Apple Of The West

by RainbowBob

Rating: mature
Tags: Alternate Universe, Human, Applejack, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Sex
Length: 9279

Appaloosa's finest finally has a chance to capture the notorious Apple of the West. The sheriff's only has to make it through one night keeping on eye on her. And maybe a hand and other body parts while he's at it.

Cody Greenfield is the local sheriff of Appaloosa, a trade town with apples as their main commodity. His job is to keep all the outlaws, bandits and general ne'er–do–wells under control and make sure a store isn't robbed blind on his watch. Only problem is that Applejack, the notorious Apple of the West, is the only outlaw that's ever gotten away from him. From train robbing to bank burglaries, she's done it all and more. The bounty on her head is enough to make a man retire in comfort if given the chance. Not like anyone can take her dead or alive anyways. Except this time Cody's actually got her captured and locked up tight in a jail cell. Now all he has to do is wait until the morning and he makes a hefty payday. Too bad Applejack has other plans. It can get awfully hot at night, after all.

Thanks to my co-writer Merc the Jerk for helping make this story as awesome as it is, and my kickass editor Marik_Azemus for correcting and helping work out the story more! Image courtesy of http://phnkytown.tumblr.com.

Published 2013-06-17 17:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-06-17 17:20:02 UTC

Chapter 1: Dead Or Alive

Just another typical summer day in the town of Appaloosa. The dry season was kicking back in with a vengeance, but the townsfolk had gotten used to parched mouths by now. Luckily, they could cool themselves off by other conventional means. Like, for instance, the apple tree orchard right by the town, which just so happened to be the town’s namesake.

Appaloosa apples were famous for their fresh and crisp taste, along with uncanny ability to just not die, even being out in the middle of nowhere with little water and a whole lot of sun. The town’s main trading source were those apples, allowing them to sell them off in every available commodity imaginable. Pies, tarts, scones, cakes, cure-alls, mystical hair regrowth cream. All of these and more, just from something as lovely and mundane as apples.

Due to the abundance and sale of these red colored and juicy delights, the town was somewhat of a trading center. Almost overnight following its construction, it became a boomtown, and in only a few years doubled in size. Actual sidewalks, several stores, living arrangements, and even a spot on the map (Hardly a dot to mark it, but it was still there). Appaloosa was now a bustling trade town with supplies and travelers being drawn there from all across western Equestria. Again, thanks to apples.

While this business may have helped the local economy, like all success it came at a price, that price being in the rise of crime in the once quaint town. It didn’t help that nearly everyone out the wild owned a gun or two, seeing how they were relatively cheap and plentiful. With the lax alcohol consumption and gambling laws, booze ran hand in hand with a rowdy game of blackjack. The combination of gambling, liquor and a six-shooter was typically never a good one, and many could attest. Well, would attest. Gunshot wounds to the chest don’t leave you much time to talk.

Because of the rise of crime in the town, a sheriff was appointed. The first one was an old tyke that had a habit to accept bribes and drink himself to a stupor rather than do his job. A well-placed bullet to his skull from a passing outlaw ended him real quick.

The next sheriff to the position was Cody Greenfield, and he was generally liked by the community. A man in his mid twenties, he was of average height with a bulky build that spoke of a past life of living hard on a farm. He could always be seen with his trademark cocky grin covered by a nine o’clock shadow that no razor could ever hope to properly get rid of for more than half a day. He kept his dark brown hair cut short, and due to his constant wearing of his hat it seemed to have a permanent spiky look to it. His eyes were a lush, light green, and one would usually make an inference from his eyes to his name because of this. He always seemed to get a chuckle out of this, no matter how many times he heard it.

Cody was currently leaning his back against the supporting beam of the local saloon, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips as he blew out the occasional puff of smoke. His dirty stetson hat was hanging low over his head, hiding half of his face in shadows as his neck leaned forward. He was decked out in the usual gear; a long sleeved blue button-up with a black leather vest and an open, light brown coat loaded with fringe. His dark blue jeans were covered in a healthy coating of dirt, and his cowboy boots needed shine-up, along with the rest of his unkempt appearance.

The only thing that differentiated him from the typical cowboy or trader passing through town was the large and mirror-polished silver star displayed on his vest, a clear indication to who was in charge. No sane thug messes with a badge.

Another clear indication of his sovereignty were the two six-shooter pistols hanging at his sides. He put an end to the random drunkard shooting sprees by enforcing a law proclaiming if you wanted to buy even a drop of booze, you had to hand over your piece to the saloon owner until you left. This cut down on shootings at card games dramatically, and usually whenever someone arrived into town they traded in their guns for a chair by the bar as soon as they could. Made keeping the law in order much easier when a drunk moron didn’t have a pistol at their hips, and if things got out of hand, the bartender had a lot of guns to fire.

While the sheriff was popular, he still had grief to deal with. Mainly, his inability to capture a certain outlaw that had been plaguing him and his town for years. One of his main revenues was completing the bounty lists tacked on the sides of walls in the town. Dead or alive, he still made quick and easy cash by taking care of a troublesome outlaw. Except for one, that is.

Applejack, the Apple of the West. Notorious thief to end all thieves, she was. It was said there wasn’t a bank she hadn’t hit or a train she hadn’t stolen from. And what made it the most aggravating was the fact that time and time again whenever he confronted her, she got away. Even when it came down to shoot first and ask questions later scenarios, she always managed to outclass him in sharpshooting skills and escape with a sack full of cash yet again. Yet, she never killed Cody. She merely disarmed him and ran for the hills.

Now as you can imagine, this diminished Cody’s reputation in town and caused the occasional harsh word to be whispered behind his back. Didn’t help that Applejack acted like he was just a minor threat each time they encountered each other. He was the sheriff, for Celestia’s sake. In his mind, a sheriff was be treated like an enforcer of the law. Properly respected. It goes without saying, he was not someone who took kindly to mockery and blown raspberries, like a certain criminal cowgirl did from time to time.

