{Jay} Just another day

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A black calf darted to the left, but not quickly enough to avoid the rope loop that settled around his neck. It reached the end of the rope and was jerked off its feet. Before it could get up though, a knee was set firmly on its neck, and it hooves were bound together. Hardly an instant after he was rendered helpless in this way, a hot iron seered into its hide, leaving a fresh brand on its hip. When the brand was finished, the calf was set loose and it went bawling back to the herd.

The sound of hooves came up behind the men working on branding and pulled to a stop. Derrick, you're wanted up at the house.[/color] Derrick looked up at the horseman, a look of complete disbelief on his face. We're kind of middle of something. He said, releasing the calf he was currently holding down. The rider shrugged and turned his horse away. In frustration, Derrick stood and moved to his horse, shaking the rope loose from the saddle horn and tossing it to another of the guys. He mounted quickly and turned the horse towards the ranch house.

The animal brought him quickly to the yard, moving at an easy lope. He pulled the horse to a stop and removed the horse's bridle before locking him in the round corral. Don't go anywhere Desperado, He said to the horse as he closed the gate, If I can get out of it, I'll be back soon. He walked grudgingly up to the house, knowing that there was another of those ridiculous tasks waiting for him. He was seriously considering looking for a different job. When he'd signed on, there hadn't been anything about being the babysitter. Well, recently he'd been doing a lot of that. He didn't dare say anything though. The ranch was struggling, and a lot of guys had been "let go" recently. Derrick was lucky enough to have stayed on this long.

He pulled the door of the house open, and stepped in, replacing the look of frustration with one of willingness to do anything. Of course, he really didn't want to do what he knew was going to be asked, but he had to. He stood there in the entry way like he always did, and waited for "the boss" to make his appearance. The reason he stayed in the entry way was nothing short of the dirt he would track in. He was a working man, and as so he was almost always filthy. Especially on branding or calving days. Today just happened to be a branding day, and he just happened to be covered in dirt and sweat, just like all the rest of the guys.

[Alex Lovasz]

It had been a long car ride from Texas all the way to Virginia with Trucker and Lola in tow. Which meant tons of stops. She was just glad to finally be there. She put Lola out pasture right away and trucker well he just got free reign of the whole place. His new kingdom. He as soon as the car door opened began sniffing around. After letting Lola out Uncle Rick showed her to the house. She could care less about the house and would have rather gone straight to working the cows but she knew that would come soon enough. She showed her too her room and she began un packing. She didn't bring much just some homey decorations that would soon get burried in a pile of dirt and clothes but it made it appear that a person actually did reside there. She wasn't one on clean and spent dawn till dusk outside anyway so a clean room didn't matter any to her.

Jed and Casey ran around the house talking a million miles a second and screaming at one another for some dumb reason. She walked into the hall and they ran circles around her. she grabbed both their rists and bent down. "I'm here to herd cows not you two little brats so nock it off" She looked them dead on and they nodded their heads in terror and scurried to their rooms. She smiled and walked dwon the stairs to grab a a snack. No one was down there so she grabbed an apple and headed back up stairs. "Uncle Rick imma take a quick shower k?" She didn't wait for a reply just grabbed her clothes and jumped into the shower. Not long after she got in she got out. She slipped on her jeans and began walking down the stairs with wet hair jeans and a bra.

The stairs faced the entry way and standing in the entry way there was some guy looked like he just got of the range. She smiled and began to slip her shirt on. He must be her to see her uncle or something. She nodded her head "Hey" but that was all she said before walking into the kitchen to the laundry room. She came back out and looked into the living room. "You need anything?" She asked like she'd known the random guy forever. He seemed nice enough and if she knew her uncle he wouldn't higher some dirt bag.. Then again thats pretty much all you got when it came to ranch hands. She smiled at the handsome guy. He looked like he was good with cows maybe she would have someone that could actually get things done around here after all.

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For most people, the five minutes Derrick spend waiting seeing neither hide nor hair of the person who had so urgently called him away from work and up to the house, would have seemed like an eternity and they would've left long before then. Derrick though, he was used to it. Waiting for this guy was always to be expected. He'd done it more times than he cared to remember. He leaned against the wall and stood patiently waiting. He could hear the two kids...or devil's spawn...as all of the hands called them, racing around screaming and being their typical obnoxious selves. Most of the guys hated those two kids, and Derrick was no exception. Lucky for him, he was the youngest on the "team" and was always the one chosen to do the "dirty work"...in other words, be the babysitter. It about drove him mad.

