A/N: Hi! So I promised the Beauty and the Beast fic first but this one nagged at me until I wrote it. it's a little long but I fell in love with the story to be honest. I'm still working on the B and B fic, as well as updates for ALPNKN and YAINTGB. I'm doing some major work on my story arcs with those but I promise I'll update soon.
Fayette, Louisiana · May 1932
Fayette College
Fitz smiled as he handed in his final exam. He knew he had passed with flying colors, and that in a few weeks, he would be starting his career at Bill Vaughn's vet clinic with his wife-to-be by his side. He wasn't as thrilled about the wife-to-be part as he was about the clinic part, but he knew certain concessions were necessary for success. At least that what's Big Gerry, his staunch Navy captain father, had been telling him his whole life. To get the career he wanted, he had to take a wife he was lukewarm about at best. But it wasn't so bad. Mellie wasn't terrible. He was sure if he spent enough time with her, he'd grow to share the affection she had for him.
"See you at graduation," his professor, Dr. Tate, said with a smile as he reached to shake his hand.
Fitz shook his hand then left. He headed for the campus bookstore and picked up his cap and gown and a frame for his diploma. His father was waiting on the porch when he got home. "Hey Dad."
"How'd it go?" Big Gerry asked, handing his son his glass of sweet tea.
"I passed." Fitz grinned proudly then sipped the tea. "Did Mellie call?"
"You know she did. She said to make sure you wear that tie she likes when y'all go out to dinner with her daddy tonight."
Fitz's smile twitched. He'd have rather been doing anything than dining with Billy and Mellie. "Right. I guess I should go get ready for that."
XXXXX
*One Week Later*
Fitz drove to Mellie's father's clinic where she worked as a receptionist. She sat on the edge of the desk, laughing with the dark-haired tech, Andrew Nichols. Fitz knew they were friends although he didn't personally care for Andrew. He was an empty-headed sheep of a man who seemed content to let anyone give him direction. Fitz had attempted a friendship with him only to find he couldn't continue. Now he and Andrew were only mildly friendly when they passed each other.
Fitz knocked on the door and they both turned to look at him. He got the slight impression that he was interrupting something but he dismissed it. He adjusted his tie. "Are you ready, Mel?"
"Oh. Yes." She stood and smoothed her dark hair then checked the skirt of her cornflower blue dress for wrinkles. She turned to Andrew. "Are you coming to Fitz's graduation party?"
"I'll be a little late but I'll be there," he replied. Mellie nodded, giving him a smile as she walked to Fitz.
The drive to Fitz's house was quiet. When he really thought about it, all his time with Mellie was quiet. There was just nothing to talk about. She hadn't had any life experience besides working for her father. He hadn't even sent her to college, instead training her on the job. She didn't have any ideas that weren't Billy's first. Fitz preferred to cut out the middle man and just ask Billy things. At least Billy had an original personality. Mellie was a cookie-cutter southern belle with no intention to deviate from the norms set before her.
Fitz's father was on the front porch when they pulled up in Fitz's white Ford truck. Fitz helped Mellie out of the car and limply held her hand as they walked to meet him. "Hey dad."
"Hello son." Big Gerry grinned at Mellie. "Hello my darling Millicent."
"Mellie, please, Gerry. Nobody calls me Millicent but the choir director." She smiled as she walked over to kiss his cheek.
"Now I told you I had my heart broken by a Mellie once. Just saying it makes me mighty blue."
Mellie laughed. Fitz only smirked. His father had more slither than a snake. He couldn't turn it off around any woman.
"Well Abilene's got dinner on the table waiting. Let's go on in before she tans all our hides." Big Gerry turned to head into the house just as Abilene called for them.
"Hey Abie," Fitz greeted, smiling at the round dark-skinned woman who had raised him after his mother died a few months short of his first birthday.
"There's my doctor!" she whooped.
Fitz laughed. "I've told you I'm not a doctor, Abie, at least not one that'll be any good to you."
"A doctorate is a doctorate in my book." She walked over and Fitz stooped to receive a hug and a kiss. He would never forget Abilene's trademark scent of honey and soap as long as he lived.
"Hello Abilene," Mellie greeted.
"Hello Miss Mellie," Abilene replied, giving her a hollow smile. There was something about Mellie that never rubbed Abilene the right way. She wasn't sure what it was. She just couldn't bring herself to like her. She quickly turned back to Fitz. "I made all your favorites: fried chicken, candied yams, mashed potatoes, cornbread, string beans, and chocolate cake for dessert."
"Remember when I was little and I used to say I wanted to marry you? I still mean it, Abie," Fitz replied with a smile.
Abilene laughed, exposing her perfect white teeth. "If I didn't have my Rupert, I'd take you up on that."
"Rupert's not so tough. I could take him in a fight."
Abilene waved her hand as the doorbell rang. "Oh hush."
Guests continued to arrive and Abilene filled everyone's plate with ample portions. Fitz smiled as he looked around the room at everyone quietly eating. Abilene had a reputation for throwing the quietest parties in town as no one ever came up for air from their plate, and when they finally did, they were too stuffed to talk. It didn't take long for Big Gerry to finish his dinner and what was probably his third or fourth drink. It took even less time for him to begin dozing in his chair. Everyone offered their congratulations to Fitz and compliments to Abilene as they milled out of the house into the warm night, cicadas humming as they chorused, "See y'all later."
With the house empty of party guests, Fitz helped Abilene wash dishes then went looking for Mellie, guessing she'd dozed off somewhere. She and Big Gerry shared a love of scotch. Fitz wasn't much of a drinker. He made his way around the house and didn't find her anywhere until he heard her loud voice coming from the back porch. Even when she was whispering, Mellie was still one of the loudest people he knew. She couldn't seem to help it. He went to the back porch's screen door and could see her having a spirited conversation with Andrew.
He was about to make his presence known when Andrew reached out to stroke Mellie's hair. Fitz could see from the look on his face that Andrew was in love with Mellie in a way he'd never be. And watching her smile, Fitz knew she was just as smitten. He wondered when it had happened, how he had missed it. He didn't love Mellie, but he'd never strayed. He assumed she loved him enough to be faithful as well.
