'I've always known how you feel Buck' she spoke and sank into his embrace. They stood there entwined for some time seperating slowly as they heard Ike approaching. Teaspoon wants both of you he signed his mind confused as he watched the familiar way Lou and Buck were entwined. Even now as they walked back to the campsite Lou was tucked protectively under Buck's arm, looking for all the world as if she belonged there. Teaspoon and Noah were standing holding the reins of all their saddled mounts and were ready to move out. They were all preparing to mount up and ride out following the trail of the indian ponies when Ike pointed out to them that there were five riders approaching. The fear of who could be approaching them relaxing as the riders got closer and they saw Jimmy's big palomino was one of the horses.
The five visitors stopped directly in front of them, all relieved to see Jimmy alive and healthy. One of the riders with him drew a startled gasp from all but Noah, Kid's blood brother Curly was with them.
'Where the hell have you been Jimmy?' Teaspoon asked in frustration
'Sorry Teaspoon,' Jimmy apologised looking at the circle of concerned faces 'I thought I would be back earlier than this.' he explained as they dismounted.
'Where the hell have you been?' Lou whacked him in the chest almost hard enough to knock the wind from him.
'Curly has been tracking us, he knew where Kid was taken and he took me to see him.'
'How is he?' Lou almost pleaded.
'My brother is badly hurt but at least he is still alive,' Curly spoke.
'Why haven't you brought him back here?' Noah asked.
'The Indian agent and his police are holding him hostage. He is staked to the ground in the middle of their village.' Jmmy explained. Buck remained silent but his eyes searched Curly's knowing what Kid would be forced to endure if they couldn't rescue him soon.
'Why are they doing this?' Lou wailed sinking into Teaspoon's fatherly embrace.
'I have no idea, but we have to do something, he doesn't look good' Jimmy spoke regretfully.
'My brother's friend is right, the gds are not smiling at my brother, he will not see many more sunsets.'
All were startled as a lone rider approached the four Indians taking aim on the rider almost reflexively.
'Don't shoot,' Cody rode up his hands upraised.
'He is a friend,' Curly placed a hand over the barrel of two of the rifles.
'There was a note delivered to the way station last night Teaspoon' Cody spoke as he slide from the saddle.
'What do they want Cody?' Jimmy asked growing impatient.
'Buck,' he spoke resignedly.
'What?' nine faces turned in confusion.
'Apparently, they have some grudge with Red Bear. As near as I can tell they want to use Buck to trade with Red Bear for a prisoner he is holding.'
'That's ridiculous,' Teaspoon spoke none of them noticing that Buck had walked to his horse and mounted up, until his horse moved closer to the others.
'Where are they?' Buck spoke calmly.
'You are not going anywhere son,' Teaspoon stated.
'Why not? They said that Kid won't last much longer, If I can save him I will.' he said
'I won't let you do it Buck,' Lou spoke forcefully.
'Lou I can give you back the man that you love. I want to do that for you' he looked deeply into her eyes almost as if he was peering into her soul.
'Buck I can't let you sacrifice yourself no matter how much I love Kid' Lou turned on the others.
'Can't one of you stop him,' she yelled at them.
'Running Buck,' Curly stepped forward 'You have the courage of a true Kiowa brave. I will take you there.' Curly and his tribal brothers mounted there bareback ponies. Buck walked his horse to join Curly's and turned back to the others.
'I want to thank you all for accepting me and not judging me the way the others have done. You have become my family and for that I thank you.' he knew almost certainly that he would not be seeing any of them again and looked long and hard at the people who had become so dear to him. Th confusion on the faces of Jimmy and Cody, not quite understanding what was happening, the futile anger of Noah, the tears on the face of Ike, his closest friend who he could see in his eyes knew that almost certainly he would never see his friend again. Teaspoon his eyes covered with a suspicious sheen but filled with pride and sorrow.
Finally he let his gaze rest on Lou and drank hungrily of the sight, he knew that he would be killed before they handed him over to Red Bear but if he could give Lou back the love of her life he would. As he looked at her anguished face she broke out of Teaspoon's embrace and ran to his side. Reaching down he lifted her across hi lap and hugged her tightly, forgetting they were surrounded by their family, she took his face between her hands and kissed him deeply, a kiss filled with all the love, tenderness and emotion she felt for him at that moment, a kiss that begged him to stay with his family. He allowed himself to return her kiss with all the hunger he felt for her, his arms clasping her tightly against him. As his senses returned he released her and set her back on her feet, his hand gently caressing her face as she wordlessly turned her anguished eyes on him. He knew that if he was tortured he could remember this moment and erase any pain they should inflict from his mind. He would remember their kiss and this moment for the rest of his life. taking one last long look at his family he spurred his horse into movement.
As he rode away every one of them knew that they would not see him again, he had sacrificed himself proudly and honourably for the life of his friend and the woman he loved. Lou sank to her knees sobbing her anguish as she watched him ride into the horizon refusing to take her eyes from him until she could see him no more, knowing that he had offered himself for her happiness only made her pain worse.
On to Chapter Seven
