ANYTHING HE SAID
AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER
Takes place during the scene in "The Road Not Taken" where Jimmy first confronted Dobbins right before Jesse came in and will stop right before that moment. While watching the scene, it occurred to me that Jimmy seemed more upset by Dobbins using him to do his dirty work than when he confronted his past about the Judge from "Matched Pair" and this was born. Alludes to past abuse. Young Riders belongs to MGM Studios, Ogiens/Kane Company, and ABC. I know one line is wrong, but I couldn't quite hear what was being said.
Jimmy kept his gun trained on Dobbins. He couldn't let the man get away with this.
"Put it down," he said. With a smile, Dobbins placed the crowbar on the floor. "The gun too. Put the gun down." He wasn't taking any chances.
"Well, well, well. If it ain't Jimmy Hickock all growed up," Dobbins drawled, doing what he was told. As he forced the man away from his victim, Jimmy fought to keep his emotions in check. He couldn't let Dobbins get to him. He couldn't let him have any of the power.
"Appreciate your help, son," the farmer stated as Jimmy untied him.
"You've come too late, Jim. Leland's widow done moved on us," Dobbins stated.
"No, no, I came for you," Jimmy replied, his voice betraying a slight tremble. "I'm taking you to Kansas and see you hang," he continued. He watched as Dobbins cocked his head.
"You workin' for the law?" he asked in a gentle voice that chilled Jimmy to the bone. He remembered that tone. It had never meant anything good. Dobbins was at his meanest when he talked like that. Jimmy's mind flashed back. Dobbins stormed up to Jimmy, who scrambled backwards. Mentally, Jimmy shook his head. That had been a lifetime ago. He didn't need to remember. "No, no, that's not the story I heard," he continued.
"Well, you heard wrong," the other man said, his voice hardening as he finished untying the farmer. There. That was better. He didn't sound so afraid now. He just had to keep that tone. The farmer quickly ran to the other side of the room.
"You know, this boy right here used to be my right hand," Dobbins commented casually. Jimmy froze. No, he thought. Dobbins couldn't be outing him. "He's always been a big help." The words echoed in Jimmy's head and his eyes flashed.
"You shut your mouth."
"Why don't you tell the nice old man here Jimmy how you used do anything I'd say?" Dobbins encouraged in a gentle tone. Jimmy panted nervously as the door to his room opened. Seconds later, Dobbins walked in. Jimmy's shoulders slumped. He knew what the man wanted.
"Shut up!" Jimmy shouted. Stop it! I'm not gonna let you do it! I won't! he thought. He couldn't let his secrets get out.
"Tell him how you even used to help me to kill," Dobbins continued in the same tone.
"Kill him, Jimmy," Dobbins ordered. Without even hesitating, Jimmy pulled the trigger and watched as the man clutched his chest and then fell to the ground. "Tell him." No, stop it! I'm not that boy anymore! Jimmy's mind screamed. Without even realizing what he was doing, he let out a shot and then rushed at the man his mind filled with doing only thing: shutting the man up. Because if he didn't, he'd have to face the truth. That at one time, Dobbins had had complete control over him, that the man had been able to use him for anything and had been able to do anything to him. And that was something he just wasn't ready to face. He didn't want to. Not now…maybe not ever.
THE END