Category: Gen
Setting: 1X13 "Black Jack"
Characters/Pairings: Jake Green, Gail Green.
Rating/Warnings: K
Summary: "Any volunteers?" Jake could feel the room's eyes on him. "I guess that would be me."
Note: Set during the town hall meeting where they are discussing how much fuel they have and the need for windpower.
Disclaimer: Neither Jericho nor its characters belong to me.
Volunteer
Jake leaned against the wall, feeling out of place in the meeting. He couldn't contribute to the conversation or bring anything to the plate to help with the fuel problem. He was better than most when it came to machinery, but windmills he knew nothing about. He knew a good plan when he heard one, but making that plan come to fruition was a matter for people smarter then him.
Feeling a sneeze coming, he bent his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose, almost missing Gray's question.
Are there any volunteers?
The sneeze gone, Jake felt eyes on him and he hesitantly looked up, lowering his hand. Eyes moving quickly, he saw that the entire room had turned to look at him. His eyes automatically sought his mother's. Gail looked like she was holding her breath and she shook her head slightly, her eyes pleading with him.
There was a few awkward seconds as Jake chewed on his bottom lip, running over the scenario in his mind. They needed the energy the wind power would bring I they were to survive the coming winter. They needed it bad, but it would be dangerous. If Black Jack was half as bad as places he had seen overseas then sending anyone else would be a suicide mission. He looked around at the eyes staring at him, waiting.
"I guess that'd be me."
The room noticeably relaxed, some even slouching in their seats. Probably grateful they weren't the ones having to leave the relative safety of their small town. Jake tried to ignore the worry in his mother's eyes. Even if nobody had looked to him, he would have volunteered anyway. He was the only expendable one who could go. They needed the rest to work the mine or man a patrol or farm when the weather warmed up. If he was going to redeem himself then he might as well be the one to go on the suicide mission.
"Thank you, Jake." As relieved as Gray Anderson looked it must have hurt him to say those words after all the crap Jake had given the mine owner as a teenager.
Jake just waved his hand. It wasn't really a big deal. Gray started to conclude the meeting, but Jake wasn't paying any attention anymore. Already he was picturing the route and planning the best way to get to and from Black Jack in one piece. He didn't relish the idea of being run off the road in this weather.
He could feel eyes still staring at him and he looked up to his mother ignoring Gray as well. Jake took a deep breath and gave her a small smile, but the worry was evident on her face. He hated making his mother worry for him. He could already hear her pleading with him to let someone else take this mission. Guiltily, he ducked his head and left the room, his mother's eyes boring holes in the back of his head.
In his defense, he hadn't volunteered for this mission so much as he was voluntold. Somehow he didn't think that would make a difference in Gail Green's mind. Mentally preparing himself for that particular battle, he made his way to the sheriff's office to find the maps he would need. It was a long ways to the Black Jack Fairground.