A/N: So sorry for the wait, recently I've been working on several stories at once and I started to neglect this one, expect a quicker update next time. Oh and a huge thank you to everyone who's reviewed, I'm glad that so many people have taken an interest in this and it makes my day happier to see the reviews. :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Rango unfortunately, if I did Jake would have gotten a lot more screen time :D
As time drew on Rango could feel what little confidence he had waver slightly, it was hard to tell if Jake was breathing without sitting by his sides and since they were covered in bandages, he didn't want to risk getting too close just in case. "Injured snakes are more likely to attack, that's what Doc said" he muttered and took off his hat, fanning his face absentmindedly.
He'd never thought he'd ever live to see Jake sleeping; it was strange to see such a powerful imposing person completely vulnerable. Rango ran his fingers through the dust and tried to work it all out, he knew why Jake had come to Dirt, consciously or unconsciously he'd wanted help but feared wrecking his reputation, so he'd hidden in the cave and waited for Rango to find and offer him help. Working that out was easy enough but he still didn't understand why Jake had allowed Doc to help him with a struggle. The Rattlesnake Jake he'd know wouldn't have given in without a fight whatever the situation. Rango sighed and turned to face Jake, the snake was moving a little in his sleep, soft moans escaping from him, Rango hesitated. As much as he wanted to help the snake, he had to be cautious. He didn't how Jake would react to attempts to calm him down, and he'd rather not get bitten in the process. Tentatively he reached out and touched Jake's side, running his fingers lightly back and forth over the brown scales, it was probably going to be the chance he got to touch the snake so he might as well make the most of it, his scales were smooth and strangely cold considering he'd been lying in the sun for the past couple hours.
Just as Rango was considering the oddity of this, Jake's eyes opened slightly "greetings brother" Rango said cheerfully and waited for Jake to realise what he was doing, it only took a few seconds.
Jake's eyes shot open properly and he hissed, rearing back suddenly, baring his fangs threateningly. "What the hell do you think you're doing sheriff!"
Opps, Rango thought and swallowed as Jake glared down at him, but it was to be expected "Calm down Jake, Doc says you shouldn't move" Rango held up his hands in a gesture of peace "you were moving about, I thought something was wrong" I thought you might have wanted the comfort, he added silently, guess I was wrong.
Jake closed his eyes briefly, a fleeting look of pain crossing his face. "I…don't sleep much"
Rango frowned as Jake slowly lay back down and watched him curiously "why not? Surely even you need to sleep occasionally" this was strange, he knew that Jake was different to other Rattlesnakes, at least that was what he'd heard from rumours, but this was just plain strange. He pushed the thought out of his mind.
Jake seemed to read his mind "That's none of your business sheriff!" he snapped and glared at the lizard "why are you here? You got me into Dirt; your job's done now"
"My job's to make sure you don't get up to any mischief while you're in town" Rango said proudly unaware of the snake's rising fury at the notion. "I'm making sure you won't take any souls with you back into the desert" he yelped as Jake's coils wrapped round him and lifted him up into the air, bringing him up to Jake's eyes level.
"What make you think you could stop me sheriff?" Jake growled "you could have killed me before but you didn't, so makes you think you could do now?" he tightened his grip on Rango and the sheriff gasped for air.
"I didn't kill you that time because Beans was in danger and I care more about her safety than getting my own back!" Rango snapped, suddenly losing his temper at the snake, Jake had no right to be doing this to him. "But believe me I could kill you before you could blink Jake, but you already know that don't you?" Rango gazed into Jake's fiery eyes and this time he didn't look away "you saw your own death in my eyes didn't you?"
Jake only growled in response and tightened his grip around Rango's body. His eyes burning with a mix of hate and uncertainty.
"It's my job to look after these people and I'm going to do it" Rango squirmed in Jake's grip and managed to free his hand so he could aim his gun between Jake's eyes "and if you try to kill anyone. You'll die"
Jake stared at him for a long moment then blinked and set Rango back down on the ground, he looked weary. "I ain't hungry now anyway" he muttered and let out what sounded like a quiet groan, his eyes sliding closed.
"Err Jake? Are you okay?" Rango was surprised that he'd backed down so easily "you don't look so good"
"What does it matter to you!" he snarled and moved so his fangs were inches away from Rango's face "you just threatened to kill me"
"It's only if you don't toe the line Jake, we've got rules round here" he folded his arms "you didn't answer my question"
"Leave me alone sheriff" Jake withdrew into a corner and curled up again "you ain't got any reason to stay"
Rango opened his mouth to retort but closed it again; Jake looked like he needed the rest. "Fine I'll leave you now, but I'm coming by later, alright?-" Jake was already asleep. Rango frowned but left the snake alone. As he left he turned around and looked back at Jake with a perplexed expression, I don't know what's the matter with you Jake he thought, but I'm going to find out what it is.
