Interrogation Tactics

by the_greatest_escapist

Summary:

Ruby, a spitfire of a lady, does her best to keep the small desert town of Sandrock afloat. She takes commissions, lends a hand on the homesteads, and somehow always finds time to do just a little more. She is the perfect person for any job, any time. Everyone knows it, including Logan, the most wanted man in all of Sandrock.

And anytime their paths cross, flames ignite.

The question is this. Does Ruby let that bandit sway her from the town she has grown to love? Or does she fall in line with the rest of the flock?

*Starts with an alternate version of the “The Kidnapping” quest

Notes:

I was playing this quest and the idea struck me. It just would not leave me alone. I hope y’all like feathers, because Logan using one… woof.
Enjoy, partners. ❤️

Also... check out this beautiful cover by anyaplaysfates. She is amazing!! Check out her fic as well, you will not be disappointed!

Chapter 1: Snatching Rubies Among Feathers

“Say fuzzy pickles,” Ernest encouraged.

 

Ruby smiled weakly at the camera. Why the town had chosen her to be on the front page for the Little Woods was beyond her. Trudy would have been her choice—she was the mayor and led the expedition to the Shipwreck Ruins. Zeke was another good option; he had worked on the biocrust that allowed the trees to flourish. Hell, at this point, if the other two didn’t want to... then let Matilda do it. Ruby wanted no part in this.

She knew what she did around town, and folks often complimented her work ethic—told her how much the town needed her, and how much she’d done already. She appreciated their praises. They were enough for her. She didn’t need to be on the front page of Ernest’s article for publicity. She was perfectly happy being just The Builder.

 

“Come now, Ruby. Try a little harder than that. Don’t make me grab Cooper,” Ernest joked.

 

She rolled her shoulders, puffing out her chest slightly. Confidence was going to be her best friend. And if the Alliance needed to see a strong builder on the front page of this article, then they’d get it. She loved Sandrock, and she’d do anything to help her town. Not to mention—the threat of siccing Cooper on her was more than enough to get her to smile bigger.

 

“Fuzzy pick—” Ruby started to say.

 

A sudden weight hit her from behind, launching her forward into the air. Before she could scream, she was thrown over the back of a large black mount. Its hair was fine— and smelly. She recognized the scent instantly: buck. Now where in the Eufaula had there been a goat?

She bobbed along with the ride, her stomach flipping with every bounce. Below her, sand kicked up in thick clouds as the goat tore across the dunes.

 

“LOGAN!” Justice’s voice boomed, already mounted on Truth and tearing off after them.

 

Logan.

The infamous bandit who had caused more than his fair share of chaos during her short time in Sandrock. He’d damaged the train during a heist, blew up the water tower, and now—he was kidnapping her.

But why?

 

Logan glanced back in the saddle, pulled a smoke bomb from his pouch, and lobbed it straight at Justice. It burst in a thick puff—Truth charged right through it, rearing up with a shrill cry. Justice coughed and swatted at the haze.

But just before he disappeared into the smoke, Justice hurled a grassy green tracker ball. It stuck fast to Ruby’s jeans just as he hit the ground.

 

“Where are you taking me?” Ruby managed to say, still fighting the rising urge to vomit.

“You’ll see soon enough. Now hush,” Logan replied, digging his heels into the mount’s sides. “We got a bit of a ride ahead.”

---

“Whoa, Rambo,” Logan said, easing the goat to a stop just outside a cave entrance.

 

Ruby glanced around, searching for any possible escape route. He had not secured her to Rambo—not that he needed to. That goat could run, and she had barely stayed on as it was. There had been no time to steady herself, let alone hop off without risking breaking something… or without coming face to face with the bandit himself.

Logan dismounted, boots hitting the sand with a solid thud. He gave Rambo’s neck a gentle pat before slipping him half a rutabaga.

 

Ruby saw her chance.

She dropped from the goat’s rump, boots sinking into the mix of dirt and stone. She turned and bolted in a dead sprint. She could make it. She would make it. Just had to keep moving. Don’t look back. Don’t think.

She made it about two paces before something yanked at her heel. Hard.

 

She hit the ground flat, air whooshing out of her lungs as she landed face-first in the sand.

Footsteps closed in. Then strong hands gripped her wrists, and within seconds, a rope was looped around them tightly. Logan had hogtied her like she was just another runaway yakmel calf.

 

“Nice try, sweetheart,” he said with a lazy laugh, slinging her up over his shoulder with ease. “C’mon. I got plans for you.”

 

As Logan carried her deeper into the cave, Ruby caught the dim flicker of torchlight dancing across the rough stone walls. Only the faintest sunlight managed to peek through cracks in the ceiling, casting thin, jagged beams along the floor.

Caves like this were notorious for sheltering Tripions and Rockyenarolls—monsters that sought the shade of the stone to escape the Eufaula’s blistering heat. But for now, the only sound was the eerie whistle of the wind echoing through the tunnel.

She struggled against the restraints as Logan stepped carefully across a wide metal drainage pipe. The bandit's footing wobbled slightly, as her squirming nearly sent them both into the chasm below.

 

“Stop,” Logan barked. “You can’t go back to Sandrock if we’re both dead.”

 

Ruby paused, breath caught in her throat. She steadied herself against his shoulder—not out of trust, but survival. She was not giving up. But something told her it would be smarter to wait. Bide her time. Then she could make a real fuss when the odds looked better.

Logan leapt from the end of the pipe, landing solidly. One hand kept her hoisted while the other drew his pistol in a single smooth motion.

They were deep now. And monsters could be waiting.

She hated to admit it—but for a moment, she was almost relieved he was armed. She had no weapon, no footing, and no chance at defending herself in this state.

 

They turned a corner.

A low snarl echoed ahead, followed by sharp cackling.

Rockyenarolls.

 

Logan’s jaw didn’t so much as twitch. He raised his pistol and fired two clean shots into the dark.

Each one cracked through the silence— bang, bang.

A beat passed.

Then Ruby saw the proof: two Rockyenarolls sprawled out across the rocky floor, unmoving. Blood pooled around their twisted forms.

 

The orange shaded stone gradually gave way to deeper red tones as they entered the final stretch of the cavern. It opened wide, the ceiling arched high above them, and the echoes of the wind howled louder now.

A knot coiled tight in Ruby’s stomach as Logan set her down beside a wooden spool. A pair of steel braces hung from it, cold and silent, waiting.

 

“Arms up,” Logan ordered, voice stern, gaze sharp as it bore down on her.

 

Ruby scanned the space quickly. No exits. No tools. No one else. It was just the two of them, tucked away in this secluded hollow. No one knew this place existed. No one knew she was here.

Still, signs of life lingered. An old pot hung over a low fire. A few animal hair sleeping bags lay near the back wall. This had been Logan’s hideout, at least for now.

 

“I won’t ask again,” Logan growled.

 

Slowly, she raised her arms and backed against the spool. The rough grain of the wood scraped through the thin material of her shirt, a sharp contrast to the warmth burning beneath her skin.

Logan stepped in, closing the distance in one slow, unrelenting movement. He took both her wrists in one hand, his grip firm and unshakable. With the other, he worked the braces, metal clicking open with practiced ease. Then, without pause, he secured each of her hands into the steel cuffs.

The cool metal kissed her skin, a stark relief against the heat that had built where their hands touched.

 

“I’m gonna be askin’ you some questions. You decide how easily this goes.”

 

Logan stepped back and dropped down to dig into a bag of supplies. He rummaged for a few moments that, to Ruby, felt like centuries. She sat there, metal firm against her skin, completely at the mercy of this bandit. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. A part of her wanted to be found quickly, to be taken home and forget this ever happened.

But the other part of her screamed something else entirely.

Desire.

Some primal need deep inside craved his closeness. His touch had been strong, but there was tenderness behind it. His voice was harsh when he barked orders, but it had softened earlier when he was feeding that goat. And when he held her, when she was slung over his shoulder, the scent of gunsmoke and leather had seeped into her head and stirred something she didn’t want to admit.

 

His face was still covered, only adding to the ache growing inside her. He was a mystery, unreadable. She had nothing to rely on but his voice. And so far, all he had done was give commands. She couldn’t get a read on him from those piercing blue eyes alone, and that uncertainty twisted something low in her stomach. It made her uneasy.

But it also lit a fire that would not go out easily. 

 

Logan rose, a single feather in hand.

Ruby recognized it immediately. It was from a dive buzzard, known for its rarity. Unlike the coarse, scratchy feathers of a rocket rooster, a dive buzzard’s plume was soft. Gentle. A brush from it could send chills down someone’s spine, straight to their bones.

 

“Someone is stealin’ water in Sandrock. You know anythin’ about that?” Logan asked, idly turning the feather between his fingers.

Ruby bit her lip. “I don’t know anything about that.”

“I think you’re lyin’ to me, sweetheart,” Logan murmured, stepping closer. “I have ways of makin’ you talk.”

 

He was close again. Too close. His teeth grazed her earlobe as he breathed those last words. The contact sent a shiver through her limbs, every nerve lighting up in response.

I have ways of makin’ you talk.

Her breath caught. She turned her eyes from his, but the image of him still burned in her mind—tall, quiet, steady, and now holding something delicate in his calloused hands like it meant the world.

 

Someone was stealing water?

That thought hit harder than the cuffs around her wrists. Sandrock was already hanging on by threads. Who would do something so selfish?

Her mind began to race.

Yan? He was a jerk, sure, but not smart enough to pull something like that on his own. No, this would’ve taken more than one person. It would’ve taken a group. Someone with access. Someone trusted.

Her voice came out quiet. Barely more than a breath.

 

“The church…” Ruby whispered.

 

Logan’s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he considered her words. It made sense. Too much sense.

He had once tried to save his pa from the church, only to watch it cost him his life. Miguel had always tried to steer him away from seeking help outside Sandrock. Pen had never looked him straight, and always held him in low regard. And Matilda? She was so sweet it made his teeth ache. Sickening, almost.

And none of them had a lick of building sense. Not one. So they would need someone. Someone who could move parts, fix things quietly, maybe even rig a pump or redirect the flow. And maybe that someone was sitting right in front of him.

 

“That your way of shiftin’ the blame?” he drawled. “Pointin’ fingers at the church so you can wash your hands of it?”

“What? You think I’m the one doing it?” Ruby snapped, stunned.

 

She had worked herself to the bone for Sandrock. Day and night. Sometimes without thanks, always without rest. To be accused of that—of betraying the town she bled for—ignited a fire hotter than anything she had felt earlier.

Desire subsided. The tension between them shifted into something harsher. The heat now came from the sting of his words, the weight of the accusation hanging in the air.

Who did this man think he was? To stand there and suggest she was the one behind it? The audacity. If anyone had brought harm to Sandrock, it was him. He had destroyed town property, blown up the water tower, and damned anything that stood in his way. And now, in the middle of his rampage, he had kidnapped the town’s most trusted ally.

Her.

Now was the time to make a fuss. Her name—her character —was on the line.

 

“You know what, Logan?” she spat. “Go soak your head. It’s overdue.”

 

Logan brought the feather to her jawline, the touch slow and deliberate. He stroked it along the curve of her skin, watching every flicker of emotion in her face.

 

“Watch that pretty little mouth of yours,” he warned, voice low and dangerous.

“Or what?”

 

Ruby’s voice held no fear. She was challenging him now. He had been calling the shots from the moment he threw her on that goat, but now the balance had shifted. Just a little. Enough for her to bite back.

Her mouth worked faster than any rational thought could have, not giving a single damn about the consequences.

Logan’s eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker in them. Something darker. Something curious.

 

“I’d hate to have to put somethin’ in it,” he said, slow and unblinking.

“I. dare. you,” Ruby growled.

 

Logan pulled down his mask, his lips brushing softly against hers. He was about to lean in, ready to taste what had been taunting him since the moment he laid eyes on her.

She was intoxicating, this one.

He had never met a woman like her. Resilient, sharp, carved out of grit and desert wind. She had found kinship in a place like Sandrock, as if she belonged there all along. And she was easy on the eyes. Especially that mouth. The one that had sassed him, challenged him.

This little mare needed a firm hand.

And he was more than ready to break her.

 

“BUILDER! We’re comin’ to getcha! Hang on!” Justice’s voice rang out from the mouth of the cavern.

 

Logan pulled back, mask sliding back into place. His eyes lingered on her face, her parted lips, her fire.

 

“Reckon you oughta watch your back out there,” he said, voice smooth. “Never know when I might take you up on that dare, darlin’.”

“Screw you, Logan,” Ruby snapped, frustration dripping from every word.

“We’ll see ‘bout that.”

 

Logan flipped backward, landing near a narrow gap in the rock. A hidden exit.

Justice and Unsuur came running in, weapons drawn, but it was too late. Logan pulled a small grenade from his belt and lobbed it toward the cavern wall.

 

“G’day, gentlemen. Better luck next time.”

 

The explosion echoed through the cavern, sealing his escape behind a cloud of dust and crumbling stone. Justice clenched his fist as the rocks fell, blocking the path.

Unsuur rushed to Ruby, snapping the metal braces and helping her to her feet. She rubbed her wrists, blood returning to her fingers.

 

“We have to move, now!” Justice barked.

 

Justice and the deputies emerged into the scorching desert, but Ruby barely noticed the sun. Her mind was still in that cave, thoughts racing all over again.

She hated him. She wanted him. Anger still boiled hot between them, but so did the memory of his breath, delicate against her skin.

Chapter 2: Pinned and Pissed (NSFW)

Notes:

I hope ya’ll brought knives, because you’re gonna need them to cut this tension. ;)

“I told you, sweetheart, to watch your back out here. I’ve come to collect on that dare of yours.”

 

Ruby felt a large hand creep across her waist, pulling her closer. Something solid was behind her, and she could hear breathing—heavy, ragged. She leaned into it, already knowing exactly who was there.

 

That bandit.

That damn bandit had come into her house to have his way with her… and she was not disagreeing.

In fact, she had let him carry her to the bed. His body now pressed flush against hers, his hands beginning to wander.

 

Her waist was only the beginning. He found the strings of her bottoms and tugged them loose with a slowness that could only be described as pure agony. Ruby leaned further into his touch, craving him, his breath, and anything else he was willing to give.

And it seemed he shared her feelings, as his own desire strained against his pants, pressing up against her backside. Not wanting to be the only one indulging curiosity, she reached back, dragging her hand along his thigh.

The dark wash denim was rough against her fingertips as they trailed higher… until they found exactly what they were looking for.

 

“Keep your hands to yourself, honey,” Logan warned. “You ain’t in charge here.”

 

He took her wrists, grabbing them in one hand and pressing them firmly against her back. She was caught, pinned, with nowhere to go. Vulnerable. She had given in to his wicked ways, and now he was going to reap the benefits of that surrender.

Logan started peppering kisses on her ivory skin, each one feeling more heated than the last. Blood rushed to her ears, as his lips caressed her lobe before nibbling gently. She moaned, echoes sounding in her bedroom as he continued his teasing.

Down her neck, his lips grazed the tender skin there causing the hair on her arms to stand. She licked her lips, before biting down, savoring his endless pursuit of her pleasure. 

 

“Logan…” she whined, caught between enjoying the passion and aching for more.

“Hush,” He whispered, kissing her shoulder before placing a love bite on it. “ You're mine, remember that.”

“Yours,” she repeated.

 

Click.

Ruby ignored the sound, not caring what waited beyond these four walls. Logan was her priority now, and nothing was going to ruin this moment—the one she had craved since getting tangled up with him in that cave.

 

Click.

Her eyes shot open.

What was that?

What annoying sound dared to take her attention away from the gentle loving she was receiving? She knew her bed was solid, she had made it herself. Her craftsmanship was never to be second-guessed. A leak? But there were no pipes in her bedroom walls or floorboards. And it wasn’t her machines, she knew them inside and out. If something was off… well, she’d have it diagnosed and fixed in no time flat.

 

“Easy, sweetheart. Just relax, and let me love on you,” Logan pursued, his voice a lure, pulling her back in.

 

Click.

“Oh for fuck’s sake!” Ruby groaned, shooting upright in the bed.

Her eyes burned with fire as she looked around the room, searching for the source of the annoying sound.

 

Click.

There. At the window, small pebbles tapped against the glass. Ruby squinted. Rocket roosters again? Maybe. She could not be sure. It was pitch black outside, and no one in Sandrock should be awake at this hour. Hell, she would not be either if it were not for some jerk throwing rocks like a child.

Rubbing her eyes and straightening her posture, Ruby got up from bed and walked to the window, ready to give whoever it was a piece of her mind. They had kept her from a good night’s sleep—and pulled her out of a dream that would have made Burgess turn a thousand shades of red.

 

“Hey, asshole! In case you didn’t notice, it’s the middle of the night,” she grumbled as she threw open the window. “So, as kindly as I can be at this hour… fuck off!”

“That any way to greet a friend?” Logan called up, staring at the drowsy, disheveled and scowling woman peering down at him from the second story.

 

Logan? Logan.

Of course it was him. Who else would be throwing pebbles like some cocky, smug, and irritatingly handsome man-child?

Ruby rolled her eyes. She needed to pick an emotion. Either she was smitten with him or furious at him—she could not do both.

...Or could she?

 

“So we’re friends now, are we?” she taunted, gripping the window frame. “That’s funny. I don’t make a habit of kidnapping my friends and restraining them against their will. Wonder if Owen would be down for that. Thanks for the idea.”

She was half a second from slamming the window shut when Logan called back.

“Hey now, don’t be like that. There was… a misunderstandin’, and I’ve since got some new information,” he said. “Come down here. Lemme talk to ya.”

Ruby deadpanned. His words could mean anything. A trick. A trap, or the truth.

 

She should have said no. But she remembered how Elsie used to talk about him. How he used to be good. How he always showed up when it counted. Like when he’d saved her from that tree climb as kids. Was there still a good man underneath all the bluster? There was only one way to find out. 

So against her better judgment, she nodded—and headed for the door.

---

Logan walked along the fence line, keeping watch for anything that might force him to bolt. A monster he could handle. But if anyone from the Civil Corps saw him—anyone besides the builder, of course—he would have to mount up and tear off into the night. He could not risk being caught. Not now. Not after how far he’d come, and how close he was to revealing the truth to the people of Sandrock.

He pushed the gate forward and stepped into the soft glow of the porch light. His armor and clothes were colored midnight blue, blending into the night around him. His face stayed covered. He wanted to remain unseen for as long as possible.

 

He took a slow look around. The builder’s workshop had come a hell of a long way since the days of Mason. That man never cared enough to lift a finger for the town, and when he did, you could have expected a half-ass job to be done. But this one—whoever she was—worked like her life depended on it.

Her machines ran from sunrise to sunset, always humming, always busy. Just like her. No wonder the town had taken a shine to her.

She had a mouth on her, no doubt about that. But at least she had the skills and mettle to back it up. Not like that Yan fella, who seemed content to rest on the laurels of everyone around him.

 

“Start talking,” Ruby spat, leaning herself up against the frame.

 

She had opened the door, revealing herself to Logan—and in that moment, he realized how much he had missed the first time around. There had not been much of a chance to take each other in when they first met. He needed answers then, and at the time, she was the closest thing he had to a lead.

But something about her caught him off guard now.

The woman he remembered locking into the braces had not seemed nearly this tall. She was shorter than him by only a few inches, built sturdy—with strong shoulders and well-toned arms, now folded tight across her chest. She was solid. Powerful. But not in any off-putting way.

No, quite the opposite.

 

And her face… Now that was what he remembered. The way her eyes had gone wide when he brushed that feather against her cheek. How that same gaze had burned with fury when he accused her. She had been eager one moment, then fire-spitting the next. A contradiction he still couldn’t make sense of.

That same contradiction lived in her features now. Cool blue eyes locked on him, demanding the truth. Deep crimson hair that hung just below her ears, wild in the porch light.

She was a viper—beautiful to the eye but packed with more venom than any monster he had ever wrangled.

And whether he knew it or not… she was going to be his ruin.

 

“I reckon I should reintroduce my—” Logan started.

“Your name, your face is all over this town. I know who you are. Now tell me what it is you want with me,” Ruby interrupted.

Logan’s jaw clenched. He bit the inside of his cheek. Yes… a viper was the right comparison for her.

“Listen, builder, I—” Logan tried again.

“Ruby,” she cut in, sharper this time. “My name is Ruby.” She was baring her fangs now—well… her teeth. “You should probably learn the names of the people you kidnap.”

 

Logan took a deep breath. Only a few words had been exchanged, and she was already exhausting him. Was she ever going to let him speak? That little cavalier attitude of hers was going to need some adjusting before there could be any kind of alliance between them. 

Lucky for her, using a firm hand was something he specialized in.

 

“You gonna let me finish, or just keep runnin’ your mouth?” Logan exhaled.

 

That was it. Ruby had had enough of this shit. First, he restrained her. Then accused her of stealing water. Then had the audacity to wake her in the middle of the night—and now? Now he wanted her to sit down, shut up, and let him talk?

He threw rocks at her window. He dragged her out into the dark, rambling about some “misunderstandin’”—his stupid drawl still echoing in her mind as heat burned in her cheeks.

 

“Apologize,” she demanded. 

“Excuse me?” Logan leaned in, daring her to repeat herself.

 

Ruby stepped right up to him, toe to toe, her eyes locking onto his.

Piercing blue met blazing blue—equal fury, equal weight.

She was ready to wipe the smirk clean off his face… and if need be, take him to the sand to do it. This man was going to learn some manners.

 

“Apologize.”

 

Logan crossed his arms. This was no longer the civil conversation he had intended. Now? It was a good old-fashioned standoff and whoever won would set the terms of their newfound acquaintance.

 

“No,” he answered, smirking.

 

That was all Ruby needed to hear.

Fuck him and the goat he rode in on.

Fuck him, indeed.

 

Ruby shoved Logan and he let her.

Her pent-up energy needed release, and from where he was standing, there was only one way to resolve this. He would let her get in a few hits, let her build that confidence, let her feel like she had control… Before dropping her ass in the sand—as gentlemanly as a bandit could, of course.

 

She shoved him again, harder this time, backing him toward the gated entrance he had been invited through not only moments ago. Her face was tense, twisted in anger and… was that a little mix of hatred ?

This was going to be fun.

 

She went for a third shove but this time, Logan moved.

He caught her wrists mid-motion and pulled her forward, spinning them in one swift move. They crashed hard—against the gate, then down into the sand in a tangle of limbs and heat.

 

Ruby managed to straddle him, her wrists still secured in his grip. She yanked sharply, freeing one—and took her chance, nailing him square in the jaw.

Logan turned his head, licking his lip where her fist had left a sting. He blinked slowly, smacked his lips once, and let it go.

 

“I’ll let that slide… if you stop right now,” he warned.

“No,” Ruby growled, lifting her hand again.

Barking orders again, aren’t you? Let’s see if this shuts your mouth.

 

Logan caught it before the second hit could land. He moved to roll her, trying to topple her weight—but she was solid, not so easily thrown off. He had only seconds to act.

Using his momentum, he sat up and drove forward, pushing her down into the sand.

 

Now he was on top, straddling her, both wrists pinned. His face hovered close, his breath warm and thick.

This was not going anywhere. Not like this. The fight was not getting them closer to anything but bruises and regret. He needed to get through to her.

 

“Stop fightin’ me, sweetheart,” Logan said quietly, glancing toward the gate as if expecting movement. “And just listen.”

“What part of ‘no’ do you not understand?” Ruby shot back, then pushed herself up and headbutted him square in the nose.

“Shit,” Logan groaned, releasing her and falling back into the sand. His hand flew up to his face, rubbing the bridge of his nose to ease the pain.

She was hard headed… literally.

 

Ruby stood up, taking a defensive stance—fists raised, ready for a fight. And Logan? Well, he had tried diplomacy. But that had gone out the window the moment her skull collided with his nose. If she wanted a fight, then by the desert stars, he would give her one.

 

“Last chance, sweetheart,” Logan offered, making it clear this was the final warning.

“I am not your ‘sweetheart.’ Come at me already,” Ruby hollered.

Logan shook his head. “Have it your way then.”

 

He charged toward her, fists clenched and ready to trade blows. He stepped in, took a swing. She dodged. Another strike with his opposite hand—missed again. When he went for a third, her forearm shot up and blocked it clean.

She pushed into him, and he staggered back a few steps, catching his breath. She was a tough one, and that was all the more reason to get her on his side. He just had to get her to calm down first.

 

Ruby came barreling toward him, fists flying, but Logan dodged everything she threw.

They were evenly matched in strength and skill. It was impossible to tell who would win this brawl.

Now they were circling each other, sizing the other up. Neither one willing to be the first to drop their guard.

Logan made the call—it was going to be him.

 

He lunged. But Ruby sidestepped him at the last second, grabbing his cloak in the process. He felt the fabric tear from his back, and when he turned around—she was holding it up.

Like a damn matador, taunting the bull.

 

Her lips tugged upward into a shit-eating grin. “Whatcha gonna do without your little cape, pretty boy?” she mocked.

"Pretty boy?” She thought he was a “pretty boy.”

 

It was like a light bulb flicked on above Logan’s head. He didn’t need to fight her. He needed to fuck her. Break her in bliss, not in violence. That was how he would get her to come around. It all seemed so clear now. The way she acted in the cave? It was just a sliver of what she truly felt for him.

Oh, this was too good.

Logan looked suspiciously like the cat who had swallowed the canary. His eyes darkened as he stalked toward her, slow and sure. 

 

Let's see how that little attitude holds up against this.

Ruby dropped the cape into the sand, her gaze fixed on him as he approached.

“Wait, wait… what are you doing?” Ruby stuttered. She had no idea what was coming next and it unnerved her.

Oh? Oh. Was he going to? He sure looked like it.

 

Ruby raised her arms once more, but Logan slipped through her defenses, taking her to the ground—right on top of his cloak, now conveniently sprawled across the sand like a blanket made for trouble.

He was on top, arms braced beside her, caging her in. No room to run. No shadows to hide in. Just them, a cloak, and the now dawning sky above them.

Logan pulled down his mask. He leaned in close, his lips just barely tasting hers. Something passed between them—quiet and unspoken, like ships slipping past each other in the Portia harbor. The fury faded, replaced by something far more intimate.

Lust.

 

Ruby swallowed hard, her eyes darting from his to his mouth. Her bluff had been called. Her anger-filled fire had softened into something molten. And now, this damn bandit—this maddening, magnetic man—was stripping away more than her defenses. He was peeling back every layer, revealing the want she had tried so hard to bury.

Logan started with her top, gripping the hem and pulling it swiftly over her head. He paused, letting his eyes roam across her figure, drinking her in with quiet reverence. The subtle rise and fall of her chest beneath her bra only stirred him further. With a practiced motion, he undid the hooks, letting the fabric fall away to reveal the full picture of the woman beneath him.

He leaned down once more, brushing his lips over her skin. His mouth found one of her sensitive peaks, and he took his time—his tongue slow and teasing. Ruby let out a breathy whimper, her back arching slightly as she squirmed against the sand.

Her fingers found the back of his neck, holding him there, encouraging him without a word. Whatever tension still lingered between them, it was melting into something far more primal. They moved like they knew each other already—every touch, every breath syncing in a rhythm they did not need to speak aloud.

Logan felt the pull of her—every sound she made, every shift of her hips—igniting something in him he hadn’t let surface in a long time. This wasn’t just about power or leverage anymore. This was about need. Real, burning, maddening need .

 

But something, no someone was on the approach. And though Logan would love nothing more than to continue this little rendezvous with Ruby, he could not ignore the danger of being caught, especially when they were tangled up like this.

 

“Builder?” Justice’s voice rang out, footsteps crunching closer.

 

Ruby heard it too, and she reacted faster than Logan. In a blink, she rolled him onto his back, yanked the cloak from beneath them, and flung it over his face, pressing him flat to the sand.

 

“Don’t move,” she hissed, breathless. “And if you make a sound, I’ll tell Justice you’re here. Trespassing in my yard.”

Wasn’t trespassing if she’d left the gate open, now was it?

 

She panicked, hair now caked against her forehead and her shirt nowhere in sight. Where the fuck was it? Where did that asshole toss it? Was it really that hard to take someone’s shirt off and politely toss it to the side? Just one more thing to add to the ever-growing pile of reasons to dislike Logan.

Knowing she was running out of time, Ruby wrapped an arm around herself, covering the most intimate parts of her chest. Justice was Justice—he would either tuck tail and run at the first hint of scandal… or try to investigate. She could only hope he was feeling cowardly today.

 

“Uhh… hey there, partner! You okay?” Justice asked, a hint of concern in his voice, “I heard… well, some pretty awful-sounding cries comin’ from your yard.” 

Here goes nothing.

His eyes landed on her, then darted away like he’d been burned, “And… uh… why is your shirt missing?”

Ruby could hear Logan snickering beneath her, his chest rising with each suppressed laugh.

Not helping.

“Oh hey, Justice! Sorry about that, I had a run in with uhh…” She hesitated. 

 

Her brain scrambled for a lie, but between the embarrassment and now having to deal with the bandit beneath her’s chuckling, nothing came out. And calling this a hot mess was an understatement.

 

“Do you need help?” Justice questioned. ”What's under that blanket you got there?”

 

Ruby had to think and fast. Otherwise, she would be charged with conspiring against the town… or, in this case, fraternizing with the enemy.

 

“Well… I can’t tell you what it is. It’s a secret for your birthday.”

“Ruby, my birthday was last month,” Justice replied, eyes narrowing.

Of course it fucking was.

 

She really needed to take the time to study her calendar. Birthdays were important in a small town like this.

 

“You know me—always over-preparing. It’s for next year.”

“Good one,” Logan muttered sarcastically against the cloth of his cloak.

Ruby kneed him in the side, a firm reminder of who was holding the reins now.

“I’ll leave you be then. Remember, we’ve got that meetin’ tomorrow. Trudy hired a specialist, and they’re set to arrive in a few days,” Justice said. “Unsuur’s bringin’ breakfast too.”

 

Logan’s brow furrowed. A specialist? Who in their right mind would agree to come out here and try to track him down? No matter. He’d slipped through the Civil Corps’ fingers this long—what was one more lawman on his tail?

 

“I’ll be there,” Ruby agreed. “See you then!”

 

With that, Justice turned back toward town, his mind already spinning with the different ways his deputies might support the stranger soon arriving by train.

 

Ruby got up from straddling Logan and scanned the sand. She spotted her shirt, tossed over by the flower beds. Throwing it that far felt a little extra—but then again, so was Logan, with his damn outlaw attitude.

She made a dash for it, pushing aside the mountain roses and grabbing the fabric. A quick shake got most of the dirt off. She gave it a sniff and immediately regretted it—fertilizer.

There went my favorite shirt.

 

Still, it was clean enough. She pulled it over her head and turned her attention back to Logan, now standing just a few paces behind her. His cloak now attached and swaying in the breeze.

 

“You said you have new information?” she asked, that tinge of vinegar still sharp in her voice.

“Yeah, I do,” Logan replied. “You’re right. Someone in the church is smugglin’ water, and I aim to find out exactly who it is.”

“So I’ll ask again. What do you need from me?”

“Grace’s been helpin’ us, but I reckon you could be of use too. I ain’t too proud to ask for help, buil—” Logan paused. “Ruby.”

 

Grace?

Grace was helping Logan? That sass-filled cook was working with a wanted man like him? She could barely throw together a plate of beans, and now Ruby was hearing she was part of the podunk posse? Something wasn’t adding up. Logan was holding back.

 

“That doesn’t make sense,” Ruby said flatly. “You’re not giving me anything to work with here.”

 

Logan sighed heavily. Even after their tussle—and that little gesture he’d offered—she still wasn’t biting. She was smart, he’d give her that. He wasn’t exactly laying all his cards on the table, But she was still an unknown. And she’d need to earn her way into his inner circle. Just as it seemed he would need to earn his way into hers.

 

“Fraid that’s all I can say for now,” Logan lied, his hand coming to his lips as he let out a high-pitched whistle.

 

And like clockwork, there it came—the familiar sound of hooves thundering toward Ruby’s fence, sending her stomach into an all-too-familiar nauseous twist.

 

“I ain’t askin’ you to trust me, but I’m askin’ you to at least give a damn enough about this town to keep an open mind.”

“We’ll see.”

Logan mounted up and gave a firm nod to Ruby. “I’ll be in touch.”

And I’ll keep thinking about that wonderful tongue of yours.

“M’kay, Logan. See you around,” Ruby dismissed, heading back inside to prepare for the day ahead.

“See ya,” he replied, tearing off into the sunrise.

Notes:

So, this one-shot turned into a two parter, but then I decided I'm not ready to let go of Ruby and Logan just yet. So.... I think we got a multi-chapter fic coming your way partners.

Enjoy!! :)

Chapter 3: Fixing What You Didn't Break

“Howdy there, part—” the stranger started, then paused. “Oh my Peach, you’re a big lady.”

 

Ruby fought the urge to either start busting out laughing or stand there dumbfounded. The person on her front porch was a little guy with a blue sweat wrap tied around his head and bright red hair for contrast. Well… not all red, there was a streak of blonde peeking through his sideburns.

Was this their “specialist?” This guy? Seriously? Where did they find him—the discount bounty hunter bin? This couldn’t be the person Miguel had in mind. That man was laser-focused on catching Logan and his band of honkytonk hoodlums, and this guy looked nothing like the hardened tracker he had described.

But who was Ruby to judge? It’s not like she had any real expertise in catching bandits.

Well… define catching.

 

“Ugh… sorry, ma’am. Reckon you’re the builder ‘round these parts?” The man said, tipping an invisible hat. “Name’s Bronco. Bronco the Kid. I’m here to help y’all track down those handsome devils—Logan and, uh… Haru, right?”

“Riiiiight,” Ruby replied, slow and full of uncertainty.

 

‘Bronco’ started patting down his overalls, looking frantically for something. Ruby just watched—there were no words that could come close to describing the scene that was unfolding before her.

Sensing her judgment, ‘Bronco’ finally produced a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to her.

 

“This here’s a diagram for a weapon I need. It’s called the Super Shock Shield , or, err… SSS for short. Means ‘shield’ in Geegler language… I think,” he stammered. “Well, best be on my way then. Thank ya kindly, builder!”

 

Before Ruby could get a word in, ‘Bronco’ took off high-tailing it toward town, his bright red sneakers lighting up the path as he left. 

Shouldn't bounty hunters wear boots?

Ruby unfolded the paper and studied it. It was all sorts of wrong. No measurements, no materials listed… and was that a guy with a ponytail giving a thumbs up drawn in the corner? Qi would never let something like this see the light of day. The fact that this paper wasn’t neatly folded would have been enough to drive him up a wall.

 

Just who the hell was this guy?

She tucked the diagram into the front pocket of her jeans for easy access, just in case. This ‘Bronco’ needed a little more looking into.

And lucky for him… Ruby didn’t have any commissions due today.

---

“Hey! It’s Ruby Tuesday,” Unsuur greeted, spinning lazily in Justice’s office chair at the Civil Corps.

“Nicknames? What’s gotten into you, Unsuur?” Justice asked, coming down the stairs to join the rest of the squad.

“It’s Ruby. And today is Tuesday, sir.”

“Ah, okay. That makes sense,” Justice replied, leaning against his desk with his palms resting on the edge. “What can I do for ya, partner?”

 

Ruby was still trying to figure out how to explain the bizarre conversation she had with the bounty hunter that morning. She didn’t want to come across as questioning the judgment of a senior officer, but… had they seen the same guy she did?

 

‘Bronco’ was obviously a child. She had literally seen him getting a children’s book autographed for Peach’s sake. What grown man reads children’s books unless they’re reading to children?

And it wasn’t like he was passing them off to Jasmine either. She had run off the moment he said a few words to her.

Which, verbatim, were: “Hello, there pretty lady.”

 

Let’s see how this blows over.

“Justice… we need to talk about the bounty hunter.”

“He’s a real lone wolf type, ain’t he? We asked if he wanted our help with his investigation, and he blew us off. Reckon we’re just gonna have to sit tight on this one. But then aga—”

“Justice, he’s a child !” Ruby cut in.

 

Justice and Unsuur exchanged a look, confused.

Ruby didn’t usually accuse folks without good reason but when she did , her instincts were almost always dead-on. Justice respected that. He’d hear her out, sure, but he also trusted Miguel and Trudy enough to believe they knew what they were doing. And according to them—and ‘Bronco’ himself—Justice and his deputies were supposed to be hands-off during this investigation. Their track record with Logan wasn’t exactly shining, after all.

 

“Listen… Ruby, I hear ya,” Justice said, stepping closer and resting a hand on her shoulder. “So Bronco’s got some immaturity ‘bout him. But we can’t go throwin’ accusations without solid evidence. Especially with the town already in an uproar.”

 

Ruby slouched. She knew she was right on this. But she also understood Justice’s point of view. The Civil Corps was his everything, and eventually, he wanted to join the Flying Pigs. If his office got shut down, that didn’t exactly bode well for his future.

She had her path. It was restoring Sandrock to a thriving city instead of the desolate oasis town it was. So perhaps she would not act as a Civil Corps member, but rather a concerned citizen who felt the need to step into a matter such as this.

 

“I need you to steer clear of this. If we’re wrong, there’s no stoppin’ the church from shuttin’ us out entirely,” Justice’s voice now softened.

“Alright, I get it. I’ll sit the bench on this one,” Ruby lied.

“Good on ya. Now Unsuur and I have some reports to sift through. See you later.”

“Goodbye,” Unsuur dismissed.

---

Andy stood in front of Ruby, his wig barely clinging to his forehead. He was hoping she wouldn’t notice the few stray locks of his hair sticking out from the side. He was hoping she had just finished the SSS so he could be on his merry way—back to the hideout before dusk.

He’d left a note for Logan before heading out that morning, letting him know where he was going and what he was doing. In that same note, he also had told Logan to meet him on the outskirts of town to collect both him and the weapon he commissioned.

 

“You callin’ me a liar?” Andy asked, with a defensive tone. “Listen, you big mean lady, I ain’t gonna ask again. Now where is my Super. Shock. Shield? ”

 

Ruby frowned, clearly disappointed in the behavior of this kid. He reminded her of a younger version of herself—always defensive, always demanding. But beneath all the loudness in her words back then, all she had really wanted was to be heard .

Heard. Like when her parents abandoned her as a small child and left her roaming the streets of Highwind alone. She’d learned to survive, sure. But no one ever taught her how to live, how to act, how to be a person. It was like holding a mirror up to herself as she looked at this child.

He needed someone . And that someone could be her, if he’d just let her in.

 

“Take off the wig. Show’s over now, kid,” Ruby said gently, trying to reach him.

“Ugh… to heck with this,” Andy grumbled, stomping up the steps of city hall to make his grand entrance.

 

Taking center stage, Andy beckoned a small group of citizens over to him. Pen, Justice, and Unsuur came over, curious about the commotion.

 

“Citizens of Sandrock! You thought Bronco the Kid, the bounty hunter from Atara, was here protectin’ you—preparin’ you to take action against Logan and his gang…”

From Atara? Maybe the real one will actually be worth a damn then.

“When in fact, it was I!” The boy spun in a full circle, magically appearing in clothes far more fitting for a boy his age. “Andy!”

 

The crowd shared a confused look, none of them understanding what this had to do with the town or the investigation against Logan. Even Ruby was more confused than before. 

“C’mon now, guys! I’m part of Logan’s gang. Can’t you tell?” Andy asked with a grin.

 

Ruby had thought Andy was just another random kid playing dress-up who had somehow caught wind of the situation. But he was a part of Logan’s gang?

Of course he was, why did Logan have his hands on everything that came up in this town?

The same hands that had left their mark on me.

 

It was the moment Andy had been waiting for. He watched as disbelief spread across their faces.

“One of Logan’s foul cronies,” Pen muttered, eyes narrowing.

 

Andy saw his chance. He leapt from the stage and bolted toward the path leading out of town, his shoes kicking up a cloud of dust as he sprinted across the cobblestones.

“GEETIM!” Unsuur shouted.

 

Ruby, Unsuur, and Pen raced after the boy, watching as he managed to swipe what looked like a shield from an unsuspecting Yan on his way toward the train tracks. Justice took a detour—why, Ruby wasn’t sure.

 

“Eat marbles, marble eaters!” Andy called back to the group, gaining on his tail, digging into his pocket to toss a handful of small glass balls in their path.

“We are not marble eaters!” Unsuur called after the boy, right before slipping on the scattered spheres, Pen tumbling beside him. One marble launched up and landed directly in Unsuur’s open mouth.

Ruby slowed just enough to check on him… not Pen. That guy could take a hit, no problem. It was his ego you had to worry about bruising.

“The prophecy… it came true,” Unsuur whispered dramatically. “Go on without me, Ruby.”

 

Justice stepped into the scene holding Captain. He arched his arm back like a quarterback lining up the perfect touchdown pass.

“Captain! Go long!” he ordered, launching the feline into the air.

 

At the peak of the arc, Captain splayed his paws, ready to land like the graceful weapon of justice he was.

“Remember this as the day you almost caught… Andaaah!”

Andy, too busy gloating to watch where he was going, tripped right over the cat. His head bounced off the sand just as Ruby snatched him up by the collar, dangling him like a prize Sandfish King.

 

“Nice work, Ruby,” Justice praised. “Let’s get him back to the office. Reckon we need to do a full investigation on this one. You comin’ with?”

“Not to intrude, but perhaps I should take the boy. I am practiced in the art of interrogation ,” Pen offered.

Over my dead body.

“No,” Ruby replied, setting Andy down and pulling him close to her side. “We’ve got it handled from here.” 

Go kick rocks, Penelope.

She turned away, guiding Andy back toward the path that followed the railway tracks. “Thanks, though,” she added, her voice dry.

---

“If you don’t tell us where Logan is, I’m going to be really angry,” Unsuur said, though his tone did not exactly have the desired effect.

“You better do what he says. He’s crazy,” Justice added.

 

Ruby rolled her eyes and leaned forward in the cushioned chair she had been stuck in for the last two hours.

This interrogation was not going as planned. Justice and Unsuur were trying their best, but Andy was stubborn. He refused to cough up any details about Logan’s whereabouts or what he was up to.

I should just step in.

 

Justice noticed Ruby’s growing frustration and decided it was time to pull out the big guns. If anyone could get this kid to talk, it was her. She was the toughest officer they had. Unsuur wasn’t exactly as intimidating, Captain didn’t speak human, and Justice had already had his turn. And he’d seen how well that'd turned out.

 

“Ruby, wanna take a crack at it?”

 

She stood and crossed the room, coming to a stop in front of Andy. With a quick push, she kicked the chair back and caught it with the toe of her boot, rocking him just enough to keep him off balance.

There were two options for this: Either Andy was playing hardball, or he truly knew nothing. If he was just being difficult, this would end quickly—Ruby was an expert in the “staring tactic,” the kind of soul-piercing glare that could make even seasoned criminals squirm.

And if he knew nothing?

Then they were back to square one… waiting on the real bounty hunter to arrive and praying he actually knew what he was doing.

 

“Start singin’, stool pigeon. Or else…” Ruby growled, teetering Andy a bit further backward.

“Or else what? Y’all Civil Corps members are just a bunch of softies…” Andy paused. “Right?”

Ruby looked to her fellow officers. They looked to one another, completely amazed that she was already getting Andy to start squealing.

“Right, guys?” Andy cowered.

 

But there was no response—just three pairs of eyes staring him down like an antelope cornered by a pride of lions.

“Alright, alright, I’ll talk!” Andy cried out. “The truth is I don’t know nothin’! Logan kept me away from everythin’, and I only knew 'bout that Bronco fella ‘cause him and Haru were talkin’ ‘bout it.”

 

At least Andy doesn’t know that Logan and I are already acquainted. I’m safe… for now.

“I believe him,” Ruby nodded, settling the chair back down, letting Andy sit comfortably once more.

“Well, that was easy,” Justice said. “You’re free to go, Andy. But you're under orders to stay in town for now.”

“I’m gonna head out as well, Justice. Got some things to work on back at the shop,” Ruby added, already making her way to the door with Andy at her heels.

 

Stepping outside and into the road, she looked up at the desert sky, noting that the chill of dusk was settling in around them.

Where was Andy supposed to go? Who would watch over him? Justice had said the boy was to stay in town, but where?

 

Ruby did not trust the church anymore—not after Logan had her head spinning with the bits and pieces of information he had given her. Or rather, not given her. Something about it all felt off. She could not quite put her finger on it. Who was lying in Sandrock?

Was she to trust the members of the church, who renounced the evil ways of the old world and claimed only to do what was best for the flock?

Or Logan—once an integral part of the town she now called home?

Time would tell what rang true and what did not.

 

“Heyya, Builder,” Andy piped up, pulling her from her thoughts. “Umm… kinda under supervision and all that. Where am I supposed to go now?”

I could take care of him… at least until Logan comes for him.

“Wanna stay with me? I’ve got a spare room, and I’m sure Logan will come looking for you soon enough.”

I look forward to when he does.

“Ah! That reminds me,” Andy blurted, suddenly bolting off toward the edge of town near the site where the Portia tunnel was being excavated.

“Andy, wait!” Ruby called, chasing after him.

---

“Kid, I ‘ppreciate what you were tryin’ to do, honest. But this is the end of the line. I can’t trust ya no more. You’re out here fraternizin’ with the enemy. What would you do in my place?” Logan asked, crouching down to Andy’s height.

“I’d kick ya out,” Andy whispered, his eyes now heavy as a single tear fell and stained the sand beneath him.

“Well, partner…” Logan ruffled his hair. “Reckon that’s what I gotta do.”

 

Ruby watched as Logan took the shield from Andy, his face now sunken in as more tears welled up behind his eyes.

Andy could feel their gazes—Ruby’s, Logan’s—burning through him. So he did the only thing he knew how to do.

He ran .

 

Ran from the man he thought was family. Ran from the hope that maybe this time… he had found someone who wanted to stick around.

