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Lou was dressed as a woman, and she definitely looked beautiful. the slight breeze rustled some tresses that fell across her face. His heart beat wildly and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. She was laughing at something Kid had said and her eyes danced in merriment. She spotted him and waved wildly, trying to get his attention.

"Friends of yours?" Josephine asked.

"Uh...yeah."

Kid and Lou finally made their way to Jimmy. Kid didn't look directly at Jimmy, but glanced instead at Josephine, and was surprised at how familiar she seemed with him.

"Hey Jimmy." Lou said smiling.

"Uh Josephine, this is Louise and Kid. Kid here rides for the express."

"Oh, I'm happy to meet you." Josephine said as she shook Kid's hand warmly. She seemed to all but ignore Lou, but if she noticed, she didn't show it.

Robert was suddenly behind him, and Jimmy noticed with some relief that his two 'friends' were gone. He smiled winningly at Lou and Kid.

"Did I hear you say that you ride for the express?" he asked Kid.

"Yes..." Kid said, obviously confused by the events taking place. Jimmy seemed actually almost back to normal.

"Excuse my manners. my name is Robert Taylor, Josephine is my sister."

"How do you know Jimmy?" Lou asked

"Our father and James' were very close friends, and as a result, so were we." Josephine supplied, a little coldly.

Lou was baffled by her behavior, but chose to ignore it.

"I hope your station won't be too backed up with James' departure." Robert said amicably

. Jimmy winced slightly, but Lou noticed it, and became troubled. "What do you mean?" Kid asked more harshly than he intended.

"Oh...James didn't tell you? He's going to Kansas with my sister and I tomorrow. He's decided to join the cause."

"The cause?"

Robert looked at the pair as if he'd said too much and took Josephine's arm. "I'm sure James can explain everything, now if you'll excuse us, we have some business to attend to."

Lou and Kid looked at Jimmy in hurt and surprise. Kid's eyes also housed some anger, but he quickly regained control of his emotions and glanced at Jimmy for an explanation.

"Look, I just decided this last night, and I was goin' to tell everyone tonight."

"Did you forget that we had an important run today?" Kid asked quietly, not looking at Jimmy.

Jimmy hadn't forgotten about the mission that Teaspoon was sending them on. Teaspoon wouldn't tell them the exact details until they were going to ride out. He explained that the need for secrecy was very important. Jimmy just thought that someone else could ride as second gun.

"I didn't forget...but someone else can take the ride with you."

"What is this cause exactly?"

"Abolitionist."

"I see...well, I hope you have a nice life. If you'll excuse me, I have a run to prepare for." With that, Kid walked off, trying not to show how wounded he was.

Lou stood rooted in her spot and looked at Jimmy. She folded her arms in front of her chest and looked down to the dusty boards they stood upon.

"Why are you leavin'?" she asked softly.

"I have to."

"Why?"

"I don't owe you no explanations Lou." he said hotly.

She looked at him sharply, and her eyes swam in tears. "No...you don't." she said sadly.

Jimmy regretted his sharp words, but he refused to apologize. She looked so vulnerable at that moment that he wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her, but that wasn't his job...it was Kid's. Silence seemed to settle over them, even as the town was alive with activity. When it was obvious that Jimmy wasn't going to say anything more, Lou broke the quiet.

"Well...I better go get ready for the ride. I'm the only rested rider." She stepped forward to give him a hug, but he backed away slightly.

"I guess I'll be seein' you around Lou."

She looked at him and tried to control the flood of tears that ran down her cheeks. "Yeah...I guess so." was all Lou said as she ran down the sidewalk, knocking down several people in her path.

Kid turned around as the door to the stable opened and found himself staring at Lou. She had changed into her disguise and without a word, walked to Lightning.

Kid could tell that she'd been crying, even though she tried to hide it. He walked to her and stared at her as she began to saddle Lightning.

"What are you doin'?" He asked severely.

"What does it look like I'm doin'?" she asked, irritated by his tone and the question itself.

"Look Lou, you ain't goin' with me and that's final, you hear?"

