Series Title: All Time Love
Chapter Two: Comin' Around
Author: Brokeback Maniac
This Chapter Rating: MA
This Chapter Warning: Language
Chapter Summary: Jack is injured, Ennis is an emotional mess, help comes unexpectantly.
Feedback: Yes please
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to Annie Proulx, I just like to play with them now and again. I make no profit from this (well durrr). All o/c belong to me! Series title is from the song "All Time Love" performed by Will Young
Chapter 2: Comin' AroundJack really thinks he is dead. Did Ennis just say he loves me? Cain't be true…I am dead…if so is this heaven or hell? Holy Fuck…he just kissed me too…must be heaven then
Then the world starts to go fuzzy and grey, he tries to keep his eyes open, he wants to keep looking at Ennis…never let him out of his sight again, but his eyes won't listen to his heart.
"Jack! You gotta stay awake now…no sleepin' on me…we gotta get ya some help" What the fuck am I gonna do now…erm…get him to the hospital or doc or somethin'…erm…think Ennis think…erm…oh Jack's truck…won't be comfortable but it'll have to do
"JACK!" Ennis screams as he sees Jack's eyes close.
"Wot cowboy? I'm just sleepin'. You go on back to them sheep now…breakfast'll be ready when you get back" his voice is weak and the light in his eyes is dimming, his eyes flutter shut
Ennis' tears flow again. I'm losing him…I know it. Cain't see that sparkle in his eyes no more...come on keep it together…Jack needs you…think of Jack
"Jack…come on now bud, gotta get ya up…this might hurt some"
With that he puts his hands under Jack, one at his neck the other at his knees. He starts to lift, Jack doesn't make a sound. God he's heavy...he ain't ever felt this heavy afore…he's like a dead weight…oh shit….gotta hurry…I'm losing 'im
Ennis walks as quickly as he can to the truck and just as he does another truck passes and sees the two figures. The strange truck comes to a stop and Ennis feels the fear building up Oh fuck…not now…please God not now…gotta get Jack help
Ennis continues to Jack's truck but can't get the door open with Jack in his arms, so he carefully kneels down and gently lies Jack on the ground, taking special care with his head. As he turns to open the passenger door a voice cuts through the quiet of the half light.
"Ya alright there?"
"Erm…my friend…he got hit by the train… he needs a doctor or somethin'…was gonna drive him to the hospital…you know where that is?"
"What was he doin' by the track?"
"None of ya business" he snarled, fists clenching and he stands between the stranger and Jack's body
I won't let this bastard get to Jack
"Ok there cowboy, calm down, was jist curious…ok well my wife she works at the hospital, was jist on ma way to git here so ya can follow me if ya like… ya need a hand getting' 'im in ya truck?"
"I can manage…if ya can jist open the door…"
"Sure thin'…Shit…he looks in a bad way" Christ this boy looks familiar…is it? Cain't be…told 'im not to come back here…sure does look like Jack though…
Ennis fought the tears again and just concentrated on lifting Jack. This time the movement caused Jack to moan in pain Well…least his making some kinda sound…better than silence
The stranger opened the door and held it open as Ennis carefully placed him on the passenger side. He placed a hand on Jacks cheek for a few seconds, his thumb rubbing the bone under Jack's eye.
Hmm…that mighty strange… the stranger thinks …ain't ever seen a friend act like that…unless…nah couldn't be…but if it's Jack…wait…IT IS Jack…well that makes sense now…better keep an eye on 'im…hospital ain't safe for 'im round 'ere…not after last time…better take 'im home
Then Ennis pulled back, turned around and stared into the strangers eyes, daring him to say or do anything I will die to protect this man…just give me an excuse to make you pay if you try…I ain't in no mood for restraint
The stranger read that expression as sure as if the man had said it aloud…he backed down not wanting to feel the wrath of this big cowboy and started to walk to his own truck.
As Ennis jogged to the drivers side he sees Jacks hat lying on the ground. He watches to make sure the stranger is getting back into his truck then Ennis quickly collects the hat and gets in besides Jack.
The journey to the hospital seems to take forever. Ennis keeps trying to keep Jack awake
"Come on now bud…keep awake now…no time for sleepin'"
He takes Jack's hand in his own, hoping the contact will keep Jack conscience
"Please Jack…don't you die on me…couldn't handle that…without you…I At that Ennis starts to cry again, just the thought of Jack dying is killing him inside, his guts curl up tight and he starts to feel sick again
"Ennis, why ya cryin'?". The voice is tired but stronger this time
Ennis wipes at his eyes, don't wanna let Jack know how bad it is…gotta be strong
"I ain't crying Rodeo…wot ya thinkin' huh?" he says with a smile and small laugh
Jack looks at Ennis, loving that smile but knowing that Ennis is fighting the tears It must be bad. Can't let on that I realise that…Ennis is trying to be strong…gotta be strong too…god my head hurts
Jack smiles a tired smile. It's enough for Ennis who feels a little relieved to see Jack smiling again.
"Wot hurts Jack?"
