Thanks to: Joetheone, dreamcatcher33, and dov for the quick reviews.

Title: 7x7 Cell
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters and/or places belong to Annie Proulx. No profit is being made.

Monroe's parents came out immediately to get their daughter-in-law. They would rather have her where they could watch her, than have her out in the streets, having a free for all. Ennis had called them to tell them that their son had committed suicide, before he found out how the man really died. He didn't have the heart to tell them the truth, and he wasn't sure if they would still take Alma if they knew, so he kept his mouth shut.

They drove up in a little green car, they looked about 60, both of them. Two small boys tumbled out of the backseat and followed them to the front door, Ennis recognized them as Alma's children. Jack went to answer the door. "Alma, when yeh shot me, yeh were pregnant, what happened?"

She grimaced and touched her flat belly, "I had a miscarriage while I was in jail." She hadn't cried for the lost child, four was more than enough, but the experience had been physically exhausting, and embarrassing to have to go through in a 7'x7' cell.

"Oh," Ennis wasn't sure what to say, as usual, so he said nothing. He heard a knock on the door and took Alma towards it, leading her gently with both hands. A woman in a pink dress and a man in pressed slacks and button down shirt greeted them. Two young boys in overalls and tennis shoes were bouncing at their feet. "Mommy!" They dodged past Jack's thick legs and into their mother's arms. It had been a long time for a four year old and five year old to be separated from their mother.

The old man and woman scowled. "Thank you for calling us, we'll make sure she's taken care of."

"No," Jack shook the man's hand, "thank you. Mr. Monroe?"

"Call me Phil."

"Phil, would you and your wife like something to drink?"

"No," the man shook his head, wrinkles deforming temporarily from the quick movement, "we'll just get Alma and go."

"Alright," Ennis pushed her lightly towards the older couple. She was carrying her boys, one in each arm. She frowned, but followed them out to the car, climbed into the back seat with her boys, and buckled herself in. Jack and Ennis watched the little car drive away, particles of dust easily visible in the setting sun. "Well," Ennis sighed, tugging on his belt, "I should go get the girls." He stood there, as though waiting for something, he didn't move for his keys, boots, hat, or coat.

"Cain I come with yeh?" Jack seemed to sense what it was Ennis wanted, or maybe it was just that he was too scared to be here alone. Either way, Ennis smiled and nodded. Both men gathered their jackets and hats before going out to the truck.

They both decided on the way to town that they would not tell the girls about what happened with Alma, even though they didn't like the woman, they both agreed a girl should always respect her mother. The radio was static, voices waning in and out until Ennis, annoyed, pushed the button to turn it off. "Yeh ok Jack?"

"Wha?" He had red spots on his forehead where he had been leaning on his fingers, staring out the window.

"Yeh been through a lot, the past couple months."

"Yeh have too." He was always trying to point the attention away from himself, because he didn't want anyone to see him emotional.

"Not as much as you, Jack. I'm not jus' talkin' physical, neither."

"Then what are yeh talkin'?"

"Well, yeh know…what's it called? Psychological."

"Yeh mean how I'm feelin'?"

"Yeah."

"We gotta do this now?"

"No…"

"Good." Jack swiped a tear off his face and glanced back out the window. He watched the shoulder of the road fade away slowly, saw the car getting closer to grass. "What're yeh doin', Ennis?"

"I was lyin'. Jack, we do gotta do this now."

"Why?" He rubbed his eyes, blinding himself momentarily.

"'Cus, it ain't good yeh know…keep all these feelin's bottled up."

"What?"

"Fuck! Jack, yeah know I ain't good with words, will yeh jus' tell me what's goin' on in that pretty lil' head a yers?"

"Yeh really wanna know Ennis?" he was crying a little more now, but still silently. The only evidence was the moisture on his face.

"Yes…"

"Alright! I'll tell yeh, then. I'm scared to death, ev'ry time I'm alone. Think someone's gonna come fuck me again, beat me to death, maybe, this time. Every time you fuck me, all I see is them. I try and try to tell myself that it's you, but I jus' cain't convince myself. I have dreams where yeh get shot an' die, right there in my arms. An' I'm tryin' ta save yeh, but I can't. Blood's ev'rywhere, and yer…our girls are standin' there cryin', I cain't figure out what ta say ta them, their daddy's dead!"

He was really crying now, gasping for air. Ennis opened his arms. "Jack, c'me 'ere."

Jack scooted over, collapsed onto Ennis' chest. Ennis wrapped his arms around Jack, pet his back. "It's gonna be ok, baby. It'll be alright…shh, now." Jack continued to cry until he nodded off, and Ennis put him against the window, started the car and drove off again. "See, Jack, dunn't it feel better now."

Jack grumbled, "Mhm…"