FAMILY AFFAIRS

-By Nesciri-

CHAPTER 32

Buck couldn't think straight. The pain in his chest seemed to increase for every movement he made and quickly spread throughout his body. As in a dream he saw Kid close in on him and he took a firmer grip around his knife. He didn't want to hurt Kid, but he feared that Kid would kill him if he managed to hit him again. For a second Kid froze in his step as the sun reflected itself in the knife aimed directly at him. For a second he couldn't help thinking that this was crazy, he had no intention of killing Buck, but he couldn't help feeling angry at the thought of being threatened. He could hear Lou yell from the porch as he stared at his opponent.

There was something odd over Buck's behavior, but Kid was too upset to pay any attention. He was subconsciously aware of somebody running towards them, but he didn't dare to take his eyes of the knife. He knew that Buck was an expert in using that knife and from the look on Buck's face, he didn't seem hesitant to use it. Kid was fuming with anger. He wouldn't have said anything if Buck had hit him back - it would have been a fair fight, but pulling a knife? It just wasn't done.

"Drop it, Buck," Kid ordered in a low clear voice.

Buck didn't reply nor did he drop the knife. Kid almost expected him to charge at any second and he knew he would be no match for Buck, unarmed as he was. To his surprise, Buck just held his ground, staring at him as he thought Kid was going to kill him. Suddenly Kid noticed that Buck was tenderly holding one arm around his chest, but before he had time to ponder over it a dark shadow appeared next to him and he was knocked to the ground with such force that his attacker and he both rolled a few feet away. Kid had just time to notice Ike running up to them placing himself between Buck and Kid, before he felt the air knocked out of him. Kid tried to get up on his feet as he found himself pinned to the ground by Jimmy. He struggled to get Jimmy of his as he gasped for air. Finally he managed to take a deep breath.

"Get off me, Jimmy!"

"Will you calm down then?" Jimmy asked without letting him go.

"I am calm - I ain't the one who pulled a knife!" Kid replied slightly irritated. "Now get off me!"

Jimmy looked hesitantly at Kid and slowly rose although he refused to let go completely. He glanced over to where Ike were helping Buck over to the house, and first then did he let Kid go.

"What the hell happened?" he asked staring at Kid.

"I don't know," Kid muttered, dusting his coat.

"Why the hell did you start the fight then?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Damn it, Kid, I saw you. You stroke the first blow."

Kid looked down on the ground and shook his head.

"I guess I let my anger get the best of me," he admitted. "I don't know what to do, Jimmy. Lou could have been killed today, and now Rachel's gone."

"But why fight Buck?"

"He's refusing to help," Kid stated angrily and looked at Jimmy. "And you know as well as I that he's the only one that can find that village within reasonable time."

"Maybe he had his reasons," Jimmy said slowly.

"What reasons?" Kid asked, but before Jimmy could reply, one of the soldiers rode in to the station.

"I was told that one of you would help as a tracker," the soldier stated and looked at the two young men before him.

"I'm coming," Kid replied and turned to Jimmy. "Keep an eye on Lou will you?" he asked.

Jimmy nodded, suddenly not knowing what to do. He wanted to tell Kid that he couldn't leave without straightening things up, but at the same time he couldn't ask him not to go. Kid quickly walked over to where the horses were standing, choosing the closest one as he wiped the signs of the fight from his face.

"Let's go," he said to the soldier and together they headed out.

When Ike had reached Buck he had stared anxiously at his friend. <Buck?> Ike signed nervously as his friend seemed to stagger. Buck still held on to the knife and for a second Ike thought that Buck thought that he was Kid. <Buck?> he signed again, knowing that Jimmy was holding on to Kid. Suddenly Buck lowered the knife as his face twisted in pain and he sank down to his knees. Ike was at his side immediately. It took only Ike a few seconds to realize what had happened. Kid's last punch must have re-opened the wound and Ike quickly tore Buck's shirt open. His fears were immediately confirmed. Blood could be seen on the bandage. It was not much but it was enough to send Ike trembling. Doc had been hesitant to remove the stitches and Ike couldn't help thinking that if he hadn't pushed Buck to see Doc this wouldn't have happened.

<You're alright?> Ike signed with one hand as he supported his friend with the other. Buck was breathing in short gasps and that scared Ike even more than the blood. He looked up only to see Jimmy still holding on to Jimmy although he wasn't holding him down. Lou and Cody, who had dragged himself out on the porch, stood by the bunkhouse, watching and waiting. Ike made a decision. Buck needed to rest and maybe the bunkhouse wasn't the rightplace. He looked over to the house. There was no one there and Buck could rest in the guestroom, he decided. He looked at his friend.

<Can you walk?>

Buck nodded and Ike helped him to his feet. Ike gazed over to Jimmy and indicated with his head that he was going up to the main house. Jimmy nodded and helped a dazed Kid to his feet.

Ike looked worriedly at his friend as they slowly headed over to the house. Buck was walking although he leaned heavily on Ike. But what worried Ike the most was that Buck seemed to have trouble breathing and he feared that Buck was hurt more than he was willing to admit. Ike was relieved when he finally helped Buck onto the bed that Winnie had occupied earlier. He fetched Buck a glass of water and placed himself next to him as Buck thirstily drank.

<You're alright?> he signed with a frown in his face.

Buck nodded slowly.

<What happened?> Ike wanted to know.

"Nothing."

<Nothing? You pulled a knife on Kid!>

"I - I made a mistake."

<A mistake? Lou thought you were going to kill him!>

"I wasn't going to kill anybody," Buck muttered, as he coughed.

<Then what were you doing?> Ike insisted.

Buck sighed wearily.

"I don't know Ike - I don't really know what happened - I thought Kid was going to kill me."

<Kill you? Why would he kill you?>

"I don't know."

Ike looked at his friend for a few minutes, feeling that Buck wasn't telling him the whole truth.

<What happened?> he asked again with only a hint of hesitation.

Buck stared at Ike, uncertain if he would understand. Finally he decided to take a chance - if Ike didn't understand then nobody would.

"Teaspoon told the army," he begun. "I wanted to go out on my own, but Teaspoon told me no. If I want to help then I have to work with the army. I can't do that, Ike. I can't lead the army to the village. I would be betraying my people."

<Maybe it would help Ellen and Rachel?>

"Maybe. But it would most certainly mean death to some of the Kiowa. I can't risk that."

<Isn't there anything you could do?>

"I could go after them myself. If I could get hold on my brother I could convince them to let them go, I'm sure of it."

<Why did Teaspoon tell you no?> Ike found it hard to understand that Teaspoon would ignore Buck's offer so completely.

"He thinks this is Red Bear's doing," Buck replied sadly.

<Red Bear? Your brother?>

"Yes."

<Could he be right?>

Buck stared at Ike through sad eyes.

"No," he said, disappointed that Ike even could make that suggestion. "He wouldn't do that."

Ike looked suspiciously at him.

<You're sure?>

"Of course I'm sure!" The exclamation caused Buck to gasp for air before he slowly recovered. "Ike, he wouldn't do anything like that - you've gotta believe me."

Ike looked skeptically at him. He knew that Buck had great faith in his brother, but Ike had another image of him. It was Buck's brother that had been involved in the attacks on the Express when they had started to ride for it and in his mind it was also Buck's brother that had allowed Buck to go through that ritual, a ritual that almost had broken Ike's heart as he had been forced to endure it from a distance. He had trusted Buck back then, believing that Buck had known what he was doing, but this time it wasn't just about him. This time others were involved. And he feared for them.

<I don't know,> he admitted slowly, regretting it the moment he saw the hurt in Buck's face.

<I'm sorry,> he added, <but I don't know what to think right now. I'm worried about Rachel. And Ellen.>

"They're alright."

<How do you know?>

"If they wanted to hurt them, they could have killed them here. If they took them prisoners, it mean that they have no intention of killing them."

<Then why did they take them?>

Buck hesitated. Women was had a low social status in the tribe and the only thing lower than women was slaves. Captives were always used as slaves, until they had earned a higher status or, for women, married a Kiowa. He had a pretty good idea of what kind of treatment Rachel and Ellen might receive, but he wasn't sure he could tell Ike about it. But he also knew that Ike wouldn't give up until he had received an answer.

"They'll be alright," he said, trying not to make it sound too light. But Ike saw through it.

