Kid's anger was unleashed in one split second. "What?!" he yelled, grabbing Taylor by his jacket. "Where is she? Where is she?" he continued to yell, shaking the boy. "How long have you known?!"

His shouting could be heard all the way to the bunkhouse, bringing the other riders scurrying outside towards the commotion. Kid, not getting a response, flung Taylor down the steps and proceeded after him grabbing him once again by his coat.

"Talk to me. Where is she?" he shouted once again, the blood boiling in his veins becoming visible in his reddened face. Receiving nothing from Taylor, just stubborn silence, he was about to strike the boy when Rachel ran off the porch and stopped the blow.

"Kid!" she cried, "He's just a boy."

"What the hell is goin' on out here?" shouted Cody at the maddening scene that unfolded before him. They hesitated an answer, Kid finally letting go of Taylor with justifiable disgust. "Well?" Cody asked, seeing no one had bothered to respond to his initial inquiry.

Lou volunteered to respond, fearing the worst with Hickok standing there also waiting for an answer. All eyes focused on her.

"Taylor says he knows where Victoria is."

The boys looked beside themselves being left speechless. Jimmy snickered in disbelief and turned away from Taylor, rubbing his forehead with his thumb and index finger. All of a sudden as if the thought had sunken in well enough, a flood of anger was unleashed like a broken dam and in one quick fearsome move Jimmy turned and started out after Taylor.

"Stop him!" cried Rachel as Buck and Noah being a step ahead of her took a hold of Jimmy

as he reached out to grab the boy.

"Damn you Taylor! How long have you known? Where you gonna leave her out there to die?! I'm gonna kill him!" he promised. Buck and Noah held on to him for dear life; Taylor's life. They knew that if Jimmy got free, Taylor would be no more.

"Stop it!" yelled Rachel at the top of her voice. "Everyone just STOP!" Once she had everyone's attention she continued, "Now I know we're all upset but Victoria is still out there and he's the only one here that knows where she is. He's here and he wants to help. The important thing is getting to her. Now," she paused as she brushed the loose hair from her forehead, "Kid, get to town and bring Teaspoon right away." Kid obeyed in an instant and ran to get Katy. "The rest of you back to the bunkhouse." she ordered.

"What about him?" cried Cody pointing at Taylor.

"He can stay with me in the house." she said fearing to leave him alone with the boys.

Jimmy shook his head. "That ain't good enough Rachel."

Noah stepped forward and volunteered to look after the boy in the bunkhouse. Taylor looked afraid at the mere suggestion and voiced he wasn't going to stay with them lest they take their time to execute judgment on him. Noah reassured Taylor and Rachel that nothing of the sort would be allowed to happen and gave them his word. Noah also charged the others to do the same and though it was like pulling teeth, they conceded. Rachel knew Noah to be a lot less hot-headed than the rest and so she agreed.

"Good!" added Jimmy, " 'Cause I ain't taking my eyes off of him."

Taylor sat at the table in the bunkhouse, feeling the heated stares of those in the room on the back of his neck. He waited anxiously the arrival of the Marshal feeling the pressure inside the room building, especially with Hickok glaring at him with those piercing eyes. He felt as though he were in the midst of a pack of hungry wolves, ready to tear him apart. He stood his ground not volunteering a word until the Marshal was to arrive.

Teaspoon burst through the bunkhouse door followed closely by Kid.

"What the hell is this that I'm hearing?" he asked as he spotted the boy seated at the table. "Is it true?" Taylor nodded. "Why didn't you come to me before?" he asked taking a seat at the table.

"I just found out yesterday." he replied, feeling a deep sense of shame.

"Is that supposed to make us feel better?" Jimmy retorted angrily. "She could be dead by now thanks to you."

Taylor found enough courage and shot back at Hickok, "She ain't alright! I know. She promised me."

"You saw her?!" lashed out Jimmy, "And you left her there?!

"Jimmy calm down!" demanded Teaspoon roughly.

Teaspoon interjected a question once more, in a softer tone of voice. "Where is she son?" Taylor looked into the Marshal's compassionate eyes. Jimmy's frustration on the other hand mounted.

"We've done wasted enough time Teaspoon!" he cried.

"Will somebody take him outside." ordered Teaspoon, seeing Jimmy wasn't helping speed up the process any by his intimidating presence.

"Come on Jimmy." urged Kid, taking a hold of his arm.

"I ain't leaving Kid." he refused, snatching his arm from Kid. "I got a right to be here."

"Then shut your mouth Hickok." charged Teaspoon.

The Marshal encouraged Taylor to continue with a nod. "Before I tell you I need your word that my brother's will be spared a hanging."

"What?!" asked Jimmy in angered disbelief.

Teaspoon glared at Jimmy from his seat. "That's your second warning Hickok, next time I'm puttin' you out myself!" shot the Marshal. He then turned his attention back to the boy once he had made his point loud and clear. "I can't promise you that son. The law's the law. Your brothers done did a serious thing here. It ain't looked on lightly."

