I think I've got a good handle on how I want this one to work.  Hopefully, that means I'll be a little quicker with getting in finished.  But don't get your hopes up on that one.

Disclaimer: Characters and associated details are property of HB and are used for non-profit, entertainment purposes only.

Archiving permission granted.

THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST

Synopsis: The kids head out for some fun, but Jane's story continues to unfold.

Categories: E, ALT (sort of)

"BLOOD MONEY" - Chapter 3

by Eric R. Umali

"Fireworks"

The next morning was Friday, and despite the previous night's excitement, everybody woke up rested and ready to go.  This morning, however, breakfast consisted of much lighter fare.

"What's going on, Grandpa Doug?" asked Jonny.  "Coffee, biscuits, and juice?"

"I figure it'd be a good idea for y'all not to fill up to early today.  Be plenty of chances to get fed later on."

Hadji's face brightened.  "Ah, yes!  Isn't this the first day of the local fair?"

"A fair? Are you serious?" Jessie said, becoming excited.

"I certainly am," replied Doug.  "Except for a few chores back here, the whole ranch has the weekend off."

Jonny whistled.  "Pretty generous of you, Grandpa Doug."

"Just wait until after the fair."

**********

With a screech of rubber, the jeep came to a halt, smack in the middle of the parking space.

"Like a glove," Jessie bragged.

Jonny gratefully hopped out.  "Jess, why is it that every time you drive, my life flashes before my eyes?"

"It's because you're a wuss," she teased.  "Hadji doesn't mind, do you Hadji?"

They turned to the young man, who made a show of squeezing his eyes shut.  "Is it over yet?"

"Very funny."

"I thought so."

Jessie shook her head.  "Well, don't come crying to me when _you_ guys run out of money."

It wasn't too long before they were standing in front of one of the sideshow games, pitching softballs at milk bottles.

"So," Jonny drawled, leaning against the rail, "tell us about this nightmare of yours last night."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she replied, letting the spheroid go.  It sailed a few hairs to the right.

"I've been inside your head before, Ace-- it'd take plenty to surprise me."  He turned, tossing a ball over his shoulder.  Hadji watched it arc lazily for a few seconds before it struck one of the bottle pyramids, sending them flying with a crash.  Jonny and Jessie turned, incredulous.

"Here you go,young fella," drawled the barker, holding up a large teddy bear.

Jesse looked over to Hadji.  "Only _he_ could've done that, you know."

"I have come to the same conclusion, Jessie."

Jonny plopped the stuffed animal in front of her.  "Here-- he'd look better in your room, anyway."

"Why thank you, Mr. Quest.  So, shall we get us some grub?"

"Absolutely," he replied.  "You can start telling your story on the way."

"Okay, fine.  Well, you remember how we found that picture of Calamity Jane, right?  Well..."

**********

Hadji rested his chin on his hand.  "That is quite a dream, Jessie.  Do you truly believe that this Jane Canary is actually an ancestor of yours?"

"Well," she replied, after washing down a corn dog, "the resemblance is undeniable.  I doubt that the dream or my sudden fascination with her really has anything to do with it."

"They're both pretty understandable," offered Jonny.  "A strong, heroic woman to study... and then you find that picture..."

"It would seem the only way to settle this is more research," said Hadji.

"Later," Jonny replied, "first there's a Ferris wheel with our names on it."

It was nearly dusk by the time they crossed paths with Grandpa Doug, who they found plinking tin cans at another booth.  Though he'd missed the days of the original cowboys by about fifty years, he handled the pistol like an expert.

"Well, hey there!" he called when he saw them.  "You kids having a good time?"

Jessie gave the older man a quick hug.  "You bet, Grandpa Doug."

Doug handed her the six-shooter.  "Here, Jessie-- let's see if your secret agent of a dad taught you anything about shootin'."

"Well, he taught me some," she said warily, "but I'm not a big fan of guns."

"Me neither," Doug agreed, "but you kids probably know better than most your age just how dangerous a world it is out there.  Besides-- it's just tin cans."

"Sure," Jessie said, acquiescing.  She raised the Colt, holding it in the two-handed grip Race had showed her.  Her finger paused just a second before she pulled back the hammer.  Jessie held her breath, then squeezed the trigger.

There was a sharp noise.

**********

To her credit, Jane didn't flinch a bit when it happened, just closed her eyes and whispered a silent prayer.  The gun went off.  After a moment, Jane opened her eyes, only to find the shotgun still leveled at her.  The bandit behind it grimaced, then folded to the floor, a dark stain spreading across his chest.

"Well don't just stand there gawking, Janey!" shouted Jimmy.  He immediately turned his attentions back on the other assasins.  Jane was just a second behind.

It was less than a minute later when the fight was over.  A cloud of smoke and the smell of cordite hung in the air as the survivors-- Jane, Hickock and Joe-- rose from their cover.

"I suppose," said Jane, reloading, "I should take this as Doolin's attempt to discourage me from going after him."

Joe chuckled. "Can't see how you could take it another way."

"Should I take Mister Doolin's advice?"

Hickock shook his head.  "You wouldn't be Calamity Jane if you did."

She smiled.  "Exactly."

Jane and Hickock strode confidently through the shattered remains of the swinging entrance doors, with Joe close behind, and into the bright sunlight of the dusty street outside.  A hot wind stirred their hair and jackets as they swung up onto their mounts.

"So, Jimmy," Jane said slyly, "ready to get into some trouble?"

"Always."

With a snap of the reins, Jane was off like a shot, with Hickock and Joe hot on her heels.

**********

The tin can jumped into the air, flipping end over end.  Jessie shivered.

Grandpa Doug clasped her shoulder.  "Kiddo, are you all right?"

Her voice wavered.  "Um, yeah, Grandpa Doug.  I'm fine.  Just a little surprised, that's all."

"S'okay, Jessie.  What do y'all say we go check out some of those rides, huh?"

Jonny nodded vigorously.  "Sounds great, Grandpa Doug."

"Absolutely," Hadji agreed.

"I'll be there in a second," said Jessie.  She turned back to the shooting gallery, and leveled the pistol again, squeezing off the five remaining shots in quick succession.  The last can was in the air before the first was on the ground.  Jessie spun the pistol a few times before handing it back.

Jonny gave a low whistle.  "Where'd you learn to do that?"

Jessie shrugged.  "Who knows?  Let's go."  Side by side, they headed off.

Every night at the fair was to be capped off the same way-- fireworks.  Jonny, Jessie, Hadji and Grandpa Doug sat atop a picnic table, ready for the show to start.  Soon, the first starburst lit the sky, drawing the requisite "ooh"s  and "aah"s from the crowd.  In streaks of red, green and gold, the fireworks streaked up through the air, followed quickly by the rapid reports of their explosions.

Three shimmering rockets brightened the sky, causing Jessie to shut her eyes.  A second later came the noise.

**********

The roar of the gunfire was deafening.  They'd been able to find where Doolin and his gang had holed up, a well-hidden rocky basin about twenty miles outside of town.  As Jane and her friends found, the natural rock formations made for an easily defensible spot.  Ten seconds after the gang had been spotted, they were instantly under a hail of bullets.

Bits of rock spattered against their heads.  Joe slumped back down, feverishly popping cartridges into his Henry rifle.  "You wanna think twice about taking Doolin's advice, Janey?"

She shook her head, bewildered for a moment.  "Wh... what?"

"Jane!" Hickock shouted.  "Get back in the game, willya?"

Jessie held her breath and closed her eyes again.

TO BE CONTINUED...