He pushed past Ruby, barreling back toward town, desperate to forget this day ever happened.

And now you’ve made Andy cry, after all he did for you. Son of a bitch.

 

“You got some serious nerve to treat that boy like that,” Ruby snapped, voice tight.

“There ya are, darlin’. Come back for another round in the sand, did ya?” Logan quipped, strapping the shield to his saddle.

“He did that because he loves and respects you, Logan! And then you throw him away like garbage?” Ruby stepped forward, her voice now rising. “What the hell is wrong with you? You don’t get to use him and then toss him aside when it’s not convenient for you anymore!”

 

You got the wrong idea, honey.

Logan didn’t say it. Not out loud. He just looked up from the saddle strap he was tightening, jaw clenched. The last buckle clicked into place. He kept his eyes forward, letting the silence stretch as he drew in a slow, steady breath.

“Are you even listening to me?” Ruby taunted.

 

I heard you, alright. The question is… do you hear yourself right now? Someone ought to get a handle on you. 

“You’re ‘bout three words away from somethin’ happenin’,” Logan mumbled, waving a warning finger through the air.

I heard that. 

Ruby didn’t even flinch. “Another empty promise. Seems Andy isn't the only one you do that to, huh?”

Fourteen… you said fourteen words, sweetheart. That’s more than enough, don’t you think?

 

Logan took one last deep breath, his teeth now cutting into the soft flesh of his cheek. She was not going to back down, was she? Her track record proved that—two times now he had been around her, and already he felt like he knew her like the back of his hand. 

 

She’s so impulsive, unpredictable… and captivating. I wonder how she tastes when she gets like this.

Not satisfied with his response, Ruby came up behind him. Gripping his shoulder, she pulled him back to face her. 

Now, you've done it.

 

Ruby could not tell you what exactly happened, but in one moment she was locked in, staring this outlaw in the eyes—challenging him—and in the next, she found herself melting against his lips.

Logan grabbed her chin, pulled down his mask, and crashed his lips into hers.

It was bitter from their verbal jabs. It was soft like the sun-scorched particles that dragged across her skin on any given day.

It was Logan .

 

He released her chin, his hands moving downward toward her ass as he pulled her in closer to deepen the kiss. She tasted like everything he had imagined she would—venom from her words, but also sweet like royal jam after a long day on the trail.

Ruby wrapped her arms around Logan’s shoulders. She wanted to bury herself in his skin—feel everything he felt and taste everything the way he tasted it.

 

“Aha! My Feng Shui Dowsing Plate works! Logan’s down there, officers,” a sharp and whiny voice rang out. “And it looks like he’s got a hostage too!”

A girl could only be so lucky.

“Sorry, darlin’,” Logan muttered, breaking the kiss and pushing Ruby away, only to yank her right back against him.

 

Her back pressed to his chest. Her backside against his…

Seems I infuriate you as much as you do me.

 

“Let me leave, and she doesn’t get hurt,” Logan called out to the approaching figures, while covering his face.

One arm was wrapped around Ruby's shoulders, while the other unholstered his gun and pointed it to the ground.

 

Justice, Unsuur, and what looked like the real Bronco came barreling down the hill. Andy had been pretty spot-on with his disguise. The guy matched nearly everything, except the mole on his forehead.

 

“Easy there, Logan. We don’t want any harm comin’ to her,” Justice said, taking aim with his pistol.

“Let me walk, and I’ll cut her loose,” Logan countered.

 

Ruby could feel Logan’s breath caressing her ear, hot and steady . Sending a subtle hum down her cheek. Just like that feather had felt when he used it during their first encounter.

Oh, how she wished she could've stayed there a while longer. The tautness of his muscles holding her, the firm yet gentle touch through her shirt. That feeling of security mixed with danger pulling at the corners of her mind.

 

“Deal,” Justice agreed, holstering his weapon and stretching out his arms to show this was a peaceful negotiation.

Logan gave a firm nod, whispering against her ear. “Tell Andy I was just tryin’ to protect him, will ya? I can’t have you both hatin’ me.”

I don’t hate you.

 

He released Ruby, pushing her toward Justice, then mounted up and tore off into the desert breeze.

 

“WHAT?!” Bronco shouted. “He’s gettin’ away! After him!”

Bronco ran after Logan, his short but well-muscled legs keeping surprising pace with the goat as they raced across the sharp ledges under the dusk-lit sky.

 

“I need to check on Andy,” Ruby told the squad, already moving. She took off up the hill, back toward her workshop.

---

When Ruby arrived back at her home, she found Andy sitting on her doorstep, his eyes red and the ground below him soaked in salty tears.

 

I can help you. Let me help you.

“Hey, partner. Are you hungry?” Ruby asked, the gate creaking as she stepped through.

 

Andy didn’t answer. He just looked up at her briefly before turning his gaze back to the sand, his feet now tracing shapes in it.

Everyone had left him. His family—the caravan they traveled with—was destroyed, and he had been abandoned. He didn’t know where they had ended up, or even if they were still alive. And now Logan, the man who had saved him from all that, had walked out of his life too. 

He’d left him.

So once again, Andy felt the familiar sting of being an orphan.

 

“You know what always makes me feel better when I’m upset?” Ruby continued.

“Hmm?” Andy mumbled, curiosity piqued.

“Cake. And the Blue Moon has some.”

 

Ruby could see it in his eyes. He was still processing everything. And who could blame him? He had just lost the only person he trusted. She understood that pain. It wasn’t so long ago she had felt that same desperate sting—the aching hunger for someone to just choose her.

 

“Why are you always so nice to me?” Andy sniffled. “You’re the reason I lost everything in the first place. If you hadn’t caught me… I’d still be with him. He wouldn’t have left me.”

“Andy,” Ruby said gently, crouching beside him, “I know it’s hard to believe… but it’s because I care about you that I did what I did today.”

“You… you don’t know me,” Andy whimpered.

“But I’d like to,” she said softly, brushing a tear from his cheek with her thumb.

 

Andy blinked up at her. Could he trust her? Was she going to leave like everyone else? She didn’t seem like it. The whole town seemed to rely on her for everything. And for now… this was someone, somewhere, he could call home.

 

“So… about that cake?”

“C’mon,” Ruby smiled, taking his hand in hers, and pulling him up. “Owen's got a lot of flavors too.”

“Can I try them all?” Andy asked, his eyes wide, a grin finally breaking through the sadness.

“Sure, buddy. Whatever you want.”

---

From up on the cliffside, Logan watched as Ruby ushered Andy away from her door and toward the Blue Moon.

Seems you don’t just build things… you fix ’em too.

Notes:

I wish you could've taken Andy in right after he was caught impersonating Bronco, but hey that's what fanfiction is for right?

Also... does anyone want to talk about how the Civil Corps keeps interrupting Ruby and Logan? I think it's what like 3-0 Civil Corps?
Geez... anyway, catch you guys on the next chapter! :)

Chapter 4: Fucking Gray

Notes:

Shout out to BigDuckie for making this image of Ruby. I love it, and I'm sure Ruby would too!

A meeting had been called at the church. It was not public knowledge—only a few select individuals were invited. Ruby, being one of them, was up early in the kitchen, pouring herself a cold glass of yakmel milk.

The cool, sweet liquid coated her throat as she downed the last of the gallon she had left. She’d need to grab more—or, now that Andy was staying with her, she could hand the task off to him.

 

Andy had settled into Sandrock nicely. He helped her deliver commissions, clean the machines, and even watered the flowers she had planted. The arrangement was working out perfectly, and Ruby felt like he was finally coming around to the mundane life of being a citizen of Sandrock.

Which is why she was taken aback hearing what she was. It seemed while she had been away from her workshop during the day, Andy had been caught stealing from multiple shops around town.

 

“I think it’s in the best interest of the boy that he stays at the church with us,” Miguel suggested, his voice monotone but still pressing. “You have enough to do, Ruby, and he is taking your attention from certain projects.”

 

She sat there, one eyebrow shooting up as Miguel voiced his concerns.

Had she fallen behind? Her mind drifted back over the week’s tasks and everything she had managed to complete. Yan had not mentioned any issues with the commissions she had fulfilled—and he always enjoyed a good excuse to ream her hide. Rocky had not complained about how long it took to collect the ore he needed from the salvage yard either. So who was complaining about her?

 

Pen entered the room, followed by Matilda. The hulking, muscle-bound man pulled a chair out for the minister before finding a spot across from Ruby.

“Skinny,” Pen greeted, his voice already grating on her nerves.

“Penelope,” Ruby said flatly.

Pen rolled his eyes and let out a sharp huff. “You wound me with that sharp tongue of yours. I am The Protector of Sandrock, you know.”

“As if the outfit didn't give it away.”

 

Matilda settled into her seat and brought her hands up to the desk. Eyeing everyone who had joined, her face was sweet, and her tone was soft—like she was talking to a bunch of children. When Ruby and Pen were in the same room, there was no doubt their immature antics would ruin the atmosphere.

 

“Come now, you two. We’re all friends, neighbors even. Let’s not squabble before we’ve even had a chance to chat,” Matilda told them.

Are we friends, Matilda?

 

Ruby loathed Pen. There wasn’t a more pompous person in Sandrock. And saying he was dramatic? That was an understatement. Ruby had vowed never to make that man another mirror, no matter how much he begged and pleaded to see his “peak form.” 

But if there was one redeeming quality about that superhero-monologuing tool, it was that he was loyal. She never doubted that if there was trouble, Pen would drop everything to save the day. 

 

Loyalty was something she valued. She felt the need to be loyal to herself and to everyone in the small town of Sandrock. And she did just that—working herself to the bone, always trying to prove something. To others, and to herself. It was a double-edged sword, and one she struggled with.

Especially since becoming acquainted with Logan.

 

“I called this meeting to raise the concerns of some citizens around town,” Matilda started. “It seems young Andy has been taking items that don’t belong to him. And instead of getting the Civil Corps involved, we thought it better to handle this ourselves.”

What? Were you going to press charges against a child?

“Is that why Trudy and Justice aren’t here?” Ruby questioned, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms.

 

Pen bared his teeth and leaned forward, eyes narrowing at her. Not only had she questioned Matilda, but now she was questioning the authority of the entire church? What was she up to? Why was she being so defensive about this punk of a kid? She didn’t know him.

 

“Like I said, Ruby,” Matilda replied, her tone now laced with just a hint of condescension. “We’re all friends here, and we all want what’s best for Andy. We just think he would be better placed in our housing, where we can keep a closer eye on him. You are so very busy, and we don’t want him taking away from your duties.”

I’m more than capable of taking care of him, thank you very much.

“It’s for the best, Ruby. Honestly, we are better equipped to handle a situation such as this than you,” Miguel added.

Situation? This is a child, not some pet project, Miguel.

“So we aren’t even going to have a discussion about this? You’re just going to take him from me?”

Her tone was sharp, pointed directly at the members of the church. She wasn’t going to allow them to bulldoze her. This boy needed a home, a place of love and understanding. Not a hollow dorm hall with people like them skulking around, watching his every move.

 

“Yes, the boy-” Miguel answered.

“No, hold on a tick,” Matilda interrupted. “We are open to a compromise. Did you have something in mind?”

Ruby hesitated. She had to think about what she would’ve needed at that age. What would she have wanted someone to do for her? Throwing Andy away like a worn-out toy was out of the question. Logan had already done that—and once was one time too many.

 

“Tell Andy I was tryin’ to protect him, will ya?”

Logan’s words echoed in her mind. What did he mean by that? What was coming? Ruby felt like a yakmel in the middle of a tornado, getting spun around for cinematic value. There was one word for this entire situation, and it was… fucked.

She’d need to ride the line for now, not letting either side know which way she was leaning. Not until she had more information—something solid to go off of, instead of the word of the church…

Or that damn bandit.

You mean the one that kissed you, right?

 

“Don’t you guys have classes before the sermons on Sunday?” Ruby asked.

“Sunday school?” Pen laughed. “There’s a name for it. You’d know that if you actually came to hear Matilda preach.”

Name the place, Pen. Just name the place.

 

Ruby rolled her eyes. “What if I agreed to take him to Sunday school? Then he would still be with me, but he’d be actively learning how to become a model citizen of Sandrock.”

Matilda brought a hand to her chin, grasping her jaw. “That could work. We would be open to that arrangement.”

“You can’t be serious, Matilda! That child has information on Logan’s whereabouts, and you’re just going to all—” Miguel scolded, his disapproval leaking into the conversation.

So this is about Logan? Not the safety and security of a child. Go figure.

“That is enough! I have made my decision,” Matilda said, cutting him off. “Pen, Ruby, this meeting is done. Please allow me a moment alone with Miguel.”

 

Matilda looked at Miguel like a disappointed mother. Why couldn’t he be more like Pen? Pen understood orders and followed them to a tee. Miguel let his emotions get the better of him and that needed to be reined in.

 

“Also, remember there’s a fireside tomorrow evening. Trudy will be discussing the arrival of Musa,” Matilda reminded them.

Musa? The richest man in the Free Cities, Musa? Interesting.

 

Ruby and Pen rose from their seats at the same time. She glared at him, and he returned the favor. Two of the most stubborn forces in Sandrock, staring each other down in the middle of the church. The building might’ve burned down if the air between them had been any more charged.

 

“Ahem,” Matilda sounded, encouraging them to leave.

“After you,” Pen said, nodding to the exit.

 

Stepping outside, Ruby and Pen were met by the blistering rays of the desert sun. A clear blue sky stretched above them, and a slight breeze carried loose particles of sand across the ground. It was the perfect day to indulge in a bit of rivalry .

 

“Say, Ruby,” Pen started. “What do you say to a spar? Seems there’s something between us, and I want to settle it. We need to stand together… for Sandrock.”

Is that a sense of humility, Pen? Careful. Might slip and become a decent human being.

Ruby looked over at Pen, who was busy primping himself in the handheld mirror he carried around everywhere, just to make sure she’d heard him correctly.

“You want to spar with me ?” she clarified.

 

Pen snapped the mirror shut, his fist clenching around the smooth metal abruptly. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I? You and me—we’re the strongest, besting all the evildoers in our path. A little spar could be a true test of our mettle.”

Flattery? Alright, I’ll bite.

“Sure, Pen. I’ll even race you to the ring,” Ruby agreed.

“Ah ha! That’s the spirit, Skinny!”

---

Ruby stood at her side of the ring, stretching each arm across her chest as she prepared for the tussle with Pen. She managed one stretch just fine, but on the second, her shirt tore from the strain. Without hesitation, she unbuttoned it and tossed it aside.

Now she stood before Pen, arms bare and the sun catching the glisten of sweat along her skin.

Pen noticed that “Skinny”—or well, Ruby—wasn’t exactly skinny at all. The way her muscles were shaped beneath her skin was... superb. The tank top she wore clung in all the right places, highlighting her form in a way that made it hard not to stare.

 

“Damn, Ruby,” Pen flirted. “Maybe ‘Skinny’ isn’t such a good nickname for you after all.”

Fly a fucking kite.

“It’s funny,” Ruby said, with snark edging her tone, “I can almost tolerate you when you’re complimenting someone besides yourself.”

Pen let out a soft chuckle, “You ready to dance now, or what?”

 

Ruby rolled her neck, one shoulder to the other, taking a moment to mentally prepare for the spar. Pen was strong—he could have someone pinned if they left themselves unguarded too long. He was fierce, a true powerhouse on the field who used unrelenting force to make his enemies bend. But most of all, he was fast, savoring every move and ending encounters as swiftly as they started.

 

Satisfied with her thoughts and feeling properly stretched, Ruby stepped into the center of the ring. She met Pen there, and they grabbed hands—a promise of a fair spar, and not to take it so far that someone walked away seriously injured.

Ruby felt the latex tight against Pen’s glove as she gripped his hand firmly. She studied the orange coloring for a second before looking up and smiling at him. He looked back, his eyes lingering—almost mesmerized by hers.

That’s right, big guy. Get distracted. You’ll make this easy for me.

 

Ruby yanked hard, making Pen stumble forward just in time for her knee to slam into his ribs. Then, with a twist, she threw him to the side—away from her.

 

“Nice move, Skinny,” Pen huffed. “But that’ll be the last time you get to use it.”

 

They circled each other, the tension thick between them. Two predators, each daring the other to blink first.

Then Pen launched .

He wrapped his hulking arms around Ruby, slamming her to the mat with a thud that echoed through the ring. He pulled back a fist, ready to strike—but Ruby threw up her forearm, catching the blow before it landed.

He pulled back again, determined. This time the punch grazed her cheek as she tilted her head just in time. His fist missed her face but slammed hard into the cushioned mat beside her.

 

Seizing the opportunity, Ruby hooked her leg around Pen’s and twisted, contorting herself free from his grip and rolling him onto his back. She landed square on his waist, straddling him, her face brushing close to his before she pulled upright.

“This is some view,” Pen smirked.

 

This seems… familiar. 

Ruby’s jaw locked as she drew back her arm, fist clenched, ready to slam it into that smug-ass face he always wore.

But Pen caught her punch mid-air, and with a sharp motion, he flung her arm back toward her, sending her stumbling. She hit the ropes hard , her back bouncing off the tension with a snap of grit and sweat.

 

Pen stood up, brushing himself off—then paused. He felt the same restriction Ruby had earlier. Without a word, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, tossing it aside.

What was left was a well-sculpted, broad-framed man standing in the sun, fully aware of the attention he was drawing. And loving every minute of it.

 

“I’m getting pretty warm out here, figured it was time to lose the shirt,” Pen chuckled. “Isn’t my body just ‘pentastic’?”

Pentastic? Of course he’d say that… penmotherfuckingtastic.

“I’m surprised you could come up with such a big word to describe yourself as,” Ruby mocked between breaths, she was still recovering from hitting the ropes.

 

Pen was tough, and she had known that going in. This wasn’t going to be some stroll through the Eufaula. This was two desert sandstorms colliding, throwing their weight around, each trying to dominate the other.

Pen shook his head. As much as he disliked Ruby, she had a certain allure. Her body, her words—all of it aggravated him. But deep down, he couldn’t deny the natural attraction he felt for her, even when she was a sweaty, sun-baked mess.

Particularly when she was a sweaty, sun-baked mess.

 

Pen stalked toward her, his eyes skimming over her, taking everything in. He was hunting for weaknesses, for any tells he could exploit. She favored her left side—more than her right. If she struck, he could count on a left hook. He wondered if it was the same for her kicks too.

 

“Kick me,” Pen ordered. “I wanna see if your legs have the same form as your arms.”

They sure do. Watch them.

 

When Pen got close enough, Ruby lifted her left leg and drove it into his side.

But Pen had assumed correctly—he caught her leg mid-strike, leaving her hobbling on her right foot.

 

“Pen, let go!” Ruby hollered, struggling to stay upright.

Pen’s grip tightened as his hands made their way up her leg. When he reached her knee, he grabbed underneath, guiding her leg to hook around his waist. To a bystander, it would’ve looked…compromising.

 

What are you doing?

Ruby glanced down at her leg, still tangled against Pen’s core, then slowly let her gaze drift upward—only to stumble forward, landing against his chest.

She didn’t feel safe, a sharp knot pulled at her insides at the contact.

This is dangerous, you’re dangerous.

 

“Eyes up here, Skinny,” Pen said, his voice low, trying to draw her attention back.

Ruby listened, turning her gaze up to Pen. He had right where he wanted her, ready to quit, ready to submit. He wanted to see how she'd react to being caught up like this…

 

“I think I’ve had enough for now,” Ruby said, her leg going limp.

Pen released his grip, letting her leg drop gently to the mat. She looked different now. The fire in her eyes, that spark he’d come to expect, had dimmed. She seemed… withdrawn.

 

“Thanks for the spar, Pen. I’m going to head out,” Ruby said, grabbing her shirt and making her way back toward her workshop.

Pen watched her go. Something had shifted—he could feel it. The energy she’d walked in with wasn’t the same one she was walking out with. There was more going on than she let on. And being the faithful Duvos Knight that he was, he aimed to find out exactly what it was.

---

Ruby lay on her back, a long, exasperated sigh leaving her lips as she stared at the ceiling. The day had been about as much as she could stand. It felt like a tidal wave of confusion crashing over her, dragging her under a sea of doubt.

 

On one hand, there was Logan.

Logan had kidnapped her. Taken her hostage. Interrogated her. Then, the very next evening, he came crawling to her doorstep with some half-baked explanation that didn’t fit into the puzzle she had been handed.

Someone in the church was stealing water, making things worse for Sandrock. What was she supposed to do with that information?

“I’m askin’ you to at least give a damn enough about this town to keep an open mind.”

 

And then there was the other thing.

He had kissed her—his lips perfectly melding with hers as if they were made to. He’d left marks on her skin that still simmered whenever she recalled the way he used his mouth.

She hated it.

Not him.

It.

 

She hated how he made her feel. The way he made her question everything, just from a touch. Any time he came near, the lines that separated black and white bled together.

Everything turned gray.

And Ruby did not know what to do with gray.

 

Pen… that pompous ass had muddied the waters too.

Up until today, her mind had been made up about him. He was a jerk. A real boastful bastard. But something in that cockiness had strummed a chord in her. He challenged her, and that stirred a feeling she did not quite know what to do with. Uneasiness, mostly.

Like Logan, Pen was hell-bent and loyal to his cause—only his was the church. The same church Logan accused of harming the town and the people in it.

So now, with all that laid out before her, that familiar uncertainty crept back in.

 

Who was right ? Who was wrong ? And where the hell did she fall into place?

What if Logan was the bad guy? What if he was stealing resources, manipulating allies, and using charm to get close to those who had something he wanted? 

Like me.

But what if the church and Pen were the ones in the wrong? What if the very people who swore to protect Sandrock were the ones damning it?

 

Fucking gray.

 

A gentle knock tapped against her door.

“Yeah?”

Andy opened the door, poking his head in to check on Ruby. “You okay?”

 

Ruby took a deep breath, shaking away the thoughts that had clouded her mind. A distraction sounded damn good right about now. Besides, she needed to talk to Andy—she’d made an agreement with the church, and she owed him the words Logan had left behind when they last parted.

 

“I’m about as okay as I can be,” she answered. “What about you? You’re up pretty late tonight.”

“Couldn’t sleep. Figured I could come see what you were doin’.”

 

Ruby had known that Andy had night terrors, she could hear him struggling to sleep at all hours of the night. He would roll around, make sudden gasps, or sometimes even let out a sharp cry that echoed in the halls of her home.

Not wanting to overwhelm more, she'd given him his space. Allowing him to process things on his own, until he needed her. 

 

“Here.” Ruby tapped the empty space next to her. “You can lay here if you want.”

 

Andy came over, lifting his leg onto the bed and settling in next to her. A long, comfortable silence stretched between them—like the two had known each other for years. An unspoken bond had formed, drawing these two lost souls together in hopes of healing all that had been taken from them.

Andy, a recently orphaned child, who lost his home twice now.

And Ruby. A workaholic builder, who deemed her value on the opinions of those around her.

Why kind of fucking pair are we?

 

“Andy, we need to talk about some things,” Ruby paused. “Have you been taking things that don’t belong to you?”

 

Andy shifted awkwardly. He wanted to lie. Every instinct in him told him to. Lies were easy, but if he had too many… it could be a lot to remember. 

He needed to be honest—or else Ruby might leave too, just like everyone else.

 

“Yeah, I did.”

“Why?” Ruby asked, leaning up and turning to face him. “I have gols if you need them, you know that.”

“Because it’s the only thing I know,” Andy admitted. “In my caravan, if we didn’t have food, we’d steal it from villages we passed. And when I was runnin’ with Logan… if we didn’t have food, and couldn’t trap nothin’, we’d steal then too.”

 

Ruby was silent for a moment. So Logan was stealing? But in the same breath, he was accusing others of doing the same? Sounded like the pot calling the kettle black from where she was sitting.

 

“You ain’t mad at me, are you?” Andy croaked, feeling the weight of disappointment drift between them. “I… I’m real sorry, Ruby. I won’t do it no more, promise. Just don’t get rid of me. Please don’t get rid of me.”

 

Ruby could hear the catch in his voice and feel the tears welling up in his eyes. She scooted closer, offering him the reassurance he needed.

I get you, more than you realize. 

 

“Hey now, dry those eyes, okay?” Ruby said, swiping the tears from his cheek. “You and me—we’re like two sides of the same coin.”

“How you mean?” Andy sniffled, his deep red eyes looking to hers for understanding.

“I’ve lost my fair share of things in my life too.”

 

My family, friends, and sometimes myself.

 

“Like what?”

“Well… let’s just say I haven’t ever really had a family,” Ruby sighed, the weight of memory settling heavy on her chest. “My parents left me when I was a kid—left me to wander the streets alone. I had to learn how to survive. I stole what I needed, and learned to take care of myself. And the few friends I had? They left too, soon as I started school to become a builder. Doesn’t matter now—they weren’t good people anyway.”

“So you’re alone like me then?”

“No, partner. We got each other now,” Ruby said with a soft smile. “And that’s all we need.”

 

Andy took a deep breath, letting Ruby’s words settle. She knew him—understood everything he was feeling. And for once, the world didn’t seem so dim. Maybe, just maybe, he’d picked the right person when coming to Sandrock.

 

“Jasmine told me she’d start seein’ me at Sunday school this week,” Andy muttered, clearly annoyed. “Do I have to go?”

“Yes, you do,” Ruby answered gently. “It was the only way I could keep you here with me. The alternative…”

 

She didn’t finish the sentence.

You wouldn’t have liked it. I promise you that.

 

Andy frowned. “Logan says the church is hidin’ things from everyone and that they’re the reason his Pa died.”

“Oh?”

There it was. Logan’s reason. His motive. The why behind the madness.

Another thread woven into the tangled web that was Logan.

 

Andy realized his mistake and jolted upright. He wasn’t supposed to tell anyone anything that might compromise the “gang.” And here he was, blabbering Logan’s secrets to an outsider.

 

“Don’t tell anyone I told you that,” Andy blurted. “Logan wouldn’t ‘ppreciate me airin’ out his dirty laundry like that.”

Secret’s safe with me.

“I miss him, ya know?” Andy murmured, moving closer to Ruby and settling in against her. “I know he kicked me out, but it still hurts.”

“He was protecting you, Andy. His life… his way—it isn’t for a kid like you,” Ruby said, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him close.

“Thanks, Ruby,” Andy yawned, his voice soft and sleepy, before drifting off.

“Night, kid,” she whispered, letting her eyes fall shut.

 

And just like that, for the first time since he’d started staying with Ruby, Andy didn’t have a nightmare.

Chapter 5: The Color of Jealousy

Ruby watched in horror as the “Welcome Musa to Sandrock” party went up in flames… literally.

Hugo was chasing Cooper around the dining area, microphone stand in hand, ready to take a swing at the poor yakmel rancher. Qi had pressed a random button on the mobile suit, accidentally engaging firefight mode. A loud explosion followed, sending a piece of teal-colored metal soaring across the room—straight for Musa.

Ruby stepped in front of him, catching the metal mid-air just before it collided with his face.

 

“Thank you,” Musa panted, one hand clutching his chest.

“No problem,” she replied, dropping the smoking shard to the side as she turned to assess the chaos unraveling around her.

“Somebody stop that robot!” Miguel shouted.

“Shoot it!” Justice barked at Unsuur.

The bullet Unsuur fired struck true, sending the mobile suit crashing to the floor with a CLANK. Flames flickered up from the wreckage, rising higher by the second.

 

“Get some water!” Grace yelled.

Ruby spotted a bucket of mop water in the corner. She grabbed it and hurled it at the smoldering heap, dousing the flames in a hiss of steam. A thick cloud of smoke lingered, rolling through the saloon.

 

The room was scorched, torn to shreds, and completely ruined as the chaos finally came to a halt—leaving one very disgruntled and disappointed guest when the smoke settled.

“I believe I’ve seen enough,” Musa said, shaking his head.

“Mr. Musa, please…” Trudy pleaded.

“I’m in the business of investing in people, and you lot are a bunch of maniacs. Seems I saved myself a pretty penny.”

 

Ruby watched as the weight of failure sank into Trudy’s eyes. The dream of connecting Sandrock and Portia was slipping through her fingers just as quickly as it had formed. Sandrock didn’t have the funds to build their side of the road—and now, they weren’t any closer to getting them.

Trudy had always had Ruby’s back, from day one. Seeing her like this? It hurt. Folks in town had doubted her from the start, never once considering her view on things—every expedition, every greenification push, every single effort. It was only once Matilda backed her that people would even start to listen.

 

“Invest in me, then,” Ruby said.

Musa arched his brow. “I’m aware of what you bring to the table, Miss Ruby. But one person isn’t enough to make me want to throw any gols into this.”

“Heidi and I, then,” Ruby pressed. “You’ll get me—the best builder in the Alliance. And Heidi, winner of the Open Architectural Competition.”

 

The dream team.

Ruby and Heidi had grown close over the last few months since she had arrived in Sandrock. It was almost inevitable. They worked on every major project together, saving the town at every opportunity.

Opposites attract, as one might say.

Ruby was fire and forge—sharp-edged, blunt, and unrelenting, her words capable of cutting through the lowest egos. Heidi, on the other hand, had a more delicate touch, letting things slide where her best friend would’ve gone full throttle. Heidi was bright ideas and blueprints. Ruby was sun-kissed skin and sore muscles from the long nights she pulled to get things done.

 

Musa was silent for a moment, the weight of Ruby’s offer hanging heavy in the air.

He’d heard the rumors—some hot-shot new builder from this desolate town. How she turned ruin into renewal. And today, on his tour, he’d seen it all firsthand. The woman wasn’t just hype—she was the real deal.

And Heidi? That architect hadn’t met a problem she couldn’t outthink. Her prototype for Sandrock’s retractable sandstorm walls? Very impressive. Innovative. Practical. Profitable .

 

“I’ll consider it,” Musa relented. “We can talk more over lunch tomorrow—after this place is cleaned up, of course.”

 

Heidi stepped up beside Ruby and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “We’ll be there.”

A wave of relief washed over Trudy as the crowd began to shuffle out the doors. She should’ve known her dynamic duo would pull through—they always did. No matter the problem, no matter the stakes, Ruby and Heidi found a way to save the day.

 

“We got ya, Trudy. No need to worry,” Heidi told her, her sweet drawl coating the words. “Ruby and I… we’ll secure that fundin’ for ya.”

“I appreciate it. Both of your efforts never go unnoticed around here,” Trudy said.

 

Ruby felt confident. She knew she’d be able to convince Musa to come around to their way of thinking—not just for her, but for the future Sandrock deserved.

 

“Now, I need to collect Jasmine from Vivi’s,” Trudy continued. “Are you coming with Heidi?”

“Right behind ya.”

 

Ruby watched as the two of them stepped out into the bright morning sun.

 

“Don’t worry, guys—I’m an expert at all things cleaning.”

Ruby turned to see Grace sweeping across the floor with a broom, muttering to herself as she worked. It looked like she was the only one planning to clean up the mess.

“Want some help?” She asked.

Gives us time for a chat about what you’ve been up to, besides being a terrible cook.

Grace raised an eyebrow, surprised to find someone still hanging around. “Huh? Oh—hey, Ruby. Yeah, I’d like a little help if you’ve got the time.”

 

Ruby started by gathering up stray bottles, the clinking of glass ringing out as she set them into a box behind the counter. Once done, she grabbed the mop and went over the spots Grace had already swept.

It wasn’t an awkward silence, but something unspoken lingered in the air. Ruby knew Grace was part of Logan’s rebellion gang. The question was whether Grace knew Ruby had figured it out—or rather, that Logan had told her himself.

 

“Logan mentioned he spoke to you,” Grace started, her eyes never leaving the floor. “But he didn’t tell me how much you knew about our operation.”

Seems I’m not the only one he doesn’t tell everything to, either.

“Yeah. He came by my workshop the night after he kidnapped me,” Ruby replied, squeezing her mop into the bucket.

“I see…”

You see? What’s that supposed to mean?

 

Grace knew Logan was reckless—but at what point was the line drawn between recklessness and just plain stupidity ? The plan had been to take the Builder and question her. Grace didn’t mind that part; she and Ruby weren’t exactly close. And when Logan suggested kidnapping her in the Eufaula, it felt like a solid lead at the time. So she agreed.

What wasn’t supposed to happen was Logan going to Ruby’s workshop and continuing to talk to her. That was the stupid part of his little scheme, and if Grace had known about it, she would’ve stopped him immediately. Because now there was another set of eyes on them—and that wasn’t what they needed right now.

What had he said? How much did Ruby actually know? And how was Grace supposed to get that information—without sacrificing the integrity of her investigation?

She set the bait.

 

“Logan is a good man, and he’s fighting for the right side here.”

A good man? A good man?  What are you two—?

 

Ruby blinked the thought away. No sense falling into that spiral right now. She barely knew Logan. She’d met him what… three times?

Three times too many.

Grace and Logan wanted to hold their cards close? Then so be it. Ruby could bluff her way through a hand, too.

 

“He said something to that effect too, Grace. But I won’t lie to you—I’m struggling to believe either one of you right now. I’ll need more convincing than mysterious strangers wandering onto my property and the good word of a cook.”

Grace looked up from the pile she’d swept together, arms folding as a corner of her mouth pulled upward in a challenging smirk.

 

Sell something worth buying, and maybe we’ll chat more. For now… I’m straddling the fence.

Grace and Logan… Logan and Grace. They were working together to uncover who was smuggling water into Sandrock. And it looked like they’d keep playing hardball—stonewalling Ruby from any real information.

It didn’t exactly fill her with confidence to choose a side.

And if this was how their operation worked—on half-truths and missing pieces—then maybe Ruby didn’t want any part of it.

 

“Hey! It’s my favorite builder and my favorite sous chef,” Owen greeted, carrying a stack of milk crates. “Looks like y’all have been working hard.”

You don’t even know the half of it, Owen.

 

Ruby glanced at Grace, wanting a response to her earlier comment.

Next time you want to set some bait, make sure I’m enticed enough first.

 

Grace rolled her eyes, shaking off Ruby’s intense gaze.

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, they needed her. Ruby was their best shot at a real power play. She was sharp, dependable, and the most resilient woman in all of Sandrock.

Grace knew one thing for sure—Ruby would give Logan a run for his gols. And even though they’d formed an alliance, she’d love to see him knocked down a peg. Just once.

 

“Let me make you some breakfast—both of you,” Owen offered. “It’s the best way I can show my appreciation.”

Ruby dropped her mop back into the bucket, the water splashing onto the floor. “Another time, Owen. I need to prepare for that meeting with Musa tomorrow.”

“Oh,” Owen said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “See you round.”

 

He brought a hand to his chin as he watched Ruby leave. She had never been one to turn down a free breakfast before. What had gotten into her?

 

“Is she okay?” he asked, looking to Grace for an answer.

“I think she’s just really focused on getting Musa on board with the road to Portia,” Grace replied. “Don’t worry so much, boss.”

---

      R-

          I’ll swing by this evening. I know you talked to Grace.

                                                -L

 

“Whatcha got there?” Andy asked, peering around Ruby to catch a glimpse of what she was holding.

 

She jumped, quickly crumpling the paper and tucking it behind her back.

Andy didn’t need to see this. His night terrors had finally started to fade. He was in a calm, stable environment now. Bringing up anything about Logan would’ve sent him right back to square one.

 

“Oh—hey, Andy. It’s nothing. Just an article Ernst wrote.”

“Can I see it? I like his books. Maybe I’d like those too.”

“Uhh…” She hesitated. “No, I don’t think so. News articles are boring.”

“Jas’s aren’t,” Andy countered.

“Oh? Well, I’ll make sure to tell her you said that, partner. Let her know just how much you love her articles.”

 

Ruby was trying to throw him off her trail—trying to get him to latch onto something else instead of pressing her about the note.

 

“You wouldn’t do that to me,” Andy said, narrowing his eyes.

“Try me, kid,” Ruby smiled, letting him know that above all else… she was still playing with him.

 

Ruby was stone-cold—but underneath all that, she had a heart of gold. Andy saw her that way. And in this case, he conceded.He trusted Ruby with his whole heart. She wouldn’t lie to him. They were “two sides of the same coin,” after all.

“Oh, okay,” Andy nodded. “I’m going to head over to Jasmine’s. We’ve got some homework to do together.”

“Have fun! And don’t get any cooties. Girls have those, you know?”

 

Andy rolled his eyes and peeled off toward town, his blonde locks tousled by the steady breeze.

Ruby sighed, bringing her hands back around in front of her—but when she did, she realized the note had been brushed away by the desert wind.

Fuck. Now I can’t even show it to him if I wanted to.

 

Ruby had lied. Playfully… but still lied. The one thing she swore she’d never do to the person she’d promised to protect. She and Andy had grown close in the short time they’d been together, and lying to him felt like she’d gone against the very thing she stood for.

Loyalty.

But maybe that was her reason, too. She was loyal to Andy—by keeping him away from the things that troubled her most. Logan being out there, still close but just far enough out of reach… that’d do more harm than good if Andy ever found out. And though Andy had been attending church, she made damn sure that Matilda and her watchdog, Pen, kept to themselves.

So when she told him the note was nothing, and then the wind took it? Well… in her eyes, that wasn’t lying. 

That was protecting him.

 

“Hey, girl!” Heidi waved. “Ready to head to that meeting with Musa?”

“Sure thing!” Ruby called back, masking the storm still brewing in her mind.

 

Ruby, Heidi, and Musa sat tucked into the corner booth, discussing the Northern Development Plan—the latest dream cooked up by the leaders of the Free Cities.

The NDP was an Alliance initiative aimed at strengthening the northern borders, meant to help stave off the growing threat of a Duvos invasion. Tensions were high. Duvos had been rattling their sabers for months now, eager to expand their reach using old world technology—and force.

 

“Sounds like you need a militia, not an architect and a builder,” Heidi said, bringing a spoonful of soup to her lips.

 

Musa gave a polite chuckle. “Well, I need both. Which is why I’d like to formally invite you both to join our efforts. Sandrock is a sinking ship, but I know potential when I see it. And you two have it.”

Ruby couldn’t deny that Sandrock had its fair share of shortcomings. The small desert oasis town… was just that. Limited water. Constant sandstorms. A daily grind that could break even the strongest spirit.

 

Most folks would’ve tucked tail and run, regretting they ever stepped foot in this quaint little town. But Ruby was built different. She knew what she’d signed up for—sun-scorched dunes and a dire situation.

And she hadn’t flinched once.

Except when Logan attempted for more than just a tussle underneath the early morning stars, huh?

 

“I’m not sure. Sandrock is my home. I can’t ever imagine leavin’ this town.”

“Think about it, Miss Heidi. This place is done for, and I’m offering you a land with no limitations. The only thing weighing you down will be the gols lining your pockets,” Musa pressed.

 

He was laying it on thick, and Ruby found it bold of him to assume gols were her only motivation.

 

“I think what she’s trying to say is that we love this town. We love the people here. And honestly? I don’t think they’d make it without us,” Ruby stepped in.

Musa let out a disappointed sigh. “I hate to hear that. I really do. But if you two are as stubborn as the rest of these people, then I suppose you’re just a bunch of maniacs too.”

Come again?

 

Ruby might’ve been short-tempered—maybe even a little on edge—as she fought to do what was best for Sandrock. But one thing she wouldn’t tolerate? Being disrespected. Especially not by someone who had just rolled into town.

My town.

 

“Fine,” Ruby said, shrugging as she rose from the table. “We’ve made it this far without the help of outsiders.”

Take your gols, Musa, and shove ’em where the sun doesn't shine.

“Ruby,” Heidi begged.

“No! Don’t ‘Ruby’ me.” She was burning hot now, jabbing an accusatory finger at Musa. “This guy strolls in under the guise of helping us—but all I see is someone trying to gather support for his damn ‘Northern Development Plan.’”

 

Heidi’s eyes went wide. She could practically see the steam leaving her friend’s ears. Ruby was about to come unhinged—like a kinked hose bursting from the pressure. And Heidi wasn’t sure how to stop it… if she even could .

A roll of tape could only patch a hose so many times. And right now? Ruby was a heated, burning geyser.

 

“Your ‘plan’ is years away from even starting. Have you even broken ground yet?” Ruby snapped, her teeth now bared. “Oh—probably not, if you’re barking up my tree to help with whatever bullshit you’ve got going on.”

 

Grace peeked out from the kitchen, hearing the commotion as Ruby laid into Musa. She fought the urge to grab a bowl of popcorn and settle in for the show.

 

“We’re talking about the here and now , Musa! And you’re over here trying to damn the very town I’m busting my ass for. How’s that supposed to make me feel?”

Musa said nothing, stone-faced as Ruby tore through him without hesitation.

“Fuck your development plan . We’ll make it—with or without your gols.”

 

Grace nodded along. Despite their earlier jabs, she could see it now—Ruby was exactly the kind of person they needed to recruit. They just had to figure out a way to get her to actually listen. And maybe… get her out of town. Somewhere she might be more open to the idea.

 

Ruby blinked hard, drawing in a shaky breath.

Me and my big mouth.

Trudy had trusted her. And here she was—blowing up in front of Musa, letting her temper get the better of her.

 

Her mind started to race.

What could she do to help fund the tunnel project? More commissions. Side work for Cooper and Owen. Save every gol she could get her hands on. But deep down, a question settled in like dust on the floorboards.

Would it ever be enough?

 

A slow clap echoed through the saloon, snapping Ruby out of her thoughts.

“I was wondering when someone would show a little backbone around here,” Musa said, leaving both Ruby and Heidi in a state of pure shock.

Does that mean—?

They shared a look, dumbfounded. Had they actually done it? Was Musa saying what they thought he was? Was Sandrock getting its road to Portia after all?

“Come back and sit, Ruby. I want to discuss my expectations for the construction.”

It sure does.

“Of course,” She replied, taking a sip of yakmel milk as she sat back down.

---

Ruby sat out on her back porch, watching as the long, barren night sky stretched above her. It was cloudy, and there wasn’t a star in sight. The dark blue sky wrapped around her like a cool blanket against her summer-heated skin.

Andy had gone to sleep over at Trudy’s. The project the kids were working on had taken longer than expected. Jasmine had practically begged for him to stay for dinner, which then turned into a full-blown sleepover.

Ruby didn’t mind—she knew Andy was safe in Trudy’s care. It wasn’t like she was sending him off somewhere unknown or dangerous. Like Sunday school. Or with Logan.

 

She was about to drift off to sleep, but her stomach churned. Something wasn’t right. She wasn’t sure if it was the lunch she’d eaten, the excitement of securing Musa’s money, or the possibility of Logan showing up at any minute.

That was, if he intended to make good on that note of his.

She heard the sound of sand shuffling, growing closer to her yard. Grit against leather. A dark, shadowy figure emerged, leaping over the fence with ease. A familiar pair of blue eyes met hers just before he pulled down his mask, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

 

“Howdy, sweetheart,” Logan greeted. “Grace told me ’bout a little show that went down at the Blue Moon today.”

Of course she did. Is the debriefing before you fuck or after?

 

The stomach pain Ruby was feeling could’ve been jealousy—though she wouldn’t dare admit it. Especially not to him.

Logan wasn’t hers, and she wasn’t his. They’d barely known each other that long—and yet here she was… green-eyed and full of vinegar toward two people who didn’t owe her a damn thing.

Sure, they’d shared plenty of scandalous moments so far. And yeah, she felt something in every tangled mess with him. But just because she did didn’t mean it was mutual. He was still an unknown.

A damn good-looking one, too.

 

“Yeah, well, all in a day’s work,” Ruby replied, scooting over on the bench to make room for him to sit.

Logan noticed, indulging the gesture.

Maybe I’m finally gettin’ somewhere with you.

 

He’d been watching from a distance, making sure Andy had settled in properly. He saw how Ruby had taken care of the kid—the two of them thick as thieves. He’d loved that boy like a son. But he also knew what was coming, and having Andy around when the powder keg blew? That wasn’t good for anyone, no matter how much it tugged at his heartstrings.

Eventually, he’d run out of places to go—especially if Ruby got dragged into the fallout. Still… part of him believed Andy would be alright.

He always was.

 

“How’d you and Grace meet?” Ruby asked, her tone shifting to curiosity.

I can set bait too, you know?

“She, uh…” Logan paused.

He couldn’t exactly tell her that Grace was an operative with the Alliance Central Intelligence. That wasn’t his information to share, and he wasn’t about to compromise everything they were working toward. His Pa deserved better than that.

“She’s always run with us. Haru and I… we’re kind of chaotic, so we needed someone to keep us grounded, I reckon,” Logan lied.

 

Seems this song and dance will continue. But I know you hesitated, Logan.

“Logan, whenever I talk to you, I always feel like I’m just getting handed useless information. You said I should keep an open mind, right? But you haven’t exactly given me anything to do that with.”

I’d like to tell you. I really would. But soon enough, you’ll know.

 

“Sorry you feel that way,” Logan said. “But just know my intentions are good. I hope that’s enough for you, Ruby.”

“Can’t say it is.”

 

Keep your secrets. I don’t need them. I’ll figure this out. You and Grace just keep doing whatever, I guess.

The two of them sat in a long, suffering silence. The words already spoken filled the space between them like smoke. In the distance, a high-pitched howl echoed through the night, only adding to the painful weight that had settled on the bench with Ruby and Logan.

Ruby didn’t believe it—any of it. She now saw herself as a lone wolf in this mess, while Logan continued to play his games. And if he’d just been honest with her… maybe they’d be on the same side of things.

Just how deep did the water smuggling go? And was that all this was? Or was something bigger headed straight for Sandrock?

If her hunch was right—and the church was involved—then why did everyone still follow them?

Maybe it was easier to follow the flock than to face the wolves lurking just outside the fence.

Stupid fucking sheep.

 

“How’s Andy?” Logan asked.

“He’s good. I think. He’s been going to Sunday school with Jasmine and Trudy.”

“He’s what? ”

 

The words left his lips before he’d even had a chance to process what she was saying.
Ruby had been the one to raise suspicion about the church and their ties to the water smuggling scheme. And now she was sending Andy— his Andy—right into the lion’s den?

