Jack found himself back in the not-space, floating as he had months back. He felt different, realizing that he was human again. It was comfortable but odd to have human hands, human legs, a human head. He had been a dog for awhile now and had gotten used to that.

Jack could feel he wasn't alone.

"How have you been, Jack?"

"Well, other than fleas and paws for hands, pretty good, I'd say."

"It's a wonderful thing you were able to do for Ennis."

"I think Ennis did most of the work he had to do. He's a strong man, just don't know it most of the time."

"He's said what he had to say, Jack. His future has opened in a way he would never have dreamed."

"If this means he can be happy now, well, then, I'm all for it."

"You can go back now, as Jack, if you'd like."

"I'd like that. I'd like that very much. But…what about Rodeo? He can't lose Rodeo, not now."

"Rodeo will stay. You just shared space with him, like roommates, for awhile. He won't be as smart as when you were there, but he will still be Rodeo."

"Then…I guess this is it."

"It is, Jack Twist. May your life be long and full of happiness."

"If Ennis is there, it will be."

The white not-space began to fade. Color began to seep in…forming images.

As things took shape, he began to recognize the trailer, Ennis' truck, the place he had called home for some months now.

He raised his arms and saw a blue shirt, his own hands at the end of the sleeves. He brought those hands to his face recognizing the features…feeling the stubble on his chin. He stomped his feet a few times to get the feel of wearing boots and walking on two legs. All in all, he felt pretty good.

He took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. He was back. Back as he remembered himself to be. Back as Jack Fucking Twist. Except now he knew how Ennis felt for him and how he had changed. After all, he had helped with that. He shook with anticipation.

He took a step towards the trailer and Ennis.

Ennis was asleep when all the noise started and only half-asleep when he realized Rodeo was at the door scrambling to get out. Damn that dog!

He got to the door with the help of a lot of cussing as he pulled his pajama bottoms up, and ran his hands through his hair. He opened the door and Rodeo was out like a shot. What the hell burr is up his butt?

As Rodeo slammed the door open on his way out of the trailer, Ennis poked his head out to see what was up. Rodeo had run across the driveway and was jumping on and playing with someone. Who the hell could this be? Nobody comes out here.

The stranger had his head down petting on Rodeo, so Ennis couldn't see his face clearly. What he did see was the black hat, tight jeans and boots. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Ennis stepped…well, kinda fell…out of his door to the first step.

Then Jack stood up.

Ennis felt like a bus had just hit him. He stopped breathing, his heart clenched up and he started to shake. His body knew it was Jack and was reacting but his brain kept trying to say, "No, no, this ain't Jack. Jack's dead." But it was Jack and he wasn't able to deny it any longer.

"Jack." His mouth made the motion but no sound came out of it. He stepped down the last steps. Rodeo was quiet. Jack had taken a step forward.

"Jack." Ennis was able to say his name now but he was still having a hard time breathing. And now he found that he couldn't move his feet.

Jack smiled brightly and walked over to him. When he reached Ennis, Jack pulled him close, holding him tightly. It took Ennis a moment to respond…but he did and threw his arms around Jack burying his face in Jack's neck.

"Sonofabitch…Jack." Ennis was crying now, unable to hold back the tears.

"It's okay, cowboy, it's okay, everything gonna be okay." Jack spoke softly to Ennis working to calm him down.

"Jack, they all said you was dead. What's going on?"

"Not now, Ennis, okay? Later…later we'll talk. But not now. All I wanna do is hold you and never let you go."

After a short time, Jack took Ennis' face in his hands, his thumbs wiping away the tears from his cheeks, "I got something to say to you…I love you, Ennis Del Mar, more than anything, more than my own life. I have since I first saw you and will till I'm dust in the ground…which I ain't right now. I'm here to spend the rest of that life with you and I won't take no for an answer."

Ennis just stared at him, tears still rolling down his face. Then he reached up to grab Jack's face and kissed him long and with passion…not with the fire of youth but with the depth of maturity.

He parted and leaned close to Jack saying softly for only Jack to hear, "I love you, Jack Twist. I'm sorry I never said it to you before, but I do. You are everything to me and I want you to know that and never forget it."

Jack said to Ennis, "I do, Ennis. I always have known…and I always will, no matter what."

Ennis stepped back, "I pushed you away for 20 years, then thought you were dead…I ain't letting you go now, Jack Fucking Twist."

"There ain't nowhere for me to go but wherever you are, Ennis." Both were silent for a moment

Jack looked Ennis up and down, "Is this how you greet your company now?

Ennis looked down forgetting that he had just gotten out of bed and was only wearing his pajama bottoms. "Well, asshole, if it was anybody else but you…"

Jack smiled. Ennis smiled and quietly and tenderly reached out to caress Jack's face, rubbing his thumb across his cheekbone. "I missed you, Jack, something awful. I don't know how you come to be here but it's a second chance for me…and this time I won't be fucking it up."

Jack smiled. "Let's get you into some clothes and go get breakfast, I'm starved. Ain't had real people food in a long time now." Ennis raised an eyebrow.

Jack turned, "Come on, Rodeo." The dog bounded over to the both of them.

Ennis looked at Jack, "How did you know his name?"

Jack looked everywhere but at Ennis, "Uh, lucky guess?"

Ennis stared at him for a second, then shrugged as he walked into his trailer to change.

Jack stood for just a moment, looking to the sky, and giving thanks for another chance with Ennis. Quietly, he turned and walked into the trailer.

End