TITLE: TILL DEATH DO US PART...part 11
TITLE: TILL DEATH DO US PART...part 11
AUTHOR: VNapier
PAIRING: Ennis/Jack
RATING: R - NC17
FEEDBACK: Always. E mail me at BBMFAN@ZOOMINTERNET.NET
DISCLAIMERS: Standard disclaimers. The characters are not mine, but the story is.
SUMMARY: This is a sequel to 'If Anyone Can Show Just Cause, Speak Now...'.
That story can be found on my livejournal at http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com
part 1 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/13102.html
part 2 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/13949.html
part 3 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/14291.html
part 4 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/14778.html
part 5 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/15196.html
part 6 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/15526.html
part 7 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/15861.html
part 8 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/16127.html
part 9 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/16794.html
part 10 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/17271.html
Ennis whirled around, although he recognized the voice before his eyes confirmed the speaker's identity. "What the fuck you doin' here, K.E.?"
"Seems our sister married into a real upstandin' family that ain't got no problem letting a man know when his queer-assed brother shows up looking for a cup of coffee and some stew. Come here ta hear it from you that yer a fuckin' faggot."
"Ain't no queer."
K.E. snorted his disbelief. "I ran into that asshole, Aguirre, last month and he just couldn't wait to talk all about how he saw ya up there on Brokeback, rutting on that pansy-assed little cock-sucker like he was yer pet bitch."
Clenching his fists, Ennis ground out, "Ain't no queer."
"Brother, ya stick yer dick in a man's ass, yer a fuckin' queer." K.E. jabbed his finger into Ennis' chest. "Only thing worse'd be if ya was letting that little faggot stick his dick up yer ass."
Ennis instantly bristled at the insinuation. "Ain't never taken that from no one!"
The words barely cleared Ennis lips before K.E.'s fist made contact with his jaw. "Ain't no del Mar ever been queer! I'll beat the queer outta ya, ya fucking faggot! An' if I cain't, I'll kill yer sick ass!"
The punch took Ennis by surprise, but too many years of having to fight for every little thing had toughened him up from the time when he had to catch K.E. unawares to get the upper hand. His daddy taught him out to fight dirty; life taught him how to fight to win.
Over the next few minutes, many punches were thrown and received, the last one, a right hook from Ennis, sent K.E. sprawling out on his ass, his head bouncing off the rubber of the front tire of C.C.'s truck. A ripped sleeve was used to wipe away the blood from his split lip.
"Ya suck that faggot's pecker, Ennis. Or ya get yer perverted thrills havin' 'im suck yers?"
"Shut the fuck up!" Ennis yelled between labored breaths.
Before K.E. could respond, the area was filled with flashing lights and the sound of screeching tires. A short burst from the patrol car's siren preceded the two officers, who emerged from either side of the vehicle. The driver had his gun pulled, while his partner did the talking.
"You boys wanna tell us what's goin' on here?"
"Just kicking some faggot ass, officer," K.E. snarled as he slowly rose to his feet.
"Well, yer both under arrest for assault and battery. Around here we don't tolerate brawlin' in the streets, especially in front of women and children."
Ennis followed the officer's gaze to where Delilah was standing in the doorway to her room, with Glen huddled against her legs. She looked terrified. There was no telling how long she had been watching, or if she had heard any of K.E.'s accusations. The one thing he did know was that he couldn't leave her stranded.
Before the officer with the handcuffs reached him, Ennis pulled his wallet out of his back pocket threw it to Delilah. "There's cash enough for gas, an' that's yer brother's truck. Head north on highway eighty-seven 'till ya see the signs fer Dayton. If ya hit the Montana line, ya gone too far. Call the ranch if ya get lost."
A second police car arrived on the scene, and Ennis was cuffed and shoved into the back seat. Across the parking lot, K.E. was also cuffed, and roughly pushed into the back seat of the first police car. All Ennis could think of was that he was a dead man. No Wyoming cop was going to let a queer man walk out of their jail.
*** *** *** ***
Ennis had only been in jail once before, and then he had been on the other side of the bars, bringing bail money so K.E.'s new wife wouldn't have to. It was less than a week after the wedding when K.E. got into it with a bunch of rodeo cowboy as the local watering hole. Didn't look much better then than he did now.
"Cain't believe it. Not a you, Ennis."
Ennis craned his neck to look over at his brother, who held an ice pack up to his busted nose as he lay on the bunk in the next cell. The 'I ain't queer' was poised on his lips, but the words wouldn't come. Somewhere during the flurry of fling fists, Ennis had come face to face with more than just a pair of bloody knuckles.
