Jake smiled as he slid the glass over to her, then downed his own whisky his face stone-like as if he had drank water. Behind him, another patron walked in, his spurs clinking loudly but Jake didn't respond, even though the room had gone silent again.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m137/doodad64/gunslinger.png">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>"Well, well, well. Look what we 'ave 'ere!" the man said, two of his cohorts filled the door behind him.<br/><br/>"Now, Bill. We don't want no trouble." the bartender said, obvious fear in his eyes.<br/><br/>"Don't worry now, Bob. I'm only wantin' te say 'ello to mah bestest pal in the whole wide world." He said with a devious smile, "Ain't that right, Jake?" Jake set his glass down and turned around, leaning against the bar, his hat tipped forward, casting a shadow across his face.<br/><br/>"Bill Newheart. I thought you got lost in that last town I left you in." Jake said casually, "You know, persistence can get ya killed." This made the sneer on Bill's face fade away.<br/><br/>"Is that a threat, Boy?" he hissed, "You think because you wear them fancy guns that you can be a real man? Should you even be drinkin' that there Whisky? Whisky ain't for little boys!"<br/><br/>Jake hadn't moved from his spot, but his head lifted just enough for Lily to see a slight smile on his lips.<br/><br/>"This comin' from a so called 'Man" who lost to the one you call a 'Boy'." he said, "How far did your horses get before you could untie your hands and catch the reigns?" Bill gritted his teeth and advanced on Jake, still not moving as the barrel of the man's pistol was aimed at his face.<br/><br/>"You gonna pay for that, Boy. That's why we here." he growled, "Screw the bounty. Imma kill ya fer embarrassing us like ya did." Jake's eyebrows raised slightly.<br/><br/>"You can afford that? Must be nice. Perhaps you should spend your money on a nice bath once in a while if you have so much." he said. A few patrons nearby laughed but caught their tongue.<br/><br/>"You have a death wish, Boy?" Bill snarled, his thumb pulled back the hammer of his gun. Jake sighed. He pushed off the bar and stood up straight, the man's gun now pressing against his forehead. The patrons began whispering among themselves about the boy's bravery, or stupidity, they couldn't really tell. Jake's eyes were locked on the man's finger as it slowly pulled back the trigger. Everyone shut their eyes, waiting for the gunshot, but all that was heard, was a leather glove on metal. When someone dared to look, they saw the Sheriff standing beside Bill, his hand on the man's gun, thumb against the hammer to block it's path.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m137/doodad64/Sheriff-western-style.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>"Bill, was it?" he asked, "I do hope ye aren't thinking of committing murder in a public establishment such as Bob's fine Saloon, are ye?" Bill glanced down at the Sheriff's badge and grunted, the barrel moving away from Jake's head.<br/><br/>"Yer lucky ya got behind the law t'day, Jake." Bill spat, "Next time we meet out side o' town, yer a dead Boy!" he yelled. Holstering his pistol he turned and stormed out, his two lackeys following behind. The Sheriff, then chuckled and turned back to the bar.<br/><br/>"Thank'ee Sheriff." the Barkeep said, nodding his head, "Saved me the trouble o' not havin' ta fix this place up agin'"<br/><br/>"My pleasure, Bob. It's mah job. Keepin' the peace an all." he said, sliding in next to Jake, "So, newcomers. Jake was it? Did I hear him say you had a bounty on yer head?"<br/><br/>"No, sir." Jake muttered, turning back to his drink.<br/><br/>"Awlright then, jus' remember. I don't take too kindly to trouble round 'ere, ya got that? You just be nice and gentlemen like, take care o' yer lady friend there, an we'll have no qualms with ya stayin' a while. Don't be an instigator."<br/><br/>"Sure thing." Jake grunted. The Sheriff waited for more of a response, but when none came, he finished the drink Bob had poured for him and  straightened up, tipping his hat to them as he walked past.<br/><br/>"Sir. Ma'am" he said, then pushed open the Saloon doors. Jake sighed.<br/><br/>"Sorry about that, Lily. That asshole has been tailing me for weeks. I thought I lost him here and could get some rest." he said.