Oregon Trail - Chapter 2
Title: Oregon Trail - Chapter 2
Author: kmmerc
Pairing: Finch/Reese
Rating: R
Word Count: 1,400
John starts packing for the trip. Harold receives important news from Judge Gates.
His satchel and empty lunch pail fell from his hands. John, leaving - the mere thought made him shake inside. John stopped the wagon and jumped down, running towards Harold, whose knees were buckling.
“Hold on, Harold, I’ve got you.” John got there in time, neatly capturing the small schoolmaster his strong, capable arms. Harold shuddered, burying his face in the warmth of John’s soft chambray shirt, which quickly became damp with his sudden tears.
“So, you are leaving,” he gasped. Harold tried to pull away but John tightened his grip, keeping him close and tight.
“I’m sorry Harold. I have to leave, in two days at the most. There is a wagon train leaving for Oregon in just a week, led by Captain Mark Snow. I found a buyer for the farm and figured it was finally time to go.”
“But I don’t want you to leave,” whispered Harold, suddenly mortified when he realized that he’d said it loud enough for John to hear.
John released his grip a bit and looked down at the smaller man. “You can always come with me, Harold. I’m sure a school teacher, especially one of your caliber, would be welcome in any town out West.”
Harold wiped the embarrassing tears from his eyes. “You know I signed a contract, John, to teach here for one more year. I’m a man of my word - I can’t go with you,” he said mournfully.
John pulled him close again, pressing a comforting kiss against Harold’s brow. “A year isn’t so long, Harold. Let’s go home and we’ll try and figure something out.” He let Harold go and helped him onto the high seat of the new wagon. John clucked and shook the reins and Sally started back for home. Unseen by the pair, young Sam Gates climbed out of the sycamore tree. He couldn’t wait to tell everyone who had kissed the schoolmaster.
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They reached the cabin and Harold helped John unhitch the patient, dappled-grey mare. “I’ve got something to show you, Harold, in the barn,” John said with a grin. He threw open the wooden door. Harold gasped. There, in the large stall next to Sally’s, were two enormous beasts - oxen, with broad, muscular back and soft, gentle brown eyes.
“Don’t be afraid, Harold. Meet Bob and Bill! I didn’t want Sally to have to pull my earthly possessions over hill and dale.” John patted the behemoth closest to him - Bob, the one with the large black spot on his rump. Harold moved closer, extending his hand beneath its wide, damp nose. The creature’s giant tongue licked his palm. John laughed as Harold jumped backwards, almost falling over a bale of hay.
“He likes you, Harold!”
“Well, thank goodness for small favors.” He suddenly laughed and wiped the damp palm of his hand on the front of John’s shirt.
“John, tell me honestly, why are you leaving. I know I’m just your boarder, but I…I thought we’d made a nice little home together.”
John’s face fell. “Harold, we are wonderful together. That’s the problem.” John kicked at the bale of hay, looking sad. “I’m sorry - I just can’t explain it - not now. I promise I’ll write you, once I’m far away. It’s just too painful and telling you now would only hurt you.”
Harold felt like he was about to cry again - a fine thing for a man of his years and a scholar, to boot. “John, I’ll trust you will do as you say - I don’t think you could ever do anything you didn’t think was best, for both of us.”
He walked into the house and started supper. After they ate, Harold helped John begin to pack. It wasn’t much - some books, a few keepsakes from his army career and clothing. They’d save the rest of the packing - the foodstuff, weapons and tools, for the morning light.
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Harold sighed, not wanting to open his eyes. He felt John’s warm, solid body next to him. He listened to him breath, his soft quiet snore, knowing how much he’d miss it. He tried to stay in bed as long as he could but the rooster outside was crowing and John finally got up, pulling off the blankets. Harold peeked, feeling suddenly warmer at the sight of John in his grey flannel long underwear. One of the buttons of the back flap had come loose and the sight of John’s round cheek sent a strange thrill up his spine - and to his groin. John threw on his overalls and a sweater and went to feed the livestock. It was a minute before Harold dared stir out of bed - his cock had stiffened, all too obvious in the long night shirt he’d worn to sleep. He knelt in prayer, at the bedside, his injured leg aching. The pain and the religious thoughts allowed his body part to soften before John returned. He quickly got dressed and began to cook a pot of mush for their morning meal. He’d set the pot for tea on top the stove. The sun was up when he heard a loud knocking at the door.
“Judge Gates, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Vinson, please come in,” gasped Harold, his face turning white. Had something happened? Had the school burned down? The three school superintendents grimly walked inside.
