"No! Don't please! I'll do anything, I swear it!" Her cry rang out through the night, but no human soul would hear it. She struggled to free herself from the ropes that tore into her arms.

The two men just laughed as they prepared to take a shot at the man who was tied up and sitting in front of them. "Just let her go!" He screamed. "Tell me what it is you want!"

"We don't want nothing, except to get rid of you two as witnesses." Without a second thought, the dark haired man fired his weapon. The young man that was once strong, fell helplessly on the ground, and never moved again.

The killers turned to their second victim, but she was swift with her foot and spurred the horse that she was sitting on. He took off with lightning speed, and the young girl could hear the sound of fast-paced hoof beats coming up behind her. The darkness was to her advantage and she stopped her horse suddenly, and slid off the saddle....slapping the back of her faithful stallion. "Go on baby." She whispered. "And run like the wind!" Diving into the bushes, she prayed that the men would pass her by.

Tears flooded her eyes and what had just happened, so she tried to talk them away. I must go on! He'd want me to be brave. Oh but why did it have to be you, Joey!? Why!?

Chapter One

Stacy wasn't sure what hit her first, the gust of dirt in her face, or the instant shot of heat in her face as she stepped off of the stage. The coach driver handed her the small bag she was traveling with, and bid her a good day with a tilt of his hat.

She walked towards the hotel dodging wagons as she crossed the street. So this is Rock Creek. What a wonderful town. Stacy smiled as she watched some children run past her playfully chasing each other. Guess I'll clean up and figure out where the Pony Express station is.

"Come on Cody, just hand me the stupid hammer!" Noah barked to the young man that was standing over him with a devilish smirk on his face.

He tucked his thumbs in his belt. "I accept bribes." Cody replied matter-of-factly.

Noah, who was holding up the wooden support to the bunkhouse stairs cast an angry glance over his shoulder. "Yeah, and you'll be accepting a lot more if you don't get over here and help me!"

Kid who had been inside the bunkhouse came out at the arousing commotion. "Cody, can't you do anything to help around here?"

Cody shrugged. "Well yeah, I could...."

Rolling his eyes, Kid went over and retrieved the hammer for Noah. Giving it to him, he proceeded towards town. As he was walking, a young woman stopped him. "Excuse me. I hate to trouble you, but I'm new here and I was wondering if you could tell me where the Pony Express riders are?"

Kid was somewhat caught off guard. He wrinkled his brow. "Um, well actually I'm one of the riders. Can I help you?"

She smiled and her hazel blue eyes sparkled. Finally, after all these years, she'd caught up with her friend. "I'm looking for Louise McCloud. I was told she worked at the Rock Creek station."

He was at a loss for words. Obviously she knew where Lou worked, but dare he reveal her alternate identity? Just as he was about to come up with some reason why he couldn't answer that, Lou came up behind him. "I'm Lou McCloud, can I help you with something?"

Stacy was sure that her mouth had just dropped open. There before her was the girl that she had once known as Louise, dressed like a man....and surprisingly playing the part very well. "Louise! My word! I don't believe it."

Lou eyed her curiously. "I'm sorry, have we met?" She had no idea who this woman before her was. Still, there was something about the auburn haired girl before her that was quite familiar.

With a slight grin, Stacy reached out to grab her hand. "Louise, it's me...Stacy, Stacy Nelson!"

Once it hit her, Lou didn't hesitate, but warmly embraced her friend. "Oh Stacy! I thought I'd never see you again!" After a few moments, they pulled away, looking at each other and sharing a mirrored smile. Then Lou realized that Kid had been watching the whole scene.

"Stacy, I'd like you to meet my fellow rider, Kid." She motioned towards him and he extended his hand.

"I'm always happy to meet a friend of Lou's." The first thing Stacy noticed was the sincerity in his eyes. My dear friend has done quite well for herself!

Stacy returned the greeting. "The pleasure is mine, Kid." She paused for a movement. It was awkward for all of them to stand there. Lou couldn't believe that her friend was now in front of her. It had seemed like ages since they had last been together.

Lou took her arm and they began to walk back towards the station. Just out of curiosity, Kid followed them, forgetting the errand that Rachel had asked him to do. "Well do you have a place to stay?" Lou asked.

"Oh, yes, I checked in to the hotel this morning." Stacy wanted to pour her heart out to Lou right after they met, but she couldn't bear to tell her all that had gone on in her life. Not yet anyway, it was going to have to wait until they could be alone. Still, it was eating away at her, but somehow she managed to paste the smile on her face.

Stacy was so deep in thought that she didn't hear Lou talk to her all the way back. Obviously Lou was glad to see her old friend, but Kid was the only one to notice the distracted look in Stacy's eyes. She's probably just had a long trip. I just sure hope this friend ain't like the last friend Lou had visit. But at least she didn't meet her in the same place she met Charlotte. Resolving himself to just wait and see, he cast the remaining thoughts aside and focused on the pleasant laughter between the two united friends.

"....and then Jeremiah grabbed the drapes and they completely came off the window. You could only imagine how frustrated Sister Martha was!" Everyone at the bunkhouse dinner table was laughing. Stacy had seemed to win her way into the hearts of all of the riders in just the few hours she had been with them. Lou had the most mirthful smile on her face as she recollected the times they had shared in the orphanage.

"But she's not telling you all of it either!" Lou chuckled.

Stacy turned red. "Oh, no, don't even start with that!" She nervously snickered to herself. The two friends exchanged teasing glances.

