Fan Fiction

Bonanza

Hoss

I do NOT own any rights to Bonanza

I got this idea of the episode titled (at least according to you tube, and if I got the girl's name wrong, blame the sound lol) The Beast

Instead of leaving I wrote this as if Emily had stayed, married Hoss in spite of both of them knowing she was dying and found her final resting place on the Cartwright's ranch.

Good-bye Emily….Until We Meet Again

ONE SHOT

The wind blew softly over the hills of the Ponderosa as Hoss sat on a flat boulder holding his well-worn hat. The gentle-giant of the west spoke softly though his throat felt as if it were ten times smaller than it should be. The one he spoke to could not be seen with mortal eyes - though you would not have been able to convince him Emily could not see, or hear, his words.

"Reckon you're out of pain now, Emily. All that coughing sure wore you down." Hoss fought to keep the tears from sliding down his face. "I hope you liked what I showed ya. You seemed too. I hoped you'd last until this spring, but I guess that just wasn't meant to be. Maybe, you can find an angel to show you what I couldn't." Horses hooves got Hoss' head turned.

"Pa asked me to bring you this." Little Joe got off his horse and handed his big brother a letter from Emily's family. Hoss took it but said nothing - baby brother was gracious enough to leave without pressing himself onto Hoss.

The letter was short, but very friendly. It thanked Hoss for taking care of Emily, and for making her last days so enjoyable in spite of the pain which took over and racked her body.

"Oh, Hoss, he's so cute. May I hold him?" Emily's eyes had shown as Hoss turned over the tiny calf her.

Hoss chuckled as Emily rocked the animal as if it were her baby. The chuckle had quit when a coughing fit had hit and reminded him Emily wouldn't be allowed to have a child of her own.

"Don't cry, Hoss. I'm happy, honest. I'm the luckiest woman alive to have you for a husband. Even if it's not for long." Emily's eyes had shone with pure love and acceptance for who he was.

A bird calling over head got him to look up. Emily had fallen in love with all the critters he was around. Phewy, she'd even begged Ben not to put down a runt.

"Please, Pa, not now. At least let him live until I'm buried." Emily's pleading eyes had easily won Ben over and the calf had been allowed to live. A bellowing sound caught Hoss' ear and he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Emily, can you believe that runt survived? Even after we buried you Pa couldn't bring himself to put the critter down and neither could I." Hoss gave a soft smile, "That's one cow that's going to be sold anytime soon. Closet thing we could have to a child of our own." The big man laughed. "Reckon, I got it easy that way. That critter's a whole lot easier to handle than a youngun' would be." The laugh didn't last long and he found his head in his hands has he let tears fall freely as they shook his shoulders. It was only when he felt Ben's hands on his shoulder did he look up.

"It's time to come home son. She'd want you to move on." Ben's eyes held a softness for a son he now shared tragedy with.

"Will I ever stop hurting, Pa?" Hoss' voice filled with the pain he was feeling.

"It never really leaves.. At times I still miss your mother, but -yes- it will become bearable." The white-haired rancher climbed up on his own horse and waited for his son to get on his before turning towards home. Hoss stopped his horse long enough to face the last spot he and Emily had been alone and whispered. "Good-bye, Emily…until we meet again."