Chapter Track: "Here I Am (End Title)" – Bryan Adams, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron soundtrack

The world stirred into place; the edges of his sight were black and almost completely consumed his eyes except for a small circle that eventually grew and grew until he saw clearly. Then the pain hit his body—it was at first a dull throb, but as he gradually regained consciousness, the pain worsened to an excruciating stab in his abdomen. Something jostled his shoulder. A soft, concerned voice called his name, panicked and on the verge of tears.

"Jack? Can you hear me? You'd better not've died on me, you bastard, not after everything we've been through!" There was a choked-back sob as his shoulder was shook once more, this time more urgently. "Jack?!"

He groaned and blinked in rapid succession, confused as he slowly came to. Her hair washed over his chest like a dark-brown waterfall; the petrified blaze in her brown eyes softened. Tears of terror quickly turned to tears of joy as she heaved a relieved sigh and laid her forehead on his chest.

"Oh, thank God!" Her lips graced his brow with a gentle kiss as she leaned back up. She looked down at him with a disbelieving smile. "I thought you were dead!"

"Wha…What happened?"

As he tried to sit up, an explosion of pain erupted across his torso, and he collapsed back down onto the soft ground. As he grit his teeth and battled through the pain, he opened his eyes and looked around. He was lying shirtless on a cot in a tent that wasn't his. "Where…where am I?"

"Lay still, darlin'," she said and gently pressed a hand on his chest. "You're just outside the mines. We're in one of the tents. Archer and I rushed you out of there as soon as we could and brought you here." She looked him over and shook her head. "My God, it's a wonder you're alive, Jack. I almost couldn't stitch you back up." Tears welled in her eyes. "There was so much blood…"

"What happened?" Though he was in a world of pain, he somehow managed to concentrate on her beautiful face. It was all he could do to not cry out from his torment. He placed his right hand on top of hers.

"That son of a bitch Zebedee Nash shot you," she hissed. "I took care of him, though."

Jack's eyes widened. "You didn't shoot him, did you?"

"No. Archer and the others got in there right before I could take my revenge on him, but I did manage to pistol-whip that rotten fuck unconscious. Archer arrested him, along with the other three we were supposed to bag." She smiled down at him and upturned her hand so that she could grasp his tightly. A resolving light entered her brown eyes as she said, "We got 'em all, Jack. It's done. Our hard work is finally over with. We can go home now." She glanced down at his bandage she'd recently applied around his stomach. "Well, as soon as you're well enough to ride."

Jack smiled weakly up at her. He released her hand only to cup the side of her face. "Thanks for savin' my life...again."

She smirked back at him. Her eyes softened with unbridled tenderness. "You know, you have a bad habit of gettin' yourself shot, Jack. What's the count now?"

"Too damn many," he snorted back. He studied her face, happy to once again be so close to her, much less alive, to see her again. Though she was still damp from the thunderstorm and covered with dust, mud, sweat, and blood, she was still undeniably beautiful to him. He caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine. Got nicked a couple times, but they're only scratches."

"Good." He beamed up at her even though his bullet wound screamed at him. "Ya know, if it wasn't for you fixin' me up all the time, I wouldn't be here right now. I can't thank you enough, Maddie."

She shrugged nonchalantly and leaned down closer to him, her long hair falling over his chest and arms. "It's all a part of the job, princess. It's what I do."

"You could be a doctor, ya know, with all the times you've stitched me up," he said, almost breathless as her face inched closer to his. His heart pounded as he moved his hand to the back of her head and drew her in.

"Now there's a thought," she whispered as she looked deep into his eyes. "And you could be an actor after the stunt you pulled off back there with Zebedee. For a second, you had us both fooled."

"Now there's a thought," he murmured. He drew her face closer to his; she leaned in closer in response. "An outlaw turned good tries his hand at the picture shows. How poetic."

Their faces were a hand's-breadth apart; they stared into each other's eyes, unsure of whether to continue or wait for the other to make the move. Their noses brushed as Maddie tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes.

The loud rustling of the tent's flap being tossed aside jerked them out of their moment. Maddie sat up and looked back over her shoulder as Archer and Hershel walked into the tent. Hershel smirked apologetically at them; his cheeks flushed a light pink. Archer's eyes widened as he looked at the bounty hunters. He blinked away his surprise and cleared his throat.

