Just a Movie

When the Screen Goes Black

I open my eyes, the blur slowly becoming clear.  I'm in a small bed, soft, and there's a little desk in the corner of the room by the window.  Horses neigh outside, wagons rolling.  Ow!  I wince, reaching for my chest, only to feel bandages on my wound.  I'm still-alive?

"Martha!"  I turn my head and see Roy kneel beside me, taking my hand in his.  Relief is in his eyes as he smiles at me, brushing his lips across my knuckles.  "You're alive," he sighs. 

"I thought I died," I whisper, not having the strength to speak out loud.     

He touches my cheek, softly rubbing his thumb across it, and I lay my head in his hand. 

"I'm glad you didn't.  I don't know what I'd do without you," he says. 

I raise my eyebrows. 

"No sarcasm today?" I ask, surprised by his genuine attitude. 

He shakes his head. 

"There's nothing more important to me than you and your safety.  So no, no sarcasm at the moment."

Huh.  This is so unlike him.  He's usually sarcastic all the time, no matter what.  It's kind of sweet.  Before I can reply, a smirk tips up. 

"Of course, if you really want me to..."

"Oh, be quiet!" I laugh.  

If I could, I would've tossed a pillow at that sexy face of his, but I don't think my tired body would like that.  Our chuckles fade into a comfortable silence, his eyes brightened by his smile.  

"So you're not mad at me anymore?"

His smile fades into dismay, and he shakes his head. 

"No, I'm not.  Truth is, I shouldn't have been angry at you for so long."

"So we're good?"

He nods. 

"Yeah, we're good."

I sigh, relieved to hear this.  I'm not sure what I'd do if he never forgave me.  I try to sit up, only for my chest to cry in pain, and I plump back into the sheets.  

"Here," Roy says, setting the pillow behind my back as he helps me up.  "Better?"

"Yeah," I smile.  "Better."

He gazes at me, making my blood go warm.  

"You saved me," he whispers.  He leans forward, and it's getting hard to breathe with how close he is, my heart thumping against my chest.  "Is there anything I can do for you?" 

His gaze drops to my lips, and I smirk. 

"I can think of a few things," I say, and a grin plays on his lips.  

He kisses me, and I wrap my arms around his neck, enjoying his warmth.  He pulls away, smiling, and pecks me on my nose.  This is where I want to be, right here with him, and I sigh in contentment.  Suddenly, the door bursts open, and I jump. 

"Oh my God, you're awake!" Violet squeals, and wraps me in a tight hug. 

How is she so strong??  I glance at Roy, amusement on his face.  If I had air, I might've chuckled, but she already squeezed that out of me.  

"I'm so glad you're feeling better!" she grins, plopping herself on the side of the bed. 

"I'm getting there," I assure her.  "Thank you."

Chris and Travis follow in after, and they both greet me, wishing me to get well soon.  Soon, the room is full of chatter and hearty laughs, Chris' arm wrapped around Violet, and I can't help but smile.  Everyone's so happy, and that makes me happy too.  No medicine in the world could make me feel this way.  

"Oh my goodness, did you hear?" Violet says, turning to me. 

"Hear what?" I ask. 

"Roy's leaving us," she frowns, puckering her lip.  "And just before the celebration too."

I look at Roy, surprised.  He's leaving?  Since when?  And was he even going to tell me?

"You're really leaving?" I inquire, sadness in my tone. 

He lets out a breath. 

"Yes," he admits.  "I'm going away."

"But why?  And where?"

Never would it have crossed my mind that Roy would just leave the gang.  That he would leave me.  After all we've been through, he's just taking off.  Then again, maybe it was never really serious to him, and besides that, I've no idea when I'm going to poof back to my old life, or even if I'll get to stay.  Do I even have a choice?

"I can't stay here," he explains.  "There's so much to see, so many things to do, and I can't do that here.  I'm heading to the west coast in two days."  

Two days?  That's barely enough time to spend with him, let alone say goodbye.  He leans forward, looking at me intently, and taking my hands, says, "I want you to come with me."

My eyebrows raise, my mouth dropped open, and I can feel all eyes are on me.  I was not expecting this.  He wants me to come?  Everyone's waiting for my answer, and there's only one answer that's right.  

"All my life, I've wanted adventure, love," I reply, tension in the room.  He waits still, looking at me expectantly.  "Yes," I smile, "I'll come."

He lets out a heavy breath, a wide grin spread on his face, and he wraps me in a hug.  

"I love you," he says. 

I smile. 

"I love you too."

We look back at everyone else, who stares at us with happy expressions, Violet holding back tears. 

"Well," she says, wiping her eyes, "since you two will be leaving soon, why don't we celebrate our victory in here?"

We look at each other, a knowing look on each face. 

"Yeah, we should," Chris agrees. 

"Definitely," I grin. 

"Bring out the drinks first, then I'll make up my mind," Roy smirks.      

So we have a party, just us, in this little room.  We laugh, drink, tell amusing stories from our pasts, and even sing old western songs together.  We have fun, without a care in the world.  No enemies to fight, nothing to worry about, just us and a drink in our hands.  Then it hits me.  This is what happens when the screen goes black.  The story continues, and a new adventure begins. And I'm apart of that new adventure.  A new life, a new beginning, and I'm gonna make the most of it.