"Damn it Teaspoon give him what he wants. The important thing is Victoria." added William.

"It ain't that simple Cody."

Taylor interrupted. "Please Marshal. I-I know what my brothers did don't mean they won't get punished, I just don't want them to hang. They ain't the only ones responsible."

"What do you mean son? Are there others involved?" asked Teaspoon his curiosity peaked.

"Yes. I don't know all that went on but I know my brothers came into some awful lot of money just when Ms. Victoria disappeared and-and I seen them with some other folks up where they're keeping her."

"Who?"

Taylor shook his head. "I dunno. I couldn't get a real good look at them." he lied for some part. He did know of Marcus Stiller's involvement but the others he had no clue who they were. While at the bluff, the distance had been too great for him to clearly identify anyone but to him, they were all males. He had no idea that Kate Wescott was one of the principal players in this scheme. "What-What about if they gave you the names of the people behind this thing? The ones that paid them off?" he suggested, hoping the Marshal would go for the bigger fish.

Teaspoon gave it a moments thought. He knew he'd have to make some sort of a deal if he wanted Victoria back. He reckoned the judge would see his side on matters since a life was at stake. "I can work with that." he conceded. "All right son, you gotta deal."

Taylor nodded in acceptance of Teaspoon's word. He looked at the faces of those in the room, meeting their eyes. He paused and finally revealed, "She's at Deadman's Bluff."

"Where the hell is that?" shouted Cody.

"I'll take you." With that all of the riders began to grab clothes to put on for some were in their longjohns, others quickly strapped on gunbelts and slipped on jackets and hats and soon they all had stormed out of the bunkhouse, running out to the barn and just as swiftly

getting their horses ready to ride. Noah had readied the buckboard for Rachel at the advise of Taylor and soon she joined them, following closely behind the speedy riders.

They rode fast and hard, every minuted that passed meant Victoria was sinking deeper into mortal danger. They rode for at least an hour, their horses running as if they were one, riding to rescue the woman who had become such a big part of their lives. Soon they were at the bottom of the bluff. The dry, desolate wilderness sent an awful chill through them. Could anyone survive out here? They began to see why the name suited such a place. Rachel waited at the bottom with the buckboard as the rest slowly made their way up the rocky slopes with some difficulty and proceeded through the hidden entrance of the bluff. One by one they followed in a perfect line. Taylor headed the thread followed by Teaspoon, Jimmy, Lou, Buck, Noah and Kid. They finally reached the vast opening, Taylor moving aside, revealing before their eyes Victoria's body tied to the stake. Jimmy caught a glimpse of her over Teaspoon's shoulder and jumped off his horse in a flash, running towards her, his heart racing wildly. Tears began to well in his eyes as his gaze fell on her. Her head hung low and it didn't appear that she was breathing.

"Oh my God." said Lou in a soft whisper as she finally lay eyes on her dear friend, tears blinding her eyes.

Jimmy began to call her. "Victoria, Victoria." he said, lifting her chin. "Darling I'm here. Victoria please answer me." he said a hint of anxious desperation in his voice. Buck ran over to Jimmy, pulling the knife from his left boot he swiftly cut the ropes that bound her hands and feet. Her wrists were blue, almost purple in color. Once she was cut loose she fell lifeless into Jimmy's arms. He cradled her in his chest, kneeling on the rocky ground. He lifted her head, brushing back the limp hair that covered her face. Jimmy let out a painful groan. "What did they do to you?" he said as he looked at her pale, bruised face. The lids of her eyes were a sickening red and her lips were blue. Everyone stood in a circle watching in disbelief, not believing this was truly happening. Jimmy let out a shriekish yell that echoed through the bluff as he rocked back and forth, as he cuddled her against him, his tears staining her face.

"Jimmy." the voice was barely heard but he knew he heard something. He pulled back looking at her. Slowly her eyes began to open. Victoria looked up at his sweet face. She wanted to smile but was too weak to attempt it. Her heart though smiled for her. "Jimmy." she called a little louder, enough for the rest to faintly hear.

"I'm here darling. I'm right here."

"I knew...you would find me." she whispered through labored breaths. "I love you."

"Don't Victoria." He felt as though she were saying goodbye.

Tears began to fall from the corner of her eyes. "Now I can rest." With those words she closed her eyes.

"Don't leave me Victoria." he pleaded. "Don't you leave me."

Victoria hadn't left. She unconciously heard Jimmy's voice pleading her not to leave him. It gave her the will to keep fighting for her life; their lives. He felt her faint breath on his neck. A ray of hope shot through him and he exclaimed, "She's breathing!" as he looked up at his friends with a feeling of ecstasy and overwhelming sense of hope.

"C'mon Jimmy. We gotta get her home." charged Teaspoon.