She couldn’t be that dumb. Could she?

 

“Logan,” Ruby said, her voice tightening as she sensed the start of yet another argument. “I didn’t have a choice. They were trying to take him from me. That was the compromise.”

I took Andy in when you got rid of him, remember?

 

Logan deadpanned. Her words did nothing to ease the anger beginning to brew behind his eyes. And Ruby read him like a book.

“You know what? Forget it. I’m not explaining myself to you. You don’t give me the same courtesy,” She shook her head, rising in a huff. “Fuck off already.”

She turned to leave, but felt his hand catch her wrist, calloused and snug against her skin.

And just as he did, something in her stomach lurched.

Fuck me. Not in front of him. Anyone but him.

 

That uneasy churn she’d been ignoring all evening suddenly surged upward—spilling onto the sand in a steaming splash of hot, green bile.

“Shit, Ruby,” Logan muttered, eyes darting to the mess. “You alright?”

Did I do this to you?

 

Ruby yanked her arm away and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

That’s when she saw it.

Her skin.

She was turning green.

Notes:

My girl has enough going on and now she's green? Ugh... someone get her a glass of milk. Actually no, don't do that. Maybe a shot of whiskey instead, or... a cigarette (if you know, you know ;) ).

Chapter 6: Visiting Hours

Notes:

Surprise!! Ya'll get a double chapter today because I can't stop writing about Logan and Ruby.

*raises glass* Enjoy!

“Miguel, the people will not stand for yet another water tax increase,” Matilda stated, reviewing his proposal. “Have you even brought this to Trudy’s attention?”

“No, I hadn’t. I figured with our influence, we could integrate it immediately,” he answered dryly.

 

Matilda narrowed her eyes. Miguel was becoming a real thorn in her side. He constantly questioned her requests and often created more trouble than he was worth—especially with something like this. A water tax increase was dangerous. If word got out, people would start asking questions about just how dire the water situation truly was.

Despite his flaws, Miguel was very good at one particular task: keeping Burgess at bay. If that boy learned anything, the entire world would know soon after—delivered in that high-pitched, whiny voice of his.

 

Pen knocked on the door, entering the office where Matilda was holding her private meeting. She could tell something was on his mind by the way he gave a subtle gesture for Miguel to leave.

“Do me a favor, Miguel, and take this to Trudy. She would be the appropriate person to handle this sort of thing,” Matilda dismissed.

“Very well, Minister,” Miguel agreed, rising from his chair and heading toward City Hall.

 

Pen waited until he heard the second set of doors close—the ones that kept the sanctuary sealed off from the outside—before he started talking.

Click.

 

“You came at a good time. I’ve had just about enough of him,” Matilda leaned forward. “You said this was important.”

“Figured you’d want to see this, Tiger,” Pen said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a scribbled piece of paper.

 

Matilda reached for it, uncrumpling the folded parchment. Her eyes didn’t so much as flicker as she looked at the letters: R and L.

 

“Do you want me to make a house call?” Pen asked, folding his arms.

 

Matilda bit her lip, thinking through the different ways this could be handled. Pen was out of the question—sending him in was like asking a yakmel to charge into a glass shop.

 

“No,” she replied. “This will require a level of discretion. Besides, I heard from Justice that she’s been at Fang’s the past few days. That yakmel milk caused some sort of severe allergic reaction.”

“I haven’t had issues,” Pen said, flexing both arms and kissing each muscle. “But I’m a very strong and pulchritudinous specimen. Something to admire, for sure.”

 

Matilda rolled her eyes, annoyed by how someone could be so full of themselves.

 

“I’ll make my way over to Fang’s and see if our sweet Ruby is up for a little conversation this mornin’,” Matilda said, taking up her cane and strolling out into the desert heat.

---

“Minor dehydration…” Fang said, grabbing a glass of water and handing it to his patient. “Need to increase… water intake. Would provide alleviation… of symptoms.”

“Birdie drink more water—more water now,” X cawed, his tongue clicking to imitate the sound of running water.

 

Ruby reached for the glass, taking the smallest sip possible. Her stomach—though better—still hadn’t completely settled from the yakmel milk she’d drunk just a few short days ago. Food wasn’t any better—Fang had left her alone about it, but whenever Heidi came to visit with Andy, it never failed that she’d try to push something at her.

Ruby would turn up her nose; the smell alone was enough to deter her from partaking in any kind of nutrient consumption. Water was about the only thing she could handle, and even then, it had to be in small doses.

 

“Other people in town… not affected as drastically as you,” Fang said with a nod. “Would like to research… ingredients. And see why you… are different.”

“Unique little birdie, unique indeed!” X chirped.

“Thank you for making me feel so special,” Ruby winced, sitting up in bed. “Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

“New symptom, new symptom. Give patient another test!”

“X!” Fang snapped. “Let us… leave now. Time for testing… later.”

 

Oh no, I’m breaking out of here after you two leave.

 

X flew onto Fang’s shoulder as the two of them headed upstairs to retire for the morning. Fang valued his own privacy—as well as that of his patients—and often allowed them visitors at all hours of the day.

Once they were tucked away in their nook, Ruby gave it a few moments before shooting up from the white-colored sheets. She managed to find her clothes and slipped on each article with ease.

 

Medical gowns were only good for two things: leaving nothing to the imagination, and a cold, bare ass.

 

Brushing off her clothing and tying her hair back into a low ponytail, she made a beeline for the door.

And she just about reached it—before abruptly stopping in her tracks.

 

“What are you doing?”

“Umm… nothing?” Ruby replied, sheepishly.

“Bed. Now.” Heidi pointed firmly to the spot where Ruby had just been.

“Heidi… I feel just fine. I have some things I need to—”

“This is not a discussion, Ruby. You’re still not eatin’ or drinkin’ enough to be cleared for buildin’,” Heidi scolded. “I won’t ask again.”

 

Andy stepped out from behind her, eyes wide. He used to think Logan was scary. Ruby was worse. But Heidi? She might’ve been the scariest of them all. Her sweet drawl had vanished—replaced by a voice that was sharp, firm, and impossible to argue with.

 

Ruby threw her arms up in surrender and groaned. “Fine, but I’m still not eating whatever you brought.”

“That’s fine. Andy and I’ll just eat in front of you then.”

 

Heidi set down the takeout bag she’d picked up from the Blue Moon earlier that morning, then pulled up a chair beside her grumpy friend, who now wore a sour look on her face.

Andy jumped onto the bed beside Ruby, scooting into her side with a small smile growing on his face. He was hopeful she might be coming home today. While she’d been laid up, he’d been staying with Heidi and her family. 

 

It hadn’t been so bad—sometimes Jasmine came over to help pass the time.

They’d talk about different things. Sometimes toys. Other times school. And on occasion, their families.

Jasmine talked about how her ma took the mayor’s seat after her pa was lost in a sandstorm—his body never found. She was smart enough to understand that Trudy’s drive for greenification came from that tragedy. And it was about survival.

Andy didn’t talk much about his family. If he was honest, he didn’t really remember them. He couldn’t tell you their names, what they looked like, or even their favorite foods. The pain of losing them had done more damage than his ten-year-old mind could process.

And Logan? Jasmine already knew everything there was to know about him. So they rarely brought him up. Some adult would always swoop in and steer them onto a different topic anyway.

 

“How are you, Andy?” Ruby asked, wrapping an arm around him. “Is Heidi as mean to you as she is to me?”

Heidi rolled her eyes as she dug into her breakfast, taking a moment to snap a bite of sausage from its casing. “You think you’re so funny, dontcha?”

“I think I’m hilarious,” Ruby chuckled.

 

Andy watched as the two women stared each other down, neither willing to give an inch. In one corner was the fearsome, fiery redhead Ruby. In the other stood the sweet-toned Sandrock beauty Heidi.

If this were a public event, Andy figured he’d be taking bets and making a mountain of gols.

 

“I’ve been doin’ good. Mostly workin’ on those school assignments, and I’ve even been stayin’ outta trouble,” Andy grinned. “Tell her, Heidi. I’ve been a good kid, right?”

 

Ruby looked to Heidi, her face softening. She knew Andy had given up his stealing antics, but part of her still wondered—if she wasn’t around, would he slip back into his old ways?

Heidi caught her gaze and gave a gentle nod.

Good job, kid. I’m really proud of you.

 

Ruby made a fist and held it out to Andy. He bumped it. 

“Good job, Andy. Keep it up, and we’ll do something fun when I bust out of here.”

“Awesome!” Andy cheered. “When are you gettin’ out anyhow?”

 

Ruby sighed. She didn’t know—and not knowing only made it worse. 

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

The clinic walls felt like they were closing in, filling her with a sense of longing. She wanted to be outside, soaking in the rays and working away in the heat. Sweat dripping down her skin as she ran around gathering materials and doing what she did best—building.

 

“I don’t know yet. You can see there’s a big purple security dog in my way right now, so maybe after she leaves?” she joked.

“Keep it up, Ruby, and I’ll tell Fang he needs to run more tests,” Heidi threatened. “And I know how much you’ll love that.”

Needles… I hate needles.

 

Heidi and Andy laughed at Ruby’s expense, the threat of unnecessary procedures just enough to get her to close her mouth… for once.

Ruby leaned back, letting the scent of breakfast meat and sweet pancakes wash over her senses. And to her surprise, it wasn’t the food that turned her stomach this time. It was the sharp sound of the clinic’s front door creaking open—followed by the unmistakable click of heels against the tile floor.

 

“Well howdy, y’all.” Matilda’s yellow robes shimmered in the morning light. “How’s our star builder doin’ today?”

Think I might be taking a turn for the worse. Thanks for asking, Matilda.

“She already tried to break out this mornin’,” Heidi replied, smirking. “So I reckon she’s feelin’ better.”

“Good,” Matilda said, folding her hands over her cane. “I was hopin’ she might be up for a little chat.”

Something tells me I don’t have a choice.

 

Ruby nudged Andy, gently pushing him off the bed and toward Heidi. Her eyes never left Matilda’s.

 

“Andy, why don’t you and Heidi head back to Vivi’s for a bit?”

 

Heidi could read Ruby’s demeanor. Her jaw was clenched, shoulders tense at the sight of the minister in front of her. It was just sweet ol’ Matilda, right? So why was Ruby acting like a beast with its back up against the wall?

 

“Can I come back later and see ya? Or do you think I can come home tonight?” Andy asked, his tone carrying the same heavy edge that Ruby’s did.

 

He knew what Matilda and her people were. He’d heard the whispers between Logan and Haru in the long hours of the night. They thought he was sleeping, but in reality, he heard—and saw—everything.

 

“We’ll figure it out later, okay?” Ruby reassured him. “Give me a bit with Matilda.”

Andy gave Ruby a hug before turning and leaving with Heidi.

Stay safe. I’ll be home soon.

 

Matilda watched the pair as they headed for the exit, taking a seat just as the door shut behind them.

 

“Andy…” she started, that same condescension lacing her words. “He’s a good kid, ain’t he?”

“I think so. He’s come a long way. Definitely isn’t the same boy he was when he came into town, that’s for sure.”

Stop the foreplay, Matilda. Let’s get to the action.

“You’ve done well with him. We were wrong for ever doubting your ability to raise a child,” Matilda said smoothly.

“I appreciate you saying that,” Ruby replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I only want what’s best for him.”

“As do we, Ruby. The Light teaches us to guide those who stray from our practices. It seems, through your care—and our teachings—he is truly flourishing.”

Bending over here… waiting on you.

 

Ruby leaned forward, growing tired of Matilda’s decorum. The woman had the same aura as a sunlit noose. At first glance, she radiated warmth—gentle rays wrapping around you like a summer breeze. But the longer you lingered, the tighter it got. Harder to get away.

And she wasn’t the only one dealing in passive lies and half-truths. Logan wore his façade like armor, and it only seemed to harden the more Ruby tried to break through it.

He was angry with her. That much was clear from their last conversation.

 

“He’s what?”

Those were the last words she remembered before her stomach had emptied itself onto the ground. Logan didn’t understand the situation—and he had no right to judge what was best for Andy. The boy was in Ruby’s care now, and the responsibility of managing delicate situations fell on her shoulders.

 

“Why are you here, Matilda?” Ruby’s tone was pointed, sharp enough to cut through the tension hanging thick between them.

“Well, dear. Just as you’ve guided young Andy, I’m here to guide you,” Matilda replied sweetly—too sweet—before reaching into her pocket and revealing the crumpled note Ruby recognized all too well.

 

Should’ve known you had your own purple haired security dog sniffing around my place.

Ruby bit the inside of her cheek, trying to come up with some reason they’d be exchanging notes. The short answer? There wasn’t one.

 

“Now, I realize it can be temptin’ to wanna stray—especially with how handsome Howlett’s boy is,” Matilda paused, clearly fishing for a reaction.

Nice try, Matilda.

“But I would implore you to steer clear of this. I would hate for the citizens of Sandrock to deal with not only the fallout from Logan and Haru, but our prized builder as well,” Matilda said, grabbing Ruby’s hand. “Have I made myself clear, dear?”

“Crystal,” Ruby nodded.

“Good. Real good,” Matilda said with a smile, patting Ruby’s lap. “Now that that’s settled, I’m headin’ to City Hall. Reckon Justice, Unsuur, and Mi-an should be back from their trip to the Valley of Whispers.”

 

X flew down, taking his place on the perch just as Fang stepped out, rejoining his patient and visitor downstairs. “You are… discharged. Remember to drink… fluids. And take these.”

Fang handed Ruby a bottle of meds to clear up the green tint still clinging to her skin.

 

“Thanks, Fang,” Ruby said, taking the bottle and tucking it into the pocket of her jeans.

“Yes, thank you, Fang. It takes a village, don’t it?”

Ruby looked to Fang, and Fang to Ruby. A solemn nod passed between them.

“We’ll catch y’all later, then.”

 

Matilda left, her robes trailing behind her, leaving Ruby alone with Fang, X, and a bottle of meds that would clear up her skin condition… but did it work on anxiety too?

---

Logan sunk his head back against his pillow, staring up into the cavernous ceiling that was painted orange and red above him.

He was thinking about the most recent interaction he’d had with Ruby.

 

He’d questioned her judgment, wondering why she was giving Andy to the church, knowing the allegations against them, and in the next breath she was spouting, her words heated and angry as he once again continued to not tell her anything.

Then as he went to grab her wrist, she keeled over, vomiting onto the sand. Logan had wondered if she’d gotten caught up in everything around her—whether it was the awful party, Musa’s deal, or… him .

Logan was focused on the task at hand, not allowing any distractions to get between him and his end plan, but watching Ruby tumble to the ground in a sweaty, green mess made something snap.

 

Did I do this to you?

The words came to his mind again as he rolled up from his bedroll, his hands running through his hair, nearly tangling themselves in the strands.

At what point was he going to stop dealing in lies and deception? At some point there was going to be too much damage done, and there’d be no going back. Sure, Ruby was just one person.

But she’s different.

 

“Good, you’re awake,” Grace said, looking over to him from the fired-up kettle. “Join me.”

Logan let out a slow groan and got up, stretching his sides before walking over to where she was sitting.

A pot hung just above a low flame, its contents bubbling with a distinct smell—neither good nor bad—filling the air of the hideout. It smelled… decent. Logan didn’t argue when Grace cooked, because even he couldn’t come close to what she made.

 

“Here,” Grace said, offering him a plate.

“Thanks.”

She waited until he was a few bites in before pouncing. “So… you wanna tell me what the hell happened the other night?” Her tone wasn’t curious. It was accusing.

“What you mean?” Logan asked, not even glancing up. He kept shoveling soup into his mouth like she hadn’t just cornered him with a loaded question.

 

I don’t answer to you. This is my operation, remember?

Grace got up and walked over to him. With one sharp movement, her fingertips caught the edge of his plate—then slammed it to the cave floor.

The metal clattered, echoing through the hideout. Logan’s eyes dropped to it… then up to Grace.

 

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Grace?” he barked, jaw locking tight, teeth bared.

“What the fuck is wrong with me ?” she echoed. “What the fuck is wrong with you ? You took her to Fang’s, didn’t you?”

 

Logan swallowed hard. His eyes darted away from the fire behind Grace’s.

 

“I…” Logan paused.

“Don’t answer that. I already know the answer,” Grace shouted, cutting him off. “Rumors are flying all over town. Folks say a tall, shadowy figure on a goat was seen dropping Ruby off at the clinic. Just before Fang took her inside.” She rubbed her forehead, the sting of a headache blooming at her temples.

“What? Was I just supposed to leave her in the workshop yard?” Logan fired back. “She could’ve died, Grace. We’re bandits, not monsters.”

 

Grace took a deep breath, reminding herself they were the good guys. And good guys did not just leave people to fend for themselves—especially not ones vital to their cause.

 

“The bottom line is, you need to be more careful. We can’t risk this operation going south,” Grace sighed.

“I know, Grace. But I also won’t sit by when someone needs help. That ain’t who I am,” Logan drawled, his voice low and steady now.

 

Grace turned away, heading for the hidden exit just a few paces off.

 

“Especially one with wide, doe-like eyes anytime someone says your name,” she smirked, slipping out the door.

 

Logan shook his head, picking up his plate, and scooping himself another helping of the mysterious soup that boiled before him.

Notes:

I wanted to reach through my computer screen and slap Matilda so hard... I don't even care that she's old. That old bat is coming for my girl, and I don't care for it! Not. At. All.

Catch ya on the next one!

Chapter 7: Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall (NSFW)

Notes:

Got a "steamy" bit to kick us off this chapter, so be mindful of that. Also... dialogue, dialogue, and more dialogue. Enjoy!

Steam rolled over Ruby’s shoulders, the hot water cascading down every inch of her skin in such a perfect way that she felt rejuvenated. She grabbed her shampoo bottle, pumping a generous amount into her hands and lathering it before running them through her hair.

She massaged carefully, making sure every strand was conditioned properly. She had just reached the tips of her mane when she imagined… him .

“Need some help, sweetheart?”

 

Between the sound of his drawl and her fingers running through her hair, Ruby felt a steady pulse of electricity hum through her nerves. Her fingertips traced slow, careful circles along her neck, the heat from the shower cascading down—settling in the space between her legs.

One of her hands slid up to her breast, grasping the sensitive mound before pinching the peak. She gasped, the sudden contact sending another wave of electricity pulsing through her, just as her other hand drifted lower.

“Let me get that for ya.”

 

Ruby’s other hand splayed as it traveled down the valley of her breasts, gliding past her navel before finding the most sensitive part of her. She strummed herself gently, another wave of energy rippling through her. Her slender fingers stroked the tender node, chasing the high she so desperately craved.

 

“Ruby!” Andy called out. “You almost done in there? I gotta head to Heidi’s for my lesson today. She said she’d ‘ppreciate it if I brushed my hair… and my teeth.”

 

Ruby snapped out of her thoughts, the image of her imaginary bandit lover dissipating with the steam. She gave her hair one last rinse, making sure all the soap was gone, then shut off the water and stepped out into the crisp air of the bathroom.

“Give me a sec, kid,” Ruby called back. “Let me dry off, and then I’ll take you there myself.”

 

She turned to the mirror, drinking in the reflection before her. The green tint that had once stained her skin was gone—her natural ivory complexion returned, now flushed pink from the heat of the water. 

Yeah… that water sure does things to me.

Grabbing a towel from the drying rack, she quickly dried off and dressed for the day.

 

She had a debrief with Justice and Unsuur this morning. They’d be going over the mission details from their expedition into the Valley of Whispers with Mi-an. Fang had officially cleared Ruby for all activity, so taking on the second half of the “Clear the Air” mission seemed only right.

Mi-an was a skilled builder, no doubt—but when it came to combat, she lacked a certain edge. Unsuur had seen that firsthand back in Gecko Station, what felt like ages ago. So when Ruby mentioned being taken off medical leave, he and Justice were more than thrilled to have her back.

 

“C’mon, Ruby,” Andy persisted, now pounding on the door. “I’m gonna be late!”

Ruby grabbed a comb from the sink, stomping over to the door before throwing it open and allowing him entry.

“Get in here and start brushing your teeth. Then I’ll give you the comb.”

“No! Comb first. Then I can just throw a piece of gum in my mouth before we leave.”

Ruby glared at him, then smirked. “I don’t think Jasmine will want to talk to you if you’ve got stinky breath, will she?”

 

Andy scrunched his nose, then turned back toward the sink and snatched up his toothbrush.

Ruby had to stifle a laugh as he grabbed the toothpaste with a vengeance, squeezing a giant glob onto the counter—and only a smidge onto the actual bristles.

 

“Stupid ass tube,” Andy cursed, throwing on the faucet.

Oh fuck, now he cusses too?

“Hey, don’t say that,” Ruby corrected, setting the comb down beside him.

Andy, mid-brush with his mouth agape, mumbled, “You say worse words than that.”

“Those are adult words, Andy. You can’t just fire them off whenever you feel like it.”

Andy spat into the sink, a dribble of foam on his lip. “You say ’em all the time. Why can’t I?”

 

This is a losing battle.

By his age, Ruby already knew all the cuss words anyone had ever dreamed up. In fact, she’d even crafted a few of her own— dickweed , dumbfuck , and, for a bit of zest, assbutt .

 

She sighed. “Tell you what—I'll let you say that word, but only when you’re at home with me, got it?”

Andy’s eyes lit up like he’d just unlocked a new super power. “Cool.”

 

Ruby shook her head, silently praying that Andy wouldn’t use his newfound freedom to teach the other children in town how to cuss. She had no desire to have another conversation with Matilda anytime soon.

 

She was already halfway down the hallway when she hollered at him, “Brush your hair—I’ll meet you outside when you’re ready.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Andy saluted, like the dutiful little soldier he was.

---

Stepping down from her front step, Ruby brought a hand up to shade her eyes. It was another hot and humid day in Sandrock, and the sky above stretched a clear, cloudless blue. Andy wasn’t far behind, barreling through the door and skidding across the grit before spinning around to face her.

 

“Can’t I just skip today’s lesson and come with ya to your meetin’?” Andy begged. “I’ll be good, I promise.”

“Andy…”

He dropped to his knees for maximum dramatic effect. “Please, Ruby. You promised we’d do somethin’ fun when you got out of the clinic!”

 

You’re lucky you’re cute, you little rugrat.

“You have to promise me you’ll be on your best behavior. I can’t have you getting into anything while we are talking business, okay?”

Andy crossed an X over his heart… or rather where he thought his heart was. “Promise.”

“Alright. Let’s head out then,” Ruby smiled, before giving him a gentle push out the gate.

 

As they walked over, Ruby was careful to shield Andy from anyone’s gaze—specifically any members of the church. She was sure they’d have something smart to say to her, or worse, they’d try to make Andy head to school.

She didn’t see any harm in it. She couldn’t count how many times she herself had missed school growing up. There was always something more interesting than what the classroom had to offer. It was almost ironic how she’d ended up a builder. The program required hours of study and passing multiple exams.

She couldn’t even tell you how she did it, but she did. Maybe it was her drive to always do more than what was expected. For love, for acceptance, or maybe just plain satisfaction. To everyone else, she was a powerhouse—but inside, she was still working through a deeply rooted need for…

 

“Ruby?” Andy interrupted her thoughts. “You gonna make it?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” She nodded. “Here, let me get the door.”

 

Unsuur could be seen holding a gemstone in his hands as he sat in Justice’s office chair, the lavender color catching the light and casting a reflection on the wall.

 

“Howdy, Ruby and Andy,” Unsuur greeted. “Justice’ll be here shortly. He went to get some breakfast for us.”

Ruby nudged Andy toward the empty chair in the corner. “Thanks, Unsuur.”

 

Andy listened, taking a seat and looking around the room. He hadn’t had the time to do that before—back then, he was the one being questioned. Funny how quickly things had changed.

 

“Captain coming too?”

“Meow!” Captain mewed, stretching out and hopping onto the desk to sit with them.

 

Ruby had been skeptical when Justice told her he was promoting Captain—the cat—to deputy. But after seeing him take a heroic stand at Gecko Station, she was convinced he was the real deal. No button went unpressed with him around, and his mousing record was nothing short of exceptional.

 

Justice walked in, his hands carrying a takeout bag and a can of cat food for Captain. “Howdy y’all. Reckon we’ll get settled in here and then we can get started with the debriefin’.”

 

He opened the bag, the smell of sweetness leaking into the air. But when he turned, he noticed an additional person in the room. “Whatcha doin’ here, kid? Thought school was today.”

Ruby stepped in between Justice and him. “Figured a day off wouldn’t hurt. He’s been cooped up since I got sick, and I promised we’d do something together.”

Justice just chuckled. “Relax, Ruby. I get it. Ain’t no better teacher than hands-on experience anyhow.”

Close one.

 

Ruby walked over, opening one of the boxes and snagging a sausage link. She wrapped it up in a pancake, dunked it in some syrup, then handed the rest to Andy to scarf down—a growing boy needed his food, that was for certain.

 

“All right, y’all, let’s get into it,” Justice started. “Now, Mi-an, Unsuur, and I were able to locate three different areas where the leakage of Greeno was comin’ from and—”

One of Ruby’s eyebrows arched. “What’s Greeno?”

“An old-world shampoo. It’s green,” Justice answered.

Ruby fought the urge to lurch forward, disgusted. “Wait, so I ingested soap? Old, moldy soap?”

“Well, the bottle says not to ingest by any means. And if you do, to consult a medical professional,” Unsuur deadpanned. “You already saw Fang, so you should be in the clear.”

Ruby brought a hand to her forehead. “Thanks, Unsuur. Glad we got that cleared up.”

“No problem.”

 

“Any other questions?” Justice was trying to get the meeting back on track. 

Between Ruby’s sass, Unsuur’s dry charm, and Captain nodding off on the desk, he knew he only had a few moments to get to the main part of their meeting.

Unsuur and Ruby glanced at each other, while Captain curled into a ball, softly purring away his breakfast, a cat nap on the top of his agenda.

“No, sir,” Unsuur replied.

“Alright, let’s continue on then.”

 

Justice went on to explain that while patching up the leaks, the squad had run into some bandirats—along with their leader: the Rat Queen. She was a real fairy-tale type rodent, speaking like she was addressing a royal court and wearing a gown fit for nobility.

“Are you guys sure you weren’t hallucinating?” Ruby asked, thinking it sounded a bit far-fetched. “I mean, could those fumes have gotten into your suits and made you see things that weren’t really there?”

That’s rich. What about that scandalous shower this morning?

“No, partner. We weren’t,” Justice assured her. “Reckon it sounds pretty dumb when I say it out loud—but I got two witnesses to verify it.”

Guess you can add exterminator to my résumé as well.

 

Andy sat in the corner, polishing off the rest of his breakfast. He listened quietly as the adults continued discussing the probability of contracting insanity through the toxic gas creeping closer to Sandrock. They’d have to come up with a solution quickly—if they didn’t, the town would surely be engulfed in Greeno.

 

“So that’s why I’ve partnered with Director Qi,” Justice explained. “I gave him a sample of that stuff yesterday, and he should’ve been able to cook up somethin’ by now. Ruby, why don’t you head over there and check it out for us? No doubt it’ll require some sort of machinery to be built.”

“Sure, Justice,” Ruby agreed, already heading for the door. “Andy and I will head over there now, and as soon as I get the diagrams built, I’ll invite the squad, Trudy, and Musa to the valley.”

 

Then we can move on with the plans for the tunnel to Portia.

Justice stepped in front of the exit, blocking Ruby from leaving in such a hurry.

 

“One last thing—we lost contact with Bronco. No one’s seen him since Logan was in town.”

And held me hostage… I might add.

“Oh, right. Kind of forgot about that guy,” Ruby admitted.

“He is easy to miss. But being vertically challenged is no joke.”

Good one, Unsuur.

Justice frowned, crossing his arms—clearly disappointed in his deputies. “I’ll be out lookin’ for him this afternoon. Then maybe we can all get on the same page with this investigation. You’re dismissed.”

 

Andy jumped up from the couch, the boredom finally washing away as he realized the meeting was over and he was one step closer to his scheduled day off.

 

“Let’s go to the research center! I wanna see what I can get into there,” Andy cheered, already stepping out the door.

Ruby shrugged, looking at Justice. “The research center is educational atleast. I’ll see you guys later.”

“Goodbye,” Unsuur waved, watching as the duo left the office.

---

Andy studied the foul-smelling liquid that bubbled over the small flame on Qi’s desk. His nose came dangerously close to it, nearly scorching his barely-there nose hairs before he jumped back, bumping into Ruby.

She was not impressed, offering him a disapproving look as she tugged him back by the shoulder—away from anything that could blow up.

 

“Here are the diagrams Justice requested,” Qi said, handing the documents to Ruby, who passed them to Andy.

She figured since Andy had taken the initiative with building the SSS, he might learn a few things from actual blueprints. The boy was smart and creative—his focus just needed to land on something he truly liked.

Maybe that was why he misbehaved at first. Logan wasn’t making him learn.

 

“Now, if there’s nothing else, I will get back to my rese—”

“Umm… wait a second there, Professor,” Andy chimed in. “This don’t look right.”

“Director,” Qi corrected.

 

Who did this bandit child think he was? Coming into his research center and questioning his diagrams? If Qi had half a mind, he would’ve fired right back—but the intimidating stance of the boy’s guardian made it clear that now was not the time to pick a fight.

Go on, kid. Take this uppity science guy down a notch for me, will you?

Ruby didn’t like Qi—not one bit. She always thought he viewed himself as above everyone else… or just walked around like his shit didn’t stink. When in fact, it did. So much so that, if they weren’t forced to work together, Ruby would have avoided the research center altogether.

And Ruby’s disdain wasn’t one-sided, either. Qi disliked her purely on principle—because she had no drive to learn more about the diagrams he made. She would always just take them and leave. Never sparked conversation beyond what she could hit with a pickaxe or throw into a machine.

Researchers and builders went hand in hand: one created the diagrams, the other made them a reality. So, the two had to make it work—no matter the feelings they shared between them.

 

“Reckon you should have some sort of filter to keep the chunks from creatin’ a blockage or somethin’,” Andy suggested.

Ruby took the diagram from Andy, studying the materials needed to complete the vacuum.

Good catch, Andy.

“Let me see that,” Qi snapped, snatching the paper away and scanning it.

 

There was no way he missed something so simple. No way a ten-year-old spotted something so—

He sure did. Qi forgot to add a filter to the vacuum.

“Something wrong, Director?” Ruby mocked, her heading tilting to one side.

 

Qi bit the inside of his cheek, turning back to his desk. Grabbing a pencil, he started adding the list of materials needed to craft a filter. He also erased a few lines to adjust the placement, ensuring the vacuum’s integrity stayed intact despite the added weight.

Once finished, he blew off the shavings and extra graphite clinging to the sheet.

 

Qi presented the revised diagram to Ruby. “There. Now, if there is nothing else, I will return to my research.”

Not so fast, Director.

“Say, Andy—how would you like to intern here with Qi?” Ruby grinned, catching the horror on Qi’s face as her words sank in. “You’ve got the mind for it, and I think based on today’s chat, you could even help the Director with his inventions.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’m sure he has plenty of schoolwork to do on his own.”

“Nonsense. I’m sure Trudy would be overjoyed to see someone so young wanting to learn the ways of a researcher,” Ruby pressed.

Tell me no one more time, Qi. And I’ll get Trudy involved. Try it.

“I suppose having a junior scientist couldn’t hurt,” Qi replied, begrudgingly. “Perhaps he’ll fare better than my last assistant did.”

Oh, what the fuck ever. It’s not my fault your cabinet almost killed me.

 

Once again finding the discussion between the adults boring, Andy’s eyes wandered to the solid wood cabinet that held different relics and reports. His mind began to race with ideas—schematics, upgrades, wild inventions he might build one day.

 

“When can I start?” he asked.

“Tomorrow. Eight a.m. sharp. Don’t be late,” Qi replied curtly. “Now, I must get back to my experiments. Ruby. Andy.”

 

Andy couldn’t contain his excitement. Once again, Ruby had come through for him—securing him a spot with Qi to learn more about the process of creating blueprints. When he was with Logan, he used to stay up late sketching out different ideas, his mind always running through different concepts. Now, he had the chance to bring them to life.

But more than that, he had the chance to support Ruby. He’d tried to help before—disguising himself as Bronco to gather intel—but that hadn’t gone the way he’d hoped. This time was different. This time, he had a real opportunity to prove himself. To be useful. To be there for her if she ever needed it.

 

Ruby and Andy made their way out of the research center, walking toward the Golden Goose. Ruby had completed the renovations requested by Catori—the once run-down shack now looked much improved after a few well-placed additions.

Ruby found the door handle and pulled it open. “What do you want to play first?” 

Andy scanned the room. There were so many options: Space Pilfers , Whac-a-Mole , and the Adventure Machine were all solid choices, but his eyes were locked on his favorite machine in the corner.

The Punch-o-Tron.

 

Good choice, it's my favorite too.

Ruby followed as Andy strutted up to the machine with all the swagger of a rocket rooster trying to impress a hen. He was focused, his nostrils flaring as he scanned the leaderboard.

 

“Hey, why ain’t I even in the top five? I hit harder than most of these wimps in town,” he scoffed.

“Well, show them who they’re messing with then!” Ruby encouraged, handing him a gol to put into the slot. 

 

Andy took the gold coin and slid it into the slot with a satisfying clink .

The machine buzzed to life, its mascot swiveling back and forth as lights flickered to attention.

Andy raised his fists, took a wide stance—then leapt into the air, driving his hand into the padded plate. It bounced, ricocheting off the bar.

3500.

 

“Give me another one,” Andy barked, extending his hand to Ruby.

“What’s the magic word?” Ruby replied. Andy was going to learn some manners today, whether he liked it or not.

“Please,” his voice softer now.

 

Satisfied with his response, Ruby dropped the coin into his palm, letting him resume his play. He lined up another shot, certain this time he’d beat the high score.

3499.

 

“I think you’re supposed to try and get a higher score, partner,” Ruby teased, watching as Andy dropped his head in defeat and gave the machine a half-hearted kick.

“This thing is rigged,” he pouted.

“Here,” Ruby said, gently moving him aside as she dropped another gol into the slot.

 

Andy watched as Ruby raised her fists, her jaw tight with focus. She struck the plate with a force that made the whole machine shudder.

9999.

 

Andy’s eyes widened—too stunned to speak. But it wasn’t Ruby’s name she typed into the machine… it was his.

 

She bent down to Andy’s height, ruffling his hair. “How’s that work for you, kid? Might even impress Jasmine if you show her.”

"Yeah, it sure will,” Andy wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks, Ruby.”

“Anything for my favorite bandit,” She chuckled. “C’mon let’s head over to the Blue Moon. Can’t end our day off without some good food.”

Notes:

Figured we needed a break from all the tension between everyone. Ruby and Andy needed some bonding time, they deserve some peace!

Till the next chapter! :)

Side note - Raise your hand if you like Supernatural, and let me know if you picked up what I put down!

Chapter 8: Fanning that Flame

Notes:

I'm just going to let this chapter speak for itself... Enjoy!

“So, ya wanna rent one of my yakmel carts, huh?” Cooper drawled, pulling his hat up to get a better look at Ruby.

“Yes, I do,” she replied.

 

She thought it best to keep the conversation as simple as possible. Cooper had a reputation for turning a routine exchange into some long-winded, entirely unnecessary tale. She had two tasks today: install the air purifier and clean up the remaining goo that plagued the valley.

 

“Well, ya see, little missy, I once had a yakmel cart—but in the dark of night, it was taken by the moon men. Ever heard of the moon men, Ruby? They’re these little naked fellers that scuttle across the ground like scorpsters. They steal children, food, and—”

For the love of Peach… someone just shoot me.

Bringing her head to her hand, Ruby let it rest for a moment before flicking it outward toward the yakmel rancher. “Cooper…”

 

But he kept droning on.

She took a deep breath, knowing this was the only way. There was no other option. She couldn’t lug all the parts for the purifier by hand. She needed something strong enough to carry the load, but also allowed for easy transport.

Hence: a yakmel cart.

And despite her best efforts to convince Trudy to let her borrow one from City Hall—the ones her tax gols paid for—she still ended up here… talking to Cooper, just trying to secure one.

 

“Then there was the great Yakmel Cart War of old. My pappy’s pappy’s pappy rode them yakmel like war horses, itchin’ for a different kind of life. And they realized that ridin’ yakmel was just the beginnin’. We’d only scratched the surface—”

Ruby was now fighting the urge to pull her already short hair out of her scalp.

“COOPER!” she shouted. “CAN I HAVE THE CART OR NOT?!”

 

A hush fell over them as he stopped his rambling and stared at the very frustrated, heavy-breathing woman in front of him.

He shrugged. “Well yeah, partner. Why didn’t ya just ask? Let me go pull it ‘round for ya.”

 

Cooper turned on his heel, heading toward the storage shed on the hill. Ruby stood there, mouth open and a finger raised mid-point—but by the time she caught her breath and formed a rational thought, Cooper was already back. He returned with a sturdy wooden wagon, pulled by a silver-colored yakmel hitched to the harness.

He patted the bull on the shoulder, tightening the loops that kept him secured to the cart.

 

“This here’s one of the best yakmel I got on the ranch,” Cooper said. “He’s got a bit of a ’tude to him, but reckon y’all’ll get along just fine.”

 

Ruby stepped up to the cart, offering a scratch behind the bull's ears. The gentle giant lifted its head and licked her forearm. She flinched at the rough tongue against her skin, but smiled at the loving gesture.

“He’s a sweetie from what I can see.” Ruby took the lead strap. “Thanks, Coop. I’ll have him back before nightfall.”

“Good luck, partner. Watch for them moon men now,” he warned.

 

They walked the short distance back to the workshop, setting a steady pace as the crunch of sand and dirt sounded into the open space around them. Ruby gave the yakmel some slack, allowing him to mosey along at his own rhythm.

When they reached the front gate, she wrapped the leather lead strap around the fence. She knew she’d never hear the end of it if Cooper’s prized bull managed to make an escape—not that she ever heard the end of his ramblings anyway.

 

“Oh wow! Did you get a new pet?” Andy asked, his eyes glued to the cart as he came out of the house.

“No, kid. We’re just spending the afternoon together. I’m heading into the valley soon,” Ruby said, already walking toward the sewing machine. “I just need to finish stitching some windproof cloth for the vacuum.”

Andy was already at her side, keeping pace. “Reckon I can watch ya?”

“Sure, Andy.”

 

He grabbed a wooden stool from the workbench and joined Ruby. She brushed off the excess dirt from the sewing table before pressing a button. The machine clicked and clacked as she looked over at him.

“Now, what you’ll do is take the sisal stems and weave them in here.” She wrapped the thread around the spinning wheel. “And then you’ll line the bristles along the bottom here.”

 

Ruby bit her lip in concentration as she waited for both materials to snag and start weaving together.

Click, click, click.

Andy leaned in closer, watching as the pieces mended into a brand-new fabric.

 

“Now, you have to keep feeding the sisal and bristles, or else it’ll knot up,” she said, pushing the material forward. “And you have to watch your fingers, because you might—ow!”

Ruby yelped, jumping back and sticking her thumb into her mouth. The taste of iron coated her tongue as she watched Andy. 

He’d surged into action, not letting the cloth bunch up or jam. His hands stayed steady as he continued the pattern Ruby had started.

 

“Where’d you learn that from?”

“Mostly Grandma Vivi. I seen her do it a lot when I’m over there, and then you explainin’ it helped me figure it out.”

 

Andy finished the cloth, holding it up for Ruby’s final approval. She came over, touching the edges with the pads of her fingers, careful not to get any blood on it.

 

“Well, partner,” she said, “I think if you don’t like the research gig… you’ve got a future in fashion design.”

Andy rolled his eyes at the thought. “No way. Imma be an inventor one day, you’ll see!”

Ruby patted his back. “I look forward to it.”

 

A quiet moment settled between them—comfortable and easy. Ruby enjoyed the light Andy brought into her life. He was an intelligent boy, a little hell-raiser for sure, but underneath it all, a good kid.

Andy liked the way Ruby made space for him. She gave him room to be himself—within reason—and looked out for him without hovering. Logan used to look after him like that. Maybe that’s why he appreciated her all the more for it.

 

“Skinny!” Pen’s booming voice rang out from the front gate, his hand waving.

Speaking of someone who needs a fashion designer.

“Penelope,” she greeted, while walking over to him. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

 

Andy could see Ruby’s shoulders stiffen, her jaw locking into place as she stepped closer to Pen—two storm clouds ready to clash in a sea of suspense.

And Andy, being the little defender he was, slipped in front of her, puffing out his chest like a proper bodyguard.

Nobody was going to mess with her. Not while he was around. He owed her that much.

Easy there, kid. I got this. Don’t go setting off the alarm bells just yet.

 

“Whoa ho ho! Check this guy out, giving me the ol’ stink eye… he is,” Pen chuckled, leaning down to his height. “Why don’t you go find something else to do while Skinny and I have a chat?”

Andy furrowed his brow, his voice steady. “No.”

 

The bandit boy had guts, Pen would give him that. Stepping between him and Ruby was almost admirable—a true show of courage. Maybe Logan had taught him a thing or two about being brave… or maybe he’d learned it just by watching Ruby.

“What do you want, Pen?” she challenged, still wondering why this half-ton hooligan was standing in her yard.

“Such hostility, Ruby,” Pen replied. “Can’t a friend just stop by and check in on you ?”

We aren’t friends. I know you found that note, you dog.

“They can, and they do. Which is why I’m wondering why you’re here,” she spat.

Pen blinked hard and shook his head, glancing at the yakmel cart. “I came to offer my services in lifting heavy objects. Heard about your little trip to the valley, and figured I’d lend a hand—or, you know… some muscles.”

 

I wonder if all that ego leaves you lacking in certain places.

Pen offering to help was… unexpected. It left Ruby feeling anxious—more than she already was. Matilda had given her a warning, but was this the consequence of her actions? Was she on the church’s radar now? A dim light flickering in the breeze, just waiting to be snuffed out and silenced with the rest?

She had not spoken to Logan in atleast of week, had that not been long enough for her to prove her trustworthiness? She’d backed off, focusing on building relations with Musa, but also continuing her efforts on purifying Sandrock of the green gas that loomed. Was that not enough? Was she not enough for them… for anyone?

Integrating into Sandrock had been hard enough—but now, with the church on her tail and Logan trying to pull her away from it all, she felt... torn.

 

“Sure, Pen,” she nodded. “The materials are sitting on the assembly platform. I’ll help you in just a moment.”

Pen turned away, heading toward the pile of pieces Ruby had pointed out. Ruby looked to Andy, who was watching Pen the same way she did.

 

“Hey,” Ruby said gently, tilting his head back so he’d look up at her. “It’s okay, Andy. He’s just helping me load the cart, alright?”

“I don’t like him,” Andy huffed, crossing his arms.

No shit.

“Care to explain that to me?” she pressed. She wanted to know what was spinning around in that head of his.

“He looks down on people, and he’s a fake kind of nice. Not like you. Not like Logan. Logan told me how he used to treat him and his Pa. He ain’t a good guy.”

 

You still miss him, don’t you?

Ruby could feel the pain radiating off Andy like a heater in the dead of winter. His wounds—though starting to heal—would eventually turn to scars. Scars that would either make him stronger for having earned them, or just… be scars. Memories branded into his life, whether he wanted them or not.

 

“Why don’t you run off to Vivi’s?” Ruby suggested. “I can handle myself—and if I can’t, I’ll holler for you.”

“You do have a rather loud voice sometimes,” Andy joked, heading off toward Tailor Made.

 

Ruby joined Pen in loading up the cart, the two of them making quick work of the metal sheets and other supplies she needed for her mission. The sun was beginning to set, and she knew that soon it would be nightfall—but if all went according to plan, she’d have the purification system up and the goo cleaned in no time.

“I think that’ll do it for me,” Ruby said, climbing into the driver’s seat of the cart. “Thank you, Pen.”

I’m unsure, but I’m not rude.

“Now hold on, Skinny,” Pen set his hand on the front wheel. “You can’t go out there by yourself. The desert night will chew you up and spit you out. Let me come with you.”

No motherfucking way.

“Pen…” Ruby paused, knowing she was about to strike a nerve. “As much as I would enjoy your company on this stroll of mine, I’m afraid you’re just too big to fit in the wagon.”

 

You’d think Ruby had thrown a basket of kittens in the river, the way Pen swallowed her words.

 

“Skinny… Skinny, are you calling me fat ?”

Not missing a beat, Ruby replied, “Hate to break it to you, big guy, but you’ve been getting softer by the minute. I think you need to up your push-up limit by, say… I don’t know, a million.”

Pen scratched his head, marinating on her words. “You’re right, Skinny. I need to rectify this immediately! I’ll send my bill for lifting… in the mail.”

 

With that, he took off toward the dorms, sprinting away like he had his own mission to do—his bruised ego fueling every step. Ruby just sat there, arms crossed, rolling her eyes.

That’s one way to get rid of you.

---

At the edge of the Valley of Whispers, where a chain-link fence stood tall, Ruby rolled her hazard suit over her shoulders and pulled the hood over her head, enclosing her face in a plastic shield. She looked ridiculous… and she felt ridiculous—but in the name of safety, she wore it.

I hope no one sees me like this.

She’d stashed her day clothes in the back of the cart, planning to change into them after the air purifier was installed and running. At the time, it seemed like the best idea—no sense in cooking herself alive beneath layers of clothing and the shrink-wrapped material of the hazard suit, which now clung to every inch of her body... just right.

 

“Alright, let’s get this together. Then I can start heading for those spots on the map Justice mentioned for cleaning up.”

 

Taking the vacuum, Ruby cleared out the green pollutants that had settled on the sand where she planned to construct the device. Then she got to building, the tapping of her hammer echoing beneath the eerie pinkish-red sky.

