Cabin Memories, Skiing & Snow-bunnies

Remote Mountain Cabin

Spike was a giddy kid. He wished Lou was able to come but he had already made plans to attend a hockey game with his father. But he was still excited. He was glad Sam was given the all clear to come. Ed had emailed him with all the instructions the doctor had given Sam and told him to make sure Sam followed them.

The drive here had been uneventful which was good because the roads were icy and it had begun to snow again. The three had a good time debating sports teams and general conversation. Spike had recounted how Sam got injured and clued Scott in on the doctor's and Ed's instructions. Sam had groaned when both Scott and Spike ganged up on him and said they would report back to Ed if he didn't follow instructions.

Sam walked into the remote mountain cabin. It was still cozy. Nothing had changed in the twelve years since he was here last.

The cabin had two bedrooms. One with a queen sized bed and one with two twin beds. There was a small kitchen with a little table with four chairs. It had a functional bathroom with a tiny shower. The main room had one recliner and two couches, one of which had a pull out bed. The walls were decorated with a collection of elk racks and paintings of wildlife.

The most prominent thing in the cabin was the huge fireplace which would provide most of the heat. It took up most of one wall. The rest of the wall contained a huge stack of wood for the fireplace. The cabin had a small propane heater and gas stove. There was no electricity so lighting was battery operated, kerosene lamps or the fire. It was rustic just the way Sam liked.

Sam went to the bedroom with the twin beds. His old room he recalled. He always made sure Wilson took the queen bed. Sam figured he would let Spike and Scott duke it out for the queen bed. He didn't mind rooming with either of them. He picked the bed closest to the small window so he would be able to look out at the stars at night. Sam dropped his pack on it claiming the bed.

He looked out the window and up at the mountain. He recalled good memories of spending time at this cabin with Wilson when he was seventeen. They had stayed here often when they went skiing on the weekends that winter. Dutch and Buzz had even managed to come with them a few times too. He loved the view of the mountain from this room.

It seemed eternal like nothing had changed. The mountain rose steeply and was dotted with trees here and there. The snow on the mountain was bright white and pristine. It was a calming view, fresh and clean. He smiled thinking that if Matt had lived he would have loved this cabin and the view too. It was nature's version of the beauty of life.

Coming out of the room to head out to the SUV to grab the food coolers he heard Spike and Scott discussing who got which room. Sam stopped when he heard the debate. Both were vying for the other twin bed not the queen bed wanting to room with him. He laughed but left them to figure it out.

As he was pulling out one of the coolers from the back of the SUV Spike came bounding up. Spike said happily "Here let me get that roomie."

Sam looked at Spike "You lost?" he teased.

"No I won" Spike said seriously as he grabbed the largest cooler and headed in.

Scott came out and dejectedly said "You get to hang out with Spike all the time. I should have gotten the room by default since we rarely get to spend time together Doppelganger." He grabbed two boxes of dry goods and headed back into the cabin.

Sam grabbed the other cooler and followed Scott. He limped slightly but it wasn't too bad. Icing and elevating it last night had helped a lot. He also had the entire back seat to himself on the ride up here and had kept his leg up on the seat instead of hanging down. He knew that Scott and Spike planned that when Scott announced he was driving and Spike raced to the front passenger seat and claimed it then teased him about being too slow.

It was fine by him though. Now the afternoon of skiing would be more fun.

Inside the guys set things up quickly. Then they changed into their skiing gear and headed out. The ski lodge and slope was a twenty mile drive from this remote cabin. But all three of them liked the idea of the quiet cabin rather than the hustle and bustle of the ski lodge.

Ski Lodge

Scott parked the car and the guys got out. Scott detached his skis from the roof and they all headed to the ski rental for Sam and Spike to get outfitted with gear. Sam had considered buying his own but storing it in his little apartment didn't seem practical since he didn't get to go skiing all that often.

In the ski rental shop Spike was eyeing the snowboards. He said "Maybe we ought to try snowboarding."

Scott said "That would be fun. How about tomorrow? We should get some lessons though."

Sam grinned "Been a while for me. But I could teach you the basics."

"That's right you and Wilson used to come here when you were a teenager" Scott said. The entire family had been glad when Sam spent those two years with Bella. Scott thought that during that time Sam was more like the little boy who was all smiles and laughter.

Sam and Spike were quickly outfitted and they hit the slopes.

