Willow Valley (Frank Adler AU) 18+

19

When Keaton had told him to break a leg, Frank had made a promise that there was no way that he was gonna fuck up that night. However now he was lying in the dirt with the sharp pain in his ribs, he was pretty sure that the bastard was most likely laughing at his misfortune.

"Damnit". He hissed as he tried to move.

He'd become unseated from the saddle and had ended up getting dragged around with one foot caught in the stirrup before another of the workers had stopped him from potentially being smashed into the fence.

"Frank!"

Hassie?

Her concerned face appeared over him. "Frank? You ok?"

"What do you think?" He groaned. "Think I've cracked a rib or something".

"Your arm ain't looking that great either, think you can stand? Or is your ankle busted too?" She asked, helping him to sit up. "Come on, get up - let them know you're ok". Now helping him up with another rancher.

He got to his feet, thanking his lucky stars that nothing else was battered. He'd be bruised tomorrow for sure. "Where's the tornado chaser?"

"Doesn't matter about Keaton, but we've gotta get you to a hospital - dad! Help me out here!" Hassie called over to where Earl was now running over, taking Hassie's place.

"You good Frank?"

"Never been better". Frank hissed, then seeing Mary crying while Keaton was trying to comfort her. "I might throw up on you..."

Hassie looked where he was. "He'll look after her".

"I'd rather he didn't".

"Can you just stop with all this shit about Keaton and focus on your damn self!" Hassie scolded, and for once he had to back down considering the amount of pain that he was in.

As they got to Keaton, he was now holding Mary and calming her down. "She'll be ok, you get yourself fixed up Frankie boy".

As much as he wanted to tell Keaton to fuck off, the pain wasn't allowing him to. "Mary, you stay here ok? I won't be long".

"Please don't die!" She sniffed.

Keaton ruffled her hair gently. "Your uncle's a strong guy, he's not gonna die. May have a broken bone here and there though - I didn't think you were gonna take what I said this morning literally". He chuckled, trying to make light of the situation.

Frank gritted his teeth. "Yeah, tell me about it".

"We don't have time for this, I'll get the truck". Hassie huffed impatiently, "Dad, keys!" Earl chucked them to her and she returned in the vehicle some minutes later.

Finally they were on their way out of the ranch and to the nearest hospital that was some miles away. They'd just have to make do though, and Hassie remained silent whilst Earl tried to keep him comfortable and talk to him about the trivial things in life. He felt dizzy now, and as a result, he could hear the older man telling his daughter to put her foot to the pedal more once Frank announced this out loud.

Pulling into the ER, Earl took Frank in while Hassie parked the truck and then went to find them. He was just about to be seen by the doctor as she ran in. "You stay with him, can only have one of us in there". Her father told her.

She didn't protest and headed into the cubicle, seeing Frank getting checked over. He'd been needing X-Rays and scan to determine if he was concussed. He'd certainly broken his arm though given the angle Hassie had seen it at. That much was obvious.

"Ah, Mrs Adler?" The doctor now turned with a comforting smile.

Hassie's face changed as did Frank's. "Er, I think the fuck not". She stated. "Frank works for my parents".

"Sorry, I assumed you were together, anyway the arm is certainly broken, I don't think he's concussed but we'll check - we're gonna give him some X-rays and then should be back with you once we have the results".

Hassie nodded, "ok, cool - I'll just, erm...wait here then".

"Go get a coffee Hass". Frank said and watched her linger for a moment and then head back out to join Earl. "How long is this gonna take? I've got a niece I need to get back to".

"It will take as long as it takes Mr Adler".

"Fantastic..." he drawled and was then subsequently wheeled down for an X-ray.

**

A broken arm and a cracked rib was enough for him, and now Frank was back in the comfort of his own cabin with Hassie helping him to get settled. As they'd got back in the early hours, Mary was staying in the farmhouse with Etta.

"I'll come check in on you tomorrow morning after I've done your jobs". She told him as he settled into bed.

"You don't have to".

"Yeah I do. You're gonna need help and don't start bitchin' about how you'll be fine, because you ain't".

He shifted slightly. "I broke my arm and cracked a rib. It's not that bad".

Hassie put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. "Just accept the help Adler.". She sighed, turning and making for the door. "See you in the morning, I'll know if you ain't taken those meds".

"Yeah, yeah". He brushed it off as she left him to settle down. He was tired, and the hardcore pills he'd been given for pain relief were nearly kicked in.

Great. He was gonna be unable to work for weeks, and he hated the thought of sitting around and doing nothing - but it was doctor's order and he had no choice. What was more was that Hassie had taken it upon herself to play nurse as well as take over doing his duties for the time being.

Frank wasn't sure whether this would be a curse or a blessing in disguise. Either way he knew that Keaton was due to leave in a few days, so things were looking up.

Hopefully he wouldn't be seeing him again anytime soon.