"I mean it's not as if you wouldn't change" he muttered as he strolled into the saloon and sat down on a stool, he sometimes found it easier to voice his thoughts when he was trying to work something out. "I'd change if a hawk'd got me but I've never seen him like that before, it's just not natural"
"Something wrong Rango?"
"Ah Beans!" Rango said nervously and swallowed "I didn't expect to see you here" out the corner of his eyes he could see her folding her arms "what brings you here?" hopefully she wasn't angry with him for dismissing her so briskly before.
"Rango, people are talking, they just don't want Jake in town, he's dangerous"
"Ah hell Beans, everyone in this town's dangerous" as if to back his point a fight broke out behind them. He nodded triumphantly then blinked "Wait how did they find out he's in town? I didn't tell anyone"
"Neither did I, but you know Pricilla. If there a story about you she loves to tell everyone. But listen Rango he's got go" Beans looked at him imploringly "what if he bites someone?"
"He won't bite anyone while I'm sheriff" Rango touched her arm "come with me, I'll show you how bad he is right now"
He led her to the alley and pointed at Jake "see, do you think he's in the condition to bite anyone right now?"
Jake did look awful, he was twitching and moaning in his sleep, his tail rattling uselessly on the ground.
Beans shifted uncomfortably "But when he recovers, what if he-"
Don't worry about that Beans, I've already spoken to him, he's know what'll happen if he tries anything" he pulled out his pistol and cocked it. "It only takes one bullet after all"
"Oh" Beans held her hands over her mouth "I didn't know Rango, I'm sorry"
"Don't be sorry Beans, it's not your fault after all" Rango sat down beside his 'brother' and touched his scales. "To be honest I'm kind of worried about him"
"Why would you be worried about him?"
Rango gave her a confused look "aren't I allowed to be worried about outlaws Beans?" Beans flushed and he went on "he doesn't look good, but I means that's understandable, no one would look great after a hawk attack but" Rango glanced back at Jake before going on "he said he doesn't sleep often, and I've never heard of a rattlesnake that doesn't get some sleep at least some time everyday, from the way he put it. It sounded like he only slept once a week or something similar"
"But why?"
Rango shrugged "you know Jake; it's probably for protection or something like that"
"It's not just that Rango, why is he twitching like that?"
"Er maybe he's hungry or something?" Rango winced as Beans flinched "oh don't worry, I told what would happen if he did try to" he coughed nervously "eat anyone"
"But Rango it looks like he's, you know" her voice dropped into a low whisper. "Afraid"
"Oh hell" Rango stared at Jake and bit his lip anxiously "do you really-"
"I thought I told you to leave me alone sheriff " Jake reared up menacingly, his fiery eyes narrowed as he stared down at Beans and Rango.
"Just checking up on you Jake, doing my duty as sheriff" Rango puffed out his chest proudly even as Jake hissed slightly.
"All the same, it'd be better for you if you left me alone" Jake's tail shook threateningly.
"Rattlesnake Jake what's wrong with you?" Beans asked, her hands on her hips. "You don't look so good"
"You wouldn't look so good if you'd been attacked by a hawk woman!" Jake snarled but smirked at Beans "I doubt you've even seen a live hawk up close"
Beans flushed and turned away "I'll be at the ranch Rango" she spat and strode off, before she left the alley however she turned and glared at Jake "Rango won't always be here to protect you, you know. People don't want you round here Jake"
Jake hissed savagely and his tail shook faster than ever, Rango swallowed hurriedly and started to push Beans further away from the snake "easy there Beans, Jake you two gotta play nice now" then he got her out of the alley he turned on her "wait the hell do you think you're doing Beans? You saw how annoyed he was! If I hadn't gotten you out of there he might have killed you!"
"Oh and would that have finally convinced you that he can't be trusted?" Beans pushed him away angrily "fine, you just try and keep him here, but don't come running for my help when people start coming here with torches and pitchforks!" she stormed off towards the ranch and Rango rubbed the back of his neck anxiously.
