A/N: Even though this is quite an old show, its a show I've grown to love over the years. I absolutely love Little House on the Prairie! And I absolutely love Michael Landon in Bonanza and in this show. I had thought about making a story for awhile now and I finally decide to type up a little something. Let me know what you think. I know the show is centered around Laura, but in this story Charles will be the center of attention. I'm done with my spiel now so enjoy!

Chapter 1: Jack Stole Supper

The night was pitch black outside. The air was crisp and chilly. The only light in the house was provided by the fire burning and the lantern glowing dimly on the table.

Charles looked at Caroline, a weak smile appearing on his face. The lines around his eyes were creasing with exhaustion.

"Goodnight pa" Laura's squeaky voice rang out as she climbed down the ladder to give her Pa a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight Half-pint. Sleep well."

"You too pa. Goodnight Ma." Laura came over to her mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek as well.

"Goodnight Laura."

Laura waited for Mary to climb down the ladder before she went up.

Mary walked over. Her long blonde hair flowing behind her as she walked.

"Goodnight Pa, goodnight Ma." Mary gave her pa a quick peck on the cheek and then did the same to her mother.

"Goodnight Mary." Caroline said with a warm smile. Charles gave her a smile as well, bidding her goodnight, and they watched their oldest daughter climb up the ladder.

Once the girls were out of sight, Caroline laid her eyes on Charles. Her eyebrows arched as she wasn't sure if she was more angry or worried about her husband.

"Excellent supper, Mrs. Ingalls." Charles' green eyes lit up as he gave her a big smile.

Caroline smiled, knowing he was trying to distract her from talking about what was on her mind.

"And how would you know? You barely touched yours."

"I did too! Licked my plate clean as a matter of fact!"

"Oh yes I know. I saw you sneak your plate under the table to give it to Jack. Or did you think I didn't see that?" Caroline asked, annoyance and amusement mixed in her tone.

Charles kept his eyes down and pursed his lips, knowing he had been caught.

"If you had caught the girls doing that why…."

"Well they know better." He said, cutting her off.

"And so do you."

"Oh c'mon Caroline, I only gave Jack the rest of the mashed potatoes. I ate everything else!" Charles said in a childish voice, trying to defend his actions.

"Charles, you know as well as I do that food doesn't come cheap! We have just enough to make do. The good lord provides all that we need and you shouldn't be giving it to Jack. Food is for people who work hard. I don't see Jack out there harrowing and planting seed, do you?"

Charles lip tugs into a smile at her joke, but when he looks over at his wife and sees that she isn't amused in the slightest, he drops it immediately and studies the lantern on the table.

Charles frowns and his eyes bounced from Caroline to the table. Finally with a sigh, he slumped his shoulders.

"I'm sorry darling. It won't happen again."

"Oh, I know it won't or else you'll be eating your supper elsewhere." Caroline stands up and grabs Charle's empty cup and sets it in the sink. She turns around and has to restrain herself from laughing at the startled expression on his face.

She sits back down in her chair and reaches in her basket for her crocheting needles and starts to work on the blanket she was knitting. Charles lights his pipe and takes a swig, allowing the smoke to calm his nerves.

As she was knitting, she let her eyes gaze at her husband. He looked exhausted, more so than usual. He was reading the newspaper, purposely covering his face from her. She was sure of it.

She knew that when she was mad at him, he would turn back into the boy she had fallen in love with years ago. His voice would resort to a childish tone and his facial expressions would amuse her. He would usually go out to the barn and work on building something and wait for her to cool off. But his apology along with his charming smile worked on her like magic. It was hard to stay mad at him and in the end it was such a waste.

She decided they should get some rest. Tomorrow was Sunday and they would be no good in church if their heads were drooping while the Reverend gave his sermon.

She sets her blanket and her crocheting needles back in the basket and sees the newspaper move slightly.

She reached out her hand and gently touched his. He puts the newspaper down and looks at her. He took the pipe out of his mouth and gave her a sheepish look.

"C'mon let's go to bed." She whispers and stands up, pushing her chair in. She gives him a warm smile, letting him know she has forgiven him but he's still not convinced

"Y- you go on ahead. I'll come soon. This article is quite uh interesting." Charles stutters out nervously, covering his face with the newspaper again, pretending to be deeply immersed in the paper and mouthing out words acting like he is reading.

"Charles…" Caroline coos, letting him know everything is fine.

He puts the paper down and looks up at her.

"Come to bed." She whispers, making sure her voice conveys to him that it's not a choice.

"Yes dear." Charles says, and puts the paper down quietly, making sure not to rustle the pages too loudly. He sets his pipe back in his box.

Caroline goes into the bedroom and takes her hair out of the bun and begins brushing out the tangles. Charles comes in a few minutes later and starts to put on his pajamas.

"I am sorry" Charles reiterates slowly after buttoning up his nightshirt.

Caroline sets her brush down on the table. She climbs under the blankets, the warmth from the sheets relaxing her.

"I know. It's alright now." She says and watches as he gets under the blankets as well. She takes her arm and lays it over his chest. His curls rest on the pillow in a dark mess.

"I'm just worried about you. You've barely been eating and you've been working much too hard."

Caroline had noticed that Charles would pick at his supper and she never saw him sitting and eating lunch with Edwards when she would go into town. Today had been the first time he had actually given his supper to Jack. But she wasn't even really mad at him for that. She was terribly worried about him.

"Ahh Caroline, it's been really busy at the mill. I try to eat when I can, but it's almost over. There have been a lot of farmers who have been wanting to get some work done on their barns. I'm thinking of doing some work on ours, myself."

"That's no excuse not to eat. You'll get sick! And before you even think about doing more work, you better get yourself a good rest."

"I will darling. Don't worry." Charles whispers and leans his head off the blanket to give her a kiss goodnight.

"Goodnight." He mumbles before rolling over on the bed to get more comfortable.

"Goodnight Charles." Caroline whispers and settles down in the bed herself. She sighs, her worry for her husband still plaguing her, but her eyes close as sleep takes over.

Charles's eyes remain open, bleary and blurred. He hadn't been sleeping the past several nights and he knew with a heavy heart this night would be no different.

So that's chapter 1. I hope you enjoyed it. Another chapter possibly coming….