Cody removed his cigarette and snuffed it beneath the heel of his boot, deciding he’d do another round around town, then call it a night. He was already at the saloon, so going down main street and circling through the town hall should’ve been good enough for his patrol.

He started at a leisurely pace down down main street, tipping his hat to passersby and townsfolk. Most would tip their hat back at him, or call out a greeting. Cody took his time to remember every face in town. Never knew when information like that could be useful.

He passed by a general store, the shop closing up for the night as the sun set slowly in the sky, turning the few clouds that graced the horizon a high pink. The spurs on his boots clinked with each of his footsteps as he he rested his hands on the grips of his pistols. His eyes scanned the store fronts and alleys of both sides of the street.

So far it had been a pretty quiet week, but one never knew what trouble would spring up out of nowhere. The West was still wild, still dangerous. At least the town wasn’t anywhere near the Badlands. Dragon Gang was notorious around those parts.

His eyes wandered to the local bank, one of the newer buildings, still decked out with a fresh coating of white paint. Well, one that hadn’t been beaten into submission by the dust that ran the town as much as he did. There hadn’t been a bank robbing in months, and the last one was just a two-bit amateur that nearly shot his own hand off when Cody got to him. A hard knock to the head with the butt of his pistol and the idiot was knocked out cold instantly. Woke up in a cell an hour later.

It looked like the bank was all locked up to. Doors were closed and there wasn’t a light on in the place. Though something seemed off. It almost slipped his eye.

How normal the sight was. A horse was tied up to the hitching post outside. But that in itself was the issue. With the bank closed, no one would have any good reason to leave their ride there.

Cody approached the horse warily, trying to see if there was any telling mark; a brand, a mark on its saddle, any tag of who the owner may be. The creature had a dusty, light red coat, shaggy orange mane and tail, and was generally well groomed and fed. It was a horse built by and large for speed and endurance. Still, that told nothing. Its owner didn’t brand or mark it in any way.

Glancing to his right, past the giant of a horse, he noticed the gray-coated with black spots quarter horse that the bank clerk used to ride home because of his bum shin. Why would he close up shop when his horse was still here. Unless...

“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, oh Celestia, why,” Cody muttered, withdrawing a six-shooter and clicking back the hammer as he raced towards the banks front door. “She’s back!”

He breached the door with a single well-placed kick above the knob, just as a window to his left broke open, a figure quickly disappearing through it outside. The clerk was behind the counter with his arms up high, a look of pure fright on his wizened old face.

“Sheriff, she robbed me high and dry! Ya gotta stop her!” he hollered.

“Already on it!” Cody shouted, snapping around and pointing his gun out of the doorway. He turned back. “Oh, and you can put your hands down.” He rounded the corner. There she was.

Applejack was already on her horse and preparing herself to take off. While the distance wasn’t the best at the moment, Cody took the shot, blasting from the hip. He nicked her, grazing the outlaw across the shoulder. Before he could stick her with any more bullets she snapped her legs into the horse’s sides and flew down the town’s road, blasting up dust with every step of her horse’s hooves, her worn leather duster flapping in the breeze.

Not wanting to let her escape yet again, Cody hopped atop the clerk’s ride and began to give chase. Official sheriff business; clerk had no right to complain in a situation like this.

Applejack already had a lead on him, but Cody dug his spurs in the horse’s sides hard, just to get an extra leg up. The chase went past vending stalls and other horse drawn carriages in the streets, causing a disturbance as townsfolks shouted in awe.

Now, shooting off of a moving horse a difficult thing to do. Factoring in the wind, trajectory, bouncing up and down on, well, a goddess damned horse, and one comes to a realization that it’s a damn fool thing to go shooting off of a horse currently in motion. Cody had a better chance at accidentally shooting a random passerby than the outlaw he was chasing.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t shoot at him with all her heart’s content.

Cody leaned close to the back of his horse, flinching as a bullet passed by his shoulder. If she was trying to get an eye for an eye for that wound he caused her, she was getting pretty damn close at it.

“Applejack, give yourself up!” Cody shouted. He held down his hat to his head so it didn’t dislodge from the rough ride.

Applejack turned around, her tanned face showing off a wildly cocky grin. Her blonde ponytail flapped in the breeze and her own worn stetson stayed atop her head with no problem, somehow. Winking one of her bright green eyes, she hollered, “I don’t think so, sheriff! If ya want my ass so bad, ya gotta catch it.”

Cody gritted his teeth. If there was one thing he hated about these encounters with Applejack, other than the fact she made him seem like an incompetent fool most of the time, was the constant flirting she did with him, as if he’d ever be interested with an outlaw like her. More than likely she did it to throw him off. But not today. Today he was going to catch her and throw her nice looking ass in the slammer, once and for all.

Dammit, he was staring at it again. Right in the middle of a chase, too! What the hell was wrong with him? It couldn’t be all his fault. He was simply making an observation. Her tight fitting jeans and her position while riding her horse made her rump a prominent sight, one that was damn near impossible to ignore. Besides, if he had to keep an eye on her, he figured he might as well as enjoy it...

Shit, he really needed to get his head in the game and not check out the outlaw he was chasing like she was some type of floozy. “Give it up, Jack! This isn’t going to end your favor, and you know it!”

Applejack kicked her horse’s side and jumped over a cart, Cody barely getting his own horse over it in time. “I don’t think so, sheriff,” she called out, chuckling slightly. “I got me my payday right here. Girl’s gotta eat somehow.”

No matter how many times Cody kicked his horse into gear, he was still not gaining a lead on her. Applejack’s horse was quicker and more agile than his own, but his horse had the upperhand in turns and movements in tight spaces. And since they were still on main street, there were plenty of obstacles the closer they got to the edge of town.