<They'll be slaves, won't they?>

Buck nodded as the pain in his chest returned. It had been reduced to a dull ache when he had laid down, but now it was back with renewed force. Ike saw it and immediately forgot about the issue for more urgent matters.

<Are you in pain?> he asked as a worried look appeared on his face.

"It'll pass," Buck murmured.

<I'll get Doc,> Ike stated.

"No." Buck shook his head.

<What do you mean 'no'?>

"I don't need him."

<You're bleeding and you're in pain. I'd say that's reasons enough.>

"I'll be fine Ike. There's no need for Doc to come out here again."

Ike shook his head and rose. Buck grabbed him by the arm.

"I mean it, Ike," he said in a strained voice. "Don't do it."

<Why?>

"I just don't want you to do it."

<Why?> Ike asked again.

"That'll just make things worse."

<How can it? So you had a fight with Kid - and I don't care whose fault it is - and you got hurt. Where's the problem?> Ike looked carefully at his friend. There were times when he didn't understand why Buck said and did things and this was one of those moments. Right now he was acting downright silly.

"Just don't get him," Buck mumbled, trying not to show any pain and failing miserably.

<I don't care what you're saying,> Ike stated determinedly. <I'm getting Doc.> he continued despite Buck's obvious objection. <I'll get one of the others to keep an eye on you.>

Buck recoiled at the thought. That was the last thing he wanted and he tried to tell Ike that, but Ike wasn't listening and soon he was gone, leaving Buck alone with his disturbing thoughts.

Ike left the house just in time to see Kid leave with the army. Part of him felt relieved. It was obvious that whatever hostility there had been between Kid and Buck, it had grown to something more serious and threatening. When he had seen them, he had been scared that they would kill each other, despite his own reasoning told him that they couldn't do that. Jimmy was still standing where he had left him, looking as bewildered as Ike felt. Ike quickly walked up to him as he saw Lou approach them from the bunkhouse, looking pale and shaken, and not only because of her wound. Ike didn't see Cody anywhere and he supposed Lou had helped him back inside. Ike reached Jimmy only a few steps ahead of Lou.

Jimmy turned around as he heard them and stared at them with a blank expression in his face.

"What the hell's going on here?" he asked exasperated. Ike had no time to discuss the why and what and demanded their attention.

<Somebody will have to get Doc,> he explained.

"Why?" Jimmy asked, still feeling confused, not having been around the station for the last days.

<Buck's hurt.>

"He's hurt? Kid hurt him?" Lou asked weakly. She had been scared when she had realized that the fight between Kid and Buck was more serious than she ever could have expected mand now Kid had left without her getting a chance to talk to him.

<The wound opened up,> Ike explained. <Somebody have to get Doc.>

Jimmy looked at Ike and when Ike saw his hesitation he continued.

<I'll go - one of you have to keep an eye on Buck,> he signed, looking pleadingly at them.

Jimmy and Lou looked at each other. Lou wanted to head out after Kid, but she knew that it would be useless. Besides her shoulder was hurting. She sighed.

"You go," she said. "I'll keep an eye on Buck."

Ike nodded and quickly rushed over to the last horse. If he was quick, he might stop the Doc before he reached town.

Jimmy looked at Lou and then he shook his head.

"I don't understand this. What the hell has happened here? Did I just see Kid and Buck trying to kill each other?"

"I don't know, Jimmy" Lou replied uncertain. "But I have this terrible feeling that if we don't do anything, something terrible is going to happen."

Buck stared into the ceiling. The pain in his chest refused to go away and somehow it seemed perfect with how he felt. Ike had asked him why he had pulled the knife and he hadn't been completely honest in his answer. He knew why. Kid hated him. That's why he had tried to kill him. The thought created an aching feeling inside of him. He wished he knew what he had done that had changed Kid's attitude against him, but he couldn't find the answer no matter what. He had learned to trust his new family and he had hoped that they felt the same way about him. When the Kiowa had decided to attack the Express and attacked one of the station as well as Kid, he had thought that that was it for him and he had been prepared to leave. But they had worked it out, and Kid had been on his side the whole time. Even when the others had questioned his actions, Kid had supported him, not blaming him for the Kiowa attack. And he had followed him to help him get Ike out, staying until he had returned. Kid's support had meant a great deal to him back then, and he would always be grateful for it. Of all his friends, Kid was the last one he thought he would have to fight with. And yet he had.

And he knew that if the others would be forced to choose between him and Kid, they would side with Kid. Lou would for certain. And with Ellen gone, he was pretty sure that Cody would to. None of them had objected to Teaspoon's idea to let the army take over, although they must have known how he felt about it. And with Lou and Cody, he was sure Jimmy would side with Kid as well, and probably Noah too. That left Ike. But even he had questioned his decision not to help the army. Well, maybe that was for the best, he pondered. Ike would be better off staying here, with Teaspoon and the others. But he would have to leave. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes as another burst of pain emerged from his chest. It didn't help any that he felt as if a had black hole inside him, growing and threatening to consume him. he didn't wish to leave. He wanted to stay, to sort things out with his friends, to make amends. He wanted Rachel and Ellen back, whole and safe, and without any violence. Teaspoon's words returned to him about choosing sides. That was one thing he didn't want to do.

How could he choose? He had lived half of his life among the Kiowa. That was part of who he was. To deny that part of him was impossible. He grabbed his medicine pouch as if to draw strength from it. For twelve years he had known nothing but the Kiowa life and rules. He had lived by them, doing his best to earn the respect of the others. Then he had left and rather than living alone he had learned another way of life, with different and new rules. A more difficult life in some ways, since Kiowa rules were taught to the young through stories and the elders reprimands and then retold through the person's life. They were always there, reminding the people of them. Rules in the white world had been harder to learn. The mission school had always referred to the rules laid down in the bible, but Buck had quickly found that there weren't too many people that actually followed them. Instead there were numerous unspoken rules that if you abide them, people accepted or at least tolerated you, and if you weren't aware of them and did something wrong, they would immediately deem you different. He was still learning the 'rules' of the white society, but he finally felt at ease in the white world.

Until now. But if he couldn't live among the Kiowa and he couldn't live among the white, then where did he belong? It was that thought that sent shivers down his back and caused him fight emotions he didn't want to have. What had he done wrong? All he had wanted to know was to help his brother save Wun-oan-tee-me. And the girl would probably been dead hadn't Doc been able to help her. He wondered if she was alright. At least she was back with her father, or so he hoped.

Then another fear hit him - what if the army found the raiders before they reached the village? The army would protect Rachel and Ellen, but who would protect Wun-oan-tee-me? If the braves failed to get away, it was most likely that she would get killed too. He wished he knew who the raiders had been, but he had failed to recognize the arrows. All he knew was that his brother hadn't been among them. None of the arrows carried his signature. Suddenly he knew that he couldn't stay there. He had to know, no matter what Teaspoon said. He had to knew, if he so had to steal a horse. All other thoughts forgotten he sat up in the bed, fighting an intense pain in his chest. Cradling his chest with one arm he supported himself on the bedpole and tried to get to his feet. The pain became unbearable as he straightened himself up and he had to admit his defeat. He wouldn't be going anywhere for a while. He sank back on the bed, his head in his hands. He had to know.

Footsteps made him look up, assuming that Ike was back after sending someone after Doc. To his surprise it was Lou that stood in the doorway. Buck searched her face for the distrust and animosity he was sure would be there, but to his surprise he found nothing. Lou nodded a greeting and then placed herself on a chair, looking uncertainly at him.

"Ike asked me to check up on you," she started, uncertain of what to say. She desperately wanted to ask him what had happened, but seeing Buck sitting in the bed, looking pale and shaken and with an unfamiliar expression in his way, she wasn't sure on how to begin. Buck didn't answer but at least he looked at her without looking away. She'd been afraid that he would refuse to talk to her. Lou stared on her hands. Buck was having difficulty breathing and she found it hard to believe that it was Kid's fault.

"How are you?" she asked after a few minutes of silence. "Are you in pain?"

Buck was indeed in pain, but he wasn't going to tell Lou that. Whatever had happened, it was between him and Kid and he didn't want to say anything that could create some sort of trouble between Lou and Kid.

"I'm fine," he mumbled. "Ike is just overreacting."

