OOM sorta: Milliways Stables, for Gene Hunt

[ikissdhimbck]

The last several weeks have been -- well, to call them odd would be the understatement of the millennium. Kate's been turned upside down and inside out, figuratively and literally

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[themanclion]

Gene's been coming to the stables fairly regularly since Kate first took him out. Most times he takes Duncan out for a tentative hack - never very far, nor fast, when there's no one there to see - but occasionally he just finds a haybale and sits down away from everyone.

The last couple of weeks, he's been careful to ensure there's no sign of Kate when he comes here. He's not thinking about it so much today though because his mind is stuck on a case back home. He thought concentrating on a horse for an hour might help distract him; and so, he wasn't really considering what other distractions might be about.

'...oh.

Didn' know you were 'ere.'

Obviously.

[ikissdhimbck]

She stiffens when she hears his voice, eyes narrowing on Concession's mottled coat. She knows he comes by now and then -- not that he ever takes the time to sign the sheet when he takes Duncan out, but at least the other hands are good about keeping records of what happens with the stock while they're on duty. Still, she glances over her shoulder like she can't believe her ears and needs the visual evidence to prove it's really him.

Her expression is blank.

She turns back to her busy work, her brush strokes slower than before. It takes her a minute to say something; she has to quell the sudden siege of unresolved thoughts taking her brain by storm.

"Don't let me bother you."

[themanclion]

He stares at her back for a minute, then sighs and looks away.

'Still like tha' is it? Fine then. I'll get on.'

He walks on up to Duncan's stall and leans on it, meaning to finish his cigarette before doing anything productive.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Like what, Gene?"

She's moving easier than the last time he saw her. Almost back to normal, dressed in tawny slacks that are more formfitting, and her gun belt. She has the Colt, the Smith & Wesson, and the bowie knife, same as usual; but she also has another Colt wedged under the belt at the small of her back, less ornate than the other. She's been practicing with it, checking its aim.

"Y'didn't come here t'see me. Wouldn't want you t'feel like y'weren't welcome, just 'cuz I'm here."

Kneeling down to get at Concession's legs with the soft brush isn't one hundred percent comfortable yet. The horse nips at her hat, and she loses her balance, going down to one knee.