She zoned out, focusing on how each piece fit together and how she wished she’d brought someone along. 

Not Pen.

 

Holding up the massive sheets while securing them into place was no easy feat. But through sheer determination, she managed to build the base in a short amount of time.

She wasn’t paying attention—not one bit—as she cussed at the filter that had jammed into the wrong position. With a firm yank, she tried again. This time, it clicked into place. She flicked the switch, and the purifier roared to life.

A loud whoosh tore through the valley, disturbing the quiet, carrying deep into the sandstone hollows and dunes.

 

It stirred something .

Plierimps and Masked Fiends began to appear, bounding toward her.

Normally, she’d make her stand. But there were too many. And they were getting closer, and closer.

 

Bang. Bang.

Two bullets tore through the air, splitting the tension like a whip crack.

Then came the blur of white lightning—igniting the scene in a blaze of fire and heat.

 

Logan.

He and Rambo came barreling in, sand kicking up in their wake. Logan snagged one of the monster’s pliers mid-charge, twirling it in a perfect three-sixty with one hand while the other held his revolver, aim steady.

 

Bang.

The creature dropped, its body lifeless.

 

Logan and Rambo made a sharp turn, circling back for another pass—but a Masked Fiend lunged in time, hooking his leg and yanking him from the saddle.

He flipped through the air, landing right next to Ruby.

Logan hadn’t just arrived to the rescue… he’d descended from the heavens—an angel with a devilish grin lining his lips.

Why couldn’t he just be ugly? That would make my life so much easier.

 

“Howdy, sweetheart,” he drawled, his voice low with a touch of danger at the edges—not for her, but for the monsters ahead. “Reckon you could use a hand.”

I could use a lot of things right now. A bucket of water, a fan… you, maybe?

“Actually, I had it handled,” she lied. “But since you’re here…”

 

Ruby pulled a pair of daggers from the hidden compartment at her side, the metal catching the fading light as she held them out in front of her.

 

“Those are pretty,” Logan smirked. “You know how to use ’em?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know? See if you can keep up with me,” Ruby quipped, launching herself toward the oncoming beasts.

 

She took on a Masked Fiend, skidding across the sand as she caught its leg and slammed it into the ground. Logan seized the opportunity, driving one of his own blades into its skull with a sickening crack .

“I had that one.”

“Sure looked like it,” Logan said, his smirk tugging even higher.

 

Ruby breathed deep, stepping toward the next target. She and Logan moved in a steady rhythm—when one went high, the other went low. When one pushed, the other pulled. The battlefield grew more and more barren by the second.

On the last Plierimp, Logan wrapped an arm around its neck, coming damn near close to snapping it.

 

Fuck… I wish he had me wrapped up like that.

Ruby shoved the thought away, zeroing in on the monster. She ran forward, leapt from its knee, and came down hard—driving her dagger straight into its chest.

 

“That was… interestin’,” Logan panted. “We make a good team, don’t ya think?”

“Maybe,” Ruby replied, swiping blood off her suit with a shrug.

 

Logan stood there a moment, taking in how awful Ruby looked in the yellow hazmat suit she was wearing. The color itself was about as obnoxious as it could get… but when he looked past the blinding hue, he saw— her .

The way the latex clung to every inch of her body, leaving little to the imagination. Her breasts perfectly shaped and straining against the material, the curve of her waist and hips aching to be freed from the suit’s unrelenting grip.

Was it hot out here? It had to be. Adrenaline, desert heat, and… whatever was brewing between them—yeah, it was quite the predicament they’d found themselves in.

 

“Reckon that thing you built cleared the air, alright. You could take off that suit, if you wanted to.”

Please do. But I’ll warn ya… I ain’t responsible for what happens next, darlin’.

 

Ruby turned around, expecting to find the yakmel she’d borrowed from Cooper standing right behind her. It wasn’t. All that was left were the tracks—wheels and hooves—leading straight back toward town.

“Fuck me,” Ruby muttered, the full weight of the situation sinking in.

I might.

“What’s wrong?” Logan asked, his tone laced with confusion… and a smugness that said he’d already pieced it together.

“That stupid-ass yakmel ran off with my clothes,” Ruby groaned. “Now I’m stuck wearing this thing.”

I look awful right now. And I feel gross.

I’d still give ya a roll, honey. Don’t stress.

 

Logan could see the frustration in Ruby’s eyes as she stared down at the sand, gaze never once leaving the dusty trail.

“You ain’t got anythin' on underneath?” he asked, voice rough.

“Nope, sure don’t,” Ruby answered flatly.

 

The image hit him like a freight train—her, in nothing but a bra and panties under that suit. It was more than enough to stoke the flame already smoldering in his chest… and straining against his leathers.

But he was a gentleman—until he didn’t have a reason to be.

 

“Hmmph,” Logan grunted. “Welp, how ’bout I help you finish up your little run here? Get you home quicker.”

Offering to help now, are we?

“I’d appreciate that,” Ruby said, her eyes lighting up as a subtle blush bloomed across her cheeks… from the weather, not him, of course. “I’ve got three spots to clean up, then we’re done.”

Then you can take me home, if you want.

“Lead the way, then,” Logan replied, falling in step behind her as she started toward the first site.

---

Logan escorted Ruby to the areas she needed to vacuum, offering protection—along with glances that were anything but innocent. The curve of her figure kept fanning the flame that had been burning ever since he first rode in to help her.

She wasn’t even doing anything that warranted such a response… she was literally just sucking up goo.

Wonder if her mouth works that way too.

 

Ruby wasn’t blind—she caught him looking at her more than once. His sharp eyes roamed over her like she was a dessert too sweet to pass up.

Really? Out of everything I could wear… and you like the ugliest thing I own?

 

With the final spot cleared of pollution, Logan whistled for Rambo. The goat came galloping across the sand, answering his rider’s call.

“C’mon, I’ll take ya home, sweetheart,” Logan said, extending his arm to her.

“You want me to sit up there…with you?” Ruby asked, voice uncertain.

 

The last time this man had her on Rambo, it hadn’t exactly been a pleasant experience. Her stomach had churned as they tore across the dunes, grit flying up in every direction. Besides, she was more of a leisurely stroll kind of gal—not a rough-riding bandit like him.

Well… it depended on the ride.

 

“Rambo’s an easy ride—now hop up here,” Logan insisted, his voice light.

“The last time I was on him, you kidnapped me. So excuse me for being a little hesitant.” Ruby folded her arms, still unconvinced.

Back to your ol’ stubborn self, ain’tcha?

“Well…” Logan paused, the corner of his mouth twitching into a grin. “Seems you need somethin’ to entice ya, huh?”

“What are you—?”

 

Logan didn’t answer.

He grabbed a length of rope from his saddle and dropped to the ground with a soft but confident thud . Before she could protest, he had her wrists in hand. It was swift, sure motion, but still careful.

The rope looped around her wrists in a practiced tie, snug but not too tight. Secure.

She was bound.

 

“Logan!” Ruby snapped, jerking at the restraints. “What the fuck are you doing?”

He didn’t answer—just scooped her up by the legs, hoisting her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. A moment later, she was in the saddle, and he was right behind her, pressed close.

 

“Just offerin’ a little encouragement,” Logan finally drawled, his voice a seductive whisper against her hooded ear.

Then he nudged Rambo into motion, the goat trotting steadily back toward Sandrock.

---

Rambo came to a stop at the entrance of Ruby’s home. Logan dropped down from his mount, then helped Ruby down—still bound.

 

“You’re awful. I don’t like you,” Ruby barked.

Right now. I don’t like you right now.

“I’ve heard worse things said ’bout me, honey,” Logan said with a slow shake of his head, starting to undo the restraints. “Hearin’ it from you though… makes me feel all special.”

“Whatever,” Ruby rolled her eyes, rubbing at the faint lines the rope had left on her skin.

So you can be gentle when you want to be.

“Well, best get on outta here. I’ll catch you ’round, Ruby.” He swung his leg back into the stirrup.

 

He was leaving again—no explanation, no new information shared between them. He’d come in and saved her, no questions asked. She wondered what his motive was, besides what Andy had blurted the other day… What drove this bandit to always come in and wreck whatever front she managed to put up?

 

“Hey, Logan,” Ruby called out, stopping him just before he could ride off. “Thank you… for helping me.”

Logan tipped his hat. “No problem. Just how I was raised, I guess. I ain’t gonna stand by when something—or someone—needs help.”

 

I ain’t a bad guy. Just might be misunderstood… by you.

I’m starting to see that now.

 

“G’night, Ruby.”

“Goodnight, Logan.”

 

He rode off into the night, heading back toward the valley.

I wonder where he’s staying.

 

Once he disappeared from sight, Ruby let the moment settle over her. The sounds of the Eufaula seeped into her senses—the wind carrying sand across the slopes, the chittering of bumble ants, the rustling of lavender bushes…

It was peaceful.

 

Something she wouldn’t feel again for some time after tonight.

Notes:

I wanted to share a conversation my husband and I had (btw... hey babe!)

Me *writing this chapter* - Honey, can you turn that fan on me? I'm getting a little warm.
Him - Is it getting spicy again?
Me - Yeah...

Chapter 9: The Cost of Contact (NSFW)

Notes:

Some NSFW content towards the end of this chapter, just a heads up. Enjoy!

Moving aside a low-hanging branch from the bush he was hunkered down in, Pen watched as Logan dropped Ruby off at her doorstep. They exchanged a few goodnights before Logan’s goat reared up and tore off down the railway tracks. Ruby stayed where she was, watching him ride off—an infatuated look in her eyes.

Too focused on watching her watch Logan, Pen didn’t notice the Thorny Jumper curled up right next to his boot. The moment he shifted his weight, his foot landed square on the creature’s spiny back.

 

The noise that tore from his throat could only be described as a female Rockyenaroll in heat—and not the cute kind. The I’m dying here , take me out of my misery kind.

Bringing his foot to his hand, Pen rubbed at the punctured sole, plucking out a thorn and flicking it to the side. It stung like shit, sure—but now wasn’t the time to worry about minor flesh wounds.

 

He’d caught her.

He caught Ruby with Logan. Nothing compromising, but damning enough. Matilda had already spoken to her about avoiding Howlett’s son, yet judging by the lingering glances she threw Logan’s way, that warning had gone in one ear and out the other.

Ruby was walking a dangerous line. And if Pen had it his way, they’d have locked her up and thrown away the key—tossing that bandit boy, Andy, in right alongside her. Duvos didn’t tolerate traitors. They were dealt with accordingly.

All he had to do now was get Matilda to see things his way.

Then the invasion could begin.

 

Ruby finally stepped back into her house, giving Pen the signal he needed to abandon his stakeout. He slipped out of hiding, making his way toward the train tracks and back to the church.

He had no doubt Matilda would still be awake. She usually was—always preparing for her sermons, and always keeping in contact with HQ.

TheTiger never slept.

She watched. She listened. And when the time came, she struck without mercy.

 

Pen held great admiration for Matilda.

She was a master of manipulation—presenting herself as everyone’s sweet, innocent grandma, while in reality, she’d poison your candy before she handed it to you. Cruel, calculated, and always prepared to rise to the occasion.

Her military background was classified—so much so that even a knight like Pen had no access to those files. The Tiger wasn’t just some affectionate nickname. In Duvos, titles like that were earned. And if you were given one?

You were a weapon—deployed only in the most dire of circumstances.

 

“Pen? What are you doin’ out this late?” Justice’s voice rang out behind him, calm but curious. His eyes dropped to the man’s limp. “And why are you limpin’, partner?”

Pen froze at the sound, then slowly turned to face him.

“Sheriff,” he greeted with a stiff nod. “I was patrolling out by the salvage yard, as The Protector of Sandrock does. When, hark , a pointed piece of metal found its way into my foot. A cruel reminder that even the mightiest among us can be humbled by something so… miniscule.”

Justice raised a brow, unimpressed. “So you stepped on a nail.”

Pen deflated just a bit. “Well, when you put it like that, it doesn't sound nearly as noble.”

 

Justice took a deep breath, bringing his hand to his jaw. 

He didn’t have time for this right now. Unsuur had taken the evening off to go radioactive rock hunting, Captain was down with feline fever, and Ruby hadn’t been seen in the last couple of hours.

Justice had his plate full, so taking the time to interrogate Pen felt like a waste of energy. He still needed to follow up on a report about a large goat-like animal running along the railway—that was his top priority now.

 

“Reckon you should get it looked at then. Sooner rather than later. We don’t really need any more of our people down right now.”

“Of course, Sheriff,” Pen agreed, knowing he’d escaped any deeper questioning for now. “I’ll see to that immediately.”

“Have a good night now, Pen,” Justice said, already heading toward the train station.

“You too, Justice.”

 

Pen made a mental note of Justice heading towards the direction that he’d been seen coming from. That left no doubt that others in town would soon have suspicions of what Logan was doing… and who he was doing it with. 

It was only a matter of time before Ruby and Logan were brought to heel, collared and leashed to the ways of Duvos.

For the Empire.

 

Pen made his way over to the cobblestone steps, cursing his weak foot muscles as they ached from the wound he’d received from the jumper. 

“Pen, ol’ boy, we really gotta work on your calisthenics. This is almost embarrassing,” he muttered to himself, wincing with each step before finally reaching the door to Matilda’s home.

 

Before Pen could so much as knock, Matilda opened the door as if she’d been expecting him. She stepped aside to invite him in, already prepared—a pot of tea and some protein bars laid out neatly on the table.

She took her seat, gesturing for him to do the same. Her sharp eyes darting to his limp.

 

“Pen, what happened to your foot?”

“I injured it, ma’am,” Pen admitted, lowering himself stiffly into the chair.

“Doin’ what exactly?” Matilda wasn’t making eye contact, just playing with her fingernails.

“I was out at Ruby’s workshop, ma’am.” He paused, a bit of pride layered in his voice. “I caught her… Tiger . I caught her with Logan.”

 

Matilda clenched her teeth, her jowl straightening to a hard angle.

She could not understand why Pen seemed so proud to report the news that he did. It was like he was expecting a gold star and a pat on the head for this information. It was not ideal that Ruby had been compromised. She was supposed to be recruited for their cause—not running off to join the resistance, and into the arms of Logan. 

This wasn’t good news. This was the worst news she could have received, and here he was delivering it with that smug face of his.

 

“Is there a reason you’re smirkin’, Pen?” Matilda asked, her drawl curdled like spoiled yakmel milk. “This is not what I wanted to hear from you.”

“Ma’am, our objective was to plot out the ide—”

“That’s enough.”

 

Matilda rose from her seat and walked over to him, looming like a grandmother ready to smack the next bit of nonsense straight out of his mouth.

“I know what the objective is. The question is— do you, knight?”

Pen didn’t answer. He simply poured himself a cup of tea—the sight of such a massive man with a tiny mug almost laughable.

“The objective,” Matilda began, her tone sliding straight into full authority mode, “was to infiltrate Sandrock and weaken them. To make it easier for the Empire to come in and conquer. But now… instead of followin’ orders, you’re stakin’ out her house and potentially threatenin’ the mission.”

 

Pen grabbed a protein bar, tearing the wrapper open and stuffing it into his mouth. It would be easier to swallow than this reprimand.

He had no explanation. No words he could say would lighten the blow of the tongue-lashing he was about to receive.

 

“It seems you are not capable of executin’ the simple task of playin’ superhero, and I will need to seek other options,” Matilda said coolly. “In the meantime, I am orderin’ you to keep a low profile and not put our cause at further risk. Do I make myself clear, Pen ?”

Pen. She used it deliberately, a jab at his already bruised ego.

“Yes, Tiger,” Pen swallowed hard. “Anything you need… consider it done.”

“Good,” Matilda said, expressionless as she retook her seat. “I’ve invited Burgess for tea—now be that pulchritudinous specimen you claim to be. You can do that, can’t you, sweetheart?”

 

Her mask slid effortlessly back into place—the sweet, generous pastor the town of Sandrock knew and loved.

“Yes, ma’am.”

---

Back in the Badlands, Logan leaned over a barrel of water, splashing the cool liquid against his face. The water was fresh, crisp—despite Grace having snagged it a while ago. He looked at his reflection, turning his head from side to side, taking in the months he’d spent on the run. His eyes had sunken in a bit, light purple patches scattered beneath them.

His hope was that all this would be over soon. He was getting close. He could feel it in his bones—soon, everything would be revealed, and he’d finally be able to return to Sandrock.

The place where his pa was laid to rest, and the place where his journey had begun.

 

Logan cupped a small handful of water, bringing it to the back of his neck before running it through his white mane. His fingers caught on the tie holding it back, and with a gentle tug, he let it loose. His hair tumbled free, falling in messy waves just above his shoulders.

It was hot in the hideout tonight, and Logan was feeling every bit of it. Sweat beaded along the usual spots of his shirt, darkening the fabric where it hugged his chest and back. It wasn’t comfortable to say the least. 

He unbuttoned the shirt, each snap coming apart with gentle, wanton ease. Logan stripped away the thin layer of fabric, tossing it to the side, revealing a sun-kissed, well-worn body. Scars traced across his skin—silent stories etched from navel to shoulder, each one earned and remembered.

 

He stepped over to his bed, his rough hands tugging at the loop of his belt.

But he hesitated…

His mind drifted—back to a yellow-lined hazard suit that had sent him spiraling less than an hour ago. Not the suit itself… but what it had kept hidden from him.

Ruby.

 

He really shouldn’t. The hideout was far too open for something of this nature. But the strain in his leathers urged him on. And being a man swayed by the most wicked of whims, Logan couldn’t bring himself to refuse what his body so desperately needed.

He pictured her—kneeled down in front of him, those blazing blue eyes never once breaking contact with his. Her slender fingers made quick work of his button and zipper, revealing his length in its full, hardened form.

He stroked himself, imagining the way her lips wrapped around him—warm and wet, with just the right amount of tightness to make his knees buckle at the thought.

His body tensed, pressure building in his core like a dam begging to burst. He was right on the edge, eyes squeezed shut, lost in the ache of…

 

“Logan?” Haru’s voice echoed from the other side of the cave. “Logan, are you back yet?”

Gone. The pressure. The feeling. Her. 

Just… gone.

Oh for the love of… can’t a man just have a minute to himself ‘round here.

 

Logan sighed, the bitter sting of defeat washing over him. He’d been right there— right there —and in a flash, it was gone. Replaced by the sound of Haru’s boots scuffing behind him.

Quickly, he tucked himself back into his leathers, adjusting until things felt… tolerable. A zip. A button. And he was good to go.

 

“Logan, what were you doing?” Haru asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

“I, uhh…” Logan stumbled, caught red-handed. “I was takin’ a piss.”

“By your bed ?” Haru asked, his eyes now narrowed.

“…Couldn’t hold it?” Logan replied, his voice lifting uncertainly at the end.

Brother just let this one slide, please.

 

Haru shrugged. He remembered Logan had been a bed-wetter as a kid, so the answer actually tracked. No reason to press the issue—Logan was probably embarrassed enough as it was. He’d let it go… for now.

 

“I wanted to check in on you. You’d been out for a bit,” Haru said. “Did you run into something out there?”

A real viper, I did. But I think I’m startin’ to turn into a snake charmer of sorts.

 

Ruby wasn’t spitting as much venom as she had when they first met. She’d even thanked him for helping her out in the valley.

Logan was hopeful. Maybe that fire-haired filly was coming around to the idea of joining their bandit ways.

Not that he considered himself a true bandit. He only did what was necessary to survive. He stole food when he couldn’t catch anything, and Grace only took water by the barrel. They weren’t gluttons—just smart enough to keep themselves comfortable for a time.

Logan and Haru both knew something was coming. They could feel it brewing on the horizon. But how soon it’d arrive, or what it would look like, was still unknown. So they took what they needed. And if they really needed it—then yeah, they stole.

 

“Not much. That builder was out there installin’ an air purifier—”

“Logan…” Haru cut in, his tone already laced with suspicion. “You didn’t, did you?”

Logan raised a brow, trying to play dumb. “Did I or did I not do what, Haru?”

“You know what happened the last time you were around her. Grace about had your head on a pike,” He warned. “You’ve gotta be careful, or you’ll put us, and her , in danger.”

 

Logan thought back to the last time he’d been seen with Ruby. He’d dropped her off at Fang’s, and apparently some bystander caught the whole thing. That was the thing about living in a small town like Sandrock, what was done in the dark, did certainly come out in the light.

He wasn’t sure he believed it. He’d been careful, taking great caution as he rode Rambo toward the clinic. He was confident that no one, and he meant no one , had seen him that night.

 

“Ain’t nobody saw a thing, partner. Y’all worry too much,” Logan brushed him off with a wave.

“LOGAN!”

 

A familiar voice rang out into the cavernous space, sharp and unforgiving.

Speak of the devil.

 

“Grace!” Logan greeted, turning toward the furious blonde stomping towards him. “How goes the investigation on your end?”

“You’ve got some fucking nerve asking me that.” She was toe-to-toe with him now, eyes burning with rage. “What part of don’t risk the operation did you not understand?”

Once again, this is my operation, Grace. Not yours.

 

Logan was a simple man, or he liked to think of himself as such. Give him a warm fire, a bedroll, and the wide open desert sky, and he was content. Hell, he didn’t even need company, and he actually tried to steer clear of it after Howlett died.

When it was just you, you only had to look out for one person. When it was a group, you had to take into account the collective opinion. And in this particular circumstance, Grace and Haru were not on the same page as him.

 

Grace was a bit of a stone-cold—for lack of a better word… bitch. Logan respected her drive to always complete her objective, but as they say, the ends didn’t always justify the means. She ripped him a new one when he made that detour to Fang’s, and it was only after he convinced her they were supposed to be the “good guys” that she backed down.

Haru had ridden with Logan since he was a small boy. The two of them were thick as thieves. Ironic, how that turned out. They’d shared toys, attended the same school, and even trained their goats together. That kind of bond was hard to break. When Logan went too far, Haru wasn’t afraid to rein his recklessness back in, despite usually always coming along for the ride.

 

“Logan, ACI is taking the situation in Sandrock very seriously,” Grace started. “And they don’t know that I’m working with the local bandit population in the investigation against Duvos. You might think it’s cute, this little game you’re playing, but people can and will get hurt. Ruby might get hurt. Is that something you want?”

 

Logan hadn’t known Ruby long enough for them to form such a strong entanglement like they had. She was a different breed, that one. Where a person saw no way out, she persevered. When the house was on fire, she was the first one to grab a bucket and douse the flames. He couldn’t deny it—and fuck, how he’d tried—but there was something about her. Something he just couldn’t wait to get his hands on.

Light have mercy on him , any time they got near each other, you could expect a combination of verbal jabs and fuck-me eyes shared between them.

 

Logan sighed, sitting down on his bed. “Grace, I ‘preciate what you’re tryin’ to do here, honest. But I’m more than capable of handlin’ my own affairs. We need to trust one another, as it seems neither one of us can do this by ourselves.”

“Stay out of town, Logan. Don’t get caught again, or I have a feeling we’ll all suffer the consequences of your actions,” Grace said, turning back toward the secret exit. “If you claim to love this town as much as you do, then you’ll listen to me. If not…”

She didn’t finish her thought. Just left in silence.

 

Logan looked to Haru, for comfort, confirmation, or maybe just to see what he’d say.

Logan could care less what Grace thought. He knew his town better than she ever would. But Haru? He’d tell him he was wrong…right? It was one thing for a stranger to tell you that you were wrong. But when your best friend looked you in the eyes and said it too? Well, that hit a little closer to home.

 

“I’m not going to tell you what to do, Logan. I know better than that,” Haru said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “But you need to think about what Grace said.”

“I know. Which is why I’m thinkin’ that we need to bring Ruby here and lay out everythin’,” Logan suggested.

“Hmph.” Haru brought a finger to his lips, contemplating Logan’s words. “I could talk to Grace about it again.”

“Again?” Logan echoed.

“Yeah. We’ve been mulling that idea over for a while now. Might be time we act on it.”

 

What y’all need me for then?

Logan rolled his eyes, it seemed Haru and Grace didn’t need him. They’d thought of everything themselves.

 

“Don’t be like that, Logan. You have your uses,” Haru said, his tone softening. Logan was his best friend. He’d never keep information from him knowingly. “Somebody has to convince her to join us. And if anyone can do it, it’s you.”

“What am I, just some rented stud then? Lurin’ beautiful women to our cause?”

 

Haru smiled, a shit-eating grin playing at his lips. Logan had it bad, whether he knew it or not. That tough desperado bravado would only last so long against Ruby. And if he had the gols? He’d put it all on the builder.

 

“Have a good evening, Logan. I’m going to take my watch,” Haru said. “Give you a little privacy to pick up where you left off earlier.”

Low blow, brother. Low blow.

Notes:

You didn't think I'd let Ruby be the only one who had fantasies, did you? I know why ya'll are really here, don't worry I'll make sure you Loganmancers are fed well on this ride.

Until the next chapter ;)

Chapter 10: A Rose by Any Other Name

Notes:

Hello? Anyone out there? I've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty... not 🤣 Seriously that outage was crazy, I almost didn't make it. 🤔 Enjoy!

The way Matilda saw it, she had three options.

The first was that she could alert Duvos HQ and start the capture process of Sandrock. That was a gamble, though. She would be admitting she wasn’t capable of handling her assignment, losing her well-earned and hard-fought rank in the military. Calling in reinforcements would make her look incompetent—something she was anything but.

Duvos didn’t cater to cowards. They expected their soldiers to serve successfully, and if they didn’t… they expected them to die trying. She was no exception to the rule.

 

The second option was to use her gentle demeanor to convince Burgess to try and persuade Ruby to come to their side of the fence.

Burgess had a boyish charm to him and could warm even the coldest of hearts. Despite his naivety, Matilda had taken a shine to the young man. In fact, if he wasn’t so cheery and delightful, he’d make a fine recruit. But those traits also made him a not-so-great option for the task at hand.

Ruby would chew him up and spit him out, leaving nothing but his Sunday dress shredded in the sand.

 

This left only one remaining option…

“Miguel, what do you know about our resident builder, Ruby?”

“Ruby?” Miguel asked, his tone unsure but his interest piqued. “I’m afraid I’m not sure how to answer that, Minister. I know she cares deeply for Sandrock and has accomplished great feats since first arriving here.”

 

Miguel knew Matilda didn’t ask questions like this unless she had a certain point she was trying to make. He’d known her since their time in Meidi, quickly becoming close friends despite holding different views when it came to the teachings of The Light.

Holding the traditional beliefs practiced in Portia, Miguel believed that the use of technology should be forbidden. The Day of Calamity supported his views, as it was the day when the world had become engulfed in the most chaos-induced period of time. 

War and terror had plagued the lands as individuals sought to better themselves through the use of technology, ultimately creating devastation and famine across the world.

 

Matilda felt differently. She wasn’t so firm in her belief that all technology should be banished.

She believed people had the right to choose their own destiny, and that sometimes desperate times called for desperate measures. Sandrock was living proof of that.

But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

So she felt the church—or rather, herself—was in place to “guide” when necessary.

 

“ The Light teaches us that we are to promote a nourishin’ environment, one in which all may take root and bloom in its teachings.” She took Miguel’s hand in hers. “My dearest friend. I believe that Ruby may benefit from someone such as yourself enlightenin’ her in our ways.”

“I don’t know, Matilda. Perhaps it would be best to allow weeds to remain as they are, instead of trying to turn them into something they’re not,” Miguel responded.

“A weed is only a weed in the eyes of a student. But in the eyes of a teacher… it can be seen as the beautiful beginning of something greater, like a flower.”

 

Miguel allowed the moment to settle between them, a solemn silence filling the space as he gave great thought to her words.

Only on a few occasions had he ever really had a meaningful conversation with Ruby. One of them was when he and Matilda had threatened to take Andy away from her.

He realized soon after how bad that had made him look—especially when he had the outburst that followed. That was not the appropriate time to announce to the room that they had planned on probing the boy for information.

 

Despite Miguel’s dry and seemingly non-nurturing nature, he was quite the opposite.

In fact, to Matilda, Miguel cared too much. He let things get under his skin and settle when they didn’t truly warrant such a response. That was usually when she stepped in—offering light when all he wanted was to stumble in the dark and curse the happenings around him.

 

“Perhaps apologizing for my outburst at our meeting would be a good place to start,” Miguel agreed.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Matilda said with a smile.

 

She turned her attention to the empty space on the wall. It seemed the church could use another mural—one with more appeal to the people of Sandrock. She needed something inspiring, but also full of heart, if she was to win their minds and loyalty even more than she already had.

 

“Now, I’d like to discuss the possibility of us gettin’ another painting for the sanctuary.”

“Matilda…” Miguel shook his head, not understanding her reasoning for yet another frivolous spending idea. “We don't need another painting. The town needs a firm hand in our teachings, not another eyesore adorning our halls.”

“Nonsense. We would be givin’ someone an opportunity to make a day’s earnings and also show our support for the local economy.”

“Who exactly did you have in mind?” Miguel relented.

“Pablo seems to have an artistic mind, but I also know he may not be so keen on workin’ on somethin’ like this. Amirah is another option, though expensive,” Matilda offered. “How about young Jasmine? Folks would love a young’en like her makin’ a feature in here.”

“Matilda, I just don’t think th-”

 

The church doors creaked open, a subtle draft blowing in and rays of sunlight spilling onto the carpeted entryway. Someone unexpected had arrived…

Ruby walked inside, her eyes sweeping over the interior of the church. She didn’t make a habit of attending Sunday sermons, and if someone had seen the way she entered, they might’ve assumed she was lost.

But she wasn’t. She was simply dropping off a commission.

 

“Hello, my dear,” Matilda greeted, her hands resting atop her cane in front of her legs. “What can I help you with today?”

“Just stopping by to drop off the flowers you commissioned,” Ruby said, holding the mountain roses in her hands and bringing them into view. “I hope these will suffice.”

Miguel took them from her, bringing them to his nose and inhaling the fresh scent of greenery. “These are perfect, Ruby. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. If there’s nothing else,” she said, already turning toward the door, “I’ll be heading out then.”

“Wait,” Miguel called after her.

 

Ruby stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath.

Listen if this is about Andy putting a whoopie cushion onto Pen’s workout bench, I already know. I’m the one who gave him the idea. 

 

Miguel looked to Matilda for reassurance, knowing that now was the time to plant the seeds. They didn’t have to be best friends—truthfully, that was highly unlikely given their differences—but establishing a stable sense of understanding couldn’t hurt. 

 

“I, uh…” Miguel hesitated, knowing this could backfire very quickly. “Need some help in the gardens, and given your ability to grow flowers as beautiful as these, I believe you may be a great help to me.”

“Penelope taking the day off today, is he?” Ruby quipped.

 Or is he working on those pushups?

 

Miguel let out a soft chuckle. Ruby was funny—another quality he had overlooked when Matilda asked what he knew about her. Her short, punchy comebacks had a way of keeping the mood light. Especially when they were aimed at someone like Pen.

Pen and Miguel weren’t enemies, but that didn’t stop them from acting like spoiled brats when it came to Matilda’s attention. When one of them messed up, she catered to the other, hoping to shape them into her idealistic form.

Unfortunately for her, her “sons” both had their fair share of shortcomings and undesirable traits.

 

“Pen is occupied. I have him workin’ on other church-related tasks today,” Matilda chimed in.

 

Ruby looked at the clock that hung high above the pulpit. It was nine-thirty, and she’d promised Heidi she would meet her at the Blue Moon for lunch around noon. She knew she could tend to the weeds and plant new blooms in that time frame. Plus, it might get her out of range of the church’s radar—for whatever good that would do her.

 

“I can do that,” Ruby nodded. “Do I need to get anything from my workshop?”

“No, dear. We have all the tools you'll need in the storage area near our back entrance,” Matilda said, gesturing to the door behind her. “Feel free to dig around in there. You can use whatever you like.”

“Thank you.”

 

The pastor and minister watched as Ruby left through the back door, waiting for the click of it closing before continuing to speak.

 

“Thank you, Matilda. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to ask her for help if you hadn’t given me the suggestion.”

“Of course, my friend. I’m always here to provide a nudge when necessary,” Matilda said, patting him on the shoulder. “Now enjoy the sunshine. Reckon it’s a beautiful day for plantin’.”

---

Ruby was outside in the church’s flower beds, sleeves rolled up and dirt on her jeans, pulling up unsuspecting weeds that had sprouted in the sandy soil. She tried her best to watch her mouth, thorny plants sticking into her fingers as she wrapped them around the vegetation. 

She was, after all, in the presence of a pastor.

 

“It occurred to me that I don’t know that much about you, Ruby.”

That is probably a good thing.

 

Ruby stood up, stretching her back before wiping the sweat from her brow. “I don’t believe I know that much about you either, Pastor.”

She had pegged Pen and Matilda from the start. But Miguel? He was an unknown.

She hadn’t cared for his outburst when it came to deciding Andy’s living arrangement. He had referred to him more as a “situation” than a child in need—something she figured The Light would’ve emphasized in their teachings.

 

It wasn’t that Ruby didn’t believe in some higher power, but something in her just didn’t sit right with the whole afterlife idea. Who or what was judge? Who the jury? And who the executioner? And who was to say that every decision made on this planet decided whether you achieved eternal peace, or were damned like the rest who didn’t stick with the flock?

A better question was... what happened to all the people who fell somewhere in between? Did they just disappear , no trace left behind except the things they’d achieved in their lifetime?

It could all be truth. It could all be lies.

She didn’t know—so choosing to rile herself up over the unknown didn’t seem worth the energy.

 

“What’s your favorite color?” Miguel asked.

Seriously… that’s the question you ask? Fuck it… I’ll play.

“Blue. Not too dark, though,” she answered. “Sapphire, I think, is the name for it.”

 

Miguel never would have assumed Ruby was a blue kind of woman. Her sharp wit and quick tongue seemed more fitting for yellow, or red… maybe an orangish hue.

 

“Mine’s lavender,” Miguel said.

“Seriously?” Ruby shot back, her gloved hand coming up to cover her mouth. “I’m sorry. I just figured it would be something different.”

“No offense taken.”

 

Miguel watched as Ruby pulled up the last remaining weed, stepping out of the concrete planters and grabbing the trays of flowers that needed to be planted.

He wasn’t sure where to go from here. Matilda had told him to get to know Ruby, and he was making small talk, but it wasn’t really getting him anywhere. He knew she never asked for anything without reason, and he respected her enough to do as she said.

He just wasn’t sure what came next, but he figured he could test the waters.

 

“I wanted to apologize for my behavior at the meeting… for how I came across. I realize that you could have perceived that as me being untoward,” Miguel paused. “I wish for us to make amends.”

Ruby was mid-shovel scoop when Miguel’s words finally hit her.

I’m not the one you need to apologize to.

 

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Miguel. I really do. But I’m afraid I’m not sure what to think about that… or anything, really.”

Miguel’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t sure what she meant by that. Was she talking about him? The church? Or something else entirely? That kind of response needed further clarification.

He stepped over just as she was about to place one of the rhino cacti into the hole, beating her to it and dropping it gently into the crater. His hand scooped the dirt and leveled the soil, smoothing it over like it had never been touched.

“Our motives here at the church are guided by the teachings of The Light. Is that what you mean? If you have questions, please ask them.”

I want to know just what the hell is going on around here. There’s your circus on the top of the hill, and then… Logan. And no one seems to want to be honest about any of it.

 

The thoughts Ruby had struggled with seemed to just keep tying themselves into more and more knots, weaving in between the line of black and white. She hated it, hated that no one could give her a straight answer. And it was starting to eat away at her sense of sanity.

Was she the problem? What if she just left and never looked back? Never gave a second look, and just ran… ran away from Matilda, Pen, Logan, and whoever else was deemed a problem. 

But who would look after Andy?

 

“Tell me about Matilda,” Ruby said.

“The Minister is one of the most gentle people I have ever met,” Miguel began. “I hold her in high esteem. We studied together in Meidi. It’s strange—we have different views on things, but somewhere in all the education, we became good friends.”

Interesting… a loyal dog, aren’t you, Miguel? I wonder if Matilda still kicks you for bad behavior.

 

Ruby grabbed the tools and headed to the west side of the church to do the same thing she’d done on the east, Miguel following close behind. First, the weeds would be eradicated. Then they’d plant the new blooms.

 

“What else could I speak to you about, Ruby?”

“Tell me about Logan.” Ruby took a thorned green stem by the root and yanked. “I hear his name whispered around here a lot, but no one seems to want to share any of it with me.”

Especially him.

 

Miguel thought it was interesting that no one had spoken to their newest builder about Logan. His name was damn near everywhere around town—on wanted signs, whispered in the Blue Moon, even in the walls of his now-vacated home.

It was natural to be curious. He’d want the same information if he’d moved somewhere new and things were as bad as they were in Sandrock.

 

“Howlett’s son was once an integral part of this comm—”

“Who’s Howlett?” Ruby interrupted.

“Howlett was a monster hunter who used to live here. He passed due to an accident that Logan caused.”

I’m going to need you to explain that one, Pastor.

 

Andy had shared very few details about Howlett or “Logan’s pa,” as he called him. And Logan, being his usual secretive self, wasn’t exactly forthcoming with that information either.

So if Miguel was willing to answer her questions for the sake of building a level of decorum between them… well, she planned on taking full advantage of that.

 

“A monster hunter, huh? Never heard of that kind of profession before,” Ruby admitted.

“Out here in this desolate desert, it’s needed. And Howlett was one of the best in the field. He was training Logan to eventually take his place.”

“You said Logan caused the accident that led to his death?” Ruby stuck her shovel off to the side, grabbing the tray of mountain roses. “Can you tell me more about that?”

 

It was starting to feel suspicious—how many questions Ruby had about Logan. When she'd only asked the one about Matilda. Miguel couldn’t help but wonder what her motive was for digging so deep into the past of a yakboy who was as reckless as he was hot-headed. Still, he decided to indulge her curiosity… if only to avoid any more awkward silences.

 

“Logan took it upon himself to plant explosives around the church, blowing it apart in the hopes of freeing his father,” Miguel said, grabbing a rose and placing it into the ground before smoothing the soil. “His father had taken ill—from what, no one knows. But Logan decided he knew better than those of us at the church. Instead of using the proper channels to move him, he took matters into his own hands.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Miguel.” Ruby’s tone was a little harsher now—she was finally getting some answers, and she didn’t want the flow to stop. “How did he die?”

“Crushed underneath the rubble from the explosion,” Miguel answered, his voice flat. “Logan fled. Haru went with him. We hadn’t heard from either of them since…aside from the crimes they keep seeming to commit.”

 

Thus, another strand wove itself into the tangled web that was Logan.

Ruby looked up at the steeple, the large clock striking nearly noon. She quickly put away the tools, remembering she had a lunch date with Heidi.

 

“Thank you, Miguel. I feel like I got something out of today.”

“Thank you, Ruby. I found this most enlightening. I hope we might do this again sometime—I do rather enjoy your company.”

“I’ll… think about it,” she replied, finishing with the tools and heading toward the Blue Moon.

Notes:

Alright, my husband suggested I go outside and touch grass today... something about launching colorful explosives into the air? I don't know, sounds suspicious if you ask me. 🎆

Happy 4th of July guys! 🧨 Enjoy some fireworks and stay safe! 😊

See you on the next one!

Chapter 11: Call an Expert

Summary:

More dialogue, dialogue, and dialogue. Enjoy!

“You’re late,” Heidi said, just before sipping her summer sand tea. “And you’re dirty too.”

Thanks, Heid. Love you too.

“Well, some of us just get to draw pretty pictures at our job,” Ruby said, pointing at Heidi. “While some of us are out making those pictures a reality,” she added, pointing to herself.

 

Ruby sat across from her, eyeing Grace behind the counter and gesturing for a drink. She gave a small nod, her hospitality mask firmly in place for the shift ahead.

Grace came over, dropping off some water at the table for Ruby to drink. It was her preferred beverage now, given her past experience with yakmel milk. The water in Sandrock might’ve been scarce, but at least it didn’t give her a severe allergic reaction. If someone ever started poisoning the water hole, though, then she’d definitely be up shit creek.

 

“What are you guys having today?” Grace asked, pulling a notepad from her back pocket.

Owen is cooking then? Good.

“I’ll just have whatever salad you’ve got on special, Grace,” Heidi said, handing over the menu before returning to her tea.

“Five-spice steak, please. Medium well,” Ruby added, placing her menu in Grace’s hand.

 

Grace bit her lip, resisting the urge to comment that she would’ve recommended Ruby get it rare—since it seemed she preferred her meat a little more lively, and with a bit of leather on the side.

“I’ll have that up for you shortly, ladies,” Grace chuckled, turning away from the table and heading to the kitchen to drop off the ticket.

 

One of Heidi’s eyebrows shot up. “What was that about?”

Somebody thinks they’re funny.

 

Ruby watched as Grace came back out of the kitchen. She just glared at her. That small chuckle had definitely been directed at her—in some way or fashion. And Ruby, being the absolute meek and mild woman that she was… fully intended to find out what the hell it meant.

Me and you are going to have a conversation, waitress.

Grace caught Ruby’s stare from the booth and shook her head. When was she going to learn? You could fuck with an ACI agent—but they sure could fuck with you right back. Her name was on the line, along with her reputation as an agent. And no yokel yakboy or bombshell builder was going to get in the way of that.

 

They needed a reminder that there were bigger things at play.

She’d already warned Logan—twice now. Maybe it was time Ruby got the same treatment. Grace would keep it subtle, sure, but given Ruby’s reputation, a more direct approach might be needed. She’d just have to be careful with what details she chose to divulge.

 

“I’m uncomfortable,” Heidi said, glancing between the two women. “Ruby, we need to talk about the road to Portia. Whatever you two have goin’ on, stow it. We’ve got other things to work on.”

“I can do that,” Ruby growled, shifting her attention back to her lunch companion.

 

Heidi knew that face from anywhere. Her best friend looked like she was chewing on a bucket of nails. Sharp and hateful . That fire in her eyes didn’t help either; it looked like it could rival the surface of the sun.

 

“What’s gotten into you?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern. “You’ve been on edge lately.”

Logan. And the fucking church.

 

Miguel had been right about one thing—her morning had been “enlightening,” indeed. She’d managed to find out how he and Matilda were connected, both having studied together, with Miguel firmly placing her on a pedestal. Why anyone would want to do that was beyond her.

Maybe the citizens of Sandrock could explain it, since they all seemed to be lining up to sing the Minister’s praises.

 

Then, on the flip side, she’d learned that Logan had bombed the church when they refused to let him transfer his pa to another clinic? A major event like that should’ve been mentioned before she took the Sandrock contract, but knowing how the town ran on hushed whispers and deceit, she should’ve expected no less.

However, Logan bombing the church did seem rather dire. There had to be more to it than that. Logan didn’t strike her as someone who acted without a conscience, despite how often his previous antics had been judged.

 

She had more information now, sure, but still not enough to make any real sense of it all. Further investigation would be needed if anyone was going to untangle this ball of yarn. And Ruby was anxious to figure it out, because the sooner she did… the sooner she could get back to being a regular run-of-the-mill builder.

 

“I’m fine, Heid,” Ruby lied. “I just have a lot on my mind right now, and I kind of got thrown off track this morning when Miguel asked me to help him in the church flower beds.”

“Well, what’s wrong with that? You’re always willin’ to help whoever you can. Makes sense he’d go to you.”

Of course it does.

 

Nobody would dare bat an eye if the church asked her for help. But if Ruby refused their outreach for volunteer work, that was a problem. And she had more than enough of those already.

 

“Nothing. Nothing is wrong with that,” she replied, feeling a bit defeated.

 

She didn’t know who she could talk to about these things. Everyone around her seemed to be closing in, boxing her in tighter and tighter until there was nowhere left to go. She felt like a trapped animal, and all anyone seemed to want was to reach through the bars—just to get her to react.

She still hadn’t decided whose side she was on. And as she’d learned growing up, once you bite a hand, it rarely wants to reach back into the cage.

 

Heidi could see that whatever was troubling Ruby weighed heavy. And while she was strong, that didn’t mean she could carry the weight all the time. She was a hard lady. Often using sharp words to deflect anything real from slipping past her emotional armor.

Heidi knew when to press and when to back off. And in this case, it felt like a moment to hang back was the best course of action, allowing her to mull it over. She’d know when Ruby needed her.

 

“Well,” Heidi said, grabbing some blueprints from underneath the table and laying them flat on the surface, “we need to talk about the bridge that’s going to connect us to the Portia tunnel. We’re planning to use explosives to clear the old world structures and large boulders.”

Ruby picked up her water, taking a slow sip and shoving her spiraling thoughts to the back of her mind. Heidi needed her collected. “I agree. No pickaxe is gonna dig through that heap. Where do you plan on getting them?”

“I figure we can just up the dose on the recipe I’ve got now. Should do the trick.”

I got a better idea.

 

Ruby couldn’t help but smile at the thought. It was just too good.

 

“Why don’t you let me take care of the explosives?” she offered. “I’ve got a contact out of Highwind who could send me the recipe for what we need.”

He is definitely not from Highwind.

“Rubes…” Heidi sighed. “Musa’s real particular about where we source our supplies from. I don’t know how he’d feel about us not doin’ it ourselves and outsourcin’ the explosives.”

Technically, it’s staying local. No outsourcing necessary, my dear bestie.

“It would be less of a thing on your plate,” Ruby was practically begging now. 

 

Speaking of which, Grace set down their lunches, pulling the silverware from her apron. She looked at Ruby, expecting some kind of response, but Ruby just turned to Heidi, who shook her head.

“Thanks, Grace. By the way, what time are you off?” Ruby asked.

“I close.”

“Perfect. Thanks.”

 

Ruby dismissed her with a casual wave of her hand, knowing full well it would set Grace off. But they were in a public place. There was no time for a catfight. Grace walked away, a bit of frustration carried in every step.

 

“Fine, you can handle getting the explosives,” Heidi conceded. “Just promise me—”

“That this won’t blow up in our face?” Ruby interrupted, laughing.

