RED CHAIR BLUE CHAIR

Summary :Which chair would you rather be in when you're a 10 year old Cartwright child and have got yourself in a heap of trouble.?

A.N A ten year olds point of view of the mid 1800' s ( 1st person - Italics)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC

Warnings: Spanking of a minor.

CHAPTER ONE : The Corner.

I hate standing in the corner next to the big fire place and the blue chair. That darn blue chair; Dad's chair. Well today it was the; 'DARN chair'; the 'DARN corner'; that 'DARN Mrs. Wilburn'... And all because I didn't want to wear a dress! All because that old biddy couldn't keep her opinions to herself. All because I needed to save myself. All because Mrs. ' Busybody, Stick your two pennies worth in, Wilburn fell over. All because I couldn't think of any other way to escape her crushing weight and sticking a ….

At that point Adam walked into the big room. "Hey, no talking in the naughty corner!"

Damn Dad must have really good hearing, because I wasn't talking very loudly; jist mumbling to myself and worrying, standing in the corner next to the big fire and that DARN blue chair…

"I wasn't talking! I was just thinking out loud!" I turned to see where he was, only ta find him standing right behind me. Damn, he's really fast too.

"Alexandra Cartwright, do not sass me!" Adam grabbed her by the forearm and turning her side on landed a short sharp swat to her backside. "Now face that corner until I'm ready for our little talk about this morning's unfortunate event." Another swat was administered as Alex was turned back to face the huge bluestone bricks. "And, NO thinking out loud!"

The only thing Alex was thinking now was about the sting in her tail. Wishing she could rub it, but she dare not take the chance; her father could most likely still in the room. He could be really quiet too. Her father's little talk would come soon enough and if she got caught fidgeting or anything it would become more than just a little talk.

Darn that blue chair!

The red chair was Alex's favourite. Her Grandpa would sit in it and smoke his pipe or read his paper. Adam often sat in it reading his book when Ben was at his desk. Alex would cuddle up to whoever inhabited it; getting her back rubbed when she was sick; getting a story read to her just before bedtime; getting wrapped up in a blanket on a cold night and sung to by her father, after waking up from a bad dream. Even Hoss and Joe had sat with her in the big red chair. Uncle Joe and Alex often fought over who could sit in it when it became vacant. More than often they both ended up in it. The seat was big enough for the two of them. Uncle Hoss became the big red Chair. Sitting with him was the best of all. The Big Red Chair was a safe place.

Joe and Hoss burst through the front door after an early finish to a huge fencing job they had spent the last six days working on. They noticed Alex standing in the corner.

"Oh Ohh," said Joe. He had been in that corner many a time. It meant trouble for the child standing guard there.

"Hey de ho, Punpkin." Hoss always called her pumpkin, or possum or cup cake, sweet pea or kitten. Food or animals were Hoss's most favourite things.

"Shhh, I'm not allowed to talk, Uncle Hoss, not even to think out loud .You'll get me into big trouble, " she whispered.

"ALEXANDRA!" Adam yelled from the kitchen. Alex jumped and so did Hoss. Joe just giggled.

They left her and headed into the kitchen to get some coffee and a snack. Hop Sing was sure to have made some doughnuts. They were also keen to hear about the events that lead to their ten year old niece being sent to the corner. It was sure to be an interesting, and knowing Alex, a very humorous story. Knowing Adam even more and his obvious frustrations with his young daughter, his explanation and delivery of the tale would be hilarious.

TBC

Chapter 2 - When Did It All Go Wrong.

A.N. I know it's a bit short, but chapter 1 needs to finish here before I go to a flashback. You will have to bear with me I'm new at this and just learning to upload. Please review, I have this story finished, just a little tweaking to do, but if it's no good I'll drop it. It was fun anyway. Also ... There is a back story to Alexandra Cartwright, but it's a bit sad, so I don't know that I'll ever tell it. Maybe when she's a bit older?