Abraxis

Chapter Two-History Lessons

"I think she's coming around now," A soft male voice said from somewhere above the murky darkness. I slowly opened my eyes and realized my vision was blurry. I blinked a few times and then it became clearer. I was lying on a bed with a cool rag across my forehead. I spied Hoss, Little Joe, Adam, Ben, Laurie and Sam all standing around me. I propped myself up onto my elbows and felt the rag slide from my forehead.

"What happened?" I asked raising a hand to my cool forehead as I looked from Sam, to Ben, to Adam, and around at each of their faces.

"You fainted on the porch," Hoss said swallowing. "Luckily Adam caught you."

"How are you feeling now?" Ben asked worriedly leaning against the footboard. "Do you need one of us to ride into town to fetch the doctor?"

I shook my head. "No its okay. I think I was just a bit dehydrated and tired and this whole thing is a bit overwhelming too,"

"I think we should let Ellie get some rest. There's a fresh dress for you on the trunk," Ben said gently.

Now that I realized it, Sam and Laurie were in dresses. Sam was in a soft lilac one, Laurie was in a soft blue one and I glanced over at the trunk, my dress was white with baby blue trim on it. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and prepared to push myself up. Immediately, Joe took a step forward to help me. I smiled at him.

"I'm ok now honestly," I said. Ben nodded and steered Adam out. Sam headed out , then Little Joe and Laurie. Hoss hesitated at the doorway.

"Do you need some help getting dressed? I-I mean I could call Sam or Laurie back," he said blushing slightly.

"I'm fine," I said reassuringly and he nodded leaving me alone in the room. I quickly changed into the dress. It fit perfectly. There was a full length mirror in front of me so once I had the dress on I stood in front of it. I still had the makeup on I had from this morning, the soft blue eye shadow, and clear lip gloss. My cheeks were naturally rosy so it gave the illusion of blush. My streaked hair fell around my face in soft waves and curled under. I had even realized Ben had gotten me a necklace as well. Feeling a gush of warmth toward him, even though I was still 

trying to figure out how the heck we got here, I put the necklace on. Once I was ready I headed down the stairs. They were sitting in the living room around the fire, which was crackling softly. As soon as they heard me, all heads raised up. Laurie beamed and gave me a catcall. I burst out laughing as I stopped at the last step.

"Well? How do I look?" I asked still grinning.

I could see Hoss' expression. His whole face lit up.

"You look wonderful," Hoss said softly.

"Yep. That fits you nicely. I wasn't sure if they would being I didn't know your sizes, but I'm glad they fit you ladies," Ben said gently.

I stood at the end of the stairs and everyone stood up, heading into the dining area. Sam and Laurie headed over to me and huddled in close. The three brothers began setting the table.

"Oh my God…I'm SO hoping this isn't some kind of dream," Sam gushed excitedly, glancing at Little Joe.

"I know the feeling," Laurie said hugging herself. "Somehow I don't think it is."

"How the hell did we get here?" Sam asked, keeping her voice low. "This is a TV show. Is this some kind of alternate reality?"

"That's what I was thinking," I whispered to her. "That sandstorm must've transported us into another dimension."

"Besides, I'm actually starting to like it here," Sam said grinning at us coyly. "Aaaand I think Hoss is starting like someone."

She was using that smug sing song tone she always uses when she knows something one of us doesn't. I raised an eyebrow at her and smothered a snort.

"Who would that be Sam?" I asked.

"You you goof," Sam beamed. "Did you see the way he was looking at you when you came down the stairs? It was like HEL-LO."

Laurie giggled. I smothered a snort of laughter.

"Yea right Sam. What guy would ever pay attention to me? Back home I never had a boyfriend, so that leaves the question that there is something wrong with me," I said shaking my head.



"There is nothing wrong with you!" Sam hissed which caused the Cartwright's to look up in surprise. She flashed them an apologetic look before continuing. "Ellie you are a very pretty girl. Perhaps there's a reason why you never had a boyfriend."

"And what would that reason be?"

"Maybe we're meant to be here," Sam said slowly. "Maybe we were meant to stray from the path and land here."

I pondered her response for a moment before Little Joe came up to us.

He looked from each of our faces. "Is everything alright ladies?"

"Yep we're fine," Sam said cheerfully and gave me a meaningful look before she allowed Joe to lead her to the table. Adam came over to me and smiled before taking Laurie's arm and leading her over as well. I stood alone, still deep in thought over what Sam had said. Hoss came over and offered his arm. I jumped again when I realized he was standing before me.

"You sure are jumpy," he said lightly.

I shook my head and smiled and linked my arm with his.

We sat down at the table and began eating. We were having beef, mashed potatoes and fresh peas with gravy. The food was delicious. I felt much better after eating. Everything was real and I knew it wasn't some kind of dream. We were really here.

"So, you ladies have someone waiting for you back home? Surely there's someone whose going to be worried about you missing," Ben asked as he took a sip of water.

"Nope," Sam said shaking her head as she took a bit of the beef. "My husband divorced me."

"Mine was killed in a fire," Laurie said quietly. I could see Adam's stricken expression.

"And me? Never had anyone," I offered half lightly half bitterly.

Now it was Hoss' turn to have a stricken expression.

There was a silence before Adam spoke.

