Memory lane up in the headlights

[Ashton Gabriel Jordan]

We do it different 'round here and that's right
But we sure do it good and we do it all night
So if you really want to know how it feels
To get off the road with trucks and four wheels
Jump on in and man tell your friends
We'll raise some hell where the black top ends
I'm chillin' on a dirt road
Laid back swervin' like I'm George Jones
Smoke rollin' out the window
An ice cold beer in the console
Memory lane up in the headlights
It's got me reminiscing on them good times
I'm turning off a real life drive and that's right
I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires
Let's ride

God how he loved these early mornings. When it was nothing but him, hay and the horses. There was a stillness about the land that always put his soul at ease and seemed to make the rest of the world fade away into nothing more than background noise. Not even the hired hands were about and the sun was only just creeping up over the horizon. Oh yeah, this was what living was truly about.

Putting the pitchfork in its proper place, Ashton Gabriel Jordan dusted off his jacket and jeans before heading towards the stable office. The cowboy hat he never went without rode low on his brow and there was a pensive, thoughtful expression on his strong features as he stepped through the doorway and looked around hopefully.

Thank God.

A fresh pot of coffee waited there and its steam escaped to froth the air with its crisp aroma as he poured a cup. The automatic timer on the thing was a life saver and he'd bet he owed the pretty little blond still asleep in his bed a thank you for making sure it was set. He sure as hell didn't remember doing it. He'd had to many other things on his mind the last few weeks.

Picking up the mug, Ash let his slow, easy amble carry him back out the door to lean upon one of the many new corral fences he'd be erecting since buying the place. As he sipped his coffee, he watched the beautiful red roan stallion inside race around and kick up his heels. The creature was so extraordinary that he very nearly took Ash's breath away the first time he'd seen him. In this horse, the young cowboy saw all the foundation he'd need to build a small herd of horses that would be sought after by professional horsemen everywhere.

It was a foundation that would someday be the building blocks for his own children.

God, when had he turned into such a homey sort of person? Ever since he could remember, he'd had that footloose bug in his soul and even as a kid he'd always been off somewhere getting into some kind of mischief. The rodeo curcuit had allowed him the sort of freedom he'd basked in but... Now.. Now was an entirely different story.

Now, he found himself looking forward to the same sunrise every day... and the same sunset every night.

God, life was certainly funny wasn't it? Just when you thought you had it all figured out, it had a way of throwing you for a loop. His loop had come all wrapped up in a pretty little blond package without any warning.

Damn, he was a lucky man indeed.

[savannah]

In the circles I've been running,
I've covered many miles,
And I could search forever for what's right before my eyes,
Just when I thought I'd found it,
It was nothing like I'd planned,
When I got my heart around it,
It slipped right through my hands,
Here with you I feel it,
I close my eyes and see it,

In a midnight talk, in a morning kiss,
When I'm in your arms, that's where it is,
When we're tangled up and can't resist,
When we feel that rush, that's where it is,
That's where it is

Savannah woke up and realized the other side of the bed was empty. A little sleepy smile crept onto her face when she remembered that Ash must be out feeding the horses. She thought it was sweet that he had gotten up and not wanted to wake her. Running the ranch, at least the part that he had in operation now, was an early morning thing. Not to mention a whole lot of work, which Savannah didn't mind either. Still it was thoughtful of him to let her sleep in a little bit. She just hoped the coffee pot timer did it's thing so he'd have hot coffee when he took a break from the work.

Getting up and stretching a bit she looked around the room. The house was already all fixed up for the most part. The master bedroom was decked out in earthy colors with a great wooden four poster bed. Savannah loved it. The feeling was warm and comfortable. The whole house was actually quite cozy for such a big place. Lots of stone and polished wood. It was definitely a country castle and she was quite taken with the place.

Finally, she got out of bed and threw on the pair of jeans that were laying on the floor. Found one of Ash's shirts and pulled it on and left it unbutton while she slipped on some socks and then her boots. As she walked through the house to the back door she did up the buttons on the shirt. Her hair still slightly disheveled from sleeping, she didn't even think about it as she went outside in search of Ash.

It didn't take long to find him leaning against the fence, coffee cup in hand. Savannah smiled at him as she walked over and stood next to him.

