Holding Out For A Hero

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, he's gotta be fast,
and he's got to be fresh from the fight,
I need a hero,
I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light,
hes got to be sure, and it gotta be soon, and he's to to be larger than life.

-Ella Mae Bowen

Authors note: Co-written with Sheba16 who is also a HUGE Tom Hardy fan. We've decided to start this off in first person but it can change depending on the reception it gets.

Disclaimer: We do not own the Bondurant boys or any other characters used in the movie. We also do not own the rights to 'Holding out for a Hero' but it's a pretty song!

Chapter One: Them Bondurant Boys

"You ever think 'bout leavin' here?"

I looked over at my best friend Jack Bondurant as we laid on our backs in the cool shade of the willow trees on a hot summer day in Franklin County.

"Maybe. I'd like to see the big city one day. My aunty Edith moved to Chicago, said Franklin County was too small for her. I'll go visit her one day when I'm older Mama says".

"Can I come?" Jack asked.

I thought about it for a moment. "Sure Jack. You're my best friend, well you and Cricket. I won't leave you behind" and in my 10 year old mind, that was as true as a statement as ever.

Jack grinned. "We'll get married there and live in a big ole house".

I scrunched my nose up. "I don't want to marry you Jack!"

He frowned. "Why not?"

"Cuz, I'm going to marry someone else".

Jack sat up and looked down at me. "Oh yeah who? Cuz I'll fight him and show you I'm stronger!"

"Oh really?" I sat up now challenging him. "It's Forrest" I turned red as a tomato.

"Forrest? My brother Forrest?" Jack was shocked.

"Yeah what other Forrest do we know!?" I was mighty embarassed now.

"But Forrest is old" Jack was absent-mindly playing with a piece of grass now.

"He's only 7 years older than us" I stated matter-of-factly. "Ella Bowie married Gene Rogers and he's 10 years older than her".

"But you're my girlfriend".

"Jack Bondurant stop sayin' that! I ain't your girlfriend. We never even kissed!"

Before I knew it Jack's lips were against mine. If this is how kissing felt, I didn't want to do it again. Jack bumped my nose painfully and it felt like he was biting my lips off. After a moment I pushed him away in embarassment and anger.

"That was terrible Jack! I never want to kiss you again. My cousin May said that a girls first kiss is important and special and you went and ruined that. I wanted Forrest to kiss me, not you!" I jumped up. "I never want to see you again Jack Bondurant!" and with that I turned and ran home. If only I knew that that would be the last time I'd see Jack or Franklin County for 7 years.

xxx

Franklin County hadn't changed one bit, and I was mighty glad of it. I hadn't been home in 7 long years. Mama and Papa had sent me to Chicago. They said I could get a better education and it was safer. I didn't even get to say good-bye to my friends Jack and Cricket and I was pretty upset about it as I had told Jack I wouldn't leave him and then said I never wanted to see him again. But Mama held firm and told me I was leaving that night. Aunty Edith and her husband Hal were on their way from Chicago to come get me.

Adjusting to Chicago took a bit. The streets were crowded, there were lots of cars and people weren't as friendly as they were in a little town. I went to an all girl school where they taught me 'how to be a lady'. I rebelled against it at first as I was a country girl. I played in the dirt with boys, ran around bare foot and ate with my hands whenever my mama wasn't watching. But the headmistress, a mean old lady by the name of Mrs. Clause 'beat the country outta me'. Whenever I did something bad she'd smack my hands with the ruler. I quickly learned to bite my tongue and little by little I started to become a lady.

I barely recognized myself when I looked in the mirror now. I was a young woman of 17 years of age who dressed prim and proper and had manners. Mama would be so proud.

Aunt Edith and Uncle Hal stopped the old Dodge they drove in front of the feed store. It was my grandpa's store before he died and then he left it to my daddy. It got a lot of business and as my pa said, provided us with a good living. Aunt Edith declined to get out and say hi. She didn't like my daddy much, said he took her sister away from her whatever that meant. I thanked them and said I'd write before turning and running into the store. I heard Aunt Edith yelling at me that a lady don't run. But I could care less, I hadn't seen my daddy much in those 7 years, and I missed him.

From the last letter my mama wrote me, daddy had hurt his back when he was loading the delivery truck. He was using a cane to shuffle around the shop when I entered.

"What's a young man like you doin' using a cane?" I smiled.

Daddy turned around and his face lite up. "My little girl is finally home".

I ran and hugged him and asked if he was okay. "Yeah, doc said I pulled a muscle or something. Says I'll be as good as new in a few weeks. 'Til then, how about you help around here?"

I grabbed a broom. "I'd be happy to".

Daddy decided to close the store early so we could go home and see mama. My thoughts kept wondering to Jack and Cricket. I wondered how they were. I promised myself I'd get my nerve up to go and see them tomorrow. Maybe I'd even see Forrest. As my thoughts turned to the middle Bondurant boy I got a warm, fuzzy feeling. Sure there were some good-looking boys in Chicago, but none of them compared to Forrest.

Mama was happy I was home and even happier that I was wearing a dress. I helped her with dinner and we chatted about my time in Chicago. "I wanted to give you a better chance at getting out of here" mama said. "Edith was on my back about smootherin' you and not givin' you a chance at a good life. I just wanted the best for you".

"It's okay Mama, I understand. And I liked Chicago, but I love Franklin County".

xxx

The next day I wanted to head to the filling station to see the boys but daddy asked me to help him at the store. Luckily for me Cricket Pate stopped by.

I was sweeping the floors when the bell above the door rang. I turned and saw Cricket ambling in with his crazy legs. He stopped, his blue eyes widening when he saw me. "Uh that you Val?" he stuffed his hands into his overalls.

"Yeah it's me. How you been Cricket?" he shuffled over to the counter where the candy was as he eyed the sweets.

"Been okay".

"How's Jack?"

"He s'okay too".

I lifted the lid off the jar. "You want some sweets Cricket?"

"Can I?" his face lit up.

"Of course you can".

He grabbed a few gumballs and a lollipop and put them in his pocket. "Thanks" then he looked around the shop. "I need some oil".

"Over there" I pointed to the crates where we kept the oil. Cricket shuffled over to the oil as I rung him up. I only charged him for the oil.

"Say hi to Jack for me okay?" I told him as I walked him to the door.

"Uh huh".

I wondered if and when I'd see Jack. Was he mad? Did he still want to be friends? I didn't have to wait long though to get an answer.

A hour later the door was banged open and I whipped around. The smile that appeared on my face threatened to rip it in two. "Hello Jack Bondurant".

"Don't you hello Jack Bondurant me. Where the hell have you been Val O'Rourke?"

"Chicago. Guess we've got some catchin' up to do".

Hopefully you guys enjoyed the first chapter and would like to read more. We've already got two chapters outlined. If there are any concerns we'd be happy to hear them along with any kind words :) The next chapter will be up in a few days. Please review, we love them!