Second Chances

by Karen ©2001

Disclaimer: The characters of The Young Riders were created for television by Ed Spielman. The series aired on ABC TELEVISION from 1989 - 1992. This story takes place shortly after "The Kid" but before "Speak No Evil". In other words, before the riders really knew each other well.

Author's note: Thank you to Waitstill and Raye for all their help. I couldn't have done this without them :)

Prologue--"Leaving"

Ike glanced out the stable to make sure no one had followed him. Good, no one was around. He ran across the yard and quickly entered the bunkhouse. He was busily packing his belongings when Lou entered.
"What's wrong?" Lou asked.
<Nothing,> Ike responded with a shrug.
"So why are you running?"
<He'll kill me,> Ike responded.
"Who will? What happened in town?"
Ike finished packing and turned to leave. He tried to push past his friend, but Lou grabbed his arm.
"Who are you running from?" Lou asked again.
Ike shook his head. He pulled loose and slipped past Lou. He had just gotten free when the door opened and Emma entered.
She glanced at the two boys, noticing Ike's bag she asked, "Going somewhere?"
 Ike replied.
"Why don't you tell Mr. Spoon? He's right outside," Emma responded as she took the crumpled letter from Ike.
Ike glanced at Lou, and then Emma. He sighed and headed towards the door. As he opened it to go out and face Teaspoon, Emma looked at Lou. "Any ideas?" she inquired.
Lou shook his head. "I don't know what happened it town, but Ike's scared. He won't tell me why."
"Let's go see if we can find out," said Emma and they followed Ike out to the yard.
"Slow down, Son. I can't understand when you go that fast," Teaspoon said.
Ike took a deep breath and tried again. 
"Why?" asked Teaspoon.
<It's personal,> was all Ike would offer as an explanation.
"Have anything to do with that letter you received? Or the man asking about you in town?" asked Kid as he joined the group.
Ike just nodded. He was trapped. He should have known better than to have settled down and make attachments. He never should have let Buck talk him into this. Out of all the things he'd learned from Jonah, not allowing himself to care for others should have been the easiest to remember.
"Care to explain?" Jimmy asked. "Who was it from?"
<One of the nuns,> Ike replied.
"Bad news?" asked Emma.
Ike nodded. <Jonah came by looking for me.>
"Who's Jonah?" asked Cody as Buck joined the group.
<A man I rode with before Buck. The man in town today,> Ike replied.
"Parted under less than desirable terms, I gather," Teaspoon said.
Ike nodded and looked at Buck.
Buck paled and returned Ike's gaze. "He's out?"
Again Ike nodded. He turned his gaze to Teaspoon.<He'll kill me,> he insisted.
"Not if you let us help," Buck countered. "He can't take us all on. You haven't done anything wrong. Did you forget what we learned from Sister Catherine? She told us to stick together, no matter what."
Teaspoon nodded. "That's good advice, Son."
Ike glanced around at his new friends. His gaze met Emma's and his head dropped. He'd never felt more ashamed of his past then he did right now. How would he ever be able to face her again?
"Ike," Emma said softly. "Why don't you tell us what's wrong? Maybe then we can help you."
Ike looked up and saw Emma's smile. He glanced at Buck who nodded his encouragement. Ike sighed and began his tale:
<It started not long after my family was killed. I stayed with the neighbors until the funeral was over and then they took me to the mission. I hadn't been at the mission very long - maybe three months - when I was called to the Mother Superior's office> . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter One -- "It Begins"