There was an uneasy moment of silence before Buck leaned forward. He smiled at her gently. "How did you find Lou after all this time?"

Taking a deep breath, Stacy tried to figure out a way to keep it informative, but also keep the story as short as possible. Everyone at the table leaned forward, anxious to hear the story. "Well, when I left the orphanage, Lou was of course still there, and when I came back to visit a few months later they said she had left to go get a job. Of course then it occured to me that there probably wouldn't be too many different jobs that a young girl like her would take. But then, I always knew she was spunky!"

Lou giggled and looked at her friend. "Um, who was the one that used to torment all the boys??"

Stacy grinned, "That's beside the point."

Jimmy stopped chewing his food. This was one moment he had to take advantage of. "Oh, great, just what we need, another tough woman!" There was a chorus of laughter all around.

"You're just feeling defeated!" Rachel said rising to clear away the empty dishes.

Teaspoon was getting into the story and although he loved hearing the laughter of the others, he wanted her to continue. He gestured towards Stacy, "Now don't you boys go forgetting your manners, please continue." He smiled warmly.

She cleared her throat for a second go at it. "Now, is everyone finished with their remarks?" She gazed in a teasing stern manner at Jimmy. He looked away innocently. "Okay, so I asked the sister at the orphanage where she had gone, but they weren't exactly sure. I honestly didn't think that I would ever catch up with Lou, but I guess I did." Stacy knew she hadn't told the story right, in fact she hadn't really started looking for Lou until a few months ago.

She continued. "So then I just kept asking around, and finally after these years, I've found her." Stacy grabbed Lou's hand and squeezed it affectionately before she stood up to help Rachel clean up.

"I still say it's amazing you two even hooked up again." Noah pointed out before he also rose to tend to his last few evening chores. "But it's nice you're back together."

After seeing that Rachel had been assisted with the chores of cleaning up, Lou and Stacy gracefully excused themselves to take a walk outside in the dusk of the evening. It had taken quite some effort to escape without being followed by at least ONE of the boys. But Louise had gracefully begged them to stay behind. Each one of the boys apparently found Stacy quite attractive, which was all the more reason Lou thought it best to keep them all away, Cody especially.

They sat on the porch swing and admired the beautiful setting sun. Lou turned to her friend after a few moments. "Stacy, don't think I'm not glad to see you." She grabbed her hand. "But I can't help but wonder why you wanted so much to find me."

Stacy blinked back the tears. She knew this was going to be the hardest part of her visit with Lou; telling her what had happened only months ago. "You know Louise, you never could see past me, could you?" Stacy smiled gently at her friend.

Lou nodded in agreement. "What's happened?"

"It's so horrible I don't think I should tell you." Stacy looked out at the sky. She felt an arm touch her shoulder, which seemed to ease her spirits. "Lou, I witnessed something. Then some men came after us." She started to cry, but continued to fight it all back. Stacy had held it all in for so long, it was almost hard to face what she had been keeping from herself. She decided to let it all go at once, rather than try to play it out better than it was. "They killed Joe! Now they're after me."

Lou's face turned a sickly pale. Joey had been like a big brother to her. And the fact that murders were now after her friend scared her to death. "Oh Stacy! Who? How? Why?" She was too shocked to react with anything better than that.

"I came to you because I didn't have anyone else to go to." She spoke between sobs.

Louise rose to hug her comfortingly. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm here, and we're going to get you out of this. Just tell me what all happened."

Stacy dried her tears and looked into the eyes of Louise. "Thank you." For once in a very long time she felt a slight glimmer of hope.

A couple of hours passed as Lou tried to console her friend at the loss of her dear brother. It was when the desert winds picked up that they decided to go inside and warm themselves by the fire. Stacy had slowly revealed more and more of what had happened, but also confessed that she didn't understand it all either.

"We'll talk to Teaspoon in the morning. He has connections, and he will help us get to the bottom of this." Lou whispered as she tried not to wake the others who were sleeping soundly.

"Louise, I don't want to drag more people into this. I can always start running again, but I won't have that happen to anyone else." The firelight cast shadows on the traces of fear that lingered upon Stacy's face.

Lou pulled Stacy up, "Come on, you're staying here tonight."

Instantly she objected. "No. I can't, really."

Lou looked stubbornly at her friend. "I said, you are staying here. I'm not letting you go across town in the dark, besides if those men come after you, I want you to be here where you'll be protected.

Stacy chuckled. "You mean under the protection of the fast 'Wild Bill'?" They tried to stifle their laughter.

"Yeah, something like that." Lou gathered the few extra blankets that they had stored in the bunkhouse. "Now you take my bed."

"No, absolutely not!" I'll be fine right here on the floor." Stacy demonstrated by grabbing the blankets and easing herself down.

Lou put her hands on her hips. "You know you are one impossible person?"

Stacy smiled. "Of course." She paused for a moment. "Louise, can I ask you something?" She watched as Lou took off her boots and prepared herself for bed.

"Certainly." I hope this isn't too serious, I need something lighthearted! But Lou patiently waited.

Stacy propped herself up. "How on earth do you survive in here with all of these guys?"

Lou wrinkled her nose at the muffled snore that Cody released. "To be truthful, I don't know!" She carefully stepped on the bottom bunk to hoist herself up, trying not to step on Kid who had decided to sleep sideways with his arm dangling off of the edge.

Intently watching the process Lou was having to go through, Stacy found herself smiling at the scene. How long has it been since I've actually found myself laughing? This is what I needed, it has helped me shut out parts of the past, even if problems are still there. Seeing that Lou had finally made it to her destination, Stacy settled herself down.

