Author's note: I was a senior in high school when this show ran. My senior scrapbook even has the TV Guide preview page for this show glued into it. I have been reading the stories posted and my muse has been kicking at me to write as well. This is something I've thought about for a while. There had to be a first time. No smut.
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The first time, had been just shy of his 18th birthday. It had been a rough couple of weeks at the ranch and as soon as he could get away, he headed to town. Sure the drinking age was 21, but out at the small tavern on the edge of town they would serve you if you could see over the bar's counter.
He had been well on his way to being drunk when Cathy Matheny sat down next to him. The bartender called last call and Cathy mentioned she had a twelve pack at her place.
Fifteen minutes later they were sitting on her couch with cold beers. Thirty minutes later the dam holding back his emotions started to crumble and Cathy tried to comfort him.
The feel of a woman's arms around him took him to another place and time. Cathy, feeling the increase in the hugs intensity, decided that it was a signal for an increase in the action.
Her mouth found his and soon her hands followed suit.
He woke up unsure where he was. This was definitely not the fold out bed from the old sofa. He opened his eyes and saw the naked form next to his. Definitely not home.
The memories of the previous evening played through his mind. The words spoken were fuzzy, but the feelings of being held and loved were strong. Those were something that been in short supply after his parents had died.
Moving gently to the edge of the bed, he got up and started looking for his clothes. Sliding into his briefs and then the accompanying jeans, he scanned for his shirt and socks. He picked up the boots that had been kicked over towards the door.
The shirt was in the hallway.
He glanced back at the bedroom where Cathy was still sleeping. He knew that sneaking away without saying anything wasn't what a gentleman would do; not that his parents would have approved of what had already happened anyway.
Just another thing he had done that would have been met with their disapproval. His brother seemed to be passing that message on to him a lot lately. He knew that he would never manage to measure up to the memory of their father or the shadow being cast by his brother.
Grabbing his hat, he paused for a moment; torn between leaving silently or going back to where the woman was sleeping and making things right with her. It seemed an eternity as he stood with his hand on the door knob.
He might have decided to return to the room, but his mind had been churning out a rationalization that made it alright for him to leave. He was young, he was an orphan, Cathy wasn't exactly known for being a pure young thing; hell she had gone home with her share of guys. Chores needed done. Brothers would be wondering where he was.
He opened the door and squinted in the early morning sunshine. He wouldn't be looking back.
Author's note: Of course it would play out again or else he wouldn't have a rep for being the love 'em and leave 'em type.