In A Ball Of Red (1/5)

[paulacas]

Title: In A Ball Of Red (1/5)

Author: YanzaDracan

Word Count: 4,528/24,622

See Masterpost for the rest.

As Christian Michael and Eliot Spencer Kane gave their first cries of life, their mother gave her last.
 

Even with his vast array of white man and Cherokee medicine, Dr. Spencer Red Deer could not save his daughter's life.
 

Laura Red Deer Kane's will to live had died five months prior when her husband, Marshal Michael Kane, had been murdered by cattle rustlers.
 

Now it would be left to her father to raise their sons.
 

Growing up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the twins walked between the white and Cherokee worlds. Their grandfather taught them healing from both worlds while relatives on both sides taught them to be hunters, trackers and warriors.
 

They were twenty-three when Spencer Red Deer was killed by a man attempting to steal laudanum from his office. Not wanting to stay in Tahlequah, they settled Spencer's affairs, then packed their belongings and joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show.
 

Their rugged good looks, blue/grey eyes, startling against their bronzed skin, and long dark hair made them instant sensations.
 

As they traveled the country, and then the world, they received a different education. They became proficient in the world of confidence games and thieves.
 

Eliot was intrigued that people would pay money for the retrieval of people and objects.
 

In New York City one of the Astors paid him $1,000 to track down a missing dog because they'd read that Indians were good at that sort of thing. Eliot gritted his teeth in a parody of a smile, found the dog and collected his money, all the while growling about ill-mannered whelps.
 

Christian laughed at his twin as he cleaned the wound where the nasty tempered Pekinese had bitten him, but the money had the brothers reconsidering their employment prospects.
 

The traveled across Europe with the Wild West Extravaganza, taking retrieval jobs on the side.
 

In Spain they purchased a caravan from a band of gypsies along with a team of horses for the wagon and a pair of good saddle horses. When the gypsies realized they couldn't pull a fast one, and that the men knew horseflesh, they dealt them fair.
 

Christian was packing their belongings in the caravan when he heard a horse stop outside. He moved around so he came up on the rider from the back.
 

"Help you?" He asked gruffly, pushing back his long hair.
 

From the horse's shiny black hooves to the shiny black Hessians, everything about the man screamed aristocracy.
 

"Could you direct me to Eliot Spencer?" The haughty voice asked.
 

Christian felt his heart lurch that his twin was denying their father-denying him. Before he could answer, Eliot rode up on his tall bay.
 

"I'm Spencer."
 

If Eliot didn't wear his face, he never would have recognized him. Gone were the denim, broadcloth, and his waist length braid. He was dressed much the same as the nobleman, his now shoulder length hair pulled into a tail at the nape of his neck.
 

Eliot didn't even spare him a word as he rode off.
 

With a heavy heart, Christian continued his packing.
 

He was preparing breakfast when Eliot returned looking only a little worse for wear.
 

"Good news, di-na-da-nv-tli." The tired voice was cheerful. "We have a job. Should be a milk run."
 

"Am I?" The elder twin asked.
 

"What?" Eliot asked, confused. He thought Christian would be happy about taking an easy retrieval.
 

"Your brother?"
 

"Why would you ask me a stupid question like that?" He poured a cup of coffee from the pot on the fire.
 

"All this." Christian motioned to the fine clothes and the cut hair.
 

"An illusion. A part to play. Underneath I'm the same." Eliot insisted.
 

Christian looked up from under his lashes.
 

"You didn't just change your clothes."
 

Eliot sighed. He knew he should have talked to Christian, but he'd needed to move fast to get this job. The payoff would allow them to get away from Cody's circus and be on their own. It would allow them to take time to relax and enjoy what they'd earned.
 

They'd just gained their twenty-fourth year, but were worn to the bone. Their retrieval jobs, performing, usually seven days a week, with the addition of Christian doctoring everything on two or four legs were taking their toll.
 