"How is he?" the government agent asked as he walked up to them.

Maddie hid her face behind her hair. "Just fine. I did the best I could, and he's alive, so that's all that matters." She looked back down at Jack and grinned apologetically; the strong longing in her expression made his breath catch in his throat. She grasped his hand that had immediately dropped back down to his side and gave it a comforting squeeze.

Archer came to stand before Jack. "How are you fairing, Mister Marston? From what Maddie and the others have told me, you pulled quite the brave stunt back there talking to the outlaw. It's a miracle you're alive: not many people can survive a gunshot to the gut." A glint of admiration flashed across his eyes. He smirked and shook his head in wonder. "Tough and stubborn as your father."

Jack grinned up at him, and for the first time ever, he felt a bud of kinship with the man blossom in his breast. "At last, somethin' we can agree on."

Hershel walked up to them and cast his gaze over the wounded young man as well. "I sure as hell think so, boy. You're a Marston, alright."

Jack inclined his head to him.

"Hershel, Maddie, why don't you two go tend to the wounded and the arrested criminals?" Archer suggested. "Now that all this madness has ended, it's high-time we take care of everyone before we go back to the Scratching Post, clean up camp, and head back to Blackwater."

"Yes, sir," Hershel said. He ushered Maddie with a wave of his hand. "C'mon, Miss Ross. We've got a lot of work to do before this day's over."

Maddie looked down at Jack with a mixture of longing, worry, and affection. She glanced up at Archer. "I need to finish tendin' to Jack. He's not quite—"

"I think he's more than well enough to leave alone, Miss Ross," Archer interjected firmly. "You've done all you can with him…and more." He winked at her before nodding suggestively back to Hershel. "You can go, Maddie. I'd like a word with him in private if you don't mind. He and I must discuss the terms of his pardoning, after all."

With reluctance, she stood up off the side of his cot and joined Hershel at the tent entrance. She looked back at him with one last adoring glance and smirked before she and Hershel exited the tent.

Once they were gone, Archer pulled up a nearby chair and sat beside Jack. He sighed greatly as he took off his hat and ran a hand through his dark hair.

"You look tired," Jack noted with a chuckle.

"You don't know the half of it, Marston." He placed his hat back on his head and clasped his hands together. "But then again, I shouldn't say much, since you just got shot and barely survived." He looked him over and frowned. "You look a little pale, boy. Are you sure you're all right?"

He nodded. "Well enough to say I am, or at least I think so." He glanced down at his bandages and grimaced. "Hurts like hell, but I'll live. I've been through worse."

Archer snorted. "Indeed, Mister Marston." He paused. "Listen, Jack, I know you've been through hell and back to get to this point in your life. No one should have to endure what you've endured, son. I'm sorry for what my partner did to you and your family." He held out his hand. "If it's any consolation, I'm grateful for your service. You've done a fine job; you've earned your freedom."

Jack took the government agent's hand and shook it deftly. "Th-Thank you, Mister Fordham. I…I don't know what to say."

Fordham chuckled as they released each other's hands. "It's strange to see us get along after so much strife."

"Yeah. It's funny how some things work out."

He stood up and took a step towards the entrance flap. "And don't worry about our little secret: it'll stay that way 'til the day I die."

Jack blinked. "You mean…?"

Archer nodded. His hand held the flap open, but he hesitated to walk out. "I think it's best we put that behind us. Edgar wasn't the best man in the world, I'll attest to that, and perhaps what you did wasn't completely justified, but I believe this is a case that's best kept unsolved." He looked him in the eyes and added, "And you'd do well to keep it that way as well, for your sake, as well as Maddie's."

"What about all that talk of wantin' her to know the truth?"

Archer shrugged. "Guess there are some men worth lying for. The world may be corrupt and sullied, but I will see to it that it doesn't keep that way in Blackwater. Besides, the way you and Maddie are carrying on, I don't think there's any point in wanting such a cruel thing anymore."

Jack blushed and looked to the side.

Archer smirked as he added, "You know, you'd make a fine agent or deputy, Jack. The position's always there for you in Blackwater if ever you're willing to consider it."

Jack guffawed and shook his head. "With all due respect, Archer, I think I'll pass on that opportunity. I've got my parents' ranch to fix up. And after what happened today, I think I'm done bounty huntin' for a while."