"Good night." Lou called softly.

"Nite."

Kid sat up slowly, remembering that it was his morning to ride. The sun wasn't up yet, so the bunkhouse was dark, save for the dim light which came from the glowing ambers in the fireplace. He quietly gathered his things and stood up, strapping on his gunbelt. Before he walked outside, Kid hoisted himself up to plant a kiss on Lou's forehead. She stirred slightly, but just nestled herself more into her pillow.

Cody, who usually wasn't up before the crack of dawn, heard Kid stirring and decided to get up to find out what was going on (he had so forgotten that it was Kid's morning to ride). As he took a few steps closer towards the shadows of the figure he could barely make out, he tripped over a large object that yelled out as he plummeted to the floor. "Ouch!!" Came the cry from the young woman who had been soundly asleep.

"What the...!" Cody screamed as he hit the floor.

Simultaneously, Jimmy sat up straight, startled by the sounds, and whacked his head on the bunk directly above him. "Ouch!" Instinctively he reached for his gun, while trying to rub his throbbing temple. While Kid, on the other hand, wheeled around at the sounds behind him and let out a stifled, "whoa!" as he fell backwards almost landing on Cody with a ground-shattering thud. Lou sat up just in time to see this all go on when she cried out, "Kid! Cody!" Then she paused, realizing what had just happened. "Stacy?" Having everyone awake, the moans and groans began.

Rubbing her shoulder that had now been sufficiently whammed, Stacy forced herself to sit up with her back against the table. "If the outlaws don't kill me, these two just might." She muttered under her breath. But then as she surveyed her surroundings, Stacy couldn't help but find the whole scenario funny. Apparently everyone else found it quite hilarious as well, because there was a short pause before laughter rang out from all of them.

Lou jumped down to help all of them back to their feet. "Guess I should have told you she was on the floor, but then you were asleep and everything." She giggled as she helped a still-stunned Cody rise.

Kid was now on his stomach and he looked over at Stacy. He smiled and saluted playfully. "Good morning!"

She snickered. "Yeah, good morning! Nice of you to drop over."

Jimmy re-holstered his gun and inched back down, placing his hat over his face. "Good night."

Noah rolled over on his side. "Yeah, good night. And Cody, next time, watch where you're going!"

"I really am sorry you guys. Lou just insisted I stay here overnight, seeing as it was so late." Stacy said. Hopefully Louise will just leave it at that. I sure don't want everyone to know yet!

Kid stood up and brushed himself off. "It's really alright. Leave it to him to find the one obstacle on the floor." He motioned towards the blond rider who had headed back to his bed, seeing that there was really nothing of interest to stay up for....especially since he could sleep for another hour before it was officially time for them to get up.

"Well just the same, I'm sorry. Although it was all rather humorous." Stacy tried to keep in the laugher that was itching to come out by placing her hand over her mouth.

Kid headed towards the bunkhouse door. "Have a good ride, Kid." Stacy softly called out after him.

He turned to face her. "Thanks. And you two ladies stay out of trouble while I'm gone. I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled once more before leaving.

"We make no promises." Stacy replied. Lou followed him out, while Stacy began gathering her blankets off of the floor.

Breakfast had been wonderful, thanks to Rachel, and Stacy decided to take a walk out to the corral to see the horses that she had noticed the day before. Lou said she had a few things to do before they could go over and meet Teaspoon. Stacy had offered to help, but Louise insisted that she needed to do those chores on her own.

"Well you are certainly lovely now aren't you?" Stacy said as she gently stroked the neck of the beautiful Palomino that belonged to Jimmy.

"I'd have to agree with you on that one." Started at the sound, Stacy turned to see Jimmy standing behind her. He smile was innocent and completely without threat, and Stacy realized he was quite pleasant to look at.

She hopped down off of the fence post she was standing on and met with him face to face. "I guess we never officially met, Jimmy." Stacy extended her hand, which he shook firmly.

"Guess not. Lou was so happy to see you, I think she smothered you from meeting the rest of us." Jimmy found himself quite intrigued with the stranger before him. Lou's past had brought nothing but trouble, so he felt somewhat on edge by her presence. But still, he found no reason not to trust her.

Stacy nodded affirmatively. "It's just been so long."

Hickok rested his arm on the fence. "I take it you two were very close. She's just never mentioned you....but then it's hard to get Lou to tell you much of anything."

"Yes, I don't think I would have made it as well as I did had it not been for her. She was really close to my brother too....." Her voice trailed off. Then suddenly the disgusted, pale look that struck her face, caused Jimmy to react.

"Stacy, you alright?" His tone was concerned. She stared intently on something behind him for several moments before he too turned to see what she was looking at. Three men mounted on sweaty horses rode past the station. Although the riders didn't look in his direction, their stern faces and dirty expressions instantly clued Jimmy in to the fact that they were up to no good.

He watched as Stacy's shock turned to pure terror. "My gosh, they've found me!" She whispered before sinking down to her knees.

Jimmy bent down and placed a reassuring arm on her shoulder. "Stacy, what's wrong?"

She looked into his eyes, and for one brief moment almost revealed what she had told Lou. "I've got to get out of here."

Jimmy was starting to get slightly irritated that he didn't know enough to truly help. "Why? Does it have to do with those men?"