"I already talked to Teaspoon. I'm the only rested rider, and you ain't goin' by yourself, so do the math Kid."

"We'll see." Kid said as he stormed out of the stable, heading towards the house.

He didn't have to walk far before Teaspoon met him. Kid noticed how angry Teaspoon's eyes were, and he wasn't looking forward to the confrontation. The older man handed the mochila to Kid and looked at him evenly.

"Before you start arguing, I'm only goin' to say this once. Lou is goin' with you. You need a second gun and no one else is here, besides Cody, who just came in this morning. I ain't sending him out again. Lou's got a job and she's gonna do it, do you understand?"

Kid was taken aback by Teaspoon's tone. He was about to respond against his better judgment when Lou was beside him, gently taking the mochila from him. She looked at Teaspoon and finally asked the question Kid had been wondering since he'd learned about the assignment.

"So what is this exactly and why is it so important?"

"You two are carryin' a gold shipment schedule. I don't need to tell you how dangerous it is, but you won't be carryin' it the whole way. Army thinks it's safer if we keep tradin' riders. You and Kid'll be takin' it as far as Blue Creek, then you'll head back. Be on the look out for anything suspicious and be ready. Ride safe." was all he said as he walked back towards the house.

Kid turned his glare on Lou, but she stared back at him, not flinching. He sighed in frustration and headed to the stables to finish getting Katy ready. Lou was about to follow, but she stared at Teaspoon's retreating back and shook her head sadly. He was taking the news of Jimmy's imminent departure hard. He held a soft spot for the rider, and Lou was glad that she wouldn't be here when Jimmy came to gather his things.

Kid pulled Katy to a stop and jumped down. He didn't say anything to Lou as he led his horse to the small watering hole. Lou sighed and followed him. He had been giving her the silent treatment the entire way, and Lou was sick of it.

Damnit, she was hurting too.

"When are you gonna start talking to me again?"

Kid din't answer her. He acted as if he hadn't even heard her. Lou pulled his arm in frustration to force him to look at her. He looked at her, his blue eyes full of anger and resentment. She knew it wasn't directed at her, but she still took a step back.

She turned away, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice. "You know, Jimmy was my friend too."

Suddenly, she was wrapped in his strong embrace. She began to sob uncontrollably into his shirt. They both sank to the ground, and Kid tried to whisper soothing words, even as his own voice broke, and his eyes filled with tears.

"What's happening to us? First we lose Ike, now Jimmy." Lou said after she'd finally said after she'd gotten her feelings under control.

"We're goin' to lose everybody soon Lou. This war...it's tearing us apart."

"I won't lose you Kid, I won't." Lou replied vehemently as she hugged him tightly.

"Well, ain't this sweet?"

Lou and Kid turned to find two men pointing deadly-looking guns at them. Lou gasped as she recognized her two attackers from a couple of days ago.

"Both of you put your hands up."

The couple did so, and one of the men removed their guns from their holsters, a bit roughly.

"Now get up."

They complied again, and Lou shifted uncomfortably as the taller man approached her. "Do you remember us?"

When she didn't respond, he threw his fist into her mouth, knocking her to the ground. Kid jumped for the man, but his partner held him in check when the barrel of his gun was forced violently against his temple. The blonde man pulled Lou roughly to her feet.

"Now...you are going to hand over that schedule to us."

Lou looked to Kid, and seemed to ask a question through her eyes. He nodded imperceptibly and she walked over to Lightning. Lou removed the mochilla from her saddle bags and quickly through it over the horse, into a deep ravine below.

"Oops. I guess you're goin' to have to go get it."

"On the contrary, you will get it for me." he replied viscously as he smacked her across the cheek, sending her spiraling down into the deep, rocky pit. Kid watched in agony as she seemed to tumble down forever. He broke free of his captor's grasp and ran to the edge. Lou lay on the bottom, but he saw her move slightly.

"Come on, we're goin' down there." the man said violently as he shoved his gun hard into Kid's back. "John, you take care of the horses and meet us down."