He heard someone coming from upstairs, and glanced in that direction, though quickly diverted his gaze when he realized that it wasn't his boss, as he had expected, but a girl, who didn't have her shirt on. That was sufficiently awkward. He had no idea who she was, or why she was here, but he was guessing she was some sort of relative or something along those lines...why else would she have come from upstairs topless? He wasn't exactly sure what to say or how to respond to all this...considering besides his boss's wife and the occasional wanna be cowgirl from the city who he had to guide on a tour there weren't many women around here...especially not ones who were missing half of their clothing.

At her "greeting" he simply nodded, and leaned back against the wall again to continue waiting. Go figure, he'd take pains to get up here quickly, and the guy wasn't anywhere to be found. He looked up again, when the girl returned and asked if he needed anything. He almost laughed, but stopped himself, and kept his expression completely serious. A new job. Came his reply. Whoops...he hoped she didn't go telling the boss that he'd just said that. It just sort of came out. Still, there was nothing about him that displayed his little slip up, and it appeared that he had meant to say that all along.

Sorry, He said after a moment, not really sure what he was apologizing for, He called me up here for something, now he just needs to show up. It was rather frustrating to be called away from a rather important task and then have to just stand there waiting, but he would survive. He was fairly certain it wouldn't be too much longer before he was given the next task that undoubtedly involved something with Jed and Casey. He was not looking forward to it, but he couldn't exactly say no now could he? So he was just going to bear it as best he could and hope he wasn't taking them to Bulid-A-Bear or the roller rink again.

[Alex Lovasz]

She caught his rather surprised look as she came down the stairs. She wasn't exactly expecting company but really? I mean come on like he was gunna be upset. She was used to being at home where everyone knew he and she was family wether they were the hands or actually her brother or dad. Being the only girl besides mema now it was no big deal to walk around like that. But she would have to work on that while she was here. Because obviously she didn't want her uncles ranch hands thinking she was some sort of slut or sleez or whatever they called them now days. She wasn't like that she was just a country gal that was used to a family surrounding the area. But She wasn't going to make the guy feel awkward she didn't care and neither should he.

She laughed at him. He said he wanted a new job she could see that. "Don't worry i'm pretty sure i've taken your job." She winked at him and leaned on the edge of the couch. This guy seemed funny she could get used to him easily. Course she would need him to get over this tough silent guy act. "No need to appologize making you wait is just plan rude. I'll go get him" She walked toward the stairs "UNCLE RICK!!!! Someones here for you!" She had no problem demanding his pressence sure she didn't exactly have the same strictly boss and employee relationship even if she did that was just her personality. She turned back to the guy.. Ha she didn't even know his name. "Sorry, I'm Jay." She stuck out her hand to shake. It seemed odd to shake hands but whatever.

She was pretty sure she knew why her unle had called him here but she would keep it to herself. Because it would only annoy her and she didn't want to be annoyed at this moment in time. She had just got there the only thing she wanted was to get to work. But she needed to go into town and she had a feeling her uncle was going to ask this fellow to show her around so she didn't get lost. She didn't need a someone driving her around she would figure it out but if he said so she would listen. The most important place was the ranch then maybe a liquer store. But other then that she didn't need any mall or dinner thats what home was for making meals. She learned how to make meals but prefered ranching to cooking it was in her blood to herd and brand cows and thats what she did.

She hoped she wasn't making him feel uncomfortable. Being only 20 and probably the best cowgirl out there she could come off rather... strong. She was just raised with boys what do you expect. She turned her head to see Uncle Rick coming down the stairs. She smiled as he looked her over then moved his eyes to Derrick. Jay kept quiet and waited for her introduction or anything. She learned at an early stage when it came to her uncle and father only speak when spoken too... sometimes she slipped up though.

