Homecoming(Pm first)

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron sat on the front porch of her ranch home in sunny Texas thinking of the past and what had transpired a few years ago, she thought she was over it, but today marked what had happened two years ago. Her best friend the only man she ever loved left, he told her he had to go and follow his dreams, of being a rodeo cowboy, she begged him to take her with him, but he refused saying he couldn't give her what she needed, but she told him she needed him and that she was in love with him, he said she didn't know what she was saying that she couldn't love him, that was two long years ago and in time she had hated him although the last six months he had sent her letters, she was bitter now, and didn't allow herself to love anyone.. if she only knew that he had loved her but he couldn't hurt her by not being there the way she wanted or needed... now he was back... but Sharron didn't know that yet.

Sharron
23
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f291/diamond_paris/Rachel%20Bilson/rachelbilson.png(Pic)

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Bumped

 

[sonali00783]

Can i join in by playing the role of your love interest, this thread is really promising, and has a potential to be a highly romantic one!

 

[andygorn]

James (Jim) Mason

Name = James (Jim) Mason
Age = 26

The couple of years since he'd left had sure been hard on Jim...harder than he had even wanted to admit to himself...

He'd be the first to say that he had left the town under a cloud, but his mind had been filled with dreams and aspirations. and he'd pushed the rest of his life aside in the vision to pursue them. Even now, 2 years on, waves of shame still overcame him each and every day he thought about her.
The day he left had been particularly hard on both of them: He'd hurt SO much that he couldn't tell her what was really going on...knowing that she would probably hate and resent him for all of her days, yet knowing that (despite all they'd shared) he was in no position to tell her the full truth.
It had almost broken his heart to have to lie to her...to tell her that she was too young to really know what love was...and that he had to go for his dream...

As he'd left on the truck, feeling each one of her tears striking deep into his heart like a knife, he DID think about saying "to hell with it", jumping off the flatbed and running into her arms.
Yet the words of his father had rung in his ears and -to his eternal shame- he had followed the wishes of his family rather than those of his heart and of the incredibly pretty young woman who loved him.

The next few months had been whirlwind; whilst he'd never forgotten the beautiful young woman he had left behind and always cherished the vision of her, the endless hours and weeks of rigorous training for the various competitions meant that he'd had little time even for sleep, let alone anything else.

Despite a few false starts, success in the rodeo had eventually come.
Jim had hoped that these would assuage his parents and siblings enough to aloow them to return home to Texas, but his ability and new-found fame only served to make them spur him even further onwards, to more challenges and further-flung towns and more States.
No matter how successful he became, the further he found himself from her.

It had almost been a relief 7 months ago when his domineering father (who had turned physically abusive to his entire family in the last year) had a heart attack and died, yet it still hit them all very hard.

The competition circuit had gotten a lot quieter in the last 8 months, but he'd still remained in the top 5 riders in the Southern trials without pushing himself too hard and he hoped for big thing in the coming years.
Yet, Sharron had always been in his mind...thinking of the beautiful woman he had foolishly left behind.
After a month of not competing after his father passed away, Jim finally got his Mom's permission to write to Sharron to ask her how she was and to tell her how he was getting on.
He knew that she might even be married or may even have children by now, but (even if they couldn't be together) he desperately wanted to explain things to her; to try to set the record straight so that she didn't hate him anywmore.
He didn't want to do this for himself (as he hated himself enough already for what he'd done to her), but so that it might give Sharron a little peace of mind.
He also knew that the felings she had professed for him that day were ones which he had had ever simce he saw her. His feelings for Sharron had not diminshed in the intervening time that they had been apart and he earnestly hoped that he might be able to undo his stupidity.
Thus it was that Jim found himself on the flatbed of a truck once again, on the way back to Sharron's town...THEIR town...

The old landmarks soon came into view as they passed a few outlying farmhouses and barns.
'The fields and farmlands around are truly beautiful...I should NEVER have left.' Jim thought, as the truck pulled into the town square in front of Old Man Johnson's hardware store. Saying farewell to the truck driver, Jim regarded the shop:
As kids, he and Sharron (amongst others) had hung out together at the store and talked about their dreams and ambitions and had no cares in the world.
Now, most things had changed for him, but -like the town itself- a few things were still the same and he hoped that Sharron hadn't moved since the last letter.
Although he recalled the directions to her family's house, he didn't exactly want to just turn up out of the blue....after everything else held done to her, the least he could do was to treat her with a decent amount of courtesy.
Jim soon found lodgings at the hotel and recalled a few familiar faces at the bar, exchanging a few words of greeting with them and making it known that he was only staying for maybe 2 -3 weeks (even though he had no intention of leaving until he'd had a chance to tell Sharron the full truth).
He knew that the community gossips' tongues would soon be wagging about his return; although he had no intention of leaving until he'd spoken to Sharron, he didn't want to push things (he'd put her through too much already).
He hoped that Sharron would hear of his arrival on the grapevine and that she might be able to at least pass the time of day with him and he'd get a chance to explain when the time was right for her.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

Sharron finally got up hearing the phone ring but ignored it, while she got herself a glass of iced tea and made her way to her stables a ride always seemed to keep her mind traveling away from Jim... she worked as well, but her boss told her she needed to take a vacation, seeing as she hadn't had one in the two years she had been working there, she was a vet in her small town one of her dreams that she had made come true. She saddled up her favorite horse river and hopped on making her way through her land, she loved the property she lived on she inherited it when her grandparents wanted something smaller. Her thoughts were far from Jim as she looked over the last few years without him, at least the letter told her he was doing well, that was a good concolation at least she never wished him harm, and knew the rodeo was a dangerous life. She finished her riding and made her way back to her house.

