Sierra Sunrise - Chapter 25
Title: Sierra Sunrise
Author: the-boys-n-me
Pairing: Jack/Ennis (AU/AU)
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3508
Disclaimer: Annie Proulx owns the characters from BBM. I'm writing for fun, no money involved.
Summary: This is the sequel to Sierra with Ennis and Jack starting their new life together. This story follows them through their first summer working in and around Yosemite National Park. Things aren't always smooth, but they're determined to make it last. Some new characters join the story, and we'll also see some favorite (and maybe not so favorite) characters from before.
Feedback: Comments are welcome and helpful in many ways. I very much appreciate any and all comments I receive.
Notes: If you'd like to read or reread "Sierra," it can be found HERE and "Sierra Snapshots" are five one-shots taking place during their nine month separation between summers, and they can be found HERE
Thanks to Bethie bcatjr who is a great beta and purrson.
Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 , Chapter 7 , Chapter 8 , Chapter 9 , Chapter 10 , Chapter 11 , Chapter 12 , Chapter 13 ,
Chapter 14 , Chapter 15 , Chapter 16 , Chapter 17 , Chapter 18 , Chapter 19 ,
Chapter 20 , Chapter 21 , Chapter 22 , Chapter 23 , Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Jack's eyes opened slowly. Was it morning yet? He tried to focus on his surroundings. It took a few seconds to orient himself in the semi-darkness, but when he did - when he remembered - the flood of emotion that bubbled up inside nearly took his breath away. His eyes went straight to the bed a few feet away and there was Ennis, hooked up to an IV and monitors, and by the looks of him, sleeping soundly, the same as when Jack had taken up residency on two chairs pushed together to spend the night.
He straightened his back, pushed the blanket to the side, and placed his feet on the floor, one at a time. One of the chairs scraped the tile and his back popped. He froze, hoping he hadn't disturbed the man he'd stood guard over all night. Ennis continued to breathe deeply, undisturbed and safe - his Ennis was safe.
He crossed over to the window and parted the blinds, greeting the break of day. A day when he could finally relax and breathe easy....but could he really? What about K.E.? Where the hell had he gone to anyway? The events of the night before were somewhat of a blur, but he was sure Ennis' brother had been at the hospital, standing back barely noticeable with nothing to say. K.E. with nothing to say? That was hard to believe considering their first meeting at the base station, not to mention that time in Bishop. But ever since K.E. had been overcome with heat exhaustion, he'd seemed different.
He had to think about Ennis' health and well-being, and part of that was not letting his brother cause any trouble. If K.E. tried to spew his hatred around, he'd just have to leave and do it someplace else. Ennis hadn't been aware that K.E. was there, but he'd have to be told today, no way around it. How he dreaded telling him.
He checked his watch and figured it would be several hours before Don and Dorothy arrived. They'd gone back to Yosemite West without him the night before with barely an argument, no doubt as concerned as he was about leaving Ennis alone with K.E. around.
Before they'd left, over coffee they'd made phone calls. It had been a great relief to call Phyllis and Herschel with the good news. Phyllis nearly caused him to go deaf screaming through the phone with excitement and happiness. Herschel acted much more reserved, but Jack could hear the smile come through in his words. Don had called Clark so he could pass the word.
Jack was glad that Gavin and Brian hadn't come to the hospital last night, not that Brian hadn't wanted to, but luckily Gavin had better sense and said they'd come by this morning. By the time Ennis was back in his bed after tests were run, there'd been little time for conversation. He'd looked tired and strung out, and he wasn't in any condition for visitors. They'd only been able to have a few words with him and get him settled before the doctor insisted that he rest. Jack had used his powers of persuasion on the night nurse, and that's how he'd ended up stretched out on the chairs for the night.
He looked at the monitor, and unlike the night before, Ennis' blood pressure and heartbeat were normal, and his color looked a lot better. With any luck, he'd get to take him home that afternoon.
He wanted to use the bathroom and stretch his legs, and maybe get some coffee, but he wasn't about to leave Ennis alone when he didn't know where K.E. was. He decided to use the bathroom in the room and wait to have coffee.
He used the toilet and then splashed water on his face. He hated to even look in the mirror. He needed to shave and brush his teeth, but he didn't have either his razor or toothbrush with him. Don and Dorothy had said they'd bring a few things this morning. He would sure be glad to see a change of clothes, but for now he'd have to make due. He ran his hands down his shirt in a feeble attempt to smooth the wrinkles out.
When he stepped back into the room, the best sight in the world awaited him....Ennis awake and smiling....and even cracking jokes. His voice sounded sleepy and weak, but God, it was so good to hear it and to see his handsome face.
