On Own Feet
a Supernatural Brotherhood AU Wild West Triad – Prequel
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Supernatural and nothing of the Brotherhood AU by Ridley C. James.
A/N: 2nd story of the Wild West Triad - prequels
This first section is already mentioned in A Broken Heart Is Hard To Heal as a flashback (for those who recognize it.)
A huge thank you to Meemzz who always has an open ear for my problems with the stories and is always quick there to read what I made up.
Rated: T
Story: Meilean
Chapter 1 - Faith
April 1827 - Wilmington Farm, Connecticut
"You can not be serious, Wade!" Mike Campbell got up from his seat. That was not really happening! Mike's guts twisted and it felt like someone had punched him really hard.
"Mike, come take a seat again and let me explain," Wade tried to take his Knight's arm to bring him to sit again, but Mike jerked away, confused and angry.
"You can not take the boys and leave! What has gotten into you? And where did you say you wanna move - the new Territory of Wyoming?" Mike threw his hands up in disbelief. This had to be a mean joke. Wade couldn't be serious. "No one lives there, you will be completely alone. Maybe you will find some bears and beavers. From what are you planning to live? There is nothing but landscape. No doctor or miller, baker, not even a farmer who could sell you something to eat. You will starve with the boys, they are just Kids! Daniel is only eleven. The native tribes out there are not exactly friends with us. You know how often the government has broken its promises to them. You will be responsible for the death of your own son, as well as Cole's and Samuel's. Have you told Charles Colt about your plan? Or even the boys? Hell, Sam has just acclimated at the farm. He doesn't even dare to leave the property. How do you think he would take a journey across half the country?"
Mike was out of his mind. How was he supposed to take care of his Guardian when he was thousands of miles away in the lonely west and - bloody hell - he would take the boys with him. He wouldn't be able to see whether Cole nor Daniel or Sam. He had enjoyed being the beloved uncle to the three. Telling them stories, learning them fighting tricks. It felt like someone was about to rip his family from him, leaving him alone and helpless to protect them. Mike had started pacing the deck while he talked himself into a rage.
"Mike, please. I have the order to do this. We will be safe, she wouldn't risk them," Wade tried to calm him.
Mike had heard enough he punched his fist on the table hard enough to let the expensive porcelain of their teacups clatter. "No! I'm against it. Gather your wits! This is an insane and dangerous venture. It is ridiculous only to think that to an end. And what that Lady who is visiting you in your dreams is saying … well she can kiss my Scottish arse." Mike turned and stormed out into the plantation.
*** WWT - prequel ***
Wade Wilmington sighed frustrated. "I haven't thought about what it will do to him."
"Give him some time, he will accept it," Bastian said confidently.
Wade shot his Scholar, Bastian Summers, a questioning look. "I wouldn't bet on it, Bastian. He is as impulsive as a teenager."
Bastian Summers knew both his friends well enough. They were a team for nearly ten years now and even longer friends. He had to speak to Mike. Wade was right, he hadn't thought about what that would do to Mike. His friend would lose contact with his boys. He was always proud of them all, especially Cole. Bastian had noticed that Cole was so much like Mike. Campbell never talked about it, maybe Mike didn't even see it, though it made him think of the possibility. Bastian knew Mike had shared at least one night with Diana Wilmington. Mike had loved her deeply, he was sure of that. He had been the one who had to stop Mike from going against Henry Wilmington's will.
Her father hadn't accepted Mike as his son-in-law. Though he had always been welcome in Wilmington's house before as his son's best friend, under no circumstances he had been willing to marry his daughter to a Catholic not to say a Scott.
Bastian had tried to distract his friend as best as possible. They traveled, immersed themselves in the Brotherhood, and did every Job they had been given. They rarely saw Wade these past few years. But since Diana had died Mike hadn't been the same. Bastian had picked up the pieces of Mike Campbell but something deep inside him remained broken.
Diana's five-year-old son, Cole, had stayed with Wade and the boy's presence made it even worse for Mike to be around. It was not that Mike blamed the boy for anything - no, The Knight blamed himself for failing Diana and even her son. Mike just hadn't had the strength in him to face the boy then.
The circumstances of how Wade had found the boy had been even worse. Wade had gotten a letter from Diana in which she had begged him to come. Cole had been so sick she didn't know what to do. At the time Wade had arrived he only found Diana dead and the little boy scared and hurt by his so-called father Marcus Tanner who had been about to beat the boy to death.
It had taken some time until Mike was able to see himself as an uncle to Cole as he was to Daniel. But soon after that, the two had forged a connection that couldn't be stronger. Bastian was not a Scholar for nothing. He knew exactly why this connection was so strong. Cole was Mike's son. He assumed Wade knew this too and that it was actually more the reason why he had asked Mike for his okay.
"Do you believe it too - about Cole and him?" Bastian asked carefully.