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Normally Derrick wasn't quite like this. Usually he was the outgoing one who started conversations, who said things to complete strangers, introduced himself first, the whole shebang. Not today though. No, today the frustration was really getting to him, and when he got frustrated, he appeared to be the quiet sort of person who never said anything to anyone except when he had to. An unfortunate first impression in this case. Ah well, if she was staying around for a while, she'd get to know the real Derrick, the one that everyone else around her knew him to be when he wasn't in a bad mood, like he sort of was right now.

Derrick pushed himself off the wall with his shoulder and took the step that separated them, and took her extended hand. Derrick He replied. as he released her hand. There he went again, a short and sweet answer. It was so unlike the real him, but he didn't even notice. He didn't think shaking hands was strange at all. For him, it was a natural response to an introduction. Although you could never tell, Derrick was rather intrigued by her boisterous and forward mannerism. Most girls were the kind who would rather stay home and talk on the phone than do work, but she seemed like the sort who was exactly the opposite. There weren't too many like that around anymore unfortunately. If there was one thing that bothered him more than babysitting it was girls who were completely submissive and basically trampled on by the rest of society...the men.

He looked up as his boss came down the stairs, a look of delight on his face at the sight of Derrick. About time you got here![/color] Of course, Derrick had been waiting there patiently as ever, just like always. He always got that reaction after waiting for him, he was used to it, and so said nothing. I see you've already met Jay. Good. Now, the reason I asked you up here was this. Jay's new 'round here and I need someone to show her around town. I figured since you boys weren't doing much of anything today they'd be able to spare you.[/color]

Oh good lord, how did this man get into ranching? Not much of anything, on branding day? Derrick was less than half his age and he knew that every hand was needed for the job to be done in a quick and orderly fashion. Still, showing Jay around town was better than babysitting...again. That wasn't all though. I was thinking,[/color] he added as he turned around to look for Jed and Casey. Derrick winced as his boss' back turned to him, knowing what he was going to say, you might also take the kids along with you.[/color]

Derrick could have quoted those words directly before he even said them. He said them the exact same way every time. Anywhere specific you want them to go? He asked, obvious contempt in his tone as he asked the question. He hated those two kids, and he had to take them everywhere. Rick didn't seem to catch the contempt, and answered just as cheerfully as before. Oh no, just let them tag along with you two wherever you two go.[/color] Oh great, that was even worse. He couldn't just drop them somewhere and leave now, they had to come with him everywhere. If only he had a gun on him, he'd have shot himself right there to avoid the pain he'd have to endure with those two along.

[Alex Lovasz]

Jay smiled and nodded at his name. But before anything else could be said between then her Uncle came happily down the stairs. He told Derrick it was about time he got there. And she just shook her head in shame. Her uncle was so oblivious no wonder they were losing the ranch. It was rather sad. But she would hopefully change all that. She was here to help.. and he needed it. She knew he would ask Derrick to show her around. But what she coulnd't believe was that it was branding day. When she was out putting Lola away she heard and saw them wrestling the cows down. So at his words they weren't busy she nearly slapped her forehead and shook her head. How was this man still aloud to be called a cattle hustler. She ignored that though it was something she would definatly work on that. She hoped once they left the house Derrick would loosen up.

Thats when he dropped the bomb. He looked around the room for the little devils then continued. Jay flipped over the back of the couch and onto the seat of it. "Oh dear God!!' She clenched her eyes close and he uncle turned to her. Sure she knew she was stepping somewhere only family could. She had seen and noticed Derricks tension. It was obvious he'd done this more then once. How pathetic. She hated the little twarps. Sure they were her neice and Nephew but they were like monsters devils even. Taking them along would be quite a trip.. But she was good at putting them in their place. If she had anything to do with it they would be silent the whole time. Aunty Jay wasn't no wimp nor was she nice. She would keep them quite even if she had to tie them like cows. Kids were definatly not her forte. She was a cattle down and dirty babe that prefered cows and dirt to kids.

She looked over the edge of the couch. She maybe 20 but dragging along two annoying little brats was cramping her style. Not that she really had one. But still that wasn't exactly her idea of being shown around. "Unlce rick i love them but seriously?" She rolled her eyes and gave Derrick a sympathic look. She knew what it was like to watch them they could be little.. creatures from the dead. Or little tornados destroying everything in their path... including you. She was happy her and her brother never had any younger siblings she just wouldn't have been able to take it. As if being called by the under taker they came running down the stairs. Jay's feet now hung over the back of the couch and her head was where you feet went. She coulnd't believe they were babysitters for the day. It would have been safer to go alone and get lost then have three people to deal with. Not that she minded Derrick but she liked getting things done fast and with him and the squirts along it would be a real drag.

