Welcome back! Today's installment is brought to you by a series of wonderfully boring "new hire orientation videos" and the privilege of working from home. A handful of notes, if you're interested:

1) Surprise! This chapter is most definitely not Jess-centric. I know, I know, I said it would be, but Slim had a lot to say today. I'm just as excited as you guys are to get to know Jess a little better in this story and see what he's up to. I realized that Jess was getting ahead of Slim in age, and I had a few things to iron out from Slim's perspective before the timelines could match up.

2) As many of you already know, the timeline and backstory of the original show is notoriously messy. How old are these guys? What year is it? When did Jess find time to fight in both (or neither?) armies, start a whole ranch, get run off said ranch, and learn to do every job under the sun, while simultaneously not living anywhere long enough for him to consider anywhere home? I don't know either. I recently discovered during my research (aka: low effort googling) that neither Laramie nor Cheyenne even existed until after the war ended. Technically, at this point Wyoming isn't even named Wyoming territory yet. I'm choosing to embrace some creative licensing on this one, and assume Laramie is already as much of a town as it is in the show. I hope no one lets something as silly as "real life facts" ruin the story telling spirit of this.

3) For anyone following closely or re-reading, I did go back and change a few small details to make the timing work out a bit better and some proofreading things I caught too late. Nothing that alters the overall plotline.

4) Remember when I said this would be six chapters? That turned out to be a really funny joke. It'll end whenever we get to the end :)

5) Lastly, here's your fair warning that this chapter is a bit more AU than the previous, as Slim is learning more about himself. Next chapter I plan to have the parallel of Jess discovering who he ends up being. This chapter also alludes to some evil people thinking/feeling some evil things, but rest assured, our boys look out for the lady in question.

Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Slim's Life Lessons

With Andy's birth and Slim's new status, things settled down into a new routine at the Sherman ranch. Mary recovered slowly but surely in the weeks following Andy's birth. Slim took on all of the yard chores and helped his father with the herd while Jonesy managed the house chores and helped with the baby. Mary wrote a letter to the schoolteacher stating that Slim was needed to help on the ranch and she would be finishing his education herself. As Slim was now 16, no one batted an eye. Many other boys his age had already left school for ranch or farm work. Mary's lesson plan, however, included a few extra subjects.

Slim marveled at his new abilities. From his bed, without hardly trying, he could tell who was in the house and sometimes how they were feeling. Every member of the household felt slightly different, allowing him to tell them each apart. His new baby brother was the easiest target to practice on. Andy, of course, had not learned to hide or regulate feelings the way an adult could. Slim always knew when his brother was frustrated, happy, scared, or asleep. His mother did her best to explain how things worked.

"As family members, we have connections to each other. We're born with those bonds," she said, sitting next to Slim at the kitchen table as the biscuits baked in the oven. "Close your eyes and try to picture your connection with me, try to feel where I am, physically and emotionally."

Slim did as he was told and closed his eyes. He could feel his mother next to him, radiating joy and love as she held Andy in her arms. He could also get a slight sense of his father, a solid calm feeling out in the barn somewhere. Very faintly, out in the yard, he could feel a little bit of Jonesy but he couldn't pin down the emotion.

Without opening his eyes, Slim spoke to his mother. "It's almost like… Like a warm river, but flowing both ways instead of one. And it's similar with Pa and Andy, almost like the feelings just flow between us," he said. "I can tell Jonesy's there, but I don't get as much from his direction." Slim opened his eyes and looked at his sleeping brother, feeling the now familiar warmth of what he thought must be sweet dreams.

Mary smiled. "I know what you mean. I always thought of it as wind blowing the feelings my way, but I can see how a river could seem right too. Jonesy feels different because he isn't like us. His parents were a matched pair, so he understands, but he doesn't share these talents. Alright, now try again," she said.

Slim again closed his eyes, confident in his task. There was Andy, as vibrant as ever, his father in the barn, the flicker of Jonesy and… Nothing else. He furrowed his brow. She's right there…Ma should be the easiest one! Slim thought to himself. He opened his eyes, confused as ever, to see his mother's self-satisfied grin. "Having any problems, dear?" She asked sweetly.

Slim gave her a sideways look but smiled in spite of himself. "I get the feeling you already know I am," he said.

Just as quickly as it was gone, he could once again feel Mary's joy. It was warm as summer sunshine. She spoke again. "This is lesson number two. You need to learn how to shield yourself."

Why would I ever want to block this out? Slim thought, still confused.

"Trust me, you'll need it," Mary said. "Especially with large groups, like in town, feeling everyone's feelings at once is overwhelming. And there could be others like us around." With that, Slim started to understand. He hadn't voiced his concerns out loud, yet Mary had felt his confusion and called it out. He wouldn't ever want that to happen with a stranger. Suddenly, some things clicked into place.