Most of what K.E. had said was true. He did like fucking Jack's ass. He liked sucking Jack's cock, too, although he'd only done it once. And he really liked having Jack mouth on him. Nipples were good, too, though he had to admit that Jack seemed to get more pleasure from them than he did. And there was no denying the couple of time when he dreamed about having Jack fuck him, but those were only dreams. Even if he wasn't all the way queer, it sure did seem like he was mostly there.
"Glad daddy and momma ain't alive ta see this. Fuckin' kill 'em, it would, knowin' they welped 'em a fuckin' faggot."
Ignoring his brother, Ennis looked back up at the ceiling. The gray paint was peeling, but in a definite circle, just above the window. Room must have been leaking not long ago. He had no idea how long they had been there, but it was long enough for him and K.E. to get booked and for K.E. to get some medical help for the cuts on his face. He figured it was a few hours, anyway, and hoped that Delilah and Glen had made it to the ranch without any problems.
"It's gonna be a real pleasure," K.E. continued on, unbidden, and with rapturous contempt. "A real fuckin' pleasure watchin' yer ass get kicked by a group a good ol' boys who know how ta handle a fuckin' pervert."
Ennis held his tongue, but in his head he was thinking that even if K.E. did spread the word around Casper, it wasn't too likely that anyone would know he was working in Dayton, or would know anyone there to tell if they did.
"I heard what ya said to that little slut back at the motel."
"She ain't no slut."
"That kid my nephew?" K.E. snorted loudly. "'course he ain't. Yer a fuckin' faggot. I reckon I outta take me a little drive up North as soon as I'm sprung from this joint. Maybe stop in in Dayton and spread the word that there's a couple a pure-d-faggot perverts workin' 'round there. Bet folks'd be real 'preciative fer the warnin' so's they can take care a their own, an' not let the likes a you an that fuckin' bitch a yers spread yer filth ta any a their young uns."
A key rattled in the lock to the outer door, and two officers entered. Ennis nearly choked when he saw that one of them was Smitty. Both approached his cell, and he was even more surprised when the local officer unlocked the cell door and swung it open.
"Yer fines been paid," Smitty said to quietly to Ennis, but his eyes were focused on the man in the next cell.
Ennis rose from the bunk and cautiously walked over to the open cell door. "Why ya doin' this?"
"'cause I owe ya," Smitty said in an oddly flat tone. "Now git outta here. Was gonna give ya a ride back ta Dayton, but..." Smitty's eyes became dark and his expression hard as he continued to glare into the next cell, where K.E. was watching with a wary curiosity. "I'm sure you can hitch a ride easy 'nough."
The other officer motioned Ennis out of the cell. As he walked by Smitty, whose eyes had never left K.E., Smitty grabbed him buy the arm and whispered low and serious, "I take care a yers. You take care a mine."
*** *** *** ***
It was nearly half past ten when the trucker pulled over and Ennis jumped down from the cab. Despite the late hour, he could see the dim light from the Fleishman's kitchen window and began walking in that direction. This was as close to the motel as the trucker was going, so as much as Ennis dreaded making a pest of himself, he had no real choice but to impose on them.
It would be a ten mile walk to the motel, and the sleet storm from earlier that day had left the ground covered in a sheet of ice. He'd be lucky to make it there by morning, and would more than likely end up with a busted backside before he made it halfway.
Either that or he'd just freeze to death. A brisk wind was cutting through from the north, and by the time he made it to the Fleishman's front door and rang the doorbell, he was already shivering, despite his heavy coat.
The door opened by a surprised Elmer, dressed in a robe and slippers. "Dear Lord, Ennis!" The storm door was pushed open and Ennis was pulled inside. "Get in here."
Thelma appeared at the doorway to the living room and hurried to him, pulling him into a big hug. "Ennis, we've been so worried." Pulling away, the older woman went into full-mothering mode. "Your freezing. Take your coat off. Elmer get him over by the fire. I'll start a fresh pot of coffee."
Like a whirlwind she was gone, leaving the two men to follow her orders, which they did. "Why ya been worrin'?" Ennis asked as he gratefully huddled near the cozy fire in the living room.
Elmer's tone was as grave as his expression. "It was on the news." The older man started to say more, but stopped and looked away.
"What was?"
A comforting hand was placed on Ennis' shoulder. "Ennis, yer brother..."
Fear gripped Ennis' heart. "What about K.E.?"
"Ennis, he's dead."
Of all the things Ennis had imagined hearing, this was not even close. "Dead? How?"
"They said the reports was sketchy, but that a Sheridan County deputy shot him." Elmer looked imploringly at Ennis. "They said it was Smitty. They're saying he could be charged with first-degree murder. That's a capital offense, Ennis."