Sharron sighed as she went in she was now sweating all over so she knew a nice cold shower was just what she needed, let the phone ring she told herself as it went again, the machine can get it. She took a long cold shower and dressed before heading to the stairs and checking the messages. Not many people knew the real story of what happened between her and Jim, but a few did a few of her close friends the ones she could trust at least.

The first message was from her boss, telling her all was good at the office, and that it a emergency happened he would contact her, good Sharron thought her jod was her biggest part of her life lately,besides her riding.

She sat on the sofa and listened to the rest nothing promising yet, a girlfriend wanted her to come down to the watering hole later for a girls night out, so Sharron called her back and said count me in.

The next message stunned her for a few moments it was her closet friend... telling her she had seen Jim, that Jim was back in there small town, wow word travels fast Sharron thought... her world was in turmoil as she listened on, Beth told her he looked good, Sharron sighed thinking he always did, well she wasn't the little kid he left behind anymore... she was a grown woman and didn't want to see him. She decided to clear her mind get ready and go to the watering hole, with no idea that Jim would be there also.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/Miki-091/Moondancer-/Rachel%20Bilson/rachel3.jpg(Dress shes wearing) She dressed and got in her small jeep and made her way to the bar to meet her friends, she needed a few stiff drinks to ever face him again.

 

[andygorn]

Jim

After checking out his room in the hotel, Jim had returned to prop up the bar for a while.
He engaged a few of the locals in conversation: they were mainly old cowboys and friends of his Dad's who he'd known from before.
When they consoled him on his father's passing he tried to sound pretty upset, but the truth was that -although he was a bit sad- he was also a bit thankful that the old guy had died (given the harsh treatment he'd meted out on his own family).
However, he knew that he could not tell them this side of his Dad...it would smash their recollections of his former years as an amateur boxing champion and "all-round local hero".

Instead, they were soon enjoying some beers and a few reminiscences. By the time the first set of pool balls was racked up, he was also regaling them with a few hair-raising tales from the rodeo circuit.

The bar was quite busy and he hoped to get back into the local 'bar-scene' as he liked to call it...despite the time held been away, he still saw this town as 'home' and he was determined to see the sights.
Making a little small-talk away from his mates, Jim took his beer out onto the porch to soak up the air and try to get back into the slower, but more welcome, way of life here.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

Sharron got into her car turned the radio full blast and made her way to meet her friends wanting to think nothing mroe of Jim or anything else at that moment, her looks had changed quite a bit since Jim left she wasn't that little skinny girl anymore she had curves now, and spunk to boot.

She sighed as a slow song played but sang along to it, one of her other passions was singing although she wasn't sure how good she actually was.

She pulled into the bar and leaned on the wheel for a moment before turning the engine off and making her way to go inside.

 

[andygorn]

As Jim stood on the porch enjoying trhe cool night air, he recalled previous night stood out here and he wondered if he should never have left in the first place:


Sure, he now had a bit of a good reputation in the rodeo scene, and -if he stayed in the top 10 in the region- the money was bound to keep pouring in, but he mused about rhwhether this was enough.
He'd slotted back into town life pretty easily and he'd not had one call from his usually anxious manager yet.
Maybe there was enough here to make it worthwhile 'retiring', but he didn't feel ready to take that step...not yetm when he was on the verge of sokmething big...however, he did hope that maybe he could combine the two and carry on living here and still do the circuit, too.
'Maybe I could even put back some of my money into the local community?' he thought, as he sipped his too-warm beer.

Lost in reverie, he heard the sound of a couple of approaching vehicles, but didn't look up at them to see who was inside...if he HAD done, he would have seen Sharron behind the wheel of one of the cars...instead, he turned and quickly went back into the bar to order a fresh beer.
The years had been good to Jim and his training regime had been very helpful in giving him bags of muscles and a very toned physique...he hoped that Sharron would at least like what she saw when he met her....although he knew (and kind of expected) that he would deserve a slap in the face from her.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

Sharron finally parked her car and sat there thinking for a moment, she knew she wanted nothing more then to get drunk after hearing Jim was home, and knew that she would be staying at a friends tonight, cause she never drink and drove... and she knew that in the morning she'd be picking up her car... she sighed and thought back to the letter Jim had wrote her.. it was nice to know he was doing well, but a part of her was still so hurt that she ripped it up and threw it away.

She got out and met up with a friend as they made there way into the bar, Sharron told her girlfriend that she had the first round as she made her way to the bar and smiled as she leaned against the counter and waited for the barmaid, Sharron rarely drink but she was in desperate need for a good stiff drink tonight.

She looked around the small bar and thought of her life for a moment, as she figured she had time to do so in the few weeks she was off for vacation.

 

[andygorn]

As he used the toilet -although he mused that it had been good to hook up with some of the guys from the 'old times'- Jim found himself thinking about the times that he had shared with Sharron.

She was the real reason why he was here after all, and he hoped just to catch a glimpse of her smooth hair and soft complexion.
Jim wondered whether she would have the same effect upon him as before; her gentle manner was SO disarming and her beauty had always stunned him and left him breathless with anticipation; he knew that he was in a very deep quandary:
He half-hoped to see her again so that he could watch her face and see the gorgeous sparkle in her eyes....yet he also hoped that Sharron wouldn't be around as it might give him a chance to put the past behind him once and for all. Yet IS that what he REALLY wanted? Or did he want a chance to start over with her?
Of course, he realised that he was being incredibly presumptuous...after all, he'd have to stop her killing him first...with the huge weight of guilt he was still carrying around from their parting, hell, he might even LET her kill him...