"My head hurts somethin' awful. So does my arm. Rest of me is ok…I think…hard to tell…my head is all mucked up…not much change there though huh?" he said with a small laugh
Trust Jack to make a joke at a time like this! To make me wanna laugh and cry at the same time
"Nah…not much change there lil' darlin'" Ennis said with a smile and little laugh, tears popping up again in his eyes
Did Ennis just call me lil' darlin'? He did…don't make a big deal bout it…he didn't seem to realise he said it…just slipped out…makes it even sweeter…and he's holdin' my hand…god…I really think I might be dead and in heaven…but it wouldn't hurt so bad if that were true…god my head hurts
"Where we goin' Ennis?" Jacks asks looking out the truck window
"Hospital…following that truck in front…didn't know the way…guy pulled up to see if we was ok…asked if he knew…said we could follow him…wife works at the hospital"
"This ain't the way to the hospital En"
"Wot!"
"This ain't the way to the hospital…it's in the other direction…I know…went there when I was working here last year"
"You sure?" Ennis asked, the fear boiling up, making his insides feel like they are on fire
"Positive" Jack replied, his voice getting tired and quieter
"Well…ya gotta stay awake and direct then Jack… 'cause I don't know where the fuck I am!"
"Turn around…head back past Aguirre's office, down to the end of the town, turn right at the big junction. Wake me when you get there and I'll tell you the rest…too tired right now" his voice a whisper at the end, his eyes fluttering shut again
"Jack ya cain't sleep…you've have a bash to the head"
"I'm sleepy Ennis…just a few minutes" he replied slowly
Ennis realised he wouldn't be able to keep Jack awake unless he kept him talking about something
"So what happened last year that ya ended up in the hospital?"
Jack stiffened at this question
"Don't wanna talk 'bout it…was nothin'" he replied quickly
"If it weren't nothin' why dontcha wanna talk 'bout it?" What the fuck? Jack always wants to talk 'bout everthin' even if ya don't wanna hear it. Talks a blue streak 'bout anythin'.
"It's private" Jack said defensively Oh god…do I NOT wanna talk 'bout that
"Even from me?" Ennis is hurt that Jack won't tell him. What could be so bad that he would need to keep it from him?
"'specially from you" Jack replied sharply
"What the fuck does that mean?" Ennis is getting angry now
"Not now Ennis…I ain't in no condition for a fight. We'll talk 'bout it later. I promise…just not now…please cowboy"
Ennis feels guilt flood through him. Christ…Jack just nearly died and here I am getting' all angry at 'im for wantin' to keep some stuff private…it's not like I ain't got secrets...Fuck! I am such an asshole
"Sorry Jack…didn't mean to upset ya…was jist wonderin'. Ya don't have to tell me if ya don't wanna" Ennis said contritely, looking away
"Don't matter none cowboy…it's fine…I will tell ya, jist not now ok?" Jack said reassuringly, squeezing Ennis' hand which was still in his.
"Ok. Well, here we are at that junction…which way then?"
"Right…then erm…drive down to the next junction and turn left…should be signs from there"
"Alright…but if we get lost, I'm blaming you!" Ennis said with a smile in his voice
"Fair enough Cowboy" Jack replied, grinning slightly
Neither one noticed the strangers truck some distance behind
As Ennis pulled up to the hospital, Jack was more awake and the pain was getting to him. Ennis could see that Jack was fighting to not cry, his jaw clenched light and eyes screwed shut and that just 'bout nearly killed him God…he's trying to be strong and not cry in front of me…worried wot I think of 'im if he did…fuck
When the truck came to a stop, Ennis quickly went to the passenger door and opened it. Jack was looking very pale and shaking. That scared the shit out of him. Ennis went to lift him again but Jack protested
"It's alright Ennis, I can walk…legs 'aint busted"
"You sure Jack?" Ennis asked worriedly
"Yeah"
As Jack stepped out of the truck he almost collapsed. Ennis grabbed him under the arms causing Jack to let out a cry of pain
"Oh shit…lean on me Jack with ya good arm...come on bud"
"S-s-sorry Ennis…I'm real sorry" with that Jack passed out completely
"Oh fuck…Jack! Come on…wake up…please" Shit…gotta get 'im inside…don't care how
With that Ennis once again lifted Jack into his arms and walked into the hospital
"Need some help here! Please…help me!" Ennis called out
A young nurse ran up to him, took one look at Jack and called for help. A few seconds later a trolley and several nurses appeared. The gently took Jack out of Ennis' arms, which were reluctant to let go and laid Jack down, giving Ennis Jack's hat and quickly started to move him into a room. On the way, one of the nurses spoke to him
"Ok…Mr…?"
"Del Mar…Ennis Del Mar"
"Ok Mr Del Mar…what's this young man's name?"
"It's Jack…Jack Twist"
"Ok…what happened?"
Shit…do I tell 'em Jack nearly killed himself...? No that 'aint important right now…I'll speak to Jack 'bout that…
"Well he was standin' by the side of the road, bit close to the track and a train went past and hit 'im…I tried to get 'im outta the way but was too late…caught 'im on the right shoulder…I think"
"Ok…now has he been unconscious the whole time?"