"Ike, this is Mr. Jonah. He claims to be your uncle. Is than true?" asked Sister Catherine.
Eleven-year-old Ike McSwain looked at the man in front of him. He didn't remember any uncles named Jonah, but it had been a while since he'd seen any relatives. He guessed it was possible. The man did look familiar.
"You remember me don't you ,Ike? I'm your pa's older brother. I'm really sorry I didn't get here sooner, but I just heard the news. I was stopping by for a visit and the neighbors told me what happened," the man said kneeling down to look Ike in the eyes.
Ike remembered seeing those eyes before. It made him uneasy, but he decided that Uncle or not anyplace was better than staying here and being continually teased by the other children. He nodded to let Sister Catherine know that this was his uncle.
Two days after leaving the mission Ike knew he had made a mistake, but it was too late to do anything about it now. He'd just have to hang on until a chance for escape presented itself. Little did he know how long that would be.
Jonah was a hard man. He was easily angered and often expressed his anger with his fists. Fortunately, it wasn't just the two of them. There were usually four others. Three men who would come and go as they pleased, and Justin, a boy of 13 or 14 who always hung around. Jonah was as likely to hit any of them as he was to hit Ike. It depended on who was closest.
"Just do your best to stay out of his way when he gets that look," advised Justin. "If he can't reach you easily, he don't usually come after you."
Ike followed this advice religiously and managed to survive without being seriously injured.
The six of them drifted from town to town. They would usually steal whatever they needed to survive. A few eggs, a hen, some meat that was left unattended. They never stayed in one place long. One day, as they rode past a house that had been burned to the ground, Jonah shared his life view with the two boys, "No need getting attached to anyone or anything. It will only cause you heartache. People will always let you down when the going gets tough."
"You mean you wouldn't help one of us if we got into trouble?" asked Justin.
"Depends what would be in it for me," replied Jonah. "I'd go to your hanging and not shed a tear if helping you didn't get me something. I can always find me a new kid, you should know that."
After a year or so, they started getting bolder. "Looks like nobody's home," became the code words to ransack and burn settlers' homes.
"All the men are gone," was the cue that meant it was time to visit an Indian village. It was on one of these visits that Justin had his first experience with a woman. "Pay close attention now," Jonah told Ike. "Your turn's coming in a few years."
Ike turned away and went to gather supplies they could take with them. He entered one tepee and found a girl about his age hiding under some blankets. He motioned for her to stay quiet and turned to leave. One of the other men came in dragging the woman whose home it was. He spotted the girl almost at once. "What do we have here?" he asked as he pulled the girl from her hiding place.
Ike shrugged.
The girl pulled away and ran towards the opening. The woman tried to stop the man from catching her so he pulled his gun and shot her. Ike stared at her as her lifeless body fell to the ground.
The man slapped Ike on the head, "Go after her, Boy. She's white."
Ike left and chased after the girl. He caught her and brought her to the man. "Take her to Jonah. He'll probably want to take her with us."
Ike drug the girl to Jonah. "Good boy, Ike. We'll take her to town and see if anyone knows where she came from. There may even be a reward."
They left, burning the village behind them, and went into the nearest town. No one there knew who the girl was so it was decided she would be cleaned up and then sent to the nearby mission.
The town's people treated them like heroes, but Ike felt miserable. She hadn't wanted to leave, and he'd made her. What a way to spend your twelveth birthday.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize what he was doing. All of a sudden, he heard Justin yelling, "Ike! Wait! Don't! Ike, please, stop!"
Ike stopped walking and looked around. He was about to step off the edge of the top floor to the unfinished rooming house. All the town's people were staring at him. Justin was running from the hotel across the street. "Just stay still. Wait for me to get there."
Ike waited. As he waited, he looked out over the town. He noticed Jonah and the others leaving the town's bank, money bags in tow. Just then Justin reached him. Ike managed to show Justin what he saw without letting anyone else know what was happening. Justin whispered, "We need to keep these people here, or someone will get hurt. Understand?"
Ike nodded and backed away from Justin. The two of them kept everyone watching them until they were sure the others had gotten away. Then Ike allowed Justin to talk him down, and they went back to the hotel they were staying in. The next morning, they headed out the way Jonah and the others had gone. By noon, they were back together again. One big, happy family.
This routine of Ike and Justin distracting people while the others robbed the bank, store, hotel, whatever, soon became the gang's standard operating procedure. It had served them well except for one time. That's when Ike decided that his habit of standing by while others were injured was one he was going to break the next chance he had -- no matter what it cost him.
"Ike," bellowed Jonah,"Where are you ,boy? You know better than to keep me waiting."
Ike hurried to where Jonah was waiting.
"Get the horses saddled. We're going to town. We need supplies, and it's up to you to cause the distraction," Jonah instructed.
Ike nodded and hurried to saddle their horses. Soon the six of them were headed into town. As they entered town, Ike looked around for something to cause a disturbance. It would be up to him to keep the town's people unaware of what would be happening at the store where Jonah and his buddies would be stealing supplies and any money they could get their hands on. People would get hurt, possibly die, if he didn't do a good job.
