Chapter Text
You remember the first time you met.
That day Frank lifted you off his horse, setting you down in a crowd of men as tall as trees that looked scarier than grizzly bears. You were just a little thing then--small and scrawny, even for your young age--and you shook like a leaf on a tree as you looked up at all the grown men glaring down at you.
That's when you saw him.
He was older than you, though not quite a man yet. When you looked at him through the sea of judgemental stares, you saw kindness in his blue eyes.
He seemed nearly as nervous as you, with a voice that sounded like it didn't get used much. He smiled, and suddenly you felt better about this new situation you found yourself in. At least you wouldn't be alone.
He offered you his hand as he told you his name...
---
"Roy Goode!"
Frank's voice rings out across the field of bodies, the derailed train laying crumpled in front of you as you stared, chest tight and breath hitched in your throat.
You felt the ache in your chest as he rode into view: A sickening mix of anger, hurt, and desperation bubbling in your belly. Your eyes locked with his as he pulled down the handkerchief obscuring his handsome face. He glanced at you for only a moment before turning his full attention to Frank, but that look alone sent a new wave of pain and rage surging through your veins.
Frank and Roy went back and forth; every word exchanged a reminder that none of this had ever been about you. Your hands gripped around the reins until your knuckles turned white, and you glared at him over the cover of your bandana with all the malice and vitriol you could muster.
The next second Roy's gun was out, one of the men beside you falling to the ground as Roy let out a high-pitched whistle. The horse loaded with the saddlebags of cash ran to him, and he quickly turned and rode full speed away from you.
You didn't hesitate as you rode out after him. Frank and the gang follow behind, but there was a world's worth of space between them and you. Whereas you stayed right on Roy's tail, close enough to hear him as he turned and yelled your name.
"Go back!" he shouted, looking back at you. You said nothing; letting your unwavering pursuit be answer enough.
He led you to a canyon, with walls on three sides. A shot rang out, and you see the way Roy's body jerks as it flies clean through him. Another bang, and his horse belts in pain.
Roy wouldn't be able to keep up this pace even if he had somewhere to run to.
Quick as a flash, he shoots his own horse, smoothly landing behind the animals carcass as soon as he hits the ground; his rifle out and ready to fire. You were right on top of him, rifle aimed straight at him. Despite you having a clear shot at him, he ignored you; choosing instead to shoot at the men charging towards you.
"You ain't even gonna look at me?" you yell, cocking the lever down as you aimed at him.
"You ain't gonna shoot me," he said, finally chancing a glance up at you, "Just like I can't shoot you."
You glare down the barrel of your gun, but even with all the anger and the betrayal you felt you knew he was right.
"Dammit!" you shout. You kick your horse into a run, jumping down beside Roy as the beast ran further into the canyon.
"What the hell are you doin?" Roy shouted. You take aim, getting a clean hit on one of the approach riders before cocking your gun again.
"I can't make you sorry for what you done to me if you're dead," you answer. You felt his eyes move to you then, but you didn't have time nor strength to meet them.
Just then a shot flew by, hitting Roy in the shoulder. You took down the shooter as Roy lined up another shot.
He was aiming straight for Frank. You both knew if he took the shot that would be the end of it: Frank would be dead the second Roy let his bullet fly. The gang wouldn't last without him; they would all flee and you and Roy would be safe.
Roy adjusted his aim, hitting Frank in his left arm. He began falling from his horse, with the men quickly gathering around to help keep him up. They turned, and just like that the fight was over.
You let out a shaky breath as the tension left your shoulders. You look over at Roy; you knew he was bleeding, but his clothes were too dark for you to see how badly.
"What in the hell were you thinkin? Now they'll be after you too!" he snapped, his hand drifting to his side. You move to look as the wound, but he pushes your hand back, "I mean it--do you have any idea what you just did? You weren't supposed to get in the middle of this."
You scowl, "And what was I supposed to do in this little fantasy you had? You thought I'd just be sittin pretty on the side while you and Frank had it out? Who do you take me for? And here I was thinkin you couldn't get any more stupid." He winced as he stood, shooting you a glare as you followed him up.
"I thought you'd have the sense not to get involved--Frank woulda let it slide of you'd've just stayed back."