Stacy mustered up the energy to rise fully to her feet. She knew she had to get away before those men found her. They couldn't have known where I went! This must be a coincidence! "It's a long story, Jimmy." Was her solemn reply. "Just tell me when they are gone. I'll stay over here, and when you say it is clear, I'll gather my things at the hotel and go."

Knowing full well that he couldn't question her any further, Jimmy did as she asked. Stacy couldn't help but notice his confused expression. "Jimmy, wait." He turned back to face her. "I'm sorry, Lou can explain when I'm gone." Hickok nodded with his straight poker face. "Thank you." She called after him. He acknowledged it with a slight wave of his hand.

Stacy watched as he rounded the corner, trying not to look conspicuous. She waited a few minutes before she saw him walking back towards her. He motioned that it was clear, and she quickly strode across the street to the bunkhouse.

Lou was inside dusting off some of the shelves, so she barely noticed Stacy until she spoke. "Louise, they're here. You've got to please help me get my things at the hotel so I can be on my way."

Dropping the dusting rag she had been holding, Lou rushed over to her friend. "What!? You mean the men that killed Joe? Stacy, how on earth did they find you!?"

Stacy collapsed onto the nearest bed. "Louise, I don't know!" Somewhat taken back by her tone, Lou stepped back. Stacy at once felt guilty, "Oh Louise, I'm sorry. I just don't know what to do. It seems like every place I've gone, they've found me." Her voice became soft as she gazed unseeingly at the floor.

Without thinking, Lou walked over and grabbed Stacy's arm and pulled her across the room to where her gun belt was hanging on the bedpost. Strapping it on, she then proceeded over to her trunk that was filled with various belongings. Some of the items belonged to the other riders who had asked Lou if she would hold some of their things.

"What are you doing?" Stacy asked with a sincere expression of bewilderment.

Without answering, Lou pulled out a spare gun wrapped in an old faded white cloth. She cleaned it off quickly and handed it to Stacy. "Think you know how to manage this?"

She took it and looked at Lou appreciatively. "Yes, but..."

"No questions. Come on, we're going to go talk to Teaspoon." Lou nudged her arm and somewhat reluctantly Stacy tucked the gun into the side of her skirt, and covered it with the lose folds of her coat.

As they stepped outside, Noah, Buck, Cody and Jimmy were gathered by the door. "We're going with you." Buck stated.

"That's nice of you fellas, but Stacy and I have to do this alone. I need one of you to take my ride for me today." Lou quietly waited for the first one to offer. She knew all of them couldn't parade to Teaspoon's office, that would be a little bit obvious. And as nice as it was for them to offer, Lou knew this was something that she could do better without four extra helpers.

"I'll go for you." Noah didn't wait for a reply, but instead he gently pushed past them to go inside and gather the necessary equipment he needed to make the run.

"What do you want us to do?" Jimmy quietly asked. He hadn't known Stacy very long at all, but he knew how much she meant to Lou, and that was enough for him to want to help.

Even Cody had become serious and nodded in agreement with Jimmy's question.

"Maybe you could tell us what is going on. Jimmy said you were quite upset when those men rode by." Buck kept his voice level and calm. He had often times been one of the boys that helped calm the situation by encouraging the explanation or whole story of the problem. Then, a logical solution could be found.

"Buck, we'll explain it all when we talk to Teaspoon. Actually, why don't you boys go get him and ask him to come here. That would be safer than me trying to get Stacy across town." They readily agreed and briskly walked towards the Marshal's office.

"Come on Stacy, we'll go over here and wait." Lou motioned for the porch swing in front of the bunkhouse. For a few brief moments Stacy and Louise both felt relief.

But then there came a foreboding tone that caused them both to jump. "You ain't going to be waiting long." They turned to see the men who had ridden into town, not that long ago, standing behind them with guns armed and ready. "In fact Miss Stacy, I do believe you and your friend are going to be spending quite a bit of time with us." His evil smile displayed no sign of human compassion, and suddenly Lou could envision the hell that these men had been putting her friend through.

Both of the women stiffened and wondered what they should do. It wasn't too late to call out for help and have the four riders come running back. Of course then it wouldn't take half of that time for the men to pull the trigger and shoot them both.

Stacy turned to face her enemies. "Leave Lou out of this."

One of the men, apparently the leader, looked at her with an evil, stark glaze. In her mind, Stacy had instant flashbacks of the horrible night when the men shot Joey. She could hear their laughter that rang out simultaneously with the shot that was fired....the same one that killed her brother. Although she hadn't seen their faces, Stacy envisioned that this is probably what they looked like; viciously cold, heartless, and un-feeling.

"Now that would be a good suggestion, 'cepting the fact that she's already been a witness to all of this. So come with us real quite like, and there won't be any trouble, see?" His gun was raised slightly.

Stacy defiantly stepped towards him. She had taken enough....from all of them. "What is it you want? Or do you just like browsing around murdering innocent people?" As soon as the words were out, she was nervously anticipating the response. Unaware, she was gripping her friends hand tightly but Lou didn't seem to notice and returned with equal pressure.

"We need you to give us the treasury documents your brother stole." His tone was calm, which needless to say surprised them both.

Stacy refused to believe what they said. Joey had said that there was trouble in the government office, but he surely couldn't have stolen documents! "My brother didn't steal anything! And if you had something important to get from him, you should have gotten it before you killed him!" She felt her face flush a bright red.

"He refused to turn them over to us." He said simplistically.

Resisting the urge to lunge at one of them, Stacy hastily turned from the man's gaze. She couldn't take the pain anymore.