Ike spotted the school at the far end of the street. He nodded his head and Justin followed his gaze. He smiled and nodded. " Jonah, Ike and me are going to go scare the little kids. That should get people down to the school and away from you and the others. How long you need?"
"Let us go in and start shopping. Then see if you can keep them busy for 5 - 10 minutes," Jonah instructed.
Justin and Ike nodded and waited as the others entered the store. Ike was glad to see that there weren't many people shopping at the present time. After a few minutes, they headed towards the school. Justin went in first to inquire about the possibility of joining the class. Ike gave him a few minutes and then burst in after him. He made his face screw up and worked up a good drool. He started to chase after Justin, but soon became distracted by the younger children. In no time at all, he had the whole school in an uproar. One of the older boys managed to get away to go fetch help. With the door open, Ike managed to chase all the others outside where he could keep an eye on the store. When Ike noticed Jonah and the others leaving the store and heading towards the saloon, he dropped to the ground and started shaking. After a few seconds he made his whole body go stiff and then pretended to pass out. Justin ran to his side and worked at waking him up. Once Ike was up and able to walk, Justin apologized for them both and they quickly left the school. They went back out to the campsite and waited for the others. When they hadn't arrived by noontime, the two boys decided to head back into town and see what had happened.
"You think something went wrong?" Justin asked.
Ike shrugged. He hadn't noticed the men carrying anything when they left the store, but they had done that before. They would place an order and then sneak back and steal it. In a way Ike hoped maybe they had gotten caught when they went back. At least that way the beatings would stop, and he wouldn't have to worry about anyone else getting killed. He was still feeling bad about the last town they had been in where his distraction hadn't lasted long enough and Jonah had shot the store keeper to get away.
Ike often dreamed of having the chance to get away, but decided that it wouldn't be fair to Justin to just take off. Maybe if something had gone terribly wrong the two of them would have the chance to find a real family and settle down somewhere. It would have to be somewhere far away, because Jonah would never let them get away without trouble. He'd told them so after the last town. --- "You two had better not be thinking that you can get away by getting the rest of us caught. I'll get out sooner or later, and I'll find you. I promise." Ike shuddered remembering the look on Jonah's face as he had spoke.
When they rode into town, they both spotted the problem at the same time. All the horses were still at the saloon.
"There's gonna be hell to pay if they lost everything gambling," Justin said.
Ike nodded.
"You know that somehow it will be our fault if they did," Justin added.
Ike nodded again. He then jerked his head back towards camp, meaning they should just leave.
"He'll just be madder once he finds us," replied Justin with a sigh. "Wait here, I'll see if I can spot them," he said as he dismounted in front of the saloon and handed Ike his reins.
Justin pulled his hat down onto his head, and straightened himself up to try and make himself look older. He was old enough to be going to saloons, but he looked young and didn't want to draw attention to himself if he could help it. He walked to the doors and glanced into the saloon. At first he had trouble seeing anyone. He finally located them in the far corner of the room. He entered and made his way to their table.
"What do you want?" Jonah grumbled.
"Just making sure everything's all right," replied Justin. "Thought you would have been back at camp by now. You want us to head out or stay here?"
"Wait outside. We'll be there in a minute. We just have to go settle up here and then go gather our supples," said Jonah.
Justin nodded and went back to where Ike was waiting. He took his horse and led it to the hitching post. Ike followed and dismounted. They settled themselves on the bench outside the saloon and watched the town begin to reawaken after the afternoon rest.
A wagon full of children from the nearby mission school came into town. Ike was watching it and trying to place the feeling of familiarity. The wagon came to a stop in front of the store just as Jonah and the men exited the saloon. "Wait here," he grumbled at the two boys. "Be ready to ride. We won't be long."
The four men turned and went towards the store. Justin stood and began to unhitch the horses. Ike stayed seated and watched the kids climbing out of the wagon. They were headed towards the store. Ike motioned to Justin who glanced at the kids, "Nothing I can do about it. Just hope none of them gets in his way."
Ike stood and started in the direction of the store. He had a bad feeling about this, and there was no way he was going to sit by and let someone else die because he didn't act. When he reached the middle of the road, the four men came running out of the store carrying the bags of supplies. As Jonah stepped off the walkway into the street, a young Indian boy happened to come around the wagon. He bumped into Jonah causing him to drop the bag he was carrying. Jonah turned on him, "Dirty breed, why don't you watch where you're going?" He swung so fast the boy had no idea what had hit him. Soon he was down on the ground and not only Jonah, but the other three members of the gang as well were hitting and kicking him. The money from the bag Jonah had dropped lay on the ground.
As the shop keeper came out of the shop in search of the men, Ike couldn't stop himself. He jumped into the middle of the fight and did his best to protect the young Indian now laying, badly beaten, on the ground. The blows were fast and coming from all directions at once. Ike thought he heard one of the other children yelling, "Sister Catherine, Sister Catherine, come quick. They's beatin' up Buck!"
Justin dropped the reins of the horse he was holding and ran to gather up the money. As he reached for the first coins, a shot rang out. The last thing Ike remembered, before blacking out, was watching Justin fall to the ground - dead.