Ennis heard the words, but his mind was too jumbled to respond. K.E. was dead? Smitty killed him? Why?
'...'cause I owe ya...I take care a yers.'
Smitty's parting words echoed in his mind, hitting Ennis in the gut harder than any of K.E.'s punches. Why had Smitty been in Casper? What did he know about K.E.? The only thing that Ennis was sure of was that when he had left the Casper City jail, Smitty had already decided to kill K.E.
'You take care a mine.'
Rich. Smitty had been looking after Rich for years. Those words could only man that he wanted to make sure that his dead father's lover would still be taken care of when he was gone. But nothing explained why?
"Ennis, what happened?"
Thelma came in with a steaming cup of coffee and handed it to Ennis. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and then turned to go, but Ennis stopped her.
"Might as well stay, Ma'am. I come ta yer home, so I own ya both an explanation."
"Ennis, we're your friends," Thelma said with warm firmness. "You don't owe us anything."
"But ya wanna know, don't ya?"
Thelma sighed. "We'd be lying if we said no, but it's only because we're concerned about you."
Those few simple words humbled Ennis beyond measure. It had been a long time since he had felt cared about by anyone. Not since his momma...no. No, that wasn't right. Jack cared about him. Jack...with startling clarity it hit him.
"Jack loves me."
Oblivious to the confused expressions on the faces across the room, Ennis moved over to the nearby chair and sank down into the padded seat.
Jack loved him. A *man* loved him. Not like a brother, not like a friend, but like a man loved a woman when they got married and made babies, like a lover.
A collage of bright images flooded his mind...Jack smiling at him, Jack looking a him, Jack laughing with him, Jack offering himself to him, Jack arching under him, Jack's glistening skin, Jack curled up beside him.
But that wasn't all. Jack frying potatoes on the small hot plate, Jack bringing him a beer, Jack folding their shorts, Jack changing the channel, Jack bringing in the groceries, Jack throwing a towel at him.
And then there came the ones that made his heart ache; Jack looking scared, Jack looking angry, Jack looking hurt, Jack looking lost.
Wave after wave of images left him with only one thought. No matter what the mood, what the setting, it was always Jack that stirred his heart, stirred his emotions, even stirred his ire.
In a whisper, soft and reverent, Ennis acknowledged his heart's truth. "I love Jack."
TBC...
AUTHOR: VNapier
PAIRING: Ennis/Jack
RATING: R - NC17
FEEDBACK: Always. E mail me at BBMFAN@ZOOMINTERNET.NET
DISCLAIMERS: Standard disclaimers. The characters are not mine, but the story is.
SUMMARY: This is a sequel to 'If Anyone Can Show Just Cause, Speak Now...'.
That story can be found on my livejournal at http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com
part 1 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/13102.html
part 2 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/13949.html
part 3 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/14291.html
part 4 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/14778.html
part 5 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/15196.html
part 6 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/15526.html
part 7 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/15861.html
part 8 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/16127.html
part 9 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/16794.html
part 10 - http://vln-bbmfan.livejournal.com/17271.html
Ennis whirled around, although he recognized the voice before his eyes confirmed the speaker's identity. "What the fuck you doin' here, K.E.?"
"Seems our sister married into a real upstandin' family that ain't got no problem letting a man know when his queer-assed brother shows up looking for a cup of coffee and some stew. Come here ta hear it from you that yer a fuckin' faggot."
"Ain't no queer."
K.E. snorted his disbelief. "I ran into that asshole, Aguirre, last month and he just couldn't wait to talk all about how he saw ya up there on Brokeback, rutting on that pansy-assed little cock-sucker like he was yer pet bitch."
Clenching his fists, Ennis ground out, "Ain't no queer."
"Brother, ya stick yer dick in a man's ass, yer a fuckin' queer." K.E. jabbed his finger into Ennis' chest. "Only thing worse'd be if ya was letting that little faggot stick his dick up yer ass."
Ennis instantly bristled at the insinuation. "Ain't never taken that from no one!"
The words barely cleared Ennis lips before K.E.'s fist made contact with his jaw. "Ain't no del Mar ever been queer! I'll beat the queer outta ya, ya fucking faggot! An' if I cain't, I'll kill yer sick ass!"
The punch took Ennis by surprise, but too many years of having to fight for every little thing had toughened him up from the time when he had to catch K.E. unawares to get the upper hand. His daddy taught him out to fight dirty; life taught him how to fight to win.
Over the next few minutes, many punches were thrown and received, the last one, a right hook from Ennis, sent K.E. sprawling out on his ass, his head bouncing off the rubber of the front tire of C.C.'s truck. A ripped sleeve was used to wipe away the blood from his split lip.
