{"id":12671,"date":"2007-04-13T21:03:24","date_gmt":"2007-04-14T01:03:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12671"},"modified":"2026-07-22T13:59:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T17:59:32","slug":"a-moment-by-calim11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12671","title":{"rendered":"A Moment (by Calim11)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>What Happened In-Between\/What Happened Next for the episode \u201cVengeance\u201d<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T (3,230 words)<\/p>\n

A Moment Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Moment<\/a>
\nA Moment Lost<\/a>
\nA Moment Later<\/a>
\nA Moment Feared<\/a>
\nA Moment Given<\/a>
\nA Moment Revisited<\/a><\/p>\n

A Moment<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFar enough, friend,\u201d came Red Twilight\u2019s voice from atop the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Many times in his life Adam Cartwright had faced down an opponent\u2019s gun; many times he\u2019d sidestepped death. But now, as his dark eyes took in the muzzle pointed directly at him, he actually thought that this might be it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I didn\u2019t do a hundred percent job on your brother the first time,\u201d Red continued, \u201cbut I guess it\u2019s better this way \u2013 two for one. First I get you, then I finish him. Now drop the gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was funny how time seemed to slow down to nothing when death lingered nearby \u2013 sounds became muted and drawn out, movement flowed as if through a deep and unwieldy mud and thoughts drifted to memories long ago catalogued and filed. Adam had heard of such things but never truly experienced it before. Until now, that is.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He smiled – at least he thought he\u2019d smiled – at the fields of wild lavender interspersed with blue bonnets and marigolds that spread across his memory. Fields of color, he\u2019d told Hoss as he grew older, that filled your eyes with wonder and streams of the deepest blue packed with trout as fat as the horses that pulled the wagon. All those little priceless things popped into his head in these short milliseconds before his life would be wiped out by a crazy man standing on the stair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a passing moment, he remembered the gun in his hand but knew he\u2019d never raise it in time. It bothered him that he\u2019d failed to protect his middle brother as he\u2019d promised Inger all those years ago, promised her as he watched his father hold her lifeless body, promised a newborn who didn\u2019t understand a word he said. But he<\/u><\/em> knew what those words meant; he knew what a promise meant and that he would fulfill it until the day he died . . . which seemed to be just a few breaths away.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. . . i . . . c . . . k<\/em>. \u00a0Ah, there was proof that time had slowed. The Grandfather clock sounded like a low moan as the echo of a second elapsed. A second? He had to have been standing here a good five minutes, five minutes of staring into the business end of a gun while his thoughts roamed through unconnected dots of time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Pay attention!<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Focusing on this moment was what should be occupying him now — the moment but not the face of the one who held his life in his hands, for that just wasn\u2019t important. He didn\u2019t really want that face to be the last thing he took from this life. He\u2019d much rather remember his wild rides on Sport through the tall pines, or helping Hoss learn to dance and working with Joe on his times tables. Those were much better things to remember than the face of his killer.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Besides, what would it matter when he was dead? A quick trip from the other side wasn\u2019t necessarily in the cards and it\u2019s not like he had to tell anyone anyway. Joe was upstairs and would soon see his predicament and, even though it would be too late for him, his brother would get this man who\u2019d disrupted their lives; he could close his eyes to this world knowing that Roy Coffee would take care of everything once Red Twilight was turned over to him.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Of course this was his little brother — his brother whose temper was well known and basically uncontrollable. Only their father had any sort of influence over the boy and even then just barely. Maybe it wasn\u2019t such a good idea to think that Joe would handle this with Roy and not with his gun. After all he was trying to protect Hoss and everyone knew how close those two were and how he would be avenged much to the detriment of Joe\u2019s own life. Maybe he shouldn\u2019t give up so readily even though the odds were stacked against him; maybe if he just turned slightly to the left the bullet would by-pass him or wound him and not kill him and give him a moment to yank that boy off this man before he did something he\u2019d regret.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Now there\u2019s a thought.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    As those last words filled his thoughts, time erupted around him and his eyes widened as Red\u2019s gun came to life. A rampage of sound encompassed the room and the muzzle flash filled his vision followed by a blazing trail of pain that furrowed along the side of his head, pushing him backwards to slam against the wall. Sliding to the floor, he lay stunned, eyes closed, unable to move as the sounds of a scuffle reached him. Someone struck his boot then the noise disappeared and he suddenly became aware of hands on his shoulder, forcing his eyes open to search the space in front of him.