Wade ran a hand over his mustache. "No, Bastian, I know it. But Mike still is not ready for the truth. I raised Cole as if he were my own son. I'm the head of the family. I was a husband and a father. I lead a business - hell I'm even the leader of The Brotherhood. I know what responsibility is. Mike is … he is just … I have the feeling he stopped growing up when he was 20. He does whatever he wants and being the nice beloved uncle is not the same as being a father. He hardly cares about his reputation. He has never had any responsibilities to fulfill. Do you really think he would be the right parent for Cole?" Wade got up from his chair, bringing his hands together behind his back. The Guardian started pacing the porch, while he looked into the wide green land deep in thoughts. "No, he is not ready yet. I know, that if he would know about Cole being his, it would still bring him to a dark place where I don't know how to save him from. He blames himself enough that he hadn't simply taken Diana away from Marcus before she died. To know he had even let his own son in the care of Tanner would bring him down again. I can't bring it over myself. It is better that way."
Bastian got curious. "How can you be sure about the two?"
"Diana told me. Why do you think my parents married her off immediately after she got the letter about Mike's death." Wade made a short pause. "She begged me not to tell Mike. He would have started a war with my father and Tanner about her. She knew when a battle was lost and she knew how he would hate himself for staying away from them. If she only had said one word about Tanner to me, I would have stood by his side to kill the bastard." Wade defeatedly slumped back into his chair again.
"I'm going to talk to him. I think I know how to handle Campbell," Summers offered.
Wade gave him a weak smile. "Good luck, Bastian. But not a word about his son. This is an order."
"I would never go against your will. This is a thing between you and him."
Bastian turned to leave the porch where they had been sitting but Wade called him to stop. "Bastian, I want you two to build up a headquarters in Liberty. So you can visit more often. Maybe Mike can prove to me that I'm wrong if he is responsible for the Brotherhood, we'll see."
Bastian nodded at his Guardian. "As you wish, Wade." Then he followed Mike out into the apple tree plantation.
*** WWT - prequel ***
The smell of the apple tree blossoms was wonderful and the humming of a thousand bees was in the air. Bastian loved the spring. If Wade wanted to start his journey this year, he should better leave now or he wouldn't arrive in Wyoming before winter.
He found his friend sitting in the grass next to the little willow he had planted there with Wade after Diana's funeral. Her ashes rested in the earth beneath. Mike often sat here when he needed space. The Scholar slumped down to the soft grass next to Mike and waited until he would start speaking. It took endless long minutes until The Knight finally said something.
"He can't leave," was all, then Mike fell silent again. Tears of desperation shone in his eyes though they hadn't found a way down his cheeks yet.
Bastian sighed. "Mike, look, we can visit them from time to time. Wade is the Guardian, we have to obey his decisions. He is even the father, uncle, and guardian of the boys. He would give his life to protect them, you know this. If destiny decides their time is over, then it could happen everywhere. Have a little bit of trust in him. He is not as helpless as you may believe."
Mike brushed the moisture from his eyes, looking at the little tree which grew here for seven years now. "Promise me we're gonna see them at least once a year."
"We're gonna try. It's really far away, Brother. But Wade will call us to him when the time is right. Until then we're gonna build a network for The Brotherhood. It's no goodbye forever." Bastian tried his best to calm Mike. He knew a visit every year would be hard to manage. A headquarters in Liberty would be their best option as it was as far west as possible to lessen the distance to Wade.
"Give me a while alone. I need time to think about it," Mike begged.
Bastian nodded and got up. "Do you remember what you promised me? I don't have to worry, have I?"
"No, you don't have to. I'm ok. It's just that I feel like all control is slipping through my fingers."
"Hm. Maybe you should give up some control. How about we visit the church on Sunday?" Bastian looked hopefully at Mike. He knew his friend trusted the Lord. Maybe a prayer would help, at least it would do no harm.
"You know I'm no Presbyterian."
"Yes, I know, but God listens to all who pray to him, Catholic, Protestant, or Presbyterian. We are all his children, don't you think? I'll cover your back, Brother."
*** WWT - prequel ***
Bastian entered the church first, they were a bit early and only a few others sat in the front row, praying silently. Mike went to the left where the candle racks were placed. Five little lights were already ignited by others who had lit one for beloved people who had passed away. He put a coin into the offertory box and took a candle from the stock box to ignite it for Diana. He felt Bastian's presence behind him.
His friend brought a hand to his shoulder in a reassuring gesture that he was there for him.
Mike swallowed and whispered to not disturb the peace in the house of God, "I hope I don't have to add more soon."
"They will be okay," Bastian whispered back. "Let's use the time to talk to the Lord." The Scholar turned and walked to the second row of pews.
Mike followed and they sat silently side by side, each in their own private conversation with God.
*** WWT - prequel ***
The parishioners exited the church an hour later as well as Bastian and Mike. The part of the bible the priest had recited had fitted like a prompt answer to the questions and pleas for safety for his family. Even psalm 23 had been prayed after the sermon.
Mike recalled the lines that had settled his fears a bit.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
It helped to calm Mike's nerves to the point where he felt able to let them go. Though still concerned for them he had faith in the Lord and his angels to have an eye on his family.
TBC