"Come on Stacy, let's get away from this scum." Lou grabbed her arm and wheeled her around.

There was a sudden spring action when this happened, and both of the women were whipped backwards. "You aren't going anywhere!"

Lou and Stacy looked at each other with the same 'you got any good ideas?' expression. Surely these two men weren't stupid enough to shoot them both right out there in the open. Then came a sound that they both realized would save them; Teaspoon Hunter appeared suddenly with Buck, Noah, and Cody shortly behind.

"I'd suggest you back off. Now." Teaspoon's face clearly stated that he wasn't kidding and meant business.

The men looked at his badge and then at the boys with him. Their leader was going to play his cards right. He smiled warmly and motioned for his men to back off. "Well, Marshal. Isn't this a nice surprise. I was just telling these two ladies about how much we were enjoying this little town of your's, but that it's kinda funny how easy it is to have something stolen. I'd suggest you increase your deputies." There was no way that his voice could have been more sarcastic.

Stacy started to step forward, but she felt one of the riders tug on her coat and stopped dead in her tracks. This was one situation to leave to Teaspoon.

"I suggest you boys leave town before I find a reason to lock you up. And by the looks of it, I ain't gunna have a hard time finding one." He pointed to the gun which was now in the man's hand resting loosely on his leg.

Without much hesitation the man turned to his followers. "You heard the Marshal boys, they don't want us around here." He looked over at Stacy. "I'll be seeing you again." She threw him a look of detest and fled from the scene. She stopped only long enough to thank Teaspoon and the others.

"Stacy, what are you doing?" Lou's tone was more reprimanding than questioning. Her friend just continued without looking up.

"I'm packing."

Lou sat down heavily in front of her, forcing Stacy to look into her eyes. The hotel's bed springs squeaked at the motion. "Where are you going?"

Latching her bag closed, Stacy turned to leave the room. "I don't know, Lou. I'm going to find out what it is that those men want, and if my brother has done something wrong...." Her voice quivered at the thought, "Then I want to make it right." She grabbed her friend's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you for everything."

Lou brushed it off. Somehow she felt as if she was a big part of this. Stacy was family, some of the only family she had known before coming to ride for the Express. She couldn't let her go alone. "I'm going with you."

The floor creaked at the sound of an approaching person. They both turned to face the door. "Then so will I."

Jimmy stood in the door way and gently rested against the wall. The sentence he spoke clearly stated that it wasn't open for discussion, he was going.

Lou apparently wasn't surprised as she turned her attention back to Stacy. "Where should we start?"

The young woman looked at them both with appreciation spelled across her face. "Thank you, but I don't want either of you going. This is something that I should take care of. Besides, you have a responsibility here." Getting up, Stacy hoped that would be the end of the conversation. But of course it wasn't....which honestly didn't astonish her at all, Jimmy had proved to be just as strong-willed as her friend.

"All the more reason for us to go so we can hurry up and get back." Jimmy turned to leave. "I'll get the horses ready and tell Teaspoon."

"I guess we should start back where my brother was working." Stacy offered.

Lou grabbed her hat. "Okay, meet you outside in a few minutes then." Stacy nodded.

Just as Lou was closing the door behind her, she turned around quickly. "Um, you don't have some writing paper do you?" She fiddled with her hands slightly and then tucked them in her pockets.

There was a slight smile forming at the edges of Stacy's lips. It took her one brief second to figure out why she'd need it, then it hit her like ton of bricks. "Of course I do." She reached down into her bag and pulled out a book in which there was some nicely folded writing paper. Handing it to Lou she added, "Would you please put in there something short and sweet about how I'm sorry to drag you away like this." There was a slight pause. "Oh, and that I really am sorry about this morning!"

Trying to conceal her surprise she almost exclaimed. "How did you know!?"

Stacy put her hand on her hips. "How did I know what?"

Lou looked down at the sheet of paper that was now folded between her fingers. "Nothing."

She smiled before grabbing the few belongings that she was taking, and collected the things she would leave at the bunkhouse. Without another word she started to leave the room walking right past Lou. "Don't 'nothing' me...I'm not blind you know! I saw how you two looked at each other, I mean for crying out loud he was up saying goodbye to you this morning, and.....nevermind." She watched as Lou turned a bright shade of red.

They both laughed together once more. Lou chortled. "That's how you knew."

Stacy shrugged. "Well that was kind of a give-away. But I'd say you've done really well for yourself, at least from what I've seen so far!"

Lou somewhat hesitantly agreed. "Yeah, I guess. There's always others to consider." She had always been a bit confused about her relationship with Jimmy. Only a few weeks ago he had acted as if he was in love with her. If only he'd come right out and tell her!

The proceeded down the stairs. "If you're not sure, then that means I could have a go at it." Stacy turned to her friend with a evil, teasing smirk.

"Now wait a minute, I didn't say that....." Lou quickly added before Stacy cut her off by lightly grabbing her arm playfully.

"I was only teasing. Besides, Hickok seems kinda sweet too."

Lou agreed with a sigh. "That he is." She paused for a moment. "I'll meet you outside, I have something to write real quick."

Jimmy was waiting outside with their horses saddled and ready. He graciously took the few bags that Stacy was leaving behind and took them over to the bunkhouse.