"So basically you ladies are alone?" he asked sounding shocked.

Sam, Laurie and I exchanged looks before we nodded simultaneously.

The four Cartwright's now exchanged looks among themselves before Ben cleared his throat.



"I know this is probably very strange for you, not to mention you hardly know us, but you're more than welcomed to stay with us,"

We exchanged looks. For now until we figured things out and how to get back, we might as well stay with someone that was at least trustworthy, plus it felt like we 'knew' them anyway.

"Sounds good," Sam said nodding.

They beamed.

After dinner, Sam and Laurie headed up to bed. Adam and Hoss were out in the barn. I decided to take a walk. Little Joe accompanied me.

"I'm really surprised you were never married or involved," he said to me softly.

I shrugged one shoulder.

"I don't know either to be honest. At first I thought there might've been something wrong with me," I admitted as we strolled alongside the paddocks where the horses were grazing. Above the sky was a midnight blue with a full moon. Stars twinkled happily and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I stopped beside the railing and crossed my arms on top of it, letting my chin rest on my arm. A gentle gust of wind blew my hair back as I sighed.

"Laurie was always the pretty one. Sam was always the adventurous type and me, well I was sensible…logical," I said half smiling as I gazed out over the railing at the horses. Little Joe stood beside me and matched my position.

"Well you're smart. I see nothing wrong with being smart. Whoever didn't think you were smart was stupid," he said softly.

I smiled at him. We stood for a few moments before we heard some ones footsteps behind us. We turned around. It was Hoss.

"I'm supposed to tell you Joe that Pa wants you to fix the corner of the fence before you turn in. Your horse is able to escape so he wants you to fix it," Hoss said.

I picked up a bit of dejection in his tone, and sadness.

"Ok, night Ellie," Joe said politely as he headed back toward the house. I turned too and realized I was tired. I turned and began walking back with Hoss.

Hoss raised his hand and rubbed the back of his neck. He appeared to be trying to find the right words but eventually he spoke.

"Ellie, would you care to come with me into the city tomorrow? Pa wants us to get some new supplies and I was wondering if you'd like to take the ride?" Hoss asked nervously.



I looked at him and beamed.

"Sure that sounds great,"

He grinned and nodded as we entered the house. I headed up stairs and entered my room glad to be able to sleep now.

The next morning, we woke up and I found my pair of jeans and shirt neatly folded at the base of my bed. I quickly changed and pulled my hair into a ponytail. Some of the shorter strands hand hung down against my cheek.

I pulled on my boots and headed downstairs. Little Joe, Adam, Hoss, Laurie and Sam were already up and eating breakfast. The house smelled of bacon, eggs and sausage. I took a seat at the table.

"Morning," I said cheerfully.

Somehow I felt really cheerful this morning.

"Morning Ellie. Did you sleep well?" Joe asked me softly.

I nodded. Strangely, I slept like a baby. We began helping ourselves to the food. I rather embarrassing thought entered my mind.

"Who put my clothes on the end of my bed this morning?" I asked casually.

"That would be me, Ellie," Sam grinned. "I snuck into your room and tried to make it like I was someone admiring you sleeping form."

Laurie and I burst out laughing as I playfully poked Sam in the ribs. The Cartwright's naturally looked amused but Joe chuckled.

"Hey Ellie do you want to help me with the fence? Sorry Pa but I was too exhausted to fix it last night," Little Joe said apologetically to Ben. Ben shook his hand dismissively.

"It's fine Joe, just make sure you do it today because your horse is able to get out with just one push with his nose," Ben said.

Joe was looking at me expectantly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spied Hoss. He'd gone rather quiet as he was eating.

I smiled at Joe and then responded. "Sorry Joe. I promised Hoss to accompany him into Virginia City today,"



Joe looked a little dejected but nodded and beamed.

"I could stay and help ya Joe," Laurie suggested.

Joe smiled at her. "Sure if you want,"

Once breakfast was done, Hoss and I headed outside. Adam was heading into Carson City, which was nearby and promised to meet up with us once he was done with his errand. I stood beside Flash and looked up at Hoss. His horse was similar colored to Flash. I grinned at him then turned my attention onto Flash. I slid the reins up to the saddle horn and then slid my foot into the stirrup, hoisting myself into the saddle. I settled down and gathered up the reins, putting my foot into the other stirrup. Hoss mounted his horse and we began leisurely walking toward the city.

When we entered the city, it looked exactly like an old western town. The buildings had hitching posts outside, wagons pulled by two horses or so trotted down the block, The buildings had signs posted above their entrances, there was a saloon not too far away, a bank, a farrier and an undertaker. The buildings were old and weathered. I felt like I was right in the TV show…well you know what I mean. Our horses were prancing side by side, which caused Hoss and I's legs to bump once and a while. Flash's ears were pricked forward, but then flicked back as he heard me talking to Hoss. People were dressed in the appropriate outfits for this time. As Hoss and I rode in, down the main street, people were stopping and staring at me.

"Hoss? Why is everyone looking at me like I have five heads?" I whispered to him.

A old woman stepped out in front of us and dropped the bundle of packages she was holding. I pulled back on Flash's reins and so did Hoss as we both came to a stop.

"WITCH!" the old woman screeched pointing at me.