Advent Teaser

A small teaser snippet for an upcoming fic for Advent ….

There was no way he was going to be able to keep his ruse up the moment they hit the freeway.   Ben was going to figure out exactly where they were going, though he was pretty sure his Mate had already figured it out, but was enjoying the game.  

Twenty mins into the drive, he felt Ben’s stare.  “What?”

“Well I guess it took you 125 years, but you’re finally getting me to Yuma.”  Wade settled into the seat, tipping his hat over his eyes.   “At least this is more comfortable.”

“Not like I’m going to leave you there.”  Dan pointed out as he took a quick sip of his coffee.  “You don’t have a standing warrant, or do you?”

A snort was the only answer he got.   

The prison had closed a hundred years ago, in 1909.   Yuma was first settled with a Mission back in 1781, then over time saw expansion as immigrants moved towards the California Gold Mines in 1849.  The US Army established a fort in 1850, and from there the city grew.   In 1871, Yuma incorporated and became the city for the county.  It was decided then to build a Territorial Prison, it cost $25,000 and broke ground in April 1876, by November they were already holding prisoners, who had to build their own cells.

Not many could say a prison was an important part of their relationship, but it was for the two of them it was the centerpoint.  Ben Wade had a long list of crimes, and a cell with his name on it, but he never ended up on the 3:10 to Yuma train.  Dan lost his life, gained eternity with the asshole.  

So in a way it was fitting that 125 years later, he finally got his Mate’s ass to the Prison.  Even if it was a historical park and museum.   It would be entertaining at least, maybe he could get at least one picture of Ben behind bars.   

It took about three hours to get there, and it was still mid-morning.   Ben was unnaturally quiet, and slightly fidgeting as they got closer.  “You do realize I’m not actually taking you to prison.”

“Looks like you are.”  He pointed out the windshield to the sign that said ‘Welcome to Yuma Territorial Prison National Park’.  “I’m not quite sure why we’re here.”

“Closure.”  The answer was more honest than Dan anticipated.  “So much changed those few days, after they captured you in Bisbee.  I always knew you were never going to end up at the prison, yet after everything, you were getting on that train for me.  I had no idea why, well until Prince shot me then figured it out.”