"So that's how you always seemed to know what I was thinking!" Slim exclaimed with a laugh. "I thought I was just too obvious!"

Mary laughed outright at that. "Yes, sweetheart, sorry about that. You've always been good at keeping a straight face, just like Matt. As your mother, I just wanted to understand you a little better, to try and help you," she said, reaching out to put her hand on Slim's elbow.

"I forgive you, Ma. Especially now that I can feel you too, I understand," he said. "And this is why Pa always knows where I am and what I'm doing, even from across the yard, right? Because he's a sentinel?"

"Yes, he can usually hear you. Hearing is his best sense, but his sight is better than most, especially in the dark. He can see small details from farther away. If he really tried, he could hear all three of our heartbeats from out there in the barn and tell them apart from one another," she replied. Slim was truly fascinated. He remembered the day not too long ago when his pa had told him the sentinel legends were based in truth. Slim never imagined that they were actually true. He shook his head. He didn't feel so bad now that Pa always managed to spot the deer before Slim while they were hunting. Slim had never had a chance at out-tracking Matt.

Over the next few months, Slim stayed on the ranch with his family. It was too cold and the snow drifts too deep to go much of anywhere anyway. His sixteenth birthday was celebrated quietly at home with a cake from ma, no party organized this year. Mary told the neighbors it was on account of the new baby but in reality she didn't think Slim was ready for much of a crowd. Every day he practiced building a shield around his mind and reaching out with his senses. Just like a muscle, his abilities were growing with use. He could now keep tabs on his father while they looked for strays and his mother noticed that his shields were stronger. He did come to find, however, that in order to really tell how someone was feeling with any detail he had to weaken his shields. He supposed that made sense. He couldn't let in enough information while simultaneously trying to keep everything out. It was a constant balance; a give and take.

When Slim woke to weak spring sunshine and chirping birds, he felt better than ever. He got up and dressed quickly, worked his way through his morning chores, and brought the eggs in for breakfast. Jonesy was at the stove frying up bacon while Ma was feeding Andy in the bedroom. Slim set the egg basket on the counter by the pump and started to get the plates down. Matt came in from the barn shortly after, and Slim poured him a cup of coffee. Once the whole family was gathered at the table, Jonesy started dishing out bacon and fried eggs.

"About time to head into town for a supply run, or these morning gatherings could get a might cranky," Jonesy said, gesturing over his shoulder to the soon-to-be-empty tin of coffee beans. "Not to mention that flower sack is getting' a mite light."

"I reckon you're on to something, Jonesy," Matt replied easily, sipping his second cup of coffee. "I was thinking the same thing myself."

Slim stayed silent, listening intently, and popped some eggs into his mouth. He hadn't been off the ranch in almost four months. Slim thinned his shield, just a little, to see if he could tell how his father felt about the town trip. He hoped Ma wouldn't notice.

His rewards were feelings of amusement from all three adults at the table. He looked up, eyes wide, knowing he had indeed been caught snooping. His pa laughed out loud and slapped Slim on the back while Mary and Jonesy shook their heads and smiled.

"Yes, Slim, since you asked so politely, you can come along," Pa said. Slim grinned sheepishly. Inside, he was elated. As soon as breakfast was finished up, Slim helped Mary clear the table while Jonesy and Matt hitched up the buckboard.

The ride into town was uneventful but beautiful. Slim loved early springtime, when the air started to lose its bite and things started to grow again. They rode in silence to the edge of town. As the outskirts of Laramie came into view, Matt slowed the horses and stopped. "Take a deep breath, son, and tighten those shields of yours. Mary tells me it's difficult to manage a crowd the first few times."

Slim nodded and closed his eyes for a minute, focusing on closing himself off as much as he could. When he had enough of a shield built up that he could hardly feel his pa next to him, he opened his eyes again. "Ready when you are, sir," he said, watching as Matt nodded and flicked the reins.

There weren't too many people around town today, and Slim was feeling confident. They made it to the mercantile without incident and Slim gave the list to the clerk like he always did.

"Goodness, Slim, I ain't seen you in town since before Christmas. You must have grown another half a foot! What's your mama feedin' you out there?" The clerk asked, pleased to see one of his favorite young customers again.

"It's good to see you too, sir," Slim replied. "I reckon I have grown a bit. I had my sixteenth birthday in February."

The clerk bustled around behind the counter, weighing out the sought after coffee beans on his little scale. "Sixteen, Lord alive, I can't hardly believe that. You're lookin' eighteen at least," he said, grinning as he put the beans into a sack and started on the flour.

Matt smiled. "Don't go giving my boy any ideas, Walt, I can't have him grow up too fast on me," he said.