"No he woke up for a few minutes, but kept falling asleep…tried to keep 'im awake…but he collapsed outside on the way in" Ennis started shaking
"You did the right thing Mr Del Mar…now has he been sick at all?"
"No…but he said his head felt funny and he coughed up some blood when he first woke up"
"Ok…now his shoulder looks dislocated but we'll need to do an x-ray to be sure. He may also have some cracked ribs. But I'm most worried 'bout that head injury…do you know if he got that from the impact with the train or when he fell?"
"I'm sorry ma'am I don't know…I didn't see that" Shit…that don't sound too good…oh Fuck Jack…please be alright.
"Ok…don't worry Mr Del Mar…you're friend'll be fine…if you'd like to wait outside and we'll let you know as soon as we can ok…just book him in at reception…is there anyone we can call?"
"Erm…no there 'aint ma'am…jist me and 'im…is he gonna be ok?
"Well we'll do everythin' we can for 'im. Try not to worry" Easy for you to say lady…your best friend and love of your life 'aint the one lying on that there bed with his head bashed in
"Thanks" He said quietly.
The nurse hurried off into Jack's room and Ennis was left standing in the corridor, Jack's hat hanging from his hand, almost forgotten. He slowly turned and walked to reception to be greeted by a young woman called Sara with red hair, a colour that doesn't exist in nature and enough make up to paint the whole fuckin' wall.
"Hi there…can I help you?" she asked sweetly with a smile
"Yeah…hi…erm...I just bought my friend in…got hit on the head…was told I needed to book 'im in"
"Ok…and your name?"
"Ennis Del Mar"
"Ok Mr Del Mar…what is your friend's name?
"Jack Twist"
"Jack Twist?" she asked, her eyebrow lifting, her smile dropping
"Yeah?" What the hell?
Shit…Jack Twist is back…Carl will wanna know 'bout this…fuck… Sara thought
"Ok Mr Del Mar…do you know Jack's date of birth?" her smile returned
"Erm…September 19th 1943"
"Ok…you know if he's allergic to any medicines?"
"Not that I know of ma'am"
"Do you know his home address?"
"Erm…not right sure exact…'cept he lives in Lightnin' Flat"
"Ok…that's fine…we'll call the local Dr's near there and get his details from there. Do ya know who his next of kin is?"
"Next of what?" Ennis asked, confused
"Well…we need to know who would need to make any decisions regarding Jack's treatment and who to inform should…erm…well should the worst happen"
Sara saw a flash of pain in the Cowboys eyes at that. The man looked like he was one step from completely breaking down.
Shit…I know that look…He's a real good friend of Jacks…that 'aint good…gotta get Carl here…right now before Jeff finds out Jack's back
"Ok Mr Del Mar…I'm sure it won't come to that…why don't you take a seat in the waiting room, get some coffee…and try not to worry…I know that won't be easy…but please try" she said warmly, her eyes full of support and sadness
"Thank ya ma'am…I'll do that…you will let me know as soon as…"
"Of course Mr Del Mar"
"Ennis"
"Ok Ennis…call me Sara"
"Ok…thank ya Sara"
With that Ennis slowly trudged to the waiting room, his hand idly playing with Jack's hat, his whole body shaking, shoulders slumped, heart heavy and mind going blank.
Sara watched this with a great pain in her heart That poor man…he looks so broken…he must really care for Jack…shit gotta get Carl here quick.
As she was about to pick up the phone to call Carl in he walked.
"Carl? What you doin' 'ere? You're early. I don't finish for another hour?" Sara asked quietly
"Same reason you look like a dear in headlights…Jack's here 'aint he?" Carl replied, leaning into the desk, keeping his voice as quiet as possible
"How d'ya know that?"
"I was the one who found by the side of the road…I tried to lead 'em home instead of 'ere but Jack must've woke up and directed them here instead"
"Shit…we gotta get 'im outta here Carl…won't be long afore Jeff finds out ya know"
"Yeah I know…what the Doc's saying 'bout 'im?"
"Don't know yet…he 'aint been in there long"
"Ok…here's wot I'll do…I'll go and keep an eye on Jack…you keep an eye out for Jeff. You see 'im…try and stall 'im as best you can. Where is that friend of Jacks who was with 'im?"
"He's in the waitin' room. He looks in a bad way Carl…like he may break any minute…I think he and Jack…"
"Yeah I know Sara…I saw it by the road too…might need 'im. I'm gonna go and talk to 'im after I seen how Jack is, see if I can get 'im to calm down some. You see Jeff, come and get me"
"Alright. Be careful. That guy looks ready to smack someone."
"I will. What's his name?"
"It's Ennis. Ennis Del Mar"
"Alright. You be careful too Sara…don't try nothin' with Jeff…you hear me?"
"Of course."
With that, Carl walked off towards Jacks and Sara sat slumped forward in her chair, elbows on the desk, head in her hands, praying to god that Jeff would never know that Jack Twist was back in Signal.
To Be Continued…