Jimmy rose to his feet with Victoria in his arms and handed her to Buck. Her limp body dangled from his arms. Jimmy mounted his palomino and with Buck's and Cody's assistance mounted Victoria side saddled in front of him as her body rested fully against his, his arms draped around her as he held the reins of his horse. In a matter of minutes they made it down to where Rachel waited. She ran towards them and on seeing Victoria's condition gasped and began to shed tears of sorrow as well as tears of relief as soon as she was assured that she was still alive as she walked beside Jimmy's horse. Cody and Buck lowered her from the horse and laid her down on the back of the wagon where Rachel had prepared a bed for her with some thick quilts. Jimmy tied his horse to the buckboard and climbed on board, sitting next to Victoria holding her hand as they made their way home.

Noah had ridden ahead of the group, a man on a mission to retrieve the doctor. Once back at the homestead she was rushed upstairs to her room where the doctor spent what seemed like a considerable amount of time examining her. Lou and Rachel were in the room with the doctor while the others waited downstairs. After what felt like an eternity the good doctor made his way downstairs were a roomful of anxious eyes met his.

"How is she?" asked Jimmy approaching the older man.

"Can't rightly say now son. The next few days will tell us if she's gonna pull through."

"What do you mean?" asked Jimmy angrily.

"She's fighting a high fever. And the exposure to the extreme heat and cold weakened her severely besides having no food or drink in days. I'll be honest with you all. She can take a turn for the worst without any warning. I'll tell you this though; she's a fighter. I'll be back this afternoon to check on her. Anything happens come get me right away." advised the doctor.

"Will do doc." replied Teaspoon. The others thanked the doctor as he left their sight. A few minutes later Rachel came downstairs with a basin in her hand and some wash cloths. She had a sad look to her. To see Victoria who had brought such a breath of fresh air into their lives in such a poor state made her teary eyed but she knew she had to remain positive for the benefit of the others, especially Jimmy.

"How is she Rachel? Can I go see her now?" he asked, a look of desperation written on his face. She looked at his young face. A face that she felt had already lived two lifetimes. He had been through so much already. Now, when he had finally found a measure of true happiness it seemed that disaster was soon to strike at him once again. She tried to be brave for him and managed to give him a small smile. She told him he could go see her. Jimmy nodded as if to say in a small way thank you. They looked at him as he started up the flight of stairs soon disappearing into the shadows above.

Teaspoon knew the best place for Jimmy to be was there with Victoria. He didn't need to go get involved in what they knew had to be dealt with now. The capture of the Adams boys and whoever else was behind this entire murderous scheme. As long as Jimmy was busy with Victoria, they would be able to carry out this task swiftly and effectively. He ordered the boys to ready fresh horses and head with him to town. Teaspoon would charge a couple of his deputies to join them and ride out to the Adams homestead.

"What about me? Don't I get to go along?" asked Taylor realizing he hadn't been invited.

"You're staying put. When this thing goes down I don't want you nowhere 'round." Teaspoon told him. Taylor started to protest and was immediately cut off by the Marshal. "That's enough! I mean it. It's hard enough I got Hickok to worry about, I don't need to add you to the list." he sternly voiced. Then in a much calmer tone said, "Let us handle it son." Taylor conceded and remained behind as the others rode out. He prayed things would turn out the way he played them in his mind. His brothers would surrender and cooperate putting all of this behind them once and for all.

Lou opened the door letting Jimmy enter Victoria's bedroom. He looked at his good friend as if to ask how Victoria was doing.

"She's resting peaceful." informed Lou as they walked over to her bedside. Jimmy looked down on her. Louise was right. Her expression was peaceful. It sent an eerie chill up his spine. He almost wished she didn't look so peaceful. "She still has a fever Jimmy. I'm praying she'll break through it soon." she said as she took a seat on the chair next to the bed. A wash basin filled with cold water and a few wash cloths sat on the night stand. Lou took one of the washcloths out of the basin, wrung out the excess water and proceeded to pat Victoria's forehead, arms and hands.

"You know Jimmy, she really loves you. I believe with all my heart that she didn't give up because of you. You're her life, just like how she is yours." Lou's words made his eyes pool with tears. She looked up at her dear friend, so much hurt he'd experienced and she prayed for Victoria not to leave his side seeing how much more he needed her now. She took his hand and squeezed it, a gesture letting him know she was there for him. "Here." she said as she rose from the chair, offering it to him. He sat down, looking at Victoria's beautiful yet battered face. He was just glad she was alive and that's all that mattered to him. Lou took another washcloth from the basin, wrung it and gave it to him. He looked at Lou who with a nod of her head encouraged him to repeat the same treatment she had just administered. He responded in like and began to care for his lady.

Louise looked down on James Hickok, famous gunfighter, as tender and caring as he could be. She knew a side of him that very few ever saw. Only those closest to him had that priviledge and she wished the whole world could know the kind of man he really was. She lay a hand on his shoulder and smiled on him. 'It would be good for him to be here with Victoria alone.' she thought and headed to the door. She stopped, her hand on the knob and looked back at Jimmy who was beginning the treatment all over again, smiled and headed out once she opened the door.

