Lou opened her mouth slightly. She froze and looked into the shadowy face of the figure that closing over her. Slowly sliding her hand under the pillow, she searched for the cold metal of her stashed gun.

"I don't know what you mean." Was her soft, calm sounding response. She pulled her weapon gently closer and awaited his next move.

The stranger grabbed her arm and pinned it down. He's going to find it! Panic swelled in her body, she was in a helpless position. Her breathing stopped and she closed her eyes, almost expecting that he was going to kill her right at that moment.

"I hate women that play games!" He said in a hoarse whisper. "Now what have you and your friends done with it"?

She resisted the urge to fight his tight grip. "I said, I don't know what you are talking about!"

"OK, if you want to do it that way...I'm going to search your room!" He began throwing her belongings around in a frantic pursuit. Lou sat up and slowly edged her way to the end of the bed. Raising her gun, she looked around trying to make out his figure in the blackness of the night. "Don't move, I've got a gun." She ordered.

Hearing footsteps inch closer, Lou clicked back the hammer letting him sense she meant business.

"Look, I ain't going to harm you. I just want what's mine." Although his tone sounded sincere, she wasn't convinced.

Lou lifted her gun higher trying to find her target if it became necessary. She steadied her shaking hand. If I had what you are looking for, I would have given it. But I told you, I don't know what you are talking about!" Her voice clearly expressed the frustration and anger that was building inside of her.

Looking around in the darkness it was hard to make out much of anything. The man had clearly kept himself in the shadows, which was not hard to do. Lou felt the warmth of something coming closer. Then without warning, warm fingers gripped her neck from behind. Flailing her arms, Louise tried to scream. It seemed that the more air she tried to take in the harder it became to breathe. Struggling with a last burst of strength, she drove her elbow into his stomach.

It didn't break his grasp, but the hesitation in his squeeze gave her enough time to rotate so that she could fire a shot blindly into her attacker. Instantly he released her and fell to the floor. Lou stood shocked and still. It took her several minutes for the realization of what had happened to sink in.

Dropping her gun in detest, she darted to the door. Before she was able to reach for the nob, the door swung open with Kid and Jimmy right behind it. "Lou!" They exclaimed at the same time.

The shock wore off and Lou went running, tears streaming down her face. She grabbed Kid tightly and never wanted to let go. He pulled her close. "Are you alright!? What happened"?

Her voice was stifled in his shirt. "I....I don't know. He just told me to give it to him." Turning slowly she looked over at the body which was curled up on her floor. "Who do you think he is, Jimmy"? She asked, the trembling echoed in her voice.

Hicock took a lantern over to the body and examined it, "It was Harvey." His voice was monotone, so Kid and Lou were unable to sense if there was sadness in his voice. His stiff posture and expressionless face gave them no hint as to how he was reacting to this.

Kid gently sat Lou down on the edge of the bed. He went over to Jimmy and pushed his shoulder up, forcing him to look up. "OK, Jimmy, I want to know about your friend! Lou almost got killed by him. There's something you're not telling me and I demand to know what it is!" Kid looked him square in the eyes. Jimmy knew he wouldn't give this one up easily.

Jimmy looked over to Lou who had been carefully watching. "I'm sorry Lou. I don't know what he wanted. All I can say is that Harvey used to have some bad business dealings."

He started to walk out of the room, but Kid stopped him with a swift punch. Jimmy instantly returned the aggression sending Kid back into the wall. Kid regained his footing, and charged at him to throw another blow. Seeing the arising fight, Lou rose and stood between them, forcing the fight to a complete halt. "Alright you two that is enough!"

They both glared at her almost wishing that she hadn't been there to stop it. "I don't like the way you've been acting, Jimmy, and it's got to stop. You want to have problems, fine. But you better leave other people out of them. Especially Lou!" Kid realized that above all else he was terrified of what might have happened to Lou. It didn't matter to him that he knew nothing of Jimmy's sinister friend, but this gave him an excuse to say what he had been wanting to say. "James Hickok, you've changed. We've all seen it. I don't know what your problem is. There was a time when you would have told us what was going on. Guess I knew this was going to happen, and that you would let all of your reputation change you. You still have control over who you are, so other people's actions ain't no excuse. The man I once called my friend doesn't exist anymore. I just hope he knows how much I'll miss him....and that we all cared enough to stick with him through it all."