Having finished, letting the shrill tone of the drier banish his thoughts for a couple of instances, Jim walked out of the restroom and collected his beer from the table where he'd left it. As he tipped the bottle backwards, he immediately caught sight of a very attractive slender young woman at the bar.
She was certainly a very attractive lady...a real, undeniable, head-turner in the nicest and best of ways.
He surreptitiously took a few more draws from the bottle (whether as dutch courage he didn't know) and, as he drank, he realised that the woman's figure was very familiar for some reason.
For a moment, Jim refused to believe his eyes and thought that the drink might be playing tricks upon him, but then realisation washed over him like a wave and he could not take his eyes off her for several seconds.
Unfortunately, this was all the time it took for him to lose his grip on the bottle and for it to smash noisily onto the floor at his feet, showering beer all over the floor and his pants....Of course, the sound was all the more pronounced as it came during a lull between songs on the bar's stereo system.
As people turned to look at what had happened, Jim found himself gazing dumbstruck towards Sharron's back as she slowly turned the way of the disturbance.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

Sharron sighed and the bar was busy so she sat herself slightly upon the barstool for a moment, as she looked lazily around the room, her freinds already two stepping and much more.

She thought about her friend calling her telling her Jim was back in town and the realization of this was almost to much for her to concieve, but she knew that she had to let go of the past, it had haunted her for far to long. She sat there comfortably and decided she wanted to think nothing more of him, and that tonight she was just there to have a good time and think nothing more of the past or of Jim. She stood back up and stretched her long slender legs as she talked to the bartender who took her order as she waited.

She heard a noise come from the floor like something crashing it wasn't loud but it was loud enough for her to hear it, so she turned to be noisy just like everyone else had, and then she spotted him the man that she longed for the man she hated the man she never stopped loving... a part of her wanted to flee the bar, get as far away from him as she could and thats what she did but she wasn't going far she needed air, she wasn't sure maybe her mind was playing tricks... she ran to the porch and grasped the railing for support.

 

[andygorn]

Jim apologised profusely to the people around him as a member of the bar staff scooted over with a pan and brush to sweep away the remains of the bottle he'd dropped.

As the bar returned to normal, he was still a bit dumbstruck at the sight of Sharron. He knew that he would recognise her anywwhere: The memory of her soft sweet face had been imprinted upon his mind from the very first day that he'd ever seen her...yet the years had been kind to her too and she had obviously grown into a more beautiful woman than when he had left.
Those words were still like a knife in the heart...he couldn't believe how STUPID he had been to run away from her in the first place.
A lot wiser now than before, he had been able to realise that when he left, the dreams for his future had belonged to his parents and not to him...

Having got another beer from the bar (after having to put up with a certain level of good-natured jesting about his clumsiness from his 'bar-buddies', Jim sat and wondered what he should do for a few seconds.
He knew that it was probably NOT the smartest thing in the world to go outside after her, but then again a mistake had led him to leave in the first place, so in a twisted way, maybe another mistake might help him to apologise for it?

Making apologies to his friends, feigning a 'stuffy' head, Jim cautiously walked out of the bar and onto the porch:
Sharron was the only other person outside and she was holding onto the porch-rail with her back to him: Even from behind, she looked as beautiful as ever.
The spurs on his boots chinked gently as he cautiously approached the railing about 10-15 feet to the side of her, giving her plenty of space.
Resting his elbows on the rail, with his head hung down in apology and contrition, Jim pushed his hat onto the back of his head and took his nervous heart in his hands.
He spoke slowly and heartfelt...in the manner which she had most liked when they were together.
His words were soft and gentle; only just loud enough for her to hear, yet quiet enough for her to be assured that they would not be overheard by passing strangers or people in the bar.

The feelings he still had for her (as well as the shame he felt at his previous actions) washed over him and were apparent in his voice when he said:
"Maybe it's not what you want to hear right now...maybe I'm making yet another stupid mistake...and maybe my poor words will never be enough to make up for the heartache I caused you...but I am TRULY sorry, Sharron."

"I will never forget the hurt I caused you, nor the shame I feel looking back as I walked out on you, nor the look of utter pain in your eyes which hit me like a hammer. I know that these feelings will probably live with me for the rest of my days and that I cannot turn back the clock..."

"However, you might not believe me, but I am a changed man...I am back to being the guy you once cared for."
"I'm no longer the guy who runs out on the important people in my life...this is why I HAD to come back...to you..."
As he talked, Jim's voice had been steadily 'cracking up' due to the sadness at what he had done; as he neared the end, his voice broke almost completely and he was nearly hoarse with feeling, yet he managed to fight through this barrier to get the last few words out...it was the very least that he could do for the beautiful treasure who stood along from him.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

Sharron could not believe what was happening, this was the last place she would expect Jim to be, then again it was also the one place he used to hang with all his friends as well, she took a long deep breath and looked over the moon, you could see the mountains from where they were at and it was a beautiful site, she wasn't still angry with Jim... she was still hurt however and probably always would be.

She thought about the past and everything she had been through, she wasn't sure what to really do or say to him, when he wanted to talk to her.. if he even did want to talk to her, he could be there for more reasons than just to see her, perhaps he just missed his friends.