Teaspoon and the boys rode into town almost like a possee in pursuit of some deadly outlaws and so they felt. By the time he headed into his office, news of Victoria's rescue had already spread through town like a wild fire. Many of the men that had volunteered their efforts the past few days met the Marshal outside his office and began bombarding him with questions. He shouted for all of them to calm down. The gang of men obliged the Marshal who in speaking confirmed the news.

"We did find Ms. Sutton. She is in very serious condition but with God's good grace we're hoping she'll pull through all right."

"We want to know who did this Teaspoon." shouted one of the men.

"Yeah, so we can string 'em up." added another. The gang of men began to shout in agreement.

"Ain't gonna be no hanging today." cried Teaspoon quieting the uproar of the men before him. "Now we got us ourselves a suspect but my deputies and I along with my boys here will handle it." Another roar went forth from the crowd as they strongly disagreed with the Marshal's decision. "Listen to me." he shouted over them. The men ceased their loud outcries. "I personally appreciated the help each one of you gave in searching for Ms. Sutton but I'm the law here and what I say stands. The law will deal with those culprits and render due punishment.

"Well you better make sure of it Teaspoon or we'll take care of it ourselves." shouted another man. The men once more shook their heads at the suggestion. Teaspoon knew for the sake of all to keep the suspects' identity hush-hush for now until they were secure in the jailhouse. He ordered the men to disperse and head on to their homes before he locked somebody up. As soon as the men went their ways, Teaspoon, one of his deputies and the boys headed towards the Adams homestead to apprehend the two notorious brothers.

Jimmy remained at Victoria's side. He fingered the locks of hair that rested loosely on her shoulder, feeling the curl and softness of them. She lay there and still looked as peacefu as when he first entered the room. She was dressed in a long white short-sleeved nightdress, her arms red from the intense exposure from the sun. Her lips seemed to regain a slight hint of color but nothing compared to her lively beautiful complexion. He held her hand in both of his, bringing it to his lips laying a sweet kiss in her palm. He pressed her hand against the side of his face, feeling the extreme heat that flowed from her. The fever continued to have a strong hold and Jimmy cursed it for its relentless assault on her. Rachel opened the door slowly, peeking in. She entered quietly placing a hand on his shoulder, another wash basin in her hand.

"Need a break?" she asked, seeing he had been there for hours.

"Nah. I'm fine Rachel. I can't leave her. I want to be here when she wakes up."

Rachel nodded understandingly. She wouldn't argue with him on this. She replaced the basin and offered to send some supper up for him then turned to leave him alone once again. Jimmy reached for another washcloth and began to pat the beads of sweat from her neck, chest, arms and hands. He dipped it in the water again, wrung it and did the same to her forehead and face. Having finished this most recent treatment, he glanced over at the nightstand, on the opposite side and saw the leather bound book she had been reading so faithfully; her favorite he recalled her saying. He leaned over her, securing a hold on it. He felt the cover with his open hand, closing his eyes as he heard her voice reading it to him as she had done on several occassions. He smiled seeing a vivid picture of her in his head as she reveled in an explanation of the story to him and he had to admit he was enjoying it even though it was a romance. The title page named the story..."Sense and Sensibility" He opened it to where the red ribbon had marked its place and commenced to read to her...

"Elinor could not be cheerful. Her joy was of a different kind and led to anything rather than gaiety. Marianne restored to life, health, friends, and to her doting mother was an idea to fill her heart with sensations of exquisite comfort and expand it in fervent gratitude; but it led to no outward demonstrations of joy, no words, no smiles. All within Elinor's breast was satisfaction, silent and strong."

Jimmy paused at the words in the book. How he felt just as Elinor. He felt joy inside to have Victoria restored to him here alive, among loving and doting friends yet he himself couldn't outwardly show any such signs of happiness. He felt a sense of comfort, within his breast satisfaction like Elinor, that soon Victoria would be back healthy and strong once again. He sighed at his own deep emotions brought even more to the surface by those telling words. Turning his attention from Victoria to the book he read...

"She continued by the side of her sister with little intermission the whole afternoon, calming every fear, satisfying every inquiry of her enfeebled spirits, supplying every succor, and watching almost every look and every breath. The possibility of a relapse would of course in some moments occur to remind her of what anxiety was; but when she saw on her frequent and minute examination that every symptom of recovery continued, and saw Marianne at six o'clock sink into a quiet, steady, and to all appearance comfortable sleep, she silenced every doubt."