It was a lie and Lou knew it, but she wasn't in the mood to challenge it. Instead silence once more settled in the room. Finally Buck couldn't help back his curiosity. He couldn't believe Kid would have let Lou see him.

"Where's Kid?"

"He went with the army. As a scout."

Lou glazed over at Buck to see how he took the news. Buck stared at wall opposite him. Of course, he thought, it was only natural that with his refusal Kid would offer to help. Kid was the best tracker after him and for the first time he regretted teaching Kid some of his tracking skills. Back then he had been flattered that Kid wanted to learn and he had been impressed how fast Kid had acquired the skill. Now it was going to be used against his people, Kiowa.

"He only wants Rachel and Ellen back safe, you know," Lou said slowly, realizing what was on his mind.

"I know," Buck muttered, "but the army…" He didn't finished the sentence.

"They want the same. Teaspoon said that."

"What the army says is something other than what they do," Buck muttered bitterly.

"I wouldn't know," Lou said. "And maybe this time it's different. Besides you helped to get those Sioux prisoners, you know Jennifer and her mother…" Lou tried to ease the tension created with the mentioning of the army but to her surprised her words had the opposite effect.

"And people died! There were just old men, women and children in that village and some of them were killed by the army!"

Lou stared at Buck.

"I didn't know," she said solemnly, suddenly understanding Buck's objections a little better.

"You never said anything."

"What's the point? I brought them back and that was what everyone expected, wasn't it? Who would have cared about a few killed Indians?"

"It would have helped us to understand now," Lou stated.

"And here I was hoping you'd trust me," Buck replied irritated.

"That attitude ain't helping anybody," Lou replied.

Then she silenced. Finally she had mustered enough courage.

"What happened out there, Buck?"

Buck remained silently, and Lou tried to push the issue.

"Why did you start to fight?"

"Why don't you ask Kid about it?" Buck mumbled.

"I'm asking you."

"We had an argument."

"Well, we noticed that. Why?"

"Lou, I don't wanna talk about it."

Lou stared at him but she didn't knew what to say. Maybe Teaspoon could talk to him when he got back. So she simple nodded and stared out the window, hoping to see Ike return with Doc or Teaspoon.

When Teaspoon returned, he was tired after the discussion with the town council. The council had been worried as they had every reason to be. Never before had there been an Indian attack so close to the down, but the council had calmed down when Teaspoon had informed them that the army was taking care of it. The abduction of Rachel and Ellen had already reached town, and there was a lot of angry voices calling for army reinforcements. But as the army already was there, Teaspoon managed to convince the townspeople that they should be the one making that decision. But he also knew that the town would be on it's toes for a long time and a few farmers had already moved their families into town. It was the safe thing to do, but Teaspoon couldn't help feeling that this would open up for the horse thieves. He rode into the deserted yard and stopped for a second by the barn. Smoke was still emerging from the remains and he knew he should have told one of the boys to keep an eye on it as the fire could start again. With hardly any horses left, the station seemed an empty place and he suddenly wished for some activity. When he dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post outside the bunkhouse he was greeted by Jimmy who walked out on the porch.

"Noah back yet?" Teaspoon asked.

"No, not yet. Did you see Ike on your way over?"

"Ike? No, why?"

Jimmy squirmed.

"There was a fight…"

"A fight? What fight?"

"Buck and Kid."

"Dammit - I thought they had more sense than that! What happened?"

"Ain't too sure - all I know is that Kid managed to hit Buck pretty hard and then Buck pulled his knife on him."

Teaspoon stopped in his tracks.

"Buck pulled his knife?"

"Yeah."

"So where are they now? Is Kid badly hurt?" Teaspoon asked, assuming that Kid had been injured.

"Kid went with the army. It's Buck who's hurt. Lou's sitting with him in the house."

"It's Buck? But I thought you said…"

"Ike and I managed to stop it." Jimmy sighed. "This is crazy, Teaspoon - I thought they were going to kill each other."

Teaspoon shook his head.

"I know, Jimmy."

"We gotta do something, Teaspoon. We can't let this break up our family."

"Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately I haven't a clue to what to do. We'll just have to wait and see. How are you doing?"

"Could use a few days sleep, but I'll be alright."

"Cody?"

"Apart from cursing and blaming himself, he'll probably be on his feet in a week. Not even a headache can keep him quiet, so I don't think the leg wound will keep him in bed for very long."

"Thank god for that," Teaspoon mumbled. "Lou?"

"That shoulder is hurting her, but I don't think it's too bad."

Jimmy looked at Teaspoon.

"So what happened in town?"

"The council agreed to let the army handling things. Eriksen promised to see if he could get us some wood for rebuilding the barn at a reduced price. But there's not a single horse to get hold of in town, so we're definitely out of business for a while."

"So what to we do?"

"We'll concentrate on getting those horse thieves. I could use your help, unless you want to go with the army as well?"

Jimmy hesitated. He wanted Rachel back as much as the others, but he wasn't sure he'd be of any use to the army. Both Kid and Cody would be a better help than he.

"I'll help you get those thieves," he decided.

"Good. I'll check on Buck and then I'll tell you what I had in mind."

"Teaspoon," Lou said relieved as he entered and nodded a greeting.

"Good to see you on your feet Lou. You should give Jimmy a hand before he burns down the bunkhouse in his efforts to make dinner."

"I'll do that," Lou said smiling and rose. She turned to Buck and wanted to say something but then she changed her mind and quickly left the room.

Teaspoon brought up a chair to the bed. Buck eyed him suspiciously.

"Jimmy told me what happened," Teaspoon started. "Anything you should tell me?"

Buck looked away. He still hadn't completely forgiven Teaspoon for forbidding him to leave. Teaspoon sighed.

"I wanna know what happened between you and Kid, Buck."

Buck didn't know what to say - he couldn't explain it himself. He was silent for a few seconds.

"You don't have to worry about it, Teaspoon. I'll leave as soon as I'm able to."

"So we're back to that again are we?"

"What do you want me to do then? The others don't want me here - and don't try and tell me different this time. You asked me to choose and since I can't do that I better leave."

"We've been through this before Buck. I don't want you to leave. Besides, where would you go?"

"I don't know."

"So why don't you stay?"

"The others don't trust me anymore and Kid hates me. Would you stay knowing that?

"What 'bout Ike?"

"He's better off here - I won't ask him to come with me."

"Buck, we can work this out - there's no need for you to leave. And I doubt that Kid hates you - he might not agree with you right now, but that's all."

Buck looked down as he had to gasp for his breath again. He did his best not to show it, since the last thing he needed right now was their sympathy. But Teaspoon saw it and reached for the glass of water.

"Here, try and drink this."

When Buck's breathing returned, Teaspoon looked at him.

"He hit you pretty hard, didn't he?"

Buck nodded as Ike rushed into the room.

"Ike? Where's Doc?" Teaspoon asked.

<He couldn't come. Had another patient. He said that there weren't much he could do - Buck has to rest and not move for one, maybe two weeks.>

Buck sighed and turned away. Teaspoon looked at him.

"Well, that's it, Buck. You're staying here for the time being. When you feel better, we can have that conversation."

<What conversation?> Ike asked suspiciously.

"It's between Buck and me, Ike," Teaspoon replied. "Now you rest, Buck, and we'll get back with something to eat in a little while, unless Lou and Jimmy managed to mess everything up. Ike, I want to talk to you."

<I'll be back,> Ike signed before he followed Teaspoon out.

"What happened Ike?"

<I don't know. I'm worried, Teaspoon.>

"I know Ike, so am I. But there's nothing we can do right now."

<He told you he wanted to leave, didn't he?>

Teaspoon looked surprised at Ike. He had the impression that Buck hadn't told anybody else.

"He told you?"

<He didn't had to. I know him.>

"Well, I told him that we'll discuss it when he gets better. There's no use to discuss it now, seeing he can't leave anyway."

They had reached the bunkhouse and to their surprised it seemed as Jimmy and Lou actually had managed to make something in the kitchen.

"I doubt it's eatable," Cody said as he sat in his bunk, his leg propped up on several pillows.

"You don't have to eat it," Jimmy said threateningly.

"It would be rude not to taste it," Cody replied.

"Take it easy, boys," Teaspoon said, pleased that at least some of his boys got along with each other.