After two hours of skiing they took a break and headed into the lodge for some coffee. They sat at one of the picnic style tables near the huge wall of glass that looked out onto the mountain. They had bought sandwiches too and were happily eating, drinking their coffee and talking.

As the conversation lulled a bit Spike said "Sam you need to check your leg."

Sighing Sam said "It's dry."

Scott scowled at him "Go check it out or I let Ed know you aren't complying."

Sam got up and headed to the bathroom. Checking would require dropping his pants or removing his boots. It was easier to drop his pants. As he headed to the bathroom he didn't notice two college age snow-bunnies checking him out.

The raven haired woman sighed "Did you see that hottie?"

"I did Lexi and I call dibs" the bleach blonde answered.

Lexi retorted in an annoyed tone "Willow you cannot call dibs. We saw him at the same time. We both can try for him."

Willow smugly said "He's a blonde blue eyed man. I'm sure he will prefer me. We have that in common."

Lexi sniffed and said snidely "You're a box blonde. I see your roots showing. Sides how do you know that he wouldn't prefer my raven hair and brown eyes? I bet he prefers me. I have more personality than you."

"Okay you're on. Ten bucks says I can get him to talk to me before he talks to you" Willow said.

Lexi upped the bet "Twenty says I can get him in bed with me by tonight."

"Deal" Willow responded and the girls shook on their bets. Each started to plan their approach.

Sam went into the handicapped bathroom stall and lowered his ski pants. His shin was sore and throbbed a bit from where the top of the ski boot pressed on it. The bandage was damp but not soaking wet. Most likely it was from sweat not snow.

He sank down to the floor and then opening his waterproof pocket he withdrew a new bandage and self-sticking tape. He unwound the existing tape and removed the bandage. Damn. It was bleeding a bit and the discharge was a bit yellowish not much but enough.

Sam pulled out the antibiotic ointment and applied some to the non-stick pad. The ointment held the pad to his leg as he rewrapped the wound with the self-sticking tape. Sam stood and pulled his pants back up.

He stopped and washed his hands after throwing away the old bandage. Sam looked in the mirror and debated whether to tell Spike and Scott the wound looked a bit infected. He had put the antibiotic ointment on and he was taking the oral meds too, that was all a doctor would do. Ah hell he'd have to tell Scott for sure. He swore an oath long ago to always be truthful with him about his health. But Sam decided to wait until tonight and have Scott help him thoroughly clean it.

Spike grinned as Sam sat back down "So?"

"So what?" Sam answered.

Scott said "Don't play stupid Sam."

"Yeah it was damp. I changed the bandage and reapplied the antibiotic ointment. Happy?" Sam said sarcastically.

Scott nodded and slightly grinned.

Spike pushed a cup of hot cocoa with mini marshmallows on top at Sam "You earned your reward."

Sam laughed "Looks more like your reward. You're the one that loves mini marshmallows."

"Wouldn't be good hot chocolate without them" Spike stated with a smile.

The guys spent another half hour relaxing at the table then headed back out to the slopes.

Lexi and Willow watched from several tables over. Lexi was the first to speak "Can you believe there are two of them?"

Willow responded "I know. Wow."

Smiling Lexi said "Now we don't have to fight over him. I'll approach the one they called Scott. You can have Sam."

Willow smirked and said "That should be easy enough. What say you we rearrange our bet and apply it to the one named Spike? He's a hottie too. But it will be for tomorrow night instead of tonight."

Lexi responded "I like, I like. You are on. Now let's find a way to introduce ourselves to those hot blonde twins."

Ski Slope

The guys were on their sixth run this session. Sam was half way down when he had to stop. He waved Scott and Spike on telling them he had to adjust his boot so it wasn't rubbing on the wound. They continued down the hill.

Sam's shin was killing him. He bent over to adjust his ski boot as best he could so it didn't hit the wound. Tomorrow he would bring padding to stop it rubbing so much.

Willow saw her opportunity. She changed course and headed straight for Sam just before she got close she screamed "Watch out. Please. Oh my, oh my" as she played off that she was out of control.

Sam looked up and saw a woman barreling towards him. He reacted fast but not fast enough to completely clear out of the way of the out of control skier. The woman slammed into him and they went tumbling. They stopped their downward motion as Sam's shoulder and skull connected with a tree.