Jimmy closed the book, grasping it tightly in his strong hands. How could such words touch him like this? Here he was just like Elinor, a steady guardian of the one he loved. How he had remained at her side without a second's thought of leaving. How he felt anxious whenever he felt her heated, clammy skin against his fingers. Would she recover? How his eyes fixed on her every breath, examining every movement she made. She lay there just like Marianne, quiet, steady in comfortable slumber. How he wished he had the confidence that Elinor had. That Victoria would also be all right. He had to reaffirm that she would be. That tomorrow or the day after she'd awaken and they'd be together again, the way they were meant to be. In his heart Jimmy at that moment resolved that she would. He silenced the if's and but's of his mind. Every doubt. She would be well. She would.

Meanwhile Teaspoon, his deputy and the boys reached the Adams' homestead just to find the place deserted. There was no sign of either Chet or Kyle Adams. They had been alerted of Victoria's recovery by one of their close companions who had been at the saloon when news came forth. He rushed out to their place and warned the two brothers of coming trouble.

"Where's Taylor?" asked Chet.

"You're gonna have to leave him behind." said the man.

"You make sure you take care of my little brother. You find him, you bring him to me you hear? You know where we'll be." demanded Chet who didn't like the fact that he'd have to split town without his little brother.

"The old Miller place." Chet nodded.

"I'll take care of it." assured the man, "Now git before that possee gets here."

Chet and Kyle mounted their horses and immediately left their home, a mound of questions storming in their heads. How could they have possibly found the woman? But most importantly, who had turned them in?

"They're gone." informed Buck. "The place is deserted."

"Well they can't be too far." added Noah.

Buck bent over and inspected the tracks. "They're fresh still, looks like they're heading South." he said looking up at the Marshal.

"Then that's the direction we're goin'" answered Teaspoon as he turned his horse kicking it once and sending the animal into a full gallop. The others followed suit in hopes of catching up with the wanted men.

"Come in." answered Jimmy to the knock on the door. Taylor proceeded to enter with a plate of food in his hands.

"Sorry to bother you Mr. Hickok but Ms. Rachel said to bring you up some supper."

Jimmy looked at the boy trying his hardest not to show how angry he was at Taylor. He tried putting himself in the boys shoes but just couldn't really comprehend why Taylor didn't come to them sooner. "Thanks." he responded finally. "Put it over there." he said, nodding at the nightstand on the opposite side. Taylor obliged.

As he walked over to set the meal down he couldn't help but to look on Victoria and her sickly appearance. He had never seen her like that. She was always so pretty he thought. He looked up at Jimmy and saw the look of a man that was about to lose the one precious thing he held so dear. He knew there wasn't anything he could possibly say to gain Hickok's forgiveness yet he couldn't say nothing.

"I'm sorry Mr. Hickok...about all this."

Jimmy glanced up at the boy and saw the saddened look, the guilty feelings in his eyes. Taylor continued, "I know you may never forgive me but I-I really tried to make the right decision."

"The right decision Taylor?" Jimmy asked with a contracted brow. "You were gonna leave her out there! What did she ever do to you but be kind and show you caring?" he added in a raised voice.

Taylor hung his head in shame. He knew Hickok was very angered. "I know you can't understand Mr. Hickok." he began as tears started down his face. "I know my brothers, that they ain't much good but they's the only one's that cared for me, the only family I got. Nobody in this town cared what happened to me 'fore Ms. Victoria come along but they did. I couldn't send my brothers to hang. I just couldn't."

Jimmy let out a loud sigh. He knew deep inside that Taylor had a point. Family always did come first even in his book but the thought that he could've lost Victoria for good wasn't something he could just push aside no matter what Taylor's reasons were.

"You know Taylor, I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive you for what you done to her but I thank you for giving her back to me. That much I can say."

Taylor understood. He didn't really blame Hickok for feeling the way he did. If it were him he'd probably feel the same but either way the price was a high one to pay and he'd made the best choice his young mind told him to make. His brother's safety for Victoria's life.

The darkness of night soon fell over Rock Creek. The possee had no luck finding the Adams boys who had been able to escape their grasp once again. Hiding out in the outskirts of town all day, Chet and Kyle headed back to the old Miller's place, sensing the possee had already looked there and were safe enough now where they could hide out until Taylor was reunited with them.

They spent their time trying to figure out if Marcus Stiller or that Wescott woman had sold them out. Besides them, no one else knew about Victoria's whereabouts.

"I knew we shouldn't had trusted them. People like them are good at gettin' what they want outta ya and when they don't need ya no more, they don't wait to get rid of ya." cried Kyle, as he paced the old shack. "I tell ya Chet, they're sending us for a hangin' and they're gonna get away without even a smudge on their precious names." he continued. "I say we go find Marcus and make him pay for what he done." Kyle advised, looking Chet straight in his eyes, a hand on his gun.

"You don't know what's going on Kyle. Even though I wouldn't turn my back on a man like him, he's a man of his word." tried to reassure Chet.

"His words to us or her!" retorted Kyle.

"Don't be stupid Kyle." Chet said with mild reprimand as he walked over to a broken window knowing exactly where Kyle was going with his reasoning.