Teaspoon sat down by the table and looked at the riders. Cody was pale and shaken and despite his usual chatter there was a haunted look in his eyes that Teaspoon knew partly was there because of self-blame. Jimmy, still suffering from the trials, hardly standing up he was so tired, but doing his best to hang in there for his friends. Lou, worried over Rachel, probably because she as a woman was all too aware of what could happen to her and scared of the changes in her family. Ike, the burns still visible in his face, dust from his hard ride to find the doc still in his face. He too was under a lot of strain and it showed in his face and in his eyes. Teaspoon sighed. They could really have used Rachel right now. She had only been gone less than two days and already he missed her. How the hell was he going to keep this bunch together without her help? He tried to think of a way to start when the sounds of hoofs brought everybody to their feet.

"It's Noah," Jimmy sighed with relief.

"Good," Teaspoon said, "just in time."

"In time for what?"

"In time for us to catch those horse thieves."

An hour later they were still discussing the matter.

"But we don't know who they are!" Jimmy objected.

"I know that Jimmy, but listen here. Of all the ranches that have been robbed, including our, only one have been successful in avoiding them. Why?"

"They were lucky?"

"Or maybe they knew they were coming? All others have been robbed when there had been none or few people around. When they struck the station there was only one here, Buck. It's the same for the rest of them."

"Except Henderson's," Noah added.

"Exactly. Now the marshal in Blue Creek told me that they had a couple of similar raids a few years back. Now Henderson's moved here just after the raids stopped in Blue Creek. And they had quite a lot of money when they arrived."

"But Henderson got a wife and two kids," Cody objected.

"You'd be surprised how many family men that can commit crimes," Teaspoon replied.

"Henderson are living down the same river that was poisoned as well," Noah remembered.

"You think…"

"I don't know, but if he wanted to blame the Kiowa, what better way to get them rallied up?"

"So how do we prove it's them?" Cody asked.

"You ain't doing nothing except getting better. Lou, I'll leave you in charge of the station. Jimmy, Ike, Noah - we need find the connection between the Hendersons and the raiders."

"Maybe they're some of his employees?" Noah suggested.

"Don't think so. Henderson's smarter than that. No, we'll have to lure them out."

Finally Lou couldn't take it any more.

"That's all very fine, Teaspoon, but all we've been talking about is the horse thieves. What about Rachel?"

"I haven't forgotten about her Lou, but I can't do anything at the same time. We've to trust the army to get her back."

"That's not enough!" Lou rose from the table. "We can't leave her out there, along and as a prisoner! Teaspoon, we can't do it - I can't do it!"

"What would you have us to, Lou?" Teaspoon asked tiredly.

Lou looked at them, searching support but finding none. Slowly she sank down again, tears running down her cheek. Jimmy looked at her and gently squeezed her hand.

"Kid will help them find her, you'll see."

"We'll get her back, Lou," Noah added. "Don't worry, we will."

CHAPTER 33

As Kid joined the soldiers and headed out together with Captain Bennett his mind was still on the events of the last hours, from when he had seen Lou, lying lifeless on the ground with an arrow in her back to his fight with Buck. The more distance he made between him and the station, the more doubts he begun to have over his actions. It had been unnecessary to start the fight with Buck, he knew that now, but he wondered how he could have reacted differently. It wasn’t Buck’s fault that Lou and Cody had been hurt, nor had it been Buck’s fault that Rachel now was a prisoner together with Cody’s girl, Ellen. But Buck could have made a huge difference if he only had agreed on helping them. Kid couldn’t understand why Buck had refused, in fact sometimes there was a lot of things he didn’t understood about Buck. Maybe it had something to do with Buck’s Indian heritage, but Kid doubted it. True, he had had a hard time understanding Indians, he had to admit that. The first time he realised it had been in meeting Curly. He had never understood what made the man act the way he did, but he had accepted his ways. But Buck was more white than Indian, at least in Kid’s mind. Curly had lived and had chosen to live his life among his father’s people, the Sioux. But Buck had made a different choice and that choice also altered the way Kid saw the two half bloods. That Buck so strongly defended the people he voluntarily had left still surprised Kid.

But then he was the same, Kid pondered as he watched the surroundings for any signs of tracks or indications that the warriors had chosen that way. He would and had defended his background just as strongly as Buck was defending his. If things came to the worst and a war erupted, something he desperately hoped wouldn’t, and Virginia became involved then what would he do? Would he choose to fight for her or would he not? He wasn’t sure, but he thought he would fight. Virginia was a part of who he was, just as the Kiowa was a part of who Buck was. Kid suddenly felt a lump in his throat. Maybe he had been wrong all along. Maybe him blaming Buck was wrong. But Kid would never do anything to hurt his new family the way Buck had hurt them by refusing to help. Or would he? Kid felt a twinge of uneasiness as he remembered contemplating fighting for Virginia. That Jimmy and Cody would side with the abolitionists, that was certain. Both their fathers had been killed speaking up for the abolitionists, although Jimmy’s father had been more outspoken than Cody’s. From what he had heard, Cody’s father had been asked about his opinion once and as he raised his voice in favour for the abolition of slavery he had been cut down and later died from the wounds. So he was sure both of them would join the North. So would Noah. Teaspoon and Rachel were both from the South. What Lou, Ike and Buck would do he didn’t know, and he was pretty sure they hadn’t even thought about. Yet. In his heart he hoped that none of them would have to make that choice. Still the question returned in his mind; if he was forced to fight Cody or Jimmy, would he do that? Would he be able to fight even if it meant that he might meet his friends and family in battle? What would he do if it came to that? It was with a shock he realised that the question he had yet to find an answer to the same question Buck had been forced to answer a few hours ago. Could he meet his people in a battle? And Buck had decided he couldn’t, whatever the prize would be.

Kid’s hand closed on the reins of the horse he was riding. But Buck had been wrong about one thing – this was not a battle. The Kiowa had kidnapped two women and stolen several horses – this was about a crime. The thought sent a feeling of relief through Kid. He was not the one to do battle on defenceless people, nor was he the one that would allow others to do it. But when there was a crime committed, Kid would do his outmost to see justice done. Kid believed in the legal system. He trusted men like Sam Cain and Teaspoon to uphold the law and he was prepared to help them if they asked. But Kid wasn’t blind to the law’s faults. He had not stopped at helping Curly out of jail as soon as he had found proof of the man’s innocence. And he was only too aware of the prejudices that prevented an Indian or a black man to receive a just treatment before the law. It wasn’t that long ago he had lived in the belief that slavery was a part of life. And he believed that it was wrong. Every man should have the right to be free and equal before the law and he hoped that one day that would be true. He could still remember the others look of dismay the day Ulysses had appeared at the station and he had uttered his surprise of seeing a black man free. He wasn’t proud over his reaction, but old habits die slow. He especially remembered how Buck had turned his back to him and Lou’s harsh reaction.

Lou. He wondered what he would do without her. The fear he had experienced when he had seen her laying there on the ground, motionless was not a feeling he’d ever wanted to experience again. He had gone cold and for a minute he couldn’t think less act rationally. All he could think of was Lou, fighting the dreadful thought that he was too late, that she was dead. During the few seconds it took him to reach her, terrible thoughts had entered his mind. The fear of never seeing her smile as he returned from a run, even the fear of never hear her yell at him for being overprotective. She was his life, his soul mate and he couldn’t imagine a life without her. She was nothing like the girl he had thought he would fall in love with and hopefully marry. She was Lou, just Lou. And to him she was larger than life. Had the others been aware or known of how strong his feelings was for Lou, they probably would have laughed at him, he pondered. There was no one that could get him as upset as Lou either. And he feared their fights as much as he feared loosing her. Sometimes she could be furious with him and he had no clue to what he had done wrong. He was scared that she would leave him, that she didn’t feel as strongly about him as he felt about her.

A sharp call snapped him out of his thoughts as the Captain rode up to him.

"Well, here’s where the tracks end," Bennet muttered. "Guess those bastards started hiding them from here. Could you have a look and see if you’ll find anything?"

Kid nodded and quickly dismounted. He had to use all of his skills, but still it took him an hour to find anything that looked like a trail. It actually was the wind that helped him as it suddenly blew up some dust into the air, revealing a faint track of a horse. It wasn’t much, but it gave them a sense of direction. All they could do was to continue in that direction hoping that they would find more tracks ahead. Maybe the warriors thought that they had got away and eventually would become careless. Kid couldn’t help thinking that that would be their only chance of finding anything. Before they continued, the captain sent a rider to tell Teaspoon.