“Gentlemen, is everything alright? Is it the school house? Has something happened to one of the children?” asked Harold. He motioned to the rough chairs around the small table but the three men chose to remain standing.
“No, Mr. Finch, the schoolhouse and all the children are fine. It’s you that we’re here about. I’m afraid we are going to have to terminate your contract,” said Judge Gates, sadly.
“But…but why?” stammered Harold. “What have I done? I’ve done my very best, even after my injuries, to teach your children. And I’ve done that, well!” he said proudly, raising his head defiantly.
“No one is questioning your skills as a teacher, Mr. Finch. We’ve had a report, yesterday, of…improprieties, of a sordid nature, between yourself and Mr. Reese.”
Harold’s mouth dropped open but nothing came out. Judge Gates continued. “Someone witnessed the pair of you, in the school yard, in an embrace. This person also swears he saw the two of you kissing. Obviously, we can’t have a man teaching our youngsters who doesn’t have an impeccable reputation. I’m sorry, our decision is final.”
With that, the three men moved to the door. Judge Gates whispered something to the others, who then left. He stayed behind.
“I’m sure we’re quite through, Judge - especially if you aren’t willing to hear my side of the story,” said Harold, stiffly.
Judge Gates sighed. “Harold, you deserve to know the truth. It was my boy, Sam, that saw you two. And that little son of a gun went and told everyone! Now, tell me what happened.”
“Mr. Reese told me he was leaving for Oregon. A wave of sadness overwhelmed me and I began to faint. He caught me before I could re-injure my leg. He was only comforting me - regardless of what your son has told everyone. A mere kiss on the cheek and my career and sterling reputation are stolen from me!” Harold slammed his hand against the table, rattling the cups and plates.
“I thought as much. I saw John, earlier, buying supplies at the dry goods store and he told me of his plans. I’m sorry, Harold, truly. You were the only teacher to actually get some knowledge into my boy’s thick skull. It isn’t fair but the deed is done.” He reached into his waistcoat pocket, pulling out a large fold of bills. “You had one more year left on your contract. The others may not agree but I am honoring our end of the bargain. Here is your pay for this year and next.” He slid the bills to Harold and reached for the door. “Good luck, Harold, to you and John, both. We’ll miss you.”
The Judge slipped away, leaving Harold with a veritable fortune and a pot full of burnt breakfast. All he could do was laugh and wait for John to return.
Author: kmmerc
Pairing: Finch/Reese
Rating: R
Word Count: 1,400
John starts packing for the trip. Harold receives important news from Judge Gates.
His satchel and empty lunch pail fell from his hands. John, leaving - the mere thought made him shake inside. John stopped the wagon and jumped down, running towards Harold, whose knees were buckling.
“Hold on, Harold, I’ve got you.” John got there in time, neatly capturing the small schoolmaster his strong, capable arms. Harold shuddered, burying his face in the warmth of John’s soft chambray shirt, which quickly became damp with his sudden tears.
“So, you are leaving,” he gasped. Harold tried to pull away but John tightened his grip, keeping him close and tight.
“I’m sorry Harold. I have to leave, in two days at the most. There is a wagon train leaving for Oregon in just a week, led by Captain Mark Snow. I found a buyer for the farm and figured it was finally time to go.”
“But I don’t want you to leave,” whispered Harold, suddenly mortified when he realized that he’d said it loud enough for John to hear.
John released his grip a bit and looked down at the smaller man. “You can always come with me, Harold. I’m sure a school teacher, especially one of your caliber, would be welcome in any town out West.”
Harold wiped the embarrassing tears from his eyes. “You know I signed a contract, John, to teach here for one more year. I’m a man of my word - I can’t go with you,” he said mournfully.
John pulled him close again, pressing a comforting kiss against Harold’s brow. “A year isn’t so long, Harold. Let’s go home and we’ll try and figure something out.” He let Harold go and helped him onto the high seat of the new wagon. John clucked and shook the reins and Sally started back for home. Unseen by the pair, young Sam Gates climbed out of the sycamore tree. He couldn’t wait to tell everyone who had kissed the schoolmaster.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They reached the cabin and Harold helped John unhitch the patient, dappled-grey mare. “I’ve got something to show you, Harold, in the barn,” John said with a grin. He threw open the wooden door. Harold gasped. There, in the large stall next to Sally’s, were two enormous beasts - oxen, with broad, muscular back and soft, gentle brown eyes.
“Don’t be afraid, Harold. Meet Bob and Bill! I didn’t want Sally to have to pull my earthly possessions over hill and dale.” John patted the behemoth closest to him - Bob, the one with the large black spot on his rump. Harold moved closer, extending his hand beneath its wide, damp nose. The creature’s giant tongue licked his palm. John laughed as Harold jumped backwards, almost falling over a bale of hay.
