Disclaimer: I don't own these cowboys!

Summary: Jack counts the days before his next meeting with Ennis. His longing for Ennis results in some reckless behavior that leads to an explosive confrontation. What will be Jack's fate?

A/N: Thanks to Slash-a-holic, crazyfrog, Malyss, Spidersting, QueenCria, Tav, Horserider, Jakesdream, Frek, possumgurl, and Shelley for the reviews!

QueenCria: Yep, my penname was inspired by playing Lady Larken in a production of Once Upon a Mattress!

Spidersting: I agree that Ennis is definitely scared to be with Jack. Unfortunately, Jack doesn't understand this yet!

Chapter 3

Half-way to Wyoming, Jack began to wonder if giving into Ennis' arrangements had been the right thing. Living a double life for nearly ten years was starting to weigh heavily upon him. If Jack was honest with himself, most of the time he missed Ennis so bad that it hurt. It was so damn hard that he began taking trips to Mexico to alleviate his frustrations, without Ennis' knowledge.

"Hmm," Jack made a small noise of discomfort as he shifted in the drivers' seat uneasily. His whole body still ached from being thrown only days earlier. Not for the first time since his injury, Jack contemplated his unhealthy fixation with Ennis. No matter what he did or where he went, the man never left his thoughts. His trips to Mexico never fully sated his desire either, only Ennis did that.

This month, Ennis and Jack were meeting at the Bridger-Teton Range for a trip that would only last three days. Jack hated that their meetings were always short. The ache in Jack's chest only grew with each visit. More than once he wondered what it would take to rid himself of the pain. However, if there was one thing Jack Twist knew, it was that he would have to find a way to fix it, because he knew with a renewed sort of desperation that he couldn't stand it.

It was with these last thoughts that Jack found himself pulling onto a dirt road beside a familiar sight. A genuine smile fought its way to his face and his heart beat quickened at the sight of Ennis Del Mar unloading the horses from the back of his beat-up truck. He quickly jumped out of his pick up and hurried towards the other man with a slight limp, forgetting his pain.

As he reached his destination, Ennis turned to him with bright eyes and a crooked smile. "You're late, friend."

As if neither of them could hold back any longer they threw their arms around one another in a tight embrace, electricity coursing through their veins at the contact. In that moment all of Jack's frustrations and ill-feelings melted away and there was just Ennis.

A few minutes passed before Jack's body caught up with him and he tensed in pain at Ennis' vice-like grip. Ennis immediately loosened his arms around Jack and held him gently at arms length. Deep brown eyes connected with blue, and Jack could not discern the look on Ennis' normally emotionless face. A rough hand cupped his face, and he felt a thumb brush softly over his bruised cheek.

Ennis' eyes suddenly hardened, his mouth curving into an unpleasant grimace, as he grounded out, "Who did this?"

Jack was not sure whether he should've been more surprised at the question or at the alarming amount of rage on Ennis' usually unreadable face, and openly gaped at him. "I…uh…went back t the rodeo."

"Is that so?" It didn't really sound like a question, but Jack wasn't about to find out what would happen if he didn't have a response. Ennis still looked murderous.

"Got busted up good," Jack mumbled, fidgeting under a cold stare.

"I thought you was gonna quit." The tone was accusatory and something else Jack hadn't heard before, and couldn't name.

"I was…uh…I mean I did…until recently that is," Jack babbled nervously. "I quit for good this time…hurts too damn much."

"I reckon it does," Ennis commented unimpressed, but seemingly resigned to let it go. "Jack fuckin' Twist," he said roughly, before pulling Jack gently into his arms again and kissing him soundly.

TBC

A/N: Please review!