"I can respect that." Archer tipped his head to him. "Get some rest, Marston." And with that, he slipped out of the tent, leaving Jack stunned and staring after him.

Jack found himself slowly but surely on the road to recovery. The army cleaned up camp the next day after the battle was over. Hershel and Archer shook his and Maddie's hand and bid him good luck before they left with the army on horseback and the outlaws in a prison wagon. It only took a day of laying around for Jack to become annoyed and restless. It was difficult for him to stand, much less walk, but his stubbornness proved the victor, and on the third morning, he insisted he and Maddie get a move on. Mounting his horse proved to be a challenge, but he gritted his teeth

From atop her horse, Maddie shook her head. "You'd better not rip out your stitches, you stubborn jackass."

Jack sighed and rolled his eyes. "I ain't gonna rip out my stitches, you nosy little—"

She silenced him with a slap of the end of Gypsy's reins; the leather smacked against his leg with a sharp sting. He yelped in surprise and rubbed his left thigh.

Epiphany flashed across her face, and she snapped her fingers and pointed up at him. "A-HA! That's what I'm gonna call you from now on."

Jack cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"Jackass!"

He wasn't in the slightest bit amused as he reined Sundance around toward the road that ran past Silent Stead. He nudged his horse's sides with his heels; a twinge of pain blasted through his torso, and with a grimace and a small inhale, he fought through his discomfort and walked his palomino down the road.

"Hey, Jackass, wait up!"

He ignored her as she trotted her horse up to Sundance before pulling her back to a walk to match his pace. She grinned over at him, looking like she'd invented some wondrous thing or named a new species.

"Goddamn it, why didn't I think of that earlier?!" She threw her head back as she fell prey to a fit of giggles and slapped her leg.

"Ya know, you ain't that funny," Jack snapped, looking her over with an annoyed scowl.

"Actually, I believe I am quite hilarious. You just don't have a sense of humor, that's all."

"I have a sense of humor, just not at my own expense."

"Psssh! C'mon, you gotta admit it's funny, and it's fitting!" She motioned to him, "Jack," then down to his horse, "Ass."

"Sundance isn't a mule, you bitch."

She beamed at him. "Yeah, but I'd love to see you ride around on a mule. Then it would be fitting."

He shook his head fervently. "That's never gonna happen. Ever."

"What if I bought a mule for you?"

"Not. Gonna. Happen."

"Ah, c'mon. Humor me."

"I am."

"Oh, stop bein' such a stick in the mud."

Jack ran a hand over his face and sighed. "This is gonna be one long ride home."

Maddie laughed and reined her horse closer to his. She touched his arm tenderly and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "You know I'm just playin' around, right?"

"I almost died, and here you are—"

"Jack, come on," she laughed and looked into his eyes. "I'm elated that you're alive. Honestly. And I'm sorry for what I just said. But come on, we're finally done with this job! You're a pardoned man now, aren't you?" She released his arm and leaned away as she waited for his reply.

"Archer is gonna clear my name the second he gets back to town. So yeah, I guess I am a free man." He furrowed his brow. "Ya know, it's strange bein' free after all this time, ya know? It doesn't seem real, like I should still be out there bringin' outlaws in. It's almost like the job's not done yet for me."

"I hear ya. But your job is done, and you can go back home." She paused as she looked at the open road. The desert landscape of Gaptooth Ridge loomed before them, a globe of hot sun and dry, rough land with not a soul in sight. She tilted her head back and looked up at the clear blue sky and smirked. "It feels good to be finally free, though, doesn't it? It's great to be able to look to the future without exhaustion… Now, it's up to you to decide what to do with your life."

His looked down at his hands and fiddled with the reins. "Yeah, but that's just one hell of a shock… I mean, for once in my life, I've got somethin' to look forward to… It's just daunting to think I've got a chance now." He looked out across the desert. The path before him was now clear like the road he and his horse plodded down, whereas before he was set to travel down the strict path of justice.

"You look scared as hell, Jack."

He glanced over at her. The overwhelming swell of affection she revealed was enough to make his heart flutter. He reached out and grasped her hand, giving it a thankful squeeze. "I'm fine. It'll just take some getting used to, now that I can think and do as I please."

She squeezed back. "You'll do just fine, Jack. You've grown into a fine man, and I know you'll do great whatever you choose to do now."

"I hope so."