Kid motioned for Lou to follow him. Turning to glance at Jimmy, Lou saw him staring wordlessly at the floor. She prayed that something Kid said would make him back into the man he used to be. She turned gracefully and walked out of the room.

Lou snuggled herself under the warm blankets of Jimmy and Kid's bed. She hadn't realized until now how chilled she was by the early morning breeze that blew through the window. Kid was sitting up at the small table, his gun rested easy. She knew what had happened shortly before hurt him terribly. Although Kid and Jimmy had drifted apart, she knew neither one of them could function completely without the other. There was a special bond they held that no one could break, even in the worst of situations.

Lying there for what seemed like hours, Louise stared at the ceiling. The silence brought her no comfort. As she turned on her side once more trying to force herself to sleep, the distinct sound of footsteps approached the door. It slowly moved open, causing Kid to jump with his gun in hand.

"Don't shoot." Jimmy whispered. "I promise I ain't a stranger." Kid eased his weapon down, returning his glare to the table top. Jimmy walked quietly over to sit opposite him, trying not to wake the still Lou whom he thought was sleeping.

Placing his steadfast Navy Colt on the table, Jimmy looked at his friend. "You know, Kid, what you said about me was all true. I have changed, and to be truthful I don't know why. Just seems like so much has happened these past few weeks, you and Lou, Ike's death, and the talk of war." He rested his forehead in his hand. "Guess I haven't been fair to myself....or to you, my family."

Kid nodded, grateful for the first sign of Jimmy's willingness to accept the truth of his recent behavior. "Thanks Jimmy. Oh, and I'm sorry for the punch. Sometimes I think things and I shouldn't always act on them."

Jimmy playfully punched his arm. "Yeah, well next time I ain't going to hit you back so soft." Both men smiled. "She sleeping"? Jimmy asked pointing to Lou.

"Yeah, thankfully." He replied looking over at the still figure.

After gazing a few moments, Jimmy turned to Kid. "You know, I never noticed it before, but Lou's pretty when she sleeps."

Trying not to laugh, Lou repositioned herself. Finally they worked something out peaceably. Without a second thought, she fell fast asleep, deep in the wonderful world of dreams.

Morning came much too soon for Louise as she turned towards the blaring sun which beamed through the window. Propping herself up slowly, she looked over at Jimmy and Kid, who both had their heads rested on the table. "Guess we better move quickly," Lou said to herself softly. Sensing a stiff pain in her shoulder and neck, she grimaced in pain as she stood on her weary legs.

Gently laying a hand on each of the men's shoulders, she shook them. "Come on you two, we've overslept." They both rose slowly with dark circles under their eyes and dazed expressions.

"Man, when did that happen"? Jimmy asked as he stretched his arms.

Kid stood up. "We should have been up an hour ago." He looked over at Louise noticing the bruises that had now swelled on her neck. "You feeling alright, Lou"?

She gently touched the tender area, "Yes, I'll be fine. You two get ready and I'll meet you in a bit." Turning she went back to her original room, and within a short time (once again in men's clothing) had gone back to see if her traveling companions were ready.

Approaching their door, Lou heard the last portion of Jimmy's statement, and she stopped to listen. "...so I let them take him to the doctor."

Lou sensed concern in Kid's voice. "So then he really isn't dead? What if he comes after one of us again, Jimmy"?

Instantly Louise knew what was going on and she leaned her head against the wall, bracing herself against shock. "Kid, he won't be in any condition to move for a few days." Jimmy continued. "That's going to give us plenty of time to fulfill our job and get home."

"I don't care, we need to stop him." Kid's voice was beginning to rise. "How could you let him go like that, after what he did"?

"Just trust me this one time."

Kid was about to argue once again, but then he heard Lou's footsteps approach the room. The conversation abruptly stopped.