He didn't like it when he argued with Beans, mostly because she always won the arguments and he always ended up feeling guilty later on, but it was partially because he couldn't stand her being angry with him. Admittedly most the arguments were started by him doing or suggesting something she considered too dangerous or too stupid (like trying to find Jake and get an apology out of him for almost suffocating her). But always he'd apologise in the end even if he hadn't started the argument because he couldn't bare the silence for too long. As much as he didn't like to admit it, he had a reputation to uphold after all he cared a great deal for Beans and was prepared to do pretty much anything to protect her, even though as he had been told numerous times that she was more than capable of defending herself.
When he managed to compose himself slightly, he went back into the alley to find Jake still fuming in the corner "when you get insulted, boy do you bear a grudge" he commented and flinched as Jake shot forward until he was an inch away from Rango's face.
"Watch your mouth sheriff unless you want your woman to die the second I'm let out of this town"
Rango folded his arms "what do you mean 'as soon as I'm let out of this town' can't you even admit to being injured now? I guess sleeping must have done you some good if you can consider yourself above that kind of degrading notion"
Jake snarled and Rango watched poison dripping from his fangs "what I think is my business sheriff, you don't have much of a say when it comes to that"
"You're right I don't" Rango took a deep calming breath "but I have to ask you this, while you're in town, you'd better watch what you say to people if they come along to see you"
"They know I'm here!" Jake's fangs were suddenly very close to Rango's face "you said you'd distract them!"
"And I did, I just didn't count on the town's little gossip telling everyone about you" his voice softened slightly as he thought of Priscilla telling everyone about how brave he was to bring Jake into town. "Beans was right, I can't protect you from a mob if one forms so you just watch your mouth, unless you want everyone to be talking about how Rattlesnake Jake was finally killed by a bunch of Dirtonians!" Rango knew he was taking a risk the second he opened his mouth, Jake after all wasn't in a good mood and a bad tempered rattlesnake meant trouble, he'd learnt that the hard way after all.
However to his surprise Jake drew back and laughed quietly "you've got guts sheriff, you've got guts"
For the first time since he'd last seen Jake, Rango could see a kind of respect for him in Jake's eyes "I'll take that as a compliment"
"Take it how you want, I didn't mean it as a compliment, having guts ain't always a good thing"
"I know that, look where it got me last time"
Jake chuckled darkly then his face suddenly contorted and he drew back, hissing.
Rango started after him "Jake what's wrong?" already he was running the possibilities through his head, he's probably just bitten himself and now he's only got a few minutes to live, no wait he won't die if he bites himself will he? He's probably immune to his own venom.
"What do you think sheriff?" Jake spat "I've just been mauled by a hawk!"
Rango was surprised at the ferocity of his defence "easy there Jake, its okay to hurt sometimes, there's nothing wrong with it" why is it always about your reputation with you? He thought as he watched Jake grit his teeth and try to control his pain. It's only me, it's not like I take pleasure in wrecking people's reputation, I'll leave that to you. "Doc said you shouldn't move much or you might tear your stitches" he said in an effort to give Jake enough time to get compose himself. "Do you want me to call him over to check?"
"I'm fine" Jake snarled through gritted teeth "just leave!
Rango frowned at him "I'm not leaving till I work out what's wrong you with Jake"
"What'd you mean 'work out what's wrong with me'?" although Jake sounded confident there was a brief flash of fear in Jake's eyes and Rango saw it.
"Ah ha! You do have something you're keeping from me" he advanced towards the snake slowly "and you're gonna tell me what it is"
"If you value your life, you won't come any closer"
Rango paused, there was a dangerous low tone in Jake's voice made him think that he was actually prepared to kill him if he got any closer, Rango looked up at the snake and saw that he was shaking, his eyes closed tightly, agony plain on his face. He took a few steps back "okay Jake, I won't come closer" he suddenly felt a strong desire to run from the alley and hide somewhere, something about Jake's current condition was making him seem very dangerous all of a sudden, very dangerous and very unstable.
"Get going then sheriff" Jake's voice was shaking with the strain of keeping his tone normal. "And don't come back for a while if you don't want to join Amos down in the ground"
Rango hesitated for a moment, torn between his natural instinct to run and his desire to help, damn his stupid impulses! He swallowed and chose the cowardly option, turning tail and running from the alley as fast as his legs could carry him into the relative safety of his office.
Gasping for air he threw himself into a corner of the room and curled up tightly, although he was scared out of his wits at the snake's behaviour one thought remained clear in his mind. I'm going to find out what's wrong with him, even if it kills me.
Which after that experience was more probable than usual.
A/N: I felt really sorry for Jake in this but unfortunately for him, his suffering has only just begun, since Rango's an inquisitive soul who doesn't let things like death threats stop him from finding stuff out.
Please review I'd love to hear your opinions :D