If Buck had been with them, then maybe things would have been different. The thought of Buck brought back the memory of their fight. Kid couldn’t help feeling a bit bad over his reaction. He should have known better than let his anger get the best of him, but he also knew that it had been coming for a long time. The disagreement and anger between Buck and him had been building ever since his decision to stop Buck from seeing his brother. From there everything had gone from bad to worse, and Kid still couldn’t figure exactly when he had known that it would come to an end one way or another. He should have followed his first intention and left the station, he pondered. Then the fight never would have happened. But then he wouldn’t have been there for Lou. And he couldn’t just leave Lou. He wondered what would happen when he came back. That either Buck or he would leave, that was certain. They couldn’t continue as if nothing had happened. From being good friends, they had become, if not enemies, but strangers. Strangers not trusting each other. Kid frowned. He would accept the job offer, he thought, that was the only way. Maybe there was a way he could convince Lou---

"Kid!" Captain Bennett rode up to the younger man who seemed to be in deep thoughts. "You seem a bit distracted," he pointed out, not liking the lack of concentration in the young man’s face. If they weren’t careful they might ride straight into an ambush and he wanted every man on his toes.

"Sorry," Kid mumbled embarrassed. The captain was right, he had let his guard down and he decided to set all thoughts of Lou and the others aside.

"I heard you had a fight with the half blood rider," Bennett continued. "Why?" He wasn’t particularly interested, but any information that could be helpful in him finding the two white women was not to be ignored. And if there was something with the fight that had anything to do with the attack, then he was determined to find out.

"It’s a long story," Kid said shortly, not willing to discuss it with a stranger.

"Had it anything to do with the raid or the reason for it?" Bennett insisted. He still had a feeling that something was left out, that the marshal was hiding something.

"I was just angry that two of my friends had been hurt," Kid explained.

"Then why take it out on your friend?"

"He’s the best tracker among us," Kid confessed. "He should be here instead of me." He was reluctant to admit that Buck had refused to help. Although he was angry with Buck, it didn’t mean he would betray him by telling the army that Buck had refused to help them.

"Why isn’t he?"

"Listen, captain," Kid said somewhat exasperated, "Buck grew up among the Kiowa. His experiences with the army haven’t exactly been the best. Besides he was hurt when we were robbed of our horses."

"But still you fought him?"

"I lost my temper," Kid admitted as he felt his face drained of blood. Until he had mentioned it to the captain he had completely forgotten about Buck’s injury.

Buck never showed if he was hurt or hurting, as if he was afraid others would see it as a weakness. He should have remembered it since he had been present when a worried Teaspoon had told Buck that he preferred if Buck told them of his injuries instead of bleeding to death. Buck had been grazed by a bullet and it had been two days before he had told anybody and that was only because Emma had noticed the blood on his shirt. And this time Buck had been hurt pretty bad. Kid closed his eyes for a second as he tried to remember every detail of the fight. He hadn’t, had he? Then he saw it as clearly as under the fight – Buck’s left hand aimed at his face, creating an opening as he hit Buck in the stomach with his left fist. He remember seeing Buck stagger slightly at the blow and then he had reached for his knife. Kid opened his eyes and tried to fight the feeling of despair. He understood why Buck had pulled his knife. Kid must have hit the wound or close to it. He swallowed hard. What had he done? Another image of Ike helping Buck away entered his mind and suddenly he feared that Buck was badly hurt. Why had he not remembered Buck’s injury before? Could he had been so mad that he actually had hurt Buck?

A sudden feeling of fear came over him as another image from the past came back to him, the image of Jed and his father arguing and his father striking out at Jed, then continuing to beat the boy who hadn’t much to put up against the older and stronger man. Kid had never known how it had ended as his mother had told him to get out of the house as she did every time their father came home drunk. She had told Jed the same thing, but his brother, older and determined to protect his mother and younger brother from their father’s brutality stayed and challenged the man. Until Jed had enough and left. Kid had sworn that he would do everything not to be like his father and the realisation that he had hit and maybe wounded an injured man because of his anger scared him. Maybe he wasn’t so different from his father as he had imagined – maybe he was capable hurting others in anger.

Suddenly he wanted to turn back to the station, to see how Buck was doing and apologise to him. Maybe it wasn’t too late after all – maybe they could set things straight again. But somehow he knew that it would be in vain. Even if he admitted to being wrong, Buck would never trust him again. And he couldn’t blame him either. What he had done was beyond forgiving. He just hoped that the others wouldn’t hold it against him. Kid turned to the captain, who was watching him with a frown in his face.

"I lost my horse in that raid," he explained, wondering if the captain would buy that. He couldn’t tell him that he also had feared loosing his love, as all of the soldiers thought Lou was a boy. "I had to fight hard to get that horse, and she means a lot to me."

"Well, I just hope you don’t intend to loose your temper on this mission," Bennett declared. "I ain’t got room for hot-heads considering that there are two women’s lives involved."

"I won’t do that," Kid said sternly. He was still angry with himself for loosing his temper and he was still trying to fight that dreadful feeling that he was no better than his old man.

"Good, I’ll take your word on that," Bennett replied and then added. "You know the countryside, I hope. Anywhere along this trail that we might fear an ambush?"

Forced to leave his disturbing memories of his father for the more present situation of keeping them safe from an ambush, Kid cleared his head of the memories. His first priority was to help the army get Rachel and Ellen back. If nothing else he had promised Lou that.

¤¤¤¤

The situation back at the station was anything but pleasant. Cody hadn’t said a word since Teaspoon had announced his decision that they would not pursue the Kiowa raiders but instead concentrate on catching the horse thieves. Ike had sullenly sat on his bunk now and then casting a glance at the others as if he was trying to see how they felt about the whole situation by simply staring at them. Lou just felt confused. Only one day ago had she been faced with Kid’s decision to leave the Express and now he had hurt Buck and then left without a word to her. She wondered what he was thinking about and she wished he had talked to her before he had left. Before he had started the fight. She hoped that he would come back to her, but she also feared that the army would be ambushed. She wished she could have gone with him. anything was better than just sitting here waiting for something to happen. She wondered where Rachel were and how she was. She feared that both Rachel and Ellen might have been killed and all they would find was their dead bodies. She was afraid that they had been abused and she desperately wished that she knew that they were safe. Jimmy watched her carefully as he fought the tiredness that threatened to take over. She looked so alone and vulnerable where she sat by the table, confusion and anxiety mixed in her face. He wished he knew of something to say that would comfort her, but he couldn’t find anything to say. He knew that she was worried about Rachel and Kid.

Jimmy couldn’t explain it, but he had a feeling that Rachel was unharmed. A prisoner, yes, but she had not been hurt. But he couldn’t explain why he felt that way. There was no logic in his reasoning, just this feeling. Maybe it was because the treatment he had received as a prisoners. There had been no general blood thirst or wish to see him dead. Merely a wish to see justice done according to their rules. And not all of them had hoped that he would fail them. The girl that had helped him in the desert had been different. He still remembered her, the way her lips had tasted on his as he had kissed her. The fear in her eyes as she had broken free from the kiss and then her shy departure. He wondered why he still thought about her. It was not as he would ever see her again. He wished he could tell Lou about his experiences and his feelings about Rachel, but something held him back. He wasn’t sure Lou would believe him anyway. Teaspoon sat in silence, now and then sipping on a mug of coffee and apparently deep in thoughts, none of which he told the remaining riders. Ike had been over to the house to check on Buck, but Buck had said he wanted to be alone and referred to Doc’s word that he was supposed to rest so Ike had left him, irritated over his friends hostile attitude. Noah was the most composed of the riders, but he had also found it best not to talk and deep in his own thoughts he sat by the window. Now they were waiting for a word from the army before the final plans were made.

It was with some relief that they a couple of hours later heard an horse approach the station and one of the soldiers rode in. They were immediately on their feet, eager to learn what had happened. their disappointment was obvious as they learned that there was no definite news, except that they knew in what direction they had took off. The soldier told them that Captain Bennett planned on continuing for the rest of the day and hopefully one more day and then set up a more permanent camp as the reinforcements arrived. Teaspoon thanked the man, who continued into town for a nights rest. The riders returned to the bunkhouse to determine the detail of the following days work.