Eliot always saw himself as the dark half to Christian's light. Both men had their daddy's hard head and harder fists along with their mother's quick mind and compassionate nature. Eliot protected his tender heart with cold anger and surly attitude, while Christian continued to allow his to be scarred and battered.
 

So he made a decision that he knew would hurt his brother, and add another scar to his heart, but it would also protect Christian from the reputation they had garnered. In his mind dropping Kane form his name wasn't denying his twin, but protecting him. He was counting on the fact that Christian would forgive him anything no matter how much it had hurt him.
He thought.
 

*Better to ask forgiveness than permission.*

Eliot was right. Christian forgave him. He became the public face of their retrieval business. Christian faded into the background. Their clients never really saw him-they treated him as though he were Eliot's valet. Often Eliot would check to make sure his brother hadn't faded away when he wasn't looking, but he was always there to back him up, help him escape, or doctoring the consequences of his actions.
 

They had traveled to Russia for a job, and spent the year adding a considerable amount to their funds, always at the expense of the nobility. They were wealthy men at the young age of twenty-five, but it was also the first time Eliot's actions almost cost him more than he could afford.
 

Neighboring barons, who were also cousins, were running a good natured contest of one-upmanship over a family bible. The book was not of particular value, but the contest livened conversation during their weekends in the country. The elder hired Eliot to retrieve the bible from the younger.
 

Eliot insinuated himself into the crowd of bored nobles that moved from house party to house party during the summer. Eliot collected information from the nobles while Christian moved among the servants.
 

Christian discovered from the baroness' maid that the bible was kept in a casket with some of the baroness' more costly pieces of jewelry. Subtle flirting with the young maid, sweet words in his rumbling purr, small trinkets that made her feel important soon had the exact location of the casket.
 

Subtle flirting, sweet words in his rumbling purr, small trinkets, presented as gifts to his hostess, soon garnered Eliot the baroness' attention.
 

He slid silently from between the finely woven sheets. Grabbing his clothes off the nearby chair, watched the figure on the bed for signs of waking. Eliot quickly located the proper casket and tucked the bible into a pouch that rode at the small of his back. Not wanting to be seen leaving the baroness' private chambers, he quietly opened the balcony doors and using the drain pipe made his way to the ground where Christian waited with their horses.
 

It was during the early morning hours that they arrived at the elder baron's manor house. The slid quietly in through the servants' entrance. They'd startled the cook badly, Christian soothing her as he would a skittish horse until the woman was feeding them and complaining about the quirks of the rich.
 

It didn't take them long to collect their fee. Deciding it was wise to not be in the line of fire between the families, Eliot and Christian made their way to the closest inn. After procuring a room and settling the horses they sprawled together on the bed for some much needed sleep.
 

It was early evening when a noise in the hall woke Christian. He kept still waiting to see what mischief was afoot. As the door eased open, sunlight through the curtain fell across the face of the baroness that had enjoyed Eliot's charms the night before. She moved into the room, the quiet rustle of silk marking her passage.
 

Christian watched her through the screen of his lashes as she gazed upon Eliot, who slept burrowed against his twin trusting the elder to keep him safe.
 

Muscles tightened as Christian prepared himself to move. Light flashed over the derringer's silver plating, and as she fired he rolled pulling Eliot under him. He felt the fire in his back, but didn't stop. There was still one shot in the small pistol. Strong fingers wrapped around the delicate wrist, his thumb putting pressure on the nerves in her hand causing numb fingers to drop the weapon.
 

Eliot quickly took in his bleeding brother and the weeping baroness. He shot off the bed and grabbed Christian and lowered him to the bed as he'd started to collapse. He pulled off Christian's shirt to better see the wound.
 

He cursed silently as there was no exit wound. He folded his shirt and pressed hard to staunch the bleeding. Grabbing the still weeping woman, he pulled her over to the bed.
 

"Hold that and don't let up." He ordered searching for Christian's medical kit.
 