“Prison food isn’t that bad!” Cody shouted. He kicked his horse again and finally ate away at the distance between them. Applejack narrowly ducked under a low-hanging sign of the town’s inn. Cody did the same, barely. It was like she was toying with him–-trying to have him match her step-for-step.

“If that’s the case, prove it! Ya better take a shot! Ain’t catchin’ up ta me no other way!” she called back to him. Her voice was tinged with euphoria. “Or ya afraid ya can’t handle yer lil’ piece?”

Well, he was certainly in a pickle. If he took a shot at her, he could risk hitting a random passerby. And even if he did hit her, he could risk killing her if she fell off her horse at these type of speed. She was worth more alive than dead on her bounty list. Though it was also partially because Cody didn’t want to see her end up in a coffin like so many other outlaws. He liked the fact he had a low killing rate since he took up the badge, and wanted to keep it that way, even for her... Especially for her... Agh!

“Jack, yer gonna bleed out soon ‘nough if ya don’t stop now!” he shouted, hoping she’d listen to reason at least.

“If ya think I’m gettin’ stopped by a lil’ scratch, you’ve got yerself another thing comin’!” she shouted back.

Snapping her heels once more into the big stallion, she pushed even harder. With the grace of a ballerina, she flipped around in her saddle, straddled the barrel of her steed and took to riding backwards. Applejack gave another taunting grin and let a bullet rip. It blew clean through Cody’s hat, shredding it half and sending the tattered remains of it soaring through the air. She blew on the gun’s barrel and rested a foot on the wide back of her stallion.

“Are you insane?! Yer gonna get someone killed!” Cody swore he felt the bullet graze his scalp. He gave a yell and kicked at his horse’s sides, electing a stressed neigh from the animal as it put on the speed. Hugging the stallion’s side with his legs, Cody pulled out his six-shooter and aimed at Applejack’s grinning face. “I swear, Jack, I’ll- I’ll kill ya if I have ta! Get off that damn horse now!”

“What I aim for I hit. Ya should give up the chase ‘fore I actually try ta blow a hole through yer soft skull,” Jack said with a wag of her finger. She twisted once more in the saddle and hugged the beast for all it was worth. She glanced up.

A small girl, all but paralyzed at the sudden chase that sprang up in the peaceful land, was standing in the road towards the end of town. Applejack raised her piece and fired a warning shot.

“Shit, she’s gonna kill that kid!” Cody threw away his inhibitions and fired wildly at her position, trying to desperately get a bullet through her and off her horse before she ran the child over. Between a little girl and the flirty outlaw, he preferred a coffin for the latter.

At the last possible moment, Applejack yanked her stallion hard and frantically to the side, stopping mere feet in front of the child and coating the area with dirt as the horse stumbled and toppled over, landing hard on its side and pinning one of Applejack’s legs underneath its massive body. She struggled, briefly, and even succeeded pulling it out from under the beast before giving up, splaying both her hands on the ground and staring up grimly at the sky.

Cody hopped from his horse’s back on the ground, his boots kicking up dust as he ran to Applejack’s side. Yanking her roughly to her feet, he ignored her cries of pain and twisted her arm behind her back. “You’re stupider than I thought!” he yelled in her ear, manhandling her to sheriff station. “You coulda killed somebody!”

“Speakin’ of killin’ someone, that was some nice shootin’, handsome. Pretty sure the kid got grazed more than me or Mac did,” said the blond nonchalantly.

Gritting his teeth, Cody pulled out the pistol from his hip and stuck it under her jaw, pushing her roughly forward just to get another groan of pain from her. “Keep on runnin’ yer yap, Jack. I finally got ya, so as far as I care, yer the newest guest of a prison. Enjoy the food.”

“Let me tell you somethin’ simple, sugar. I can be outta here anytime I like.” She glanced behind her, wincing once more when she stepped on her wounded leg, but still held that defiant grin on her pretty lips. “Even now. Yer gun’s not loaded.”

Cody slammed the butt of the gun at the back of her head. Applejack slumped in his arms as he dragged her towards the station. “Don’t need a loaded gun,” he said.

After much hauling and curses muttered under his breath, he reached the station doors. The jailer was there, lazily sitting about as he leaned back in his chair. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he caught sight of the notorious Apple of the West, captured by none other than Cody Greenfield.

“I-is that who I thinks it is?” the jailer asked, his eyebrows arched. Cody grunted and threw Applejack in a nearby chair, her head slumping to her tight, button-down yellow shirt.

“Yeah. Finally caught her,” Cody replied nonchalantly, going over to his desk where the jail cell keys were located. Once he locked the bars, there was still the business of calling up higher up authorities to come by and pick her up. And collecting that hefty reward, of course.

“Why is she asleep?” the jailer asked, backing away slightly, as if she could spring up awake at any moment.

“She fell and knocked her head,” Cody explained, glad she was wearing a hat and had such thick blonde hair to cover the bruise. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of remorse for putting her through that. He checked to ensure the jailer was out of earshot, then sincerely whispered into Applejack’s ear, “Sorry about that, hon.”

Applejack awoke with a groan. She felt like she had a mariachi band playing in her head. Every part of her body hurt. She opened her eyes and was hardly surprised to find herself staring at the ceiling of a dirty room. Glancing to the side, she saw the telltale bars of a prison cell; to her left, a bucket, bed and a small window the width of her hand.

In the slammer again. Great, she dryly thought. She slowly sat up, clutching at the back of her head and putting a hand to her knee. She rose part way, only to have her leg flare up in agony and drop her again. That, along with her shoulder, were a real pain in the ass.

“Damn,” she swore under her breath, sweat beading at her forehead as she stood, far more cautiously this time.