Her best friend’s eyes narrowed at the dumbest pun she’d ever heard. “Shut up and eat your steak.”

You won’t regret it.

---

The sun was just starting to set as Ruby was on her way to pick up Andy from the research center when Elsie stopped her, a determined look in her eye and a bounce in her step.

 

“Howdy, Ruby!” she greeted, falling into stride beside her as they headed up the hill in front of Mi-an’s house.

“Hey, Els. Staying out of trouble today?” Ruby smiled.

 

Elsie was probably the main reason Ruby tolerated Cooper as much as she did. The girl was lively, for sure, and more importantly, she never minced words. That was something Ruby could relate to and appreciate. In a town like Sandrock, Elsie was a breath of fresh air.

Ruby couldn’t help but think of Elsie as a little sister. Whenever she had a problem, Ruby was the first person she ran to. Not just because she helped solve them, but because she gave level-headed advice. Something her pa never quite managed, if you could even keep him on track long enough to try.

 

Elsie admired the builder’s grit and her loyalty to the town. She still felt a little stupid for having mistaken her as a tourist the day Ruby first arrived, but she made up for it fast with a horseback ride around the square. Ruby had won, fair and square. That earned her respect. And later, she spilled her guts about Logan. How he used to be good, and maybe still was.

Ruby didn’t judge. She just listened.

 

“Nah, I’m not,” Elsie confessed. “I got a real problem, and I could use your help if ya got the time.”

Your wish is my command.

“Sounds about right,” Ruby nodded, knowing that it could either be really simple or really complicated.  “What can I help you with?”

 

Elsie shifted her shoulders, almost like she was nervous to ask Ruby for help. Why, she wasn’t sure—it wasn’t like Ruby was Mi-an. Mi-an was flighty, often panicking at the first sign of trouble. That’d been proven when they snuck into Logan’s house looking for clues about his motives.

How Ruby and Mi-an were both her best friends was anyone’s guess. You couldn’t find two people more opposite. Ruby was like Elsie in that she could have a temper if provoked—though Elsie’s ran hotter. But still… she wouldn’t risk poking that bear. And Mi-an? Well, she balanced the trio out by being so sweet it made your teeth hurt.

The three of them were tight, but in a case like this, Elsie preferred Ruby’s input over Mi-an’s.

 

“Do you know anythin’ ‘bout ducks? Specifically giant ones?”

Excuse me, what?

 

And there it was… another thing Ruby loved about Elsie—she always found a way to surprise her.

 

“I think they skipped over that lesson when I was in school.” Ruby scrunched her eyebrows and gave her lips a quick smack. “Why?”

“Reckon Imma need help catchin’ one, and I figured since you're kind of the do-it-all person ‘round these parts, you’d know.”

Hmm… bet I could find out for you.

“No, sorry, I don’t,” Ruby said. “But… give me a few days, and I bet I could find out for you. How does that sound?”

Elsie jumped into the air, arms held high. “Yeehaw! Heck yeah, partner. Let me know whatcha come up with.”

 

That was her friend right there, always pulling through no matter what. If there was a problem, she knew she could always count on Ruby to help her solve it.

 

“Ruby!” Andy called out, running up and hugging her tightly around the waist. “C’mon, I wanna head home, and show ya the diagrams I sketched today.”

 

Ruby patted his hat, brushing a few strands of his blonde hair from his face. She needed to remember to take him to Pablo’s soon. His hair was getting too long for her liking. It made more sense to keep it short anyway. It was easier to clean after a long day of playing, and frankly, you could smell him from half a league away if he didn’t wash it properly.

 

“Hi, Elsie!” Andy greeted, before grabbing Ruby’s hand and tugging her back toward the workshop. “Let’s go, let’s go, move… with… me!”

 

Ruby rolled her eyes at his persistence, though deep down she was proud of how Andy had started finding ways to put that brilliant little mind of his to use.

 

“I’ll see what I can dig up for you, Els,” she said. “Better get this one home before he tugs my arm from the socket.”

“Hey now, I ain’t that dumb. How else are you gonna build my diagrams if I hurt ya?”

Tell me how you really feel, Andy.

 

Arriving home, Ruby took a seat on the couch while Andy dug around in his backpack. His head was nearly engulfed in the fabric as he scoured the bag for his drawings. It seemed Qi had yet to have the conversation with him about keeping his things organized.

She watched him, eyes bright and a grin spreading across his face as he finally found—or thought he found—the diagram he had been searching for. Her heart nearly melted, seeing this little bandit boy make leaps and bounds while also settling into his new routine perfectly.

 

“Behold!” Andy had a paper gripped tight in his hands as he stretched it toward the sky. “Oh wait, that’s the wrong thing.”

“What? Is it a love letter to Jasmine?” Ruby teased.

Andy licked his lips, a red tinge coloring his cheeks.

Thought so.

 

He crumpled the paper and chucked it back into his pack before finally producing the actual thing he had been looking for.

 

“Ahem, behold!” Andy declared, once again shoving a piece of paper into the sky. “My diagram!”

“Andy, I can’t see it from here,” Ruby said flatly.

“Oh right, duh.” Andy sped over to her, took his place by her side, and handed her the paper. “Here. Now look at it.”

 

Ruby took the sheet, holding it between her index finger and thumb, her eyes scanning over the logistics. He had listed the items needed to build it, the materials that made up each piece, and—once again—a guy in the corner with his thumbs up.

It was Logan.

I’ll make sure to tell him how far you’ve come. 

 

“Well? Tell me, am I better than Qi?” Andy leaned into her, his eyes searching hers for approval. “C’mon, Ruby, don’t keep me waitin’ here.”

“You definitely are going to give him a run for his money,” she said, throwing an arm around him and pulling him into a squeeze. “Proud of you.”

“Can you make it for me?”

“Sure, kid.”

Might make a second or third one while I’m at it.

 

Ruby glanced toward the window, noticing that the once-setting sun had given way to the glow of the moon. Grace would be wrapping up her closing duties soon and now was the time to have that conversation about a certain request she had in mind.

 

“Hey, I’ve gotta run to the Blue Moon real quick,” Ruby said, releasing Andy from her side as she stood. “Why don’t you wash up? I’ll pop in and say goodnight when I get back.”

“Yeah, okay,” Andy agreed, already darting off toward the shower.

---

If you asked Grace’s superiors, they’d give you three traits that came to mind when it came to her record as an ACI agent: intelligent, capable, and determined.

She was intelligent— incredibly intelligent—in that she could come up with a solution to the worst-case scenario in a matter of seconds. While everyone else was still caught up on the problem, she was already ten steps ahead, working on the next one. She always thought beyond her nose, and it showed in the plans she developed when she first started working with Logan and Haru.

She was capable, both mentally and physically. When others fizzled out, her mind didn’t break. She stayed the course and reaped the rewards for it. Physically, she could hang with the best of them—her initial scuffle with Logan, and beating him, was proof enough.

But most of all, she was determined. Determined to extract every useful bit of information from a target without sacrificing her integrity or that of the mission.

 

A skill that proved surprisingly useful as she scrubbed the inside of a glass behind the bar, the flakes refusing to let go of the sides.

She was just about to throw the glass at the wall when the saloon doors creaked open. A taller figure stood in the doorway.

 

“Got a second to talk?” Ruby asked, stepping into view of the dining room.

Grace slid her hand into the glass, using a fingernail to scratch at the stubborn flake. She could always rewash the cup once she got the damn thing unstuck.

“Sure,” Grace said, watching as Ruby walked over to the stool at the end of the bar and sat down, her eyes locked onto hers. “Got something for me?”

“No, not you.” Ruby crossed her legs. “I think this might be above your pay grade.”

 

Grace bit the inside of her cheek and set the glass on the counter with a sharp cling. This bitch had some audacity—coming in here wanting to talk, only to throw shade like that. But Grace was an ACI agent. She had to maintain a level of decorum. In the hideout, she could say what she wanted. But here in town, with so many eyes and ears? She had to tone it down.

Ruby knew that. Which is exactly why she played her part so well. Grace couldn’t bite back, not without risking some nosy bystander catching on.

This was a good old-fashioned pissing contest, and it was going to come down to who had the bigger pair between them.

 

“I need you to set up a meeting between Logan and I.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Grace huffed. “And why would I do that? You two have already caused enough problems for me.”

“Elsie’s got questions about catching a certain type of monster. I hear he’s the expert around here.”

Seemed like Ruby had finally jumped on the bandwagon of trying to solve this whole mess herself. Grace almost found that admirable. She figured eventually, after enough stonewalling, Ruby would start finding her own way.

 

“Why don’t I ask him for you?” Grace offered. “It’d be less risky for all of us.”

“I don’t trust you,” Ruby said, her voice low.

“That so?”

“That it is.” Ruby stood from the stool and walked over, only the solid wood of the bar between them. “I won’t ask again.”

 

Grace tilted her head, considering the request. On one hand, if she didn’t allow for the meeting to happen then there was no doubt in her mind that Ruby and Logan would find their way to each other anyway. And in the other, she could allow it, but offering suggestions to make sure that the risk of being seen was limited.

 

“Fine,” Grace relented. “But I have some stipulations.”

“I’m listening.”

Notes:

*rubs hands aggressively* Ya'll ready for this, partners? Wonder what my favorite monster hunter and builder are going to get into next chapter. 🤔

See you then! ❤️

Chapter 12: Purple...for Passion (NSFW)

Notes:

Uh huh... I knew ya'll were hoping for that NSFW tag in the title. 🤣 Well, all I can say is... you know what? I'm not saying a damn thing until the end.

Enjoy!

There were four rules Grace had laid out for the meeting, which was set to take place out in the rocky ledges of the Eufaula Desert. They were as follows:

Rule Number One:

She would have designated spots for Ruby and Logan to stand, ensuring that if a threat came near, they’d have enough time to either run or prepare for a fight. These positions would be marked with red and blue paint—red for Ruby, blue for Logan. That way, if something did go down, their footprints could be tracked afterward.

They were also expected to stay in those positions for the entire exchange, and Grace swore to both of them that if she found even a hint of purple at the site… she’d never let them hear the end of it.

Rule Number Two:

This one tied directly into the whole no purple paint warning.

There was NO TOUCHING allowed. This included the use of hands, feet, and most importantly… mouths. This was a scheduled rendezvous, not two teenagers in the back of a yakmel cart after Sandrock prom. Fraternization would absolutely not be tolerated.

Eye-fucking? Fine. 

But if there was any contact, then both parties would be subject to Grace’s wrath, no matter who started it first.

Rule Number Three:

Outside of the agreed upon topic, which was Elsie’s giant duck capture question, there was to be NO unnecessary conversation between the two parties. Pleasantries could be exchanged on arrival and departure, but otherwise no fluff. This wasn’t a house call. This was strictly business.

Rule Number Four:

Ruby and Logan were expected to be mindful of how long they were away. If Ruby was gone too long, the Civil Corps would come looking, and the last thing anyone needed was them or Pen storming through the desert. One hour was the allotted time Grace had designated for the exchange. She wouldn’t be present to enforce it, but she expected it to be followed all the same.

---

Ruby stared down at the paper Grace had dropped into her mailbox earlier that morning, rolling her eyes as she muttered, “This isn't daycare, Grace.”

She crumpled and tossed it near the red X she was standing on. Lifting her boot, she checked to see if any of the paint had coated her sole before glancing up at the sky.

It was quiet—the rustle of desert brush in the trees nearby, and the distant sound of a Rockyenaroll howling into the night. She closed her eyes, taking it all in. Just a moment of peace before she had to confront Logan.

 

She’d learned quite a bit about him in the past few days, and despite Grace’s rules, she wanted to hear his side of the story. To learn everything . That way when she finally did pick a side… it would be the right one.

 

Logan arrived on the scene, watching Ruby as she stared out into the aimlessness of the desert. His expression softened, a lopsided smirk tugging at his mouth.

If I was a snake, darlin’, you done been bit.

He stepped off the ledge, his boots landing in the blue X as a small cloud of sand scattered into the breeze. His head was bowed, but he slowly tilted it upward—just in time to catch her gaze as she turned around.

 

“Gotta say, sweetheart, when Grace told me you wanted to meet up, I was a little surprised,” Logan drawled.

Ain't arguing ‘bout it though.

“Oh?” The sound slipped from her lips as she turned to meet his gaze, drawn into those captivating eyes of his. “Glad you don’t have me completely figured out yet.”

“How can I help ya?”

Grace didn’t tell you? That’s surprising.

 

Ruby was still a little sore about Grace’s stunt at the Blue Moon. She knew that chuckle had been directed at her in some way, but after reading that note, there was no way Grace and Logan were a thing.

She’d paid her karmic dues in full thanks to the yakmel milk incident.

 

Grace had laid out those rules because she could see the writing on the wall—big, bold letters that spelled out exactly what Ruby had been trying to put aside since she'd met Logan. That they had a certain kind of chemistry .

Not that Ruby ever doubted it, but it was almost comforting to know he seemed to be having the same thoughts she was. Whether it was in a bed or shower, it was nice to know she wasn’t the only one tied up in knots whenever they were together.

Seemed like they were just flint and steel. One wrong move, or one perfect one… and they’d go up flames.

 

Business first.

“I hear you're a bit of a monster hunter,” Ruby said, looking at her fingernails, trying to keep her guard up.

Checkin’ in on me, honey? I’m flattered.

“I spent most of my life on the trail. I ain’t a veteran, but I ain’t exactly green either.”

“Seasoned, then?”

Like a five-spice steak.

“Sure, darlin’.” Logan nodded, flashing her a grin. “Seasoned more like.”

 

It seemed the two of them were tiptoeing around each other, not quite ready to submerge themselves into the water that was this conversation. 

Ruby wasn’t ready to come out with the hard questions…yet. She didn’t want to provoke Logan, because she knew that asking him about the bombing of the church could potentially ruin any type of “alliance” they'd have.

And Logan wasn’t about to divulge any more information than he had to… per Grace’s rules. And for the idea that he was protecting Ruby, not allowing her to see the full picture so if she was caught… nothing too serious would happen to her.

We don't sacrifice people. Period.

 

They hadn’t been in contact long, but he couldn’t help the pull he felt toward her. To want her. To need her. To be everything she needed. Oh yes, he was down — and down very bad.

 

“Elsie is trying to catch a large duck, and she asked me to help her with it,” Ruby said. “I was hoping you might be willing to share what you know.”

There’s books on that in the library, and you just had to come ask me ‘bout it, huh? Alright, I’ll bite, but I’m gonna make you work for it.

“Is she wantin’ to become a hunter herself? Them type fowl ain’t for beginners. In fact, I’ve never tangled with one myself.”

 

Logan had always thought Elsie was a little too soft-hearted to lead the kind of life he did. There were times when hunting was just a downright awful existence —uncomfortable conditions, your life always on the verge of ending abruptly, and not to mention the loneliness that filled the bedroll you slept in. Logan didn’t care much for that last part, but he knew Elsie would.

She was far too close to her family to take the kind of trips he did. And if he looked back over the last few years, he supposed the same could’ve been said about him. Losing his pa had damaged him in ways no one could truly understand, but with grief came the realization that being alone on the trail… wasn’t really all that bad. But it sure wasn't for everyone.

 

“I don’t know, Logan,” Ruby admitted. “We didn’t exactly have time to discuss it, as I was being pulled away by Andy.”

Logan couldn’t help himself — he had to ask.

“How is he?” he said, his voice softer.

Deflection? Of course, I should've expected that. But I know you miss him, and he misses you too. And I'm not so cruel to stand between you both.

“He’s good, really good. I got him a junior scientist position at the research center. He has a brilliant mind, Logan,” she praised. “Speaking of which…”

 

Rule three was the first one to be ignored.

Ruby turned toward a cluster of rocks, heading over to retrieve the item she’d crafted from Andy’s diagram, red paint coating the path she walked.

Rule one was officially broken now as well.

 

“What’s that?” Logan’s eyebrows scrunched together, unsure of what he was looking at.

 

The item Ruby pulled out looked like a weapon—silver, sleek, and built to lock into place at the shoulder. She wrapped the brace against her arm, flexing her muscle to activate the SSS v.2.

A blue holographic shield flickered to life, settling itself into the sand and covering her from head to boot. She braced herself, forearm steady, ready for any impact.

 

“Shoot at me,” she challenged. “I haven’t had a chance to test it yet.”

“You ain't even tested it? You're shittin’ me. I ain’t gonna shoot at you,” Logan replied. “Grace would ball me out, then kick your corpse just to prove a point.”

“I can handle it,” Ruby said, tilting her head. “The question is, can you?”

 

Whatever two individuals had come together to make Ruby should’ve reevaluated their genetic markers. What kind of person just asked to be shot at? Was she nuts… or just that confident in Andy’s design and her craftsmanship?

Andy was enough of a handful — Logan knew that — but now, seeing how Ruby was, he could see why they worked so well together.

Y'all are gonna be the death of me. I swear.

 

Logan shook his head, but ultimately decided that if this weapon was worth a damn, it ought to withstand a bullet fired from his pistol.

He drew his iron from the holster, aimed true, and fired a single shot.

The shield, true to its name, deflected the bullet clean, sending it ricocheting off a stone and smacking a Thorny Jumper square in the tail. Sending it screeching and scuttling off into the night.

 

“He made that for me, did he?” Logan said, pride visible on his face. “Reckon livin’ with you’s the best thing to ever happen to that boy.”

I was wrong to question you. I appreciate you taking him in, honest.

 

Ruby disengaged the shield, unstrapping the brace from her arm. She set it on the ground, then used her boot to kick it over to him, a tunnel of dust trailing in its wake.

Logan picked it up, studying the fine piece of equipment in his hands.

 

Alright, I scratched your back. Now scratch mine.

“I need to know about the duck. And something else…” Her voice dropped a bit. “Why’d you do it ?”

Logan blinked, caught off guard. “Shoot me straight, sweetheart. What’re ya on about?”

“The explosion .”

 

That word hit like a switch. Logan’s jaw clenched, the lighthearted feeling from earlier gone in an instant—snuffed out like a candle in the wind.

It was a traumatic event for him. His nature to seek the truth had cost the greatest thing he held dear to him… Howlett .

 

“Where’d you hear that? Who you been talkin’ to?” His voice was tight now, the warmth drained from it, cold… just like the feeling of knowing he was alone. “Spit it out, Ruby.”

I know this is hard, but I need the full picture. I'm sorry.

She heard the sharpness in his tone—and true to her nature, she threw it right back at him.

“I’m not telling you that. It’s not your business where I get my information.”

“Not my business? Not my business? ” Logan echoed, his voice rising. “You’re talkin’ ‘bout things you got no reason to know in the first place.”

I’d have told you… eventually.

“Oh, like you’ve been some knight in shining armor this whole time, riding in on your goat like hot shit?” Ruby shouted back. “You’ve been holding out on me—asking for trust, helping me when I was down in the valley. But the second I push back, you get to shut me out, again? Yeah, that’s real fair.”

 

Ruby had a point—Logan hadn’t been completely honest with her. He’d kidnapped her, begged for understanding, demanded trust… all while refusing to follow the same code he claimed to live by. And then there were the things he’d done to her, only adding the confusion of their dynamic. 

But all reason fell to the wayside when she stomped up to him, her eyes ablaze. A blue flame rising, growing, as she stepped into his space.

 

“Don’t lie to me, and I won’t lie to you,” her tone laced with anger. “That’s not how you build an alliance, Logan. That’s how you start wars.”

 

What possessed Logan next was not a thought of a sound-minded individual, but rather a lust-filled man, daring to quench the fury that flew from Ruby’s mouth.

 

He met where she stood, pulling down his mask, his lips barely brushing against hers, “If you don’t stop right now, I’ll have to do somethin’ I don’t think you're ready for, darlin’.”

Try me.

Ruby scrunched her nose, her jaw locking into place. “Do. Your. Worst.”

 

And just like that… rule number two was thrown into the flames. Just ashes. 

 

Logan grabbed her, his calloused fingers gripping tightly around her wrists as he yanked her into him. His taut arms wrapped around as he pulled her down on top of him, landing square on the blue X he’d been standing on.

He lost his grip on impact, allowing her to straddle him. She leaned down, crashing her lips against his. He tasted like smoke with a hint of sweetness.

Jam?

It didn’t matter. She could question his provision choices later. Right now? Right now was a time for a different kind of hunger to be sated .

 

Her tongue slipped into his mouth, the two intertwining as they met. Logan even gave hers a gentle nibble, earning a soft whine, and a low moan from him in response.

She paused, sitting upright, taking a moment to look into his eyes and he, hers. Whatever anger had been there had faded, replaced by something else entirely.

Passion. 

For her. For him. For this.

 

With both of her hands sliding up his chiseled form, she took the collar of his shirt and tore it away—buttons flying into the sand around them, Logan removing himself from the sleeves, and the shirt falling into the blue.

 

"You ruined my favorite shirt when you came to my house that night," she said, her breath hot against his now bare chest. "Thought it best to return the favor."

"That’s real cute, sweetheart," Logan replied, gripping the hem of hers and ripping it down the middle, tossing it aside. "Reckon I don’t play for gettin’ even. I play to win."

 

Logan moved fast, carefully setting Ruby off of him, but then prowling… a predator nearing his prey until he towered over her. 

Her red stained boots sank into the already colored sand.

Purple.

 

Logan’s lips met hers once more, kissing her harshly—like he was chasing something that he'd never get again. But it wasn’t enough. He needed more. More than just the taste of her lips. He wanted her skin, wanted to taste the salt that clung to her as she stood staring out at the Eufaula sky. But more than that, he wanted to know her—every part of her, even the ones she kept guarded, down to the most sacred places. Where no one had been before.

He gave her bottom lip one last nibble before moving down her neck, a mix of gentle bites and tender strokes of his tongue in between.

 

Did he just lick me? Wait wha-?

Ruby's brain short-circuited. She'd never been caressed in such a way before, and even the thought of it alone was appalling. But when Logan did it? The way he maneuvered his tongue against the soft muscle of her neck—it wasn’t distasteful at all. In fact, it was rather arousing .

Outstretching her neck to the side, she gave him more access, encouraging him to continue. Logan smirked, giving her one final pass before moving on to his next destination.

 

Ruby’s hands grew more and more curious. They found their way to his belt, tracing along the leather until they met the buckle. 

Just a click and…  

But as soon as she tried to undo it, Logan grabbed her wrists again and pinned them to the sand, not aggressively but just enough to let her know he was in charge right now.

 

“I believe I recall you sayin’, ‘do your worst,’” he said. “I’m fixin’ to do that, but you gotta keep those hands away from there.”

You're lucky you're as beautiful as you are, bandit.

“Where do you suggest I put them then?” she gasped, taken aback by his sudden domineering nature.

 

Bandit Logan would be an excellent lover for her body to take, she could already tell just by his words but she wondered…

Logan took her hands, one at a time, and placed them on his shoulders. “Right there’ll be just fine, honey.”

If gentle Logan was a better match for her spirit, if he'd speak to the parts of her soul that she dared not to show anyone else…

 

Ruby gave a squeeze, testing the reflexes of her stallion. Her hips arched upward, seeking contact. She was impatient, to say the least.

 

“I ain’t even got started, and you’re already buckin’ on me,” he chuckled deeply, leaning down to take a swipe at the curve of her breasts that were still concealed to him. “Easy, girl.”

 

Ruby’s toes curled in her boots as Logan continued his devious pursuit down her chest and toward her navel, her nervous system on fire, pulsing outward as he stopped at the top of her jeans.

Don’t stop now…please.

She lifted herself to her elbows, Logan locking eyes with her. She looked at him, then down to the button of her pants. Flicking her eyes in between the two, before becoming a little irritated.

 

“What?” she barked.

“Nothin’,” Logan replied, a hint of smugness in his voice.

“Bullshit. Why’d you stop?”

“Just makin’ sure you’re still with me is all.”

 

Logan’s fingers found her button and quickly unfastened it. He pulled the zipper down in a slow motion.

Ruby groaned loudly, growing more frustrated by the teasing Logan was doing. She thought if she slammed her head back hard enough, she might just summon a new canyon formation. 

 

“You really hate someone else takin’ the reins from ya, don’tcha?” Logan asked, peeling away her pants and underwear in one motion. He propped up her legs next, sliding the fabric underneath her to keep the sand from getting anywhere it shouldn't.

You're damn straight I do.

“Are you actually going to do something? Besides waste my time?” Ruby was begging at this point, no matter what her tone said. “Use that tongue on som—”

 

She didn't even get to finish the sentence.  His whiskers brushed the inside of her thigh as he used his tongue at her core. Just like when he was at her neck, his soft palate swiped along the bundle of nerves, causing her to buck even more than she already was.

 

“Ruby…” he mouthed against her, her sex now swollen.

“I know…” she gasped. 

 

Logan wrapped his arms around her thighs, pulling her ass back to the ground, trying to get her to settle down. But she was a squirmy one, alright. The paint behind him had fully changed colors from all her movements.

The sand her canvas , and she the brush .

Ruby was outmatched. Logan’s fingers left indentations on her thighs as he brought her down, his tongue continuing to explore her most intimate parts. But when he moved to address her hips, her hands took advantage, finding their way to his hair, tucking themselves between the strands.

 

“You pull my hair, darlin’, and I'll bite ya,” Logan growled against her thigh.

I can't help it.

Ruby didn’t listen, because of course, she didn’t. And instead of heeding his words, she pulled a little too hard on his delicate mane.

And true to his word, Logan bit the soft flesh outside her core. Not hard, but just enough to get her attention again.

“Ow!” She yelped. “What the actual fuck, Logan?”

“I warned ya. Now either settle down, or I'll stop.”

 

Ruby had yet to meet a man who could match her energy, that was until she met…Logan. He challenged her, took her words and spat them back at her, all while having that signature grin of his on his face.

It was irritating. It was hot. It was… Logan.

 

She hated it, She loved it, especially when it was between her legs. She’d want this to happen again, so even though it was a struggle to give someone else a bit of control, she allowed it, for the wave of pleasur e that she felt was building within.

Logan could see a change in her eyes, she was submitting , submitting to this… to him.

There's gonna be a conversation ‘bout this, darlin’. Trust that.

 

He dipped his head down, his lips finding her again and rubbing them against the tender node, while his fingers entered her, giving her the fullness and stimulation she needed to come undone.

And when she did, Logan had never heard a sound so sweet. He’d listen to it over and over again if he could.

And if he had it his way, this wouldn't be the last time her sweet song would play.

 

Rule number four… now crossed out.

 

Ruby laid on her back, trying to regain what dignity she'd lost in the last bit of time she'd been out here. She'd lost herself, allowing the wanton ache to cloud her judgement for just a moment. 

 

What have I done?

“You alright?” Logan asked, interrupting her thoughts. He'd noticed how her demeanor had become rigid once more.

You might have a wall, but I've got a grapplin’ hook.

“No…yes. I'm not sure.” 

 

She'd submitted to him, a feeling that she was unaccustomed to. No one had ever dared to meet her the way he did, so the feeling left her a bit… dazed.

 

Logan got up, sitting beside her, “We best get on out of here, sweetheart. Reckon our time’s been up for a while.”

 

He kissed her forehead. He would have loved to just stay here, forget about the world for a while longer, but that wasn’t possible, at least not this time.

He stood up and whistled for Rambo. 

We can't stay here, someone will see us. But know this wasn't just nothing for me. I see you , darlin’. And eventually this'll all make sense.

 

Rambo came running down the hillside, skidding to a stop beside his rider.

 

“Here,” Logan dug into his saddle bag and pulled out an extra shirt. “Take this, I got another one. Ain’t no big deal.”

Ruby took it, still coming down from her high. “Thanks…Logan.”

 

He mounted up, but before riding away, he answered her question. 

 

“You’ll need to get fish for catchin’ that duck, dried sand carp oughta do it. Let me know if ya want another meetin’,” he tipped his hat to her. “I'm sure Grace'll understand.”

Ruby got up from where she was laying, taking a deep breath, her hand rubbing her forehead. “Of course.”

 

And with that Logan was off, and just as he disappeared over the horizon… Ruby threw her head back in defeat.

Fuck gray. And fuck purple too.

Notes:

Alright, how you doing? Pretty good? Good.

I just wanted to mention that this chapter is kind of a turning point for the story I have planned here. And I think I'm really going to be taking some time in between chapters to think about different possibilities. It's honestly crazy how you change one thing, and then the rest needs to be accommodated. And to be honest, this is my passion project... I'm not lying, guys. I literally bought a notebook for this story, and then I was thinking about a whiteboard too 😅

But also wanted to let ya'll know that I've been dealing with some personal things in my life, and sometimes it may effect the timing in between chapters. Believe me, I'd love nothing more than to write this thing, but life... well it never stops. But I do appreciate every hit, comment, and kudos. I'm so passionate about this story that I am even thinking about other ways to take it. 😊

Hope ya'll understand, but know that I am here for the long haul. Ruby and Logan deserve that much. 🤠

See ya'll on the next one 🩷

Chapter 13: Fruitful Endeavors

Notes:

Guys... guess what? I got a white board, and it SPINS!!!!! I can work on two chapters at once now... though I'm still taking my time with this lol. Amazon Prime Days really came in clutch for me.

Enjoy! ❤️

Pen was nestled in one of the booths at the Blue Moon, quietly eating his lunch and listening to the conversations buzzing around him.

Tiger had informed him that communication had come through from high command—there was word of a potential ACI agent deployed in Sandrock, sent to monitor the same situation he’d been tasked with watching. And Pen aimed to figure out exactly who it was.

He was curious to see who ACI had deemed a worthy enough opponent to match his skill set. He was the product of grueling training and harsh environments—they made him strong, damn near impossible to take down. But he wondered if ACI gave their agents the same treatment. If they’d be as hardy as him.

 

He stared down at his plate, pretending to be mesmerized by his own reflection—just as someone of his nature would do. Like a cockatiel admiring itself in the mirror. Vain, observant, and seemingly oblivious.

Duvos had trained him well—well enough to seem like a boastful, unassuming jerk. But that only scratched the surface of who he really was.

And in truth, Pen was paying attention to everything.

 

Mi-an and Elsie were sitting in the far left of the dining room. Mi-an was trying to talk some sense into Elsie about how her idea to capture a duck was unsafe and careless. How she needed to take extra precautions when setting the bait, and be mindful of the smell that would plague the air.

“Hush, Mi-an,” Elsie's voice soft, trying to not alert anyone near them. “I’ve been readin’ them books by Howlett, and I reckon I can tame it. Never know when we’ll need a giant bird ‘round here.”

“Elsie, c’mon, that’s just not a good idea. What if someone gets hurt?”

“Ain’t no one gonna get hurt,” Elsie brushed her off. “You worry too much. Plus, Andy already got me them fish—can’t waste ‘em now, can I?”

 

A key piece of information slipped from that conversation. Ruby hadn’t been the one to fill Elsie’s commission. It was Andy.

Pen filed that away.

Odd.

Sandrock’s star builder not out granting commissions with her magical pickaxe like some kind of fairy god-builder? He found that hard to ignore—though, in fairness, she didn’t exactly have the dress for it.

 

“So tell me about that date with Arv—?”

Pen stopped listening. That was the only valuable piece of information he’d be getting from that table.

 

His eyes shifted up for an eighth of a second, his head tilting to the side as if admiring his own jawline—before honing in on the next conversation.

“Andy’s been walking himself home after our lessons,” Qi said to Owen. “I haven’t seen Ruby come get him in the last few days. It’s strange… I rather miss her neanderthal-like qualities.”

“Seriously, Qi?” Owen placed his palms on the counter, his tone a bit defensive. “Ruby is such a wonderful woman. Don’t talk about her like that in my saloon again, partner.”

Pen perked up, though his eyes remained fixed on the shining plate before him.

 

Two pieces of pertinent information in one exchange. 

First, Ruby hadn’t been seen picking Andy up from the research center—another detail that didn’t match her usual behavior. And second? Owen was harboring feelings for her.

Pen thought it was strange that someone like Ruby hadn’t already snagged a companion. The town was full of love-struck fools just waiting for a chance to become the center of her attention. Pen himself had even tried—but given how she’d nicknamed him “Penelope,” and spat it like a bitter taste in her mouth, that was likely off the table.

Duvos also had strict protocols about fraternizing with civilians. Sure, he could flex his muscles, flash a wink, and graciously accept fan mail—but anything more than that was subject to severe repercussions. Matilda had made that abundantly clear. 

When he’d once suggested “just trying to bed Ruby,” she’d been… less than impressed, and warned that if he brought it up again, she’d demote him permanently.

 

And just like then, Pen was still on her shit list.

Matilda had been assigning him the least-exciting tasks she could think of. Watering plants with Burgess? Awful. He wasn’t even allowed to space punch the watering can. Sweeping Pablo’s parlor without getting to admire his own reflection? Inhumane. And to top it all off, Matilda had personally stopped the commerce order on his protein powder.

How was he supposed to maintain his hulking, hunkish form without the proper sustenance?

Tiger was a cruel commanding officer, and she demanded the best from her subordinates. Pen was eager to get back in her good graces—it would serve him well when the mission was deemed a success and he received a medal for his efforts.

He shoved his feelings aside, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. He couldn’t return to Tiger empty-handed—she’d make a meal of him next if he didn’t do as he was told.

 

“And then Rocky tried to do that move I read in that old world book, Seventy Hues of Chartreuse, and it was rather tasteful,” Krystal whispered to Catori. “He even picked me up by the—”

 

What Krystal and Rocky did in the privacy of their own home was their business. But it still didn’t help that image of them performing a… what was it called? A chartreusian chariot ride.

Pen had to physically hold himself back from cringing, picturing that… them … forget it. Nobody needed that vision burned into their brain.

 

He swallowed hard, then looked away from his plate, eyes scanning the room for any other conversations worth tuning into—as this one had nearly made him upchuck his lunch.

In the midst of bringing his hand to his mouth, he caught… them .

 

“Grace, I don’t think I ‘ppreciate how you treated Ruby,” Heidi said, her voice rising. “She busts her butt for this town, and for you to snicker at her like you did? I ain’t standin’ for that.”

“Heidi, I didn’t mean anything by it,” Grace said quickly, trying to de-escalate. “Ruby came by later and we cleared it up—it’s all good now.”

“Better be.” Heidi strolled out, her hips swaying with confidence and the click of her heeled boots echoing off the floor.

 

Pen looked back at Grace, who just shook her head, grinned to herself, and seemed to laugh it off. She wasn’t bothered by Heidi’s outrage? Interesting.

He sat there, thinking about the interaction—when it hit him.

Could Grace be…? No. No. Not the terrible cook. No way. That didn’t make sense at all.

…Until it did.

 

Grace was too calm about Heidi going off on her. Anyone else who’d been on the receiving end of that kind of verbal altercation might’ve thrown hands. Or a stool.

And then there was the mention that she and Ruby had met privately . Why the need for secrecy? Couldn’t “friends” meet in the saloon for a casual chat? Must’ve been a pretty important conversation to have away from wagging tongues and suspicious ears.

Add on the fact that Grace worked in the saloon—a place where tourists and residents alike came in and out all day long. They’d think they were having a pleasant conversation… but in reality? What they were sharing could’ve been intel . Information an ACI agent could quietly collect, unnoticed.

It made too much sense.

Grace.

 

Pen got up from his booth, taking his now-empty plate in hand, and walked it over to the counter. He set it down beside Grace, giving her a half-hearted smile.

Matilda would be most interested in hearing about this. It would give them the perfect opportunity to continue “monitoring” the opposition that had embedded itself in Sandrock.

“Good lunch, fry-cook,” Pen said. “It was most… intriguing .”

Grace watched as Pen walked away, his shoulders swaying back and forth with that usual sense of arrogance.

A familiar knot formed in her stomach.

…Had she been made?

---

“Miguel, you never told me how your little project in the gardens went,” Matilda smiled, sliding her pawn across the board with ease. “How did you and Ruby get on?”

Miguel moved his knight into position to take the pawn. He was decent at chess, but Matilda? She was a master—often seeing moves before they even occurred. Her quick wit showed in every decision she made.

Miguel could only hope to best her… but that’s all it was. Hope.

 

“I thought it went rather well,” he replied. “I even mentioned I’d like to enjoy her company another time. She mentioned she’d think about.”

“I sense you have more you want to say, dear friend,” Matilda moved another piece, eyeing Miguel as she did. “Tell me.”

 

Miguel had developed a quiet understanding of Ruby. Anyone with a pair of eyes could see she was strong, but he wondered what lay beneath all that tenacity and thick skin.

It wasn’t romantic—rather, it was the seeking of true knowledge, the kind he also pursued through his studies of The Light. He hoped their conversations might bloom into a potential friendship.

“She thinks differently,” he said. “It’s almost refreshing to see someone with such spirit as hers.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. I was hopin’ you two would get on well.”

 

Matilda’s plan to allow Miguel to be the lead in recruiting Ruby to join Duvos was proving fruitful. Of course it was—when you enlisted the help of Tiger, failure simply wasn’t an option. Her efforts were always hard-fought and well-won. No one dared to question her ability to complete a mission.

She’d risen through the ranks not through actions typical of Duvos soldiers. She had seen war. Faced enemies against impossible odds. Sacrificed things that meant the world.

She’d earned more than just medals—she carried scars, emotional and physical, all in the name of The Empire.

Every order she gave, every nudge, was for good reason. She never directed without cause. And if you were dumb enough to question her?

Well… you learned why she was called Tiger .

 

“Ma’am,” Pen interrupted, stepping into the church office. “I may have some information you’d find useful.”

“Speak, knight.” Her tone was still cold from his previous disappointing behavior.

“We’ve received intel that—” Pen began.

Matilda raised her hand, signaling for him to stop talking.

“I didn’t ask for a debrief.” She cocked her head to the side, the sweetness vanishing from her face. “What did you find out, knight?”

 

Tiger had a way of cutting someone down with just her words—and that glare. She could bring a man to his knees, begging for mercy. Just like Pen was doing now.

 

“The fry-cook, ma’am,” he said. “She’s the ACI agent that’s been planted in Sandrock.”

Matilda rolled her shoulders and contemplated her next move—both on the board and how to respond to Pen’s accusation. A marble piece twirled between her fingers, cool and solid, as she debated whether to stay silent or laugh in his face.

Why was it that every time command sent her a subordinate, they turned out incompetent?

 

“How long did it take you to put that together, knight?” she chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.

“I don’t understand, ma’am?” Pen tried to clarify. “You asked me to look into the matter, and I did.”

Tiger was full-on laughing now, her head in her hands, before she took a deep breath.

“I mean seriously, her name was in the note you gave me. Did you even read it? Of course she’s in on it.”

“I, uh—”

“Speak only when you have useful intel, Penelope.”

 

Matilda had thought the nickname Ruby had given Pen was rather suitable, given his lack of proof that he was a true Duvos Knight as of late.

Pen snapped himself out of the tongue-lashing by remembering one specific detail he’d forgotten to mention during his observations at the Blue Moon. He’d remembered a conversation… a very damning one indeed.

“Ruby hasn’t been seen in a few days, Tiger,” he blurted, throwing it out there and hoping it might stick. “I heard the fry-cook and the architect having a spat about it, too.”

 

Matilda squinted, marinating on the new information Pen had just dropped. Ruby hasn’t been seen for a few days? Where had she run off to—and what was she doing now? However useful the intel, she still wouldn’t give Pen the satisfaction of a job well done.

Still twirling the pawn in her hand, she turned back to her chess opponent, already knowing exactly how she wanted to proceed.

 

“Miguel… seems Ruby may need your guiding hand once more,” she said with all the tone that it wasn’t a request, it was an order. “The Light asks that we always take the time to bring strays back home. Ruby is no different. See to it that she does.”

“I will make my way over to her workshop,” Miguel replied, rising smoothly. “For the Empire.”

“For the Empire,” Matilda echoed with a nod.

 

She followed him out the door with the steps of a proud mother doting on her favorite son—until the doors closed behind them, and a frown formed on her face as she looked back at Pen.

She came around him, leaning up against her desk and motioning for him to take a seat.

“If you continue to prove a hindrance to this mission, knight, I will have you removed entirely. Do I make myself clear?” Matilda bared her teeth, her demeanor rigid and cold.

 

Pen didn’t dare speak. He just nodded. No words would dig him out of the hole he’d found himself in. But he was beginning to learn why she’d received the name Tiger.

“Knight?”

“Crystal, ma’am.”

“Good. Now I have another lead for you to follow up on.” Matilda stepped away from the desk, looking out onto Sandrock through her large window. “Seems there’s word of a mole in the area who claims to have information about Logan and his whereabouts.”

 

Matilda had received correspondence: a mole had surfaced in the region, and Bronco the Kid was said to be the one with the information. The Rat Queen was somehow tied in as well, but that was neither here nor there. Logan was the objective. His rebellion needed to be brought to heel—no matter the cost.

 

“Partner with Justice. He’s been trackin’ that bounty hunter, Bronco. That should eventually lead us to Logan,” Matilda ordered.

“As you say, Tiger.”

 

Pen got up to leave, his hand barely pressing against the wood of the door when that sweet voice of Matilda’s returned in full form.

“Do be a dear, and don’t complicate matters further, yes?”

Notes:

Also... thought I'd give you guys a laugh. Here is another tidbit of the banter between my husband and I.

Me - *laugh maliciously as I write this chapter*
Him - What?
Me - Matilda is such a bitch.
Him - *laughs and shakes his head* Alright, babe.

Chapter 14: Send the Goat

Notes:

Thank you @waifu5ever for reading, and giving me the raccoon seal of approval! 🦝

Enjoy ya'll! 🩵

As Logan made his way back to the hideout, his mind couldn’t help but drift to… Ruby.

He could see the wear and tear starting to show in her features—how quickly she threw up a defense anytime he challenged her. How she seemed unwilling to relinquish control, even in something as simple as intimacy. He wondered what secrets were held behind those burning blue eyes of hers.

 

She’d built a wall around herself, and when he pushed through, she fought back… trying to get a grip on whatever was happening around her.

It wasn’t until he threatened to stop that she finally settled down.

It was like she needed the long, hard, drawn-out pursuit. She thrived on it. And being the monster hunter he was, Logan had to admit—he admired a good chase. For this fragile creature might just be the best snag he’d ever manage to wrangle.

He wanted to find out more about her—through conversation, through intel, and maybe even other avenues if given the chance. She’d opened that door with her line of questioning, and soon, he’d return the favor. But for now, she served as a beautiful distraction from his own thoughts—the same thoughts that kept him pushing forward with the rebellion he’d started.

 

Logan wouldn’t tell you, but the loss of his pa broke something in him. And the fact that it was his fault—or he thought it was—still weighed heavy on his soul. The plan, the explosives, the crumbling of the church? All of it settled into his bones, eating away at his heart.

His pa had taught him everything about being a great hunter—how to survive. But more than that, how to be a decent man. Every part of who he was could be traced back to Howlett’s lessons.

When he died? A piece of Logan did too.

 

Haru was standing outside the entrance to the hideout, the coolness of the night sending a tingling sensation across his bare skin, when he spotted a familiar figure approaching on goat-back, a scowl carved into his face like he was mulling over something fierce.

“How was Ruby?” he asked. “I imagine you two followed Grace’s rules, right?”

It was his attempt to break Logan out of whatever spiral he looked like he was slipping into.

A real sandstorm, she is. I think I get through it… and then I get hit with another gust.

“Please, brother,” Logan replied. “You already know I’m always one to work within the law.”

Haru rolled his eyes at the sarcasm. “Figured as much.”

 

He mounted up behind him, and once he was seated, Rambo jumped off the cliffside ledge, casually strolling into their cave—his hooves crunching against the sand as they delved deeper underground.

 

When they finally reached the bottom, Logan and Haru dismounted. Haru turned to return to his bedroll, having taken the night shift for watch, he needed to catch up on his rest. 

However, Logan had a different idea. He pulled out the SSS v.2.

“Haru, hold on a tick now,” Logan said, tugging the weapon from his pouch. “Check out what Andy made me.”

 

Haru watched as Logan secured a metal plate to his arm, flexing his muscle to activate a blue holographic light that sprang to life between them. The crisp blue edge settled into the sand, a bit of dust kicked up from the impact.

“What is that?” Haru asked, eyebrows shooting upward in intrigue.

This is real good stuff, partner.

“‘Member all them drawings Andy used to do?” Logan was grinning like a proud pa now. “This here’s one of ‘em. Ruby built it, too.”

 

Haru stepped in closer, studying the creation. It’d definitely come in handy for the fight ahead—and another weapon in their arsenal was exactly what they needed. He gave it a gentle poke, expecting his hand to pass through. Instead, it stopped solid. Haru raised a brow, clearly impressed.

“This is amazing.”

Logan disengaged the shield, taking it off and handing it to Haru to try.

“It’s really sturdy too,” Haru continued.

“Right?”

 

Haru took a few defensive stances with the shield in hand, testing the maneuverability and stability. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the craftsmanship—but rather, Logan might have to fight him to get it back.

“You think Ruby would make me one?” Haru joked.

Might take some convincin’, but reckon I can handle it.

“She might,” Logan admitted. “I could ask her.”

 

Haru narrowed his eyes, shaking his head, at the comment his best friend made. Seems no matter how many come-to-peach meetings they had, Logan just wasn’t gonna stop.

The only person who could stop him… was himself.

“Did you think any more ‘bout it, brother?” Logan asked.

 

The question wasn’t one to take lightly—Logan was once again asking for Ruby to be recruited for their cause. He couldn’t help himself. He was no liar. And he hated the feeling of keeping her in the dark. He tried to justify it—saying the less she knew, the better.

But deep down, he knew the truth: Keeping her close felt safer than pushing her away.

Logan wasn’t a true bandit, and everyone that knew him, knew that. His heart oftentimes getting in the way of things, he felt with everything he had. And even when he lashed out, that’s all you could see… was heart.

 

“We can talk to Grace about it,” Haru said. “She’s supposed to meet us anyway.”

