This was inspired by the pic featuring party guests leaving the ranch house.

xxx

Joe went down the hallway, whistling as he did. In his mind he went over the events of the last days and silently sighed to himself. Having two women visit had been a nice change to the usual routine – but after more than a week, their almost incessant chatter had begun to go even on his nerves. The moment when his family had finally been able to escort the ladies to their waiting buggy had been most welcome to everyone in the family. Relieved beyond words, Joe had slumped down on the porch, and just sat still, enjoying the silence. And then, very slowly, his spirit had re-woken, suddenly remembering the fun that waited for him in Virginia City. He had jumped up and rubbed his hands. Yeah, he would enjoy himself immensely. And now, there was just one other thing he needed…

"Rebecca? Have you seen my shirt?" Joe's curly head popped up at the doorframe of Adam's and Rebecca's bedroom. He grinned widely when he saw his oldest brother sitting on a corner of the bed, covered in freshly washed laundry, looking desperate in consequence. Rebecca was obviously trying to sort out a few things. She turned at the sound of Joe's voice and gave him a warm smile, then winked.

"You are just in time," she said, "to rescue your brother. He's going to bolt any moment now."

Joe crossed his arms and grinned at Adam's pained expression. "Looks like you are enjoying yourself. No wonder you no longer want to come to the dances with us."

He ducked when Adam lifted what looked suspiciously like a clout and made to throw it at him. At the last second Rebecca grabbed the material from him, and Joe snickered to see the surprise in Adam's eyes, only to let out a small yelp of surprise when Rebecca turned and playfully slapped the clout over his arm herself.

"Why did you come again?" She put her hands on her hips and glared at him, but her eyes twinkled.

"He wants to see some serious work done," Adam put in helpfully, and held up an undergarment that was definitely female. The reactions were instantaneous. Rebecca snatched the pale ivory clothe and hid it in a drawer; Joe, his cheeks flaming, tried to look anywhere but the bed. Adam grinned viciously. He had obviously decided to enjoy himself.

"Why did you come in the first place?" he inquired smugly.

"I …have you seen my shirt?" Joe carefully tried to lift his gaze again. "The one with the …

"…the frills?" Again Adam interrupted. He raised an eyebrow at Joe who shot him a furious look, then laughed out loud when Rebecca stamped her foot.

"It's enough," she said and resolutely pointed to the door. "Out, before you do any more mischief just because you are bored."

Adam put out his bottom lip, looking like a pouting child, and stayed where he was. "I wasn't bored before he … ," he nodded in Joe's direction, "… choose to interrupt us."

Rebecca started to collect the clothes, completely ignoring her sulking husband. "You are impossible today." She sorted out a white shirt and held it up for Joe to inspect. "This one?"

He nodded, then creased his forehead when he saw the wrinkles. Rebecca saw his look and grinned. She held out her hand.

"I make you a deal. You get your brother out of here before he really gets on my nerves, and I iron your shirt for you before you go to town."

Joe immediately held out his own hand, but before he could grab Becky's, Adam spoke up again.

"Considered that you do his laundry anyway, that's not a very good deal, you know." Lazily he smiled at his wife who by now was turning slowly but surely red with anger. Joe hastily grabbed Adam's arm and almost dragged him off the bed before he got into serious trouble. Adam laughed out loud and let himself be taken away, but just before they had reached the door, he shook himself loose and turned back to Rebecca.

Joe cast a frustrated glance down the hallway in search for help, then ran his hands through his hair and turned back to his brother. From the corner of his eyes he saw that Adam let his hand ran tenderly over Rebecca's bodice and Joe hastily averted his eyes. He stepped out into the hall and closed the door behind him.

"I'll come back for the shirt later," he called, but didn't receive an answer. Whistling softly under his breath he went in search for Jamie, while in his mind he made his plans for the evening.