Waiting on Water
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: Sometimes the wait is worth it, especially when things work out in the end. Missing scenes from the season one episode 'Get some. Be safe.'
Bode kicked at the wayward strands of hay beneath his feet and let go of the rope.
This was going to be a problem. There was more to this than he bargained for. Why hadn't someone told him about the uncooperative horse in the barn?
So, when he looked into Henry's eyes and Henry stared right back, he knew right away … without question that Henry was going nowhere.
Bode kicked the hay again, frustration bubbling underneath his confidence. Far be it from him to be upset with Henry or this turn of events. He understood the sentiment well; as he had stood his ground on many occasions without good or sound reasons.
He was just adamant that way. And so too was Henry it seemed.
Even with chaos, smoldering smoke and peppered flames surrounding them, the look in Henry's eyes told it all. He wasn't ready to budge… even if it meant certain death.
Swiping sweat from his brow, Bode looked to the ceiling of the barn for answers, but could only see smoke swirling in the rafters. To his left, flames ate at the siding. He could feel the overwhelming heat on his face, neck – beneath his gear, and knew it was a miracle the fire had not reached this stall.
Coughing, he stepped back to study the horse before him. He could still hear Reese … arms wrapped tightly around his neck, yelling in his ear, "What about Henry?"
"Yeah, what about Henry." he repeated aloud, and bowed his head to think. Henry was magnificent, powerful, stubborn … and old. Hands on hips he made up his mind. He was not leaving this horse here to die.
Somehow they would both get out of this predicament alive. He would try again. Henry was just old, set in his ways… frightened.
Reaching out to grab hold of the bit, Henry snickered … bared his teeth and stepped back.
Once again their eyes met, and Bode groaned in aggravation. The battle of wills was on.
Reese was safe, in the arms of her mother. Both collapsed into one another with relief and sorrow.
Henry couldn't be saved. It was a lost cause from the start. The horse was stubborn, too afraid to move …. Unwilling it seemed to trust him.
He had tried everything he could think of.
Tugging, pulling, pushing … cajoling hadn't worked. Henry just dug in and refused his help. Vince knew himself well and he was not one for patience.
That damned horse was going to die a horrible death, break his family's heart - all because he wouldn't move … wouldn't listen.
Shaking his head, Vince looked back at the barn and watched as the flames caught hold of the roof. The barn was ready to implode. Orange and red hues lit up the night sky. Flying embers fell to earth and hissed angrily to be left alone, to breathe more oxygen – refuel and do what it did best … ignite and start again.
Vince looked again to mother and child. The barn was lost, sadly Henry was lost but they had saved Reese. Bode had saved Reese. The angry fire had not won today.
Searching the area to find his son, to congratulate him … pat him on the back; say "well done", he immediately knew something was wrong. Something wasn't right.
The phantom punch to his gut caught him off guard. The loss, the pain, the air thinning – unable to see clearly what was around him assailed his senses. But he could feel IT, that hollow; unexplainable feeling residing beneath his rib cage … and for a brief moment, he couldn't breathe, couldn't hear the roar of the fire or the spray of the hose.
"Who has eyes on Bode?" he screamed through his com, and felt the heat, the fire reach out to grab hold of his sanity. Panic seized his heart and squeezed. He could feel his heart racing … sense his wife screaming. Her wails reached a fevered pitch.
Where was his boy? Where was Bode?
He had been right behind him … right behind him … right behind him…
"He didn't follow you out?" someone yelled out above the fray.
And then he was running – moving fast toward the flames.
Moving fast toward his baby's first cry … moving fast toward first steps and the inevitable fall, moving fast toward letting the back of the bike go and watching him ride down the street with that goofy grin … wobbling all the way. Moving fast toward that first heartache that took weeks to get over; moving fast toward his first shutout and the crowd on its feet. Moving fast toward addiction and then recovery … thinking now all is well. Moving fast toward that day, that hour, those words, "Leave and never come back." Moving fast, fast, faster … whispering – "forgive me, forgive me, forgive me."
Only the smoke was thick, the heat oppressive and the flames, impervious to his needs – reaching out to push him back … barring his way. But he was stubborn too, and was going in anyway.
Water from the hoses pelted his back just as he reached the barn's exit and yelled into his coms, "Bode, I know you can hear me. Get the hell out of there!"
Bode sat down in the hay and let the fresh air near the earth engulf him. Taking a deep breath he peered up at Henry determined to wait him out.
He was not leaving here without him.
Henry stamped his front hoof and cocked his head to the side.
Bode leaned back and chuckled, "You're laughing at me" he said, "I can tell."
Outside the barn, he could hear the controlled chaos of orders given, water hitting the structure, voices calling his name … Reese screeching for Henry.
Suddenly, his com exploded, "Bode, I know you can hear me. Get the hell out of there!"
Startled, he could hear the urgency in his father's voice. Henry hopped and did a side step.
He had not heard fear in his father's voice … ever. Not even when …..
But there it was. Out in the open. Real fear.
Quickly climbing to his feet, his hand fell on a small metallic box. Henry moved toward him, and dipped his nose down toward his hand; so he opened the box, and there inside - sweet sugar cubes. Henry's tongue lapped out, ready and eager for the treat.
Bode laughed out loud, and felt smoke tickle the back of his throat. Taking a cube out, he offered it up and watched as Henry devoured the treat as if it were water.
Stepping back he offered another and was amazed to see the horse move toward him without any hesitation. This was their way out. Bode sent out a silent 'thank you' to whoever it was looking out for them this day.
So, cube by cube, dodging falling beams and scattered flames they made it out of the stall, and to the exit. Once out into open space, he grabbed hold of the bit and together they raced side by side to safety. Behind them, the barn cascaded down into a fiery, sizzling rubble.
Water descended down to douse the flames. Somewhere within the melee, he heard Reese laughing, and firefighters groaning under the weight of hoses. Bode felt the weight of water droplets from multiple hoses bombard his back – cool, heavy … welcoming. Leaning over he took a breath, and let the water embrace him.
Standing tall, he grinned from ear to ear. He couldn't help it. He and Henry had done it … made it out alive.
Unexpectedly, out of the haze of billowing smoke, flying embers and falling debris his father moved swiftly forward to greet him. Eyes watery, relief evident on his face … the fear he heard earlier in his voice now extinguished – along with the fire.
Thank you for reading.