Mellie reached up to take Andrew's hand in hers, intertwining her fingers with his, and Fitz cleared his throat. They both jumped and turned to look at him. He frowned. "Well I'm surprised to say the least."
Mellie dropped Andrew's hand. "It's not what it looks like."
"Then what is it?"
He watched the wheels turn in her head for some plausible explanation. He knew she didn't have one when she frowned deeply. "Don't make yourself a victim, Fitz. You don't love me."
"But I've never cheated on you."
"You want my daddy's business. You don't give a damn about me. You never did."
"Your daddy offered me his business. He practically sold you to give it to me. You should be mad at him if you're mad at anyone."
"He thought you liked me."
"I do. I just don't love you."
"Well Andrew does."
Fitz looked at Andrew, who still stood with his mouth agape. "Good. He can have you. I just want my ring back."
Mellie took the ring off and held it out to him. "Take it. It's not the one you were supposed to give me anyway."
Fitz smirked. "I would never give you my mother's ring. You don't deserve it."
"Whatever. You'll have to sell it once I tell my daddy that we aren't getting married. You'll never work in this town."
"This isn't the only town in the world, Mel." Fitz turned and th. He had been counting on that job since he'd started college. Big Gerry had used his friendship with Billy to set him up for life. And now a single moment had shattered all of it.
He went inside and headed for his father's study where Big Gerry was undoubtedly dozing in his chair. Fitz had often wondered why his father hadn't sent him to law school so he could take over the practice, but he knew he wasn't cut out for it. He didn't have Big Gerry's ambition and mean streak. He possessed too much of his mother's tenderness, his father said, though Susan Grant had died before Fitz was able to make memories of her or her tenderness.
Whatever qualities he possessed of his mother, Fitz knew he looked just like his father. Big Gerry sat behind his desk, surprisingly awake, the newspaper hiding his face from Fitz as he entered. "Hey Dad."
Big Gerry put the paper down and gave a half-smile at his son. "Did you get Mellie home alright?"
Fitz stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Mellie and I broke up. She was cheating on me with Andrew."
Big Gerry frowned. "That stupid boy from Shreveport? He couldn't even graduate so everybody says."
Fitz shrugged. "He loves her and I don't."
"He needs to inherit her daddy's business. Love ain't got a thing to do with it." Big Gerry shrugged. "It's nothing major, I suppose. You can win her back."
"I don't want her back."
"You want her daddy's business."
Fitz frowned. "No. You want her daddy's business. I just wanted a job."
"Well now you've got nothing, Gerry."
Fitz bristled. He hated being called Gerry. "So what am I supposed to do? Beg her to come back to me even though I'm the one who broke up with her? Marry her knowing she's cheating on me just so I can take over a lousy clinic in a town in the middle of nowhere? Do you really think I'd sell myself short like that? It's not her daddy even does any big business. Hell, there's only five people in this town. I could go somewhere else and do just fine for myself."
"Don't go talking nonsense, son. This is your home."
"Then it'll always be my home." Fitz sighed. "I'm going for a walk. I'll see you at home."
He left the office and headed south of the town, hoping to walk off his stress. He wouldn't miss Mellie, and in some ways he was relieved not to be beholden to Billy Vaughn, but he didn't like that his life had been hinging on single occurrence. He kicked himself for not having a plan B.
He was almost out of town completely when a little boy stopped him to hand him a flyer. Fitz took it and gave the little boy a dime, watching with a smile as he ran to the drugstore. He looked at the yellow flyer. Beene Bros. Amazing Circus featuring the World's Wildest Menagerie! ONE NIGHT ONLY! Come one! Come all! Fitz shrugged and continued walking. He figured he might as well see the show. He didn't have anything better to do.
xxxxx
One large purple circus tent loomed over the smaller ones at the edge of the small town. Fitz could smell popcorn and hotdogs as he walked among the little village. Men in half-done clown get-ups milled around carrying feed bags and buckets of water. Fitz gathered that he was incredibly early. He went to the empty ticket booth and stared at the back of the man inside it, waiting for him to turn around. The man didn't and Fitz cleared his throat. He turned around, flask in hand, to look at Fitz appraisingly.
"You look like fresh hell. We can fix that." He held out his flask. "Smell it. Pure Tennessee honey whiskey. Only cost you a dollar."
Fitz took a whiff of the liquor and wrinkled his nose. He didn't doubt that whatever the man was drinking would surely make him forget his troubles, but he didn't think his issues were that terrible. He shook his head. "No thanks. How much for a ticket?"
"Twenty-five cents. Ten for kids." He took a swig from his flask.
Fitz nodded and walked away. He stopped at the popcorn stand and got a bag then went the lemonade stand and got a mason jar of the most delicious pink lemonade he'd ever had. He sat at a table and ate his popcorn, watching the workers mill about. He wondered if the "Beene" in Beene Bros. was still around or if he was dead. Fitz wondered if he existed at all. A wrinkled blonde man in a suit marched past him, talking spiritedly with a man in black pants and a white tuxedo shirt that Fitz guessed was the ring master. A moment later a young boy passed, leading a train of horses to the big tent. Fitz guessed the horses were the "world's wildest menagerie" that the flyer advertised.
Finished with his popcorn, he threw the bag away and continued walking around, peeking into the tents. One held a man covered in so many tattoos that Fitz couldn't even make out what he looked like. He flicked his forked tongue out at Fitz and Fitz turned away with a frown. He didn't want to know what such a creature was capable of. He moved on to another tent where a contortionist was folding himself into a fruit crate. Fitz decided he wanted no part of the circus's freak show and went to the main tent to sit down. The dark-haired man in the tuxedo shirt and black pants stood in the center of the ring, wearing a glittering red jacket with tails down to his knees. The blonde man stood beside him with a paper in his hand, pointing to it as he talked. Fitz guessed he was the "Beene" of Beene Bros.
xxxxx
The show wasn't much. Their acts were mediocre at best, and Fitz was sure the clowns were more drunk than silly, though they seemed to be the high point of the whole show as they dawdled around. He ate more popcorn, thinking he had wasted a quarter to watch a man named Jake shout commands at a gaunt tiger as it sat on a steel stool. Fitz had been impressed by the fire-eater but that was really all that the Beene Bros. had to offer by way of amazing.
