Ennis cried for a long time, aware only that Jack was gone…and he didn't know if or when he would be back.

Jack had asked him, "Why the fuck would you do this to me?" Cause you make me crazy, Jack…cause I can't stand to see other guys touch you…all of these answers he knew were insufficient…selfish…insulting. But if he looked more closely, he could see deeper answers…

Cause I want you all to myself…

Cause nobody else can have you…

Cause you're mine…

Cause I love you so much I can't see straight…

Cause I can't live without you now…

Whatever his reasoning, however deep he looked, what he had done was wrong and now Jack had left…and Ennis didn't know for how long.

As he usually did when his feelings got out of control or he had to look too close, he went for the whiskey bottle. It was just too hard to face the pain.

He went and sat on the porch with Buck, drinking quietly, trying, and failing, to patiently wait for Jack. Time went by very slowly for him. It got dark and he waited. Midnight came and he waited…much drunker now. 2am. 3am. His disappointment running high, he felt it better to wait on the couch than to continue to sit outside. As he stumbled through the door, Buck following, he looked back hoping to see headlights…but none showed.

He sat on the couch making great effort to finish off the whiskey which helped him to not think about the pain Jack was in now. Eventually he lay down because it was hard being vertical anymore. This led swiftly to sleep.

It was near dawn. Jack was sitting on the coffee table across from the couch where Ennis was sleeping. He'd been there for about a half hour now, just watching Ennis sleep. Buck lay sprawled at Jack's feet.

Jack kept trying to understand what had happened the day before. Had this been something burning in Ennis for a long time? Why hadn't he seen this coming? Why couldn't Ennis see that there was no one else for Jack but him…that there would never be anyone else? What would he have to do to show Ennis how much he loved him?

Jack didn't know the answers. He thought that everything had been going so good. But now, Ennis was resorting to force. He had only struck Jack once before. That, Jack knew, could be explained by Ennis' fear and anguish over leaving Jack and the mountain.

But this was different. It was the same behavior Wade had shown. And he knew where it would end if it was allowed to continue. There was no possibility that he could let that happen to him again.

Jack's eyes misted up because he knew what he should do now…he should leave forever. The thought caused panic to run through him leaving him shaking. But…he just couldn't tear himself away from Ennis. Taking a deep breath, he leaned toward Ennis.

"Ennis…wake up. It's time for breakfast." Jack said very softly.

"Umm…can't go up to them sheep…" Jack stopped for a moment.

"No sheep, Ennis. Just breakfast." Ennis turned his face towards the back of the couch.

"No sheep…stay with Jack," Ennis mumbled against the fabric. Jack put his hand to his face having to pause for a moment as memories of Brokeback overwhelmed him.

"C'mon, cowboy, time to get up."

"Can't leave Jack…love him…gotta stay."

Jack couldn't sit any longer and stood walking toward the window which looked over the porch. Buck took that time to bark. Ennis spun on the couch, waking up, confused as to where he was.

"Buck, what the hell…" Ennis looked up seeing Jack.

"Jack…what…"

Jack wiped a tear from his eyes, stuck his hands in his pockets, and turned to Ennis.

"You're letting the day get away from you, cowboy. Get up and shower. I'll make some breakfast." Ennis stared at him trying to come to grips with reality instead of the dream world he had been in.

"Jack, you're back," Ennis said stating the obvious. He scrambled to get off the couch and over to Jack. He had to try twice. When he did get up, he reached for Jack but Jack took a half-step back. Ennis dropped his hand, fear causing him to shake. He ran his hands through his hair.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I shouldn'ta done what I did. I hurt ya and I'm real sorry." Jack looked down.

"Let's talk later, okay? Go take your shower and I'll start some breakfast."

Ennis just stood there trembling. Jack wouldn't talk to him about the day before. Ennis had no sign as to what Jack was thinking. He needed to know.

"Jack…" Ennis stepped again towards Jack, "are you gonna leave…are you gonna leave me?"

Jack sat down in the chair not able to respond. He put his head in his hands…hearing Ennis like this tore him apart.

"Jack," Ennis stepped forward and knelt in front of Jack placing his hands on Jack's knees. Jack sat back looking at Ennis who could clearly see the conflict in Jack's eyes.

"I need for you to take me to Lightning Flat," Jack said watching as Ennis digested this request. Ennis kept opening his mouth to speak but nothing was coming out. He couldn't find the words to express the terror that he felt rising in his throat. Ennis got up and backed up a few steps.

"Lightning Flat," Ennis whispered. "So…ya leavin'. Ya not even gonna let me try to explain? To try to show ya how sorry I am?"

"I need some time, Ennis. Ya ain't never gonna understand what you did to me yesterday. I just gotta think for a little while." Ennis sat frozen, trying hard not to believe that his life with Jack was over.

"Sure, Jack, sure. Whatever you want." And Ennis turned slowly, stood for a moment seemingly unable to move. With a deep breath and a hand through his hair, he walked off to the bathroom.