He returned within only a few minutes of leaving. "Are you two about ready?" Looking over at Stacy, he noticed that she had made as much of a transformation as Lou could. She was now dressed in pants, and her hair was tucked up under her hat. Oh no, I never thought there'd be another Lou.... still, it's kind of a nice thought. Unaware, Jimmy cracked a smile, which brought a question to Stacy's mind, but before she could ask him about it, Lou approached.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Stacy answered, realizing several moments had passed before she had answered his inquiry. She mounted her midnight black stallion, who was anxious and ready to go.

Lou hoisted herself up onto Lightning. Still some doubts of what she was doing couldn't help but cross her mind. This is the right thing to do. "I have to stop by and give something to Rachel first."

They both nodded and followed right behind her. As they approached the station, Lou hopped down and quickly ran in to give Kid's letter to the one person she knew she could trust.

Being only gone a few moments, Lou ran back outside and jumped onto Lightning's back with amazing speed. "Let's go!"

Jimmy raised his hand. "Wait, where is it that we're going?" Funny, they hadn't even told him where he was going, and maybe that was odd to some people, but Hickok liked to at least have a little bit of an idea.

Lou looked over at Stacy who then looked over at Jimmy. "Kansas City."

The face that was once a healthy flesh-colored shade, turned ghostly pale. "Kansas City, as in Kansas....or Missouri?"

"Kansas. Well actually since they connect it'll probably be both. Like Lou said, let's go!" Stacy took off and headed out of town, not giving him a chance to argue.

Jimmy and Lou waited a few moments before following her. "She's kidding, right?" He could think of a million places he'd rather be than back in his home-state of Kansas. But a promise is a promise, and Jimmy did say that he'd go.

"You don't have to go." Lou took off after Stacy and didn't wait for Jimmy's reply. She knew his feelings about that place, but she also knew his loyaties....and had no doubt that she'd hear the rythmic sound of his horse's hoof beats behind.

He let out a heavy sigh and groan. "Yeah I do."

The morning dew had settled on the ground, which made Rachel's feet cold as she stepped down the stairs and into the street. "Noah, I thought I asked you to bring the supplies into the house, so I wouldn't have to go to the barn and get them." She mumbled to herself.

Turning towards the beautiful sunrise, she spotted a rider approaching fast from the horizon. She stopped and waited for the figure to grow closer so he could be identified. Finally, she saw the brown shimmer of their newest horse recently added to the lot. With a warm smile, she greeted Kid. "How'd she do?" She inquired.

"Great! "Almost as good as Katy, but then no horse in this territory can match her." He slid from the saddle.

Rachel lightly touched his shoulder. He won't be this happy once he finds out Lou's ridden out. She thought to herself. "Yeah, well let me take her for you. You look tired, and you've been riding all night."

He smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Rachel." Although they left one exhausted, night rides by the moonlight had always been one of Kid's favorite to make. It was a relaxing time to think without the pounding rays of the sun's heat.

"Oh Kid." Rachel called out as she turned back around.

He stopped and faced her. "Yeah?"

She thought about waiting to tell Kid about Lou's note, but realized what he'd do to her if she had delayed in telling him until later. "Lou, Jimmy, and Stacy had to ride off towards Kansas City. She wanted me to make sure and let you know that she'd written you a note explaining everything."

His look turned worried. "Was it something important?" After he said it, Kid realized that had been a semi-dumb question, they wouldn't have left if there hadn't been something important. "Where's the note?"

She pointed towards the house. "It's on the mantle over the fireplace."

Without a second thought, he took off towards the house and bounded up the steps. He opened the door and dashed over to where the letter was carefully propped between the small clock Rachel had treasured, and a flower vase. He gently reached up and pulled it down. Unfolding it, he began to read the neatly-written writings.

To my dearest Kid,

I trust that you've had a safe journey, and that the new horse Cody almost broke his back breaking in, ran like the wind. Katy always seems to miss you when you're gone.

By now Rachel's obviously told you that Jimmy, Stacy, and myself had to ride off towards Kansas City. I can't go into it now, but something happened with Stacy's brother, and now some men are trying to kill her. We have to find some documents that will clear her brother. I'm sorry that I can't be there to tell you this and explain. Please don't worry about us, Jimmy is here, and Stacy knows how to handle herself too. I sure do miss you already. We'll be back soon, and then you better take me to dinner like you keep promising!

All my love,

Louise

Kid clutched the letter tighter in his grip. He hesitated for a moment before going back outside and straight to the bunkhouse.

Rachel who had watched the scene followed him, trotting behind trying to catch up with his long strides. "Kid, don't do anything foolish like going after them. You know Lou meant what she said. They'll be fine out there. So go get some sleep."

He stopped only momentarily. "I can't stay here knowing they are out there. Don't ask me to do anything other than join them." With his firm tone (the one that was very rarely expressed from Kid), she knew better than to argue.

Nodding understandingly, she added. "I'll go get you some food to take."

"Ow, what was that!?" Stacy yelped slightly as she sprung from her blanket next to Lou's. She looked down to see her arm scratched and bleeding slightly.

Lou sounded worried, in spite of her grogginess. "What happened? Did something bite you?"

At their raised voices, Jimmy sat up straight. He shook his head as if trying to cast the sleepiness from his eyes. He hated being awakened rapidly by something like a squeal, or gunshot. "Is everything okay?"

Grabbing her friend's arm, Lou examined it carefully. Stacy struggled slightly trying to pull away. "I'll be fine, it's just a scratch."

"Looks like you might have been bitten. Oh my gosh Stacy, if it was a snake...." Lou cupped her hand over her mouth.