Chapter Two -- "Escape"

Ike sat up slowly. It still hurt to move, but it wasn't as bad as it had been before. He let his eyes adjust to the dim light of the room. He' been here before.
"Oh, you're awake. You feeling any better?" a woman's voice broke into his thoughts.
Ike turned towards the sound. He looked at the nun and nodded.
"Good. You had us real worried," smiled Sister Catherine.
Ike looked around the room again. Now he remembered where he was. It was the large sick room of the mission he'd left years before. He looked at Sister Catherine and smiled. He suddenly remembered what had happened and tried to get out of the bed. Jonah would be looking from him.
"You need to lay back down, Young Man," Sister Catherine said, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "You're in no condition to be up and around." Ike shook his head. He had to make her understand. They weren't safe as long as he was here. He pointed towards town.
"The law took care of those three men. They're locked up for now. They can't hurt you anymore," Sister Catherine smiled.
Ike relaxed. He settled back down against the pillows. As he lay his head down, he remembered again what had caused him to end up here. He quickly sat back up and slowly looked around the room again. This time he was looking for someone in particular. He needed to know if he'd helped, or if it had all been for nothing.
"He's in one of the small rooms, by himself," Sister Catherine said. "He is in much worse shape than you are, but he'll be fine with enough rest. I'll take you to see him in the morning. You rest now."
Ike nodded. He lay back down and smiled. It had been worth it. The other boy was going to be okay. He was still smiling when he drifted off to sleep.
As the sunlight entered the room, Ike slowly sat up. He looked around the room and saw that there were three other children. They were all down at the other end of the room. A nun was bringing breakfast trays. She didn't look at all familiar. He decided she must be new. When she reached his bed, he smiled.
"You feel up to eating?" she asked.
Ike nodded.
She carefully handed him a tray. He noticed there was one more tray on her cart. He pointed to it, looked around, and shrugged.
"That's for Buck. He's the boy you helped. He's in the private room," she explained as she pointed to a door on the far end of the room.
Ike nodded again. He remembered Sister Catherine telling him the other boy was by himself, and that the gang was in jail. He didn't need to worry for a while. He could rest up and then plan what to do. As long as the other four -- wait . . .
Ike jumped our of his bed. His food went flying as he did, but he didn't notice. He started searching for his clothes. He had to leave.
"Sister Margaret!" screamed the nun serving the food. "Get Sister Catherine, quickly! He's gone mad!"
There was a scurrying noise from outside the door. The other children huddled in their beds. They'd all heard stories about "Crazy Ike."
"You need to lie back down," the young nun pleaded. She tried to catch hold of Ike, but she too had heard the stories and was frightened. "Please, calm down," she begged.
Ike looked at her, but continued to tear the room apart looking for his clothes. She'd said three! Sister Catherine told him the three men were locked up, that meant one of them was free and he was is trouble! He needed to leave - now!
"Ike McSwain!"
Ike froze. Sister Catherine walked across the room to where he stood. "What do you think you are doing? You scared these children and Sister Anne near to death. Get back into that bed right this minute."
Ike shook his head. He pointed to his bed clothes. He acted like he was getting dressed.
"You clothing is being laundered," Sister Catherine said. "It was rather messy, and you weren't going to need it right away. I'm not sure it can be cleaned up enough to be worn again anyway."
Ike acted it out again. Pointed to himself and the door.
"You don't need to leave. I already told you those men are in jail," Sister Catherine said as she put her arm around Ike's shoulder and headed him back towards his bed.
