Jess, a black cat and Halloween. ... This story is written as a tribute to my black cat, Duke that I lost earlier this year, honoring his life, bravery and love.

A young Slim and an even younger Jess each have an unexpected and uncanny meeting - similar in encounter, yet very different in intent and outcome.

Jess is caught between keeping a promise to Slim and the need to protect him.

Slim arrives home to find that his entire family is. gone, vanished. Sick and mystified he wonders if they will find him or will he find them or is it all a horrible dream? I don't own the copyright to Laramie or its characters. I just like to play. Rated T for safety.

Pre-Laramie. The War Between the States is over. For now this is a oneshot but may be expanded upon.

When Jess unexpectedly encounters a kinsman of his—Tell Harper—and Tell's family, he has no hint of what will result for Laramie and himself... including revelations about his own family history.

In "Stage Stop," the introductory episode of "Laramie," we see young Andy Sherman fiddling with a woman's ring, which is never discussed. Here's what I thought about that. As I fall farther down the "Laramie" rabbit hole, I intend to share scribblings of greater length. This is just to get my toe in the creek.

After a friend of Jess's is lynched at the Sherman Ranch, both Slim and Jess try to work through the aftermath. A What-Happened-In-Between for the episode "Dark Verdict." (Takes place after Jess confronts the lynch mob in the saloon.)

He had been promised a great adventure, but each escapade from the very beginning to the last tested his moral code. Mike Williams is twelve and entering adolescence. Wanting more freedom and suffering embarrassment over physical changes he and his best friend Tommy Jenkins are off on a great adventure far from home. But alone, sick and lost, all Mike wants is his family.

(Inspired by the song Already A Dead Man by Jason Pritchett) Pre Laramie Series. Jess Harper drifts into town for a good meal and good night's sleep. But his world gets turned upside down when he is forced into a gunfight with a reputation seeking youth, bush wacked by a stranger, then stalked, captured, and tortured by a vengeful opponent.

This story is a sequel to the season two episode, "The Long Riders"

Pre-series. Trying to track down Pete Morgan, Jess rides into a small Colorado town where he becomes involved with a shrewd Jewish JP who has a problem only a Texas gunslinger can solve.

He had recommended her, defended her, fell in love with her, courted her but two weeks before their wedding she disappeared. Her tangled web of secrets and lies lay in chalk dust and threatened to consume him. Now he was suffering with grief and loss and he had a loaded gun. It had all started with an invitation. I don't own the rights to Laramie or its characters.

Jess' gun comes out of its hidden compartment, but for what purpose, other than for it to kill someone? Note: Although the title comes from a line in "Man of God", this story is unrelated to the episode.

Slim has tried to keep him out of trouble. Advised him. Warned him! But does Jess listen? Maybe not when it comes to women. And this time, the outcome could be mighty dangerous! (It's NOT what you may be thinking, pards. NOT a romance. And watch for the twist Slim won't see coming!)

Slim and Jess are willing to sacrifice a lot for each other. This tale explores the lengths Jess is willing to go and what he is willing to give up to keep Slim safe. Story now complete. Thank you Nakoosay and SycamoreSunrise! I would never have prevailed and finished "Real Slim" without both of you pushing me and helping me.

An unusual visitor calls at the Sherman Ranch.

Pre-Laramie. During the Civil War, two young soldiers, Jess Harper and Slim Sherman, will unknowingly cross paths several times. And the life of one of them will depend on the actions and decisions of the other. (This is kind of a prequel to "Memories' Battle Cries." So if you liked that story, you'll likely want to jump into this one. But each story can stand as a separate read.)

Any fool could see that Slim Sherman and Jess Harper were latched onto the young boy already and they were fast becoming a family. When Jess is away on ranch business and Slim finds himself volunteered to be shotgun on a run, he chooses Sheriff Mort Cory to watch over Mike for the week. What happens during this momentous week will change all their lives forever.I don't own rights.

Sheriff Cory's hostility towards a prisoner has everyone concerned, including Mort himself. This story has been edited to reflect some inconsistencies.

Wounded Jess has a serious case of survivor's guilt, as he thinks about the losses in his life. Those he's suffered—and those he feels he's caused. Helping him cope might take a mix of compassion and a brother's swift kick. (Result of a challenge to myself to write 2,000 words or fewer, but keep it compelling. First goal with words was met. Readers can decide about the second one.)

-Not traditional Laramie- Matt and Mary Sherman have settled in Wyoming, with a desire to build a big ranch and family. Matthew "Slim" and Andy Sherman are their two boys. But with Andy's discovery they gain another child. Known as Jess. (Later they will learn his full name: Jess Harper).

What was it like to wake up one morning and find you'd invited an unknown drifter into your home and family? Not to mention all those other mornings which followed, infused with comedy, tragedy, mayhem, confusion, arguments, joy, sorrow, reunions and partings.

Straight arrow Slim Sherman hates dishonesty. But when Jess is hurt, could Slim actually end up admiring a man for lying? (Updated just to correct some spelling; no changes in the story itself.)

Mort receives a surprise reward for delivering a murderer. NOTE: This is definitely an M rated story, if sex isn't your thing, then don't read.