She sighed and leaned forward slightly against the railing... as those memories of him leaving in that pick up truck came flooding back to her, the feelings she shared with him. ''Jim I need to talk to you.'' That was the first strike against her. ''Me too.'' was all he said. So she asked him to let her go first and he did always a gentleman. ''I'm in love with you.'' The words still seemed to echo through Sharron's mind, and she remembered what he said next... ''I'm leaving... I am on going on the rodeo circuit.'' He said looking at her waiting to see what he would say. ''Take me with you.'' She said happily.. she was always so full of life back in the day. 'I can't, Sharron your to young.'' That was all he said, she nearly begged him for a few minutes for him to take her with him.. but he insisted on her age, and the fact that she didn't know what love was. He said his goodbyes, with tears in her eyes and drove away.

Sharron took her drink outside with her, she wanted nothing more than forget that day, and not think of anything else but her vacation and her free time. She nearly felt the free tears spring to her eyes once again.

She heard footsteps from someone walk out, and then she looked over and noticed Jim standing there... her heart seemed to sank for a moment, then she heard his voice and he began speaking to her, she took a long deep breath and looked at him softly.

She knew she wasn't about to say what he wanted to hear. ''What are you doing here, I mean in town?'' She asked softly as she looked at him carefully. She took a long deep breath. ''Sorry Jim its not just that I expect to see you here.'' She said honestly.

''I was young Jim, so were you in many ways, so you had a life and its understandable. I was hurt, and it still hurts.. but I was young as you said that day, and you were probably right.'' She said gently as she looked at him softly.

''You were always a good man...'' She said gently as she looked at him in his eyes. ''It's good to see my best friend again though, how have you been?'' She asked... she was sure that he probably thought, she was still going to be angry and hold resentment for him.

 

[andygorn]

Seeing Sharron again had nearly knocked him to his knees...not only for the shock of seeing someone from his past, but much more for the fact that he still cared for her and her beauty was even more staggering now than ever.
He'd almost unconsciously followed her outside onto the porch:
His mind screamed at him to have second throughts and to turn back, but the way he had felt about her....the way he STILL felt about her...was undeniable and he knew that he might never have another chance.

Sharron had graciously allowed him to speak to her...he'd almost forgotten that they had always been able to talk to each other about most things, but her attitude was very refreshing to him, just like the mountain air of their home town which they had enjoyed in each other's company on so many occasions.

Even though he'd been almost lost in the words he was trying to say, Jim still noticed Sharron look over at him. At least that was a good sign; other women he'd broken up with usually started by throwing things at him.
As he looked back at her, he knew that Sharron would be able to see some of the tears which were rolling down his cheeks.

Sharron's comment about him being her best friend took him aback...he had been to hasty to assume that she was angry at him, and he was a bit upset at the fact that he had started off believing that the soft, gentle, Sharron he'd known might be this way with him.
He knw that tonight, however, was the time for him to be completely honest and to reveal his true feelings for her...Even if he made a fool of himself, he owed it to her and if she hurt him in return it was probably no more than he would deserve.
Even though the words would not come easily (his voice broken a little due to the emotion he felt for her) but he fought through this difficulty to get the words out:
"I came back here to find you, Sharron..."
Jim let the words hand in the air, realising the importance of them.

Jim shook his head and replied:
"No, we were NOT too young, Sharron... I was a stupid, stupid, fool and I should never have let...other things....get in the way of my feelings for you.
"And I CERTAINLY should have given you the truthful explanation for my leaving. I owed you at least that much.
"My idea to leave was never my own and when I said you were too young and that you knew nothing about love, I was just making pathetic excuses.
"My father was the real reason and the person who was pushing for me to leave. I now know that he was being selfish and just trying to live out his own unrealised dreams of rodeo success through me...regardless of who -or how much- it hurt..."

Recalling his father's explosive temperament which made him dangerous in the amateur boxing fights, Jim shuddered slightly as he also remembered that (especially towards the end) his Dad's anger had gotten the better of him more often than not.
"You might recall that that my Dad had a bit of a temper....? Well, let's just say that he didn't always know when to leave his rage in the ring..."
Jim's voice broke as he said this, his body wracked by a few sobs as he recalled the beatings which were still a little too recent for him.
He turned to face Sharron, noticeably fighting through his emotional pain, and smiled a little at her: "Yet, he is gone now and I hope that these memories will fade with time..."
His smile widened hopefully as he added: "Yet my memories of you have not faded one inch...you are still as beautiful as when I ever saw you."

"I have kicked myself every day for the hurt I caused you...You are as beautiful as any star or the mountains which we walked through...I came back nearly 1,000 miles to apologise to you and to let you know that I should never have left here...or you...in the first place..."

"The rodeo can go hang:
"I know that you might perhaps hate me and that I might never be able to make up for any of the hurt which I caused you. But I wanted to let you know that, wherever I went, I did always care for you...VERY much so...and I am willing to at least try my darndest to take your pain away. Just like the old days."
Jim turned his eyes to the earth momentarily, then took a very deep breath and with a hopeful, boyish, smile on his face turned back to look at her and asked: "But only if you would allow me to..?"

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

She couldn't get the idea that the man she loved and never got over was back in town, the man that she cried endless nights over was back... the man that she never could date another... he was there right there, for her speaking gently as he ever did before.