Ike pulled away. He held up four fingers. Then reenacted his leaving. He turned and ran into the small room next to Sister Anne. Maybe the other boy's clothes were there.
Buck sat up as the door to his room flew open. It hurt to move, but he needed to be ready to defend himself. He soon spotted the cause of all the commotion tearing his room apart.
"They took them away," Buck said.
Ike stopped and turned to face this new voice. The owner smiled.
"They took my clothes so I wouldn't leave. They want to be sure I stay in bed. They take yours too?"
Ike nodded.
"You the boy who tried to help?" Buck inquired.
Again Ike nodded.
"Thanks, but why?"
Ike shrugged. He looked frantically around the room then collapsed on the floor. Sister Catherine entered calmly. She stood in the doorway and smiled, "I guess I should properly introduce you. Ike McSwain, meet Buck Cross."
Ike looked up. Buck smiled and held out his hand. Ike stared at Buck, but didn't move. The smile slowly faded from Buck's face and he put his hand down. "Guess you're sorry you helped out now," he said as he lay back down and turned to face away from Ike.
Sister Catherine went to Buck's side. "I think Ike's worried about those men. I'm sure he didn't mean to be rude. Did you , Ike?"
Ike withered under Sister Catherine's hard stare. She wasn't a big person, but when she meant business, she meant business. He stood and came to Buck's bed. He touched Buck's shoulder and put out his hand. He smiled as Buck shook his hand, and turned questioning eyes towards the nun.
"I told you last night. He's going to be fine," she replied with a smile.
Buck looked at Ike and then Sister Catherine. "He talk?" Buck asked.
Sister Catherine replied, "You need to ask him. He's never told me if he can or not."
"Well?" Buck asked, sitting back up.
Ike shook his head.
"How do you let folks know what you want?" Buck asked.
Ike acted like he was writing and shrugged.
"I could teach you signs," Buck offered. "That way we'd both have something to do while being held prisoner."
Ike shook his head, and pointed to the door.
"Ike thinks he needs to leave. I keep telling him he's safe, but he won't believe me. I told him those three men are in jail . . . "
"Four," Buck interrupted. "There were four men. If they know him, . . . "
"Oh," said Sister Catherine. "Ike, do you really think the fourth man would come after you?"
Ike nodded.
"Then we need to figure out how to keep you safe until the sheriff can capture him also. Let me get you two some food and we'll make a plan. Wait here," Sister Catherine said. She started to leave. When she reached the door, she turned to face the boys. "I expect this mess to be cleaned up when I get back, Mr. McSwain." The door closed quietly behind her. Buck laughed as Ike sighed and began to clean up the mess he'd made trying to find Buck's clothes.
When Ike finished cleaning the room, he sat down to await Sister Catherine's return. Buck watched him closely. After a few minutes had passed, Buck sat up on the edge of the bed. Ike looked at him and shook his head. He pointed at the door and pretended to be angry. Buck laughed. "I don't want to go anywhere. I'm just tired of staring at the ceiling. Besides, I'd most likely fall before I got to the door. I must have done something to my leg. They have it all bandaged and I can't bend it right. See?"
Ike noticed how one leg stuck straight out. He relaxed and smiled.
Buck sighed, "You know how many days we've been here?"
Ike shook his head.
"I figure two or three, could be more. Seems like I've woke up at night at least twice," Buck explained.
"This is the third morning," said Sister Catherine as she returned with food and Sister Margaret. "Since you are both feeling better, as soon as you finish eating, and we have the beginnings of a safety plan,Sister Margaret will begin your tutoring. No need to let your education suffer. Sister Margaret will work with you today. I'll start tomorrow.