"Ya suck that faggot's pecker, Ennis. Or ya get yer perverted thrills havin' 'im suck yers?"
"Shut the fuck up!" Ennis yelled between labored breaths.
Before K.E. could respond, the area was filled with flashing lights and the sound of screeching tires. A short burst from the patrol car's siren preceded the two officers, who emerged from either side of the vehicle. The driver had his gun pulled, while his partner did the talking.
"You boys wanna tell us what's goin' on here?"
"Just kicking some faggot ass, officer," K.E. snarled as he slowly rose to his feet.
"Well, yer both under arrest for assault and battery. Around here we don't tolerate brawlin' in the streets, especially in front of women and children."
Ennis followed the officer's gaze to where Delilah was standing in the doorway to her room, with Glen huddled against her legs. She looked terrified. There was no telling how long she had been watching, or if she had heard any of K.E.'s accusations. The one thing he did know was that he couldn't leave her stranded.
Before the officer with the handcuffs reached him, Ennis pulled his wallet out of his back pocket threw it to Delilah. "There's cash enough for gas, an' that's yer brother's truck. Head north on highway eighty-seven 'till ya see the signs fer Dayton. If ya hit the Montana line, ya gone too far. Call the ranch if ya get lost."
A second police car arrived on the scene, and Ennis was cuffed and shoved into the back seat. Across the parking lot, K.E. was also cuffed, and roughly pushed into the back seat of the first police car. All Ennis could think of was that he was a dead man. No Wyoming cop was going to let a queer man walk out of their jail.
*** *** *** ***
Ennis had only been in jail once before, and then he had been on the other side of the bars, bringing bail money so K.E.'s new wife wouldn't have to. It was less than a week after the wedding when K.E. got into it with a bunch of rodeo cowboy as the local watering hole. Didn't look much better then than he did now.
"Cain't believe it. Not a you, Ennis."
Ennis craned his neck to look over at his brother, who held an ice pack up to his busted nose as he lay on the bunk in the next cell. The 'I ain't queer' was poised on his lips, but the words wouldn't come. Somewhere during the flurry of fling fists, Ennis had come face to face with more than just a pair of bloody knuckles.
Most of what K.E. had said was true. He did like fucking Jack's ass. He liked sucking Jack's cock, too, although he'd only done it once. And he really liked having Jack mouth on him. Nipples were good, too, though he had to admit that Jack seemed to get more pleasure from them than he did. And there was no denying the couple of time when he dreamed about having Jack fuck him, but those were only dreams. Even if he wasn't all the way queer, it sure did seem like he was mostly there.
"Glad daddy and momma ain't alive ta see this. Fuckin' kill 'em, it would, knowin' they welped 'em a fuckin' faggot."
Ignoring his brother, Ennis looked back up at the ceiling. The gray paint was peeling, but in a definite circle, just above the window. Room must have been leaking not long ago. He had no idea how long they had been there, but it was long enough for him and K.E. to get booked and for K.E. to get some medical help for the cuts on his face. He figured it was a few hours, anyway, and hoped that Delilah and Glen had made it to the ranch without any problems.
"It's gonna be a real pleasure," K.E. continued on, unbidden, and with rapturous contempt. "A real fuckin' pleasure watchin' yer ass get kicked by a group a good ol' boys who know how ta handle a fuckin' pervert."
Ennis held his tongue, but in his head he was thinking that even if K.E. did spread the word around Casper, it wasn't too likely that anyone would know he was working in Dayton, or would know anyone there to tell if they did.
"I heard what ya said to that little slut back at the motel."
"She ain't no slut."
"That kid my nephew?" K.E. snorted loudly. "'course he ain't. Yer a fuckin' faggot. I reckon I outta take me a little drive up North as soon as I'm sprung from this joint. Maybe stop in in Dayton and spread the word that there's a couple a pure-d-faggot perverts workin' 'round there. Bet folks'd be real 'preciative fer the warnin' so's they can take care a their own, an' not let the likes a you an that fuckin' bitch a yers spread yer filth ta any a their young uns."
A key rattled in the lock to the outer door, and two officers entered. Ennis nearly choked when he saw that one of them was Smitty. Both approached his cell, and he was even more surprised when the local officer unlocked the cell door and swung it open.
"Yer fines been paid," Smitty said to quietly to Ennis, but his eyes were focused on the man in the next cell.
Ennis rose from the bunk and cautiously walked over to the open cell door. "Why ya doin' this?"