"Yeah, well if I'm going to die, it would be the first time anyone's ever died from a tumbleweed branch." She pointed down at her bed, where there were several prickly branches sprawled on her blanket. Lou sighed with relief. She didn't know what they would do had it been something poisonous.

Jimmy dusted off his hat before putting it back on his head. "You two sure know how to make a fuss about something important." He let the sarcastic tone of his voice ooze out.

Louise rose and began rummaging through her bags. "Well, I guess since nobody's going to die, we better have some breakfast and get goin'!"

Her two companions agreed quite readily. There wasn't much time for them to think about food, however, when that old familiar gruff voice from the men they had run into the previous day approached from all sides, surrounding them. "Mind if we join you?"

Jimmy couldn't help but moan. "Oh great. And before breakfast too."

The wind whistled past Kid's ear as he spurred his horse across the sage-covered ground. He had felt from the start that something was wrong with Stacy, and now it was certain. Just about every woman that had ever come into his life held something back, even Lou hadn't been an exception to this. After all, she was disguised as a boy! How long would she have fooled him? He often times wondered, but was glad that he didn't have to wait around to find out. I don't know what's going on now, but Jimmy, you better be taking care of that woman....no, make that BOTH of those women! In spite of the great speed at which he was moving, it wasn't nearly fast enough.

"Sorry, this area is too full for the likes of you." Lou nearly barked at their approachers.

The man snickered. His appearance was distasteful, and he was dirtier than any pig they had ever seen. "You better be getting used to our company, darlin', cuz we're going with you."

What a nightmare! Stacy thought to herself. She looked over at Jimmy, who had already fixed his gaze on her. He was making some sort of motion with his hands that she couldn't understand. Wrinkling her eyebrows she leaned forward slightly, trying to understand the message he was giving. Instantly she was distracted by someone pulling on her hair from behind. He forced her neck backwards and she had to look into his eyes.....the scariest eyes she'd ever seen too.

"And you are our 'official' trail leader." He smiled devilishly and glanced over at Lou. "Then if you try anything, Bobby over here's going to see that you're friends are taken down. One by one." He released her head and pushed it roughly forward, causing her to land on her hands. Jimmy jumped slightly, but thought better of trying anything.....yet.

Lou boldly stood up. "I thought there were four of you? What happened, did the rest of them chicken out?" She crossed her arms without a trace of fear showing.

"Lou." Jimmy said in a warning tone.

He stepped closer to her face. "Spunky, aren't you? Actually they're trailing us now. They had some 'business' to take care of first. But have no fear, they'll be with us shortly." He circled the camp. "Now, we're going to do this the right way." Motioning to Hickok's Navy Colts, he gave the signal for him to remove them. "Take those off, right now." He pointed to the two ladies. "That goes for whatever weapons you're carrying." They hesitantly agreed. Jimmy most of all. Telling him to take off his guns might has well been asking him to cut off his arms.

"Now, let's get going. And you Miss Stacy, will lead us all." Bobby pulled her to her feet. "You," He pointed to Jimmy. "Will follow." The three friends exchanged glances and then complied.

Kid thought that he heard the sound of a gunshot ringing in the distance. He slowed Katy down, and headed in the direction that it was coming from. There was smoke rising from what appeared to be a campfire. Unsure who it could be, he crept in slowly following the outline of the bushes.

"Where were we supposed to meet Patterson?" One of them asked, his speech slightly slurred.

"I'm not sure, he just said they'd get Stacy and we were supposed to catch up. Just don't fire that thing again!" He said, referring to the shot that his friend had taken at his old beer bottle.

"Yeah, but catch up to where? This ain't small country. I think he keeps forgetting that. I guess we'll just follow the trail." The other man replied through swigs of whiskey.

After waiting a few moments Kid dismounted Katy, leaving her in a position where he could make a fast getaway if needed. They have Stacy? Then that means they must have Lou and Jimmy too...unless. Kid pushed that thought from his mind. He securely grabbed his gun and held it in his right hand, while at the same time creeping closer and closer. With each step he feared that they might hear him, but they seemed so engrossed in their own conversation and drinking that they probably wouldn't have noticed a stampede of cattle come across the top of them.....until the last minute that is.

He held his breath as soon he was within a few feet of them. It's now or never. Kid surveyed the sitiuation....Okay, there's one to the right and the other......... wait, where'd he go? Oh, there by his horse. Come in closer.....just a bit closer. Yes! Good, now they're almost standing togetherw. Now, one, two....three!! "Hold it right there." Kid called out as he paraded into their camp with his gun on both of them. "I wouldn't try that." He warned as one of them started to clear his gun from the holster.

The man raised his hands instantly. "What do you want, mister? We don't have any money."

Kid moved forward looking for some rope to tie them both. "Yeah? Well ain't that just sad." He said as he came closer to them. "But what I want is where your friend is taking Stacy."

The black haired man shook nervously. "Honest........I mean honest, we don't know."

"Shut up!" Kid called out. "You're so drunk it's disgusting." He pointed to the other man, who seemed slightly more sober. "How about telling me?"

"I don't know! Patterson just said to follow them. But we're not sure where he's headed. He don't tell us much of anything." He sounded truthful, and seeing as how when they were alone they weren't sure either, Kid had no choice but to believe them.

"Fine, then you won't mind sitting here waiting for him to get back." Kid grabbed their guns and tossed them away from their reach. "Sit." They obediently obeyed. He took the rope that was wound onto the horn of one of the saddles and tied them together. "Hey, that's tight!" The younger one bellowed.