"God, it's beautiful out here in the morning. The sunsets aren't bad either."

She leaned against him a bit and could smell the tantalizing aroma of the coffee rising from his cup.

"Mmmmm. I see you got the coffee. Your first cup? Is there any more left in there?"

Savannah stretched a little again. Working out the early morning kinks. She was feeling quite content, it was amazing how this place could do that. Or maybe it was the man, she wasn't quite sure. All she knew was she hadn't been this happy in quite a long while. Her visits to Ash's ranch were quickly becoming her favorite thing to do. They hadn't been together very long, but so far so good.

[Ashton Gabriel Jordan]

If you want a brick home in a school zone,
With the doors locked and alarms on,
Girl you're way off track,
Im a little more country than that
I just want to make sure you know just who your gettin under this ol hat,
Cause girl Im not the kind of two time or play games behind your back,
Im a little more country than that

There was nothing like a crisp Texas sunrise.

Well, nothing like a crisp Texas sunrise with a pretty blond right beside you, Ash amended to himself as Savannah suddenly appeared to lean on the rail with him. Casting her a grin, he held out his coffee cup and then draped an arm over her shoulders as they watched the stallion frisk about in the corral.


"Morning Darlin... " he said in a low drawl. " Did you sleep all right? Hope the house was warm enough when you got up. I've taken to just lighting the fireplaces instead of turning on the furnace but I can turn it on if its still chilly for you. This February weather has been mild compared to some winters."

Reaching up, he pulled off his hat and ran a hand through his straw colored locks. Settling the brim back down over his eyes, the young cowboy stiffled a yawn and then shook his head.

"I think I could use some breakfast right about now.. How about you? I haven't gotten around to hiring a cook yet so the boys and I take turns at making the grub.. Just happens to be my morning. You care to help a man out? I tend to burn the bacon and the eggs were scrambled but good the last time..."

Giving her a grin to show he was only half kidding, Ash stepped back and then threaded a hand through hers to tug her along.

"I did thaw out some sausage last night though.. I make a mean sausage gravy with biscuits...."

[savannah]

In the circles I've been running,
I've covered many miles,
And I could search forever for what's right before my eyes,
Just when I thought I'd found it,
It was nothing like I'd planned,
When I got my heart around it,
It slipped right through my hands,
Here with you I feel it,
I close my eyes and see it,

In a midnight talk, in a morning kiss,
When I'm in your arms, that's where it is,
When we're tangled up and can't resist,
When we feel that rush, that's where it is,
That's where it is

Savannah let out a soft sigh when Ashed put his arm around her. Yeah... this was nice. She could stand here forever just watching the sunrise, feeling the crisp air, and with Ash by her side.

She smiled up at him and shook her head to indicate "no" when he asked if the house was to cold for her. It was perfect for cuddling up to him, so she didn't mind at all. Not to mention, she liked the fires burning in the fireplaces. It added to the comfortable feeling of the house.

Then the subject of food came up and she grinned up at him.

"Sure, I think I can help you out with that. You stick with the sausage and biscuits stuff and I'll work on the bacon and eggs? How about scrambled with some bacon bits, cheese and at tiny bit of onion just for flavor? If there are potatoes I can make some hash browns too."

Her eyes lit up when he took her hand and she followed him along to the bunk house kitchen. The little place where the few hired hands Ash had all lived.

Once they got inside Savannah moved into the kitchen. Feeling at ease in the place. It was a nice little place. Nicer than most she figured. She started getting to work right away, first making another big pot of coffee before starting in on the breakfast.

It wasn't long before everything was just about ready. Savannah went to get the dishes out of the cupboard and started setting the large table out in the big dining room. Soon it would be filled with some hungry cowboys. She kind of felt like the den mother, but she liked it. Liked being at the ranch, doing what she could to help out.

Savannah went back into the kitchen area, got the serving dishes and started piling the food on and taking them out and setting them in the middle of the table. Then she went back and finally poured herself a cup of coffee and stood next to Ash. She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek and smiled.

"I guess it's all ready. You can ring the breakfast bell."

((again... you can move Savannah however you need to move us along. and... I just thought of something, not sure how and/or when you want to do it, but he's gonna have to learn that she has powers. Unless you want to say he already knows.))