She should have been angry, should have slapped him, should have told him to go to hell, but seeing him made her love him all over again... as the song by janet jackson goes.. and i'm falling in love with you again... fine time to think of that Sharron, she told herself.

Jim looked sad, she wasn't sure where that came from the Jim she remembered was rough and tough, and carefree and happy, even when she had it hard with her own parents... her drunken mother and runaway father Jim had always been there to wipe her tears away.

Sharron sighed and looked at the love of her life her best friend.... ''I have waited so long to hear you say that.... and I am not going to lie, when I heard you were back in town I was angry... not really at you for leaving... at myself, for letting you leave... I guess or suppose I should have came to find you... but I was so mad after you left, even though part of me should have understood... for the longest time, I had so much hate and resentment I wouldn't miss time from work even when sick, cause it took my mind from you.. I haven't even been able to think of other guys without thinking of you.'' She said speaking more truthfully than she had with any of her friends in a long time.

''Maybe you were right Jim perhaps I was to young though.'' She said looking into the eyes of the man she loved. ''I know now though... that you were always on my mind... you never left it.'' She said sadly. ''I tried to get over you, but the memories played in my mind a million times... and at times I still get angry at the way you left... Jim you left me standing there with tears in my eyes like I didn't matter...'' She looked away for a moment tears in her own dark eyes.

She felt bad after he told her of his father and his abusive ways... ''I am so sorry Jim... you should have called me I would have been right there for you... I... well as I said you are my best friend and always have been that part never stopped... I guess I shouldn't be angry after hearing a story like that.'' She said fighting back her own tears not for the pain she felt she suffered but for the pain Jim suffered.

''How about this, how about we start over... and just forget the past.'' Even though to herself that was easier said then done.

''Jim I never hated you, I was just biiter and angry and hurt is all... but hate is something I could never do.'' She whispered still not able to look into her eyes, hence she might start crying as well. ''My grandparents passed away, I am not sure if anyone on the circuit told you or not... only good thing is the memory of them and the ranch they left me.'' She said looking away still she wasn't sure what else there was to say.

 

[andygorn]

Feeeling the honesty drip from her every word, Jim realised what a fool he'd been: Not only for turning around and leaving her at the time, but also right now for wallowing in his own self-pity.
'Come on guy!', his mind screamed at him 'Pull yourself together...she fell in love with the happy, brave guy you were...who you STILL are...'
He wiped his eyes quickly and the old Jim she knew and would recognise was back in full.
Straightening himself upright, Jim smoothed his hair back and looked deeply straight back into Sharron's gorgeous eyes, his broad smile telling her that her all was well again.
"Sorry about that, Sharron, I guess I got too uptight about things. But don't worry: I ain't goin' soft on you...the guy you fell in love with is back."
"I too have been unable to think of anyone else but you, Sharron. I did get offers, but I turned them down...not one of them could even hold a light to you, let alone outshine you..."

Jim was ashamed as she recaled the manner in which he had left her standing high and dry, but he easily banished these thoughts: today could be a new start for them both and he now felt ready to sacrifice anything for her; IF she would have him...


"You matter a GREAT deal to me, Sharron; I couldn't keep away for long and -as nice as this place is- you, my best friend, are the reason why I came halfway across the country."


"I'm willing to put the past behind us, Sharron...although I enjoyed the lifestyle a little bit, it wasn't anywhere near as great as the many really good times I shared with you."
"I guess it's like the song goes; 'you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone'?
"If you can find it in your heart to give me another chance, I promise that I'll make it all up to you. Although we might not be able to forget the really deep hurt I caused you, this will never, ever, happen again and maybe in time you might be able to forgive me...?"
His eyes were full of hope and trying to be reassuring, although he knew it was a matter of it being 'early days' for them again.

As Jim saw the tears well up inside Sharron's eyes, he walked slowly over to her until they were nearly touching.
The light scent of her perfume and the sweetness of her breath was even more intoxicating than he had ever recalled.
Taking her chin gently in one hand he softly took her chin in one hand, slowly tilting and turning her face up towards his so that he could look into her gorgeous eyes. A flourish brought out his handkerchief, which he used to tenderly dab away her tears, hoping that he was not going to far for her.

"I'm sorry about your grandparents: I know that they love you very much and I also know that they appreciate the love you have for them too."
"If I remember rightly, the farm was a REALLY pretty one, wasn't it..?"

Recalling what she had said about starting over, he looked into her wonderful eyes and slowly (and perhaps seductively?) introduced himself:
"Hi, my name's Jim; what might your name be, young lady?"

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

She wasn't used to seeing her friend Jim this way, he was always so strong and caring, and headstrong... but she understood what was truly going on as well... she sighed and looked into his eyes softly with a bright smile. ''Jim I like you anyway you are I always have, theres nothing wrong with shedding a few tears every now and again, hell i've done that for the last few years... and what you've been through I cannot imagine going through any of that.'' She said sighing as she smiled up into his eyes.

She could see that he was deep in thought about something but she didn't really want to ask him anything. She looked at his outfit, god he looked good, better than she ever thought he would. She was hoping that if she ever seen him again... she would be able to get angry.. but hearing his story she understood.

She wasn't sure at the moment what he wanted from her really... did he want to be friends again? Or did he want to be with her, she wasn't sure it was to soon, even for Jim she thought to herself.

She got slighlty angry when she heard him say he liked the lifestyle a little... ''Look Jim... I don't want you to change for me, or because of me, and I definantly don't want you to give a lifestyle up for me, not now not ever.'' She said feeling her bitterness slightly but wanting to shake it off. ''Its never been about forgivness Jim... it just would have been nice to get a call, asking how I was,,, or what I was up to.'' She said softly and looked away again for a moment fighting back those tears once again.

