( mexico is too nice. too quiet. )

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[ an out-of-body experience ]

Dan had been damn good to Ben's body; Ben's clean, his stomach is full, and his head feels clearer than it has in a while.

The Lieutenant's presence in the bar makes it all that much sweeter.

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[ " 'tis an ill wind that blows o'er us all" ]His dreams bend and breathe ( Read more... )

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Ben's mostly certain he put those cross-ties back where they belong in the tack room.

Which is why he's striding out to the stables, late hour and icy air be damned.

When he hears the horses -- panicked whinnies cutting straight to his eardrums, raising the hairs on the back of his neck -- he breaks into a run.

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[ honor among thieves ]It's less than a day's ride from Tombstone to Benson; the town itself isn't much to speak of, but it's growing -- all thanks to the Southern Pacific ( Read more... )

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Ben's settled in the armchair in his room, head bent over his sketchbook.

This is a little harder without a certain Russian pilot in the room for comparison, but so far, he's making do.

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[ halos and horns ]

It's too damn still in Ben's room.

(but it's not the stillness, it's the emptiness)

Which is why he finds himself outside Esfir's door, knocking quietly.

"Lieutenant?"

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[ " ready to go visit your big hole in the desert?" ]

They spend a long damn time looking at Esfir's crater -- not that Ben minds. He doesn't know if he's ever seen her this stillIt's well past mid-afternoon when they clamber down and return to the horses ( Read more... )

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[ cowboys and russians ]The fourth morning, Ben's awake well before dawn. Despite the hour, he's downright jovial from a night spent in an actual bed and the chance to wash away the dust from the trail ( Read more... )

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bang

A dented tin can falls.

bang

And another.

bang

And another.

Ben's at the practice range.

bang

He's having a good morning -- or, at least, his aim and depth perception are. Sneaking up on him isn't exactly advisable, but he'll say good morning to anyone who wanders up.