One way or another she would get over it though. She doubted seriously that Ucle Rick would let her go with just Derrick because the spoiled ones got what ever they wanted and this obviously was what they wanted. She came to ranch cows not be a nnay but she was sure that was the same thing Derrick was thinking. She had to make her uncle understand the real aspect of it all. Ranching was ranchin g not half sitter half roper. It was just soo incredibley wrong. She shook the thoughts away and threw herself up with a large sigh. She walked over to the two boys and passed inbetween then. She dogded the kids and headed up stairs. If she was going out she wanted to have her phone and cash. She skipped down the stairs and looked around. "Alright then lets get this over with." Not only meaning spending the afternoon with the kids but more like spending the afternoon not working. Since she was 3 she had worked every day of her life even sundays. And to take a day off now was just wrong. But she did anyway. And they were off.

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Derrick knew better than to protest bringing Casey and Jed along, it never worked. They always got whatever they wanted whenever they wanted, and for some reason, they always wanted to follow him around. Why they wanted to be his shadow, he didn't know, he was anything but nice to them...in fact, some would even consider him too harsh on them. He didn't care though, if they were trying to beat the snot out of some other kid, he had every right to be "mean" to them. Not to mention the fact that he simply hated them and he had to have them along everywhere he went. That just annoyed him to no end.

He could have quoted what his boss was going to say in response to her question. "Of course I'm serious, a trip into town will do them good, and give me a bit of peace for a little while." Derrick's expectation was right. Down to the very last letter, that was what he said to Jay as an answer to the question. Derrick was now coming to the opinion that he'd been working here far too long if he could predict his boss' answers to questions before he even opened his mouth. Actually, it was probably because he'd gone through this so many times that he just knew what he would say every time.

Derrick didn't say a word, but as Jay headed up the stairs, he went out to put the horse up. The appaloosa still had the saddle on his back, and Derrick doubted if he would appreciate having it on for a few more hours just standing around in the round corral. Casey and Jed followed him out the door, still racing around and screaming. They were just lucky he didn't have a gun, otherwise he would have shot them right there on the spot. Instead, he just clenched his jaw and kept walking. He pulled the corral gate open and walked over to the horse, quickly undoing the cinch and jerking the saddle from the animal's back. He grabbed the bridle off the fence post and slung it over his shoulder, the kids still racing around his feet and screaming. He wasn't going to be able to take this much longer.

Sorry Des, He muttered to the horse who looked quite annoyed with the kids, the Grim Reaper's at it again. He patted the animal's neck and walked out, closing the gate securely behind him. It took him but a moment to put the saddle and bridle in the barn where they belonged, and then headed back out. Finally, the screaming and hyperactive movements of the two children became too much for him to handle. In a swift and deft movement, he caught both of them by their shirt collars, and brought them to a stop in front of him. If I hear even so much as a sound out of either of you, He said, obviously quite serious, I swear I will drop you off at the pound and they'll lock you up in a cage and you'll never see the light of day again. Casey and Jed instantly fell silent. Every other time when he'd had to take them out, he always made good on those things. While he'd never promised to lock them up in the pound before, he'd gone through with other threats before, so they believed him.

The silence was so golden in his opinion, he relaxed a bit more. As long as they were silent, he could handle them. He looked up as Jay came out of the house, obviously ready to go. He was hoping she wasn't the sort of person who had ten million things to do in town. He knew that with the few hands they had working it would probably take about four hours to get all the branding for just today done, and since he was now no longer there, they were short a roper and that meant it would take even longer. The quicker he got back, the quicker the job would get done.

As Jay approached a large Australian Shepherd dog came bounding over to the group happily wagging his tail. When the dog reached Derrick, he jumped up and placed both of his paws on Derrick's chest. Most people would have scolded him for doing such a thing, but for him and Derrick, it was like their greeting. Derrick just placed his hands on either side of the dog's head and pushed him to the side so that he landed back down on the ground, then went around to the back of the truck and opened the tail gate. Lets go Badger. he said, and the dog happily obliged, leaping up into the back of the truck. Anywhere Derrick went, Badger went right along with him, and no one had a problem with it.