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam!\u201d Mary\u2019s voice shouted and he cast a surprised look in her direction when he realized he was still alive. Quickly picking up his gun, he looked back to her.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cYou stay here,\u201d was all he managed as he heaved himself to unsteady feet, trying to keep his eyes from crossing as he made it out the door, stumbling over the rocker and leaning a hand against the wall, shaking his head to clear it.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The sight of Joe battering Red Twilight in the yard then chasing after him into the barn found him, and he shoved away from the wall, the distinct sound of a hammer being cocked meeting him as he made the barn door. Spying Joe\u2019s hand wrapped in Red\u2019s hair, yanking his head back to expose his neck, Adam tensed and forced air into his heaving lungs.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe! Don\u2019t!\u201d he urgently called, fear for what his brother was about to do filling his belly.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cNow you stay outta this, Adam!\u201d Joe ordered, fury permeating every word, every muscle twitch on his sweaty face as he pushed his gun against Red\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    It suddenly occurred to Adam that his earlier thoughts were right \u2013 there was more than anger on his little brother\u2019s face – there was vengeance. Slowly, he stepped toward Joe, gun hanging loosely in his hand, never taking his eyes from his brother\u2019s face. \u201cAll this time you intended to kill him?\u201d he asked, hoping he was wrong.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cI made a promise to Hoss and I\u2019m gonna keep it,\u201d came Joe\u2019s pinched voice through clenched teeth as his gun bit deeper into Red\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Adam blanched. \u201cYou got his confession,\u201d he said, desperation creeping into his voice. \u201cThat\u2019s all the evidence the sheriff needs.\u201d He had to get through to him before he ruined his life.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Why else had I been given this moment?<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cThat\u2019s all the evidence I<\/u><\/em> need,\u201d came Joe\u2019s response as he watched Red\u2019s eyes brim with fear.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Perhaps a different tact was needed. \u201cAll right,\u201d Adam began, compelling his voice to lose all emotion as he willed his rapidly beating heart to calm. \u201cIf you gotta do it . . . go ahead. Blow his brains out. It\u2019ll only bring you down to the same level as the man you\u2019re gonna kill. I hope<\/u><\/em> you enjoy it.\u201d He let his disgust roll off his tongue as he slammed his gun back in its holster.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    God, let him think this through!<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    For Adam, time seemed to slow here, too, but it could\u2019ve been because a bullet had creased his head and his thoughts were swirling about each other with nowhere to perch. He watched his brother closely, watched his white knuckled hand slowly ease up on the trigger then finally release the hammer, and he felt himself sigh.\u00a0 It seemed so long in coming, that sigh; it was one of thankfulness that all the things Joe had been taught in his young life actually took and that he still held some sway with his little brother.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Joe pushed Red to the barn floor never taking his eyes from his cringing form as he holstered his gun. \u201cFine . . . fine,\u201d he quickly said, wanting so to put a bullet through that man\u2019s skull. \u201cWe\u2019ll take him back to the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam?\u201d came to them and they both turned to see Mary holding tightly to Hoss\u2019 arm, his long nightshirt hanging nearly to his boots.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam!\u201d Joe called, pushing his brother toward Hoss who quickly took up his other arm.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe? Ya all right?\u201d Hoss asked, grateful for the help.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cHow’re you feeling?\u201d Joe asked of him, ignoring his question.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat\u2019re you trying to do?\u201d Adam interjected. \u201cKill yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Hoss answered them both, none seeing Ben and a deputy riding into the yard behind them.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cHoss!\u201d Ben called as they quickly dismounted.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m gonna be all right now, Joe,\u201d Hoss stated, never taking his eyes from his little brother.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHoss,\u201d Ben called again, grabbing his son\u2019s arm from Mary as the deputy moved past all of them and into the barn, dragging a wretched Red Twilight to his feet.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Pa,\u201d Adam quickly interjected, looking intently into their father\u2019s worried face. \u201cHe got down under his own power.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Ben pulled his eyes from Hoss as the deputy yanked Red from the barn, a relieved gaze shifting to his youngest. \u201cYou didn\u2019t . . .\u201d \u00a0Stopping himself, he had to reconfigure what he\u2019d thought he\u2019d find and was never so glad of it. \u201cI was worried about something else, too,\u201d he finally finished, never taking his eyes from Joe,<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Adam followed the gaze. \u201cNow, come on, Pa,\u201d he began, looking back toward Ben with a sardonic grin. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me that\u2019s all the confidence you have in your own son.\u201d He looked back to Joe and they traded a knowing glance.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Ben smiled then, so grateful his worries were unfounded. \u201cCome on,\u201d he smiled nodding toward Hoss. \u201cLet\u2019s get this one back to bed.\u201d Tugging on his boy\u2019s arm, Ben was met with an immoveable object and watched as Hoss reached out a hand to his little brother.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cHey, Joe,\u201d Hoss began as they grabbed each other. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m . . . I\u2019m glad ya didn\u2019t kill \u2018im.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Adam kept watch as Joe tried to maneuver out of that open statement and tossed out a small chuckle.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat do ya mean kill him? Think I\u2019d kill a man just because he took a shot at a big ox like you?\u201d The relieved smile came then as Joe\u2019s anger truly left him and he took Adam\u2019s place by his brother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    With great care, Ben and Joe walked Hoss slowly back to the house as Adam followed behind with Mary, gingerly touching the side of his head. Her voice came to him but was lost in the echoes that surrounded it and he wondered when the walk from the barn to the house had stretched into a marathon distance. It hadn\u2019t occurred to him that no one seemed to notice blood trailing down his face and, in fact, he hadn\u2019t either until it dripped onto his neck. It\u2019s quite an odd sensation to have something warm and sticky ooze down your neck and onto your chest and, once touched, bring red to the fingertips.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cHm,\u201d he muttered at the sight as they all walked through the door leaving him on the stoop.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Unsure how much time had passed, Adam managed to draw his wavering sight from the blood on his fingers toward the open door that seemed to stretch before him like a warm bit of taffy. Odd. Taking a step forward was his next mistake since the sensible thing would\u2019ve been to simply drop to his knees. A hasty grab for the doorframe, which seemed to be just in front of him, missed and he soon found that the floor had suddenly become his best friend – its coolness pressing against the fire burning along the side of his head.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Gentle hands touched him and soft sounds surrounded him but it was all a blur. It wasn\u2019t until his father\u2019s face hovered over him that he was whisked back to the many times he\u2019d awakened to that same face smiling down at him, offering him love and understanding and a warm hand to hold. How pleasant those memories made him feel even as darkness fell about him. He was home, he was safe, and now, so were his brothers.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    **********<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The morning blew through the curtains like a speeding train, plastering across Adam\u2019s half opened eyes the beauty that follows the rising of the sun into an early morning sky of a new day. A wide yawn made him wince as he jarred the bandage about his head. Carefully fingering Paul Martin\u2019s work, he lightly followed the bullet trail, the line of death that could\u2019ve taken him from this world, and wondered once again how many times would he be this lucky?<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    How lucky indeed.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Ever so slowly, he edged upward to lie against the pillows at his headboard, fighting off dizziness and a massive headache that had planted itself behind his eyes, his sight drawn back to the orange rays that radiated into the cloudless sky slowly turning pink then softening into a cool blue that reminded him of so many things.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    It wasn\u2019t so long ago he\u2019d thought this sight would be lost to him forever, lost to a dark muzzle of a gun. Had time really slowed or, in the space of a split second, had his mind conjured up all those memories \u2013 his life passing before his eyes as they say \u2013 to remind him of what he had and what he would lose?<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Philosophically it could be debated for years about the progress of time and memory and whether or not a person had the ability to stop it or change it or slow it down in order for a desperate mind to work out a solution. In the long run, it didn\u2019t really matter because here he was, alive and mostly well; his family was all standing (even Hoss, in a sight he would remember always \u2013 oh, that nightshirt) and his little brother wouldn\u2019t be going to the gallows anytime soon. Whatever had actually happened was accepted and filed away for further review at a later date. No need to dwell just yet. And he shouldn\u2019t be lazing about in bed. There was work to do.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Easing back the blankets, thoughts moved to swinging his suddenly heavy legs over the side, when none too gentle hands arrived to push him back onto his pillows. Good thing, too, since the room lurched from side to side and he knew his earlier acquaintance with the floor would soon be a re-acquaintance if he wasn\u2019t careful.