It took Sam a moment to clear his head. He was stunned by striking his head. Sam sat up and looked at the woman. She appeared unconscious. Sam lightly tapped her face "Miss are you okay? Miss?"

Willow was completely conscious and she felt the hand on her face. Dramatically she blinked her eyes open. The blue eyes were so close. She batted her eyelashes then said "I'm so sorry. I tried not to hit you. I'm just not a very good skier yet."

Sam asked "Are you okay?"

Willow smiled her most dazzling smile. "I think so." She sat up. "Oh my you are bleeding."

Sam felt the wetness on the side of his head but thought it was just from the snow. He pulled off his glove and touched his head. It came back red. Sam sighed. Great, just what he didn't need. Now Scott and Spike would mother hen him to death.

Just then a member of the lodge ski patrol glided to a stopped "You two alright?" he asked.

Willow said "I ran into him and he hit his head. It's bleeding."

Sam said "I'm okay. It's just a scratch" and stood up. His shin screamed at him as he reconnected his boot to his ski.

The ski patrolman said "I'll just follow you down Sir. I'd like you to get checked out by our medic" as he helped the woman up. Willow looked at the ski patrolman and her heart fluttered. He was hot. She would have to add him to her list of conquests for this trip.

Shaking his head Sam said "No need. It's just a scratch."

"At least let him clean the wound" the man said.

Sam nodded "Okay." He only agreed because he knew Scott and Spike would make him go anyways.

Turning back to Sam Willow said "I'm so sorry. You got hurt because of me. You have to let me buy you a coffee or something."

"No need. Thanks though" Sam said with a small smile.

That smile was beautiful Willow thought "Please I feel so bad."

Sam tested his leg and decided he was done for the day. Making it down the rest of the slope was going to suck. His head was starting to throb too. Great, now he had a headache on top of all else.

The three went slowly down the slope. Sam was met at the bottom by a worried Scott and Spike.

Scott spoke first "Sam what happened?"

"I became a stop sign" Sam quipped.

Willow said "He saved me. I would have run right into the trees."

Spike grinned and teased "Sam saved a damsel in distress. How unlike you Samtastic."

The ski patrolman pointed to the right "The first aid shack is over that way. Let's go get you checked out and cleaned up."

The five moved off towards the shack. On the way Willow introduced herself to them and reiterated she wanted to buy Sam a coffee to thank him and apologize. Sam acquiesced and after he was checked out, cleaned up and declared okay by the medic they headed for the lodge again.

Ski Lodge

As Sam sat down he reached down and removed his ski boots. He lightly rubbed his shin. Yeah he was definitely done for today. He hoped by tomorrow it would feel better.

Scott watched him as Spike and Willow were getting the coffees. Scott said "Shin hurting?"

Sam looked up "Yeah a bit. I'm done for the day. I'll hang out here if you and Spike want to ski more."

Scott got up and headed to the café. He spoke with a worker who headed in the back and returned a few moments later. Scott went to the ice machine and filled the bag the worker had gotten him.

Back at the table Scott said "Put your leg up on the bench." Sam turned a bit and did so. Scott picked up his boot and then slid it under Sam's ankle then put the bag of ice over the shin. "Keep that on for twenty minutes."

Sam was glad they picked a table against the wall. He leaned back and closed his eyes. The ice was cold but it felt good. The throbbing in his shin was lessening but his headache was increasing.

Spike and Willow returned with the coffees. Willow sat next to Sam and slid his coffee to him. She saw the ice on his leg and was beginning to regret her spontaneous way to meet this guy. It had been stupid. They both could have gotten hurt real bad. Willow asked "Did you hurt your leg too?"

Sam sipped his coffee then replied "No did that yesterday. Thanks for the coffee."

Lexi came up to the table "There you are Willow I was looking all over for you." Lexi wasn't looking for her at all. She had seen the entire thing. Willow sure had a spectacularly stupid and dramatic way to introduce herself. Willow had hurt the guy she wanted to sleep with. Not good in her book.

Willow said "Sam here saved me from running into a tree." Then she introduced her friend "This is my bestest friend Lexi. This is Sam, Scott and Spike."

The guys nodded at the introduction looking at the second snow-bunny to join them at the table.

Lexi sat down next to Scott. She smiled and played along with Willows subterfuge "Willow is not a very good skier yet. She runs into all manner of things. She could use some lessons." Looking at the propped up leg and ice Lexi turned to Scott and added "Looks like Willow did a number on your twin."