"So how have you planned to get those thieves?" Noah asked later as they all, with the exception of Buck, who still was resting in the house, were sitting around the table, sipping coffee.

"Well, Henderson ain’t stupid and I’ve been doing some calculating while we waited for you. I think he’s got four men working for him on the ranch. Now it ain’t certain that all of them are involved or even aware of Henderson’s "side" business, but we’ll have to assume that they do. According to Rachel and Buck there was five men that attacked them. That’s make nine all and all."

"You want all of us to go with you?" Lou wanted to know before the plan got more detailed.

"No, I don’t want to leave the station unguarded. Besides some have to stay and take care of Buck and Cody."

"I’m fine, Teaspoon, I just need some rest that’s all," Cody objected. Teaspoon ignored him.

"I want Lou and Ike to stay here. You’ll have to make do with the wagon horses. Try and get some people to help you clean up after the fire and raise the new barn. You’ll be in charge of the station until everything’s back to normal."
"What about me, Teaspoon?" Cody asked agitated. "I’ll be fine in no time, I promise you!"

Teaspoon turned to the young man confined to his bunk.

"What do you want to do Cody?" he asked silently.

"I want to go after those bastards that took Ellen and Rachel," Cody replied harshly.

"All right – when Doc says you can ride, you can head out to the army camp and help out – if they aren’t back by then."

"You think they might be, Teaspoon?" Lou asked with hope in her voice.

"You never know, Lou, you never know."

"What about Noah and me?" Jimmy asked. "You want us to help you get those thieves?"

"Yes."

"Three against nine," Noah shook his head. "Not the best odds in the world, Teaspoon."

"I know. That’s why we have to use our heads to get them – ain’t no use just ride in tellin’ ‘em they’re under arrest."

"You’ve got a plan for how to do it?"

"I think so."

"Then lets hear it," Noah said, desperately wanting to do something than sit there waiting for news from the army. He did not envy Lou and Ike that were ordered to stay at the station. There would be a lot of work that needed to be done, but staying at the station would remind them that Rachel wasn’t there and it was something he rather not think about.

"Some of the families around Sweetwater has left their farms in fear of another raid after what happened here. Most of them left their cattle behind. I doubt that Henderson can resist that – it would be an easy target."

"So we’ll watch those farms and when they try and rob them we’ll be there?"

"No, that’s to simple. All we’d get in the men doing the robbery. But there will be nothing that leads to Henderson and the man will probably just move away. I want him too."

"So what do you want us to do."

"We’ll need somebody to fool Henderson into making a mistake that gives him away. Most of the townspeople already know by now that Jimmy’s been held captive by the Kiowa. I want you," Teaspoon turned to Jimmy, "to approach Henderson and tell him that you know that he’s behind the raids. Tell him you found proof of his involvement in the Kiowa village. Use the poisoning of the water as the reason. Then tell him that you’re looking for revenge for your treatment and that you’re willing to help him out. Hopefully he’ll believe you."

"You want me to work for Henderson?" Jimmy asked.

"I want you to get Henderson to trust you enough for him to slip his tongue. You don’t necessarily have to start working for him."

"And what will we do, while Jimmy earns Henderson’s trust?" Noah asked.

"We’ll try and locate where he’s hiding the horses and cattle. Hopefully we’ll find out were his gang is hiding as well. That will give us the upper hand eventually."

"Well, I’m ready to try anything to get an end to those raids. After what they did to Rachel and Buck I hope we’ll get them," Noah concluded as Jimmy nodded his agreement to Teaspoon’s plan.

Lou straightened herself up and wiped the sweat from her face with a dirty rag. It had been five days since their discussions in the bunkhouse and nothing much had happened since. She and Ike had managed to get some help from town to clean up the remains of the barn. It had been five days of hard work, as she and Ike had continued even after their helpers had returned to town. There weren’t much else to do anyway, except making supper and make sure that Buck and Cody followed Doc’s orders. Cody was already on his feet, walking around on crutches, doing his best to improve his mobility in the injured leg. He had even helped them take care of the rubble that once was the barn. Lou envied him as he didn’t seemed too bothered by his wound. She constantly felt hers, but she was determined that it wouldn’t stop her from doing her job. She assumed that Teaspoon had hoped that she would keep an eye on Buck and Cody and not do too strenuous work, but she wasn’t cut out for that. Ike couldn’t remove the pile of rubble on his own and besides, she agreed with Cody that moving around helped heal the wound. Although it hurt like hell in the evenings when she lay down in her bunk. Ike had noticed once and had offered to rub her back. At first she had declined, but as the pain increased, she had grateful accepted his offer. Ike’s soft hand had eased some of the tension and he had told her that she could take it easy.

But Lou couldn’t. If she stopped working she immediately returned to the fact that they hadn’t heard from Kid nor the army in four days. Nor was Rachel or Ellen back. Cody was eager to get on his feet to be able to join them and sometimes Lou thought about doing the same. She missed Kid, and she desperately wanted to talk to him about what had happened. She also wanted to know if they had any hope of finding Rachel. Anything could have happened to her during the last days, she pondered miserably. Ike tried to tell her that no news were good news, but she had a hard time believing him. But his statement that if they had given up then they would be back did more to keep her hopes up. As long as the army still was searching there was hope. When they gave up --- she didn’t want to think about that possibility.

If the army’s search for Rachel and Ellen had been futile so far, Teaspoon’s hunt for the horse thieves had been more successful. Noah and Teaspoon had discovered that one of the recently abandoned farms had had their cattle stolen and convinced that it was the same gang, Teaspoon had decided that they should try and track them. Either had the gang decided that everybody believed that they were safe or they had started to be reckless – their tracks had been easy to follow and Teaspoon had found both the cattle and the gang. Still determined to get the mind behind the thieves, Teaspoon and Noah had let them be with the exception that Barnett was left to keep an eye on them from a safe distance and with strict instructions that if anything happened, he was to get Teaspoon. Jimmy was spending most of his time over at the Henderson’s farm, apparently he had managed to get the man to trust him. teaspoon had been slightly worried that he hadn’t had a chance to talk to Jimmy since he had headed out to Hendersons’. He just hoped that Jimmy would have enough wit with him to know when to get out.

"I still think that we should strike at their hiding place," Noah stated as he placed himself on the edge of the deputy’s table.

"I told you I don’t want Henderson to get away," Teaspoon explained patiently as he carefully eyed a fly that seemed intent on settling on his coffee mug.

"Well, sitting here ain’t gonna do it. Teaspoon, we haven’t heard from Jimmy in three days! Ain’t it time that we try and find out what he’s been up to?"

"Patience, Noah. I’m sure Jimmy will let us know when he’s ready."

Noah sighed and walked around the table to seat himself in the deputy’s chair.

"So we’ll wait?"

"We’ll wait."

Jimmy was just waiting for an opportunity to tell Teaspoon that he was ready. Unfortunately for him, he hadn’t anything to tell Teaspoon. He just wanted out. It had been easy enough to approach the man with his fictitious story and he believed that Henderson had swallowed the lure, since he had immediately been invited over to the ranch. And now he had spent three days there, listening to the man’s self praise and he hadn’t discovered a damn thing. All he knew for sure was that it was something wrong with the man. He didn’t seem to trust anybody and sometimes Jimmy felt as if he’d been interrogated the way the man asked him questions, most of them dealing with his relation to Teaspoon. Jimmy had avoided them but he was quickly getting tired at the charade and he knew it was only a question of time until he said something that would give him away. Apart from that he felt sorry about the man’s family. He was sure they had nothing to do with the thefts nor did he think that they had any knowledge about it. Mrs. Henderson was ten years younger than her husband and pretty enough to led Jimmy to believe that Mr. Henderson couldn’t have been her only suitor. He wondered vaguely what had made her choose Mr. Henderson, a man ten years her senior and with a harsh way. Money, probably. He knew some women did everything for money and he decided to place Mrs. Henderson in that category, unfairly maybe, but he was in no mood for being pleasant. All he wanted was to get the proof Teaspoon had asked for and then get out for there. He had thought about everything that had happened and had decided that he didn’t like being stuck in Sweetwater while Rachel was held captive. As soon as they had got the horse thieves behind bars, he was gonna ask Teaspoon for permission to help the army. He wasn’t sure of what he could do, but just being out there was probably better than not knowing anything.