"What were you thinking?" He growled as he laid out what he needed to remove the bullet.
 

"To surprise you. I wanted more time with you before you left." Her chin still quivered, but she tried to act the coquette, batting eyelashes spiky with tears. "But I saw you lying with him," brown eyes flashed contempt, "in my place, and I knew I had to protect you." She practically cooed. "He seduced you with his soft voice and eyes."
 

"SEDUCED!" Eliot hissed. "He's my twin brother, you half-wit!"
 

Her face paled and she started to swoon. Eliot slapped her.
 

"Keep your feet you miserable wench! You did this-now you're going to help me or your baron will never live down the scandal."
 

He shifted Christian so the afternoon sun lit the wound. A low moan was the only sound in the room as Eliot searched for the bullet.
 

By the time he got the bullet out, it took a dozen stitches to close the wound. When he finished both men were pale, shaking and sweating. Cleaning up the worst of the blood, Eliot looked at the now silent baroness. He grabbed her reticule off the dresser and dumped the contents on the bed. She started to protest, but shut her mouth with a snap when she met Eliot's steely gaze.
 

"You made this mess, so you're payin' for cleanin' it up."
 

He counted out her money-pleased with the amount, but wondered why she had so much. He arched an eyebrow in a silent question.
 

"I thought you might be persuaded to stay longer if I offered recompense." She blushed hotly.
 

"Yeah, well now you're payin' me to leave." He drawled as he shoved the money in his pocket. "Now hie your ass home to your husband." Eliot dismissed her by the simple act of turning back towards Christian.
 

Eliot washed the blood off both of them the best he could, then called for the innkeeper. Soon they had fresh linens, a hot meal, and the proprietor's discretion bought with a few extra dollars and a veiled threat from Eliot.
 

He slept lightly in case he was needed, Christian's breath warm against his skin as he pressed along his side. They roused early, both knowing they had to leave. Eliot changed Christian bandage, happy with the condition of the wound, but not that they had to ride out.
 

He secured their gear than helped Christian mount his horse. With a grunt of pain and tense jaw he settled in the saddle and urged his gelding toward Moscow.
 

I was full dark when they rode up to the hotel not far from the train station. Eliot got them a room and their bags settled before helping Christian down. When he slid an arm around the trim waist then frowned when he found the back of Christian's shirt damp.
 

When he would have stripped his twin down, Christian brushed him off to go care for the horses. Eliot stopped at the desk and ordered two dinners and baths brought to their room.
 

He swore when he saw Christian sitting on the chair stripped to his drawers trying to unwrapped the blood soaked bandage from around his middle.
 

"Damn it, Christian!" Eliot rushed to help him.
 

He didn't like that Christian only picked at his dinner, but that was to be expected in his condition. He hoped the herbal medicines Christian had been taking would handle the strain his body had been under. Before they drifted to sleep, Christian finally spoke.
 

"Wanna go home, El."
 

Eliot left a slightly feverish Christian sleeping to find the nearest place to sell their horses and pick up a train schedule.
 

Christian's plaintive request made him realize how little his brother asked of Eliot-silently allowing Eliot to drag him wherever his wanderlust carried them. Since grandfather's death, Eliot had never felt the need to call one place home. His home followed him much like Ruth followed Naomi to Bethlehem.
 

Home. He wondered where Christian thought of as home. Did he mean Oklahoma or just going back to the States? Shaking off his introspective mood, he hurried up the stairs, anxious to see if Christian's fever had gone down.
 

He found a shaking Christian curled under a pile of covers, sweat dampening his clothes and hair. He pulled back the covers and checked his bandages. The wound was fine, but the long ride yesterday one top of being shot had been too much for Christian's body to handle.
 

After giving the porter a list of things he needed, he stripped the feverish man and began the tedious process of bathing him with cool water to lower his temperature.
 

Eliot couldn't understand why Christian was so ill. The bullet wound was healing quickly, but fever still ravaged his body.
 