Kid was rapidly growing angrier and angrier at the whole situation. "You're breaking my heart." He tightened it even more and hit their horses, causing them to run.

As he walked away, they called out to him. "Wait! We can help you! Please mister, you can't leave us like this." Kid stopped for a moment with his back to them. He turned back around and walked towards them. "You know, you're right. I can't leave you like this." He took two socks that the men had laid by the fire to dry. "You need something to make you quiet." With that he stuffed one in each of their mouths, stifling their unbearable screeches.

Kid walked away from them with a satisfied smile on his face. Mounting Katy, he took off in the only direction that he thought might lead him to his friends........straight ahead.

Stacy shifted herself in the hard saddle beneath her. It seemed as if they had been riding for hours. She wasn't even sure how far they had come, just that the endless stretch of brown grass never ended.

"How much further is that city anyway?" Lou mumbled behind Jimmy. Sure she had made a run to Kansas City before, but she chose to take the more "northern" route. Lou wondered if any of the others felt as hot, tired, bored and stiff as she did.

"We should be there in a couple of hours." Came a quick reply from one of the men that Lou couldn't distinguish from behind. Terrific, a couple more hours of being shoved around by some scummy men. Lou thought to herself. She wished so much that she could ride up alongside Stacy, at least for someone to talk to.

Almost as if her thoughts had been heard, one of them called out. "We'll stop for a while and water our horses." He glared over at Jimmy. "And that means don't try anything stupid."

Jimmy slid down and felt the hard ground crunch beneath his feet. "Wouldn't dream of it." He said, letting contempt in his voice ring out.

Kid continued on, only being able to hope that he was headed in the right direction. He should have found out more about what was going on with Stacy before he left on his ride, and he was kicking himself that he hadn't. The empty pit in his stomach didn't make matters any better.

As horse and owner traveled a bit further, Kid's keen senses picked up on the smell of a smoldered fire. He instinctively followed it, and was lead to what was obviously a old campfire. Kid searched diligently for any signs of what he could only hope had been the most recent site of his three friends.

He looked around the stirred dust that was on the ground and tried to figure out how many different people had been there. After some careful investigation, he still couldn't figure it out. "Man I wish Buck were here." He said outloud. "Come on, you must have left something!"

Just as he was about to give up, Kid walked towards Katy, but stopped as he peered over towards some tall grass and noticed a piece of cloth, which was torn at the edges. It didn't look familiar to him, but there was a scent on it that was. He recognized it as one of those purfumes that seemed to be quite popular back East. "Stacy. Oh, please still be heading towards Kansas City!" Hastily he hopped onto his mount. "Come on girl, we've got to pray we can beat them there, or at least catch up in time."

"I said back away from each other!" Matt yelled. Lou looked at Stacy and slowly backed off.

"We were just talking." She argued in their defense.

He stepped closer........intimidatingly closer. "I don't care, just stay away from each other."

Jimmy had been watching the scene from a short distance. He was just itching for the chance to do something to one, no both of those men. He knew the timing had to be just right though. He wasn't going to blow what could be their only chance. Back at the campsite he tried to signal Stacy to duck so that he could take a shot at the man behind her, but obviously she hadn't gotten the message.

"Is it alright if we talk from a distance?" Stacy asked, arms folded. She refused to play these games any longer.

He looked at them both for a moment. "You, sit, right there. And DON'T move." Matt motioned for Lou to sit on the ground where she stood. "Now if you stay that far away from each other, you can do whatever you feel like." He smiled mischievously. "Just don't get too settled in, we'll be moving on in a few minutes."

Stacy cleared her throat and dusted off her pants. "Mess this of out get to how on ideas bright any got?"

Lou looked at her as if she'd gone crazy. She shook her head in confusion. "What did you just say?"

Stacy shot her friend a dirty look. She couldn't believe that Louise didn't remember the game they both used to play in the orphanage. "Lou, come on, think, I know you remember this. Do you recall the time we used to play all of those silly GAMES?"

Lou's eyes brightened at the memory. She thought back on what Stacy had just said. That's right! Got any bright ideas on how to get out of this mess! They had played the "backwards" game for hours on end. In fact, speaking backwards had become like a whole new language to she and her friend. In fact it was just so easy, but sounded strange enough, that nobody else ever figured it out. "Town to get we before something with up come better we but, no."

They giggled at the memories that brought back. Jimmy looked over at them strangely, trying to repeat the words that they had said. Before he could ask about it, Matt and Bobby hollered to them. "Mount up, now. We're not stopping until we reach Kansas City, our final destination!" He smiled at the thought of his own success.

"Oh I wouldn't be getting too cocky yet." Stacy said under her breath. She noticed Jimmy was watching her walk towards her horse. "You ok?" She asked as she passed him.

"Yeah. Just stay alert, and be ready." Was his only reply.

Stacy wasn't about to ask him what that was supposed to mean, but instead of dweling on it, she turned to Lou. "I guess I'll talk to you on the other end of this mess."

"Guess so."

They're forcing me into something that I'm not sure about. Joey couldn't have been involved with something sketchy! I refuse to believe it! I don't know how, but we have to break free. Stacy wordlessly resumed her position in leading the others as she was being forced to do. She prayed that someone would come after them........but she also knew that their leaving was of no surprise to anyone back at the station. Shoot, Louise had left a note for Kid saying that they were going. The situation looked hopeless and grim. Even if they did make it to Kansas City and find those documents, they wouldn't be coming back alive. Of that much she was sure.

Chapter Ten, coming soon!

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