Stepping in, she smiled slightly. "Are you boys ready"?

Both of them shot her a somewhat startled expression, and hoped that she hadn't heard their discussion. The last thing Lou needed right now was to know that the man who tried to kill her last night was now going free.

"Yes, let's get going." Jimmy said as he strapped on his gun belt.

The riding time passed quickly as Lou relived the previous terror of the early morning's events. She wondered why Jimmy had just taken his old friend to the doctor without having him turned in for attempted murder. It just doesn't make sense! He tried to kill me! Why would Jimmy let a man like that go free?

St. Joseph was busy with the usual activities of the early evening. People scurried home from their day's work, while stagecoaches and wagons filled the streets. Jimmy, Kid, and Lou, reached the headquarters of Russell, Majors, and Waddell at the end of town and dismounted from their horses.

Inside, where things were a bit more peaceful, several of the workers seemed to be preparing to go home. The three riders approached the bald man at the front desk, who seemed to be the only one still slaving away with his duties. "We're from the Rock Creek Station. You have a delivery for us to make." Jimmy stated.

The man looked at him questioningly. "You're 'Wild Bill' Hickok, ain't you"?

Jimmy tried to keep his composure cool. "No, it's James, James Butler Hickok. Now for that delivery"? He rested his arm on the desk.

"Oh, let me go get that." He pushed himself out of his chair and went towards the back of the office.

"Thank you." Jimmy muttered under his breath. He turned to face Kid and Lou. "Must be really important." He said sarcastically.

Lou eyed him seriously. "Yes, it must have....seeing as that's probably what your friend tried to kill me over." Jimmy didn't know how to respond so he turned his attention back to the man who was now approaching with a small envelope in his hand.

He handed it to Jimmy. "Now you be sure to get this safely to Ft. Kearny now."

Kid looked at the man surprised. "Sir, that's our job....to deliver the mail safely."

"Of course. No offense." He replied.

They took the 'mysterious' mail, thanking the small figured man. Mounting their horses, once again they were back on the trail heading towards the direction of Rock Creek. It was decided that they would camp a few miles outside of town, Lou had admitted that she didn't feel like staying at the hotel. Kid and Jimmy couldn't blame her, and they both agreed that it would be a good idea to stick together. This mail was obviously something of significance, so three guns should be around at all times.

Jimmy rounded a corner which was sheltered by a small cliff, and stopped. "This looks like a good place to stop. I figured we've covered enough miles for one day." Kid and Lou followed his lead.

"Fine by me," Kid stated. "Don't know about you two, but I'm exhausted." They both nodded in agreement....it's not like much sleep had been obtained the previous night.

"What do you think it is that we've got exactly"? Lou asked as she began unloading some of her gear.

Jimmy began stacking a firewood pile. "I don't know, but it must be a popular item. The only thing I can figure is that since we're told to go to Ft. Kearny, it's some sort of military document."

Kid sat down and propped his back against his saddle. "Would that explain why your friend wanted it badly enough to try and kill Lou over it? Assuming this document is what he wanted."

Suddenly they heard a snap of a twig. Jumping, they turned to see Harvey once again with a gun staring madly into Jimmy's eyes. Clearly, he was not playing games and all seriousness was evident in his evil glare. He turned to Kid, "You're right, it is was exactly what I want."

"Now, am I still supposed to trust you"? Kid asked Jimmy through a clinched jaw.

Chapter 6

Jimmy cast Kid a disgusted 'I'll deal with you later' glance. "Do you always have to make those snide remarks, Kid"?

Harvey closed in on their camp. Clicking back the hammer, he moved towards Jimmy. Lou looked down at the ground as the tall man began stepping around her. He stopped with his forceful stature over her and peered bitterly down. "You know, I don't like the idea of living in a country where a woman can shoot a man and get away with it. My arm is gunna take a long time to heal." He grinned devilishly. "Course then, you ain't exactly what I'd call a woman."