He was to close to her, she thought to herself, part of her was screaming to back off... leave me alone, and then another part of her was begging for him to come closer so she could smell his manly scent and taste his spicey lips... but she wouldn't say or do either. When he touiched her chills seemed to go through her entire body... she really didn't want him to see her cry ever.

''It's okay, as I said they left alot of legecy to me... and alot of the time when I lived with them were my happiest days.'' She said and smiled at him... ''I am sorry about what you went through with your father Jim.'' She said looking away.

She laughed when he introduced himself to her once again... ''Sharron.'' She mumbled lightly.

 

[andygorn]

The soft look in Sharron's eyes was electrifying to Jim...she was even more gorgeous now than she had ever been and he tried to communicate this with his returning fond gaze down into her lovely face. 'God, she's still as beautiful as ever!' he thought
Jim knew that he had to keep his deep feelings for Sharron in check a little, as he did not want to ruin things for her but he smiled widely to her and his heart leapt a little when she smiled in response.

"I wanted you to know what I went through because I still really respect you...a lot."
"I always have respected you and when we were apart, I always dreamt about you and I thought of no other woman but you."

Seeing Sharron's face fill up with tears once more, Jim spoke softly and soothingly to he, trying to reassure her and give her a little confidence.
Sharron's strength and fragility was still there like always; one of the many qualities he had always found to be SO incredibly atractive about her.
Desperately wanting to touch her and hold her and to take her pain away, he thought that perhaps this might be too soon...instead he began to gently caress the edge of her hair as he said:
"I know that I could have rung, but I could never really explain what it was truly like just in a 'phone call...My Dad would have found out and started hitting Mom again."
"Anyway, you meant...and still DO mean...so much to me that I figured you deserved so much better than a long-distance conversation."
"I knew that I had to confront my demons and that I'd never really be able to say what happened until I was standing before you...and here I am..."

Smiling confidently and winningly to Sharron, Jim said: "Dear lady, please don't feel guilty at all: If I changed my life, it would be because I wanted to and because I've finally realised what is important to me; I came back here because I finally figured out what I want from life..."
With a deep breath, Jim added: "...And I'm hoping that a certain young lady won't turn me away..."

Seeing Sharron turn her head away nearly broke Jim's heart as he saw the warring emotions inside of her.
He touched the side of her face so that he could look back into her wonderful gorgeous deep eyes and spoke in what he hoped was a comforting manner:
"Hey, sweet lady, you look really nice...even when you cry...but I bet you look even more lovely when you laugh..?"
He hoped that this would elicit a smile or maybe even one of her wonderful laughs which always sent a thrill of excitement through this body.

When Sharron mentioned her grandparents, he replied: "I'm glad that you have good memories of them. Just like you, they are good people and, just like you, good people deserve a lot of happiness in their life."

Continuing the role play of having met for the first time, Jim took a step back and said "Well, Sharron, you look really nice tonight. I'm sort of new in town, but I'm planning to stay for a long time, and it's getting a bit cold out here. Could I interest you in a drink, perhaps?"

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

All of this was far to confusing to Sharron, she thought she was over Jim a very long time ago.. but deep inside she never was, cause you couldn't get over someone you never had a chance to really see things through with. His smile was still golden... his eyes were still soft as ever, the only thing that had changed in his looks was his hard body, and the hard ridges around his eyes that showed he had, had a very hard past.

Dreams she thought when she heard him mention he had dreamed of her, how many times she had dreams of him, holding her, kissing him, loving no other but her... hell Sharron had never even been able to really look at other men cause every time she did She had seen Jim's face over and over once again.

The pain in her eyes, never seemed to really leave, Sharron herself had been through a lot with her own family, so she knew how Jim felt... and she felt guilty that he had went through all of this alone and on his own... she could and would have helped him get through it all. ''I would never have wanted your father to hit your mother, she was always so sweet to me.'' Sharron said speaking fondly of his mother.. she knew how his father was, she had been to Jim's many a times and noticed his fathers rampages. ''I wouldn't have said we needed to talk about you leaving, or what had happened... but just to know you were alright would have been nice.'' She said looking away from him.

She was glad to know she wasn't the reason Jim wanted to change his life... it was nice to know that he did partially want to because of her, but she wouldn't admit that to him. And when he said that he wanted to have her in his life, her heart almost jumped right out of her chest as she looked back at him... and turned away once again.

When he touched her face so that he could look at her once again, her hands became shaky... Jim had never looked at her that way before... and she wasn't sure what this meant or how to act really. She sighed his touch felt so good against her sot skin... she had to pull away before this got way out of hand... the last thing she needed were empty promises, and how long would it be before Jim wanted to leave again?

''I am glad you still think so good of me, but Jim you are a good man... you always have been.'' She said knowing he probably didn't think he was... hell until she saw him she had imagined telling him to go to hell.. and she never wanted to see him again.

She brightly smiled when he acted as if they had just met once again.. but it was a nice feeling at least he was trying... ''Sure why not..'' She said with a shrug as he led her back into the bar.