“Enjoyin’ that there cell, Jack?” Cody asked from the other side of the bars. He had a lit smoke in his lips, and was currently wearing her stetson, twirling the flower and feather she had attached to the front in his fingers. “Real comfy, ain’t it?”

Applejack felt for her bare forehead and scowled deeply at him. “The cell’s fine. Just give the hat back,” she said, all trace of her casual demeanor gone.

Cody chuckled. Smoke blew from his nostrils as he tucked the hat on his head with a casual grace. “I dunno. You did destroy my last one. Thinkin’ ‘bout keepin’ this one. You know, payback.”

“If ya know what’s good fer ya, yer gonna give that back,” she warned, glaring defiantly at the sheriff.

“If ya know what’s good fer ya, you wouldn’t be robbing banks and livin’ as an outlaw, would ya?” Cody asked. He raised an eyebrow at her. “Look how that worked out fer ya, huh?”

“Girl’s gotta eat,” she repeated, still staring at the hat. “‘Sides, I prefer livin’ an outlaw than bein’ a lapdog like yerself. Where’s the fun in followin’ protocol?”

“Oh yes, ‘cause lapdogs get locked up behind bars all the time.” Cody snubbed his cigarette on the table counter, pulling out another one and lighting it up in turn. Breathing in a long drag on it, he let the smoke out of his lungs before speaking, “So Jack, ya wanna know yer chances?”

“Chances at what?” she asked, limping to the wall and leaning against it.

“You. Living,” he said with an almost emotionless tone in his voice. “Ya never had any kills on yer record, so that helps. But you robbed a bunch, Jack. And from the wrong types of people too. That ain’t gonna simmer well.”

“Wrong types of people, huh? Ya mean the kind that didn’t earn their money.” She spat to the side and crossed her arms, briefly trailing a finger over the bandage on her shoulder. “Ain’t never hurt or stole from someone who don’t deserve it.”

“Yeah, and those people ya ‘hurt and stole from’ are highly influential individuals who frankly want ya dead.” Cody twirled around the flower in his hand, brushing the feather on the underside of his jaw in a bored manner. “Even if ya don’t end up hangin’ from a noose, ya ain’t gonna last long in a public prison.”

“Yer thinkin’ I ain’t got a plan or two in me? Ya really think I’m that dense, boy?”

Cody slammed his hands on the table, a scowl planted firmly on his face. “Listen up, and do it good! I’m not a boy! I’m the sheriff, so shut yer trap and start treatin’ me like one!”

“Sounds like I hit a sore spot. Someone not treatin’ ya right ‘round these parts, kid?” Applejack said, giving another smug, defiant grin his way.

“Every frickin’ outlaw in these parts treats me like that. Just cause I don’t act the part of their bitch boy, like the last sheriff. I don’t accept bribes or let scum like you slink away from the law.”

“Scum,” Applejack repeated, giving a small snort of laughter. “Have ya really looked at who yer workin’ for? Who owns the law?” She gestured around the cell. “Yer still a bitch, jus’ got a different dog humpin’ ya.”

“Better than consortin’ myself with the pieces of shit in yer profession,” he growled. “Rapists, killers, robbers. Yer all just another piece of meat hangin’ from the end of a noose at the end of the day.”

At this, Applejack threw her head back and laughed heartily, then gazed at him. “Y-yer serious?! Yer serious!” She gave another titter of laughter and wiped at her eyes. “How many of ‘em got forced inta that kinda shit ‘cause of the bankers takin’ away their land? Ya know how many desperate family men you sons-of-bitches took ta the noose?” She held her hand up. “I know five, personally.” She stared hard at the hat he wore and shook her head in disgust. “An’ jus’ ‘bout everyone I run with knows a guy that knows a guy. Yer all puppets on string.”

“Says the adrenaline junkie who nearly ran over a little girl and scared the shit outta an elderly clerk. Ya know he nearly got a heart attack from the fright ya gave him?” Cody flicked his cigarette away, but didn’t bother grabbing another. Instead he took of the hat from atop his head and examined it in his hands, noting the tender care she gave it. If only she put this much effort into a legitimate living...

“That was my pa’s,” she curtly said, looking in thought towards the ground. I was like she could read Cody’s thoughts. “He did what he had to fer us, all the way to the end.”

“What happened? He keel over?”

“Shot dead when he was robbin’ a bank. Hat was ‘bout the only thing not riddled with bullets”

“Well, I hate to say it, but he got what was comin’ to him,” Cody replied, tucking the hat back on his head. “You should know you’ll end up with bullets through yer hide if ya go robbin’ places. Common sense.”

Applejack clenched her hand tightly at her side, biting hard at her lip.“My sister had scarlet fever,” she quietly explained. She then got angry really fast. “Tell me where in the hell he was gonna get money fer medicine when our Goddess damnland was bought out!?” She rose and slammed a fist into the wall, leaving a hefty dent. “The banks cheated us, ya hear me ya worthless, inbred horse fucker?! Because of them, my pa is fucking! Dead!”

“Yeah? Guess what, hussy, yer life ain’t a frickin’ tragedy I’d play a violin to,” Cody said, tipping the hat backwards on his head. “I didn’t even know my parents. Pa ran off on my ma, my ma died when I was born. Was raised by a frickin’ orphanage where I worked the fields fer over fourteen hours a day. But did I become a no good outlaw like ya? No, I became a sheriff and a useful member of society. And that’s worked out pretty good fer myself so far. Yer bounty alone should be ‘nough for me to retire happily.”

“I can’t blame yer dad fer runnin’ off, if this is what ya turned into: a glory hound. A scumbag hidin’ behind the law an’ ruinin’ families left an’ right. A no-good coward that can’t see what’s actually right here.” She held a bitter smirk, slowly calming down from her outburst. “But that’s jus’ how the cards lay, I guess.” Applejack reached a hand into her pants pocket and paused. “Kid, kid, kid...” she shook her head. “I jus’ ‘bout gotta do yer job for ya.”

