Memories on the Ozarks (Close)

[pa1ndru1d]

The scream and spasm made Dan jerk awake as well. He hadn’t realized that he had fallen asleep with Becca’s head still in his lap. When Becca jerked up Dan had absently pulled his pocket knife, it was now poised in his only free hand. The blade was cupped along Dan’s wrist as he held Becca against him. His breathing was slow and easy as he strained to hear any foreign sounds to his cabin.

The only light that now showed was the always-on security lights mounted out on the pole near Dan’s shed. They must have slept through to night. “Shhh. Becca, darlin’ it’s all right. Musta been a bad dream, ain’t nobody here, love.” With a soft ‘snick’ the pocket knife went back to Dan’s front pocket. He shifted his right leg to ensure that the weight of the loaded revolver was still there in his ankle holster. He was grateful to have found it in the nightstand at Matt’s place.

His hand brushed the sweaty locks away from Becca’s bruised and swollen face. “Why don’t you tell me about it, hon.” It was more a command than an a request, albeit a soft one.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca couldn’t quell her sobs for some time as the image of Nick shooting Dan replayed in her mind. The sound of his heart beating quickly against her forehead mingled in with the sound of her crying. His arm held her close and protectively and that only spurred on the fear that, should Nick decide to make an appearance, Daniel could be hurt as a result of her. His voice did eventually begin to soothe her, accompanied with his gentle strokes as he pulled the hair away from her face. She left his request in silence for awhile before she finally sat up next to him. Her head was pounding, and the whiplash from the accident had finally stiffened her muscles.

“I keep having nightmares about Nick.” Her voice shook slightly as she turned her body sideways so she could look at Dan while resting her head against the back of the couch. “I think it was worse this time because my body associates pain with him.” Shrugging slowly, she couldn’t suppress a sigh that escaped. The nightmares had been going on for the last couple weeks, and she’d managed to hide them from Dan thus far. In part, she thought they had been spurred on by the number of hang up calls she’d been getting. Another secret she had been keeping from Daniel. She didn’t want him to make a big deal out of it.

“I’m so tired.” Changing the subject, she closed her eyes once again, hoping he’d let the conversation drop.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Danny was thankful for the darkness that surrounded them for his face took on a grimace at the mention of Nick and nightmares. Ain’t it enough the sonnofabitch took so much from her while she was with him??? Dan was actually getting pissed. How the fuck can I do battle against her mind? I can fight him here, in the flesh… The idea struck him then, maybe it was time for this good ol’ boy to do some huntin’ of his own…

He knew how tired she was for he shared her situation to some extent. When she closed her eyes, he pulled the afghan down and covered her with it. Danny was thinking that maybe what Becca needed was some more sleep after all, when her stomach grumbled loudly and her eyes popped open. Dan chuckled. “Sounds like you might be tuckered but yer tummy is wide awake. Let’s see what we can find to fix that beast up.”

Dan looked through his fridge and found that someone had come in and stocked it with some eggs and milk and a bit of bacon. There was some frozen stuff up in the freezer but they didn’t have that kind of time, so Dan started mixing some batter. The bacon fried up in a separate pan while the pancakes cooked on the griddle. He expertly made a hole in the batter for the pancakes and dropped an egg right in the center and waited till it was time to flip them.

Soon the cakes were finished up to perfection. Dan served them both up in the living room while a small fire crackled in the fireplace. With a light peck on her forehead, Dan woke Becca up from her light doze to wondrous smells.

 

[TabascoKV]

Thankfully, he let the conversation die and she felt the welcoming of sleep tugging at her. While she didn’t drift into a deep sleep, she did cat nap in her sitting position. When the smell of food and Dan both roused her, she smiled at him appreciatively. She took the plate in her lap, looking curiously from his pancake-egg to him before shrugging and digging in. Exhaustion had been the main play on her senses the whole day, and the idea of eating had somewhere been lost among the drowsiness.


She ate in silence, only able to finish half of her food. Picking up her pain meds, she quickly took a tablet before curling back up under the blanket.