[Alex Lovasz]

Up in her room Jay looked out her window. She spotted the round pen. With what looked like an appaloosa standing in the middle all dressed up and ready to go. She watched as Derrick pulled his tack off. She could tell he was.. agrivated. Ha she didn't blame him. She grabbed some cash and stuck it in her bac pocket or her jeans and snatched her phone up. She came down the stairs and out onto the front portch to meet Trucker. He wagged his black and white tail. She patted him on the head and looked up. Just in time to see Derrick snatch the little devils byt the collers of their shirts. She laughed and watched silently. So this guy wasn't what he seemed. Standing back up she clapped her hand on her thigh and Trucker followed behind her.

She walked up to the truck and opened the back door and leaned on it. "Alright ya little brats get in. And if your lucky maybe we'll get you some dog chow." She was kidding of course... or was she. They pilled into the back of the truck silently. She walked around the back and smiled. "You got a way with kids." She smirked he knew exactly what she meant. And if he didn't he really was stupid. She looked down at Trucker who was whinning and looking up at the two of them. She smiled and bobbed her head toward the truck. Trucker jumped in with a bark and settled down into the back. She smiled at Derrick figuring he wouldn't mind. Trucker was better behaved then the other kids that were tagging along. The two dogs would be easier then the humans... if you could call them human.

She leaned on the back of the truck. Derrick was a nice guy from what she knew. He felt the same way about the twarps that she did. And they both seemed to handle it the same way. Harshly. She definatly wasn't ment to be a mom. Kids were at the bottom of the list of things she wanted. Infact they weren't even on the list. "Hate to be the bearer of bad news... But it doesn't get better." With that she stood up right and moved around Derrick with a smile. She opened to front passenger door and jumped in. This was gunna be like ripping off a bandaid. Quick and painless. She didn't even mind if all they did was drive into town and then back out. She wanted to get back here as soon as possible. With... or without the kids. She looked to the back and eyed the kids making sure they knew she nor Derrick were joking around. Between the two of them and the dogs they were surrounded. They wouldn't be able to get away with anything.

She was dressed in Jeans cowboy boot a black tank top and her hair was still dripping from the shower she had just taken. Sure she wasn't dressed to impress but who was there to impress. She wasn't looking for any relationship other then the one she had with horses cows and her dog. And she didn't need anyone else so she was single. Not that she couldn't get a boyfriend if she wanted. She looked around at the scenary. Bored as heck. She wanted to go back already and get on Lola and brand some cows. But no she had to go into town for some stupid reason. "Lets make this as quick and painless as possible." She didn't look at anyone just kept a dead straight glare out the window. She let a bit of silence carry throught the car. It was weird being so quiet. She was used to the hustle and bustle of the ranch and being i cars sucked.

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Derrick didn't mind her bringing her dog along at all. Badger got along with everyone, human, dog horse, anything really, and Derrick knew there wouldn't be any problem between them. The only time the Aussie was even slightly aggressive was when he was herding, but what herding dog isn't slightly aggressive towards the animals it's moving? No, that dog was like a great big teddy bear that loved everybody. He never barked at anyone or anything, unless he was moving cows. Sheep and other animals always just ran when he came near, so the cattle were the only ones he ever barked at.

Finally, a bit of a smile appeared on Derrick's face when she said he had a way with kids. The longer the silence lasted and the quicker they got this over with, all the better mood he'd be in. If people could only figure that out, he'd almost always be in a good mood. Unfortunately, Rick and the kids hadn't realized it yet, so he was quite often about ready to blow someone's head off with a shotgun when he was on the ranch. Luckily, his coworkers understood, and took pains to not bother him more than he already was. Most of them had, at one point, been the guy who had to do these sorts of jobs for the Boss and understood what it was like.

Trust me, I know. Derrick replied. After two years here, he knew it didn't get any better...if anything it got worse. It might have sounded bad, but he couldn't wait for them to grow up and get their own driver's licenses so that he wouldn't have to take them places, better yet, he couldn't wait for them to start going to school again so he wouldn't have to even see them around anymore. He was sure that as they got older they would get better, but at this point in time, he just wanted them gone...forever preferably, but he would take eight hours a day, or whatever he could get.