Slim returned the smile and drifted away from the counter as his father talked with the clerk. He caught sight of himself in the mirror hanging next to a rack of ladies' hats. I do look a little older, he thought to himself. Looks like I'll need to borrow Pa's razor again soon. Maybe with next month's allowance I'll see about gettin' myself a shaving kit. It was getting close to the lunch hour now, and Slim could see a few more people milling about outside on the boardwalk. Their order finished, Slim and Matt said goodbye to the clerk and carried the supplies out to the wagon.

Tossing up a sack of flour, followed by the oats for the horses, Slim started to feel a headache coming on. He scrunched his eyes closed and took a deep breath, steadying himself, before leaning down for the next item. He stumbled, feeling a bit dizzy, and his heart started to pound. Matt was there in a flash.

"Up on the seat now, son," He said quietly. "I'll get the rest of this."

Slim opened his mouth to protest but closed it again with one glance from Pa. He climbed up onto the seat. In just a few minutes, his pa was beside him, clicking his tongue to the horses and rolling out of town. As they got farther away, Slim started to breathe a bit easier, his headache receding.

His pa glanced around once they were a mile or so from town. "It's probably alright for you to let go of those shields now, Slim. No one's around but me," he said.

Slim concentrated on relaxing his hold and opening his mind again. As soon as he did, the headache vanished and he could feel his pa sitting calm and steady beside him. Slim let out a noisy breath. "Much better," he said, leaning back on the seat.

"A little harder than it looks?" Matt asked, genuinely curious.

"I suppose so," said Slim. "It wasn't bad at all until the café opened for lunch and we were out in the street with all the people." Slim sat for a minute, thinking things over. "Does it ever get hard for you that way? With your hearing and all?"

His father considered the question for a minute. "Being a sentinel does have its challenges, but not quite in the same way. I had to learn to keep my hearing and vision in check, around normal levels, or I'd get disoriented. It's difficult to do without a guide," said Matt. "Even now, without your mother here, I don't dare push my limits. With a few more years of experience you could probably guide me back, but we won't try that today," he continued, his mouth quirked up in a wry smile.

Slim nodded, understanding. He was nowhere near ready to have his pa's wellbeing entrusted to him. After all, he had just barely managed his first trip to town. Slim chewed his bottom lip as he thought about everything he'd learned over the last few months.

Matt glanced at his son, noting his withdrawal from the conversation. "Penny for your thoughts, son?" When Slim glanced sideways at him, Matt chuckled. "I don't need your mother here to notice when something is on your mind," he said.

Slim let out his breath and shifted on the seat. "It's nothing, pa. I was just thinking about everything that's changed, about the future I guess. Someday, I suppose I'll have a sentinel around, and I'll be guiding them," Slim said, looking out over the wide-open prairie.

Matt nodded and cocked his head to the side, watching his son's reaction. "That's the general idea," he said, but Slim didn't look back at him. Matt tried again, treading lightly. "If you're worried about finding your match, Slim, try not to stress over it too much. There're more people like us around than you may think. These things have a way of working out," he said.

Slim blinked and looked down at his boots. "I 'spose that's part of it, pa. But I was thinking… You and ma are a great pair. It's easy to see how she can guide you, being your wife and all, while you protect her and baby Andy in ways they can't protect themselves. But pa, well, I'll ain't never gonna be someone's wife," Slim said, slightly exasperated. "How can I protect my own family someday?" He looked away again.

Aha. Matt hadn't really considered that angle before, but he could see immediately why Slim was uncertain. He leaned over and bumped his shoulder gently against Slim's.

"I wasn't sure if you'd take after me or after Mary until the very day you showed us. Seemed like every time I thought I knew, you'd go and surprise me again. You've got qualities of both kinds in you. The guide side just seemed to win out in the end," Matt said, smiling at the memories. "A matched pair doesn't always look like your mother and I's. Ours just happened to work out this way. Every pair finds their own balance, their own ways of supporting each other," he said, thoughtfully. "I have no doubt in your ability to look out for a family and protect the ones you love. Besides, a guide can shoot just as straight as any other man. The night Andy was born, I wasn't there to do the protecting. I left you in charge and you saved them both. I never would have left if I thought you couldn't protect them, son."

Slim turned forward again and watched the horse's head bob as they rolled towards home. Slim knew his father was telling the truth. He smiled when he realized that he could actually feel his pa's sincerity, like a comforting blanket on a chilly evening.

"I know, pa. I just wish I had that kind of faith in my own self," Slim said quietly.

"You will, son. It takes time for a man to learn to trust himself," Matt replied. He took a good look at his boy, noticing the small details in his face. It seemed like overnight Slim had lost that boyish look, and Matt couldn't deny Slim had grown taller. I knew he'd be tall, but I never really bet on him out growing me! Matt thought to himself. He nudged his son with an elbow and proceeded to hand over the reins.