Kid and the other man cautiously made their way down the jutted hillside, while John took the longer way around with the horses. Lou was immediately at Lou's side, and he noticed how her right arm hung limply by her side. She was struggling to get up, and Kid saw the bright red blood pooling on the rock beneath her head. He touched her wound, and felt sick at the warm sticky substance that covered his fingers.

"Kid...my arm, I think it's broke." She said in a ragged breath.

"You're gonna be all right Lou."

"Don't be too sure about that." John said as he finally made his way to them. The horses were behind him, and in his hand he held the mochila.

"We're going to keep them for insurance John, put that gun down."

"But we only need one for that Peter. I say we get rid of this one." he replied, kicking Lou in the side.

"I said we are keeping them for insurance, now tie them up. We have to head to our rendezvous point. They'll be there tomorrow morning, then maybe we can kill these two." he smiled maliciously and Kid felt shivers run down his spine.

Jimmy cautiously walked into the bunkhouse, hoping that no one would be there. He had come to gather his things and then he was heading back to the Hotel. He was going to say his good-byes tonight because he was leaving so early in the morning. Kid, Lou and Noah were on their runs, but Buck and Cody were perched on their bunks, as if they were waiting for him.

"You leavin' tonight?" Cody asked from behind his book.

Jimmy began to pack his tattered bag with what little possessions he owned and nodded at Cody.

"No...we're leavin' tomorrow mornin', but I thought it'd be easier if I just picked my stuff up tonight."

"Teaspoon ain't here." Buck said from his bunk.

"Oh."

Cody stood up from his bunk and looked at Jimmy awkwardly. "Uh Jimmy...I'm goin' to miss you."

"I'll miss you too, but I won't miss your snorin'." Jimmy laughed in an attempt to lighten the mood. The others laughed as well. Buck approached Jimmy as well and extended his hand. Jimmy took it, and then suddenly pulled him into a hug.

"You guys take care..."

"You too Jimmy. Be careful out there."

"I will." he replied as he walked towards the door. Before he left he turned around and looked once more over the bunkhouse, knowing that it would be the last time he did so.

This place and the bunkhouse before it had housed so many memories for Jimmy, both good and bad. He looked sadly to Ike's empty bunk, and then let his eyes travel over to Kid and Lou's. He knew he had hurt them, but he needed to move on, and if that meant leaving his friends behind, then so be it.

"Do me a favor and tell Teaspoon that...that this was somethin' I had to do."

Cody and Buck nodded in understanding and both felt an emptiness they had never known as Jimmy closed the door behind him. They looked at each other and wondered how long it would be before they too said goodbye to each other.

"Lou, listen to me...you can't close your eyes, you hear?"

"But I'm so tired...just for a minute."

"Lou...you banged your head up pretty bad, if you close your eyes...they may stay that way forever...do you understand me?" Kid asked in desperation. He knew that Lou was in bad condition. He remembered how when he was younger he had taken a bad fall. His mother wouldn't let him sleep until the doctor had seen him, for fear that he wouldn't wake up.

He sighed in frustration and sidled closer to her. She was propped up against the wall of the cave, her arms tied behind her back. He remembered how she'd screamed in pain as they had pulled her right arm. He was filled with anger now that he couldn't even make sure she was all right because he too was bound in rope.

"Kid...I'm so tired. I'll just take a little nap." She replied, her voice sounding far away and dazed.

"Lou, it's that cut on your head that's makin' you tired. You got to fight it. If you go to sleep, you might never wake up again, don't let these bastards do this to you."

"I'll try."

"You just keep talkin to me, o.k?"

"What do you want me to talk about?"

"Whatever you want Lou."

Kid squeezed his eyes shut and prayed that help would arrive soon. They would have been to Blue Creek by now if not for those damn men. Word would get back to Teaspoon, and he'd send help. He just hoped it would be soon, because Lou didn't look so good.

Jimmy looked over the town once more and felt sad to be leaving. He hadn't slept much the night before. He rubbed tiredly at his eyes, but smiled as soon as Josephine approached him, dressed elegant traveling clothes. Her hair, which was normally pinned up, fell in a cascade down her back, and Jimmy couldn't help but admire her beauty.