The day dragged on, seeing as Jack could only stand to ride at a slow walk. Maddie was neither impatient nor unsympathetic to his condition as they rode side-by-side. In truth, she and Jack weren't exactly in a hurry: the ride back was a nice change of pace from their previous constant rush. Plus, they were able to enjoy the scenery for once as it changed. Jack was blown away by the beauty of the land, more so than he was the first time he traversed it, and the fact that he was riding alongside a person who shared his love of the land made it more enjoyable.

Later that night, after they set up camp and ate, Maddie came over to his side of the campfire and sat close to him. He didn't hesitate to drape his arm over her shoulder as they sat staring into the flames.

Maddie cuddled closer to his chest and breathed in his scent. "This is nice," she said softly. "Ya know, I've enjoyed workin' with you, Jack."

He blinked as he looked down at her. "Where's this all comin' from?"

She shrugged. "Don't know. Just thought I'd tell you."

"Oh…um…Thanks."

"I was always used to bringin' in bounties by myself, with no company except my horse, much less a man. Hell, a part of me wished for Bonnie to come along with me, but I knew that would never happen—her ranch is her priority, not me."

"She still loves you, though." He chuckled. "I bet she'll hug you to death when we get back."

"Oh, I'm sure she will. But still…it's nice to have you around. Back when I was a young thing thinkin' I could change the world, I was so hell-bent on makin' every man who belittled me a believer that a woman could do whatever she wished. And I tried my damndest, even became cruel to those who didn't believe me and to the men I brought in. But I never gave a second thought about my actions, until you pointed them out. I mean, hell, you should've seen me before we met: I was out there killin' men left and right, not even givin' them a chance. Most of the time I brought in the bounties dead just because it was easier that way. And I never gave myself a break, either, except when I came back to Bonnie's and spent some time there between hunts." She leaned out of his arms to poke at the fire with a stick. Her eyes were glued to the flames in recollection, and she frowned, looking disappointed in herself. "For four and a half years, all I did was bring in bounties and help Bonnie out as much as I could." She looked back at him with the most affectionate countenance he'd ever received from her; her eyes squinted with tenderness and the corners of her mouth pulled up into a soft grin. "And then you came around. I must admit, I didn't think much of you when I saw you in that jail cell."

Jack snorted through his nose. "I bet you didn't. I wasn't much back then, just some angry kid is all."

"But look at you now. I mean, you were just another scumbag I had to deal with, albeit in a different way than I was used to, and let's face it: we hated each other back then. Now, I can say you've changed my outlook over many things."

He brushed a stray strand of hair away from her eyes with his fingertips. "Such as?"

"A future I thought never existed until now. All this time, I thought my responsibilities were to bring in as many bastards as possible and help keep Bonnie's ranch goin' 'til time immemorial. I never had the time to fool with other things outside of workin' with horses and shootin' my guns. You remember Bonnie tellin' you about all those men that asked for my hand?"

He swallowed thickly. "Yeah."

"I was given many opportunities to marry and have a life my father would've wanted for me." She scoffed and shook her head. "I just never really saw the point in it all; I never had the time to fool with it. That and I was too preoccupied with bein' the starchy little woman who had to prove to the world she could make a livin' bringin' in grungy men for money." She smirked proudly as she added, "I bet Mama would have a thing or two to say to me now, if she were still alive." Her smirk faded into a sad frown. "But I guess I never slowed down to enjoy the things right in front of me." She shook her head slowly. "Time just gets away from us."

"Your mother would be damned proud of you," Jack responded softly, touching the small of her back with a gentle hand. "And your pa…well, maybe you should go see him some time, now that we're done bounty huntin'."

A hateful scowl burst across her beautiful face. She turned to look at him. "Why would I go see him after everything he's done to my mother and I? Plus, I don't want to see that snake of a woman he's married to now."

He gave her an admonishing frown and tucked his chin down. "He's your father, Madeline. It shouldn't matter what he did in the past. It's time you two got along. After all, he won't be around forever, so go spend some time with him. Whether or not you choose to do so after we get back is up to you, but I think you should. Hell, the times I spent with my pa, I'll admit weren't the greatest or the longest, but lookin' back, I wish I would've had more of them before he died. Like you said, time just gets away from us, and things don't work out the way you want them to."

Maddie's gaze lowered to the ground as she thought over his words. "I suppose I should go see him. I imagine he'll want to bury Uncle Edgar in the cemetery, and I would very much like to attend that."

