Baby can you dig your man

[intrinsicworth]

The good spirts of one, Glen Bateman, had not diminished in the least since his arrival. He'd held his breath and put all his chips down on the magic of the island and turned up aces. No superflu, no sign of Randall Flagg, and no dreams more portentous than the alphabet in a cup of Campbell's soup. Glen was in a fine mood for certain, fit as a

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[bennet_beauty]

Jane had constantly kept her mind upon the care and keeping of both Lady, the sugargliders, and Kojak, but she could not do it at once for it seemed rather chaotic to maintain. And so, she took them for their own walks and lavished love upon them in her own way. As usual, she dressed in her full muslin dress, corset pinching yet, but a familiar pinch

[intrinsicworth]

It was the sound of the running water and the sound of his own voice, not a surprise in the least, that allowed the dog to take Glen by surprise, though not completely. By some sixth sense that we all carry, Glen turned his head just as Kojak came around the tree.

His eyes widened and he dropped his fishing pole as the dog, his dog, overwhelmed him with happy doggy kisses punctuated by much whining and tail wagging. "Oh! Oh..." Glen cried out, overwhelmed by sudden recognition. A lump rose in his throat, and his voice, for once, was lost

[bennet_beauty]

Jane's eyes were the picture of wideness, her mouth slightly parted as she caught her breath and her skirts within gloved hands, bonnet having slipped awry in her mad dash to ensure nothing ill happened. "Oh!" she remarked, seeing the wetness and immediately fearing the worst. "I did not mean to do ill and I am sure he did not either," she insisted, though there was no panic, nor was there fear in her voice. Merely an even-keeled argument, patient and calm. "Pray, might I ask, found you again? You know him?"

And yet, she could not stop the hope in her voice upon such a question.

[intrinsicworth]

He nodded and reached out a hand to stroke Kojak while his attention was on Jane. For his part, Kojak crept forward and settled down to put his head on Glen's leg, tongue darting out occasionally when Glen's hand passed near enough.

"Yes," he cleared his throat and started again. "Yes, Kojak was my dog. Or maybe I was his man for I've left him behind twice now and he's found me. Thousands of miles, or worlds away. He's the canine poster child. Aren't you boy?" As he spoke his voice evened out, but when he looked at Kojak, his eyes shone. "How did you get here?" Glen's face was pale, but he looked happy, his face fixed in wonder.

He looked back in Jane, "I'm sorry dear girl, it's a shock to see him like this. I left him behind to..." he shook his head.

[bennet_beauty]

Jane still watched in wonder, yet also happiness as it brimmed forth at the sight of such a happy reunion and she could only think to hope that she would be the same had she ever lost Lady and found her once more. "Then, you did know Stuart, where you were from," she spoke softly (yet surely), hands wrung together as she regarded him. "If you are all of the same place."

[intrinsicworth]

He looked at her sharply, but not unkindly. "East Texas?" he ventured. "Stu Redman?" He looked thoughtful, "Jack, Jack Harkness that is, said something about Stu having been here." Glen went on with a fond note in his voice, "He seems to have left an impression here, for all that Stu's such a quiet man." He looked at her. "Yes, I knew Stuart. The finest friend a man could have in fact, aside from Kojak here."

"I'm Glen Bateman, lady."

[bennet_beauty]

Jane curtseyed gracefully, bowing her head as she did. "I am Miss Jane Bennet, sir," she greeted, with all the respect a man such as this was owed. "And yes, the very same. He was here, once upon a time, but I am sad to say is not any longer. Kojak was his, you see," she explained, though she did not think that true, now, as she recalled the stories. "Or, rather, he took care of him whilst you were absent."

[intrinsicworth]

Glen patted Kojak and then worked his way to his feet, taking in her curtsy and fine manners such as he hasn't seen since his boyhood. He tipped his hat to her, "Good to meet you ma'am. I'd heard Stu had passed on from this place, but few seem to want to talk of those no longer here, it seems like."