[Ashton Gabriel Jordan]

If you want a brick home in a school zone,
With the doors locked and alarms on,
Girl you're way off track,
Im a little more country than that
I just want to make sure you know just who your gettin under this ol hat,
Cause girl Im not the kind of two time or play games behind your back,
Im a little more country than that

There was something to be said for peaceful companionship as the morning took its natural turn. Ash had never been one for to much conversation until he'd gotten his breakfast in his system and caffeine in his blood and Savannah fit that piece of him. Together, they made their way back to the house and put together enough food that would feed the hungry hordes. It still amazed him that he was actually content to have a woman in his house since he'd always made it a point to never bring one home to his inner sanctum. Hell, he'd never even allowed his family to MEET one of them... Much less anything else.

And now, here he stood making breakfast with one in his own kitchen. Life was certainly funny. One minute you thought you had it by the ear and the next... It kicked you in the stomach and left you wondering what in the blue blazes had happened.

At least this time though, it was something that he could enjoy.

When the blond turned towards him and told him to ring the bell, he went out the back way and rang the old fashioned bell that hung from the rafters. He liked the fact that the same bell had been rang by his grandfather and his grandfather before him. There just seemed to be a lot of history in the action and it gave him a sense of belonging.

Seeing the cowhands starting to pour out of the bunkhouse and the sun peeking over the horizon, Ash waved at them and headed back inside. Since it was Saturday morning, he'd given them all a bit of a sleep in but there was work a plenty to be getting to when the feeding was done.

The next hour or so was spent eating and giving out orders before everyone trampled back out. Glancing at the mess on the table, Ash sighed and began picking up things. The hands had all rinsed their own plates and put them in the dishwasher but there was more to do.

"I really need to hire a housekeeper and someone to cook out here.... I just haven't had the time with everything going on..." he drawled out, heading for the sink to set some of hte serving wear inside it. "Maybe we should run into town and see about putting an ad in the paper before noon....."

Glancing back at Savannah over his shoulder, he grinned.

"I've got to run by the Thompson's later anyways and pick up those two new mares. If you want to ride along, that is?"

[savannah]

In the circles I've been running,
I've covered many miles,
And I could search forever for what's right before my eyes,
Just when I thought I'd found it,
It was nothing like I'd planned,
When I got my heart around it,
It slipped right through my hands,
Here with you I feel it,
I close my eyes and see it,

In a midnight talk, in a morning kiss,
When I'm in your arms, that's where it is,
When we're tangled up and can't resist,
When we feel that rush, that's where it is,
That's where it is

((sorry it's taken so long. no excuses, I've just been blah. sorry... and I'll try to get Trey up for Sammie tonight. I kind of like them. Hehe.))

Savannah smiled as Ash rang the old bell outside. The other men came trudging inside. They all sat around the table eating and chattering about normal everyday things. What work still needed to be done on the ranch and the like.

When the ranch hands finished and left to go about their business Savannah got up and started helping Ash with the clean up. It was almost a routine now. She hummed softly as she went about the business of gathering up dishes, rinsing them and putting them into the dishwasher.

A little chuckle rose up when Ash mentioned a housekeeper. Shrugging her shoulders a little bit as she turned to face him.

"If you want. I don't mind helping with the cooking. But, I guess... When I'm not around, you're pretty busy without some help that department."

She smiled slightly to herself as she thought about it. Things were good with Ash. She trusted him, but silently she was thinking that who ever he was going to hire as a house keeper or cook better be old, fat and ugly. Even better, preferably male.

Savannah looked up to find him grinning at her and she couldn't help but grin back. He was such a real person. Sometimes she was still surprised how down to earth he really was. When they had first met he was the star of the rodeo and he played the part well. Behind the scenes, away from the broncs and bulls, lights, cameras and microphones... He was something else completely. Her heart did that little flip flop thing again while she looked at him while he spoke again.

"Yeah, I'd love to tag along if you don't mind. Two new mares huh? Are they rideable? Maybe we can take them out for a run. Looks like it's going to be a nice day."

[Ashton Gabriel Jordan]

If you want a brick home in a school zone,
With the doors locked and alarms on,
Girl you're way off track,
Im a little more country than that
I just want to make sure you know just who your gettin under this ol hat,
Cause girl Im not the kind of two time or play games behind your back,
Im a little more country than that

(OK, I'mma going ot fast forwards us .. Hope thats OK.)