At the sound of Edgar's name, Jack flinched and looked back into the fire. "So, will you go see your father after we've reached Bonnie's then?"

"I will after I've stayed for a good while. I think you and I deserve a good break after all we've been through. But yes, eventually I will head to Blackwater. I want to be there when they lay my uncle to rest." Her face hardened into vindictive determination. "And I will see to it his death will be avenged. Whoever the killer is, I will find him and bring him to justice."

Jack looked her over dubiously. "But Maddie, you know the trail's cold. I think makin' up with your father would be a better way to spend your time."

She looked him coldly in the eyes and hardened her expression. "I will not rest until I've learned who killed him."

"And what if you'll never find the answers you're lookin' for?"

She frowned deeply and furrowed her brow. Her gaze drifted off to the side as she turned his question over in her head. "If I don't find the answers I seek, then…then I don't know what I'll do. But all I know is that I have to find out who did this to him."

Jack ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Maddie, revenge isn't always worth it, ya know. There are some things you cannot change, no matter how hard you try. People go crazy when they don't find the answers they're lookin' for, so it's best to accept some things and let it be. Acceptin' my pa's death wasn't easy, but I had to. I mean, sure I miss him, and Ma, but it is what it is, and I can't change a thing."

"But wouldn't you have wanted to take vengeance on the man who killed your father?" she asked as she looked him in the eyes. A strange gleam fixated itself in her eyes as she studied him furiously, as if looking for some unspoken secret. "Would've you have wanted the closure of bringin' that man to justice? My uncle killed your father, Jack. I'd be hard-pressed to find you'd not want to go kill him and seek vengeance on him."

"But I didn't," he lied hastily. "I mean, sure, it crossed my mind, but I never went through with it. It was just a thought, that's all. Plus back then, I wasn't in the right mind anyway. I had my mother to take care of after she got sick. She didn't last long, though."

Maddie leaned closer to him and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jack. You've had such a terrible life."

"You don't have to tell me." He couldn't bear to look at her as he struggled to keep the innocent mask on.

"Indeed. We must each of us bear our own misfortunes." She looked into the flames and became lost in watching them dance. She was mesmerized by them for a minute or two before she said, "I'll stay with you at Bonnie's for a little while."

"And then what?"

"We'll see. That remains to be seen. Let's just concentrate on gettin' back home, shall we?"

"Agreed."

Jack shifted his weight to get into a more comfortable sitting position. He cleared his throat. "So, uh…what were you sayin' before…?"

She looked up at him and blinked. "What do you mean?"

"About, um…about a future you didn't think you'd have until now. What did you mean by that?"

"Oh." She blushed and looked back at the fire with a shy smile. "That."

"Yes, that," he pressed. "Are you done huntin' then? Will you, uh…choose to settle down?"

Maddie smiled up at him. "A cowgirl doesn't just hang her hat up and settle down just like that, especially not this one. I won't give myself up that easy, Mister Marston, not until I've been shown otherwise and he can prove he's man enough to handle me." She smirked and narrowed her eyes at him. "Why?"

Jack looked to the side and cleared his throat. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, not knowing how else to deflect such unwanted attention.

"What's the matter, Jack? Caught you off-guard, have I?"

He stared at the fire in silence.

She bumped her shoulder against him, jostling him softly. She stared up at him with a coy gleam in her eyes. She batted her eyelashes and leaned her cheek against his shoulder. "I'm waiting, Jack."

His face reddened a dark crimson as he glanced at her; his heart performed a summersault in his chest as his eyes met hers. He flicked his gaze back to the fire and ran a hand feverishly over his facial hair.

She lifted her chin and flashed her eyebrows. "So, you think you've got a chance with me, huh? What makes you so certain?"

"I-I'm not," he confessed as he turned and faced her fully. A sudden seriousness brought bravery upon his once tongue-tied demeanor as he looked her in the eyes. "Madeline, I'll be honest with you, I probably don't stand a chance. You're headstrong, independent, passionate, and too goddamn much for me to handle. You're like my mother: she used to scare the hell outta me sometimes. That, plus I don't think I deserve someone like you."

"And what makes you say that?" She tilted her head slightly to the side. Her hair fell over her shoulder and chest.