Through Christian's fevered mutterings, Eliot finally understood. His twin was what grandfather would have called heartsick. His spirit was exhausted. He had put the needs of his brother before his own until getting shot forced him to stop. Eliot talked to his twin in English-in Cherokee-talked until he was hoarse, and when he thought he had lost Christian to the road into the west, he stretched out beside his brother to hold him.
 

He must have dozed off because when he opened his eyes, the noon day sun shone through the window, and both men were drenched with sweat. Christian's fever had broken.
 

Eliot called to the porter to freshen their room while he carried his brother to the bathroom and bathed away the stench of illness from them both.
 

Exhausted he climbed into bed, and pulled Christian against him. As soon as they were able they would travelling first class to America.
 

Opening his eyes seemed to take forever. That task finally accomplished, he let his eyes roam, taking in the comfortable furnishings and sunlit windows.
 

Since the last thing he remembered was sitting on his horse, his back on fire from his bullet wound, being warm, comfortable and pain free seemed a good thing. He felt the warmth of a body curled around him. He didn't need his eyes to know it was his twin.
 

Finally convincing his body he needed to move, he began easing himself upright. He felt the pull of his stitches so shifted his weight to the other side. He'd just swung his legs over the edge of the bed when Eliot's eyes snapped open.
 

"Christian!"
 

Mouth too dry to speak, he simply turned his head to acknowledge he heard. Christian nodded his gratitude when Eliot handed him a glass of water.
 

"How long?" He croaked.
 

"We've been here a week."
 

"When do we leave?" He sat the glass down and attempted to stand.
 

Feeling wobbly as a newborn foal, he held onto the bedpost while looking for his clothes. Eliot just stared incredulously at his brother as Christian moved toward their luggage.
 

"What are you doing?" Eliot barked.
 

Christian collapsed in a chair, panting after grabbing a pair of pants and a shirt.
 

"Getting dressed to find a privy." Hs hands trembled as he tried to pull on his pants.
 

Stalking over to his brother he yanked the pants out of his hand.
 

"This is a high class hotel. They had indoor plumbing." Eliot sniffed haughtily.
 

Reaching a hand out Eliot helped steady Christian.
 

"Lead on my good man." Christian grinned wearily leaning into Eliot for support.
 

Before Christian lay back down, Eliot pulled off the bandages. Seeing the newly healed skin, he grabbed the scissors and made short work of removing the stitches. Knowing the new scar would be tight he rubbed it with Petro-Carb salve.
 

Leaving his twin in a healing sleep, Eliot left to arrange the first leg of their journey to America.
 

The train from Moscow to Budapest found Christian mostly sleeping and Eliot either reading in their compartment or in the club car increasing their fortune.
 

He walked the length of the train after each stop looking for familiar faces or possible threats. Christian was back on his feet after a few days and often joined him.
 

They were enjoying dinner in the crowded dining car when a dark haired couple approached their table.
 

"Pardon me." The twins looked up. "I was wondering if we might join you? It seems we've come at the busiest time."
 

Getting the barest nod from Eliot, Christian stood.
 

"Of course." He extended his hand. "Christian Kane." He motioned toward Eliot. "My traveling companion, Eliot Spencer."
 

The men shook hands.
 

"Nathan Ford," he drew a dark haired woman forward, "my sister, Sophia."
 

"Ma'am." Both men acknowledged as the couple sat.
 

Conversation stayed general with Sophia subtly flirting with the better dressed Eliot.
 

"I must say you and Eliot look a lot alike." Nathan commented.
 

"So we've been told." Christian stated flatly before changing the subject.
 

"I've just come out of mourning for my late husband." Sophia sighed. "Nathan was kind enough to accompany me on a short trip to get out in the world again." She leaned toward Eliot, showing a great deal of décolletage.
 

The twins were about to excuse themselves when Sophia laid her hand on Eliot's sleeve.
 

"Perhaps you'd like to join me on the back platform for a breath of air?" She asked coyly.
 