She smiled at him as she mounted her horse and turned to look around the town. She could see the faint regret in his eyes, so she reached down to grasp his hand firmly in hers.

"James...I know you're having doubts, but believe me, you're doing the right thing."

"I know." he returned. He straightened his back as Robert emerged from the hotel, a foolish smile plastered over his face. He joined the others and looked up at the sky, which was just beginning to become light with the suns rays.

"Well, we better get going now, we don't have any time to waste." he looked at his sister meaningfully, but it didn't escape Jimmy.

Josephine and Robert spurred their horses forward, and with a single shaky breath, Jimmy followed, hoping that his new future would be better than his past.

It was already mid-morning by the time they reached a small waterhole. Jimmy had felt they weren't going fast enough, but Josephine and Robert kept a steady pace, keeping their eyes on the land, as if they were looking for something.

Josephine pulled her horse to a halt and pointed down a steep hill to a cluster of small caves.

"We're here. They should be waiting for us."

"Who?" Jimmy asked, slightly annoyed that he hadn't been privy to their plans.

"Spencer and Weller. We were supposed to meet them here and continue our journey. We couldn't risk them being identified by the townspeople, so they camped out here while waiting for us." Josephine explained in a soothing tone.

"Exactly who are Weller and Spencer? I mean...they seem too fancy to be riding the trails like this."

"They are very important men. They supply us, shall we say, with information that increases our funding."

Josephine and Robert shared a secret smile and Jimmy suddenly felt very worried. He had a very bad feeling, but he bit down any warning as they started to steer their horses down a narrow trail, that Jimmy would have missed if he hadn't been looking for it.

They finally reached the entrance to one of the caves, and Jimmy could see a small fire burning in the center, it's flames casting shadows on the dirty walls. They didn't see the two men immediately, but it wasn't long before they emerged from the back of the cave and smiled at Robert.

"We were beginning to think you weren't coming." Peter laughed.

"It took us longer than we thought."

Well, make yourselves at home, we won't be leaving until nightfall. Robert, uh...John and I need to talk to you outside."

A flash of annoyance swept over Robert's face, but it was replaced immediately with a condescending smile. He ushered the two men out into the daylight, while Josephine and Jimmy sat around the fire.

"I know that you don't trust those men James, but they have been great friends to us. The supply us with information, and like Robert said, funds. I'm asking you to give them a chance."

"I'll try, but I'm telling you Jo, I mean Josephine, they got sneaky eyes."

"James...there's something I've been meaning to do since I saw you."

"What?"

"This."

Josephine leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. He involuntarily responded, his arms pulling her closer as the kiss grew firmer. She moved her fingers through his hair and Jimmy suddenly pulled back. She looked at him in exasperation and demanded an answer.

"What's wrong?"

"I...can't do this. It ain't fair to you."

"What's not fair to me?"

"I'm in love with someone else."

"Don't tell me it's her."

"Her?"

"The girl you introduced us to yesterday."

"Why do you think that?"

"I saw the way you looked at her James Hickok, like there was no one else in the world at that minute. I know that look because that's how I see you."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be, you're not ready." Josephine said with sadness as she stood up to join her brother outside.

Jimmy pounded the wall in frustration. Why did things have to be so confusing? Lou was involved with Kid, so why did he hold back with Josephine? She was beautiful, intelligent, and most important of all, she seemed to care about him. He didn't owe Lou anything, so why did he feel like he was betraying her?

Kid glanced at Lou worriedly. Her voice had become softer and softer. He could sense, rather than see that she was slipping away. His fingers were numb from the cold, but he still tried to loosen the ropes. The two bandits had placed them in the back of the cave, away from the fire, and any help that might arrive. Kid's eyes had adjusted to the darkness long ago, but he could only make out Lou's outline.

"Kid...I think I'm startin' to hallucinate."

"What?"

"I ...I can hear Jimmy's voice."

Kid looked over to her and was about to respond when his heart froze.

"I saw the way you looked at her James Hickok..."

