The Path.18

Drabble: 700 Words
Genre: Canon { A/U now }
Pairing: Ennis and Jack; Ennis' POV
Disclaimer: AP created'em, I just love'em.

Feedback: Much appreciated.

Thank you all so much for reading The Path and letting me know!

A/N: Ennis is no longer torn and is reveling in his relationship with Jack.

The Path.18

Finally I got that letter done. If Alma is going to answer, she'll have to send it to me in care of The Farm and Ranch Employment Service. Don't know whether to hope she does, or hope she doesn't.

I wrote 'Dear Alma. How are you? I am fine. I have something important to tell you. I know it'd be best to tell you in person, but that ain't possible right now.

Bein up on this mountain – well I've had a lot of time to think. I figured out that I want a different life than I've ever had before.

If I was ever gonna marry anyone, it'd be you, Alma. You're a good person. But I ain't the marryin kind. So I guess this is it.

I hope you have a happy life and that you won't hate me too bad. Sorry.

Your friend, Ennis Del Mar'

I folded the paper neatly, tucked it into my shirt pocket and just stared off into space, imagining her opening it and reading what I wrote.

"Why're you so quiet, Ennis?"

"Jes feelin rotten about goin back on my word. Alma don't deserve that."

"C'mere."

We're sittin by the fire. Jack wraps his arms 'round me, pulls my back up against his chest, and nuzzles my neck. He has a way a makin my feel jes right.

"So, does Alma deserve a husband tied ta her outa obligation?"

"No."

"Does Alma deserve to be married to a man that doesn't love her best?"

"Unh uh"

"Okay, then."

"Okay, Jack. It's jes . . . ."

"Ennis, yer breakin my heart, Cowboy. You wanta marry her after all?"

"NO, Jack, goddamnit!"

"That's more like it."

"But Jack, my daddy taught me that all a man has is his word, and if folks can't rely on his word, then he's nothin."

"Yeah, Ennis. My daddy is real high on a man's word too. And he's a real bastard, word or no word. What else did your daddy teach you?"

"He taught me that he and his friends get to decide who lives and who dies. . .and that two men ain't got the right to live together."

"You mean, live together like we're doin up here on this mountain?"

"That's 'xactly what I mean. F'my daddy was here right now, you bet he'd get his tire iron - - likely kill us both."

"Ennis Del Mar, you listen to me. I want you with me, for always. Are you gonna let folks like your daddy and mine, wreck our chances?"

"No, Jack, gonna be with you, gonna protect you . . said I would, and that's it!"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you wanta be with me?"

"You know why, Jack."

"Yeah, maybe. But I want you to tell me, Ennis."

"I feel best when I'm with you, don't you know that?"

"Sure, but I want to hear you say it, Cowboy. You made a big decision to write to Alma, break off your engagement. I think it's time we said why this is happening right now."

"Jesus, Jack. Why so serious?"

"Ennis, I don't want to misunderstand, or take anything for granted. It feels like we're on the doorstep a heaven here, but I don't want . . . guess what I'm sayin Ennis, is I don't wanna get my heart broke."

"You mean, like if we didn't both feel the same way about this?"

"Yeah."

"Ya understand, I never said this to nobody b'fore. It's hard to come right out . . ."

"Just say it, Ennis."

"I love you, Jack Twist. Love you sumthin awful."

"Love you too, Cowboy."

I twist around in his arms and kiss his mouth. There ain't nothin in this world like kissin Jack's mouth. This man belongs to me, for always. I stand up and take his hand, pull him up and lead him into our tent. I make love to him today, and tell him over and over that I will love him for all time.

No matter what happens in our future, we have each other. That's all that matters.

Little did I know that ol' bastard Aguirre was watchin us all that time.

Tbc~