Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.

Unbeta-ed and Drabble-ish. No heavy angst.

Enjoy!

*****************************************WYiMA*************************************

Listenin' to Izzy's account of what she'd suffered at the hands of James Forrest was almost more than I could bear. I swallowed hard as I listened, and buried my feelin's deep afore she was aware. The last thing she needed was to be worryin' 'bout me.

Even though Izzy wouldn't remove her tattered dress, she did let the Doc examine her through her clothes, after which he determined that nothin' appeared to be broken. When he was finished, he and I stepped into the outer office while Izzy changed into her red dress. It was the only one she owned now that warn't tainted by the memory of James Forrest.

Afore I left the room, she give me a look so sad and forlorn, that I almost stayed there with her, but there was somethin' needed doin', and it was better if Izzy didn't know about it just yet.

I wrote a brief letter and handed it and the letter sent by Jake, to the Deputy waitin' there. "I need ya to kindly give these to the Sheriff. My wife ain't in any condition to speak with him today, but these two letters will explain more than enough of what he needs to know 'til we come see him tomorrow."

After Doctor Miller explained to the feller that what Izzy needed most was rest, he seemed satisfied that we warn't gonna skip town.

After leavin' the horses and wagon in the care of the livery stable, I secured us a room at a boardin' house not far from there. The place was run by a pleasant old widow lady named Missus Duval.

It was a sore trial watchin' Izzy say goodbye to Jack for the night, even though he was only gonna be as far as the back yard. As we turned to go inside, I felt as if I was leavin' a little part of me out there, so I could only imagine how hard it was for Izzy.

"Come on sweet girl," I telled her, "Ya's just about dead on your feet."

It was early evenin' when we arrived at our room, and Missus Duval, gentle lady that she was, had a table with our supper laid out, waitin' for us there.

Even though we hadn't eaten since early mornin', Izzy barely touched her food.

"Ain't ya hungry darlin'?" I asked as I reached over and patted her knee. She winced a little at the touch and I coulda kicked myself as I yanked my hand away. "Izzy, I'm sorry. I didn't realize…"

"No," she said in an urgent tone as she grasped my hand and held it in hers. "I'm just a little sore. I reckon it will feel even worse come tomorrow." She tried to smile, "My lip hurts, and my cheek; well, it's makin' it kinda hard to eat."

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. Forrest's face filled my mind, and I fought against the white hot hate that was workin' to consume me. The bastard may have been gone, but the damage he'd done would be around for days, if not longer, servin' as a reminder.

Watchin' Izzy struggle to eat caused a knot to twist in my own stomach. I was thankful when she had no trouble finishin' the bread puddin' at least.

After supper, or what there was of it, the tub I'd ordered for Izzy's bath arrived, along with Missus Duval and her granddaughter bearin' ewers of hot and cold water. She begged a word in private with my wife and, even though I was hesitant to leave her, Izzy signaled that she would be fine.

I helped carry the dinner dishes downstairs, and Jack ended up feastin' like a king on our scraps. After makin' sure he was set for the night, I made my way back upstairs.

When I arrived, I found Missus Duval and Izzy chatterin' away like they was old friends. When she seen me, Missus Duval give me a smile and hugged Izzy carefully, afore clearin' out of the room.

"What was that about?" I asked my wife.

Izzy smiled, even though it appeared to pain her, "She's real sweet Ed. She give me some clothes." Izzy's eyes teared up, "She kind of put me in mind of my Mam, I hate to ponder what she would have made of today…" She said in a whisper as a tear escaped her eye.

I quickly crossed the room 'til I was kneelin' in front of her. "Speakin' as someone who loves ya with all my heart, I reckon she'd be glad that Forrest was where he couldn't ever hurt ya again." I carefully kissed her forehead and then her cheek, avoidin' all the places where she was cut or bruised.

She give me a little nod afore I turned away and commenced to fix the water in the tub to the right temperature.

Izzy watched me silently.

When I was finished, I stood and placed the screen in front of the tub and turned to face her. "Darlin', I reckon you'll want to get in there now afore the water chills." She give me a little nod and went behind the screen.

As much as I longed to go back there and help her, I knowed she didn't want me to see the worst of what Forrest had done to her. I decided I wouldn't press her on that. Not yet.

I pulled out one of my Pa's books and settled in a chair, openin' it to the part where Gulliver awakes to find his legs and arms fastened to the ground. My mind couldn't settle on the words in front of me though, and I slammed the book shut in frustration. It was then that the sound of Izzy's quiet sobs come to my ears. Without a moment's hesitation, I tossed the book on the bed and hurried to my wife's side.

**************************************A/N*************************************
A/N Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews. I will slowly but surely respond to them all.

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