A TIME TO GO

        by NIGHTCRAWLER (kmanetta@earthlink.net)

        Fandom: SHANGHAI NOON

        Pairings: ROY/CHON

        Summary: Chon considers leaving Roy

        Warning: Slash implied, nothing graphic

        Rating:R

        Inspired by a picture of a tired, hurt Jackie Chan

        Disclaimer:Shanghai Noon belongs to Spyglass Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures. No infringement is intended.



        Chon stood on the back porch, leaning up against the support beam, looking up at a hawk soaring above him in ever diminishing circles, making Chon wonder who the prey was. He knew what it felt like to be hunted, and it felt so much better to be the hunter. He had been whittling a small dragon. It was a very delicate piece with a great deal of intricate detail. He had been working on it for a while now, always finding excuses why it wasn't done. Chon looked down at the small ferocious creature. At the same time, the sounds of Roy singing as he dressed to go to town rang in Chon's ears. The dragon was a gift for Roy. A gift to be given when there was nothing more to give, a gift to say good-bye. Chon stood as a wave of weariness swept over him.

        Defeat was not something he accepted easily, but this time there seemed little choice. No matter how many times they pleasured each other during the week, when Saturday night rolled around, Roy had to frolic with the ladies. The last time Chon complained, Roy went back to the "This is the west, Chon, " explanation, insisting real men always visited a cat house on Saturday night and if Chon didn't start stopping by, people would soon start to talk.

        Chon had just replied, "I am married.' Roy had grinned evilly and snapped back, "Well, I'm not," and sauntered out of the house with a saucy grin on his face.

        Chon sighed again. It was all so tiring. He didn't want to leave, but to stay and be taken so much for granted was so painful. How could Roy not know how much he loved him? Chon felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. How much longer could he possibly stay in this situation? And if he left, how could he possibly go on without Roy at his side?

        Suddenly his sad musings were interrupted by Roy.

        "So, there you are! I bet you haven't heard a word I said. Why aren't you ready? Come on, Chon. You said you'd be there tonight."

        Chon looked at Roy, his confusion apparent, then shook his head slowly, "I am tired, Roy. I think I will have an early night. You go ahead."

        Roy didn't answer at first, then said, " I could sure you use you there tonight. I'm seeing Miss Lily. We have an appointment on the side, so to speak."

        Chon's head snapped up. "Miss Lily? Are you crazy? You know she's getting married next week and her fiance is due in town any day."

        Roy waggled his eyebrows and with a leering grin said, "Well, he ain't here yet."

        "Go!" Chon ordered, "I want no part of this."

        Roy shrugged his shoulders and replied, "You know partner, you're just no fun anymore." Then he turned and left. A few minutes later Chon heard his horse gallop off to town. As the sound of the horses hooves echoed in his ears, Chon began to have second thoughts. Roy was so reckless. It was almost like he had a death wish. He really wasn't capable of protecting himself, yet he intentionally put himself in harms way all the time. It was a miracle he had survived as long as he had. If the mountain man of a miner Miss Lily was wedding showed up tonight, there would be a funeral tomorrow for certain. Chon pulled out his watch. He had just enough time to change and get to town. Maybe nothing would happen. Maybe her fiancÈ wouldn't come till tomorrow. Maybe. But Roy didn't seem to have luck like that. Usually, if something bad could happen, it did. Chon decided he better hurry.

        A short while later Chon peered inside the saloon just in time to see Roy and Lily walking up the spiral stairs together, arm in arm. It didn't hurt as much as it once did to see Roy with a woman. Roy watched as a feeling of numbness grew over him. He felt so tired. Once the couple were out of sight, he entered the saloon. The bartender, Mike, called him over immediately.

        "You better do something Chon. Big John sent word he'd be here tonight and if he finds Roy with Lily, you know darned well someone will be needing the undertaker."

        Chon nodded, and assured Mike, "Don't worry. I will stay upstairs and make sure they're not interrupted."

        The bartender nodded back in agreement.

        Chon found a perch on the top step of the stairs where he could see everything below. The various sounds of lovemaking drifted from the various rooms and occasionally Chon thought he heard either Lily or Roy. Each time it felt like a knife in his heart.

        He reached in his pocket and pulled out the dragon. H examined it carefully, from the tip of its tail, to the tongue of flame that flickered from its mouth. Slowly, Chon acknowledged to himself, it was finished. Just then a hush fell over the room below. Chon looked down at the hushed crowd and saw a huge man deliberately making his way across the floor, headed for the stairs. Big John.

        Chon put the dragon away and stood. Big Chon reached the foot of the stairs and snarled, "Get outta my way chinaman. Someone's with my Lily and they're gonna pay the price."