Kyle walked after his older brother with determined steps. "I know that look in them eyes Chet. When a man would do anything for a woman. How do we know they haven't been settin' us up from the start and now she feels we're the loose ends?! Get rid of us and she's home safe."

"Bah! Marcus is too smart for that." said Chet dispelling Kyle's ridiculous notions as he saw them.

"Well then answer me this, how come he never come to warn us about the possee? If everyone in town knew about it, I'm sure he did too. I'll tell you why, because he was hoping they'd do his dirty work for him." Kyle responded after Chet gave no answer.

Chet shook his head in disagreement. "Nah, he wouldn't risk it 'cause he knows we'd talk."

"Sure, that's if they didn't shoot us down like two mangy dogs first or are you forgettin' what these people here think of us? They wouldn't believe a word we'd say seeing what a respectable man Marcus is, not to mention Ms. Wescott. We'll hang for sure." Kyle spouted as he tried once again to get Chet to see his point. Marcus and Kate would save their necks first at the expense of anyone who'd put their lives and reputations in jeopardy.

Kyle proceeded with his talk, standing right next to Chet by the broken window as the eldest stared into the distance. "Think on this Chet, if we hang, what's gonna happen to our little brother. You might as well hang him along with us 'cause he ain't gonna have a chance in hell to survive in this town. Marcus will see to that. He'll erase every trace of our family to keep his and her reputation in tact. For all we know he's got Taylor right now waiting for the right time to blackmail us. Our little brother could be in big, big trouble."

Chet's eyes darkened. Nobody would mess with his kin. These two boys, his younger brothers were his life. He loved them both more than his own breath. He was responsible for them and if anything were to happen to either one of them, he would never forgive himself.

"Alright, you've made your point Kyle." he said turning to his brother. "Now, you go and find Mr. Stiller here and you tell him, I want to have me a few words with him, you understand?" Kyle gladly nodded seeing Chet had finally come to his senses and was quickly on his way to find Marcus and get to the bottom of this.

"How is she?" asked Cody, holding is hat in his hands as he entered the room.

"Not much change. Doc says all we can do is wait." Jimmy answered, as he held Victoria's hand.

"Don't worry. She'll pull through. If anyone can she'll do it." consoled Cody. Jimmy bit his lip, a concerned frown becoming visible. "Well I just came to see how she was faring." the blonde headed rider said and slowly turned towards the door. Jimmy hesitated to say what he wanted to say but found it in himself to take Cody's feeling for her into consideration.

"Cody." he called.

"What?" he replied, turning back towards Jimmy.

"I know you still care much for Victoria. I reckon there ain't nothing I can ever do about that. Feelings is feelings no matter who you have them for. She considers you a very good friend just like I do and I think she'd like it if she could hear your voice."

Jimmy's invitation was a welcomed one to Cody's soul. He walked over to Hickok who by now had risen from the seat next to her bed. The two friends had an understanding between them. They both loved her but only one could have her. She had made her choice but the bond that existed with the other would probably remain forever and that was something each would have to accept. She would expect them to.

Jimmy patted Cody on the shoulder and headed out of the room so Cody could have a few private minutes with her. He looked as if he had a lot to say and indeed that was the case and he thanked Jimmy for the opportunity. Cody took the coveted seat next to her after Jimmy closed the door behind him. The look he reflected was one of pure sadness as if he were the one that had been so horribly wounded. He wished it were him instead of her. He touched her hair and caressed the side of her cheek with the back of his hand. How he had always wanted to do that. He took a hold of her limp hand and kissed it tenderly. Tears began to well in his eyes as he looked upon her almost lifeless body.

"Victoria." he began, calling her name with gentle love. "If you can hear me, please don't leave us. Don't. I-I wish things would'a turned out the way I wanted them to between us but the time wasn't meant for us. If you were meant to be with Jimmy, then that's the way things oughtta be. But I want you to know, that you'll always be special to me. I will always love you." he confessed as he kissed her hand again. "Now Hickok, he better take good care of you 'cause if he don't he'll have to answer to me." he paused. "He's a good man and he needs you. Don't leave him. You have a beautiful soul Victoria. You were always so happy and alive and you made me see inside myself when I really didn't care to. I loved the way I always made you laugh even when my jokes were dumb, you still managed a laugh. I want to hear that laugh again you hear? You fight, promise me you'll fight, not just for Jimmy, for me too." Tears ran down his face, he didn't try to hold them back. There was no pretense in the way. His feelings were pure, unreserved. He loved her, he probably always would. He had already lost her to a good friend and once had been enough but to lose her a second time, so frivolously was not a feeling he wanted to know.

He sat there a few minutes, reminiscing all of the times they had shared together and he couldn't help but to smile a small smile at all the fun they had been so fortunate to have had together. He rose from the seat and bent over to her lips giving her a sweet kiss. "I love you Victoria." he whispered and with that he turned to the door and left her once and for all to Jimmy.