"'cause I owe ya," Smitty said in an oddly flat tone. "Now git outta here. Was gonna give ya a ride back ta Dayton, but..." Smitty's eyes became dark and his expression hard as he continued to glare into the next cell, where K.E. was watching with a wary curiosity. "I'm sure you can hitch a ride easy 'nough."
The other officer motioned Ennis out of the cell. As he walked by Smitty, whose eyes had never left K.E., Smitty grabbed him buy the arm and whispered low and serious, "I take care a yers. You take care a mine."
*** *** *** ***
It was nearly half past ten when the trucker pulled over and Ennis jumped down from the cab. Despite the late hour, he could see the dim light from the Fleishman's kitchen window and began walking in that direction. This was as close to the motel as the trucker was going, so as much as Ennis dreaded making a pest of himself, he had no real choice but to impose on them.
It would be a ten mile walk to the motel, and the sleet storm from earlier that day had left the ground covered in a sheet of ice. He'd be lucky to make it there by morning, and would more than likely end up with a busted backside before he made it halfway.
Either that or he'd just freeze to death. A brisk wind was cutting through from the north, and by the time he made it to the Fleishman's front door and rang the doorbell, he was already shivering, despite his heavy coat.
The door opened by a surprised Elmer, dressed in a robe and slippers. "Dear Lord, Ennis!" The storm door was pushed open and Ennis was pulled inside. "Get in here."
Thelma appeared at the doorway to the living room and hurried to him, pulling him into a big hug. "Ennis, we've been so worried." Pulling away, the older woman went into full-mothering mode. "Your freezing. Take your coat off. Elmer get him over by the fire. I'll start a fresh pot of coffee."
Like a whirlwind she was gone, leaving the two men to follow her orders, which they did. "Why ya been worrin'?" Ennis asked as he gratefully huddled near the cozy fire in the living room.
Elmer's tone was as grave as his expression. "It was on the news." The older man started to say more, but stopped and looked away.
"What was?"
A comforting hand was placed on Ennis' shoulder. "Ennis, yer brother..."
Fear gripped Ennis' heart. "What about K.E.?"
"Ennis, he's dead."
Of all the things Ennis had imagined hearing, this was not even close. "Dead? How?"
"They said the reports was sketchy, but that a Sheridan County deputy shot him." Elmer looked imploringly at Ennis. "They said it was Smitty. They're saying he could be charged with first-degree murder. That's a capital offense, Ennis."
Ennis heard the words, but his mind was too jumbled to respond. K.E. was dead? Smitty killed him? Why?
'...'cause I owe ya...I take care a yers.'
Smitty's parting words echoed in his mind, hitting Ennis in the gut harder than any of K.E.'s punches. Why had Smitty been in Casper? What did he know about K.E.? The only thing that Ennis was sure of was that when he had left the Casper City jail, Smitty had already decided to kill K.E.
'You take care a mine.'
Rich. Smitty had been looking after Rich for years. Those words could only man that he wanted to make sure that his dead father's lover would still be taken care of when he was gone. But nothing explained why?
"Ennis, what happened?"
Thelma came in with a steaming cup of coffee and handed it to Ennis. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and then turned to go, but Ennis stopped her.
"Might as well stay, Ma'am. I come ta yer home, so I own ya both an explanation."
"Ennis, we're your friends," Thelma said with warm firmness. "You don't owe us anything."
"But ya wanna know, don't ya?"
Thelma sighed. "We'd be lying if we said no, but it's only because we're concerned about you."
Those few simple words humbled Ennis beyond measure. It had been a long time since he had felt cared about by anyone. Not since his momma...no. No, that wasn't right. Jack cared about him. Jack...with startling clarity it hit him.
"Jack loves me."
Oblivious to the confused expressions on the faces across the room, Ennis moved over to the nearby chair and sank down into the padded seat.
Jack loved him. A *man* loved him. Not like a brother, not like a friend, but like a man loved a woman when they got married and made babies, like a lover.
A collage of bright images flooded his mind...Jack smiling at him, Jack looking a him, Jack laughing with him, Jack offering himself to him, Jack arching under him, Jack's glistening skin, Jack curled up beside him.
But that wasn't all. Jack frying potatoes on the small hot plate, Jack bringing him a beer, Jack folding their shorts, Jack changing the channel, Jack bringing in the groceries, Jack throwing a towel at him.
And then there came the ones that made his heart ache; Jack looking scared, Jack looking angry, Jack looking hurt, Jack looking lost.
Wave after wave of images left him with only one thought. No matter what the mood, what the setting, it was always Jack that stirred his heart, stirred his emotions, even stirred his ire.
In a whisper, soft and reverent, Ennis acknowledged his heart's truth. "I love Jack."
TBC...