He had nearly dozed off watching a large man ride a ridiculously small unicycle as he juggled what Fitz guessed were very dull knives, only rousing when the crowd applauded. The ring master strutted back to the center of the ring, grinning at the crowd of sugared-up children and their tipsy parents. "Knife-juggling? Can you imagine doing such a thing every night? Let's give Howard a round of applause."
The crowd cheered again and the announcer did a lap around the ring, the spotlight following him. "But now it's time for what you've all been waiting for. Here at Beene Brothers we have the most spectacular horse opera going. And believe it or not, we've got the most beautiful woman in the world running it. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the lovely Olivia and her equestrian ensemble!"
The music started at a low hum that made the metal bleachers vibrate. Fitz watched as the lights dimmed almost to darkness, a golden spotlight illuminating a single spot in the center of the ring. A hush fell over the crowd as a figure descended from the ceiling. An eerily breathy voice filled the still air. "I've seen the world/ Done it all/ Had my cake now/ Diamonds/ Brilliant/ In Bel-Air now/ Hot summer nights/ Mid-July/ When you and I were forever wild/ The crazy days/ The city lights/ the way you'd play with me like a child."
Fitz was surprised when an orchestra kicked in. Fitz's eyes widened as the voice's owner came into view. She wore a sapphire silk leotard and blue pumps, her legs crossed demurely as she sat in a silver ring hanging on a thin chain. Her shining black hair hung to her waist in perfectly coiffed waves. Fitz was sure he'd never seen a woman so beautiful. Her face was a celestial masterpiece: the high forehead of a prima ballerina, ebony doe eyes flecked with gold, sculpted cheekbones, and full lips painted the most tempting shade of red. She held a microphone in her small hand as she slipped out of the ring, standing with a startling sense of command despite her slight stature.
She raised the microphone to her lips again, lifting her other arm as she trailed a slow, circle in the spotlight. "Will you still love me/ When I'm no longer young and beautiful?/ Will you still love me/ When I've got nothing but my aching soul?/ I know you will/ I know you will/ I know that you will/ Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?"
Fitz watched in awe as the lights came up and two lines of horses, all shining onyx entered the tent from opposite sides in straight lines as if summoned by a siren. They formed a circle before her and knelt as she sang to them, waving her arm to raise them up again. "Dear lord, when I get to heaven/ Please let me bring my man/ When he comes tell me that you'll let him in/ Father tell me if you can/ Oh that grace, oh that body/ Oh that face makes me wanna party/ He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds."
The horses parted behind her, making room for an almost blindingly white stallion to enter their circle. It knelt for her to climb atop it and she straddled the large animal with a grace and ease that made Fitz's mouth go slack. She grinned like a beauty queen as she sat atop her horse, its forelegs perched on a steel stool and making her seem larger than life. "Hello ladies and gentlemen. I am Olivia Pope, and this is my equestrian ensemble. I know some of you are wondering what an equestrian ensemble does. I'm here to show you."
She looked at the horses and waved her hand. The horses broke into a gallop and ran a perfect circle around the ring, stopping when she raised her hand. The crowd applauded, Fitz included, everyone awed by her control over the dozen horses. She spun her index finger in a circle and to the crowd's amazement, the horses stood on their hind legs and twirled in small circles. Fitz watched as she made the horses count then had them jump hurdles. Fitz had never seen anything like it. He had been told he had a way with animals, but nothing he did compared to her command over the horses. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them out of the tent in perfect line. The crowd gave raucous applause. Fitz had to remind himself to clap as he stared at her astride the white horse.
"This is Salvador. Don't tell the others but he's my favorite." She stroked the horse's almost silver mane. "He and I have been together for almost a decade. When I got him, he was the tiniest little foal. He was a big scaredy cat too. He wouldn't even trot for me. But we fell in love after a while. And now I can't imagine life without him."
She stroked the horse's mane again and he gave a loud whinny. She smiled. "Alright then, mister. You wanna be a show-off, go ahead."
She dropped her microphone and the horse took off, galloping around the ring so fast that he made her hair whip back like a curtain. The horse jumped the small hurdles with amazing height. Fitz's eyes widened as a large hoop was wheeled into the center of the ring. His eyes widened and the crowd gasped when a clown lit the hoop on fire. He looked at Olivia and the horse, surprised that the animal was confidently eyeing the hoop. A hush fell over the crowd as Olivia took hold of the horse's reins, lying down almost completely on the horse's back. She clicked her tongue, the small sound only audible because the crowd had fallen deafeningly silent, and the horse charged the hoop, running up the small ramp before it and leaping through the flaming ring. Olivia sat up and raised her hands triumphantly when the horse landed on its feet with a thud. The crowd burst into thundering applause and she smiled proudly as the horse knelt to let her off his back. She strode to the center of the ring and picked up her microphone.
"Thank you ladies and gentlemen! Good night!" She walked to the tent's curtain, the horse following closely, and turned to bow before she left. Fitz immediately got up and left the tent, headed for the backside. He wasn't sure where he was going as it was getting dark, but he was intent on meeting the woman.
He found himself in a flurry of chaos, the dark-haired woman nowhere to be seen among the bustling workmen wheeling props around. He spotted the black horses being herded into train cars two at a time. A moment later, the white horse appeared. Fitz smiled when he saw her leading it gently, talking to it as they walked. He walked over but his path was cut off by the man in the dark suit. His face was an alarming shade of red as he looked at the woman and the horse. "Now what's the matter with him?"
"He's walking funny, like he doesn't want to lean on his front left foot," she answered. The man moved in front of the horse and knelt to look at its left front hoof. Fitz could see that it was a little swollen. The horse snorted testily when he touched it. Fitz smiled when the woman rubbed his nose, cooing softly. "It's alright, honey. Settle down."
The man moved to touch the hoof again and the horse brayed, thrusting out its right front hoof at the man. The man jumped back, getting on his feet quickly. The woman frowned, still talking softly to the horse. "Shhh. It's okay. We'll fix it."
"I might be able to help," Fitz said, surprising himself.