He looked down at Kojak and nodded. "Kojak, bless his heart, chose to stay with Stu when he was needed." There was a hint of pride in his voice. "And you have been caring for him since Stu passed on through? I thank you, deeply indeed."

[bennet_beauty]

"I would be most happy to talk if you wished to listen," she remarked, most politely as she could not imagine talking of those gone. It was a way to honour their memory and Jane could think of nothing that fitted it better. Her brow furrowed an infinitesimal amount as she regarded him curiously. "I have been taking care of him, yes," she concurred. "But I do think that shall come to an end immediately, for he seems so very content with you as I could not hope to encourage."

[intrinsicworth]

"If you have a mind to share Miss Bennet, I am your willing audience." He smiled sincerely. And a thought struck him. It was something about her name, but he couldn't quite think of it. He put the thought aside for a moment knowing that if he let it go, it would come easier than if he poked at it.

He raised his brows at her formal statement of what he saw as the passing of ownership of Kojak. "Are you sure Miss Bennet? I miss the old boy, but if you have any need or want of him..." he trailed off seeing that she meant it. "I thank you."

He put a hand on Kojak's head and smiled at Jane. "I hope he hasn't caused you any trouble?"

[bennet_beauty]

"I have both a baby, a dog, and two other pets of my own," Jane remarked, most sensibly. "And while I do love Kojak's company and attentions, I do think it would be more fair for him to return to you, rather than contend with the lot for my lacking morsels of attention." For she could not see how she could ever be a better companion than this man before her, who was so overjoyed simply to see his canine companion once more.

"He has been utterly perfect," she assured brightly. "You need not worry on such a count."

[intrinsicworth]

"Then you've finally learned your manners haven't you, Kojak?" Glen spoke to the dog who thumped his tail. "Control. Higher order. Good dog!"

Glen bent to gather up his pole, the idea of fishing gone from his mind. He turned back to Jane and asked, "Will you walk with me?"

[bennet_beauty]

"I would enjoy nothing more," Jane assured, tugging upon her gloves as she smiled warmly and found herself crouching before Kojak with something resembling pain lurking deep in her eyes. "You shall be very good, won't you?" she addressed the dog as if a person. "And I shall visit, I do promise. And shall even bring Lady."

With that said, she once more stood and bowed her head. "I should like to walk whatever path you choose, sir."

[intrinsicworth]

Kojak wagged at her and tried to lick her face when she bent down to him and Glen smiled at the bond that was clearly there.

When she stood and assented, Glen held out his arm for her and clucked to Kojak, "Come on boy." Kojak obliged and stayed relatively near them as the began to walk, snuffing around the trees and the ground.

He walked in silence on a general path toward his home which he had dubbed "Little Woodsville'. It was nice to be walking with a pretty young girl on his arm as company. The last had probably been Stu's Frannie. And that was an odd thought wasn't it. It led him around to the question that he'd been wanting to ask.

"Miss Bennet, if you don' mind me asking, but how well did you know Stuart?" If Kojak had come into her care after Stu disappointed, then it must have been more than a passing acquaintance.

[For your reference, he's living in Odd & Stormy's old hut. The map lies.]

[bennet_beauty]

Jane took his arm, glad for the presence of manners even if they were not exact to the ways of home. "I do not mind the question," she assured, quite thoughtfully and maturely. It was often said that she lacked emotion in her tone, but Jane had never thought ill of anyone and so did not see how people could possibly say such a thing. "And I did know him very well," she said, more gravely than before, her heart reminding her that deep aches did not heal quickly, not at all.

"Here, for some time, we were married. But he is gone now, as I am sure you obviously know," she spoke dutifully, gaze upon the ground.

[intrinsicworth]

This stopped Glen. It wasn't that the suspicion hadn't been there, but he felt a great deal of surprise. He had no illusions that Frannie had been the only girl for Stu. Still, it made him even more curious to know of Stu as he'd been here. It saddened him to know that Stu had moved on.

He collected himself and smiled. "Then I'm doubly glad to meet you Miss Bennet," he said meaning it. "I hope Stuart was a good husband to you. My guess is that he would have been."