At Savannah's first words, Ash cast her a look and then smiled. A secretive looked played across his face but he simply turned away to finish what he was doing instead of saying anything. He had ideas about that but for now... For now, he was ill prepared to divulge his intentions.

And so the day went.

Together, they cleaned up the kitchen and then headed out to the truck. Once inside, Ash cast his companion a grin and they were off to town. The ride was made with the stereo blasting out some old Chris LeDoux rodeo tunes and the windows rolled down letting in fresh air. It was an enjoyable morning spent taking care of business and then out to the Thompson's to look at the pair of mares he was wanting to sell.

After the check was wrote and the horses loaded, the young cowboy was just climbing back in the cab when his cell phone started going off. Glancing at Savannah, he pulled it from his holder and read the number. Frowning, he hit the call button and what he heard put the fear of god into him.

"BOSS??? ASH? ARE YOU THERE??? SON OF A BITCH.IF YOUR THERE.. YOU NEED TO GET YOUR ASS HOME PRONTO!!!' he heard his foreman shout over the sound of what seemed like roaring flames. "WE GOT PROBLEMS!! THE MAIN BARNS ON FIRE AND STRANGE SHIT IS HITTING THE FAN...."

Cursing low under his throat, Ash practically yelled back in the cell.

"I"M ON MY WAY... WILL BE THERE AS SOON AS I CAN!!"

Then, hitting the end button, he swore and hit the steering wheel. Thompson, who was just coming to say goodbye stopped and Ash explained what was going on as fast as he could while starting his truck engine. The older man assured him that he'd get his boys and be right over even as the truck started to roll away. Because of the pregnant mares in back, Ash couldn't drive as quickly as he would have liked but it gave him time to gather his thoughts and for rational thinking to set in.

"SHIT SHIT SHIT!" he swore before realizing that Savannah was still with him. "I'm sorry Darlin but.... DAMN IT ALL TO HELL.... "

It was a terse drive the twenty five miles back to Cripple Creek with Ash nashing his teeth and gripping the wheel so hard his knuckles were white. By the time they were a few miles off, he could see the smoke rising and when they finally rolled to a stop in the yard, his worst fears were realized. The big barn was literally engulfed in flames and the hands where having a hard time keeping it from spreading to the out buildings. All his hard work... It was gone.

Bailing out of the truck, Ash ran towards the fire as the sound of a horses scream reached his ears. Realization that there was an animal still inside made his insides grow cold and without thinking, he plunged into the flames. Behind him, he heard shouts that the building was about to collapse but he knew no one else would save his boy.

Staggering down the main aisle, the former rough stock rider could barely see through the smoke but he heard the sounds of the stallion paniced in his stall. Choking out reassuring words, Ash stumbled to the stall and unlocked the door. The horse bumped him hard with his nose and Ash grabbed a lock of his mane as it sensed its freedom and dove pasted him out into the open walkway.

With a graceful movement, Ash was on his back and they were racing for the door just as beams started to fall. The last thing he remembered before one glanced off hte side of his head was the fresh smell of air as they dove through the entrance and everything went black.

(OK, Savannah.. fell free to improvise with this and do whatever!! Its an OMG moment! LOL)

[savannah]

It goes by so fast
Can't get it back
There ain't no time
Like this time...

((hope it's ok. got kind of long winded. lol. .))

The morning had certainly started out well. After breakfast they made the drive out to The Thompson Ranch. They ride out was nice, the day was beautiful out and Savannah reveled in it. Sitting next to Ash she sang along to the radio.

It didn't take long to complete the business transaction once they were there. Ash and Thompson had done a lot of business together. Savannah had just strapped herself into the seat of the truck when Ash's phone rang. It didn't seem like a big deal at first but, when Ash frowned at the number Savannah gave him a look and kept her attention on Ash's face.

Things only got worse from there. She could hear the frantic yelling on the other side of the line. Unable to hear exactly what they were saying she could tell something was majorly wrong. Then she saw the look on Ash's face and the urgency in his own voice as he yelled back into the phone.