"I was betting that was you in there as much noise as was going on."
Jack snorted out a laugh. "I was trying to be quiet. You'd have really heard noise if I hadn't been."
Ennis leaned his head back on the pillows. Moving seemed to pain him. "Your ribs hurting, huh?" Jack asked. He hurried over to adjust the bed and pillows. "How you feelin'?"
"Good," Ennis said, but he didn't sound too convincing.
"Did you sleep okay?"
"Was kinda hard with you snoring in the chair."
Jack couldn't help grinning. His fella hadn't lost his sense of humor. "You need the bedpan?" Jack asked with a straight face.
"Hell, no....I'm not using a bedpan. Bad enough I'm in this air-conditioned gown. Maybe you can help me get to the bathroom if I can figure a way to keep it closed."
"Okay, be glad to," Jack said. He helped Ennis sit up on the side of the bed, slipped a pair of surgical booties on his feet, and then supported him as he stood up. "You don't feel dizzy, do you?" Jack asked.
"No, I'm okay."
Wheeling the IV along with them, Jack guided Ennis by the arm to the bathroom, trying to hold the gown shut for him as they went.
"You're real handy," Ennis said as they made the return trip. Jack patiently got Ennis back into bed just in time to greet the nurse entering the room.
"Good morning, how's the patient?" she asked. She didn't wait for an answer, just went straight to the window and opened the blinds. "Breakfast will be coming soon," she said. She picked up the chart and asked some questions, jotting down notes. "Are you hungry?" she asked as she checked Ennis' vital signs.
"You mean real food, not just the IV concoction?" Ennis asked.
"Fruits, yogurt, juice. How does that sound?"
"Good," Ennis answered.
"You had Popsicles last night, right?"
"I....don't really remember," Ennis said.
"Yeah, he did....you did," Jack said.
"We'll bring you something too, sir," the nurse said to Jack.
"Thanks."
"After that, an orderly will come help with his shower, or if you'd rather, you can help him."
"I'll do it," Jack said.
"The doctor will stop by after breakfast. You might even get to go home today," she said, smiling at Ennis and then turning to leave.
"So....you probably told me already, but how long have Don and Dorothy been here?" Ennis asked.
"A couple days. I don't know how I'd have made it without them. Damn, I was going out of my mind," Jack said.
"I am so sorry," Ennis said.
"No need for apologies. None of this was your fault."
"Shit, I really feel like an idiot," Ennis said.
"Don't talk like that. You shouldn't have even been out there, and from what I hear, Adam Harrison's not too pleased that Hank allowed you to go."
"Damn, I hope he's not in any trouble."
"He'll probably get a slap on the wrist. Now, I don't wanna talk about it anymore. You're back, Fred's doing fine....and I have something to tell you."
"What might that be?"
"It seems that Brian and Gavin have hit it off." Jack watched for Ennis' reaction.
"Hit it off? No kidding....well....that's good....I guess."
"Yeah, I think it is. You know, when I saw them together, I wondered why neither of us ever thought about trying to introduce them."
"Maybe because I can't stand Gavin?" Ennis said.
Jack snorted out a laugh. "Gavin was up there every day searching. He only left for a short time when his granddad was taken to the hospital."
"And your point is?"
Jack could tell that Ennis was trying to sound annoyed, but he wasn't doing a very good job of it. "Brian and Gavin are gonna stop in this morning."
"It's my lucky day," Ennis said in a sarcastic tone.
Breakfast arrived and Jack was glad to see the coffee. "Looks like they brought me oatmeal and toast," he said.
"Better than what I've got," Ennis said, looking at the contents on his tray.
"You need to start slow so you don't throw it all up," Jack said.
"Thanks, I needed to hear that," Ennis said.
Jack turned on the t.v. and they ate their breakfast with little conversation. It seemed like Ennis enjoyed having something to eat even though it wasn't what he usually ate for breakfast.
"Does it taste good?" Jack asked.
"God, yes. I thought about food so much while I was out there...."
"Don't think about it. It's over," Jack said.
After breakfast, Jack helped Ennis get cleaned up. He'd just gotten him settled back in bed when Gavin and Brian knocked on the door. Brian charged over and shook Ennis' hand. His mouth went into overdrive much to Ennis' dismay if the look on his face was any indication.
Gavin pulled Jack aside and spoke quiet and discreetly. "Ennis' dumb-ass brother is in the waiting room. Couldn't help but walk right past him. He didn't give me the time of day, but he called Brian over and told him to send you down there....Ennis' blue-eyed friend, he said."