“Call me whatever ya like, Jack,” Cody replied, leaning back in his seat and laying both his feet on the table. “But I’m the one on the other side of the bars here. So enjoy yer last night of freedom... sorta. Cause tomorrow, once them boys from over at the local prison arrive, ya ain’t my problem no more.”

“Whatever they’re payin’ ya, it’s too damn much.” She felt her legs once more. “Ya fergot ta double check my pants. Got a coupla hidden pockets. How long have ya been on the job?”

Cody already had his pistol out and the hammer cocked back. “Any sudden movements, Jack, and yer dead. I don’t care if I have to take the dead reward fer yer capture either. Hands where I can see them.”

“Ya load the damn thing this time?”

“Wanna find out?”

She gave a snort of laughter, but said nothing, raising her hands to her sides.

Cody kept his gun still pointed at her, but relaxed a bit when he saw she didn’t have any weapon. “Whatcha got in yer pockets?”

“Come an’ find out.”

“Hmm... I don’t think so,” Cody replied, leaning back in his chair. “I go in yer cell, then ya somehow disarm me when I ain’t lookin’, then ya force me at gunpoint to help ya escape, and then it’s my hide to chew the next mornin’.” He gave out a sharp bark of laughter. “What, ya take me fer some dumbass?”

“Yeah, I do, actually. That’s beside the point, though.” Applejack dug into her pants and pulled out a worn, creased piece of paper. “Here,” she said quietly, holding her hand through the bars and evenly meeting his gaze.

Narrowing his eyes, he got up from his seat and swiped the paper from her hand, taking care to not stick too close to the bars. Opening it up, he asked, “What the hell is this?”

“A letter ta my sister.”

Cody’s eyes swept over the letter, reading every word.

Bloom. I reckon if you’re reading this, law’s finally caught up to me. I know you’re probably scared. It’s okay to be. I’m sorry I’m not gonna be around to help you through it, but just remember something for me. You’re strong. Stronger than anything in the world. You can do anything you want to, sug.

Remember the tree by Thompson’s old field? The one we used to play ball by? Go there. I left a little nest egg at its roots. You won’t live like a queen, but it’ll keep you fed.

I’m sorry this letter is so short. I don’t think even a thousand pages could say everything I want to about you, but this is about all I can trust to carry on person; just know this: Everything, every single thing I did was for you. So... try not to hate me, if you can.

I love you, Bloom.

AJ

Cody gulped, tracing the worn edges of the paper with a finger. “So... what ya wanna have me do with this?”

“The hell you think? I told you I had a couple of plans, but i-if they fall through the shitter, I want you to play delivery man.”

Cody shot Applejack a confused glare when he heard her choke over her words. “Heh, least ya didn’t say boy this time,” he chuckled, trying to liven up the air a bit. If that was even possible at that point.

“Guess I didn’t,” Jack admitted, pursing her lips.

Cody tucked the paper in his pocket. Then he took off her hat and threw it through the space of the bars, turning his back on her. “I’ll make sure she gets it... and no, this isn’t me bein’ nice, okay? So zip yer lips ‘bout it.”

Applejack donned the hat and nodded. “Much obliged either way.”

She gave him a measured look, before deciding something. Without preamble, she took off her trench coat and threw it on the bed. Rolling her now bare shoulders, she threw the bandana she wore off, and fanned herself with the collar of her button-up half-shirt.

“Warm as hell,” she commented, undoing the top button of her shirt. Then another. She paused, a work-worn finger resting on top of the next button the only thing hiding her bra from his eyes. She stared out the window and almost absentmindedly undid the third, then the fourth.

Jack now stood with the shirt like an open vest. Her red bra was peeking out like a timid child, flirting with the notion of making it past the rest of her clothing, but still obscuring itself in the shadow of her shirt.

“W-what the–-What in Celestia...” Cody whispered, backing up until the back of his leg hit the table. “What got into ya?”

“I said it was hot.” Applejack shrugged, reaching down and undoing her belt and unzipping her pants, showcasing the panties that matched her bra. She kicked off her boots and rose, letting her pants drop to the floor. She let her shirt slide off her form, catching behind her at the elbows. With a small wink his direction, she adjusted her arms and let it slide off.

The bandit stood in her bra, underwear and tight-fitting socks and gave another small smirk Cody’s way. “I’m parched, can ya tell? Care to get me a drink?”

“I-I, uh... sure.” Cody removed a flask from his coat, his hand shaking slightly. He tossed it between the bars, not daring to get closer. Trying to keep his eyes from grazing her entire magnificent body was a herculean effort that threatened to snap his neck at how much he struggled to keep his head up.

Applejack gave a half smile, catching the flask and taking a hit. A few small droplets ran down her lip, running and resting at the small indention at her full breasts. She moved a finger down her body and dabbed at the whisky, then brought it back to her mouth.

Cody gulped. Damn. Suddenly I’m the parched one. His eyes suddenly gaining a mind of their own as they took up her and all her beauty. Her luscious curves, her ample breasts, her beautiful face with those freckles he couldn’t help but dote at. She was fit, too. All those years of death-defying antics definitely showed on her body, particularly in her muscles and broad shoulders. She certainly wasn’t a supermodel, but it was the more natural beauty that had Cody in a stupor.

Coughing into his fist as his face blushed deeply, he said, “Well, um, ya gonna head ta bed soon? Gonna have ta get up early in the mornin’, after all.”