When Jay went around to the passenger side of the truck and got in, Derrick moved around to the driver's side and pulled the door open. He settled himself into the seat and pushed the key into the ignition and turned it. The engine started with a satisfying roar and then quieted down to a healthy growl. All too willing to oblige. Derrick said honestly. He was the sort of person who was always working. On his day's off, he'd take Johnny, his horse at the stable, out and work cattle with him. If he wasn't working cattle, then he was at the stable repairing the round corrals. He just had to keep himself busy, or else he'd go insane from boredom.

He pulled the truck out and headed down the dirt road that lead to the highway. If this thing broke down on him again in that ten mile radius where there was no cell service, he really would kill someone. Twice, it had happened already. The first time, he and badger had been lucky enough to have been picked up by Charlie, who, being as smart as he was about these things figured out where they were and came along to pick them up. The second time though, Charlie had been taking care of a few...issues...and he'd had to walk five miles in the blazing heat to get cell service and call a tow truck.

When they hit the highway, he turned for a moment towards Jay. Where to? He asked, then returned his attention to the road, and accelerated. Out on this country highway, the speed limit was 70, so they would get to town in about 20 minutes, and he wanted to know where they were going before they got to town so that they wouldn't waste time going nowhere. So far, his threat had worked and Casey and Jed were still silent. It was probably killing them, not saying anything, but he didn't really care. He didn't wish they would die, but the age old adage "Silence may be golden but duct tape is silver" was a possibility here if they started talking again. Anything to shut them up. Except anything containing sugar. It would keep them quite while it lasted, but as soon as it was gone, they would only get louder.

[Alex Lovasz]

The car ride was... ok nothing to annoying. Between Jay and Derrick the twarps were staying rather quiet. It was odd but Jay was enjoying it. If you asked her she would just drive far away and drop them off a cliff.... But unfortunately she couldn't do that. She looked at the clock on the truck and let her head fall back with a sigh... She really didn't want to go into town she just wanted to go to work on the cows. She didn't care what was in town... except maybe the liquor store. All she needed was her horse her dog and a cows... well food and water too but that wasn't her line of work. They reached the highway and he asked where she wanted to go. How should she know she didn't even know where anything was nor what they had around here. She thought for a moment..."Uh.... i have no idea.....where do you suggest?" All she wanted at the moment was a hard days work and a cold beer. Sure she couldn't buy it nor was it legall for her to drink it but she has been since she was like 14. No she wasn't a drunk but after working on the ranch or when you're moving the herd it was a nice relaxant.

She looked over her shoulder to see if trucker and the other dog were ok. She saw the black and white border collies head pop up and look in the window. She loved that dog to death. He was her best pall beside her horse. They were the only things she needed. At home she could live out in the fields with just them. Her dad and brother must have known she was good. She knew she was.... but she should be used to work cattle not little kids. She looked back ahead. This was harder then working cattle and that was saying a lot. From the visits they paid she was used to being around them but becoming a full time babysitter wasn't what she signed up for... THough she was sure thats how Derrick felt.

She felt bad for him. Her uncle... well he had no clue what he was doing. And using someone like Derrick to watch the kids was a waste of a man... thats what girls were for.. Well girl not like Jay. Back home she was considered a male. All her dads men never thought of her as a woman. Never saw her as anything but their sister. And if they did they were quickly reminded that she was the boss' daughter. And she would beat the crap out of them if they tried anything. She was the fastest with the cows especially on branding day. She could easily take down even her dads best men. And they all knew it... mainly because if they forgot she reminded them. But she loved them like family. And they all got along. She missed the guys... But she was sure she would adjust to her uncles crew.

She depsirately wanted to go back to the ranch now. She didn't want to see the town. And even though she appreciated Derrick driving her and the kids around... She would have much rathered him leave them at home... Not that he had a choice. That was just how her uncle worked. He didn't use his head much. He had a bad habit of forgeting how ranching really worked. Sometimes she wondered if he really could pass as a rancher.. He knew nothing about the job. Except the fact that it brought in money... which apparently his bad skills even ruined that. But thats why she was here.