Thirty Fourth

[mademyownpath.livejournal.com]

You've been quiet lately. Everythin' all right, son? Did you get your room switched over too?

[And as John is the sort of father who has to stick his nose in his son's business, John's gone on a hunt for Jack. Unfortunately, Jack's floor no longer exists, so John has to travel through the castle, each tower, each floor, looking for the door with his boy's name on it.

He doesn't find it.

John spends the next hour looking again. Making absolutely certain. He eventually stops on the first floor again, looking horribly lost. This wasn't FAIR, he was finally starting to make things RIGHT. They were having something of a relationship again, no longer him running off to do Dutch's bidding while Jack stayed with his mother, slowly building up a resentment for an absent father]

God DAMN it.

[John realises too late his journal is open. He considers just...closing it and going on his way, but no. People knew him. They needed to know]

For anyone who knew him, Jack Marston has gone home.

[Yeah, that's not a good thing to say. He'll be heading to the stables now]

Comments

[mademyownpath.livejournal.com]

I'll be careful, I know how to avoid folk who want to kill me.

[onemanshort.livejournal.com]

I just don't like it, is all.

...I better not hear nothin' 'bout you gettin' yourself hurt out there.

[mademyownpath.livejournal.com]

I'll keep myself safe, I promise. I just need time away, less I do something I'd regret.

[Like trying to explode the damn thing]

[onemanshort.livejournal.com]

Right. [softly]

I-I don't blame you none.

You leavin' right off? If I'd known, I coulda set somethin' up for you. Some things to make livin' out there easier, maybe.

[technology didn't work, but she'd been playing with the idea of security systems that didn't need a power source. She could have figured out something]

[mademyownpath.livejournal.com]

NO...I'm fine, thank you Darlin'. I'll survive fine, done it many a time before.

[onemanshort.livejournal.com]

I know. I just...woulda liked to.

[you're family, John. She's going to miss you.]

[mademyownpath.livejournal.com]

I know you would. And the thought's appreciated. But I can't stick around no longer. I need to get away.

[He'll miss you too girl] I'll be gone a month, at the longest. Probably less. I promise.

[onemanshort.livejournal.com]

You do what you gotta do. There's no reason to want to be around here...'specially now.

[mademyownpath.livejournal.com]

Not right now, anyway. I'll be back.

[onemanshort.livejournal.com]

We'll be here. [it may not be a promise she can guarantee, but she means it]

[mademyownpath.livejournal.com]

I know, darlin'. I know.