"With you growing up on me and all, it's time your old man took a break, don't you think?" he asked his son, kicking back, folding his hands behind his head. Slim laughed outright, the stress flowing out of his body.

"Whatever you say, pa. Gee'yup, girl!"

Slim actually was more confident in himself after that day. Before he knew it, he hardly had to focus on managing his shields. It's just like walking; once you've learned, you forget there was a time you didn't know how. However, he still tripped once in a while if he wasn't paying attention. For instance, Slim now knew a little too much about how Widow Smith felt about his father. Slim never let his guard down around her again. His mother had just laughed and laughed at Slim's scandalized expression, tears leaving her eyes as Slim's cheeks turned an even darker shade of red. For years, Mary had been well aware of the other woman's feelings. She wasn't concerned in the slightest.

While in town, months after his first treacherous outing, Slim tripped again. He had been distracted by a soft little flutter against his shield. Intrigued, he opened his mind a bit and glanced around. He noticed a pretty blonde girl about his age shyly glance at him from across the street before quickly looking away again, her cheeks reddening. She noticed me! Slim realized, feeling the butterflies in his stomach as only a sixteen-year-old could. He stood up straighter as he followed his pa down the boardwalk, grinning for all he was worth and proud as punch with this development. Caught up in the moment and hoping he might get another flicker of feeling from the girl, he kept himself more open than usual as she walked away in the opposite direction.

Out of nowhere, another emotion slammed into Slim as he and Matt passed the batwing doors of one of the town saloons. The slimy, violent feeling slammed into Slim's gut, hard enough to make him physically stumble. His pa heard him, of course, and immediately turned around. Keying in on the conversation coming from the saloon, he understood. Matt grabbed Slim's arm and pulled him across the street, away from the saloon and the stranger's intentions toward a certain saloon girl.

Slipping into an alley and then behind the bank, Slim placed one hand on the wall and promptly lost his lunch. Matt steadied him.

Still bent forward, Slim scrunched his eyes shut and pulled his mental shutters firmly closed. "How… How could he…" Slim trailed off, trying to catch his breath. He was shaking.

"Not all people are good, Slim," Matt said, his voice low and serious. "The quicker you learn that lesson, the better off you'll be."

Slim nodded, wiping his mouth and standing up straight again. His eyes found his father's. "We have to help her, pa. She has no idea what he's capable of."

Matt put his hand on Slim's shoulder. "We have to be a little strategic about this, son. What would you say if you walked up to that girl, hmm? Someone in the saloon was having impure thoughts about you? She'd probably laugh you right back onto that boardwalk. How could you convince her of the danger, without scaring the girl and exposing yourself?"

Slim thought about that and chewed his lip and mulled it over. His pa was right, but Slim couldn't just pretend he hadn't noticed. He didn't know what to do.

"Don't worry, son, we aren't going to ignore the problem. Follow me," Matt said. Slim obeyed. His father walked back to the street and up to the hotel, where the sheriff was sitting on a bench talking with the hotel manager.

"Howdy, Matt, Slim," the sheriff said, raising his hand as they approached. The hotel manager excused himself politely and slipped back inside, muttering about laundry.

"Afternoon, Cal," said Matt. Slim touched the brim of his hat but stayed silent. "A few strangers in town today," his pa continued.

"Yeah, I reckon, but it's been pretty quiet regardless. No one on any posters, at least as far as I've seen," the sheriff responded.

"Glad to hear it," Matt said, leaning casually on the hotel porch railing. "All the same…" The sheriff sat forward as Matt leaned closer. "Best keep a watch on Miss Maisey tonight. Didn't like the look of that drifter hanging around the saloon today," he said, slightly under his breath.

The sheriff sat back again and nodded seriously. "I just might do that. Come to think of it, it's time I was takin' a walk down there anyhow. You gentlemen enjoy your afternoon."

With that, the sheriff stood up, tipped his hat, and ambled down the boardwalk towards the piano music drifting out of the saloon. Slim raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Does he know about you? About us?" he asked his pa, once the sheriff was out of earshot.

Matt shook his head, already moving towards their horses. "Not in so many words, Slim, but he and I have been on quite a few posses together," he said. "I know he probably suspects, but he's never asked outright and I've never explained. As you get older you'll realize there's quite a few of us folks doing jobs like law enforcement. It's possible he's known someone before." Slim could definitely see how sentinel senses could be useful in chasing down criminals and interrogating suspects. His pa continued, "Cal trusts my judgement, and he knows I'm on his side. That's good enough for us."

They reached their mounts and his pa tucked the mail into his saddlebags. With all the commotion, Slim had completely forgotten the mail, the main reason for this trip to town. He mounted his bay and rode for home after his father, a wiser man after the events of the day.