Chapter Three -- "Recaptured"

"You two work so well together. I'm very impressed with how quickly Ike is picking up those signs. It's hard to believe that only two weeks ago he only had writing as a real form of communication, and you two were strangers to each other. It's amazing what a good friendship can accomplish."
The two boys looked up from their work and nodded.
"I'll go get our lunch. You two keep working on those figures," Sister Catherine instructed.
Shortly after she left the room, they heard the clatter of food trays falling, a muffled scream, then nothing.
Ike looked at Buck. He pantomimed carrying something. He jerked his head towards the door.
"You really think you can carry me?" Buck asked.
Ike nodded.
"Let's go," Buck agreed.
Ike nodded and came around the bed so he was on the same side as Buck. He turned so Buck could get on his back and then started towards the door. They were half way across the room when the door opened and Jonah stood facing them.
"Going somewhere, Boy?" Jonah asked.
Ike shook his head. Buck looked around Ike to face the man who had nearly killed him. "Where's Sister Catherine? What did you do to her?" Buck demanded.
"She's fine. I just locked her in her office. That can change real easy though," Jonah said. He walked towards the boys. Ike started to back away, but realized there was nowhere to go. Jonah reached the boys. "Lucky for you I'm in a hurry," he said as he pushed Buck off Ike's back and drug Ike from the room.
"Don't worry, Ike," Buck hollered. "Everything's gonna be fine."
Buck managed to pull himself to a standing position. He limped to the window in his room and watched as Jonah rode off with Ike. He took careful notice of which direction Jonah took as he left. He would need to know where to start if he meant to track them.
Buck worked his way to Sister Catherine's office. He forced open the door to find her tied to a chair. As he untied her, he said, "I need you to fix my leg so I can ride."
"You should be in bed. The sheriff can go after them," Sister Catherine said. "Do you know if anyone else is hurt?"
Buck shook his head. "I think they are all in the chapel."
"Thank the Lord. Now let's get you back to bed and send someone after the sheriff."
Buck again shook his head. "No, I need to go. I promised. You need to fix my leg so I can ride, or I go the way it is."
Sister Catherine looked at Buck and she knew she had better do what she could to help him. In the short time he'd been with them, she had learned that there were times when he could be as stubborn as a mule. This was definitely one of those times. He felt like he owed Ike, and he meant to repay him - no matter what.
"Fine. I'll start working on your leg as soon as I've sent someone to get the sheriff. You aren't going alone."
Sister Catherine sent one of the older boys to town to get the sheriff. She had just finished rewrapping Buck's leg when they returned. As she explained what had happened, Buck studied the ground carefully. He looked at the sheriff who was still talking to Sister Catherine then back at the ground.
"You sure I can trust him?" the sheriff was saying.
"I'd trust him with my life," replied the nun. "He's very good at this. He'll find them if they can be found. Just be sure he doesn't push too hard. He really shouldn't be riding yet."
Buck mounted his horse and started to ride off.
"Hold on there, Mr. Cross," said Sister Catherine. "You need to wait for the sheriff."
Buck again looked at the man standing before him. "Then he needs to come. I can't track in the dark and we're losing light all the time."
The sheriff mounted and the two of them headed off in the direction Jonah had taken Ike earlier.
After a few minutes, Buck dismounted and studied the ground again. He looked around the area and went to study two different directions. The sheriff joined him. "Looks like he headed east, towards Blue Creek," the sheriff stated.
Buck shook his head. "That's the horse he rode out on, but he's not on it anymore. He headed west."
"There's nothing to the west, but Indians and trouble," argued the sheriff.
"And Pony Canyon," said Buck. "That's probably where he went."
"Never heard of it," said the sheriff as he mounted and turned his horse towards Blue Creek.
"Don't matter," said Buck. "That's where they are." He mounted and rode off.
The sheriff muttered a few choice words, and followed after him.
Just around sunset, they entered a hidden canyon. Buck dismounted, hid his horse and motioned for the sheriff to do the same. As the sheriff joined Buck, he noticed the glow of a small fire coming from around the bend. They crept forward and soon could hear the crackling of the fire.
"You think I wouldn't know where to find you, Boy?" Jonah was saying. This was followed by a slap as he struck Ike across the face.
Ike turned his face towards Jonah. The way Jonah had him tied made it hard for him to move. He just hoped it would be over soon.
"You think I'd let you get away with being disrespectful like that? For getting Justin killed and the others jailed? You got a lot to answer for, Boy, and I aim to make you pay. You understand me?" Jonah raged.
Ike nodded. He did his best to look sorry. He braced himself for the hit he knew was coming when out of nowhere a rope came and landed around Jonah's body. He was jerked to the ground as a second rope caught his feet. Soon Jonah was trapped and Buck was carefully cutting Ike loose.
"Told you everything would be alright," Buck said.
Ike smiled and collapsed against him.
The sheriff quickly secured Jonah. "You'd best be real still and quiet. That boy wants to kill you, and I'm not sure I can stop him if you make him any madder than he already is," the sheriff told him.
Buck glared at Jonah as he replaced his knife in the sheath on his boot. He got Ike to a standing position and then half walked half carried him to his horse.
As they were leaving, the sheriff said to Buck, "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you better. He might not have been hurt as badly."
Buck looked at the sheriff. "I don't think it matters," he said.
As they rode, Jonah glared at them. He wanted to make sure he could find this boy again. This was twice that he had gotten in the way. "He'll be sorry soon enough," Jonah thought. "I'll make sure of it."