Christian rolled his eyes behind Nathan's back.
 

"I'd rather lay down with a pissed off rattler than walk with you, Miss Deveraux." Eliot's polite smile never faltered.
 

"I beg your pardon?" Sophia tried to remain cool.
 

"Now look here!" Nathan started to stand, but Christian's hand on his shoulder kept him pinned to his chair.
 

"Shall we take a stroll?" Eliot offered Sophia his hand.
 

She and Nathan exchanged a look. They retired to the couple's compartment.
 

"How did you?..." Sophia stopped as she handed Eliot a snifter of brandy.
 

Her eyes widened. "THAT Eliot Spencer?"
 

Eliot gave a mock bow. "At your service."
 

Nathan looked confused.
 

"We were in St. Petersburg when the news came in about Kiev?..."
 

Eliot and Christian both shivered. Muscle for a local crime lord, known as the Butcher of Kiev, had grabbed Eliot because he liked his long, wavy hair. Christian had educated the man in the things his uncles, both white and Cherokee, had taught him about knives. The Butcher did not live through the lesson. Lucky for Eliot the enforcer hadn't had a lot of time before Christian had tracked them to The Butcher's lair.
 

Nathan's hands raised in surrender. "I didn't know…"
 

"Now ya do." Eliot let Oklahoma seep into his voice.
 

"How did you know?" Sophia was always working to hide her tells.
 

"Need to change your game, darlin'."
 

Sophia and Nathan nodded, the wheels already turning.
 

They passed a pleasant evening, Christian begging off early while Nathan and Eliot retired to the club car for a cigar and a few hands of cards.
 

The grifters proved to be pleasant traveling companions though Eliot noticed Christian again fading into the background.
 

At Budapest, Christian and Eliot bought their tickets to Paris aboard the Orient Express while Nathan and Sophia decided to stay and play amongst the Hungarian nobility for a time.
 

They retired to their rooms after a pleasant evening.
 

"You could stay." Christian noted, staring out the window.
 

"What?" Eliot poured them each a whiskey neat.
 

"I can get back to the States on my own." Christian relished the smooth burn of the aged liquor.
 

Eliot eyed his brother trying to read what he was really saying.
 

"Why would I stay?" He watched Christian closely over the edge of his glass.
 

"You'd make a good team, give them a new angle, protect them when a plan burned 'em." The earnest expression in Christian's eyes made Eliot's breath catch. "You love the game. You love playing the snobbish blueblood knowing their giant egos won't let them admit they were duped. You don't think you'll find that in the States."
 

"Say you're right." Eliot growled, frustrated--he could stop long enough to give some of his time to his brother. "These bluebloods are clannish. They correspond with each other. So it won't hurt if Eliot Spencer were to disappear into Eliot Kane for awhile."
 

Christian smiled indulgently at his twin. Setting his glass down, he made his goodnights. Eliot clenched his jaw as the door to Christian's bedroom door closed.
. Christian had watched Eliot all his life and Eliot didn't have the heart to lie to his brother.
 

*Keen eyed sumbitch,*

Their journey to Paris started well, the Orient Express living up to its reputation. Eliot headed toward the club car while Christian stopped to have a word with the chef.
 

A slim, well-dressed blonde stumbled toward him. He instinctively reached out to steady her. He smirked as he felt her clever, quick hands riffling through his pockets. He looked down into eyes of the deepest indigo.
 

"Where I keep my money, sweetheart, no proper lady would put her hands." Eliot chuckled playfully.
 

The blue eyes widened when she realized two powerful hands held her fast. Her gaze darted over the retrieval specialist's shoulder. Blue eyes did a victory dance just as Eliot felt a pistol against his back.
 

"Let her go." A baritone voice from the southern United States demanded.
 

Fear replaced victory at the predator's smile that crossed Eliot's face. In a flash he switched his grip on the blonde while disarming the man behind him. Wide brown eyes stared back from a handsome face the color of dark Belgium chocolate.
 