They both turned to look at him. The man in the suit barked, "Who are you?"
"Fitz," Fitz replied as he walked over to kneel before the horse. He took hold of the horse's leg at the knee, knowing better than to touch its hoof, and the horse allowed him to lift its leg. He looked back at the man in the suit. "When was the last time you re-shoed him?"
"Uh…two months ago. Maybe three. I'm not really in charge of that."
Fitz examined the horse's foot. "He's got an abscess growing under this shoe. Take it off, ice the hoof, then put a new one on in the morning. And maybe lay off the big jump for a few days. He's a little long in the tooth to do that every night."
"He's only 12," the woman said, finally speaking. She looked sadly at the horse. She rubbed his nose. "But we can make it a special trick for big shows if that's what's best for Sal."
"We should probably get this shoe off," Fitz said.
"I'll do it. He's got a much easier temper with me." Fitz wanted to follow her as she gingerly led the horse away but the man grabbed his shoulder.
"So you're a horse man?"
Fitz shook his head. "I'm a vet, actually."
At this, his bleary eyes widened. "A vet? Like a doctor? A real doctor?"
Fitz nodded. "I just graduated a week ago."
"Really? Where are you starting up your practice?" The man extended his hand. "I'm Cyrus Beene by the way."
"Fitz Grant." Fitz shook his hand. "I'm not, uh, starting a practice. I was planning to work with someone in town, but that, uh, fell through."
"Really? Well we could sure use a guy like you around here. The best we got is some kid from a farm in Tulsa."
Fitz blinked. "You want me to join your circus?"
Cyrus shook his head. "You aren't part of the spec. You're part of the crew. Higher up than clowns and feeders but below me. Everyone's below me. Keep that in mind and you'll have a long career here. Got it, pretty boy?"
"Uh, okay. How much do you pay?"
Cyrus squinted at him. "Well since you're an actual doctor, I guess I could swing $5 a week plus room and board on the train. The food's crap but there's plenty of hooch. Plenty of tail too between you and me."
Fitz's eyebrows rose. "You mean the horse girl?"
Cyrus frowned. "Not even a little. Olivia is way too high on the food chain for that sort of thing. But some of these towns got girls you wouldn't believe."
Fitz nodded. "So is Olivia off-limits, or…?"
Cyrus shrugged. "I've never known a man to turn her head. I doubt it'd be any of us circus riff raff though. You're welcome to have your shot. Lord knows you wouldn't be the first."
"So you…?"
Cyrus quickly shook his head. "Not my type."
"So you like them ugly?" Fitz joked.
Cyrus chuckled. "Something like that. Anyway, you can go find Huck and he'll scare up somewhere for you to sleep for the night while the boys load up."
"Where is he?"
Cyrus grinned. "Probably feeding Tiberius."
"Who's Tiberius?"
"The tiger. It's something like his pet." Cyrus chuckled. "I'll tell you straight up that Huck's an odd one. Too quiet for my taste, but he's the only one who isn't scared of the tiger."
Fitz nodded and walked away, figuring a tiger couldn't be hard to find. He found Huck near the train's caboose, loading the tiger into the cage inside the car. He placed a blood-spattered bucket inside with the large, surprisingly docile tiger that sat almost like a domestic cat, swishing its long tail. "Got you some beef tonight, Ti. I know you'e Indian and it's against your religion, but it's the best I could do. Eat up."
The tiger sniffed the bucket and began eating. Fitz stepped closer, peering curiously into the cage. He had never thought in all his life that he'd be near an actual tiger. The large cat was actually purring, something he'd never expected of such a typically vicious creature. "Craziest thing, isn't it? How it's just like a normal cat?"
Fitz nodded, moving slowly closer to the cage. The cat looked up at him briefly but continued eating, clearly uninterested in him. "Has he had his claws removed? And his K-9's?"
"We got him from another show that folded. They got him from another show that folded that supposedly got him from India. Between you and me, I think they stole him from a zoo or something. He's too docile, you know? He's got claws and K-9's and all, but I've never even heard him roar except for on cue during the show."
"Maybe he's been around people a long time and knows we're not enemies." Fitz shrugged. "Maybe these animals aren't vicious at all and people just don't understand them. How would you feel if I came in your house to follow you with my camera?"
Huck nodded, watching as Fitz stepped closer to the cage. He placed his hand on the bars and Tiberius looked up to consider him. Huck stood beside him. "Come make friends, Ti."
Tiberius left his food and moved to sit before Fitz. He sniffed at his hand through the bars, his tongue darting out briefly to graze Fitz's palm, then the large cat moved back to his dinner. Fitz turned to Huck. "I'm the new vet. I guess it's good that he likes me."
"Vet? Like from a school and all that? Nice." Huck smiled. "I guess you'll be getting our deluxe accommodations tonight."
"Deluxe accommodations? What's that?"
"A mattress that isn't stuffed with straw, and a blanket. Believe me you're getting the best we've got offer next to Olivia. She's got an actual cot, bolted to the car floor and everything so she can sleep in one place."
"So she's like the star of the show?" Fitz asked.
Huck chuckled. "There would be no show without Olivia. Without her, we're just a couple of guys and a moody cat."
"Do you know where she is? I'd like to check on her horse."
"Middle car. She's got the smoothest ride going. But she's probably a few carts up with Salvador."
Fitz nodded and walked up a few cars until he heard her soft voice cooing at the horse. Fitz opened the car door and she turned to look at him. "He won't let me take the shoe off."
Fitz climbed into the car. "Put the ice on it first. It'll go numb then you can get the shoe off."
Olivia nodded and turned away to look at Salvador. "Okay Sal. Let's get your foot in the bucket."
The half-asleep horse roused a little, lifting his head, and allowed Olivia to put his hoof in the bucket. She turned back to him. "So you're the new animal guy?"
"Fitz Grant. Well, Dr. Fitz Grant. Nice to meet you." Fitz extended his hand and she took it, giving it a soft shake.
"Olivia Pope, Queen of the Equestrian Opera." She smiled. "And of course you know Salvador."
Fitz chuckled. "Pleased to meet you Sal."
Olivia smiled. "Sal speaks Spanish. He's Mexican, you see."