He strolled over the yard to check on his horse. He was lucky he still had his palomino, he had taken a liking to the beast and they got along so well that he was reluctant to lend it to another rider. Not that he was as obsessed over the animal as Kid was over Katy, but Jimmy trusted his horse and other horses always made him feel a bit uneasy. As he was about to enter the stable he noticed a movement in the corner of his eye behind the bunkhouse. A movement where it shouldn’t be any movement. His interest peaked, he slowly made his way over to the bunkhouse. He slowly went around it, trying to find a way to see who it was that was behind the house. There was nothing behind the bunkhouse except some rather sticky bushes and he couldn’t imagine why anybody would be there. There had to be something wrong. Eager to find out what it was, Jimmy slowly advanced to a point where he could see the back of the bunkhouse without being seen. What he saw made him open his eyes wide in surprise. It was Mr. Henderson that had disappeared behind the bunkhouse and as Jimmy peaked around the corner, he saw Mr. Henderson disappear into the shrubbery and then he was gone. Jimmy stared in disbelief where the man had disappeared. Curiosity soon took over and after a quick look over his shoulder to make sure nobody had noticed him, he carefully stepped over to where Mr. Henderson had made his disappearance. It was then he realised that the shrubbery wasn’t a shrubbery in it’s true sense. In fact it covered a door that seemed to lead to a basement under the bunkhouse. If hiding the door behind the shrubbery wasn’t odd enough, then the fact of a basement to a bunkhouse was wrong. Jimmy had a feeling that if he only could get a peak down there he would have all the evidence Teaspoon needed. All he had to do was to wait for a time when Henderson would be away. Content with what he had learned he was just about to walk away when he heard a voice behind him.

"Well, Mr. Hickok, what are you doing here?"

Jimmy spun around and found himself face to face with the barrel of a gun.

"Well, that’s it for today, McSwaine. We need to get back to our families." Mr. Boone wiped his forehead with his hand as Ike nodded to him and reached out his hand to express his gratitude. With the help of Boone and few other men, they had managed to get most of the pile down to almost nothing.

"Nothing new on Mrs. Dunne and Ellen is there?" Boone asked as Ike walked with them back to their wagons. Ike shook his head.

"Damn savages," Boone muttered. "I know her parents, they’re decent folks. My wife was over there yesterday. Mrs. Barkin has been crying ever since they found out. It ain’t right, I tell you."

Ike lowered his head. He felt badly for Mr. and Mrs. Barkin but there was nothing he could do about it. Instinctively he looked over to the house where a curtain hanging out from the window revealed that it was open. He had opened it himself earlier to get some fresh air into the room where Buck was resting. He was worried about his friend. He had been over to see him as often as he could, but Buck hardly spoke to him. At first Ike had been relieved when it seemed that Buck would comply with Doc’s orders to stay in bed, but now it had him worried. He had assumed that Buck, like Cody, would try and convince him that he was fine and allowed to get up. But Buck had not. There was something else on Buck’s mind and he wasn’t telling Ike. Normally it didn’t bothered Ike. For as long as he had known Buck, Buck had been very careful to let anybody too close and although Ike was like a brother to Buck, there was still a wall around him. Ike doubted that Buck let anybody pass that last wall, but he hadn’t cared. He loved Buck for being the brother he never had and if Buck felt uneasy about opening up to him, then it was Buck’s decision. Ike would never push him. But now it made him nervous. He thought he knew the reason for Buck’s behaviour and that scared him even more. Buck was leaving. Ike could feel it in his heart. And it wasn’t gonna be an open goodbye. Ike feared that one day he’d walk into the house and find Buck gone. That’s why he so readily had complied with Doc’s orders. Ike knew Buck wasn’t stupid. Buck was well aware of that if he was to leave then he must have recovered from the wound. Especially if he going to try and get Rachel and Ellen away from the Kiowa village, which Ike suspected he would. Ike wondered if he should try and talk to Buck about it, telling him what he, Ike, thought about it. Ike didn’t want Buck to leave. If Buck left, then he would too. Ike suspected that Buck knew that and that was another reason that he suspected that Buck would leave without telling him.

Ike sighed as he bid the men goodbye as he continued to the bunkhouse. Doc had left a few minutes ago and Lou had left to hear what he had to say about Buck and Cody. For a second Ike pondered to walk over to the house and see how Buck was doing, but then he changed his mind. He would see him shortly as he brought over some supper. Besides he could do with a rest and a wash-up. He felt as grey as the ashes he had been working in. He had just dipped his head into the bowl of water on the porch when he heard the angry voice and he headed for the door.

"You’re not going anywhere!" Lou stared angrily at Cody as Ike stepped in. She stood in the middle of the room with her hands on her hip as she determinedly eyed Cody who was pulling on his boots. Ike looked at her as he questioningly raised an eyebrow.

"He thinks he going off to help the army search for Rachel and Ellen," she stated and glared at Cody.

"Doc said I was fine," Cody muttered as he reached for his gun belt.

"Well, he also said that you could do with some more rest," Lou objected, not giving in.

"I’ve done all the resting I need," Cody replied as he stiffly moved over to get his blanket. "Don’t try and stop me, Lou, I’m going." Ike had never seen him this serious before.

"Why?" Lou demanded. "Why not wait, at least until Teaspoon and the others are back?"

"Teaspoon said I could leave," Cody reminded her.

"When you were ready, yes. Cody you’re not ready!"

Cody picked up the last of his things.

"Don’t argue with me, Lou," he said in a low voice. "I can’t stay here, not knowing what has happened to them. You know that." Lou silenced and slowly she stepped out of his path and allowed him to walk out. She looked after him before she turned to Ike. Ike shrugged. He was too tired to be worried about Cody’s well-being. And part of him understood Cody’s need to leave.

<Let him go,> he signed. <He knows what he’s doing.>

"He should be resting," Lou objected, but her voice lacked conviction. "And he’s only doing it because of Ellen – he’s blaming himself for her being gone."

Ike didn’t reply but walked over to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of the lemonade that still was placed on the desk before turning to Lou.

<Mr. Boone asked for news about Rachel and Ellen again. Said his wife been over to see Mrs. Barkin. She’s still crying.> Ike carried the glass over to the table and sat down. Lou joined him.

"Can’t say I blame her," she said softly. "Sometimes I feel like that myself – crying." She started to draw figures on the table with her fingers.

"Do you think we’ll get them back?" she asked after a few minutes.

Ike nodded and emphasised it with signing the single word ‘Yes’. They could hear a horse take off but none of them bothered to see Cody off. Lou couldn’t help thinking that that were how far they’ve gone – no goodbyes, no ‘Ride safe’, simply the realisation that somebody took off. She looked at Ike again.

"It’s been five days, Ike," she murmured.

<They’ll find them.>

"What if they never find them?"

<That won’t happen.>

"Thompkins’ family was lost for seven years."

<They stopped looking,> Ike replied. <They gave up.>

"And when the army gives up?"

<Then we’ll continue.>

Silence settled in the bunkhouse as they both got caught up in their own thoughts. Finally Lou had to ask.

"Did you ask Buck what will happen to them?"

Ike sighed. He had expected to hear that question. His only surprise was that Lou had waited this long to ask him. he looked at her and realised that there was no use beating around the bush. Lou probably already knew the answer anyway.

<Slaves.>

Lou merely nodded. She had suspected as much. She took a deep breath.

"What does that mean?" she asked. "Will they –" she found it difficult to find the right words " – nobody’s gonna hurt them, are they?" Lou bit her lip, not sure she wanted to know the answer. There had always been stories about the savage ways of Indians and how white women had been used and then left on the prairie to die. That had also been the theme in some of the Dime Novels that Cody used to read, with a white hero ready to rescue the fair dame from the savage. She had read some of them when she had nothing else to do. Buck had not appreciated them reading those novels and she remembered Cody defending them as fiction and that nobody believed them anyway. Lou had always believed that most of the stories in those novels where pure fiction and very far from the truth, although they created an suitable background for an adventurous tale. As she had always believed that the stories that were told were greatly exaggerated, she didn’t pay them mush attention. But now she remembered them, and although she didn’t believe them, she feared that there might be a hint of truth in them. After all, the stories had to come from somewhere, hadn’t they?

