A/N: I had a really good time writing this. I like writing stories about things that would surprise people. Like a city boy riding a horse and being good at it.
Song: Where Have all the Cowboys Gone? - Paula Cole (3:44)
For: TVismydrug
Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?
"Who do you think you are, freaking John Wayne?" Steve asked as he watched Danny bring his horse around.
"Look, you want to go in on foot, that's fine with me, but we have a lot of ground to cover. So you can go all 'military op' on this and take the low road, but I'll be conserving my energy and taking Target here up the rancher's trails." Danny stated. "His name is Target, you be nice to him, Steven."
"Wait, one, you are a Jersey Detective so where the hell did your interest in horses come from and two, what the hell Danny, it's a fuckin' horse!" Steve stated.
"See, I told you that these islands screwed with you when you were a child," Danny stated. "I've been riding since I was little. I loved the idea of cowboys and the Wild West, and yes John Wayne was amazing."
"You're a little young for John Wayne don't you think?" Steve asked.
"But my father wasn't," Danny smiled. "What gets me Steven is that you won't go all Man Tracker on this fugitive, get on a horse and ride off into the unknown wilderness with me. I though for sure you knew how to rope and ride."
"Well, I don't, so get off the horse and let's get going." Steve stated.
Target whinnied in Steve's face and gave a rather impressive stomp before turning to look at Danny with impatience.
"I'll get off this horse when you catch me." Danny smiled mischievously, through a wide rimmed hat on his head and clicked Target into a gallop.
"I'll go after him boss," Chin said as he rounded the corner on his own horse. "You take Kono in on foot." He stated and launched the horse onto the trail after Danny.
Steve stood shocked for a moment before Kono came and joined him.
"Where have all the cow boys gone?" she asked looking at him suspiciously.
"I feel so mediocre all of a sudden," Steve sighed.
"Don't worry boss, you have nothing to worry about," Kono said sympathetically, "now, if Danny comes out of this with one hog tied fugitive, then you can feel mediocre. You know he was a junior rodeo champ right?"
"What?" Steve asked in shocked amazement.
"It's true," Kono smiled, hoisted her back pack over her should and turned to a second trail, "shall we go."
"Danny Williams, Mr. New Jersey, is a cow boy?" Steve asked still shocked.
"Yes," Kono smiled, "and you are a super SEAL, but on this round up, I think Danny has you beet."