Chapter Four -- "Second Chances"

"If you testify, they'll go to jail for sure," Sister Catherine told Ike.
Ike shook his head. 
"No, you won't be charged, you're too young. You just have to agree to stay with us until you're fifteen," the nun explained.
Ike pointed to Buck.
"I can only tell about what happened to me and his taking you. You can tell about a lot more," Buck said. "I'll be there with you. They need me to translate."
"You can put all four of them in jail for a long time," Sister Catherine said. "You'll be fifteen in eighteen months or so. You can leave then and they won't be able to find you. It's like you're being given a second chance."
Ike sighed. He nodded.
"Good. I'll go tell the sheriff. You two get ready," said Sister Catherine.
The three of them rode into town together. Sister Catherine drove the buckboard. Buck and Ike sat next to her. They looked straight ahead and tried to ignore the stares and shouts of the town's people. When she came to a stop in from of the town hall, Buck quickly got out and helped Ike down. He looked at the crowd. "Are you coming in?" he asked Sister Catherine.
She nodded. "I just need to secure the buckboard, and I'll be there. You two go ahead. The sheriff's looking for you."
They both nodded and turned to enter the building. The sheriff met them inside and took them to their seats up in the front of the room. They say down to await the judge. They both tried not to listen to the men sitting at the other table, but it was difficult to miss Jonah's voice.
"Remember, Ike. Ain't a person around who'll stick with you when the going gets really tough. They always let you down. He's gonna leave you sometime, and when he does. I'll be there. Just like I promised and did before."
The judge arrived, and the trial started. Ike explained about how he came to ride with Jonah and his gang. He told about most of the things they had done and how after the death of the shop keeper in Blue Creek, Ike had decided he needed to get out.
Buck translated for Ike. Sister Catherine had made it. She sat in the front row where both boys could see her. When they finished, she stood and met them. "I'm so proud of you both. Thanks to the two of you this town will be safe again."
They both grinned at her and sat back down by the sheriff. A few other people told what they had seen happen either in Blue Creek, here, or at the mission. After everyone was finished the jury discussed the information and came back with a verdict of guilty. The judge sentenced the men to five years in prison. As they were being taken away, Jonah stopped in front of Ike, Buck, and Sister Catherine. "You'll all three be sorry for this," he said. "Somehow I'll make you pay. I'll make you all pay." The guards led him off still screaming threats and curses.
Sister Catherine reassured Ike and Buck. "Don't pay any attention to him," she said. "He's all talk. He'll be locked up for five years, and then he can't hurt us as long as we stick together. Besides, I know forces much more powerful than he even dreams of being."