Rage steamed up inside of Lou, but her erect countenance showed nothing. He deliberately kicked her as he stepped in front of Jimmy. Kid started to grab his gun, which he knew would probably be a futile attempt. Instantly Harvey had moved with lightning speed and Kid had second thoughts about the whole idea when Harvey's gun found its way into his face.

Harvey Cutter looked at him in a mocking scolding manner. "I really wouldn't try anything if I was you. Never know who might die next." He snickered.

Pursing his lips, Kid backed down. He inched closer to Lou.

"Don't you think that we've had enough games for right now"? Jimmy asked crossing his arms.

Cutter seemed quite provoked by the statement. "Is that all you think this is, Hickok. Or have you grown extremely stupid over these last few years? Somehow I remember you having more sense. Course when I knew you, you weren't the famous 'Wild Bill' either. Funny how fame can change a man."

Jimmy shrugged. "Could be. But at least my stupidity don't go causing me to strangle innocent people."

Harvey laughed. "Well, if you needed this information for the South like I do, you might try anything."

There was a bewildered expression on Jimmy's face as he took in the facts his old friend had just thrown in his face. He didn't try to hide it. Harvey Cutter stealing military secrets for the South!?

Kid moved hesitantly forward. "Is that what this was about? We're carrying something for the North and you want to steal it for the South"?

Seeming quite pleased with himself, Harvey chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't have said it like that exactly, but if that's what you want to say, OK. Seems this war causes people to pay high prices for valuable pieces of information. But I honestly didn't believe that you wouldn't even know what you had....sure makes my job easy!" He laughed in a distasteful manner, which caused all three of the riders to shudder.

Lou glanced up at him, wanting to say anything to stop his horrible racket. "We ain't allowed to open it, nor do we ask questions. Our job is to deliver the mail, not pass it on to low-life Southern sympathizers."

Jimmy and Kid both closed their eyes in frustration. There were some times when Lou could have held back. This was unmistakably one of them.

Seeing the anger build inside of him, Jimmy quickly tried to distract him before he lashed out at Lou. "How come you tried to get the document last night before we'd stopped in St. Joe to get it? That doesn't make sense, Harvey."

"Let's just say my contact wasn't reliable. Now where is it"?

Jimmy stood up, and the two men were eye to eye. "I can't give it to you and you know that."

Harvey was half-heartedly apologetic. "I'm sorry to hear that. Now it means that I'll have to be more forceful." Without hesitation, Harvey fired a shot to graze Hickok's arm. Jimmy winced, and doubled over slightly. Pain shot up through him. With strained effort he pushed himself back up. This was not a fight that he was going to give into.

"Jimmy!" Kid and Lou cried in unison.

"I still can't let you have it." Jimmy stood his ground. Stubborn perserverance was going to win out on this one.

Cutter shrugged, undisturbed by the lack of cooperation. "OK, James, if that's how you want it. I'll just keep going." He pulled his weapon up and took another shot.

Jimmy turned in time to hear Kid yelp in pain. That was the last straw. Without thinking, Hickok jumped at Harvey using all of his weight to knock him off of his feet. A shot rang out and Jimmy expected to feel pain once again. Instead he was relieved to see that the gun had been tossed a few feet away.

Lou seized the opportunity of the two men's struggle to take a dive for the gun. She was enraged. First he tried to kill her, then he shot Jimmy, and proceeded to shoot Kid....it would be stopped there. "Hold it!" She ordered. Even though it was dark, Jimmy could almost see the anger coming from her eyes. He had only heard her use that tone of voice one other time, and that had been enough for him.

"Get down on the ground....now!" She moved closer to him. Jimmy slowly backed away. "Give me one good excuse why I shouldn't fire gun this right here."

"Lou, let me take it." Kid said soothingly as he braced his wounded arm.

She reluctantly turned to him. "Are you alright"? He nodded affirmatively and gently took her arm, forcing her to hand over the gun. "I'll be fine. Come on, we need to take him in."

Jimmy began tying Harvey. He figured it was time they knew the truth of his old friend's past. The secret had been hidden long enough. "Kid, Lou, I think there's something that I guess I should tell you."