"Oh would he have?" you ask, a sarcastic smirk lining your face, "Typical, after everything you still don't get it--I ain't you Roy, I don't get to make them kind of mistakes," you frown, "And anyway, a lot's changed sense you run off--Frank ain't so forgivin these days."
His brows furrowed as he looked at you, before he turned and made his way towards his horse.
"You gonna let me take care of those, or are you intendin to bleed out?" you asked, following him.
"No time, they'll be back soon enough and we gotta get some distance between us before then."
"We?" you laughed coldly, "Oh honey, there is no we." You moved to the side of your horse, placing a foot in the stirrup then nimbly throwing your leg around to sit in the saddle.
"If you ain't comin with me, then where do you intend on goin?" he asked, reaching his own horse as he adjusted the saddlebags.
"Away from you," you replied, "So you just take note which way I go, and I expect you not to follow."
Roy scowled.
Just like always, you said one thing but meant another. Even after all you had been through, you refused to be honest with him--or yourself. Angry and hurt as you must be, you risked your life to help him fight back Frank's men. Now you were doing it again; giving them two trails to follow to try and keep them away from him.
You bunch the reins up in your hand, before turning back to face him, scowl deep on your face. Even with the biting pain in his shoulder and side, he felt his heart ache at the hurt he could see in your eyes.
"Now you listen to me Roy Goode; if those bullets don't end up killin you, you had better hope we don't meet again; I don't intend on letting you go a second time." You dug your heels into your horse, urging her forward as she whinnied. Roy was soon up in his saddle, watching as you rode out of sight.
---
"Roy!" you smiled as you ran from the boy, your childish giggles mixing with the sound of your legs splashing in the water.
You shrieked with delight as he caught you around the waist, laughing as he picked you up and tossed you into the shallow river.
"You gotta be faster'n that," he said with a smirk as your head popped out from below the water.
You smoothed your hair back from your face, "That ain't no fair! Your legs are longer'n mine!"
"It ain't my fault you're such a pipsqueak," he said, laughing as you splash muddy water at him.
"I'm still grown'! Just you wait; I'll be as tall as a steeple before you know it," you insisted, "And I'll look down at you and laugh."
"Nah, you're gonna be as short and shriveled as a stick your whole life," he teased. You waded toward him, jumping onto his back as you wrestled him into the water.
You both emerge from the water laughing, continuing your fight as your kicked and splashed at each other.
"Roy!" Frank called out from the river bank. You worked your way back to the waters edge. You stumbled and fell forward, but Roy caught you before you could go under. He led you back by the hand the rest of the way.
"We got some work that needs doin," Frank said, looking at Roy. The boy nodded, and you stepped up side him.
"Can I help too?" you asked enthusiastically, and Frank looked down at you with indifference.
"Nah, you stay put; this job's just for Roy," he replied. He turned, putting his hand against Roy's back as he lead him away.
You watched them go, a disappointed look on your face as you dripped water into a small puddle at your feet.
---
You pulled the crimson bandana down below your chin, taking a deep, dry breath as you surveyed the area.
After you left Roy, you had taken a detour up towards Colorado. If Frank and his gang did somehow manage to track you past the gorge, they'd still have a hell of a time figuring out where you had gone or where you were heading with the trail you had left behind.
Not that you knew all too well yourself.
After a few days, you had made your way back down to New Mexico, heading straight for Moses. You figured if Roy had planned on going anywhere, that'd be it; it's not like he had connections anywhere else.
After asking around, you heard from a nun that he had already come and gone, but not before digging up a grave in the cemetery nearby.
As if you didn't know exactly what he was thinking.
When the sun set, you went out and dug up the grave yourself. Just as you had expected, you found the saddlebags filled with $50,000; along with Roy's clothes and guns. You couldn't help but smirk, just like a pirate following a treasure map. He had really had made it too easy for you.
You threw your finds out of the hole, filling it back up with dirt before quickly loading up your spoils on your horse and riding off into the night.
The hard part now was figuring out where he'd gone. Surely he was passed lightheaded by the time he left Moses, with his wounds bleeding out untreated. He was probably delirious, maybe even passed out on his saddle as the pack horse kept trudging along.
As you scan the horizon, the sun rising behind you, you catch sight of a small mining town. It seemed as good of a place as any to start your search, so with a quick kick of your heels you urged your horse forward, towards the town of La Belle.