--- Disclaimer: Still don't own anything. ---

Tell Me How Much You Love Me

A couple days had passed since the doctor had diagnosed Ennis with pnuemonia and, according to Jack, he didn't seem to be getting any better.

"Really cowboy... ya need ta stay in bed..."

He pleaded for the hundredth time that morning but Ennis wouldn't hear of it.

"I ain't gonna stay here in bed an' lie around all day jus' cause some doc comes sayin' I'm sick an' diein', ya hear? I gots things ta do an'..."

He trailed off suddenly as a violent coughing fit overtook him and he fell to his knees on the floor, one hand holding his chest which heaved greatly with every cough. Jack ran over as Ennis fell to the floor and knelt by him, one hand on his shoulder to help keep him up somewhat.

"Ennis..."

He started but the other shook his head as the fit slowly passed.

"I'm a'right... I'm a'right..."

The fit took him again for another few weaker coughs before his body finally relaxed into slow, shuddering breaths.

"Ennis, please... Get back in bed..."

Jack pleaded again and this time the other nodded in agreement.

"A'right... Bu' jus' for... today..."

They slowly rose off the floor, Jack holding Ennis up the best he could as the other swayed slightly, lightheaded from the coughing. Gently Jack laid him back on the bed and tried to cover him up but Ennis pushed the blankets away.

"I'm too hot rodeo... Cain't stand havin' those blankets on all day no more... My skin needs some air for god's sake..."

"You're gonna get cold here real quick cowboy..." Jack warned but Ennis shook his head again so Jack sat down by him instead.

"More stubborn than a bull, ya know tha' cowboy?"

Ennis hmphed and stretched slowly, taking a deep breath which led again to a violent fit of coughing, though shorter this time then last.

"Damn fuckin' cough..." He complained as it passed and Jack smiled slightly.

"You'll be a'right Ennis, long's ya stay in bed like a good boy."

"I ain't no dog boy, nor am I some 'good boy'..."

Jack laughed softly and laid down next to his mate, one hand trailing slowly over his chest causing Ennis purr and wrap his arms around him gently, pulling him close.

"Ennis...?" Jack asked after a few minutes and the other grumbled softly to acknowledge he was listening. "You... you ain't gonna die on me are ya...?"

Ennis turned his head a little at the sudden question and stared at him for a moment.

"Why the hell ya thinkin' bout me diein' love? Is't cause o'tha' damn doctor 'gain?"

"Well sorta but... I mean... You are really sick an'... I dunno..."

Jack stumbled out and Ennis tilted his head slightly.

"Tell me the truth Jack... Why ya thinkin' I'm gonna die all a sudden?"

"...Cause the doc said ya might not make it cowboy an'... Dammit Ennis ya can't jus' leave me here! You cain't die on me... Please...!"

His last few words seemed to drown as he broke down into sobs again for the first time since that day awhile ago and Ennis held him tighter against himself.

"Shhh... i's a'right lil darlin'... I told ya I ain't gonna die on ya an' I'm bound ta keep tha' promise... I... I done enough wrong ta you in the past already... I owe it to ya ta stay around this time..."

The last part was whispered under his breath but Jack heard it all the same and cuddled closer to his love.

"I love you Ennis... Please don't leave me..."

"I won' Jack... I swear ta you I won'..."

He lifted Jack's chin gently and kissed him deeply before letting him go again and holding him back against his chest. Jack smiled softly as he breathed in the scent of the other's shirt-A mix of cigarettes, horses and sweat that seemed to flow together to somehow make a scent so unique and so... Just so Ennis...

"So c'n I stay here with ya again Ennis or are ya wantin' ta sleep?"

"I cain't ever sleep 'thought you darlin'... You know tha'..."

Jack smiled again and cuddled closer to him, taking a deep breath that seemed to intoxicate his very soul as Ennis fell into an uneasy sleep, his skin slowly turning colder causing Jack to reach down and pull the blankets back over them. Ennis purred softly as the warmth covered him then whispered softly the three words Jack so loved to hear and the younger kissed him softly before laying back down and staring out the window at the crystal clear sky outside, safe and content in his lovers strong arms.

--- Do I even need to ask you to review? Please and thank you! ---