"Oh. I'm afraid I don't speak any Spanish."
"It's just as well. He can't answer." She ran her fingers through her dark hair then scooted over closer to the horse. "Do you want to sit down? You really shouldn't be standing when we get moving."
Fitz took a seat beside her, close enough to inhale her scent. She smelled like mint and lilies, and something soft but fruity. "You smell nice."
She smiled, wrinkling her nose. "That's not saying much considering I'm sitting next to a horse."
Fitz laughed. "I mean it. You smell clean and sweet."
Olivia chuckled. "You smell like hooch and hay."
"Well thank you. It's a new combination I'm trying." Fitz looked down at his stained shirt, remembering the drunken clown who had fallen on him before the show. "I don't have any other clothes."
"Well we can get you some in the next town. I need some new things myself."
"Where are we going?" The train began to rock and Olivia got up to shut the car door.
"Tennessee. We do a whole week there." She resumed her seat beside him and Salvador sighed. She stroked his mane. "It's okay, precious. We're just starting up."
"I thought he only spoke Spanish," Fitz said.
Olivia smiled. "Sal and I have a special relationship. That bit about me having him as a foal is true. He was the cutest thing. I've got a picture of him somewhere that I'll have to show you."
"I had a pony when I was little but he threw me so my dad sold him. Broke my arm and everything."
Olivia patted the horse's thigh. "Sal's never thrown me. He's got the gentlest spirit."
The car's back door opened and Huck entered. He looked at Fitz. "Cyrus wants to know if we should re-shoe all the horses."
"Probably," Fitz answered.
Huck nodded. "I put your mat in the car behind Liv's. Cy sent you a clean shirt too."
"Thank you."
Huck nodded and walked through the car, headed for the other door. Olivia smiled at Fitz. "You must be special."
Fitz smiled wryly. "Maybe. But you're the top of the food chain so he told me."
Olivia shrugged. "I don't know how true that is."
"I do. You're amazing." He couldn't help smiling like a love struck teenager. "I've never seen anybody do what you do."
Olivia shrugged. "At first it was just me and Sal here but we picked up the other horses back in Arizona from a horse rancher. I was surprised they took to the act so easily."
Fitz wanted to comment that he'd jump through hoops if she asked but he didn't think it was the appropriate thing to say. "Well if the others can jump like Sal, maybe you don't have to stop doing the hoop. You could get them to do it in a line."
He smiled when her eyes lit up. "Ooh that sounds like a real showstopper. I'll tell Cy in the morning when we're rehearsing my new act."
"What are you going to do?"
"Aerial ballet. We got a rig from a show that shut down and I'm the only girl small enough to use it."
Fitz lifted Salvador's hoof from the ice bucket and touched the abscess. The horse didn't react so he picked up the clench cutter and hammer. "So everything y'all have comes from other shows?"
"Well the clowns and roustabouts come from some of everywhere. Some of them were on other shows that folded. Some came like you did. We just picked them up in a town. And Tiberius came from another show that folded. The horses came from a ranch where we did a show. We had a few birds from a show but the guy who worked with them got the flu last year and died so we gave them to a show out in Florida. They gave us these little dancing dogs but we haven't found anyone to work with them. Cy likes them as pets though so we're keeping them for the time being. All our equipment came from a train that belonged to a show that folded. They guy sold Cy everything for practically peanuts—and me with it. I wasn't doing the horse thing yet though. Sal was still too skittish."
"So you were in another show?"
Olivia shook her head. "Not really. I was what you call a 'bally girl.' I did a little singing and dancing in one of those little tents before the main spec. But we had to find something to replace our acrobats after one of them got hooked on morphine and the other got himself paralyzed showing off. So Sal and I worked up a little trick act. He speaks Spanish so I would whisper to him and the audience had no idea what I was saying if they heard me. And then he got to be where he didn't even need the commands. And the other horses were already used to commands. We just taught them how to follow my hands. And I ended up being the main act."
"How'd you get into this?"
"My mama was a bally girl. My father was the ring master of an all-negro circus. It folded cause they couldn't play everywhere and he took off. Mama had me a few months later. The circus is all I know. I've never even been to school."
"So you've got circus blood?" Fitz smiled.
"I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I'll be old and gray and still under the big top." Olivia chuckled. The shoe finally off, Fitz placed Salvador's hoof back in the ice bucket. A moment later the horse began snoring. He was almost loud enough to drown out the clacking of the train's wheels. Olivia smiled at him. "You'll have to excuse him. He snores like an old man."
Fitz smiled at the horse as he stood, offering his hand to help her up. Olivia smiled as she took it, her fingers lingering on his briefly before she let go and headed for the door. Fitz asked, "When do we eat?"
"Usually after the show closes down. The cook might have cleared out though. He and Cyrus have been having it out for a while now." They passed through a car in which Fitz could make out a few men sleeping on straw mattresses. He could smell the whiskey the ticket booth man had offered him. They passed through another car and Fitz couldn't see the cages though he heard the yipping of what he guessed were the dancing puppies. Olivia stopped in front of him and squinted in the darkness until she determined which cage the yipping was coming from. Fitz watched her open it and scoop out a small furry bundle. They walked into another car holding only a mattress covered with a blue blanket. An oil lamp set in the corner. Olivia turned to smile wryly at him. "This is your car. Cy must really like you to give you a car all to yourself."
The puppy squirmed from her arms and trotted onto Fitz's mattress. Fitz smiled as he sat next to it. The little dog climbed into his lap. "Hello. I guess we're roommates."
"That's Cap. He's not a show dog yet. Between you and me, I don't think he'll ever be one. He's spoiled rotten." She snapped her fingers at the puppy. "Come on, Cap. You can't have Fitz's bed."
The puppy hopped off Fitz's lap and scurried to Olivia's feet. Fitz smiled at the furry white dog. "Goodnight Cap. Goodnight Olivia. It was nice meeting you."
She smiled, reaching out to pinch his cheek. "You have manners. That's new."
Fitz stuffed his hands in his pockets. He hoped he wasn't blushing. Before he could reply, she was gone through the car door, closing it softly behind her. A moment later, she was back, holding a bag. She held it out to him. "It's only fried onion rings, but they should hold you until the morning."