“Thank you for cooking. I know it couldn’t have been easy with your arm.” Watching him carefully, her eyelids closed partially. “I feel like I haven’t slept in a year.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

“No problem at all, darlin’.” Dan said with a wink. “You should see the things I can do with only one hand.” Danny cleared the plates to the sink and ran some water over them. He quickly checked the alarm system that the security people had installed when they did the main house. Dan was grateful for the foresight. On top of the houses being protected to the gills, every building on the property was equipped with panic buttons, each of them on different circuits. The new security features hadn’t been cheap, but Dan had begun to see Becca’s safety to be of the utmost importance – second only to her love for him.

Becca’s face told him how exhausted she was. “Darlin’ I think it might be time for bed. C’mon, let’s go.” Danny snatched her meds and stuck them in his arm sling before helping her get up and head down the hallway toward his bedroom.

 

[TabascoKV]

When he left her alone, her eyelids closed once more, and the subtle sound of Dan working in the kitchen nearly lured her into sleep. His voice nearly caused her to jump and she opened her eyes, nodding at his suggestion. As wrapped her arm around his middle, she leaned on him as they walked down the hallway. When they stopped by his door, an instantaneous image of Dan in that bed with four other women, Sheila and the Jasmine being amidst the crowd, made her stomach curl. Looking up at him, she bit her bottom lip.

“Can we sleep in the other room?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan paused for a moment then helped her to the spare room instead. “No problem, hon.” An understanding wormed its way into Dan’s drug and exhaustion induced mind, Becca was having issues with the numbers of women he had had sex with. Maybe we can both go and pick out a new bedroom set together when we feel better. He thought as he eased her into the bed. Dan was grateful that he had at least chosen a full size bed for the spare room.

He carefully pulled his own clothes off and slid gingerly into the bed with his woman. Dan held her close to him. “Becca, you are the only woman that has ever made me feel complete.”

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca felt foolish for her hesitancy. It wasn’t as if the women were currently in his bed. The idea of living in his love nest, so to speak, left an awkward taste in her mouth. When she felt the comfortable softness of the bed beneath her, her muscles began to relax slightly. Her own insecurities began to vanquish when she felt Daniel crawl into bed next to her. It didn’t matter who was in his past. All she knew was that she wanted to be his future. Her movements were slow as she curled up beside him, her eyes closing in contentment and relief. Dan’s softly spoken words brought a smile to her face.

The silence encompassed the room for a few moments as her mind played over the last couple of weeks.

“I’m angry at Joe.” With her eyes still closed, Becca revisited the topic that had been their downfall. “I don’t’ want to be, but I am. I’m angry that he knew how miserable I was with my parents, and he could have done something about it. I had the right to know what it was like to have a real father, and that right was taken away from me. I feel betrayed by him and my parents. He should have told me. And now I’ll never have the opportunity to know him as a father.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Danny held her and felt her raw emotion rush against him as if he were a sandy shore and she the tide. “I know darlin. I know.” His hand went to her head and his fingers began to comb through her hair. He knew that this was incredibly hard for her.

What Dan really wanted to tell her that even though it wouldn’t be easy, she might try to put herself in Joe’s position. But he couldn’t do it. Part of him did wonder if Rupert had any more information on the subject, though. Instead he found himself kissing the back of her head and neck as various thoughts ran through his mostly drugged head.

Questions like, if Joe had raised Danny as his son and raised Becca as his daughter… would they still feel the same way about each other?

 

[TabascoKV]

Had Becca been feeling more conflictual, she would have made Dan eat his words. Did he really know? Had he been living his entire life thinking one man was his father, only to find out it had been a lie? Her exhaustion and common sense got the better of her. Now was not the time for a fight. Becca needed somebody to stand by her. Feeling his lips against her neck, she suppressed a small shiver. Turning over so that she faced him, she slid her arm around his stomach.

“I love you, Daniel Collins.” Speaking quietly, she gently ran her fingers over his stomach.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Danny was amazed that she was still awake when she rolled over to face him. His stomach had a little flutter when she lightly touched the cut muscles of his abdomen. A slight moan escaped him without his meaning to and he closed his eyes.

“I love you too, Becca. You have no idea how much.” His lips leaned in and kissed the bruises on her face lightly as if he could kiss away all the pain and ugliness she had ever faced in her life.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca smiled faintly at his words, her eyes closing as she became lost in the feather of his lips. His rhythmic heartbeat lulled her into a sleep. The pain only increased as her medication wore off, and she woke up several times during the night. Her muscles tightened, and by the time the sun rose the next morning, Becca was in tears she was so frustrated. And tired.