"You wouldn't want someone like me in your life," he murmured as he looked back into the fire. His brow furrowed as he glared at the flickering flames. "You've seen where I came from and who I was…who I still sort of am. You're perfectly fine without someone like me messin' it all up for you."

"I'll believe it when I see it, Jackass," she shot back with a suave smirk and flicked her hair coquettishly back over her shoulder. When he didn't look at her, she scooted closer to him and cupped the side of his face. She turned his face to look at her, and she leaned in closer to him so that their faces were a hand's-breadth apart. "You think you're no good for me, or any other woman for that matter? Are you really that blind to who you are, or are you too scared to be close to someone?"

"It's a bit of both, actually," he answered breathlessly. Every fiber of his being ached to steal a kiss from her, but his fear held him back. He sat transfixed by her luscious brown eyes, her full pink lips, her angled eyebrows, her round chin, her long dark hair. "You gotta understand my view on things such as…this." He gestured to himself and her with a suggestive nod and an embarrassed flush of his cheeks. "Losing the people you love doesn't make things like this easy."

She slid her hand to the back of his head and wove her fingers into his long hair. "I know, Jack, and I'm sorry for that, but don't forget I've lost someone as well… I understand if you don't want this."

He immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He shook his head adamantly as a flame of courage enraptured him. "No, I want this. It's just…I…" Thoughts of the day he killed Edgar Ross, and of the day he discovered the connection between her and him, flooded through his mind, poisoning the red-hot flame of desire that pumped thickly through him. He did his best to ignore the guilt that solidified his heart in an icy encasement, and as he searched for a way to explain himself, he gradually felt less and less of a man, much less a human being. When the answer refused to come, he sighed in frustration and looked away, disgusted at himself.

She surprised him as she cupped the side of his face and turned his head back so that they once again stared into each other's eyes. Sympathy and understanding molded her face into a kind and compassionate countenance. "It's all right, Jack. I understand." Her eyebrows narrowed, however, as she said in a firmer tone, "But know this: if you want this, you're gonna have to prove yourself to me." She flashed her eyebrows as she leaned her face closer to his.

Jack's eyes widened. He stared back at her with bated breath. He nearly swooned when her hand slid past his face and around the back of his head, her fingers once again weaving through his hair.

"You're shaking like a leaf in the fall, Jack."

"Well, you're not makin' this very easy." He stared at her for a moment longer before he bowed his head and sighed. "Goddamn it."

She grabbed his face once more and returned him to where he was. He was met with a loving smile and a teasing glimmer in her eyes. She grinned as she came closer to him and whispered, "Well, how 'bout this for starters?" She kissed his cheek delicately, letting her lips slowly and cautiously touch his face, before she leaned away. "There. That wasn't so bad, was it?"

He chuckled as he shook his head. "Damn you, Maddie."

She cocked her head to the side and smirked. "What?"

"How?"

"'How' what?"

"How do you do that so easily?"

Maddie shrugged. "Don't know. I just do."

He tried to glare at her, but a smirk graced his lips. "You're so impractical."

"I think the word you're lookin' for is encouraging."

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "More like teasin'."

She smacked his arm with the back of her hand. "Hush up, Jackass. Now come on, let's put you to bed. I suspect you've had a rough day, especially after all this excitement."

He shoved her gently away. "Oh, shut up." Cautiously, he settled into his bed roll. Pain wracked his entire torso, making him grimace and gasp. As the pain settled down to a throb, he was surprised to find Maddie at his side with a concerned hand on his chest.

"You doin' all right, Jack?" she asked as she looked him over.

"I'll be all right," he grunted back as he met gazes with her. "I've been through worse."

"Yeah, but still…I'd be extra careful if I were you. I don't want to have to deal with any ripped stitches. Don't make the mistake of pushin' yourself too far."

"I know my limits, miss," he growled. "Don't you go and worry yourself to death over me. I'll be fine."

"I'll be sure to do that, but only if you try to be more careful." Her visage softened into adoration as she leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Get some sleep." She stood and walked around to the other side of the fire to her bed roll. She settled into it and rolled over on her side facing him. "Good night, Jack."

"Night, Maddie," he softly replied and watched with an adoring smirk as her eyes closed. After another moment or so of studying her closely, Jack turned his head and looked up at the stars. At first, he was too worked over what happened and what didn't, but eventually, the exhaustion from the long day took over, and he dreamt of fulfilling what he wasn't able to do while he was awake…and much, much more.