Fitz smiled as he took them. "Thanks."
"Goodnight nice guy." She smiled, winking cheekily, as she left.
Fitz ate his onion rings and took off his shoes, laying back on the mattress. He briefly thought that he should write to his father the next day, but he couldn't think of what he would say. His eyelids were too heavy. After he turned off his oil lamp, he wrapped himself in his surprisingly clean-smelling blanket and fell asleep.
xxxxx
One Week Later
Fitz stuffed his letter to his father in the Chattanooga, Tennessee post office box, hoping he'd remembered to tell his father that he wouldn't be in Tennessee to receive an answer. He thanked the white-haired man behind the counter then left, walking out into the pleasantly warm afternoon.
"Writing home to your girl?" Cyrus teased, looking at Fitz over the top of his sunglasses.
Fitz shrugged. "I don't have one of those. Not anymore anyway. I was just telling my dad where I am so he doesn't worry."
Olivia laughed, reaching out to pinch his cheek. "You are precious."
Fitz smirked. "Can I be something other than precious and polite? You make me feel like a boy scout or something."
Olivia chuckled, her hand lingering on his cheek. "You're awfully handsome. I could call you that if you'd like."
Fitz smiled, his ears red. "That works."
She laughed again but Fitz only smiled, mesmerized by her face. She seemed even more beautiful without her stage makeup. She looked much younger, like the girls Fitz would catch himself staring at back home. His father would always scold him for it, but something about smooth brown skin just caught his eye. He'd kissed his share of negro girls behind barns She had taken out the hair extensions that draped to her waist, her hair falling to the middle of her back in gentle waves that he was desperate to touch. She took his sunglasses off and put them on her own face. "Let's go get some of that Tennessee barbecue that's supposed to be so good."
Fitz's eyes widened at the prospect of eating. "Sounds good."
"I've got my heart set on some lemon meringue pie," Cyrus chimed in. "But whatever we get, we've gotta take it back. I wanna see Liv's new stunt."
Laden with barbecue, they headed back to the railroad tracks where everything was set up for the show. Olivia changed into a tight black leotard and black kitten-heeled pumps. Fitz watched as she outfitted herself with the mechanic and hooked the lunge ropes to it. She looked at the stronger roustabouts waiting to hoist her. "Now you wanna get me up high enough that it looks like a stunt, but not so high that they're straining to see me."
The tall steel pillar holding the red silk scarves that Olivia would use to dance was rolled into place and she walked over to stand beneath it. She again looked at the roustabouts. "Alright. Let's go boys. Nice and easy."
The men pulled the ropes and Olivia ascended into the air and took hold of the scarves. She wrapped them around herself, concealing the belt. "Start the music."
A moment later, the music began to play. Fitz watched, rapt, as Olivia danced, twisting herself with the scarves. She flipped herself upside down and began spinning in rapid circles. Fitz had never seen anything like it. He wondered where she had even learned to do something like that.
Olivia was sure it this stunt would be the one to put their circus on the map. She didn't know of any other show—not even Ringling—that had an aerial ballet. And looked at Cyrus's face, she knew they'd struck gold when they found the aerial rig. The only problem was that the belt was a bit loose on her. Olivia reached to push it onto her hips where it would stay and a link came undone. She didn't realize she was falling until she'd slipped out of it completely. She shrieked and the head roustabout let go of the rope to get to her, unwittingly causing her to fall faster. She closed her eyes tight, trying to brace for the impact, but she never hit the ground. When she opened her eyes, Fitz was staring down at her, red-faced and panting as hard as she was.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She gave a weak glimmer of a smile, reaching up to pinch his cheek. "I am thanks to you, Boy Scout."
Fitz chuckled. "Come on. A stunt like that has to at least make me scout master."
Olivia laughed, reaching up to caress his face. "I tell you what, I'll make you Superman for that."
Fitz smiled, blushing, as he set her gently on her feet. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine." She looked down at the belt half-hanging on her hips. "I need a new belt before I try that stunt again though."
"Where do I get one of these?" Cyrus held up the broken end of the belt, examining it. Olivia shrugged and he did too. "We'll find another one. Rigs are dropping like flies."
Olivia nodded. "I should probably go start on my makeup."
She left and Fitz followed her without a second thought. Olivia smiled at him when he fell in step with her. "Thank you."
Fitz shrugged boyishly. "What was I supposed to do? I couldn't let you fall. This show's just a bunch of drunk guys in makeup without you."
Olivia laughed. "Handsome, chivalrous, and funny? Where have you been all my life?"
"I'm Superman. I've been hiding in plain sight." He grinned, pulling the longest curl of his hair down on his forehead. Olivia laughed, her head falling back, as they walked to her car.
When they reached it, he opened her door and helped her inside, surprised when she kept hold of his hand and pulled him inside. She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek, dangerously close to the corner of his mouth. "Thank you again. I really mean it."
Fitz couldn't wipe off his slack-jawed grin as he left her car, headed for the chow area. The smell of fried ham and cheese sandwiches made his mouth water as he sat down beside Huck who grinned at him. "Nice lipstick."
Fitz's hand went to the corner of his mouth to cover the crimson lip print he hadn't even thought about. "Shut up."
"So what'd you do to earn some sugar?"
"I saved her life."
"Bullshit."
"No, really. She fell out of that rig y'all hitched up and I caught her."
Huck snickered. "Horse whisperer. Superhero. Pretty boy. What can't you do?"
Fitz smirked. "Why does everyone keep calling me pretty?"
"Look around. We're a rough bunch. There's probably a handful of teeth between the clowns. Everyone's got tattoos and dirty fingernails. For some of these drunks, bathing is a luxury. And then there's you. Nice clothes, all that hair, those eyes. You look like a movie star compared to us."
"No. Y'all look like hobos compared to me. I look normal," Fitz replied.
xxxxx
One Week Later
Fitz settled very easily into circus life. It was all the adventure he'd hoped for. In his first week, he'd delivered a litter of puppies that were promptly sold except one that Olivia refused to part with. They had named him Pockets, as his small size permitted him to be carried around in everyone's pocket. He had also stitched a man's stab wound, despite reminding everyone that he was a human doctor. He had also learned the ins and outs of the circus's workings, but because he never had to help set up, he was able to become a permanent ring side fixture. He never missed one of Olivia's performances, and he often got the feeling she was putting on for him.