Moving slowly, she crawled out of bed as quietly as she could so as not to disturb Dan. He needed as much sleep as he could get. Taking her medication, she grabbed a throw blanket and walked out onto the front porch. Curling up in the bench swing on the front porch, she gazed out at the farm. A couple of horses were running across the large gated pastures, and she felt a calming spirit brush against her. She knew that Joe was watching over the farm and that he was proud of the progress they continued to make. She still felt at a loss to the news that he was indeed her father, and not her uncle.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Danny had forgone his medications the night before. He wasn’t accustomed to taking meds and he didn’t want to be. He had slept lightly and restlessly; in fact, he had awoken every time Becca had stirred or murmured in her sleep. The only exception was the last time she got up.

He did wake up shortly after that, however, about fifteen minutes after. His dream had just began; Nick had Becca tied up somewhere on a dark and twisted version of the BetheL Ranch and he kept taunted Danny on the walkies. Try as he might, Danny could not locate either one. When Danny woke up, he did so gasping, dripping sweat. His arm reached over and gripped empty sheets. Danny’s heart raced in doubletime and he swung his feet over the edge of the bed. He feared that his nightmare’s had come true. “Becca…” he whispered as he moved through the cabin.

Dan sighed a breath of relief when he saw her through the windows in the living room, swinging lightly on the porch. Seeing that she was ok, Danny took a moment to brew some coffee and slip on some jeans. He took two steaming mugs of fresh brew to the screen door. “Want some comp’ny?” he asked as he nudged the door open.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca had been thinking back about her uncle, trying to find some sense of peace. She didn’t want to be angry with a dead man. The creaking of the door startled her from her thoughts, and her hazel eyes looked up. Smiling as Daniel handed her the cup of coffee, her gaze followed his form as he sat down next to her.

“You look like you’re feeling better.” Sipping the coffee, she felt the warmth trickle down her throat and into her stomach. A more serious expression crossed her face as she studied Daniel. “I almost lost you the other day, didn’t I?”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

The bruising on Becca’s face had transformed, changing to yellows and grays and the swelling had all but dissipated. Seeing her smile made his days worth living; pain or no pain. He thought about her question as he pulled her over to him with his strong arm.

“I’m a doin a bit better I guess.” He wasn’t sure he wanted to think about being separated from Becca, not after the nightmare he had just faced. He grimaced slightly before containing his fear. Instead of focusing on being separated from her, he focused on his own death – a subject he had spent a lot of time dwelling on. “Nah, darlin… God… he loves a good story, see. And what better story is there than Danny Collins?” He spread his arms wide and regretted it immediately. Pain shot through his left shoulder down to his fingertips.

He winced and breathed in sharply.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca looked at him with an expression that clearly said she wasn’t buying it. Turning her body, she leaned against him, cupping the cup between her hands.

“So, that would be a yes to my question then.” A small smile appeared on her lips as she looked up at him. Despite the gash that was beginning to heal on his face, he was still the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. Leaning her head against his chest, a sigh of contentment seemed to bring her even closer to Dan. Her eyes continued to scan the farm, the sun casting brilliant shades of pinks and oranges as it rose above the horizon. The peacefulness of the farm this early in the morning was unsurpassed.

A faint rumble sound broke the silence, but was still so distant Becca didn’t really notice it. The helicopter finally broke through her reverie and she looked up at the sky. A knot tightened in her stomach as a bright red helicopter found an empty field fairly close to the house and landed.

“Oh shit.” Without realizing it, Becca slipped a rare profanity as she watched the helicopter cut its engines. “My parents are here.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

The morning air was comfortable, not too cool and not too hot. Danny even felt comfortable wearing only jeans. The coffee was piping and warmed his belly and he had begun to wake up some when the first faint thump-thump-thumps came to him on the slight breeze.

Helicopters were not a normal sight around these parts. The only time one was visible was when some hiker fell and cracked their leg in an obscure portion of the Mark Twain National Forest. They’d have to call in for a chopper to come get the poor sucker.