Jack wished he knew the best way to handle the situation. He'd had time to tell Ennis about K.E. but he hadn't. It would freak him out, and that wouldn't be good for him, so he'd held back....now what? He tried not to look worried, and he was glad Brian had Ennis' attention so he hadn't noticed anything.
He whispered to Gavin, "You and Brian visit awhile. I'm going to talk to K.E."
"You think that's a good idea? Maybe I should go with you."
"Uh....I don't think you'd be a calming influence, but thanks for the offer. I think you can do the most good right here keeping Ennis occupied."
"Will do, but you be careful," Gavin cautioned.
"He's not gonna do anything in a hospital waiting room," Jack said. He slipped out the door and headed for the elevator.
**********
Jack was nervous, no use telling himself he wasn't, but he'd pretend otherwise. Why would K.E. ask to see him? What did he want? Maybe it wasn't a good idea for them to talk, but what else could he do? He needed to know what was in Ennis' brother's head, and there was only one way to find out, and it was better than him showing up in Ennis' room.
He stepped out of the elevator and stood still for a minute gathering his thoughts. He took a deep breath and looked around the corner into the waiting area. Sure enough, there sat K.E. Unfortunately no one else shared the area with him to maybe keep him from making a scene. Cartoons played on the t.v. across from his chair. Jack stepped to the side to get a better look at this guy who could cause a lot of problems for them - the man Ennis had been trying desperately to hide from - the person Ennis had been sure would do bodily harm to one or both of them.
Here he was fixing to walk up to K.E. Del Mar and have a conversation. It was a public place, it would be fine. K.E. looked different from the day before - hair slicked back and clean shaven. He must have washed up in the hospital bathroom. He even had clean clothes on which was more than Jack could say for himself. He wondered if he'd slept in his truck again - either there or on the sofa in the waiting room. Despite his neat appearance, he looked worn out.
Jack put one foot in front of the other and cautiously approached. His hiking boots barely made a sound on the hardwood floor, and even less when he stepped onto the carpet where the chairs and couches were arranged. K.E. seemed engrossed in watching Scooby Doo solve a mystery and he didn't notice him at all. Jack stopped a few feet away and cleared his throat to get his attention. K.E.'s sudden jump surprised Jack. Wasn't he expecting him? Or was he that absorbed by a stupid cartoon?
K.E. stood up and his body language screamed uncomfortable with his arms folded tightly across his chest. He wasn't making eye contact and seemed at a loss for words. Jack stood quietly facing him; after all, K.E. had sent for him, he expected him to indicate why. The awkward seconds grew longer, to the point where Jack felt uneasy about the whole situation, and it seemed like he would have to speak first.
"Brian said you asked for me. Are you gonna tell me what this is about?"
K.E. blinked a couple of times as if hearing Jack's words snapped him out of a trance or something. He looked real jittery. Jack wondered how many cups of coffee he'd had.
"Uh, yeah....I did wanna see you....I'm not even sure of your name."
Jack felt irritation building. At least K.E. wasn't spitting out hate and insults. He wasn't friendly by any means, but he seemed in control of himself, and at least Jack didn't feel like there'd be an ugly scene.
"My name's Jack....Jack Twist."
"Okay, Jack Twist. And you know who I am....Ennis' brother, K.E."
"Right," Jack said. He really had no idea where this meeting was going, and he didn't feel like it was his responsibility to lead K.E. along. He'd already asked what this was about, told him his name, and he intended to let K.E. get on with it in his own way.
K.E. reached down to the chair and picked up a brown paper bag. "Uh, this here's for Ennis," he said, fidgeting with it before holding it out toward Jack.
Jack wondered what it was, but didn't ask, just took it from him.
"I'd appreciate it if you could give it to him," K.E. said. Jack nodded slightly.
There was no mistaking the slight softening of K.E.'s eyes when he'd said Ennis' name. In fact, his eyes hadn't looked near as harsh and full of hate and anger since he returned from sitting out in the forest. He remembered what Phyllis had said when she'd come in from searching with K.E. All Jack knew for certain was that Ennis' brother was confusing the hell out of him.
Why hadn't he just given Brian this bag to take to Ennis? Why ask Brian to send him down....and now that he was there, K.E. didn't seem to have much to say. And why wasn't K.E. planning to go see his brother and give him the bag himself? Jack was full of questions, but he held them in for fear of pushing his luck with this man who he'd been warned about so many times. Ennis would have a total meltdown if he knew Jack was standing in the waiting room with him.
"Well, if Ennis is doing okay, I'm gonna head on back home today," K.E. said. He cast his eyes to the floor and looked as if a black cloud hung overhead.
