School Grounds, Wednesday afternoon

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

After the two boys were handwavily gremlin bit earlier in Chris' room, Jack Johnny and Ennis Chris headed outdoors to get to work and do what need's doin' to gather the herd and keep 'em secure on Crackback Mountain.

It was just that Johnny was a bit confused and glancin' over at Chris told him that the ranch hand was pretty much in the same boat.

"Ah, hell, Chris, I don't be seein' them heffer's 'round, do you? And the good Lord strike me dead if this here be Crackback Mountain. I'll be a yankee sumbitch if these here hills be called mountains."

Hands on hips, he glared at the ground.

"You thinkin' real hard over there or are you just as confused as I am?"

[ooc: Chris and Johnny have been, with permission, gremlin bit that was handwavily done. Welcome to Brokeback Mountain, Fandom style. Woot! Feel free to notice, gander, or just plain wtf at the boys.]

Comments

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Nah," he shook his head, planting his hands on his hips. "Ain't hardly likely. No cattle ever take to runnin' to town."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"But there's all that green grass at the park," Isabel pointed out. "And you know what they say, the grass is always greener..."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny cut his eyes at her. Was there insun... insin... was she tryin' to imply somethin'? "I don't reckon I catch your meanin', little lady."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'm just trying to help you find your cows," she said, biting down hard on the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. "Honest."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He looked her over. "You sure ain't dressed for it. Where's your horse?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"He stepped in a gopher hole and broke his leg. He had to be put down," Isabel replied sadly. "Right now I have to get places using my own two feet."

Yes, she was going to hell.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Well I hope for your sake you didn't have to witness it. No lady ever ought to witness a horse bein' put down," Johnny said with a sad shake of his head. "You just roamin' then? Cause I'm thinkin' that ain't too safe up in these parts for a lady just to be roamin'."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

There was a certain level of irony there considering exactly who was the victim of the weirdness. "I'm just roaming. But I can look after myself," she promised.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"You ain't never come up against a gizzly have ya?" asked Johnny.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No grizzlies, but I have tangled with a few overly amorous football players," Isabel said, thinking of certain dates she'd gone on back in Roswell. "I'd rather deal with a grizzly."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny couldn't think of anything sane to say back to that.

"Where's your husband, darlin'?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Husband? Oh hell no," she boggled. "I'm not married."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Divorced? Husband run you off for cheatin'?" he asked, mildly curious. "Only way some female be up here on Crackback Mountain."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No," Isabel said firmly. "I've never been married. And I don't cheat."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Dear God. She was one of them female lovin' types that keep themselves hidden from the public. What's she doin' up here?

...

"I ain't no queer."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I never said you were," she pointed out.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Just tryin' to make a point, little lady." Johnny's cheeks were warm.

"Sure you ain't seen no heffers? Just one maybe? Me and my buddy Chris here, well, it's our livelihood."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Sorry, I haven't," Isabel said sadly. "But I'm going to go for a run and if I do, I'll be sure to come back and tell you."

And if she were lucky enough, that would be about when whatever wackiness wore off. She'd love to see that.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Thank ya kindly, ma'am," Johnny tipped his hat. "Shouldn't run too far seein' as you're just a woman."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep that in mind," she replied dryly. "Have fun looking for your cows."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"I know how to shoot!" he replied quickly, glancing over at Chris, his eyes warm.

"And I got a horse."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"So you'll come rescue me if I need it?" Isabel asked.

She caught the glance and shook her head. There was going to be major flailing when this was all done.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"You bet," he replied with a big dip of his head. "No man is gonna allow a pretty thing such as yourself to get in harms way."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I appreciate it," she told him. "You have a good day now."

Chuckling, Isabel gave him a wave and started her run into town.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Women folk out alone like this? It just ain't right. Her man ought to be shot.