and me both,” I nodded. 

“We would have to call you peg leg Detective,” he smiled. 

I threatened to whack him with the cane but just knicked at his ankle a bit with it as I looked over to see Sabi coming towards us. “Hey there kiddo.” 

“Osiyo,” she greeted. 

“Hey there Sabi wabi, how goes the wonderful world of kidland?” 

“Is okies thanks,” she said. 

“Things at the orphanage going okay now that there’s a new matron lady there?” I asked her and she nodded quietly. 

Thomas reached into his pocket and pulled out a dime and handed it to Sabi. “Here you go sweetie. Takes that and buy you something sweet. Ok.” 

“There’s a new lady there... Abigail something. Seems nice enough and seems to really care for the children,” I looked over at Thomas. 

“Oh I am so glad to hear that. The kids need a good caretaker for sure. Does she cook ok Sabi?” Thomas asked. 

“Oh yes she does,” Sabi nodded. “She is very nice.” 

“Glad to hear that kiddo,” I smiled. 

“Well if you ever need anything Sabi, let us know ok? Whether it a tickle, or a noogie, or a big bunch of candy to make you all hyper ok,” Thomas smiled and gave her a big hug and I smiled, watching the two of them. 

“Well we were just walking around. Shall we continue dear?” I looked at Thomas. “I want to check the office in Diamond.” 

“Yeah my dear, we should head on, I dont want you walking to long on that leg. But this will help keep it from getting to stiff,” Thomas said. 

“Yes, that was my intention,” I winked at him. “See you soon, Sabi.” 

“Bye Sabi, stay outta trouble, and be a good girl,” Thomas waved to her. 

“Bye bye!” she said and we walked down the street to check the office in Black Diamond.