Olivia could always count on Fitz's grinning face in the front row when she descended from the ceiling. That night, she wore her red outfit, Fitz's favorite, and a top hat that he got a real kick out of. "Let's get out of this town, baby we're on fire/ Everyone around here seems to be going down, down, down/ If you stick with me, I can take you higher, and higher/ It feels like all of our friends are lost/ Nobody's found, found, found."
She smiled as the spotlight illuminate her, following her as she slipped out of the hoop. They hadn't perfected her aerial ballet yet, but she was getting better at it every day, especially with Fitz around to cheer her on and catch her if she fell again. She smiled when she spotted him, front row center as always, a mason jar of lemonade in his hand. "I got so scared, I thought no one could save me/ You came along scooped me up like a baby/ Every now and then the stars align/ Boy and girl meet by the great design/ Could it be that you and me are the lucky ones?
She waved her hand and the horses entered, the best-trained black mustang, Hercules, coming to her side and kneeling for her to climb onto him. She smiled at Fitz, having taken his advice to give Salvador a rest. He gave her a thumbs up and she winked at him, hoping the light didn't catch her blushing. "Everybody told me love was blind/ Then I saw your face and you blew my mind/ Finally, you and me are the lucky ones this time."
After the show, Fitz set two plates on the table where Olivia sat with Pockets in her lap. "So do you write those songs you sing?"
"Some of them. James the ring master writes some of them for me. He wanted to sing them himself but we got run out of the last town where he tried it."
"I'll admit I wouldn't like them as much if he sang them." Fitz laughed. "Who are they about?"
"The man of my dreams…wherever he is." Olivia laughed as she picked up her turkey sandwich. "So tell me something. If you're a real vet, like with a degree and all that, what are you doing out here on the road with a bunch of tramps and drunks?"
Fitz shrugged. "My job fell through, then Cyrus offered me this one."
Olivia smirked. "That's not a very convincing story. You lose one job and instead of finding another stable one, you just drop everything and hitch up with this lot? I don't think so, Boy Scout."
Fitz took a sip of his lemonade then told her the story of how he'd ended up with the circus. By the end, Olivia's hand rested on his as she rubbed the back of it with her thumb.
xxxxx
One Week Later
Fitz sat beside Huck at one of the chow tables, looking dubiously into the mason jar Huck had passed him. "What is this?"
"Hooch. Homemade Tennessee honey whiskey," Huck replied. "Just drink it."
Fitz sipped it and grimaced. "It's hot."
"Don't taste it. Drink it." Huck took the jar and gulped from it. Fitz copied him. To his surprise, it went down much smoother.
A few hours later, Fitz couldn't even remember what the liquor tasted like, just that he needed another sip to put him just where he wanted to be. Unfortunately, his vision dimmed his hand-eye-coordination skills and he ended up spilling the liquor on his shirt.
"Alright. You're done," Huck said with only a mild slur. He had figured Fitz wasn't much of a drinker, but now he was certain of it as Fitz stood on shaking legs. He stood and took his friend by the shoulders. "Let's get you to your kip."
"Can we get some popcorn first?" Fitz asked like a delirious child.
"Not now," Huck replied.
"You know what we need," Fitz swung his arm wildly in the direction of the main tent, "a Ferris wheel. What kind of show doesn't have a Ferris Wheel?"
Huck chuckled. "Carnivals have Ferris Wheels. We need stuff we can move, buddy."
"We need a snake too. One of those big African ones. Liv can dance with it." Fitz smiled drunkenly, apparently quite pleased with his idea.
"We'll talk about it in the morning," Huck replied as they reached Fitz's car. He leaned his drunk friend against the adjacent car as he opened the door. Fitz scrambled inside on his knees and fell on his mattress.
"This is the best bed," he murmured.
"I bet. Get some sleep, man." Huck hopped out of the car.
"Goodnight Nashville!" Fitz shouted before he fell back on his mattress.
Huck laughed as he shut the door. Fitz lay on his cot, humming loudly. Olivia opened her door and came into his car, her lap raised to see. She smirked at Fitz as he sat up and tried unsuccessfully to take off his shoes. "Looks like somebody got their first taste of hooch."
He turned at the sound of her voice and grinned. "Hey! When did you get here?"
"Just a minute ago," she replied as she walked over and set her lamp down then untied his shoes. "Where have you been, Superman?"
"I was with Huck. I like him. His name sounds like fuck." He snickered like a child.
Olivia chuckled. "Yes it does."
Fitz grinned at her. "You're my friend, right?"
Olivia nodded, smiling wryly at him. "Yes."
"So I can tell you a secret?" Olivia nodded again, wondering what sort of drunken secret he had to share. "You know Liv?"
Olivia's eyebrows raised and she wondered what he would say next. "Yes I know Liv."
"I like her. She's the most beautiful girl in the world. And she's so smart. And funny too."
Olivia blushed, smiling harder. She'd picked up on Fitz's crush on her, but he was far too shy to tell her anything and she hadn't wanted to push him, especially after he confided the story of his last relationship to her. "Well that's nice. I bet she likes you too."
"I hope so cause I think about her all the time. She's the best."
Olivia smiled, smoothing his hair. "I bet. Why don't you get some sleep, hon? It's late."
"Okay. Goodnight." He obediently lay back on his mattress and Olivia covered him with his blanket, tucking his pillow beneath his head. She stayed with him until his eyes slowly closed and he began snoring. Once she was sure he was out, she leaned over and placed a kiss on his lips.
"Goodnight, Superman," she whispered then left, shutting her door behind her.
XXXXX
The Next Day
Fitz squinted as he walked to Salvador's car, wondering why the sun insisted on its brightness. He opened the car door and climbed inside, surprised to find Huck and Cyrus there. "What's going on?"
Huck looked at him gravely. "He's not good. When I came this morning to feed and water him, he couldn't get up."