 

[andygorn]

When Sharron mentioned the hurt he'd been though in the past, Jim's face fell, but her presence and nearness veritably filled him with confidence and self-esteem once again.
In only a couple of minutes, Sharron had turned the pain of the past from the recent memory where he still felt the impact of his father's fists into merely a half-remembered dream.
"I wished over and over again that I'd have had you by my side during those nights. I'd never have burdened you with anything, but just to talk to you, to hear your voice...even just once...would have made all of the pain go away."
"I'm so sorry that I wasn't here to help you, too though...you've been through a lot yourself and maybe the pain's all in the past."
"I don't want to forget what happened, but maybe let's not dwell on it and let's think about now and the future..?"
The unspoken words "...and us" seemed to hang in the air between them, but Jim sketched around them and he instead gave her a smile which was visibly and unconditionally filled with hope.

-----

Jim saw a flash of recognition in Sharron's beautiful eyes as she thought about what he might mean.
Hell, he wasn't even really sure if what he was saying was the right thing that she wanted to hear....he only knew that he wanted her in his life and that he'd never hide his true feelings from her again.
Before, he had sometimes got tongue-tied when they talked; he was a little infuritated, but very glad, that this had stayed with him over the intervening years.

-----

Jim's touch upon her face had been an unconscious reaction to her beauty...she was even more gorgeous than he ever remembered and he just couldn't help himself.
Although he revelled in the incredibly soft feel of her skin under his gentle fingers, he could tell that it was probably too much too soon.
Before he could withdraw his fingers, Sharron drew back and a look of self-consciousness and concern crossed his face for a fleeting moment.
"Sorry..." he apologised, "...I thought there was something in your eye..." his broad smile -which he knew completely failed to hide his white lie- was one of hope that she would be able to see his vulnerability too.

-----

"Thanks for your words, Sharron, I thought you might just tell me to get right back outta here and I probably wouldn't have blamed you, either..."
He smiled straight into her eyes, he added: "...but I'm sure glad you didn't, and I'm just tryin' to do the right thing by you."

-----

Jim smiled really widely as Sharron agreed to go into the bar.
Although it was a bit unconventional, he was enjoying the role-playing of having a first date with her.
As they entered the bar, he knew that he'd be getting a few raised eyebrows from a couple of the guys who knew about them from before he left, but he only had eyes for Sharron as he looked across at her a couple of times just to make sure she was still with him and that she hadn't had second thoughts.
As they approached the bar, his delight at her company was written all over his face.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

Sharron noticed the look in Jims eyes and felt sorry that she had once again brought the past up... ''I am sorry I don't want you to think of what you had been through... I just wished that I could have helped you through it all is all.'' She said in a gentle whisper as she smiled at him lightly the smile in her eyes made him know what he had left behind, he had knew that she truly did love him, and it wasn't for money... they had been best friends, they had shared everything together.

There was that us again, she thought although Jim didn't say it, she knew he wanted to say it... she took a long deep breath and looked down at the ground... part of her wasn't quite sure what to say to him.. she would be lying if she said this wasn't what she was waiting for in a long time.

''You don't have to be sorry.'' She said in a whisper, she was just scared, not of him... of his touch, of his look, of his love? Was there love for him, or was he just looking for something farmiliar, she wasn't really sure. She loved him that much she knew... and could he really love her? She didn't know that either.

''I am not going to lie to you, I had every intention of the next time I seen you to tell you to go straight to hell and that I hate you, but the truth is I have never hated you... nor could I ever hate you.'' She said leaning against the railing and looking back at him gently. ''There really isn't nothing you can do... we can try and start over.. I am not sure how its going to work out but I am willing.'' She said honestly.

She was glad that Jim seemed to want to start over... when they entered the bar her best friend gave her a look telling her to be careful... she wasn't sure what to say to her, she knew she was just looking out for her. ''I'll get us a table.'' She said gently. ''You get the drinks.'' She said softly and smiled at him gently.

 

[andygorn]

Just as always, Sharron's voice was as refreshing and as welcome as soft gentle rain after a hard dry summer and he basked in the soft and gentle tones of her very kind words.
"I did always want to come back and I never wanted to be one of those "love-'em-and-leave-'em" kinda guys...especially not to you of all people...not after all the great times we had and everything we shared."

=====

The unspoken word 'us' hung a little uneasily between them:
Jim knew that the thing he wanted in all the world was to be with Sharron and to start afresh. With both of them a little wiser, he was sure that they could both make it last ansd it seemed like she too was willing to try this, but he also knew that he would still have some convincing to do.
"You know something...? You've still got that inner light in your eyes...the one you always had...your smile is just as bright as I remember and even better than I ever imagined in my dreams....
"The memory of your sweet voice and your shining smile brought me back a few thousand miles...I felt really lucky to be with you before and no man could help but yearn for such experiences again."

=====

Jim might have been mistaken, but their old familiar warmth had seemed to settle upon them once again...he never realised how much he'd missed it until right that very second.
Jim had always been enchanted by Sharron's beauty and charm, but -with both of them having grown a little- he found that Sharron was even more beautiful now than she had ever been.
A couple of times, he thought he'd been staring a little too long in wonder at her gorgeous face and sexy curves, but he knew that this might not be what she wanted...however, he knew that this woud be a difficult task.
"I could never hate you, either, Sharron...you've always held a special place in my heart...Let's start over and see how we get on.
Indicating the bar with a nod of his head he asked: "Do they still do dancing in here?" knowing that it was one of the things which they had loved to share
[OOC - apologies if this isn't the case and I'll retract this line].