Jack was so close to asking him if he wanted to visit Ennis before he left....suggest he give his brother the bag himself, but he didn't. Hell, he hadn't even told Ennis anything about K.E. being there yet. That in itself would be enough to cause the earth to crack underneath them without K.E. actually showing his face in Ennis' room.
"Ennis will be all right. You drive safely....it was good of you to come," Jack finally said.
K.E. stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I doubt we'll meet again," he said, staring off to the side as if it was hard for him to look at Jack.
Jack didn't answer, just watched him walk away with his feet scuffing and his shoulders drooping. When the automatic door opened and closed, he turned to head back to Ennis' room. Seeing Gavin step away from the wall near the elevator was something he didn't expect.
"What are you doing? How long have you been there?" Jack asked scoldingly, but then found himself smiling slightly.
"I decided I should come down and make sure the asshole didn't try anything, all right? Cool down, no harm done," Gavin said.
"Well....he coulda seen you. That's all we'd have needed."
"He didn't see me. What's in the bag?" Gavin asked while they got into the elevator.
"I don't know what's in the bag. Something for Ennis from K.E."
"Aren't you gonna look at it?"
"No, I'm not gonna look at it. It's not mine," Jack said exasperated.
"Just 'cause it's not yours doesn't mean you can't open the top and have a peek inside. It'd probably be best to find out what it is considering where it came from," Gavin said, making a distorted face.
Jack couldn't tell if Gain was kidding or not. He decided to ignore him. "Where'd you tell Ennis you were going?"
"Don't worry, I didn't let on that anything was happenin'. I just said I had to take a dump and didn't wanna stink up his bathroom." Gavin snorted out a laugh.
"Nice way to talk in front of your new boyfriend," Jack scoffed.
"You're not jealous, are ya?" Gavin smiled.
"Hardly."
"Lighten up, Jack. I don't know why you're in a bad mood 'cause I had your back. Was just tryin' to help."
Jack took a breath and tried to relax. "I know, and I appreciate it."
"Didn't sound like it to me," Gavin said with a pout.
"It hasn't been the easiest few days...."
"Calm down....I know. No offense taken," Gavin said.
By then they'd reached Ennis' room and Brian stood outside resting his back against the wall with his boot propped up behind.
"The doctor's in with him," Brian said. "Is Ennis' brother comin' up?"
"He left. He gave me this for Ennis and took off," Jack said, holding the bag up.
"So, he didn't make any trouble?" Brian asked, his eyes widening.
"No, no trouble. You kept quiet about K.E., didn't you?" Jack asked.
"Of course I did. Wonder what's in the bag?" Brian asked.
Gavin gave Jack a look, and Jack ignored him and Brian both.
From down the hall Jack heard Don's voice, and then Dorothy's. He checked his watch and realized how late it had gotten.
"How's he doing?" Don asked when they were close enough to speak in normal tones.
"He's better. The doctor's in with him now," Jack said.
"How are you boys doing?" Dorothy asked, looking at Gavin and Brian.
"Doin' just fine," Gavin said.
"Real good ma'am," Brian said.
"Here's yours and Ennis' stuff," Don said, handing Jack a small black duffel bag.
Brian checked his watch. "I'm gonna have to get goin'. I took a couple hours off this mornin' to be able to visit Ennis, but I gotta get back."
"I'll walk you out to your truck," Gavin said.
After they left, the doctor opened Ennis' door. "Good, the family's here," he said, looking at the Wroe's and Jack. "Come in, please."
Don and Dorothy said a quick hello to Ennis, and Jack set the bags on a chair. The doctor picked up Ennis' chart. "I'll release Mr. Del Mar this afternoon on the condition he rests when he gets home. He's doing very well though."
"Great," they said in unison. The look on Ennis' face told Jack that he was more than ready to get out of that room and back to their house.
"We'll stick around 'til we get him home, and after that we're gonna have to head out," Don said.
"Damn, I missed your whole visit," Ennis said.
"We'll come back, don't you worry," Dorothy said, patting Ennis' arm.
"I'll get the release started," the doctor said. He smiled and left the room.
"I guess everyone's gotta get back to work, huh?" Ennis said. "How 'bout you?" he asked, looking at Jack.
"I'm all yours today. I'll go to work tomorrow if everything's okay."
"Everything will be fine. I don't need a baby-sitter," Ennis said.
They spent some time visiting. Gavin came in for a minute and then left for his grandparent's place, and after a while Don and Dorothy went on ahead to get the house in order for Ennis' return.
Jack had put K.E. and the paper bag out of his mind when the others had been in the room, but now that they were alone, he knew he needed to get around to telling Ennis about his brother.
TBC
today
yesterday