“Guess yer right,” she concluded. She reached behind her, unhitching her bra, not even letting it hit the ground before sliding off her panties. That was enough incentive for Cody to wheel around and lock his eyes on the wall. He pretended the wall was far more fascinating than gorgeous bare outlaw skin. “Could ya maybe come in here an’ give me a blanket? I’d hate ta get a cold spell. Ya never know if the night’ll have a frigid snap ta it.”

Staring at the wall was proving difficult. Cody was trying his best to look anywhere but to Applejack, lest she see his fluster. “We ain’t got no blankets. Make do with what ya have,” he said.

“Ya wantin’ yer flask back?” she asked.

“Um, sure. Just throw it over,” Cody said, holding his hand out behind him.

“Maybe ya wanna jus’ come an’ get it.” Applejack coyly unscrewed the cap and took another sip. She licked at her lips very slowly, then sighed at the sweet yet bitter taste. “Ain’t too bad, what’s yer brand?”

“J-just the regular stuff. Apple cider, you know,” he grunted, sliding over closer to the bars and stretching his arm further. His hand was shaking slightly. “Give it here now, okay? Nice and easy, Jack...”

She sauntered forward, then put her hand on the back of his palm. She adjusted his hand and moved it until it came into contact with her bare breast.

“The hell?!” he shouted, pulling back his hand and backing up quickly, tripping on his feet. “You’re a skank on top of your other crimes, is that it?”

Applejack threw her head back and laughed once more. “Hey now, hoss. If I’m gettin’ hauled off tomorrow, I reckon this might be my last chance at some action. Might as well take it.”

Cody shook his head, wiping away some sweat that collected on his brow. “No. No how. I ain’t gonna risk my career fer a one night stand. So just ferget it.”

“Gotta have a bit a risk if yer wantin’ a reward.” She smirked, sauntering to the bars of the prison, and giving one of the poles a slow, deliberate lick up and down. “Besides, ya don’t have to be on my side of the law for me to admit... Yer a real cutie.”

“Well... no, no, no!” he shouted. He waved his arms in absolute refusal. “Just shut up and sit on yer bed or somethin’! I ain’t gonna do it!”

“Guess I’ll jus’ have ta take care of business myself,” the bandit said, moving to the bed and sitting down. Without breaking her gaze towards him, she took to running her finger down her stomach, teasing herself with a light, butterfly touch across her toned abs.

Cody’s eyes were wide open as his neck and head moved without thought to stare at her. Sure, he’d always found Applejack one of the sexier rogues he had to deal with over the years, but he always kept the thought of anything that involved sexual desires out of his mind. Well... mostly out of his mind... Maybe once or twice...

Applejack’s hand trailed down, making a small, sensual circle above her womanhood, before plunging in, putting two fingers in herself and electing a small moan. She used her other hand to knead her breast, pawing at her freckled body so hard it left red lines. She clearly loved pushing herself.

Holy shit, she’s really masturbating right in front of me, Cody thought with a panic, sweat pouring down his brow in a river. Dry lips, dry throat, and a thirst like no other taking hold of him. And sitting in that jail cell was the only way to quench it. Dammit, and here I thought the hardest part of this job would be avoiding getting shot full of lead from a bandit. ...Well, I wouldn’t mind if she- Shut up, Cody!

Applejack took a look at the sheriff. “Ya alright, pardner? Yer lookin’ a mite peckish.” She brought up a wet finger and put it in her mouth, never breaking eyesight from the man.

“Just... Summer night’s heat is all,” he said in a squeaky voice, noticing how hot his clothes were getting. He had a strong urge to throw them off, but he willed himself to stay in control. He knew if he went that far, he’d go off the tracks like a runaway train.

“Lotta things hot tonight...” Jack agreed, cupping her breasts and briefly playing with her pink nipples. “Lotta things... Mmmm...”

Okay, Cody, just stay calm. If you lost your inhibitions to every whore that came your way you never would’ve become the sheriff you are today. Just remember, she’s just a no good outlaw that would stab you in the back if she had the chance. Cody thought this to himself over and over again, but the rising mound in his pants had other ideas as he turned his head to get another peek.

“Heh... Likin’ what yer seein’?” she teased with a small wink.

“I-I, um, don’t k-know whatcha talkin’ ‘b-bout,” he stuttered.

“I’m talkin’ ‘bout the tent yer pitchin’ down south,” she replied with a point of a finger.

Cody brought his trench coat over his groin to cover himself. “Y-yer crazy. Ain’t nuthin’ th-there.”

“If there was nothin’ there, I wouldn’t be suggestin’ we rut.” Applejack rose, being particularly showy with her hips. She sauntered towards the bars once more and rested her chest against the metal, her soft breasts sticking in between the bars and all but spilling through to Cody’s side.

“Oh r-really? And while we do that ya knock me over the head and run away. I ain’t an idiot, Jack.” Cody was squeezing his hand so hard into a fist his nails were digging into his palm. He was hoping the pain would clear his mind, but no such luck. It was astounding. Her breasts were right there.

“Ain’t gonna hurt ya, sug. Despite what ya did ta me,” she cooed, looking at her bandaged arm. “Jus’ wantin’ ta have one last rodeo, ‘fore I get sent down the river.”

“Ferget it, Jack. I can’t lose my job like this.”

“Who said anythin’ ‘bout ya losin’ yer job? Jus’ a quickie. In.” She pushed her fingers against her lower lips. “An’ out.” She smirked as she removed them. “In more ways than one.”

“I...” Cody had a lot to lose just by even thinking about banging a wanted criminal like Applejack. Especially with her track record and bounty on her head. But still, she might die at the end of a noose for all he knew. And since letting her free was out of the question, there was pretty much only one thing to make one of her last nights worth it. He didn’t want to admit it, especially to her but even during their most heated battles, he grew some sort of soft spot for her. He didn’t want to see her hurt, just arrested... that was all.

Sighing, Cody went up to the cell and gripped one of the bars hard. “You’re right... I’ll do it. I wouldn’t want to deny a family girl her last request.”