When it finally came into view, Danny saw that it wasn’t a medical evac chopper at all, but some slick, streamlined version that someone had paid top dollar for. Dan almost choked when he heard the muttered curse come from Becca. “Uhh… Parents?” He was somewhat shocked. “Here… Now?” He was in awe. He had never even considered having to meet her parents, and he wasn’t quite sure what to do now. So, Dan sat. He sipped his coffee and leaned back into the old porch swing to watch things unfold.

Dan smiled behind his coffee cup as he sipped and thought... This aughta be interestin’

 

[TabascoKV]

After everything she had been through in the past week, the last people she wanted to see were her parents. She had barely spoken to them over the last two years. When she did make a phone call, she had to listen to them both try to guilt her into returning to Nick. Her father had outright try to order her back. She watched as two figured exited the helicopter. Even from the distance, she could tell that father was dressed in a suit, and her mother was dressed in designer clothing. Becca knew they would disapprove of Daniel Collins and everything about him. Standing up, she sighed, feeling as if she were about to walk straight into doom. Setting the mug on the ground, she shot Dan a defeated expression before walking down the stairs.

She met them about a hundred feet from the house, ignoring the stern look in Paul Landers’ eyes. Crossing her arms over her chest, a look of defiance crossed Becca’s face.

“What are y’all doing here?” Her tone came out a little less severe than the tone on her face. Samantha Landers took a step forward and started to hug Becca, but Becca lifted her hands and waved her off. “I’m not going to pretend everything is all right. It’s not.”

“Rebecca…” Her mother’s face held a hint of pain on it at her daughter’s rejection.

“Rebecca Elizabeth.” Paul Landers cut in, his harsh voice cutting over Sam’s soft spoken plea. “You do not treat your mother that way. We’ve come to take you home.”

“I am home.” The stubbornness she’d inherited from Joseph came out in full force.

“This piece of dirt isn’t home. We’ll sell the farm and you and Nick will be set for life.” Paul was used to being obeyed, and the fact that his daughter was appearing so obstinate infuriated him.

“I am not selling the farm. Not now. Not ever.” Becca’s hazel eyes darkened as she glared up at Paul’s tall stature. He was still an inch shorter than Daniel, but he towered over her.

“Both of you, please stop.” Samantha spoke up finally, a begging look in her eyes as she looked from one to the other. “This is not how family treats each other. Rebecca, we haven’t seen you in so long. Let-“

“Let’s what? Catch up? Pretend like nothing has happened.” Spitting out her words, she pointed to Paul accusingly. “He’s not family. He’s not my father. You all knew, and you all lied to me about it. That is not how family’s treat each other. As far as I’m concerned, the family I have is on this farm, so get off my piece of dirt.” Becca’s voice rose slightly, and she turned her back on her parents and walked back towards Dan’s house.

It was too much to hope for that they would simply get back in their helicopter and leave her in peace. She focused her attention on Daniel in hopes of gaining back some of the peace they’d had prior to being interrupted. Her father’s strong grip spun her around, causing her to cry out as her muscles objected fiercely to the fast movement. Once he had her attention, he let go of her arm, the anger obvious in the red of his face.

“Rebecca…” He began angrily, but Samantha interjected.

“This is ridiculous. Both of you. Paul let’s leave. Rebecca, I’ll be back tomorrow and you and I will talk about all this.” The ferocity in her mother’s demeanor left Becca with very little desire to object. Samantha gently, but firmly, pulled her husband back towards the helicopter.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan felt her pain as she looked to him briefly before heading down to meet her parents. He leaned down and picked up the coffee cup before heading inside. There were a few things he never did; one of them was to never walk into a fight in your bare feet. He slipped his boots on and ran his fingers through his messy hair before heading back outside. He didn’t bother with a shirt.

Things were just beginning to get heated up as he walked across the yard and his own anger began to grow as he heard Becca begin to get upset. He was feeding off of her emotion. He was thankful when she turned back toward him and started walking his way. Seeing her father put his hands on her was the too much however.

He took a mental status of the situation as he jogged toward his woman. He could feel the weight of the pistol against his ankle, just inside his boot. He knew he wasn’t in the best of shape to be sparring with anyone, but that would not stop him from defending what he considered to be his.