Scott and Sam both laughed. Lexi and Willow looked perplexed.

Sam said "We are not twins."

Lexi looked closely at them. Up close she could now see one was definitely older. "What?"

Scott explained "Cousins. I'm the original. Sam here is the carbon copy."

Sam teased "The younger and better version."

Scott chuckled "Laura knows which one is better. She picked me not you."

"But that's only because you waited until she married you to introduce me" Sam joked.

Lexi looked down at Scott's left hand. Damn he was married. She didn't go after married men no matter how hot they were. That was a whole bucket of trouble she never wanted. She was just looking for a good time. She was too young to contemplate anything serious. Lexi shifted her attention to Spike.

The group chatted a bit until Spike asked "Sam you gonna ski anymore today?"

"Nah I'm done. You two can go out if you want" Sam answered.

Spike responded "I'm done if you are Scott."

Scott said "Yeah I'm done. How about we return the rental gear and load up my skis while Sam sits here."

Spike stood and gently removed the ski boot from under Sam's leg and picked up the other one "Sounds good to me. We'll bring your regular boots back to you Sam."

Sam tossed Scott the rented ski goggles "Sounds good. I'll be here. Thanks." He was glad to be able to just sit and relax. His shoulder was starting to ache a bit now too. He leaned back and rested his eyes thinking shoulder, shin and skull. Shit he was a mess right now.

"Back in a few cuz" Scott said eyeing Sam closely. He could tell more than Sam's shin hurt. Although the scratch was minor Sam had hit his head on a tree. It was a good thing they were calling it a day.

Lexi tagged along with Spike and Scott talking with Spike. Willow stayed at the table with Sam.

Sam opened his eyes and saw Willow was still sitting there and did not go with her friend.

When they were alone Willow asked "Want to come to my room so I can thank you properly? You could meet up with your buddies tomorrow."

He looked at Willow. Did he miss something? Definitely he did seeing the way she was looking at him now. She was pretty and seemed nice. But no woman compared to Jules.

He decided a little white lie would be in order to let her down easier. "I'm sorry if I sent out signals, it was unintentional if I did. I have a girlfriend." Actually it was 'had' a girlfriend not 'have' but Willow didn't need to know that.

Willow put on pouty lips she had been told was sexy "What she doesn't know won't hurt her."

"No. I'm a one woman guy. I couldn't hurt her that way. It wouldn't be right" Sam said softly.

Sighing Willow said "Sorry to hear you are taken Sam we could have had super-hot sex. So many guys would have said yes. Your girl is a lucky one." Willow stood when she spied the ski patrolman. "Sorry I ran into you again. See you around."

Sam watched as Willow headed straight for the ski patrolman. Something told him he had dodged a bullet. That woman was definitely on the prowl for some action and not too particular who she got it from.

Spike and Scott returned fifteen minutes later minus Lexi. Spike asked "Where'd Willow go?"

Sam smiled "Could ask you where Lexi went."

Scott said "That one was out trawling the waters. Not too fussy what seafood she caught."

Spike handed Sam his boots "Last night's catch saw her in the rental shop and wanted to be hooked again. She was happy to oblige and reeled him in when I told her we were not staying at the lodge."

Putting his boots on Sam laughed "About the same here. She's off after the ski patrol guy." Sam stood up and winced as he put weight on his leg. He staggered with his first step. His felt a bit like he was spinning. He sucked in a breath and slowly released it.

Scott grabbed his arm to stabilize him when Sam staggered with his first step "Whoa there cuz. Shin or head?"

"Little of both really. A samba is playing in my skull right now. Think I may have smacked that spruce tree a bit harder than I thought. Shoulder doesn't feel so super either" Sam answered Scott straight up.

He could never lie to Scott about this. He had tried once or twice to downplay things when his lungs were recovering. But Scott had called him out on it very quickly and reminded him of his oath.

Spike was surprised at how candid Sam was with his cousin. If he had asked he was sure Sam would not have been straight with him. Spike wondered what it was between them that Sam felt comfortable to share with Scott. Whatever it was he was glad.

Scott set a slow pace to the SUV and stayed close to Sam.

As they headed out Spike asked "Did you bring any pain reliever Sam?"

Sam answered "No. Should be some at the cabin though."