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    After a suitable time of making sure he wasn\u2019t going to fall out of bed, he pried open his eyes to see his little brother holding onto him, his mouth moving. Adam was sure words were coming forth but the sound just wouldn\u2019t penetrate the roar whooshing through his head at that particular moment. Blinking a few times and tilting his head to ease the ache there, the roaring began to diminish and his brother\u2019s words filtered in.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201c. . . want Hop Sing or Pa coming up here to find you sprawled on the floor again. Don\u2019t think your head could take the punishment.\u201d Joe smiled then and pulled the covers back over his long legs, handing Adam a steaming cup of tea. \u201cDrink this. Hop Sing says it\u2019ll make your head feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Wrapping shaky hands about the mug, Adam slowly sipped the brew, its warmth spreading throughout his aching body. \u201cThanks,\u201d was all he said, sending out a smile only to see a seriousness grace his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s you I need to thank, brother,\u201d Joe answered, absently picking at the blanket. \u201cYou saved me from making a huge mistake . . . again. I guess that\u2019s been about twenty times or so,\u201d he said, trying to make a joke with a forced grin.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cMore like one hundred and twenty,\u201d Adam corrected, taking another sip.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Joe nodded and the fake grin disappeared. \u201cWhatever the number, I thank you, Adam. When I saw you lying on the floor, I just couldn\u2019t stand the thought that Red Twilight had killed you and I lost it. I would\u2019ve killed him if you hadn\u2019t shown up in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, you wouldn\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cYes, Adam, I would\u2019ve,\u201d Joe answered with a shake of his head. \u201cI was a hair\u2019s breadth away from pulling that trigger, from taking from this world the man who\u2019d nearly killed Hoss and killed you. It didn\u2019t matter that he was helpless. All that mattered was that I rid the world of that murdering bastard. I would\u2019ve gladly gone to jail knowing that he was dead and couldn\u2019t hurt us any longer.\u201d Joe was close to tears and Adam laid a comforting hand on his knee.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cBut he would\u2019ve hurt us, Joe, if you\u2019d been taken away,\u201d he quietly explained, pulling his brother\u2019s eyes to him. \u201cEven from his grave, as you stood trial and went to jail or even hung, he would\u2019ve hurt us. I only gave you a moment to think through what you were about to do. I\u2019ll always believe you would\u2019ve taken that moment for yourself even if I wasn\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019ve too much faith in me, Adam,\u201d Joe admitted, wiping at his eyes. \u201cI was angry, angrier than I\u2019ve ever been, and nothing mattered but Red Twilight spilling his own blood instead of my brother\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s not faith, Joe,\u201d Adam answered with a smile. \u201cIt\u2019s understanding who you are, how you were raised, and what you\u2019ve learned. You\u2019re not Red Twilight. You would\u2019ve remembered that in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Joe looked at his brother, seeing the same man he\u2019d come to know as a child \u2013 giving, loving, loyal \u2013 telling him that he didn\u2019t need him. How untrue was that? He smiled then, a genuine smile this time.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cYou drink that up and take a nap \u2018cause your eyes are still a little crossed,\u201d Joe quipped. Adam chuckled, then finished his mug, handing it off to his brother.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    As Adam scrunched down into the covers, Joe pulled them to his brother\u2019s shoulders and watched him close his eyes, hearing the deep sounds of sleep come quickly. \u201cThank you for all the moments, Adam. I\u2019d have it no other way.\u201d Slipping out, he left the door ajar and headed toward Hoss\u2019 room.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Joe stopped as he passed the stairs and looked toward the Grandfather clock, for an instant seeing Adam lying on the floor. In that instant his heart had exploded and rage filled him and there\u2019d been only one thing to do. He wanted Red Twilight dead and he would\u2019ve gladly delivered him to Lucifer himself.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Turning away, he sighed. He never wanted to feel that again, never wanted to lose himself to that kind of fury. Thank God for the moment Adam had given him, for now his brothers were safe; Red Twilight was in jail and he wouldn\u2019t be facing a gallows. Besides, he had more important things to do \u2013 a game of checkers with the other invalid. His step proved livelier as he continued down the hall, disappearing into Hoss\u2019 room<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    These were the moments worth cherishing. These were the moments to be remembered.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    *****End*****<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Next Story in the A Moment Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    A Moment Lost<\/a>
    \n    A Moment Later<\/a>
    \n    A Moment Feared<\/a>
    \n    A Moment Given<\/a>
    \n    A Moment Revisited<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Summary:\u00a0\u00a0 What Happened In-Between\/What Happened Next for the episode \u201cVengeance\u201d<\/p>\n

    Rating:\u00a0 T (3,230 words)<\/p>\n

    A Moment series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-13-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}