Dan Collins opened his mouth to say something when he thought better of it. This was Becca’s battle, not his. At least not yet. He should let her handle her business. He would not allow anyone to put their hands on her again though. As he came close enough, Dan reached forward and gently pulled Becca back to him, shielding her with his arms and letting her know that he had her back in every way she might need it.

“This here’s a shoot first, call the law kinda’ state. Tresspassers aren’t taken too kindly.” He said, not really knowing if her parents heard him or not. All that really mattered was that Becca heard him.

 

[TabascoKV]

Feeling Dan’s calming hands pull her into him, some of her muscles relaxed as she leaned against him. Even his remark couldn’t bring a smile to her face. Instead, she turned around and slid her arms around his middle, burrowing her face in his chest. When the sound of the engines firing up startled some of the horses, she closed her eyes, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.” Turning her head so that he’d be able to hear her, Becca kept her eyes closed, reveling in his comfort. “I can’t believe he had the audacity to tell me to sell this place.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

He had only heard snippets of the conversation so he asked her to fill in his blanks. The truth was he was thankful and relieved that it was Becca that was in charge of the farm and that none of the other members of her family had any say in it. “Lovely.” He replied. “So, how do you think tomorrow will go with mom coming back to ‘discuss’ the matter?” Part of Dan wondered if there was actually a point in it at all. But that was coming from the point of view of his incredibly dysfunctional family.

Dan walked slowly back to the cabin with Becca gripping his arm. His stomach grumbled and he checked the fridge for quick and easy breakfast ideas.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca felt unnerved for the remainder of the day, but Dan did his best to keep her spirits high. They went out on the farm to ensure the horses had all been fed and make sure they had all calmed down from the previous few days. By the time they crawled into bed that night, they both felt spent. Becca was physically and emotionally drained. She slept better that night than she had the previous two nights, and when she crawled out of bed, she moved much easier.

She was a little quieter than she usually was as she moved about the house. Aside from her meeting with her mother, they were supposed to meet with a building company to begin designing the new house. Becca was in the bathroom pulling her hair up when she heard a knocking on the front door.

“Dan, will you get that?”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan had just finished brushing his teeth. He slapped Becca’s ass after drying his hands and was walking down the hall to the kitchen when the knock sounded on the door. He heard Becca’s semi-muffled question and assumed she wanted him to get the door. When he opened it, Samantha Landers stood before him. “Mrs. Landers.” Dan said. He was skeptical about allowing her into his home. He honestly didn’t want to, but he knew that Becca needed the answers to her questions. Dan also figured her parents would never come up with answers that would be good enough.

He felt out of place but stepped back and swung the front door wide. “Would you like to come in?” he asked, inviting her in. “Take a seat anywhere, you like, Becca will be out shortly.” He fumbled over himself as he followed her into his cozy living room. “You want some coffee or tea or somethin?” Dan had never felt so grateful in his life when he heard the sound of Becca’s shuffling feet on the hardwood floor.

 

[TabascoKV]

Samantha was surprised when a man answered the door, and she hoped her shock wasn’t evident in her face. Nodding, she followed him inside the quaint house. Looking around, she found it cozy, and she knew Paul would object immediately. Paul had always made it a point for everything to be extravagant. Sitting down on the couch, she looked towards Danial curiously.

“Tea would be lovely. Not to sound rude, but who are you?”

Becca came into the living room, smiling appreciatively at Dan. Her smile faded at the sight of her mother. Sighing, she sat down on the recliner, curling her legs up underneath her.

"Mom."

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan scratched his head for a minute, feeling like a complete idiot. “Oh… uhh. Sorry, ma’am. Daniel Collins.” He wiped his hand on his pants leg then stuck it out in greeting. She shook it tentatively, almost with a sense of disgust.

He quickly poked his head out the kitchen door to make sure that she had come alone. Where Mrs. Landers had a tendency to make him realize his status as a “poor” man, Mr. Landers would have made him push their differences aside and treat him like he would any other abusive man he came across. Luckily she had come alone.

The look he flashed to Becca spoke of being saved from eminent death. “Comin’ right up, Mrs. Landers.” He said. He mouthed “Thank-you.” To Becca as he went into the kitchen. He poured three tall glasses of iced tea and took them back into the living room and found a seat next to Becca.