Epilogue: Eight Years Later

Ennis Del Mar had to be the worst patient known to the Earth. Jack had never seen anyone put up so much fuss over every aspect of medical procedure from attending appointments, to taking medications, to just generally following medical advice. In Ennis' head, no one knew more about his health than himself and he would be damned before someone else told him otherwise. This was why he had told no one about the coughing fits and shortness of breath until the day he had passed out on the job and was taken immediately to the local hospital. The tests that Ennis had been neglecting to undergo for so long had determined that his heart and lungs had put up enough with the abuse and strain put on them. Nothing could be done for him now.

That had been almost two weeks ago. Ennis, of course, had plenty of visitors during this time. Junior and Francine, and their respective families, were everyday fixtures and even Alma herself had paid a visit or two. But at night, while Ennis slept and the hospital was closed to visitors, Jack sat by his side as unnoticed as he'd always been.

Jack was sick of watching him waste away like this. He was getting weaker by the day and everyone knew it. The only reason that he didn't have Junior or someone with him now was because Ennis had insisted. Jack knew well enough as to why: Ennis didn't want anyone to see him die. He'd hang on until nightfall to go, when he was alone.

For the past fourteen odd nights, Jack had waited. For the past fourteen odd nights he had tried to let Ennis know that he wasn't facing the end of his life alone, but to no avail.

Ever since that first anniversary Jack had managed to find a way to remind Ennis that he was still around, that he hadn't crossed over or what ever the Hell he was supposed to have done. He wasn't able to do it too often, but he'd manage a quick whisper or a touch on his hand every so often. Lord knew that Ennis really needed and appreciated those tokens.

Jack reached a hand over and tried, for the umpteenth time, to give the dying man's hand a squeeze. He cursed softly as his transparent fingers slipped through Ennis' almost ashen coloured hand. Of all the times that he really wanted to be able to pull this off it had to be now where it wouldn't work.

Story of our lives, huh cowboy?

Jack slouched into the chair and stared up at the hospital room's ceiling, knowing he wouldn't be getting an answer. What he didn't expect was to feel some strange prickling in his hand. He looked down to see Ennis' fingers trying weakly to touch him.

He jumped back and made eye contact with the man on the bed, Ennis stared right back at him. Not through him either but right into his eyes. Ennis could see him.

"Jack?" The voice was a breathless whisper. "That really you?"

Jack nodded. Always has been.

Ennis sighed and closed his eyes, a look of great peace crossing his face. "It time?" His voice seemed to have become even quieter.

The spectre sighed. I reckon so. Ennis could see him and he could hear him. That seemed a strong enough indication for Jack that the other man's time was at an end. The concept, despite the fact that it would bring them together again, brought a few scarce tears to his eyes and he swatted at them viciously. When he moved his hand away from his face he saw that Ennis was looking at him again, just drinking in the sight of him. It suddenly hit Jack that Ennis had not seen him in nearly ten years. He hadn't even had a photograph; all there was were the memories and the shirts in his closet.

Ennis coughed weakly and had to fight to get breath back. He reached out a hand to touch Jack's cheek and was allowed to have his fingers fall through the skin and drag through him. Jack usually did not appreciate this feeling, for he had associated it with his failed attempts to make his presence known, but he let Ennis continue despite his sentiments. Neither man said a word; the need for them had long since passed. Jack's eyes slid shut and he could almost the smell fresh pine scent of the mountain that had held on to them so deeply.

The other man's hand returned to its resting place and Jack opened his eyes to see Ennis smiling faintly up at him. The deep eyes were fighting to stay open and the fingers were twitching as if they wanted to grab Jack's hand. Don't fight it, Ennis, Jack found himself saying. Ennis nodded briefly and tried to speak only to find that he didn't have breath to form the words. Tears were flowing freely down Jack's face now as shook his head. You'll see me soon. I promise.

With that promise, Ennis's eyes fell shut and the monitors instantly began their shrieking. Jack lowered his head and allowed more tears to escape his eyes. The staff soon bolted in and began their attempts to revive the body on the bed. Jack tried to remove himself but kept finding himself displaced as more and more people seemed to continuously rush through him.

A hand grasped his shoulder as he rematerialized yet again and pulled him safely to the back of the room. Jack quickly found himself spun around to stand face to face with Ennis Del Mar, looking just as he had during that summer. The two men stared at each other for several moments before Ennis reached out to cup Jack's face in his hands and lower his mouth to give him a gentle but passionate kiss. Jack fuckin' Twist

Jack laughed through his drying tears and pulled Ennis into a ferocious embrace, which was returned just as aggressively. Missed ya so much, Rodeo.

I was never far away.

They stepped back from each other and caught glance of a great white light appearing in the doorway. Ennis looked quizzically at Jack, who could only offer a shrug. The scent of pine trees soon filled the air, and Jack swore he could hear a river running. With one final look at the body that had once been Ennis Del Mar, the two men gripped hands and returned to the place they had never truly left and would now always be found.

Jack had never been a patient man, but he reckoned this had been well worth the wait.