Rick and Shane hadn't spoken since the night in the field. They acknowledged eachother's presence but did not say a word. Rick told no one that Shane had theatened to kill him. If he were to do that, Shane would be forced to leave at once.

"Shane, don't do this."

" I have to , Brother."

Everyone was at the tabe eating breakfast, bacon and eggs. Rick and Shane were on opposite sides of the table. They avoided all un-necessary interaction. If their eyes met, they would look away at immediately.

"Shane, please, put the gun down."

"Now Rick, I ain't gonna' do that,"

"Put it down, Shane."

After breakfast, they bumped into eachother while taking the dishes to the sink. Shane let out a soft grunt of apollogy, and that was the end of it.

"You think talkin' like that's gonna' work on me?"

Rick takes a step, and Shane adjusts his grip on the gun.

If they needed to speak with someone, but they were in the same room as the other, he would wait until the other left to take care of buisiness.

"Stay back, Rick."

Rick takes another step, and says,"Shane, you can put the gun down, and we can go back right now."

Rick keeps walking foreward. He gets about almost to Shane's feet. Shane cocks his gun.

Rick keeps walking.

Keeps walking.

Rick was doing some work in the field, the same field in which He and Shane had fought in the night before, and it's near dark. He was expanding the borders of the farm by setting down fence posts.

Rick is now face to face with Shane. He brings up his hand, and places it on the top of Shane's gun. He says once again,"Put the gun down, Shane."

Shane walks up to Rick from the house. Rick sees him and continues working. He keeps placing the fences. He walks right up to Rick. Their eyes meet but do not leave.

Shane begins to lower the gun. It's not a swift movement. Shane's arms are shaking wildly. He can't seem to controll their movement. He wants to take the gun, point it directly at Rick's chest and pull the trigger. It takes all of his will-power, but Shane gets the gun down to his side.

Rick says nothing to Shane. Shane says nothing to Rick. They just stand there. Shane's arms are still shaking.

They stand there for what feels like hours. Not a sound is made.

Suddenly, Shane feels Rick's arms around his neck. At first, he thinks that Rick is attacking, and he flinches. Then he realizes that Rick is hugging him. He is crying.

"Thank you, Shane," he says. Shane doesn't return the hug. He keeps his arms by his side.

(Still shaking)

"Thank you, Shane," Rick repeats.

Shane hears Rick drop something behind his back. He sees the iron of Rick's knife, shining in the moonlight. He realized that Rick would have killed him if he hadn't lowered his gun.

Rick lets go of Shane, turns around, and begin walking toward the house.

Shane had every chance to bring up his gun, and shoot Rick dead, right then and there, but he didn't. He just let Rick walk away. So Rick went and left Shane to think.

Their eyes are still locked, and night has now completely set in. Rick suddenly remembers his ability to move, and shoves another post into the ground, keeping eye contact.

Silence.

Stillness.

Nothing.

Shane throws his arms to the back of Rick's neck, and begins to sob.

"I'm so sorry, Rick! I'm so, so sorry! I lost controll! I'm so sorry!"