Glimpses- On Patience (Complete vignette)

Summary: When faced with yet another trying situation, will the Cartwright family's perseverance endure? (Whole family drama, but focuses mainly on Ben and Joe).

Any and all feedback is most appreciated. :)

"It's okay, son. They'll be along soon." He tried to reassure as another spasm of pain coursed through his youngest child's broken body only to herald a muffled groan of release from the restless youth within his arms.

"It's okay, Joseph, " he repeated again while struggling to keep the desperation he felt from his voice as he watched his son attempt to deal with the acute discomfort he was experiencing.

"Don't worry," he coaxed as he stared down into the pain-filled green eyes now sparkling back up at him with unshed tears. "No one's around to hear you. Shout it out if it helps. Acknowledging pain doesn't make a man any less than he is. It only proves that he's mortal…a human…that he has the capacity to feel…"

A ragged sob caught within the boy's throat as he leaned further into the strength offered by his father's steady embrace before burrowing his face into the wind dried softness of the fabric of his father's cotton shirt.

At hearing his son's stifled cry of anguish, Ben Cartwright's heart felt as if it would shatter into a hundred little pieces, but he did not let up upon his vigilance as he encouraged the boy. "That's it, son. Ride it out. You just need to hold on for a short time longer. Your brothers will be here ….They'll be coming soon."

MWMWMWMWMWMWMW

'Soon…' He mused many hours later while staring into the flickering flames of the roaring fire, laid earlier this day by Hop Sing, as he awaited Paul Martin's prognosis on the state of his youngest son's health. 'It was such a trite word meaning a short while… before too long, but still it required waiting…patience.'

Unnerved, he rose restlessly to his feet and began to pace. 'What was taking Paul so long? A broken leg and collar bone…possibly a few cracked ribs… Did Joe suffer with more injuries than he had at first assessed during their long wait for help to arrive while out in the open?'

It had all had happened so quickly. Actually, his attentions had been elsewhere at the time as were Hoss's and Adam's. Joe's horse had taken a misstep then stumbled. There must have been an unseen divot or soft spot upon the terrain. He didn't know. All that mattered was in the next few seconds his son lay sprawled upon the ground writhing in pain. 'Had the horse's weight borne more heavily upon the boy's vulnerable body than the three of them had at first suspected? If that proved to be the case, then the possibility of unforeseen complications arising in the aftermath could be all the greater,' he fretted.

Increased worry furrowed Ben's tense brow as sickening dread filled the pit of his stomach. 'What was keeping Paul?' He wondered anxiously as he wrung his now sweaty hands in silence.

Hoss, unable to keep afoot within the confines of their living quarters, had begged off and was now out in the barn tending to Little Joe's horse. Adam had tried to hold on, but in the end, he moved out onto the porch with one of his books for company. Ben was sure, however, that his eldest was reading and rereading the same page over and over again without much clarity or comfort. Various aromas, both pungent and tempting, arose from the kitchen area to fill the living space around him, as Hop Sing tried to keep himself occupied as well. Each of the inhabitants, within this home, was attempting to keep up his quiet vigil, but still the waiting was becoming near excruciating.

Then his thoughts returned to Joseph, and he remembered his many ushered words of assurance while out on the trail - It's okay…They'll be along soon…Don't worry…Ride it out…Hold on for a short time longer - and this interminable wait seemed inconsequential in the face of the endurance he had asked from his son earlier this day.

Still this realization did little to quiet the worry and frustration that were now his, and it wouldn't be until some time later, as he heard Paul's footsteps coming down the stairs, that his silent fortitude would at last be rewarded.

Finis

Patience-the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

A/N - The Glimpses Series are really more scenes in time concerning various topics or qualities than actual developed stories. Once again, inspiration comes from "New Morning".