A woman's voice echoed into the dark recesses of the cavern, and Kid felt all his control slip. Jimmy was here? Had it all been part of the plan, to let Kid and Lou take the ride so that the documents could be stolen? It was too much to take. His faith had been shaken in many things, but somehow, despite all their differences, Kid felt he could always depend on Jimmy. Now Lou was possibly on the brink of death, and all because Jimmy betrayed them?

"JIMMY! YOU NO-GOOD COWARD." Kid screamed, all control lost.

"Kid...what's goin' on?" Lou asked so faintly he had to strain his ears to hear her.

Before he could respond, he heard heavy footsteps run down the narrow passage. He could barley trace Jimmy's form, but he knew it was him.

"Kid...is that you?"

"You know who it is." Kid seethed.

"I...I don't understand."

"Well, it looks like you have a decision to make James."

Jimmy spun around and found himself facing Josephine and Robert. They both had hard expressions on their faces and Jimmy shivered unconsciously. His mind was whirling in confusion. He turned back to Kid and spotted Lou lying prostrate not far from him.

"What in the hell's goin' on?"

"How far are you willing to go for the cause James?"

Jimmy had joined the other's back at the fire. Kid and Lou sat across from him now and he saw how terrible Lou actually looked. Her eyes were glazed, and he could tell how desperately she was trying to hang on, even as darkness was enveloping her. Kid's eyes were full of anger and a twinge of sadness.

He avoided Jimmy's gaze, and instead focused on Lou, talking softly to her.

"No more stupid questions all right? Just tell me what's goin' on."

"Your friends here were carrying the schedules for several shipments of gold. Gold that would supply food, and clothing for-"

"They're lyin'. That gold was goin' in their pockets. I heard 'em talkin' about it." Kid said suddenly, although he didn't look up.

"Is that true?"

"No...not exactly. It's true we pocket some profit from the shipment, afterall, we have to protect ourselves in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The bulk of it does go to the slaves' fund though." Josephine supplied.

"Of course." Jimmy said sarcastically.

"Why don't you ask your friends why Lou is lying here half-dead?" Kid nearly screamed. "She's in pain, outta her mind..."

"James, you must understand, that these are only two people. Think how many people this information would be helping. I know they were your friends, but even you have to understand that sometimes the few must be sacrificed for the many."

"What are you goin' to do with them?"

"Isn't it obvious? We have to kill them." Peter shot in angrily. "If they escape, all our plans would be ruined."

"So James, the question you must ask yourself, is how far you're willin' to go?"

Jimmy sat for a long moment as if contemplating the question. In reality, he was thinking how he was going to get all of them out of there alive. Peter and John both held menacing rifles in their hands, and although they wouldn't have skill enough to shoot him, Kid and Lou were sitting targets. He avoided his friends' eyes and looked to Josephine instead.

"When do we leave?"

Lou couldn't have heard what she thought she had. Surely it was an effect of her head wound, but looking at the Kid's color-drained face, she knew it must be true. Her arm was in intense pain, but she didn't try to show it as she sat up. She looked at Jimmy, and as their eyes met, she knew that he wouldn't let them be killed. There was some plan brewing in his mind, of this she was sure.

She looked at Kid, but his eyes were lowered. He shook his head futilely and avoided Lou's searching gaze. She closed her eyes for a second and thought how tempting it would be to let them remain so. But she knew that she couldn't give up so easily. She opened her pain-filled eyes and noticed the strange way Josephine was staring at her. Her eyes were filled with malice and contempt.

Kid didn't miss the meaningful look either, and ever so slightly moved towards Lou, as if to protect her. He finally met Lou's gaze and his eyes were filled with so much pain and regret that it made Lou's eyes fill with tears. She wanted to tell him that everything would be okay, and that Jimmy would never let harm come to them, but she couldn't seem to form the words. It was becoming increasingly difficult to organize her thoughts. Her eyelids were becoming so heavy, she didn't know how much longer she could keep fighting the blackness that threatened to overwhelm her. Her strength and resolve were fading fast. Too fast.

To Be Continued Part III

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