And just like clockwork, Grace came down the stony ridge. Her shoes skating against the rocks, scraping as they made their way toward them.

 

As she approached, Logan noticed that she had purple paint smeared against her leg—no doubt she’d had to clean up the mess that he and Ruby had made. Her shoulders were tense, like she was ready for a fight.

“Hey there, Grace,” Haru nodded his head. “We wanted to as—”

She took a deep breath, stepping into Logan’s space, her finger pointed into his pec. She bared her teeth, ready to snap at him. 

“I gave you four fucking rules, Logan,” she spat. “And you’re telling me you couldn’t follow a single one?”

“I dunno what you’re on ‘bout,” Logan replied, shrugging his shoulders like he couldn’t give a single care.

 

He knew what he was in for. Every time he did something that wasn’t up to ACI standards, Grace usually came stomping in like a toddler who’d dropped their ice cream. And this time was no different.

“You think you’re real funny, don’t you?”

“Nah, I don’t. I just think that you’re a little too bent outta shape over this,” Logan explained. “Ain’t nobody saw anythin’, and besides, ain’t your job damage control anyhow?”

 

Grace chewed the inside of her cheek, debating whether or not she was about to fly off the handle. Here she was, trying to uncover the water smuggling scheme in Sandrock—what she’d been assigned to do—and now… now she had to monitor Logan and the builder?

ACI better give her a damn medal for this.

 

“No more meetings. No more negotiations,” she said, stepping away to collect herself. “We do this my way now.”

“I reckon tha—”

Grace cocked her head to the side, balling a fist in her hand as she swept back toward Logan.

“I don’t give a shit what you reckon. So much is at stake here, and you’ll get us all hurt… or worse. I’ve tried to warn you, but it seems it falls on deaf ears,” she paused, taking a deep breath. “You are not to go anywhere near town. Leave the hideout… nothing. We can’t risk this. The new intel I just received requires a delicate touch. Something you don’t have.”

Logan rolled his eyes and walked away from the conversation. “Whatever, Grace. You got anythin’ worth mentionin’, or are ya just here to ball me out?”

 

He settled into his horned chair, leaning back, stretching his legs out and crossing them, then lacing his hands behind his head.

Grace returned the gesture, rolling her own eyes.

“I received intel that there’s a Duvos spy embedded in Sandrock… codename Tiger. ”

“You got any idea who it might be?” Haru asked.

 

The report Grace had received was vague, to say the least. ACI was more or less probing her for updates on the situation, only mentioning this Tiger as a courtesy. They wanted her focused—and if the threat truly required a heavy-handed approach, she’d have no problem receiving backup.

That was the thing about ACI. For all their intimidation and precision, they sometimes dropped the ball when it came to sharing intel between agents. She could appreciate the effort… but sometimes, Grace felt like she was left holding the bag.

And while she was proud to be one of ACI’s top agents—it didn’t come without its downsides.

 

“I have an idea…” Grace’s voice trailed off.

Her mind flashed back to the individual who’d left her with a knot in her stomach the moment he approached the bar— that sickening smile spread across his face.

Grace knew Logan wasn’t going to take this information lightly. He had his own history with Pen. She didn’t know all the details—just the typical story passed around town. And when she’d tried to get Logan to talk about it, he shut it down fast. 

 

“Pen,” she said, bracing for Logan’s outburst.

Logan leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, jaw clenched tight.

Ain’t no way. Anybody but him.

 

This was personal now. Just hearing the name made his skin crawl and his throat tighten. To say Pen had been a thorn in Logan’s side would be putting it mildly. He always found a way to interfere—sabotaging plans, making comments nobody asked for.

Logan harbored a deep-seated hatred for the man. A dressed-up gumshoe with a cape. Whenever Pen was near, Logan felt it in his bones—like a storm rolling in.

 

“What happened?” Logan asked, not questioning for a second that it was him.

“Pen might’ve witnessed an exchange between Heidi and I,” Grace said. “He mentioned that his lunch was intriguing. I get the feeling he’s on to me. I’ve alerted ACI that we may have a potential breach and requested his file. Haven’t heard back yet.”

“That would make sense,” Haru agreed. “He hasn’t been in Sandrock long, and he’s already causing a fuss with our plans.”

“We’ll have to proceed with caution. Pen’s a tough opponent—we need to be ready for him.”

“I think we’ve got a step in the right direction,” Haru said, turning to Logan. “Logan?”

 

But Logan wasn’t listening.

He was hung up on something else—specifically the mention of Grace and Heidi having a conversation. What about? Why?

Grace wasn’t being as forthcoming with the information, and Logan caught on to that quickly. He’d press her—because if they were going to bring Ruby in on this, he wanted to be well-informed of any hiccups.

“I wanna know why you and Heidi were takin’ jabs at each other.”

Grace folded her arms. “I don’t see how that’s relevant to this.”

“Oh, piss off with that shit, Grace. Tell me.”

 

Grace sighed, relenting. “Ruby and I had a bit of a tiff at the saloon the other day. Heidi saw the whole thing. Ruby came by later, and we squared it away. No issues there. But apparently Ruby didn’t communicate any of that to Heidi.”

Logan licked his lips, fluttered his eyes, and exhaled slowly. He looked between Haru and Grace, then locked his gaze on her.

“So you’re tellin’ me that you and Ruby got into a pissin’ match at the saloon?”

 

His voice was low, but the heat behind it was unmistakable. He was irritated, to say the least.

He brought his hand to his face, dragging it down in frustration before pointing toward her.

“And you got the damn nerve to tell me I’m the one puttin’ people in danger?”

 

Haru stood between the two of them, the argument continuing back and forth. Logan insinuating this, Grace deflecting that. A real game of cat and mouse they were playing—until he’d had enough of their childish antics.

“That is quite enough,” Haru interrupted, stepping between them. “We need to focus on the task at hand.”

 

He turned first to Grace.

“Grace, if ACI gives half a bit of what you say they do about the security of Sandrock, you’ll stow whatever it is you’ve got with Ruby.”

“Hmph,” Logan sounded, feeling smug as he folded his arms.

“And you —don’t even get me started,” Haru shot at him. “You need to focus on Sandrock, not living out some romance fantasy with Ruby, okay? We need everyone level-headed for this.”

 

He placed a hand on both their shoulders, giving a firm squeeze.

“Let’s get back to business, please?”

Logan and Grace nodded, begrudgingly agreeing to put aside their differences for the time being.

 

Grace went on to explain that ACI believed exposing the agent deemed Tiger would be the key to making Duvos lose their foothold in Sandrock. It had also been uncovered that Tiger was the lead behind the water smuggling—making things more desperate in town than they actually were.

ACI had also shared with Grace that there were rumors of an old-world device beneath the town, one that was monitoring the output of water from the Oasis. And they expected her to investigate that accordingly.

Timing would be crucial. If they moved too fast, ACI wouldn’t have the proper time to deploy backup. And this agent? They weren’t acting alone. They were surrounded by others—embedded deep, like rot in a foundation.

Everyone at the church was a suspect... all except one.

 

“Matilda?” Logan asked, raising an eyebrow. “Y’all think Matilda’s in on this too?”

“She isn’t on my suspect list at this point,” Grace replied. “I believe Miguel and Pen are the main players. Pen being Tiger, of course.”

Fits him alright. Always groomin’ himself like the cat he is.

 

There was one problem with the deduction that Miguel and Pen were behind the water problems in Sandrock—they’d need some sort of contraption to monitor the water output leaking into the Oasis. And for that? They’d need a builder. One like...

“Yan,” Grace said. “Guy’s a real piece of work. Works those builders to the bone and only gives them half pay.”

“You don’t say?” Logan asked.

“Oh no, he doesn’t mess with Ruby though. First day he met her, there was talk he tried to strong-arm her—and she made him mess his pants. So, I think he mostly leaves her alone.”

I’d love to’ve seen that.

 

The dots were connecting. What once seemed to be in disarray was becoming a clearer picture.

Pen was Tiger —the head of the operation. He’d only been playing at being incompetent. Miguel? His inside source, gaining insight into all things Sandrock. And Yan… well, he was the one easily bribed to complete whatever needed commissioning. The only thing he was loyal to was the almighty gol .

Grace knew she was outnumbered. The three of them couldn’t muster enough edge to take on all of them at once.

Pen would require the attention of two individuals… at least.

Miguel could be handled by assigning a specific individual to him, if he proved a threat at all.

That left Yan. And if one team had a builder, it was probably best to nab another… just for good measure.

 

“We’ll need a builder’s help to access that old world tech under Sandrock,” she said, shooting Logan a disapproving look. “Yeah, that’s right. I already know you wanna bring her on board. Haru keeps pestering me about it. So fine.”

“Reckon Rambo can make a quick run,” Logan suggested. “He knows the way to her workshop.”

Haru and Grace looked at one another, both letting out a long sigh.

“What?” Logan asked.

Tough crowd tonight.

“Just send the damn goat, Logan,” Grace agreed. “I’m heading back into town anyway—I’ll make sure she gets picked up.”

 

Logan threw up his arms, walking away from the two of them and toward his mount. Rambo was parked over by the cave opening that fed into the canyon.

"Hey, partner," Logan scratched his head lovingly. "Got an important mission for ya. Interested?"

Rambo’s eyes widened, understanding every word Logan was saying, his tail flicking at the prospect of getting to go for a run. And a long one at that.

"Alright, I need you to go pick up Ruby from her workshop," Logan said, offering his mount a rutabaga. "Here’s somethin’ to sweeten the deal, as well."

 

Rambo took the vegetable in his mouth, chomping loudly on the tart snack.

"I’ll take that as a yes," Logan moved to his side, making sure the saddle was secured properly and the bar was stiff. "Now, be nice. She ain’t exactly fond of goat rides."

Rambo rolled his eyes. It wasn’t his fault how she’d decided to ride.

"Go on then," Logan gave a gentle swat to his rump. "Bring her to me."

Notes:

This fic is so fun... I'm loving it! 🥰

Catch ya on the next one, guys! 🩵

Chapter 15: Benched

Notes:

Just want to preface this chapter with a trigger warning. We are going to be diving into Ruby's thoughts here, and I just want to be up front about the first half of this. It may not be a big thing, but I always want to take into consideration everyone's feelings. It's mostly self doubt, insecurity, and trust issues.

I also want to take a second and sincerely thank everyone for supporting this fic! It's been awesome to write, and ya'll reading it just makes my day 😊

Enjoy!🩵

The idea of crying was so foreign to Ruby, she couldn’t even remember the last time she’d shed a tear. Showing that kind of emotion struck a chord deep within—one that hadn’t been strummed in a very long time.

If you asked her about it, she’d probably crack a joke, deflect, and steer the conversation somewhere else entirely.

She didn’t do well with emotions— showing them, that is. Her mouth often fired off long before her mind had a chance to register what had just happened.

 

People would describe her as funny, charismatic, and incredibly relatable. Her work ethic often outweighed any negative opinions others might’ve had about her. Which, in itself, was a vicious cycle—she wanted love, wanted to be seen a certain way, and when someone didn’t view her that way… it became a problem.

She needed to be in charge. Something in her DNA—or maybe her past—had hardwired her to take the lead in everything she did. Her belief? If something went wrong, it was her fault. And if it was her fault, she could fix it. Taking accountability was one of her most recognizable traits, and when she messed up, she owned it.

That’s why it was hard—so very hard—to keep up with her dealings with the church… and with Logan.

Two opposite ends of the spectrum, pulling at her in a relentless game of tug-of-war. And her strings were starting to fray.

 

They had been quiet—the church—leaving her alone since she’d helped Miguel in the gardens. But her mind wandered back to that conversation. Was Matilda really a bad person, or was she just doing her best for Sandrock?

Just like Ruby was… doing her best.

Maybe she was being too hard on the minister. Miguel might’ve been right to revere her the way he did. He’d known her longer. Ruby could’ve been missing something—or judging a book by its cover too quickly.

Penelope, though? That guy was just plain bad news. Ruby couldn’t help but cringe every time she was near him. It was like he set off some kind of internal alarm system. Still… who was to say she was right about that either? Her opinion being clouded by those around her. Andy had warned her, but again… that was Logan’s words at work.

 

Her internal compass was spinning in all directions—each emotion a different point.

Then there was Logan. That mysterious figure who haunted all of her thoughts… and desires.

The way he barged into her life without invitation—taunting and teasing in a way that made it almost insufferable. And now that she’d let him see her in such an intimate way? That only deepened the confusion she felt.

 

For the majority of her life, Ruby had been alone. Even in the company of others, she lacked the ability to truly connect. She believed that letting people in only gave them a shorter knife.

Sure, she’d made friends with some of the town’s residents—but even her most trusted companions never glimpsed into her deepest thoughts. Heidi, Elsie, and Mi-an? They were close… but not close enough to see the inner struggle Ruby carried. She kept that behind a stone wall. Under lock and key. Where no one could see. Where no one could touch.

It was for her—and her alone.

 

She craved acceptance. And yet, she pushed away anything that even resembled it.

Still, she remained the person everyone could count on. But it begged the question...

Who was there when Ruby needed someone to rely on?

 

Was it Miguel, the pastor who seemed to offer only friendship and understanding?

Was it Matilda, the guiding hand in the spiritual ways of Sandrock?

Could it be Pen, despite the many opinions others had shared?

Or was it Logan, the man who had his hooks in her so deep she wasn’t sure she could pull them out without causing more damage?

 

Perhaps in her descent into the troubles of new and old, there was something to be said about the antics of Sandrock.

Was everyone a bad person? Or were they all just people trying to make the best of a bad situation?

 

A soft knock came at her bedroom door.

“Ruby? Can I come in?” Andy’s voice was quiet.

She pushed herself up onto her elbows, blinking away her spiral. “Yeah, kid. Come in here.”

 

The door creaked as Andy stepped inside, his eyes lighting up when he saw her lying on the bed.

 “Whatcha doin’ in here?” he asked, climbing into the empty space beside her.

“Thinking… lots of thinking.”

“Logan says thinkin’ is what gets folks in trouble in the first place.”

Of course he’d say that.

 

Ruby settled herself back down on the mattress, her head sinking into the pillow just as Andy scooted in closer. He was watching her, trying to figure out why she'd locked herself in her bedroom for the time that she did.

She wasn’t neglectful to him by any means. If he needed something, she’d get it. If he wanted to talk, she’d listen and say only a few words here or there.

 

Andy knew something was wrong. He just wasn’t sure he should be the one to bring it up, but he wanted to help her. Help the person who had always been a safe space for him.

“You’re my only family now, Ruby,” he said, his voice crackling at the edges. “If there’s somethin’ I did… you can tell me.”

Logan is still your family too. 

 

Ruby wanted more than anything to tell Andy that she and Logan were in contact, and how Logan longed to be with him. However, she herself was still on the fence with everything going on. And if she was wrong… if Logan was a bad guy? Well, that’d do more harm than good to Andy… and to her.

“Hey,” Ruby flipped over to her side, cupping his cheek. “You didn’t do anything, Andy. I just need some time to mull something over.”

“Promise?”

Ruby put out her pinky. “Promise.”

 

Andy took it and smiled his signature boyish grin, his eyes once again full of that dark red, ornery look Ruby loved so much.

“Heidi told me to tell ya to get over to Construction Junction today.”

Shit… fucking shit. I forgot the explosives.

 

Ruby sprung up from the bed, realizing she’d shrugged off the one task she’d told Heidi she would handle.

She straightened her hair, ran a comb through it, and popped a piece of gum before heading out of the room.

“Oh? But when I suggest it, it’s a problem, ain’t it?” Andy called after her.

“I already brushed my teeth today,” Ruby replied. “Can you say the same, kid?”

Andy groaned, knowing he’d been caught. With the most reluctant steps imaginable, he trudged toward the bathroom to brush his teeth.

---

Ruby stepped into Heidi’s place, immediately catching the tail end of a meeting between her, Trudy, and Musa. Their eyes locked on her the moment she entered, like she was an uninvited guest.

“Hello?” she said, cautiously making her way toward them.

“I will have Mint get in touch with your researcher,” Musa said, standing. “I trust that other situation will be handled promptly, then?”

“Of course,” Trudy replied, her eyes still fixed on Ruby as Musa left the shop.
Trudy turned to Heidi, giving a subtle nod.

“Come have a seat, Rubes,” Heidi said, offering a weak smile. “We need to talk about some things.”

 

Ruby could feel it—something lingering in the air between them. The way Trudy sat, stiff and uneasy, like something had shaken her. Heidi looked heartbroken, her shoulders slumped more than usual.

Their faces wore the weight of whatever was coming. Trudy’s eyes had softened, just barely holding together. Heidi’s brow, usually sharp with confidence, seemed dulled by worry. Ruby took it all in… that familiar feeling of anxiety washing over her. Unsure of what was coming next.

“First, I want to start off by asking how you’ve been,” Trudy said gently. “I haven’t seen you around town like I normally do.”

“I’m fine,” Ruby lied, her voice only letting a trace of doubt slip through.

Fake it till you make it, right?

“Is that why Andy completed the commission for Elsie, and has been walkin’ home from the research center by himself?” Heidi pressed.

Looks like the ducks out of the bag atleast.

 

Ruby had figured out the routine now. Trudy would be good cop, and Heidi bad cop. She respected their efforts—Trudy was going to be a little softer, careful not to stress her out more. And Heidi? She’d be playing hardball. She knew Ruby better than anyone else. Knowing how to work the conversation.

She stayed silent, not wanting to burden the two of them with her problems.

 

“Ruby…” Heidi’s voice carried disappointment. She wasn’t buying it. “We care about ya. We just want to check in. You’ve been under a huge amount of pressure lately.”

“I can handle it.”

No, I really can’t.

“I love you, Rubes. But I think it's best you step away from this project for now. We can’t afford to be behind any more than we already are.”

Mint had been scheduled to arrive earlier that week, but there was an incident on the Portia side that delayed him. Musa had explained as much to Trudy and Heidi, but asked them to keep it on a need-to-know basis.

 

“Yes, I agree with Heidi,” Trudy added. “We care about you as more than just our builder—we care about you as our friend. You can’t keep burning yourself at both ends.”

I forgot one thing, and now you’re just going to… okay.

Ruby licked her bottom lip, taking a sharp breath in through her nose.

 

She’d failed. Failed her friends. Failed her town. All because she’d let Logan into her world for a moment. A stupid, heated, intimate moment. A cost too great in the grand scheme of things.

How could she have let this happen? She was supposed to be the best of the best. She was supposed to help people, take commissions, be the one everyone turned to. But all of that must’ve gone to the wayside these past few days.

Don’t let them see you cry. It’s a weakness.

 

“I think I need some air,” Ruby muttered, rising from her seat and heading toward the door.

“Now just wait a—” Heidi started.

But she didn’t get to finish. Ruby was already gone, the sharp slam of the door sounding through Construction Junction.

“We should have Justice talk to her,” Trudy suggested. “He’s found Bronco, and maybe taking her on that mission will help with what she’s going through.”

“Maybe.”

---

Ruby stepped out on the platform where Construction Junction and City Hall were nestled. The sun was bright on her, her tears beginning to fall now, lining the cheeks of her face. She took a deep breath, hoping the additional intake of air would help.

But it didn’t. It only made the feeling in her chest tighten more.

 

She needed to get away from here—run away from it all. That was always her first instinct anytime she dealt with conflict. And now seemed like the perfect time to just hop on a train.

Forget Sandrock. Start over somewhere new.

But that still really wasn’t an option. She was still in guardianship of the bandit boy. She could take him with her… but then Logan would come looking. Only to restart the cycle that had begun just a few short weeks ago.

 

Ruby looked to the station, the idea almost convincing enough. But quickly snapping herself out of the option. 

She needed to stay. For Andy’s sake.

But after that… who knew what would happen to her?

 

Glancing around, desperate to escape the public eye, her gaze landed on the bench near the Oasis. It was tucked just out of sight—far enough to give her space, but still close enough that a passerby might catch a glimpse.

Maybe that was the point. Hiding away had only brought speculation and ridicule.

 

She made her way over and sank onto the worn wood, her body heavy with emotion. Tears still streamed, falling more freely now, soaking her boots. The leather darkened with every drop, a quiet record of everything she was holding in.

“Child,” Miguel’s voice filled her senses, calm and somewhat comforting. “What seems to be the problem?”

Ruby looked up, quickly wiping away the last trace of her internal struggle. She needed to focus. Miguel was here now—and that meant she had to keep her guard up, just in case.

“Just the pollen,” she said, brushing a hand beneath her nose. “Don’t read too much into it.”

“Seems not likely, as we are in the desert with hardly any vegetation around here.”

Oh, you got jokes, pastor? Perfect.

 

Ruby gave a polite chuckle before turning her gaze to the Oasis. The surface of the water was everything she wasn’t—calm, clear, undisturbed. The gentle waves lapped against the stone as the water flowed in and out of the Peach statue. Meanwhile, the war in her mind had singed her like wildfire, a stark contrast to the cool stillness just before her.

“May I join you?” Miguel asked, gesturing to the empty space beside her.

“Sure.”

“Deflection often happens when we are feeling vulnerable,” he said, pausing to study her face for any shift in emotion. “The Light teaches us to embrace those feelings. They are there to guide us—part of our journey toward telesis.”

“Maybe I just don’t want to talk about it,” Ruby’s tone sharpened. “Just because someone’s looking out over the Oasis, struggling to breathe, doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Maybe they’re just crying and like the view.”

She was upset now. Ready to leave. To get back and throw herself onto her bed—wrap up in the sheets and disappear for a while.

 

Miguel could feel Ruby’s hostility hanging in the air between them. Matilda had given him the task of getting through to her. But he wasn’t a man without conscience—he knew when someone was on the verge of something more.

“If you wish to talk about it, I will be here,” he reassured. “Admiring the Oasis. It seems to be particularly peaceful today.”

Ruby narrowed her eyes slightly, wondering what kind of game he was playing. It was likely he was following Matilda’s orders, which meant she needed to be careful. Even in the state she was in, she’d have to keep her wits about her.

“If I stay… can we talk about something else?”

“Of course. My intention was never to cause harm between us, Ruby,” Miguel said honestly. “I just thought you could use a companion. And I truly did enjoy your company in the gardens the other day.”

“If your idea of a good time is digging in the dirt, Pastor,” Ruby said, “we may need to find you a new hobby to try.”

“Perhaps.”

 

A silence bloomed between them, a quiet moment of reflection. Ruby felt a bit lighter now, just having someone sitting beside her—a companion , as Miguel had said. And Miguel, while pleased to be making progress on Matilda’s request, also found himself genuinely enjoying Ruby’s company. She was different from anyone he’d ever encountered before.

“Miguel, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why do you have so much faith in Matilda?” she asked. “What could she have done to earn your loyalty like that?”

“The Minister is one of the most hardy people you will ever meet,” Miguel started. “She’s originally from Duvos, and—”

“Duvos?” Ruby cut in. “Musa said they were interfering with the Northern Development Plan. How is someone like her from a place as structured as Duvos?”

“She defected from Duvos,” Miguel lied. “Duvosian culture is not for the weak… but their teachings of The Light are more practical.”

One of Ruby’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you saying you agree with Duvosian teachings?”

“Some. Not all.”

 

Miguel went on to explain that while Duvos was considered a rogue nation these days, it was still held in high regard when it came to spiritual teachings for those who followed the doctrine.

He himself agreed that the use of a firm hand was often necessary to move the world forward. However, he believed the use of technology should be forbidden—man, in his eyes, was unworthy to wield such power.

A gun did not choose who it shot. That choice came from the one holding it.

 

“The world is not so separated as either you or I would like it to be, Ruby. But perhaps finding a center could help with navigating it.”

Ruby shifted. It was like Miguel was speaking to another part of her—like he was caught in the middle of his own storm… or one he didn’t even realize he was a part of.

“What about Pen? How does he fit into all this?” she pressed.

“Pen is loyal to our cause through different attributes. An enforcer is often placed in churches such as ours, especially with the dangers we now face.”

“I mean, you two are exact opposites. How do you manage to stand one another?”

Miguel chuckled. “Pen is… different. His methods, whatever they may be, are not my own. Same goes for Matilda, as we discussed before. But when people find a shared cause, they come together—no matter their differences.”

“I guess I’m just waiting to feel like I belong here,” Ruby sighed.

 

Miguel could see the defeat in her eyes again. What had once been curiosity was gone—replaced by the same heaviness she carried when he first approached.

“I’m sure someone with your… particular skills will have no trouble finding where they fit in this community of ours,” Miguel said, rising from the bench. He paused, turning back to her. “Did something happen?”

 

Ruby felt the conversation had opened her eyes to a few things.

One, Matilda might genuinely be trying her best. Maybe Ruby had misjudged her, clouded by her own bias against the sermons and the weight of religion. Two, Pen could be more complex than she gave him credit for. Maybe that bravado was just a mask. And three, she and Miguel weren’t as different as she thought.

 

“Heidi and Trudy benched me from the Portia project,” she said, another sigh slipping past her lips. “Said I needed to step away, that I was burning myself at both ends.”

“Do you feel that way?”

I feel like I’m being pulled by two different yakmel carts, heading in opposite directions.

“I don’t know what I feel,” Ruby muttered, slumping forward and burying her head in her hands.

 

The sun had dipped just below the edge of the Oasis, casting the sky in a soft orange and pink glow.

“What if we make our way to the saloon for dinner?” Miguel offered.

“You’ll eat the food there? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you at the Blue Moon before.”

 

It was odd, to say the least. Miguel going to the Blue Moon? Ruby would’ve bet she’d see him sand sledding before she saw him step foot inside the saloon.

“Matilda suggested I try being more relatable. Friends go there for merriment, correct?”

“Yes,” Ruby said, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

“Then let us go,” Miguel replied, already starting down the path. “I wish to see the interactions between community members.”

 

Ruby rose and followed. The two of them walked in a comfortable silence, the last of the day’s light guiding their way.

---

Grace watched from behind the bar as Ruby and Miguel chatted over their plates of dinner, smiling and laughing like the closest of friends.

Her eyes met Ruby’s for a brief second—only for Ruby to roll hers and turn back to Miguel.

This was not ideal.

 

Rambo would be at her workshop by now, waiting to pick her up. And if Ruby was here and the goat was there? Their timing could fall apart completely.

Grace turned to Owen, the back of her hand resting on her forehead. “Think I need to take a walk, boss. Something in here is getting to me.”

Owen shrugged. Grace was a good worker—he didn’t think anything of it. “Sure. Dinner rush is about over anyway. Take all the time you need.”

And with that, she slipped out the back door, careful not to be seen by any of the remaining patrons. Her path was clear—head to Ruby’s workshop, collect Rambo, and make her way back to the hideout… where she’d have to explain everything to Logan.

Notes:

Our lovely yakboy is going to be making a house call next time. Prepare for some NSFW, partners! 🔥

Until next chapter! 🩵

Chapter 16: Maneater (NSFW)

Notes:

Hey ya'll, hopefully I didn't keep you waiting too long. This week was rough! But I think I made it up here, partners. 🥰 Logan and Ruby are together... so naturally things get a little ehhh... spicy? 🔥🔥

Happy reading! 🩵

“Logan,” Grace paused, watching as he pulled on his boots, getting ready to ride off into the night. “Don’t be an idiot. I told you to stay here—we can’t risk you being seen.”

Logan sunk his foot into the well-worn leather, shaking his head in disbelief as his thoughts began to race. Ruby was working with the church now? That didn’t make a lick of sense.

“You barely know Ruby,” Grace continued, frustration building. “Why is it that every time she does something, you don’t even blink? You just run off—no plan, no thought.”

Never met a beast I couldn’t best.

 

Logan made his way over to Rambo, giving the goat a firm pat on the neck. “Ready for a little night run, partner?”

“Logan!” Grace shouted, her tone dropping into irritation. “What is your plan?”

He put his foot in the stirrup, one hand gripping the bar as he hoisted himself up. A low groan left him as he settled into the saddle, bracing himself for the trek to that little spitfire’s workshop.

 

If Logan was honest with himself, he’d admit he didn’t have a plan. His thought? He’d show up at her place, look into those beautiful eyes of hers, and everything would work itself out. That’s what his mind had convinced him of atleast.

But his heart? That told a different story.

Ruby was still an unknown. And something about her kept tugging at him, that gnawing need for connection. To be close to her. To protect her. And it just wouldn’t stop chewing away at him.

Maybe it was because he hadn’t dealt with his own baggage. And focusing on Ruby gave him peace, a purpose, something to hold on to when the spiral came calling. Maybe she was his peace, or rather she was the one keeping him from turning into everything his pa warned him about becoming.

So if Ruby was acting out—like Grace claimed—well… that called for an investigation.

 

“How do you even know she’s going to let you in, huh?” Grace stepped in front of Rambo, blocking the path. “If she’s with the church, then we can’t trust her.”

You don’t trust her. I can’t say the same.

“I’ll figure it out on the way over,” Logan muttered, giving Rambo a nudge with his heel. “You ain’t changin’ my mind. Now move.”

 

Haru could hear the familiar squabbling from his bedroll. He rolled over, grumbling, and finally sat up with a dramatic sigh before making his way over to where those two children were arguing again.

He could see both sides of it. Grace was right in wanting to accomplish her mission without unnecessary risk. Her determination always burned through, clear as day in every interaction. Haru admired that about her. But when the lines started to blur, she was the type to grab hold and fight her way through it, desperate to stay in control.

Logan, his best friend, was the opposite. Always following his heart instead of his head. It was admirable in its own way… but Haru often wondered if Logan’s heart told him to jump off a cliff—would he do it?

 

“What is going on with you two now?” He yawned, rubbing his eyes.

“Little yakboy here wants to take off and talk to Ruby,” Grace said, arms folded tight across her chest. “I told him about what I saw at the Blue Moon, and now he’s wanting to tear off after her.”

“Brother, listen to me,” Logan said. “I just need to figure out what’s goin’ on. I can be discreet.”

“That’s a fucking joke if I ever heard one,” Grace shot back. “You wouldn’t know discreet if it hit you upside the head with a frying pan.”

“Really, Grace? Reckon that’s the only thing you could do with a fryin’ pan ‘cause ya sure as hell ain’t cookin’ with it.”

“Another jo—”

“ENOUGH!” Haru snapped, his voice echoing off the canyon walls within the hideout.

 

Grace and Logan looked at each other, then back at Haru. The most soft-spoken person in their gang was fuming—and that alone was enough to grab their attention.

“Grace, just let Logan go. We both know this is a losing battle,” Haru said, his tone firm.

 

He glanced to Logan, giving him a silent warning to keep his mouth shut.

Logan smirked, nudging Rambo again like the conversation had already ended in his favor.

But Haru wasn’t done.

“Before you go, Logan,” he turned back to Grace, “tell him about what you found out… about her.”

---

Ruby had just let Andy into his bedroom for the evening. He climbed up into his bed, watching as she was about to leave when he stopped her.

“Ruby? Hold up a sec, will ya?”

Her hand released from the knob, and she turned back to the boy who had a thoughtful look in his eye.

“Sure,” she walked over to him, a confused look on her face. “Everything okay?”

 

Andy bit his lip, hunching over a bit like whatever he was going to ask was embarrassing . But Ruby was the most understanding person he knew. Surely, she’d appreciate this request, right?

“Can you, uhh…” Andy stuttered, a hint of red filling his cheeks. “Can you tuck me in?”

Ruby blinked, tilting her head to the side, her features softening. “Alright,” she said, coming over and kneeling beside him. “I can do that.”

Andy’s eyes widened as Ruby tucked the comforter around him, making sure he was snug. He relaxed, his shoulders easing under her touch.

“I’m excited that we’re gonna have more time together now,” he said. “These people… they don’t ‘ppreciate ya.”

 

Might be on to something there.

Talking to Miguel had helped Ruby realize that taking some time away from a high-value commission like the Portia Tunnel might have been just what she needed. She’d have more time to enjoy herself.

She could take Andy to the game center, finally fix up her yard the way she wanted, even build an addition or two to the house. The possibilities were endless—she just had to reach out and grab them.

 

“Thanks, Andy,” Ruby said, her palms pressing against the bed as she stood. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell Jas you’re secretly a softy.”

“Pshh… ain’t no softy,” he sneered. “Ain’t no one tougher than me in this town.”

Ruby arched an eyebrow at him, unimpressed.

“Well, ’cept you maybe,” Andy’s gaze drifted to the window, unsure how his next request would be received.

“Can I ask ya for somethin’ else?”

“A little demanding tonight, aren’t you?” Ruby teased. “But shoot.”

 

Andy gave a weak smile, but on the inside he was hurting again. That familiar sense of longing washed over him as he looked out the window into the dark of the Eufaula night.

He wondered—if his caravan hadn’t been attacked… would he still be with his family? Traveling around the dunes in search of the nearest trading post? The sun on his skin, and the sand gritting between his fingers?

He loved his life now. Ruby was a stable presence. But a part of him still yearned for that sense of security within a family unit. Logan and Haru were figures he could look up to, sure. But what about a maternal figure? He didn’t have one of those.

 

“Ruby… would you kiss me goodnight too?”

She leaned over, brushing a stray strand of golden hair from his forehead. His eyes were bright as she planted a gentle peck there. “How’s that? Ready for bed now?”

Andy turned away from her. “Yeah, think so. Night, Ruby.”

“Night.” 

Before leaving the room, she turned back, watching his small form settle into the sheets. “If you need me, come on over, okay?”

“Mhmm,” Andy replied, his voice lower, a half-drowsy sound escaping him.

 

With the creak of the bedroom door, Ruby made her way down the hallway toward her own. She rolled her shoulders and brought a hand to her mouth to cover a yawn. No doubt, some shut-eye was exactly what she needed.

The day had not been kind to her, and she looked forward to wrapping herself in the covers—forgetting the whole mess ever happened. Andy had relieved some of the pressure that she had been feeling earlier, as did the pastor. But it was still there, just riding below the surface.

 

Miguel might not be that bad, honestly.

He had proven quite the dinner companion at the saloon. While Ruby had initially assumed he had a stick wedged up his ass, it seemed she might’ve been wrong. He was actually… dry, sure. But insightful, too. He made her think about things from a different perspective, all while being respectful of her boundaries.

Friendship had seemed unlikely between the two of them—but now? It felt more realistic. And who’d have thought it? Two people walking opposite paths in life, somehow meeting in the middle of a budding garden of companionship.

 

Ruby stood at her bathroom sink, taking a dollop of face cleanser and smearing it generously onto her cheeks, careful to coat every part of her skin before washing it away.

She looked in the mirror, noticing the faint purple tinge beneath her eyes. Sleep? Who had time to sleep in times like these? She just needed a little something to lighten it up.

Pulling out the drawer, she found a face mask—one Pablo had recommended, with a grin and a crack about her “delicate features.” His sarcasm had cut straight through their conversation, as usual.

Ruby wasn’t some flower swaying in the breeze. She was a cold steel fox who, unfortunately, still needed moisturizer. The high desert sun wasn’t doing her fair complexion any favors, and neither did the sand biting at her skin.

Tearing the pack open, she pulled out the drenched, gooey sheet, fighting the urge to cringe as she placed it on her face. Her fingers smoothed out the wrinkles so it sat evenly against her face.

 

She stretched one final time before making her way to bed, throwing back the blanket and crawling into the cool fabric. It was perfect—just perfect enough to fall into a deep slumber and start fresh tomorrow.

Her eyes grew heavy, her chest rising and falling steadily. Sleep was just a breath away... when the sharp clang of metal against her window pulled her back out of it.

Nope. Not even going to look.

 

She turned away from the noise, hoping that whatever—or whoever—was messing around would just go away. She needed to rest, but it seemed the uninvited guest had other ideas.

Knock.

“Fuck off,” Ruby groaned against her pillow, the cushion barely muffling her words.

Knock.

“I swear…” She got up from the bed, tossing the comforter to the floor as she stood. She stomped over to the window, hands firm on the sill. 

Knock.

Ruby threw it open. “Stop knocking, you impatient sack of—”

 

Logan sat outside the window, peering in. When he heard her mumbling and cussing, he couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle. Somebody was in a mood tonight—and he couldn’t wait to find out why.

But when the window flew open, he paused. Something was off about her face. And… was that a sweet smell?

 

Why you got toilet paper on your face, honey? And why is it sticky lookin’?

“What?” Ruby snapped, stepping back. “Haven’t you ever seen a face mask before?”

“Reckon I ain’t, darlin’,” he said, one leg hooking against the window frame as he hoisted himself up and into the room. “But uh… looks nice on ya.”

 

Turning back toward the bathroom, Ruby chucked the mask into the bin and wiped away the excess. She turned to Logan, arms crossed.

“You know… I have a door downstairs, right? That’s what normal people use.”

“‘Cause that worked out so well last time?” Logan quipped. “Reckon you can’t pounce on me when we’re on the second story, now can ya?”

I’m full of surprises, you should know that by now. 

 

Ruby walked over to the bed, settling down on the edge while Logan leaned back against her dresser, one leg crossed over the other. His hat was tilted just enough to shadow his eyes, his hand coming up to remove his mask. 

They stared at each other in silence. Ruby’s eyes drifted down the length of him—his well-muscled, taut frame looking like it belonged in her room, like he belonged here. And Logan? He couldn’t help but wonder what she’d do if he laid her back down on that bed of hers.

But this wasn’t a social call. Logan knew that. And he needed to focus—no matter how good Ruby looked without a face mask.

“So… you disturbed my sleep again ,” she said flatly. “What brings you by?”

“Grace let me in on a little thing she saw go down at the Blue Moon.”

 

That fucking bitch.

Ruby brought a hand to her forehead, pushing her hair back before letting out a sharp sigh. Of course she would rat on her.

Ruby and Grace had a mutual respect—for each other’s abilities, at least—but that didn’t mean they played nice in the sandbox. And tonight, it seemed Grace was set on kicking sand in Ruby’s eyes.

 

“Reckon I get your side of it,” Logan said with a shrug. “I ain’t made any decisions yet.”

“You don’t trust Grace, then? Aren’t you supposed to be on the same side?”

“Don’t mean I approve of how she does things, darlin’.”

 

She’d heard that one before. That was exactly how Miguel had described his relationship with Pen.

Where was the trust with these people? How did anything get done if you couldn’t rely on the person beside you to have your back?

Trust…

It had always been a struggle for Ruby.   A part of her wanted to tell him what she was going through, while the other cautioned her to remain reserved. And here was Logan, extending trust to her freely. And she didn’t know what to do with it, but she wanted to try.

 

“I got… let go from the tunnel project today,” Ruby said quietly. She tilted her head upward, trying to blink away any forming tears. No one else needed to see her cry. “And Miguel found me at the Oasis. We talked. Then we got dinner at the saloon.”

“So… he’s your friend, then?”

“I guess? Seems I don’t have many of those left.” She looked down, her thumbs circling one another, as her hands were folded. “Heidi’s the lead on the project. Mi-an and Elsie are busy tracking huge ducks. Andy’s here, but he doesn’t understand.”

“But that’s all it is, right?”

 

Ruby squinted, licking her lips as she struggled to find the words.

Miguel? Was she involved with Miguel? Is that what Logan was asking? While they were becoming closer, Ruby didn’t think of him that way. It was more of a mentor-and-student type of relationship. And she was also focusing on getting any and all information on Matilda.

Who was the woman behind the eyes of the church? And how had she fallen into all of this?

 

But there would be time to think that over later. Right now? Right now, there was a bandit eyeing her up and down, and feeling…

“Are you jealous, Logan?”

Logan shrugged, trying to appear confident as he stepped away from the dresser. “Nah, ain’t jealous of the preacher man. Didn’t reckon he was your type anyway.”

My turn, bandit.

 

Ruby got up from the bed, sauntering over to Logan with a dangerous look in her eye. Her lips nearly brushed his as she whispered, “And what is my type exactly?”

There she is. My little rattler. Go ahead and strike at me. I might like it.

 

A lump began to form in Logan’s throat as he watched Ruby’s gaze flick down to his zipper, then back up to his eyes. She was asking for permission—wordlessly. And while his original intention had been strictly business, like it always was... well, he figured he could make an exception for her.

It didn't matter what the agenda had been. That was already out the window. The viper in front of him backed him into the solid piece of furniture behind him, pressing in until there was no room left. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. 

But did Logan even want to?

 

“I’d like to think it’s a more rugged type of man,” he replied. “Someone who’s seen some things.”

“And you think you’re that man for me?” Ruby asked, a hint of seduction in her tone, while taking his hat from his head and placing it on hers.

It was a classic move, but when she did it? Logan wanted her to take it further.

“Maybe… maybe not. But no harm in testin’ the waters,” Logan’s drawl was low, rough at the edges. “That’s if you’re brave enough to take a dip, darlin’.”

 

And like a bullet fired from a gun…

Ruby brought her hand to the back of Logan’s neck, their lips melting together. A heat sparked between them, a steady rhythm building. She bit his lip, earning a groan from him—and when he returned the favor, she let out a soft whine, allowing him to slip his tongue into her mouth. 

To taste her. To explore her.

 

But while Logan was lost in the kiss, Ruby took the opportunity to turn and push him down onto her bed. An unsuspecting gasp escaped his lips—he’d unleashed a wild little filly, he had.

She straddled him, her core settling against his groin. He was… eager, to say the least. But Ruby was in control now, and she planned to pace herself—just like Logan had when they met out in the desert.

Her fingertips skimmed across his leather, making their way to his collar. She unlatched the cloak first, then unbuttoned his vest, leaving only the thick fabric of his shirt between them.

 

“I think you’re wearin’ too many clothes yourself,” Logan chuckled, his hands sliding up her thighs, inching toward her hem.

But Ruby was faster. She caught his wrists and pinning them back into the mattress.

“Don’t… move. I’ll use my belt if I have to.”

Promise, darlin’?

 

She could see it in his eyes—he liked this. Liked letting go, letting someone else take the reins for once.

“I’m fine with that.”

 

She undid her belt, binding Logan’s hands. Not tight enough to hurt, but enough to hold.

Once satisfied, Ruby made short work of Logan’s shirt. Taking a moment to gaze over him—those muscles, sturdy and well-earned. 

Logan watched her watching him, but when the stillness stretched too long, he bucked his hips to get her moving again.

“Ruby… do somethin’ already,” he muttered.

 

She leaned forward, her teeth grazing his earlobe before delivering a playful nibble. Then she found his lips again—soft and warm against the rough texture of his. Days out in the wilderness didn’t allow for proper care, but did Ruby want a soft man? No. She wanted Logan.

Her lips trailed to his jaw, then down his neck. She stopped briefly to suck at the skin, letting it bloom beneath her. Something for him to remember her by when he inevitably left again. Because that was the dance they did—hot, fleeting, and never quite settled.

A subtle, delicious pop sounded as Ruby released his skin. A dark purple mark stood in her wake as she continued further down.

“Markin’ me now, are ya?” he asked, a lopsided grin curling behind the words.

 

She didn’t answer—just hummed against his chest, laying the softest kisses down the center of him. Her hands roamed along his sides until they found the top of his pants.

Her eyes met his once more, silently asking the same permission he’d once asked of her. Logan nodded, a submissive, knowing smile spreading across his face.

 

Her hands moved to his belt, undoing the buckle, then working her way down the button and zipper that kept him concealed from her.

Ruby had felt Logan before—pressed up against her, a promise of something more—but seeing him fully now sent a thrill down her spine, like electricity firing into her nervous system. 

“Well,” she murmured, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Guess you’ve earned that outlaw attitude.”

“Knew you’d come around.”

 

Her hand wrapped around him, a slow pace set as she stroked him. Logan’s breath hitched, his chest rising with anticipation. Her touch was fire and comfort all at once, and it took everything in him not to lose himself right then and there.

It was almost pitiful how close he was—years of low to no contact had made the urge nearly unbearable. And now? Now he had a woman like Ruby doing the things she was doing, and that made it all the worse.

 

But at an instant the contact was all the sudden gone, and Logan lurched forward to see what she was doing instead.

“Why’d you stop?” Logan asked. “I was enjoyin’ that.”

“Just making sure, you’re still with me is all…” Ruby gave a soft laugh. “Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it, bandit?”

“Ruby…” he growled. 

“Ask nicely, and maybe I’ll consider… a different approach.”

 

Logan sighed, laying back down and staring up at the ceiling. He wasn’t going to beg. Ruby might’ve had a hold on him, but he had one of her too. So naturally, things had reached an impasse.

“I’m not that one bound right now, so…” 

The leather bit into his skin, as he tried to snap it apart. But it seemed that he’d been wrapped up tight, his brute strength not enough to give him the advantage he needed.

“Please…” Logan relented.

 

Her eyebrow arched, and her teeth caught her lower lip. Then, without a word, Ruby took him into her mouth, her hand moving in perfect tandem with every motion.

His breath caught in his throat, and his hands shooting upward, Logan laced his rough hands in her hair. Ever careful to not hurt her, but enough to keep the contact constant.

“Light… Ruby,“ he gasped, the feeling of her mouth on him almost too much to bear.

Her tongue flat against the underside of him, caressing a vein that was just enough to send him over the edge. 

 

And when he did? Ruby hadn’t seen a sight as lovely as it. She pulled her mouth away just as he came undone, leaving him breathless in the bed while she padded across the room to grab a towel. 

Logan was quick to recover, wiping himself off, before sitting up and holding out his still-bound hands toward her. “Little help?”

She released him, her hand coming up to brush along his jaw. “I like the time we spend together.”

 

He could see something softer flickering behind her eyes, something unspoken. And given what Grace had told him before he’d made his way over here… he knew this wasn’t going to be simple. It’d be a process…for both of them. He’d have to learn her, just as she would have to learn him.

It wasn’t love. Not yet. But it was the beginning of a bond being forged, unsure but hopeful, between two people who didn’t trust easily.

 

Logan had questions, but they could wait for a different time than this. For if he asked them now, he wondered if the moment they’d created would lose the meaning it carried.