“Knew ya’d see reason.” She moved over towards the bed and tossed her clothes off of it. Applejack reverently took off her hat and put it to the side, then gave an expectant smile towards him.

Cody unlocked the jail door, but instead of entering he said, “Come on over, I ain’t dumb enough to do it on the bed.”

Applejack gave a roll of her eyes, but complied, sashaying her hips and resting a hand at her side.

In a well practiced manner he dug out a pair of handcuffs and locked her one of her hands to the prison cell bars, throwing his belt across the room to make sure she didn’t get a swipe at his keys or gun. “There. Now... um, let’s get started, I suppose.”

“Anytime yer ready, hoss.” Applejack licked her lips in anticipation.

Cody unbuttoned his vest and shirt, throwing both to the floor along with his coat. This revealed his tan beaten chest, along with six pack abs and a good supply of scars running along his body. Hesitantly, he reached out with a hand and cupped Applejack’s freckled breast, squeezing it lightly. “I-Is this good?” he asked, the usual suave he had with a sexual partner lost to the cocky nature of Applejack. She wasn’t going to be as submissive as the rest, he could tell.

“Roll ‘em,” she moaned, pushing her breast deeper into his hand.

He complied, using both hands to grasp both her breasts. He rolled them together, squeezing them with more force as his fingers pinched her nipples. “L-like this?”

Applejack gave another moan, biting her lip and struggling against her cuffs. “Y-yeah. Jus’, jus’ like that. I’ll let ya know if somethin’ ain’t workin’.”

Though he moved forward with reluctance, Cody began kissing her neck, licking her skin with his tongue. Dammit, why I am... He moved closer and closer to her face, his hands doing plenty of work to earn every one of her moans. Soon he reached her lips, those succulent lips he dreamed about kissing for so long. I guess... I don’t want her to be worried. His and Applejack’s lips brushed together, then connected in the passionate embrace. As their kiss went on for a minute, they very briefly parted on occasion to take breaths.

“Yer a pretty good kisser,” Applejack said with a smirk, her eyes half-lidded and longing. “They teach ya that at law school?”

“Nah. Just had plenty of practice is all. This isn’t my first time with a, heh, fair mistress.” He chuckled, planting another kiss on her cheek. Looking down at the floor of the cell, then back at her hand cuffed to the bars, he said, “Well, shoulda planned this out better. Don’t know how ya like goin’ nitty and gritty on the floor.”

“Place could use a broom sweep or two,” she agreed, shuffling slightly.

“Hm, it’s a little rough, but we can always do it’s against the wall, if ya like,” he suggested, the protruding hill in his jeans brushing up against her thigh. “You strike me as someone who’d like it rough.”

Applejack nodded, glancing at his bulging pants. “Whatever gets that undressed an’ in me.” She reached over with her free hand and slowly unzipped him. Her fingers worked miracles, undoing his belt with the speed of a bullet and dropping his pants within seconds.

“Whoa. Ya sure are plenty eager, ain’t ya?” Cody chuckled, more at ease and less tense than before. While one hand was fast at work kneading her breast, the other was brushing through her long blonde ponytail, traveling down her back to her luscious booty.

“Hunger’s the best spice, an’ sug... I’m plenty hungry.” She cupped his erection through the fabric of his boxers, and ran a playful thumb up and down his shaft.

He shivered, enjoying the sensation of her calloused touch. With his hand he gripped her ass firmly, squeezing a cheek and electing a small squeak from her. “So, ya don’t even mind doin’ it with a lawman then?” Cody asked, twisting her nipple in a playful manner.

The woman smirked, wincing only slightly at her sensitive skin being teased. “‘Bout as much as you seem ta mind bein’ with a bandit.” She ran a finger along the top of his underwear, then brought the cloth down, exposing his full member to the open air.

“This ain’t gonna change anythin’, ya know,” he said, his manhood throbbing in anticipation as it poked against her side. “I ain’t gonna just let ya go free.”

“Wouldn’t expect it.” Applejack grabbed his member in one of her hands and lightly squeezed, rubbing a circle at his tip with a thumb. “Jus’ drop the lawman crap ‘till we’re finished, kid.”

Cody reached downward and stuck a finger into her lower lips, wiggling hard inside her. “What’d I tell ya ‘bout callin’ me a kid.” He slapped her hard on the ass with his other hand, a cocky grin on his face.

Applejack almost buckled when he forcefully entered her. She gasped, squeezing his shaft involuntarily at the stimulation and leaning forward, only to be stopped by her cuffed hand.

His finger dove deeper inside her, exploring every inch of her walls before adding another two digits to the mix. Moving his lips near her ear, he whispered, “So, my little outlaw. How much ya want it?”

“I want it worse than a farmer in a dry spell wants rain,” she panted, moving her hand up and down his shaft in long, slow motions. “Give it to me.”

He forcibly pushed her back against the bars, gripping her sides hard as he positioned the tip of his shaft above her pussy. Slowly he slid it in, grunting in effort. “Ya sure are a tight one, ain’t ya?”

“Ya sound surprised,” Jack coughed out as she felt his width part her. “I’ve rodeoed with a few fellers before, but I don’t–” she let out a small moan when he reached his full length into her. “G-get around that much.”

Cody smiled deviously once he was fully inside her. The delectable feel of her vagina’s walls along his shaft sent shivers of pleasure down his spine. With a tug he lifted both her legs in the air, half carrying and half leaning her against the bars. He pulled back, then thrust forward with gusto, causing Applejack to scream slightly. She rubbed at her breasts with her free hand, enjoying the ride for everything it was worth.

“S-suck it,” she gasped, thrusting a breast towards his face, the nipple erect and proud on its areola plateau. Applejack ran her free hand along her hair, stopping at her neckline.