        "Please, Mr. John. Do not do this." Chon implored anxiously. "Wait, please, let miss Lily explain."

        Big John just grunted and started up the stairs. Chon timed his kick and executed it perfectly, but It was like trying to kick an elephant. Big John just kept coming. Soon the two men were struggling, hand to hand. Twice, Chon went flying into the wall. Then he flew through the air and used both feet in a powerful kick to Big John's neck. It didn't stop him, but it must have hurt because suddenly he whipped out a knife. The knife slapped at Chon's face, the blade just barely slicing through the skin, and Chon drew back as fast as he could. It was close. too close. Big John headed for the nearest door. A frenzied Chon leaped on his back and started a series of blazing chops to neck. Soon Big John began to tumble to the ground. Chon finished him off with a kick, and watched his big body roll sown the stairs to the landing.

        Chon heard the door open then and spun around to see Roy. He was standing there, gun in hand with his pants on but not fastened. At first he looked a little rattled. Then, the old Roy was there. The grin that was bigger than life as he announced, "Why thank you, partner. You do good work. Lock him up, ok? Uh, what happened to your face? Forgot to duck, huh?"

        Chon felt that tired despair wash over him again. Was there no way to reach Roy's heart? Did Big John deserve to be arrested? As he struggled with his dilemma, Roy suddenly shouted "Chon, look out!" Almost instantaneously, Chon felt a blazing pain in his back and everything went black.

        Roy stared in horror as he saw Big John's gun fire at Chon. He gasped in horror as Chon fell to the floor, blood pouring out of his back. Quickly he aimed at Big John and fired, hoping for once his aim would be true. It wasn't, but others had surrounded the miner now and soon he was tied up and secure. Roy fell to his knees beside Chon, unable to talk, unable to believe what his eyes were showing him. Behind him the girls were all screaming, half dressed men were hurriedly leaving. From out of nowhere, the Doctor suddenly appeared with his bag. He shook his head and slowly and announced, "it don't look good."

        The Doc commandeered one of the bedrooms and did surgery on Chon right there. Roy was one of the men holding him down in case he moved during the operation to remove the bullet. He needn't have worried. Chon never regained consciousness. Roy never left his side. Before the doctor left, he declared it could go either way. There was nothing more he could do. Roy chased everyone away and began his vigil and Chon's side. His mind reeled at the thought of a life without Chon. He sat in a chair beside the bed, Chon's hand in his, his head bowed in helpless prayer.

        He did not see Falling Leaves enter the room. He didn't know when she arrived, only that when next he looked up, she was there. She came to his side and whispered softly, "You can save him, Roy. You can. You are the only one. Your love can bring him back. You must tell him your heart. You must confess your love. If you don't, he will leave us."

        "He knows how I feel," Roy half lied.

        Falling Leaves smiled sadly. "It is true, he does know how you feel. But do you? If you do not love him, say good bye and let his spirit be at peace. But if you love him, really love him, you must fight for his life and make him want to live. He has lost the will to survive. Only you can restore it. Choose carefully. " Her last words were said sadly, as her finger traced the cut across his face the blade had left. Then, she placed a kiss on Chon's forehead, and silently left the room, before Roy could even get up the nerve to ask her a question.

        He stared down at Chon's mute body in frustration. "Why? Why me?" he asked, angrily. "Why does it always have to be me? You know I love you, damn it. Why do I have to play this game? Damn it, Chon, don't die! Don't you damn well die! I swear to god, it hard enough living with you, and trying to look normal like. You really think I could live without you? You think those are just wrestling matched between us all week? Damn it, you know I love you. Why do I have to say it?? You know how much I need you? Why do I have to say it? Okay, you want to hear me say it? Ill say it. I need you. I NEED YOU! Chon, you die, and so help me god, I'll follow you right into the grave. I know I'm not a perfect partner, but I'll try to change. I don't promise I can, but I'll try. There ain't never been anybody touched me deep inside the way you do, never anybody before you and there'll never be anyone after you.' Roy stood and clutched Chon's shoulders, and begged, "Please, partner, you gotta live. You gotta find a way." Roy stood tall then Roy pulled his six gun out and warned softly, " If you don't Chon, they're gonna bury us together."



        When the doctor entered the room the next morning, Roy was asleep with his head in Chon's lap. Chon was awake, but weak, The doctor smiled. Roy woke up. He looked at Chon and saw his dark eyes filled with love. Roy smiled. "Welcome back, partner."

        Chon wondered if he should tell Roy he heard what he said last night and decided against it. He smiled wider, and whispered happily, "Welcome back, partner."

        The End

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