WildHearts17

Lance climbed up the fence for the second time that day, but this time with a large grin on his face. He sat down on Thunder's back, and gripped his legs, watching Josh introduce him. When they made eye contact, Lance grinned and kissed the ring on his finger. The band was still playing, the music meant to get the crowd pumped, but when the cymbals crashed Lance jumped. He took another breath, trying to calm his beating heart. He gripped his legs again, which had gone slack against Thunder's waist. He heard the whistle blow, and he leaned forward, watching Joey open the gate.

Thunder came barreling out, feeding off of the cheers and energy from the crowd. Every horse had a different riding style. Unlike Toby, who took his time riding around the arena for a bit, Thunder immediately started bucking. Lance was prepared, and leaned back, making sure to give the audience a good show. In the middle of the riding, Lance made the mistake of looking over to his left. He saw Josh and they made eye contact, grinning at each other.

Momentarily distracted, Lance failed to notice his legs start to loose their grip around Thunder's hips. As the bronco started to buck more, the band began playing louder and faster. The man with the large cymbals waited for his cue, and then smashed the large metal instruments together. Lance jumped, his legs going completely slack. Thunder, aware of the lighter weight on his back, stopped and bucked his back legs up high in the air. Josh, Joey, Britney and hundreds of audience members watched in horror as Lance's face smacked against the back of Thunder's head, and then was flipped into the air. Lance landed on his back, the oxygen leaving his body in a rush.

Josh threw open the gate and rushed out, followed by several rodeo hands. It took all four of the helpers to steady Thunder and lead him out of the arena. Josh shook Lance softly, starting to panic at the blood spilling from his nose and down his pale cheeks.

"Lance! Lance wake up!" he yelled, shaking Lance harder. He choked back a sob. "Lance *please* wake up!"

Lance groaned softly, painfully, but it was music to Josh's ears. He sighed softly, waiting until Lance opened his eyes. Josh swallowed thickly and licked his lips.

"C-can you sit up?" he asked, still shaken slightly.

Lance sighed and sat up slowly, wiping at his nose. He looked up at Josh's wide, watery eyes and smiled slightly. "It's okay Josh," he said, "I'm fine."

Josh stood up, extending a hand down to Lance. He lifted Lance up and then let go. Immediately, Lance's legs gave out and he fell, Josh barely catching him before he hit the ground.

"Lance, what's wrong?" asked Josh.

Lance shook his head. "Nothing," he said. "Uh, my legs. They're just tired. And a little sore, that's it."

He stood up again, leaning against Josh when his legs started to shake. He waved to the audience, causing them to applaud loudly in relief.

"We need to get you to a doctor," said Josh, practically carrying Lance off the field.

Lance shook his head. "No," he said, "I'm fine. I don't need a doctor."

"But Lance-"

"I said I'm fine Josh," Lance snapped. He shut his mouth and looked up at his fiancee with pitiful eyes. "I'm sorry Josh," he said softly, "I didn't mean to snap at you."

Josh smiled, helping him sit down. "It's okay," he said, "I'm just worried about you."

Lance grinned. "I sensed that. But really, I'm fine."

Josh allowed himself to believe Lance, even though a voice in the back of his head said that something was not right.

~*~
Josh closed the curtains to his room. It was night time, and he was dead tired. Looking over at Lance, who was all ready in bed, he smiled and crawled up next to his lover. Lance smiled, turning in Josh's arms and kissing him slowly. He licked around the edge of Josh's lips, and Josh immediately opened them. Their tongues met quickly, moving over each other in a seductive dance. Josh pulled back, breathing hard and staring at Lance with dark eyes. He sat up, pulling off his shirt and tossing it beside the bed. Lance watched with hooded eyes, and then did the same. Josh kissed up Lance's chest as he reached over beside them, turning off the bedside lamp.

The next morning, Lance's eyes fluttered open slowly. He yawned and stretched his arms above his head. Looking next to him, he smiled at Josh. The sheets of the bed were pulled up to their chests, shielding their naked bodies from prying eyes. Lance ran a hand over Josh's hair, and kissed his nose.

'I should make him breakfast in bed,' he thought.

Lance saw his boxers by the bed and moved to get them. His body broke out into a cold sweat when nothing happened. He tried again. His waist bent and his arms were stretching out, but nothing lower than that moving. Lance's hands trembled, and he squeezed his teary eyes shut tightly.

'No, this is not happening to me,' he thought. 'Oh God, no.'

A choked sob escaped his throat as tears ran down his face. Josh's eyes fluttered open at the noise, and he yawned stretching in bed. He smiled at Lance, and then frowned deeply at the tears rolling freely down his fiancee's face. Immediately, panic set in and he sat up in bed.

"Lance! Lance, baby, what's wrong?" he asked, feeling like he was going to cry too. He blinked back tears and shook Lance. "Open your eyes! Lance!"

Lance opened his eyes, and Josh's heart broke at the sadness in them.

"What's wrong?" asked Josh, dreading the answer. When Lance didn't respond, Josh shook him. "Tell me what's wrong!" he begged.

"I'm sorry," whispered Lance, and Josh choked on a sob.

"Sorry for what?" he asked.

Lance took Josh's shaking hand, squeezing it tightly. He took a deep breath, a tear escaping from the corner of his eye and hitting the pillow.

"I-I can't," he whispered. He swallowed thickly and met Josh's eyes. "I can't feel my legs Josh."

~*~
Josh sat back in the corner of the room, watching as the doctor examined Lance. An hour later, he was clutching Lance and crying into his shoulder.

"... paralysis," the doctor was saying, " ... possibly temporary ... doubtful ... sorry ... never ride again."

Josh didn't even hear the doctor leave, only felt Lance's comforting hand stroking the back of his head softly.

"It's okay Josh," he whispered. "Didn't you hear the doc? He said there's a chance that it's only temporary. I'll just have to have physical therapy for a while, and then when my legs get better, I can start riding again and..."

"Wait," said Josh, pulling back from Lance and wiping at his eyes. "What do you mean you can start riding? Didn't *you* hear the doctor? Lance, he said you can never ride again."

Lance furrowed his brow, shaking his head. "No, Josh, that can't be all true," he said defensively. "When my legs get better-"

"Lance stop!" cried Josh angrily. "God, did you listen to *anything* the man said? First of all, he said there was a *chance* that you're only temporarily paralyzed. Maybe with the right therapy, you can walk again." He cupped Lance's face in his hands, forcing the younger man to look at him. "However, he said that since you're paralyzed now, there's an even greater chance of you getting hurt again. You *can't* ride again Lance. Ever. If you did, and you got hurt ... it'll be forever."

Lance's eyes filled with tears that he refused to shed. He pushed away from Josh angrily, the movement sending his new wheelchair rolling backwards and hitting the couch.

"There's always a chance," he said through gritted teeth.

Josh shook his head softly. "No, there isn't," he said. "Promise me Lance. Promise me that you won't ever ride again. Please."

Lance was quiet, refusing to look at Josh. He gripped the wheels on his new chair, and rolled them towards the window. He still wasn't used to the exertion, so it took him a minute to get moving. Stopping by the windowsill, he watched Joey and Britney practice her routine on Princess, Britney's horse. Lance took a deep breath, prayed for forgiveness, and crossed his fingers underneath his legs.

"Okay Josh," he said softly, "I promise."

He could hear Josh's relieved sigh from across the room, and within seconds he felt strong arms wrapped around his waist. Josh kissed his ear softly, the smile evident in his voice when he spoke.

"Thank you Lance," he whispered.

Lance closed his eyes and nodded, not trusting himself to speak.