Work Text:
The Stagecoach Ride
Authors Note: : The stories in this series will all feature the theme of our beloved characters “leaning on” each other.
“Jess.” I heard my name being whispered from far away. “Why was someone calling me?’
“Jess!” The sound of his voice was louder, more insistent.
‘Dadgum.” I reached out blindly to shoo it away but then I felt something jostle me. ‘All I wanted was to sleep.’ I struggled to sit upright, as I blinked furiously to open my world.
“Jess.” The voice was softer now. I looked up and met my Pard’s face. His eyes wrinkled with something I could not name.
“Relax, Pard. “ He whispered. “ I only want you to lean to your left. You fell asleep on my shoulder and my arm went to sleep. Here I'll help you.”
I musta looked confused or something, but I trusted him to have my back. The stage we were riding back to Laramie was crowded. A rather plump woman was on my left and I was sure that her feathers and what-nots would tickle my nose if I got too close.
The man opposite Slim was to well- dressed to be a regular cow-puncher and the man next to him wore a tin star on his shirt pocket.
“Relax,” Slim whispered again. I turned to the left and met a nest of white silky feathers.
“Aw, Slim. Do I have to?” I whispered facing back to him. But I caught his eyes and tried to go back to that pleasant dream I'd been having.
“Jess “ I woke up, my heart thundered in my chest. ‘Where was I?’ I looked up to see Slim’s smiling face.
“We’re home, Jess. After you’ve washed up and had something to eat, you can go back to sleep if you want to.”
I musta looked confused or something ‘cause as I raised myself off of his shoulder, he chuckled.
“Don’t you remember? “ His tone was gentle.
I shook my head slowly. Bits and pieces came back to me. “I was so tired when we got on that stage,” I told him as we gathered our luggage. “There was no room to stretch out. I guess I fell asleep on you, sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, Jess. You were tired. I’m the one who should be sorry for waking you up.”
“When did you do that?” I swung my bag onto the porch.
“You fell asleep against my shoulder and leaned on my arm. You couldn’t help it. I guess. That woman was sure big. Anyway, my arm fell asleep. I didn’t trust the man with the fancy vest who sat opposite me, but with you leaning on me if I needed my gun, I couldn’t get to it if I needed to. I forgot about the sheriff next to him.” He started to laugh.
“Uh?”
“You,” he shook his head again. “I turned you around to the other side to move my arm a bit but after awhile I too fell asleep. When I woke up, there you were again, right here,” he pointed to his shoulder, “again “
I looked up, intending to apologize but he surprised me again. This time I saw nothing but brotherly love. Both his hands were on my shoulders.
“You can always lean on me, Jess. Always. “