The dark skinned man jumped like a startled cat at the low dark voice behind him.
 

"I would ask if you required assistance, but you seem to have things well in hand, Brother." Christian's chuckle was low and suggestive.
 

"Indeed, Brother. I suggest we adjourn to our compartment to see what develops." His laugh was just as his sibling's.
 

The blonde started to struggle so Eliot lifted her off the floor enough for her skirts to hamper her movements. She glared at her dark companion.
 

"Told you I couldn't move in these blasted things!"
 

"Parker…I…" He started.
 

"Why don't we discuss this somewhere more private?" Christian gave the man a prod toward their compartment.
 

The four were silent until the door closed behind Christian.
 

"Look, we're sorry, okay--I mean no harm done, right--we just go our merry way--you forget us-we forget you-everybody's happy." The dark skinned man babbled.
 

"Hardison!" The blonde hissed.
 

"Parker." She stuck her hand out awkwardly to Eliot.
 

With a sly grin Eliot bowed low over her hand like she was a duchess and kissed the back of her knuckles.
 

"Eliot Spencer at your service, mademoiselle." He winked at his brother. "Is Parker your first name or last?"
 

"Just one. My parents gave me two but they're dead now so I wasn't sure if it was alright to keep using it." With a slight jerk of her head and a frown she fell silent.
 

Hardison frowned at Eliot's show of chivalry. "Alec Hardison. I'm Miss Parker's man Friday."
 

"Do you always allow your charge to go around sticking her hands in strange men's pants?" Christian chuckled.
 

"You're twins." Parker chirped in.
 

"Christian Kane." He extended his hand to Parker and Alec.
 

"Why aren't you the same?" Parker looked back and forth between the two.
 

"You'll have to ask Eliot." Christian commented dryly.
 

Eliot cringed inwardly, but let the jibe slide.
 

They sat the couple down, and the brothers began coaxing their story from them.
 

Both had been the end products of the 'Orphan Trains'. Both had been orphaned young, Alec had been taken by a couple whose entire family was orphans. The couple made their living traveling with a Chautauqua show.
 

Parker had been taken by a couple, who needed a sweet faced child to help in their scams and cons. They hadn't cared for Parker past what she could do to further their fortunes. Now the girl was a world class thief, if a little 'touched'.
 

Christian watched his brother with the younger couple. He'd never seen Eliot so taken so quickly. Being twins and orphans, they had always been wary with strangers. They didn't miss having a large circle of acquaintances because they always had each other, but something about Alec and Parker had struck a chord in Eliot.
 

Parker seeing the sad smile on Christian's face cocked her head like a curious spaniel. Moving his eyes from Alec to Eliot and back to her, he stared hard into the dark blue orbs as though reading her soul. A smile like the sun lit her face as they came to an understanding.
 

He continued to observe their interaction as the train drew closer to Paris. They made plans on what to do while in Paris. Christian made plans of his own.
 

They settled into adjoining suites, freshening up for the evening's activities. Eliot grew worried when Christian begged off, but between Parker and Christian they allayed his worries.
 

The trio tumbled into Parker and Alec's suite in a tangle of jackets, cravats, petticoats, chemises, and pants. Adrenaline flowed, shiny money and shiny trinkets scattered across the duvet followed by pale, bronze and dark sweat sheened skin.
 

Later as Eliot drifted into a satiated sleep, Parker firmly ensconced between him and Hardison, he hoped Christian wouldn't be too upset when he moved his things out of their room.
 

A lone tear ran down Christian's face as he placed the envelope on Eliot's valise. They had never been apart, but now Eliot was building a new family, one that didn't seem to have a place for him. Pulling his greatcoat around him he ventured out into the chilly predawn making his way to the train station. He'd bought his ticket for Calais the day before so all that was left to do was get on board. He sent prayers to the gods of his parents that someday he and Eliot would meet again.