Marcus packed his small black leather bag with just the necessary things he would need to leave Rock Creek. Trouble was coming and he wanted to be nowhere around when things

came to a head. As he secured the bag on the saddle of his horse, a voice with a gun pointed directly on his back said, "Going somewhere Marcus?" Marcus made no move recognizing the voice as Kyle Adams."

"What do you think Kyle?" he said sarcastically.

"That's real funny Marcus because I don't recall you coming out to say your goodbyes to us. What're you planning on skipping town, lettin' us take the fall for your dirty work?!" he accused.

"Ha! That's a laugh. You and your brother had just as much a hand in this as I did. I'm just smart enough to get out while I'm still breathing."

"Well how convenient for you. You send the possee out for us while you get away as they're looking for the nearest tree to hang us. Tell me Marcus, was she that good in bed? Did she seduce you with her soft voice, her smooth touch? Did she talk you into turning us in? I never figured you'd fall for any broad but I guess in her case it wouldn't be that hard a thing to do. She is mighty sweet looking. I'm sure she was mighty good tasting too."

Marcus turned to Kyle. "Kyle, you're looking into things that just aren't there. Ms. Wescott and I have a plutonic relationship. Let me put it in language even you can understand, we're business partners, that's all."

"Tell me then, Marcus, were you expectin' this possee to rid you of your problem? How'd they know to come lookin' gor us? Heh?" he asked nudging the gun into Marcus' belly.

"You're asking the wrong person Kyle. It wasn't me or Ms. Wescott. I'd wait to ask your little brother about that."

"Damn you. What did you do with Taylor?" he pressured the gun more into Marcus' abdomen. "Where is he?" he asked furiously as he got into Marcus' face, lifting the gun under his chin.

Marcus had no time for this and had had enough of Kyle's foolish accusations so he swiped the gun from under his chin. "Why don't you ask Marshal Hunter about that? See although you may want to believe I was the snake that turned you in, it ain't so. The snake that turned you in was sleeping in your own bed and he has a name...Taylor Adams."

At the sound of his brother's name Kyle's rage came through in one swift punch to Marcus' face. "You're lying!" he cried. "Now you tell me where my little brother is or I'll shoot you dead right now and not think twice 'bout it." he threatened.

Marcus rubbed the side of his face from the punch he'd just received and looked directly into Kyle's raging eyes. "You don't understand do you? There isn't anything that goes on in this pitiful little town when it concerns me or my clients that I don't make my business. I see everything, I hear everything, I know everything. Your little brother right now as we speak is shacked up at that Express station with the enemy. I warned you to take control of that situation but obviously you didn't. His feelings for Ms. Sutton were stronger than you ever saw; he turned his back on you."

"Taylor wouldn't."

"Like hell! He sure did!" cried Marcus. "Open your eyes. Who else was close enough to find out where we had her? Do you really believe I'm that stupid or that I would allow Ms. Wescott to go to the Marshal and risk having our names drug through the mud to get rid of you two. I don't need the law to help me take care of my problems. I can handle them on my own and if I wanted you or Chet dead, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me right now."

"Is that a threat Marcus?"

"Take it as you please Kyle. All I know is from now on you're on your own because you didn't listen to me to take care of Taylor. Of course, that's always fixable." said Marcus with a wicked smirk and grabbed the reins of his horse to mount up.

Kyle aimed his gun at Marcus, cocking the trigger. "You ain't goin' nowhere. My little brother might've done a stupid, stupid thing if what you say is true but you got us involved in this mess in the first place. We ain't going down alone. I swear, I'll drop your name and the name of that lovely little lady you care so much about so fast it'll make your head spin."

"Well I'm really sorry to hear that Kyle but I'm not hanging for you or anybody else. If you talk, that little brother of yours won't see the light of day."

"Why you son of a..." began Kyle as he fired his gun hitting Marcus in the shoulder. The sound of the gun brought both of Marcus' men outside who at seeing Kyle aiming to kill their boss drew their guns and shot, hitting Kyle several times in the back. Kyle Adams' body jerked as each bullet pierced into his flesh and soon fell to the ground dead.

"You all right Mr. Stiller?" asked one of the men as he ran up to Marcus.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." he responded, holding his bleeding arm.

"What now?" asked the other man as the stood by the body, looking down on it.

"Get rid of him." he ordered as he looked disdainfully at Kyle's bloody corpse. "I always hated panicky people." he said and walked into the house to care for his injured shoulder.

Taylor worried about his brothers. He hoped that Kyle and Chet would just turn themselves in and not risk getting shot and killed trying to escape. If only he could let them know somehow that their safety had been guaranteed, they would stop running. Marshal Hunter and the boys except Jimmy along with one of his deputies set out once again for the hunt. Little did he know they would return with a very unfavorable report.