Cody complied and began to suckle at her breast, licking the tip of her nipple as he continued to thrust into her. Each buck of his hips brought a new horizon of pleasure, and he was only getting closer and closer to that horizon with each thrust. Applejack’s other breast jiggled and bounced in time with his movements as he kept the other one in place with his eager lips. Applejack ran her free hand to the cuff she was bound by and wrapped her legs around Cody’s tight ass. Her toenails dug tightly into him as she thrust her body onto his, meeting his member halfway with each thrust.

“Deeper!” she barked.

Cody grunted, granting her request by pulling her in closer and diving into her as much as she desired. He let go of her breast to focus all his attention into throwing his back into his thrusts, the shockwaves of pleasure shooting right to his head. He was in a state of such bliss he didn’t even question why he was currently having sex with a wanted outlaw. He was just rolling with it.

“Ya close, kid?” that outlaw loudly asked, scraping her hands hard enough into his back to draw paper-thin trails of blood from her fingernails. She bent forward and started to suck where his neck met his shoulders.

“Not before ya, girl!” he shouted. Sweat was clinging to both their skins as he drove his member deeper into the depths of her pussy. Applejack was absolutely screaming in pleasure at this point. “Gonna make ya beg fer more!”

She brought her hands up to his face and brought him in for a surprisingly tender kiss as she felt a familiar pressure build at the base of her stomach. She brought her tongue to his lips, wordlessly begging for passage.

They’d been going at it for long enough, and Cody couldn’t hold back much longer. His legs shook as his thrusts became more wild and erratic, his tongue forcibly entering her mouth as he neared the edge of his limit. Applejack flexed, tightening her passage and ramming herself directly into his pelvis. She visibly shuddered as her climax arrived, buckling her knees and leaving her entire body tingling.

With a grunt of effort he came, pushing his dick in deeper than it’s ever gone before. His sticky, hot white seed entered her and covered itself along her vaginal walls. He continued to pump load after load into her, until he was finally spent and a thin stream of his semen was leaking out of her.

She brought his hand to her cheek and wearly smiled at him. “Not bad, cowboy. Ya can’t shoot worth shit, but at least ya can ride.”

“Oh, so I’m cowboy, ‘stead of just a boy, am I?” he chuckled, finally pulling out and panting slightly. “Well, was a fun ride while it lasted.”

“Shame it’s time fer you ta have another.” Applejack twisted his hand up and behind her, guiding it into the handcuff and clasping it shut. She rolled away from him and jumped backwards, then took a moment to admire her handiwork. “Like I said, ya ain’t that good at yer job.”

Cody pulled angrily at his cuffed hand, dragging with all his might his body against it. But no such luck. “What the hell is the big idea?” he yelled, his skin screaming where the cuff was pinching around his wrist.

“Told ya I had a plan or two ta get outta this mess,” Applejack said, moving to his desk and lighting up a cigarette. She took a wide path by him and started to pull on her clothes. “Ya really gotta work on playin’ it safe–-I picked the lock an’ everythin’ with a hairpin while we were havin’ a go.”

“We were ruttin’ and ya were pickin’ locks?” Cody asked, shocked. Her multitasking skills were amazing. “Y-ya can’t go! I’ll be outta my job!”

“Weren’t ya plannin’ on haulin’ me off ta the gallows, sug? Why should I care?” She took a deep drag from her smoke and blew it towards him.

“Ya deserved it fer bein’ a criminal! Can ya blame me fer doin’ my job?” Cody pulled, but saw that it was no use to try and free himself. “Everyday I gotta stop some outlaw or murderer from stealin’ from folks or a business. Ya might not be so bad, but some guys out there are heartless thugs that couldn’t care less ‘bout leavin’ a couple of dead bodies in their wake. And I’m the only one in this blasted town willin’ to stop them.”

She wordlessly nodded, running a hand over her mouth. “Alright, alright. I’ll help ya. On one condition.”

“What?” he asked irritably, already beating himself up mentally for letting this happen to himself.

Her hardened expression briefly fell. “If shit ever goes down an’ ya hear ‘bout...” she trailed off, glancing away while crossing her arms. “Guess what I’m sayin’ is, that letter I gave ya? Keep it.”

“... That it? I thought ya were gonna make me promise not to chase after ya no more.”

“Where the hell’s the fun in that? ‘Sides, we both know ya wouldn’t.”

“Yeah...” He sighed and cracked his neck, closing his eyes briefly. “So, how ya gonna help me?”

She clasped his gun belt and tied his revolvers around her waist. Without a word, she upholstered a gun and snapped forward, striking him across the jaw with the butt.

Cody’s head snapped back, the back of his head striking the bars as he felt his teeth rattle in his jaw. “Celestia’s ass! What was that for?” he shouted, clenching his bruised jaw in one hand.

“Might as well look like I jus’ caught ya with yer pants down, rather than bein’ the cause of yer pants bein’ down.” She paused, then brought her leg back, plowing her foot hard into his side. “An’ that was fer shootin’ me.”

He fell to the ground, all the air leaving his body as he coughed in pain. “Was... j-just doin’ my j-job,” he coughed.

“Keep tellin’ yerself that. Might help ya sleep at night.” She tilted back the stetson on her head and started to head towards the door. She gave another pause, before returning to the man. She reached nearby and tossed him his boxers. “Thanks fer the fun. Remind me ta get locked up by ya more often.” Applejack quickly leaned forward, planting a kiss on his cheek, then sauntered out of the room, humming a merry tune all the way.

Cody fell to the floor of the prison, sighing as his payday walked out the door. She used sex with him as a means for escape. That bein’ the case... Why the hell am I so content?

He silently vowed to get a different job, but hopefully one that would have the Apple of the West falling back into his embrace every now and again. He could get used to that.