Fitz knelt beside the horse and put his ear to the anima's massive chest. His heartbeat was steady but weak, and his breathing was labored. "He probably had to vomit last night but couldn't. His lungs sound full."
"What do we do?" Cyrus asked.
Fitz frowned, looking at Salvador's milky unfocused eyes. "We…We can just make him comfortable."
"We can't travel with a dead horse. He'll stink up the whole train," Cyrus replied.
All three men exchanged a look, knowing what would have to be done. Fitz sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I have to tell Liv."
"Wipe off that lipstick before you go," Huck teased.
Fitz wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and frowned at the crimson lipstick on it. "Wha— What the hell happened? Did you put makeup on me?"
He racked his brain, trying to remember what had happened the night before. He frowned when he came up with nothing beyond sitting down to dinner with Huck. Huck smirked. "I left you in your car. I'm guessing you got out and got yourself lucky. There were some girls hanging around last night."
"I don't remember it. The last thing I remember is dinner." He looked down at his clothes and frowned even deeper at them. He was still neatly dressed and he guessed he would have been too drunk the night before to dress himself so properly. He checked his back pocket and found all his money was still there. He shrugged. "No harm done. I've gotta find Liv."
It didn't take him long to find Olivia at the chow table having breakfast. She smiled at him briefly but it fell when she saw his face. "What's the matter?"
"It's Sal," he replied.
She was immediately on her feet, hurrying ahead of him to the car. He placed his hands on his shoulders when he caught up to her at the car's door. She stood frozen, seemingly unable to go in. His touch seemed to wake her and she climbed in. The horse lay on his side, breathing heavily.
Olivia frowned as she squatted next to him. "What's wrong, Sal?"
The horse listed its head weakly at the sound of her voice and promptly vomited. Fitz hurried to her side and looked at the animal's bleary eyes. He turned to look at Olivia. "He's not good, Liv."
Olivia shook her head, reaching out to stroke his mane. "Oh, Sal. You can't go tearing up on my now."
Fitz frowned. He gingerly lifted the horse's top lip and looked at his teeth. "He's old, Liv. Too old to do this anymore I think."
Again Olivia shook her head. "But he can't… I can't do this show without him."
Fitz reached out to touch her shoulder. "Liv, he's…"
"Don't say it. Please." Fitz didn't have to say it as the horse lay down again, his breathing still labored. He retched again, this time only throwing up yellow fluid.
"That's bile. His stomach is destroying itself." Fitz reached out to hold her shoulder comfortingly. She turned to look at him, her eyes desperate for something. Fitz only shook his head and her shoulders slumped. He looked away from her face, not wanting to see her cry. He gently lifted her to her feet. "Come on. We'll go somewhere else and come back after…"
She shook her head fiercely. "I can't leave him now. He can't go alone."
"He's already gone, Liv. What you're looking at now isn't him." He half-carried her out of the car and they were at the edge of the town when they heard the pop of the gunshot. Olivia jumped then sagged against him. Fitz held her tightly, stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
"I can't believe he's gone. How can he be gone?"
Fitz kissed the crown of her head. "I'm so sorry, Livvie."
She cried for a few minutes then slowly stopped, wiping her face on his offered handkerchief. She sniffed as she wiped her eyes. "Will you buy me ice cream?"
Fitz gave a small smile. "I'll buy you anything to make you smile."
"I've always wanted a convertible. Light blue with white leather seats." She gave the softest glimmer of a smile and Fitz knew she would be okay.
He gently took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, as they began walking. "Let's start with a sundae."
"I want vanilla ice cream—two scoops—with hot fudge and caramel. I don't want any whipped cream though," she replied.
"Okay, Livvie."
She looked up at him. "I like when you call me that."
They found an ice cream shop and Olivia sat outside, fixing her face in her compact, while Fitz got her sundae and a Coke for himself. He came out and sat opposite her, letting up the umbrella attached to the table to shield them from the storm. She didn't start eating immediately, only stared at the ice cream for a long while. "I've had the horse almost my whole life. When my dad took off, Mama followed some Spanish musician all the way to Mexico. He gave me that horse the day before he left us behind. I cried my eyes out to keep him."
"How old are you?" Fitz asked.
"Twenty-one. It's almost my birthday. I'm getting old." She talked absently, not looking at him. Fitz reached over and took her hand. Olivia looked up at him and he noticed the shade of her lipstick. But surely it hadn't happened. He couldn't have had the dumb luck to finally get a kiss but be too drunk to remember it. Olivia raised her eyebrows at him. "What?"
Fitz shook his head. "Nothing. I think I had a dream about you last night."
She smiled softly. "You don't remember last night?"
Fitz shook his head again. "No. What happened?"
Her smile widened. "You proposed. You promised me a big white house with blue shutters and a wraparound porch, and half and dozen babies, and just as many horses. And a dog too."
"I what?" He smiled when she laughed, leaning her face on her hands as her whole body shook with laughter. Fitz quickly moved to her side when her laughter turned to soft sobs. He held her to him, her head on his chest, and let her have her real cry, the one she needed. "It's okay. It's okay. I promise."
"It's not okay," she whimpered.
"Not yet."
She looked up at him then, wiping at her tear-stained face. "What do you mean?"
"It's all gonna get better. I'll make it better. I promise."
Olivia ran her fingers through his hair. "How?"
"I'll love you so much you won't need a horse. And if you still do, I'll get you the biggest, whitest horse in the world. We'll name him Sal Jr. and he can live on the wraparound porch if you want."
Olivia laughed. "You're talking nonsense."
"I'd say anything to make you smile." Fitz smiled. "You make me smile like the sun/ Fall out of bed/ Sing like a bird/ Dizzy in my head/ Spin like a record/ Crazy on a Sunday night/ You make me dance like a fool/ Forget how to breathe/ Shine like gold/ Buzz like a bee/ Just the thought of you can drive me wild…"
"Oh you make me smile," Olivia finished. Fitz laughed as he leaned over to kiss her, knowing he wouldn't forget this one.
A/N: The songs in this fic weren't from the period but I really get a 1930s feel from Lana Del Rey, and I just plain old love Kenny Chesney. I'm not sure if I'll do more parts to this but I did like writing this.
Don't forget to review! XOXO