“I do too, darlin’. Reckon things start goin’ our way we cou—”

He was interrupted by a voice he knew all too well.

“Ruby?” Andy called. “Are you okay? I heard a noise.”

 

Jumping up and pulling up his drawers, Logan fastened his belt. While Ruby made her way to the door, placing her foot in front of it just in case Andy tried to come in. 

Logan shrugged at her, collecting the rest of his clothing and dressing promptly. Then gestured to the top of her head. She still had his hat on, she grabbed it, winging it across the room for him. 

Catching it, Logan secured it to his head, tipping it and smirking as he left out the window. “See you ‘round, honey.”

“You know where to find me.”

Notes:

Hopefully you enjoyed! Can you tell I love writing these two? 😊 Just fills me with so much joy! We'll be rolling into the mole mission next, buckle up! 🤠

Until then! 🩵

Chapter 17: Holy Moley

Notes:

Just so we're clear... no Broncos were actually harmed in the making of this chapter. 🤣 Unless you're into that... then yeah, he got fucked up. 😈

Enjoy! 🩵

Also side note - Check out chapter one and four for some AMAZING art! Credit given under each piece. I LOVE IT ALL 🥰

The last few days had been uneventful for Ruby, but she managed to keep busy. She was mostly keeping to herself, but when rumors spread around that she was no longer on the Portia project, sometimes visitors would stop by to show their support or air out their grievances. She’d purchased an addition to her workshop lot, allowing for the reorganization of her machines and renovations to her home. 

Furnaces now lined the fence, so when they were forging bars, the smoke wouldn’t pollute the air near her house. The workbench remained close by for easy crafting of commissions. She wasn’t fully satisfied with the arrangement, but she knew it was a step in the right direction.

Yan had stopped by one afternoon while she was shifting things around to deliver his usual spiel—something about maintaining her status by taking on more commissions now that she had “free time.” A not-so-subtle jab, quickly retracted the moment Ruby stomped over and asked him to repeat himself. Yan was used to bullying his subordinates, but Ruby? He couldn’t push her around. Unless absolutely necessary… he left her alone.

Despite the intrusions, she’d started staking out an additional room for the bottom floor. She needed the extra space, as Andy was currently occupying the area she had originally set aside for her blueprints and office work. It didn’t matter much now though—she appreciated the chance to take on extra tasks, especially ones that benefited her in the long run.

 

Today, she was starting to lay the foundation for the new room when Justice interrupted her, the sheriff coming through the gate with a serious look on his face.

“Ruby, good thing I caught ya, partner,” he greeted. “We got a situation with Bronco that requires all hands on deck. Can I count on ya?”

Getting up and brushing the dust off her knees, she looked at the sheriff. “Did Trudy tell you to come tag me in? Because I’m fine, Justice. Someone needs to stay in town anyway. We can’t have all the Civil Corps officers leave.”

“She’s just worried about you, and I’m inclined to agree with her. Pen, Unsuur, and Bronco are already at the station ready to roll out,” he said, gripping her shoulder, trying to reach her. “It’d mean a lot if you came with us. I got Captain on duty. Any sign of trouble, and he’ll handle it.”

“I’m okay, really,” Ruby said. “I’m actually enjoying the bit of vacation I’ve been given.”

 

It wasn’t a complete lie Ruby was telling. She was feeling a bit more at ease these days. Miguel had stopped by at one point, offering comfort during her spiral. He’d even dropped a pot of hydrangeas at her door—her favorite flower, truth be told. The blue and purple blooms gave off the same calming energy their conversations had.

And she felt better about Logan, too. Their most recent time together had brought some clarity to their newfound… partnership . Nothing was solidified, not yet, but she couldn’t help but feel at ease around him too. Logan had seen the most intimate parts of her, and it didn’t scare him. If anything, it drew him in more. An attraction Ruby returned in kind.

Matilda, Pen, and Grace? They were all on the back burner now—not worth the front row of her attention.

 

“Come on, Ruby,” Justice was pleading now. “I need one of my best officers out there, we don’t know exactly what we’re walkin’ into.”

The pitiful look Justice wore made Ruby uncomfortable. The sheriff of the town standing in her yard, begging for her to tag along with him and his group of misfits, it was a somber sight indeed.

“What do I need to bring?” she relented, walking toward the crate that held her essentials.

“Reckon you’ll need a weapon—maybe two—some medicine, and your pickaxe,” Justice said. “We are goin’ into a mine, after all.”

“Justice… I can’t carry all that. Prioritize, please.” She was annoyed, her plans for the day being tossed aside. “Three things, pick three things.”

“Fine. Your daggers, a pistol, and some medicine.”

Ruby grabbed her set of daggers, testing the edge of the blade against her thumb. They were sharp, alright—a small drop of blood pooling at the tip of her digit. Then her pistol—an old revolver Justice had given her back when they stormed Gecko Station—now fitted with a few refinements to the barrel and the cylinder.

And finally, the medicine. She’d managed to stockpile a decent amount—not from foraging, but from simply buying up what she could from Fang’s clinic. No shame in convenience.

 

“Lead the way,” Ruby said, gesturing for Justice to get them headed towards their destination.

---

When they’d met at the train station with the rest of the group, Ruby was unimpressed . She hadn’t had time to make acquaintances with Bronco. That was probably for the best, given her entanglements with Logan—but still, Andy had played a better bounty hunter than the actual one standing in front of her.

“I have an informant,” Bronco announced. “Someone willing to give us some information on Logan’s whereabouts. He’s agreed to meet us just outside town.”

I could have him here in five minutes if I wanted to. 

“And he’s just willing to give us this information freely?” Ruby pressed. Something didn’t feel right about this.

“Why yes, dear citizen,” Bronco stammered. “And who are you exactly? Oh wait! You’re the hostage that scoundrel took when I first arrived in town! I’d been meaning to speak with you—but it seems you’re difficult to locate.”

I swear, I’ve just been at my house.

“Ruby is like a diamond. Tough. Hard to find. But that makes her unique.”

“Thanks, Unsuur.”

 

Pen looked at the group, a vexing look in his eyes.

Matilda had tasked him with this? Babysitting a bunch of Civil Corps officers… and Bronco. The four of them could surely handle tracking down this informant, couldn’t they? They didn’t need him.

“Do be a dear, and don’t complicate matters further, yes?”

Matilda’s words rang in his ears. If not for obeying her orders, then for obeying the orders of Duvos. A knight must always be willing to complete the objective at hand—no matter how mundane it may be.

“Can we hurry this along? The Protector of Sandrock has other, more… tantalizing and titillating things to be partaking in today.”

“For once, I agree with Penelope.”

Pen’s eyes went wide. Him and Ruby agreeing on something? Purely… stupefying.

 

“C’mon guys, I need y’all on this with us” Justice said, then turning to Bronco. “Let’s get on with this, partner. We’ve got patrols to get to.”

“Patrols are important. The sheriff does them often. Mostly on horseback. I like walking myself.”

Justice shook his head, he just wanted to catch Logan. That would alleviate some of the pressure he was feeling from the folks in town. 

“Ah, of course… I do not wish to keep you officers away from your duties,” Bronco said, puffing out his chest. “Follow me!”

 

Running along the tracks, the brigade fought their way through packs of Rockyenarolls. And when the term brigade was used… it’s loose. Ruby did most of the heavy lifting, while her companions beat feet—tearing across the dunes like they had sand wedged in places it shouldn’t be.

At one point, when she reached the abandoned mine cart track, Ruby ran up the dilapidated wooden ramp, launching herself through an opening and landing solidly on the other side—grit pluming around her while Pen watched in awe.

“Skinny… that was almost pentastic ,” he said, bringing his hands together in a slow clap.

“Yeah, yeah… keep moving, Penelope . Let’s get this mole already.”

 

Ruby fell into stride with him as the two of them ran toward where the others had gathered. Justice and Unsuur stood in front of Bronco, who turned on his heel and gave them a wave to move forward.

“Just in here. My contact should be inside.”

 

Ruby’s boots crunched against the sand-covered, broken railroad tracks that served as a pathway to the entrance of the abandoned mine. Her fingertips grazed the rough, orange-shaded stone lined with stray torches. This place hadn’t been occupied in some time, it seemed. No wonder Bronco had wanted to meet his accomplice out here.

“He’s supposed to be here,” Bronco whispered, doubt creeping into his voice. “Why isn’t he here? Could he have double-crossed us?”

The bounty hunter turned back to his companions, eyes darting from one to the next, searching for answers—or maybe just some reassurance.

“So we came out here for what?” Pen asked. “Nothing?”

“Not nothing. An informant,” Unsuur said.

 

Ruby glanced over at Justice, who only shrugged. How was he supposed to know this mission was going to be a bust? Bronco had claimed he had a lead, and the town wanted Logan caught. Was he just supposed to ignore a chance to bring the local bandit in?

“Alright, let’s think abo—”

 

Justice didn’t get to finish. Two Bandirats burst from the shadows, making it painfully clear they weren’t here for a parlay.

SQUEAK. SQUEAK.

Ruby reached for the pistol at her side, quick as ever. She fired the first shot—dead center. The Bandirat screeched, the sound sharp and echoing through the cavern. As the second charged, Ruby didn’t flinch. Another shot rang out, this one hitting true, cracking into the creature’s skull and sending it collapsing into a heap.

“Are you guys done?” Ruby barked, frustration lacing her tone. “If the Bronco’s lead isn’t here, he’s got to be further in. We just need to find a clue.”

 

The men nodded, fanning out to look for any trace of their target. Bronco was the first to find prints… paw prints, to be exact.

“Aha! He went this way!” he shouted. “I’d recognize these feet from anywhere.”

You have a foot fetish, huh, Bronco?

Justice and Pen jogged over to inspect the tracks, each one glancing to the other, dumbfounded.

“Are tho—?”

“Yeah, partner. Reckon they are,” Justice replied.

 

Pen sighed heavily, his shoulders rolling back like he was about ready to space-punch something. First, Matilda had cut him down. Then he got assigned to this , and now? Now… the mole was actually a mole? What in Light’s name had he done to deserve this?

Ruby could see how Pen tensed—and felt her own rigidity grow. She’d been having a calm, relaxing day. And if Justice hadn’t shown up to rope her into this mess, she would still be having one. She didn’t blame Justice, not really… but she sure as hell blamed Bronco.

“I’m going home. This is ridiculous,” Ruby said, heading for the entrance. “I have an expansion to work on.”

“I’m coming with you, Skinny,” Pen agreed. “Light on a cracker, one absurd mission was enough with this guy.”

 

A French accent snapped Ruby and Pen from their steps, both of them turning back toward the source.

“I’ll never surrender!”

“Ged!” Bronco gasped. “That’s my mole! Let us be off then!”

 

Justice and Unsuur took off after him, while Ruby and Pen brought up the rear of the posse.

It seemed the mole was not only an actual mole, but a well-refined one at that.

 

Barreling down the tunnels, deeper and deeper into the mines, the party faced off against waves of hostile targets—mostly bandirats. Some carried spears, others daggers, and eventually, they ran into what could only be described as a Redrat.

Smaller than its male counterpart, it wore tattered scraps of blue and purple fabric, a lit molotov clutched in its clawed hand.

 

All except Bronco managed to combat roll out of the blast zone. He was struck square in the backpack, the bottle shattering with a crackling hiss. Fire bloomed from the cloth.

“OUCH!” he screamed, staggering as the flames crawled across his back. “I’VE BEEN HIT!”

Ruby watched as Bronco scurried away from the group, arms flailing, his shirt now beginning to char and smoke. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to stifle a laugh—this wasn’t the time. As ridiculous as he looked, Bronco could suffer real injuries if they didn’t put him out fast.

 

Pen followed Bronco, the bounty hunter screaming as he neared a massive hole in the floor. The flames still licked at his back, and there was no plan in sight. 

Pen, however, was already calculating. How do you put out a fire? You smother it.

He picked up speed, closing the gap between himself and the human torch. Just as Bronco skidded to a halt at the edge of the pit, he spun around wide-eyed, catching sight of the hulking form charging him.

“Thank you, kind officer,” Bronco said, though his voice wavered. “Wait… you’re not going to—?”

 

The Protector didn’t answer. He simply kicked Bronco square in the back. They bounty hunter screaming as he fell.

The smaller man tumbled into the hole with a solid splat against the stone below, his gear scattering around him.

“I don’t feel so good,” Bronco groaned, his singed shirt revealing a flash of his pudgy form to the rest of the cave.

 

Stepping off the ledge, Pen landed beside him, gripped his shoulder, and hauled him upright. “Steady there, ol’ chap. This was your idea, after all.”

Justice, Unsuur, and Ruby joined the pair. The group reunited where the mole, Ged, was being held hostage behind steel bars.

“You are late, mon ami! ”

“FRIENDS. OF. YOURS?” a robotic voice asked, its gaze distant and hollow.

 

Ruby had fought plenty of old-world tech before—this one would be no different. Its hot pink metal plates were no match for her. She was just about to shoot it when…

 

“We are not friends, but rather—”

“Man, will you shut up? I ain’t got time for this,” Justice snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. “Pen, dispose of this thing already.”

“With pleasure.”

Before anyone could blink, Pen, with his rippling muscles, swooped in on the robot, picked it up, and launched it toward an opening that fed into a long, drawn-out cavernous abyss.

The sound of metal shattering echoed through the cave as the robot slammed into the hard floor below.

 

Ruby shrugged. Seemed Pen could be relatable when he wanted to be—the two of them the powerhouses of this mission. Kicking ass and taking names. Could be adrenaline. Could be admiration. Who was to say?

Well, saves me a bullet.

 

“Mon dieu!” Ged gasped, rattling the bars. “The robot… it had the key.”

“I got it,” Ruby replied, her leg lifting upward and promptly smashing the door to the cage with her boot. The lock snapping apart, pieces fly into the air. 

“Iron is strong. Ruby is stronger though.”

 

Bronco helped Ged out of the cage, allowing the mole to lean up against him. He stumbled forward catching his breath. The four Sandrockers standing before him, waiting for the information that Bronco had promised.

“We must make haste, as The Bandirat Queen is making her way to our princess.”

“Moles have a monarchy?” Justice asked.

“It’s common knowledge, sir.”

Ged straightened, his tiny eyes darting between them. “Listen to me! You want information on the bandit, yes? Help me—and I’ll tell you what I know. Just through there.”

 

Pen and Ruby glared at one another, then to Bronco and Ged. It seemed like this was going to be a "scratch your back, I’ll scratch yours” type of situation. Coming this far, and being as close as they were… they should see this through. 

Making their way over to an elevated rock formation where Ged had pointed, Pen offered his hands for Ruby to step on as he was willing to hoist her upward. But she took one look at him, then to his hands. 

Nope, not happening. I'm not some damsel in distress, Penelope.

 

She grabbed hold of a well-established rock, groaning as she pulled herself up. Once she got to her feet, she turned and offered her hand to Pen… just to be courteous.

“No thanks, Skinny.” Pen swatted away her hand.  “I'm more than capable of getting up there myself.” 

“Suit yourself,” Ruby rolled her eyes. “Gives me a head start anyway.”

“Skinny! Halt! Your Protector demands it!”

Ruby didn’t listen or even bother with a reply, she just kept going towards the inner sanctum that Ged had alluded to. Pen falling in behind her.

 

“We should follow them.”

“Yeah, Unsuur. Let’s roll out,” Justice agreed.

Across wooden bridges, down old stairs, and over multiple, sketchy, platforms. The group made their way into the final part of the mine, pausing only when they were met with a group of moles and a mouse princess.

 

Ruby was unnerved. It wasn’t just the mouse’s weird little dress or the sparkly tiara that made her twitchy. It was the fact that the princess was clearly obsessed with Logan. His wanted posters were hanging from every exposed surface. It was bad enough those eyes still haunted her dreams, still loomed around town, and now they were staring back at her in an abandoned mine. Worshipped by a rodent who was practically salivating over them every chance she got.

“Princess Lumi, I promised aid. Voila! These human warriors are here to fight the queen on your behalf.” 

“Well, if you trust them…”

The uncertainty in Lumi’s voice was apparent, and Pen picked up on it immediately. With the sheer number of wanted posters plastered around her chambers, he knew there was more going on than met the eye. Her obsession? It wasn’t empty—it was laced with loyalty. And once this mission wrapped up, he’d have another lead to follow up on.

 

Introductions were made, objectives known to all sides. 

“You know Logan? He’s the love of my life.”

Because all the posters were just… you know what? Fuck it. Not worth it.

“Princess… Logan is a criminal,” Ged warned. “He is not good for you, Lumi.”

“I CAN FIX HIM!”

 

Ruby walked away. She had to. The absurdity was too strong. She took a deep breath, grounding herself with a reminder: she was here to support her fellow Civil Corps officers. The same ones who’d always supported her… in their own way.

 

“Lumi! Are you in there?” A wretched voice called. “Come out now!”

“Egad! My warriors… please protect the princess!”

 

Pen and Ruby stepped forward without hesitation, sprinting toward the evil-stepmother-looking rat that had plagued the cavern. She was draped in the most dreadful of colors, with a dull gold crown crooked atop her head.

“Take’th them out!” The Bandirat Queen shrilled, rallying her forces to her side. “They mustn't leave this place.” 

“Ready, Pen?”

“Onward, Skinny. This rat won’t know what hit her.”

 

Justice and Unsuur followed behind, fighting the forces that had been called to the battlefield. Justice managed to shoot some, but cleave the others. While Unsuur sliced behind him, making sure that their foes were indeed disposed of.

Ruby was able to skid her boot just below the queen’s heeled slippers, knocking her off her feet. Taking the opportunity, Pen snatched her up by the collar of her gaudy dress and hauled her upward.

“Unhand’th me, heathen!” she shrieked. “For I am the fairest of them all’th!”

Must be slim pickings where you’re from, rat.

 

“Listen lady, you attacked us.” Justice said. “Can’t you just leave the princess alone and scurry back to whatever hole you came out of. And stop damaging Sandrock property?”

“Never’th! We shall never cea-”

 

Like a bat out of Hell, Captain came in. Licking his lips, a toothy feline grin showing to everyone on the scene. His front paws lowered, ready to strike at the command of the sheriff.

“Nay! Get that beast away from’th me!”

The cat? You’re scared of the cat? Okay… that makes sense. Unlike the rest of this shit show. 

“Hi, Captain. Glad you could join us.”

“Meow!”

 

Pen took a step closer towards Captain, dangling the queen in front of him like a piece of sandcarp. Captain took a leap, but Pen was quick to take her out of range. It didn't matter that he pulled her back, the threat was still there.

“I say we give her to the cat,” Pen chuckled. “Seems a fitting punishment for her misdeeds.”

“No, please we leave’th immediately. Have’th your town, and may’th we never step foot’th in it again.”

“And the princess?” Justice asked, bargaining for more than just the safety of the town.

“We wouldst never touch’th a hair’th on her head’th.”

 

A deal was struck, and Pen ultimately let go of his capture, allowing her to retreat from the cavern. So… as their side of the agreement had been fulfilled that left the mole’s to honor their part. 

“To catch the bandit, you will first need to get to his goat.”

“Nonsense. Everyone knows that goats don’t talk, Ged.” Bronco said, brushing some ash away from his overalls. 

“You fool!” Ged exclaimed. “You do not talk to it, you lure it out with roasted rutabaga.”

 

Ruby’s memory snapped back to the day that Logan kidnapped her… 

Rutabaga? Logan had given his mount that. Perhaps we did get something out of this.

 

“Ruby… you have a cooking station, don’t ya? Reckon you can fix that up for us.”

A cooking station was one machine that Ruby did not bother to mess with, and for that request… she’d likely need the help of the local saloon owner, without his sous chef getting involved. 

“I’m sure I can figure something out,” Ruby replied, already heading towards the exit.

“We should go. Nothing else to look at here. The rocks deserve rest too.”

“Pen…” Justice turned to the man who was watching Lumi try and sneak out. “You coming?”

“No, I promised Matilda I would make an effort to strengthen our defensives, that means scouting,” Pen answered, a dark look in his eye and a wild smirk on his lips. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.”

Notes:

Might be hot minute before we roll into the next main mission. We have some behind the scenes stuff to be addressed.

Until next we meet! 🩵

Chapter 18: Worthy of Praise

Notes:

Howdy! It has been a hot minute, hasn't it? As you can see, I recently collaborated with 4 other authors in The Builders’ Guide to Interdimensional Orgies. They are some amazing people, and I enjoyed every bit of it! After that, I got a case of good ol' fashion brain rot. So... I'm happy to announce my curse has been lifted! 😊

Thank you all for the support and patience as I continue this fic. 🩵

Pen managed to follow Lumi to the outskirts of the Badlands. The sky was painted bright orange and deep pink, a gentle breeze rustling the nearby bushes as he skulked behind her. He was cautious … careful. He’d have to keep to the shadows while staying downwind—mice had an incredible sense of smell.

Watching her with a riveted gaze, Pen needed to know where she was going. The princess had seemed… untrusting of their alliance when they’d taken down The Rat Queen. Why? He had an inkling her obsession with the bandit wasn’t empty. No—there was much more to it. A thorough investigation was necessary.

 

Lumi, oblivious to the man trailing her, gazed at the old-world buildings lining her destination. They were nothing like the castles she’d ruled back home. Her halls had been rich with vibrant colors, each one a reflection of her eccentric personality, and she’d reigned from a well-padded pedestal with every comfort at her claws.

These buildings lacked a certain je ne sais quoi , as Ged—the most faithful mole in her circle—would say. At least, that’s what she’d believed until he brought those human warriors into her chamber, forcing her to accept their aid when her own army stood no chance against her evil stepmother.

 

Lumi wasn’t fond of accepting outsiders’ help, and it wasn’t as if she didn’t have a plan of her own. But rather the person she had in mind was… unavailable when she needed him. Not that she held it against him—Logan was busy being handsome and committing crimes. Typical bad boy behavior.

She was drawn to him in a way she’d never felt with anyone else in Sandrock. His silver hair matched her own fur, his intimidating gaze the same one that, when staring down from a wanted poster, could melt her into a puddle. She relished the thought—Logan was every bit her type.

 

Clasping her paws and shrugging her shoulders with a terrifying glee, Lumi couldn’t wait to lay eyes on her would-be lover again. A song in her heart, she continued toward the place he was known to be staying for now.

The very same hideout she now stood in front of, a rolling metal door serving as the only barrier between her and the future bandit prince of Sandrock.

She could picture it now—she’d offer to make him her consort, and they’d ride off into the sunset together. Hand in paw, they’d rule her lands side by side.

 

The shaking of branches caught her ears, followed by a sharp howl — distant, yet close enough to stir her attention. Rockyenarolls roamed this part of the Eufaula; she knew that. But if danger came calling, she had no doubt Logan would protect her with those taut, heroic muscles of his.

“Howdy, Your Highness,” Logan greeted, tipping his hat as he stepped out from behind a tree.

 

The bandit gave a quick glance around, making sure no one could see them as they spoke.. He completely overlooked Pen—the behemoth crouched behind a boulder, waiting.

“Please, Logan…” Lumi said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “Call me Lumi. I would gladly humble myself in your presence.”

“Well, alright then, Lumi. Reckon I should apologize for not bein’ able to help y’all out with your problem. But I figure the idea I gave Ged worked?”

The princess brought her paws to her sides, gripping the fabric of her dress as she did a girly twirl. “Oh, it’s okay. I figured you were busy. Those warriors you sent… they were nothing compared to your yakboy prowess.”

My yakboy, what now?

“Right…” Logan cleared his throat, eager to move the conversation along. “I didn’t select ’em myself. Who’d they end up sendin’, anyhow?”

 

Lumi went on to describe the five individuals who had accompanied Ged in the mines. Bronco—whom Logan figured was more of a yakmel milk drinker than a bounty hunter. Justice—his childhood best friend, though they’d grown apart in adulthood. Unsuur—a man found wandering the desert shortly after Logan’s first attempt at High Noon. Pen. And, of course… Ruby.

Logan couldn’t help but smirk. It was no surprise the Civil Corps had gone to Ruby. She’d already told him what went down with the tunnel project, so of course Justice and Unsuur would come knocking, hoping she’d pitch in with their investigation.

 

In the days following his rendezvous with Ruby, Logan kept himself busy. He’d been tracked down by Ged, a mole his pa had worked with before, who asked him to serve as a warrior in the battle against The Rat Queen’s retribution. Logan refused; his current circumstances didn’t exactly allow him to take part in such a feat. Instead, he recommended enlisting the bounty hunter currently staying in Sandrock.

The mole had apparently forgotten Bronco was even in town—he wasn’t Ged’s first choice. Still, when Logan made the suggestion, Ged understood the need for discretion. Protecting the princess was his top priority, and any help was better than none.

When Ged asked the bandit what he wanted in return, Logan named his price. Ged agreed, allowing the Civil Corps a chance to try and catch Rambo, but ultimately leading them—really, leading Ruby—straight to his hideout.

 

The only problem with his plan was that he hadn’t mentioned it to either Grace or Haru. He figured it was best to keep them out of it since he wanted to start taking charge of the operation himself. Grace was hemming and hawing over their lack of progress, and the first attempt at bringing in Ruby had already failed. Logan decided it was time to take matters into his own hands — hence, the recruitment of the moles.

“You’d best stay vigilant, my bandit,” Lumi warned. “It seems those officers are keen on capturing your goat and you if they can.”

Already got a plan cookin’, princess.

“I 'preciate the warnin’, Lumi. I’ll think of somethin’.” Logan turned away from her, his hand resting on the same door he had stepped out of earlier. “Tell Ged I’ll be in touch if I need ‘im.”

A sharp slam sounded, and Lumi stood there. She wanted to say more to him, to make her offer to whisk him away from his barren landscape. He would not dare refuse her hand, would he? This could not be the end of the conversation.

 

With a hand to his forehead and a groan escaping him, Pen watched as Lumi threw herself onto the ground. Her paws slammed against the sand, sending dust pluming into the air.

She was throwing a tantrum befitting a toddler. Her cries rivaled those of a thorny jumper whose hiding spot had just been discovered.

Pen pondered finding the nearest two sticks to shove into his ears but settled for heading back into town instead, leaving the princess to her own devices. Tiger would expect this report immediately. With a roll of his shoulders and a stretch of his legs, he was off.

---

Matilda was sitting in her chair, stirring a cup of tea when she heard a knock. She narrowed her eyes, grabbing her cane before setting her drink on the coffee table. Not expecting company, she made sure to be prepared, her facade sliding into place as she made her way to the door.

“Hi there!” she greeted with a sweet smile, before seeing it was her subordinate. “Oh, it’s you, knight. I trust you are here to report your findin's, yes?”

“That I am, ma’am.”

Tiger tossed her cane to the side, her demeanor shifting from that of a lovely grandmother to a Duvos superior. “Sit, then.”

 

Joining Pen in her living area, Tiger brought the tea to her lips for a gentle sip before fixing her eyes on the Duvos soldier.

“Justice and his officers came back hours ago,” she began. “What took you so long?”

 

Having expected no less from Tiger, Pen launched into a full account of the mission. He spared no details — from his banter with Ruby, to the epic battle, and finally, to the most important information: where Logan was currently located.

“The Rat Queen… Do you think you made the right call there?” Tiger asked.

It was a trick question, Pen knew that. But what she was trying to provoke out of him, he couldn’t quite tell. He bit the inside of his cheek before answering, ultimately sticking to his guns.

“Yes. We can’t risk any more eyes on Sandrock than there already are,” he replied confidently.

“Now you’re thinkin’ like a knight,” Tiger praised, getting up from her seat and heading toward the kitchenette.

 

She dug through the cabinets, searching for something and making mental notes of what she could use for dinner in the coming days.

“I thought it best to occupy one of the booths at the Blue Moon,” Pen said, crossing his legs to appear more at ease with Matilda. But he knew that just as quickly as she gave praise, she could just as easily cut him down again. “Ruby will likely be partnering with Owen to make that bait for the Civil Corps.”

“Sounds promisin’. But we should let the Civil Corps take the lead movin’ forward. You made a good point earlier — we can’t risk any more eyes on us than there already are.”

In the back of the cabinet, Matilda found what she was looking for and held up the box of dried goods to Pen. It was his favorite, but what she really cared about was whether another guest would eat it.

“You think Ruby will eat spaghetti?”

“Ma’am?”

“I know you enjoy it, but I reckon we’ll have to make a dish she would enjoy.”

 

Pen was flabbergasted. Why was Tiger asking about Ruby’s favorite dish? She had been secretive about the next steps toward the invasion of Sandrock. Then it hit him like the Ataran Express.

“Tiger, are you considering recruiting Ruby to our cause? Are you sure that is the correct move? She has actively engaged with Logan since her kidnapping.”

 

Setting down the box, Matilda turned her head sharply toward him. “I believe you are the one who said y’all had a certain dynamic today. I can’t always use Miguel. You’ve proven fruitful — now prove it to me some more and accomplish this as well.”

She stepped closer, pressing her fingers under his chin and tilting his face upward to look at her.

“I won’t ask again, knight,” Matilda growled, making sure he understood this was not a request but an order. “You will bring Ruby here, and we will allow her the opportunity to join us.”

“And if she doesn’t, Tiger?”

“I’ve already thought of that.” Matilda let her hand fall, then walked toward the door and gestured for Pen to leave. “Have a good night now, and I’ll speak to ya real soon.”

 

Leaving Matilda’s home and heading back toward the dorm, Pen marinated on her words. Stepping into his room, he peeled off his shirt, revealing a sculpted, rippling frame. He brought a hand to the back of his neck as he faced the mirror, staring into the solemn, thoughtful eyes of his own reflection.

 

He didn’t understand—maybe he didn’t want to. In a way, he and Matilda were the same: loyal to their country, willing to accomplish any task to prove it. But Pen… Pen was starting to wonder what kind of man he wanted to be. At the end of the day, all he had was himself, and maybe that wasn’t enough anymore.

Duvos was a cruel regime, expecting its soldiers to give without granting them anything in return. Matilda was the prime example—demanding his information but offering nothing but the occasional head pat. Pen didn’t crave praise, but he longed for a place where he belonged. And whether that was with Duvos… or somewhere else… that was the question gnawing at him.

One option he could consider was to betray Tiger and his country, fleeing Sandrock entirely. But would that work? Duvos would surely hunt him down. Then again, he wasn’t on Duvos soil, was he? He was in Alliance territory. That might work in his favor—if he defected, their reach would be limited. Punishment could mean community service or prison time. Not in Sandrock, though—they’d likely ship him off to a high-security facility.

The other option was to keep his head down and follow Matilda’s orders, wearing the mask of Sandrock’s protector. It wasn’t a role that made him popular, but when the town needed defending, he was always the first they called. He admired the grit and determination of its people. And staying loyal to Duvos… would mean betraying them. That was something he couldn’t take lightly.

 

His gaze sharpened, a heavy sigh escaping him. Pushing his hair back, Pen gave the mirror one last look before settling into bed for the night. The days ahead promised to be eventful—one way or another.

---

Logan made his way down the path that led into the cavernous space of his hideout, the low murmur of voices echoing ahead. Haru, he figured, would understand his thinking and appreciate what he’d done. Grace? She might be grateful for his commitment to the plan he had… or she might hate it outright.

He wasn’t sure, but there was only one way to find out. When he stepped into the open space and saw them, he kept his head high. What he’d done was for the best, and if they didn’t agree, well… he could take the tongue-lashing that was bound to come.

“Evenin’,” Logan drawled, strolling past Haru and Grace. Dropping into his throne, he sprawled out like he owned the place. “Whatcha y’all into tonight?”

“I noticed the mole’s princess outside,” Grace said, her tone edged with accusation. At this point, Logan just chalked it up to her ACI officer side showing. “You want tell us about that?”

“Reckon we weren’t movin’ as fast as I liked, so I called in a favor with the moles.”

Grace licked her lips and pressed a hand to her forehead. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another with this yakboy. Haru, sensing her frustration, stepped in and picked up the questioning.

“Logan…” Haru’s tone was calmer, aiming to appeal to him. “What happened? We need to be able to prepare accordingly.”

 

Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, Logan laced his fingers together. He looked at Haru, ready to lay it all out. He explained how he and his pa had once helped the reigning monarch of the moles and brokered a peace treaty back in the day. Since then, Ged had kept tabs on him, knowing they might need his services again.

Logan then recounted his talk with Lumi—how the Civil Corps would likely be poking their noses into their territory before long.

“I don’t think we can handle the entire Civil Corps,” Haru said. “We’ll need a way to separate them.”

“Already thought of that, brother.” Logan rose from his seat and sauntered over to the bomb-making station. “We can use these.”

“My colored bombs?”

 

Logan picked up a few, turning them over in his hands as he weighed the options. Red was too bright—no good for cover. Green? That didn’t sit right with him either. But blue… now that could work. A darker cloud would hide Ruby well enough for her to be brought straight to him.

“Hear me out, both of ya,” Logan said, returning to the group before nodding toward Rambo. “We strap these onto his saddlebag, let him mosey out into the Badlands. Soon as he catches a whiff of that rutabaga, the Civil Corps’ll mount up and follow him right to the cliff’s edge.”

He set the bombs down in front of them, continuing his train of thought.

“Justice and Unsuur get thrown from their saddles. Meanwhile, Ruby gets launched forward. Rambo’ll be waitin’ down below to catch her, drop her off at the entrance, and she’ll make her way here.”

Grace glanced at Haru, her expression softening as she reluctantly shook her head. “That’s… actually a pretty solid plan.”

“I ‘ppreciate ya sayin’ so,” Logan replied with a little tilt of his hat.

 

The two seemed on board, but one member of the gang still hadn’t spoken.

“What about Ruby?” Haru asked.

“What ya mean?” Logan’s brow furrowed.

“Based on what you’ve told us, I don’t think she’ll be thrilled about being brought here like that.”

Logan smirked, a quiet chuckle rumbling from his chest. “Nah, partner. She’s gonna be madder’n a wet hen. But y’all let me handle that, alright? I reckon I got her figured out.”

“Oh, do you now?” Grace folded her arms, calling Logan on his bluff. No one had Ruby figured out—not entirely. And while she agreed with the bones of his plan, she didn’t share his optimism about her reaction.

 

In truth, Grace couldn’t help but wonder what Ruby would do once all was laid bare. Would she fall in line with the church? Would she see the bigger picture and help the gang willingly? Or… would things take a turn for the worse?

“Listen, y’all don’t know her like I do,” Logan said, drawing in a slow breath. “She’s slow to trust, and I’m workin’ on earnin’ that. Y’all can disagree all ya like, but this is the way to go.”

“We’ll go with your plan,” Haru relented. “But you’re in charge of making sure things stay civil. I don’t want any more altercations like the night you went to her house.”

Which time we talkin’? There’s been a few.

It was like Haru could read Logan’s mind. He gave a flat, disappointed look and pointed to the hickey on Logan’s neck.

“I’ll do my best,” Logan replied, raising a hand to cover the bruise.

 

Haru headed back toward his corner of the hideout, leaving Grace and Logan to sort the details.

“I can head back into town,” Grace offered. “I’ll keep in touch about when we should get ready for company.”

“Reckon I’ll stay put,” Logan agreed. “Might be better for all of us if I don’t go stirrin’ up the desert and raisin’ alarms.”

Grace turned on her heel, heading for the exit. But before she stepped out, she paused just long enough to toss something over her shoulder.

“Nice work, Logan.”

“Thanks, Grace.”

 

Logan strolled back to his throne, tipping his hat low to shade his eyes. The weight of the day eased off his shoulders, leaving only the steady hum of satisfaction. One step closer to going home — and for tonight, that was good enough.

Notes:

Here's a spoiler for the next chapter... we got a confession scene on the horizon! 👀 I won't say who, but I bet you can guess it. 🤔

Catch ya on the next one! 🩵

Chapter 19: Ruby and the No Good, Very Bad Day

Notes:

Delving into Ruby's thoughts again this chapter, so just be mindful of that! 😊

Enjoy! 🩵

Ruby and Andy were headed into the Blue Moon, the desert sun beaming through the window and landing on a very distraught Elsie. Her eyes were red, tears streaming down her face.

 

She was sitting with Mi-an, who was attempting to console her as she sniffled. Elsie’s cheeks burned as she recollected the day’s events. She had set the bait for that duck this morning, the pot steaming and the air filling with the atrocious scent of sand carp. And just as the duck landed, Mabel came over, fretting over her daughter’s safety.

Elsie had been too caught up in the moment, fascinated by the duck’s plume as it settled in front of her. And Mabel, being the protective Ma that she was, shoved her to the side while warning her to step back.

Once Elsie realized what had happened, it was too late. Cooper had fired a slug into the air—missing his target but startling it enough to drop his wife mid flight. Mabel was hurt and needed tending to, so Cooper ushered her to the clinic, lecturing Elsie on her behavior as they left, leaving her alone.

 

She went to Ruby’s first, looking for someone to talk to about the awful situation, but she wasn’t home. As of late when Elsie had tried to find her, Ruby was nowhere to be found. That’s what made Mabel’s injury sting even more… the first person she wanted to turn to wasn’t there to comfort her.

Then she found Mi-an, who quickly reassured her that all would be well. She took her to the Blue Moon for lunch. A full stomach was sure to help soften the blow that had hit Elsie so hard.

“Elsie, I’m sure Ruby just doesn’t know what’s going on,” Mi-an said, bringing a fork to her lips. “You should just talk to her. I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding.”

“It’s yakmel shit, Mi-an,” Elsie spat, leaning back in the booth and pushing her plate away. “She ain’t been ’round at all. Anytime I’ve tried to find her…she’s gone.”

 

Mi-an knew Elsie was just blowing off steam. She was more hurt than anything. Ruby’s absence had been felt by both of them. Their friend was off focusing on something else—neither of them knew what—but it had to be important, right? Ruby must’ve had a good reason for staying away. 

“She did just go on that mission to help the Civil Corps,” Mi-an tried to justify. “They need all the help they can get right now, especially with Logan still at large.”

“Ya know who’s an expert on Logan?” Elsie shot back, her voice rising as she slammed her hand against the table. “Me. Why ain’t Ruby asked me ‘bout him?”

 

Ruby’s head snapped toward the sound of her name. Elsie and Mi-an. She hadn’t spoken to them in a while. She’d been… occupied. But something in her told her to make her way over; she’d missed them terribly in the days that had passed.

She gave Andy a gentle push toward an empty table—the place would be full soon.

“I’ll sit with you in a minute,” Ruby said, giving him a warning look. “Behave yourself now.”

“No promises!” Andy grinned, mischief already in his eyes. “Bring me somethin’ good to eat, will ya?”

 

With a small shake of her head, Ruby made her way to Elsie and Mi-an. Her sharp blue eyes locked on Mi-an’s brown ones as she approached. This was bad—very bad. Elsie’s body was rigid, like a rockyenaroll bristling, and if Ruby reached out, she’d get bit.

“Hey there, Ruby!” Mi-an waved, she was trying to remain neutral between her two friends. “Haven’t seen you in awhile. How are you?”

“I’m okay,” Ruby shrugged. “I’ve just been busy with some things around town.”

 

Mi-an tried to kick Elsie under the table… to spur some sort of conversation. But she didn’t budge, she just sat there… ignoring Ruby. Her Ma did teach her if you didn’t have anything nice to say, then you best not say anything at all. 

“We should get together soon. We could go to the game center later. Andy has been asking to go, and if you don’t mind him tagging alon-”

Taking a shaky breath, Elsie allowed her frustration to boil over. Spewing onto Ruby in the process. “You just don’t get it, do ya?”

“Elsie…” Mi-an whispered, moving her hand across the table to settle her down.

“I’m sorry?” Ruby’s heart stopped, her breath caught in her chest.

I don’t understand.

“You’re damn right, yer sorry,” Elsie yelled, catching the attention of the rest of the patrons in the saloon. “My Ma got injured, Ruby. And you’re out at yer workshop, piddlin’ ‘round. Actin’ like you can’t be bothered to lend a hand. That’s if I even see ya at all.”

“I didn’t kn—”

“No. You sure didn’t. But now ya do.” Elsie stood, giving Mi-an a sharp look to follow. “Don’t talk to me. I ain’t got nothin’ more to say to you.”

Elsie walked past Ruby first, not even bothering to shoot her a glance as she pushed through the doors. Mi-an got up begrudgingly, wishing the two of them could just have a civil conversation. But Ruby understood — Elsie needed someone right now. And if it wasn’t to be her, then she was glad it was Mi-an. That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt all the same.

 

Here she was… not a friend in sight.

But what was in sight? All the faces of the citizens of Sandrock staring at her as she lowered her gaze to her hands, clenching them into fists. Her fingernails dug into the sensitive skin of her palms, trying to hold on to any feeling that wasn’t the hollow ache sitting heavy in her chest.

She’d lost Heidi when she fucked up the tunnel project—they hadn’t spoken since that meeting. She’d just lost Elsie, who was furious about her lack of care in her time of need. And finally… Mi-an too, only because Ruby didn’t want to put her in a position to choose.

Nobody likes you. You’re better off alone.

 

“Ruby?” Owen touched her shoulder, pulling her out of the thoughts that plagued her. “You can come back to the kitchen if you want.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” she said, taking a jagged breath. “I’ll follow you.”

They walked through the doorway that led into the cooking area. Ruby’s eyes darted around, a sense of comfort washing over her — though her anxiousness still lingered just beneath the surface. She was safe here, away from everyone. Away from their opinions, their judgments, their sympathy. 

 

Making the roasted rutabaga was the only thing on her agenda, and she had to focus. It was the only thing standing between her and… Logan. Or at least, that’s what she thought.

“I got the ingredients packed away in the fridge there,” Owen said, pointing to the appliance. “Go ahead and start chopping the sand leek. I need to find the sea salt in the cupboard.”

“Okay.” Ruby’s voice was quiet.

She figured the softer she spoke, the less chance she had of offending someone — right? You couldn’t upset anyone if they didn’t hear you in the first place.

 

Opening the fridge and grabbing the leek and rutabaga, Ruby made her way over to the counter. She’d need a knife, and for that, she looked back to Owen. The kitchen was far outside her area of expertise.

“Knives are in the drawer in front of you,” he said with a smile. “Don’t be nervous, Ruby. My kitchen is your kitchen too.”

 

Owen was always kind to Ruby — and she appreciated it. His demeanor was that of a typical bar owner: bright, warm, and always willing to roll up his sleeves. Ruby admired that about him. His customer service skills weren’t an act; Owen didn’t wear a mask. He simply was… Owen.

His compassionate nature wasn’t something Ruby was accustomed to, especially now, when she felt like she’d lost some of the most important things in her life. But she should be used to the feeling by now — it had happened before. Every time a scar healed, something else came along to reopen it.

 

Ruby put her hand on the drawer handle, fingers curling around the cool metal as she pulled it open, searching for a big enough utensil to cut with. She found one and slid it free, the sheath giving way to reveal a shiny metal sheen.

She placed her hand on the leeks, bunching them together as she started to chop. But it wasn’t really chopping — more like sawing. The vegetables were massacred in the process.

 

As Owen reached into the cupboard, he heard the most precarious sound to any chef. The kind of noise that could make even Grace freeze mid-step. The blade wasn’t striking the cutting board at all—it was biting into the wood grain.

He turned and stepped toward her, peeking over her shoulder. Light have mercy. Ruby was going to need a more hands-on approach.

“Here.” Owen’s arms came around her sides, his hands settling over hers. “Let me help you.”

 

Ruby’s body went tense, the sudden contact of Owen at her back and his fingers interlacing with hers sending a jolt through her. The kind that made her hair stand on end.

How long had he been harboring feelings for her? Surely she would’ve said something to deter him if she’d known. Owen was a familiar face, but she didn’t dare call him a friend. Friends seemed few and far between these days.

“Owen…” Her voice dipped low, uncertainty fraying at the edges. “I’m sorry.”

Keep saying sorry… it fixes everything, doesn't it?

He backed off immediately, recognizing she needed space. “I should be the one apologizing. I guess when you asked for help cooking, I uhh… thought maybe you wanted to spend time with me.”

 

Ruby set the knife aside, dragging her hands down her face.

He was handsome… Ruby didn’t deny that. Anyone with a pair of eyes could see the value in a partner like him. His dark hair caught the saloon’s light just right, revealing a touch of salt and pepper. The same silver threaded through his well-kept beard, perfectly lining his jaw. And then there were his eyes—blue hues that reflected her perfectly as he waited for her response.

“I’m just not interested in you that way,” Ruby said, brushing her forearms nervously. “You don’t have to pity me, Owen.”

“Pity you?” Owen repeated, folding his arms across his chest. He was invested now. “Why would you ever think something like that?”

Everybody hates me. I’m a failure. It makes sense for a man like you to want to whisk me away and save my reputation.

“I don’t know.” Ruby’s defenses shot back up—she was a beast cornered in the kitchen. “It doesn’t matter. I just need to make this fucking rutabaga. Look… how about we just forget this happened?”

 

Owen cocked an eyebrow. She was deflecting, and he knew it. He could press, but what would that accomplish? He didn’t know her like Heidi, Elsie, or Mi-an did. Still, he wanted to push through, to let her know he was someone reliable—a friend, if not a potential partner.

“What’s going on?” Owen leaned against the counter, uncrossing his arms to appear more open. “You haven’t been yourself lately.”

You’re not going to quit, are you?

“Heidi and I fell out.”

“I have a hard time believing that. You and Heidi have been tight since you got here,” Owen said. “Have you talked to her at all?”

I’ve been avoiding it.

Ruby ignored the question, pushing forward to her next issue. “Els is mad at me too.”

“I heard that spat out there,” Owen confessed, nodding to the wall that separated them from the dining room. “But I didn’t see it. Elsie’s a hothead, and she’s likely just working through her problems. Unfortunately, you were just the first person she unloaded on.”

“It’s not just her.” Ruby’s eyes darted to the floor so she didn’t have to look at him—just in case she made him upset too. “It’s everyone else… it feels like I can’t do anything right. And they just stare at me, all sad and shit.”