Chapter Five -- "Redemption"

Ike sighed. He glanced at Buck and then Emma. He finally turned to face Teaspoon, <It's my fault they got caught,> Ike continued. <He blames me. He's going to kill me, and anyone else he thinks I feel is important. I need to leave. You are all at risk as long as I'm here.>
"How do you know he's coming here?" asked Lou.
<Sister Margaret wrote and said he got out early. He stopped by to find out where I was. The nun he talked to didn't realize who he was until after he had left and she mentioned it to Sister Margaret. She wanted to warn us that he was on the way,> Ike answered.
"That's what's in this letter?" asked Emma. "That's why you wanted me to share it with Buck?"
Ike nodded.
"He have any reason other than holding you responsible to be after you?" Teaspoon asked.
Ike shook his head.
"Then let's arrange a meeting to let him know that what's done is done," suggested Teaspoon.
<He'll kill you too,> insisted Ike. 
"Sounds to me like you didn't have much of a choice," said Kid.
"Besides," added Emma, "When it really mattered you stood up to him. You stopped him and his friends from killing Buck, didn't you?"
Ike nodded.
"You didn't need to do that. You could have just left or waited until it was all finished. You chose to do the right thing," she continued. "Why not do what's right now?"
<I'm trying. You won't let me. I need to leave,> Ike responded.
"Running from a problem isn't the way to solve it," said Teaspoon.
"Ike," added Lou. "We can help you, but you have to let us. There's only one of him."
"Let me set up a meeting," offered Teaspoon. "You still want to leave after it's over none of us will stand in your way."
Ike nodded, he walked away from the group with his head down. He didn't understand how they could still want to help him.
Buck followed. The other riders started to , but Teaspoon stopped them, "I think they need to talk. Something tells me some of that was new information."
Buck caught up with Ike. "You alright?"
Ike shook his head. <No. I'm so ashamed. How can you still want to be my friend? Didn't you pay attention to what I did? One of those places could have been your village, your mother.>
"I only know the Ike McSwain that risked his life to save me. That other Ike must have died that day," said Buck.
<How can you be sure he won't come back?>
"Because you killed him. He can only come back if you want him to, and it sounded to me like you never liked him to begin with."
<True,> agreed Ike.
"You need to let us help. That's what friends do. Forget what Jonah told you. Friends stick together. They don't leave and let others take the heat," Buck continued.
<Not mine,> disagreed Ike.
"If Jonah and his gang are all you've had as friends, you've never really had friends before. The other riders and I are willing to fight for you. Are you willing to fight for us?" Buck asked.
Ike nodded.
"Then quit trying to do it all on your own. Accept a little help from your friends," Buck suggested. "Don't run. Stay and face him. I'll - - We'll be right beside you."
Ike sighed and reluctantly agreed.
The next day Ike walked towards the main house for what he hoped would be his final confrontation with Jonah. He smiled weakly at Buck who was with him. <You sure you want to do this? He did try to kill you once.>
Buck nodded. "I told you before, friends stick together."
As they entered, they were met by a man close to Teaspoon's age. He smiled at them as he stood to greet them. "This the injun you stopped me from beatin' to death?" asked Jonah.
Ike nodded.
"Looks like you both made out all right then," Jonah continued.
Ike nodded again. He glanced nervously at Buck who stood beside him.
"I just wanted to tell you that I ain't coming after you. The sister I talked to was supposed to write and let you know I was out because the law let me go. I didn't trust her to get it right, and decided I needed to tell you both myself. Figured I'd find you together."
Jonah shook his head. "Found out last year I was gonna get out early. Been doing a lot of thinking since I found out. I realized that I'd been making wrong choices most of my life. They just got worse after your ma decided she liked your pa better that she liked me. You going against me to protect a stranger showed me why she did. That was something he would have done. I wouldn't have. I would have let me beat the kid to death and not cared."
Jonah stopped and looked at both boys. He noticed the others standing behind them. "Anyway, I figured after the way I treated you, and with all that yelling I did at the trial, you might be worried I'd come after you. I wanted you to know that I'd changed. That Sister Catherine wasn't kidding about powerful forces. She's one persuasive lady," Jonah stopped and smiled.
"She got me to realize the errors of my ways and that I owed you two a lot. I decided to check up on you and make sure you was really straightened out. That nothing had happened to make you return to the ways I taught you. Guess I didn't need to worry. Looks like you're doing alright, all by yourself."
<Not by myself,> Ike corrected him.

THE END

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