Savannah got the basics of the story when Ash explained it to Thompson before they roared out of there. Ash was in a state. At this point, all Savannah could do was try to get him to focus on getting them back to the ranch.

"It's OK, Ash. Don't worry about me. Just drive hon."

To say that the ride back was tense, was an understatement. It was amazing how a a great day could turn to complete shit at the blink of an eye, or in this case, the ring of a cell phone.

As they got closer, Savannah could see smoke billowing and drifting into the sky from the direction of the ranch. She took a deep breath and tried to pack down the panic that was rising up. This was bad, she could feel it. When they finally pulled up as close as they could without being in danger, the devastation was obvious. While Ash jumped out of the truck and ran, Savannah got out slowly. Covering her mouth in astonishment and she could feel her eyes getting moist. She blinked to keep the tears back and tried to center herself.

Taking some more deep breaths she leaned back against the truck and watched as Ash didn't stop running like she had expected. What the hell was he doing? She thought as he kept running toward the barn. She felt frozen, rooted to the spot as she watched him disappear inside. Closing her eyes she could feel the fear rising up and with it the wind started to whip around her in a mini tornado. Her emotions were getting out of control, her power was emerging on it's own.

Another deep breath she calmed herself and began to speak quietly to herself.

"Hail, Watchtower, Guardian of the East. I ask to evoke the powerful Element of Air. Help me to have the strength and control for protection. I call upon you air. Come to me now."

Savannah felt the whirlwind around her stop and then felt the power within herself now. She was in control. Opening her eyes, there was still no sign of Ash. He was still inside trying to rescue his horse.

With slow even breathing Savannah raised a hand, focusing on the energy and the power from the air around her she silently instructed it to surround the burning barn with a barrier. The barrier would keep the fire inside but allow people or animals to come out. As she held up the barrier she focused on trying to make it close in on the fire. Keeping it contained. She could hear the interior of the barn breaking a part.

Quietly she said, "Please Ash, come out to me."

A few moments later she heard the sounds of running hoofs and the beautiful stallion with Ash astride it's back came racing out of the barn. They weren't safe yet though, Savannah held her breath, still holding the barrier in place when she saw the beam falling. With a quick flick of her wrist she sent a gust of wind toward the beam. She was able to push it enough so that it didn't fall on Ash full on, but was a glancing blow to his head. It was still enough to knock him unconscious and send him flying off the horse.

Now she couldn't help the tears that started to leak from the corners of her eyes, then finally turned to fully streaming down her cheeks. She knew she had to continue to concentrate and focus on the barrier she was holding up. With Ash and all the horses out of the barn, she could turn her power on putting out the fire. While the barrier kept the fire held inside it's circle she whispered to herself, commands to the air around her. Suddenly, the air was being sucked out of the barn. Taking away the fire's fuel.

Slowly as more and more air emptied out of the barn like it was in a vacuum, the fire got smaller and smaller until it was finally out. There was nothing left of the barn except burning embers, and charred pieces of wood littering the place. The odd tool and farm implement burned beyond recognition laying in various places on the ground.

Exhausted by that much use of her power she closed her eyes again. Bowing her head slightly she spoke quietly again.

"Thank you air. I appreciate you and you are free to go. Thank you for giving me strength."

Savannah felt the surging power inside her dissipate and float away. She felt like she was ready to collapsed, but then she opened her eyes and saw Ash laying on the ground. With the tears still wet on her face she forgot all about being tired. She ran to him. Kneeling on the ground next to him she took his hand in hers and with the other she touched his face gently. Now that she was more aware she could hear the sirens coming closer. She was blinking as the tears continued and she yelled out.

"Someone please make sure the paramedics get up here, fast."

Then she turned her full attention back to Ash. Stroking his face gently and squeezing his hand. She spoke softly to him. Murmuring calming words, telling him it was going to be all right. Then she made her voice a little stronger.

"Don't you dare leave me now Ash Jordan. I absolutely will never forgive you if you leave me alone now."

Chewing on her lip she stayed by his side. Watching his face, wishing the damn medical team would hurry up and get their asses up there.

THE LOWDOWN
TAG - Ash Jordan
WORDS - 1133
WEARING - click to see outfit
NOTES - Hope it's ok. Feel free to move as needed.