“Ruby…”

“I don’t want pity, Owen.” Her tone was a bit harsher now. “All of you can keep it—save it for someone that isn’t me.”

“I didn’t tell you how I felt because I pity you, Ruby.” Owen stepped closer, softening his voice. “I told you so you don’t feel like you have to carry everything by yourself. You’ve got a lot on your plate right now. Taking commissions, working on the town projects, volunteering with the Civil Corps, raising a kid? That ain’t easy.”

No, it sure isn’t.

“I’ll manage. Yan hasn’t been bothering me lately, and Andy’s more settled now.”

 

She deflected… again. Ruby’s stubbornness held firm, though Owen was already lining up his final attempt.

“Listen… I know this is tough to talk about,” he said. “And I won’t press you further. But if you ever need an ear, I’m here for you.”

 

Ruby knew Owen’s intentions were pure. He was concerned about her, and though she thought it was a stupid notion, she allowed him to wrap his arms around her—a comforting, platonic embrace shared between them.

She returned the hug, a sigh slipping out as she felt Owen’s warmth. “Thanks, Owen.”

He rested his hands on her shoulders as he pulled away, smiling brightly at her. “How about I start making the rutabaga? I’ll try the recipe and deliver you some once I’ve perfected it.”

“I would appreciate that greatly,” Ruby agreed. “Do you mind grabbing Andy’s dinner for me? I’m afraid he’ll cause a fuss if I come back empty-handed.”

“Anything he’d want in particular?”

Bringing a hand to her chin, Ruby’s eyes fell to a dessert encased in glass on the counter. She smirked, knowing it was the perfect source of nutrition for a growing boy.

“I think he’d like some of that cake you have sitting over there.”

“Sure thing.” Owen grabbed a plate, cut a piece of cake, and handed it to her. “He’s lucky to have you, you know? My Ma would never let me have cake for supper.”

Taking the plate from Owen, Ruby walked back out into the dining area, keeping her head down to avoid any wandering eyes. Owen had helped, but all it did was treat the symptom.

 

Andy threw his arms in the air, celebrating as Ruby made her way over to the table with his food.

“Best dinner ever!” he cheered, grabbing his silverware and tapping them against the solid surface.

“It won’t always be like this,” Ruby said, setting the plate down. She ruffled his hair and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “But go ahead and eat up, kid.”

 

Andy dug in right away, his fork clinking against the plate as his lips smacked obnoxiously. A sound Ruby didn’t care for. She’d have to teach him some manners sooner rather than later.

“Andy…”

Mid-bite, with chewed-up cake showing in his mouth, he looked up. “Huh?”

Ruby gagged. “You need to keep your mouth closed when you’re chewing. It’s rude.”

“You should listen to her,” Pen interrupted, the bulk of his form casting a shadow over their table. “We can’t have more uncivilized individuals in Sandrock running amok.”

 

Andy’s eyes flicked up to meet his, and he quickly wedged himself between Pen and Ruby. 

She thought she’d been shielding her emotions from Andy, but he knew. He didn’t have the maturity to understand it all, but what he lacked in years he made up for with instinct—he wanted to protect her.

 

Ruby gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, her expression softening. She and Pen had reached an understanding during the Civil Corps mission. He was still on her radar… just not the thorn in her side he’d once been.

“Hello, Penelope,” Ruby greeted, testing the waters. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Well!” Pen announced, puffing out his chest. “I’ve come to cordially invite you over for dinner at Matilda’s, Skinny!”

What the fuck for?

 

He could read her expression as soon as it crossed her face. Pen relaxed, showing that he meant no harm. But he couldn’t say the same for Matilda. Her plan to recruit Ruby had already been revealed to him—though the finer details were conveniently left out.

“The minister wishes to privately recognize your efforts in the capture of Logan.”

“But y’all didn’t catch him yet,” Andy interjected, lunging toward Pen. “Y’all countin’ yer chickens before they hatch.”

 

Ruby brought him down beside her, her touch instantly calming him. She fixed her eyes on Pen, not wanting Andy worked up any further.

“I’ll go,” she said. “Miguel… will he be there as well?”

“Of course, Skinny!” Pen concurred, spinning on his heel, his mission accomplished. “It is sure to be an exquisite evening.”

 

Andy leaned back into Ruby, his gaze following Pen until the man disappeared out the door. Only then did he settle, sliding back into his seat across from her.

He was mulling over something fierce, that much was clear. Ruby was patient with him, allowing him a moment before she tried to pry into that brilliant mind of his.

“I thought we didn’t like Penelope,” Andy said, taking his fork to polish off the rest of his dessert. “I told ya ’bout what he did to Logan and his Pa, didn’t I?”

“You did,” Ruby nodded. This was going to be a difficult conversation… the day already had plenty of those scattered in her path.

“So why ya even talkin’ to him?” Andy pressed, trying to wrap his brain around why Ruby suddenly seemed like they were pals. “He ain’t good people, Ruby. Me, you, and Logan? We’re good people.”

 

She tapped her fingers, one of her hands coming up to cover her face. Andy’s question was a valid one. The only problem? She wasn’t sure how to answer it.

“It’s complicated.”

It was a brief and easy answer—the kind Andy wasn’t going to accept, his undying loyalty to Logan shining through once more.

“Things only get messy when folks lie.” He paused, letting her words soak in. “Reckon that’s whatcha doin’, right? Lyin’.”

Well… I wouldn’t put it like that.

 

Ruby wasn’t sure which side of the fence she was on. Miguel hadn’t been by in the last few days — instead, his presence had been filled by Pen. Though she and the behemoth had been civil to one another, she still didn’t trust him. Miguel she trusted more, but there was still a level of uncertainty between them.

Logan was riding the same line as Miguel, and as much as she wanted to trust him, to allow him into her circle, she just couldn’t do it yet. She’d give him credit, though — he wasn’t giving up on her easy. It was nice… to be pursued, that was for certain.

Perhaps Andy had the right idea, trusting Logan above all else. She’d need to be cautious though, whatever she chose to do. Every word was heard, every action watched.

She’d also need to fortify her mind — not allowing the words of others to seep into her, their hands molding her thoughts until she was just another of the flock. The thought shook her to the core. 

Was she ready for any of this? No. But that’s the thing about timing: things would continue to happen. How someone reacts? Well, that’s a choice.

 

“I promised Jas I’d come over,” Andy said, getting up from the booth. “I’ll see ya at home.”

“See you later, kid.”

He gave Ruby a hug before leaving, his words still ringing in her ears.

Am I a liar?

Notes:

Hope y'all like awkward dinner conversations... because there is definitely going to be one. 🫠 Nudge nudge, wink wink.😉

See you there! 🩵

Chapter 20: The Pasta Predicament

Notes:

Edit 9/2/25:
HEY SO if you're here because there was an update and you don't see it. AO3 didn't mess up, I did. So, excuse me while I rework the latest chapter! Thank you!

Original note:
Howdy y'all! This chapter is a mix of tension and wholesomeness. I love Andy so much. He is a good little guy that deserves the world! 🤠

Enjoy!🩵

“Here’s yours, my dear,” Matilda said, setting a plate of spaghetti in front of Ruby. Her smile radiated that of a grandmother’s warmth. 

“Thanks,” Ruby nodded, acknowledging the gesture.

 

The fork clinked against the plate as she twirled noodles around the tines. She hated spaghetti. The sauce never sat right in her stomach, and the tomatoey texture left an aftertaste that was near impossible to get rid of.

She was relieved to see bread on the table as well — a loaf from Owen’s saloon, if she wasn’t mistaken. That might be her saving grace. And it just so happened to be Ruby’s favorite bread too, the kind she often paired with a bit of meat and whiskey. Surely no one would notice if she indulged in a drink right now.

 

Yes — in her boot sat her “emergency” flask, the amber-toned liquor glinting inside. She carried it whenever she didn’t know what she was walking into. And in circumstances like these… it was necessary.

Miguel shot her a disapproving look as she lifted the flask, taking a quick sip while Matilda’s back was turned. He’d told her there were no ill intentions at play here — none that he knew about. And Ruby believed him. But still, a little liquor couldn’t hurt.

Pen noticed too. He caught the sight of her flask, shaking his head with a small chuckle. He’d questioned Matilda’s decision to recruit Ruby, but that concern had fallen on deaf ears. As far as he was concerned, this was bound to go down as one of Tiger’s worst ideas. Ruby wasn’t about to come quietly.

 

“It seems congratulations are in order,” Matilda said as she took her seat at the head of the table, scooting her chair in. “Your investigation with the Civil Corps has proven fruitful. And soon we’ll be able to bring Logan to justice.”

“What do you plan to do with him?” Ruby asked, leaning forward to grab a piece of bread from the basket in front of her.

“He will need to serve time for his transgressions against Sandrock,” Miguel answered, matter-of-factly. “Naturally, there will be a trial. As is the case with situations such as this.”

“A trial?” Ruby lifted her head, skeptical. “Sandrock’s big enough to have a jury come in and convict criminals?”

“No…” Matilda replied with a small shake of her head. “It's a town decision. Citizens come forward, voice their concerns, and then judgment is rendered. Everyone gets a say.”

Could be a really good thing… or a really bad thing.

 

Ruby made sure to note that detail in the back of her mind. Sandrock was definitely podunk in that fact — no judge, no jury, no trial. Out here in the desert, the town handled such matters themselves, which meant relationships were everything.

If she ever found herself on the wrong side of the law, she only hoped the townsfolk would come to her defense. 

 

“Skinny, I would like to discuss the possibility of us sparring once again.” Pen was eager to steer the conversation elsewhere — Matilda had made it clear they were to keep Ruby comfortable before making their offer. “No one in this town has the ferocity you bring to a brawl.”

Ruby rolled her eyes. “Maybe, Penelope. Wouldn’t want you getting too comfy being The Protector and all that.”

“Tis not a ‘no!’” Pen cheered, thrusting a fist into the air as if he’d just won a great victory. “I await the skirmish that shall deem who is the best in Sandrock!”

“Ever think about sparring with Rocky or Owen?”

“What for, Skinny?” Pen looked genuinely bewildered. “The barkeep is too felicitous, and the miner? Please… I could space-punch him into oblivion.”

“You don’t lack confidence, do you?” Ruby snorted. She hated to admit it, but Pen’s ridiculous wit was actually helping her loosen up. 

 

Pen accepted her jab and turned his plate, aggressively sticking his fork in and shoveling spaghetti into his mouth. His favorite dish beckoned him, his stomach growling in anguish. A man like him needed his carbohydrates to maintain that bulging, sculpted form.

 

“Did you receive the hydrangeas I sent this week?” Miguel asked, tearing a piece of bread into smaller bits. “They were colored more blue than lavender this time. Zeke’s blooms are becoming more beautiful each season.”

“I did,” Ruby replied with a small smile. Miguel was always kind to her, and kindness was something she gravitated towards right now. “Thank you. You don’t have to do that.”

“I see them, and they remind me of our conversations,” Miguel said. “They offer a bit of hope when life is in disarray — a feeling anyone can relate to.”

“I appreciate them. They are quite beautiful.”

 

Pleasant conversation flowed around the table: Ruby bantered with Pen, Miguel sighed at the behemoth’s boasts, and when she wasn’t humoring them, her attention drifted back to Miguel. His guiding nature settled her nerves. The flask stayed tucked in her boot.

 

But then — like a record scratch — Matilda cleared her throat. The sound cut through the chatter, and her church members quieted at once.

“Ruby…” Her voice carried across the table, her eyes fixed directly on their guest of honor. “There is another matter I wish to discuss with you.”

The smile Ruby had worn through the evening faded from her face, and Matilda’s tone shifted from sweet to full-blown tactician.

 

Ruby dragged her hand down her thigh, skimming the denim as she reached toward her boot. She dared a glance at Miguel, who licked his lips and drew in a deep breath. 

Probably best to hold off on that sip.

Her hand retreated, folding into the other and resting on the table in a businesslike fashion. Ruby would at least be cordial — as long as nothing set her off.

The truth was, her mind kept flickering through emotions like a remote flipping channels. One station would blare its feelings until it was suddenly cut off, replaced by the next. She hated it. She tried to stow the emotions when they rose, but the harder she shoved them down, the louder they seemed to come back.

 

“Go on.” Ruby was guarded now, the nail of her index finger digging into her skin.

“Have you ever considered relocatin’ yourself from Sandrock?”

“The desert suits me. And I have plenty of work here — someone’s got to help rebuild this place. Why are you asking?”

“Seems the talent you have is bein’ wasted, and there are other possibilities.”

“Where would you suggest I go then?” Ruby’s hand traced along her forearm, restless.

“Your profession is highly needed in Duvos.” Matilda paused, noting the change in Ruby’s demeanor. “Builders there are treated like royalty. We could get a team under you too.”

“I fail to see how that pertains to me, Minister. I’m doing just fine where I’m at.” Ruby fought to keep her voice neutral, but the crack of emotion slipped through.

 

Pen and Miguel leaned back in their seats as the two women locked horns, what was now officially a standoff.

On one side of the table sat Matilda — a scarred veteran, hardened by years of command, accustomed to others bending to her ideals. On the opposite side sat Ruby — rebellious, sharp-tongued, a woman whose words could cut sharper than any blade.

 

“Cut to the chase.”

“Fine.” Matilda’s tone was pointed now. “Duvos is the structure this world needs. And we’re lookin’ for like-minded individuals.”

Miguel said you “defected” from Duvos…

Ruby’s eyes darted toward Miguel, and he felt the full weight of her stare. He’d been caught in a lie. The day at the Oasis crossed his mind — when Ruby had asked more about the minister’s background… he had lied. And that lie wasn’t helping him now.

He hadn’t known this dinner would turn into a recruitment. Matilda had kept him in the dark about her true intentions. His chest tightened as guilt gnawed at him. If he’d known, he could have warned Ruby. He never would’ve let her walk in blind.

Miguel’s gentle nature valued their friendship too much for that.

 

Matilda caught the exchange between Ruby and Miguel but pressed on with her recruitment pitch.

“We are aware there are some… reservations when it comes to Duvos. But—”

“Reservations?” Ruby cut in, her face caught somewhere between shock and disbelief. “Your armies are at the border, interfering with the Northern Development Plan. That’s a pretty big reservation, don’t you think?”

“Unimportant in the grand scheme of things.” Matilda inspected her fingernails, utterly unbothered. “I’m willin' to let you ask questions — learn more about our cause before joinin’ us.”

 

Ruby had one ready. One she already knew the answer to. The only answer she and Logan had ever agreed on. But she wanted to hear Matilda say it.

“Who’s stealing the water?” Ruby breathed. Her voice trembled, and she fought to calm it. Losing her composure now would only make things worse.

“Such a loaded question right out of the gate,” Matilda mused. “Reckon we’ll skip that one for now. Pledge your allegiance to the Empire and I’ll answer.”

“That’s not how this is going to work. You said I could ask questions. I’m going to ask them.”

 

Matilda flicked her hand in a gesture that said continue, then.

“Why engage at the border of the northern settlement, Matilda?” Ruby leaned forward, daring to press harder. “What could you possibly gain from that?”

“As I said, Ruby. Duvos is the structure this world needs. Our regime is superior, and the whole Alliance would be better under it.” Matilda rolled her shoulders lazily, like a cat basking in the sun. “Besides… we can’t have y’all gettin’ too secure now, can we?”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Ruby snapped, her teeth bared. “You’re going to keep engaging at the border… for what? So when the opportunity comes, you can take the entire Alliance? Take Sandrock?”

 

The words left her lips, and like a lightbulb shattering, the realization hit. Duvos was planning to invade Sandrock.

“Not all at once.” Matilda’s hand curled around her glass as she raised it to her lips. She drank slowly, letting the silence hang. “We can always talk logistics later, Ruby. But the offer still stands. Duvos has use for someone with your particular background and skill set.”

The fuck is that supposed to mean?

 

Earlier that morning, Matilda had received a telegram from HQ about a certain individual in Sandrock — one deemed “Ruby.” Its contents listed dates, times, and… the most intimate information Ruby herself had tried to bury. Or rather, what had once been promised would stay buried.

“What do you know?” Ruby growled, the hair on her neck bristling. Her voice cracked with fury. “No one is supposed to have access to those files.”

 

Pen and Miguel sat up straighter, the implication of Ruby’s past leaving them both unsettled. If she wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill builder… then who was she really?

But Matilda didn’t indulge their curiosity. Her focus stayed pinned on the woman across from her.

“Enough to know your value as an ally instead of an enemy,” Matilda said smoothly. “Now… your answer.”

 

Thinking about the conversation, Ruby knew she couldn’t in good conscience take the deal Matilda was offering. In recent weeks, she’d wished for some reprieve from being pulled between the church and Logan. But choosing the church? That wasn’t the answer. 

Matilda was coming at her hard, while Pen and Miguel just sat there watching her get cornered. They weren’t her friends — just people caught in the same mess, only on the wrong side of it. She knew that now.

“Not interested,” Ruby said flatly, watching Matilda’s face distort at her refusal.

“Come again?” Matilda asked. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had turned her down. “I would implore you to consider the consequences.”

“I’m not buying what you’re selling, Matilda.”

“Perhaps you need a bit of motivation then?” Matilda cooed, her voice dripping with condescension. Her cane clicked against the floor as she crossed the room, stopping mere inches from Ruby. 

 

Ruby didn’t look at her, just kept her jaw locked and eyes on the empty seat across the table. 

“If you refuse me one more time, child… people will get hurt.” She leaned in, her eyes narrowing. “Andy could get hurt. Could you live with that?”

You won’t get close enough to him.

“You got a lot of nerve, bitch.” Ruby shoved back from the table, rising to her feet. She was ready to put this old hag in the ground — fuck the consequences. “Touch Andy, and you’ll have a bigger problem to face.”

 

Matilda grinned, malicious and satisfied. That was all she needed. Ruby had aligned herself with Logan, and that was the final nail in the coffin. She’d signed away her fate. Adjustments would be made — Duvos casting its shadow over Sandrock, bringing with it the most devilish of individuals.

“I wouldn’t dare bring any harm to a child. However, I know some individuals who don’t share the same sentiment.”

Ruby saw red. She snatched up her dish and flung it against the wall. Ceramic shattered, red sauce streaking down in thick trails — dinner was officially over.

“Better clean that up. I hear it sticks. Unlike the shit you’re spewing right now.”

“Goodnight, builder,” Matilda dismissed, her hand pointing to the door.

“Goodnight.” Ruby’s gaze swept the table, meeting each pair of eyes in turn. They were all adversaries now, no matter what came next. “Goodnight to all of you.”

And with a slam, Ruby was gone.

 

“Matilda…” Miguel came to her side. “What are you contemplating? You can’t seriously be considering bringing harm to the boy.”

The pastor barely recognized the woman standing before him. The Matilda he’d known — his mentor, his friend — was gone. In her place stood the officer of Duvos, her objective outweighing The Light. The same teachings they were meant to uphold were cast aside, all in the name of the Empire.

 

Miguel’s chest tightened. He had to try and reach her. Somewhere beneath the discipline and devotion to Duvos, the teacher he once knew had to still be there.

“You scolded me when I first suggested separating them, back when the child arrived in Sandrock,” Miguel pressed. “Now you would threaten his safety? Do you even realize wh—”

“You’ve done enough, Miguel.” Matilda’s bark cut him off. “I imagine your earlier conversation with her about Duvos did not help our cause. Because of your negligence, we’ve lost our chance to recruit her.”

She wasn’t taking responsibility. No, she was hunting for someone to blame.

 

Miguel opened his mouth to argue, but Matilda’s hand shot up to silence him.

“I don’t care about your excuses. The damage is done. That was my last attempt to reach her — now we are forced to take drastic measures.”

Swallowing his words, Miguel shook his head and stepped back. He’d tried, but she wouldn’t listen. Maybe distance would heal what had been broken between them. He only prayed he hadn’t lost two friends tonight instead of one.

“Leave us, Miguel.”

 

Once he was gone, Matilda turned her attention to Pen. She pressed her hand to her temple, frustration casting across her face as she searched for her next move.

Pen stood tall, puffing out his chest, awaiting orders.

“Follow Ruby,” Matilda commanded. “She’ll be heading to Logan’s hideout. Catch her there, and bringin’ her in will be easier.”

“The implications of—” Pen began.

“I’m aware of what I’m doin’.”

A part of Pen wanted to disobey — but it flickered out as quickly as it came. The timing wasn’t right. After tonight’s ordeal, it wasn’t wise to ripple the waters further.

“As you say, Tiger.”

---

Stepping into her home, Ruby was careful to be quiet. She kicked off her boots, making sure to snag her flask from the leather. She studied it for a moment before carrying it into the kitchen and pouring out the rest of the liquor. Now was not the time for a drink. She needed to focus on meeting Logan.

The plan had taken care of itself, really. Owen had dropped off the roasted rutabaga while she was away. Seeing it on the counter, Ruby picked it up and set it in the fridge. She’d warm it in the morning when Justice and Unsuur came by. Whether Bronco would tag along was still up in the air — though Ruby hoped that mole encounter had been the last time she’d ever see him. His so-called “bounty hunter” skills hadn’t proven worth a damn in combat.

 

Ruby didn’t think it would come to that, but it all depended on how the conversation went. If Logan was his usual charming self, maybe they could align to help Sandrock. She hoped it would be that simple — that she could just lay out how Matilda was behind it all, explain the danger to the town, and be done with it. Then all would be fine.

But there was that familiar doubt gnawing in the back of her mind. Would he believe her? Would anyone believe her if she came forward with the allegations against Matilda? Probably not. She’d already lost her inner circle. 

Heidi, Elsie, Mi-an… Ruby thought it better to keep them out of it now. She couldn’t risk them being hurt — or worse, hurting them more than she already had.

Then there was Miguel. A mentor she had trusted, someone she’d let in too close. But now? Now she wasn’t so sure. Whether or not he sided with her, the pastor was best kept at a distance. He could no longer be trusted.

 

The people Ruby could trust now were few, dwindling by the day. One of them being…

“Ruby?” Andy asked, his head peeking around the corner of the entryway. “Whatcha doin’ in the kitchen?”

“Just making sure that rutabaga gets put away for when we bait Logan’s goat tomorrow.” Ruby leaned against the counter, folding her arms — then caught a glimpse of the weapon in his hand. “I see you came prepared.”

“Yeah, uh… I thought you was a bandit or maybe a tripion,” Andy admitted, setting down the super shock shield. “Reckon my shield would do the trick either way.”

 

Ruby smiled, shaking her head. Andy was going to be a hunter just like Logan — she could already see it. His mind worked faster than most folks, sharp in a way that might rival Qi one day. There was greatness in that boy, and she knew his future was bright.

“Can I have a snack while you’re down here?” Andy asked, his eyes brightening with the request. “I know you got cookies on the top shelf. That ain’t fair, ya know… I can’t reach ‘em.”

 

Rolling her eyes, Ruby opened the cabinet and reached upward to the highest shelf, finding the container of sandwich cookies and bringing them down. She stuck her arm out, offering them to Andy, who snatched them away.

“Andy…” Ruby’s voice carried the weight of a mother’s warning. “You can have two cookies. Any more than that and you’ll be up all night.”

Andy ignored her, eyes locked on the sweets. “I betcha I can fit three in my cheeks if I try hard enough.”

Ruby’s unimpressed glare made it clear — two cookies, no more.

“Alright, fine,” Andy huffed, grinning as he tore into the package. “Only ‘cause I love ya so much.”

 

The words left Andy’s mouth so easily — and he meant them too. He did love Ruby, like a mom. She’d nurtured him, cared more than most folks in town ever had. Andy could see it, the way some people looked at him. But Ruby… she was there. Always there.

She crouched in front of him, running a hand through his hair and brushing his cheek before resting it gently on his shoulder. “I love you too, kid. Me, you, and Logan — that’s all we need.”

 

On her walk home, Ruby considered at what point she should tell Andy she and Logan had been in contact. She’d spare him the exact details, of course, but if something went sideways… at least he’d know he was in good hands either way. That was all she wanted for him — to be safe. Especially now, after the way Matilda had threatened his safety.

“Logan too?” Andy repeated, his eyes widening at the thought of all of them being in a gang together. “You mean… you’re one of us now?”

“I think so. I hope so at least,” Ruby replied. “Things are going to get a little rough around here, partner. But you’ll have the both of us looking after you.”

“So are you and Logan together then?”

 

Biting the inside of her cheek, Ruby should’ve guessed that would be his next question. And she wasn’t sure how to answer it.

“We’re not getting into that.” She stood up and took the sleeve of cookies from him. “You need to get back to bed. Vivi is going to be watching you tomorrow while I do a stakeout with Justice and Unsuur.”

“I hope you like amusement park rides,” Andy yawned, turning to head back to his room.

“Oh?” Ruby raised a brow, surprised. “Something I need to know before heading that way?”

Andy flashed a big grin. “You’ll see.”

Notes:

Alright next chapter we are rolling into The Goat. But also... let's take a poll. 🤔

Are we fucking or are we fighting?😂

Let me know what you think! I enjoy all the comments on this fic. You guys are AMAZING, and I appreciate the support 100 percent! 🥰

See ya!🩵

Chapter 21: Alliances Forged

Notes:

Welcome back...again? So, listen... I posted chapter 21 and then when I went back, I decided I didn't care for it. And instead of leaving it posted, I deleted and started over!💯

This chapter will actually have another part to it. I have plans...spicy plans, indeed. 🔥

But anyway, hope you enjoy the first part. I am working on the second as we speak. Y'all are awesome! 🩵

Side note - If you read the first chapter 21, nothing changes till after the second break. Feel free to skip ahead ☺️

Ruby was joined by a still half-asleep Andy in the kitchen. He yawned, stretching his arms wide.

“What’s for breakfast, Ruby?”

She’d just finished flipping a pancake—she could handle making those, sliding it onto a plate. Setting it down in front of him, she ruffled his hair and kissed his cheek.

“Your favorite,” she replied. “Figured I should make you something — I’ll probably be gone the rest of the day.”

“Can’t I come with ya to the hideout?” Andy grabbed a utensil and dove into the dish. “I know my way ‘round. I can make sure ya get where you’re s’pposed to go.”

 

Ruby sat across from him, wrapping her hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate. “Justice and Unsuur might object to having you come along, partner. Child endangerment wouldn’t look good on a report.”

“What?” Andy blinked, dumbfounded. “That’s a load of yakmel ass. I could hang with y’all, show ya the ropes.”

Shaking her head, Ruby let out a sharp huff of air. Andy kept his cussing at home as per their agreement. She’d also noted he only did it when he was hell-bent on something. It was cute, but she still held firm in declining his “expertise.”

“Don’t think so. When things settle down…” She hesitated, Matilda’s threat still sending a shiver down her spine. “...maybe you could go up there. But not right now, okay?”

 

Andy sighed, folding his arms. He wanted to be a bandit again — not some upstanding Sandrock citizen. He’d grown used to the softer kind of life Ruby provided him, but part of him still yearned to be out there roughing it with his fellow gang members.

“Andy…” Ruby tilted her head, softening her voice. “It’s not a no. Just not right now. We’ll get you back up there one day. Logan has to agree to it too.”

Andy’s eyes lit up at the thought of being with Logan once again — and adding Ruby into the mix? The boy was practically on cloud nine. The family he’d been longing for was close; he just had to be patient.

“Alright,” Andy conceded, forking another bite of breakfast in defeat.

He dug into his plate, scarfing it down while Ruby sipped her cocoa. The kitchen was quiet, peaceful. Ruby could hear the gentle rustling of her coffee trees outside and the soft whisper of the breeze. She hoped it would be a good day, as those had been far and few between lately.

 

Knock.

Ruby muttered, “Probably Justice,” as she set down her mug and moved over to the oven. “I hope Rambo appreciates reheated rutabaga.”

“Nah, don’t worry ‘bout it. He’ll eat anything,” Andy waved her off. “One time he almost snagged Logan’s boot. He had to chase ‘im for a bit to get it back.”

The rutabaga was steaming when Ruby pulled it out, so to keep it warm she wrapped it in a large cloth, careful not to burn herself. She slid it into an insulated pack—similar to the one she’d crafted for Grace before—then zipped it up and slung it across her back. Ready to bait Rambo.

“I’ll see you later, okay?” she said. “When you get done here, make sure you go to Vivi’s.”

“I will!” Andy called back, watching her step into the hallway. “Tell Logan I said ‘hi’ too, will ya?”

Ruby gave him a smile over her shoulder. “Sure, kid.”

 

Outside, the same breeze that had whistled through the kitchen now tousled Ruby’s hair. The morning air prickled the hairs on her neck as she stepped out to find Justice, Unsuur, and—much to her dismay—Bronco. Her fellow officers already mounted up on their horses, with one left spare.

“Hello, Ruby,” Unsuur greeted. “We brought you a horse. It would’ve been a long walk otherwise.”

“Thank you.”

She threw her leg into the stirrup and swung herself up into the saddle. Ruby didn’t have a mount of her own, but Elsie had taught her to ride when she’d first arrived in town. She was comfortable enough, and she had faith this would be one of the more manageable rides she’d taken.

 

Bronco looked up at her like a child begging for uppies, his eyes gleaming with an unspoken request. Ruby promptly shut it down.

Not a chance in Hell.

“Nope. You’re not riding with me.” She nudged her horse forward, taking the lead in formation. “You can ride bitch with someone else.”

“Ruby!” Justice called out after her. “Hold up now, partner.”

She did not hold up.

 

Justice and Unsuur exchanged a look, then turned their eyes to the bounty hunter. Normally in a situation like this, they’d settle it with rock, paper, scissors. But seeing as Justice outranked, he made the call — Unsuur was taking one for the squad.

“You, sir, are an upstanding citizen. A fellow officer of the people who has done me a great service,” Bronco declared, clasping Unsuur’s hand dramatically before swinging up behind him. “I shall remember this day when I write my autobiography: Back in the Saddle with Bronco.”

“Please don’t,” Unsuur deadpanned.

---

Bronco shuffled toward the clearing where they’d all agreed to place the bait for Logan’s goat. He was about as graceful as a simple-minded pensky in the dunes. His body slow, careful, as he eased the plate down onto the ground. 

“Stand back, officers.” He said, throwing his arms behind him in a defense stance. “I’ll have this brute reined in, then we can question it thoroughly.”

For fuck’s sake. 

 

Ruby narrowed her eyes and looked to Justice. Who figured he best step in before Ruby opened a can of whoop ass on the dunderheaded bounty hunter. 

“Hey man, just hang back with us, alright?”

“Good idea, sheriff,” Bronco agreed, his little legs carrying him to their position behind the rock. “We catch him off guard, then he’ll lead us right to the dastardly bandit’s lair.”

“You said goats didn’t talk before. Have they developed that ability since?” Unsuur asked. 

Ruby snickered. It seemed the only profession Bronco was master at was fibbing.

 

“Well… I uhh,” Bronco stammered. But when a large dark colored figure arrived on the scene—he was grateful. “There it is!”

Four pairs of eyes locked on Rambo as he gorged himself on the savory dish. He noticed them immediately, but Logan had given him strict orders: return to the hideout with Ruby. So he played dumb, despite being anything but.

Bronco was salivating at the thought of capturing Logan. True to his nature as a bounty hunter, he dreamed of his pudgy form rolling around in the hundred-thousand gol price on Logan’s head. It was too much to bear—he needed that money, and he needed it now.

“TALLY HO!” Bronco yelled, leaping from cover and bolting toward the caprine.

“Seriously, Justice?” Ruby snapped, her patience gone. “Whose idea was it to bring him along?”

“Not now, Ruby,” Justice shot back, his voice shifting from friendly town sheriff to that of a commanding officer. “Mount up and let’s ride.”

Justice, Unsuur — and Bronco too — surged into action, grabbing their horses and tearing off after Rambo. Once settled in the saddle, Ruby reared her horse and followed in the pursuit. 

 

They flew down the stretch of canyon, little colorful bombs littering the path. The explosives  unseating everyone except Ruby.

“We’ll catch up!” Justice hollered, throwing an arm forward to wave her on. “After that goat, partner!”

The chase led to a cliff’s edge where Logan’s trusty partner stopped, threw his hoof down, and bleated assertively. Ruby’s mount balked at the domineering sight, reared, and threw her from the saddle — straight into the abyss.

“JUSTICE!” she screamed, her heart racing as she vanished out of view.

Justice and Unsuur scrambled to where she’d fallen, peering over the edge in a desperate attempt to spot her.

 

Bronco stood behind, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Well… seems I best get a move on now. Good luck with the rest of the investigation.”

Forget the bounty — Bronco wasn’t about to be tied to the death of Sandrock’s most prestigious builder. Questions would be asked, and he wasn’t about to answer them. Consider this chapter scrapped from his autobiography.

“Sir?” Unsuur looked at the sheriff, dread plain on his face. “What do we do?”

“Trudy needs to know about this,” Justice said, his tone grim and final. “Reckon we’ll start there.”

---

It was strange… Ruby had heard of people finding clarity in their final moments. As she plummeted toward the bottom of the canyon, she felt… peace. Her troubled mind quieted, as if a wave had finally washed over her.

She’d done the best she could in her situation. Had it cost her friends? Her reputation as a builder? Maybe. But none of that mattered now. Soon she could rest—her reckless, restless soul fading away.

Ruby closed her eyes, and the faces of her closest circle flickered across her mind like an old-world movie reel. Andy first, of course—the bandit boy who’d saved her more times than she could count. Then her friends… the same ones she’d neglected. Now she’d never get the chance to make things right with them. 

I wonder if I’ll feel it… when I hit the—

 

“Son of a bitch,” Ruby cursed as she landed hard against the cushioned blanket on Rambo’s back. Cushion or not, it still hurt like hell.

Rambo nudged his newly boarded passenger with his snout, tugging gently at her pant leg to make sure she was alright.

Ruby groaned, bracing herself on the metal bar to steady her balance. She pulled upright, settling into proper riding posture.

Blinking rapidly, she drew a deep breath to reset herself. She needed to find Logan. Andy’s safety… Sandrock’s safety depended on it.

 

Taking in her surroundings, Ruby realized she’d landed on the goat amid a spread of old ruins. Rambo cocked his head, twitching his tail in smug amusement.

“Hi, Rambo,” Ruby said, patting his shoulder. She liked him better when she was actually in the seat, rather than slung over his rump like a bounty. “I imagine this was Logan’s idea?”

Rambo nodded, flashing that signature caprine smile.

“Alright.” She slid her boots into the stirrups, noting with relief that her flask was still wedged safely inside one. If shit went south, at least she had a way to steady her nerves. “Onward then.”

 

With a nudge of her heels, Ruby and Rambo were off into the hideout. The mount’s hooves clattered against the sandstone floor as the tunnel loomed ahead. Grit rained from the ceiling, carried by an eerie wind whistling through the formation.

Ruby’s eyes darted left and right, scanning every shadow. Given Logan’s fondness for bombs in his diversion plans, she doubted this place would be free of traps.

 

Movement caught Ruby’s attention as someone emerged from the shadows. He was working a blade across a sharpening stone, his horned hat tipped low, mask covering his mouth. He’d come prepared in case whoever fell into his lair wasn’t who he’d planned on.

“Howdy, darlin’,” Logan drawled, eyes catching hers as he dragged the knife one last time along the stone. “What brings ya to my side of the desert?”

“That’s cute, but your goat already ratted you out.” Ruby swung her leg over the saddle, leaning an elbow against the bar.

Rambo rolled his eyes. He wasn’t sworn to secrecy. Logan told him to get Ruby—he got her. Mission accomplished.

“‘Course he did.” Logan came over, slipping his steed a slice of rutabaga for a job well done. With a crunch and a munch, it was gone. Then the bandit extended a hand toward Ruby. “Lemme help ya off of there.”

 

Ruby took it, feeling the roughness of his skin. Her fingers slid past his palm to the leather of his gauntlet, then traced her gaze up his arm until their eyes met again. His were… genuine. Kind, even. Something her past few days had been lacking.

Sure, their interactions had grown fonder over time, but somehow when she looked at him now… it was different. It had evolved—from the kidnapping, to night in the Eufaula Desert, to the times he’d shown up at her house. All of it led to this moment, when she was finally ready to align with him to save Sandrock. 

“How ya been?” Logan asked, catching the tension lingering in her shoulders.

I’m not good at this. But I want to try.

“Not great. Hence why I’m here.” Ruby’s voice was stripped bare, raw. If she wanted his partnership, she couldn’t afford walls. “Duvos is coming, Logan. We need to stop them. Before people get hurt. Before they hurt…”

Andy. They want to hurt Andy.

Logan pulled her close, strong arms wrapping around her. He knew immediately she meant Andy. Her world now centered on the boy—just as his did. He’d seen their bond grow from afar, a mirror of the one he’d built himself with Andy. 

Bein' a father to him helps with the hurt of losin' mine.

Logan wasn’t at peace himself, not entirely. But he knew once he avenged his Pa, he’d be a different man. For now, though, determination was all he had: fierce, unrelenting, all in—even if it cost him his life. 

 

Ruby took a long, ragged breath against him, the heat of him and her own breath flushing her cheeks. Ruby wanted to cry—and in this moment, it felt like the only response to the hell she’d been through. Damn her mind for saying that it was a weakness. If she needed to be weak, then so be it. 

“We ain’t gotta talk ‘bout it if ya don’t want to,” Logan murmured, voice steady with reassurance. He knew better than anyone—sometimes silence was easier than words. “I won’t press ya. But we’re gonna figure this out.”

Understanding. It was something Ruby wasn’t accustomed to. She’d pushed him for details about his part in the church explosion with a hateful intensity, guilt biting deeper now for it. His soothing tone only made that guilt burn worse.

“Why are you being nice to me?” Ruby asked, looking up, eyes reddened and a stray tear slipping free. “I’ve been awful—to you, to everyone. I don’t deserve kindness.”

Logan brushed her tear away with his thumb, “I don’t believe that.”

“You don’t know me.”

“I know enough, darlin’. You’re here which means that you're gonna help us against Duvos, am I right?”

Ruby nodded.

“Then let’s get to Grace and Haru.” Logan pulled back, gesturing for her to follow. “Talk plans. Reckon those two’ll have an idea what to do. Duvos won’t even get close to Andy.”

Reckon one of us has to be strong right now.

 

Ruby shook her head, her resolve hardening. She tucked one knee against her chest, hand diving into her boot to fish out her flask. Uncapping it, she brought the whiskey to her lips and threw it back like a shot.

“Ya carry a flask in your boot?” Logan asked, slightly taken aback. “The hell you need that for?”

“It’s for emergencies,” Ruby replied flatly, holding the metal casing out to him. She figured he might want a taste too. “Here.”

Logan took it and tossed back a gulp. Strong stuff. Ruby had excellent taste in alcohol, he’d give her that. “What kinda emergency we havin’ that calls for whiskey?”

“The kind that involves that fry-cook and her inability to shut her mouth.” Ruby turned away, but Logan was quicker—his hand shot out, catching her wrist.

“Ruby…” Logan warned, his voice worthy of attention. He knew sooner or later she and Grace would have to find some sort of understanding. “If it gets too rough, I’m gonna have to wrangle ya up.”

Ruby’s gaze swept him up and down, unfazed. “Promise? I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on you later. With or without a belt.”

Logan swallowed hard. She had a way of sliding under his skin. Bringing her in on this was risky, sure—but he knew what he’d signed up for. With Ruby, there’d always be bumps in the road. He just had to be ready to ride them out.

She cared for Andy, took him in, and raised him as her own. That was a debt he could never repay. If the church had its way, Light only knew what would’ve happened to that boy. 

 

They walked down the tunnel Ruby had seen Logan appear from. Deadwood logs lined the way, dry brush scraping against the cave walls. Torches burned along the path, guiding them toward their next destination.

And when the tunnel opened up… Ruby realized exactly what Andy’s comment had meant.

“I thought Andy was joking,” she said, eyes narrowing at the spinning spaceships swaying back and forth like some twisted obstacle course. “And they’re electrified too? What the fuck, Logan? The bombs weren’t enough—you had to shock the shit out of intruders too?”

The bandit only shrugged, unbothered. “Can’t be too careful ‘round these parts. ’Specially with the price on my head.”

“So is there a way around, or…?”

“Yeah. Reckon we can just grapple across.” Logan knew there was another path—a door that fed straight into his inner sanctum—but where was the fun in that? “Hope you ain’t afraid of heights.”

 

Ruby rolled her shoulders. She was no stranger to high climbs or deep caverns; her background had served her well in the field she’d chosen.

“No, not really.” Sliding closer, she wrapped her arms around Logan’s waist, settling in for the swing to the block platform below. “Let’s go.”

The hook clanged as it anchored into the metal frame of the spaceship ride. With a leap, Ruby and Logan swung across the chasm, closing the distance to where Grace and Haru were waiting.

The pair made quick work of the rest of the trek. Logan shot down any bomble-bees that buzzed too close, his revolver aimed true, while they scaled the cubes with ease. Eventually, they reached the innermost chamber of the hideout.

 

A scratch tugged at the back of Ruby’s mind—like déjà vu she couldn’t place. She felt like she’d been here before. But she pushed the thought aside. If it mattered, it would come back to her.

“Ruby.” Logan gestured first to her, then to his best friend. “Haru.”

Ruby remembered Arvio painting Haru as flamboyant, just like himself. But the man standing in front of her was anything but. He carried a calm, collected demeanor—the quiet counterpoint to Logan. Where Logan commanded presence the second he stepped into a room, Haru blended into the background with ease.

“A pleasure to finally meet you.” Haru tipped his hat, voice mild and serene, lacking Logan’s rugged drawl. “Logan’s told me a lot about you.”

“Oh?” Ruby arched a brow, casting a glance at Logan. “All good things, I hope?”

“Mostly. Though he did say—ah.”

Logan’s elbow clipped Haru in the shoulder, silencing him.

“Let’s talk,” Grace cut in.

 

Ruby listened as Grace laid out what she knew about Sandrock’s tangled web of allegiances.

Yan—her lazy boss, who only ever surfaced to scold her about commissions—was in on the ploy to hand Sandrock over to Duvos. His motivations? Greed. Predictable, really. That man attempted to help the town unless motivated. 

“Yan? That makes sense.” Ruby nodded. “He wasn’t even on my radar. We tend to steer clear of each other. Guess I did intimidate him a little.”

“I heard about the day you first arrived in Sandrock,” Grace said, hand on her hip. “Made him piss his pants and everything.”

“Yeah, well…”

 

Grace moved on, mentioning Pen and Miguel’s involvement. She revealed that intel pointed to an operative codenamed Tiger, who monitored everything. In her mind, it was obvious: Pen. A conclusion Haru and Logan had concurred with.

“That’s not right.” Ruby folded her arms, boot tapping the floor. “Miguel and Pen are just lackeys. Your intel’s wrong.”

Grace’s eyes narrowed. “Oh yeah? Then who is it?”

“Matilda.”

Grace let out a laugh. “That’s rich. The minister? She’s not even remotely tied to this. Where’d you pull that from? Your ass?”

Haru moved to step between them, but Logan caught his arm and pulled him back. He knew they had to hash this out—if there was any chance of saving Sandrock, it had to be now.

“I got invited to her house, Grace.” Ruby said her name like it was vinegar in her mouth. “Her, Pen, Miguel—they’re all in on this. They’re going to invade Sandrock.”

Grace’s look mirrored Matilda’s from the night before—dismissive.

“Makes sense they’d want you on their side.” She paused, inspecting her fingernails. “You do have a redacted file at ACI, Ruby.”

It’s on now.

 

Ruby had given Matilda the courtesy of not meeting her fists. Grace wouldn’t get the same treatment.

It sounded like two alley cats scrapping as they clashed. Ruby went full throttle, forcing Grace to the ground with a thud. She pinned her hips between her knees, her larger frame giving her the advantage. But what Ruby had in strength, Grace made up for in speed.

 

Ruby cocked her arm back, fist clenched, driving it forward toward the ACI agent’s face. Grace blocked it with a forearm, then countered with a sharp blow to Ruby’s side. Ruby snarled, responding with a quick knee to Grace’s jaw. Back and forth they went, trading blows while Logan and Haru stood aside.

“How about now?” Haru asked. “They’re going to kill each other, Logan.”

“Nah, they’re ‘bout done,” Logan waved him off. “If one of ‘em starts bleedin’, we’ll step in.”

 

Grace wriggled free, the two women circling like predators.

“Tell me what you know!” Ruby shouted. Everyone seemed to be digging into her past. Now she knew how Logan felt when she’d done it to him. “That was supposed to be classified.”

Grace stayed silent, which only lit Ruby’s fuse further. She charged; arm raised for the final blow.

“No,” Grace said softly, her head dipping toward the ground.

Ruby froze, fist inches from Grace’s face. Her hand unclenched and dropped. “No? What do you mean, no?”

“We might know you have a redacted file,” Grace said, lifting her eyes to meet Ruby’s without flinching. “But we didn’t open it. I told ACI I wasn’t interested in your past because Logan convinced me you’d eventually come around.”

 

Both women turned to Logan.

“Seems he was right. So, if this thing between us is squared away, I’d like to move on to the next part of our plan.”

The fire that had burned through Ruby cooled instantly. Logan had proven himself a true partner. She’d hadn’t felt that feeling in a long time.

 

Grace wrapped up her briefing, explaining the existence of a storage facility in town that supposedly housed an old-world machine capable of controlling the Oasis.

“We’ll need an anti-lock to access the facility,” Grace said, handing Ruby a diagram. “Think you can have it ready within a week? That’ll give us time to sift through the details.”

“Yeah. I can have it done by then.”

“Good. Bring it to me when you have it. Then we can move forward.” Grace turned to leave but glanced back over her shoulder. “I’m glad Logan was right about you.”

Ruby gave a half-hearted smile. “Me too. Thanks, Grace.”

Notes:

We did the fight, now we gotta... well you know. 😉

See ya real soon, partners! 🩵