Ike knew what she was asking about and he wished he knew. But he hadn’t dared to ask Buck, scared of both his friends reaction and the answer. As with Lou, he too had heard the scary stories about Indians, some of them told in the darkness at the orphanage when the nuns where asleep. But that was before he had met and befriended Buck. But Buck seldom talked about his life with the Kiowa and Ike had never asked, so although he had gained a larger understanding of Indian way, there was still a lot he didn’t know.

<I don’t know, Lou,> he replied sadly. <I just don’t know.>

Noah paced impatiently the floor of the marshal’s office.

"Will you stop that," Teaspoon asked softly. "You’re disturbing me," he continued as he continued to go through some of the paper work he had neglected the last days.

"This whole situation is disturbing," Noah replied and walked up to Teaspoon. "Something’s wrong, I can feel it. We should head out over to Henderson’s to see that Jimmy’s all right."

"You’re rushing things. Jimmy will get in touch with us when he has found what we’re looking for."

"And if somebody has found Jimmy out?"

"Jimmy’s too smart for that."

"Maybe. It’s been too long, Teaspoon. The Jimmy I know would never have let five days pass without even trying to contact us."

"Jimmy knows what he’s doing."

Noah sighed.

"Will you at least let me ride out there? Even if you’re not worried, I am!"

Finally Teaspoon looked up from his paperwork.

"Since you’re asking so nicely, I’ll go with you. S’pose a friendly visit from the marshal to see that everything’s all right is just what one can expect."

Jimmy turned his gaze from the barrel of the gun to the person behind it. His eyes grew wide in bewilderment as he realised who it was.

"Mrs. Henderson," he gasped, before regaining his composure. "What’s the meaning with this?"

"That’s what I would like to ask you," she replied and called for her husband, not leaving Jimmy with her eyes for a second.

"What?" Lee Henderson asked as he emerged from the basement. "Martha, what ---" he silenced in the middle of the sentence. His eyes narrowed when he saw his wife standing there with a gun aimed at Jimmy.

"What’s going on?" he demanded.

"You should ask Mr. Hickok that," Martha said sternly. "I saw him following you here."

"Hickok?" Lee’s eyes stared suspiciously at Jimmy.

"It’s true I saw you and that I followed you," Jimmy admitted. "I thought I could be of some help – I had nothing to do."

"Bah," Martha Henderson spat out. "He’s working for the marshal. All that talk have just been lies, Lee. Everybody knows that Hickok wouldn’t turn his back on marshal Hunter."

"Maybe you’re right," Lee Henderson said. "What do you know exactly, Hickok?"

Jimmy, who already was tired of the charade, replied with a snarl.

"I know exactly what you been doing, Henderson. Robbing innocent farmers of their cattle and Express stations of their horses. You’re nothing but a murderer and thief."

Rage clouded Lee Henderson’s face.

"If I were you, boy, I wouldn’t take so big words in my mouth," he spat as a call rung out from the yard.

"Mr. Henderson! The marshal’s on his way!"

Henderson looked around nervously, eyeing his wife with a questioningly look on his face.

"I’ll lock him up in the basement. We’ll deal with him later, when you’ve got rid of Hunter." Martha Henderson said the words with a firm determination that made Jimmy wonder who of them who was in charge. Lee Henderson quickly left them as Martha Henderson motioned for Jimmy to walk down the stairs to the basement.

Jimmy had no wish to be locked in and with Teaspoon so close he decided to take a chance. He stood still. Martha Henderson looked hard at him.

"Get down," she sneered between her teeth. Jimmy shook his head.

"I doubt you’ve got the guts to shoot me, Mrs. Henderson – Martha." He looked her in the eyes. "Especially not with the marshal so close."

"Don’t try me," Martha wheezed.

"Then shoot me," Jimmy dared her and a second later he knew he’d been mistaken. Martha Henderson coldly raised her gun and as her finger squeezed around the trigger, Jimmy went cold and acted with a speed that amazed even him. He threw himself at Mrs. Henderson just as the shot went off.

"What was that?" Teaspoon interrupted the conversation with Henderson and looked over to Henderson’s bunkhouse.

"Nothing," Mr. Henderson assured him. "One of my men is getting rid of a sick cow that’s all."

"Behind the bunkhouse?" Noah asked suspiciously. If that was true he wondered how Mr. Henderson kept men working for him. there was a special stench around a slaughter place that made most people choose a place far from the houses.

"It’s the only place," Mr. Henderson said as he nervously eyed the bunkhouse. Teaspoon couldn’t help notice it.

"I think I would like to see this sick cow," he stated and started to walk towards the bunkhouse. Noah followed him as he kept an eye on Mr. Henderson. When a second shot was heard from behind the bunkhouse, Teaspoon increased his steps. He hadn’t taken more than three steps when Noah happened to cast a glance behind them. In the next second he threw himself over Teaspoon sending them both to the ground as a bullet flew over their heads. Teaspoon quickly rolled over to his back and saw Mr. Henderson take new aim. Teaspoon had no time to think nor aim, and laying on his back he drew his gun just as Mr. Henderson aimed his gun at them. A shot rang out and in the next second Teaspoon watched Mr. Henderson stagger as his hand clutched his chest before he fell to the ground.

"Noah," Teaspoon panted as he got to his feet. "Are you alright, son?"

"Yes. What about Mr. Henderson."

"Dead. He should have known better than to try and kill us. You saved my life there, Noah. I never thought the man would do something that stupid."

"Luck," Noah replied as he got to his feet. "If I hadn’t looked back---"

"Don’t dwell on that now, you did it and that’s all that matters. Let’s see what it was he didn’t wanted us to see."

Jimmy felt the bullet pass him as he in the next second crashed into Mrs. Henderson, sending them both to the ground. As she still held on to the ground Jimmy grabbed her gun hand with his, trying to take the gun from her. But Mrs. Henderson held on to the weapon with a strength he hadn’t thought of her. He also was forced to use his other hand to keep the woman from scratching him as she already had managed to do that. He was reluctant to hit a woman but he felt he soon had to do something when another shot went off close to his ear. Stunned by the shot and half deaf on that ear he raised his hand and hit her, knocking her unconscious. Feeling slightly bewildered, he staggered to his feet just as Teaspoon and Noah came around the corner.

"What happened?" Teaspoon asked as Jimmy felt his cheek where Mrs. Henderson had scratched him. there was blood on his fingers, but he didn’t care.

"She tried to kill me," he mumbled. "I had to hit her."

"Why did she try to kill you?" Noah asked as Teaspoon bent down to see to the unconscious woman.

"I don’t know, except that it has to do with what’s in that basement." Jimmy pointed to the entrance as Teaspoon looked up.

"She’ll be out for a couple of minutes. Noah, keep an eye on her while Jimmy and I see what’s in there."

Cautiously Jimmy and Teaspoon made their way into the basement in case there would be anyone else in there. To their relief there was no one else there and Henderson had in the tumult forgotten to turn out the light, so it was with ease they made their way into the small room. If Teaspoon had doubted Henderson’s involvement he was quickly assured that it was the Hendersons that had been behind all the attacks. Lee, or Martha Henderson had in detail written down what they had stolen and where and when. Teaspoon also found the date of the attack of the station in their books. The only surprise was Mrs. Henderson’s involvement. She seemed to have been the planner of the raids and her husband was merely there for show. Even the two small boys were just bricks in her play. They found documents telling them that they were orphans from a small orphanage outside River’s End. They had done everything to set up the perfect illusion of a happy family. Going through their books, Teaspoon realised that the Hendersons had been involved in a lot more than just stealing cattle. He took the most important of the books with him back to his office where Mrs. Henderson was to stay until the sheriff of Blue Creek could send a man to get her. As the local judge were in Blue Creek for the weeks to come, it was better the trial was held there. With all the evidence Teaspoon and Jimmy had found, Mrs. Henderson would spend the rest of her life behind bars if she escaped being hanged.

For the riders this meant that they could get some of their horses back. And it also meant that as soon as they had caught the rest of the gang, they could help out in getting Rachel back. Which, actually, was the only thing that mattered.

TO BE CONTINUED…