Title: Drabbles--OW
Author: Sue M.
Email: sue.morgan@btinternet.com
Category:
Universe: OW
Rating/Warnings: Various
Summary: Sue's collection of OW drabbles posted to DunnesDarlins
JD had been watching Vin for some time. They had both been sat in the saloon, but Vin had kept to himself. No longer able to contain himself, JD approached.
"Can I sit down, Vin?"
"Free Country," came the reply.
"Why so sad?" JD asked.
Vin sighed, pausing a while.
"You said it was your Ma's birthday last week."
JD nodded.
"I don't know when my ma's was, and I wish I did."
JD thought for a moment, then picked up a discarded newspaper.
"See this date, here?" He said, pointing, "Let's make it this date, and remember your ma on this day EVERY year from now."
Vin smiled, "Yeah, I'd like that, thanks kid."
"I don't need your help Buck!" JD called out as he kneed his horse forward.
Buck chuckled, "Suit yerself, but I think your gonna be kneading sore muscles after this!"
JD struggled on with his huge parcel, swinging precariously as it balanced on his shoulder, mumbling to himself as Buck continued to laugh.
"Sheriff of Four Corners and I end up carrying home a tailor's dummy!"
Buck grinned, "Well it was better than the alternative, kid. You were just the right size for that dress Nettie's making!"
JD shuddered, "Hell, yeah, anything's better than having to wear THAT while she alters it.!"
"One day, boy, you'll hold off offering help so quickly!" Buck reminded.
JD nodded, "Yeah, one day!"
JD looked up at the roof of the church.
"Josiah?" he called.
A head popped over the edge of the roof. Josiah smiled.
"Yes, son, what can I do for you?"
"You know you said you were going to fix the roof during your quiet time?"
"I did indeed, JD."
"Well, would you like some help?"
"That's mighty kind of you son," Josiah smiled.
"Oh not just me…" He called out and more than a dozen men, including the other five peacekeepers came from around the corner.
"All these people had some quiet time too." JD grinned.
Josiah smiled widely, "Bless you son."
The sun was warm, the breeze refreshing. JD was napping under a large oak, his head resting on his jacket, his hand idly dangling in a small stream. It couldn't get any better than this.
He'd found this little haven by chance and he was going to make the most of it.
Something roused him. He paused a moment, taking his hand from water. JD tilted his head to listen.
Silence.
He shrugged his shoulders. Perhaps he should head on back to town now anyway.
A large cracking like a twig snap came from behind.
JD spun round and stared in shock, his eyes huge.
He gulped, "Oh my God!"
The seven men were hunkered down behind some rocks; Buck poised holding a stick of dynamite in his hand, ready to throw.
"Will it reach from here?!" JD asked.
"I CAN throw y'know!" Buck huffed.
"Alright, alright, I was just askin'!" JD snapped back.
The others looked to Chris to put an end to their squabbling, but they noticed him looking at them both with concern.
"Buck, forgive me for asking a stupid question, but, is that fuse lit?" Chris asked.
Buck glared back at him. "Are you questioning my abilities too now?"
"No just your state of mind. “JUST DAMN WELL THROW IT!" he yelled.
Casey stared, "Oh JD is it supposed to be that color?"
JD blushed and put it away.
"Now, Casey, Buck'll be mad if he knows I did this."
"Well, we won't tell him!" she said defending her man.
"He's gonna know as soon as he sees us!" JD sighed
"Well, we'll deal with it then!" she frowned.
JD took her hand. "C'mon, let's get back and get it over with!"
He took one last look at Buck's ruined new hat. Why hadn't he just worn his own?
Ezra was surprised by the knock on his bedroom door. `Who else could be up at this ungodly hour but myself and Mister Tanner?' he wondered.
"Good morning!" JD chirruped as Ezra beckoned him inside.
"Yes?" Ezra growled, a little harsher than he had meant to.
JD chuckled, he expected as much.
"Seeing as it's your birthday today, I thought you'd like to sleep in, so I'll do your patrol, if you'd like."
Ezra was stunned.
"Am I to understand, you will be Trading Places with me, Mister Dunne?"
"Yup."
Ezra's eyes misted and he smiled at the youth.
"You are a true friend, JD. I will accept your offer with good grace, on one condition."
"Ooookaay," JD answered cautiously.
"That you join me in a celebratory libation upon your return."
JD grinned, "It's a deal."
"You're quiet today, John Dunne," Josiah observed.
JD simply nodded as they sat together in the saloon. After another minute or so, Josiah spoke again.
"JD, do you have something on your mind? Would you like to talk?"
The youth turned to him, "I had a dream."
Josiah nodded, "And?"
"In a gunfight, everyone died except me. I'm scared, Josiah, what if it comes true?"
Josiah leaned in and placed a hand on JD's neck.
"Dreams are just a release, son, a way for the mind to expel its deepest fears. Pay no mind."
"JD smiled, "Oh good, thanks Josiah."
"Anytime, son, anytime."
The gunman was pleased with himself, he was going to take one of them down, just a shame it wasn't Larabee.
"Put your gun down, boy," he called, struggling with the strong breeze in his face.
JD complied, grasping a handful of earth as he did, Buck taught him that. He stood facing the man, wondering how much water would ease his dry throat.
Buck appeared from nowhere, "Hey!"
The man jerked, JD threw the earth into the air and dropped as, while blinded, the man's gun belched fire. Another shot, the man fell dead.
"Nice trick, kid."
"Yeah," JD grinned, "Thanks, Buck."
He scanned the town in desperation. His eyes went to the rooftops, Vin waved back, The water troughs opposite, yes a flash of red coat and short dark curly hair, Ezra and Nathan made three, Josiah stepped from the saloon, his gun still smoking and he was clutching his arm, another one safe.
The battle had been fierce, and now the man in black needed to know the seven had survived.
Two more. Green eyes flashed left and right, there!
Buck and JD shaky but alive, walking together. Chris couldn't help but feel relieved and very proud of his men.
"I don't like porridge, Josiah," JD grimaced at the bowl offered him as he gingerly touched the bandage on his head.
"Have you ever tried it, JD?"
"No."
"Then you can't be sure. Come on, it's good for what ails you and it'll stick to your ribs, and help you get well."
Josiah poked a spoonful into the boy's mouth, chuckling at the face pulled, then watching the boy smile.
"Honey?" JD asked.
"The trick to food John Dunne is to have fun." He offered the bowl, "So have fun!"
Taking another spoonful, JD smiled, "Thanks, I will."
Little hands caressed the bottle as fumbling fingers pulled out the glass bung wedged in the top. As he inhaled the scent, five-year old JD smiled as it tickled his nostrils and filled him with happy thoughts.
"JD!"
Startled, the boy's hand opened and the perfume dropped to the floor with a smash.
"John Daniel Dunne, I'll take every cent you have if that's my perfume, AND you'll be sent to bed without supper!"
"Mama?"
JD jumped up in bed, shaking. He looked around at his room in the boarding house, which somehow was filled with the aroma of lavender.
He sighed, "Mama…"
Nathan looked up as the youngest of the Seven breezed into the clinic clutching a book.
"JD, where are your manners, boy. Don't you know how ta knock?"
JD stopped dead, blushing.
"Shoot, Nathan, I was so excited I plum forgot."
Nathan's gaze softened, "Whatcha got there?"
JD offered the book, "It's for you, Old ma Tomes gave it to me. It's kinda like a thanks, you know, for patching us up all the time."
Nathan read the cover, 'Cleveland Medical College – Doctor John Dalamater – Medicines and Practices'
"'Preciate it JD." He beamed.
"Same here Nathan," JD grinned back.
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