The possee rode along the creek at the edge of the Sutton property. "Look!" shouted Cody who had spotted what seemed like a body laid down in the shallow waters. The horses stopped at the creek's edge and Cody, along with Kid and Buck dismounted from their horses. Cody ran over to the body and could immediately see the bevy of bullet holes that penetrated the clothes worn by the corpse. It was indeed a dreadful sight. He bent down and turned the body slightly to one side until he could see the face. He looked up at Kid and Buck who'd been standing there next to him. They looked at each other with surprise and dumbfounded looks. Cody shook his head with a look as if to ask what in the world is going on? The boys walked back to the Marshal who had called out to them and reporting, Cody said, "It's Kyle Adams."

"What?" asked Teaspoon dumbfounded. "Are you sure?" he asked trying to confirm what he'd just been told.

Cody nodded. "Yeah, it's him."

"What the hell is going on here?" Teaspoon asked, not really expecting an answer as the plot to this whole situation now took a most twisted turn. Teaspoon discerned that they had stumbled unto something greater than just themselves. What had turned out being a manhunt for just two now needed to be expanded. The problem was expanded towards who and how many? It was obvious now the brothers had conspired with someone else as Taylor had informed them to carry out their plot. Kyle Adams had been murdered possibly to keep him quiet. Teaspoon's gut feeling told him this was just the beginning and he was right.

The next couple of days just added more intrigue to the mystery. The Marshal and a couple of the boys were called out to Ben Johnson's place where Ben had found one of Chet Adams' cronies drowned in the horse trough. The next day shots were heard late at night outside the saloon and the other close companion of the Adams boys was found dead in the middle of the street. Fear began spreading to the last two of the Adams' close associates. Teaspoon hauled one in for questioning and was faced with a string of denials and dogged questions. He was found dead a couple hours later, shot in the back as he headed out of town. His friend fared no better and was too sacrificed as he looked into the face of his murderer.

"Whoever's knocking all these men off wants to make sure there ain't a trace of evidence left." Teaspoon said, concerned about the recent string of deaths in his town.

"What about Taylor?" asked Rachel. "What if they know about Taylor?" She was worried.

"I know Rachel. I'm worried about the boy too. I don't want him leaving this waystation here for no reason. None at all, understand?" he charged. Rachel agreed knowing that Taylor's life was in danger.

The mood on the homestead had been dreadful, like an ominous dark cloud that hovered up above not wanting to leave. Teaspoon broke the news of Kyle's death to Taylor, who understandibly and as expected took the news devestatingly hard, blaming himself for his brother's death. Victoria still lay unconscious in her bed. The fever had broken but she still showed no sign of alertness. Jimmy kept his word and remained at her side these days. He received daily reports on the progress for the manhunt and simply nodded when told about Kyle's death. He had no soft spot for the likes of them in his heart. His lady lay there in dire straits and he still didn't know if he was going to lose her or not. To him it was fitting that they should pay with their lives. He wanted to be out there, with Teaspoon and the others but now he couldn't. He kept his promise to her and stayed there, at her side. He prayed that she would awaken from her sleep soon so he could join the possee and bring whoever was responsible for this, down to their knees.

Marcus Stiller had been long gone from Rock Creek but being the perfectionist he sought to be, thought it imperative after the confrontation with Kyle, to take care of all those who had knowledge of Kate's and his own personal involvement with the Sutton woman. He left his two trustworthy goons behind to clean up the mess so to speak and so far they had done a good job. Unfortunetaly they had no way of getting even close to Taylor, seeing he never was allowed to leave the homestead and was always in the company of one of the riders.

Teaspoon had no success in finding Chet Adams who he assumed was still among the living since he hadn't turned up a corpse as of yet. He approached Taylor, inquiring of the boy as to where he would figure his brother could be. Taylor of course was hesitant in helping the Marshal not wanting to bring more devastation upon his family.

"Now son, I know this has been hell for you. I know what it feels like to lose someone that's close to you, like a brother. The fact is though Taylor, your brothers got mixed up with some real bad folk. Ruthless men that don't give a damn about human life if it happens to stand in their way. Now Kyle paid for it with his life but Chet's still out there. If you want to bring these people to justice, we have to find your brother before they get to him and I tell you they will get to him."

Teaspoon's words were an eye-opener for Taylor. Chet needed their help. If he refused it was very possible his brother would end up in a grave soon enough and the thought sent a gnawing chill through his bones. Taylor had not at this point confided in Teaspoon his full knowledge of the situation. He had seen Marcus Stiller and another man along with his brothers. Even though he knew the Marshal to be a good law man, a man of his word, he felt he still needed a trump card in case the deal fell through somehow. The tides had changed now. He felt now would be a good time to divulge the vital information he possessed. His brother was dead and nothing could bring him back. He knew the one person responsible and the time had come to make him pay.

"I know who killed my brother." he muttered.

"What did you say son?" asked Teaspoon, making sure he'd heard what he thought he'd heard.

Taylor looked at the Marshal's strong eyes and repeated, "I said I know who killed my brother."

On to The Conclusion

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