“He likes you, Harold!”
“Well, thank goodness for small favors.” He suddenly laughed and wiped the damp palm of his hand on the front of John’s shirt.
“John, tell me honestly, why are you leaving. I know I’m just your boarder, but I…I thought we’d made a nice little home together.”
John’s face fell. “Harold, we are wonderful together. That’s the problem.” John kicked at the bale of hay, looking sad. “I’m sorry - I just can’t explain it - not now. I promise I’ll write you, once I’m far away. It’s just too painful and telling you now would only hurt you.”
Harold felt like he was about to cry again - a fine thing for a man of his years and a scholar, to boot. “John, I’ll trust you will do as you say - I don’t think you could ever do anything you didn’t think was best, for both of us.”
He walked into the house and started supper. After they ate, Harold helped John begin to pack. It wasn’t much - some books, a few keepsakes from his army career and clothing. They’d save the rest of the packing - the foodstuff, weapons and tools, for the morning light.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harold sighed, not wanting to open his eyes. He felt John’s warm, solid body next to him. He listened to him breath, his soft quiet snore, knowing how much he’d miss it. He tried to stay in bed as long as he could but the rooster outside was crowing and John finally got up, pulling off the blankets. Harold peeked, feeling suddenly warmer at the sight of John in his grey flannel long underwear. One of the buttons of the back flap had come loose and the sight of John’s round cheek sent a strange thrill up his spine - and to his groin. John threw on his overalls and a sweater and went to feed the livestock. It was a minute before Harold dared stir out of bed - his cock had stiffened, all too obvious in the long night shirt he’d worn to sleep. He knelt in prayer, at the bedside, his injured leg aching. The pain and the religious thoughts allowed his body part to soften before John returned. He quickly got dressed and began to cook a pot of mush for their morning meal. He’d set the pot for tea on top the stove. The sun was up when he heard a loud knocking at the door.
“Judge Gates, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Vinson, please come in,” gasped Harold, his face turning white. Had something happened? Had the school burned down? The three school superintendents grimly walked inside.
“Gentlemen, is everything alright? Is it the school house? Has something happened to one of the children?” asked Harold. He motioned to the rough chairs around the small table but the three men chose to remain standing.
“No, Mr. Finch, the schoolhouse and all the children are fine. It’s you that we’re here about. I’m afraid we are going to have to terminate your contract,” said Judge Gates, sadly.
“But…but why?” stammered Harold. “What have I done? I’ve done my very best, even after my injuries, to teach your children. And I’ve done that, well!” he said proudly, raising his head defiantly.
“No one is questioning your skills as a teacher, Mr. Finch. We’ve had a report, yesterday, of…improprieties, of a sordid nature, between yourself and Mr. Reese.”
Harold’s mouth dropped open but nothing came out. Judge Gates continued. “Someone witnessed the pair of you, in the school yard, in an embrace. This person also swears he saw the two of you kissing. Obviously, we can’t have a man teaching our youngsters who doesn’t have an impeccable reputation. I’m sorry, our decision is final.”
With that, the three men moved to the door. Judge Gates whispered something to the others, who then left. He stayed behind.
“I’m sure we’re quite through, Judge - especially if you aren’t willing to hear my side of the story,” said Harold, stiffly.
Judge Gates sighed. “Harold, you deserve to know the truth. It was my boy, Sam, that saw you two. And that little son of a gun went and told everyone! Now, tell me what happened.”
“Mr. Reese told me he was leaving for Oregon. A wave of sadness overwhelmed me and I began to faint. He caught me before I could re-injure my leg. He was only comforting me - regardless of what your son has told everyone. A mere kiss on the cheek and my career and sterling reputation are stolen from me!” Harold slammed his hand against the table, rattling the cups and plates.
“I thought as much. I saw John, earlier, buying supplies at the dry goods store and he told me of his plans. I’m sorry, Harold, truly. You were the only teacher to actually get some knowledge into my boy’s thick skull. It isn’t fair but the deed is done.” He reached into his waistcoat pocket, pulling out a large fold of bills. “You had one more year left on your contract. The others may not agree but I am honoring our end of the bargain. Here is your pay for this year and next.” He slid the bills to Harold and reached for the door. “Good luck, Harold, to you and John, both. We’ll miss you.”
The Judge slipped away, leaving Harold with a veritable fortune and a pot full of burnt breakfast. All he could do was laugh and wait for John to return.