=====

Jim was thankful that the atmosphere hadn't changed much since they'd gone out.
One of the male bar patrons gave him a quick scowl of admonishment at how he had treated Sharron before and he glanced over to him with a brief look of contrition and shame before turning his warm gaze back to Sharron.
He'd noticed the look from Sharron's friend as they came back inside and he couldn't really blame her for thinking this way.
He hoped that if things went well he might have a chance to patch things up, but he knew that he woud only really be able to do this if he proved to everybody that his deep loving feelings for Sharron were true and honest.
When Sharron went to find a table, he watched after her, making sure that she was okay. As she settled down, he ordered what had been their usual round of drinks...he only hoped that her tastes hadn't changed too much in the intervening time.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

''I understand why you left Jim, it hurt... but I am over it... I just wish that you would have told me and I would have understood alot better... you were my best friend... I never thought you the love em leave em type when we never did anything for you to leave me really.'' She said shrugging lightly.

''Jim you keep making it as if we were together... we weren't I wanted to, and you said we couldn't so don't go sugar coating it like we had some great romance before you left, because it wasn't like that.'' She said her voice annoyed and bitter, she supposed she wasn't as over it as she thought. ''Sorry... I shouldn't have said it like that.'' She said shaking her head and taking a long deep breath.

She blushed when he said all the things she always wanted to hear from Jim. She took a long deep breath and smiled at him. ''Its been a long time, and I have longed to hear you say anything like that to me.'' She said honestly... ''Yes they still do dancing... do you want to go in and dance?'' She asked in a soft whisper.

''I am sorry they are looking at you that way, but I promise I never said one bad word about you when you left.'' She said a smile crossing her face. ''Jim just ignore it, we can just pretend as if we are the only two in this world and this bar.'' She said gently and smiled once again.

 

[andygorn]

Jim knew he'd said too much and was a little crestfallen at this.
"Sorry, Sharron...I guess it's just that I'd always pictured us as a couple and I always hoped that we'd get together...everything I felt for you was poure and honest and it felt SO right...it seems I'd I assumed too much and I can only apologise for my mistakes..."

When Sharron apologised herself, Jim replied tenderly:"Hey, please...you've got nothing to apologise for, sweet lady....I was the one who cut and run out on you before we could start something. I'd like the chance to make it up to you, though, if that's possible..?"

=====

Sharon's soft smile was just as delightful as ever and it still had the power to take his breath away...he'd known all along that it would create the same reaction within him, but -just like always- she still amazed him every time she smiled.
Perhaps a little hatstily, Jim replied: "...And I wanted to say those things to you for SO long, Sharron that I burned with it."
Returning her smile and with his voice filled with hope, Jim replied:
"I'd love to go in and dance, if you don't mind a guy with two left feet and if you can show me the steps; I might be a bit rusty..."
He laughed softly at his own joke...he'd had time to dance a little, but never with a woman so beautiful and delicate as Sharron and he hoped that his nerves didn't show too much.

=====

Gazing softly back at Sharron, Jim reassured her: "I don't mind and I can't say that I really blame them; it's good to have friends who care."
Then Jim added: "Somehow I knew that you'd not bad-mouth me, Amber, you've always been the sweeetst girl in this whole town...it's one of the many things I like about you..."
Jim swiftly looked down at his shoes for a second, instantly scared that he'd gone too far for her, but -taking a deep breath- his courage returned and he looked back into her gorgeous face.
When Sharron mentioned pretending as if they were the only two people in the bar and the world, Jim laughed softly, gazing back intensely into her gorgeous deep eyes as he replied: "Who said anything about pretending...?"
"It might sound strange for a first date, but I feel like there's a certain lady at this table who I've not been able to take my eyes off ever since I saw her..."

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Sharron

Sharron felt even worse after seeing the look on his face.. knowing she went to far, she was trying to get over the past, this was the future after all... she took a long deep breath and gently looked at him, he could see how sorry she truly was it was written all over her face.

''But... even if you did run out, I have no right to talk to you like that.'' She said after a moment of searching for words it seemed. ''Besides I was as you say just a kid then.'' She said shrugging... ''But I am all woman now, and yes Jim I can forgive you, and I can try to forget, cause it wasn't your fault at all.'' She said gently. ''Perhaps we were both at fault.'' She said, he could see that she had changed a lot through the years.

The way he looked at her, was the same as always, and it always seemed to be able to take her breath away, he was still the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on, and that would never change. ''I am glad your saying them now, I understand why you left, you really had no choice... so for that I am sorry I held it against you for so long.'' She said taking a long deep breath. ''You a bad dancer... never.'' She said laughing at his own joke as well. ''But I can teach you all over again anyway.'' She said smiling her bright smile as she looked him over, not realizing she was doing so, he was more rugged than she remembered, but still her same old cowboy.

She looked at him softly... not wanting him to get upset, it was a small town, and Sharron was the small town vet, so she had a lot of close friends. ''Remember Jim they were your friends too... they were just as hurt when you left as well.'' She said softly and smiled at him. She blushed at his comment and smiled all at the same time, he still meant everything to her, but Sharron was still so scared to get close to Jim. ''I like that idea.'' She said and smiled as he said about pretending. ''It sounds good to me.'' She said in her still soft tone. She sighed hearing him say that about her... ''Thank-you Jim, that really does mean a lot to me.'' She said softly and looked tenderly at him. A slow song came on the radio... and Sharron looked at Jim.. ''May I have this dance?'' She asked softly. Don't do it Sharron, do not fall in love with this man again... to late she told herself... she had already done so, but still she wouldn't let herself get close.